Video & Transcript : 'Alabama Department of Insurance' :

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Mar 9th, 2026

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • With the consent of the House, the minutes of the House...
  • Since 2006, when the program was established, the Department of Social and Health Services has established
  • Some of us cannot.
  • disallow private right- of some language that would disallow private right of action based on any of
  • of this state.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, the flag was escorted by the Muckleshoot Veterans Color Guard, and the day opened with a prayer from Dennis Anderson Sr. The House approved the previous day’s minutes, welcomed representatives from the Urban Native Education Alliance, and then moved through caucuses and Senate messages before taking up a long series of third-reading votes on bills that had returned from the Senate. Several measures drew debate over Senate amendments. House Bill 1069, concerning bargaining over supplemental retirement benefits for certain public employees, passed 78-17 after supporters said it would help correctional workers and critics said the Senate changes weakened the bill. Second Substitute House Bill 1128, creating a child care workforce standards board, passed 68-27 amid arguments over child care shortages, wages, and affordability. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155, banning non-compete agreements, passed 62-33; supporters framed it as pro-worker and pro-entrepreneurship, while opponents said contracts should be voluntary and important in business sales. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1187 on ambulance billing and collections (93-2), Substitute House Bill 1390 phasing out the Community Protection Program (51-44), Engrossed House Bill 1501 on housing-related local requirements (58-37), House Bill 291 on bargaining communication rights (92-3), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2110 on ambulance staffing/training (95-0), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 on impersonating peace officers (66-29), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2219 on child care regulations and opioid-related safety language (67-28), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266 on housing siting and local flexibility (56-39), Substitute House Bill 2350 on notice and accountability for developmental disability services (95-0), Substitute House Bill 2360 allowing schools to keep and administer albuterol with parental-notification changes (79-16), Second Substitute House Bill 2384 on financial transparency for continuing care retirement communities (78-17), Second Substitute House Bill 2429 on behavioral health planning and appropriations (95-0), Substitute House Bill 2496 protecting tribal sacred sites (71-24), and House Bill 2510, on which the House did not concur in Senate amendments. The chamber also granted conference requests on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bills 5998 and 605 and appointed conferees for each.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 6th, 2026 at 11:19 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because Regis is an example of the power of that.
  • It requires the Higher Education Department to notify the director of the State Board of Finance of any
  • the New Mexico Housing Authority, Workforce Solutions, and the Department of Finance Authority?
  • to worry about the same. ...the executive departments to not have to worry about the same level of detail
  • And is it the Department of Finance and Administration that looks over this?
Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 6th, 2026

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • vision of building a better and just state for all of our citizens of New Mexico does not stop here,
  • It requires the Higher Education Department to notify the Director of the State Board of Finance of any
  • You know, I have the privilege of watching some of the processes of how the...
  • the New Mexico Housing Authority, Workforce Solutions, and the Department of Finance Authority?
  • And is it the Department of Finance and Administration that looks over this?
Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3
Summary: The House convened for a special American Indian Day celebration, with prayers, flag citations, a Navajo national anthem, and many members introducing tribal leaders, students, veterans, and community guests. Speakers emphasized Native sovereignty, government-to-government relations, cultural preservation, education, and the importance of representation in state government. The Speaker announced plans for a future tribal summit to discuss funding, capital, and policy priorities with tribes and nations. After the celebration, the House received executive messages, including gubernatorial authorization for new bills and notice that House Bill 9 had been signed into law. Committee reports were adopted on several measures, including House Bills 128, 285, 20, 52, 57, 58, 206, 109, 38, 66, 178, 198, 202, 224, 257, 103, and 247, with several health-related bills advanced via committee substitutes and referred onward. The House also adopted House Memorial 32 and enrolled House Bill 50 with a certificate of correction. On the floor, House Joint Resolution 1, as amended, passed 67-0. The resolution would create nominating committees for certain constitutionally named institutions, require no single party majority on those committees, and shift the student regent appointment to an elected student government body; members discussed the one-year party-registration requirement and the timing of implementing legislation. House Bill 8, which creates and funds the Major Capital Projects Fund for higher education projects, was then debated at length over its graduation-rate criteria and waiver provisions, and an amendment was offered to require Higher Education Department waiver findings to be reported to and approved by the State Board of Finance for added oversight.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 5th, 2026 at 12:10 pm

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico, a symbol of perfect friendship among one united culture
  • , is home to members of the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni, and is the site of one of the largest
  • City of Gallup and to the Board of County Commissioners of McKinley County.
  • of Insurance, in consultation with the Health Care Authority, to create a health insurance premium affordability
  • Special Education in the Public Education Department, providing for a deputy secretary of special education
Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HM2 , HM16
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 5th, 2026

