Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chairman's<01:09:42.719> case. >> Chairman's case. >> Chairman's case.
• Chairman case. Thank you, meeting. Mr. Chairman case.
• You know, it just, it's a case-by-case basis.
• But then that's a case-by-case of how that officer is investigating that case. juveniles somewhere um
• <01:46:12.080> and business plan 25 years business plan and business plan 25 years business

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ATM cases.
• In essence, what this bill says is that when an applicant submits plans to a planning office, the planning
• > or revised plans, presumably site plans or revised plans, presumably site plans or subdivision
• . plan. plan.
• Often the case.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of these are qui tam or whistleblower cases.
• We have to be appointed as a special prosecutor in any case to prosecute a case, to file charges.
• And so what do you do in that case?
• Generally, in civil cases, we don't... Just how does that work?
• But we don't suspend in civil cases.

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're in some cases declining because of declines in ADA.
• Are you saying that's not the case?
• In some cases, they are aligning the students. IEP team with inclusion.
• And is that also the case for middle school? No.
• I hope that will be the case.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Permian Basin reliability plan.
• This includes funding for a case management system for our contested cases, a task that is currently
• And then the, when you say cases, what, what type of cases are they reviewing?
• When does, is the PUC planning to implement this directive from the governor?
• So when do you all plan to undergo that rulemaking?

Transcript Highlights:

• Planning estimates must be tracked until the sunset date.
• determining tracking and planning determining tracking and planning estimates<00:22:50.480> sometimes
• <00:23:10.279> estimates budget bium however planning estimates budget bium however planning
• <00:24:08.640> um planning advice at planning estimates um planning advice at planning estimates
• Chairman, Senator Graham. a a a case on that in the courts but uh a a a case on that in the courts but

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for its first 2025 meeting, with co-chairs Senator Marty and Senator Pratt opening the session and members and staff introducing themselves. No bills were heard; the meeting was focused on orientation and on reviewing the committee’s budget rules for the new biennium. Committee members and staff from both caucuses, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), and legislative fiscal offices were introduced before the presentation began. MMB fiscal staff Brian D. and committee fiscal staff explained that budget rules are a nonbinding agreement between MMB and House and Senate fiscal staff that guides how fiscal proposals are tracked and understood. They reviewed the history of the rules, noting that the current document reflects the most substantial update since the rules were first adopted in the early 2000s, and that the 2025 version was reorganized into eight sections after extensive interim work by House, Senate, and MMB staff. The presenters emphasized that the rules are updated annually, are intended to promote consistent fiscal tracking and transparent communication, and are used as guidance for budget bills rather than as law. The presentation highlighted several substantive rule areas: general tracking rules and comparison points for budget documents; appropriation drafting guidance; treatment of transfers, revenues, and inflation; planning estimates and “budget tails”; and rules for extending, canceling, or reappropriating existing appropriations. Staff also described new or revised provisions, including guidance on understanding current-law changes, using Department of Revenue estimates for tax revenue, and treating inflation in the forecast as a general pressure estimate rather than appropriated dollars. The committee was asked to review the updated rules, but no vote or formal action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• plan.
• plan.
• into the 10-year plan this round, as has traditionally been the case.
• into the 10-year plan this round, as has traditionally been the case.
• revenue sources for our 10-year plan revenue sources for our 10-year plan planning<00:27:48.080>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I didn't have that on the reg plan, I failed to include that one.
• So we're not doing it in all cases. It's purely voluntary.
• final hearing, or the case goes away.
• I believe one year is too long in any case.
• When cases are referred by agencies, we may be able to tell, not maybe in all cases, but how long it's

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself. Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines. The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings. The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in some cases, it makes sense to move it; in some cases, it might make sense to keep it on site.
• That's not in that particular case.
• New Mexico Office of the State Engineer is willing to reconsider the use of dual-screened wells on a case-by-case
• I'm only advised on our plan, but then to also provide an independent validation of that plan because
• State Engineer, and it does seem like they are willing to consider the use of dual screen wells on a case-by-case

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you think about that, that's everything for how a case flows in a typical civil case, to how a victim
• But how do you plan on staying?
• To ensure we have all the facts of the case, if you will.
• In May 2020, annual budgets, cost plans, support plans, significant additional needs, and other functionality
• They are the case managers for our clients.

