Transcript Highlights:

• Rarely does it, except in the state of New Hampshire, do we lower taxes, but other states tend to increase
• Rarely does it, except in the state of New Hampshire, do we lower taxes, but other states tend to increase
• Rarely does it except<00:12:08.079> in<00:12:08.240> the<00:12:08.320> state<00:
• 08.399> of<00:12:08.560> New<00:12:08.639> Hampshire<00:12:08.959> do except
• in the state of New Hampshire do except in the state of New Hampshire do we<00:12:09.279> lower

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• got a lot going on in the building this morning, that we allow the following senators to be excused except
• Today I ask unanimous consent to excuse two senators, Senator Tobiassen and Senator Brandt, except for
• So I ask unanimous consent to excuse them except for the purpose of a call. Seeing no objection.
• the record show that the roll has been called and that all those present voted in the affirmative except
• . ...funding for public works construction projects, providing an exception.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• comment in the lower left corner of the page, we'd like to adopt that language that is suggested, except
• 13:52.240> word<00:13:52.680> if<00:13:53.680> with<00:13:53.920> the except
• replacing the word if with the except replacing the word if with the word<00:13:54.399> where
• Last year, except with one trapped by a wildlife control officer, there were only six trapped.
• with one trapped them. last year except with one trapped by<00:41:03.839> a<00:41:04.079>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the consent calendar and the minutes. It then took up a Department of Employment Security rule, 24193, where the only issue was that a form had not been incorporated by reference. The department submitted an oral conditional approval request with revised language, and the committee approved the rule conditionally. A second Employment Security rule, 195, raised concerns that the notice language was too broad and vague and could amount to oral rulemaking; because the agency had not yet finalized revised language, the committee granted a one-month waiver so the rule could return next month with a conditional approval proposal. The Department of Safety’s contact person notification program rule, 24237, drew comments about Social Security number collection, unclear drafting on one section, and ambiguity about which application needed a signature. The agency agreed to remove Social Security number references from the rules and forms and to adopt the suggested clarifying language with minor edits. After discussion about why the identifiers were needed, the committee approved the rule conditionally with the oral changes. The committee then moved a previously consent-calendar item, OPLC rule 2547, off consent after Representative Maguire objected that the renewal application form was too health-care-focused and user-unfriendly for other professions; the agency said it would revisit the form, and the committee postponed action until next month without needing a waiver. The final major item was Fish and Game’s HB 2548, which changes licensing and permit rules for taking deer, bear, moose, turkey, and furbearing animals. Staff noted extensive public testimony, including a coalition submission, and said the main dispute was over what data the agency should rely on in setting seasons and take limits. Fish and Game explained that declining trapper participation made capture-per-unit-effort data less reliable, so it also uses hunter surveys and UNH research projects funded in part by federal money; the agency said current trapping removals are very low and do not appear to threaten populations. Committee members and public witnesses questioned whether the agency’s responses to comments were sufficiently specific under the new public-comment law, but no final vote on the Fish and Game rule was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:14.080> of American Community with the exception of American Community with the exception
• So the first one establishes some parameters to reduce waiver growth, particularly in rate exceptions
• What this really means is rate exceptions in DHS have grown steadily over time and grown faster than
• anticipated, with approximately close to 20, almost a quarter of all people getting rate exceptions.
• <01:31:13.800> available living there are exceptions available living there are exceptions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House also includes here an<00:31:31.760> exception<00:31:32.000> to<00:31:32.159><
• Section 15 provides an exception to R22.
• Section 15 provides an exception to the<00:36:37.440> child<00:36:37.760> neglect<00:36
• the Senate has an effective date except the Senate has an effective date with<00:37:26.800> the
• First I'm going to address all the Senate-only provisions. exception of two concepts the Senate and exception

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I understand historically uh many or most if not all of our comprehensive schools, with the exception
• with the exception of Northern they<00:03:19.280> came<00:03:19.440> into<00:03:19.680
• We make no exceptions to that requirement.
• Our students are exceptional students. This chart shows their ACT composite scores.
• Our students are exceptional students. Our students are exceptional students.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, there's religious exceptions, I know. You can go to church.
• Exceptions are given, including... ...activities with regard to race, sex, etc.
• Exceptions are given, including observances in U.S. Code 36.
• Or do we just wait until the next M-Pox outbreak to add yet another exception?
• , except if you want to do things with your own reproductive organs, except if you want your child to

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:12:56.159> There's<01:12:56.400> not exception to the claim.
• There's not exception to the claim.
• <01:13:09.040> or don't agree. they they take exception or don't agree. they they take exception
• uh for taking exception to the to<01:13:16.000> the<01:13:16.159> claim.
• than not when there is an exception than not when there is an exception being<01:13:31.199> taken

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The only funding tool, basically, I mean with some exceptions, the main funding tool that local governments
• , basically, I mean with some exceptions, basically, I mean with some exceptions, the<00:03:30.799
• So the new items were except or counter.
• for brewer to uh receive the exception for the<00:18:23.679> filing<00:18:24.080> return
• and then in 2026 then the exception and then in 2026 then the exception would<00:18:32.720> kick

