Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to sharing our updates as we go through the session.
• We look forward to sharing our updates as we go through the session.
• We look forward to sharing our updates as we go through the session.
• We look forward to sharing our updates as we go through the session.
• We look forward to sharing our updates as we go through the session.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee held an introductory organizational meeting for the newly named Workforce and Economic Development Committee, with Chair Dave Baker noting a quorum and that no votes or formal actions were scheduled. Members and staff introduced themselves and described their districts, backgrounds, and priorities. Several members emphasized worker protections, labor experience, small business concerns, rural economic issues, and the importance of balancing employer and employee interests. Others highlighted education-to-workforce pathways, affordability, support for seniors, and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities. Chair Baker said he wants the committee to find a balance between protecting labor and ensuring a strong employment base, fair rules, and fair taxes, while also acknowledging concerns about recent policy trends and the need to get proposals right before they leave the committee. Members from both parties echoed themes of collaboration and economic opportunity, though some Republicans criticized past rules and regulations as burdensome on small businesses. The committee also welcomed nonpartisan staff and DFL/GOP staff, including the committee administrator, legislative assistant, House Research, and fiscal analysis staff. The committee then received an overview from DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek and deputy commissioners. Varilek described DEED’s mission as empowering growth of the Minnesota economy for everyone, increasing prosperity and extending it broadly, and coordinating with other agencies such as Labor and Industry to avoid duplication and use taxpayer dollars efficiently. He said DEED focuses on business attraction, retention, and expansion, workforce development, and helping Minnesotans—including people with disabilities—prepare for jobs and independent living. A deputy commissioner began outlining the economic development division’s structure and operations, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're back in regular session. Okay.
• All those come out of executive session.
• We're back in regular<00:19:09.600> session. regular session. regular session.
• to go into executive session. So moved. to go into executive session. So moved.
• <01:46:23.679> signing<01:46:24.159> off regular duties when you're signing off regular

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 7 corrects an uncodified session law from the 2023 session.
• property uh during the 2023 session property uh during the 2023 session qualifying<00:18:19.240>
• law from the 2023 session.
• <00:20:28.840> law 34.1 corrects an uncodified session law 34.1 corrects an uncodified session
• <00:20:54.000> law it was effective under the session law it was effective under the session

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, five-year plan means two sessions. Last session was that first session.
• session.
• In the city of Bismarck, we utilize this process on a regular basis.
• We don't like to bring you a mess during legislative session.
• We don't like to bring you a mess during legislative session.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can park in a regular handicap spot. We cannot.
• They can park in a regular handicap spot. We cannot.
• 156 following with an executive session 156 following with an executive session um<01:46:06.599>
• I'd like a motion to go into executive session. We are now in executive session.
• <02:10:26.960> session session ex session of exective session session ex session of exective

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were scheduled to come speak with you back in the session, and schedules conspired to have us wait
• that you'll hear about today from our staff, to ensure that our annual report is submitted to each regular
• session of the Legislative Assembly in accordance with statute.
• We recommended the agency provide regular training and accountability for asset management procedures
• We’re exploring several options, including delivering online modules through Workday, offering sessions

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation. The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews. The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• having in the mental health space, which has been a huge focus of mine over the interim and during the session
• It was fine until the week after we started session, so it was a very difficult time.
• And they said, by the way, we get approached on a regular basis about the vendors that want to buy your
• And they said, by the way, we get approached on a regular basis about the vendors that want to buy your
• And they said, by the way, we get approached on a regular basis about vendors that want to buy your data

Bills: SB1113, SB1115, SB1122, SB1123, SB1125, SB1165, SB1188, SB1193, SB1243, SB1318, SB1477

Keywords: mental health, involuntary evaluation, service of process, court-ordered treatment, evaluation agencies, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, healthcare, behavioral health, prior authorization, American Indian health program, medicaid, medical examiner, death investigation, body disposal, autopsy, veteran burial

