Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:32:01.439><c> the</c><04:32:01.560><c> bill</c><04:32:01.760><c> and</c><04:32:01.880><c> the
• ><c> that</c><04:32:04.760><c> um</c><04:32:05.319><c> it</c><04:32:05.439><c> has</c><04:32:05.680><
• ><c> to</c><04:32:07.159><c> offer</c><04:32:08.040><c> a</c><04:32:08.239><c> be</c><04:32:08.760><c
• 04:32:13.680><c> the</c><04:32:13.880><c> last</c><04:32:14.080><c> few</c><04:32:14.399><c> years</c
• and that<04:32:15.479><c> in</c><04:32:15.640><c> itself</c><04:32:16.040><c> was</c><04:32:16.319><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :07.720><c> Baka</c><00:32:08.120><c> museum</c><00:32:08.639><c> with</c><00:32:09.240><c> uh</c><00
• </c><00:32:15.279><c> time</c><00:32:15.480><c> it</c><00:32:15.639><c> was</c><00:32:16.200><c> um</
• </c><00:32:23.600><c> and</c><00:32:23.840><c> and</c><00:32:24.000><c> things</c><00:32:24.279><c> like
• and</c><00:32:25.320><c> so</c><00:32:25.679><c> as</c><00:32:25.799><c> you're</c><00:32:26.320><c>
• :36.760><c> of</c><00:32:36.919><c> its</c><00:32:37.120><c> own</c><00:32:37.399><c> little</c><00:32

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> in</c><00:32:00.159><c> my</c><00:32:00.320><c> county</c><00:32:00.960><c> we</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:08.640><c> But</c><00:32:08.960><c> my</c><00:32:09.279><c> question</c><00:32:09.519><c>
• as a youth and<00:32:17.600><c> the</c><00:32:17.919><c> second</c><00:32:18.159><c> time</c><00:32:
• that<00:32:27.600><c> if</c><00:32:27.840><c> it's</c><00:32:28.080><c> if</c><00:32:28.320><c> it's<
• /c><00:32:28.640><c> charged</c><00:32:28.960><c> as</c><00:32:29.200><c> as</c><00:32:29.440><c> a</

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.600><c> leing</c><00:32:02.600><c> um</c><00:32:03.240><c> so</c><00:32:03.639><c> for</c><00:32:
• the</c><00:32:13.279><c> proposed</c><00:32:13.880><c> increased</c><00:32:14.440><c> would</c><00:32
• ><00:32:26.399><c> some</c><00:32:26.559><c> are</c><00:32:26.720><c> 125</c><00:32:27.360><c> some</
• to</c><00:32:28.880><c> make</c><00:32:29.080><c> those</c><00:32:29.240><c> all</c><00:32:29.440><c
• ><c> at</c><00:32:30.600><c> 200</c><00:32:31.600><c> um</c><00:32:31.880><c> for</c><00:32:32.159><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And the passage of Scripture is from Acts, the Book of Acts, chapter 10, verses 34 and 35, said, 'Peter
• Good lady from 32. All those opposed say nay. Hearing none, the motion passes.
• Amending Chapter 15, Title 49, out of code by the addition of new section 49505 Idaho Code to establish
• Good lady from 32. We are not talking about slavery here. We are not talking about slavery here.
• Continue, good lady 32. Finish your thoughts.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:41.600><c> Uh</c><00:32:41.720><c> we</c><00:32:41.747><c> [snorts]</c><00:32:41.840><c> heard
• Program<00:32:46.880><c> Director,</c><00:32:47.920><c> Sue</c><00:32:48.080><c> Van</c><00:32:48.200
• 32:54.160><c> Adjutant</c><00:32:54.560><c> General</c><00:32:55.080><c> of</c><00:32:55.520><c> the<
• ,</c><00:32:58.000><c> a</c><00:32:58.080><c> French</c><00:32:58.400><c> teacher</c><00:32:58.760><c
• He<01:32:14.040><c> underscored</c><01:32:15.120><c> that</c><01:32:15.280><c> neurological</c><01:32

