Video & Transcript Research : 'aging'
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MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy - Thursday, May 14 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That really shouldn't happen, not in this modern age.
- Before the age of 25, I had to bury three of my friends who passed away from a drunk driver, which is
- Earlier last week, it had great support coming out of the Ag Committee and Rules, and with that, I'll
- I'm out of Ag. It came through Rules, I believe, unanimously.
- I'm not in the ag area like you are. Just educate me on that paragraph.
Summary:
The House first established a quorum after a brief call of the board and then moved through messages from the Senate and committee reports. The chamber received a Senate refusal to concur on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 994 and later voted to send the bill to conference. Members also reconsidered earlier actions on Senate Bill 1019, then adopted a substitute amendment that narrowed the bill to a smaller set of provisions, including a health-related addition on Lyme disease and alpha-gal, before third reading and passage by a vote of 105-32.
The House then took up House Bill 1740, known as Melanie’s Law, a drunk-driving prevention measure. Supporters described the bill as a long-negotiated effort to strengthen penalties and ignition interlock requirements while preserving affordability protections for low-income drivers. Family members of Melanie Wonkham were recognized, and several members spoke in favor of the bill as a response to impaired-driving fatalities. The Senate substitute was adopted 143-2, and the bill was finally passed 144-2.
Members also passed Senate Bill 1033, which combined Department of Natural Resources funding language with agriculture-related changes, including exemptions for certain farm trucks and cotton gin permitting and air-dispersion modeling requirements. Supporters said it would help keep state environmental programs solvent and better align Missouri rules with neighboring states, while some members raised concerns about future budget pressure and environmental impacts. The Senate substitute passed 134-9. The House then passed Senate Bill 916, which limits when contractors can be required to indemnify the state before or after work on public projects, with supporters saying it protects contractors from premature lawsuits while preserving liability for negligence; it passed 133-1.
Finally, the House adopted and finally passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, which promotes Missouri participation in America 250 celebrations in 2026, and then adopted a conference committee report and finally passed Senate Bill 975 after brief debate. The chamber also announced upcoming committee meetings and then recessed, with plans to return later for additional Senate bills and conference reports.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- to go initially: does your bill contemplate the privacy implications for those same teenagers of the age
- Well, I think first, I don't relate to, too, what's happening federally and the enforcement of the AG
- , but that's what the AG does.
- And that's pretty common for the AG to be the enforcer of provisions like this.
- Compliance requires continuous verification of age, parental status, family linkages, and persistent
Keywords:
special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, artificial intelligence, personal data protection, consumer rights, chatbot, deceptive practices, government contracts, public records, consumer protection, data privacy, investigations, proprietary information, chatbots, Florida statutes, nonprofit
Summary:
The Committee on Commerce and Tourism heard and advanced several bills focused on economic development, consumer protection, workforce issues, and technology. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. SB 1266, as amended, creates a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with Cyber Florida and was also reported favorably. SB 554, a Florida Bar-backed update to the not-for-profit corporations statute, was approved without opposition. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales practices and predatory financing at retail pet stores, received supportive testimony from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which sets rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, also passed favorably.
The committee also considered SB 998, the Department of Commerce package, which combines updates to the Small Cities CDBG program, clarification of rural community eligibility, an exemption from a reverter clause for military-related land conveyances, and revisions to E-Verify enforcement. The E-Verify portion drew the most debate, with questions about employer cure periods, treatment of current investigations, and whether the bill creates a loophole for independent contractors. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal enforcement between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. SB 998 was reported favorably on a divided vote.
SB 214, which expands the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties, was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 482, an artificial intelligence consumer-protection bill that creates an “AI bill of rights” covering companion chatbots, parental controls for minors, data privacy, de-identified data, unauthorized use of likeness, and enforcement by the Attorney General, with a limited private cause of action for minors. The bill drew extensive testimony both in support and in opposition, including concerns about privacy, age verification, and enforcement, but it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7030, a public-records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations under the AI bill, and adjourned after members requested to be recorded on certain votes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee May 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- With me today is Eric Vasquez from EAH Housing and Mimi Kalili from AG Global Solutions.
