Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow us to do some automatic verifications with the IRS because they will no longer have to

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard an emergency rule from the Department of Human Services on hospital-based residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorder. Paula Stone explained that the rule would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in a general hospital unit for ages 12 and up, with Unity Hospital in CERC expected to open the first such unit. Members asked about length of stay, cost, and capacity; Stone said stays would be determined by ASAM criteria with no fixed cap, the proposed Medicaid rate is $850 per day pending CMS approval, and the unit would have 24 beds split between boys and girls with on-site schooling. The committee then considered a rule on electronic visit verification for in-home personal care, attendant care, respite care, and home health services. Elizabeth Pittman said the update is intended to keep the state compliant with federal EVV requirements under the 21st Century Cures Act, improve auditing and corrective action plans for providers with too many manual claims, and remove the W-9 submission requirement in favor of IRS verification. Members confirmed that federal law requires an EVV system, and Pittman noted Arkansas uses an open system that allows providers to use the state option or their own vendor. No objections were raised to the EVV rule, which was reported as reviewed. The meeting then concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow us to do some automatic verifications with the IRS because they will no longer have to

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard an emergency rule from the Department of Human Services on hospital-based residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders. Paula Stone explained that the rule would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in a separate unit within a general hospital, beginning with Unity Hospital in Searcy, which plans to open a 24-bed adolescent unit. Members asked about licensure, length of stay, and cost; Stone said the unit would be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health, length of stay would be based on ASAM criteria rather than a fixed cap, and the proposed Medicaid rate was $850 per day pending CMS approval. The committee then considered an electronic visit verification rule for in-home personal care, attendant care, respite care, and home health services. Elizabeth Pittman said the update was intended to keep Arkansas compliant with federal EVV requirements, increase electronic claims submission, and allow audits and corrective action plans for providers with excessive manual claims. She also said the rule would remove the W-9 submission requirement and allow automatic IRS verification. Members confirmed the federal EVV mandate and noted that providers may use the state system or their own third-party system. After the EVV discussion, the rule was reported as reviewed. The chair then adjourned the meeting after no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the IRS has issued guidance about who are election workers and, um, again, depending on a number
• Um I also think there's some um<00:54:46.559> the<00:54:46.800> IRS<00:54:47.599> has
• issued<00:54:49.440> um<00:54:50.079> guidance<00:54:50.559> about um the IRS
• has issued um guidance about um the IRS has issued um guidance about who<00:54:51.119> are<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have a lot of great federal partners, you know, be it Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, and IRS
• have a lot of great federal partners, you know, be it Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, and IRS
• have a lot of great federal partners, you know, be it Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, and IRS
• have a lot of great federal partners, you know, be it Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, and IRS

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met on February 19, 2025, to hear advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with GM 645/GM 650 for Mike Lambert as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state officials, community leaders, nonprofit representatives, and others, who praised Lambert’s collaboration with communities, communication skills, and practical approach to public safety. Several speakers highlighted his work on homelessness, game rooms, community policing, and his ability to work across public health and law enforcement lines. Lambert told the committee he has 22 years of law enforcement experience, including patrol, community policing, training, narcotics/vice, and work on fentanyl, internet crimes against children, and ghost guns, and said his priorities would include building community trust, improving training and discipline, and addressing fireworks and firearms enforcement. Senators asked about fireworks, federal collaboration, ports and airport screening, recruitment, pay parity, and whether the department should expand into a more formal state police force; Lambert said he would need time to learn the new port/shipping environment and would support a state police class and expanded enforcement capacity. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then heard GM 567 for Jean Dello Jr. as chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Supporters, including Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice and Hawaii Paroling Authority staff, described him as honest, ethical, fair, and experienced in balancing public safety with rehabilitation and re-entry. Dello said he came out of retirement in 2021 to serve on the board, and that his background in federal probation and state corrections led him to favor evidence-based practices over simple compliance monitoring. He emphasized the need to weigh public safety with giving inmates a real opportunity to transition successfully back into the community. No final action or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• measure, uh, just noting that yes, this is a similar condition that is already in place by the federal IRS
• in place by condition that is already in place by the<00:54:31.000> federal<00:54:31.440> IRS
• thank<00:54:32.319> you<00:54:33.119> thank<00:54:33.319> you the federal IRS
• thank you thank you the federal IRS thank you thank you that's<00:54:34.400> everybody<00:54:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses and what home-based businesses would be eligible is to have this definition consistent with the IRS
• businesses and what home-based businesses would be eligible is to have this definition consistent with the IRS
• Consistent with the IRS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and we get some funny comments from time to time, like, 'Oh, this is so much better than calling the IRS
• and we get some funny comments from time to time, like, 'Oh, this is so much better than calling the IRS
• :19:57.960> uh that also comports with the general uh that also comports with the general uh IRS
• regulation of where the activity IRS regulation of where the activity takes<01:20:02.440> place
• they have very information from the IRS they have very strict<02:37:08.000> rules<02:37:08.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are certain IRS guidelines around how return... ...to work programs may work, we don't want to
• There isn't any option for a pre-agreement to return to work, because that's in violation of IRS rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The IRS gas rate was increased to reflect the current IRS mileage rate, for 70 cents per mile.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it files reports with the IRS and it discloses its contributors.
• committee that doesn't file anywhere, um, or, well, I shouldn't say anywhere because they do file in the IRS

