Transcript Highlights:

• So the solution three and a half years ago was to create two additional licensure tiers.
• I will say this bill does not remove the exam requirement for any other license tier.
• that would allow for agencies to tiers that would allow for agencies to bill<03:06:54.239> for
• the reasons why we are asking for tier the reasons why we are asking for the<03:07:41.359> exam
• states that do have similar lure tiers states that do have similar lure tiers for<03:20:01.880><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an orientation-style overview from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), led by Executive Director Deana Jurus and staff. They described the office’s mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and the public trust, and outlined the agency structure: enforcement, licensing and board administration, operations, legal counsel, board counsel, and the hearings bureau. OPLC said it currently supports 57 boards, including seven advisory boards, and has about 104 filled positions out of 120 authorized. They also noted new voluntary certifications for doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers that are in rulemaking. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how boards and staff divide responsibilities under RSA 310:4. Staff explained that the office handles application processing, complaint intake and initial review, records retention, 91-A requests, and rule drafting, while boards make final decisions on licensure criteria, complaint dismissals or investigations, disciplinary actions, and some hearing matters. They also described the rule structure by chapter number ranges and the distinction between full licensing boards and advisory boards. The committee asked about complaint notifications, and OPLC said it is tightening policies so complainants are told whether a matter is closed or moving forward. The licensing process was discussed in detail, especially for nursing. Bethany Katrell explained that applicants apply through an online portal, may receive approval to sit for exams, can work under provisional authority in some cases, and then receive full licensure after exam results and criminal background checks are complete. OPLC said the portal now reduces back-and-forth paperwork and that, as of the latest biweekly report, 87% of applications were decided within the statutory 90-day period and 57% within 14 days. Members also raised questions about why some professions require board approval before taking an exam, and OPLC said that requirement varies by statute or board rule. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just my thoughts on instead of all at once, just a tiered three-year or four-year tiered approach
• <03:31:45.840> three-year of all at once just a tiered three-year of all at once just a tiered
• ><03:31:48.000> tiered tiered approach or fouryear tiered tiered approach or fouryear tiered approach
• Uh I'm not going to speak to the tiered Uh I'm not going to speak to the tiered approach.<03:53:
• Um, with the Shamburgg tiered approach.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Confirmation No. 68 appointing Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees
• <00:19:09.200> to<00:19:09.440> the appointing Edgar Hower II to the appointing Edgar
• Hower II to the University<00:19:09.840> of<00:19:10.000> West<00:19:10.320> Alabama
• 00:19:15.760> confirm<00:19:16.080> Edgar<00:19:16.480> Hower<00:19:16.799> II
• >> Move that Senate confirm Edgar Hower II >> Move that Senate confirm Edgar Hower II

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the day. The Senate also received several House messages referring bills to committee, including local constitutional amendments for Limestone, Blount, and Mobile counties, a human cloning bill, a Fair Campaign Practices Act bill, a public education bill, a court fees bill, and a physician assistance bill. Committee reports were then taken up. The Finance and Taxation General Fund, Confirmations, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and Local Legislation committees all reported a number of bills favorably, many with amendments or substitutes. Several measures were advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day, and the Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Eileen Meyer and Tiffany Martin to the Alabama Board of Midwifery, Jennifer Ag, Jerry Gross, and Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees, Patricia Sims, Tony Cochran, and Sandy Stimson to the Alabama State Port Authority Board of Directors. The Senate then adopted a special order calendar under Senate Resolution 34, setting the order of business for the 10th legislative day. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which was described as a child-protection measure requiring parental permission, age verification by app stores, accurate app age ratings, and limits on minors entering contracts through app downloads. Senators speaking in support said the bill was needed to protect children from harmful online content and preserve parental control, and they discussed an amendment clarifying the meaning of “act” and preserving compliance with other state age-verification laws. The debate was ongoing in the portion provided, and no final vote on HB 161 appears in this excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robinson II. Yes. Read and oh, yes, Fremont. Yes. Yes. The bill passes. >> Thank you, Kimberly.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, this is the Lexington aircraft, air carrier, that worked and was used in World War II. who is

Bills: SJR2, SB4, SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SR42, SR74, SR76, HCR5, SB710, SB710

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• 36:50.199> answer<01:36:50.960> uh<01:36:51.760> okay<01:36:52.000> go tier
• who wishes the answer uh okay go tier who wishes the answer uh okay go ahead<01:36:52.840> Madam<
• Maybe we have an even smaller tier that a default service could be provided, because I'm fully aware
• Maybe we have an even smaller tier that a default service could be provided, because I'm fully aware
• that a default have an even smaller tier that a default is<01:47:03.080> they<01:47:03.239>

