Transcript Highlights:

• typically up to this point, has been known for prevention and investigations and inspections of facilities
• Staffing, vehicles, equipment, facilities, and medical oversight must be maintained regardless of call
• We welcome committee input regarding program structure, reporting, and potential refinements.
• We welcome committee input regarding program structure, reporting, and potential refinements. Mr.
• take that person to the hospital, home from the hospital, or from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it extends protections to childcare facilities requiring the Attorney General to publish model
• By encouraging construction of assisted living facility.
• And I think that we do have the facility, as opposed to ground up, let's create a safe parking site.
• Or in many cases, locker room facilities with showers, what have you.
• And let's don't forget about refining. Let's talk about our jobs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a practicing emergency physician at Logan Regional Hospital, which is an Intermountain facility.
• UDC creates and tracks reports on incidents throughout the facility.
• Oh, and we're almost caught up on time: Correctional Health Facility Amendments.
• Correctional Health Facility Amendments. Is that Representative Uelison?
• Right now, the projections estimate a need for a 60-bed facility, so that is a...

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been refined. It's been reaffirmed by legislators on both sides of the aisle. Currently, Mr.
• It<00:10:02.959> has<00:10:03.120> re<00:10:03.360> been<00:10:03.680> refined
• <00:10:04.240> It's<00:10:04.480> been It has re been refined.
• It's been It has re been refined.
• The first refines the administration's authority to move more narrowly approving agency-requested exemptions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first received a House message reappointing a conference committee on Senate File 2077, the environment and natural resources appropriations bill, and took no further action on that message. The chamber then moved through motions and resolutions, including a failed attempt to suspend the rules to make House File 4102 a special order for immediate consideration. Senator Howe argued the bill was urgent because it would extend a study on state law enforcement pay and help address State Patrol recruitment and retention, while Senator Friends opposed suspending the rules; the motion failed on a roll call vote, 35 ayes to 32 nays. The Senate then took House File 3629 from the table, made it a special order, and adopted the A5 amendment. The bill, relating to grants management and the Department of Administration, was described as refining agency authority over exemptions, adding reporting requirements, expanding whistleblower protections, and broadening fraud-prevention tools. The A5 amendment added stronger payment-withholding authority for agencies based on credible allegations of fraud, removed the 60-day withholding limit, allowed cross-agency withholding in some cases, replaced court appeal with agency reconsideration, made the authority permanent, and added a reporting requirement for DHS and DCYF inspector general activity. Supporters said it would improve transparency and protect taxpayers; the bill then passed final roll call 67-0. Finally, the Senate took up House File 4492, which was amended with the A4 delete-everything amendment. The new version combined three articles: READ Act provisions, a veterans diploma provision, and early literacy field-experience changes. Senators described the veterans section as requiring school districts to award diplomas to veterans who left high school to serve in the Korean or Vietnam Wars, and the READ Act and literacy provisions as aligning teacher preparation and early literacy instruction with state standards. Members also discussed school discipline and classroom safety issues in the course of debate. The bill was then read for final passage, with senators speaking in support of the combined package and its education and veterans provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't afford to refinance a new vehicle.
• They can't afford to refinance a new vehicle.
• <00:10:16.959> can't<00:10:17.200> afford<00:10:17.600> to<00:10:17.920> refinance
• They can't afford to refinance a new it.
• They can't afford to refinance a new vehicle.<00:10:20.160> So,<00:10:20.320> it's<00:10

