Bills: HB19 , HB170 , HB171 , HB173 , HB174 , HB19 , HB170 , HB171 , HB173 , HB174

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, HB170, supplemental appropriations, Education Trust Fund, Alabama education budget, school funding, K-12 education, local boards of education, textbook adoption, school buses, school safety, charter schools, summer programs, afterschool programs, reading intervention, college and career readiness

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the childcare space, we've been working to try to help reduce costs for families for childcare
• And the childcare<00:02:28.360><c> space,</c><00:02:28.800><c> we've</c><00:02:28.920><c> been</c><00
• :02:29.280><c> been</c><00:02:29.440><c> working</c> childcare space, we've been been working childcare
• to help reduce costs for families to try to help reduce costs for families for<00:02:32.160><c> childcare
• That's a problem that for childcare.

Transcript Highlights:

• key program partners through those spaces.
• Some of you know about this program.
• The recommendation currently is the funded programs already exclude 20, The funded programs already exclude
• One is to fund the center-based programs, well, actually all the subsidized programs, for enrollment
• It's limited by the ability and the funding of that program to serve more.

Summary: The committee took up issue number seven, Child Care Rate Reform Transition Plan, and heard a presentation from the LAO on an eight-part transition plan for the period before implementation of the alternative methodology-based child care rate system. The plan would provide interim rate increases to existing regional market rates and standard reimbursement rates beginning January 1 of the budget year, keep the higher of SRR or ARMR as the single rate, annualize cost-of-care supplements, update hold-harmless language, eliminate the private market cap, authorize one-time systems transition funding with JLBC approval, and require annual reporting on parent co-pays. Members asked about the timeline and public/legislative feedback process, and administration staff said they were working toward the July 1, 2025 deadline while continuing stakeholder engagement through the rate and quality advisory process. Public comment was overwhelmingly focused on child care and early learning funding. Providers, county offices, advocacy groups, and education organizations urged the Legislature to move quickly on the alternative rate methodology, provide interim relief through a cost-of-living adjustment, reimburse based on enrollment rather than attendance, and preserve health and retirement benefits and workforce stability. Many speakers also pressed for funding to expand the promised 200,000 child care slots, warning that waitlists remain long and providers are under financial strain. Several commenters supported maintaining or extending grants and technical assistance for transitional kindergarten, inclusive early education, and mixed-delivery early learning programs. A separate set of comments addressed the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program, with Sacramento County education officials and others urging a statewide plan that would extend support to the 20 counties not currently receiving grants, especially rural areas. Other speakers raised concerns about facilities and staffing impacts from TK expansion, the need for consistent eligibility rules across subsidized programs, and the importance of statewide systems-level funding. The chair thanked the LAO, administration, and public commenters, said the item would remain open until after the May Revision, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve got one for pilot programs. We got another for innovation type programs in the K-12 world.
• We got another for innovation programs.
• There's type programs in the K-12 world.
• </c> in the state for those summer programs? in the state for those summer programs?
• </c> There's a request for the bass program. There's a request for the bass program.

Bills: HB517 , HB98 , HB235 , HB236 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242 , HB565 , HB517 , HB98 , HB235 , HB236 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242 , HB565 , SB380

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response, contract locator

Bills: HB34 , HM7 , HM8 , HM17 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM25 , HM34 , HB95 , HB111 , SB1 , HJR1 , HM4 , HM22

Keywords: HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district, public education, Department of Health, Public Education Department, registered nurse, RN, mentorship, evaluation, competency, teacher salary parity, minimum salary, level one license, level two license

Transcript Highlights:

• trauma or discrimination for assistance under the existing Veterans Military Discharge Upgrade Grant Program
• military families to help them manage the real-life impact of deployment, things like arranging childcare
• military families to help them manage the real-life impact of deployment, things like arranging childcare
• It narrowly expands access to an existing uncompensated care grant program.
• AB 2531 narrowly expands eligibility in this existing program to include veterans in response to recent

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But childcare is expensive. Please help me pass this bill. Thank you.
• It says Grant program. It adds infant. I'll crab a disease to the newborn screening program.
• These people are the backbone of this program.
• She understands the program and my family has what we need.
• That is what this program does because we have providers and home helping my twins at home.

Transcript Highlights:

• For Medicaid and for childcare assistance programs, I'm really concerned that if this new office has
• , including Medicaid, the childcare assistance program, the Great Start Assistance Program, and WIC.
• For Medicaid and for childcare assistance programs, I'm really concerned that if this new office has
• , including Medicaid, the childcare assistance program, the Great Start Assistance Program, and WIC.
• Medicaid, the childcare including Medicaid, the childcare assistance<00:54:28.240><c> program,</c><00

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking at the programs like the hands program that go into the homes and work with families, so there
• </c> to stress that this is a pilot program. to stress that this is a pilot program.
• Looking at the programs like the hands program<00:03:30.239><c> that</c><00:03:30.560><c> go</c><00:
• >> They would, and looking at programs like the hands program, those programs that go in home and any
• ,</c><00:26:41.520><c> um</c> pilot program as a pilot program, um pilot program as a pilot program,

