Transcript Highlights:

• increased economic growth, healthy reserve accounts, and conservative spending policies, additional tax reductions
• enacted to... ...growth, healthy reserve accounts, and conservative spending policies, additional tax reductions

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• increased economic growth, healthy reserve accounts, and conservative spending policies, additional tax reductions
• period. ...growth, healthy reserve accounts, and conservative spending policies, additional tax reductions

Summary: The Arkansas House convened in an extraordinary session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members granted several leaves of absence and recognized visiting state troopers and the nurse of the day. The clerk then read the governor’s proclamation calling the special session, which cited the state’s strong finances and outlined the session’s purposes: reducing individual income tax rates to a top rate of 3.7% and corporate tax rates to a top rate of 4.1%, along with authorizing payment of legislative expenses and per diem for the special session. The House adopted motions to suspend House Rules 41A and 41B, which normally require bills to be on the desk for 24 hours before final passage and limit how soon filed bills can be placed on committee agendas, as well as Rule 60A on committee meeting notice requirements, for the duration of the special session. House Bill 1001, a revenue and tax bill, was then read a second time. The House also directed the clerk to notify the Senate and governor that it was ready for business. Before adjourning, the House set a meeting of the Revenue and Tax Committee for 5:15 p.m. that day. A motion to adjourn until 9:30 the next morning was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know how people in my town think, and they'll view this as a property tax reduction, and it's going
• I know how people in my town think, and they'll view this as a property tax reduction, and it's going
• I know how people in my town think, and they'll view this as a property tax reduction, and it's going
• I know how people in my town think, and they'll view this as a property tax reduction, and it's going
• is to be against which the reduction is to be measured.<02:01:52.159><c> If</c><02:01:52.320><c> it<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have seen a reduction in puppy mill production over 40%, approaching 50%—that's 550,000 dogs that
• We have seen a reduction in puppy mill production over 40%, approaching 50%—that's 550,000 dogs that
• We have seen a reduction in puppy mill production over 40%, approaching 50%—that's 550,000 dogs that
• Into a tax reduction to the income tax. It is in the bill. I appreciate your support. Thank you.
• And it includes in the global agreement the temporary vehicle registration fee reduction.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• future expected expenditures in the first biennium by just over $2.6 million and is an expected reduction
• of about 42.7 is an expected reduction of about 42.7 million<01:07:48.920><c> in</c><01:07:49.160><c
• Uh, the the assumes spending reductions.
• So the net effect of the proposal is a reduction of about $173.7 million in the first biennium and just
• of about 100 and thir- excuse reduction of about 100 and thir- excuse me,<01:16:53.160><c> 73.7</c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, there may be a reduction in what their annual salary might have been, thus affecting their high
• And so, there may<00:55:28.359><c> be</c><00:55:28.480><c> a</c><00:55:28.560><c> reduction</c><00:55
• in</c><00:55:29.200><c> what</c><00:55:29.320><c> their</c><00:55:29.480><c> annual</c> may be a reduction
• in what their annual may be a reduction in what their annual salary<00:55:30.200><c> might</c><00:55
• was uh from a with what the reduction was uh from a full<01:03:46.680><c> normal</c><01:03:47.000><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This reduction is largely driven by the implementation of a new prepayment review process for select
• This reduction is largely driven by the implementation of a new prepayment review process for select
• </c><00:42:42.200><c> This</c><00:42:42.480><c> reduction</c><00:42:43.000><c> is</c> million in the
• This reduction is million in the next.
• This reduction is largely<00:42:43.600><c> driven</c><00:42:43.960><c> by</c><00:42:44.080><c> the</c

Bills: HF3425

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So when I hear politicians talk about cutting Medicaid and gutting SAMA and slashing harm reduction and
• harm reduction and treatment programs,<00:30:22.399><c> I</c><00:30:22.640><c> don't</c><00:30:22.799
• I work with the American Medical Association, the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition, and other groups
• </c><00:47:55.520><c> Coalition,</c><00:47:56.240><c> and</c> Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition, and
• Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition, and other<00:47:56.720><c> groups</c><00:47:57.040><c> as</c><00:47

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards. Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased. Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:03:38.880><c> early</c><01:03:39.200><c> release</c><01:03:39.760><c> or</c><01:03:40.000><c> reduction
• </c><01:03:40.400><c> of</c> special early release or reduction of special early release or reduction
• And this is largely tied to, while we've had upticks, we've had overall reductions in crime over the
• </c><01:08:17.679><c> in</c><01:08:17.920><c> crime</c> we've had uh overall reductions in crime we've
• had uh overall reductions in crime over<01:08:18.640><c> the</c><01:08:18.880><c> the</c><01:08:19.279

