Transcript Highlights:

• And I do appreciate the chair and the committee and all the work that's been done and how collaborative
• AB1931 is the product of months of genuine ongoing collaboration between HomeServe and the California
• I can basically lie to the doctor and just say that it's not occupational and use my own health care
• and pay for it myself or forego care, which is what most of our members wind up doing, which doesn't
• They know they'll be taken care of and that they have the right to go get this care and get better and

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Care Solace is not going to be—does not provide the services.
• Number two is the State Insurance Department with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care.
• Number six is DHS with Collaborative Counseling Associates.
• Number 19, DHS with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, is an original contract.
• DHS with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care. This is an original contract.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of appropriation, transfer, contract, and other review items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests in Sections B through F, including funding for prosecuting attorneys, education-related adjustments, school operating needs, labor licensing divisions, ARPA fund returns from Workforce Services, IIJA grants for state police CDL implementation and a forestry-related county grant, reserve fund transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic development, and a Commerce reallocation tied to organizational realignment. Cash fund requests in Section G and budget classification transfers in Section H were also reviewed, along with pay plan requests in Section I, overtime requests in Section J, and multiple methods of finance in Section K. The committee also reviewed discretionary grants in Section L, including agriculture promotion board grants and DHS aging/adult behavioral health grants, plus RFQs, construction contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and out-of-state contracts in Sections M1 through M5. Several items drew questions from members. Workforce Services explained that $225,000 in TANF-related funds would be returned to the federal government because the two-year hold period for uncashed or moved checks had expired. Commerce officials described the $25 million site infrastructure grant program, saying it supports site development, due diligence, and infrastructure build-out at eligible sites of 30 acres or more, including rural communities, with grant agreements and matching requirements providing accountability. DHS and Education officials answered questions about the Care Solace mental health referral contract, saying it is a statewide concierge/referral service that helps schools connect students to Arkansas providers and follow up so students do not fall through the cracks; members asked for more information on provider selection, school-day scheduling, and Arkansas vendor participation. The committee held one item over: the DHS discretionary grant item for the RSVP retired senior volunteer program in L2, after concerns were raised about whether state general revenue was being used effectively and how much administrative overhead the providers retain. Members also questioned several contracts, including a DHS sole-source contract with EMSLink for document management software and a DHS bridge contract with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care for Medicaid inspections of care reviews; in both cases, agency staff explained the need to avoid service disruption and said follow-up information would be provided. A Department of Corrections reentry center contract was discussed for its recidivism results, and ARDOT retirement-system investment contracts were briefly explained. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion of the Medicaid Trust Fund balance, with DFA and DHS officials saying the state is expected to finish the fiscal year without exhausting the fund, that a restricted reserve of $100 million is available as a backstop, and that the larger question is what minimum balance should be maintained going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, collaboration and cooperation.
• So, collaboration and cooperation.
• At um, collaboration and cooperation.
• work is our commitment to collaboration work is our commitment to collaboration and<00:08:55.120
• care for these most special places. care for these most special places.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Both divisions in out-of-home care.
• And so, they are cross-collaboration<00:27:44.600> collaborating<00:27:45.320> with cross-collaboration
• collaborating with cross-collaboration collaborating with the<00:27:45.520> people<00:27:45.880
• So we were very careful.
• So we were very careful that. Once have. So we were very careful that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, and court facility projects. AOC leaders said they do not anticipate problems balancing the outgoing biennium or fiscal year 2026, and explained that the budget changes were driven by the need to reduce costs while preserving required constitutional, court-rule, and statutory services. They also said the new filing fee increases authorized by HB 504 took effect that day and are expected to generate up to $5 million, while the reorganization is projected to save about $3 million in general fund dollars. The bulk of the presentation focused on a major reorganization of the Office of Statewide Programs, which includes specialty courts, family and juvenile services, and pretrial services. AOC said the plan eliminates 170 positions and creates 109 new ones, mainly by reducing middle-management layers, expanding regional service delivery, and cross-training staff. Officials said 110 employees had already been offered or accepted placements, 24 had chosen voluntary separation, and the final number of employees leaving remains fluid until the process concludes around August 1. They emphasized that specialty court programs were not eliminated, but state-funded treatment court contracts and behavioral health liaison positions were removed, with treatment costs shifted to Medicaid or participants where appropriate. Members asked about the process, staffing impacts, specialty court participation, juvenile services, and how AOC will monitor the changes. AOC said the reorganization was developed by leadership, HR, and legal staff under direction of the Chief Justice and approved by the Supreme Court, and that it is intended to improve efficiency and frontline support rather than reduce services. They said specialty court participant levels are being watched closely, that CDW services will continue to use outside providers for programming, and that the agency will keep judges and stakeholders informed as the new structure goes into effect. No votes were taken, and the committee did not approve minutes because a quorum was not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I did want to say to all of you that the time I spent with you working collaboratively together to
• We come up with something that's better. >> Collaboration. I agree with that.
• We don't collaborative<01:51:21.679> we<01:51:21.840> don't<01:51:22.000> come<01
• :51:22.159> up<01:51:22.320> with collaborative we don't come up with collaborative we
• >> collaboration. I I agree with that. Yes. >> collaboration. I I agree with that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, collaborate. And again, because Kind of touching on that definition again: collaborate.
• That collaboration is critical to the process.
• We also do survey work for the child care system.
• We collaborate with Extension on various projects, but, yeah, that would be an easy collaboration for
• You're free to attend virtually if you care to. Actually, if you care to.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kickbacks in public health care programs can lead to overuse of health care services as well as increased
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:07.680> access lab that will expand Child Care access lab that will expand Child Care
• Next we have Partners in Care Oʻahu Continuum of Care.
• Next we have Partners in Care Oʻahu Continuum of Care. Aloha, thank you all.
• We cultivate a culture of caring.
• We cultivate a culture of caring.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you, Madam Chair. collaboration with DHS. Yes, Madam collaboration with DHS.
• and self-directed home care.
• senior care in every part of Minnesota. senior care in every part of Minnesota.
• Care Imperative.
• know I understand this care it's hard. know I understand this care it's hard.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But personally, I'm interested in any of the health care legislation regarding health care, being that
• um of the health care um of the health care um um um uh<00:03:44.680> legislation<00:03:45.280
• regarding health care uh uh legislation regarding health care uh being<00:03:47.400> that<00:
• :04:09.720> be health care legislation would be health care legislation would be personally<00
• , I have found her to be collaborative, I have found her to be collaborative, engaging,<00:05:03.400

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a Governor’s Message hearing on two nominations. For GM 750, Tracy Fujita was nominated to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation for a term ending June 30, 2030. Testimony in support came from several officials and commission members, including the Deputy Attorney General, Maui Behavioral Health Resources CEO Nicole Hokoana, Maui Council Chair Alice Lee, and Uniform Law Commission members. Fujita said her county-level legislative law background at the Department of Corporation Counsel and Office of Council Services would help her serve, and she expressed particular interest in health care legislation. For GM 778, Jessica Schafer was nominated to the Commission on the Status of Women for a term ending June 30, 2030. Support testimony came from Commission Executive Director Yasmin Chaney and multiple others. Schafer said her background includes prosecuting domestic violence cases, working in a human trafficking clinic, investigating sexual misconduct in higher education, and leading gender-based violence programming at the University of Hawaii; she said she is especially interested in sexual and gender-based violence issues but is open to broader commission work. After questioning, the committee moved to decision-making on both nominations. The chair recommended advise and consent for each, and the committee adopted both measures without any no votes or reservations. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, collaborate.
• Again, collaborate. And again, because kind of touching on, on that definition. Again, collaborate.
• That collaboration is critical to the process.
• We collaborate with extension on various projects, but, yeah, that would be an easy collaboration for
• You're free to attend virtually if you care to. Actually, if you care to.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We must nurture and care for it and for each other.
• This important bill reflects collaboration and partnership.
• The people who care for our children deserve the time and support to care for their own. Thank you.
• Getting care in the setting including in your home, is the most cost effective way to deliver care.
• But the long-term care system in our state is broken, and the promise of delivering long-term care in

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These negotiated compacts are the culmination of a lengthy negotiation process, compromises, and careful
• These negotiated compacts are the culmination of a lengthy negotiation process, compromises, and careful
• some of that additional background, anytime we're in any of these negotiations, we are very, very careful
• So we were able to, very grateful to the tribe for coming together with us in a collaborative spirit,
• In addition to that, as part of our collaborative resolution of this potential dispute, the tribe agreed