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I'm programs.
• ,</c> workforce development programs, workforce development programs, investing<00:43:19.760><c> in</
• </c> strengthening the network of childcare strengthening the network of childcare providers<01:08:02.400
• ><c> the</c><01:10:24.000><c> quality</c> allstars program, which is the quality allstars program, which
• Uh so childcare very proactive in.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and heard a brief member introduction before taking up an overview of major tax provisions in HR1, referred to by the presenters as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Representatives from the Kentucky Society of CPAs explained new federal deductions for tips, overtime, and car loan interest; a new tax-favored “Trump account” for children; expanded bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing for businesses; changes to R&D expensing; and a new limit on wagering loss deductions. Members asked several clarifying questions about the duration of the provisions, W-2 and 1099 reporting changes, and how overtime deductions would work. The presenters emphasized that tips and overtime remain subject to payroll taxes and that many of the business provisions are permanent, while the individual deductions are temporary through 2028 or otherwise phased in over time. The discussion then shifted to individual and nonprofit provisions, including the increase in the state and local tax itemized deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 with income-based phaseouts, the temporary senior deduction, and a new deduction for car loan interest with income limits and vehicle qualifications. On charitable giving, the presenters described a permanent nonitemizer deduction, new floors for individual and corporate charitable deductions, and a new scholarship-granting organization credit that would allow donors to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal credit up to $1,700, beginning in 2027. Members focused heavily on the SGO provision, asking about state implementation, oversight, whether churches would qualify, and whether the credit could support both public and private education. The presenters said the state would need to establish the mechanism and that additional federal guidance is still pending. After the tax presentation, the committee heard from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on workforce issues, with a focus on child care and housing as barriers to labor force participation. Chamber representatives said they were not proposing large new government programs, but rather targeted policy recommendations for the 2026 session. They described Kentucky’s long-term decline in workforce participation since 2000, attributing much of it to demographic change, an aging population, and fewer younger workers entering the labor force. The presentation continued into a broader discussion of workforce trends and the need for practical policy responses, but no votes or formal actions were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• I lost my job because I didn't have childcare.
• Government programs, if you're 50 cents over, you don't qualify.
• The long-term care ombudsman program is independent.
• The regulations around that program are still pending, so.
• All of your districts have lost family childcare, the most being 49% of their childcare, family childcare

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the program beginning January 1st, 2026. the program beginning January 1st, 2026.
• to uh childcare administration related to uh childcare regulatory<00:17:59.440><c> changes.
• That's a no-cost item. program. Uh line 880 is the Senate's program.
• </c> or summer EBT benefits to the program. or summer EBT benefits to the program.
• </c> direct payment program bill is included. direct payment program bill is included.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:18:55.560><c> programs</c><01:18:56.040><c> to</c><01:18:56.239><c> incentivize</c> allow childcare
• programs to incentivize allow childcare programs to incentivize teachers<01:18:58.080><c> to</c><01:
• </c><02:07:55.159><c> scholarship</c><02:07:55.760><c> program</c> Hampshire childcare scholarship program
• Hampshire childcare scholarship program must<02:07:56.679><c> continue</c><02:07:57.639><c> but</c><
• program.

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Impact aid is a competitive grant program.
• And there is no free childcare in this bill. All right. Thank you. It's providing free childcare.
• We're going to allow payment for childcare.
• We've been hearing about the ninth grade success program.
• What I generally understand, although I don't know that program well, is that that program uses a variety

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact. The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing. Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program for New Mexico.
• Create programs to bring people in.
• can have that program.
• program also?
• Assistant (CNA) programs.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a redundant program.
• It's a redundant program, so it's not necessary.
• I'm a chair of the plumbing program advisory committee at Perry Tech College.
• They're not having childcare costs.
• Some farms are forced to rely on guest worker programs to fill these shifts.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed. HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the program. the program.
• program.
• </c><01:09:38.560><c> and</c><01:09:38.880><c> childcare</c> assistance programs and childcare assistance
• programs and childcare assistance<01:09:39.679><c> programs</c><01:09:40.000><c> that</c><01:09:40.239
• ,</c><01:11:02.640><c> a</c> program, a temporary federal program, a program, a temporary federal program

Transcript Highlights:

• She just stopped in, had a bite to eat, but it was a publicly funded food pantry or other food program
• law, despite multiple claims that it does. support like childcare, travel expenses, food, and lodging
• I'm here to speak again. on behalf of myself and the Organizing Program Manager of an abortion fund that
• They will be paying for childcare, a plane ticket, and lodging to receive the medical care they desire
• Granted, the permission slip program in this instance may lessen those...

Bills: SB6 , SB11 , SB33

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> business assistance partnership program business assistance partnership program has<00:03:29.360
• but in other state VR programs.
• but in other state VR programs.
• program, which is the best program out there for mentally ill folks wanting to get to work.
• The meeting was adjourned. programming the rigorous 2-year program programming the rigorous 2-year program

Bills: HF1538 , HF1965 , HF2251 , HF2838

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I have developed AI training. programs, and I have built AI-powered models.
• Zoning should not be the thing That stops a childcare provider from opening, but right now, it is.
• But there's a registered Program and there's a licensed home program.
• And then from there you go into the center program. Is that correct? Like in the commercial area.
• And theoretically, if you have A childcare center or a home that can have 24-hour overnight care.

Bills: SB20 , SB53 , SB86 , SB96 , SB129

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder