Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in a hospital receiving treatment. in a hospital receiving treatment.
• services for juveniles, including the potential construction of a treatment facility, with a report
• We would take them to the hospital for medical treatment.
• </c><00:53:13.760><c> type</c><00:53:14.000><c> of</c> not a high acuity treatment type of not a high
• And we see these type of treatment.

Summary: The interim Budget Review Subcommittee for Justice and Judiciary received an update on Northern Kentucky University’s capital project to house the Northern Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office and the Northern Kentucky Crime Lab in the former Highland Heights Civic Center building on NKU’s campus. NKU and Justice Cabinet staff described the project timeline: the building was identified in late 2022, lease terms were agreed to in early 2023, a pre-construction evaluation agreement was executed in May 2023, the General Assembly authorized $21 million in April 2024, and the lease and construction agreement were finalized in spring 2026. The project is now being prepared for bid, with construction expected to start in August and occupancy targeted for January 2028. About $1 million has been spent so far on design and related investigations. Testimony emphasized that the vacant building was structurally sound but required major upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, a generator, specialized mechanical systems, security, and geothermal work to meet the needs of two separate operations sharing one facility. NKU said it is contributing $3.7 million to the project. Committee members asked about the condition of the building, the urgency of the project, and why the process took so long. Justice Cabinet and real properties officials said the medical examiner’s office had been shut down since roughly late 2017 or 2018, that the state had first sought funding in the 2022 budget for staffing, a lease, and equipment, and that it took time to find a suitable leased location because the facility has highly specialized requirements. Members also asked about operating costs, annual lease costs, and the impact of the office’s absence on families and counties in Northern Kentucky. Officials said the lease cost is based on NKU’s expected maintenance-related expenses, while utilities and staffing are covered through the Office of the State Medical Examiner or Kentucky State Police, with seven medical examiner positions funded in House Bill 500 and two additional KSP positions requested for the crime lab. They explained that, until the new facility opens, bodies from Northern Kentucky are generally transported to Louisville for autopsy, with transportation costs borne by the coroner’s office. No votes were taken, but the committee requested follow-up information, including lease cost numbers and additional details on facility usage and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do support provisions to expand supportive housing, as well as community-based mental health treatment
• diverted into Supportive<00:29:36.760><c> Housing</c><00:29:37.080><c> and</c><00:29:37.279><c> treatment
• Housing and treatment not not overcrowding<00:29:39.000><c> our</c><00:29:39.159><c> jails</c><00:29
• </c> community- based mental health treatment community- based mental health treatment um<00:29:56.919
• and um other uh mental health treatment and um other uh services<00:30:22.600><c> that</c><00:30:22.760

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Just real quick, you know, early identification and treatment of these kinds of diseases saves lives.
• to continue during disputes, and adds and clarifies decisions including life-sustaining care and treatment
• to continue during disputes, and adds and clarifies decisions including life-sustaining care and treatment
• , defining imminent death as within two weeks. ...decisions including life-sustaining care and treatment

Bills: HB3976 , HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3066 , HB3904 , HB3644 , HB1687 , HB3920

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider several House bills, beginning with a series of sunset extensions for professional licensing and review boards. House Bill 3000 extended the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering to 2031 after brief questions about prior executive-branch efforts to improve board transparency; House Bill 3001 extended the Child Death Review Board to 2031; House Bill 3003 extended the Board of Chiropractic Examiners to 2031; and House Bill 3004 extended the Board of Examiners in Optometry to 2031. Each of these bills advanced on unanimous 9-0 votes. The committee also advanced House Bill 366, which creates a revolving fund at the Health Care Workforce Training Commission to receive rural health transformation funds. Members asked about the timing and distribution of the funds, but no timeline was available. House Bill 3904 changed prenatal delivery and postpartum services from a global payment model to individualized payments, with supporters saying it would improve access to local and rural prenatal care and could help hospitals qualify for birth-friendly designations and related funding. That bill also passed 9-0. Two health-related policy bills were amended in committee and advanced. House Bill 3644, the Blake Burgess Act, requires certain hospitals to adopt policies to prevent venous thromboembolism; members asked whether the required report would be public, and the author said that was the intent. House Bill 1687, the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act, replaces older advance directive and health care agent laws with a single framework for end-of-life decision-making, with committee substitute changes adding safeguards and clarifying surrogate authority. House Bill 3920 created a sales tax exemption for LifeShare Network, matching an exemption already given to the Oklahoma Blood Institute, and it also passed after supportive testimony. All measures considered were reported out favorably, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• and after a committee meeting in July 2023 and in his office at the annex involving inappropriate treatment
• his office at the annex involving his office at the annex involving inappropriate<00:04:20.320><c> treatment
• </c> inappropriate treatment of that person. inappropriate treatment of that person.

Summary: The meeting focused on a legislative ethics complaint involving Representative Daniel G. Givens. The committee considered and voted on several probable-cause motions alleging violations of KRS 6.731 based on different sets of conduct: intimidating statements or actions toward a private business, attempts to obtain contributions in exchange for possible state catering vendor business for a private company, and inappropriate treatment of an individual at the Capitol Annex before, during, and after a July 2023 committee meeting and in his office. Each motion was made, seconded, and approved by roll call, with Arnold Simpson voting no on the motions and the other members voting yes. After the probable-cause votes, the chair noted that Representative Givens and counsel could attempt to file an agreed settlement in the case. The committee then concluded its business on the complaint. Later, the chair explained that the Government Contract Review Committee had disapproved a personal service contract for legal services related to the ethics investigation, but the ethics commission, as an independent body with contracting authority, approved the contract effective that day notwithstanding the disapproval. The commission also accepted a financial report by motion and seconded vote, and members expressed appreciation for the staff’s work and the time spent on the case. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also change the treatment of deposits when it comes to the Gann limit, specifically essentially
• Lastly, ACA 20 would also extend the change in treatment under the Gann limit to the Temporary Surplus
• So our office has suggested that this change in the treatment of reserve deposits in terms of the state
• And similarly with the treatment of reserves today, we count that the state counts them against the deposit
• So our office has suggested that this change in the treatment of reserve deposits in terms of the state

Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review held an informational hearing on ACA 20, the Save for California’s Future Act, and took no votes. The chair described the measure as a way to strengthen the state’s Rainy Day Fund by increasing reserves during strong revenue years and helping pay down long-term obligations. The vice chair said he preferred a broader spending rule tied to a rolling average of revenues, rather than the proposal’s reserve-focused approach. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained how Proposition 2 currently requires deposits into the Budget Stabilization Account and debt payments when revenues are strong, and how ACA 20 would change those rules by increasing required reserve deposits, raising the BSA target from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, creating a “super excess capital gains” deposit requirement, extending debt-payment requirements through 2040, and expanding eligible debt uses to include Proposition 98 settle-up, budgetary borrowing, and federal unemployment insurance debt. The Department of Finance said the administration supports the measure and believes it improves Proposition 2. Members asked about the Gann limit, whether the measure would allow more spending or simply change how deposits are counted, the impact on infrastructure and other programs, the size of the UI debt, and how the proposal would affect future budget flexibility. Several senators supported the goal of saving more in good years and using reserves to avoid painful cuts in downturns, while others questioned whether the proposal was sufficiently simple or whether a larger structural spending rule would be better. Public comment largely supported the measure, with one former legislative staffer arguing it follows earlier reserve reforms and helps address the state’s UI debt. The chair closed by noting the committee would not act that day and that the measure would be considered on the Senate floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also change the treatment of deposits when it comes to the Gann limit, specifically essentially
• Lastly, ACA 20 would also extend the change in treatment under the Gann limit to the Temporary Surplus
• So our office has suggested that this change in the treatment of reserve deposits in terms of the state
• And similarly with the treatment of reserves today, we count that the state counts them against the deposit
• So our office has suggested that this change in the treatment of reserve deposits in terms of the state

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• In researching this issue, I found that some treatment centers claim that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can
• Some treatment centers claim that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat a range of conditions like Alzheimer's
• The vast majority of Arizonans do not support this inhumane, cruel treatment of our neighbors, our friends
• Evidence has proven that systemic treatment with fluoride does not work in the same fashion that topical
• treatment works.

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by the Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by recognition of guests for National Ag Day, World Hearing Day, a visiting doctor of the day, food truck business owners, and members of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 for its 100th anniversary. Senators also presented proclamations honoring World Hearing Day and the VFW post’s century of service. The chamber then handled routine business, including a temporary committee appointment and the reading of messages and committee reports into the journal. The floor then took up a series of third-reading bills, mostly transportation and public safety appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1088, 1154, 1156, 1157, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, 1457, and 1461 all passed, with several members explaining votes in support of road projects, tribal road needs, veteran services, border security, or workforce health care training, while opponents argued many appropriations should come from other funding sources or were unnecessary, especially the public safety and border-related measures. SB 1798 also passed with bipartisan support after senators praised it as a FAFSA awareness and student opportunity measure. One bill failed: SB 1019, relating to bottled water systems and water fluoridation, was defeated 14-11 after extended debate over public health benefits versus concerns about fluoridation safety and informed consent. After the votes, HB 2110 was withdrawn from the Education Committee and referred to Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. The Senate then announced committee meetings for March 23 and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026, at noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• In researching this issue, I found that some treatment centers claim that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can
• Some treatment centers claim that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat a range of conditions like Alzheimer's
• The vast majority of Arizonans do not support this inhumane, cruel treatment of our neighbors, our friends
• Evidence has proven that systemic treatment with fluoride does not work in the same fashion that topical
• treatment works.

Transcript Highlights:

• helping people with their pain and their chronic pain, what might have been inappropriate in terms of treatment
• modalities or ineffective treatment modalities.
• the Division of Financial Institutions promulgating a legislative rule relating to the notice and treatment
• the Division of Financial Institutions promulgating a legislative rule relating to the notice and treatment
• The bill renames that fund the Emergency Medical Services Crisis Response and Mental Health Treatment

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• not get in the way of exemptions for pregnant women, the disabled, individuals in substance abuse treatment
• There were no clinically significant treatments. There were no clinically significant treatments.
• We now have not one but two treatments that slow the progression and better diagnostic tools.
• It is extremely difficult to have a consistent and evolving treatment and care plan for him.
• It is extremely difficult to have a consistent and evolving treatment and care plan for him, as we are

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met and first recognized Physical Therapy Day at the Capitol, welcoming Arizona physical therapy leaders and students. The committee then took up several bills related to SNAP, health care regulation, child welfare, dementia services, and safe haven newborn surrender. SB 1334 would bar DES from seeking or renewing SNAP work-requirement waivers for able-bodied adults without dependents unless required by federal or state law; supporters said it would curb administrative expansion and opponents argued it would reduce flexibility during high unemployment and harm food-insecure Arizonans. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-1 vote. SB 1333 would require DES to reduce the SNAP payment error rate to 3% by 2030, with annual reporting, corrective action plans, Auditor General oversight, and possible funding penalties if targets are missed. After adopting a committee amendment changing reporting to quarterly updates and replacing a forensic audit with a special audit, the committee approved the bill as amended on a 4-1 vote. SB 1331 would require able-bodied adults under 60 receiving SNAP to participate in mandatory employment and training unless exempt; proponents said it would strengthen work expectations, while opponents and DES raised concerns about administrative burden and food bank impacts. The bill passed 4-2, with members explaining no votes due to child care, rural access, and food insecurity concerns. The committee also advanced SB 1162, which clarifies DHS’s role in licensing and monitoring health care institutions and, as amended, requires DHS and AHCCCS/Access to coordinate to reduce duplicative oversight and report periodically to the legislature; it passed 6-0. SB 1017, requiring additional signatures and witness verification on emergency informed consent forms for surgical procedures, passed 4-2. SB 1149, which adds reporting and procedural requirements for DCS periodic review hearings, passed as amended 5-1. SB 1249, designating DHS as the lead agency on Alzheimer’s and dementia and creating a state plan and services program funded through lottery monies rather than the general fund after amendment, passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1253 clarified that a parent may surrender a newborn at the hospital of birth without leaving and returning, and requires updated safe-haven reporting; it passed 5-0, after testimony from hospital and safe-haven advocates in support. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• use their clinical judgment to determine whether telehealth or in-person care is the appropriate treatment
• modality for a given patient and clarifies that allowing practitioners to determine the appropriate treatment
• use their clinical judgment to determine whether telehealth or in-person care is the appropriate treatment
• modality for a given patient and clarifies that allowing practitioners to determine the appropriate treatment
• modality for a patient does not limit the authority of the board. determine the appropriate treatment

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held confirmation hearings for Ryan Moran to lead the Health Care Authority and Dennis Worsham to serve as Secretary of Health. Moran emphasized his personal background, experience in Maryland Medicaid, and priorities of protecting coverage amid federal changes, addressing health disparities, strengthening tribal partnerships, and improving agency operations. Worsham described his long public health career in Washington, his statewide listening tour, and his focus on collaboration, science-based decision-making, accountability, workforce support, and rebuilding public trust. Senators raised questions about behavioral health, social determinants of health, communication, misinformation, and the impact of federal policy changes; both nominees said Washington should continue leading on coverage, prevention, and public health resilience. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed SB 5899, allowing qualified chiropractors to perform chiropractic diagnosis and adjustments on animals; SB 6292, creating a joint legislative-executive committee on health care financing with a substitute; SB 6182, establishing an abortion savings program, after rejecting several Christian-sponsored amendments and adopting a Bateman amendment limiting eligible organizations to DOH-contracted abortion providers or funds; SB 5947, creating the Washington Health Care Board; SJR 8206, proposing a constitutional right to affordable health care; and SB 5933, on overdose mapping information sharing, with a substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of both gubernatorial appointments. In a second group of bills, the committee passed SB 5823 on patient advocates with a substitute requiring at least one person physically present daily in acute care settings and expanding exemptions for certain hospitals; SB 6210 on the health plan certification process with a substitute; SB 5921 on psilocybin; SB 6226 protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy with a substitute; and SB 5924 expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority with a substitute. Members discussed access, affordability, rural workforce shortages, and patient safety, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT COME UP RECENTLY WITH TREATMENT OF BRAIN DISORDERS IS NOT THAT COME UP RECENTLY
• WITH TREATMENT OF BRAIN DISORDERS IS NOT THAT THERE AREN'T GOOD DRUGS TO TREAT BRAIN DISORDERS, IT'S
• WHAT YOU CAN SEE IS IF YOU GO TO THE BOTTOM ESPECIALLY THE MIDDLE IMAGE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TREATMENT
• ON THE SIDE YOU DON'T DO THE TREATMENT ABOUT 10%.
• THIS IS A DRAMATIC RESULT AND QUITE A BREAKTHROUGH FOR PEOPLE IN THE TREATMENT OF BRAIN DISORDERS.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fortunately, there are millions of Floridians who receive cancer treatment successfully.
• And nobody told me not to come to work during the time that I was receiving cancer treatment.
• My own father, who was undergoing treatment for aggressive bladder cancer when he was disenrolled.
• Who was undergoing treatment for aggressive bladder cancer when he was disenrolled.
• Florida has kind of matched with our temporary treatment.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:38.440><c> of</c><00:19:38.679><c> un</c> statute then the treatment of un statute then the
• treatment of un allotment<00:19:39.600><c> when</c><00:19:39.799><c> used</c><00:19:40.240><c> by</c
• to the treatment of inflation and<00:20:49.720><c> members</c><00:20:50.000><c> of</c><00:20:50.200>
• Okay, moving on to G, the next section of budget rules deals with the treatment of appropriations that
• of Appropriations that are the treatment of Appropriations that are already<00:25:24.240><c> in</c><

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The treatment can be a month or two months, and they leave the treatment facilities and there's no safe
• </c><03:42:24.920><c> be</c><03:42:25.199><c> a</c> treatment and the treatment can be a treatment and
• or have recently received addiction treatment.
• 54:25.439><c> treatment</c> recently received addiction treatment recently received addiction treatment
• treatment treatment ends<04:03:40.000><c> there</c><04:03:40.199><c> has</c><04:03:40.359><c> to</c>

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Treatment is also $150 a week.
• So if we're going to take money away from people who would be going to treatment, we're inevitably going
• Treatment is also $150 a week.
• So if we're going to take money away from people who would be going to treatment, we're inevitably going
• At the end of the day, we would rather have people put their money into treatment than into GPS, and

Bills: SB1285 , SB1289 , SB1326 , SB1328 , SB1329 , SB1330 , SB1392 , SB1402 , SB1425 , SCR1013 , SCR1014

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: sentencing, correctional facilities, multiple sentences, death penalty, aggravating circumstances, juvenile offenses, class 2 felony, foreign donations, election administration, certification, Arizona Revised Statutes, transparency, public disclosure, parents' rights, family law, shared parenting, best interest of the child, state interference, family court, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• Current state treatment levels for New Mexico remain well below the pace needed to meaningfully reduce
• You can also use them for wastewater treatment plants and wastewater collection systems.
• We finance solar projects that power wastewater Treatment plants.
• Chair, with that, how many treatment plants do we have that are fully functional off of solar?
• It powers the water treatment plants.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• and updated Prop 47 grant application criteria to ensure that substance abuse and mental health treatment
• Prop 36 and its impact, and we did center around collaborative courts, but also on the treatment component
• We urge the Legislature to invest $105 million to expand behavioral health treatment capacity.
• Prop. 36 created a right to care for those charged with treatment-mandated felonies.
• And to ensure that care is evidence-based and individualized, it's critical that treatment decisions

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending. For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed. CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects. For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, high water events or stream weather, and many times that would actually overwhelm our treatment
• you know, high water events or stream weather, and many times that would actually overwhelm our treatment
• facility and uh overwhelm our treatment facility and uh not<00:16:35.319><c> a</c><00:16:35.519><c>
• MSD does provide roughly 42,000 residents with wastewater treatment.
• </c><00:26:32.440><c> um</c> residents with wastewater treatment um residents with wastewater treatment

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:01.200><c> Um</c><00:46:01.599><c> okay</c><00:46:01.839><c> please</c> as treatment services
• Um okay please as treatment services. Um okay please wrap<00:46:02.319><c> up.
• program to the phrase that treatment program to the phrase that necessary<00:57:30.640><c> to</c><00
• </c> I know you guys remodeling the treatment I know you guys remodeling the treatment plant,<01:08:58.159
• plant to figure out one place treatment plant to figure out one place to<01:09:43.679><c> store</c><

Summary: The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments. The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity. HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.