Transcript Highlights:

• On the surface, it appeared to staff that the students simply didn't want to come to school.
• it's an interesting concept to look more at what resources might be available via tele-support or remote—I
• They're both remote, and then we'll hear from our members of the committee.
• 30:09.639> speakers<01:30:10.080> they're<01:30:10.320> both<01:30:10.520> remote
• <01:30:11.000> and final speakers they're both remote and final speakers they're both remote

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, I forgot we had a remote testifier. Um, so welcome to the committee, and we can hear you.
• Um, and thank you for the opportunity to present remotely as I'm getting over a cold and do not want
• Sorry, I forgot we had a remote<00:04:20.239> testifier.
• Um, so welcome to the remote testifier.
• as I'm getting over a present remotely as I'm getting over a cold<00:04:42.240> and<00:04:42.479

Bills: HF3884, HF3881, HF3882, HF3883, HF3363, HF3362

Keywords: tribal governments, Metropolitan Council, grant programs, funding, local government, small business, contracting, veteran-owned businesses, compliance, government contracts, housing finance, reporting requirements, regional development, city programs, elected officials, campaign access, multiple unit dwellings, residential access, voter registration, 1183

Summary: The committee met on March 4, 2026, and first approved the minutes from March 2 by voice vote. It then took up several Metropolitan Council agency bills, with members repeatedly moving to lay them over for possible inclusion or, in one case, to re-refer a bill to another committee. The first three bills discussed were House File 3884, House File 3881, and House File 3882, all presented as administrative or programmatic changes intended to streamline Met Council processes. House File 3884 would allow tribal governments and tribal development entities to apply directly for Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Act grants and community tree planting grants, rather than applying through a city or other local government. Testimony from Met Council staff said the bill would simplify access and align the Met Council’s tree-planting program with existing DNR authority. House File 3881 would expand the Met Council’s contracting authority to include small businesses more broadly, require an annual report to the legislature on small-business contracting, and repeal a duplicative statute on certificates of compliance. House File 3882 would make a range of administrative cleanups, including removing an obsolete housing-bond review role, clarifying outdated statutory language, extending the review cycle for metropolitan significance rules from every two years to every 10 years, clarifying reporting and Livable Communities Act provisions, changing regional parks operations-and-maintenance reimbursements to rely on audited financial statements, and clarifying agricultural preserves procedures. The committee also considered House File 3883, which was amended with an A1 amendment before adoption. That bill updates appointments to the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee, known as MOSAC, including direct appointments for certain county representatives and adding a tribal representative appointed by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, while also cleaning up outdated language and eligibility provisions. A former MOSAC member spoke in support of the committee’s work, and the chair said the bill was common-sense and renewed the motion to lay it over as amended. Finally, the committee began House File 3363, a bill described by the author as a response to safety concerns after the June events, aimed at removing public access to legislators’ home addresses from Campaign Finance Board materials; discussion had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This meeting, including the audio and video of remote participants, is being streamed live on YouTube
• For people participating remotely, please remain muted and video disabled until shortly before it is
• the audio and this meeting including the audio and video<00:26:17.919> of<00:26:18.120> remote
• participants is being video of remote participants is being streamed<00:26:20.640> live<00:26
• bill for people participating remoted bill for people participating remoted please<00:27:09.880>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've got some plans to do it so you can do it even remotely if the people are trained well enough.
• Plans to do it so you can do it even remotely if the people are trained well enough. And, Mr.

Bills: HCR3018

Keywords: water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3018, which was amended to expand a study of wetlands and jurisdictional water issues, including questions about taxing authority over land inundated by water. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the resolution as amended on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes or aye. Senator Weston agreed to carry the measure. The committee then considered House Bill 1581, relating to funding for the Native American Tourism Alliance. Senator Marcellais explained an amendment restoring the funding level to $500,000 and adding a 10% tribal match. Members debated the budget impact and the likelihood of the bill surviving in that form. The amendment failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee moved to the original House version. That version, with $100,000 total funding and matching requirements, received a 4-2 do pass recommendation and was sent to Appropriations, with Senator Marcellais designated as carrier. The committee also discussed House Bill 1541, which would create a new commission to oversee septic systems, but members indicated a preference for a different approach already moving in the House that would place licensing and oversight under DEQ with health units still handling inspections. No final action was taken on that bill. Finally, the committee reviewed House Bill 1280, a water/drainage-related measure involving voting eligibility for landowners who have not paid assessments, but members raised legal questions and deferred further action. The committee also discussed broader concerns about a chemical-labeling bill and related public emails, then recessed until the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• to been able to find those without those tools were ready to deploy those move, though Bill will appear
• there, and thank you for presenting that, when we talk about work for Sunday, keep pointing to this remote

