Transcript Highlights:

• Another key function of this support at the state level is that we provide a tiered technical assistance
• To complete this large body of work for the remaining system functionality and interfaces, the project
• You know, with the movement of some of the functionality from 24-25 to 25-26, it does add a risk, and
• In the construction of previous functionalities, there was a bit of rework that we needed to do, and
• The functionality will be included in the testing along with the interface we will have for our foster

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is called the history and function sheet for you all here as members.
• , and that information coming from the The governor's office to senate staff is that history and function

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and your video off while waiting to testify, and after your testimony is complete, the Zoom chat function
• authorized by the maintenance functions authorized by the board<00:45:44.839> of<00:45:45.079
• authorized for the special functions authorized for the special fund<00:47:49.119> and<00:47:
• <02:27:05.760> of<02:27:05.880> the possibly improve the functioning of the possibly
• improve the functioning of the hisk<02:27:07.560> um<02:27:08.560> and<02:27:08.720>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure a healthy and efficient
• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure an efficient respiratory
• Dental Assisting Teachers, the California Dental Assistance Association, and the California Expanded Functions
• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure an efficient workforce

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure a healthy and efficient
• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure an efficient respiratory
• Dental Assisting Teachers, the California Dental Assistance Association, and the California Expanded Functions
• The changes in this bill aim to improve the overall functions of the board to ensure an efficient workforce

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, consumer protection, and sunset-review bills. Early items included SB 1148, which would let aspiring security guards complete all required training before a guard card is issued; SB 342, which would soften the penalty for contractors who were licensed during part of a project but had a brief lapse; and several sunset bills for boards and bureaus, including the Board of Registered Nursing (SB 1302), the Board of Naturopathic Medicine (SB 1303), the Respiratory Care Board (SB 1304), the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (SB 1363), and the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SB 1368). The committee also heard SB 1311, which makes various updates to DCA boards and programs, and SB 1314, which restricts new tobacco retailers from locating within 600 feet of schools or daycare centers and bans nitrous oxide sales and related paraphernalia. Testimony was generally supportive on the training, sunset, and licensing cleanup bills, though several measures drew “opposed unless amended” or neutral positions over scope and implementation details. On SB 1314, supporters including prosecutors and school administrators argued it would reduce youth exposure to tobacco, while gas station, convenience store, cigar lounge, pharmacy, and business groups raised concerns about impacts on existing businesses, transferability of tobacco licenses, and possible de facto limits on future stations; some public health groups shifted to neutral after amendments. On SB 1302, nursing groups supported the board sunset bill, while the California Medical Association objected to allowing out-of-state nurse practitioner transition-to-practice experience to count without a California attestation process. On SB 1304, health facilities and long-term care groups supported the board extension but sought broader clarification so LVNs could perform respiratory tasks consistently across settings. After quorum was finally established, the committee voted to send the consent calendar bills SB 1376, SB 1391, SB 1416, and SB 1315 to Appropriations, and then approved SB 342, SB 1148, SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1311, SB 1314, SB 1363, and SB 1368, all moving forward to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 1314 passed with some no votes, while the other measures advanced with broad support. The hearing ended after additional members were added on the record and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• continuation of state government, and for certain payments that are due, and ensures that we can have a functioning
• we can pay for certain things that we are obligated to do so, and it will ensure that we have a functioning
• we can pay for certain things that we are obligated to do so, and it will ensure that we have a functioning
• AND IT WILL ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A FUNCTIONING STATE GOVERNMENT UNTIL WE HAVE A FINAL ENACTED BUDGET.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this mechanism, although it only functions every two years, does allow for this fund to be replenished
• <00:04:26.720> only uh this mechanism although it only uh this mechanism although it only functions
• 27.759> years<00:04:28.560> does<00:04:28.800> allow<00:04:29.199> for functions
• every two years does allow for functions every two years does allow for the<00:04:30.080> for

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing rivers to maintain their natural functions keeps both habitats and lives... ...going well.
• Allowing the rivers to maintain their natural functions keeps both habitats and local communities healthy
• this without the agency actually being able to accommodate what is required for the task force to function
• this without the agency actually being able to accommodate what is required for the task force to function

