Transcript Highlights:

• AAMVA is an association that is actually run and operated by its members.
• Hello, I'm Emily Sunahara, the Deputy Director of Operations and Policy Implementation.
• So it would have gone into the State Highway Operation and Protection Program in the same way.
• The first budget change proposal I'd like to address is for equipment and operating costs.
• These facilities are decades old, undersized, and unable to meet current operational needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer, or SPHEREx, missions, launched
• infrastructure company which is working to improve space access for all via mass manufacturing and high-launch
• infrastructure company which is working to improve space access for all via mass manufacturing and high-launch
• from these federal changes are likely to go to the wealthy, big corporations, and private equity operating
• And whereas Yvonne championed the first evidence-based child abuse prevention education by launching

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so our operating where we can.
• Um the other operating revenue growth.
• >> uh the discrepancies on the operations. >> uh the discrepancies on the operations.
• </c> uh requesting any um operating budget. uh requesting any um operating budget.
• </c> operations on the island. operations on the island.

Transcript Highlights:

• My livestock operation is considered small, but my impact on my local community and economy is large.
• We, of course, operate within the St. Paul campus. This becomes part of that ecosystem right now.
• We, of course, operate within the St. Paul campus. This becomes part of that ecosystem right now.
• It's launched literally industries in Minnesota.
• It's launched literally industries in Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• asked question documents, and a flawed reporting group mechanism were also complaints at Prism's launch
• </c> form that hasn't even fully launched form that hasn't even fully launched yet.<00:42:14.079><c>
• The impact of quality data and continued operational deficiencies creates substantial compliance risk
• I mean, maybe we could have launch.
• That kind of uncertainty creates unnecessary financial and operational risk for farmers, even when the

Bills: HF4253 , HF4257 , HF3236 , HF4264 , HF4149 , HF4019

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• agriculture, the law, and USDA will serve him well as he is tasked with managing the day-to-day operations
• It's easier for bigger operations to absorb things, but this has been very hard for them, so I hope that
• proper conservation with the scientific advancements No-till agriculture was kind of a problem. of launched
• Last week President Trump launched a trade war and imposed heavy tariffs on our trading partners and
• And farmers are already operating on very, very narrow margins.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• International Overdose Awareness Day is held annually on August 31st and was launched as a global effort
• This launched inquiries and examinations on hospital discharge plans, especially for vulnerable patients
• They support accountability and client safety, but the operational realities do matter.
• But the operational realities do matter.
• The needle exchange program was launched, and it had great health outcomes because it actually reduced

Bills: SB274 , SB301 , SB249

Committee: House Health & Human Development

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can tell you, we launched this training back Fentanyl analogs.
• And I can tell you, we launched this training back in November 2024.
• by the programs that have been presenting today and the funding that's really needed to support operations
• And the funding that's really needed to support operations of this life-saving service.
• To help address cases like this woman, Tapestry launched a mobile health care unit that visits high-risk

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.

Transcript Highlights:

• > and really finishing um really like and really finishing um really like fully<00:09:38.920><c> launching
• </c><00:09:39.920><c> when</c><00:09:40.080><c> the</c><00:09:40.200><c> foundation</c> fully launching
• when the foundation fully launching when the foundation formula<00:09:41.120><c> takes</c><00:09:41.400
• out of the Education Fund, possibly new debt taken on by the state, the same way our capital bill operates
• Uh, I think that this operates outside of a school budget but is reimbursed.

Transcript Highlights:

• :20.080><c> maintains</c><00:26:20.720><c> 11</c> operates, manages, and maintains 11 operates, manages
• </c><00:29:43.600><c> costs</c> an opportunity to cut operational costs an opportunity to cut operational
• ><c> in</c> program that launched in program that launched in 2024.<00:55:27.680><c> I</c><00:55:27.920
• The LMI CSG program launched in January 2024.
• We have generations five and six living and operating the farm.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• AAMVA is an association actually run and operated by its members.
• Hello, I'm Emily Sunahara, the Deputy Director of Operations and Policy Implementation.
• So it would have gone into the State Highway Operation and Protection Program in the same way.
• These facilities are decades old, undersized, and unable to meet current operational needs.
• First is that, as was noted, this is core operations.

Summary: The committee first heard a DMV budget presentation on the state-to-state verification system required for Real ID compliance and the Digital Experience Platform (DXP) modernization project. DMV officials said the state-to-state system is a pointer-based exchange used when a person applies for a license in another state, with only limited identifying data shared initially and the full driver history sent only after a qualified request. Members raised concerns about privacy, possible misuse by other states or federal actors, notification to Californians, hacking, and whether California could detect or stop abusive access. DMV said it can monitor requests, see patterns of access, work with AAMVA and legal counsel, and seek to block or challenge misuse; LAO said California is in a difficult position and should consider guardrails rather than opt out. On DXP, DMV said the project is on its revised schedule and budget, occupational licensing is complete, vehicle registration is expected by the end of calendar year 2026, and the full system should be finished by fiscal year 2028-29, with phased rollout and reappropriated funding to keep costs controlled. The committee then heard from the California High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General on a trailer bill and AB 1608. The Inspector General said current law does not clearly authorize public reports or establish a framework for retaining and disclosing work papers, and the proposed trailer bill would create that framework while also adding authority to hire needed classifications and purchase goods and services. He also said the office needs a clearer statutory definition of “proposed agreements” and notice when the High-Speed Rail Authority is reviewing them, so the office can review contracts and related agreements effectively. LAO raised no concerns with the trailer bill language, and Finance said any amendments would come in the May revision. Members debated the scope of confidentiality in the Inspector General proposal, especially whether reports could be held confidential when they identify weaknesses in fraud controls, security, or other vulnerabilities. The Inspector General said confidentiality would be temporary, tied to articulating the risk, reassessing it every 120 days, and releasing the report once the risk is no longer substantial; he also said the office had already published reports at its discretion and had found at least one procurement violation involving an amendment that added services not in the original contract. Several members pressed for stronger transparency and suggested time limits or broader disclosure, while others argued the bill would improve oversight and make the Inspector General’s authority clearer. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the item was left for further work on the trailer bill and AB 1608 language.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a new website that is just launching.
• </c><00:41:48.440><c> loans</c> question has to do with operating loans question has to do with operating
• </c><00:42:00.760><c> loans</c> now of working on their operating loans now of working on their operating
• </c> direct market and diversified operations direct market and diversified operations and<00:51:54.920
• </c><00:58:23.559><c> and</c> that take risk within that operation and that take risk within that operation

