Transcript Highlights:

• independent assessment approach, and it feels like today we are throwing all of that work out the window
• , and I’m...” “...like today we are throwing all of that work out the window, and I was here for that

Summary: The committee approved the December 8 minutes and referred items C1 and C2 to the labor and environment subcommittees, adopting the chair’s recommendations. The main substantive item was a DHS rule package revising the State Plan Personal Care Manual and the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) Manual. DHS said the revisions would repeal and replace the current manuals with streamlined versions, remove overlapping language, implement Act 853 by shifting licensure/certification for personal care agencies to the Department of Health, lengthen personal care prior authorizations from six months to one year, and keep the 64-hour monthly cap. For ARIA, DHS said it would remove references to state plan personal care, clarify telehealth and in-person assessments, and add/update sections for PASS, AR Choices, Living Choices, and PACE. DHS argued the current independent assessment process is costly and not controlling utilization, citing a 95% approval rate, annual spending of more than $212 million on personal care for about 17,000 people, and an estimated $6.173 million in savings from eliminating the Optum assessment and reducing prior-authorization frequency. Agency witnesses said the new process would reinsert primary care practitioner involvement, use standardized evaluation and prescription forms, and rely on personal care provider nurses for the assessment step, with training already available through an AFMC contract. Several members questioned whether PCPs should be used as gatekeepers, whether the change would delay services, and whether the savings estimate accounted for training or provider burden. Some members also raised concerns about conflicts of interest, the workload on physicians, and whether the agency had adequately worked with the existing vendor to improve the current system. The discussion became contentious, with Senator Irvin and others strongly opposing the proposal as inconsistent with the earlier independent-assessment approach and urging DHS to slow down and work with legislators. Other members asked for clarification on how the new process would work for new applicants and whether it would affect waiver or PASS participants; DHS said the rule would not apply to PASS and should not delay services. At the end of the hearing, the chair offered DHS the option to pull the rule down and work off-record with legislators on a revised proposal, and DHS agreed. The meeting then adjourned without further business or a final vote on the rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• have the same licensing authority that they would otherwise have, that maybe they could still have a window
• have the same licensing authority that they would otherwise have, that maybe they could still have a window

Bills: HB12 , HB149 , HB 12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• highlighted a successful implementation by the State Department of Education, which had a very short window
• The State Department of Education had a very short window of time to implement the legislation once it

Bills: SB197 , HB140 , SB214 , HB214 , HB147 , HB270 , SB73

Committee: House Fiscal Responsibility

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates

Transcript Highlights:

• incentive for that person that meeting to go into the industry and a certain period of time or a window
• how you would establish that with various hospitals so that you might have a within a three-month window

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do try to space them out over time in terms of the duration of how long is the application window
• So we do try to space them out over time in terms of the duration of how long is the application window
• So we do try to space them out over time in terms of the duration of how long is the application window
• So we do try to space them out over time in terms of the duration of how long is the application window
• So we do try to space them out over time in terms of the duration of how long is the application window

Bills: HF4072 , HF3691 , HF4613

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, journalism, local news, internships, media training, emergency management, essential employees, public safety, law enforcement, workforce, economic development, appropriation, Twin Cities Marathon, Explore Minnesota, grants

Transcript Highlights:

• But there is only a very narrow window in which it would make sense for me to possibly choose a Medicare
• very narrow premiums so there's only a very narrow you<00:05:20.600><c> know</c><00:05:20.840><c> window
• > which</c><00:05:21.720><c> it</c><00:05:21.880><c> would</c><00:05:22.160><c> make</c> you know window
• </c> practically one narrow six-month window practically one narrow six-month window of<00:17:30.880>
• And what we found out was that the 30-day window just wasn't quite enough time.

Bills: HF2335 , HF2400 , HF2401 , HF2522

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> There's two windows. >> No, there's two windows.
• There's in the second year there's a window in September and then there's a window in and then there's
• September and then there's a window in September and then there's a window in and<01:16:11.360><c> then
• </c> use that September window. use that September window.
• And we have windows to do that work.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• As I said, we're talking about flooring, drywall, windows, etc., an elevator.
• As I said, we're talking about flooring, drywall, windows, etc., an elevator.
• As I said, we're talking about flooring, drywall, windows, etc., an elevator.
• As I said, we're talking about flooring, drywall, windows, etc., an elevator.
• You can't take a window out and not replace it. Same thing with insulation.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• And, of course, it's got barriers on the windows.
• And, of course, it's got barriers on the windows.
• And, of course, it's got barriers on the windows.
• And, of course, it's got barriers on the windows.
• </c><02:46:01.920><c> that</c> crisis in ambulance with windows that crisis in ambulance with windows

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• the status of every building system, so the HVAC, the lighting, the building envelope, including windows
• </c><00:07:32.240><c> um</c><00:07:32.400><c> the</c> including Windows um the including Windows um the
• He gave an example from four years ago: HHS wanted to do windows instead of doors.
• Someone told them, 'Door is not a window, and you need to get legislation,' because the item was very
• Spalding is one that we haven't done yet, which is in dire need of some new windows.

