Video & Transcript Research : 'cursive writing'
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FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- first, then edit AI’s writing—they use very little brain function.
- So if I ask AI to write something, it writes it, then I go back and edit it: very little brain function
- When students write a draft first, then ask AI to help and revise, they use close to the same level of
- And that MIT study showed that it was a pretty similar level of brain function as when we used to write
- So I wouldn't suggest as a policy that you change your state assessments back to writing.
Summary:
The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 held a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, emphasizing that AI can support personalized learning, school operations, and teacher efficiency, but also raises concerns about data privacy, overreliance, mental health, and the need for human oversight. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which has produced guidance on policy, ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, classroom integration, and professional development, and is now working on district surveys, webinars, case studies, and teacher/family resources.
Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district-level implementation. Hillsborough outlined a governance council, a district AI policy, and an implementation guide; it prohibits generative AI for students below eighth grade, allows limited use for older students with teacher permission and district-vetted tools, and uses models for classroom AI expectations. The district also reported growing student enrollment in AI courses, teacher training through summer academies and quick learns, and pilots with tools such as Magic School and Microsoft Copilot. Pinellas emphasized academic integrity, student data privacy, digital responsibility, and the importance of human interaction in learning; it said state assessments already limit technology use and that districts need clear governance and parent transparency.
Committee members asked about whether AI improves academic performance, the risk of student dependence, the possibility of returning to more paper-based testing, and who should set guardrails. Witnesses said reliable achievement data is still limited because the technology is new, though districts reported anecdotal gains in tutoring and early literacy. They also said there is no established statewide baseline for teacher AI training yet, so districts are using professional development, stipends, and partnerships with universities to build capacity. The committee also heard from Drew Andrew of FSU’s Inspire program, who argued that industry is moving faster than schools and that education should focus on teaching how AI works, building teacher confidence, and aligning training with workforce needs. No bills were considered and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I'm going to tell you what it says, then I'll write it out. Then I'll write it out.
- And if you give me a sheet of paper, I'll write it out. Mr. Representative, what is a class one...?
- Yeah, I'm writing... I'm writing this, Representative. Why are we excluding...?
- I'll give you no time; you can write that out through this. Um, HB 606.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Predominantly, our members write personal home, auto, and commercial property risk.
- Therefore, we're just not writing in your zip code or something."
- Agencies or entities aren't writing.
- Checking and writing my prescription for my glasses.
- want to write insurance in Texas anymore.
Keywords:
HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I didn't write it up personally.
- Typically, we're not involved in writing provisos unless there's an opportunity to help write one.
- What prompted you to write that?
- You write, ‘We are very concerned.
- And you write, For a quick call.
Summary:
The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance.
Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns.
Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration Work Session on HB 145, HB 271 (02/06/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, we don't write the exam.
- Thank God we don't write them, right? You don't want to do that. Holy crap.
- Yeah, what we could do is we can write legislation that gives the authority to the board to write the
- We're just giving you the authority to write the criteria in rulemaking.
- See how did they write this? I don't know.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications.
Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate.
Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial Retention - 2026-03-25 - 10:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- At its most basic, the work of a judge is to make a decision and explain it clearly in writing.
- The judiciary has an clearly in writing.
- I am writing this letter in support of Judge Malone's retention.
- I am writing this letter in support of Judge Malone's retention.
- Hey, as long as it's not Melissa's writing, I'm okay.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Human Services - 02/12/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- of capacity certainly is a hurdle that I'll talk through in another slide. ...find your staff and write
- And then another example of a function of consultation service providers is helping a person write the
- And then another example of a function of consultation service providers is helping a person write the
- <00:28:34.360>
the providers is helping a person write the providers is helping a person write - their service delivery people in writing their service delivery plans<00:59:08.599>
um <00:59:
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (03/10/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative France will write the majority report, and Representative Colby will write the minority
- calendar and I will volunteer to write calendar and I will volunteer to write the<01:55:01.719><
- okay representative Gilman will write okay representative Gilman will write The<01:55:20.639>
- <02:28:09.319>
the repres maybe that arm can write the repres maybe that arm can write the - <02:28:18.439>
the representative Gilman will write the representative Gilman will write the
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Everyone has the opportunity to testify in writing, and you can take your time when you're explaining
- Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration, and I also submitted something in writing.
