Transcript Highlights:

• um we are looking at just removing barriers to get individuals who have a criminal record back on track
• You're back on track, you've had no offenses, we don't have any problem.
• you it was 27 years ago you're<00:12:05.120> back<00:12:05.200> on<00:12:05.360> track
• <00:12:05.600> you've<00:12:05.839> had<00:12:06.000> no you're back on track
• you've had no you're back on track you've had no offenses<00:12:06.800> we<00:12:07.040> don't

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the June 18 meeting amendments, then heard an update from Representative Emily Callaway on the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. She reported no major budget or regulatory concerns, but noted hiring challenges, especially for investigators, and said the board is pursuing a scholarship program using cash reserves and penalty payments. She also said the board has about 20,000 licenses, handled 134 cases in 2024, and had an open-investigation count that stayed roughly flat. The board said initial licenses take about 5 to 7 business days and endorsements about 10 business days, with one citizen-at-large vacancy on the 11-member board. Callaway and board staff also discussed emerging issues such as AI, digital plan submissions, and the use of drones and LiDAR in surveying education. They said Kentucky’s surveying exam pass rates are well above national averages and that universities such as East Tennessee State, Cincinnati State, Bellarmine, Spalding, and Eastern Kentucky are helping train students for the field. The committee then took up Callaway’s occupational licensing bill aimed at removing barriers for people with criminal records. The proposal would let applicants seek an upfront determination of whether a record would disqualify them, require boards to consider specified materials and give written reasons if they deny eligibility, and bind the board’s decision absent new or undisclosed offenses. Supporters said the goal is to help roughly 30,000 people reenter the workforce and avoid wasted time and money on training that could later be disqualified. The committee next heard from Representatives Fleming and Willner on a psychology licensing bill, a reintroduction of prior legislation. They said the measure is intended to address mental health workforce shortages by adding two members to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology, setting a more predictable timeline for licensure examinations, and requiring annual reporting on processing times for licenses and complaints. They said the bill is meant to speed entry into the profession as new psychology programs expand in Kentucky. No objections were raised. Finally, the Alcoholic Beverage Control commissioner and general counsel presented two administrative amendments tied to SB 202 to allow direct-shipping forms for cannabis-infused beverages, and the committee approved both regulations by voice vote. The committee then held a broader discussion about whether ABC should be expanded by statute to regulate additional intoxicating substances and emerging products. ABC officials said the agency already handles alcohol, tobacco, vape licensing, and some related enforcement, but any broader authority would require legislative action and likely more officers and funding. Members discussed the need to stay ahead of new products, possibly through an emerging-industries framework, while also protecting businesses and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of vacancies across agencies and so we can see that too, and that is a concern for us to be tracking
• outside referrals that are made, uh, in order to continue to keep people healthy and safe, uh, we are tracking
• they're kind of not doing so well, what do we have in place for those folks to make sure that we're tracking
• management level, CEO, those kinds of folks are making, and I think that would also be important to track
• someone is able to have an address, they're able to put that on an application and get work, and we do track

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for helping to dual track it. Things move fast and can be crazy around here.
• Thank you for helping to dual track it. Things move fast and can be crazy around here.
• Thank you for helping to dual track it. Things move fast and can be crazy around here.
• Thank you for helping to dual track it. Things move fast and can be crazy around here.
• Thank you for helping to dual track it. Things move fast and can be crazy around here.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, way back years ago when we used to have a railroad track that ran next to town.
• Um, track is individual, livestock. This year won first place at state.
• Boy, we sure could use a new track.
• I think somebody else might be getting a track that might be out of some of their bonded money.
• How are we gonna fund a new track?