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:01.519><c> example,</c><00:32:02.000><c> if</c><00:32:02.320><c> the</c><00:32:02.799><c> if</c><
• ><c> you</c><00:32:12.960><c> can</c><00:32:13.039><c> do</c><00:32:13.120><c> the</c><00:32:13.360><
• > tax</c><00:32:14.880><c> effects</c><00:32:15.679><c> as</c><00:32:15.919><c> well</c><00:32:16.000
• Matt<00:32:49.360><c> Proberg</c><00:32:49.840><c> on</c><00:32:50.000><c> behalf</c><00:32:50.159><c
• <00:32:51.519><c> local</c><00:32:51.840><c> nonprofit</c><00:32:52.480><c> founded</c><00:32:52.799>

Bills: HB1629, HB1630, HB1631

Keywords: economic development, business, state statutes, Hawaii Revised Statutes, legislation, development strategy, state funding, infrastructure, employment opportunities, legislative intent, state legislation, development initiatives, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 1829 on marine affairs. Most testimony was in strong support, with speakers from state agencies, ocean-tech companies, startups, nonprofits, and community groups backing the creation of an Office of Marine Affairs and a marine affairs coordinator under HTDC. Supporters said the measure would better coordinate ocean policy, strengthen the blue economy, and help Hawaii capture jobs, investment, and innovation in marine-related industries. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HTDC-related measures, including HB 1615 and HB 1613, which also drew broad support from business, technology, and economic development interests. Testifiers said the bills would strengthen Hawaii’s technology and innovation ecosystem, support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, and help build a more diversified economy with higher-wage jobs. The committee also heard HB 1607 on public procurement and HB 1772 on small business procurement; state procurement staff and several business groups supported efforts to expand opportunities for local firms, while one speaker from the city’s economic revitalization commission argued that a flat 5% preference could help keep more revenue and jobs in-state. On HB 1636 relating to shopping carts, the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition, saying the bill would penalize businesses for carts that are stolen rather than abandoned and would add costs that could especially burden small and local retailers. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation drew support from Goodwill Hawaii and other nonprofits, who said the bill would improve transparency around donation bins and protect donors from misleading for-profit collection practices; the Attorney General’s office asked for a delayed effective date to allow system changes and staffing. HB 1782 on AI and the protection of minors received broad support from state agencies, educators, and advocacy groups, but some business and retail representatives urged narrowing the definition of covered AI services so ordinary customer-service chatbots would not be swept in. Finally, HB 1759 on theft drew opposition from the Public Defender’s Office, which said the bill could create overly harsh penalties and should include defense representation on any task force; the office also noted existing laws already address conspiracy and related conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:23.040><c> the</c><01:32:23.160><c> final</c><01:32:23.520><c> outcome</c><01:32:23.960><c> of
• <01:32:25.280><c> and</c><01:32:25.440><c> assessment</c><01:32:26.040><c> of</c><01:32:26.120><c> an
• To<01:32:33.000><c> inform</c><01:32:33.360><c> their</c><01:32:33.480><c> efforts</c><01:32:33.840><
• ><c> 1st,</c><01:32:46.520><c> 2026,</c><01:32:47.640><c> the</c><01:32:47.720><c> entities</c><01:32
• ><c> chapter.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> bill</c><00:32:05.760><c> is</c><00:32:05.919><c> is</c><00:32:06.799><c> uh</c><00:32:07.039><c
• ><c> and</c><00:32:09.279><c> uh</c><00:32:09.440><c> we</c><00:32:09.760><c> are</c><00:32:09.919><c
• </c> Good<00:32:23.519><c> afternoon,</c><00:32:23.919><c> chair,</c><00:32:24.320><c> vice</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:56.480><c> collected</c><00:32:56.799><c> are</c><00:32:57.039><c> as</c><00:32:57.200><c>
• :57.919><c> can</c><00:32:58.080><c> be</c><00:32:58.399><c> and</c><00:32:58.559><c> that</c><00:32:

Bills: HB1977, HB1764, HB1934, HB2533, HB1790, HB2181, HB1870, HB2140, HB2468, HB2358, HB1588, HB1688, HB1986, HB2030, HB2195, HB1949, HB1695, HB1950, HB2094, HB2115, HB2297, HB2336, HB2416, HB2049

Keywords: maternal health, infant health, mobile application, Medicaid, healthcare access, state programs, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, libraries, education, reading programs, early childhood, nonprofit, community engagement, teacher retention, Hawaiian language education, special needs schools

