Transcript Highlights:

• Docket agency number is 2025-5. Today is Tuesday, June 9, 2026, and the time is now 9:14 a.m.
• Let's go to Exhibit 3, page 5. So if we look at, I'll wait for you to get there.
• At that time, Tuesday, June 23rd, by 5 p.m., the deadline for submitting closing briefs.
• If there is not a resolution reached by Tuesday, June 23rd, by 5 p.m., the record will close, and the
• If there is not a resolution reached by Tuesday, June 23rd, by 5 p.m., the record will close, and the

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, David Mandel at the Sacramento Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace.
• Next we'll hear file item 5, AB 1750. Assembly Member Closa, you are up.
• “But do you have any actual HR data from your counties or school districts?”
• The vote is 5 to 0. It is on call. Thank you. Oh, excuse me. Actually, no, it's 5. I'm sorry.
• One, two, three, four — that is 5-1, but we can still leave it open. That bill is 5-1. It is out.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the shrimpers are looking at is below a dollar, and significantly below a dollar, and fuel is at $5.
• And so I decided to file this HR to Training.
• And so I decided to file this HR to urge and request Congress to look at this amendment and pull it out

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met with a quorum, adopted the minutes from its October 3, 2024 meeting, and Chairwoman Butler noted that HCR 82 would be voluntarily deferred in favor of continuing work on HCR 77 related to a pilot program for landscaping and crawfishing. The committee then considered HCR 205, which urges the USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Representative Kerner and Commissioner Mike Strain described the shrimp industry’s low prices, full cold storage, and the need for urgent federal action to support shrimpers and move product into schools, nursing homes, and food banks. Members discussed domestic sourcing rules, enforcement against imported seafood, and marketing challenges; HCR 205 was reported favorably without objection. The committee also took up HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill provision that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs. Chairwoman Butler and Commissioner Strain explained that the concern centered on vague language in a farm bill section that could be interpreted to restrict hunting dogs used for tracking or field trials. Members agreed the language should be removed if it remained in the bill, and HCR 188 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Orlando McMeans of the Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture, along with Dr. Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, extension, and academic programs, including enrollment growth, dual-enrollment efforts, 1890 scholars, JAG Stars scholarships, beef cattle and aquaculture research, viticulture, precision nutrition, and food access initiatives. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed disaster-safe shelter. Members asked about butcher training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s potential uses, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $5 million is dedicated for our district watershed management program.
• Take the one west: $4 to $5 million a year just to own, right?
• And then I, so you could take 25 out of HR, 17 out of communications, 86 out of administration.
• And then I, so you could take 25 out of HR, 17 out of communications, 86 out of administration.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I welcome Executive Director Jackie Tahong Wong and her team from First 5 California.
• I would like to thank First 5 California for all of their hard work in leading the charge in supporting
• Brings us to file item 89, HR 33 by Assemblymember Alanis. The clerk will read.
• Hello, today I have the honor and privilege to present HR which commemorates May 4th 2025 as Star Wars

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as I close out my chapter here, I simply cannot thank you guys enough for your time and dedication
• But as I close out my chapter here, I simply cannot thank you guys enough for your time and dedication
• , every state HR department in our<01:51:00.320> state,<01:51:00.480> as<01:51:00.719><
• What a hassle for our secretaries, our HR people, our business managers, and so on and so forth over
• Senate File 101: 26 aye, 5 no. >> French. >> French. >> No. >> No.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to HRS section 30-6, we're statutorily required to request $100,000 in non-recurring general
• c><00:02:25.599> Um,<00:02:25.920> according<00:02:26.160> to<00:02:26.319> HRS
• Um, according to HRS one request.
• days a week back vehicles on the road 5 days a week back and<00:08:38.800> forth<00:08:39.039>
• Um, we'd asked for $5 million for have.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Disability Rights Florida, the Florida Chapter
• Senate Bill 530 amends Chapter 24 of the Florida Statutes relating to the Department of Lottery.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 31 yeas, 5 nays, Mr. President.
• So they could use Chapter 120 in order to do that as well. Senator Polsky. Thank you.
• Please contact the Rules Committee office by 5 o'clock p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th. March 11, 2026.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Virtual School, clarifies administrative and instructional personnel for Florida Virtual School for HR
• It updates school facility requirements to replace rigid 5-, 10-, and 20-year facility work program mandates
• It updates school facility requirements to replace rigid 5, 10, and 20-year facility work program mandates