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a proven track record of ensuring that its supervisorial redistricting efforts are fair, equitable
• information about online registration, vote-by-mail procedures, pre-registration opportunities, ballot tracking
• about online voter registration, pre-registration opportunities, vote by mail procedures, ballot tracking
• I'm not tracking the...
• We're mindful that the state has a less than exemplary track record on technology solutions that are

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we track in our data the complaints and the statistics around student versus student, student versus
• We track both reporting from whom, who makes reports, and who is alleged to have committed the harm.
• So we track both sides, both students.
• We try to track even further data than just demographics related to student status or affiliation.
• So we track the investigation side as well. When we look at that data, do we see patterns?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the Learning Policy Institute, we've been tracking teacher shortages in...
• We do not have the data system in place yet to be able to really track teacher mobility and attrition
• You can't track, given the teacher license, whether they're teaching today or not in an LEA?
• But that system is not designed to track mobility, retention, attrition, or any of that.
• Toward meeting admission requirements so they can actually get on track to become a teacher.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• latest data used to calculate the statutory cost-of-living adjustment, we think that the COLA was tracking
• question: there are some previous budget acts that have talked about new statutes requiring districts to track
• Do we see... ...requiring districts to track their unspent supplemental and concentration grants.
• I don't know that Finance has much more to share in terms of stories, but the tracking of supplemental
• been any consideration as to whether the restoration of the $1.1 billion reduction should be fast-tracked

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s education budget proposals for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Learning Recovery Block Grant, and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), followed by testimony from State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. On LCFF, Finance outlined the proposed 2.43% COLA, repayment of prior deferrals, and a trailer bill penalty for LEAs that fail to adopt Local Control Accountability Plans on time. The LAO said its COLA estimate was slightly lower and raised concerns that the Governor’s proposed TK staffing ratio increase may be more costly than estimated. Members also discussed whether the current COLA formula should better reflect California-specific or district staffing costs, and whether TK should be more clearly separated from the K-3 grade span adjustment to avoid larger K-3 class sizes. The chair asked staff to work with the LAO on both the TK/K-3 issue and alternative COLA calculations. For the Learning Recovery Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring the first of three delayed payments, $378.6 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund, while the LAO recommended adopting the proposal but extending the expenditure deadline by at least a year. The LAO reported that districts had spent $1.6 billion of the $6.8 billion received through 2023-24 and said most districts were only now shifting from federal COVID relief to block grant spending. Members questioned whether the large state and federal investments were improving outcomes, citing declining reading and math trends, while Finance and the State Board president pointed to some signs of improvement, especially in math, attendance, and gains for some student groups. Darling-Hammond emphasized that student needs have grown, that recovery spending has gone to devices, ventilation, staffing, tutoring, summer school, and community schools, and that targeted interventions appear to be helping some districts recover faster than others. On ELOP, Finance proposed adding $435 million to expand universal access by lowering the Tier 1 threshold from 75% to 55% unduplicated pupils, bringing ongoing funding to $4.4 billion. The LAO said the estimate was reasonable but recommended delaying implementation for a year, aligning ELOP with ASES to reduce overlap, moving toward funding based on participation rather than enrollment, and considering a fixed Tier 2 rate. Members and witnesses discussed staffing challenges, the use of funds for students with disabilities, and uncertainty in Tier 2 funding caused by unspent dollars and opt-outs. Darling-Hammond supported ELOP as part of California’s broader after-school and summer learning strategy, said most districts are now offering full-day TK and expanded learning, and urged the state to reduce fragmentation across categorical programs and build more unified systems for funding, reporting, and support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ideally, what you want to look for is things that have a proven track record of being, on average, effective
• And essentially what it does is it tracks indicators of child well-being over time, and by race and ethnicity
• Chronic absenteeism has dropped from 23.6% in 23 to 15.2% as of last year and is on track to drop below
• So they're on a different track.
• This year alone we're serving over 4,500 students. across the state, and we have 65% of those on track