Transcript Highlights:

• Their fees are lower than allowed by the IRS and represent a solid value to fund worthy projects that
• before, during, and after the financing process so they can maintain compliance with all the complex IRS

Transcript Highlights:

• My committee clerk, Lisa Barnett, office manager Denanishia Honda, legislative aides Shan Iring, Shayen
• My committee clerk, Lisa Barnett, office manager Denanishia Honda, legislative aides Shan Iring, Shayen

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, took roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and spent much of the first portion of the meeting recognizing Education Week honorees. Senators introduced students and coaches from the LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition, including first-place Iolani School, second-place Kahalani High School, and Oahu teams placing third and fourth. The Senate also recognized 2025 Senate Youth Delegate Wilson Chow and thanked staff and community partners for supporting Education Week 2025. The chamber then moved to executive business, adopting standing committee reports 1210 through 1349 and confirming Governor’s Message No. 644, Steven Logan, as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense by unanimous consent. Senators spoke in support of Logan’s military and public safety experience, and he was confirmed with 23 ayes. The Senate also confirmed Governor’s Message No. 645, Mike Lambert, as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, with senators citing his HPD background, work on homelessness, vice, agricultural crimes, and school enforcement; the confirmation passed with 22 ayes. After the confirmations, the Senate recognized the newly appointed officials and their families and guests. The body then passed House Bill 991, Senate Draft 1, relating to criminal history record checks, on third reading by unanimous consent with 22 ayes. The session concluded with announcements, including a YWCA clothing drive, a personal letter from Representative Gene Ward announcing his resignation from the House effective at the end of the month due to health issues, and a motion to adjourn until Monday, March 24th at 11:30 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are governed by the IRS common law rules, and so we are looking at the relationship between the worker
• We are governed by the IRS common law rules, and so we are looking at the relationship between the worker
• We are governed by the IRS common law rules, and so we are looking at the relationship between the worker
• /c><00:32:01.480> governed<00:32:01.960> by<00:32:02.200> the<00:32:02.440> IRS
• <00:32:02.919> common make we are governed by the IRS common make we are governed by the IRS

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you aware of the nine-month deadline mirrors the IRS deadline?
• I'm not familiar with what IRS deadline you're talking about, but I will say that there's no deadline
• And I'm not aware of the IRS nine-month deadlines.
• Roll calls in progress. 75 I 1 ir name received majority of voters elect to coc house and close the bill
• Ir cause of progress. Vote change the vote. Chairs, bring to close. A vote 89.

