Transcript Highlights:

• And this is the remaining funds that we're requesting to move into the budget.
• <00:05:26.160> to remaining funds that were requesting to remaining funds that were requesting
• And is it frequent to retroactively make a request? >> That is incorrect.
• make a request? make a request?
• This is a request for funds for contract attorneys.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item. The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well. The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:30.440> for Education and the Reser request for Education and the Reser request for
• Audits and the request has been that the first one be the, uh, Commission for Human Rights.
• Cases can also be delayed if the parties to the case request more time.
• Cases can also be delayed if the parties to the case request more time.
• We answered the requests.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 21 and first approved the January 30 minutes and the consent calendar, with item 2540 removed by the Department of Education and item 25057 set aside for discussion. The committee then took up FIS 25057, a Department of Transportation request tied to a federal grant for building information modeling and related data standardization across DOT systems. Transportation officials explained that the $2.405 million consultant-heavy request would connect surveying, design, construction, and asset management systems, improve efficiency and long-term asset tracking, and help the department catch up with other states. Several senators questioned the lack of immediate, quantifiable budget savings and the reliance on consultants, but the item was ultimately adopted. The committee next approved FIS 25054 for the Department of Health and Human Services after questioning a $16 million shortfall in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DHHS explained the variance as a budgeting and accounting issue tied to separating CHIP from Medicaid managed care, pandemic-era continuous enrollment, and the new federal requirement for 12 months of continuous coverage for children. Members also approved a Cannon Mountain fee item, where park officials described a proposed price freeze for early-bird passes, a new in-season tier, and modest increases in off-season pricing, while noting operating cost pressures, strong snow conditions, and favorable customer value ratings. That item was adopted unanimously. The committee also approved the Department of Corrections item after discussion of staffing, retirement eligibility, overtime, and recidivism. Commissioner Helen Hanks said retirement-eligible staff had declined slightly, recruitment was improving, overtime hours were down, one housing floor had been closed because of lower population, and the department had reduced reincarceration by 8% over seven years, which she said produced substantial savings. The item was adopted. During informational items, the committee heard a Legislative Budget Assistant performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. The audit found the commission inefficient and ineffective in processing complaints, with average case closure taking 840 days, significant backlogs dating back decades, expired administrative rules, weak management controls, disorganized and outdated procedures, unreliable data, and unresolved prior audit findings. The audit included 25 recommendations, two of which may require legislative action. Commission staff said they appreciated the recommendations and expected the additional resources from the prior budget cycle to help address the backlog and improve transparency and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through good tax policy, I hope you all will take this under consideration as the city's request.
• The city's requesting a sales tax exemption for construction materials for our new city hall.
• So we're bringing this request forward and hope that we can lessen that impact and we... her go first
• consideration um as the city's request consideration um as the city's request and<00:03:33.959><
• a sales tax exemption city's requesting a sales tax exemption for<00:04:40.720> construction<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LAC has a five million dollar recommendation here, which is the same as what PED is requesting.
• PED was requesting $35 million to shore up the unit value because of the virtual education issue.
• They proceeded to submit a reorganization request a few months ago.
• Do we have an exact date when this reorganizational request came through?
• Thank you for the explanation about the money for the acts that is being requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The division has been requested. >> The division has been requested.
• >> Division has been requested. >> Division has been requested.
• Division's been requested.
• and I request a division vote. and I request a division vote.
• Division's been requested. >> There it is. Division's been requested.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not to steal Dan's thunder, but we have requests.
• Director James, your expertise has been requested again.
• Page 186 is an additional staffing request. This is due to H.R. 1.
• This is an additional staffing request. This is due to H.R. 1.
• That's why it's going to take it to Representative Fogel's request.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We received a budget change proposal request in the spring.
• The budget request is slightly higher.
• Then we have reasonable accommodation requests that are coming in.
• Requests related to RTO and the May revise, so, all right.
• request.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law permits those members to request an inspection of an employer who is permitting or requiring
• House Bill 398 would prevent them from requesting an inspection unless they are a current employee or
• <00:20:06.080> an from requesting an from requesting an inspection<00:20:07.880> unless
• an inspection of that request an inspection of that employer<00:20:30.640> it<00:20:30.760>
• They just requested to weigh in, if that's okay.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 01:37 HB 398 Discussion 02:18 HB 398 Vote 30:35, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met for its first 2025 session meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. The committee adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 398, an act relating to occupational safety and health, before hearing testimony. Sponsor Representative Walker Thomas said the bill is intended to align Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules more closely with federal standards, provide clearer reference points for employers, and improve consistency and compliance while maintaining worker safety. He also explained that the substitute added and clarified a de minimis citation provision and defined “qualified representative,” and he noted a typo in the substitute would be corrected on the floor. Members asked whether the bill would change Kentucky’s OSHA structure or affect state offices, and Thomas said Kentucky remains a state-plan state with its own offices and enforcement staff, and that the bill would not eliminate those offices. He said the measure is meant to streamline rules and clarify that certain notices would carry no penalty when there is no substantial impact on safety or health. He also said employers must be given an opportunity to be present for inspections, typically with 45 minutes to an hour to arrange representation. Opposition testimony came from Dustin Ryan Stadler of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO and Gerald Atkins of Working Strategies 2 on behalf of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council. They argued the bill weakens worker protections, reduces accountability, limits who may request inspections, and could prevent family members from seeking inspections after a fatal workplace incident. Stadler described a fatal construction accident he witnessed in 2006 and said OSHA protections exist for a reason. Atkins cited workplace deaths and injuries, said the bill would go beyond prior 2021 changes, and warned that allowing Franklin Circuit Court to award uncapped costs and attorney fees against OSHA could chill enforcement. Several members then questioned whether federal standards are sufficient, with supporters saying the bill simply aligns Kentucky with federal rules and opponents arguing Kentucky should retain the ability to keep stronger protections for certain industries. No final vote on House Bill 398 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• requested in this current budget.
• So we're requesting additional staff there.
• Our prioritized request for FY 26—alright members, any questions?
• Alright, with the first general fund request is for the body worn camera request.
• From here in Montgomery, they requested our help, and we responded.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:19:34.480> by A roll call has been requested by A roll call has been requested by Senator
• c><03:39:39.120> seconded<03:39:39.600> by requested a roll call seconded by requested
• > a<03:53:08.640> roll Senator Perkins Quoka request a roll Senator Perkins Quoka request
• Roll call has been requested and has Roll call has been requested and has been seconded.<04:19:57.120
• requested by Senator Perkins Quoka. requested by Senator Perkins Quoka.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:01.839> the completed until after we requested the completed until after we requested
• or uploaded to the CIS after the request or uploaded to the CIS after the<00:54:25.440> request
• <00:58:30.640> for processes right an RFP is a request for processes right an RFP is a request
• This request is not a growth strategy. This request is not a growth strategy.
• interview and we also do not request interview and we also do not request records<02:04:44.239><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, no plane was ever purchased, there was a request to a board. and that request was denied
• A record vote has been requested. the clerk will ring the bell. Show Mr.
• Can I ask a request moving forward for the rest of the amendments?
• Record vote has been requested. The clerk will ring the bell.
• Record investment requested.