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:18.640><c> class</c><00:32:18.880><c> 4</c><00:32:19.120><c> limit</c><00:32:19.440><c> winery<
• </c><00:32:27.120><c> On</c><00:32:27.279><c> the</c><00:32:27.360><c> amendments,</c><00:32:27.760><
• </c><00:32:31.200><c> Question</c><00:32:31.440><c> on</c><00:32:31.600><c> the</c><00:32:31.679><c>
• </c><01:32:02.639><c> Uh</c><01:32:02.960><c> I</c><01:32:03.199><c> just</c><01:32:03.360><c> want</
• </c><02:32:03.200><c> Uh</c><02:32:03.520><c> senators</c><02:32:03.920><c> move</c><02:32:04.080><c>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allowed to<00:32:04.120><c> be</c><00:32:04.240><c> spent</c><00:32:04.559><c> on</c><00:32:04.840><
• :32:07.519><c> repres</c><00:32:08.000><c> Nash</c><00:32:08.240><c> thank</c><00:32:08.360><c> you</
• you Mr chair<00:32:09.039><c> well</c><00:32:09.279><c> yeah</c><00:32:09.880><c> I</c><00:32:09.960
• <00:32:38.639><c> what</c><00:32:38.760><c> does</c><00:32:38.880><c> it</c><00:32:39.039><c> do</c><
• </c><00:32:41.679><c> of</c><00:32:41.840><c> that</c><00:32:42.200><c> because</c><00:32:43.200><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On<00:32:02.880><c> line</c><00:32:03.240><c> 462</c><00:32:04.600><c> is</c><00:32:05.000><c> Senate
• And<00:32:15.640><c> on</c><00:32:15.880><c> line</c><00:32:16.160><c> 468</c><00:32:17.200><c> is</c
• :27.160><c> one</c><00:32:27.400><c> time</c><00:32:27.920><c> in</c><00:32:28.480><c> the</c><00:32:
• That<00:32:32.160><c> is</c><00:32:32.280><c> the</c><00:32:32.400><c> end</c><00:32:32.640><c> of</c
• Next<00:32:34.880><c> is</c><00:32:35.040><c> the</c><00:32:35.200><c> Department</c><00:32:35.800><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:01.760><c> solar</c><00:32:02.080><c> panels</c><00:32:02.480><c> next</c><00:32:02.640><c> to</c
• :06.080><c> just</c><00:32:06.240><c> as</c><00:32:06.399><c> a</c><00:32:06.640><c> matter</c><00:32
• It's<00:32:07.519><c> the</c><00:32:07.760><c> biggest</c><00:32:08.159><c> open</c><00:32:08.480><c>
• Um<00:32:16.960><c> so,</c><00:32:17.519><c> you</c><00:32:17.679><c> know,</c><00:32:17.760><c> the<
• </c><00:32:28.000><c> What</c><00:32:28.320><c> is</c><00:32:28.559><c> the</c><00:32:28.799><c> best