Summary: The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee held an informational hearing on four Tribal-State Gaming Compacts and amendments negotiated between Governor Newsom and federally recognized tribes. Chair Blanca Rubio emphasized that no formal vote would be taken because the Legislature cannot amend the compacts; the ratification bills are AB 1527 and SB 864. Matthew Lee, Senior Advisor for Tribal Negotiations, explained that the compacts were negotiated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and were structured to stay within the permissible subjects identified and clarified by the Ninth Circuit’s Chicken Ranch decision. Lee first described the Trinidad Rancheria compact, which would allow up to 1,200 gaming devices at up to three facilities and includes labor protections, minimum wage requirements, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation provisions, state regulatory cost recovery, and revenue-sharing terms for operations above 350 devices. He then discussed the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians amendment, which extends the existing compact while the tribe and state remain in federal court, preserving the status quo and adding the state’s standard off-track wagering appendix. For the Pinoleville-Pomo Nation amendment, Lee said the compact was updated to reflect current law and more recent state compacts by removing environmental review and family law provisions, narrowing tort protections, revising revenue-sharing and impact mitigation terms, and updating financial disclosure language. For the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Lee said the amendment similarly removed Chicken Ranch-related provisions, narrowed tort and facility definitions, added a commitment to bargain in good faith over any future new forms of class III gaming, and extended the compact through 2036. Sycuan Chairman Cody Martinez testified in support, noting the tribe’s long history in gaming, its employment of more than 3,000 people, and its desire to continue operating its casino resort. No opposition was voiced, and the committee took no vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in collaboration with a majority leader in the House, we set out to identify So in collaboration with
• You know, sober living homes are essentially the lowest level of care that we license.
• Which providers are being terminated for fraud versus quality-of-care concerns?
• Versus quality-of-care concerns?
• The quality-of-care referral source is not tracked.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a fourth hearing in its ongoing review of alleged fraud, waste, and abuse involving AHCCCS/Access and DHS, with a major focus on Medicaid eligibility verification for the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) population, behavioral health and sober living oversight, and payment delays to providers. Senator Shamp presented findings she said showed major gaps in ABD asset verification, including claims that only a fraction of enrollees were checked and that many ineligible members may remain on the rolls. She urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification requirements, better PARIS data sharing, and legislative changes to close what she described as a compliance and taxpayer-risk gap. Reva Stewart also testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people, including Native Americans, continues through social media and other channels, and she called for stronger enforcement and transparency. Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, argued that the state’s response to fraud has become overly punitive toward legitimate providers. She said ADHS often sends technical paperwork deficiencies straight to enforcement instead of allowing plans of correction, that zoning approvals are being questioned despite not being within ADHS authority, and that long Access approval timelines are creating licensing and billing delays. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has seen a large volume of unlicensed complaints, that it is trying to improve staffing and data systems, and that some enforcement tools have been expanded for sober living homes. She also said many sober living operators are in recovery themselves and provide low-cost housing and support rather than direct billing to Access. Access Director Virginia Roundtree said the agency is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers. She reported steps such as daily internal huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an outside review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management, and a new external claims vendor to help reduce backlogs. Senators pressed her on a specific provider’s long-delayed payments and prepayment review, and she said the agency would provide answers early the following week. Access staff also described provider resolution roundtables and said unadjudicated claims had been reduced to zero, though members questioned whether that was due to denials rather than resolution. The hearing ended with the chair announcing legislation to preserve the American Indian Health Plan as a fee-for-service option while requiring Access to contract administrative and care management functions to another entity, citing structural failures in Access’s ability to operate the plan safely and effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:53.640> with continues to work collaboratively with continues to work collaboratively
• support ambulances so when Advanced Care support ambulances so when Advanced Care is<00:51:57.799
• to direct people to the appropriate care to direct people to the appropriate care emergeny<01:07
• service um providing the uh great care service um providing the uh great care you<01:08:35.159><
• Those are our certified child care providers and our licensed child care providers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls. Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application. Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:41.600> with new part of collaboration with new part of collaboration with communities
• One of my but also too collaboration.
• <00:49:06.079> collaboration<00:49:06.880> with through collaborative collaboration
• with through collaborative collaboration with the<00:49:07.880> communities.
• They have recently collaboration.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:12 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:33 Kentucky’s New Assessment and Accountability Model Update: 00:03:50 Federal Education Policy and Its Impact on States: 01:00:55 Educational Leadership Training Opportunities in Kentucky: 01:26:44 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 02:10:38 Adjournment: 02:13:57, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Education met for its first interim meeting and established a quorum before taking up its first topic, Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability model. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, joined by KDE staff and superintendents, described a multi-year effort involving the Kentucky “Now We Learn” Council, more than 50 educators and stakeholders, at least 18 pilot districts, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and four prototype frameworks. He emphasized three priorities for the new model: vibrant learning experiences, innovation in assessment, and collaboration with communities. Fletcher said the state accountability portion would continue to meet federal requirements and identify CSI/TSI/ATSI schools, while shifting toward more emphasis on individual student growth, grade-level equivalency in reading and math, career and technical education, graduation rate, and English language proficiency. He also said science would remain a required assessment but be reported separately rather than counted in the CSI/TSI calculation. He stressed that the model should focus on growth, local flexibility, and meaningful measures that reflect community expectations, while still preserving a statewide framework. The committee also heard from Bullitt County superintendent Jesse Bacon, who described his district’s local accountability work. He said Bullitt County formed a community coalition with broad representation from across the district, business leaders, and community members, met six times during the school year, and worked toward a public-facing dashboard that would show community expectations, evidence of accountability, and areas for improvement. Bacon said the district identified six community-defined pillars, beginning with student learning and foundational academic knowledge, as part of a system intended to communicate strengths and improvement areas to the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Uh, well, we want to be very careful about when people are buying their primary residence where they
• want<00:03:07.440> to<00:03:07.519> be<00:03:07.760> very<00:03:08.080> careful
• >> Uh well, we want to be very careful >> Uh well, we want to be very careful about<
• 00:07:27.440> are<00:07:27.680> working<00:07:27.919> and<00:07:28.160> collaborating
• senate are working and collaborating senate are working and collaborating with<00:07:28.800>

