Transcript Highlights:

• to pick their candidates for the general to pick their candidates for the general elections.<00:
• Now, when we get to the general election, guess what?
• party in the general election.
• we are picking our candidate to represent our party in the general election.
• 25:32.559> encourage general election, yes, we encourage general election, yes, we encourage everybody

Bills: HB541

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They'll still generate special education membership.
• But I will remind you, they will generate...
• It may actually be the attorney general.
• With general elections.
• They can also be generated from within. And Mr.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are generational investments that happen only once every 25 years.
• No, we're not generating seismic activity.
• No, we're not generating seismic activity.
• All combustion will be generated with clean Texas natural gas.
• All combustion will be generated with clean Texas natural 379 gas.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General, who I have a good relationship and respect for, [Attorney General] Torres, was
• Also, you know, someone has mentioned that there's... several generations.
• Chair, I'm not sure about the general liability one.
• Yeah, but what about general liability? When was the last time general liability was raised?
• For a general liability claim in almost 35 years.

Transcript Highlights:

• This just takes this bill and puts it on the General Register.
• The attorney general has already issued guidance to schools about judicial warrants.
• All of you have heard me say my husband's a teacher, or sons of a third-generation teacher.
• Finance be given a second reading and be placed on the General Register.
• Let's put it on the general register. Let's be bold. That's the bold step out.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• repurpose them for badora or general repurpose them for badora or general Andrews<00:26:42.679><
• what you know like your general what you know like your general operation<00:54:26.440> then<
• <01:10:57.320> fund and then 2 million will be general fund and then 2 million will be general
• The program envisioned would be a combination of general obligation dollars and cash.
• needed for private Wills with general needed for private Wills with general fund<01:12:39.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• put eyes on the road um that generally put eyes on the road um this<00:23:29.720> morning<00:
• She identified herself as Jen Foley, general counsel for the YDC settlement fund.
• counsel for the sure Jen Foley general counsel for the YDC<00:33:41.240> um<00:33:41.360>
• our audit in accordance with generally our audit in accordance with generally accepted<00:45:01.200
• <00:50:29.599> accepted accordance with generally accepted accordance with generally accepted

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to my role as general counsel to the Division of Medicaid, I did serve as general counsel to HR
• > power<01:05:50.559> to general court explicit power to general court explicit power to
• the deputy chief of deputy general the deputy chief of deputy general counsel<01:10:20.960> of
• <01:35:22.480> court constitution said, "The general court constitution said, "The general
• generations rejection of the monarch. generations rejection of the monarch.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• general obligation bonding. general obligation bonding.
• General fund dollars. General fund dollars. "Okay." Mr.
• And the bonded dollars are GO, general obligation bonds. "General obligation bonds, right."
• >> General obligation bonds, right. >> General obligation bonds, right.
• our general counsel of We had a general our general counsel of agriculture. agriculture. agriculture

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no general kids exception to the First Amendment.
• And with me today is Deputy Attorney General Tiffany Brokaw.
• And how are we creating generational wealth?
• to the Attorney General for Environmental Affairs.
• I'm a Deputy Attorney General in the Office of Legislative Affairs for Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on public safety, consumer protection, and youth harms. AB 1557 by Assemblymember Papin would clarify e-bike motor power limits and set lower speed-related standards for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, cities, the California Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, argued the bill would reduce severe injuries and deaths among young riders. Opponents from People for Bikes warned it could conflict with federal law, create legal uncertainty, and disrupt the bicycle market. The author and committee members acknowledged industry concerns and urged continued work on the bill. AB 1770 by Assemblymember Garcia would place large health care service plan arbitration under California Department of Justice oversight and require compliance with the California Arbitration Act. Supporters described cases where patients were forced into private arbitration with little transparency or accountability, arguing the bill would make the process fairer and more neutral. Kaiser Permanente and the Civil Justice Association of California said they were still reviewing amendments and had not settled on a final position. Committee members expressed sympathy for the personal stories shared and encouraged continued negotiations. The committee also heard AB 2075, which would require fire suppression equipment to be kept closer at hand during brush work, and AB 1864, which would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism. AB 2075 was presented as a response to a Ventura County wildfire, with support from the Ventura County District Attorney’s office and no opposition heard. AB 1864 was backed by the author, Stanford biosecurity expert Dr. Milana Trout, and Encode AI, while Biocom opposed unless amended and California Life Sciences remained neutral. Members discussed implementation details and the role of the Department of Public Health. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with harmful features and create an e-safety advisory commission. Supporters, including youth advocates, parents, medical groups, and Common Sense Media, said addictive design features are harming children’s mental health and safety. Opponents, including EFF, the ACLU, TechNet, and other civil liberties and industry groups, argued the bill is overbroad, raises First Amendment and privacy concerns, and could limit access to important online communities. Despite those objections, the bill was moved forward after committee discussion, with members emphasizing the need to protect children while continuing to work on carveouts and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for to the state's general fund.
• General for fraud enforcement. General for fraud enforcement.
• in our current Attorney General. in our current Attorney General.
• the Attorney General after November. the Attorney General after November.
• the Attorney General is after November. the Attorney General is after November.

