Video & Transcript : 'newspaper of general circulation' :

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health Apr 3rd, 2025

S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • of some of these deaths and complications by your county.
  • of cases and 45 percent of all cancer deaths.
  • hundreds of millions of dollars in grants already.
  • And just as a point of interest, the number of mortalities from lung cancer exceeds the number of mortalities
  • Maternity care deserts, of course, we've gone over some of the data previously, but 46.5% of our counties
Bills: HB514 , HB1652 , HB2117 , HB2298 , HB3269 , HB46 , HB46
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House State Government Committee Apr 2nd, 2025

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • This changes the makeup of the board of trustees of the University of South Alabama.
  • meetings instead of 10 days at 24.
  • They're pretty much mirror images of each other. Okay.
  • Uh, so that really that aspect of it isn't changing.
  • All in favor of the approval of the sub say "Aye." Aye. Any opposed? Okay, the sub's approved.
Bills: HB442 , HB459 , HB90 , HB91 , HB461 , HB481
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Mar 18th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • educate the next generation of medical professionals.
  • A lot of great memories, particularly sitting out in General Admission and just cooking. on those seats
  • our communities. of people today and generations to come.
  • I was not I was not here, but but it was it was a recognition that some future generation It's sort of
  • , second generation coming up, but of that taxable gain of that sale, about 20 million of it was taxed
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs Apr 28th, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So if somebody's looking for a piece of information, they're not going to the newspaper.
  • So if somebody's looking for a piece of information, they're not going to the newspaper.
  • How many parishes across the state do not have a local newspaper, or even in general, a newspaper that's
  • Farnum's point, some of these newspapers aren't even in their parishes.
  • of three community newspapers in northeastern Louisiana.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, mostly dealing with open meetings, public records, election administration, and local government notice requirements. Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Jenkins would authorize electronic voting under the Open Meetings Law and apply retroactively to validate prior electronic votes; after brief discussion and support from the Louisiana Municipal Association, it was reported favorably. House Bill 1052 by Rep. Spell would exempt certain child advocacy center and multidisciplinary team work product, forensic interviews, and related sensitive records from public records disclosure to protect child abuse investigations; testimony from child advocacy organizations emphasized the need to prevent misuse of records and preserve court-controlled access, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 289 by Sen. Abraham, concerning confidentiality of certain university records and negotiations, was amended to clarify protections for proprietary research, donor confidentiality, and limited confidentiality for industry negotiations, then reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 218 by Sen. Talbot, allowing alternative certification programs for election officials if approved by the State Board of Election Supervisors, and Senate Bill 220, a technical correction regarding the official journal of the state, were both reported favorably. Senate Bill 161 by Sen. Seaball, repealing a requirement that certain high-salary unclassified state employees register vehicles in Louisiana, was also reported favorably after questions about its scope and purpose. The committee then took up House Bill 1193 by Rep. Sawyer, which authorizes the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to use indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracts for maintenance and emergency work. CPRA officials said the model would speed small repairs and pre-construction tasks, improve efficiency, and mirror a similar DOTD approach; an amendment narrowed the public-records language and excluded design-build contracting. Members raised concerns about public records transparency and inclusion of minority and small contractors, but the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 249 by Rep. Green, a constitutional amendment creating an independent compensation commission for elected officials and tying adjustments to CPI, drew extensive debate over removing the legislature from setting salaries, the appointment structure, and whether the state could afford automatic increases. After opposition from several members and a roll-call vote, the bill failed to be reported, 6 yeas to 9 nays. Because HB 249 failed, the companion enabling bill, House Bill 248, was deferred. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 997 by Rep. Edmondson, which would let parishes, municipalities, and school boards use their own websites as an alternative to newspaper publication for public notices. Supporters from the Police Jury Association argued the bill would reduce duplicative costs, preserve all existing notice requirements, and simply add a third option alongside newspaper publication and newspaper-hosted digital publication. An amendment narrowed the bill to parishes, municipalities, and school boards, removing other political subdivisions. Members questioned transparency, enforcement, record retention, and whether the change would undermine newspapers; supporters said courts would still enforce notice requirements and that local governments already maintain the records. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with no final action shown in the excerpt.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit

Transcript Highlights:
  • and the licensing of bar pilots.
  • And the funds come out of the general fund that goes to ADCA, and it's for inland ports.
  • There is a little bit of a change in the definition of inland port because Bilabacry was left off of
  • </c><00:08:59.279><c> the</c> and the the funds come out of the and the the funds come out of the general
  • :09:05.600><c> in</c> bit of a change in the definition of in bit of a change in the definition of in
Bills: HB277 , SB89 , HB135 , HB277 , SB89 , HB135
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Thu Apr 9, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 42

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Takayama, Madam Speaker, I have the pleasure of introducing two of my staff members in
  • </c> stand and welcome to our House of stand and welcome to our House of Representatives.
  • </c> welcome to your House of welcome to your House of Representatives.
  • </c> exception of Representative Moriwaki. exception of Representative Moriwaki.
  • </c> deliberate avoidance of accountability. deliberate avoidance of accountability.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Fri Apr 10, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 43

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and the heartbeat of our communities.
  • Welcome to your House of work. Welcome to your House of Representatives.
  • </c> rainy um weather today, but because of rainy um weather today, but because of the<00:04:01.840><
  • </c> us today and welcome to your House of us today and welcome to your House of Representatives.
  • </c> Seeing none, we'll turn to the order of Seeing none, we'll turn to the order of the<00:04:31.480
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm deputy commissioner of support services for the Department of Corrections. Good morning.
  • </c> radio and or newspaper advertisements. radio and or newspaper advertisements.
  • They don't have a lot of faith in an IRA-type of outcome.
  • It's just the nature of the job. It's just the nature of the job.
  • &gt;&gt; One of each. &gt;&gt; One of each.
Summary: The committee heard budget-related testimony from the Department of Corrections on a request for additional funding to take over operations of the Lee Adjustment Center, including $2.2 million in fiscal year 2027 and $5.2 million in fiscal year 2028. The witness said the governor’s budget did not recommend the request. Members asked about the cost savings of private operation versus state operation, the facility’s role in the department’s long-term goals, and whether the state intends to move toward operating all adult correctional facilities directly. The Department of Juvenile Justice then presented on staffing, recruitment, retention, and facility planning. Officials described recent pay increases and other investments, including a 10% security pay raise in 2021, an 8% state employee raise in 2022, higher youth worker starting salaries, and $4.8 million in 2023 funding to sustain salary increases. They said DJJ has also expanded mental health and medical staffing, improved recruitment efforts, and seen an upward trend in hiring. In response to questions, the commissioner said barriers to recruitment and retention include the Tier 3 retirement system, the structured and restrictive nature of detention work, and competition from other employers. He also said the department wants to move toward a regional model for female facilities under SB 162 and believes those facilities can be staffed. DJJ provided staffing figures showing 1,339 funded positions, with 157 filled and 182 vacant at a January benchmark, and 524 detention positions with 450 filled and 74 vacant. Officials said 30 correctional officers were in basic training and expected to join posts soon. Members also asked about the feasibility of staffing additional facilities and the department’s vacancy trends. Finally, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council testified on a funding request for one attorney, one paralegal, one additional monitor, higher costs for existing monitor positions, and Lexington office rent. Officials said the request is needed to handle a growing decertification caseload and expanded oversight responsibilities as the number of academies has increased to about eight, with more than 2,100 instructors requiring biennial review. They said KLEC currently has one attorney and about 15 total staff, with roughly 180 cases pending, more than 50 complaints left to file, and another 30 cases expected soon. Members asked about current staffing, attorney salary, the number of academies, and the move to a separate Lexington office. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned without a quorum for approving minutes.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 12th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Reading of the journal. Reading of the journal.
  • limits of the City of St.
  • With profound sorrow, the Legislature of Louisiana learned of the passing of John Norman Gillespie on
  • John participated in the Battle of Outpost Terry, one of the last major engagements of the Korean War
  • This is a repositioning from the Board of Board of Board of Board of Board. Senator Edmonds.