Bills: HF1063

Keywords: grain buyers, grain dealer, grain elevator, agriculture, financial reporting, audit, CPA review, independent accountant, financial statement, balance sheet, cash flow, nonpublic data, licensee oversight, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, grain purchase volume, insolvency, nonpayment, warehouse chain, fiduciary duties, producer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we'll work in order through our tier ones first and then we We may jump around a little bit
• when we get to tier two nominations.
• a little bit of a power struggle in this building between our regionals and our two years and our tier
• I was saying earlier, I feel like we're a tier one college, maybe except for our football team, but we

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• already in law. ...of that assistance fund that's already in law, in particular the way that there's a tiered
• And then it also adjusts the tiers a little bit to make them more suitable to what... ...the tiers a
• It will allow some of us to get grant money and not be penalized by doing that, by changing these tiers

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you is a funding mechanism that could be tied to the individual costs of various industries and a tiered
• You could think about tiered funding for those specialized costs.
• You could think about funding those programs in a tiered way.
• Just a few levers for consideration could be what you see on the screen: a three-tiered structure for

Transcript Highlights:

• So I do have a tiered means approach that way.
• However, that is why the first tier, which is the most expensive, is 200 percent, because we do track
• So that way, the most expensive tier, we actually have solid data on.
• Well, yeah, so would Adam have a breakdown of each one of these tiers?

Bills: HB1329

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The Education Division met with all members present and first took up House Bill 1329, which would create a transparency database and website for school spending information. Senator Schaible offered Amendment 0204 to turn the bill into a study, citing concerns that the proposal would impose major data-collection burdens on 168 school districts, require new data standards and privacy protections, and likely cost far more than the $500,000 in the bill. Several members supported transparency but agreed the implementation costs and technical feasibility were unclear. The committee adopted the amendment 4-1, then passed HB 1329 as amended on a 5-0 vote, with Senator Shively to carry the bill. The committee then discussed House Bill 1540, the education savings account/voucher bill. Representatives from the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Public Instruction explained that they had not been consulted on the original drafting and outlined needed administrative changes, including clarifying the Bank as administrator, using a third-party program manager, involving DPI in rulemaking, adding audit and appeal procedures, and adjusting language on eligible purchases and school disqualification. They also said the current timeline was likely too aggressive to launch by the 2026-27 school year and estimated the program would require about 15 months to implement, with a fiscal note now around $5.1 million. Members also discussed policy-related amendments on means testing and application timing. Senator Shively proposed a 300% of poverty-level means test and a sign-up period to reduce costs and limit open-ended enrollment, while Senator Axman proposed a tiered approach that would keep all students technically eligible but phase in funding levels by income, preserving access for students who qualify for other federal supports. DPI said it could not currently disaggregate some data by family income and that the appeal process and procurement timeline still needed work. The committee did not move HB 1540 out that morning and instead recessed to continue discussion later after members had time to review the administrative and fiscal issues separately from the means-testing proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when World War II started, when we got involved in it, Lieutenant Colonel Eisenhower quickly became
• ,<02:34:11.760> when<02:34:11.880> we<02:34:12.000> got World War II started
• , when we got World War II started, when we got involved<02:34:12.600> in<02:34:12.720> it,
• The GI Bill post-World War II benefit put, um, many, countless thousands of people, probably millions
• The GI Bill post-World War II benefit put many, countless thousands of people, probably millions even

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The tier ones and tier twos for SSR funds, SF funds. No. So yes, go ahead.
• There's tier one, tier two, tier four, five. I don't know all the numbers.
• Are there any of of the other tiers?
• There's tier one,<03:31:32.000> tier<03:31:32.319> 2,<03:31:32.640> tier<03:31:33.040
• > four, one, tier 2, tier four, one, tier 2, tier four, five.<03:31:35.760> I<03:31:35.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school. The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• value given that it was decided after the legislature amended the language in RSA 91-A:3, paragraph II
• value given that it was decided after the legislature amended the language in RSA 91-A:3, paragraph II
• value given that it was decided after the legislature amended the language in RSA 91-A:3, paragraph II
• value given that it was decided after the legislature amended the language in RSA 91-A:3, paragraph II
• value given that it was decided after the legislature amended the language in RSA 91-A:3, paragraph II

