Transcript Highlights:

• What would need to be part, and that is part of... ...what would need to be part, and that is part of
• Yeah, so as part of the determinations that we received as part of the PG&E fires, we had an evaluation
• Now, that’s sort of the first part of accountability, but it’s only the first part.
• That analog became part of that trade-off.
• And I know part of the discussion here, part of the trade-off, would be some of these choices, shifting

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's a part of that larger cultural issue that you described.
• The warden, who is a part of the system and potentially a part of the system of abuse that is being perpetrated
• So the CDCR peace officers are not a part of the commission on post. they Part of the Commission on POST
• I was just going to add that I think part of the, in terms of context, part of the reason for decertifying
• Talk about Pelican Bay up in the northwestern part of the state.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s handling of mental health care in prisons and allegations of sexual abuse, retaliation, and excessive force in the state’s women’s facilities. CDCR officials described their PREA-based prevention and response efforts, including training, oversight, body-worn cameras, retaliation follow-up, and partnerships with outside groups. The Office of the Inspector General explained its monitoring role, noting increased authority under SB 1069, but also limited staffing and the ability to monitor only a portion of cases. The Legislative Analyst’s Office added that prison population trends could allow the state to close a prison and save over $100 million, with some savings potentially redirected to prevention or response efforts. Advocates and formerly incarcerated witnesses from Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition and the California Coalition of Women Prisoners testified that meaningful systemic change has not occurred and that retaliation, blocked programming, and unsafe reporting conditions remain widespread. They described alleged barriers to community-based services, forced or coercive treatment concerns involving Suboxone, and the need for survivor-centered reentry support, trauma-informed care, and more independent oversight. Sandra DeAnda gave detailed testimony about alleged staff abuse, retaliation, denial of mental health care, and a large use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, while Amika Mota and April Grayson urged release or resentencing for survivors housed with their abusers and greater investment in outside programs. Members of the committee pressed CDCR and OIG on accountability, use-of-force standards, criminal referrals, disciplinary outcomes, and whether investigations are completed within statutory timelines. CDCR acknowledged cultural problems at both women’s prisons and said it was retraining staff and working on reforms, while OIG said it had monitored 161 investigations and found most grievance routing appropriate, though some cases had lapsed due to time limits. Later exchanges revealed that CDCR has over 13,500 active cases and 109 investigators, and that some cases have exceeded deadlines, prompting concerns from members about whether the current system can adequately investigate misconduct and impose consequences. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you already know that part.
• The new fiscal note reduced the part.
• </c><00:36:55.760><c> in</c> practice that the DMV um takes part in practice that the DMV um takes part
• part of a<00:41:57.599><c> um</c> a um a um part<00:42:00.480><c> of</c><00:42:00.640><c> an</c><00:
• part of an<00:42:17.440><c> opera.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they are part of this work as well.
• </c> That's the first part of the bill. That's the first part of the bill.
• And so, those are the two distinct parts, parts one and two. If there are no questions, Mr.
• </c> parts, parts one and two. parts, parts one and two.
• </c> bigger parts of this. bigger parts of this.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved the prior journal, excused absent senators, and received a House message noting passage of several House bills, including House Bill 1 despite the governor’s veto. The clerk also reported committee recommendations on a number of House bills, which were placed on the calendar, and new resolutions were introduced recognizing Chloe Yates, student wellness and physical activity in schools, and the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1, which implements the Federal Education Opportunity Program in Kentucky. Supporters argued the measure would bring federal tax-credit dollars into Kentucky to expand educational opportunities for students and families at no cost to the state budget, while opponents urged sustaining the governor’s veto and raised concerns about accountability and the bill’s structure. After debate, the Senate voted 31-5 to override the veto, and House Bill 1 was finally passed notwithstanding the governor’s veto. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 183 on proxy advisory services. The House committee substitute exempted certain nonprofits with less than $500,000 in annual gross revenue from proxy advisor services from the bill’s cause-of-action provisions while preserving attorney general enforcement authority. The chamber concurred with the House substitute and then passed the bill as amended. Senators also passed Senate Bill 263, the School of Innovation cleanup bill, which makes technical changes, requires KDE support for waiver applications, and creates a pilot project for three schools of innovation with proposed matching grants. Senate Bill 281 on grandparent visitation was also adopted with committee substitute and passed unanimously after discussion focused on balancing grandparents’ access with parental rights and existing case law. Later, the Senate began consideration of Senate Bill 324 on the film industry credit, with the sponsor describing technical changes and expanded provisions to support film, video, gaming, and related production activity in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just what we did on the amendment is we made the part where The amendment is we made the part where the
• is they will be doing the the lab part where they get the reporting thank you doing the lab part where
• We were part of their journey at that point.
