Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:00.000> legislature's<00:01:00.719> website on the legislative legislature's
• website on the legislative legislature's website uh<00:01:01.879> just<00:01:02.000> a
• Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, you're referring to the universities' TFSF, right?
• Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, you're referring to the universities' TFSF, right?
• Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, you're referring to the universities' TFSF, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on March 11 and began with House Bill 442, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi system for nursing programs. University of Hawaiʻi representatives testified in strong support, and several additional supporters submitted testimony. Members asked about a similar Senate measure, and the witness confirmed the university supported that bill as well. No opposition or vote was recorded on HB 442 during the excerpt. The committee then heard House Bill 1169, a housekeeping measure concerning the University of Hawaiʻi Conference Center revolving fund. Testimony explained that the bill would consolidate existing Conference Center statutes into one centralized fund statute and allow campuses to use the fund more broadly. Members raised no questions, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. House Bill 185, which would establish a plant-based building materials working group, drew the most discussion. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent but wanted baseline research before a larger working group was formed. Supporters argued the measure could help develop a homegrown industry using bamboo, hemp, and other plant materials, create green jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Several members questioned whether a formal working group was necessary and whether the work could be done without new legislation. The University of Hawaiʻi later estimated the bill’s requested work would cost about $150,000 over two years to analyze crop options and report findings. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 1320, which requires the University of Hawaiʻi to collect, analyze, and publicly report graduate outcome data and develop a Graduate Outcomes Dashboard. University officials said they already use some data sources but lack a dedicated data-visualization specialist and need additional capacity to consolidate and present the information. Members questioned the need for new positions and funding, arguing the university should use existing resources and that students already have many ways to explore careers. Supporters responded that the dashboard would help students and the state better understand postgraduate outcomes, workforce needs, and program value. No final action or vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not sure who that was, and we'll find out and for reference. in the notations.
• Years of devastation could have been... avoided had legislation like HB1106 been in place.
• Legislation, why is all of a sudden legislation like this being put forth?
• What message are we sending to our children with legislation?
• I'm asking you not to move this legislation forward. Thank you for your time.

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• :07:35.599> modifies<00:07:36.720> the legislation does is it modifies the legislation
• Number one, this uh the legislative Number one, this uh the legislative branch<03:39:18.720>
• of what the intent in this legislation of what the intent in this legislation wants<04:33:49.840
• of the legislation in front of you? of the legislation in front of you?
• the fiscal cost of this legislation. the fiscal cost of this legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research, Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, members.
• Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research Fiscal Division.
• So this amendment is to comply with that legislation.
• Melissa Russ: I am making an assumption, Representative Kavanaugh, but usually when we reference 100%
• I am making an assumption representative odd, but usually when we reference 100% state, that would be

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jill Thayer, Bureau of Legislative Research. Thank you all so much for being with us here today.
• Jill Thayer, Bureau of Legislative Research.
• Yes, the Bureau has that in our budget.
• Marty Garrity with the Bureau of Legislative Research. This is a request.
• The Bureau, in its appropriation every year, has $205,000 for committee room expenses.

Summary: The Executive Subcommittee met and first considered a waiver request from the Stuttgart School District to use the TIPS interlocal purchasing system for a turf replacement project instead of the traditional competitive bid process. Superintendent Jeff McKinney explained that three bids were received but none fully met the RFP specifications, including warranty and insurance requirements. He said the district, with its architect’s guidance, determined that United Turf and Track was the best option because it met the 10-year warranty requirement, had resolved the insurance issue, had prior experience with the district, and could complete the work in time for summer installation. The committee approved the waiver request. Members then approved a consultant services agreement between the Bureau of Legislative Research and WorkEd Consulting for work related to the workforce system study and potential legislation for the 2027 session. Senator Jane English and Representative Mary Bentley said the consultant would help the legislature develop reforms after prior audit findings showed the current workforce system was inefficient and ineffective. They noted WorkEd’s experience in other states, including Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Virginia, and explained that some subcontractors would include people who had worked on the earlier Georgia Center for Opportunity study. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a renewed actuarial and consultant services agreement with Perrin Knight for services related to the state’s new property insurance captive. Jill Thayer said the contract would provide independent actuarial support to legislative subcommittees, especially the State Insurance Properties Oversight Subcommittee, with services billed only as used. Members asked about budgeting, frequency of work, and overlap with existing executive branch contractors; Thayer and Senator Goodmore said the service had been anticipated from the start and would be separate and independent. Finally, Marty Garrity requested use of committee room funds to renovate Committee Room C in the Big Mac Building because its audio-visual equipment is outdated. That request was approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was referred to the Committee 2026.
• cross-reference in title 13. cross-reference in title 13.
• World Affairs, Rick Siegel, Legislative World Affairs, Rick Siegel, Legislative Council,<00:33:10.200
• It was referred to on April 1st of 26.
• , the Farm Bureaus, the Farm Bureaus, anybody<01:10:36.560> that<01:10:36.720> would

