Video & Transcript Research : 'qualifying papers'
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board - (6-24-26) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- So hopefully y'all got that access either electronically or you have it on a piece of paper.
- on<00:04:09.439>
a <00:04:09.599>piece <00:04:09.680>of <00:04:09.840>paper - So with that have on a piece of paper.
- <00:08:50.000>
health <00:08:50.240>centers, the federally qualified health centers - , the federally qualified health centers, you<00:08:50.720>
can <00:08:50.880>see <00:08
Keywords:
During the committee meeting live stream, portion of the video was lost due to network issues. There were also some technical difficulties with content and the incorrect background image being used.
The lost footage was recovered from backup, and the other issues corrected in post production editing.
1. 00:00:41 Call to Order
2. 00:01:02 Roll Call
3. 00:02:54 Approval of Minutes
4. 00:05:06 Statutory Reports and Data Requests
5. 00:35:14 2025 and 2026 Session Update
6. 01:03:10 Board Structure Updates and Subcommittees
7. 01:05:20 Public Comment
8. 02:23:14 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions.
On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year.
Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available.
Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M.
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- >> An IEP would absolutely qualify, and that's asked that they provide that documentation as part of
- qualify and that's<01:53:00.639>
asked <01:53:00.880>that <01:53:01.119>they <01 - positions filled with qualified people. positions filled with qualified people.
- He would probably qualify for it.
- they just would must want filler paper they just would must want filler paper for<02:14:29.599><
Summary:
The committee first heard from the Mississippi Auctioneer Commission, which requested level funding. PJ Lindsay reported the agency granted 29 new auctioneer applications and 9 new firm applications, received 3 complaints, resolved 1, signed 1 consent order, and issued 1 suspension. Members questioned the commission about its cash balance, reserve levels, and a large variance between prior spending and the FY26 request; staff explained the difference was tied to technology and contractual costs, including planned computer system updates and out-of-state conference travel for board members. The commission also noted that auctioneering oversight is important because an estimated $4.5 billion will flow through Mississippi escrow accounts in 2025.
The Board of Optometry then presented its budget and organizational changes. Board leaders said the board had transitioned away from a state employee model to a management company arrangement with JBAR/Cornerstone, which they said saved about $43,000 and improved service and efficiency. They described the creation of a licensing database and a new back-end system, and said the board was generally seeking level funding with a small increase for computer equipment tied to the new system. Committee members asked about the impact on PERS contributions, the former employee’s retirement, the board’s cash balance, lease arrangements, and whether licensees had complained; the board said the change required legislative approval, the former employee retired, the cash balance was about $399,900, and service complaints had decreased.
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors reported a busy FY2025, including moving most licensure applications online, accepting supporting documents by email, expanding K-12 and college outreach, hosting student interns, visiting ABET-accredited schools, decoupling the surveyor exam registration process, and awarding about $400,000 in grants to engineering programs. The board said it licenses about 15,000 engineers and surveyors plus 8,500 interns, with most registrants from out of state, and that its fees are among the lowest nationally. For the budget, the board requested level funding overall but also sought a new investigator position, 5% salary progressions, increased travel funding for national meetings and STEM outreach, more contractual money for internships and IT modifications, additional supplies, and restoration of a $600,000 grant program that is funded every other year to support university and community college engineering and surveying programs. The board said its operations are supported by fees and that its cash balance is about $1.6 million.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to qualify.
- um we need to work we need to qualify um we need to work out<00:58:17.280>
what out what out - Because your discussion in the paper said you don't want anything above the LG, but you already have
- <01:30:14.080>
said your your discussion in the paper said your your discussion in the paper - If you look at Table 3, page 6, on the state's portion, how many applicants islandwide are qualified
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- These deadlines may seem reasonable on paper, but in reality they are logistically unrealistic for many
- day these deadlines may seem reasonable day these deadlines may seem reasonable on<00:14:44.240>
paper - but in reality they are on paper but in reality they are logistically<00:14:46.959>
unrealistic - files and inspect the data and say, okay, I want seven copies or, you know, these seven pieces of paper
- Currently, more than two-thirds of our students qualify, which is a testament to their potential and
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Other stack of papers there, yes. Mr.