- And I also submitted something in writing. Thank you. Thank you very much for your testimony.
- We write the laws; we don't enforce them.'
- prompts. ...or assign unique thought partners for math problems and writing prompts.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on two late-file bills: H. 4867, concerning school choice, and H. 4927, concerning access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). For H. 4867, testimony focused on a DESE interpretation of M.G.L. c. 76, §12B(k) that would require small elementary-only districts with school choice students to pay secondary tuition when those students continue into high school. Superintendents, school committee members, parents, teachers, and a representative argued this creates large fiscal shortfalls for rural districts such as Hancock, Warwick, Richmond, and Worthington, which do not operate high schools and already rely on tuition agreements for their own resident students. Witnesses said the current interpretation has led some districts to stop accepting school choice students, reducing class sizes and limiting educational opportunities; they urged an exemption or amendment so these districts could continue school choice without assuming high school tuition obligations for nonresident students. Committee members asked about the number of affected districts, how the arrangement worked before 2023, and whether alternative statutory language might solve the issue more broadly. Representative Barrett described the bill as a simple fix to an unenforced provision that had only recently been raised by DESE, and the hearing later included testimony from both district officials and families supporting the bill. The committee closed testimony on H. 4867 and H. 4927 and then adjourned.
H. 4927 drew testimony from educators, an ABA provider, and a parent of a child with autism in support of protecting in-school ABA access. Witnesses said the bill would clarify that qualified ABA providers, including BCBAs and RBTs under supervision, may deliver services in schools while allowing districts to maintain neutral safety and operational rules. They argued that inconsistent access to ABA can undermine districts’ obligations under IDEA, including free appropriate public education and placement in the least restrictive environment, and that school-based ABA can reduce removals from class, improve student progress, and support families. A parent testified that her young son needs ABA to function in school and that promised supports had been delayed or not delivered, while another witness said the bill would help ensure accountability and consistent services for students with autism.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Granted, I've never had to write a central counting station plan, but I have read them.
- If it can't be agreed upon, then Secretary of State will write it. Correct. Yes, sir.
- OK, I guess finally if you write it, then that's not the local elected officials writing it at that point
- So the local entity is always going to be writing that bill.
- these or some of their staff are writing these and doing it.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House public safety panel hears HF435 - Pt. 1 2/25/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:02:16.560>
in I am just wondering um where um in I am just wondering um where um in writing - this amendment where this writing this amendment where this language<00:02:18.879>
defining <00 - <00:02:22.280>
who' <00:02:22.480>you <00:02:22.560>write where where'd you - write who' you write where where'd you write who' you write it it it with with with um<00:02:26.280><
- bills for us um members uh this writing bills for us um members uh this disturbing<00:04:37.840>
Summary:
House File 435 was taken up with an author's amendment that added a definition of “female,” “woman,” and “girl” based on biological sex. The committee debated the amendment at length, with supporters saying it was needed for clarity and opponents arguing it was unscientific, dehumanizing, and imported from outside model legislation. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over because no fiscal note had yet been received.
As amended, HF 435 would require the commissioner of Corrections to house only biological females at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee and to transfer any nonbiological females out within seven days of enactment. Chair Franson described it as a common-sense women’s rights and human rights bill intended to protect incarcerated women. Alicia Beckman, a former Shakopee GED teacher, testified in support, saying the current policy had allowed biological males with violent histories into the facility and created fear, retraumatization, and safety concerns for staff and inmates.