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislatively you would need to look at. legislatively you would need to look at.
• I mean, to refer to it that way.
• , a federal reference. reference. reference.
• <01:44:54.239> and students and they can be referred and students and they can be referred
• You've got the reference to 1099. >> Yeah. You've got the reference to 1099.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 18, 2026 minutes and then focused on how SB 57’s special education cost study should inform HB 1099, which creates a separate study committee on residential placements and related education costs. Members discussed sending the commission’s minutes and findings to that new committee, noting the short timeline for its work and the need to be specific about unresolved issues so the new group does not duplicate the same questions. A major topic was the cost and responsibility for students placed at Spalding and similar residential programs, especially transportation and whether costs are paid through the Department of Education’s episode-of-treatment (EOT) fund, local districts, DHS, or Medicaid. Staff explained that for students with disabilities, EOT funds cover special education and transportation costs tied to the placement, while students without disabilities are handled through DHS care-management and best-interest meetings. Members raised concerns about whether some students at Spalding are receiving no schooling, whether transportation costs are substantial, and whether Medicaid reimbursement could offset some expenses. The commission also discussed confusion over district responsibility when students placed in residential programs attend school in another district, using Winnisquam as an example. Several members said the receiving district was not notified that DHHS-approved programs could bring in additional students and costs, and they suggested DHHS or its care-management entity should notify both the district of residence and the receiving district when a program is approved. The group agreed this notification issue, along with transportation funding, privacy concerns in Medicaid-to-schools billing, and the distinction between special education placements, EOT placements, and other voluntary residential placements, should be passed to the HB 1099 study committee for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and so this motion will be to put it in front of us and we will be voting to re-refer it to Ways
• It also provides a definition for pregnancy or related conditions that cross-references the definition
• This allows OHE to consolidate mandated legislative reports for various programs into a single report
• We are hopeful that at the end of this legislative session, you may have additional resources to deal
• We also empathize with the hard decisions that you all have to make this legislative session.

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• over the course of this legislative over the course of this legislative session.<00:45:43.599>
• :16.480> reigns regulations or legislation, reigns regulations or legislation, reigns supreme.
• And I think there are five major reasons to oppose this legislation. legislation. legislation.
• <01:36:11.280> Intent this legislation. Intent this legislation.
• So, I presume that the Colorado Bureau So, I presume that the Colorado Bureau of<02:03:04.080>

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum present, approved the February 27, 2026 journal, and then moved out of order to consider resolutions. Senate Resolution 003, designating March as Arts Education Month in Colorado, was read at length and supported by Senators Snyder and Basley, who emphasized the educational, social, and economic value of arts instruction and noted concerns about unequal access across the state. Senator Coleman and Senator Danielson also spoke in support, highlighting personal experiences with the arts and the importance of preserving arts programs in schools. The resolution passed unanimously, 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The chamber then adopted House Joint Resolution 1019, recognizing Caregiving Youth Day. Senator Judah described caregiving youth as children and teens who provide substantial care for family members while balancing school and other responsibilities, citing statewide and national data on the prevalence of youth caregivers and the risks they face. Senator Gonzales also spoke in support, urging the legislature to recognize and support this often invisible work. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate next took up third-reading consent calendar House Bill 1035, which enacts the 2025 Colorado Revised Statutes as positive and statutory law; it passed 32-3, with Senators Baisley, Lynda Zamora Wilson, and Long voting no. Senate Bill 53, expanding eligible borrowers for Colorado Housing and Finance Authority mortgages, then passed 29-6 after no-vote requests from Senators Zamora Wilson, Amabile, Sullivan, Hinrichsen, Baisley, and R. Pelton. House Bill 1064, concerning modifications to the youthful offender system, passed 23-12 after several no-vote requests, and Senate Bill 43, concerning regulation of firearm barrel transfers and related criminal penalties, was introduced for final passage with Senator Zamora Wilson delivering extended opposition focused on Second Amendment and fiscal concerns; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• You do have a document that I believe he's going to refer to and talk a little bit about.
• I'm a staff attorney with the Legislative Council. Thank you. very much.
• Just in closing, I would say that your legislator, your senator, is tenacious.
• And the legislator, Magdalena, I'm sure... you would relate to that.
• And I guess, as a legislative body, when I sit here as a new legislator, I think, 'Gosh, how in the world

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Hawaii Farm Bureau. Hawaii Farm Bureau. Thank you, Chair.
• Farm Bureau, thank you, Vice Chair. The Farm Bureau will stand on testimony and support.
• please pass this P important legislation please pass this P important legislation and<00:47:35.000
• <01:07:38.960> of Bureau Union of Bureau Union of Agriculture<01:07:40.760> rot<01:
• Hawaii Farm Bureau, thank you, Vice Chair. The Farm Bureau will start on all righty.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the public policy specialist at Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.
• specialist at Minnesota Farm Bureau specialist at Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.<00:09:58.880
• There should be handouts for you guys that are going to be referring to the dairy deliverables.
• I'm with Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.
• And so we only have three to five members that actually claim this per diem besides legislators.

