Transcript Highlights:

• It went to finance. It was pulled out there at the request of the committee to come here.
• They've got the finances and the resources to protect this data.
• and<00:26:19.760> the They've got the finances and the They've got the finances and the
• <00:37:51.120> I<00:37:51.200> would it pass and go to finance today.
• I would it pass and go to finance today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:05.440> and backend system for financing and backend system for financing and licensing
• to ensure all students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education, and to close gaps
• c><00:56:33.920> between<00:56:34.400> the<00:56:34.640> educational to close gaps
• between the educational to close gaps between the educational results<00:56:35.520> of<00:56:
• division 3 last sub position on finance division 3 last year<01:08:56.159> I've<01:08:56.400>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• We should also teach about that, and then teach about our finances—how to manage finances.
• Equal funding and encouraging our community to support individuals and aim to close the gap, whether

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is being referred to the committee on health finance and policy.
• The bill is being referred to the committee on housing finance and policy.
• Finance Authority that's unencumbered<00:52:47.680> at<00:52:47.920> this<00:52:48.079
• He said the work done here was to find similar money to help stop the gap so that emergency rooms and
• Representative Craft moves that House File 4233 be recalled from the Committee on Energy Finance and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:14.640> and I think that this has been a gap and I think that this has been a gap and
• development finance authority. development finance authority.
• harder going from finance to CPA than it is from CPA to finance.
• harder going from finance to CPA than it is from CPA to finance.
• is well poised to help address this gap. is well poised to help address this gap.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Minnesota House of Representatives, through the work of the Legacy and Finance Committee, we are
• The Advancement of the Legacy Finance Committee.
• That process, the constituent working with the Department of Public Safety, realized that there's a gap
• lot of cases that just involve excessive speed that do not involve drugs and alcohol, and this is a gap
• There continues to be a pretty big gap that the state... ...going to have to make up somehow.

Transcript Highlights:

• and facilities and policy is finance and facilities and policy is this<00:39:06.800> the<00:39
• with um what a lot of closes that Gap with um what a lot of people<00:49:42.319> would<00:49:
• Sounds like a good plan, so if we could pass this, it will go to Finance and we could bring something
• into Finance.
• something into Finance thank you bring something into Finance thank you sen<01:42:23.920> you're

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students often fill this gap with incomplete or incorrect information.
• Graduate retention for in-state is a persistent gap.
• All of these were approved by the Budget and Finance Committee.
• Budget and Finance reviewed and considered these.
• Budget and Finance reviewed and considered these.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to look at financing; you know, money is expended more deeply.
• <00:14:15.199> is<00:14:15.440> expended financing.
• So we depend on public financing.
• we depend on public financing. we depend on public financing.
• Danny Vascatales, Jr., finance director with the State Public Charter School Commission.

Bills: HB2185, HB2621, HB2179, HB2534, HB2168, HB2427, HB2560, HB2565, HB2172, HB2298, HB2304

Keywords: sports officials, referees, umpires, athletic directors, school administrators, league administrators, coaches, assault, first-degree assault, substantial bodily injury, temporary restraining order, TRO, private counsel, Department of Education, DOE, sports safety, school sports, amateur athletics, professional sports, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Cases in airports, SB 1308, passed by myself and the 88th legislature, addresses closing a gap that leaves
• Cases in airports, SB 1308, passed by myself and the 88th legislature, addresses closing a gap that leaves
• found that over 50% of veterans face these challenges. ...veteran-owned businesses don't receive the financing

Bills: SB 390, SB 1197, SB 1271

Keywords: veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, Veteran Affairs

Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Veteran Affairs addressed several significant bills aimed at supporting veterans and their businesses. Among the bills discussed was SB390, which seeks to expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include all veteran-owned businesses, regardless of disability status. This change aims to create a more equitable economic landscape for veterans and to foster their participation in state procurement opportunities. The committee heard strong testimony supporting this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing veterans with fair chances in business development.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1308, passed by myself in the 88th Legislature, closed a gap, leaving spaceports vulnerable." "...
• closing a gap, leaving spaceports vulnerable.
• Leveling the Playing Field in 2024 found that over 50% of veteran-owned businesses don't receive the financing

