Transcript Highlights:

• We’re still in the process of receiving applications, processing, and making payments for this current
• school counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers, in the form of up to $20,000 in loan payment
• county offices to run the program, which includes creating an online process for processing loan payments
• school counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers in the form of up to 20,000 in loan payment
• Recession, candidates who were participating in the program did not receive their full incentive payments

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veteran payments reach over a thousand veterans last year.
• As proposed, that sales tax would replace a local levy to pay that bond payment.
• As proposed, that sales tax would replace a local levy to pay that bond payment.
• <01:00:37.839> It local levy to pay that bond payment.
• It local levy to pay that bond payment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do that through agreements and payments with designated hospitals or other providers that might
• And we do that through agreements and payments with designated hospitals or other providers that might
• And we do that through agreements and payments with designated hospitals or other providers that might
• And we do that through agreements and payments with designated hospitals or other providers that might
• And we do that through agreements and payments with designated hospitals or other providers that might

Bills: SF0023, SF0057

Keywords: mental health, involuntary hospitalization, examiners, public safety, Wyoming legislature, hospital pricing, healthcare transparency, public health, civil penalties, shoppable services, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, that has impact assistance payments to local governments.
• And again, that has impact assistance payments to local governments.
• And again, that has impact assistance payments to local governments.
• And again, that has impact assistance payments to local governments.
• And again, that has impact assistance payments to local governments.

Bills: HB0120, HB0043, HB0128

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I was looking at a bundled payment for those.
• Now, I was looking at a bundled payment for those.
• Now, I was looking at a bundled payment for those.
• Now, I was looking at a bundled payment for those.
• Can't do that because under the payment Can't do that because under the payment methodology<00:47

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This payment would help offset the transition cost associated with closing a jail and establishing a
• a one-time payment to to counties<00:12:00.560> that<00:12:00.800> move<00:12:01.040><
• for counties that close their payment for counties that close their jail<00:12:51.040> and<00
• This payment would models in Kentucky.
• This payment would help<00:13:00.160> offset<00:13:00.560> the<00:13:00.800> transition

Keywords: Reupload to restore attendance roll call Roll Call 00:00:00 Approval of Minutes from September Meeting 00:00:24 Presentation of the Kentucky Association of Counties Legislative Platform for the Upcoming 2026 Session 00:01:48 Discussion of Legislation Concerning Firefighter Death Benefits 00:35:43 Discussion of DNA Collection in Jails for Felony Arrests 00:45:52 Discussion of Federal Immigration Law Enforcement 00:54:18 Adjournment 01:15:39, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its sixth meeting, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the October 21 meeting. The main agenda item was a presentation from Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) leaders and county officials on jail funding and jail-system reform. Speakers said county jail costs have reached crisis levels, citing large and rising general-fund subsidies in counties such as Hardin, McCracken, and Warren, and noting that county general-fund contributions to jail funds have increased by 76% since 2019. KACo outlined a three-part legislative approach for the upcoming session: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and redefining the model for housing state inmates in county jails. On regional jails, they proposed one-time state construction funding, statutory changes to allow former county jails to serve as 96-hour holdover facilities, broader participation of jailers on regional jail authority boards, an increased supplement for closed county jails, and a one-time payment for counties that close local jails and join regional facilities. Union County Judge Adam Onan described his county’s savings from contracting with Webster County and said regionalization can reduce costs where feasible. Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley focused on pre-trial felony detainees, saying counties bear the full cost of housing people awaiting trial for long periods, sometimes years, and that pre-trial time is later credited toward state sentences. He argued the state benefits from that credit and referenced prior bills that would have reimbursed counties for time-served credit. Shelley Hampton then proposed replacing the current per diem model for state inmates with contracts requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs and to support programming such as substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academics. No votes were taken on the jail proposals, and the meeting ended with the presentation and discussion of the county recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• > does<00:57:06.640> not<00:57:06.880> need<00:57:07.040> to support payments
• This amends our tax preparer enforcement statutes, and it adds that any client's department payment is
• <01:04:21.599> um that any client's department payment um that any client's department payment
• <01:04:32.160> Um<01:04:32.880> this<01:04:33.200> is of payments generally.
• Um this is of payments generally.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it just mentions here Minnesota insurers denied almost 9% of long-term care benefit payments in
• And so it just mentions here Minnesota insurers denied almost 9% of long-term care benefit payments in
• And so it just mentions here Minnesota insurers denied almost 9% of long-term care benefit payments in
• Article 1, Section 10 says the state shall make no thing but gold and silver a tender and payment of
• <00:41:22.079> of gold and silver a tender and payment of gold and silver a tender and payment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• wages, hours, and retaliation, including the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, the Wage Payment
• Yeah, so a wage complaint is under the Wage Payment Act and the Minimum Wage Act.
• What we were talking about is the wage unit under the Wage Payment Act, and just legislation in the 2026
• What we were talking about is the wage unit under the Wage Payment Act and just legislation in the 2026
• So all of those things combined substantially change how we handle wage payment investigations.