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered SB 2120, which would allow certain state and county employees rehired within one year to transfer accrued vacation and sick leave and extend the break-in-service period for health benefits. Testimony was split: the Department of Human Resources explained current leave payout and pension credit rules and raised concerns about the long transfer window, while labor representatives supported the measure. During decision-making, both committees recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed the bill by changing the break-in-service period to 180 days for leave beginning on or after July 1, 2026, making the benefit transfer voluntary with a 90-day notice deadline, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2077. The recommendations were adopted by vote. The committees also heard SB 2523, an appropriation for the City and County of Honolulu Department of Information Technology to modernize the driver’s license and motor vehicle system. DIT described the current COBOL-based mainframe as decades old, said the project would use a code-share arrangement with Arizona, and estimated a $10 million, two-year conversion and rollout. Members questioned the cost, the city-state funding arrangement, and the feasibility of the project, including whether it would move to a cloud-based system. After testimony, both committees deferred the measure. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs portion, SB 2032 on consumer protection for solar sales drew broad support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Office of Consumer Protection, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and others. Testifiers said the bill was needed in response to misleading solar door-to-door sales and urged amendments to clarify “contractual affiliation,” exclude balcony/portable solar devices, and require disclosure of cash and financed prices. The committee then moved on to SB 2079 on vehicle titles, which had one supporter and one opponent but no testimony in person or online, and SB 2241 on zero-emission vehicles, for which the Hawaii State Energy Office submitted written support. The hearing also began discussion of SB 2579 on water-related grants, where agencies said any program would need clearer statutory standards and likely a feasibility study before implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• General Laws, Chapter 32, Section 3, subparagraph 4, allows for the buyback of time spent working as
• But as you know, we have a very old retirement law under Chapter 32, and this is just one of many areas
• that really hasn't been addressed in a while. ...Chapter 32, and this is just one of many areas that
• This amount was last updated in 2011 through Chapter 176, which doubled the previous $3,000 minimum.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a range of retirement-related bills, with several witnesses and advocates focusing on pension equity, veteran benefits, and recognition for public safety workers. Representative Dennis Gallagher and Mass Retirees supported legislation to increase the long-standing veterans’ bonus from $15 to $50 per year of service, up to $1,000 annually, and described it as a modest, overdue adjustment with minimal fiscal impact. Mass Retirees also backed bills to raise the minimum survivor allowance for public retirees and to address inequities in Option B and Option C survivor benefits for retirees whose pensions were calculated under older mortality tables. The committee also heard a personal bill from Representative Jim Arceiro and Nathan McKinnon seeking creditable service for McKinnon’s years in the Nevada higher education system, which he said should count toward his Massachusetts retirement. Another individual bill was presented by Roberta Wollins, supported by Senator Keenan, to remedy what she described as misleading retirement advice from UMass Boston that affected her ability to buy back prior service and made her retirement planning inaccurate. Senator Keenan and others framed both cases as unique fairness issues rather than broad policy changes. A large panel from police, fire, corrections, EMS, and related organizations testified in favor of a COVID-19 retirement credit proposal and a study bill, arguing that essential workers who reported in person throughout the pandemic should receive recognition and a time-based retirement credit. Witnesses described exposure risks, illness, deaths, staffing strain, and long-term effects from COVID-19, and several committee members voiced support and appreciation for their service. The hearing concluded with no votes taken on the bills and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:04.639><c> out</c><00:32:04.960><c> something</c><00:32:05.240><c> else</c><00:32:05.519><c
• very concerned<00:32:08.039><c> about</c><00:32:08.320><c> freedom</c><00:32:08.679><c> of</c><00:32
• Nazis</c><00:32:15.519><c> want</c><00:32:15.720><c> to</c><00:32:15.880><c> march</c><00:32:16.240><
• to march in skoki I<00:32:17.480><c> I</c><00:32:17.720><c> also</c><00:32:18.000><c> think</c><00:32
• 32:25.360><c> they</c><00:32:25.519><c> have</c><00:32:25.679><c> the</c><00:32:25.840><c> right</c><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 768, sponsored by Vice Chair Hudson, was heard with an author’s amendment (A4) adopted to remove a technical section and put the bill in the intended form. Hudson described the bill as a response to concerns about government monitoring of protected speech, saying it would bar the Minnesota Department of Human Rights from creating or maintaining a database of constitutionally protected speech while preserving the department’s ability to investigate actual discrimination, harassment, threats, or illegal conduct. He emphasized First Amendment protections and argued the state should not track speech simply because it is controversial or unpopular. The main testimony in support came from Ran Lee of Americans for Prosperity, who echoed the free-speech concerns and said databases of bias incidents can capture lawful speech and create a chilling effect. Representative Rest said she generally supported the free-speech goal but wanted to preserve the Department of Human Rights’ ability to produce biennial reports and analyze de-identified trend data on civil rights incidents, including emerging threats or hateful rhetoric, so lawmakers can respond to patterns without recording individuals’ protected speech. Representative Curran raised concerns that speech trends can relate to public safety and argued that attacks on human rights often begin as speech. Hudson responded that the Department of Human Rights is not a law enforcement agency and that the bill would not impede criminal investigations. He argued that trying to monitor “trends in thought” would be constitutionally problematic and produce unreliable data, and he distinguished protected speech from criminal conduct. Representative Feist said the department’s existing report already uses aggregate, non-investigative data and suggested there may be room to refine the bill’s language. The bill was laid over for further consideration, with Hudson indicating he was open to continued discussion and possible language changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.880><c> County</c><00:32:01.880><c> um</c><00:32:02.120><c> I'll</c><00:32:02.279><c> be</c><00:32
• > the</c><00:32:27.519><c> sponsor</c><00:32:28.039><c> is</c><00:32:28.159><c> done</c><00:32:28.639
• 00:32:31.360><c> to</c><00:32:31.480><c> have</c><00:32:31.559><c> some</c><00:32:31.720><c> things</
• ><c> in</c><00:32:32.519><c> my</c><00:32:32.720><c> mind</c><00:32:33.360><c> in</c><00:32:33.519><c
• ><c> this</c><00:32:35.279><c> so</c><00:32:35.760><c> but</c><00:32:35.960><c> I</c><00:32:36.240><c