Bills: SR113 , SR114 , SCR64 , SCR65 , SCR66 , SCR67 , SCR12 , HB59 , HB66 , HB79 , HB153 , HB165 , HB326 , HB387 , HB455 , HB513 , HB660 , HB719 , HB762 , HB802 , HB816 , HB833 , HB895 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1011 , HB1028 , HB1039 , HB1051 , HB1053 , HB1057 , HB1080 , HB1084 , HB1155 , HB1215 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1234 , HB1251 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB1256 , HB221 , HCR11 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HCR50 , HCR60 , HCR64 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR68 , HCR78 , HCR81 , HCR58 , SB25 , SB250 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HB22 , HB28 , HB33 , HB41 , HB47 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB316 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB511 , HB514 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB636 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB896 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , SB29 , SB30 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB43 , SB47 , SB84 , SB93 , SB113 , SB192 , SB199 , SB219 , SB220 , SB221 , SB222 , SB241 , SB253 , SB255 , SB289 , SB292 , SB306 , SB314 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB424 , SCR9 , SB132 , SB35 , SB65 , SB135 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR26 , HCR45 , HCR31 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB17 , HB21 , HB51 , HB55 , HB74 , HB106 , HB108 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB168 , HB215 , HB226 , HB263 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1237 , HB1239 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB210 , HB220 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB36 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB166 , HB211 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB759
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present and opened with the introduction of guest pastor Dr. Jeff Williams, who delivered the invocation before members recited the pledge and approved the journal without objection. The chamber then handled a series of communications from the House, including notice of House action on numerous Senate bills and joint resolutions, and introduced several Senate resolutions and a concurrent resolution, many of which were laid over. One resolution to recognize Jewish American Heritage Month drew objection to suspension of the rules, while SCR 64, creating a task force on construction management at risk, was amended to add the Louisiana Police Jury Association president or designee and then adopted 34-0. SCR 66 designating Anti-Hunger Day and SCR 67 honoring Chef John Folse were also adopted unanimously. The Senate also heard personal privilege remarks recognizing Southwest Louisiana Day at the Capitol, honoring the late John Gillespie, and designating a Day Without Child Care at the Capitol through SR 115. The chamber then considered a large number of House bills and House concurrent resolutions on second reading, mostly referring them to committees or ordering them to the Legislative Bureau. Among the measures advanced from committee were bills on veterans’ employment at schools, anti-cancer medication coverage, domestic abuse arrest holding periods, food safety, state finances, vaccination status and public buildings, construction code commission purpose, elected official compensation, clinical trial competitiveness, law enforcement records, sexual assault nurse examiner oversight, human remains documentation, wildlife disposition, and several local or tax-related measures. HCR 11 supporting the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Beauregard was concurred in 135-0. The Senate also received committee reports on multiple House bills, with several reported favorably or with amendments. On final passage, the Senate approved a series of bills, including SB 135 on sports wagering revenue allocation, which passed 32-2 after debate over shifting more funding to early childhood education and capping the sports fund allocation. Other bills passed included HB 238 on ethics exceptions for former school board members, HB 241 on bank records definitions, HB 242 allowing a St. Tammany Parish constable to appoint a deputy, HB 250 on financial disclosure for board members, HB 260 on complimentary transportation for legislators, HB 265 expanding video voyeurism offenses with a funeral-service exemption amendment, HB 275 increasing penalties for domestic violence committed in the presence of a child, HB 300 raising the appraisal threshold for certain residential loans, HB 320 creating a crime of unlawful exposure by an inmate, HB 338 extending the Office of Financial Institutions sunset, HB 339 expanding privacy protections for law enforcement officers and administrative law judges, HB 349 expanding the Imported Seafood Safety Fund’s uses, HB 379 allowing certain 17-year-old students to serve as poll commissioners, HB 427 revising online minor-protection language after a debated amendment restoring an opt-out, HB 463 raising emergency communication service charges under voter approval and hearing requirements, HB 464 requiring utility damage notices to go to the Regional Notification Center, and HB 468 regulating wholesaling of residential real property. Most of these measures passed unanimously or by wide margins, with several motions to reconsider laid on the table after passage.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 03-31-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> of the Year. of the Year.
  • of the Kapaa Clubhouse.
  • of Hawaii Youth of Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii Youth of the<00:08:34.640><c> Year</c><00:08:35.000
  • </c> competing for for the Youth of the Year. competing for for the Youth of the Year.
  • is Leia Williamson of the Makawao award is Leia Williamson of the Makawao Clubhouse.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 17th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • As the granddaughter of a man who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, I hold all of our veterans
  • And so in terms of cost savings, I think generally speaking, you know, it's more of a service improvement
  • driving on top of the work day.
  • And so the goal is to have all of this wrapped up by the end of this fiscal year.
  • Consideration and adoption of minutes from the 2025 regular session, all of these dates.