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, environmental, and infrastructure measures. HCR 79 by Chairman Butler, which memorializes Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow dog hunting in Kisatchie National Forest, drew testimony in support from hunters and a former NRCS official describing it as a rural Louisiana tradition, and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which said it supported hunting with dogs generally but opposed the deer/hog hunting portions while favoring the recovery-of-wounded-deer component. The committee reported HCR 79 favorable. It also reported favorable on SB 419, allowing pre-charged pneumatic devices for deer during primitive firearms season, and on SCR 29, creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality and sediment impacts, and SB 111, setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would monitor the effects through sampling and creel data. Several resolutions and bills focused on environmental management and state property. SB 174 authorized transfer of certain state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board and was reported favorable. SB 189, a preemptive ban on intentional release or dispersion of fuels or chemicals to affect temperatures, was also reported favorable after discussion of geoengineering-related additives. SB 99, which updates DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices for permits and public notifications, was supported by DEQ and reported favorable. HCR 104, from Rep. Coates, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and recommend improvements to subsurface data collection and access; testimony described efforts to modernize core and well-log records and build a statewide 3D subsurface model, and the resolution was reported favorable. The committee also considered river, boating, and wildlife-related measures. SB 331 would temporarily remove portions of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River, including dredging and channel realignment, while prohibiting commercial development and reservoir construction; environmental groups opposed it as a bad precedent and urged a shorter sunset, but the bill was reported favorable. HCR 54 urged a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior and was reported favorable after support from the Flyway Federation and Louisiana Wildlife Federation. HCR 94 would require annual Wildlife and Fisheries reports on boating safety data, and HCR 87 expressed support for a U.S. senator’s correspondence on migratory flyways; both were reported favorable. SB 505, dealing with the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Dedicated Fund, was reported favorable after testimony that it would expand grant capacity, create a two-cycle application process, and address LLC-related issues. The committee also advanced several measures on public policy and cleanup issues. HCR 85 created a task force on illegal dumping; after amendments added Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Louisiana Police Jury Association, members discussed statewide tire dumping problems, DEQ staffing, and cleanup funding, and the resolution was reported favorable as amended. HR 216, as substituted, was changed from a repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan to a resolution authorizing the committee to hold a hearing and receive input from agencies and stakeholders on the plan; after reconsideration and adoption of the substitute amendment, it was reported favorable. One item, SB 243, was voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing rivers to maintain their natural functions keeps both habitats and lives going well.
• Allowing the rivers to maintain their natural functions keeps both habitats and local communities healthy
• this without the agency actually being able to accommodate what is required for the task force to function
• this without the agency actually being able to accommodate what is required for the task force to function

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal would also modernize Medicaid administration, consolidate administrative functions, and
• administration, consolidate Medicaid administration, consolidate administrative<00:33:26.880> functions
• ,<00:33:27.720> and<00:33:27.880> initiate administrative functions, and initiate administrative
• functions, and initiate independent<00:33:29.240> reviews<00:33:29.840> to<00:33:29.960

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: This was Governor Tim Walz’s final State of the State address to the Minnesota Legislature. He opened by recognizing legislative leaders, constitutional officers, tribal leaders, the judiciary, and members of his administration, then asked for a moment of silence for the Hortman family and spoke at length about recent tragedies, including the Annunciation Church shooting, political violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and what he described as the impacts of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. He framed the address around resilience, unity, and the state’s response to grief and disruption. Walz reviewed major accomplishments from his time in office, emphasizing investments in education, child care, free school meals, housing, infrastructure, climate initiatives, paid family leave, voting access, and worker protections. He also highlighted tax cuts, rebate checks, Social Security tax relief, medical debt protections, and efforts to lower costs for families. Looking ahead, he proposed expanding the dependent care tax credit, cutting the statewide sales tax for the first time, adding housing and first-time homebuyer support, and providing aid to businesses and households affected by Operation Metro Surge. A major portion of the speech focused on public safety and fraud prevention. Walz said he wanted lawmakers to reestablish the binary trigger ban, pass additional gun violence measures including bans on weapons of war and high-capacity magazines, and strengthen safe storage and insurance requirements for firearms. He also urged passage of his anti-fraud package, which would increase penalties, create a centralized fraud prevention office, and restructure human services administration to improve oversight and program integrity. He closed by urging lawmakers to act on these proposals during his remaining months in office and said the next governor would inherit a fiscally strong state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vermont Criminal Justice Council and are required to perform law enforcement duties as the primary function
• 13.600> primary law enforcement duties as the primary law enforcement duties as the primary function
• <00:09:16.480> The function of their employment. The function of their employment.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• inspector general should be on the enforcement and etc. because we already have all these other functions
• already have already have all<00:10:25.280> these<00:10:25.520> other<00:10:25.760> functions
• all these other functions all these other functions within<00:10:28.160> the<00:10:28.280