- It looks like a few notions scribbled together on the back of whatever paper was around, a report, a
- Individuals who choose not to vaccinate their children can already seek care at federally qualified health
- It is not as though they have no... ...qualified health centers.
- are operating with masks, they're jumping out of vehicles, asking basically brown people for their papers
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the journal, received House messages and first-read a large number of bills, then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors was amended with a Carroll floor amendment and passed; a Sundareshan amendment aimed at requiring utilities to shield residential ratepayers from costs tied to large loads such as data centers was debated at length, but failed on a 12-15 division. SB 1498 (Department of Public Safety appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also received do-pass recommendations. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the Senate later rejected an attempt to add the failed data-center amendment to the report by a 13-14 vote.
On Calendar 3, the Senate advanced SB 1165 (insurance cost sharing for breast exams), SB 1206 (storm-related insurance claims), SB 1212 (health insurance reimbursement rates for vaccines), SB 1215 (firefighters’ occupational disease/workers’ compensation), SB 1290 and SB 1291 (agricultural property notices/classification), and SB 1347 (fertility preservation coverage), with committee amendments adopted on most of them. A Warner substitute floor amendment to SB 1347 was adopted to address insurer concerns by allowing prior authorization with a 72-hour processing requirement and clarifying storage-cost responsibility. The Senate also retained SB 1503 on the calendar.
On Calendar 1 and the additional calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1013 (public employees merit hiring), SB 1108 (cash transactions and rounding, with an emergency clause added), SB 1178 (naturopathic physicians), SB 1186 (document retention/proposals/donations), SB 1286 (veterinary visits and prescriptions), SB 1366 (commercial buildings and telecommunications), SB 1431 (municipal design prohibitions), SB 1671 (gaming/racing/boxing conflict-of-interest continuation), SB 1004 (ESA students’ interscholastic activities), SB 1116 (AHCCCS access/claims review/behavioral health), SB 1162 (health care institution licensing complaints), SB 1179 (group home monitoring), SB 1475 (school district governing boards/eligibility), SB 1821 (DCS training and child placement), and SCR 1012. Several floor amendments were debated and adopted or rejected, including a Kavanaugh emergency-clause amendment to SB 1108, a failed Sears amendment to SB 1178 on prescription drug price gouging, a failed Sundareshan transparency amendment to SB 1186, a failed Kavanaugh amendment to SB 1286 on veterinary prescriptions, a Gowan amendment to SB 1366, a Payne amendment to SB 1077, a Carroll amendment to SB 1479, a Petersen amendment to SB 1566, and an Angius amendment to SB 1018 expanding the definition of foreign law to include certain harmful practices. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- fact, right now we have a campaign, Toma Regalado has a campaign to make sure that everybody who qualifies
- But it never says where it's going to come from, how much, who qualifies, who's prioritized, or how long
- And then who decides what qualifies as a core service?
- Last year, I signed the paper this session to have them audited. And we are finding a lot of it.
- I signed the paper this session to have them audited, and we are finding a lot of problems.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Qualified forensic psychologists are able to conduct valid and reliable evaluations of defendants' mental
- You're the kind of person who would be able to qualify as an expert witness in these types of cases.
- Sure, is it true that a lot of murderers, and especially serial killers, have what would be qualified
- I just need an analysis—blow on the phone, blow on a piece of paper.
- I think on paper, that's true.