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a couple of notes: except for nursing facilities or immediate care facilities, our terminations
• When we refer a case to the Attorney General's office, they may request a law enforcement exception.
• When we refer a case to the Attorney General's office, they may request a law enforcement exception.
• When we refer a case to the Attorney General's office, they may request a law enforcement exception.
• When we refer a case to the Attorney General's office, they may request a law enforcement exception.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the Department for Medicaid Services’ program integrity work. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Program Integrity Director Jennifer Dudinsky outlined Kentucky Medicaid’s structure, funding, enrollment, and spending, including FMAP rates, the size of the Medicaid and KCHIP populations, the number of providers, and 2024 expenditures. They also described the managed care and fee-for-service populations, noting that managed care serves most members while fee-for-service is concentrated in long-term care and waiver populations. Most of the discussion focused on fraud, waste, abuse prevention, and provider oversight. The department described its provider enrollment and certification checks, revalidation requirements, site reviews, fingerprinting for some high-risk providers, and termination grounds such as false application information, Medicare actions, unreported ownership changes, and abandonment of a provider number. Members asked about nonprofit ownership reporting, MCO fraud oversight, and how the department tracks unusual CPT code utilization, especially in behavioral health. The department said it uses data analytics, audits, policy review, and collaboration with behavioral health staff to monitor those trends. Dudinsky explained the division’s four branches: provider licensing and certification, audits and compliance, recovery, and third-party liability/estate recovery. She described prepayment and postpayment audits, referrals of credible fraud allegations to the Attorney General, monthly meetings with the AG’s office, and coordination with the Office of Inspector General, CMS, HHS OIG, MCOs, and other partners. She also explained payment suspensions, stand-downs during law enforcement investigations, and recovery efforts for overpayments, provider/member fraud, and third-party liability. The department said its recovery and avoidance efforts produced more than $251 million in savings so far in 2025. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we now require documentation in this bill for those rate exception requests because so many of
• And we do reduce the kind of things that qualify for rate exceptions, including the transportation time
• <00:15:15.600> in huge increases and rate exceptions in huge increases and rate exceptions
• <00:15:39.839> requests for those rate exception requests for those rate exception requests
• <00:15:55.720> including qualify for rate exceptions including qualify for rate exceptions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see for the most part, except for the COVID year, it's gone up pretty much every year.
• One of my areas of responsibility is oversight of the Bureau of Exceptional Education, student Services
• So the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services within the Division of Public Schools, it
• And also a general Ed teacher, a special ed teacher and principal of title one migrant except for so
• Every one of our local educational agencies throughout the state has a dedicated exceptional student

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from all fund sources is considered, spending surpasses the foundation funding level on all lines except
• Per student than charter districts on all positions except nurses and secretaries.
• The smallest district size categories spent the most per student on all school-level resources except
• And D&F districts spent the most per student across all school-level resources except extra duty.
• And D&F schools spent the most per student across all school-level resources except extra duty.

Summary: The House/Joint Education committee continued its adequacy study with a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, focusing first on matrix spending and then non-matrix spending. Staff explained the methodology for mapping APSCN expenditure data to matrix lines, reviewed district and school categories used in the analysis, and highlighted key findings: foundation funding covered a large share of matrix costs but total spending on matrix items exceeded foundation funding, with classroom teachers making up the largest share. Members asked for additional breakdowns on waivers, superintendent survey responses, trend data, and spending by district type, size, and rural/urban status. Staff also noted limitations in tracking two matrix lines—salary enhancement for other employees and all personnel health insurance—because of coding and definition issues. The committee then reviewed non-matrix expenditures, including instructional aides, facilities, school safety, mental health, dyslexia services, gifted and talented, and career and technical education. Staff reported that non-matrix spending remained above $2 billion over the last three years, with most of it coming from other funds rather than foundation funding. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, mental health needs, school safety, food service, athletic transportation, and whether some items should be added to the matrix. The Department of Education clarified that the building fund reflects district-held funds for construction and maintenance projects, while the facilities partnership program is a separate state process for approved projects. In the final discussion, staff summarized total spending as more than $15,800 per student in 2025, with about 69% going to matrix resources and 31% to non-matrix resources. The chair explained the adequacy process and the committee’s role in setting future funding recommendations, and members discussed the recommendations worksheet included in the binder. The chair then proposed postponing the remainder of Part Two of the presentation until a May meeting after the fiscal session, along with inviting the Department of Education back for more detailed questions; with no objections, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• from all fund sources is considered, spending surpasses the foundation funding level on all lines except
• starting with three-year trends, every school-level personnel line showed an increase in spending except
• Every school-level personnel line showed an increase in spending except instructional facilitators, which
• more than $150 per student than regular districts on technology and on all school-level resources except
• And D&F districts spent the most per student across all school-level resources except extra duty.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why you have to list all these exceptions and all that.
• route where we've received no the easier route where we've received no pushback pushback pushback except
• except except today<00:33:42.800> from<00:33:43.000> you.
• Is not when it's under loitering you don't have to worry about all these exceptions.
• That's one of the benefits exceptions.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The meeting on SB 460 focused almost entirely on where the bill should be placed in statute and how it would be enforced. One side argued the proposal should be moved out of the loitering section and into the sex offender registration framework, saying loitering is already under constitutional challenge, is vague, and does not fit the conduct at issue. They said the bill is meant to create a clear, advance-notice restriction for registered sex offenders, especially around schools, day care facilities, and similar places, and that this would be easier for police to enforce. The opposing view was that the loitering placement is the better fit and that moving the bill would create broader drafting problems by opening the door to reorganizing many other sex-offender-related restrictions. There was also discussion of whether the bill’s references to schools should use the school-property statute, whether churches should be included, and whether the existing loitering statute’s alarm-based elements are too complicated and potentially unconstitutional. The committee also discussed a pending federal challenge to the loitering law, with one member saying there was no injunction yet but the case was being challenged. No agreement was reached. After a brief break and further debate, members concluded that the Senate and House positions remained unresolved, and the meeting ended without a compromise or vote on the substantive dispute.