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, concerns around the reimbursement were that payment lag, um, without standardized accounting across
• feedback during interviews that we heard; that's what at least one district tried to benchmark their payments
• "Uh, you could also think about reimbursement or a per-meal payment.
• Per-meal payment, you could also then, instead of a reimbursement, provide on a per-meal basis, both
• program. and that is because we would no longer be able to collect money from parents for any lunch payments

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 878 strengthens California's existing prompt-payment insurance laws by imposing automatic interest
• penalties when insurers delay making coverage decisions or issuing payments.
• In the aftermath of a disaster, policyholders depend on these prompt-payment protections enforced by
• across the Altadena area is that people are facing chronic delays and chronic denials in receiving payments
• We're ensuring survivors are able to rebuild in a timely manner and that they are getting the payments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 1117 by Representative Firment is an act to amend Title 22 relative to certain insurer contractual payments
• Members, this bill is designed to say that an insurer's payment under the terms of a contract shall not
• provide additional clarity so that there's no confusion on timelines and what these unconditional payments
• determining a partial dissolution and the calculation of the increased unfunded accrued liability payment
• determining a partial dissolution and the calculation of the increased unfunded accrued liability payment

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this does is make it clear that all that can be charged for installment fees will be installment payment
• So currently we spend $1.4 billion to hospital payments through DHS, and Arkansas Children's receives
• That's not a today we're going to write the check for; there's quarterly payments made on that.
• I believe they could—that I don't want to borrow her language, but I think certain payment due on July
• , certain payment due in December, or something like that, yes.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• financial protections in public works projects, agencies withheld a portion of each contractor's payment
• Today, California requires reverse performance and payment bonds on nearly all public works projects.
• Payment bonds ensure that subcontractors and suppliers are paid, significantly reducing the risk of liens
• Despite this, current law allows many state agencies to withhold up to 5% from every progress payment
• Withholding payments for months or even years can strain operations, limit their ability to bid on new

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're saying within the Secretary Bailiffs there's not beyond again those longevity payments.
• Per diem payments that augment their budget, their $3.9 billion budget.
• And if they were awarded these monies, then the payments would be made directly to the loan provider.
• And you're talking about the forgiveness plan, but this is actually a payment directly from.
• The budgeted delays where the CASTs there was a CAS payment that was delayed.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by the federal government that they're very soon going to be making around a $300 million disaster payment
• to us from COVID. around a $300 million disaster payment to us from COVID.
• So this will finish out the payments for Riverview Gardens, and then at this point, there are no other
• Page 47, lottery vendor payments. Again, this is just based on sales.
• So 49 is also related to the same thing; that's the lottery payment there.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, at this time all co-payments are waived, so there is no co-payment for anyone at any income
• non-claims data: prescription drug spending, net costs of private health insurance, and provider payments
• One of the things that have been presented to us in the past is to look at all the Medicaid payments
• The provider payments...
• Logeson, who is an expert on simplifying payment and accountability systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• So spread pricing is basically that the PBM receives payment for a particular prescription, receives
• payment from the health plan.
• For a particular prescription, receives payment from the health plan and then pays an amount to the pharmacy
• various kinds of compensation that PBMs receive, which resulted in them pocketing a portion of a payment
• don't get the full payment.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• submit incorrectly prepared or harmful claims, delay filings to maximize retroactive payouts, and payment
• I mean, that's a down payment on a house for many of these veterans.
• onto where that claim may be in that snake, and it leaves veterans out on their back pay, future payments
• He had been charged 20% of his first 10 monthly VA payments, which they weren't really successful to
• those back pay checks that they're getting, but just doing simple extrapolation of current annual payments

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a payment plan option with our peer utility Louisville Water that folks can participate
• There's also a payment plan option with our peer utility Louisville Water that folks can participate
• There's also a payment plan option with our peer utility Louisville Water that folks can participate
• There's also a payment plan option with our peer utility Louisville Water that folks can participate
• plan option with also a uh uh payment plan option with our<00:09:32.839> peer<00:09:33.240>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

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