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met on Military Kids Day and first heard an update from USA Cares, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance and follow-up support to military and veteran families. Representatives said the organization helps families facing housing, vehicle, and utility crises, as well as transition challenges, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and related risks. They reported that the state’s prior $2 million appropriation was nearly all directed to direct aid, with about 97% used for family assistance and 364 families served in the past 18 months, including more than 500 dependents. They also described a new post-assistance mental health survey and referral effort with the University of Louisville, and said they are requesting another $2 million over the next two-year budget cycle. Members asked about referral sources, the impact of possible VA benefit changes, substance abuse, and whether USA Cares can connect clients to treatment. USA Cares said the VA is its most steady referral source, with referrals also coming from homeless crisis lines, HUD-VASH, KDVA, and local resources. They said they already consider reductions in benefits when reviewing applications and that they do make warm handoffs to VA counselors and other professionals, while expanding a follow-up mental health assessment program to better identify substance abuse, mental health issues, and suicide risk. The committee then took up Senate Resolution 103, which recognizes and honors military children on Military Kids Day and commemorates the event’s history and growth. The resolution notes the event began in 2017, was inspired by a military spouse’s suggestion, and has grown from roughly 20-40 participants to about 250. Members and the sponsor spoke about the resilience and leadership of military kids and the importance of the event. The resolution was adopted, and Senator Jimmy Higdon was recognized with a service coin in appreciation of his leadership in creating Military Kids Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:22.280> and Information Technology facilities and Information Technology facilities
• needs. facilities across 266 sites Statewide facilities across 266 sites Statewide our<00:49:32.400>
• <02:20:18.080> development our director for facilities development our director for facilities
• was actually in the facilities was actually in the facilities development<02:20:55.960> Branch
• <02:37:21.240> and at um the the age of the facilities and at um the the age of the facilities

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:52:28.960> as rate, I'd be looking to refinance as rate, I'd be looking to refinance as
• 35.120> for<03:32:35.439> the want single sex facilities for the want single sex facilities
• accommodations, advantages, facilities accommodations, advantages, facilities and<03:37:50.760><
• , up a democratic life, all facilities, up a democratic life, all facilities, all<03:38:12.800>
• That phrase, facilities were equal.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we refined that definition as it is written in the most recent version of the SJR.
• We weren’t really happy with the Senate definition, so I think we refined that.
• Speaker, members, this is a refining amendment.
• of traffic fine revenue deposited into general revenue, and then correspondingly placed into our facilities

Bills: SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SCR25, SB687, SB1332, SB2185, SB552, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SCR25, HB2525, HB142, HB140, HB29, HB451, HB3809, HB3307, HB 1130, HJR1, HB9, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are committed, uh, to ensuring that we continue to grow that facility.
• Our sole CAP CCAP request is for a $72 million multidisciplinary research facility.
• In addition to that, we're expand expanding our downtown nursing facilities.
• Issue 4 details debt service costs for the Center for Infrastructure Renewal Facility at TS.
• Next slide talks a little bit about our facility maps.

Transcript Highlights:

• conditional license that’s accompanied by a maltreatment investigation for 10 years in the child care facility
• conditional license that’s accompanied by a maltreatment investigation for 10 years in the child care facility
• 27.760> Cherokees<00:35:28.320> Watun<00:35:28.720> actually<00:35:28.880> refined
• um the Cherokees Watun actually refined um the Cherokees Watun actually refined the<00:35:29.520
• Little Learners has three small sites, two locations that share campuses with nursing home facilities

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our portfolio includes port facilities, roadways...
• Renewable Energy Pipelines, bridges, and water and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Their generation facilities have their experts, and there are researchers at universities.
• specific locations of critical facilities to the PUC or ERCOT.
• while... ...also maintaining confidentiality regarding the exact locations of these facilities.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• of classrooms, labs, student support services, military. family support services, and childcare facilities
• So we are committed to ensuring that we continue to grow that facility.
• The PCAPP request is for a $72 million multidisciplinary research facility.
• Additional and updated research facilities are needed as WT more than doubled its NSF expenditures to
• Next slide talks a little bit. about our facility maps.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I'll be showing today is a refined analysis, but I want to make sure we're clear that these estimates
• So, what I'll be showing today is a<00:14:52.160> refined<00:14:53.199> analysis,<00:14
• 14:54.000> I<00:14:54.240> want<00:14:54.560> to<00:14:54.880> make a refined
• analysis, but I want to make a refined analysis, but I want to make sure<00:14:55.120> we're<
• , Minnesota uh long-term care facilities, Minnesota uh long-term care facilities, i.e.<01:24:56.320

