Transcript Highlights:

• That statute established minimum setback requirements for merchant electric generating facilities, and
• That statute established minimum setback requirements for merchant electric generating facilities, and
• Section six of the bill provided that the provisions governing merchant electric generating facilities
• Section six of the bill provided that the provisions governing merchant electric generating facilities
• Section six of the bill provided that the provisions governing merchant electric generating facilities

Committee: Joint Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a pilot project working with them now at two of our facilities, the Women's Correctional Facility
• We have a pilot project working with them now at two of our facilities, the Women's Correctional Facility
• The passing of Facility with backpacks full of basic Facility with backpacks full of basic toiletries
• ><c> shelters</c> Hale Kipa operates emergency shelters Hale Kipa operates emergency shelters and<01:
• ><c> board</c><01:22:14.480><c> have</c> operating costs across the board have operating costs across

Bills: HB1518 , HB1699 , HB1747 , HB1705 , HB1565 , HB1801 , HB1645 , HB2115 , HB2114

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a fund that essentially, I think, will have the same level of operation.
• , and they are operating essentially as a pass-through through an entity that owns that facility.
• I know that they have a contract that they operate essentially as a pass-through for that.
• , and they are operating essentially as a pass-through through an entity that owns that facility.
• I know that they have a contract that they operate essentially as a pass-through for that.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Summary: The Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee took up Senate Bill 1177, the main budget bill, and first adopted the committee substitute as the working version. Chairman Caldwell presented the bill as the measure funding state government and answered a series of questions about major budget items, including CareerTech funding, child care, school security, teacher pay raises, the state plane purchase, Medicaid, mental health, veterans’ homes, and higher education projects. He said CareerTech received increased funding, child care funding was increased by roughly $12 million over last year, school security funding was continued at $50 million, and teacher pay raises were included through a mechanism that would raise the state minimum by $2,000. He also explained the $3 million state plane item as a restructuring of state aviation assets, and said the budget did not cut law enforcement funding tied to 287(g) agreements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just real quickly, I wanted to make sure that you understood the facility.
• But for the most part, it's the citizens of the state who use this facility.
• It is a full-time endeavor to run this facility.
• It is a premier facility that has been constantly updated and expanded.
• </c> bigger issue for the sports facility bigger issue for the sports facility moving<00:55:01.640><c

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2203, Reckless Interference with Emergency Operations. Thank you, Mr.
• House Bill 2203 concerns reckless interference with emergency operations.
• We were also co-located with multiple agency swiftwater rescue operations.
• We were also co-located with multiple agency swiftwater rescue operations.
• We’re running 24-hour operations.” “We’re already stretched thin.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2203 would create the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving on a roadway known to be closed due to hazardous conditions, with gross misdemeanor penalties, a possible Class C felony enhancement if a rescue leads to injury or involves a minor or vulnerable adult, license suspension, and emergency-response cost recovery. The prime sponsor described recent flooding rescues in Orting as the impetus, and local police support emphasized responder safety and limited resources. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission opposed the felony section, saying the conduct did not warrant felony treatment and recommending a traffic infraction for the first level and a gross misdemeanor for the second. House Bill 2293 would bar Washington law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and related personnel from training with foreign militaries, intelligence agencies, or security services, or funding travel for that purpose. The sponsor said civilian policing should not be trained like military service and argued officers should be trained under U.S. constitutional standards. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association argued the bill was too broad and unclear, could block valuable counterterrorism and best-practice training, and might need exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and other legitimate international partnerships. Members discussed possible amendments and clarification language. House Bill 2165 would create a new gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, covering possession or creation of realistic badges, insignia, or other items identifying someone as an officer when they are not commissioned, while preserving defenses for honorary, reserve, posse, and protected expressive uses. The sponsor and governor’s office said current law is too limited because it often requires an active impersonation before enforcement can occur; law enforcement groups supported the goal but raised concerns about definitions, vehicle markings, federal-agent coverage, and whether the offense could be plea-bargained away. House Bill 2173 would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT protective gear, and medical or environmental masks, and would allow civil suits for violations. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and trust and responds to concerns about masked immigration enforcement; opponents warned it could expose officers to doxxing, create liability and recruitment problems, and raise constitutional issues, especially as applied to federal officers. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• All instrumentation has been installed and is fully operational.
• probably shouldn't be operating anymore on the OMA side.
• And I'd like to see all the bad operators out.
• So, we don't have out-of-state operators.
• Are they public-facing, the businesses that operate?

