Video & Transcript Research : 'legislation'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have first Lori Leison, Deputy Legislative Auditor from the Office of Legislative Auditor's office
- from the uh our legislative auditors. from the uh our legislative auditors.
- it is directed legislatively. it is directed legislatively.
- legislatively named grants. legislatively named grants.
- Commissioning enabling legislation. The Commissioning enabling legislation.
Bills:
HF3564
Summary:
The Legacy Finance Committee met to approve the prior meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its performance audit of the Department of Natural Resources’ administration of Outdoor Heritage Fund grants. OLA explained that the DNR generally complied with the criteria tested, but the audit identified two main problem areas: grant payments and grant monitoring. The audit covered 13 grants, mostly legislatively named grants awarded in fiscal year 2020, and reviewed agreements, amendments, payments, monitoring, and some site visits.
OLA reported that for three grantees, totaling about $400,000, invoices lacked enough detail to determine whether costs were allowable, and about $5,000 was paid to two grantees without sufficient supporting documentation. The auditors also said DNR lacked policies defining allowable costs and what “directly related to and necessary” means under state law. On monitoring, DNR missed required annual visits for six grants, made payments on current progress reports that were missing or not on file, and had weaknesses in closeout evaluations, including missing required elements, late completion, and two grants with no closeout evaluation at all. OLA recommended stronger documentation, clearer guidelines with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, timely monitoring and closeout, obtaining progress reports before payment, and improved internal controls.
Members reacted strongly to the findings, especially the repeated failures to follow grant procedures and the risks of legislatively named grants and advance payments. Representative Heintzeman and Vice Chair Skraba questioned whether the issues reflected broader problems in state grant oversight and asked about prepayments, follow-up, and whether more legislative action was needed. OLA officials said they do not rely on self-attestation, but instead retest agencies after 2 to 3 years, and noted a new annual update-report process that will track whether agencies implement prior recommendations. Judy Randall, the Legislative Auditor, said the laws and policies already exist and emphasized that the issue is ensuring agency staff follow them; she also said most recommendations in the recent update report had been implemented. No further committee action or vote was taken on the audit during this portion of the meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- A couple of other questions: you know, this legislative session hasn't passed—legislative session, yes
- I'm Julie Lindsay with the Legislative Budget Board.
- My name is Aaron Hinnickson, Legislative Budget Board.
- I don't think we need additional legislation on this.
- During the 85th legislative session, G.R.D.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs.
Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue.
The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Apr 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a report biannually to the Legislative Assembly, the Legislative Council, regarding the operation
- So there was only a few cases before that legislation came along.
- So it directs legislative management.
- Austin Gunderson, Legislative Council.
- This is about the legislative body. What do we want to clarify?
Summary:
The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information.
The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval.
The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 22 (2-6-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- else as this legislation moves forward. else as this legislation moves forward.
- The other thing you can't legislate is we can't really legislate charity. Okay?
- you can't legislate faith. you can't legislate faith.
- we can't really legislate charity. we can't really legislate charity. Okay?
- but they do want to legislate charity. but they do want to legislate charity.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and approval of the February 5, 2026 journal. The House clerk then delivered messages that the House had passed House Bills 103, 188, 189, 258, 276, and 419 and requested concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports for Senate Bills 2, 4, 71, 136, and 183, which were sent to the Rules Committee, and later committee reports that posted SB 2, SB 4, and SB 71 for Monday, February 9, and SB 136 and SB 183 for Tuesday, February 10. The Committee on Committees also referred several bills to standing committees, including SB 155, 118, 153, 158, 160, 72, 98, and 145.
The main floor action was passage of Senate Bill 132, relating to massage therapy. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help local governments investigate businesses posing as massage parlors and to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed practice, including raising the penalty for certain violations from a class B to a class A misdemeanor and treating each unlicensed session as a separate offense. Supporters said it would aid efforts to combat human trafficking and preserve local zoning and licensing authority. Several senators voiced concerns that the bill could be too broad and might unintentionally affect trafficking victims or impose harsh penalties for unlicensed massage without injury or fraud, but they still voted yes. SB 132 passed 32-0.
The Senate also adopted Senate Committee Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 18 and then passed the bill 32-0. SB 18 updates Kentucky’s podiatry laws, formally recognizes podiatric assistants and residents, gives the Board of Podiatry authority to license and regulate them, allows podiatrists to supervise physician assistants with board approval, limits supervision to four assistants, and requires new podiatrists starting in 2027 to complete at least two years of residency training. The sponsor said the measure modernizes oversight and improves access to foot and ankle care, especially for patients with diabetes. After the floor work, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and Committee on Committees, and later received the committee reports noted above.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise on behalf of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and I rise on behalf of the California Legislative
- Today I rise on behalf of the California Hispanic Legislative Caucus.