- With me today is Eric Vasquez from EAH Housing and Mimi Kalili from AG Global Solutions.
- I'm with AG Global Solutions. I will try to make this brief.
- care system, Pregnant and parenting teen ages 12 to 18 in the foster care system who are victims of
- One in three girls in the foster care system will have their own baby by the age of 21.
Summary:
The Assembly Human Services Committee met with quorum established after beginning as a subcommittee. The committee heard AB 790, which would require jurisdictions receiving state homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic violence. Supporters said current homelessness programs overlook this population; the bill was amended and passed unanimously on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which would dedicate a minimum share of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness programs. Supporters argued more stable funding is needed to address the housing crisis, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help; the measure passed 5-2 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Members then heard AB 349, which would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation. The author and sponsor described the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and rising costs for diapers and formula; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 779, which expands a domestic violence consultant pilot in child welfare offices statewide, also passed 6-0 after testimony that it would help keep families together safely and improve trauma-informed responses. AB 1335, which would remove a private CARF accreditation requirement for regional center employment programs and rely on state oversight instead, drew support from disability service providers but opposition from the chair over concerns about weakening quality checks; it failed on a 2-2 vote and reconsideration was denied.
The committee also considered AB 1066, a bill to bar state-funded immigration legal services for people unlawfully present in the country who have certain serious felony convictions. Supporters framed it as a public-safety and fiscal-responsibility measure, while opponents said it would restrict due process and align California with mass-deportation policies. The bill failed on a 2-2 vote. Two bills, AB 277 and AB 318, were pulled by the author and not heard. After final roll calls on absent members, the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In Texas, cervical cancer is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer for women in the age group of 20
- cancers, we still have work to do, especially considering the need to vaccinate by the recommended age
- routine childhood vaccine schedule for boys and girls, recommended to begin as early as 9 years of age
- 9 years of age. At 9 years of age, they want people, and this is normally sexually transmitted?
- And then they expanded the patient population to lower, they lowered the age to 11, and they expanded
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I got my first hunting license and my first gun at the age of 10.
- We do restrict activities like gambling and use of alcohol and nicotine to those who are over age. 21
- A study of U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 15 found that adolescents who spent more time on social media
- A randomized controlled trial in college-age students found that limiting media use to 30 minutes a day
- 25, I think is the upper age.
Keywords:
SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- Because of age differences and just trying to get your hands around all of it is going to be a pretty
- It can happen in any community, and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality.
- Victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality.
- trafficked youth, and struggling teens, as well as parents and young adults up to about 24 years of age
- In the last biennium, YouthWorks' anti-trafficking team served 147 youth ages 12 to 24, provided 400
Bills:
HCR3028
Keywords:
human trafficking, victim services, re-entry programs, legislative study, public safety, mental health, law enforcement, 908, all
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several measures related to human trafficking, criminal procedure, and child protection. It first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3028, which would direct a legislative study of human trafficking victim services and re-entry programs. The sponsor and supporters emphasized helping victims rebuild basic life and workforce skills and better understanding existing services; YouthWorks and the North Dakota Catholic Conference described current programs and the trauma victims face. The committee discussed overlap with other interim studies, then voted unanimously to give the resolution a due pass, with Senator Braunberger designated to carry it.
The committee then considered House Bill 1263, concerning sealing criminal records, and moved it forward without changing the House version after members noted the House had removed presumption language and reduced the waiting period. That bill also received a due pass recommendation. Next, House Bill 1226, which revises the state’s mask law for public places, drew testimony from the sponsor and an expert witness who argued that masking to conceal identity during group criminal conduct undermines public safety and law enforcement. Members debated the House-added requirement that law enforcement request unmasking; the committee adopted an amendment to remove that language, then passed the bill as amended, with Senator Luick to carry it.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1410, a study resolution on criminal conduct against children, including child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and the use of artificial intelligence in exploitation crimes. Supporters from the Child Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force, YouthWorks, and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota said the study would help update outdated terminology, review AI-related issues, and improve investigation and prosecution tools. The committee approved the resolution with a due pass recommendation, and Senator Cory was assigned to carry it. The committee also received a brief report that, in a quick review, there were 82 active studies introduced, including 10 shall studies and 35 shall-consider studies, with limited overlap identified beyond the trafficking-related measures.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 1, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- worms, and those are my passions, because I'm always saying we don't need to be teaching this at this age
- Let's just go back to the dark ages of no accountability and no grades and just graduate children who
- And I can tell you, from being a parent, I'm not going to age myself and say how long ago...