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously students received a certificate of completion when they met all graduation requirements except
• The skills for each badge were identified through a partnership with the Bureau of Exceptional Education
• Matthew Marino, director of the University of Central Florida's Toni Jennings, Exceptional Education
• And so I've got to say that the aged 12 transition planning process in my opinion is exceptional.
• So in terms of our bureau, exceptional education, student services, that is one of the role of the bureau's

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it says we may give reasonable exceptions.
• And then it says we may give reasonable exceptions.
• So I don't hear any support really for my mimic, except maybe Senator Townsend.
• So I don't hear any support really for my mimic, except maybe Senator Townsend.
• Should we have an exception for therapists who want to offer that service?

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• It says it provides protections for exceptional value wetlands.
• What constitutes an exceptional value wetland?
• So the definition of a unique wetland is, or exceptional value wetland is—sorry, go ahead.
• Exceptional value wetlands in this case are defined twofold: unique wetland communities and wetlands
• This bill makes an important distinction between exceptional value wetlands and lower quality wetlands

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've been ...under a hiring freeze for some time, and that continues, although there are some exceptions
• So we often then will have increased reliance on exceptions or alternative processes, kind of going back
• to what I talked about. ...on exceptions or alternative processes, kind of going back to what I talked
• about on the hiring freeze, that we do have some exceptions to be able to continue to hire people.
• So it's just those exceptions that are pulled out.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met on May 8, 2026, to review goals and objectives for the 2027–2029 master collective bargaining cycle and to hear updates on higher education and Washington Management Service bargaining. OFM’s Jenny Sheehan outlined the state workforce, noting that most employees are represented, the workforce remains heavily governed by civil service rules and CBAs, and the state is entering bargaining under a constrained hiring and budget environment. She described the bargaining timeline, the role of the June revenue forecasts in determining whether targeted compensation increases can be funded, and the state’s goals of affordability, maintaining labor relations, supporting equity, and addressing non-economic issues such as AI use, leave, immigration-related workplace concerns, and union access in a hybrid work environment. Sheehan also reviewed the 2025–2027 bargaining cycle, including the prior WPEA ratification issue and the requirement that tentative agreements be submitted by October 1 for financial feasibility review and possible legislative funding. She said the 2025–27 agreements cost about $1.2 billion in general funds and $1.7 billion total, excluding the later-funded WPEA agreements. In response to a question, she explained that paid family and medical leave is not bargained over directly because it is governed by statute and ESD rules. She then presented on Washington Management Service bargaining, explaining that only certain WMS employees are eligible to bargain, that representation remains small, and that current WMS contracts are handled through addenda to existing agreements. She also described interest arbitration for certain groups, including ferries and public safety-related employees, and said arbitration awards still must be financially feasible and submitted by October 1. The committee also heard from Western Washington University and the University of Washington on higher education bargaining. Western described its locally bargained contracts, the importance of local bargaining for workload, tenure, grievance, and safety issues, and the impact of the state fund split on budget planning. Western said it has no state funding for student compensation and has requested inclusion of student employees in the wage base. UW outlined its large workforce and the different bargaining frameworks under RCW 41.56 and 41.80, emphasizing that state funding and tuition make up only a portion of its budget and that the fund split and health care cost increases significantly affect compensation planning. UW also highlighted its request for state funding for academic student employee compensation, saying rising costs are reducing the number of positions and affecting class sizes and the academic pipeline. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members discussed the upcoming bargaining and arbitration timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kathy Hudgens simplified what we mean when we say a person has demonstrated exceptional commitment.
• The memorial resolutions to be adopted in block are spread across pages 2 through 5, with the exception
• Otherwise, all of those other resolutions on those pages are in the block, with the exception of the
• With the exception of the committee resolutions excluded by the clerk, all those in favor of adopting
• So in that block that I announced, all the resolutions between pages 5 and 11, with the exception now

Keywords: March 13, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all