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of health and human services bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. SB 1113 would allow screening or evaluation agency employees, under contract with a county, to personally serve court documents in involuntary mental health proceedings instead of requiring police officers; supporters said it would reduce burdens on law enforcement and be less disruptive for patients. An amendment clarifying county contracts and reimbursement was adopted, and the bill passed 12-0. SB 1122 would limit AHCCCS from imposing over-100% prepayment review on certain behavioral health providers serving American Indian Health Program members unless a corrective action plan is in place; AHCCCS was neutral and said it could implement the bill with additional staffing, and it passed 12-0. SB 1123 would remove a board-certification requirement so trained, licensed forensic pathologists can supervise pathology trainees during the period before board exam results are available; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and efficiency measure, and it passed 12-0. SB 1125 would require DCS to make annual efforts to enter MOUs with Arizona tribes and improve communication on tribal children in state care; DCS said it was already working on several pending MOUs, and the bill passed 12-0. The committee also approved several bills related to cancer screening and mental health. SB 1165 would prohibit cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast cancer screening services in the commercial market; the sponsor and advocates said it would remove financial barriers that delay diagnosis, and it passed 12-0 amid personal testimony from members and the chair. SB 1243 would require notice to a patient’s guardian before discharge from court-ordered treatment and allow guardians to seek continuation of treatment; supporters said it closes dangerous gaps when treatment orders expire, and it passed 10-0 with two absent. SB 1318 would repeal a state breast-density notice requirement that now overlaps with a federal FDA standard; ADHS said the change would reduce confusion and duplicate notices, and it passed 11-0 with one absent. SB 1188 would align Arizona controlled-substance schedules with federal FDA/DEA scheduling changes; supporters said it would speed access to new treatments, while one member voted no over concerns about relying on federal review, and it passed 8-2. Additional bills addressed privacy and assisted-living referrals. SB 1193 would bar DHS from selling or disclosing EMT personal identifying information for commercial purposes without consent, while still allowing de-identified data; the sponsor’s representative said the bill arose after DHS said vendor access to licensee data was not prohibited, and members discussed whether broader privacy protections should apply to other workers as well. It passed 10-0 with two absent. SB 1477 would require referral agencies serving assisted living facilities or homes to verify background-screening practices, maintain insurance, and provide documentation regarding APS registry status; the bill’s supporters said it raises standards for senior placement services, a technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 10-0 with two absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made it pretty far through the session, and then it got changed to just establish a policy.
• Judgeship in the First Judicial District that we did earlier in the session.
• The inspection on page six, the current laws during regular business hours, the proposed law is...
• The current law is during regular business hours; the proposed law is that inspections may be conducted
• example, the Barber Cosmetology Board, their rules state that inspections can only be done during regular

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of what we've done Since the last time we talked, I do want to thank you all for in the last session
• We're at 8% now, so we have closed the gap quite a bit in the last session. Still, there is a gap.
• The IT auditors are needed because regular financial audits have had significantly increased proportions
• They're not like the IT audit we just had, you know, that the OLA conducted, but there is more in a regular
• Thank you to the chairs and members for hearing our policy proposals this session, including most of

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• We will go back to the regular... the regular schedule and proceed with our voting.
• Senator Hall, I know this is a refile of last session and it got all the way to the calendar. in the
• So they know the people, they know the background, and it's a regular. thing, and they can schedule them
• And I was not here last session, so thank you for that.
• Had this discussion with Senator Hall during the last session. It's all about medical necessity.

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• after session.
• There are two types of bingo play, regular bingo and pull tab bingo.
• There was one that was coming out of last session.
• And now, all of a sudden, in the middle of a legislative session.
• That's all this this session. You're under sunset.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In last year's legislative session, there was language passed that is requiring districts to change from
• is done I'm sure that um I the session is done I'm sure that um I think<00:31:04.480> it<00:31
• <01:57:06.920> special think would help like regular special think would help like regular
• You know, it's been a long time since I was a regular education teacher and actually had to do lesson
• a long time since I was a regular a long time since I was a regular education<01:59:11.880> teacher

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a bill that actually came up with the idea of my first session in 2017.
• Patients will pay their regular co-pay that’s established under their employer plan.
• The regular run—none of the 340B program isn't changed.
• But, um, I usually deal with these on a regular basis.
• I asked them a set of challenge questions when we looked at this bill both last session and this session