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:15 Roll Call 00:25 HB 403 Discussion 02:11 HB 403 Vote 03:08 HB 555 Discussion 04:55 HB 555 Vote 08:42 HB 321 Discussion 10:55 HB 321 Vote 13:22 HB 18 Discussion 15:21 HB 18 Vote 35:10 HB 85 Discussion 39:08 HB 85 Vote 46:40 HB 371 Discussion 49:22 HB 371 Vote 52:03 Adjournment 53:48, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly focused on local planning, zoning, and municipal administration. House Bill 403, a simple measure giving coroners a six-month grace period to complete continuing education, was presented by Rep. Deanna Gordon with testimony from Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelson and received unanimous support. House Bill 555, a technical bill affecting audit deadlines and flexibility for small cities and certain expo center audit arrangements, was explained by JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities; he said it would help about 97 cities comply with audit requirements and allow more flexibility when municipalities are making good-faith efforts. The committee approved HB 555 on a roll call vote, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee and others in favor, and reported it favorably to the House floor. House Bill 321, also presented with JD Cheney and Rep. DJ Johnson, would expand the time for planning commission and board of adjustment members to complete orientation and continuing education, with a focus on housing supply and accessibility. Supporters said it would help recruit more members and concentrate training on land-use impacts on housing; Rep. Roarx and others discussed Louisville Metro’s planning process, while Rep. Brown and Rep. Fleming raised concerns about infrastructure and long-range planning. The committee passed HB 321 favorably after roll call, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee. House Bill 18 drew the most extended debate. Sponsor Rep. John Hodgson said the committee substitute would create incentives for infill development in urban areas and extend a moratorium on zoning district classification changes for two more years, arguing that local elected officials should have more control over major density changes and that unelected boards were approving projects without adequate infrastructure review. Opponents, including Liam Gallagher of Americans for Prosperity Kentucky and several members, argued the bill would restrict housing development, interfere with property rights, and limit Louisville Metro’s ability to update its Land Development Code; supporters countered that the bill would not stop development but would require elected officials to weigh in and address traffic and infrastructure concerns. After discussion, the committee approved HB 18 as amended by the substitute and reported it favorably to the House floor, with several members explaining their votes and some opposing the moratorium on local zoning changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• You 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
• Being 109 ayes and 32 noes. SB 569 is finally passed. Chair lays out on third reading HB 2.

Bills: HB630, HB420, HB767, HB1708, HB2842, HB1404, HB2457, HB140, HB333, HB227, HB913, HB201, HB2198, HB 109, HB2763, HB519, HB 1261, HB 1135, HB1318, HB2358, HB2415, HB2765, HB2735, HB3307, HB1373, HB694, HB 1242, HB272, HB1437, HB1888, HCR78, HCR12, HCR128, HR7, HR11, HR37, HR69, HR83, HR89, HR100, HR123, HR129, HR137, HR254, HR258, HR289, HR293, HR318, HR324, HR350, HR368, HR370, HR372, HR379, HR406, HR407, HR432, HR445, HR471, HR504, HR506, HR507, HR528, HR567, HR572, HR591, HR592, HR593, HR603, HR614, HR621, HR673, HR684, HR685, HR687, HR700, HR701, HR711, HR712, HR754, HR757, HR758, HR760, HR764, HR765, HR766, HR767, HR768, HR769, HR770, HR771, HR772, HR774, HR776, HR777, HR778, HR779, HR780, HR783, HR784, HR784, HR6, HR6, HR17, HR17, HR18, HR18, HR49, HR49, HR170, HR170, HR236, HR236, HR247, HR275, HR355, HR356, HR364, HR672, HR690, HR690, HR755, HR755, HR756, HR756, HR759, HR759, HR762, HR762, HR763, HR763, HR781, HR781, HR785, HR785, SB2, SB260, SB569, HB2, HB2000, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 420, Texas Water Code, special district, water district, board meetings, meeting location, teleconference, videoconference, remote meeting, public hearing, tax rate hearing, special districts, Cedar Creek Reservoir, county boundary, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• c> cost</c><00:32:39.760><c> um</c><00:32:40.640><c> of</c><00:32:40.799><c> of</c><00:32:41.200><c>
• </c><00:32:43.440><c> And</c><00:32:43.600><c> then</c><00:32:43.919><c> even</c><00:32:44.440><c> at
• </c><00:32:53.279><c> I</c><00:32:53.440><c> would</c><00:32:53.600><c> be</c><00:32:53.760><c> very<
• </c><00:32:56.080><c> state</c><00:32:56.320><c> is</c><00:32:56.640><c> because</c><00:32:56.880><c>
• :32:59.120><c> other</c><00:32:59.360><c> way,</c><00:32:59.679><c> it</c><00:32:59.840><c> it</c> be

