Transcript Highlights:

• or councils of the supporting entities.
• That's why we support this bill.
• So we support the completion. of the audits that they have to turn in.
• I am very excited to be here today to testify in support of House Bill.
• I just want to say that TAG has supported this bill in previous sessions, and we fully support it this

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• This location does not always support our families that are in that program.
• It's 50 units of supportive housing.
• It's 40 units of permanent supportive housing.
• We have supportive services for veteran families funding through the VA.
• And I just want to thank NMSU, and I don't know of any organizations supported.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have Phil joining us remotely.
• So, I will uh joining us uh remotely.
• that you know, we we want to support that you know, we we want to support you.<00:24:44.880>
• <01:02:38.559> to uh proono implementation support to uh proono implementation support to
• <01:02:45.839> um terms of the policy design support um terms of the policy design support

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• relation to requiring governmental entities to implement multi-factor authentication for local and remote
• For local and remote network access. Questions or comments? To obtain a motion.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Finance Committee met with Senator John Liu presiding for Chair Liz Krueger, joined by members of the majority and minority. The committee considered a broad agenda of bills covering agriculture, public health, technology, taxation, corrections, education, housing, transportation, and civil rights. Among the measures discussed were a youth agriculture entrepreneurship summer employment program, a Bronx asthma study commission, a statewide multi-factor authentication requirement for governmental entities, a tax on noise emissions from certain helicopter and seaplane flights, a requirement that state events serving alcohol include New York-produced alcohol, a veterans and service members alternative resolution program, packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure legislation, limits on certain debt-collection practices involving foreign sovereign debt, commissary rules in correctional institutions, school energy performance contract recovery periods, a senior rent cap tied to income, a dental health demonstration project, farm succession planning, Operation SNUG gun violence prevention grants, expanded breast cancer screening coverage, direct Medicaid billing for creative arts therapists, a vacant storefront registry, academic credit for volunteer firefighters and EMTs, a plan to expand wheelchair-accessible vehicles outside New York City, STAR exemption notification, restrictions on certain tropical hardwoods in state contracts, a PSC guidebook on gas and electric rate making, gender-affirming care coverage and anti-discrimination provisions, and state leave for Civil Air Patrol members on airport-assigned missions. Most of the meeting focused on the packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure bill, which drew extended debate. Supporters said the bill had been revised after months of discussion with industry, included waivers for food safety and federal-law conflicts, and could save local governments money through producer responsibility funding. Opponents argued it would raise costs, harm food packaging flexibility, threaten food safety, and hurt manufacturers and small businesses, citing examples from dairy, meat, and coffee businesses. The sponsor’s representative said the bill had been updated and that some small businesses would be exempt, while acknowledging not all concerns were resolved. The committee also discussed the fiscal impact, with testimony that upfront state costs would be reimbursed and localities could see savings. Several other bills prompted brief policy discussion, including the helicopter/seaplane noise tax, where staff explained it would be assessed per ticket or up to $200 per flight and exempt quieter aircraft meeting DOT standards, and the sovereign debt/claims bill, where a senator warned it could drive financial activity out of New York. The committee also heard concerns about the packaging bill’s effect on New York food manufacturers and the availability of waivers. After discussion, the committee voted to report the bills; the transcript indicates the measures passed, generally with some members recorded as without recommendation or opposed, and all listed bills were moved to the floor before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know, John, do some of the CTE employees work remotely? Mr.
• So it's not 100% remote. It's not 100% in office for 100% of the people.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House Appropriations Government Operations Division met to consider House amendments to Senate Bill 2001, the budget for the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. Representative Meyer and Legislative Council staff reviewed the House changes, which included higher lodging funding tied to a prior bill, an increase for North Dakota legislators’ forum dues, a transfer of $290,000 for public printing from the Secretary of State to Legislative Council, a $650,000 reduction tied to the nuclear energy study because that funding was already provided elsewhere, and a new section allowing legislative space on the 15th floor of the Capitol to be used for additional Legislative Council employees. John Bjornson explained the 15th-floor space proposal and said staff would work with Facility Management and CTE to address relocation needs and timing, with CTE’s move potentially delayed until after its busy school-year period if necessary. The committee then reviewed the Senate version of the bill in more detail. Staff walked through the Legislative Assembly budget items, including per diem and compensation adjustments, lodging and mileage estimates, IT and audio/video funding, and dues increases for national and state legislative organizations. Members asked about mileage assumptions and the emergency clause, and staff said the emergency language is standard and allows flexibility for transfers, carryovers, and other budget actions. The committee also reviewed the Legislative Council budget, including funding for 25 new FTEs, interim travel, IT costs, professional services, public printing, and one-time items such as equipment and term limits consulting, while the advanced nuclear energy consulting item was removed in the House version. After discussion, the committee adopted the House amendment to Senate Bill 2001 and then voted to do pass the bill as amended. Both motions passed on roll call, and the amended bill was sent to the full Appropriations Committee. Near the end of the meeting, Representative Paula gave notice that she would bring a separate amendment later on the Industrial Commission budget related to homelessness grant funding, noting it would not use SIF or general fund dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would like to speak in support of this bill and in general in support of the concept of virtual