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School statutes to remove outdated language, clarify governance and funding provisions, authorize a direct support organization, streamline reporting, and clarify district responsibilities for student assessments. Senator Berman asked about the removed enrollment prioritization and reporting changes, and the bill sponsor explained that the reporting was largely duplicative of existing audits and other reports. Florida Virtual School’s representative testified in support, saying the school is open to all students statewide with no enrollment caps or waiting lists. SB 124 was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered confirmation appointments in tabs 3 and 4 and recommended confirmation of all appointees on a single favorable vote. After that, the committee heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which would reduce district mandates, expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts, create a 10-year renewable professional certificate, simplify testing and accountability rules, increase flexibility for district finances and facilities planning, and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs to school districts. Senators Gaetz and Berman questioned the impact on charter school funding, capital dollars, teacher contracts, and how the bill differed from last year’s version. The sponsor said charter schools would retain access to operational funds, the bill does not eliminate annual audits, and the main substantive change from last year was the multi-year teacher contract provision. Several organizations and district representatives waived in support of SB 320, while Florida Citizens Alliance testified in information, praising some testing and licensure changes but suggesting a cap on multi-year contracts and outside auditing safeguards. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that districts would still be subject to annual audits and that the bill is intended to give schools more flexibility and reduce bureaucracy. SB 320 was reported favorably on a roll call vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also are seeing retailers use AI for HR and benefits-related applications.
• The HR and benefits-related applications is the one notable exception to that.
• We also are seeing retailers use AI for HR and benefits-related applications.
• The HR and benefits-related applications is the one notable exception to that.
• We also are seeing retailers use AI for HR and benefits-related applications.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the August 14 meeting. The first presentation was from the National Retail Federation on artificial intelligence in the retail sector. NRF described AI use cases in three areas: consumer-facing tools such as chatbots, product descriptions, and marketing; employee-facing tools such as company-specific apps trained on employee manuals; and internal uses such as supply chain forecasting, inventory planning, fraud detection, cybersecurity, and coding support. The presenters said retail has been among the top deployers of AI and emphasized that the goal is to improve both customer and employee experience. NRF also outlined its principles for responsible AI use, organized around governance and risk management, customer engagement and trust, workforce applications, and business partner accountability. The group said retailers should maintain strong internal oversight, be transparent with customers, ensure compliance with existing laws, closely review workforce-related uses because they can be high-risk, and clearly define responsibilities between retailers and third-party developers. In policy discussion, NRF urged a tiered approach focused first on high-risk uses such as hiring, health care, financial, mortgage, and rental decisions, warned against fragmented rules that could favor only the largest firms, and encouraged voluntary standards and worker upskilling incentives. In response to a question about dynamic pricing, NRF said its members do not target consumers based on pricing and offered to follow up with more information. The committee then moved to a follow-up discussion on energy policy and data centers, hearing from Bartley Cleland of NetChoice. He explained that AI runs largely in data centers and that cloud computing shifts processing and storage away from individual devices, which he argued improves efficiency and can reduce costs. He said electricity demand has been rising over time and that AI will increase compute-related electricity use, but framed electricity as a normal input to economic growth. No votes or formal actions were taken after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• law states, and the policy admits, that this is something that we can do, but now we’re going through HR
• So— ...that this is something that we can do, but now we’re going through HR and all these other things
• In 2021, at the time of the DCS investigation, our children were between the ages of 5 and 8.
• In 2021, at the time of the DCS investigation, our children were between the ages of 5 and 8.
• Chairman, I move that the Fink Amendment dated February 18, 2026, at 5:02 p.m. be adopted.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I think it was $5 million. I just wanted to confirm that. And... I think it was $5 million.
• I think the LFC recommended $5 million, and we went with the lower. We didn't raise that.
• If you put $20 million in the fund, the payout would only be $1 million a year at a 5% return.
• We will help them with HR. We will provide laptops and internet connections, and that's it.
• I'm looking at Chief Justice Thompson's packet and material on page 5.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Bills: HCR6, HCR36, HCR175, HCR197, HB48, HB54, HB86, HB127, HB139, HB177, HB202, HB212, HB214, HB244, HB256, HB286, HB306, HB309, HB344, HB348, HB369, HB370, HB371, HB395, HB423, HB428, HB429, HB432, HB433, HB437, HB448, HB454, HB455, HB472, HB480, HB510, HB549, HB563, HB596, HB606, HB620, HB664, HB697, HB698, HB701, HB706, HB714, HB740, HB773, HB782, HB784, HB833, HB850, HB904, HB918, HB939, HB988, HB1020, HB1036, HB1037, HB1039, HB1050, HB1059, HB1079, HB1145, HB1155, HB1161, HB1164, HB1167, HB1260, HB1294, HB1295, HB1297, HB1308, HB1320, HB1325, HB1345, HB1391, HB1427, SB21, SB26, SB71, SB109, SB146, SB177, SB183, SB228, SB253, SB298, SB299, SB325, SB382, SB401, SB414, SB440, SB657, SB717, HB2001