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining that it maintains and operates 96 state buildings and uses annual facility walkthroughs, condition assessments, and rough cost estimates to rank projects for the governor’s capital budget. Officials described how requests are triaged, how the governor’s office and Public Works refine estimates, and how the resulting capital budget book serves as legislative intent for approved projects. They also noted that this year the governor’s office asked for estimates on all selected projects, which increased workload but reduced detail. The department highlighted several requested projects, including $1.5 million for the ERP system sustainability fund, which officials said is critical because the state is upgrading its core financial, HR, and budget system to the cloud. Other priorities included courthouse HVAC and boiler work, brick repointing at the State House annex/main building, window replacement at the Spalding building, and elevator replacement on the hospital campus. Officials also said the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and asked the committee to consider funding closer to historic levels. The committee then reviewed lapse and reallocation items. DAS said most older projects are still in design, bid, or construction because projects now take four to six years rather than two to three, in part due to ARPA-related workload and post-COVID construction backlogs. Members discussed lapsing $81,000 from the completed Spalding roof project and redirecting small remaining balances from several 2019 projects toward the Hillsboro County South cell block project through the Capital Project Overview Committee. Officials also confirmed ARPA-funded projects are expected to be completed before the December 2026 deadline and explained that the ERP system is the main state IT exception outside DOIT’s usual centralized control, though it still requires DOIT consultation and approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you going to have it 100 ft from my window or near my school or near my kids' daycare?
• 100</c><01:29:38.040><c> ft</c><01:29:38.200><c> from</c><01:29:38.320><c> my</c><01:29:38.840><c> window
• </c> going to have it 100 ft from my window going to have it 100 ft from my window or<01:29:39.440><c
• estate or development, and people are completely switching or throwing that rationale right out the window
• estate or development, and people are completely switching or throwing that rationale right out the window

Transcript Highlights:

• There's another piece within the amendment that is focusing on the eligibility window.
• amendment that is focusing on the amendment that is focusing on the eligibility<01:42:44.280><c> window
• One of the changes eligibility window.
• is down to a 60-day eligibility window.
• We'd like that eligibility window increased to 180 days, or six months.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• They regularly keep children away from the windows and in the more secluded areas of the center.
• and in the more secluded the windows and in the more secluded areas<00:14:04.480><c> of</c><00:14:04.600
• We were forced to lock down repeatedly, covering the windows with blankets.
• and ask them to check on our school-age students who had seen ICE agents through their classroom windows
• </c> agents through their classroom windows agents through their classroom windows and<00:26:56.160><

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Do I go back to the old method of 5 years ago or do it does my will there even the window be open at
• Right now, when you pay this tax, your accountant has to go in, enter a window, enter what you say your
• be open at the there even the window be open at the revenue<00:25:39.800><c> department?"
• , enter what you say in enter a window, enter what you say your<00:25:45.840><c> net</c><00:25:46.120
• Talking about decreasing our revenues by a billion dollars over the budget window here.

Bills: HF3127 , HF3524 , HF3525 , HF3754

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kozlowski continued: "You can require front-facing doors and windows.
• I've talked to many cities who windows I've talked to many cities who want<01:02:10.079><c> to</c><01
• c> to</c> Representative Kozlowski continued: "We just want to make sure that there's not an open window
• They have space available signs in their store windows.
• </c><01:28:39.679><c> despite</c> signs in their store Windows despite signs in their store Windows despite

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• rooms and collaborative spaces, and an enclosed exterior structure with improved insulation and new windows
• rooms and collaborative spaces, and an enclosed exterior structure with improved insulation and new windows
• rooms and collaborative spaces, and an enclosed exterior structure with improved insulation and new windows
• rooms and collaborative spaces, and an enclosed exterior structure with improved insulation and new windows
• rooms and collaborative spaces, and an enclosed exterior structure with improved insulation and new windows

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Zone 2 is the building addition portion you're seeing outside your windows.
• </c><00:03:07.400><c> we're</c><00:03:07.599><c> working</c><00:03:07.959><c> on</c> outside your windows
• We're going to begin window and curtain wall install here in April and May. furthest North portion of
• ongoing through April we're going to ongoing through April we're going to begin<00:04:36.160><c> window
• Window install is slated to begin early April, and drywall on the fifth floor again, the vast majority

Bills: HF1867 , HF1240

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• suggested by DFS and agreed upon by the House sponsor to clarify that associations must own their windows
• Originally our version only applied to windows that were owned by the individual owner, and we found
• out that some windows are owned by the condo association.
• So that amendment was intended to expand that to basically cover the windows.
• we're doing here, either expanding or shrinking a statute of limitations, has no bearing on one's window

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• updates and enhancements to our CTE spaces and equipment replacements, as well as some replacement of windows
• equipment and opportunities to our CTE spaces, as well as replace additional building materials such as windows
• updates and enhancements to our CTE spaces and equipment replacements, as well as some replacement of windows
• equipment and opportunities to our CTE spaces, as well as replace additional building materials such as windows
• Thank you very much. ...some replacement of windows at our Independence Elementary School and replacement

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• anticoagulant rodenticides, their flying ability is compromised, which can cause them to fly into windows
• My cat was sitting on the bed, staring at the window.
• On the window, there was a large smear of feathers.
• I went outside, and below the window, there was a hawk that had flown into my window and fallen to its

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.