Bills: SB2, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117, SB503, SB2, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB 124, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• requesting bonding money for projects.
• It will A roll call will be requested.
• The request is for the full amount.
• Um I type of request for the city.
• So, we're requesting $15 project.

Bills: HF4470, HF2418, HF3417, HF3365, HF3463

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I request a roll call on the vote.” “Members, Mr. Chair, I request a roll call on the vote.”
• I'd like to request a roll call. Representative Freiberg requests a roll call.
• a roll call then have like to request a roll call then have fryberg<01:25:33.239> requests<01
• 01:32:27.480> request<01:32:27.760> a<01:32:27.840> roll representative Howard request
• <01:39:03.280> his time within hours of requesting his time within hours of requesting his

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• call has been requested. call has been requested.
• <00:12:25.519> for responded to our office's request for responded to our office's request
• >> They have been requested. >> They have been requested.
• <01:23:04.719> in documentation is it may be requested in documentation is it may be requested
• <01:26:21.920> a just wondering if you've requested a just wondering if you've requested a

Bills: HF3422, HF3461, HF2904

Keywords: state grants, grant oversight, grants management, executive agencies, Minnesota Department of Administration, commissioner of administration, fraud prevention, waste prevention, grant monitoring, financial reconciliation, grant compliance, state government, public funds, grant recipients, competitive grants, grant administration, administrative oversight, monitoring visits, grant policy, legislative leave

Transcript Highlights:

• that are coming to us with requests. that are coming to us with requests.
• > million<00:25:53.279> in This request for 10.85 million in This request for 10.85 million
• :53.039> will<00:28:53.279> unlock heard, the requested funds will unlock heard, the requested
• western Henipin County, we request western Henipin County, we request support<00:52:05.280> from
• This $4 million bonding request is a This $4 million bonding request is a smart<01:07:13.920> investment