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several state technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Enterprise Business Solution (DEMS). FDEM said DEMS is about 50% complete, with some grants and finance functions already live, and is intended to replace manual disaster and grants processing with a cloud-based system. Officials described faster reimbursement timelines after recent storms, major return-on-investment claims, and a planned final phase focused on design, testing, communications, data governance, and additional functionality. Members asked about the total cost, the role of Florida Digital Service, deliverables-based contracting, and how much of the system is live; FDEM said the project is expected to cost about $16 million to $16.8 million and finish by June 2027, with some follow-up information to be provided. The Department of Legal Affairs presented its Office of Attorney General Modernization Program, a follow-up to an earlier effort that failed after spending about $26 million. Acting Attorney General John Gard said the department has now moved to an off-the-shelf case management product, LawBase, and is in development and testing, with the Office of Statewide Prosecution already live and full implementation expected by the end of the fiscal year. The request includes funding for staff augmentation, cloud storage, the LawBase license, redundancy through a backup site in Orlando, and OnBase support. Members questioned the prior failure, the use of Florida Digital Service standards, data location and cloud migration, and the redundancy plan; Gard said lessons learned included better scoping and that the current effort is on track. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles then updated the committee on Motorist Modernization, including the Orion system and the MyDMV portal. Officials said Phase 1 and Phase 2 have modernized driver license and motor vehicle services, with Phase 2 statewide rollout scheduled to begin in April 2025 and Phase 3 proposed at $16.5 million for dealer services, data warehouse improvements, and call center modernization. Members asked about payment options, organ donor questions, staffing, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, and the digital driver license program. The agency said the portal already allows some sanctions to be cleared online, an ACH option is being developed, the digital driver license vendor has changed with a fall go-live anticipated, and the department is using security testing and a managed security service provider. Officials also said the system is currently on an on-prem private cloud, with future workloads expected to move to public cloud where appropriate. Finally, Florida Commerce presented on the Reemployment Assistance modernization system, Reconnect, and the FLWINS workforce system. Commerce said Reconnect is hosted in the Azure Government Cloud, has reduced claim filing time, improved fraud detection, and increased appeals capacity, and now needs $4.9 million in recurring funding to cover ongoing operations, cloud hosting, licenses, and staff augmentation. Members asked about adjudication issues, wait times, fraud prevention, and whether the system stores caller identifiers; Commerce said the average wait to speak to a representative is about 18 minutes and claims are generally processed in four to six weeks. The committee then began hearing about FLWINS, which is intended to create a “no wrong door” workforce portal under the REACH Act, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could we lose a case or a case get thrown out because a ceiling tile falls in or whatever?
• Could we lose a case or a case get thrown out because ceiling tile falls in or whatever?
• Ten burglaries, 32 assaults, 96 death investigations, 20 arson cases. Those are the criminal cases.
• When it comes to the child pornography cases, I'd love to say around 70% of those cases will hopefully
• Those cases are ongoing, or at least the transgender case is ongoing, and we use the litigation pool

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear the Attorney General’s budget and related agency presentations. Legislative Council first reviewed the compliance with legislative intent report and the base budget worksheet, highlighting current and ongoing appropriations, FTE changes, one-time funding items, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked about items such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding, and staff explained the funding sources and status of those programs. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then outlined the Attorney General’s office structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal and investigative work for state and local governments, and concerns about attorney salary competitiveness, the new and vacant FTE pool, and the impact of the 3% operating budget reduction on BCI, IT, and the crime lab. Members also discussed AG opinions, boards and commissions training, and the office’s litigation and settlement recoveries. Ness and committee members raised the possibility of broader attorney salary benchmarking across state government. The crime lab director described severe space and infrastructure constraints, including overcrowding, shared workspaces, glycol leaks, air handling limits, and aging fire and burglar alarm systems. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that a new building on the current health department site would best address the lab’s needs. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, drug, fingerprint, and firearms work, though toxicology had a recent delay after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director described the unit’s fraud, abuse, and neglect work, noted federal-state funding and recent federal scrutiny, and said the unit needs more staff. The gaming division reviewed charitable gaming growth, e-tabs, trust accounts, and compliance issues, while BCI covered its caseload, cybercrime and child sexual abuse material investigations, the missing indigenous person task force, and the use of lottery funds for drug task forces. No formal votes or budget actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And was there a plan on how to use those funds?
• We had a victory in the Supreme Court case Massachusetts v.
• And these plans... And these plans are going to be implemented very, very quickly.
• ahead, how to plan developments.
• ahead, how to plan developments.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits. The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have many pending cases in the civil division, including tort suits.
• What can you tell us about your involvement in that case and what your involvement in that case sort
• plans about that.
• In a way that goes beyond the parties to the case, but applies nationwide or in some cases universally
• case.