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , is home to members of the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni, and is the site of one of the largest
  • City of Gallup and to the Board of County Commissioners of McKinley County.
  • of Insurance, in consultation with the Health Care Authority, to create a health insurance premium affordability
  • Special Education in the Public Education Department, providing for a Deputy Secretary of Special Education
  • We're creating the Office of Special Education in the Public Education Department, providing for a Deputy
Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HM2 , HM16
Summary: The House opened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and a series of announcements and recognitions tied to Gallup-McKinley County Day, including the presentation and passage of House Memorial 15 designating February 5, 2026, as Gallup-McKinley County Day. Members spoke at length in support of Gallup and McKinley County, its Native communities, cultural traditions, Route 66 heritage, economic development, and local schools and guests in the gallery. House Memorial 15 passed unanimously, 70-0. The chamber then took up House Memorial 3 recognizing nurses and other health care professionals. Several members and guests from labor and health care organizations spoke in support, emphasizing the dedication of frontline workers and the importance of honoring nurses. The memorial passed unanimously, 70-0. The House also passed House Bill 32, a counseling licensure compact, after adopting a technical amendment, by 63-0; House Bill 33, a psychologist compact, by 64-0; and House Bill 95, creating a fifth judge position in the Second Judicial District family court division, after a friendly amendment removing an appropriation because funding was already in the budget, by 65-0. During committee reports, the House adopted favorable reports on several measures, including House Bill 70 substitute, Senate Bill 3 as amended, House Bills 246, 254, 271, 276, 288, and House Joint Memorial 3. In introductions, the House referred several memorials and Senate bills, including measures on teacher workload study, detention facility reuse, health insurance affordability, gifted education endorsements, special education, and burglary definitions. The House also announced committee meetings, upcoming events, and the annual House-versus-Senate basketball game, then recessed until the next morning.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
  • The first four pages of House Bill 73 is actually a list of those agencies, while one agency, We Lead
  • of data as we lot of information a lot of data as we analyze<00:05:20.080><c> our</c><00:05:20.280><
  • of the breakdown of each individual employer's share of the actuarial accrued liability, as determined
  • He said they can earn up to a maximum of 75% of the pay they had.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:02:51.159><c> adoption</c><00:02:51.640><c> of</c> discussion all in favor of adoption of discussion
  • of the volume of stay contains the half of the volume of the<00:31:04.320><c> world</c><00:31:05.320
  • </c> 91% of government spending out of 91% of government spending out of Kentucky<00:38:20.599><c> in
  • </c><00:40:37.839><c> the</c> of the Senate and the speaker of the of the Senate and the speaker of the
  • the money of the taxpayers and citizens of Kentucky.
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
  • of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all these activities that are going on statewide.
  • awareness of the broad spectrum of Kentucky history that is out around the Commonwealth.
  • of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, all these activities that are going on statewide.
  • moved to that early early part kind of moved to that early early part of<00:08:29.199><c> June</c> of
Summary: The House State Government Committee held its first meeting of the session, established a quorum, welcomed new members, and heard only one item of business: House Bill 313, sponsored by Representative Kim King. King said the bill would add a Kentucky History Month recognition and tied it to recent local anniversary celebrations, arguing it could support education, economic development, and tourism. Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director Scott Alvi testified in support, describing the proposal as part of a broader effort to create a legacy around the nation’s 250th anniversary, coordinate statewide history events, and promote heritage tourism. Members asked why June was chosen and whether an emergency clause should be added so the measure could take effect in time for this June. King said June was selected because it aligns with Statehood Day and Boone Day and leads into July 4th, and she said she was open to the emergency-clause idea, though any amendment would need to be filed in writing later. The committee then voted on the bill and passed it 19-0, with no opposition. The chair noted the bill would next go to the House floor and closed by joking that the meeting was unusually short.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • But some of our small rural fire departments were faced with the challenge of, well, these aviation assets
  • So this is a bill, an agency request bill from Department of Natural Resources to, basically, it's a
  • So this is a bill, an agency request bill from Department of Natural Resources to, basically, it's a
  • Department of Natural Resources, and I'm here to testify other on House Bill 2454.
  • Department of Natural Resources, and I'm here to testify on House Bill 2454.
Bills: HB2104 , HB2348 , HB2454
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce (Part II) May 1st, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let me just kind of give you the history of it. Well, first of all, what the purpose of it is.
  • of Last session, we passed this same bill out of this committee by a vote of 10 to 1 and it was passed
  • And again, the price of a vehicle—your first purchase of a vehicle and the purchase of a vehicle today—there's
  • the issue as one of dealer treatment of transactions and lender use.
  • Because I know the Secretary of State has a list of voters and all that kind of stuff, and their addresses
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Mar 24th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members of the Public Health Committee, nine of you are from urban areas with a total of 202 hospitals
  • At some big issues, for instance, one of them is you'll have an insurance company pay, you know, say
  • TTAF is an approved serving entity by the Texas Department of State Health Services to provide maternal
  • Have you registered as Steve Uecker, Compliance Manager for TDLR, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
  • Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, good afternoon. Thank you for listening to me.
Committee: House Public Health
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 56 (3-31-26)

