Transcript Highlights:

• First item on the agenda today is a discussion of a death that occurred at the Southeast Arkansas Human
• that you have to do to become a CNA, which leads to these individuals being able to then take that test
• They shouldn't have been on the floor if they could not pass a CNA test.
• I don't see why they should be on the floor if they could not pass a CNA test.
• So where's the drug test? Where's the background test? Where's the training?

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay. Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other items I didn't highlight today: you heard me mention that these individuals have the opportunity
• A moment in class that I felt proud of learning my language was we had a test during the week and we
• We had practice throughout the week, and when the test came, we spoke it fluently, with no mistakes or
• I'm going to jump into testing and coursework requirements.
• And then moving right along, there's an item in your agenda that says budget update.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking forward to bringing forward the And working with you on both these items. Thank you.
• Cadavers are used in the later stages of testing as they found they could not come up with...
• With a good amphomorphic dummy that would replicate the body, they would actually run tests to see if
• It kind of came to an end because they had a real hard time finding test facilities.
• Even in aircraft crash test programs, testing airbags, seatbelts, and restraints, there was actually

Bills: SB1406, SB1681, SB2480, SB2721

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• That was one of the items we did.
• We were testing on a Monday because we had our test deck flown in to Jackson.
• There needs to be security in that testing spot and during that testing.
• spot and during that in that testing spot and during that testing. testing. testing.
• we're doing the testing on this date." we're doing the testing on this date."

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The conference committee met on Senate File 2028, an elections-related bill concerning public logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment. The House explained its changes: extending notice from two to four days, removing language that limited the number of people in the room so the testing could be more open to the public, and adding language about resealing equipment after testing. The Senate side said the bill was largely technical but focused on balancing transparency with security and suggested a middle-ground notice period and a minimum number of people in the room rather than an open-ended crowd size. County clerks Mary Langford and Julie Freeze testified in support of maintaining strong security and discretion during testing. They said clerks already notify party chairs and candidates through email, social media, and other means, and argued that two days’ notice is workable because election logistics can change at the last minute due to weather, missing materials, or equipment issues. They emphasized that testing should remain public, but that clerks need flexibility to manage room size and protect equipment and chain of custody, especially in smaller or more secure spaces. Other members discussed whether the bill should be delayed, but witnesses said clerks would continue to make testing publicly available even without the bill and that the Senate version better preserved the balance between visibility and security. The committee ultimately moved to the Senate position, and the conference committee report passed on a roll call vote with all members voting aye, including Representatives Lock, Lucas, and Yen, and Senators Dockter and Erlandson; Senator Keiser was recorded as no.

Transcript Highlights:

• and to include any aquifer pump tests and to include any aquifer pump tests that<00:37:04.040>
• <00:44:57.680> And and averages, among other items. And and averages, among other items.
• require applicants conduct aquifer tests require applicants conduct aquifer tests to<00:45:05.680
• Can requirement of the aquifer testing.
• that the test results are determines that the test results are necessary<01:01:12.120> to<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• item 5A. item 5A. So<00:14:14.720> Mr.
• Item one. Second. Senator Pearl moves item six, page six, item number one. All right.
• Item item one. Senator Per one and two. Item item one.
• <03:03:17.359> Any Item 11, I ask to remove. Item 11. Any Item 11, I ask to remove.
• Item 11.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The ability to continue testing aggressively is hampered as the equine test fund revenue continues to
• less testing of horses.
• We talk about the testing of the hair testing that you have kind of referred to.
• We test after the race; we test for blood and urine.
• So, is every horse tested after each race, or is it a section or a sample of horses that are tested?

Transcript Highlights:

• , because most of our testing is now...
• Integrated so they're comfortable with online tests?
• The state testing piece... The state testing piece is a piece that we're concerned about.
• And everyone says, well, testing.
• We have certain servers for EL testing and ACT testing.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have that number off the top of my head, but that's almost a year-round operation and testing
• a yearr round uh operation and testing a yearr round uh operation and testing because<00:06:08.720
• <00:41:50.960> and um the feed and fertilizer testing and um the feed and fertilizer testing
• such as... ...dollars and miscellaneous items such as that.
• dollars um and miscellaneous items such dollars um and miscellaneous items such as that<04:02:43.159>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are some of the items which have been handed out.
• So those are some of the items which have been handed out.
• They're qualified examiners to give certain tests.
• They're qualified examiners to give certain tests.
• They're qualified examiners to give certain tests.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second item I wish to bring to your attention is that you talked about workforce training.
• There is a request of $1.25 million to offer free tests services and materials for New Mexicans.
• Almost all of the items that we're going to advance today or talk about are connected to those two key
• Your second item. Senator Gonzales was on a hotel.
• And one of the items that you specifically mentioned was the growing aging of our population.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not tested, and some of the tests that I have learned from my friends with Aaliyah, as they've
• tested them, have had as high as 24 milligrams of THC.
• I ask you to make an amendment to make sure we are not just testing at dry weight; we're testing at end
• We back comprehensive testing and clear labeling for consumer safety.
• Historically, when we've submitted items of evidence for testing, it just comes back whether it contains