Bills: HF333, HF2712, HF1064, HF1069, HF1113, HF2207, HF204, HF2867, HF2924, HF746, HF1530, HF2587, HF1078

Keywords: HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• So all the elements of that request are right there in the rule.
• <00:13:51.440> for clarifies that the request for clarifies that the request for director's
• So request is right there in the rule.
• <00:14:23.199> form likely that the leave request form likely that the leave request form
• Um when approval request meeting packet.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, seating alternates, and approval of the minutes and consent calendar. Both were approved without opposition. The committee then moved to the regular calendar, beginning with Department of Environmental Services drinking water rules (2532). Staff noted that the final proposal deleted requirements that had been in the initial proposal, making the published notice technically inaccurate because it said there were no substantive changes. The agency responded that the requirements still exist in other rules, that regulated entities and the Water Council were notified, and that the public had notice through related hearings. After discussion about whether a new noticed hearing was needed, the committee approved the rule. The next item was Department of Administrative Services personnel rule 2510 on seniority and employee performance evaluation. Staff raised informational comments and one unclear comment about language that appeared to require a checkbox even though no form exists, and about evaluation categories that could overlap. The agency said the checkbox language should be removed, but defended the overlapping categories as part of a long-standing template used by agencies for the past 10 years. Members discussed whether the language was too ambiguous or could lead to inconsistent application, but the committee ultimately approved the rule with a condition striking the checkbox language in the affected sections. The committee then considered personnel rule 25109 on investigations, discipline, non-disciplinary communications, and non-disciplinary removal. Staff recommended clarifying language distinguishing license suspension from termination for cause, and questioned whether the sexual-harassment discipline language was too broad because the same conduct could fit multiple discipline levels. The agency agreed to add the suggested clarification for the license-suspension provision, but argued the sexual-harassment language should remain because another rule already provides the factors for determining the appropriate discipline and the agency needs discretion for fact-specific cases. The discussion included concerns about how non-verbal conduct might be treated, but the committee moved toward conditional approval with the agreed clarification and approval of the rest of the rule as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yes, I saw your requested amendment in your written testimony.
• Do you want me requesting an amendment.
• your<00:05:39.759> written requested amendment in your written requested amendment in your
• John Kitsu for Kaiser stands on his written testimony requesting a study audit.
• > a<00:28:27.279> study written testimony requesting a study written testimony requesting

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The HHS committee met in Room 224 and announced the hearing was being streamed live, with a one-minute limit on testimony. The chair explained that written testimony had already been reviewed and that speakers should either add new comments or stand on their written testimony. The committee first heard SB 2211, an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including DHS, Aloha United Way, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the importance of maintaining SNAP-related food assistance and emergency food delivery, while Catholic Charities raised a question about whether the bill’s language would also reach food banks serving food-insecure households that are not on SNAP. No opposition was heard and the bill was moved on without questions from members. The committee then heard SB 2025, which would exempt actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses from jury duty. Testimony was broadly supportive from nursing and health organizations, including the Hawaii American Nurses Association, the Hawaii affiliate of the College of Nurse Midwives, the Hawaii State Board of Nursing, and others. One witness from Kaiser Permanente requested an amendment to include physician assistants, and a committee member asked the Board of Nursing to review that request. The bill otherwise drew no opposition and no further member questions. SB 2038, relating to medication labeling, drew the most extended discussion. The measure would change labeling requirements for certain abortion medications, and testimony was split between supporters who framed it as a privacy and access issue and opponents who raised patient safety, ethics, and transparency concerns. The Department of Health supported the intent but requested an amendment to allow quicker access to private information during investigations without a subpoena. The Board of Pharmacy said it supported the written comments but noted operational challenges and possible cost impacts, while Kaiser said compliance would likely require manual workarounds and could slow pharmacy processes. The chair and members questioned whether patients could simply remove labels themselves, but witnesses said there could still be safety and access issues if the patient is not the one receiving the prescription. The committee then moved on to SB 2050, relating to chiropractic, which received support from the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, with no substantive opposition noted. The hearing later turned to SB 201, relating to insurance, which appeared to be a new mandated-benefit measure tied to infertility/IVF coverage. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission provided comments, while Hawaii Family Forum opposed the bill, arguing it went beyond medical infertility and raised ethical and public policy concerns. Kaiser and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans both asked for a study or audit, saying the measure could create new insurance mandates and increase costs for residents and employers. Private Work Hawaii strongly supported the bill as an equity issue. The committee noted there was no quorum for decision-making and deferred action on the measure to a later hearing, then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have also submitted a budget request for this proposal.
• AB 338 and the budget requests are priorities to ensure equitable recovery.
• And all of those records are available and anybody can request them.
• And all of those records are available and anybody can request them.
• And all of those records are available and anybody can request them.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We really request your support. Thank you so much. Mark Stapp, Mayor, City of Santa Rosa.
• It's crucial to keep these costs predictable, and we respectfully request your aye vote.
• With that, respectfully asking... ...collect their fees as requested.
• I respectfully request your aye vote today. Thank you. Thank you for that testimony.
• We respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all