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions coming from Washington.
• There will be Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions coming from Washington.
• There will be Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions coming from Washington.
• There will be Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions coming from Washington.
• There will be Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions coming from Washington.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We even had to add an extra decimal to show that there's only a reduction of 0.02 percent.
• But property tax reduction that we talk about is related to the school tax, our responsibility toward
• The reason why there's a reduction, including homesteads, is because the state's paying for it.
• And even on the homestead side, that is the debt side of that, the state pays for that reduction.
• As a result, recommendations include a reduction of $41 million for the 2026–2027 biennium, offset by

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• represents a substantial portion of the local education budget and would likely require program reductions
• represents a substantial portion of the local education budget and would likely require program reductions
• Program reductions or increased taxation in a community with a very limited tax base.
• Compliance with subsection K directly reduces funding for our core K-8 program, forcing staffing reductions

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on two late-file bills: H. 4867, concerning school choice, and H. 4927, concerning access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). For H. 4867, testimony focused on a DESE interpretation of M.G.L. c. 76, §12B(k) that would require small elementary-only districts with school choice students to pay secondary tuition when those students continue into high school. Superintendents, school committee members, parents, teachers, and a representative argued this creates large fiscal shortfalls for rural districts such as Hancock, Warwick, Richmond, and Worthington, which do not operate high schools and already rely on tuition agreements for their own resident students. Witnesses said the current interpretation has led some districts to stop accepting school choice students, reducing class sizes and limiting educational opportunities; they urged an exemption or amendment so these districts could continue school choice without assuming high school tuition obligations for nonresident students. Committee members asked about the number of affected districts, how the arrangement worked before 2023, and whether alternative statutory language might solve the issue more broadly. Representative Barrett described the bill as a simple fix to an unenforced provision that had only recently been raised by DESE, and the hearing later included testimony from both district officials and families supporting the bill. The committee closed testimony on H. 4867 and H. 4927 and then adjourned. H. 4927 drew testimony from educators, an ABA provider, and a parent of a child with autism in support of protecting in-school ABA access. Witnesses said the bill would clarify that qualified ABA providers, including BCBAs and RBTs under supervision, may deliver services in schools while allowing districts to maintain neutral safety and operational rules. They argued that inconsistent access to ABA can undermine districts’ obligations under IDEA, including free appropriate public education and placement in the least restrictive environment, and that school-based ABA can reduce removals from class, improve student progress, and support families. A parent testified that her young son needs ABA to function in school and that promised supports had been delayed or not delivered, while another witness said the bill would help ensure accountability and consistent services for students with autism.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2334, Bennett, methane reduction working group, holding committee.
• AB 1996, Bonta, Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1996, Bonta, Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 2410, Ellis, fuels reduction projects, do pass out on an A roll call.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 12:26.520><c> threshold</c> Future administrations will have to consider whether to continue that reduction
• c><00:12:48.200><c> that</c> consider whether to continue that consider whether to continue that reduction
• 49.800><c> to</c><00:12:50.080><c> look</c><00:12:50.400><c> at</c><00:12:50.640><c> reducing</c> reduction
• or to look at reducing reduction or to look at reducing resurfacing,<00:12:52.520><c> bridge,</c><00

Bills: HB542

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So what is the reason for the reduction in the Department of Commerce in the divisions that you mentioned
• Secretary, I am told that of these reduction in force, 17 be terminated from East Arkansas that provide
• There are sufficient employees left that are not affected by this reduction in force to provide necessary
• There's plenty of available staff post-reduction.