Summary: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority advisory council met for its first public comment session, approved the November 21, 2025 minutes, and heard extensive comments from patients, industry members, and advocates. Public testimony focused on concerns about proposed legislative changes, including potency limits, tax increases, grow-license caps, reclamation bonds, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and bills affecting employee credentialing and edible definitions. Commenters also raised transparency concerns about the council’s composition, OMMA’s “secret shopper” program, access to records, and the need for more patient, processor, lab, and small-business representation. OMMA leadership gave agency updates, reporting that the medical portal had improved after earlier problems and that turnaround times were now about 36 days for commercial renewals, same day for credentials and transport agents, and eight days for patients. The agency also said it had added an administrative actions tab to its website, was moving forward with QA lab accreditation, and was working more closely with law enforcement on hemp-derived cannabinoid enforcement. The new Chief Science Officer reported accreditation progress for the QA lab, completion of several validation processes, 12 lab cases filed for 2024-2025 inspections, and one lab license revoked for noncompliance. Legislative staff reviewed bills moving through the session, including measures extending a moratorium, capping commercial grow licenses at 2,550, repealing the grow bond and adding a reclamation fee, and limiting THC in certain products, though one THC-cap bill had been amended into an advertising bill. Council discussion centered on proposed 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package limits, with members arguing those limits could harm patients who need individualized dosing and create business disruptions. Members also discussed the need for better scientific testing methods, more timely inspection reports, and clearer guidance on license transfers. A major portion of the meeting addressed coordination between OMMA and OBNDD on enforcement against illegal or “gas station” cannabis products and bad actors. OBNDD explained its role in criminal enforcement, the use of search warrants and emergency suspensions, and how OMMA license revocations automatically affect OBN registrations. OMMA said it is now receiving more regular information from OBNDD and using that data to shut down licenses more quickly. The council also discussed whether public-facing license information should be redacted for safety, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here we'll take a look at FY26 existing operating budget.
• The change in the existing operating budget shows the FY26 to FY27 change.
• As operational requirements decrease, force levels are being responsibly reduced.
• As operational requirements decrease, force levels are being responsibly reduced.
• expenses of the facilities operated by LSD.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the left is central control, which is sort of the hub in the operations of the facility.
• We have people operating doors, looking at cameras, opening areas of the facility, keeping watch in case
• There are radio communications, so this is sort of the hub in operations of the facility.
• . facility. facility.
• </c> facility rates are paid from. facility rates are paid from.

Summary: Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining. The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training. Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• done by DHHS be posted in the facilities investigated in a conspicuous place.
• </c><01:16:07.320><c> licensing</c> and health facility licensing and health facility licensing investigations
• </c><01:16:23.719><c> so</c> rather than in the physical facility so rather than in the physical facility
• a tool to attract more players and remain competitive with other gaming operations.
• a tool to attract more players and remain competitive with other gaming operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of the six medical combo applicants already operate large cultivation facilities with retail locations
• Two of the six medical combo applicants already operate large cultivation facilities with retail locations
• Two of the six medical combo applicants already operate large cultivation facilities with retail locations
• Two of the six medical combo applicants already operate large cultivation facilities with retail locations
• </c> up, which was local Minnesota operators. up, which was local Minnesota operators.

Bills: HF1545 , HF2426 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We operate year-round.
• And so it Courageous Kids operates.
• We operate year round. In the programs. We operate year round.
• ><c> facilities.
• Food for within their facilities?