Bills:
HB 1194, HB 1221, HB1738, HB1913, HB2177, HB2178, HB2180, HB2229, HB2282, HB2448, HB2492, HB2777, HB2984, HB3357, HB3553, HB3602
Keywords:
emergency protection order, protective order, magistrate, criminal procedure, victim safety, family violence, domestic violence, stalking, assault, magistrate's order, temporary protection, court order duration, defendant restrictions, Article 17.292, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, emergency restraining order, victim protection, firearm restriction, pretrial intervention, reimbursement fee
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education (3-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We just need to always remember that our children need to be in the classroom in front of a qualified
- in<00:05:13.280>
front <00:05:13.479>of <00:05:13.560>a <00:05:13.720>qualified - classroom in front of a qualified classroom in front of a qualified teacher<00:05:14.560>
every - So if you look on the paper, it tells you how they split them up.
- Um, so if you look on the paper, it tells you how they split them up.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 669, sponsored by Representative Smith, which was presented as a response to a September shooting incident in his district that led to school closures and missed instructional days. Smith said the bill was intended to help school districts recover lost days caused by extraordinary emergencies and not to set a broad precedent. Members asked whether districts had adjusted calendars to make up time, and Smith said many had already extended days or moved calendars into June. The committee then voted to pass House Bill 669, with all members present voting yes.
The committee next heard House Bill 621, as amended by a committee substitute that removed a homeschooling-related section and left only the school-threat provisions. The bill would allow courts to impose a fine on parents when a child is adjudicated for terroristic threatening if law enforcement incurred excessive costs, and it would require a mental health assessment for the child. Representative Duvall and Officer Steve Chappelle supported the measure, arguing that online school threats spread fear, disrupt attendance, pull law-enforcement resources from other schools, and should create more parental accountability. Representative Riley also supported the accountability goal, citing lost instructional time and a recent student suicide tied to online issues.
Several members raised concerns about the bill’s scope and due process. Representative Josh Callaway questioned why this offense should be the starting point for parental fines and warned about a slippery slope in holding parents liable for children’s crimes. Representative Willner said the bill seemed more like a judiciary issue, questioned whether punishment can make parents better parents, and asked about diversion programs and the meaning of the detention language. Representative Tipton pointed to existing statutes on mental health assessments and terroristic threatening penalties, and said the committee substitute would alleviate many concerns. Scott West, speaking for Kentucky Policy and the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the mandatory detention language would remove judicial discretion and that the parental fine provision could conflict with existing due process protections requiring notice, a hearing, and a finding that lack of supervision was a substantial factor in the child’s delinquency. The transcript does not show a final vote on House Bill 621 in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- There are bidders that are pre-qualified for certain kinds of projects and can be un-pre-qualified if
- <00:55:44.440>
for are biders that are pre-qualified for are biders that are pre-qualified - <04:00:30.920>
to officers use that range to qualify to officers use that range to qualify - That that qualify for Medicaid services.
- <05:53:58.240>
for that it supports and do not qualify for that it supports and do not qualify
Summary:
The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining that it maintains and operates 96 state buildings and uses annual facility walkthroughs, condition assessments, and rough cost estimates to rank projects for the governor’s capital budget. Officials described how requests are triaged, how the governor’s office and Public Works refine estimates, and how the resulting capital budget book serves as legislative intent for approved projects. They also noted that this year the governor’s office asked for estimates on all selected projects, which increased workload but reduced detail.
The department highlighted several requested projects, including $1.5 million for the ERP system sustainability fund, which officials said is critical because the state is upgrading its core financial, HR, and budget system to the cloud. Other priorities included courthouse HVAC and boiler work, brick repointing at the State House annex/main building, window replacement at the Spalding building, and elevator replacement on the hospital campus. Officials also said the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and asked the committee to consider funding closer to historic levels.
