Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, these external funds supplement legislative appropriations.
• It depends on the time span of when we start our audit and when we finish it.
• So in this case, it just mentioned business trips.
• So in this case, it just mentioned business trips. Okay, thank you. Yep.
• You know, you do one every three years or depending on—or one year depending on what audit.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Florida Auditor General’s office on recent operational audits of four universities and to discuss how audit findings are handled. The Auditor General explained that financial audits occur annually and operational audits at least every three years, with universities required to respond in writing to findings; the office generally follows up in the next audit cycle, though it can audit sooner if needed. Members asked about accountability, whether findings are referred to other bodies, and how internal university audit functions interact with the state audit process. The chair emphasized the committee’s oversight role in ensuring public funds are used appropriately. The audit findings highlighted issues at New College of Florida, Florida A&M University, the University of Florida, and Florida Atlantic University. At New College, auditors cited invoice/payment errors, delinquent student account collection delays, prohibited extra compensation, exceeding state remuneration limits for certain employees, weak purchasing card controls, construction management cost documentation issues, and subcontractor licensing documentation gaps. At FAMU, auditors found investment accounting classification issues, delayed bank reconciliations, late vendor payments, and incomplete annual employee evaluations. At UF, auditors reported concerns over a $6.4 million consulting contract, event and catering spending, president’s office hiring and salary practices, bonus and relocation payments, continued high compensation after the president transitioned to another role, travel expenses including charter flights, and remote work agreements. At FAU, auditors found distance learning fee revenue exceeded allowable costs by about $2.8 million, carry forward funds were underreported by about $77 million, and credit card controls needed improvement. Members pressed the Auditor General on whether overpayments were refunded, whether any findings involved statutory violations, and what enforcement exists beyond the audit report. The auditor said some issues were corrected by the universities, such as New College recovering excess compensation from foundation funds, but others would be revisited in future audits; if potential fraud were identified, it would be referred to the state attorney’s office. The chair closed by noting that accountability for public spending rests with the Legislature and the committee, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in most cases, it isn't.
• So this levy kind of moves up or down depending on how the other three revenue sources come in.
• So this levy kind of moves up or down depending on how the other three revenue sources come in.
• Now, these cases are actually worse than they sound because all of these case types that I described,
• <01:12:58.560> are not even owee uh now these cases are not even owee uh now these cases are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:32.080> and cases could apply to criminal cases and cases could apply to criminal cases
• <01:15:18.360> the case they might actually most cases the case they might actually most cases
• No, they're extending the time within which the statute requiring counsel in certain dependency cases
• requiring Council in certain cases in requiring Council in certain cases in dependency<01:53:59.520><
• > I dependency cases takes effect and I dependency cases takes effect and I think<01:54:01.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313, and Representative Perez moved to retain the bill, saying it needed work and was not ready as written. Representative Smith supported that approach, and the motion to retain passed 18-0. The committee then considered House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure. Representative Smith and others argued the bill was too broad, could create litigation and discovery disputes, and might even be read to affect criminal cases. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and the chair agreed to place it on consent with a report to be prepared. The committee next heard House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved to retain, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0. The committee then took up House Bill 509, a fiscal note bill requiring reporting related to forfeitures. Members on both sides discussed the bill’s cost, the burden of collecting and collating the data, possible duplication across fiscal years, and whether the information was already being collected. The OTP motion passed 11-7, and Chairman Lynn asked Representative McFarland to prepare the report; a minority report was anticipated. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 520, which would authorize Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas. Representative Kuttab supported the bill, saying similar authority exists in other agencies and states. Opponents argued the DOE already can obtain information through the attorney general, that the bill would create an unbalanced internal enforcement process, and that the subpoena authority was not tied to the curriculum-related concerns raised in testimony. Representative Ter offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena authority from DOE hearing officers to the attorney general; the amendment failed 7-11. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and the OTP motion passed 10-8, with a minority report also requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases they don't know the laws of our country.
• In, in some cases that's true, and in some cases that is not true.
• We pay for prosecutors to prosecute the case. We pay for defenders to defend the case.
• There was no justice in this case for our children and there was no justice in this case for our families
• Depending on their level, can get, not reimbursed, but they match another additional 5% or up to 8% depending

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases, they have no incentive to follow the laws of our country; in many cases, they don't know
• In some cases, that's true. In some cases, that is not true.
• We pay for prosecutors to prosecute the case. ...for the defenders to defend the case; we are your partners
• But in some tragic cases, like the one of Lauren and C.J.'
• ..in this case, for our families.

Bills: HB153, HB1410, HB1461, HB1760, HB1762, HB3261, HB3773, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends because they've now redefined the definition of parent.
• Mandatory minimums are used frequently in drug cases.
• It depends. The judge determines the weight of the aggravating and mitigating factors in a case.
• It depends. I only ask you this way, if I may.
• where they are the victims than in other cases this is an issue I don't know that it gets to cases this

Summary: The committee first considered the appointment of Michelle Whitworth to the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Whitworth described her 30 years of criminal justice experience, and the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SB 1692 on material harmful to minors, adopting a delete-all amendment that shifted the focus to K-12 instructional materials and objections by parents or residents. Supporters argued it would create clearer standards and protect children from pornographic content, while opponents warned it would worsen book bans and remove consideration of literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. After extensive debate and public testimony, the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on several criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1422 increased penalties for certain drone-related offenses near critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones; SB 1360 clarified xylazine’s veterinary use while creating stronger trafficking penalties; and SB 1732 increased penalties for animal cruelty involving minors and for contributing to a minor’s delinquency. SB 776 added an aggravating factor for the assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, and SB 984 added aggravating factors for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for religious, school, or government activities. SB 1640 made domestic violence lethality assessment forms confidential, and SB 1268 updated FDLE operations and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. All of these bills were reported favorably after brief debate and mostly supportive testimony. Later, the committee approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, with a strike-all amendment addressing digitally forged intimate images and extending prosecution time limits. SB 1654 updated sexual offender and predator registration rules, including definitions of residence and online reporting for in-state travel, though one witness raised concerns about vague language and employer privacy. SB 1774 created a rebuttable presumption in certain second-degree murder cases when the victim had a controlled substance in their system, drawing criticism that it could devalue victims who used drugs. Finally, SB 1838 strengthened protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, with an amendment adding magistrates, hearing officers, and related staff; defense attorneys warned the tampering language could inadvertently reach zealous advocacy. Each of these measures was ultimately reported favorably, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm going to go ahead and sue you just in case.
• But that is just simply not the case.
• My experience is that those 3% in most cases have had attorneys, in many cases, several attorneys, and
• My experience is that those 3% in most cases have had attorneys, in many cases, several attorneys, and
• That is the case in 2012-2013, and that is the case today.

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But all I've heard, Madam Chair, is ifs and in case.
• Getting things going, and that's not the case.
• We are heavily dependent on the racetrack; I will admit that.
• Dependent on the racetrack for our summer business here at the end of the Mountain Gods.
• So those are things that we are working on so that we're not so dependent on tourism; we're not so dependent

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on the diagnosis, a recent survey that was done two years ago of about, oh, I'm going to say
• depending on the diagnosis<00:15:18.040> recent<00:15:18.399> survey<00:15:18.800>
• <00:15:55.040> on Services that they may need depending on Services that they may need depending
• Present, and I said, 'I hope I don't need you,' and she said, 'Nancy, I'm here in case you do,' and so
• And, you know, that's not the case, but from her perspective that's how it ended up being.

Keywords: 00:34 Call to Order/Roll Call 02:09 Discussion of 25RS HB 389 04:05 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 389 05:16 Discussion of 25RS HB 501 09:31 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 501 10:50 Discussion of 25RS HB 414 (Discussion Only) 42:05 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 389, a cleanup measure related to the CASPER prescription monitoring program. Representative Duval and staff explained that the bill addresses implementation issues the Office of Inspector General encountered and aligns the definition of “practitioner” for in-state and out-of-state providers. The committee took no questions, then approved the bill unanimously and reported it favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 501, which would allow a pharmacist to fill a prescription for a limited period after the prescribing provider has died, so patients can maintain continuity of care. Sponsors and a pharmacist witness said the bill is intended to reduce uncertainty and liability for pharmacists, excludes controlled substances to comply with federal law, and leaves professional judgment with the pharmacist. Members asked about documentation and verification, and the sponsor said the bill applies when the pharmacist knows of the death and that pharmacies would document the situation as they normally do. The committee discussed the issue briefly and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 414 for discussion only. Representative Tate and Adia Wisher described it as “Love Them Both,” a perinatal palliative care proposal meant to provide wraparound support for women and families facing fatal fetal anomalies or other serious pregnancy complications. Testimony emphasized that the bill would encourage referrals to programs offering medical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and bereavement support, with examples such as Footprints at St. Elizabeth. Members discussed access, referrals, counseling, coverage language, and the role of fathers, and supporters stressed that the services would be optional and intended to broaden support rather than impose penalties. No vote was taken on House Bill 414.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes there's once every few years, and depending on what kind of things need to be changed depends
• 26.560> often need to be changed depends how often need to be changed depends how often Nick's
• But the case I'm thinking of is the case where somebody mentioned before, based on the situation with
• > I'm thinking of is the case where which I'm thinking of is the case where which somebody<02:14:18.960
• is there have been many court cases is there have been many court cases across<04:05:18.319>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are in the country legally doing work that we all depend on.
• It is limited to... that's severe, yes, just severe cases.
• In that case, the justified use defense would not apply to them. OK.
• We see dependence; it was just mentioned a minute ago.
• And then depending on the number of times that they are.

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB20, SB217, SB264, SB269, SB650, SB681, SB528, SB502, SB740, SB916, SB995, SB10, SB2581, SB2570, SB3031, SB24, SB379, SB1171, SB1121, SB1120, SB1061, SB1036, SB1019, SB890, SB11, SB868, SB1188, SB1254, SB2778, SB2543, SB2443, SB1333, SB1259, SB1401, SB1404, SB2139, SB2165, SB2237, SB2268, SB1202, SB1198, SB1212, SB1451, SB1470, SB1498, SB965, SB1547, SB1667, SB1818, SB1902, SB2129, SB2078, SB2069, SB1737, SB1589, SB1318, SB387, SB1150, SB1574, SB2127, SB3034, SB860, SB1278, SCR5, SCR32, SB4, SB23, SB1762, SB34, SB60, SB706, SB1814, SB1220, SB523, SB565, SB1253, SB840, SB764, SB2383, SB2155, SB1535, SB1423, SB1566, SB1804, SB1728, SB1816, SB1952, SB75, SB2068, SB1455, SB213, SB627, SB2037, SB670, SB896, SB917, SB1184, SB971, SB1255, SB1261, SB1283, SB991, SB1733, SB21, SB231, SB739, SB1252, SB1371, SB646, SB3, SCR27, SB552, SB1405, SB1948, SB243, SJR1, SB31, SB33, SB20, SB217, SB264, SB269, SB650, SB681, SB528, SB502, SB740, SB916, SB995, SB10, SB2581, SB2570, SB3031, SB24, SB379, SB1171, SB1121, SB1120, SB1061, SB1036, SB1019, SB890, SB11, SB868, SB1188, SB1254, SB2778, SB2543, SB2443, SB1333, SB1259, SB1401, SB1404, SB2139, SB2165, SB2237, SB2268, SB1202, SB1198, SB1212, SB1451, SB1470, SB1498, SB965, SB1547, SB1667, SB1818, SB1902, SB2129, SB2078, SB2069, SB1737, SB1589, SB1318, SB387, SB1150, SB1574, SB2127, SB3034, SB860, SB1278, SCR5, SCR32, SB546, SB647, SB648, SB1493, SB1709, SB2001, HB5669, HB3115, HB5655, HB5675, HB5689, HB5690, HB5653, HB3228, HB2802, HB45, HB1318, HB5560, HB2894, HB4344, HB2775, HB33, HB 12, HB148

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, realistic possibilities from a financial resource perspective, but that's just not the case
• Although if they're depending on the impacts on unemployment within New Mexico, that could have a much
• The case, things will be slightly better if the tariffs are overturned, as we'll see some bounce back
• Have a lot of the data that that can say when or if, and a lot of it does depend on the appeals court
• Chair, uh, Representative Dow, that's, that is typically the case.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial review is available for final decisions in contested cases.
• Judicial review is available for final decisions in contested cases.
• , allowing them the opportunity to case, allowing them the opportunity to determine<00:47:24.800>
• Uh if this case All right. If >> Precisely. Uh if this case All right.
• And um so uh you aren't you familiar with the case of uh the city of Hya versus the church of Lakuma

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• due process cases for the last 10 years. due process cases for the last 10 years.
• <00:59:11.119> the reject the IEP in which case the reject the IEP in which case the district
• the case load might demand. the case load might demand.
• , less than 3% of the cases.
• But the average case is and medians.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it depends on their, is that $59?
• And it depends on their, is that $59?
• We're constantly doing a lot of group work, case studies.
• Our vision for the future depends on your support of the college.
• It depends on what their workload is.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it depends on their— is that $59,000?
• And it depends on their, is that $59?
• We're constantly doing a lot of group work, case studies.
• Our vision for the future depends on your support of the college.
• It depends on what their workload is.

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it can vary depending on the region, and we're designing this to be as flexible as possible.
• Other money might not, right, depending on their priorities.
• That kind of depends on the timeline.
• Depends on how you would opt to implement this.
• Or depending on whether it's a reauthorization or new capital, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, we found that rate case expenses can actually exceed whatever the increase would have
• **Woody Rickerson:** These are typically base rate cases and other cases of the same kind, where there
• In some cases, we found that rate case expenses can actually exceed whatever the increase would have
• been in a particular case.
• We've closed out, I believe we closed about 40 cases last year. How many? About 40 cases.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on the payments in many cases.
• on on the payments in many dependent on on the payments in many cases.<00:16:25.920> many<00:
• So the answer is it depends.
• So the answer is it depends.
• and especially if the the fraud cases and especially if the the fraud cases are<01:40:36.159>

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So it depends on what we need at the time, and it depends on the replacement cycle. Senator, Mr.
• It would depend on what it was involved in out there in the field.
• Be turning away from oil and gas dependence.
• In some cases, you'll see a note that says a certain amount for each year.
• Whatever case.

Keywords: 996, all