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call and a reminder that Kentucky had 8,641 children in out-of-home care with active placements as of June 1, 2025. The first presentation was from the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), a donor-funded camp in Scottsville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s history, its year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medical and accessibility supports, and its impact on campers’ confidence and independence. They said CCK has served more than 43,000 campers from 46 states and 13 countries, including 22,000 from Kentucky, and noted plans to reach all 120 Kentucky counties. CCK also outlined future capital needs: a new art barn and a medical lodge. The organization said the art barn project would cost $2.5 million, with a legislative request of $1.5 million, and the medical lodge would cost $2.875 million, with a legislative request of $1.75 million. Members responded very positively, with several praising the camp’s work and one member asking about operational challenges. CCK said its main challenges are awareness, staff and volunteer recruitment, and expanding medical and housing capacity; it also said it is accredited by the American Camp Association and receives health and safety visits and audits. The committee then moved to a presentation on adult protective services and state guardianship programs from Jessica Wayne and Cliff Bryant of DCBS. They explained the legal framework for guardianship, the difference between full and limited guardianship/conservatorship, emergency appointments, and the state’s role as a last-resort guardian when no family member or private entity is available. They reported 4,464 individuals under state guardianship as of June 1, with most cases involving dementia, developmental disability, intellectual disability, nursing home or long-term care placement, severe mental illness, or brain injury. They also said the division has 89 field workers across 14 regional offices, with an average caseload of 52 and a goal of reducing that into the mid-40s through additional hiring.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are operating in a nefarious manner.
• The person operating within this restricted airspace with a drone—we find $2,000 to a max of $5,000 and
• facility?
• I know there's a lot of prisoners held in county facilities.
• Hey, you can not allow us to operate. This is real. That's why this is so challenging.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, we directly operate several health care facilities that provide around the clock care to
• , underscoring their operational significance in the department.
• This effort is not about changing the mission of these facilities.
• We have waiting lists in each of our facilities.
• So we're looking at potentially 28 facilities, potentially.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein and CMS Medicaid Director Dan Brillman, who discussed ongoing federal-state collaboration and praised Louisiana’s work on Medicaid and health system reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 1214 by Chairman Miller, which would create an Office of State Healthcare Facilities within LDH to centralize oversight of five state-operated inpatient facilities. LDH said the bill would streamline administration, combine shared services, add no new FTEs, and improve care and outcomes for vulnerable residents. Members asked about capacity and waiting lists at the facilities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee next considered House Bill 1041 by Representative Ghali, a medical-freedom bill aimed at prohibiting denial of access or discrimination based on “medical intervention status.” After amendments were adopted, the bill was narrowed to exclude K-12 schools, colleges, hospitals, health care facilities, and tuberculosis-related actions, while keeping existing school outbreak exclusion law in place. Supporters, including patients, nurses, physicians, and advocacy groups, testified that mandates during COVID caused coercion, job loss, and harm, and argued for bodily autonomy and informed consent. Opponents, including the Louisiana Hospital Association, American Lung Association, and Louisiana Families for Vaccines, said the amendments addressed some concerns but warned the bill could weaken outbreak protections for children; after debate, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 414 by Representative Chenevere, which closes a loophole in background-check law by barring hiring of certain direct-care workers with substantially similar out-of-state convictions that would disqualify them in Louisiana. Amendments clarified the definition of covered workers, removed licensed ambulance personnel, and addressed documentation and third-party screening. The Attorney General’s office said the bill is intended to protect vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries from people with serious criminal histories, and supporters from disability and EMS communities backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 786 by Representative Egan, which would prohibit managed care organizations from using extrapolation to determine provider audit overpayments or recoupments, requiring decisions to be based on actual claims. Members discussed a proposed amendment preserving the Department of Health and Department of Justice’s ability to use extrapolation in fraud investigations under existing law, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fees pay for key operations. But don't they pay for everything?
• So I don't know what operating expenses means. I thought that was... ...for services.
• And that's true in general of independent living facilities across the Commonwealth.
• Two, on the disclosure statements, there's a description of physical facilities.
• As operators to return it as quickly as we can. That's why most of us do.

Summary: The commission met to review its draft final report on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with most of the discussion focused on whether recommendations required unanimous consensus and how to handle disagreements in the report. Members agreed that consensus meant no stated opposition, and several participants argued that unresolved issues should still be described in the report rather than omitted. The chairs said the report would include agreed-upon recommendations, note areas without consensus, and preserve written comments or dissent letters submitted by members. The draft report’s findings and slides were reviewed charge by charge, including CCRC definitions, financial condition, entrance fee refunds, regulatory oversight, advertising practices, and closure/change-of-ownership procedures. Members suggested several factual and wording edits, including clarifying financial data sources, correcting a presenter’s name, refining language about entrance fee use and refund timing, and revising statements about Attorney General authority and CCRC advertising. There was also discussion about the need to distinguish nonprofit and for-profit CCRCs and to better explain how different care levels and licensing structures are described. On recommendations, the commission kept the proposal to advance the disclosure bill (S. 478) and update the consumer guide, but removed a recommendation for annual open board meetings after objections that it was inadequate. The group spent considerable time debating whether to recommend resident representation on CCRC boards, timely refund requirements for entrance fees, and possible state registration or definition changes for CCRCs, but no consensus was reached on those items. The chairs said the final report would be completed by the statutory August 1 deadline, with final written comments due before then and the report and meeting materials posted on the legislature website.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if the federal government purchases a tract of land and then constructs any facility and then operates
• facility and then operates<00:37:00.640><c> any</c><00:37:00.800><c> facility,</c><00:37:01.640><c>
• the</c><00:37:02.280><c> supremacy</c> operates any facility, the supremacy operates any facility, the
• </c> federal land in that federal facility. federal land in that federal facility.
• Uh it again, it's not operative. that? Uh it again, it's not operative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um sorry I'm operational autonomy.
• of their ability to change facilities of their ability to change facilities without<00:54:34.319><c>
• </c> It will be its fourth year of operation It will be its fourth year of operation in<01:03:33.520>
• </c><01:39:34.480><c> Um</c> historically how we've operated. Um historically how we've operated.
• So we operate on a districts.

