Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the Department of Education to assign a student ID to all students so we can keep track
• So the simple ask is, does your bill cover where the students are located along with this now assigned

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial executive appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities, described as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package. Sponsor Senator Simon outlined provisions creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties facing population loss, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping grant language tied to new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties generally supported the bill, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural areas and how funds would be accessed. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General findings by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance-based business plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including changes to the stabilization fund and documentation requirements. Senators from both parties debated transparency, accountability, and implementation concerns, with some also urging future attention to declining-enrollment school districts and the quality of scholarship providers. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County visitors in the gallery, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires the Department of Education to assign a student ID to all students so we can keep track
• So the simple ask is: does your bill cover where the students are located, along with this now-assigned

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural renaissance package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program, housing and transportation investments, and additional education and health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping rural health provisions after Florida secured federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural grants and the distribution of federal funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gaetz said the bill responds to the Auditor General’s findings by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, requiring student identification and verification, reducing scholarship organization fees, tightening payment and audit rules, and creating a stabilization fund for scholarship demand. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision from this bill and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators debated the bill’s impact on accountability, public schools, and scholarship providers, but generally supported the reforms. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County Day participants, and adjourned until the following Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• the installation of residential tenant of electric vehicle supply equipment and a parking space assigned
• school accountability including the administration of assessment instruments in public schools, the assignment

Transcript Highlights:

• He's given me some reading assignments, and I have to say I've developed a great deal of appreciation
• She then took a three-year assignment with the U.S.

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and heard four bills. CS/SB 150, by Senator Gates, would make it a third-degree felony to abandon a restrained animal during a declared weather emergency, such as a hurricane or tornado, and was presented as “Trooper’s Law” in response to a widely publicized rescue of a dog during Hurricane Milton. The bill drew supportive public cards and brief supportive remarks from Senator Boyd, then passed unanimously and was reported favorably. SB 374, by Senator Truenow, would refine the definition of farm product to include plant and plant products and bar local governments from adopting ordinances that limit the collection, storage, and processing of farm products on bona fide agricultural land. An amendment was withdrawn to allow further discussion on food waste issues. Speakers from composting, recycling, and poultry interests supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. SB 560, by Senator Martin, would restrict certain chemical additives in food products. The sponsor said the bill targets 10 chemicals he believes are harmful, noted that two have already been banned by the FDA, and argued Florida should act rather than wait for federal action. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill as creating a patchwork of state rules, raising costs, and disrupting supply chains, while some senators said they supported the bill for now but expected further changes. The committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Rouson voting no. SB 572, the Pam Rock Act by Senator Collins, would create a statewide dangerous dog registry, add criminal penalties for certain dangerous-dog attacks, and require permits, microchipping, spay/neuter, and $100,000 liability insurance for dangerous dogs. The sponsor and the Rock family described severe attacks and deaths involving dangerous dogs and argued the registry would help protect the public. Some senators questioned the registry’s usefulness, the amount of information collected, and insurance availability, but the bill passed and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• formula itself, the SEG, is designed to equalize educational opportunity throughout the state by assigning
• If you look at that table on the top right of the actual page, you'll see the weight that is assigned

Transcript Highlights:

• increasing the number of members that comprise the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee, assigning
• duties, providing for year-round staff, legislative health and human services committee, assigning duties
• schools to provide annual firearm safety training, providing requirements for the training, and assigning
• The second question is: Is a timeline assigned by the agency?
• And the third question is: Has responsibility been assigned? Mr.

