Transcript Highlights:

• general contractor to block them. general contractor to block them.
• general contractor.
• In our case, general general contractor.
• Management and Budget. But for the most Management and Budget.
• You know, inspector general bill. Uh the time is inspector general bill.

Bills: HF1234, HF3528, HF3672, HF3679, HF3680, HF1944

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, data transparency, Legislative Budget Office, state agencies, fiscal notes, public data, standard time, federal law, time zone

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:55.679> to the Department of Attorney General to the Department of Attorney General
• >> Cochran for attorney generals. I know um >> Cochran for attorney generals.
• the purposes of emergency management. the purposes of emergency management.
• <02:51:43.760> Ian the attorney general and Mr. Ian the attorney general and Mr.
• development program manager, Todd Low. development program manager, Todd Low.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The disaster management cycle is an analytical framework that is commonly used by disaster management
• Fire management assistance grants were mentioned.
• I think I would align with smaller agencies in general.
• We were asked to provide an update on the management at Cal OES.
• Our general fund asks, our allocation has been the same for 10 years.

Summary: The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration. The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work. A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program. The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Durkin, our Senior Facility Manager, and Mr.
• In regard to the Construction Manager Risk Project Delivery Method, this involves procuring general contractor
• The regional manager assigned to Gallup is currently managing a substantial workload, including projects
• Our new planning and design manager, Mr.
• And we had a Plant Manager of the Year award, which was presented to Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also provided a one-time funding of 200 million dollars from the state's general revenue.
• As I mentioned earlier in fiscal year 2024, the Sun Trail program received a general revenue allocation
• There is third-party service approvals for utm systems that manage that drone traffic.
• And what the systems will look like to kind of manage that airspace. There's certainly a roll.
• >> I would say generally not.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a fourth-generation cattle and citrus grower.
• I'm a fifth-generation dairy farmer here at Milking Our Dairy.
• The land has been in the same family for four generations.
• Manager? Yes.
• These lands are managed and preserved for enjoyment by future generations through providing resource-based

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met to hear updates on land conservation and agricultural preservation programs. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The director said the program requires participants to use agricultural best management practices, noted strong demand with 428 ranked projects for 2025, and reported that consistent legislative funding and partnerships with USDA, DOD, local governments, land trusts, and water management districts have expanded acreage protected, much of it within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Committee members asked about eligibility, ranking, local government involvement, and how many projects are typically funded each year. Conservation Florida’s president and CEO testified that both Rural and Family Lands and Florida Forever are critical and complementary tools for preserving working lands, wildlife habitat, water resources, and public access to nature. She warned that uncertainty or cuts in state funding can stall projects, raise land prices, and reduce conservation momentum. In discussion with senators, she said public access is often negotiated case by case and is more common on lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space than on conservation easements. The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on Florida Forever, describing it as the state’s premier conservation and recreation land acquisition program. DEP said Florida Forever uses both conservation easements and fee-simple purchases, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and emphasized that steady funding is needed to keep projects moving. The deputy secretary reported 60 projects on the current work plan, more than $1.4 billion invested since 2019, and recent acquisitions including new state forest, park, and preserve expansions. Members also raised concerns about payment in lieu of taxes for fiscally constrained counties, local notification of acquisitions, and the need for continued support for agriculture, citrus, roads, and conservation funding. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after member comments and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• inspector general each bienium. inspector general each bienium.
• General.
• position of agent general. position of agent general.
• General.
• He's been a consultant to nonprofits, cooperatives, and small businesses, and was general manager of

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Luis Ortiz, our construction information management system specialist.
• , program manager, and one regional project manager.
• We currently have the following uh vacancies regional project manager. 2, planning and design manager
• Programs and funding manager and staff attorney.
• the regional managers are using and assigning the color codes like.

Transcript Highlights:

• General counsel for Lloyds of London and Weight Steer the managing director and head of Tampa office
• Generally, that's a lot.
• Just just some general, just general highlights of where we see ourselves in the past year.
• Is that that that helps a general absent pause button on that general question probably know the answer
• And the percentage that was being sent to MTA's managing general agents, we still conduct or you is the

Transcript Highlights:

• Thus far, management appears to be managing to near extinction.
• Thus far, management appears to be managing to near extinction.
• from general conservation to legally binding science-based performance metrics.
• <01:04:24.720> regarding Water Resources Management regarding Water Resources Management regarding
• management management um<01:04:57.440> and<01:04:57.599> exempt<01:04:58.000> state

Bills: SB2341, SB2306, SB2782, SB2161, SB17, SB2358, SB2367, SB2240, SB2547, SB2401, SB3031, SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996

Keywords: historic preservation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, construction, state review, burial sites, cultural artifacts, development review, phased review, administrative fees, bureau of conveyances, land court, transaction fees, public services, cost recovery, notary public, fraud, real property, Bureau of Conveyances, title recording, property rights

