Transcript Highlights:

• Aaron Bond, Researcher with the Council Service.
• for the feasibility study to be published.
• While research is ongoing with respect to destruction efficiencies and temperatures, recent research
• One particular study that I'm thinking of right now is, Mr.
• Have we done any studies?

Transcript Highlights:

• There are four main study questions, which you can see on the screen, that the study was asked to address
• Now we'll get to some of the study inputs and the data collected throughout the study.
• This was not a study meant to educate the public on things.
• And so thank you for the study because we learned a lot.
• And so thank you for the study because we learned a lot.

Summary: The Legislative Arrangements and Procedure Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up several follow-up items related to legislative security, public records, and the impacts of term limits. The Secretary of State’s office presented draft language to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records, with discussion of who would be covered, how the protection would work, and whether it should expire when a candidate’s term ends. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and whether the public should still be able to see enough information to evaluate residency requirements. Rather than act immediately, the committee set the draft aside for a future meeting and asked for an amendment reflecting the Secretary of State’s suggested changes. The committee also reviewed a security best-practices memo and NCSL materials on capitol security. The memo encouraged legislators to be aware of their surroundings, avoid real-time vacation posting, vary routines, report threats, and follow security alerts. Members discussed a recent incident and the need to improve alert distribution and update contact information so legislators and staff receive notices consistently. The Secretary of State and committee members noted that the alert system may need refinement, including a separate legislative notification channel. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on how to mitigate the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized interviews, surveys, and focus groups with legislators, the public, and stakeholders, identifying major themes such as loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, staffing pressures, and the need for stronger onboarding and training. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session, making interim committees more consistent with regular committees, adding office hours, formalizing mentorship and leadership succession planning, expanding staff and professional development resources, creating public-facing educational tools, and improving communication and virtual testimony options. Members generally appreciated the report and its phased implementation roadmap, while also debating the practicality of some recommendations and the tension between making service more demanding and keeping the legislature accessible to new candidates.

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsor has asked us to interrupt study? sponsor has asked us to interrupt study?
• government and to support the research government and to support the research needs<05:10:51.520
• don't think we were doing interim study. don't think we were doing interim study.
• <05:49:58.240> Uh, motion of uh interim study. Uh, motion of uh interim study.
• But it's interum study. on to it. But it's interum study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies reveal that the paraquat toxic.
• > cells<00:21:24.920> that Research shows that immune cells that Research shows that immune
• And there's studies, if you statement.
• c> done study that was done study that was done where<00:41:05.480> that<00:41:05.800>
• we get asked for is for either research. we get asked for is for either research.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• administration rushed to bring spectrum to the commercial market, I believe, without some of the studies
• So, while I agree we need to bring more spectrum to market, independent... studies need to be completed
• Roth about repeating the process for ongoing studies of the lower 3G, 7 and 8 GHz bands that have been
• The space station has been continuously manned for more than 20 years, serving as a hub for research
• Potentially as the studies indicate, yes ma'am. Talk to me a little bit about USF.

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, a study showed that CDCR is highly susceptible to climate hazards because they are located near
• Some of our recent research we believe is relevant to the bill before you. My name is Dr.
• Some of our recent research we believe is relevant to the bill before you. My name is Dr.
• This is the first comprehensive study to examine all major platforms. California drivers.
• That's in the feasibility study report. So we must respectfully oppose the bill. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that's where we really, as a body, need to invest in robust research.
• Program, which funds community-engaged participatory research between University of California researchers
• And I published a research paper one year before the pandemic saying that we don't Published a research
• , door-to-door, robust study.
• In 2023, researchers at Stanford and Columbia found that in a California study, low-intensity fires reduced

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on the health impacts of wildfires and the effects on health care systems and access to care. The first panel focused on public health consequences, with testimony from UCLA and UCSF physicians, a community organizer, and an Altadena recovery leader. Witnesses described acute and long-term physical harms from wildfire smoke and ash, including asthma and COPD exacerbations, cardiovascular and stroke risks, pregnancy impacts, infection risk, and possible added hazards from lithium-ion battery fires. They also emphasized mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, “firebrain,” and the need for psychological first aid, trauma-informed community networks, and youth-focused resilience programs. Community advocates stressed that Latine, Indigenous, undocumented, and Black communities face disproportionate harm because of language barriers, unsafe work conditions, lack of insurance, and exclusion from disaster aid, and they called for stronger language access, worker protections, permanent disaster relief, and better outreach. Committee members asked about air monitoring, masks, wind events, lithium-ion batteries, and how to reach communities with translation and emergency information. Panelists said AQI is useful but incomplete, that N95s help for smoke but P100 masks are needed for ash/asbestos exposure, and that communities should be warned to stay indoors and avoid windy dust-ups after fires. They also discussed the importance of building relationships during non-emergency periods, using text alerts and trusted community organizations, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information. Several members and witnesses highlighted the need for more research on long-term health effects, especially for people with chronic lung disease, workers who cannot stay indoors, and residents exposed to repeated disasters. The second panel addressed health care system response and access to care. DHCS and DMHC described emergency flexibilities used during the Southern California fires, including federal waivers, extended Medi-Cal renewal deadlines, reinstated coverage for some disenrolled members, suspension of prior authorization and prescription refill barriers, out-of-network access at in-network cost-sharing, and communication through websites, toll-free numbers, and social media. Hospital and community health center leaders described major operational strain: emergency room surges, canceled surgeries, dialysis disruptions, staff displacement, temporary housing needs, and financial losses. Huntington Health and AltaMed reported using incident command systems, temporary care spaces, bilingual and culturally tailored services, mobile clinics, infection control measures, and community health workers to keep care going. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better disaster staffing pools, more flexible facility rules, stronger mental health coverage, child care planning, and statewide coordination for future emergencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm studying pre-occupational therapy because I think that helping people is super cool.
• And then I'm going to hand it over to Aniola to talk about research. Yeah.
• We see students that are involved in research.
• And so student-led research does have a direct impact on those things.
• Can you not study? Can you not sleep?