Keywords: John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general, national security, China Initiative, Department of Justice, judicial authority, executive actions, nomination hearing

Summary: The committee meeting primarily involved discussions around key nominations and pressing legal issues pertaining to the Department of Justice. Notable discussions included the nomination of John Eisenberg for assistant attorney general for national security, where concerns over the revival of the China Initiative were raised. Senators expressed significant apprehensions regarding previous actions taken under this initiative and its implications for national security. Additionally, there were critiques of the broader implications of executive actions that challenge judicial authority, aligning with ongoing dialogues about the integrity of the judiciary and executive oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• The counties may have other systems, such as case management-type tracking cases that aren't held by
• 30.320> entire close the case and re-enter that entire close the case and re-enter that entire
• case<01:30:31.040> over<01:30:31.280> again.
• And that can go case over again.
• Um so I'm interested in what their case Um so I'm interested in what their case loads<01:38:44.000

Bills: HR1

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I plan on supporting the bill. Thank you, Mr.
• So I plan on supporting the bill. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.
• So it shows to us that the emergency preparedness plans are working as planned.
• to a resident in case of an emergency.
• They don't do zoning or planning.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee then approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• of those to be the case. of those to be the case.
• And what we're planning to do in that particular case is, because it's a raw water source, we'll probably
• project plan.
• plan for the infrastructure upgrades. plan for the infrastructure upgrades.
• to receive approval on the project plan. to receive approval on the project plan.

Keywords: 00:02 EEC – State-Owned Dams 21:07 EEC – Grid Resilience Grant Funds 37:24 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations from the Department for Environmental Protection and the Office of Energy Policy on Kentucky’s state-owned dam repair program and the electric grid resilience program. Commissioner Tony Hatton explained how state dams are defined and classified under Kentucky law, the criteria used to prioritize repairs or decommissioning, and the status of several projects funded in the last biennium. He said the department is using a design-bid-build process, with major work planned or underway at Willisburg Lake, Big Bone Lick State Park Dam, Clemens Lake Dam, Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chinoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and Lake Malone, and that $0.5 million is reserved for routine repairs. He also described the timeline and cost pressures, noting that construction seasons and bid uncertainty can affect schedules and estimates. Members asked several questions about whether the estimates were current, how accurate the bids tend to be, why the process takes so long, and whether it would be better to fund design separately before construction. Hatton said the estimates are the best current engineering estimates, that costs often stay within about 10% but can vary, and that the overall process is usually closer to two years than four, though delays can occur. He also said all of the allocated dam funds must be available before bids can be let. The committee discussed whether design work can become stale if construction is delayed. Kenya Stump then updated the committee on Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program under federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. She said Kentucky has received years one through three of the five-year program and has allocated funds to state park electric systems and municipal utilities, with years four and five not yet received. She identified Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village as the two state park projects in progress, and Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville as the municipal projects selected through a competitive process. She said the projects are under contract or in final negotiations, with municipal construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and finish by the end of 2026, and explained that the work includes line, pole, transformer, meter, and outage-management upgrades. Members asked about the relationship between this program and prior park appropriations, the timing of agreements with Parks, and whether the park systems could eventually be transferred to the local electric cooperative; Stump said the park agreements are imminent and that the upgrades are intended to bring the systems up to code so the cooperative can maintain them. No votes were taken, and the chair adjourned the committee until the following Wednesday, with a possible time change to avoid a scheduling conflict.

Transcript Highlights:

• plan.
• The plans look out 30 years; there's a 30-year planning cycle.
• of each of those regional flood plans and the state flood plan as well.
• their plans.
• That's not the flood plan. The plan is more set periods in time.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plans to ensure that utilities are following them?
• So, um, we have completed review and approved, uh, two of, of those plans.
• And if the utility fails to execute their plan.
• A pole inspection plan is just, uh, whatever the given utility wants it to be.
• Although both might be the case, both could be the case. OK.

Transcript Highlights:

• a plan forward. That's where I'm coming. a plan forward. That's where I'm coming.
• the county were all part of the planning the county were all part of the planning process.<00:51
• general manager for water planning general manager for water planning services<01:02:23.839>
• Identify the best sources of plans.
• <01:09:36.080> and informed comprehensive planning and informed comprehensive planning and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . plan. plan.
• safe transitions plan. safe transitions plan.
• And so in this case, the cases are safe.
• if that plan doesn't work? if that plan doesn't work?
• emergency plan in Olmstead? emergency plan in Olmstead?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all