- Those people look like the members of the Legislative Black Caucus.
- It is almost unprecedented for legislative action to undermine current legal action.
- that I legislate with my heart.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- rendering of the last legislative rendering of the last legislative session<00:16:10.399>
in< - Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, January the 14th, Alabama Power's Daily Legislative Issues Breakfast is
- He was slow to anger, empathetic, and a role model for young legislators.
- the Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor the Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for<00:26:46.960><
- :28:22.720>
Academy legislator, he championed Space Academy legislator, he championed Space Academy
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- the legislation they propose to vote on. the legislation they propose to vote on.
- legislate on Senate Bill 223. legislate on Senate Bill 223.
- Bill 123 is inexpedient to legislate. Bill 123 is inexpedient to legislate.
- legislate? Senator Sullivan. legislate? Senator Sullivan.
- to legislate on Senate Bill 634. to legislate on Senate Bill 634.
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jun 25 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We agree that legislative action is necessary.
- Madam President, I request legislative leave for Senator Yaw.
- Senator Pittman requests legislative leave for Senator Yaw.
- impacts how the legislation will be enacted.
- We do need to pass legislation on this issue, and I think legislation along the lines that my colleague
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber Fri May 8, 2026, 10:00AM HST - Day 58
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I have my senior legislative assistant, Maddox Suchia.
- Aaron, committee clerk Ian, and legislative aid Kate.
- Great legislators have worked hard for...
- Great legislators have worked hard for decades to pass strong, smart environmental legislation.
- As the 2026 legislative As the 2026 legislative session draws to a close, I am proud of our many collective
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government (2-18-26)
State & Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- another another legislator another another legislator uh<00:02:49.599>
from <00:02:49.840> - uh from the House and another legislator uh from the House and another legislator from<00:02:51.519
- legislative vote. legislative vote.
- executive order and and no legislation executive order and and no legislation or<00:27:15.679>
- <00:27:17.679>
to or never any request for legislation to or never any request for legislation - <00:27:17.679>
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:05
Attendance Roll Call: 00:10
SB 70 Discussion: 00:58
SB 70 Vote: 04:36
SB 80 Discussion: 05:16
SB 80 Vote: 31:45
SB 127 Discussion: 32:30
SB 127 Vote: 39:38
SB 154 Discussion: 41:25
SB 154 Vote:
Adjournment: 47:14, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first considered Senate Bill 70, which would modify the Public Pension Oversight Board by adding one House member and one Senate member, automatically placing the House and Senate chairs of state and local government on the board, adding the state treasurer, broadening who the Speaker and Senate President may appoint, and reducing the governor’s board appointments from two to one. After a brief procedural correction about a committee substitute, the bill was explained and then passed by a 9-0 favorable vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 80, a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to people with felony convictions after they complete imprisonment, probation, and parole, while excluding certain offenses such as election fraud, violent felonies, sex offenses, and crimes against children. The sponsor and Senator Herron argued that Kentucky’s current system is confusing and leaves the state as one of the few with lifetime disenfranchisement, while witnesses from the Sentencing Project, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, and an advocacy group for people with lived experience supported restoration but urged a simpler, broader, automatic approach without offense-based carveouts. Committee members raised questions about implementation, clerk guidance, and how the proposal interacts with expungement and gubernatorial pardons; one senator specifically asked whether serious offenders, including child rapists, would regain voting rights under a broader version, and the witness answered yes. The bill passed with a favorable expression by an 8-1 vote.
The transcript then began discussion of Senate Bill 127, also sponsored by Senator Hickden, but the exchange was cut off before the bill was fully explained or any vote was taken.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- And now we can move to the legislative portion of the agenda.
- It has been vetted by the Legislative Council Committee.
- , but most of us are on Legislative Council.
- This legislation is a move in the right direction.
- This legislation is a move in the right direction.