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HB2, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM23, HM24, HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and then moved through a series of memorials, recognitions, and announcements. House Memorial 49, declaring February 4, 2026 UNM Day, was taken from the Speaker’s table, explained, and debated at length. Members from both parties and several guests praised the University of New Mexico for its role in education, health care, research, public service, and workforce development, with special recognition of President Garnett Stokes, interim provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Health Sciences leaders and students. The memorial highlighted UNM’s enrollment, degrees awarded, scholarship support, patent activity, and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center. It passed 70-0. House Memorial 48, declaring February 4, 2026 Valencia County Day, was also brought forward and passed unanimously. Supporters described Valencia County’s history, culture, economic growth, and traditions, including the annual matanza, Route 66 heritage, and major employers and development projects. Members from the county and local officials were recognized, and the memorial emphasized both historic communities and current business and infrastructure expansion. House Memorial 50, declaring Lincoln County Day, was introduced by title and placed on the Speaker’s table, but not taken up for final passage during this segment. The chamber also recognized the Artesia Bulldogs football team for winning another state championship, Del Norte High School’s class of 1966 on its 60th anniversary, and a number of guests tied to nursing, education, and local community service. Several members used announcements to highlight nurses, school programs, and local events, including a Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus invitation and a reminder that the day was the final day to file bills with the clerk. The session closed with continued announcements and guest introductions, reflecting a day focused heavily on community recognition and celebratory memorials rather than substantive legislation beyond the memorial votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And any other bills as assigned. 15 minutes upon adjournment. Upon recess.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Board members are assigned in panels of two for each hearing or file review.
• Board<01:28:58.800><c> members</c><01:28:59.120><c> are</c><01:28:59.360><c> assigned</c><01:28:59.760
• ><c> in</c><01:29:00.000><c> panels</c><01:29:00.480><c> of</c> Board members are assigned in panels
• of Board members are assigned in panels of two<01:29:00.960><c> for</c><01:29:01.280><c> each</c><01:
• </c><01:37:45.760><c> to</c> They just are specifically assigned to They just are specifically assigned

Bills: HB60

Keywords: geoengineering, weather modification, environmental safety, atmospheric pollutants, criminal pollution, Meeting Start: 00:00:02 Roll Call: 00:00:08 26 RS HB 60 - AN ACT relating to geoengineering: 00:01:35 Department of Corrections Update: 00:32:59 Kentucky Parole Board Update: 01:19:21, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is what I'd like to, you know, not necessarily a question, but more of a homework assignment
• <c> the</c><01:25:06.560><c> light</c><01:25:06.800><c> of</c><01:25:06.880><c> an</c> homework assignment
• in the light of an homework assignment in the light of an education<01:25:07.480><c> committee.
• And that's the person who's now been permanently assigned.
• </c> permanently assigned. permanently assigned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then they can get their assignments done and stuff like that.
• It could just be as simple as he's struggling with a reading assignment.
• If he is amped up, he's not going to be able to focus on the assignment.
• You have five missing assignments.' And I say, 'How do you know, and why do you care?'
• Why are there five missing assignments in English?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These medications are assigned a national drug code, an average wholesale price, and they go through
• These medications<00:20:10.160><c> are</c><00:20:10.440><c> assigned</c><00:20:11.320><c> a</c><00:20
• :11.960><c> national</c><00:20:12.400><c> drug</c> medications are assigned a national drug medications
• are assigned a national drug code,<00:20:13.640><c> an</c><00:20:14.160><c> um</c><00:20:14.400><c>
• the all payer legislature, you assigned the all payer claims<01:42:29.160><c> database</c><01:42:29.800

Bills: HB2323, HB2324, HB1509, HB2164, HB2165, HB2367, HB2619, HB1765, HB2187, HB1864, HB1452, HB2314, HB1898, HB2558, HB2319, HB1643, HB2121

Keywords: workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment. The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date. Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even when a patient signs an assignment of benefits directing direct payment to the provider, HMSA and
• repeated calls, HMSA representatives have told us they have a standing policy not to honor provider assignment
• 00:36:34.640><c> patient</c><00:36:34.960><c> signs</c><00:36:35.280><c> an</c><00:36:35.520><c> assignment
• </c> Even when a patient signs an assignment Even when a patient signs an assignment of<00:36:36.000>
• of benefits for direct assignment of benefits for direct payment.<00:36:52.000><c> That</c><00:36:52.160