Keywords: emergency medical treatment, abortion services, pregnancy care, reproductive health, hospitals, EMTALA, healthcare access, sister-state relationship, cultural exchange, international relations, Okayama, Hawaii, trade, tourism, Pacific governance, legislative cooperation, inter-parliamentary assembly, climate resilience, sustainable development, Hawaii-Japan relations

Bills: HCR6, HCR36, HCR175, HCR197, HB48, HB54, HB86, HB127, HB139, HB177, HB202, HB212, HB214, HB244, HB256, HB286, HB306, HB309, HB344, HB348, HB369, HB370, HB371, HB395, HB423, HB428, HB429, HB432, HB433, HB437, HB448, HB454, HB455, HB472, HB480, HB510, HB549, HB563, HB596, HB606, HB620, HB664, HB697, HB698, HB701, HB706, HB714, HB740, HB773, HB782, HB784, HB833, HB850, HB904, HB918, HB939, HB988, HB1020, HB1036, HB1037, HB1039, HB1050, HB1059, HB1079, HB1145, HB1155, HB1161, HB1164, HB1167, HB1260, HB1294, HB1295, HB1297, HB1308, HB1320, HB1325, HB1345, HB1391, HB1427, SB21, SB26, SB71, SB109, SB146, SB177, SB183, SB228, SB253, SB298, SB299, SB325, SB382, SB401, SB414, SB440, SB657, SB717, HB2001

Keywords: emergency medical treatment, abortion services, pregnancy care, reproductive health, hospitals, EMTALA, healthcare access, sister-state relationship, cultural exchange, international relations, Okayama, Hawaii, trade, tourism, Pacific governance, legislative cooperation, inter-parliamentary assembly, climate resilience, sustainable development, Hawaii-Japan relations

Transcript Highlights:

• At the request of the authors, please remove item 11, SB 272 Becker, and item 17, HR 44 Ward from the
• Without objection, we will take up file item number four, that is HR 43 by Assemblymember Ward.
• First, on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of HR 43 in celebration of the
• I ask for your support of HR 43. Thank you, Assemblymember Avila Farias.
• Madam Speaker, I'm happy to be rising today on behalf of the API Legislative Caucus in support of HR