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to hunting, trespass enforcement, conservation banking, coral reef resilience, and search and rescue. SB 2130 would require DLNR to increase the percentage of public land acreage designated for public hunting areas; DLNR offered comments, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council expressed concern, and a Game Management Advisory Commission member urged adequate funding for both study and maintenance of any expanded hunting areas. SB 2128 would require forfeiture to the state of firearms or motor vehicles used in hunting trespass on private land; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the bill, and another signer testified without additional detail. The committee also heard SB 3053, which appropriates funds to DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline/stream maintenance in the Westlock and Middleock shorelines and watersheds. DLNR supported the measure and noted staff involved in mangrove removal work; no other testimony was offered. On SB 20005, which authorizes conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in habitat conservation plans and incidental take licenses, DLNR supported the bill but said a House measure, HB 1802, would place key safeguards in statute rather than administrative rules. Earthjustice opposed SB 20005 for lacking statutory safeguards and said it would support incorporating the House language, while CARES supported the bill as a modernization that could reduce permit processing time and provide more predictable costs. A lengthy discussion followed on SB 3201, which would direct DLNR to prioritize coral reef resilience and set performance targets for coral cover and herbivore biomass. DLNR said it supported the intent but wanted more flexibility because outside factors such as climate and emissions policy affect reef conditions; the Nature Conservancy shared that concern and asked for more flexible language. For the bill, For the Fishes strongly supported stronger protections and suggested adding abundance as a metric, while NOAA and DLNR discussed the difficulty of setting universal benchmarks because reef conditions vary by location. Randy Kosaki and CARES supported the bill, emphasizing coral decline and the need for measurable goals, while committee members asked about restoration projects, benchmarks, and whether the bill’s deadlines were meant to require a plan rather than immediate achievement. Finally, the committee took up SB 2937, which would create a search and rescue card program and special fund to reimburse state, county, and volunteer search-and-rescue operations. DLNR’s wildlife division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii SAR Alliance supported the concept but said Hawaii first needs a stronger search-and-rescue framework, including a state coordinator, before implementing such a program. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And electricity generation, I believe. I think the Mines Falls still actually does generation.
• throughout the state so that's managing throughout the state so that's managing contracts<00:44:
• going into the um into the generators going into the um into the generators they<01:55:03.719>
• Thank you. generation like the Pacific Northwest or generation like the Pacific Northwest or uh<01:57
• He said they generally, as a business, try to manage their business risk.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:23.520> It's rate generally. Is that correct? It's rate generally.
• > you<00:58:49.680> know<00:58:49.839> five managing over um you know five managing
• What we do is we use MCOs; we uh essentially outsource payment management to managed care organizations
• essentially outsource payment management essentially outsource payment management to<01:09:47.359
• 01:09:49.839> uh<01:09:50.319> it's to manage care organizations so uh it's to manage care

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• academic programs fiscal management academic programs fiscal management Personnel<00:03:06.000><
• I'm a first-generation college student.
• procurement and contract management procurement and contract management policies<00:21:16.840>
• <00:36:31.680> asset um you know Asset Management asset um you know Asset Management asset
• <01:53:27.360> of care training the next generation of care training the next generation of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• estimate from our construction manager estimate from our construction manager about<00:35:55.319
• There'll also be space for the Sheriff's Office, emergency management, and facilities management.
• <01:05:07.319> and<01:05:07.559> and emergencies management and and emergencies management
• It'll generate additional economic activity and will actually be one of the most important economic generators
• It'll generate additional economic activity and will actually be one of the most important economic generators

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 12 would be an information management system for our Office of Inspector General.
• Item 12 would be an information management system for our Office of Inspector General.
• Pharmacy benefit manager.
• And correctional managed health care and UTMB had to sit in that seat.
• Murray, do y'all have a PBM within correctional managed health care? We're basically self-managed.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand. DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got a comment just about things in general before I ask my question.
• And freight management issues experienced during the COVID epidemic.
• And freight management issues experienced during the COVID epidemic.
• And this concerns me because it has an impact for all our future generation.
• And our generation will be Mexicans that are trying very hard to become generation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How was it, the coordination between local emergency management.
• I think of different ways to manage risks. That is certainly one way.
• My question is more about a general overview.
• I'm general counsel for the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association.
• It'd be codified into law, so there's one generic plan for the whole state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, CACFP operates year-round.
• keer thank you it's more of a general keer thank you it's more of a general question<00:40:07.800
• <01:17:33.080> that an office of Inspector General that an office of Inspector General that
• <01:19:05.080> counsel going to turn that to general counsel going to turn that to general
• establishing the office of general establishing the office of general counsel<01:20:13.840> is

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:30.000> of only for collection and management of only for collection and management
• Minnesota generates hundreds of millions Minnesota generates hundreds of millions pounds<00:25:21.560
• from the general fund. from the general fund.
• Or general orders. General orders. Okay, that works for me. So, Mr.
• <01:45:30.960> Okay, Or general orders. General orders. Okay, Or general orders.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the general counsel introduce this item? Yes, uh, thank you, Chair.
• Will the general counsel please address this item? Yes, thank you, Chair.
• Our new interim general counsel, Ms.
• Well, we are generally sworn complaint generated. People, third parties file complaints.
• So the general election as a tech.