Bills: HF4338

Keywords: human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management

Transcript Highlights:

• the Colorado General Assembly's the Colorado General Assembly's exemplary<00:39:38.640> enactment
• We also have the Consul General from Taiwan.
• in general onto the street.<01:21:17.760> Imagine<01:21:18.080> that.
• Well, no, it does priorities in general. Well, no, it does have<01:25:34.880> priorities.
• That is the general rule.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Up first, the Department of the Attorney General providing comments.
• Up first, the Department of the Attorney General providing comments.
• Well, generally for the University, revenue bonds will never be a better source than general obligation
• <00:29:06.720> obligation financing than a general obligation financing than a general obligation
• but fa and faculty housing generates but fa and faculty housing generates money<01:05:29.640>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• said, "This isn't the attorney general said, "This isn't the attorney general said<01:55:20.159>
• <02:04:09.679> does comes to what the attorney general does comes to what the attorney general
• network of Democratic attorneys general network of Democratic attorneys general that<02:05:55.679
• the attorney general would be doing? the attorney general would be doing?
• And I also this this attorney general.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really<00:53:24.720> a<00:53:24.800> once-in-a-generation really a once-in-a-generation
• We've been fairly generous in granting these extensions.
• Senator Nelson asked a general question about why the amounts need to be updated.
• was the general election for the<01:02:03.800> city.
• I just had a a more of a general I just had a a more of a general question.<01:03:19.520> Uh<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so you reduction in general funds.
• Uh, it’s the process in general.
• That goes into the general fund.
• That goes into the general fund.
• That goes into the general fund.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:00:30 Kentucky Department of Education 00:27:10 Education and Labor Cabinet 00:31:35 Auditor of Public Accounts 00:36:55, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for a budget-only discussion with no bills scheduled for a vote. Members first welcomed a group of high school guests, then heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on funding issues for child advocacy centers, domestic violence centers, rape crisis centers, and SNAP. DCBS Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons said the victim-services programs were included in the current baseline budget, but it was too early in the budget process to know final funding levels. They said earlier reports of major cuts were based on a misunderstanding, that conversations with the agencies were ongoing, and that they would provide the committee with the agency’s base-budget information. A member also asked about domestic violence shelter funding, and the cabinet explained that prior one-time money had been used to replace lost federal Victims of Crime Act funds. On SNAP, the cabinet said Kentucky does not expect to need additional money for benefit costs because the payment error rate is about 4%, below the threshold that would trigger added state costs. However, they said the federal HR1 change shifting SNAP administrative costs from a 50/50 state-federal split to 75% state and 25% federal will require additional funding to operate the program. Members praised the eligibility and family support staff for keeping error rates low and asked to be notified quickly if more implementation support is needed. Representative Bojanowski asked whether a specific SNAP administrative cost figure was already in House Bill 500; the cabinet said it was not, and that such an item would be an additional budget request not included in the bill. The committee then heard from the Department for Medicaid Services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Senior Deputy Commissioner Veronica Judy Cecil described Medicaid fraud-and-abuse monitoring, including a new CMS file and guidance on concurrent enrollment across states. They said DMS refers suspected fraud or abuse to the Attorney General’s office and that the relationship is working well. When asked about using AI, they said the department is not yet using AI but does use internal algorithms to flag potential fraud, waste, and abuse. Finally, Eric Lowry of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services discussed fiscal note processing, saying House Bill 2 is a complex Medicaid bill and that the cabinet is working to set up a meeting with the sponsor; he said the cabinet is responding and hopes to meet on Monday. The committee also briefly heard from the Kentucky Department of Education, where Matt Ross said the existing $7.4 million for school-based mental health services is already in the base budget and that no additional language is needed in House Bill 500 to distribute it, though KDE has requested additional funding to raise the overall appropriation to $18 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• And generally speaking, everything stayed on target. This is the exception.
• Presenter: It goes to the general fund.
• How much went into the general fund that year? I guess that's the question I want to know.
• In FY 23 into the general fund. Mr. Torres: Mr.
• And so there is still an amount in the general fund which is theoretically in statute.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Delaney, and I'm here not just as a youth advocate but as a representative of a generation
• It's about an entire generation being stolen before they've had a chance to live.
• that is being targeted by an generation that is being targeted by an industry<00:03:15.080> that<
• being stolen before they've generation being stolen before they've had<00:04:35.520> a<00:04:
• He represents our district, and we are proud to have him as our senator here in the General Assembly.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and heard first from the Washway Nicotine Youth Advocacy Group, which urged stronger enforcement of Kentucky’s Tobacco 21 law. Youth advocates described the harms of flavored vaping products, argued that nicotine use is targeting children, and called for retailer licensing, annual compliance checks, harsher penalties for illegal sales, and more funding for enforcement. Committee members praised the presentation, and one senator said he had heard a bill on licensed retailers may be coming soon. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Cloverport Independent School District and the Kentucky Virtual Academy about the state’s virtual school model. Superintendent Keith Haynes and principals Brandy Fagan and Sally Johnson said KYVA serves about 2,800 students, many of whom are at-risk or have health, safety, behavioral, or family reasons for choosing virtual education. They emphasized that the program uses live synchronous instruction, provides devices and materials, and offers special education and related services. They also said the school had a large wait list and that virtual programs need more flexibility in staffing ratios, scheduling, and testing windows. School leaders acknowledged criticism of KYVA’s proficiency scores and said many students entered far below grade level, with 59% not proficient in English language arts and 79% not proficient in math on recent state testing. They argued the program is too new to judge solely on one year of data and pointed to growth in MAP scores, as well as middle and high school rankings in the top half of Kentucky schools. Fagan and Johnson outlined improvement efforts, including daily interventions, small-group instruction, literacy programs, staff training, and expanded clubs and student activities. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives that the General Representatives that the General Assembly<00:10:34.160> celebrates
• General General Assembly<00:12:39.080> serving<00:12:39.560> on<00:12:39.680> the
• > recognizes Second, the General Assembly recognizes Second, the General Assembly recognizes that
• Further, it is the intent of the General Further, it is the intent of the General Assembly<00:39
• state how much debt in general state how much debt in general obligation<00:56:58.640> bonds<