Bills: SB390, SB1197, SB1271

Keywords: veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, 1185

Summary: The Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills related to military installations, veterans, and contracting opportunities. Senator Birdwell presented SB 1197, which would extend existing drone restrictions over military bases and airports to spaceports, with exceptions for authorized users; no public testimony was offered at the first hearing, and the bill was left pending before later being reported favorably. Chairman Hancock presented SB 1271, which would allow Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction over military installations so state and local authorities could handle certain juvenile offenses and provide more rehabilitative options; a committee substitute was explained, but the bill was left pending after no initial witnesses appeared. The committee also considered SB 390, which would expand the state historically underutilized business definition to include SBA-certified veteran-owned businesses regardless of disability rating. Supporters from the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce and other veterans argued the change would improve access to state contracting, strengthen the economy, and better recognize veterans’ contributions. Senator Eckhardt raised concerns that broadening the category to all veterans might not satisfy the disparity-study basis typically used for HUB classifications, and Jim Brennan echoed that concern while suggesting a separate category might be more workable. During the pending-legislation portion, the committee voted on several bills. SB 651 and SB 897 were each substituted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1814 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1197 was reported favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1271 was left pending after a motion to report the committee substitute favorably, and SB 390 was left pending after testimony concluded. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• subcommittees strategy and planning data analysis, dual diagnosis, treatment and the subcommittee on finance
• South Florida with analysis of public funded substance abuse and mental health services to identify gaps
• with monitoring publicly funded mental health and substance abuse services, identifying coverage, gaps

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:58:38.240> uh aid streets um in 10 years that gap uh aid streets um in 10 years that gap
• Um we came together um close this gap.
• I want to make sure gap in road funding.
• So, I just those gaps can be attributed.
• specifically and how much of that funding gap these different pieces account for.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel Working Group. Commissioner Nancy Doenberger opened with introductions from members representing state agencies, legislators, utilities, local governments, industry groups, advocacy organizations, and others. The group then elected its leadership: Senator Anne Johnson Stewart was nominated and unanimously elected chair, and Representative Steve Elkins was nominated and unanimously elected vice chair. Senator Johnson Stewart said she would ensure all viewpoints are heard and asked MnDOT to continue running the meeting for practical reasons. Austin Turman of the Legislative Coordinating Commission reviewed the authorizing legislation. He explained that the working group must analyze electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, develop a roadmap with policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding consistent with the Minnesota Constitution, and study other states’ approaches to equitable fuel assessment methods for electric vehicles. The group’s report is due February 13 and will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. Turman also briefly reviewed open meeting law requirements, noting the group must operate publicly when a quorum discusses official business, though public comment is not required. Members then discussed the purpose of the group and the need to find a fair replacement or supplement for declining gas tax revenue as EVs increase. Senator Johnson Stewart emphasized balancing system funding needs with user-based fairness, including differences in vehicle weight and road use. Representative Murphy stressed the need to consider rural Minnesota, taxpayer impacts, and current science, including climate and CO2 issues. Drive Electric Minnesota said EV drivers should pay their fair share and not be overburdened, while the Department of Revenue said it wants to administer the new EV charging-station tax fairly. A trucking representative highlighted that passenger vehicles and freight vehicles have very different operating and charging needs, suggesting the group consider those differences in any fee structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• to introduce the team we have: Constanzia, the COO; Danielle, the CFO; and Ammbra, the Director of finance
• I'm with the Office of Juvenile Affairs Their director of finance.
• OMES is our finance department that did our numbers, and they are basically our finance department.
• They're Also, folks that are also concerned about the gap in not having restoration services.
• We're just trying to fill a gap with no funds.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will then hear from Erica Lee at the Department of Finance.
• ago, when Governor Newsom unveiled his initial budget proposal in early January, the Department of Finance
• I also want to thank the legislative office and the Department of Finance for their input and work in
• We have a vast wealth gap that must be closed.
• I do want to acknowledge, of course, Legislative Council and Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for SB 32 closes that gap and provides an additional layer of safety for victims of serious violence
• This bill addresses a current gap in how Florida's public colleges and universities communicate safety
• procedures. ...gap in how Florida's public colleges and universities communicate safety procedures when
• Today, most consumers manage their auto finance accounts online. Nine nays, Mr. President.
• Today, most consumers manage their auto finance accounts online.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several introductions recognizing visitors, students, local officials, and professional groups in the gallery. The chamber then took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee confirming 42 executive appointments; the report was adopted by a vote of 36-0. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the Ripple Project for childhood cancer awareness and funding. The bulk of the meeting was spent on special-order bills, many of them open-government sunset review measures and policy bills. The Senate passed bills preserving or updating public records exemptions for aquaculture records, trade secrets, and cybersecurity information; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; a commercial driving schools bill; a human trafficking training requirement for nursing graduates; a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and its companion public-records bill; a nature-based coastal resiliency bill with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve; a chiropractic patient-funds bill; specialty license plate legislation; a one-time waiver for late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation changes; the Florida Farm Bill with amendments protecting Everglades lands and technical corrections; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders; disability presumption clarifications for firefighters and law enforcement; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity changes; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and a blue envelope program; public post-secondary safety policy requirements; and a bill allowing licensed agents to market health care sharing ministries. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. Members debated a number of measures, especially the health care sharing ministries bill, where opponents raised consumer-protection and commission concerns and supporters argued for free speech, religious liberty, and expanded consumer choice; it passed 32-5. Other debated bills included the autism law enforcement bill, the school athletics bill addressing coach support for student-athletes, and the Farm Bill, where senators discussed surplus land safeguards and biosolids timing. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, often 37-0 or 38-0, with a few closer votes such as the patriotic displays bill (36-2) and the health care sharing ministries bill (32-5).