Bills: HB129 , HB130 , HB854
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 17 and first took up House Bill 129, which would designate a portion of Louisiana Highway 173 as the Dr. Harry Blake Senior Memorial Highway. An amendment package was adopted that also added a separate designation for a portion of Louisiana Highway 3194 in Shreveport as the Virginia Green Evans Memorial Highway. Representative Walters described both honorees as important figures in civil rights and community service. HB 129 was then reported with amendments. The committee next considered House Bill 130, which redesignates the elevated portion of Interstate 220 in Caddo Parish as the American Legion Post No. 14 Memorial Bridge. Amendments were adopted to add “Memorial Bridge” to the name. Representative Walters spoke in support of honoring veterans, and HB 130 was reported with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 854, a specialty license plate bill. Amendments added several schools, made technical changes, required OMV implementation when statutory and system requirements are met, removed a provision allowing OMV to retain $1 per annual fee, and redirected annual fees to the Louisiana chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and the R. Tamney-Fleming Lupus Foundation. Members raised concerns about the growing number of specialty plates and OMV’s ability to produce them, but HB 854 was also reported with amendments. After the bills, the committee received an update on the proposed privatization of the Cameron Ferry Service. The Secretary said the process began with an unsolicited proposal from Laborde and a competitive solicitation that produced a qualified bid, and that negotiations would focus on service improvements rather than guaranteed cost savings. Members asked about costs, maintenance, fuel, staffing, and the impact on travel times if the ferry is out of service. The Secretary said the goal is to complete the process by the end of the fiscal year, around July 1. The committee then adopted the minutes from the listed 2025 regular session dates and adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Border Security May 15th, 2025

Border Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • the clerk of the committee.
  • southern part of the United States.
  • Members, questions of the author. All right.
  • Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo [member_166]. Aye.
  • This is the codification of federal law.
Bills: HCR98 , HB180
Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum present and first took up HCR 98, a resolution urging Congress to improve coordination among federal, state, and local authorities on counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) technology for border security. The author and sponsor described increasing drone activity along the border, saying unauthorized drones are used to track agents, identify weaknesses, and smuggle contraband, and argued for clearer procedures to detect, identify, and neutralize such aircraft. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted 4-0 to report HCR 98 favorably to the full Senate; the resolution was also ordered for local and uncontested calendar placement without objection. The committee then heard HB 180, sponsored by Chairman Birdwell, which would authorize the governor to coordinate directly with Mexican officials and individual Mexican states on border security agreements and appoint representatives to implement them. Birdwell said the bill would codify prior border-security cooperation efforts, improve responses to cross-border challenges such as drug and human trafficking, and include a finding that entrants from foreign countries must use a legal port of entry. No questions were asked, and there was no invited or public testimony. After the hearing, the committee left HB 180 pending. The meeting concluded with no further business and the committee standing in recess subject to the call of the chair.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • So Chairman Dever and Senator Davidson, it was actually a total of $8 million, of which 50% is general
  • Yes, so we had asked for $14 million of carryover general fund. So $14.4 million.
  • And what had happened was we were granted $6 million carry forward of general fund and then given $8.4
  • And so we got the remaining money in a line of credit in case we needed to use the general fund portion
  • Of which other funds is $3.598 billion, and general funds is $2.254 billion.
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration. The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight. Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 11th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • credit instead of tying up the general fund, but having access to that full... ...get a line of credit
  • general fund and $14 million of federal... ...that there's $14 million of general fund and $14 million
  • So we had a reduction of $1.1 million in general funds and $1.2 million in federal funds.
  • General funds of $13.5 million.
  • We took it out of the ongoing funds for $4 million in general funds and just shy of $1.5 million in other
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met to finalize changes to the human services budget bill and related amendments. Members discussed several items, including a proposed $5 million appropriation for the Altru Hospital project to address inflationary costs, with the rest of the funding question left for conference committee. They also agreed to keep the 10-year operating requirement language for the project and remove a matching-funds provision that was no longer needed. The committee spent considerable time on the OASIS child welfare IT system. Donna Auckland explained that the project is still in the RFP stage, with vendor selection and contract negotiation likely taking months, and that the system will require 50-50 federal matching authority. Based on that testimony, the committee agreed to reduce the general fund amount from $14 million to $6 million and use a line of credit for the remaining authority, while preserving the federal match authority so the contract can be signed and the project can proceed. Members also approved a technical fix to add governor’s designee language for the Children’s Cabinet, which had been missed in another bill already on the governor’s desk. Keith reviewed updated long sheets showing additional budget adjustments, including provider inflation changes, a $50,000 Family Voices grant, reductions to CARES Act COVID funds, and moving the $5-per-day basic care rate increase from ongoing to one-time funding. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the committee adjourned with plans to reconvene Monday if the final bill version was ready.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 10th, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • of the infrastructure.
  • For any of those of you that may be paying attention?
  • kind of housing.