- And I can tell you, from being a parent, I'm not going to age myself and say how long ago, to now being
- mathematics, to be able to empower them and give them the skills that they need in order to help, at an early age
Summary:
The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two bills. The first, PCS for HB 1565, would expand permitted purchases under the Personalized Education Program scholarship to include digital devices, clarify statutory terms, and distinguish between parent-directed part-time programs and full-time instructor-led programs. Rep. Hinson questioned oversight and misuse safeguards, while the sponsor said existing statutory and SFO oversight already applies. Public testimony included support from the James Madison Institute, and the bill was reported favorably by a 12-1 vote.
The committee then heard PCS for HB 1483, the SCORE Act, which would gradually align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar A-F scale used for students over a 10-year transition. The sponsor argued that current school grades are inflated and confusing to parents, and said the bill would also expand early support identification from pre-K through 8th grade. Members raised concerns about the impact on public and charter schools, low-income communities, teacher workload, resources, property values, and whether the bill should be paired with funding and professional development. Public testimony included an ESE teacher asking about funding and class size, one opponent from Orange County teachers, and a proponent from Florida Citizens Alliance.
After extensive debate, the committee voted 12-5 to report PCS for HB 1483 favorably. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability for parents and create pressure to raise standards, while opponents warned it could sharply increase lower-rated schools without sufficient resources and could mislead the public about school performance during the transition.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- At the age of 24, I lost my mom to heart disease and kidney failure.
- She was only 57 all around me at a very young age.
- And we increased supports for youth aging out of 5 sic foster care.
- They support Steve Balmer leading age waives in support.
- By the age of 24, I suffered 3 heart attacks, one stroke.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- All it does is ask AG extension.
- Um, do you, do we have a, is there a number of hives that makes it an ag I mean, is it, is it just, is
- Back then, chapter 131, our ag code, the definition of an apiary was 6 hives, and that was the only real
- And when you, we're very concerned with our citizens in Texas, uh, that are over the age of 60, that
- It ensures that if the ownership of the land qualifying for open space and ag use appraisal is legally
Keywords:
HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- to use these funds to address the widest range of project types across Texas communities, upgrading aging
- Mm-hmm, and that has me a little bit Because not to age myself, but I'm a child of the 70s and 80s right
- The funding is critical not only for expanding water supply. but also for repairing aging infrastructure
- , as you've just heard, has billions and billions of dollars of needs that cannot be ignored. from aging
- Required infrastructure projects to transport water across regions. and updating aging water distribution
Keywords:
coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's employers who recognize leadership born of responsibility at the tender young age of 19.
- It's employers who recognize leadership born of responsibility at the tender young age of 19.
- Laundrie of South Boston, who passed away at the age of 78 on October 24, 2025.
- Laundrie of South Boston passed away at the age of 78 on October 24, 2025.
Summary:
The Senate took up several final-passage matters, first adopting emergency preambles for H. 3388, establishing September 22 as Military Service Members’ and Veterans’ Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, and H. 4249, relative to vital statistics. It then enacted three bills: S. 23, authorizing alternate members to the Swampscott Conservation Commission; H. 1024, allowing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to certain parcels in Sharon; and H. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for a Trial Court employee. The Senate also advanced local bills concerning Boston district council vacancies, Arlington town clerk procedures, and a Marlborough Ward 7 council vacancy, ordering some to third reading and passing others to engrossment.