The committee then reviewed lapse and reallocation items. DAS said most older projects are still in design, bid, or construction because projects now take four to six years rather than two to three, in part due to ARPA-related workload and post-COVID construction backlogs. Members discussed lapsing $81,000 from the completed Spalding roof project and redirecting small remaining balances from several 2019 projects toward the Hillsboro County South cell block project through the Capital Project Overview Committee. Officials also confirmed ARPA-funded projects are expected to be completed before the December 2026 deadline and explained that the ERP system is the main state IT exception outside DOIT’s usual centralized control, though it still requires DOIT consultation and approval.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 16, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- million Americans report tipped wages, and under this reform, workers can now deduct up to $25,000 in qualified
- million Americans report tipped wages, and under this reform, workers can now deduct up to $25,000 in qualified
- Paper-based, fragmented, and slow. In 2026, that just doesn't make sense.
- contracting authorities for up to 7 years to use emergency contracting efforts for hiring highly qualified
- <05:25:07.240>
contractors uh hiring highly qualified contractors uh hiring highly qualified
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 2nd, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead of being able to know this is the place, these are the pieces of paper you have to fill out,
- A lot of people who are working, but they're not making very much money, so they qualify for most of
Summary:
The committee met to review an audit and recommendations from the Alliance for Opportunity on reforming Arkansas workforce and social service delivery. Members discussed creating a more integrated, regional, “one-door” system that would combine eligibility screening, job training, and service referrals across DHS, workforce, health, and related programs, with an emphasis on reducing administrative overhead and redirecting more funds to direct services and training. Several members raised the need to include groups such as people in generational poverty, rural residents, reentry populations, and people involved in the court system, while also ensuring access for those without digital skills or technology.
Artificial intelligence was a major topic. Members suggested using AI and a centralized database or virtual hub to pre-populate forms, identify program eligibility, notify workforce agencies, and improve efficiency, while still maintaining case managers and in-person support for those who need it. There was also discussion of benefit cliffs, DHS processes that may hinder employment, and the need for industry input and working groups to study AI and other issues. Members repeatedly asked for measurable outcomes, including return-on-investment estimates, cost savings, and performance metrics tied to the number of people moved into self-sufficiency and employment.
The committee then reviewed a draft consultant services agreement with Work Ed Consulting LLC, represented by Mason Bishop, to assist with the study under Act 145 of 2025. The contract would run from March 20, 2025 through June 30, 2027, with a maximum amount of $158,000 plus possible additional services up to 10% if approved. Bishop said his work would include ongoing ROI updates and that his experience included helping create Utah’s workforce department and assisting Louisiana with similar reforms. After questions about oversight and deliverables, Representative Beck moved to advance the contract, Senator Sullivan seconded, and the committee approved it by voice vote before adjourning.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 2nd, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 8 (1-15-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- members to co-sponsor bills and resolutions or to submit vote modifications and have filed the proper papers
- House Bill 184, an act relating to health savings account qualified insurance plans.
Keywords:
Video Starts 00:00
Convene 07:18
Calendar/Second Readings 12:04
Report of Committees 12:31
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 13:30
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 16:50
Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 20:44
ConC and Rules Report 23:01
Adjournment 25:50, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. Members approved excusing absences, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 14, 2026. The clerk reported second readings of House Bills 176, 184, and 265, and the Health Services Committee reported favorably on House Bills 178 and 280, as well as House Joint Resolution 24, which would direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to withdraw a previously submitted 1115A waiver application for a mandatory community engagement program; those measures were advanced to first reading and placed on the calendar.
During announcements, members noted a KPA breakfast the next morning, a House Committee on Local Government meeting cancellation, a POB meeting after adjournment, a “Bags of Hope” service project for children in foster care, an open house for higher education leaders, and a Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee meeting after adjournment. The House then received a large batch of new bill and resolution introductions covering school bus safety, education, literacy funding, local public agency transactions, Alzheimer’s services, tax-dollar restrictions, curriculum, public holidays, trophy catfish, electric generating unit decommissioning costs, sexual offenses against children, fertility treatment, medicinal cannabis, workers’ compensation, occupational license fees, pension supplemental payments, certificate of need, end-of-life patient-directed care, risk protection orders, affordable housing, physician continuing medical education, constitutional term limits for governor and lieutenant governor, jail booking procedures, educators, farmland preservation loans, domestic violence, and several resolutions including Burn Awareness Week, Profound Autism Day, and Suits and Sneakers Day.