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Crime Stoppers in Houston has done a great job. of working and keeping track of these statistics, and
• the amount of information available. to judges when setting bail, and enabling statewide data to be tracked
• Some of these countries, where they come from, don't have a system set up to be able to track that type
• we get it to do just that and require, probably it'll be the large urban centers, you know, to keep track
• And I also want to reiterate that piece of data just to make So you keep track of the murders, but since

Bills: SB9, SB1047, SB1048, SJR17, SJR49, SB40, SJR1, SJR5, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 1

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in the root system of the weeds, right, as we're trying to track every single payment that is
• As mentioned earlier, we're required federally to have an IV&V vendor that tracks and logs risks, comments
• we work with the vendor, we also have that direct relationship with the direct technology to keep track
• You need to have good vendors who have a track record of getting things done.
• ultimate goal down the road to, like, have an inventory management solution as well so that we can track

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several major technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Department of Financial Services’ Florida PALM project, which is replacing the state’s decades-old FLAIR accounting system. DFS described PALM as a statewide effort affecting all three branches of government, with cash management already live and the remaining financial management, payroll, and data warehouse components still in development. Officials said the project began in 2014, was restructured after a 2022 legislative pause, and is now being recommended for a go-live delay from January 2026 to July 2026. Members asked about governance, staffing, contract structure, cost growth, and maintenance costs; DFS said the contract is deliverable-based, the current amendment would add a net $2.2 million, and post-go-live maintenance is expected to be about $13 million annually under the current contract through July 2027. The Agency for Health Care Administration then updated the committee on the FX Medicaid enterprise modernization program. AHCA explained that federal CMS directed states to move from monolithic Medicaid systems to a modular approach, leading Florida to procure separate vendors for integration services, data warehouse, unified operations, provider services, and claims processing, with pharmacy benefits still to be procured. Officials said the project has spent about $334 million to date, with most costs federally matched, and requested $189.95 million for the upcoming year. They also highlighted a 2024 special assessment that produced 81 recommendations, most tied to staffing shortages, and said the Legislature added 47 FTEs, with 17 currently filled or being filled. Members asked about governance changes, production status, data access, and future technology maintenance; AHCA said some components are operational, the data warehouse is nearing certification, and the agency is working to keep the system adaptable and nonproprietary. The Department of Children and Families presented its Access modernization project, which is replacing a mainframe-based eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid assistance, and related programs. DCF said the six-year, $205 million project is in its third year and has already delivered a new customer portal with mobile access, multi-factor authentication, and fraud protections, while also building a worker portal, document management, community partner tools, and workload management functions. The agency said it is requesting $36.625 million for the next fiscal year, the same as last year, and emphasized that the project has remained on schedule and on budget by breaking work into smaller modules and using strong vendor and staff support. Members praised the project’s progress and asked about cybersecurity testing and the long delay before modernization began; DCF said security requirements were built in from the outset and that the remaining work will focus on moving staff off the legacy mainframe and modernizing notices and back-end processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• not limited to, wind uplift prevention methods and devices to prevent water intrusion through the tracks
• some condo buildings alone, was a subsection continuing research into water intrusion through the tracks
• Ian, how water intrusion and the gaping holes in the Florida Building Code exceptions for sliding track
• damage in some condo buildings alone, a subsection continued research into water intrusion through the tracks
• about how water intrusion and the gaping holes in the Florida Building Code exceptions for sliding track

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we start to track across lines, you're going to see a lot of agreement.
• Is it because I know, and for you guys, we're trying to track funds here.
• That the department uses to keep track of all student data.
• Information systems, where they track attendance and demographics and all those things at a district
• What is the method for tracking the success of those programs?