Several testifiers opposed the bill. Deva Guy, Lucy Ailia G., Reverend Dr. Justin Saia Tannis, and Jess Braverman argued that the bill would endanger transgender women, scapegoat a vulnerable minority, and conflict with research, the Prison Rape Elimination Act, and constitutional protections. They urged the committee to focus instead on broader prison conditions and safety issues. Committee members also questioned Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell about the placement process; he explained that transgender placements are reviewed through a multi-step process involving behavioral health and medical staff, a gender identity committee, and final review by the deputy commissioner and commissioner. He said 49 people systemwide have identified as transgender. The discussion ended with the bill laid over and the chair noting that a constitutional challenge would likely follow if the bill became law.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (05/05/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- And who would like to write the report? And who would like to write the report?
- And Representative Grant, you'll write And Representative Grant, you'll write the<01:22:26.440><
- write the report? write the report?
- I will write the majority report, and who would like to write the minority report?
- I will write the majority report. Who will be writing the minority report? Representative Majorie.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 25, 2026 - AM
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration
Transcript Highlights:
- And so there is several evidences that they're writing and reading and writing and doing those pieces
- , mathematics, and... in English, writing, mathematics, and science.
- English major, and it became, you know, in writing papers, my thoughts were less original.
- They're writing in the margins, and then the questions are right in the textbook.
- You know, I used to have amazing writing capabilities. I’ve always been a writer.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (02/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- to8 itl uh representative lad will write to8 itl uh representative lad will write the<01:05:16.920
- <01:05:18.119>
the the majority report who will write the the majority report who will write - Uh, who's going to write the minority report?
- Uh, who's going to write the minority report?
- <01:28:59.080>
The representative Damon will write The representative Damon will write The
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 112, which would require students in the University and Community College systems to pass the U.S. citizenship civics naturalization test. A motion was made to retain the bill, and the committee voted unanimously to retain it, resulting in no report. HB 510, dealing with due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty in higher education disciplinary proceedings, was passed over for a later meeting so the University and Community College systems could meet with the committee.
The committee then discussed HB 659, creating a college graduate retention incentive program, but retained it without further debate after noting the prime sponsor was unavailable. HB 770, concerning tuition credits for community service, was also held for later in the day because an amendment was expected. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 583, which would have the state participate in Medicaid direct certification for free and reduced-price school meals. Supporters argued it would identify more eligible students, reduce paperwork, improve accuracy in school funding formulas, and bring in additional federal child care scholarship money; opponents argued it would significantly affect school funding calculations and should be delayed. The committee rejected the amendment by a 10-8 vote and then voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and minority report to follow.
HB 646, requiring school districts to establish an online application for free and reduced-price meal participation, was also debated. One member said many districts already do this voluntarily and that the bill was unnecessary; another proposed an amendment to convert the mandate into a grant program to offset startup costs, but the committee proceeded on the underlying motion and voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and a minority OTP report. HB 665, concerning eligibility for the free school meals program, was then retained by an 11-3 vote.
Finally, the committee began work on HB 703, which would prohibit school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid balances and appropriate funds for that purpose. An amendment was explained that would remove state payment of district meal debt and instead require district policies against shaming or bullying students and allow voluntary donations to reduce debt. After discussion, a motion was made to ITL the bill, with the sponsor saying constituents opposed subsidizing the program and wanted districts to retain collection tools; further debate was underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on H.F. 4188 - Omnibus Commerce and Consumer Protection - Part 1 - 05/13/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And he said, 'If you're going to write technology legislation, you need to write language that is robust
- c><00:15:02.839>
you're <00:15:02.960>going <00:15:03.080>to <00:15:03.160>write - said, "If you're going to write said, "If you're going to write technology<00:15:04.120>
legislation - c><00:15:05.360>
to technology legislation, you need to technology legislation, you need to write - language that legislation that is write language that legislation that is robust<00:15:08.320>
enough
Summary:
The committee took up H.F. 4188, the Commerce and Consumer Protection Policy Omnibus, and moved through a series of agreed-upon motions to adopt various House and Senate language articles and sections. The adopted provisions covered a wide range of topics, including residential mortgage loan servicing standards, student loan borrower protections, rental home marketplace guarantees, group coverage cancellation, limited lines travel insurance, insurance lead generators, collection agency and credit services organization definitions, proof of identification requirements, scrap metal copper licensing, technical changes to ASTM references and report filings, securities-related provisions, unclaimed property issues involving virtual currency and funeral prepayment funds, repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, reinsurance program changes, and health insurance reporting and oversight provisions. Most motions were adopted without opposition after brief staff explanations and member encouragements to vote yes.