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what most people tier one teachers.
• 2 pensions in order to cover the Tier 1 pensions.
• order to cover the Tier 1 pensions.
• what's right for our teachers, our tier what's right for our teachers, our tier 2<01:22:01.440><
• The middle tier is Senate File 3239.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the tier three, restructure or eliminate—tier one is sort of a tuneup. Tier two is a overhaul.
• Tier three is, you start to think about the scrapyard. likely eliminate a route.
• Tier two is a is sort of a a tuneup.
• Tier two is a overhaul.<00:36:53.760> Tier<00:36:54.079> three<00:36:54.320> is<
• Tier three is uh you start to overhaul.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Program with the new Tier 1, Tier 2.
• I think there continues to be a, I think a now a more significant difference between Tier 1 and Tier
• And whether, at what level we're trying to stabilize Tier 2 rates, please?
• Specifically for Tier 2. Yeah, so.
• for tier one allows many of the programs to actually take it up whereas they haven't in the past as

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The actual original bringing in of the LSW and LSWA tiers was done without NASW's buy-in.
• So those tiers were sort of created with new futures, with the intention of billing first services to
• until after the amendment was passed passed passed so<00:21:19.960> those<00:21:20.200> tiers
• > sort<00:21:20.960> of<00:21:21.360> created<00:21:22.360> with so those tiers
• were sort of created with so those tiers were sort of created with new<00:21:23.000> Futures<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on House Bill 271, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). The chair and several members expressed reservations about repealing a requirement that was only created in 2021, arguing that licensure should include some measurable demonstration of competency and that it is too early to judge whether the current standard is working. Members also raised concerns about the social work compact and the lack of uniformity across states, saying that changing the requirement now could undermine the standards New Hampshire agreed to at the outset. Testimony in support of the bill argued that the LSWA exam is a barrier for applicants because the level is intended for people without formal social work education, and the exam is the same national exam used for licensed social workers. The witness said there is only one LSWA in New Hampshire, so there is little pass/fail data, but noted that the Association of Social Worker Boards reported 78% of its membership favored retaining the exam. Supporters also emphasized that LSWA holders complete 30 hours of training and extensive supervised hours, and that they are not intended to work independently. Opponents or skeptics questioned whether the exam is the right measure for this role and asked for data showing actual failures or barriers. The discussion turned to possible alternatives, including a different exam, a practical skills assessment, or broader rulemaking authority for the board to set LSWA criteria. One suggestion was to amend the law to give the board authority to develop appropriate standards in rulemaking, rather than naming a specific exam in statute. Members also discussed whether the board could create a more suitable assessment and noted that the current law requires a national proctored examination approved by the board, but there is no national exam specifically for LSWA. No final vote or action was taken in the excerpt, and the subcommittee indicated it would gather more information, including the existing rule language, before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• statute has a three-year cap for simple flee, and then on the other side of the statute it has a tiered
• statute has a three-year cap for simple flee, and then on the other side of the statute it has a tiered
• approach<00:19:39.440> for<00:19:39.760> death<00:19:40.520> growth has a tiered
• approach for death growth has a tiered approach for death growth bodily<00:19:41.320> harm<00
• 7 is beneficial is it again has a tiered 7 is beneficial is it again has a tiered approach<00:20

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 7, a broad public safety package that the author said was intended to support law enforcement, keep violent offenders off the street, and increase accountability in the criminal justice system. The bill was described as combining multiple Republican-authored provisions, including tougher penalties for reckless fleeing, making it a crime to be in a stolen vehicle, allowing tracking devices on occupied or fleeing stolen vehicles, increasing penalties for blocking roads and damaging critical infrastructure, raising penalties for assaulting police officers, adding a mandatory minimum for first-degree sex trafficking, and expanding public disclosure around bail, dismissals, sentencing reductions, and sentencing guideline changes. The motion before the committee was to pass the bill and re-refer it to Ways and Means. Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher testified in support, focusing on aggravated fleeing, occupied stolen vehicles, vehicle tracking, and the impact of the state’s raised age of delinquency on younger offenders. He argued that law enforcement needs more tools to pursue and arrest repeat offenders, especially in auto theft and carjacking cases, and said the bill would help officers intervene before stolen vehicles are used in more crimes. He also urged reconsideration of the timeline for the delinquency-age change, warning that it could limit police options with 11- and 12-year-olds involved in stolen cars. Shane Mey of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association also supported the bill, citing rising assaults on officers and the need for stronger penalties for fleeing, stolen-vehicle offenses, and assaults on peace officers and corrections officers. He said the proposed stolen-vehicle and tracking provisions would improve safety and help officers address juvenile auto theft and dangerous pursuits. Jeff Potts of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association likewise supported several sections, especially the transparency provisions, assault-on-officer penalties, fleeing penalties, the stolen-vehicle offense, and the tracking-device exception, saying the measures align with the association’s agenda and would help address rising crime and pursuit risks. No vote or final committee action was stated in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we would want to at least put the what's called the tier two monies into the subaccount.
• ><00:14:51.880> two<00:14:52.120> monies<00:14:52.600> into what's called the tier
• two monies into what's called the tier two monies into the<00:14:52.920> subaccount.
• ><00:14:57.959> attached<00:14:58.320> to<00:14:58.400> that<00:14:58.560> tier
• Is there a figure attached to that tier two?