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><02:15:28.560><c> of</c> an act relating to the Department of an act relating to the Department of
  • This bill also does not apply to Medicaid, but it does require the Department of Insurance to submit
  • It also requires the Department of Insurance to submit an annual report that includes information about
  • This bill also does not apply to Medicaid, but it does require the Department of Insurance to submit
  • It also requires the Department of Insurance to submit an annual report that includes information about
Bills: HB567 , HB776 , HB2 , HB568 , HB619
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 25th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the expense of that adds up, even though your primary pair of prosthetics is covered under insurance
  • So I have added it up, and just paying the 20% co-insurance over Ansel's 10 years of life so far, we've
  • The bill creates a board of naturopathic medicine to assist the Department of Health with the regulation
  • By April of 2019, we received a letter from the Florida Department of Health that we were under active
  • April of 2019, we received a letter from the Florida Department of Health that we were under active
Bills: S0162 , S0254 , S0688 , S0794 , S1110 , S1574
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 11th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, Senate Bill 540 is a Department of Defense request bill.
  • It's endorsed by CSG and the Department of Defense. Would that I yield for questions?
  • It's endorsed by CSG and the Department of Defense. Would that I yield for questions?
  • by CSG and the Department of Defense. Would that I yield for questions?
  • Insurance departments for it, service contract industries for it. I am for it.
Bills: SB540 , HB1085 , HB1484
Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and several introductions, including the nurse of the day and student guests. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 540, a Department of Defense-request compact bill creating a dental/dental hygienist licensure compact. The author and supporters said it would improve reciprocity and help military spouses and workforce needs without lowering Oklahoma standards, while several senators raised concerns about sovereignty, rulemaking authority, potential enforcement actions, and possible costs. After debate, the bill passed 35-12. The Senate next considered House Bill 1085, which would standardize and adjust the fee structure for the service contract industry. An amendment changing dates was adopted, and the bill passed 44-3. The chamber then heard House Bill 1484, a fentanyl education bill requiring instruction for students in grades 6-12 on the dangers and consequences of fentanyl exposure. The author described it as a response to rising fentanyl deaths and a tribute to a young victim; the bill was said to apply to school districts and, by understanding, private schools as well. It passed 47-9 and then passed as an emergency measure. Before adjournment, senators also introduced visiting students and family members affected by fentanyl, and members made announcements about an appropriations subcommittee meeting and a Farm Bureau of Women lunch. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn until Thursday, February 12th at 9:30 a.m.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Ways & Means