In the health-related sections, the committee adopted language requiring insurers and nonprofit health service plan corporations to notify the Commissioner of Commerce about significant enrollment increases, expanding access to all-payer claims data for oversight, and requiring the sharing of PBM annual transparency reports with the Commissioner of Health. The committee also adopted language on artificial intelligence in utilization review, initially defining AI and prohibiting exclusive reliance on AI for adverse coverage determinations. Representative Elkins then offered an amendment to remove the specific AI definition and replace it with broader language referring to automated processing, arguing that technology-neutral drafting is more durable and that a human must remain in the loop for coverage denials; the amendment was adopted.
After the agreed-upon items were completed, members indicated the chairs would huddle to work on the remaining issues and return after recess. The meeting then recessed to the call of the chair.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 15 April, 2026; 1:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, is So, generally, is that in writing somewhere that you cannot in a new supplemental legislative
- So, show me in writing where the justification is we cannot address an issue that had been Address an
- I just need to see it in writing.
- Where is it in writing? Gentlemen, you can talk to counsel if you'd like to. You'd like to.
- All we want to do is see it in writing. All we want to do is see it in writing.
Keywords:
commendation, sports, team achievement, high school, state championship, suffrage, restoration of voting rights, conviction, probation, law-abiding citizen, congressional term limits, constitutional amendments, Article V, state resolution, political reform, Jackson State University, Veterans Memorial Stadium, economic growth, property tax, multi-purpose facility
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- They have various components that CMS has given us feedback on in writing.
- On the basis of that, they're coming forth and saying we can't write that rule.
- And so we were really clear in the bill and the writing.
- And so we were really clear in the bill and the writing.
- They said they would put options back to us in writing.
Summary:
The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. It approved without objection an Insurance Department amendment implementing Act 261’s holding company system requirements, two State Board of Election Commissioners rules on poll watchers/provisional voting and certified election monitors, and a Treasurer of State rule removing DEI-related membership requirements to comply with Act 938. The committee also held over for a month a Department of Education request related to excluding a rule from reporting requirements so it could be discussed further with the Department of Commerce.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from rulemaking for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said federal CMS guidance created comparability and other issues for the Medicaid-related dental and diagnostic lab provisions, making it difficult to implement the acts as written by their effective dates. DHS outlined possible paths, including broader adult dental coverage, waivers, or splitting the dental rate increase from the special-needs cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s approach, arguing Act 1025 is workable, that the pediatric rate increase should move forward separately, and that DHS should continue pursuing the law rather than stop rulemaking. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about CMS correspondence, waiver timelines, fiscal impact, and whether the acts could be severed.
After testimony from DHS, the Dental Association, and a public commenter, the committee adopted a motion not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025, meaning DHS must continue the normal rulemaking/reporting process. The committee then accepted the Division of Higher Education’s report, which recommended repealing three of its 32 rules and keeping the remaining 29 in effect. It also received routine written updates on older and newer rulemaking items and filed the monthly updates without further action.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDU, HRE-EDU Public Hearings 03-17-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- How many people know how to write a check?