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not about developing on forest tracks.
• It's about operating logging or forest products operations on tracks of forest.
• So, we'll be keeping track of what it costs for each of these types of shelters and types of services
• So, we'll be keeping track of what it costs for each of these types of shelters and types of services
• So, we'll be keeping track of what it costs for each of these types of shelters and types of services

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The student outcomes that we don't track, EFA student outcomes in New Hampshire, in other states with
• similar programs, the outcomes have been dismal when they have been tracked.
• <04:00:48.520> outcomes states have stopped tracking outcomes states have stopped tracking
• it and we are now we're not tracking it and we are now saying<04:01:31.279> if<04:01:31.560><
• EFA are three criteria used to track EFA success<04:04:06.000> in<04:04:06.159> our<04

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on HB 563, which revises the adequacy education grant formula, including differentiated aid for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and special education, and also restores fiscal capacity disparity aid. Members explained that for FY 26 the formula largely stays the same with the usual 2% increases, while FY 27 would raise the base cost and several aid categories, including a substantial increase in special education differentiated aid. Supporters said the bill recognizes higher special education costs and separates fiscal capacity disparity from the extraordinary needs grant, which they argued better targets property-poor communities. A major point of discussion was the fiscal capacity disparity aid component. Some members asked for more detail on how the formula affected individual towns and how much money was being allocated. The sponsors said the spreadsheet showed the impacts and estimated the fiscal capacity disparity portion at about $13.3 million, benefiting roughly 40 communities, with Manchester the only municipality expected to receive less under the new approach. They also said the change partially rebalances money that had shifted heavily toward larger cities under the extraordinary needs grant and that the special education increase is new money, not taken from the hold harmless or extraordinary needs funds. Several members supported the amendment as a good-faith step and a bipartisan compromise, while others expressed frustration that they did not have enough time or information to review the spreadsheets in detail before voting. After extended debate, the committee recessed for lunch to allow the spreadsheet to be distributed and reviewed, with the understanding that the bill would continue later in the day and then move on to the other bills on the docket.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair said they would continue to track the bill, and likely appear at the subcommittee meeting.
• <01:54:11.800> of it also involved complex tracking of it also involved complex tracking of
• according to whatever that is tracked according to whatever the<04:39:57.798> outcomes<04:39:
• for several decades with a proven track for several decades with a proven track record<04:57:13.840
• record of 30 years proven by the track record of 30 years of<05:36:29.638> optometrists<05:36

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 144 and House Bill 145, both related to professional licensing for dietitians and dental hygienists. HB 144 was described as a technical fix to align statute with existing Board of Dental Examiners rules allowing dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide and local anesthesia, with supporters saying the bill would add needed training and examination requirements to statute. A dentist and dental society representative testified that the practice is already being done safely within scope, and committee members discussed whether nitrous oxide is still used and whether the bill was mainly to keep the paperwork and law consistent. The committee moved HB 144 forward on a 12-0 vote and placed it on consent. HB 145 would join New Hampshire to a dietitian licensure compact and add a criminal history check for initial licensure to match compact language. The sponsor and board witnesses said the compact would improve portability, support telehealth, help military families and spouses, and maintain public safety by ensuring qualified practitioners and information-sharing among member states. Committee members asked about withdrawal from the compact, the difference between single-state and compact licensure, and why a background check was included; the witness said the compact is not yet active, with four states enacted and seven needed, and that the background check is required by the compact language. Additional testimony from a private-practice dietitian supported the bill, citing continuity of care, rural access, and workforce mobility, while some members raised concerns about telehealth across state lines and the practical effect of the background check.

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember there was some tracking component.
• So, that helps our short staffing and preparing probation because we can actually track them.
• <02:33:04.800> Is because we can actually track them.
• Is because we can actually track them. Is that<02:33:05.200> fair?
• Uh, now the $14 million computer system, I'm assuming, is that a replacement for a fender track?