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint session of the 103rd General Assembly of the 103rd General Assembly, The joint session of the
• 103rd General Assembly, second regular session, will come to order.
• session, two special sessions, and just about everything in between.
• The senator from the 34th has moved that the joint session be dissolved.
• The joint session stands dissolved. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so this will go on the regular calendar.
• The concern was what happens if only one of the bills goes on a regular calendar.
• The first one in numerical order was said to need to go on the regular calendar.
• regular Cal the other two on the regular regular Cal the other two on the regular calendar<02:12
• At any rate, maybe when we schedule an exec session, somebody will appear for that.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses. The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• But because I I do think that session.
• Reading clerk, please read the bills on the consent list. regular reading. So, regular reading.
• any member would like to for regular any member would like to for regular cons<00:55:24.880>
• regular<00:55:25.280> reading?
• cons regular reading? cons regular reading?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Punitive damages are pled on things that are ordinary and routine negligence on a regular basis.
• Wonderful staff who's been providing fantastic support all session, really. Happens, it happens.
• All right, we are back in session.
• This happened last session. It happens every session, almost happens weekly.
• And then once we... ...in the 60-day session.

Bills: HB99, HB49, HB164, SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• We hope to see a future where all of our youth are riding public transit on a regular basis.
• We hope to see a future where all of our youth are riding public transit on a regular basis.
• We hope to see a future where all of our youth are riding public transit on a regular basis.
• Thank you so much for regular basis.
• the session unless you say otherwise. the session unless you say otherwise. >> Okay.

Bills: HB2116, HB1879, HB2214, HB2310, HB2168, HB2427, HB2560, HB1596, HB2197, HB2498, HB2167

Keywords: grants, community engagement, nonprofit organizations, federal assistance, volunteering, youth transit, public transportation, subsidized transit, environment, energy independence, affordable transportation, Hawaii, diaper tax credit, families, low-income, childcare, health, Hawaii Department of Human Services, DHS, emergency appropriation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• For this session, what we are asking for is part of the governor's budget: $14.25 million per year.
• For this session, what we are asking for is part of the governor's budget: $14.25 million per year.
• <00:21:01.760> programs from the 23 legislative session programs from the 23 legislative session
• funding in the 2023 legislative session funding in the 2023 legislative session expanded<00:21:58.919
• <00:25:57.240> Appropriations million in regular Appropriations million in regular Appropriations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we work to establish some real attainable goals for the 27th session.
• I mean, that's definitely something we've done a lot in the last session.
• I know during our regular public health meetings, we have visited with us... ...and adopt.
• I know during our regular public health meetings, we have visited with them about that.
• I'm hopeful that DHS is open to that as we move into the 27 legislative session.

Summary: The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to behavioral health as the main topic. Representatives Woodridge and Vaught described the work of the behavioral health working group, saying Arkansas needs a more proactive system that improves access, reduces red tape, and focuses on a few achievable policy changes for the 2027 session rather than many bills. Members discussed barriers such as low reimbursement, workforce shortages, licensing and credentialing hurdles, rural access problems, and the need to better use community providers, compacts, and step-down services. Director Paula Stone of DHS’s Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health gave a detailed overview of the behavioral health system. She said Medicaid pays for more than 75% of behavioral health services in Arkansas and explained that when people are jailed or admitted to the state hospital, Medicaid generally stops, leaving state general revenue to cover care. She described current efforts including family-centered treatment for children, community reintegration group homes, a new adolescent substance use disorder residential unit, expanded community mental health center contracts, a secured restoration unit to reduce state hospital backlogs, and an IMD waiver to allow Medicaid payment for certain residential services. She also said DHS is working on crisis services, forensic evaluations, and provider rebidding in areas previously served by ERISA. Members asked about reimbursement for jail services, the lack of a statewide behavioral health dashboard, civil commitment options, crisis stabilization units, and whether Arkansas should expand step-down or long-term facilities for people who cannot safely return to the community. Stone said the state hospital backlog remains significant, average stays are still about 14 months, and crisis stabilization units have had mixed success, with Fort Smith and Jonesboro performing better than Fayetteville and Little Rock. The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the work, with more substantive discussion planned for August.