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a service that's really important to help keep kids in the community, so it can be provided in facility-based
• c><00:02:46.519> in community so it can be provided in community so it can be provided in facility
• based settings um or clinics facility based settings um or clinics but<00:02:49.319> it<00:02
• the full LURE framework and what those standards would be, and work with you all at that time to refine
• with you all at that time to to refine with you all at that time to to refine those<00:19:11.679

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• you to the members, I rise today in support of Consolidated Amendment A, which makes important refinements
• Refinements to the definition of a violent injury under Chapter 32 of our general laws.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several routine and ceremonial matters first, including a resolution honoring the Solomon Northup Committee and commemorating the arrival of the Solomon Northup sculpture in Boston, which was adopted. Members also adopted an order extending the Revenue Committee’s reporting deadline on House No. 4606, concurred in a Senate sick leave bank petition for Jeffrey Yatson, and suspended Joint Rule 12 for a similar sick leave bank petition for Jean McCarran. The House then advanced House No. 4413, a bill on the terms of certain Commonwealth bonds, to third reading and later passed it to be engrossed. The main floor debate centered on House No. 4601, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The bill was described as a $2.25 billion supplemental budget with a net Commonwealth cost of about $750 million, covering MassHealth, snow and ice deficiencies, Home Base, universal school meals, reproductive health care supports, a sports and entertainment fund, and other items. The bill also included outside sections on public health and finance, and it ratified seven collective bargaining agreements. The House adopted Amendment 70, which added Health Safety Net funding measures, including higher hospital assessments and a $50 million transfer from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, after supporters said it would help avert a projected shortfall and generate federal Medicaid revenue. A separate amendment on Home Base eligibility was rejected. The House also adopted a consolidated amendment that included provisions affecting western and central Massachusetts municipal health insurance costs and changes to violent injury benefit language for first responders, including clarifying the definition of a weapon and tightening the standard for covered injuries. Another consolidated amendment was adopted by roll call, and the bill itself was then passed to be engrossed by a recorded vote. The session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and a motion to adjourn in memory of former House members Thomas and George, which was agreed to before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is facilities.
• We have four facilities that are owned by the division.
• To refining our processes and best practices.
• Facilities, so if you had enough facilities, you could be three hours from every Texan.
• Those are hydroelectric generating facilities.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe additional refinements are needed to reduce ambiguity, avoid hindsight liability, and ensure
• The reason I introduced this legislation was to help as many nonprofits, health care facilities, businesses
• Our technologies are built in modern facilities today.
• I think there's an opportunity to refine and make sure there's no unintended consequences, and that we're
• But I think the direction you're heading is better and would ask you to continue to refine.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• needed facilities, including such things as interceptor lines, detention facilities, and disposal facilities
• water facilities and construct additional<00:35:52.079> needed<00:35:52.480> facilities
• a facility in Evston. a facility in Evston.
• the demonstration facility in Gillette. the demonstration facility in Gillette.
• Uh they were making uh Refining.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the amendment refines the definition, it continues to codify parental alienation as a legal
• Although the amendment<00:31:42.520> refines<00:31:43.120> the<00:31:43.640> definition
• <00:31:45.000> it amendment refines the definition it amendment refines the definition it
• and the department of education to institute procedures for maintaining, updating, improving, and refining
• The committee amendment before you makes important technical refinements, clarifies lines of authority

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assessment on all of our facilities.
• The projects are prioritized within each facility, and then those facilities are all blended together
• This is for three facilities again: the Hampton Harbor parking lot, the Ry Harbor facility parking lot
• These three facilities need paving...
• wear of those facilities.

Keywords: 928, house, all