The House recessed for a Committee on Committees meeting, then received the committee’s report assigning numerous bills to standing committees and making several membership changes, including appointing Representatives Burke, Gentry, and Camuel to specified committees and removing Representatives Gentry, Watkins, and Stevenson from others. No floor amendments were introduced. The House then adjourned by unanimous consent until 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The leadership qualities and experience that initially qualified me for the role have only further strengthened
- And I don't believe that an order starts when pen meets paper, right?
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The committee first heard Senate Bill 1416 by Senator DeSigley, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new election schedule takes effect. Members asked about runoff elections, with the sponsor saying runoffs would likely shift to the August primary and that he was open to further discussion, including possibly eliminating runoffs. The bill drew support from a senator citing potential taxpayer savings, while the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed. SB 1416 was reported favorably.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 766 by Senator Burgess, as amended by a strike-all that refocused the bill on agents of “countries of concern” and narrowed disclosure requirements. The sponsor said the measure was intended to increase transparency around foreign-backed political activity and align with federal Foreign Agents Registration Act concepts. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was reported favorably.
Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. LaRosa described the PSC’s role regulating investor-owned utilities and emphasized transparency, consumer protection, workforce development, and adapting to new energy technologies such as small modular reactors. Senators questioned him closely about recent Florida Supreme Court criticism of PSC orders as insufficiently reasoned and overly reliant on utility assertions. LaRosa acknowledged the criticism, said PSC procedures and orders had become more detailed, and committed to continued improvement. Despite concerns, his nomination was advanced favorably to the full Senate.
The committee then approved a block of nominations in tabs 4 through 27 without objection and without separate hearings. At the end of the meeting, Senator Grall asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 1416 and SB 766, and the committee rose.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The leadership qualities and experience that initially qualified me for the role have only further strengthened
- And I don't believe that an order starts when pen meets paper, right?
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably.
Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Last session, we focused on getting rid of, of the, uh, legislation to change up the paper tags and go
- Um, you were looking though at if you have these 5 counties that would qualify under this bill.
Bills:
HB205
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a paper card, the old-fashioned way, and turn it in, excuse me, to the assistant clerk.
- As seen on page 14 of our presentation, we continue to struggle to attract and retain qualified attorneys
Bills:
SB1
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings.
The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors.
The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to inform kinship caregivers about services like WIC and TANF if they might qualify for those
- For special education, IDD is the qualifying condition that they make a referral to the LIDA.
- I did just want to note, though, that it's not going to be a corollary for them to qualify for those
- They just handed me a piece of paper that has the answer, but I'm trying to digest it.
- Whether it's ICF or HCS, when you don't have a qualified staff or available staff, or you're relying
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Not like it's a qualified 401(k), and the employees benefit from that, and I would have seen transformative
- Not<00:10:38.920>
like <00:10:39.040>it's <00:10:39.240>a <00:10:39.400>qualified - <00:10:40.200>
401k, Not like it's a qualified 401k, Not like it's a qualified 401k, and<00 - There is no definition of really what qualifies as employee-owned.
- <00:22:59.720>
as definition of really what qualifies as definition of really what qualifies
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HOU-PSM, HOU-HWN, HOU Public Hearings 03-11-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- you're talking about funding for the VASH program, I know there was a big article this morning in the paper
- you're talking about funding for the VASH program, I know there was a big article this morning in the paper
- And you feel also, being that no one, you said, in the last five years has come forward to qualify under
- So if we remove the restrictions, they don't have to qualify to resell it for HHFDC's terms, then they
- housing be exclusively for qualified housing be exclusively for qualified residents<01:28:13.360
Summary:
The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096.
The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.