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on two Minnesota Senate bills authored by the senator: Senate File 4168 and Senate File 4652. SF 4168 would give buyers of investment properties more flexibility in financing, including the ability to roll certain closing costs and lender fees into the loan, with the senator emphasizing that the measure is limited to investment properties and is not intended for primary residences. He stressed that the bill is meant to provide options, not force borrowers into any particular structure, and repeatedly distinguished it from predatory lending, saying it has nothing to do with fraudulent or abusive mortgage practices. SF 4652 addresses fraud prevention at banks by allowing account holders to designate an additional contact person who can be notified if a bank suspects suspicious activity and cannot reach the account owner. The senator described it as a common-sense, no-cost, anti-fraud measure aimed at early detection and protecting both banks and customers. He said fraud is a widespread problem and that the bill would help institutions act quickly when something appears wrong. The senator said both bills moved quickly because he wanted to get them heard and passed this session, and he noted that he was the sole author on each. He said the bills passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House. In broader comments, he credited bipartisan relationships and committee cooperation for helping the bills advance, and said the session showed House-Senate collaboration on practical legislation, with more political items being pushed toward compromise and further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• animal welfare and decrease taxpayer spending on animal care and control.
• It's at a cost for capacity for care and what we can do for these animals.
• You get tired of having to care for it, etc.
• Collaboration.
• As long as they're collaborating, that's good.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last, I'll just highlight the Rural P20 Collaborative.
• Is it also addressing health care access in general for some of these interns.
• So we'd love to collaborate on that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I was taking care of stuff on the farm.
• When we look at the cost to mitigate and clean up and also the health care costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• level, looking in terms of collaboration level, looking in terms of collaboration across<00:10:15.920
• collaboration collaboration across<00:10:22.720> our<00:10:22.880> sectors.
• collaboration collaboration to<00:35:58.320> look<00:35:58.560> at to look at to look
• <00:41:57.760> schedules, coursework with child care schedules, coursework with child care
• <00:47:04.120> grant thought of losing the child care grant thought of losing the child care

Keywords: 1187, senate, all