Bills: HB441, HB445, HB477, HB441, HB445

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Those payback calculations were changed to be items needed to pay back within the life of an item, so
• needed to payback within the life items needed to payback within the life of<00:52:53.000> an
• <00:52:53.240> item<00:52:53.680> so<00:52:53.960> that<00:52:54.160> there's
• <00:58:16.640> of the team that does sort of testing of the team that does sort of testing
• So we don't really want to be the test case to install both of those things, quite frankly.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Capital Investment Committee met on January 23 and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The main presentation was from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of Minnesota’s Sustainable Building guidelines, also referred to as B3. The auditors said the guidelines apply to certain new buildings and major renovations funded with general obligation bonds and are intended to improve energy efficiency, occupant health, and environmental quality. They described the program as involving the Departments of Administration and Commerce, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research, and project teams, but found widespread confusion over who is responsible for administering and enforcing the program. The auditors reported that oversight and accountability are limited, compliance is not clearly tracked, and there is no agency assigned to ensure projects follow the guidelines or to require compliance data. They said many projects in a review of 2020 bonding projects had not begun tracking compliance, and that up-to-date data were often missing. They also found the law’s stated program objectives are outdated because the referenced energy-code provision was repealed in 2009, and that measurable goals have not been established for most of the guideline categories. The office recommended that the legislature designate a responsible agency, clarify duties in statute, require compliance monitoring and data collection, update the program’s stated goals, and direct systematic evaluation of cost and sustainability outcomes. Members asked about consequences for noncompliance, funding, and whether cost impacts should be studied first. The auditor said the requirements are legal obligations, but no real enforcement consequences have been used so far, and any consequences discussed have been mostly theoretical. She said the Departments of Administration and Commerce were receiving about $1 million combined to support the contract with the Center for Sustainable Building Research, while other state agencies were not receiving dedicated funding for oversight. In response to questions about costs, she said the overall effect of the guidelines on project costs and sustainability is still unknown, but that the legislature could direct an analysis of cost impacts before taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are just concerned that we have students who are taking a tech-use test, not a test of academic
• Fourth-grade tests, their paper-pencil tests, to still have the option to do so.
• In Colorado, third- and fourth-grade students take the English CMAS test, the math CMAS test, and in
• Math CMAS test, and in fourth grade also the social studies CMAS test.
• And studies show that those who take online tests score generally lower than those taking paper tests

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the pilot includes other strategies as well that we have not yet tested, some of which additional
• > some<00:05:58.120> of<00:05:58.280> which<00:05:58.440> additional yet tested
• uh some of which additional yet tested uh some of which additional Authority<00:05:59.160> would<
• every service it's a 50% every item every service it's a 50% increase<00:18:57.960> in<00:18:
• ify we have a have one minute to test ify we have a substantial<00:37:29.240> calendar<00:37:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess what I'm wondering is, It says during pregnancy, Now the test.
• And I guess somewhere else in the statute it talks about testing, CPS testing the mother.
• CPS testing the mother? Or somebody testing the mother or the hospital providing.
• That, that you could say, well, I, you know, I tested positive for, Well, I'm, I'm now testing positive
• Our next witness's test, uh, registered to testify is Heather King.

Bills: HB116

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• cosmetics. test methods that replace animal testing test methods that replace animal testing when<02
• SB 444 requires product testing facilities to use test methods that replace animal testing when they
• typical animal test methods. typical animal test methods.
• This legislation tested cosmetics.
• without animals, you test without without animals, you test without animals. animals. animals.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49.760> like For warrant-based searches, items like For warrant-based searches, items like cell
• through postconviction DNA testing through postconviction DNA testing involve<03:22:37.920> false
• > Pennsylvania<03:39:52.239> because testing actually in Pennsylvania because testing actually
• And so he need for DNA testing."
• advanced and being able to be tested advanced and being able to be tested much<03:40:35.600>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrent file item number one will pass and retain. Reconsideration file items two through four.
• All items shall be continued. Assembly third reading file items five through seven pass and retain.
• Senate third reading file items eight and nine pass and retain.
• That is file item number 10. Does any member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar?
• His legacy stands the test of time.

Summary: The Assembly met for a floor session marked largely by ceremonial and procedural business. After a quorum call, the body opened with Valentine’s Day remarks, a prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by guest introductions recognizing California YMCA Youth and Government participants from several delegations, including Glendora High School, Crenshaw YMCA, Wilmington YMCA, and Mid Valley YMCA. On the daily file, most items were passed, retained, or continued without controversy. The only recorded vote was on the consent calendar, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; it was adopted 63-0. The chamber also approved a request to allow certain members to speak on adjournments in memory. Several members then offered adjournment tributes: Assembly Member Gibson honored James Armstrong, a veteran and community leader in Carson and Watts; Assembly Member Rubio remembered actor-comedian Thomas Kent Carter (TK Carter); and Assembly Member Boerner honored Dave Hodges, founder of the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. The Assembly then announced there would be no session on President’s Day, with the next floor session scheduled for Tuesday, February 17 at 1 p.m., and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no line item in the budget.
• There's no line item in the budget.
• And yet a lot of people are challenging us about these items that we call pork and Christmas tree items
• up and say those are needed items.
• Governor Murphy did make a promise not to have all these Christmas tree items, to not have pork items

Keywords: 1146, all