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a 5 million request for reauthorization.
• Chair, Representative, yes, so that's $5 million.
• And then on page 5, we've got line 45.
• Serving homeless populations and 5 million specifically for doctors.
• Chair, with Higher Ed, that brings us to the end of Section 5.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we purchased in December of 2022, and we then started the design process that you see today on page 5.
• We have a very good HR department that works to find the core skills needed. to operate the programs
• It doesn't connect to any of our systems, and we don't have any other system-based HR tools in place.
• Development projects, but only about 5%.
• And then on page 5 under B and the new now 4, it talks about geographic location, rural and non-rural

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll be hearing from Phelps because I imagine he'll get a call tomorrow morning about 5:30 and say,
• Chairman, the Board of Regents requires us to maintain a $5 million fund for reserves and the rainy day
• However, with the budget reconciliation bill HR 1, that did a little bit more.
• There's 5 million appropriation, right?
• Chairman, my chapter community of Shiprock actually wrote a resolution.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• /c> >> The gentleoman's recognized for 5 >> The gentleoman's recognized for 5 minutes. minutes
• >> HR<04:05:02.319> 7147,<04:05:03.520> an<04:05:03.760> act<04:05:04.000>
• making<04:05:04.319> further >> HR 7147, an act making further >> HR 7147,
• HR<06:51:31.040> 7147 HR 7147 HR 7147 making<06:51:33.120> further<06:51:33.520> consolidated

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 30, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are going to start with Issue 1, which is through the lens of anosognosia, HR 1, and the future
• But what we're facing right now with HR 1 is going to take us backwards because of the significant...
• And we know that providers are not going to be able to provide the same level of service because of HR
• About 9% of all of the claims are for children ages 0 to 5, so we do know... ...all of the claims are
• for children ages 0 to 5.

Summary: The hearing focused first on behavioral health, especially serious mental illness and anosognosia, a condition described by witnesses as a neurological symptom that prevents people from recognizing they are ill. The chair framed the issue around families cycling through emergency rooms, jails, conservatorships, and short-term stabilization without lasting treatment, and warned that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce Medi-Cal funding and worsen access. Dawn Marie Anderson gave a personal account of her son’s long history of psychosis, homelessness, arrests, repeated jail and state hospital stays, and eventual stability when he received sustained medication and coordinated support. She argued that the system often treats the problem as criminal rather than medical and that voluntary programs and short-term services are not enough for people who lack insight into their illness. Other panelists, including representatives from the California Behavioral Health Association, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Health, and the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, agreed that anosognosia is not denial or noncompliance and said the system needs long-term, coordinated care, including assertive community treatment, mobile crisis, supportive housing, medication support, and stronger handoffs between county and managed care systems. They said CalAIM and other reforms have improved some coordination, but significant gaps remain, especially for people with serious mental illness, for those in jail or locked settings, and for people with private insurance, which witnesses said often offers little meaningful coverage for early psychosis or intensive behavioral health services. Several witnesses urged the Legislature to protect Medi-Cal, shore up county safety-net services, and invest in training and family engagement. The committee then turned to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, with a focus on the virtual services platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna and the CYBHI fee schedule. DHCS reported strong growth in app registrations, coaching sessions, referrals, and positive user outcomes, saying the platforms provide free, culturally responsive, early-intervention support statewide and help connect users to higher levels of care when needed. On the fee schedule, DHCS said more than 500 LEAs, colleges, universities, and school-linked providers are participating, 181 LEAs have submitted claims, and $9.6 million has been reimbursed to date, with 41,556 students represented in claims. The chair and several members criticized the pace of implementation and the amount of money spent relative to reimbursement levels, saying the Legislature had requested data earlier and that the return on investment still appeared low. DHCS responded that many claims are still being submitted, that 70% of denials are correctable, that $400 million in capacity grants has been distributed locally, and that reimbursement is increasing rapidly as more districts come online. Public comment included a rural county behavioral health director who said private insurance denials leave counties with significant uncompensated work, especially for unlicensed staff providing case management and mobile crisis services.