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It appeared to the department that it was not meant to be kind of a parallel track with the prioritized
• or the same track.
• or the same it was a parallel track or the same track<00:39:04.079> um<00:39:04.400> if
• The second area is around track changes.
• changes unfortunately when around track changes unfortunately when health<02:17:35.399> insurance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last and certainly not least, we are joined today by the Canton High School girls track and field team
• Please join me in congratulating the state champion Canton High School girls track team.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating Douglas Fire Chief John J. Perna on his retirement. It then took up several local and personnel matters, including sick leave bank bills for Shannon Manning of the trial court and Stephanie Rivera of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office; both were amended to add emergency preambles and passed to be engrossed. The chamber also advanced local legislation on special meetings of the Holyoke City Council, the Reading home rule charter, a parkland exchange in Lexington, and a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for North Attleboro, along with a House bill concerning land conveyance in Fall River, which was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also received a committee report on a Newton pension obligation bonds bill, referred it to the municipalities and regional government committees, and adopted an order to meet again in formal session on Thursday at 11 a.m. A major policy item was a House bill creating a temporary summer 2026 pilot program allowing municipalities to opt in to extended liquor license hours and public consumption in designated districts. Senator Todd offered an amendment requiring an interagency report on the pilot’s effects on behavior, public safety, and transportation; the amendment was adopted, as was the bill as amended, and the Senate later concurred in a further House amendment. The bill then received the required emergency preamble by standing vote and was passed to be enacted, to be signed by the President and sent to the Governor. The Senate also paused for a personal privilege recognition honoring three Canton High School state championship teams: the boys golf team, boys hockey team, and girls track and field team. The remarks highlighted their state titles, individual achievements, coaches and school leaders, and included special recognition for boys hockey coach Brian Schumann on his retirement after 23 seasons. The teams were welcomed to the chamber and told citations would be issued and the recognition entered into the journal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our training studies in Georgia Statefield have approval track record of trial.
• Churchill at Springfield have a proven track record of trying to keep in the workers to build their style
• From tracking the rotation of asteroids to capturing the eclipses of exoplanets across distant stars,
• at any given hour, ISO New England does track the peak demand reductions from behind-the-meter solar
• Unfortunately, ISO New England does not similarly track the impact of energy efficiency.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of energy efficiency, building decarbonization, school modernization, and lighting bills. Testimony generally came from municipal leaders, labor unions, environmental groups, and advocates who supported measures such as H. 3529/S. 2294 on building energy and decarbonization, H. 3577/S. 2286 on a zero-carbon renovation fund, H. 3476/S. 2275 on healthy and sustainable schools, H. 3565 on Mass Save zero-carbon assessments, H. 3477 on clean lighting and appliance efficiency standards, and the Dark Sky bills on outdoor lighting. Supporters argued these bills would cut emissions, lower utility bills, improve indoor air quality and school conditions, and direct resources to environmental justice, gateway, and low-income communities. Witnesses emphasized that Massachusetts’ older building stock and school facilities need major upgrades, and that state funding and financing tools are needed to close gaps left by declining federal support. Mayors, labor leaders, and environmental advocates said the proposals would create local jobs, expand apprenticeships, and help municipalities and schools undertake retrofits, ventilation improvements, heat pump installations, and other decarbonization work. Several speakers also defended Mass Save as highly cost-effective while urging new funding sources beyond ratepayer bills for larger-scale building upgrades. One representative asked about the difference between current Mass Save audits and proposed zero-carbon assessments, and the sponsor explained the new assessments would include heat pumps, solar, storage, wiring upgrades, and rate-structure guidance. There was also testimony on the Dark Sky bill, with astronomers and museum representatives arguing that better-shielded, downward-facing lighting would reduce energy waste, protect wildlife and human health, and preserve night skies without compromising safety. Committee members raised concerns about pedestrian safety and whether education might be enough instead of legislation; supporters responded that the bill follows established lighting standards and targets only unnecessary glare and skyward light. On the school bill, an open-shop contractor group opposed the measure, arguing its PLA and apprenticeship requirements would restrict bidding and reduce competition, while labor organizations strongly supported the workforce standards and prevailing wage provisions. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and several members asked clarifying questions, but the transcript does not show any final action or disposition on the bills.