Transcript Highlights:

• To my left is Krista Lambrecht, our vice president for administration and finance.”
• “To my left is Krista Lambrecht, our vice president for administration and finance.
• “To my left is Krista Lambrecht, our vice president for administration and finance.
• It's gotten to be so... there's such a time gap. Mr.
• SLDS has a lot of information through Job Service, but there's some gaps.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to this joint meeting of the New York State Senate Committee on Finance, the Committee on Corporations
• I am a member of the Finance Committee and am sitting in, at her request, for Senator Liz Krueger, the
• Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
• Commissions, Senator Leroy Comrie. ...and Senator Leroy Comrie, as well as the ranking member of the Finance
• and thank you to the chairs, and to the members of the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Finance

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and Transportation committees considered four nominations to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board: Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell. Each nominee gave opening remarks describing their public service or transportation-related experience and their interest in issues such as affordability, accessibility, state of good repair, regional connectivity, and transit safety. Senators also raised concerns about MTA transparency, the 2025-29 capital plan funding gap, fare and toll evasion, worker safety, and the need for better service in underserved areas. Members pressed the nominees on several policy questions, including the feasibility of free or reduced-fare buses, expanding bus service and bus lanes, restoring Hudson Valley and Harlem Line service, improving west-of-Hudson and Rockland County transit, and advancing the Second Avenue Subway and accessibility projects. The nominees generally said they were open to studying these ideas, emphasized collaboration with the MTA, governor, mayor, and legislature, and supported greater transparency and investment in transit infrastructure. Senators also highlighted labor concerns, including the MTA workers’ contract and safety for bus operators and other transit workers. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted separately on each nomination. Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell were each approved by the committees and advanced to the Senate floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask a lot of our nonprofits, and they fill in a lot of gaps that government doesn't.
• property tax yields, homestead non-homestead property tax rate, and technical changes to education finance
• this time." non-homestead property tax rate, and technical changes to education finance this time. >
• The ayes have it, and I will ask for a very brief recess for the chair of finance to make a report. >
• And, um, Senate Finance will try to meet at 12:30. We got delivered three...

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At that time, our finances turned a corner, and we thought it might have been a momentary blip, but it
• At that time, our finances turned a corner, and we thought it might have been a momentary blip, but it
• At that time, our finances turned a corner, and we thought it might have been a momentary blip, but it
• between revenues and a growing gap between revenues and expenditures<00:21:30.799> finally<00
• Dr peny with such a gap Dr peny thank<00:25:59.000> you<00:25:59.760> uh<00:26:00.080>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.