Keywords: The original version of this live stream dropped before the meeting was technically finished. This is the complete copy pulled from back up sources., 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear updates from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections on two related issues: a proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility and medical services contracts, including the impact of Wellpath’s bankruptcy proceedings. At the start, the chair agreed to hear the Department of Corrections first so members could get context on the medical contract before turning to DJJ’s proposal. DOC officials said Wellpath, the department’s comprehensive medical and mental health provider since 2013, was awarded its current contract through a 2021 procurement process. They reported that Wellpath’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan had been confirmed and that the company had transitioned ownership to lenders, but had not yet fully completed the bankruptcy process. DOC said there had been no service lapses, no reduction in care, and no known impact on Kentucky vendors or hospitals, and that DOC staff meet with Wellpath almost weekly. Members asked whether the committee had been kept informed and whether the bankruptcy could affect future services or subcontractors. DJJ then presented its concept for a high-acuity facility, explaining that the project is still in the preliminary programming and conceptual stage and has not yet entered the formal design phase with DECA. Officials said the proposal in the capital plan would create a 24-bed facility, with 16 clinical beds and 8 assessment/stabilization beds, to serve justice-involved youth with serious mental health needs. They said the facility would need to separate males and females and high- and low-risk youth, and that current placements often require sending youth out of state to places such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas. Staff said the goal is to centralize treatment, improve safety, and reduce the need for fragmented or out-of-state placements. Committee members questioned the cost estimates, staffing needs, and whether the facility was justified given the small number of youth currently placed out of state. DJJ said the operational estimate includes an unknown medical-contract component and that the number of youth needing the facility can fluctuate because of surges in the juvenile population. Officials also said they had consulted with South Carolina, which is developing a similar facility, and noted that renovating existing facilities was considered but could be more expensive or impractical than building a separate site. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.399><c> then</c><00:32:03.480><c> it</c><00:32:03.559><c> goes</c><00:32:03.720><c> up</c><
• ><c> then</c><00:32:10.399><c> can</c><00:32:10.559><c> do</c><00:32:10.639><c> you</c><00:32:10.760>
• :32:17.039><c> next</c><00:32:17.279><c> question</c><00:32:17.519><c> will</c><00:32:17.679><c> be</
• I'll</c><00:32:18.039><c> throw</c><00:32:18.200><c> it</c><00:32:18.320><c> in</c><00:32:18.440><c>
• as</c><00:32:22.279><c> well</c><00:32:23.279><c> and</c><00:32:23.440><c> are</c><00:32:23.559><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.080><c> boxes</c><00:32:03.480><c> the</c><00:32:03.679><c> norm</c><00:32:04.039><c> are</
• ><c> um</c><00:32:10.279><c> so</c><00:32:10.519><c> I</c><00:32:10.639><c> did</c><00:32:10.880><c>
• :32:15.639><c> on</c><00:32:15.880><c> to</c><00:32:16.039><c> find</c><00:32:16.240><c> out</c><00:32
• :16.960><c> use</c><00:32:17.600><c> because</c><00:32:17.919><c> I</c><00:32:18.200><c> am</c><00:32
• :21.679><c> it</c><00:32:21.880><c> too</c><00:32:22.279><c> heavy</c><00:32:23.279><c> um</c><00:32:

Keywords: 1189, house, all