Bills:
HB371
Keywords:
HB371, Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, farmland preservation, agricultural lands, agricultural preservation district, Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, county advisory board, Delaware Foundation, Department of Agriculture, DNREC, planning and zoning, growth zone, open space, land use, farmland protection, rural land preservation, agribusiness, active farmers
Summary:
The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from its June 17 and June 18 meetings, and considered several nominations and bills. The committee heard testimony from Michael T. Skeuse for the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and Jay Eric Fearwald for the University of Delaware Board of Trustees; both nominees described their backgrounds and qualifications, and no objections were raised. The committee then moved to legislation focused largely on property tax reassessment and related school-tax issues, along with a technical constitutional corrections bill, an agricultural lands preservation cleanup bill, and a child-safety/service-letter bill.
A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 350, which would create a third multifamily residential tax classification at 1.2 times the residential rate. Supporters argued apartments are housing and should not be taxed as commercial property, emphasizing relief for renters and fairness after reassessment. Opponents, including county and school officials, warned the bill would reduce local revenues, complicate tax administration, and create unintended consequences for counties, municipalities, school districts, and agriculture. Similar themes carried into House Bill 462, which would make the split-rate school tax structure permanent and lower the nonresidential cap to 1.85, and House Bill 463, which would align New Castle County senior school-tax exemptions with county exemption rules; both bills drew discussion about shifting burdens, fiscal impacts, and timing.
The committee also heard House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320, a technical corrections bill to the Delaware Constitution, with one public commenter objecting to charter-related changes being included in a correction bill. House Bill 371, which removes the requirement for county farmland preservation advisory boards under the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, was presented as a streamlining measure and had support from the Department of Agriculture and public comment in favor. House Bill 438, expanding service-letter requirements to a broader set of child-serving facilities and requiring reporting when employers fail to respond, was described as a cleanup bill closing a safety loophole. After public comment and committee discussion, the meeting ended with a motion and unanimous adjournment; no recorded votes on the bills were taken in the transcript.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Nov 3rd, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- If you had ideal legislation, what all would you have in this ideal legislation that this committee can
- So not everything gets legislative authorization.
- This legislation work. And it's important for small communities.
- Except I wasn't a legislator then.
- I know that Vice Chair Padilla actually had legislation...
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 4th, 2025
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Piece of legislation.
- I've been on Legislative Education Committees.
- Chair, there are other pieces of legislation in this legislative session that could, in a very short
- So this legislation...
- legislative resolution.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:18.720>
Senor that is inexpedient to legislate Senor that is inexpedient to legislate - that it is inexpedient to legislate that it is inexpedient to legislate represent<01:34:52.280><
- <01:39:26.080>
representative inexpedient to legislate representative inexpedient to legislate - :43.160>
based <05:32:43.400>on cannot legislate Health Care based on cannot legislate - <05:51:06.040>
ensures kids this legislation ensures kids this legislation ensures that<05
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- So there are several key pieces I'd like to emphasize about this legislation.
- ...passing this piece of legislation as she moves on to the next chapter of her life.
- Over 15 years ago, we filed workplace violence legislation.
- In 18 other states, similar legislation is being considered, including Massachusetts.
- So we filed this legislation and we became a part of the board.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills, beginning with a major workplace violence proposal for health care settings. Senator Lovely, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, the Massachusetts Hospital Association, and SEIU 1199 all supported legislation requiring hospitals and other health care employers to conduct facility-specific risk assessments, develop violence prevention plans, train workers, and provide reporting and protections for assaulted employees. Witnesses described workplace assaults as frequent and escalating, and committee members discussed balancing worker safety with concerns about criminalizing mental illness; testimony emphasized that the bill targets intentional assaults while preserving treatment and discretion for behavioral health crises.
The committee also heard strong support for bills to strengthen traffic safety, including primary seat belt enforcement, rear-facing car seat requirements, and seat belts on school buses. AAA Northeast, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, law enforcement, legislators, and the Massachusetts Insurance Federation all backed the measures, citing crash data, injury prevention, and personal stories of traumatic brain injury. Senator O’Connor testified for school bus seat belts, saying Massachusetts should join other states requiring them, and later Sophia Furzada of the National Transportation Safety Board urged passage of school bus seat belt and child passenger safety bills, saying lap-shoulder belts would reduce injuries and save lives in crashes where compartmentalization is not enough.
Other testimony included support for a bill to make 9-1-1 disability indicator forms more accessible and inclusive, with the witness arguing the form should better reflect mental health, developmental disabilities, language access needs, and a fifth-grade reading level. The committee also heard opposition to a proposal to extend Christian’s Law to swimming pools, with a parks and recreation director warning of unintended consequences for municipal camps and underserved communities. Finally, the committee took testimony on a bill to expand the Forensic Science Oversight Board to include workforce representation, which MOSES said would restore technical expertise to the board. At the end of the hearing, the committee adjourned without taking votes on the bills discussed.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 11th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 2340 will be laid over two legislative days.