Bills: HF711 , HF653

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• From an operational standpoint, From an operational standpoint, I think there's a couple points I'd like
• to operate.
• We just launched this. It is in soft-launch mode. We just launched this.
• We bring in everybody to our emergency operations.
• Firstly, we have a build, own, and operate model.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So their salaries and wages, operating grants, and some of their other special line items, and you can
• So for Commerce, it's related to professional fees, operating fees, travel, and various IT costs.
• It's largely from grants and a lot of federal grants, as well as, of course, the salaries and operating
• And just in fairness, we've made some changes in the last year just in how the fund operates based on
• Okay, so I mentioned the governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, which launched in June 2025.

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• community, and leaders have limited ability to dictate whether and where alcohol-selling businesses can operate
• Garland currently operates under a complex patchwork of alcohol regulations.
• Someone has launched that. Could you just discuss that a little bit? Yeah, please.
• I don't want a filibuster, but I do want to look at this from an operations research systems analyst
• I did a million book reviews, read so many book reviews, and launched a website called Texans Wake Up

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB 1130 , HB256 , HCR19

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, that launch has already gained significant traction from its earned media value.
• </c><00:10:20.320><c> our</c> Heritage, we launched our Heritage, we launched our African-American<00
• ><c> gained</c><00:10:25.200><c> significant</c> launch um has already gained significant launch um has
• We're looking at our messaging for our fall campaign, which is about to launch.
• Um, you saw those 23 about to launch.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% Tourism Meeting and Convention Marketing Fund. Officials said Kentucky tourism is a $14.3 billion industry that welcomed more than 80 million travelers last year, supports nearly 97,000 jobs, and uses the fund solely for tourism marketing and promotion, not capital projects. They noted the fund received additional appropriations in the enacted budget and also supports several designated tourism-related initiatives. Commissioner Mike Manet described how the fund is used for paid media, public relations, international marketing, cultural heritage promotion, website content, regional matching grants, research, trade shows, and travel expenses. He said the department spent $10.8 million on paid media in 23 markets in 2024, focused on seven tourism pillars, and used research and advertising ROI studies to guide spending. He reported 180 PR placements, 3.2 billion earned impressions, 3% growth in international visitation, and 12% growth in international spending to $257 million. He also highlighted the African-American Heritage Trail and said the regional matching funds program distributed $2 million to 87 local tourism commissions. Members asked about the rise of AI in search results, how domestic and international visitor data are collected, how ad agencies are selected, and how regional matching funds are allocated. The commissioner said the department uses GPS-based and federal data, including National Travel and Tourism Office figures, and that ad agencies are chosen through an RFP process. Representative McDaniel raised concerns about bourbon tourism and Canadian visitation; the commissioner said Canadian travel is down significantly, bourbon-related visitation has softened, and the department is shifting more spending toward in-state and closer drive markets while emphasizing bourbon’s heritage story. Representative Fugate asked about eastern Kentucky tourism and ATV trails, and the commissioner said those trails are included in advertising, social media, and earned media efforts. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• seen pioneers like Mae Jemison and Katherine Johnson prove that Black excellence reaches from the operating
• seen pioneers like Mae Jemison and Katherine Johnson prove that Black excellence reaches from the operating
• Woodson, who in 1926 broadened public awareness of Black Americans by launching a week-long observance
• Carter Woodson, who in 1926 broadened public awareness of Black Americans by launching a week dedication

Transcript Highlights:

• Another example is influence operations.
• If you ties to CCP influence operations.
• Speaker, I yield back. grid operators are asking for grid operators are asking for dispatchable<08:28
• , farming operations, supporting operations, 99% of our businesses are small businesses.
• </c> those businesses can continue to operate those businesses can continue to operate and<08:41:44.878

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for horizontal and vertical lifts for satellite launches, drone launches, and other types of
• ,</c> horizontal lifts for satellite launches, horizontal lifts for satellite launches, drone<00:03:42.319
• :43.440><c> of</c> drone launches and other type of drone launches and other type of aerospace<00:03:
• Coyo is still in operation and um USA.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Coyo is in operation. &gt;&gt; Coyo is in operation.

Transcript Highlights:

• him on the team and have his expertise on the financial side of things and making sure our budget operates
• We operate now with over 100 fewer FTE than...
• It was really launching the Workforce Commission as a state agency.
• One of those is launching the Oklahoma WIRE dashboard.
• Public launch is going to happen after the holidays.

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.