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And David did a few years ago assign me the homework of watching *The Jetsons*.
• Um, I got an A on that assignment. Thank you for the opportunity to be with you.
• And David did a few years ago assign<01:07:58.400><c> me</c><01:07:58.600><c> the</c><01:07:59.000><c
• > homework</c><01:07:59.480><c> of</c><01:07:59.720><c> watching</c><01:08:00.080><c> The</c> assign
• </c><01:08:05.400><c> Um</c> I got an A on that assignment. Um I got an A on that assignment.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the paper, you will see they are assigning a retired judge, once retired, becomes a lawyer, without
• the second page, you can see A’s administration, Judiciary Regions, Presiding Judge Dave Evans, assigned
• him this year, January 9, assigned him...” “...assigned him on this year, January 9, assigned him to
• Basically, the language said whenever the assigned judge is present in the county for hearing in this
• court, the judge is also assigned and empowered to hear at that time any other matters that are presented

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are appropriately assigned
• if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are appropriately assigned
• if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are appropriately assigned
• if the costs of grid upgrades and generation assets to serve these data centers are appropriately assigned
• assigning any ongoing general<01:42:01.239><c> funding.

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I briefly said, new employers are assigned an industry-specific rate for their first two years
• :08:29.080><c> case</c><00:08:29.280><c> the</c><00:08:29.599><c> employers</c><00:08:30.280><c> assigned
• </c><00:08:30.560><c> a</c><00:08:30.720><c> rate</c> which case the employers assigned a rate which
• case the employers assigned a rate based<00:08:31.240><c> on</c><00:08:31.400><c> their</c><00:08:31.640
• an industry specific rate for assigned an industry specific rate for their<00:10:10.560><c> first</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have three staff assigned to that right now, where homelessness I think we have 12 or 13 staff assigned
• c><01:42:39.199><c> to</c><01:42:39.320><c> that</c><01:42:39.560><c> right</c> have three staff assigned
• to that right have three staff assigned to that right now<01:42:39.960><c> where</c><01:42:40.280><c
• c><01:42:43.520><c> to</c><01:42:43.679><c> that</c><01:42:43.880><c> because</c> 12 or 13 staff assigned
• to that because 12 or 13 staff assigned to that because it's<01:42:44.639><c> been</c><01:42:44.800>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a pile to assign and get to Senator Blake.

Keywords: 913, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met for an organizational meeting and called the meeting to order with silent roll call. The committee approved the April 23 minutes as delivered, with no additions or corrections. In opening comments, the chair noted that no committee block was requested for the following week and that the committee would likely work through subcommittees. The chair also said assignments would be distributed, including to Senator Blake, and that the committee would continue operating in the same manner as during the previous year of the General Assembly. No bills, testimony, or substantive policy issues were discussed. Senator Westridge moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:56.399><c> suspect</c><00:12:56.880><c> she</c><00:12:57.200><c> was</c><00:12:57.360><c> assigned
• </c> anyone would suspect she was assigned anyone would suspect she was assigned male<00:12:58.320><c
• </c> assigned at birth. assigned at birth.
• </c><01:15:44.480><c> a</c><01:15:44.800><c> sex</c> world and assigned a sex world and assigned a sex
• or boil it down to a simple assignment or boil it down to a simple test.<02:41:05.520><c> No</c><02:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't have a case worker assigned to a particular individual.
• Um you have different people assigned<00:15:53.120><c> to</c><00:15:53.360><c> to</c><00:15:53.680><c
• to to different aspects of this assigned to to different aspects of this and<00:15:55.040><c> so</c>
• In 2024, House Bill 293 assigned kratom regulation to the Department for Public Health.
• In 2024, House Bill 293 assigned kratom regulation to the Department for Public Health.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.