Bills: SB1687, HB1687, HB4431, HB2894, HB2979, HB3262, HB3298, HB3369, HB3431, HB3462, SB1226, SB1876, SB1916, SB1920, HB3467, HB3498, HB3500, HB3521, HB3581, HB3650, HB3673, HB3764, HB3767, HB3781, HB3800, HB3831, HB3834, HB3941, HB2749, HB3970, HB3972, HB3979, HB3980, HB3981, HB3996, HB4095, HB4104, HB4191, HB4248, HB4298, HB4338, HB4427, HB4428, HJR1023, HB3660, HB3718, HB4326, HB3443, HB3880, HB3649, HB3000, SB1651, SB504, SB372, SB1326, SB1633, SB248, SB1242, SB1238, SB423, SB1989, SB1286, SB904, SB1213, SB1216, SB1827, SB65, SB1390, SB259, SB1944, SB540, SB2139, SB346, SB1595, SB1400, SB1555, SB1209, SB2110, SB1670, SB1061, SB2104, HR1057, SB1946, SB1734, SB1316, SB1360, SB1557, SB1684, SB2049, SB1410, SB2011, SB1437, SB1204, SB1732, SB1775, SB2084, SB1380, SB1572, SB1772, SB1224, SB710, SB1338, SB1266, SB1303, SB1307, SB1562, SB1794, SB1191, SB1983, SB1832, SB1448, SB1534, SB1593, SB1597, SB1630, SB1489, SB1726, SB1796, SB1806, SB1877, SB1451, SB1553, SB1632, SB1423, SB1425, SB1502, SB2180, SB1725, SB2182, HB3003, HB3004, HB4434, HB4324, HB4342, HB2137, HB4432, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53

Keywords: driver licenses, exam proctor, Service Oklahoma, commercial training, background checks, advance directive, advance health care directive, health care proxy, medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney for health care, living will, surrogate decision-maker, default surrogate, health care agent, capacity determination, supported decision making, mental health directive, psychiatric advance directive, end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• memo, there was some question around just the qualifications for this to be a qualified trust under IRS
• memo, there was some question around just the qualifications for this to be a qualified trust under IRS
• We're pretty confident based on the IRS determination letter that was received by Washington State when
• memo, there was some question around just the qualifications for this to be a qualified trust under IRS
• Qualified trust under IRS code and who's the employer and who's able to participate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ir r is preparing to close. Banning, declare the vote with five nay.

Bills: HB2929, HB2956, HB2955, HB3128, HB3880, HB4294, HB2970, HB3338, HB3443, HB3783, HB3800, HB3818

Keywords: homeowner insurance, insurance premium, claim history, insurance regulation, at-fault claims, flood insurance, state law, consumer protection, appraisal management, Real Estate Appraiser Board, appraiser registration, background checks, ownership requirements, captive insurance, protected cell, sponsored captive, captive insurer, insurance commissioner, premium tax, dormant captive

Transcript Highlights:

• You can get $10 in salary, apply to the IRS, and the IRS will say, "Oh, we need to refund some of that
• Child tax credit, another program administered through the IRS.
• It has no IRS. Now earned is uh a word.
• the IRS, and the IRS in salary, apply to the IRS, and the IRS will<04:12:39.600> say,<04:12:39.680
• Um lifetime value of $80,000 per IRS.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services. Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice. DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here, Westammmy here, Il here, Ir, Williams, Williams, Wolffley here, Woolley here, Worththen, Worththen

Bills: SB1636, SB1772, SB1221, SB1932, SB1687, SB1213, SB843, SB1410, SB1317, SB1338, SB1976, SB1314, SB1191, SB1613, SB1246, SB1439, SB1930, HR1044

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, motor vehicle safety, headlamps, headlights

Transcript Highlights:

• CADD also holds monthly public meetings to keep the public up to date. is a Texas nonprofit, IRS 501(

Bills: HB4538, HCR89, HCR142, SCR1, SB2139

Keywords: vessel registration, derelict vessels, waterways, removal fee, Parks and Wildlife Department, General Land Office, HCR 89, official state gun, cannon, Texas state symbol, Texas Revolution, Battle of Gonzales, Come and Take It, Alamo, San Jacinto, Twin Sisters, Angelina Eberly, Texas history, historical preservation, heritage tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• .<02:05:52.159> Ir.<02:05:53.199> I<02:05:53.920> guru. >> French. Ir.
• Ir. I guru. >> I >> I >> I >> I<02:05:56.000> Hicks.

Keywords: 916, all