• <01:15:53.440> you charging or your thermostat remotely you charging or your thermostat remotely
• It's common with Wi-Fi routers, video game controllers, baby monitors, remote controls.
• controllers, uh baby monitors, um remote controllers, uh baby monitors, um remote controls.<01:26
• So I would hardly support necessary.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• William Corron in support. Noel Lindamman in support. Jessica Kummier in support.
• Marshia Kimell in support. Kim Don Huang in support. Robert Patrici in support.
• in support. William Corron in support. in support. William Corron in support.
• support. Kim Don Huang in support. support. Kim Don Huang in support.
• Gomez in support. David Ball in support. Gomez in support. David Ball in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration will come to order because this is a fully remote
• Chair, I heard the support of the calendar. Thank you. Any further discussion?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:11:07.519> his<00:11:07.760> work supporting communities through his work supporting
• <00:17:25.679> for the committee indicated the support for the committee indicated the support
• Uh, the committee vote on this was 11-0, and we ask for your support.
• we ask for your support. Thank you. we ask for your support. Thank you.
• work could have continued to support the efficient provision of government services.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading, then proceeded to first readings and committee referrals for six bills: H.841 on miscellaneous animal welfare procedures, H.842 creating a commission on public school employee health benefits, H.843 on monitoring municipal wastewater discharges, H.844 on sales tax and a surcharge related to short-term rental and second-home properties, H.845 on an income tax deduction for snow tires, and H.846 on artificial intelligence and elections. H.611, a bill with an appropriation affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access, was also referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. The chamber also read HCR 175, a concurrent resolution honoring the life of J. Stannard Baker of Shelburne, highlighting his role in Baker v. State, his work in mental health and the Episcopal Church, and his death in June 2025. During announcements, members welcomed guests including Baker’s husband and sister, representatives of the Vermont Access Network, a devotional speaker, Human Rights Commission participants, and students from rural community schools visiting for Rural Schools Day. The House also heard remarks about the Human Rights Commission’s upcoming press conference and a caucus meeting on state permit reform. Later, the member from Georgia gave a lengthy historical reflection on Henry Knox and the Fort Ticonderoga cannon expedition, followed by a correction from the member from Stow noting that teams of oxen pulled most of the cannon. On the floor, the House considered H.648, the Department of Financial Regulation’s annual housekeeping bill on banking, insurance, and securities. Representative Olsen offered an amendment clarifying section 48 on federally exempt securities and state notice filings; the amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill then passed. The House then took up H.790, the fiscal year 2026 budget adjustment bill. Representative Shai offered an amendment reallocating $45,000 in HIV/AIDS funding among Vermont CARES, the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, and the HIV/HCV Resource Center; that amendment was also adopted. The bill passed on a roll call vote, 133-0, and the House suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The session ended with a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., which was put to the body.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a tough decision that we in the Legislature should have to do a better job of supporting
• The remoteness of the campus might contribute to that, just in terms of the community of practice and
• The remoteness of the campus might contribute to that, just in terms of the community of practice and
• The remoteness of the campus might contribute to that, just in terms of the community of practice and
• The remoteness of the campus might contribute to that, just in terms of the community of practice and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on January 9, 2025, to focus on internal controls, fraud prevention, and legislative oversight of state agencies. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained Minnesota’s internal control framework, based on the GAO Green Book, and described five core controls: assigning responsibility, separating duties, restricting access, maintaining policies and procedures, and keeping records. She tied each control to examples from recent audits, including DHS’s Medicaid provider debt recovery, the Minnesota State Academies’ travel reimbursement issue, privileged access at the Minnesota State Lottery, missing mileage-verification procedures at the Board of Firefighter Training and Education, and weak documentation in the Board on Aging’s senior nutrition program. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jod Mson Rodriguez then presented a new follow-up report on implementation of prior recommendations from 2022 through 2024, including special reviews. She said the office gathers agency documentation, evaluates progress, and categorizes recommendations from implemented to not applicable, while noting that some items require more work to verify and that this reflects OLA capacity rather than agency performance. Examples included the Department of Commerce, where some policy changes were verified but further work would be needed to confirm consistent investigator compliance, and the Metropolitan Council, where more data analysis would be needed to determine whether bonus payments were properly earned. She also noted that a legislature-directed recommendation to require grant manager training had not been implemented. Overall, OLA reported that state agencies had implemented or partially implemented close to 70% of its recommendations, while the legislature had implemented or partially implemented about 40% of recommendations from the last three years. Members generally praised the office’s work and discussed how agencies respond after reports are issued. Senator Westrom raised concerns about a recent media report on alleged fraud in CCAP, and Randall said OLA was aware of the issue but could not discuss details. Senator Draheim asked about post-report agency engagement, and Randall and Rodriguez said follow-up varies, with some agencies seeking private meetings and others engaging less, but that the follow-up process often prompts further discussion and improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• counselor might be their only support counselor might be their only support for<00:16:44.600>
• counseling or mental health support counseling or mental health support services<00:33:19.440>
• . bill um fully support it fully support bill um fully support it fully support um um um kids<00:39:28.440
• > to proud to not support any cut to proud to not support any cut to non-public<00:41:23.000><
• So I strongly support this.