Summary: The council opened with a prayer, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received the February 2026 Monthly Revenue Report from Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research. He reported gross revenues of $5.36 billion and net collections of $4.5 billion, both above the prior year to date, and said the updated forecast now shows a larger expected surplus. Members asked about declines in some tax categories, natural gas severance fee fluctuations, inflation, and economic development incentives; Silva attributed several changes to timing, refunds, tax cuts, weather, and price volatility, and generally described the state’s revenue trend as positive. The Executive Committee, Administrative Rules, Claims Review, Game and Fish, Higher Education, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Medicaid studies, Occupational Licensing Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and other subcommittee reports were adopted. The Medicaid studies report drew extended discussion about DHS staffing and contract nursing costs at state hospitals and human development centers; DHS officials said they were working on a recruitment and retention plan, reported significant vacancies and turnover, and said the state was not at risk of overspending the contracts. Several members urged reducing reliance on contract labor and moving staff onto state payrolls. The Review Subcommittee report prompted questions about a Department of Public Safety aircraft maintenance item and a Department of Shared Administrative Services contract for Deloitte to implement performance and goals management software tied to the state’s new personnel system. After discussion, the aircraft maintenance item was held briefly and then withdrawn from the hold, while the shared services contract was explained as a one-time integration/configuration project for a system that will support employee evaluations and performance-based pay; the report and the separate contract vote were approved. The Personnel Subcommittee also heard testimony from Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald about reductions in force at the Division of Services for the Blind, which he attributed to funding shortfalls and fiscal mismanagement; members questioned the impact on blind and visually impaired clients, the status of board appointments, and whether federal funds could be at risk. The report was adopted with immediate consideration, and the meeting ended after filing the remaining APER report and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what is the reason for the reduction in the Department of Commerce and the divisions that you mentioned
• Secretary, I am told that of these reduction in force 17 be terminated from East Arkansas that provide
• “There are sufficient employees left that are not affected by this reduction in force to provide necessary
• There’s plenty of available staff post-reduction.

Summary: The meeting began with a prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a February 2026 revenue report from Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research. He reported gross revenues of $5.36 billion and net collections of $4.5 billion, both above the prior year, and said the updated forecast showed a larger expected surplus than before. Members asked about declines in some tax categories, natural gas severance fees, and possible effects of inflation and international conflict; Silva generally attributed the changes to timing issues, prior tax cuts, refund activity, and price fluctuations, and said he could not speculate on future impacts. The committee then heard and adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee, Administrative Rules, Claims Review, Game and Fish State Police, Higher Education, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and APER filings. Most reports were approved without objection. One budget classification transfer for the Commissioner of State Lands was reviewed and failed. The review report also led to discussion of several contracts, including DHS staffing contracts and a Department of Education security contract, with some items held or separated for individual votes. A major portion of the meeting focused on DHS and state staffing contracts for the Human Development Centers, Arkansas State Hospital, and related facilities. DHS officials said the contracts were on track against seven-year projections, but members expressed concern about heavy reliance on contract labor, vacancy rates, and the need to move workers onto state payrolls. Officials said they were preparing a recruitment and retention plan and described staffing levels, vacancies, and turnover. Members also questioned contract projections and federal-state funding matches, and several urged faster action to reduce contract labor costs. The committee also discussed a Department of Commerce reduction-in-force affecting the Division of Services for the Blind and Employment and Training. Secretary Hugh McDonald said the cuts were driven by funding shortfalls, over-obligation of funds, and federal issues, and that 27 positions would be permanently eliminated while furloughed employees would be recalled. Members raised concerns about service impacts, board appointments, and the division’s fiscal management. The meeting ended after the personnel report was adopted and APER was filed as reviewed, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• taxation, millages, under certain circumstances, retention of maximum authorized millages, provides for reduction
• Taxation, Millages, under certain circumstances, retention of maximum authorized millages, provides for reduction
• in certain millage rates. circumstances, retention of maximum authorized millages, provides for reduction
• amounts of monies, certain fees and costs of the department, to authorize a new fee, and to authorize reductions

Bills: HR42, HR43, HR44, HR45, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR28, HCR29, HCR30, HB894, HB983, HB984, HR39, HR40, HR41, HCR19, HCR20, HCR21, HB2, HB3, HB15, HB441, HB976, HB977, HB978, HB979, HB980, HB981, HB982, HB129, HB130, HB287, HB489, HB521, HB545, HB553, HB555, HB570, HB670, HB672, HB797, HB854, HB952, HB207, HB300, HB331, HB428, HB464, HB587, HB618, HB629, HB801, HB853, HB891, HB474, HB487, HB503, HB606, HB633, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB846, HB852, HB856, HB868, HB875, HB112, HB657, HB221, HB149, HB901, HB148, HB354

Keywords: women, chemistry industry, Louisiana, recognition, workforce, commendation, leadership, faith, community service, Bishop Weidner, log truck drivers, transportation safety, log industry, pastor, Church of Pentecost, forestry, tree farming, W.H. Ward Properties, community support, Louisiana Forestry Association

Transcript Highlights:

• solution for reducing the cash balance to an appropriate level through either increased services or a reduction
• $28,298,400 from dedicated funds and $7,328,000 from federal funds, for a total of $35,645,500 and reduction
• $28,298,400 from dedicated funds, and $8,150,100 from federal funds, for a total of $36,467,600, and a reduction
• $28,298,400 from dedicated funds, and $8,150,100 from federal funds, for a total of $36,467,600, and a reduction

Summary: The committee began with a general fund update from Legislative Services, which reviewed the latest green sheet, explained where to find budget information and hearing schedules online, and noted that JFAC actions had updated the FY 2026 and FY 2027 ending balance estimates. Members asked about tracking workgroup progress and were told to consult analysts and workgroup members rather than circulate a public daily summary. The update also noted several bills moving between chambers, including House bills 503, 556, 684, 737, and 759, and Senate Bill 1226. The committee then considered and approved several agency budgets and supplemental requests. The Idaho State Tax Commission budget was reconsidered and approved with a revised FY 2027 motion that removed funding for the chief operating officer salary and set aside funding for property tax education, tax automation, fast tax collection services, seasonal employees, replacement items, and OITS hardware; accompanying language restricted the fast tax collection money to that purpose and required any unused amount to revert to the general fund. The Office of Information Technology Services received approval for FY 2026 supplemental funding for Chinden campus furnishings and the E-CORE grant, and FY 2027 enhancements for enterprise security, the E-CORE continuation, and the final IT modernization transfer of 58 positions from Health and Welfare, along with cash-transfer language tied to SWICAP costs. The Military Division’s request for indirect cost recovery funds passed, but a proposed add-on for the state education assistance program failed. The Industrial Commission and Public Utilities Commission budgets also passed with dedicated-fund increases for IRIS maintenance, training, disability fund costs, and replacement hardware. The Department of Fish and Game budget was approved with a large package of dedicated and federal fund enhancements for fishery habitat work, Good Neighbor Authority projects, hatchery and lab inflation, temporary employees, wolf depredation response, communications, and equipment replacement, along with reappropriation authority. The Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services drew the most debate: one motion would have funded home visiting, immunization assessment restoration, lab testing, ARPA grants, HIV and hepatitis prevention, and related items, while a substitute motion sought to keep some funding but move the home visiting program to Early Learning and Development and restore additional public health items. Both motions failed, leaving that budget unresolved in committee. The meeting ended with new language for the State Controller and State Treasurer requiring monthly cash reconciliations between Luma and TATERS, reporting to JFAC and LSO, and retention of supporting documentation for audit purposes. The committee adjourned after being reminded that budget setting would continue through the week and that Monday’s agenda would include education, administration, building fund, and lottery budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• represents a substantial portion of the local education budget and would likely require program reductions
• represents a substantial portion of the local education budget and would likely require program reductions
• Program reductions or increased taxation in a community with a very limited tax base.
• Compliance with subsection K directly reduces funding for our core K-8 program, forcing staffing reductions

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing on two late-file bills. H. 4867, relative to school choice, drew testimony from leaders, parents, and educators in Hancock, Warwick, Richmond, and Worthington, who said DESE’s interpretation of Chapter 76, Section 12B(k) requires small districts without high schools to pay secondary tuition for nonresident school choice students after they leave the elementary grades. Witnesses said the resulting gap between the $5,000 school choice payment and high school tuition of roughly $13,000 to $18,000 per student has forced some districts to stop accepting school choice students, hurting class sizes, budgets, and rural families’ access to local schools. Committee members questioned how the current rule works, whether students have home high schools to return to, and whether a broader statutory fix could address all districts without secondary programs; testimony indicated the affected districts are a small number of rural communities, with some others having found alternative arrangements. Representative Barrett described the bill as a general solution to an issue that had gone unenforced for years, and the hearing ended with testimony closed on the bill. The committee also heard H. 4927, relative to protecting access to applied behavior analysis (ABA). Educators and ABA providers testified that the bill would clarify that qualified ABA providers, including BCBAs and RBTs, may deliver services in schools while preserving school safety and operational rules. They argued that better access to ABA would help students with autism make progress on IEP goals, remain in the least restrictive environment, and reduce conflicts between families and districts. A parent described repeated delays in getting promised supports for her young son and said the bill would help ensure follow-through and accountability. The committee then closed testimony on H. 4927 and adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we are not seeing the reduction that I would like to see in our fatality numbers, but that will not
• That translates into reduction of severe injury accidents and reduction in fatalities because those are
• trying to say what is the best way, what is the most efficient way as we're looking at fuel tax reductions

Keywords: 914, all