Bills: SB2069, SB2177, SB2342, SB2060, SB2544, SB3011, SB2061, SB2552

Keywords: SB2069, Hawaii housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, equity pilot program, housing affordability, homeownership, first-time homebuyer, for-sale housing, transit-oriented development, TOD, transit-oriented development zone, bus route, bus stop, critical workforce housing, health care workers, educators, law enforcement, correctional officers

Summary: The House Housing Committee opened its Friday morning hearing by noting potentially catastrophic flooding on the island and acknowledging that some members were absent helping their communities, so quorum for voting was uncertain. The committee then heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most bills drawing support from housing agencies and community organizations and little or no opposition in the room. On SB 2069 SD2, SB 2177 SD2, and SB 2342 SD2, witnesses largely supported the measures. HHFDC supported SB 2069 and SB 2177, and HPHA supported SB 2342. For SB 2342, HHFDC raised concerns that the bill would alter the Qualified Allocation Plan outside the normal open, public process required by federal law and could exclude stakeholders; Kathy Charities echoed those concerns and also objected to changing point allocations in ways that could raise rents and weaken long-term affordability. Members questioned HHFDC about how the QAP is normally updated, the meaning of the point system, and whether a legislative working group could mandate changes; HHFDC said recommendations would still need public hearing and board approval. The committee also heard SB 2060 SD2, which would create a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund. HHFDC said the subaccount would likely use tier-two funds, estimated at about $100 million total, to support mixed-income projects above 60% AMI, citing Front Street Apartments as a possible example. Members asked about project selection and funding needs. On SB 2544 SD2, OHA opposed the bill’s Chapter 6E-related exemptions and mandatory review timelines, arguing that burial review protections should not be weakened and that the SPEED Task Force process was a better venue for streamlining. The sponsor later clarified that the bill was not meant to eliminate the 60-day review process but to make the deadline clearer. For SB 3011 SD1, which concerns public housing and pet ownership, HPHA and several humane organizations supported the measure, saying it would help low-income residents and seniors keep pets and benefit from animal companionship. HPHA explained its existing pet policy, including deposits, monthly fees, and restrictions, and said the requested funding would support ADA-accessible pet areas and related administration. Finally, on SB 2061 SD2, HCDA supported the bill while OHA opposed it unless protections for Hawaiian Crown and Government lands were strengthened. Committee members questioned the project’s 60/40 split between income-restricted and market-rate units, the 10-year owner-occupancy restriction, and the procurement exemption; the sponsor said the exemption was tied to a real estate transaction and that the project would still use 103D-like solicitation procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several items were left for later action because quorum was uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's tiered based on income. So households with lower incomes can exempt more.
• Again, this is a small table, but really what it's showing is that tiered structure.
• value, so of equalized value.<00:36:46.160> And<00:36:46.320> it's<00:36:46.560> tiered
• And it's tiered based on income. value. And it's tiered based on income.
• really what it's showing is that tiered really what it's showing is that tiered structure.<00:36

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a high-level walkthrough of Act 73, with staff from Legislative Council and the Joint Fiscal Office summarizing major education policy, governance, tax, and fiscal changes. The presentation covered class-size minimums and related enforcement, creation of a state aid for school construction program, narrowed tuition eligibility for approved independent schools, changes to State Board of Education appointments, special education reporting and staffing, and a new report on standards for schools deemed small or sparse by necessity. It also noted that some provisions take effect immediately or in 2025, while the major funding and tax changes are contingent on new school districts being operational and a foundation formula report being received, with most of those changes targeted for July 1, 2028. The central fiscal change described was a move from the current locally voted budget and varying homestead tax system to a foundation formula. Under that model, districts would receive an educational opportunity payment based on a base amount per pupil, adjusted by student weights for factors such as pre-K, economic disadvantage, English learner status, and special education, with small-school and sparsity weights replaced by support grants. Districts could still seek limited supplemental district spending above the foundation amount, subject to a cap and a uniform method for raising the funds, with excess collections recaptured at the state level. The presenters also described transition mechanisms to phase in the new system over several years. The tax section explained that Act 73 would replace the current property tax credit with a homestead exemption and create a new non-homestead residential classification intended for second homes and short-term rentals, though further statutory or regulatory work would still be needed to implement it. The JFO presentation emphasized that the act also creates regional assessment districts for reappraisals and includes a transition to smooth changes in education tax rates. No committee vote or formal action was taken during the presentation; it was informational only.