The chamber considered several committee and House reports under suspension of rules, including Senate bills on public libraries and digital resource collections and on the Commission on LGBTQA+, both placed on the Orders of the Day for future consideration. It also advanced House bills on the continued employment of a Lancaster firefighter and alternate members for the Beckett Conservation Commission, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several petitions to the appropriate committees.
The Senate marked the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps with remarks from Senator Collins and Senator Durant, a citation to the Boston Semper Fidelis Society, and brief comments from Tom Lyons on behalf of local Marines and veterans. The session concluded with an order to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., a motion to adjourn in memory of Wayne T. Laundrie of South Boston, a moment of silence, and final adjournment.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Feb 10th, 2026
Commerce and Small Business
Transcript Highlights:
- And the AG had some asks with regard to coverage.
- And the AG<00:10:31.519>
had <00:10:31.680>some <00:10:31.839>asks <00:10:32.240> - :10:32.720>
um <00:10:32.880>with <00:10:33.040>regard <00:10:33.440>to AG - had some asks to um with regard to AG had some asks to um with regard to coverage.<00:10:34.079>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a lot of talk about age.
- Age itself should be irrelevant.
- know, that's going to be in the best interest of the child and Okay, so how does that work now with age
- We do not consider age.
Keywords:
child welfare, foster care, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, Family Code, conservatorship, placement selection, contract residential care, kinship care, relative placement, designated caregiver, best interest of the child, least restrictive setting, placement stability, child protective services, residential treatment, group home, family reunification, Texas foster system, residential care
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- An estimated 10,000 young folks ages 12 to 17 suffer from depression, yet nearly 69% do not receive any
- estimated estimated 10,000<00:02:09.399>
Young <00:02:09.679>Folks <00:02:10.080>ages - /c><00:02:10.920>
to <00:02:11.160>17 <00:02:11.640>suffer 10,000 Young Folks ages - 12 to 17 suffer 10,000 Young Folks ages 12 to 17 suffer from<00:02:12.200>
depression <00:02:12.800
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 04/24/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<01:28:43.040>
private <01:28:43.360>advocacy state ages, private advocacy state ages - It will apply to all AGs, no matter who is the AG at the time.
- What may seem who is the AG at the time.
- Did the AG do their job? Did they not do their job?
- Did the AG do their job? Did they lot. Did the AG do their job?
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- A lot are over 40,000 age 65.
- medical conditions and psychological aging far exceeding their chronological age.
- reality that Havaii's PAO are aging reality that Havaii's PAO are aging rapidly<00:46:26.000>
- Aging in prison is inevitable.
- Aging in prison is inevitable.
Bills:
HB1531
Keywords:
emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation.
The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- what age should a parent allow a young person to have a smartphone?
- related to more of a problem. older than another age or grade?
- We'll keep the phones out at that age. Okay, all right, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- But because of the age, they couldn't charge him.
- earning at age 30, even more than equivalent improvements in literacy.
Bills:
HB6, HB27, HB 123, HB210, HB213, HB222, HB610, HB 1085, HB1481, HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222
Keywords:
mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, financial literacy, high school education, curriculum requirements, economics, personal finance, HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (02/03/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Sure, these ages are all over the place: 18, 21, 24, 26.
- A child is up to age 21 years of age if they've been in foster care.
- They get special coverage up to age 26 through their age 25, ends at 26.
- <00:31:55.000>
21 coverage um a child is up to age 21 coverage um a child is up to age 21 - age 26 through up to through their age age 26 through up to through their age 25<00:32:05.440>
Summary:
The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels.
The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level.
A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (02/10/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<00:14:14.320>
survivors <00:14:15.040>and federal old age, survivors and federal - I mean, I know what old age is, but I don't know it in terms of taxation.
- young people pay old age. young people pay old age.
- >> It must be your old age. >> It must be your old age.
- By the age of 14, I transgender boy.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- all types of weather with with aging all types of weather with with aging infrastructure. infrastructure
- We're also replacing aging buildings.
- To the right of the map, you’ll see an age breakdown of our facilities.
- To the right of the map, you’ll see an age breakdown of our facilities.
- As facilities age, as we replace them, we of course meet accessibility needs.
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities.
Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs.
The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.