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• relatively stable and the agency's data analysis and policy support functions, while valuable, don't appear
• diversification because these connected communities, especially rural communities, are able to attract remote

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, there appears to be worsening mental health outcomes for students before they even come to Central
• exploring contracted telehealth providers, which will help bridge staffing gaps and extend evening and remote

Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• With TDEM authorized to adjust the timing based on the group size, risk profile, remoteness, or relevant
• looking at a photo this morning, and— It's so disturbing when you see the boys on mattresses with what appears

Bills: HB48, HB 66, HB 68, HB71, HB75, HB164, HB171, HB254, SB 3, SB 18, HB123, HB149, HB117

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Transcript Highlights:

• of a confusing trend when you try to do an apples-to-apples comparison, which the two tests do not appear
• During that time, we started doing remote work with our students, and when a student had an issue, instead

Transcript Highlights:

• That appears in both bills, and I think it's an important thing for them to do.
• That appears in both bills, and I think it's an important thing for them to do.
• That appears in both bills, and I think it's an important thing for them to do.
• That appears in both bills, and I think it's an important thing for them to do.
• That appears in both bills, and I think it's an important thing for them to do.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The following members intend to vote from a remote location pursuant to rule 40.7: Senators Carlson,
• intend to vote The following members intend to vote from<00:05:59.440> a<00:05:59.480> remote
• location<00:06:00.440> pursuant<00:06:00.880> to<00:06:01.000> rule from a remote
• location pursuant to rule from a remote location pursuant to rule 40.7. 40.7. 40.7.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The following members intend to vote from a remote location pursuant to rule 40.7: Senators Housley and
• following members intend to vote<00:11:54.160> from<00:11:54.399> a<00:11:54.560> remote
• ><00:11:54.880> location<00:11:55.360> pursuant<00:11:55.760> to vote from a remote
• location pursuant to vote from a remote location pursuant to rule<00:11:56.680> 40.7.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather, the committee recommends the development of a lesson on our institution, the need to avoid appearances
• to<04:27:04.880> avoid institution, the need to avoid institution, the need to avoid appearances
• 06.159> of<04:27:06.399> impropriety<04:27:07.840> and<04:27:08.080> the appearances
• of impropriety and the appearances of impropriety and the rationale<04:27:09.120> behind<04:27

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that it seems like it's the legislature's policy that DES should regulate leachate, and the agency appears
• that it seems like it's the legislature's policy that DES should regulate leachate, and the agency appears
• that it seems like it's the legislature's policy that DES should regulate leachate, and the agency appears
• The legislature's policy is that DES should regulate leachate, and the agency appears to be doing that
• and they really haven't remotely and they really haven't attended<03:11:20.600> any<03:11:20.880

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by recent reporting on leachate problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations at a Bethlehem facility and deficiencies at other sites, and argued the bill is meant to improve public health protections without dictating specific treatment methods or hindering innovation. The sponsor also said the proposal was developed with input from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and industry representatives, and that a forthcoming amendment would revise the bill’s language to better fit the permitting process. The sponsor explained that the amendment would move several requirements out of the contract section and into the planning section, change references such as “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” include landfill expansions, and remove language that could be read as requiring long-term contracts. Questions from members focused on whether the bill would create enforceable consequences if a plan is not followed, whether it would limit operators’ flexibility, and whether existing DES rules already cover the subject. The sponsor said enforcement details should be addressed by DES and emphasized that the bill would not lock operators into any particular contract or technology. The Business and Industry Association testified in opposition to the bill as introduced, saying it appeared unnecessary because DES already regulates leachate through existing rules, including Env 806.53, and has authority to update those rules as technology changes. The witness argued that putting the requirements into statute could freeze the regulatory framework, create conflicts with future rulemaking, and make it harder for DES to respond quickly to new treatment methods or operational issues. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now there's technology where they have remote-control operated deployment strips.
• really dealt with the technology a little bit more, but there's a program called Nighthawk, which is a remote-controlled
• There's a program called Nighthawk, which is a remote-controlled spike strip system.