- I guess when I think about when we put into legislation reporting to the Legislative Assembly or to the
- I guess when I think about when we put into legislation reporting to the Legislative Assembly or to the
- I've heard concern that Legislative Management won't get the results.
- I've heard concern that legislative management won't get the results.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial message listing numerous bills signed by the governor. The chamber also handled conference committee business, including appointing conferees for House Bills 1003 and 1169 after refusing to concur with Senate amendments, and adopting a conference committee report on House Bill 1053, which repealed a Century Code section related to the length of the state highway system.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2137, which would allow supplemental feed for hunting and include an expiration date. The House divided the proposed amendments into two parts. Division A, dealing with baiting limits and setbacks near livestock facilities, drew extensive debate over private property rights, enforceability, livestock protection, and hunting access, and failed 14-76. Division B, requiring chronic wasting disease surveillance and a report to Legislative Management, also drew debate over whether the reporting requirement was necessary or too late to be useful; it failed 44-46. With both divisions defeated, the House then passed the underlying bill 56-34.
The House also laid over Senate Bills 2340, 2326, and 2289. Later, it defeated Senate Bill 2325, which would have created a process for non-federal easements on wetland areas, by a vote of 4-84. It passed Senate Bill 2210, directing a legislative management study on watershed-based water management, 85-3; Senate Bill 2387, establishing rights for sexual violence survivors, 89-0; and Senate Bill 269, allowing state agencies to satisfy legal notice requirements by posting on their websites if newspaper publication is missed, 72-17. The House then excused absent members and adjourned until Monday, April 14, 2025.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- not doing that you're a bad legislator not doing that you're a bad legislator because<00:51:51.920
- <00:54:29.760>
is I think the intent of the legislation is I think the intent of the legislation - we layer more process for legislators we layer more process for legislators before<00:56:48.200>
- <00:57:35.720>
can processes that you as legislators can processes that you as legislators - <01:15:19.560>
and I'm the director of legislative and I'm the director of legislative and
Summary:
The committee met on February 11 and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal and district facts. Chair Jim Nash then outlined the committee’s goals for the session, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, the need to address a looming structural deficit, and the committee’s role in moving legislation forward. The committee also reviewed its rules for the year.
The main item was House File 3, authored by Chair Nash and referred to Ways and Means. The bill would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report tracking whether agencies have implemented prior audit and evaluation recommendations, with the goal of improving internal controls, transparency, and accountability and helping legislators make funding decisions. Nash described the bill as a preventative measure to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and said it was modeled in part on practices used in Colorado. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the office already produces similar update reports but lacks resources to independently verify many agency responses; she said the bill would provide a framework for more regular reporting and discussion, not a “shame tool.”
Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the bill would increase accountability and transparency for how public agencies manage taxpayer resources. A letter from the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits was also noted in support. Representative Clardy offered the A7 amendment to add an appropriation matching the fiscal note; Nash accepted it, saying savings could be found later in the process. The committee approved the A7 amendment by voice vote. During discussion, Representative Quam supported the bill’s focus on accountability, and Representative Freiberg questioned the Legislative Auditor about the office’s expertise on a specific ambulance-services recommendation in the report. Randall responded that the office’s staff are policy research generalists who use standards, best practices, interviews, surveys, and site visits to develop recommendations, and that the goal is to prompt further discussion rather than require blind acceptance. The transcript ends during that exchange, with no final committee vote on House File 3 shown.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- So last year, we passed legislation, and many of you were supportive of that legislation, to ensure that
- That's what we do in cleanup legislation.
- And I live pulled them around this legislation, kind of laid out there.
- I represent Moms for Liberty California Legislative Committee. Thank you.
- Well, I want to thank the author for bringing forward this legislation.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- On this March 1st, we are beginning the final third of our 60-day legislative session. legislative session
- Speaker and gentlelady, what I understand also from this legislation is that this legislation is also
- And there are a few elements required in the legislation.
- Will these institutions benefit from this legislation?
- Thank you so much for bringing this legislation forward.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 30th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that what we're saying when it comes to this legislation?
- Speaker, gentlelady, it is a choice to propose this legislation. Mr.
- What do we, you know, we can run that legislation.
- Speaker—do we as legislators hear from our constituents...
- actuarial reviews of legislative proposals, making an appropriation.
Keywords:
nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial