Transcript Highlights:

• must review approaches for managing water from surrounding states, the powers and organizational structure
• must review approaches for managing water from surrounding states, the powers and organizational structure
• The study must review the powers and organizational structure of watershed boards, dispute resolution
• Can we then still give you a higher cost share percentage, but then have a capital repayment structure
• They just elected to stay underneath the county structure.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just so that you're aware of that structure.
• Also, just speaking of structure a little bit, the House and Senate approaches to appropriations are
• <00:16:06.160> Also,<00:16:06.480> just<00:16:07.200> also of that structure
• Also, just also of that structure.
• Also, just also speaking<00:16:07.960> of<00:16:08.200> of<00:16:08.560> structure

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:38.480> decision-making<00:29:39.120> process<00:29:39.919> and structured
• decision-making process and structured decision-making process and that<00:29:40.399> is<00:29
• So if they start, I'm not sure how long the structured decision-making process will take for the parole
• long the structured decision-m process will<00:33:31.760> take<00:33:31.919> for<00:33
• Alternatively, we do have a little bit of structure, as you may suspect from auditors, to our comments

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• of teachers, a lot of reading teachers, a lot of reading specialists in my district who utilize structured
• of teachers, a lot of reading teachers, a lot of reading specialists in my district who utilize structured
• of teachers, a lot of reading teachers, a lot of reading specialists in my district who utilize structured
• We do know that, like through our grant programs and other things, we are pushing on structured literacy
• <00:30:24.399> literacy pushing on structured literacy pushing on structured literacy interventions

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 44, sponsored by Representative Chris Lewis, which would create a robotics program trust fund and a robotics funding selection committee through the Kentucky Department of Education. Supporters, including Kentucky First Robotics executive director Kelly Gowen and students from Whitfield Academy, said the bill would expand hands-on robotics education in high schools, connect students to manufacturing and engineering careers, and help meet workforce needs. The proposal would fund grants for coach stipends, competition fees, kits, supplies, and related expenses, and Lewis requested a one-time $500,000 appropriation along with private contributions from manufacturers. The students demonstrated their robot and described how robotics programs teach coding, design, manufacturing, and competition skills. The committee took no questions and approved HB 44 with a favorable expression of opinion for passage on the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 253, sponsored by Representative James Tipton, which would phase out the use of three-cueing reading instruction and require greater alignment with the science of reading. Tipton said the bill builds on the 2022 Read to Succeed law and would prohibit three cueing in public schools by the 2029-2030 school year, while also barring public university teacher prep programs from teaching it beginning in 2027-2028. He and Kentucky Department of Education officials said the bill is intended to shift instruction toward phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, and to expand professional learning for teachers through LETRS and other options. KDE testified that enforcement would focus on support rather than punishment, using literacy coaches, regional support staff, and MTSS specialists to help districts transition. Members discussed the bill’s delayed implementation, the evidence against three cueing, and whether reading recovery should be excluded from approved interventions. Supporters cited studies and brain research they said show three cueing can hurt later reading performance, while several members emphasized the need for teacher flexibility and support. Representative Jackson noted Kentucky’s 2025 NAEP third-grade reading ranking of fourth in the nation as evidence that current efforts are helping. Representative Truett and others raised concerns about how the bill would affect classroom practice and intervention strategies, and Tipton and KDE said the goal is to align instruction with evidence-based methods rather than punish educators. The transcript ends during continued discussion of reading recovery and related instructional approaches, with no final vote on HB 253 shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The regions we compete against for opportunities have well-established structures.
• The regions we compete against for opportunities have well-established structures to organize regionally
• By doing so, SB 378 can better support diverse health care structures while maintaining high-quality
• By doing so, SB 378 can better support diverse health care structures while maintaining high-quality
• By doing so, SB 378 can better support diverse health care structures while maintaining high-quality

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• , again, it goes. ...to maintain that same reimbursement structure.
• So kudos to all of those that worked on the funding structure.
• Concerns about the cost reimbursement structure for the first couple of years of funding.
• So we tried to structure this grant process as much as possible to do that.
• Or is it more structured than that? So it's a little more structured than that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So generally a number of states structure their felony systems by class or degree, and these systems
• their felony systems by class structure their felony systems by class or<00:20:32.080> degree
• I would say each state varies quite a bit in terms of how they structure their classifications.
• Um, I was curious to know if Wyoming is the only structured criminal code that we have.
• structured criminal code that we have. structured criminal code that we have.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the inputs that were considered in the design and the structure of the council were around, you
• The inputs that were considered in the design and the structure of the council were around, you know,
• The study on the workforce council, its design, scope, and structure.
• <00:20:58.760> that instead of creating new structures that instead of creating new structures
• for oil and a permit structure for oil extraction<00:40:58.119> has<00:40:58.359> existed<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their answer was revolutionary in both spirit and structure.
• posture for over-the-water structures. posture for over-the-water structures.
• suspended directly from the structure. suspended directly from the structure.
• . structure. structure.
• decks, roof lines, and other structures decks, roof lines, and other structures over<06:09:53.280

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think that's at least an explanation of why the cost is structured the way that it is. >> Senator
• structured the way that it is. structured the way that it is.
• and processes and that DHS structure and processes and that shouldn't<01:22:00.400> that<01:22
• <01:22:07.440> and<01:22:07.760> and<01:22:08.080> effective right structure
• and and effective right structure and and effective controls<01:22:08.960> in<01:22:09.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal undermines the core fiscal structure established in the 2019 IHSS MOE agreement, when the
• So within that structure itself, the increases aren't violating the structure itself.
• The increases aren't violating the structure itself, so how have we determined that they're inadequately
• We have broken the intake process into four or five phases and structured them to follow each other.
• So a proper funding structure that gives them the resources necessary to do the work is always part of

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and then took public testimony from the administration, LAO, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and an aging/disability advocacy group. The administration described IHSS as a large Medi-Cal long-term services program serving more than 900,000 recipients and proposed three changes: shifting some growth costs tied to authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the statewide backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The administration also discussed the earlier CFCO reassessment penalty change for counties and said overdue reassessments had dropped significantly. LAO said the governor’s overall IHSS cost estimates appeared reasonable, but raised concerns about the hours-per-case cost shift, including unclear root causes for growth, limited county control over statewide averages, and uncertainty about the eventual savings. County Welfare Directors Association, SEIU, and consumer/advocacy witnesses opposed the hours cost shift, arguing counties use state tools, the proposal would pressure counties to cut services, and it could harm older adults and people with disabilities by increasing institutionalization and shifting costs elsewhere. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the rationale for the proposal, the lack of a defined baseline, and whether the current assessment tools or MOE structure should instead be revisited. On the backup provider system, the administration said the program is underused and costly to administer relative to service spending, while LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced instead of eliminating it. County, labor, and consumer witnesses opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical emergency safety net even if utilization is low, especially for rural areas and people with complex needs. Members also asked about data quality, county backup systems, and whether consumers know the program exists. On the Medi-Cal/IHSS alignment proposal, the administration said automation would stop General Fund-only spending when recipients lose Medi-Cal and restore IHSS automatically when Medi-Cal is regained; LAO and others noted the proposal had been rejected before and urged better notices and safeguards. Witnesses warned that automatic termination could create gaps in care and unpaid work for providers, while the department said counties already manually terminate in some cases and that automation is ready if approved. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair indicated the committee would continue with public comment and later items before a hard adjournment time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then the housing allowance is structured based on the rank.
• > based<00:27:56.799> on<00:27:56.880> the allowance is structured based on the
• allowance is structured based on the rank.<00:27:58.000> So,<00:27:58.399> you're<00:27
• , And I wonder if this bill is structured, And I wonder if this bill is structured, is<01:04:03.839
• So there's no increase structures today.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulated conditional deposits are secure deposits, albeit structured differently and in another name
• Regulated conditional deposits are secure deposits, albeit structured differently and in another name
• Regulated conditional deposits are secure deposits, albeit structured differently and in another name
• Regulated conditional deposits are secure deposits, albeit structured differently and in another name
• Um, albeit structured deposits.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These<00:51:20.000> structural<00:51:20.640> insurance<00:51:21.160> issues<00:51
• :21.680> are These structural insurance issues are These structural insurance issues are addressed
• from like an their uh business structure from like an Inc.<01:23:56.560> to<01:23:56.680>
• or their W-9 uh documents with structure or their W-9 uh documents with us<01:24:04.560> instead.
• The current med combo licenses and the statutory structures, they were always designed to be a bridge

Bills: HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Transcript Highlights:

• But the structure is the state Medicaid agency contracts with managed care organizations.
• are in those to if you know structures are in those to if you know what<00:21:12.080> they<00
• But the structure is the state Medicaid agency contracts with managed care organizations.
• They reimburse us on a fixed, actuarially sound capitated rate structure.
• the implementation of these structures. the implementation of these structures.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any changes to this structure can have a ripple effect on the program and local communities and could
• We feel it's crucial the committee keep the current structure intact to ensure we avoid any potentially
• to this structure can have a ripple<01:03:59.200> effect<01:03:59.359> on<01:03:59.520
• committee keep the current structure committee keep the current structure intact<01:04:42.640>
• Um, just on the surface of it, I don't think, again, it depends on how the other bill is structured,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of the way the payment structure works under the Paid Leave law, paid leave is meant

• In terms of the way the payment structure works under the Paid Leave law, paid leave is meant

• <00:34:59.960> works that the pay the payment structure works that the pay the payment structure
• Also just wanted to give a little bit of an update just on the overall org structure.
• um this I I won't I won't go structure um this I I won't I won't go through<00:45:09.240> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• encouragingly by confirming Republican contentions, denied by the former administration, that our structural
• Confirming Republican contentions denied by the former administration that our structural deficit was
• Lastly, adjacent to that failure to hold the line on spending is our structural deficit.
• as Republicans predicted last year, and this governor ultimately agreed with us, I bet you our structural
• Yes, Senator O'Scanlon, we did cut the structural budget deficit in half.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will now go over some key elements of the structure of today's hearing.
• The apprenticeship graduation ratios do not reflect the structure of a lot of our trades, the availability
• And that structure, that focus on making sure everybody does what they're best at, has served the state
• And that structure, that focus on making sure everybody does what they're best at, has served the state
• There are other funding issues which relate to structural components, things like buildings and labs

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will now go over some key elements of the structure of today's hearing.
• So the apprenticeship graduation ratios do not reflect the structure of a lot of our trades, the availability
• And that structure, that focus on making sure everybody does what they're best at, has served the state
• And that structure, that focus on making sure everybody does what they're best at, has served the state
• There are other funding issues which relate to structural components, things like buildings and labs

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on community college procurement, higher education access, and student support. SB 1154 by Senator Reyes would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. Supporters, including San Bernardino Valley College, the San Bernardino Community College District, labor groups, and several districts, said it would improve delivery of complex facilities and align community colleges with other education systems. Opponents, including the Associated General Contractors, argued the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce requirements and labor-compliance scoring would narrow the bidder pool and raise costs. The committee passed the bill to the Assembly Floor on a due-pass vote, with some members voting no or not recorded. SB 1255, also by Senator Reyes, would create a California Hispanic-serving institution designation. Supporters from HACU, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, UC, community colleges, and other education organizations said the designation would recognize campuses that serve large numbers of Latino and low-income students and strengthen accountability and student success. The committee approved the bill as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, with one no vote. SB 1328, presented on behalf of Senator Cervantes, would require LGBTQ+ points of contact at satellite or branch campuses of CSU and community colleges, either through designated staff or regular office hours. Testimony emphasized gaps in access at remote centers and the need for confidential support; one member raised concerns about staffing, costs, and whether existing systems could meet the need remotely. The bill was passed as amended and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 960 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand the circumstances under which community colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees in response to unmet workforce needs, especially where CSU programs are impacted or not realistically accessible locally. Supporters said the bill would help meet workforce demand and expand access for place-bound and adult learners. CSU and faculty representatives opposed unless amended, urging stronger partnership requirements, clearer workforce-need standards, and safeguards around duplication and Prop 98 funding. Members discussed impaction, regional access, and the role of partnerships; the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 632 by Senator Otagan would extend the California College Promise fee waiver to part-time community college students enrolled in nine units. Supporters said many students cannot attend full time because of work, caregiving, and living costs, and the bill would better reflect student realities; the transcript ends during testimony on this measure, before any vote is shown.