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Tiffany Lumley focused on lessons from horses and horsemanship, using the imagery to encourage legislators to lead, listen, stay patient, and remain attentive to constituents outside the chamber. The chamber then welcomed newly appointed Representative Kevin Scully of Burlington, who was sworn in and assigned to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Members took up several procedural items and resolutions. Senate Bill 239, relating to a child abuse and neglect reporting working group and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 157, relating to recovery residence certification and affecting state revenue, was referred to Ways and Means after a favorable report with amendment from Human Services. The House also read and adopted concurrent resolutions honoring the federal TRIO programs in Vermont, recognizing tourism economy day and the importance of the visitor economy, and honoring former Representative John Killacky of South Burlington for his artistic and legislative contributions. Multiple members offered personal remarks about John Killacky/Colacci, his arts career, activism, and service in the House, and guests connected to the resolutions were welcomed from the gallery. The House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 237, which would allow certain doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe medications. The committee explained the Senate’s changes, including revised training and rotation requirements, a later effective date, and a future OPR report, and said the bill was intended as one tool to address mental health provider shortages; the House agreed by voice vote. The chamber next began second reading of House Bill 955, a major education reform bill titled “next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system,” with the Education Committee describing mandatory cooperative education service areas, merger study committees, and related changes intended to improve efficiency, support local voice, and strengthen public education. No final action on H.955 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:44:48.120> commented and also the Attorney General commented and also the Attorney General
• <02:51:46.760> Revenue blank appropriation of General Revenue blank appropriation of General
• <03:00:46.439> fund charged goes into the state general fund charged goes into the state general
• <03:45:47.359> with um Safeguard the the bill generally with um Safeguard the the bill generally
• County of Honolulu and the general County of Honolulu and the general contractors's<06:03:09.638

Keywords: 910, house, all