- > a<01:00:05.119>
check many people know how to write a check many people know how to write - don't think I even learned how to write don't think I even learned how to write a<01:00:07.880><
- <01:00:12.559>
a teacher who taught us how to write a teacher who taught us how to write a - <01:00:27.079>
a I think they should be able to write a I think they should be able to write
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, HD1, which would clarify local food purchase goals for the Department of Education. DOE said it supports the measure and will work toward the 30% local food mandate by 2030. The Department of Agriculture also supported the bill, and outside advocates from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaii Farm to School Network strongly backed it as consistent with prior farm-to-school laws and helpful for measuring progress toward the goal.
The committee then took up House Bill 293, which would exempt certain DOE purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products from electronic procurement rules and allow written-quote purchasing thresholds, including a lower quote requirement for some rural schools. DOE, the Department of Agriculture, the State Procurement Office, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported the measure, describing it as a tool to help the department test and add local products and meet the 30% goal. However, members pressed DOE on the bill’s purpose and mechanics, questioning why the department could not simply add products to vendor lists or use existing procurement flexibility. DOE explained it was trying to test new local products, including products not yet on the USDA-approved list, and said the bill would allow limited pilot purchases while it works through USDA approval and vendor-list updates. Members also raised concerns about whether the bill was being used to bypass procurement and whether small farmers or aggregators could realistically supply the needed volume.
House Bill 1069, which would add two voting members representing DOE and the Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority, also drew support from DOE and the Board of Education. Supporters said the change would improve accountability, strategic input, and communication on school facilities matters. SFA testified that it has already increased coordination with DOE through regular meetings and that recent discussions have been more robust. Committee members questioned whether voting seats were necessary given that DOE and BOE could already attend meetings and receive updates, and they raised concerns about how a voting representative would report back and whether the measure would actually solve communication problems. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/13/2026)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- you know and they'll say somebody writes you know and they'll say somebody writes in<00:16:04.720
- manual and rules about how to write manual and rules about how to write rules<00:32:37.039>
is - Nowadays our interpretation is as long as it's in writing, whatever that writing is, that's fine.
- Did you write that down? Okay.
- Did you write you for your question. Did you write that<03:43:08.880>
down?
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- You have to put it in writing. Does that sound normal? Does that sound pretty basic?
- It should be in writing with those benefits that you're, they're going to be paid.
- You have to put it in writing. Does that sound normal? Does that sound pretty basic?
- It should be in writing with those benefits that you're, they're going to be paid.
- It should be in writing with those benefits that you're, they're going to be paid.
Summary:
The committee met to hear a bill aimed at regulating paid veterans’ claims consultants and protecting veterans from bad actors. Chair Denine opened by emphasizing transparency, the need to hear concerns, and that the meeting was a hearing only, with no immediate vote expected. Senator David Yates, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect veterans by requiring clear written disclosure when a veteran uses a for-profit consultant, including that the consultant is not accredited or affiliated with VA or veterans’ service organizations. He said the proposal was based on best practices from other states, would include guardrails rather than a total ban, and was being slowed to allow further review and possible amendments.
Testimony reflected both support for the bill’s intent and disagreement over its scope. A committee member and later witnesses stressed that veterans should be able to make informed choices and that some private consultants and law firms have helped veterans, but they also acknowledged bad actors and the need for rules, accreditation, and fee limits. James Toby of the VFW opposed the bill as written, arguing it conflicts with federal rules by allowing fees on initial claims and urging the committee to reject it in favor of legislation that mirrors federal law and imposes real penalties. Mark Christensen of Veterans Guardian said veterans need more options because Kentucky has too few VSO representatives, supported guardrails and accreditation reform, and suggested the bill could be improved with a dollar-based fee cap, no late fees or interest, and clearer ethical rules. Daryl Casey of JVO said his organization supports the bill’s goal of leveling the playing field, noting that veterans service organizations do not charge fees and that any limits should apply consistently across providers.
The chair did not take a final vote during this hearing and instead encouraged the sponsor to circulate committee substitute language and continue discussions with veterans’ organizations and committee members before the next meeting. The sponsor said he was not pushing the bill forward that day and wanted more time to address concerns, especially around accreditation and disclosure.