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • The State Department of Revenue has already told taxpayers what to do.
  • of taxpayers, the Department of Revenue actually testified that a third of taxpayers will have to amend
  • puts out in almost my 40 years of service and state service, and most of it at the Department of Revenue
  • The governor's Department of Revenue has put out tax forms.
  • I don't know what part of that the other side doesn't understand. what the Department of Revenue has
Bills: HB2011 , HB2089 , HB2090 , HB2092 , HB2477 , HB2785
Committee: House Ways & Means
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, I will say prior to Senate Bill 2011 formally being filed, the Department of Medicaid Services has
  • Now, I will say prior to Senate Bill 2011 formally being filed, the Department of Medicaid Services has
  • Now, I will say prior to Senate Bill 2011 formally being filed, the Department of Medicaid Services has
  • what kind of health insurance I have to my clients. co-pays can add up fast.
  • what kind of because I'll be disclosing what kind of health<01:20:31.520><c> insurance</c><01:20:31.920
Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board met on March 9 with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. The chair reordered the agenda to hear House Bill 689 first. Representative Amy Neighbors presented HB 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek CMS approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning January 1, 2026, with retroactive payments for that year. She said the bill is intended to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas, support workforce retention, and generate about $29 million annually in federal Medicaid funds without using general fund dollars. Representatives from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare testified in support, describing staffing and subsidy pressures, lower Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, and the importance of the program for maintaining access and quality in rural and safety-net settings. Committee members noted the bill had already passed the House Health Services Committee unanimously and discussed broader concerns about Kentucky’s low reimbursement rates and the need to consider other systems not covered by the proposal. The board then heard Senate Bill 2011 from Senator Donald Douglas and Cody Hunt of the Kentucky Medical Association. The bill would address a Medicaid coding issue by ensuring that coverage limits do not reduce payment to fewer than two evaluation and management service units per provider, per patient, per day. Douglas argued the current one-visit, one-issue limitation forces multiple visits, increases no-shows, and prevents providers from treating the whole patient. Hunt explained that the bill is meant to correct a longstanding regulation that limited E&M services to one per physician per recipient per date of service, which can prevent providers from coding additional medically necessary work during the same visit. He said DMS has already filed a regulatory amendment to fix the problem, but a statutory change is still needed to prevent the issue from returning. He also said the bill is not intended to change reimbursement policy, only coding rules, and that MCO payment practices vary. Members generally supported the concept. Senator Berg asked about fiscal impact and private-payer billing; Hunt said there should be no fiscal impact because the bill does not change payment policy, only coding. Representative Moore said the proposal could reduce costs and improve convenience by avoiding extra visits. Chairman Meredith said the bill illustrated problems with fee-for-service care and supported moving toward a more holistic delivery model. Dr. Schuster raised a drafting concern about the bill summary language, and Hunt responded that the regulatory amendment should address the issue generally for providers. No votes were taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • We propose requiring the Department of Corrections to enter into contracts with each fiscal court or
  • We propose requiring the Department of Corrections to enter into contracts with each fiscal court or
  • We propose requiring the Department of Corrections to enter into contracts with each fiscal court or
  • of homeland security with the department of homeland security ICE<00:59:35.440><c> legislative</c><00
  • ><c> Security</c><01:04:07.280><c> has</c> The Department of Homeland Security has The Department of
Summary: The committee met for its sixth meeting, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the October 21 meeting. The main agenda item was a presentation from Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) leaders and county officials on jail funding and jail-system reform. Speakers said county jail costs have reached crisis levels, citing large and rising general-fund subsidies in counties such as Hardin, McCracken, and Warren, and noting that county general-fund contributions to jail funds have increased by 76% since 2019. KACo outlined a three-part legislative approach for the upcoming session: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and redefining the model for housing state inmates in county jails. On regional jails, they proposed one-time state construction funding, statutory changes to allow former county jails to serve as 96-hour holdover facilities, broader participation of jailers on regional jail authority boards, an increased supplement for closed county jails, and a one-time payment for counties that close local jails and join regional facilities. Union County Judge Adam Onan described his county’s savings from contracting with Webster County and said regionalization can reduce costs where feasible. Harlan County Judge Executive Dan Mosley focused on pre-trial felony detainees, saying counties bear the full cost of housing people awaiting trial for long periods, sometimes years, and that pre-trial time is later credited toward state sentences. He argued the state benefits from that credit and referenced prior bills that would have reimbursed counties for time-served credit. Shelley Hampton then proposed replacing the current per diem model for state inmates with contracts requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs and to support programming such as substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academics. No votes were taken on the jail proposals, and the meeting ended with the presentation and discussion of the county recommendations.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Government Oversight Apr 16th, 2026

Government Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • thank You for this day and the ability to do Your work, Father, that You called each and every one of
  • It is a result of a year of research and stakeholder discussion, passed unanimously in the Senate. ..
  • .of research and stakeholder discussion.
Bills: SB1365 , SB2139
Summary: The Government Oversight committee met briefly with a prayer and then heard two Senate bills. Senate Bill 1365, presented by Representative Townley, updates and modernizes statutory language for the tourism promotional fund, caps the fund at $75,000, and exempts tourism and recreation purchases from the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act so tourism venues such as golf courses and lodges can keep stock on hand without procurement delays. After a do pass motion and no debate, the committee approved the bill 7-4 and reported it out. Representative Kelly then presented Senate Bill 2139, which provides clarifying language to Senate Bill 1617 from 2024. Kelly said it resulted from a year of research and stakeholder discussion and had passed unanimously in the Senate. The committee moved the bill with no questions or debate and approved it 11-0. The chair then thanked members for their work and adjourned the meeting, noting it was likely the last meeting.