  • There's a lot of questions. There's a lot of questions, and it's a worthwhile goal.
  • Chairman, members of the committee, so right now the funds of $4,067,056 in general funds and $1,474.
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The committee first discussed a wastewater infrastructure bill, centered on whether state support should be provided as a grant or through the existing Clean Water State Revolving Fund as a low-interest loan program. Department of Environmental Quality official David Brushwine explained that the SRF already finances wastewater projects, can leverage federal funds with state bond proceeds, and could accommodate the Washburn, Lincoln, and Peasant projects if they are ready to proceed. Members noted that losing federal grant support would make projects harder for local residents to afford because costs would be recovered through utility rates or special assessments, but the projects would still be eligible for loans. Senator Magrum indicated he would likely concur with the budget after this discussion, and the bill was set aside for later consideration. The committee then turned to a proposed amendment for a four-plex housing project for people with disabilities or other special needs. Senator Mathern described Sections 7 and 8 as creating a design consultation appropriation and a revolving loan fund modeled on existing hospital and nursing home loan programs, while Section 9 would transfer $3.3 million from the state infrastructure fund. Members debated ownership, rent subsidies, repayment terms, and whether the state should finance the project directly or leave it to a private developer with Department of Human Services oversight. Concerns were raised that the state should not own the housing and that the proposal needed more work to be workable, but the committee ultimately reached consensus to adopt Sections 7 and 8 and leave out Section 9 for further conference committee discussion. The committee also reviewed provider inflation and long-term care rate issues, with members discussing whether to support a 2% and 1.5% inflation adjustment and how to handle the $5-per-day basic care rate. Staff explained that the $5 payment was already in the base budget, but members debated whether it should remain ongoing or be treated as one-time funding and paired with a study of rate rebasing. The committee agreed to have draft language prepared to remove the $5 from the base budget and add study language, then moved the bill forward for drafting.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some of these are. So— Yes. That would be revenue we would generate for those positions.
  • is funds that are generated to of that 4.7 that be reduced.
  • Chairman, members of the committee, 25% of the... But, Mr.
  • Federal funding must be pursued and is subject to the availability of generated income.
  • Federal funding must be pursued and is subject to the availability of generated income.
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The committee met to review revised long sheets and section-by-section language for a human services/health budget bill, with much of the discussion focused on how to present block grant funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for behavioral health clinics and CCBHCs. Members debated whether to keep FTE counts in the budget at all, ultimately leaning toward removing or zeroing out the FTE references while keeping the dollar authority, and reducing the salaries-and-wages block grant by about $4.75 million. They also discussed public health federal authority, agreeing to remove about $60 million in unused federal spending authority tied to COVID-era funds, and clarified that if federal money later becomes available it could be requested through the Emergency Commission. A major topic was the provider inflation increase. The House version had 2% and 2%, while members debated alternatives and appeared to settle, at least for further work, on 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second year, with staff asked to recalculate the fiscal impact. The committee also reviewed FMAP changes, noting a revised 2027 FMAP estimate and its effect on general fund and other funds, and discussed whether to adjust public health and other line items accordingly. Several members emphasized that many of these numbers are still tentative and will be refined before final action. The committee also touched on several policy items and capital-related provisions, including behavioral health services, Medicaid expansion, the moratorium on new ICF beds, and a proposed amendment for a medical homes/fourplex-related item that would show a $400,000 legislative investment with repayment from a developer. There was extended discussion of the All True hospital/facility proposal, with some members favoring leaving it in with a smaller initial commitment and others preferring to remove it and revisit later in conference committee. The meeting ended with staff asked to continue updating the bill language and members instructed to review remaining sections before the next meeting; no final votes were taken in the portion provided.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 7th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so a facility like this, at least some of the components of this align with some of the work that
  • of course.
  • I was just trying to get a general idea of what you were thinking of, Mr. Chair.
  • The end of the week. The end of the week?
  • Donna, can I ask you, since I have it in front of me: Section 9, $750,000 from the General Fund for Juvenile
Bills: SB2015
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members. The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration. A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 18th, 2025

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is the one that the Secretary of State has recommended because I got out of the other system, and
  • After talking to the Secretary of State's office and just... ...the Secretary of State's office and just
  • We ought to be able to make money off of this. We need no more money in the general fund.
  • Okay, so some of them are licensed, but in general, there are a lot of them that are not licensed.
  • One of the conversations and one of the reasons the governor's office is pretty heavily on one side of
Bills: SB5 , SB142 , SB158 , SB171 , SB5