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

Transcript Highlights:

• But of the applications we received, they range everywhere from due diligence studies.
• , some soil borings, just studying the... ...environmental studies, some soil borings, just studying
• L1, number one is Arkansas Rice Research Promotion Board, special revenue grant for $60,000 for research
• Does our extension not do similar research? I would say that they do.
• This is Ronnie Helms, and he was previously with U of A, and he is doing a research project.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she has led studies as a researcher and clinician on novel rapid-acting therapies like MDMA
• <01:19:48.400> in many studies uh both as a researcher in many studies uh both as a researcher
• I delved into the research: documentaries, podcasts, articles, study after study, and came across Vet
• So, our proposed amendments: the pilot program would consist of the research study, education, and training
• So the research study is the biggest crux of the pilot program and would then be under all of the necessary

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have enough research, right, that lets us see, okay, if.
• Across all of my studies and those of fellow research across the state, we know that the single greatest
• In the last study, I linked teacher preparation.
• As was said by a study in Texas Tech.
• A 2020 study by the Trevor Project found that.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a study, yes, sir. It's not an abolishment.
• to do that study... ...if we're going to go to a study and we're going to ask the LDOE to do that study
• , it needs to be an open-minded study.
• And I know it's just a study, but it was repeatedly said, if we pass this, will you follow it?
• However, many of these studies do not utilize Louisiana-specific data.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and our research findings here today.
• <00:59:29.960> and<00:59:30.200> our<00:59:30.400> research providing um research
• and our research providing um research and our research findings<00:59:31.400> here<00:59:31.640
• million for the W Manalo research million for the W Manalo research station<02:05:13.639> 6
• station 6 million for the magon research station 6 million for the magon research station<02:05:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON SDIS JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ARE UNTREATED.
• DO YOU BELIEVE AS A RESEARCHER AND AS A DOCK THERE WOULD YOU AGREE THAT THIS WOULD TIE THE HANDS OF RESEARCHERS
• I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THOSE STUDIES WITH YOU. I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
• THIS WOULD BE FOR MINORS IN THEIR WORK STUDIES WERE BASED PROGRAM.
• WHAT IS A STRUCTURED WORK-STUDY?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the advanced nuclear study. for the advanced nuclear study.
• This is a study that will also broaden the things that are studied.
• This study is a much broader study, which says studying not only nuclear waste disposal, not only advanced
• > studied.
• says<00:15:52.000> studying<00:15:52.840> not broader study, which says studying not

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A recent study by the Women's Health Research and Action Center shows 65% of Americans support mandated
• A recent study by the Women's Health Research and Action Center shows 65% of Americans support mandated
• A recent study by the Women's Health Research and Action Center shows 65% of Americans support mandated
• A recent study by the Women's Health Research and Action Center shows 65% of Americans support mandated
• A recent study by the Women's Health Research and Action Center shows 65% of Americans support mandated

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when I look and I did research, everything that I've read says that you could harvest 5 to 15% of
• So, in my research, I went And looked at several states on bear populations.
• They have an official wildlife research unit, and they have done two Mark-recapture studies where we
• The researchers will locate the den, go in there, tranquilize the female Count, measure, weigh the cubs
• The original study period Spanned almost a decade. And the secondary study was not quite that long.

Bills: HB4128, HB3659, HB3270, HB3145

Keywords: wildlife conservation, hunting regulations, mountain lions, black bears, archery season, senior citizens, licensing fees, waterfowl, nonresidents, public lands, farmed cervidae, chronic wasting disease, genetic resistance, wildlife management, agriculture, wildlife tagging, Cervidae family, feral swine, exotic wildlife, conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four...
• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four parts.
• So that's the study. I took...
• Taxing district property value increases is the second area of the study.
• I separated the memo based on studies. So we have the property tax reform and relief study.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:52.400> and education and I conduct research and education and I conduct research and
• Our study provides some of the first causal research on the effects of academic acceleration.
• 33.159> research<01:08:34.040> a American institutes for research a American institutes
• ><01:09:42.799> of first causal research on the effects of first causal research on the effects
• advanced English and social studies advanced English and social studies courses<01:10:05.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be really difficult and impede that research.
• It would be really difficult and impede that research.
• Study always available to the family.
• We already have far too many study We already have far too many study committees,<00:44:59.920><
• >> I don't know as the as the study >> I don't know as the as the study committee<00

Keywords: 1189, house, all