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 856, relating to creation of an independent Office of Inspector General to fight fraud in Minnesota. Representative Norris presented a DE6 author’s amendment that he said fixed constitutional appointment language, expanded the office’s fraud-prevention role, and made other noncontroversial cleanup changes. He emphasized that the bill was still not finished and that more work remained before it would be ready for final House passage. Members raised several concerns. Representative Joy questioned language about who has primary investigative authority in Medicaid-related cases and whether the bill could create confusion over who may freeze funds; Norris responded that federal rules require administering agencies to be primary investigators and said the language was intended to comply with those rules while still ensuring investigations happen. Representative Bahner said the bill was improved, especially on constitutionality and prevention, but noted remaining concerns about agency expertise, duplication of effort, and funding. Representative Quam argued the state already has the Office of the Legislative Auditor and other processes in place, while Norris said an executive-branch office working directly with agencies could help ensure best practices are actually implemented. Several members, including Representative Cleborne and Representative Craft, said they remained concerned about duplication, cost, and language they believed still placed the new office above state law, though they acknowledged the bill was improved and constitutional issues had been addressed. The chair moved the DE6 amendment, which was adopted, and then the committee voted on Senate File 856 as amended. The bill passed on a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 1 nay and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the last two years, I've been a director over various functions within the gas business.
• two years I've been a director over two years I've been a director over various<00:12:58.800> functions
• <00:12:59.200> within<00:12:59.440> the<00:12:59.600> gas various functions
• within the gas various functions within the gas business. business. business.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3912, as amended, and the author moved that the bill be laid over for consideration in a future omnibus bill. The amendment was adopted without objection. Representative Holland described the bill as an energy affordability measure that would bar utilities from charging certain fees during the cold weather rule for customers above 50% of state median income, prohibit reconnection fees after shutoff for nonpayment, and create a framework for regulating late fees. He argued that late fees are often high, compound monthly, and disproportionately burden low-income households, citing utility debt and disconnection figures and noting that the need for relief is concentrated in greater Minnesota. Annie Levenson Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board supported the bill, saying reconnection fees and late fees fall on households already struggling to pay for essential service. She said reconnection fees should be treated as part of the cost of doing business and that late fees should be limited to a reasonable approximation of actual carrying costs, with protections for low-income customers. She also said the issue is already being considered in utility rate cases before the Public Utilities Commission, but that legislative action is still appropriate. Nick Martin of Xcel Energy and Katherine O'Donnell of CenterPoint Energy opposed the bill in its current form while emphasizing their companies’ commitment to affordability and customer assistance. Xcel said the bill would shift reconnection costs to other customers and could undermine a proposed arrears management program funded by late payment charges; Xcel also noted that the PUC is already reviewing these issues in its rate case. CenterPoint said it already offers extensive outreach, payment plans, and assistance programs, does not charge late fees once a customer is on a payment plan, and that its reconnection fee does not fully cover costs. After testimony and brief discussion, the chair noted the helpful information from utilities, the author said he was open to further work on the bill, and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're clearly, they didn't budget enough for those furnishings or the interior needs, and we can't function
• employees, when You're looking at OPER's employees, like the fire department has a law enforcement function
• just simply one of those where they got missed, like you wouldn't normally see the law enforcement function
• So, are they also receiving some pay or are they using money to perform some other function elsewhere

Bills: SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• variety of different types of capital project needs for our communities, our land grants do serve a function
• That's not the function of this committee.
• The function of this committee is to see if there's an impact to the general fund.
• Members of the committee, my name is Tom Solomon, and I have been functioning as Representative...

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We really functioned on our own.
• We've redesigned and updated our website, which enhanced both its functionality and the user experience
• for redistribution, ensuring that team members are focused on their strengths and that essential functions
• This includes verifying data integrity, addressing any discrepancies, and ensuring the system functions

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can attest to its function and intent.
• Their primary function is to review cases of police conduct after an investigation has already been completed
• agencies from accessing many of the files related to police conduct that are essential to their function
• Yes, that would be a clear administrative function that would be subject to the Public Information Act

Bills: SB7, SB14, SB 7, SB 14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• often where eligibility questions come into play, um, that disability must result in a substantial functional
• And so these are some of the functional limitations that are considered.
• They may have uh certain functional limitations, but do they need, you know, either special interdisciplinary
• And now I think this is a better, broader, and more functional. definition, because now we're looking

Transcript Highlights:

• So the day-to-day functions are performed by the actual employees in the office.
• So what what's the need for the bill at this time if this office has been functioning?
• Senator the bill excuse me, the office as it functions today.
• I see that function of affective outreach of government, of making sure that everyone is included, that

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that deliver both plant material and clinical findings significant to consumers in this time of functional
• consumers in this. plant material and clinical findings significant to consumers in this time of functional
• what the soil and water conservation districts were set up to do, and that's why they are not as functional
• what the soil and water conservation districts were set up to do, and that's why they are not as functional

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation. Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry. The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.