Bills: HF3474, HF3475, HF3508

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Steinhausen with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Which we refer to as CARE Project, phase three.
• commitment under previously adopted legislation.
• Good afternoon, Paul Steinhausen with the Legislative Analysts.
• That would be me. and I'm the chief of the Legislation Bureau at CDTFA. We have three proposals.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as our nominee reminds us, it is often a good thing when Bureau is open to new voices and ideas,
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S.
• that's why I'm also very deeply concerned about the Trump administration's actions to gut the Federal Bureau
• Congress must take to improve this condition is passing Senate Bill 337, which is a bipartisan legislation
• Additionally, reports indicated organized crime ring from India Referred to as the singe syndicate is

Keywords: Committee, Transportation, aviation safety, confirmation, Lieutenant Commander, Deputy Secretary, Bradbury, Hafensteiner, aircraft incidents

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened to consider the promotion of Coast Guard Lieutenant Samuel Hafensteiner to Lieutenant Commander and the nomination of Stephen Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety, especially in light of recent aircraft incidents. Members discussed the critical need for knowledgeable leadership within the Department of Transportation to address these safety challenges effectively. Mr. Bradbury's background as a former General Counsel of the Department was presented as a strong asset for the role he seeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• The biggest question that legislators usually have ...naturopathic physicians.
• This legislation passed in 2022.
• I am incredibly happy for this piece of legislation to be presented today about...
• I am incredibly happy for this piece of legislation to be presented today.
• That is a legislative one. HB 353 is not about special treatment.

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered seven bills, all of which were reported favorably. HB 497 would create a neurofibromatosis research grant program within the Department of Health; an amendment removed automatic recurring funding and made the program subject to annual appropriations. Proponents described the disease burden and the need for Florida-based research support. The bill passed 14-0. The committee also approved HB 223, which creates a licensing and regulatory framework for naturopathic medicine, including a Board of Naturopathic Medicine under the Department of Health. Supporters argued licensure would improve patient safety, transparency, and access, while the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and Florida Medical Association waived in opposition. The bill passed 15-0. HB 683 modernizes physician assistant and APRN prescribing rules by removing certain administrative notice and prescription-labeling requirements and allowing a 30-day course of psychotropic medication; an amendment removed language that would have allowed practice without physician supervision during declared emergencies. It passed 15-0. The committee then approved CS for HB 121, which updates Florida’s seizure action plan law by extending protections to charter school students, requiring schools to accept physician-submitted plans, clarifying training duration, expanding training to regular bus drivers, and requiring seizure-response posters in schools. HB 353 adds sickle cell disease education to existing pain-management continuing education for health professionals, prompted by extensive testimony from patients and advocates about bias, delayed treatment, and lack of provider knowledge; it passed 15-0. HB 1175 directs the Florida Building Commission and State Fire Marshal to develop updated safety design standards for office surgery suites, with an amendment delaying the effective date to January 1, 2027; it passed 14-0. Finally, HB 251 creates a public records exemption for current emergency physicians and their families, narrowed by amendment to current physicians and children up to age 26 and made subject to sunset review; it passed 15-0. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau. Thank you, chair.
• Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau. Thank you, chair.
• Brian Miyamoto on behalf of the Hawaii Farm Bureau.
• Brian Miyamoto, Farm Bureau. Thank you, Chair.
• Next, Brian Miyamoto from Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695

Keywords: animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• But those functionalities allow that bureau to already be fully integrated into the DEMS process.
• Another thing... ...referring to as far as getting that automation with the folks in the field.
• We have submitted a legislative budget request to begin Phase 3 next fiscal year.
• I'm not sure what duplicate data entry you're referring to. Are you sure, Steele?
• We have Anna Grace Fooch is the legislative affairs director. Thank you. So with APD.

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:

• Chairman, Senator Beckett-Dall. 14 years—next seven legislative sessions. 14 years—next seven legislative
• Chairman and Senator, which system are you referring to? I'm referring to Southwest.
• Um, we're referring to organizational complexity.
• Missouri Farm Bureau.
• Part of the Legislative Management Committee, and I appreciate that. part of the legislative management

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we look at landmark legislation When we look at landmark legislation called<00:25:25.520>
• National Farm Bureau. National Farm Bureau.
• country as a legislator as a individual. country as a legislator as a individual.
• It is the legislative branch.
• It is the legislative branch. James in. It is the legislative branch.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Champions Committee legislative Senator Champions Committee legislative assistant. assistant
• <00:56:40.720> priorities Minnesota Chamber legislative priorities Minnesota Chamber legislative
• <01:20:25.679> auditor's other part of the legislative auditor's other part of the legislative
• legislation yet because it's brand new. legislation yet because it's brand new.
• So much of what I will present Bureau.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all