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the letter, this is to meet the operating needs of the school.
• This is a $35 million transfer from the educational facility set aside.
• This is a $35 million transfer from the educational facility set aside.
• This is a $100,000 transfer from operating expenses to professional fees.
• It's operational dysfunction up here. All right, there you go.

Committee: All JBC-PEER REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> support</c> operate operating subsidies can support operate operating subsidies can support long<
• </c><02:35:16.960><c> a</c> incentivize a park owner to operate a incentivize a park owner to operate
• </c> Laconia, have senior living facilities Laconia, have senior living facilities that<05:43:48.798>
• , we operate on Organizationally, we operate on extremely<06:10:36.480><c> lean</c><06:10:37.120><c>
• </c> here representing our facilities. here representing our facilities.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:25.240><c> so</c> for 20 of the beds in our facility so for 20 of the beds in our facility
• To me, the word waiver should imply that they're operating under some sort of exception, operating under
• To me, the word waiver should imply that they're operating under some sort of exception, operating under
• To me, the word waiver should imply that they're operating under some sort of exception, operating under
• To me, the word waiver should imply that they're operating under some sort of exception, operating under

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• People should live in the community, not in state-run facilities.
• There's no operational definitions. We don't know what those mean.
• In closing, no one wants to see people linger in state-operated facilities.
• into question number three about DDS and the state-operated facilities, regional centers, public safety
• facilities proposals move forward.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on several Department of Developmental Services proposals, with no votes taken. The first item focused on equitable access to intake and services for regional center clients, including standardizing eligibility assessments and modernizing the strengths-and-needs evaluation used to inform individual program plans. DDS said the changes would create a more consistent, equitable, and evidence-based process statewide, while the LAO explained the proposals as a response to disparities and inconsistent regional center practices. Advocates and regional center representatives were divided: Disability Rights California, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and some providers supported modernization but urged clearer safeguards, more community co-design, and stronger legislative review; others, including some regional center leaders and family advocates, warned against replacing the CEDER too quickly and stressed the need to preserve the person-centered IPP process. Committee members emphasized fair process, fidelity, and the need for a validated tool, while also noting that the proposals would not change eligibility definitions or replace IPPs. The second major item addressed state-operated transitional and rehabilitative services, including proposed time limits for stays at Porterville Developmental Center and Canyon Springs, plus the merger of the Community Placement Program and Community Resource Development Program. DDS argued that people should not remain in locked facilities for years and that the proposal would create urgency, clearer transition planning, a right of return, and a more efficient single program for community resource development. Supporters, including Disability Rights California, the State Council, the Public Defenders Association, and some service providers, said the proposals align with Olmstead and the Lanterman Act, reduce overreliance on institutions, and should be paired with stronger mental health supports, oversight, and notice to counsel. Opponents, including a district attorney representative, argued that a blanket 24-month limit could endanger public safety and that some individuals require longer, case-by-case commitments. Committee members said they wanted a more comprehensive plan showing that community placements and supports will be ready before people are moved, and they questioned whether an arbitrary timeline could work for such a complex population. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed that any implementation must be fair, transparent, and backed by valid tools, adequate community capacity, and public input. DDS said both sets of proposals would require legislative approval and that the department is still open to changes in trailer bill language and further stakeholder consultation. The hearing ended with the committee indicating it would continue reviewing the proposals and hear public comment, but no formal action was taken.