Bills: HF984, HF921, HF922

Keywords: education funding, nonpublic schools, counseling services, guidance services, transportation for students, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the injured were remote. They were medevaced out because the roads were all impassable.
• I think if we were to take that stance as an agency, we would need legislative support—statutory support
• I think in the absence of that, we would need statute support for that.
• I ask for support from the agency that this is a multiple sort of a multi-agency function.
• We'll attend any meeting you'd like us to, and we pledge our support.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• infrastructure that can support growth. infrastructure that can support growth.
• of support in your packets.
• County and they're supportive and MnDOT. County and they're supportive and MnDOT.
• . support. support.
• So, you have my support.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They, you know, gravel gravel dredging, other things that are happening that really do not support long
• A number of other funding sources that are available to TPWD to be able to support restoration.
• , support for that.
• I think absence, and we would need, I think, statutory support for that. Otherwise, I think.
• Um, we'll attend any meeting you'll like us to and we pledge our support.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also uh offer a county supports.
• Please support the A17. Thank better. Please support the A17. Thank you,<00:55:43.839> Mr.
• member voting remotely. Aim. Go ahead. member voting remotely. Aim. Go ahead.
• instead direct it to housing support. instead direct it to housing support.
• I can't support and I hope that you don't support, too. Thank you, Speaker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor of the support.
• Um, it's a good bill and I would encourage members support. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• <00:05:17.199> Thank<00:05:17.360> you, encourage members support.
• Thank you, encourage members support.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Swedzinski. I.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to now recognize Senate members of this committee, several of whom have texted me that they are remotely
• Speaker Ron Mariano, and getting these measures over the finish line to give Gold Star spouses the support

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its fifth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session, chaired by Senator John Velis and Representative Joe McGonagle. The chairs said the hearing focused on legislation involving tax credits, annuities, and other financial benefits for veterans, service members, and military families. Senator Velis highlighted recent action on the HERO Act, which increased the annual annuity for 100 percent disabled veterans, Gold Star parents, and Gold Star spouses from $2,000 to $2,500, and noted that legislation to ensure eligibility for Gold Star spouses had been enacted and signed into law, removing a remarriage restriction on receiving the annuity. No members of the public had pre-registered or appeared to testify in person or virtually on the bills on the agenda. After confirming that no one was present to offer testimony, the committee briefly acknowledged attendance and then moved to adjourn. The motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nobody is supporting them.
• Nobody is supporting them.
• There are 53 district courts that are supported by 55 judges and 286.5 FTEs.
• We continued to expand the use of remote electronic appearances.
• They've always been really high on unification and very supportive.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• missed the County Board was in support missed the County Board was in support was<01:13:46.239><
• 48.080> legislation was supportive of this legis legislation was supportive of this legis legislation
• <01:14:45.120> its additional Revenue to support its additional Revenue to support its continued
• We're very supportive of this effort.
• We're very supportive of this effort.

Bills: HF1262, HF1741, HF472, HF1668, HF2055, HF1786, HF1876, HF1089, HF1121, HF509, HF1545, HF2027, HF642

Keywords: food truck, liquor license, temporary license, community events, catering, municipal regulations, food hall, St. Louis Park, on-sale, intoxicating beverages, food vendors, common seating area, HF472, Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato, MSU Mankato, Taylor Center, special liquor license, on-sale wine license, malt liquor license

Transcript Highlights:

• We support Senate File 3101 and Center.
• 59:42.720> economically and support healthier, economically and support healthier, economically
• urge you to support this legislation. urge you to support this legislation.
• I strongly support SF 817 Minnesota.
• and people in Minnesota and we support and people in Minnesota and we support that.<01:15:25.840

Keywords: 1187, senate, all