Bills: HB316, HB549, HB646, HB752, HB824, HB873, HB1129, HB1157, HB1170

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 22 and took up several bills, beginning with House Bill 646 and its companion House Bill 824 by Chairman Beaulieu. HB 646 proposed a constitutional amendment limiting the amount of State General Fund recurring money that may be appropriated in a fiscal year, and HB 824 set the growth limit formula based on CPI, medical CPI, and population change. Amendments were adopted on both bills, including creation of a Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, and both bills were reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 1157, which creates the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund to support infrastructure-related projects through a bank-like financing structure. After a technical amendment, the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 316 on student literacy was presented as a continuation of prior literacy reforms, with the Department of Education stating it would not require new funding; it was reported favorably. House Bill 549 created the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to help employers train and upskill workers, with supporters from business groups saying it would be industry-supported and modeled on a successful Michigan program; it was also reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1129, dealing with the sale of state-owned surplus movable property, drew support from Louisiana auctioneers who argued local firms should be allowed to bid on the state’s auction contract instead of relying on an out-of-state vendor. Members questioned whether the state could receive more revenue and expressed support for giving Louisiana companies a chance to compete. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 873, which would add a $2 fee on driver’s license renewals to fund pursuit intervention technology and training for law enforcement, generated substantial concern about adding fees and whether the money should instead come from existing budgets. After discussion of the bill’s purpose, the technology involved, and the need for a sunset, the committee deferred the bill to work on revisions. Finally, House Bill 752, which would allow the timing and duration of regular legislative sessions to be set by joint rule, was reported without action after members noted the revised fiscal note showed a decrease in state general fund expenditures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a more remote and rural area, probably as remote as any place in the state, but it's definitely
• Consistency is huge, especially for a college in our area and in the remoteness that we have.

Transcript Highlights:

• guidance on how to implement them, as well as guidance on how we can tackle this in respect to rural and remote
• Ranches in Nevada are very remote, and firefighters are not going to get there soon, and when they do
• Ranches in Nevada are very remote and firefighters are not going to get there soon, and when they do,

Bills: AB93, AB204, AB414, AB504, AB598

Keywords: public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, medical debt, collection agency, healthcare, consumer protection, financial assistance, occupational safety, air quality, greenhouse gases, employee monitoring, safety program, hemp, hemp products, cannabidiol, CBD, cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take remote testimony if possible, so Mr.
• And then it'll be Denise Dietrich and Scott. at PruneQuest, and then we'll be going to remote testifiers
• And with that, we're going to go to our remote testifiers.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• in<00:31:27.919> in<00:31:28.000> an<00:31:28.120> area<00:31:28.519> remote
• c><00:31:28.840> from<00:31:29.039> the<00:31:29.679> um homes in in an area remote
• from the um homes in in an area remote from the um Municipal<00:31:30.320> sewer<00:31:31.039
• that there are things that need to be worked out, and there could be a potential scenario, while remote
• There could be a potential scenario, while remote, where it wouldn't make sense to go back.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several measures focused on health, environment, and research. HB 970 would allow chiropractic students to participate in clinical practice under direct supervision; the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic offered comments and asked for a delayed implementation date until July 2027 to allow time to adopt rules, while the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the bill. Members also discussed that there are currently no chiropractic schools in the state. The committee then heard HB 1185, which creates a plant-based building materials working group, and HB 1337, which establishes an endemic plant seed bank pilot program. Supporters of HB 1185 said the bill could help create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing materials such as bamboo, hempcrete, and bio-cements, with questions raised about in-state processing. For HB 1337, witnesses supported the goal of preserving endemic species but said a large-scale refrigerated storage and seed-production facility would be needed; one witness estimated startup costs of about $6 million for one island and noted existing seed banks are small-scale and not designed for reforestation. HB 1300 would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center multi-ethnic cohort study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and Asians, including environmental and social factors such as proximity to landfills. The Cancer Center, ACS CAN, and labor representatives supported the bill, emphasizing health disparities and concerns about landfill exposure; committee members asked about federal funding, and the Cancer Center said it would pursue NIH, private, and foundation support, with the state share described as $500,000 per year for two years. HB 736 would create a wastewater technology testing pilot program at the Water Resources Research Center; supporters said it could help certify cheaper alternatives to costly cesspool and septic upgrades, and the Department of Health supported the measure. The committee also heard HB 531, which authorizes special license plates for the Cancer Center; supporters said it would raise visibility and funds, and the Cancer Center estimated revenue would likely be under $100,000. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It appears on $5.6 million or something, if Sen. Wiklund could confirm.
• Wiklund, it appears we have worked together on the formulation of the task force on the advisory task
• WIKLUND, IT APPEARS ON $5.6 MILLION OR SOMETHING IF SEN.
• WIKLUND IT APPEARS WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON THE FORMULATION OF THE TASK FORCE ON THE ADVISORY TASK
• Westlin, are you doing remote Rule 47? Voters? Sen. Westlin. Thank you, Mr. President. Sen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all