• So part of our business model and our friends, Part of our business model and our friends here on the
• They are becoming a part of.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a large part of the bill on wildfire spending.
• There's other parts here. Just the last part that I'll talk about is really about the streamlining.
• So this feels really about that other part: how do we shave the peak?
• This bill is part of a longstanding effort.
• And you mentioned that the utilities aren't part of the binding part of this.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems, et cetera, that they're not part of the same team.
• In Utah, they're part of the same agency.
• So, as I mentioned, the one-team approach, they're all part of the same agency.
• So, WIOA is the part that's being administered.
• I think that's really going to be a big part of the solution, probably.

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie on Arkansas’s “one door” or “no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. The discussion focused on moving the state toward a work-first system that better connects job seekers, employers, education, and public assistance programs, with goals of increasing upward mobility, improving labor force attachment, reducing inefficiencies, and adapting to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. The consultants argued that Arkansas’s current system is fragmented across multiple offices, portals, agencies, and funding streams, and that people often have to navigate separate doors for workforce services, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and related supports. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as the model, describing how that state integrated workforce and human services into a single department, used cost allocation to blend funding behind the scenes, and saw improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said TANF should be treated as a workforce program, not just a benefits program, and suggested that Arkansas could use TANF and other tools to cross-train DHS staff, co-locate services, and create a more unified service delivery model. Members asked about federal flexibility, waivers, and whether the state could use one large waiver or a broader restructuring to simplify the system. Bishop explained that a federal pilot authority proposal failed in Congress, so the current approach relies on waivers, cost allocation plans, and possible state-level changes. The committee also discussed the relationship between DHS and workforce offices, the role of local workforce boards, how disability and vocational rehabilitation cases would be handled, and how the governor’s Restore Hope/Hope Hub and faith- and community-based initiatives might fit into the broader plan. Bishop said Arkansas already has rehabilitation services within the workforce department and emphasized that case managers should focus on people rather than programs. No votes were taken. The chair said the committee would revisit case management at its August meeting and adjourned the meeting after thanking the consultants.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can be a part of making learning more engaging, more memorable.
• So that qualifies; that's part of this qualification process.
• So there's the academic part of it.
• That's part of it as well.
• So that's part of their community service.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , like a given part of our everyday work, if that makes sense.
• , like a given part of our everyday work, if that makes sense.
• , like a given part of our everyday work, if that makes sense.
• , like a given part of our everyday work, if that makes sense.
• You know, we were part of those work groups.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the January 26 and January 27, 2026 minutes, then held a confirmation hearing for Juliet Sharon as director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Sharon outlined her background in Medicaid and health policy and described priorities including program integrity, tighter fiscal oversight, improved customer service, child welfare, disability services, and efforts to resolve long-running lawsuits. Senators asked about measurable goals, audit findings, collaboration with the disability community, and the department’s role in broader health care policy; Sharon said she expects to more than double program-integrity recoveries, that audit findings have corrective action plans but no terminations, and that the department can influence national policy by setting strong examples in Idaho. The committee then moved into the department’s Medicaid budget presentation. Sharon and Deputy Director/State Medicaid Director Sasha O’Connell explained a $107.2 million supplemental request for FY 2026 driven by caseload growth, especially in traditional Medicaid, adult disability services, and behavioral health, along with federally required rate and system changes. They also reviewed the FY 2027 request, including funding for the MMIS procurement, estate recovery contractor support, additional procurement staff, and forecast adjustments for caseload, pharmaceuticals, mandatory pricing, utilization, and provider rate changes. The department said the earlier 4% provider rate reduction and behavioral health service cuts were already producing savings, but another roughly $22 million in general funds would still be needed to balance the budget, requiring legislative direction on possible options. Senators raised concerns about the impact of rate reductions on access, especially for small home- and community-based providers, and about how audit findings and system failures were being addressed. O’Connell said the department received the most public comments it has ever seen, held some very small providers harmless, and is building access-monitoring reports and cost surveys to better track service availability. The committee also discussed a planned Medicaid pharmacy copay under House Bill 345, with the department saying it intends to implement the maximum allowable amounts. The meeting ended after Sharon answered questions about Medicaid expansion caseload trends, estate recovery, and the department’s efforts to keep the program sustainable, and the chair adjourned the committee with plans to meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's part of a broader set of programs that UC has.
• You have been provided with two resources today as part of this testimony.
• This is part of the reason why.
• They're part of the city and/or part of their communities up and down the state.
• An integral part of the proposal is also the Propel Initiative, led by the Robert C.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is about 300,000-plus covered lives when you include the dependents that are part of the Kentucky
• Uh, so that is the heavy lift, and it's the cost that is a part of the initial project.
• the cost that is a part of the initial<00:20:13.360><c> project.
• We've had a user group of states with SAP that we've been a part of.
• So I have SAP that we've been a part.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Personnel Cabinet and Kentucky Employees Health Plan officials presented a request to replace the Kentucky Human Resources Information System (CHRIS), the state’s HR/payroll ERP system procured in 2007. They said the system supports core HR and payroll for about 48,000 state employees, 24 sheriff and county clerk offices, and the Kentucky Employees Health Plan, which covers more than 300,000 lives. Officials emphasized that SAP has said the system will be end-of-life and out of support by 2030, which would eliminate security updates, vendor maintenance, and tax-compliance support. They argued that replacement is necessary to protect sensitive personnel and health data, maintain payroll accuracy, and avoid major operational and cybersecurity risks. Officials described the project as a true replacement, not just an upgrade, and said the proposed $151 million request covers a five- to six-year implementation, stabilization, and ongoing maintenance period. They broke down the estimate as including roughly $54 million for software licensing and hosting, about $76.5 million for systems integrator/professional services, and additional amounts for independent verification and validation, dependent verification for the health plan, FSA administration, contingency staffing, and hardware-related needs. They said the cost increase from prior estimates was mainly due to inflation and updated requirements. They also noted that payments would be tied to deliverables and checkpoints, with third-party IV&V oversight, and that the cabinet expects to continue normal quarterly IT reporting to LRC while also providing at least monthly project updates because of the 2030 deadline. Committee members asked about the total cost of ownership, recurring operating costs, the size of the integrator contract, how vendor costs were estimated, and how progress would be tracked. Officials said they used market research, peer-state comparisons, vendor discussions, and independent reviews, including input from AON and a third-party QA resource. They explained that the integrator would handle requirements mapping, system design, configuration, training, change management, and implementation support across the Personnel Cabinet, KHP, and other stakeholders. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion; the meeting consisted of testimony, questions, and answers on the funding request and implementation plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of the business plan as well so that we can make it happen.
• Fundraising is part of it. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• This is part of the UNM Research Rapid Response Team.
• , very much involved to be part of those.
• It's part of your work in those hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a turnover after the first group that was part of the SBAC before we became part of the law
• And that's part of the collaboration that we're doing through that advisement with the BMEAC.
• Just let me know, and I'll find a school close to you where you can be part of it.
• The SEAL was also part of this council, as a bilingual teacher.
• I think that was part of Representative Caballero's question earlier. And I think...

Transcript Highlights:

• And then that part of the division, and over.
• But that's really only one part of the puzzle.
• So you got that second part.
• Students are intervened as part of our intervention process.
• And so it's an important part of that program.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an overview from Department of Education Chancellor Paul Burns on Florida’s K-12 governance structure and major divisions, including early learning, public schools, safe schools, school choice, and accountability. He highlighted school readiness and VPK, teacher preparation and licensure, school safety functions, scholarship and virtual/home education programs, and FAST progress monitoring. Burns also cited statewide gains such as higher mid-year reading performance, a record graduation rate of 89.7%, and record CTE enrollment, while members questioned the meaning of Florida’s “number one” education rankings, teacher pay, post-COVID learning loss, vacancies, and chronic absenteeism. St. Lucie County Superintendent John Prince then described the scale and responsibilities of a mid-sized district, emphasizing student safety, transportation, meals, hurricane shelter operations, career and technical education, teacher recruitment and retention, progress monitoring, remediation, and mental health supports. Members asked about school shelter construction standards, remediation funding, late school start times, attendance, and concordance scores; Prince argued for more flexibility for CTE pathways and noted that local districts use a mix of state and federal funds to support remediation and staffing. The committee then moved to an early warning systems panel. Burns explained that Florida law requires districts to use attendance, behavior/suspensions, course performance, FAST results, and other academic indicators to identify students needing support, with districts and families developing intervention plans. Superintendents from Putnam, St. Johns, and St. Lucie counties said chronic absenteeism is tied to achievement and NAEP decline, but causes vary by district, including poverty, transportation, daycare, family instability, travel, and student athletics. They described MTSS, PBIS, home visits, attendance letters, and community partnerships as responses. Members also discussed VPK access, full-day VPK funding, excused versus unexcused absences, and the need for earlier intervention in pre-K and K-2. Finally, Vice Chancellor Darren Norris outlined Florida’s post-Parkland school safety measures, including armed school officers, anonymous reporting, behavioral threat assessment teams, mental health training, panic alert systems, emergency drills, active assailant response policies, and firearm detection canines. Superintendents said compliance is costly and often requires shifting local funds, but they praised state grants for mental health, hardening, and mapping. They noted ongoing challenges with new mandates, capital costs, manual reporting burdens, and the need to balance safety requirements with classroom resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a part of that. I will note, Mr.
• Those are all, I think, part of the larger issue.
• Sort of, it turns out, may be part of, and I would be surprised if it is not, part of the application
• Curious, I caught part of prior debate.
• So that's part of it. And again, as Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know as any of my district itself will take part.
• But we do want to see people who want to be a part of those processes be a part of that process.
• If we wrote a part-time, And that's part of the challenge when you go to implement a law, how you write
• But like I said, a never-ending expansion is just part of the process.
• There are no career departments for the most part in rural Missouri.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved House Bill 2808 on a 9-4 vote with one present. The hearing then focused on House Bill 1808 and its companion House Bill 3435, both titled Grace’s Law, which would create a narrow social host liability cause of action for knowingly providing alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person age 21 or older when that conduct leads to injury, death, or property damage. Sponsors said the bill is intended to fill a gap in Missouri law, align the state with other states that recognize social host liability, and promote accountability without punishing responsible hosts. Members raised questions about how the visible-intoxication standard would apply in private settings, whether the bill could reach casual gatherings, and whether it should also address other substances; sponsors said the measure is intentionally limited and still being refined. Supporters of Grace’s Law included the mother of Grace, the crash victim for whom the bill is named, a relative of another drunk-driving victim, and representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They described the bill as a response to preventable tragedies and argued that liability would encourage hosts to stop serving intoxicated guests, take away keys, or arrange safe rides. Testimony emphasized that the bill is about reckless conduct rather than ordinary hospitality, and several members expressed sympathy and support for stronger accountability in drunk-driving cases. No opposition testimony was presented before the hearing on those bills concluded. The committee then heard House Bills 3439 and 3480, which would extend the Public Safety Protection and Recruitment Act to volunteer firefighters by allowing them to qualify for tuition assistance and related benefits under the program. Sponsors said volunteer firefighters in rural areas perform essential and often dangerous work, but are currently excluded from the statute, and that the change would help recruit and retain volunteers. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether volunteers should receive the same benefit as full-time personnel, and whether the program should be structured as a tuition waiver rather than a scholarship to reduce costs. Fire chiefs and other supporters testified that volunteer departments are critical in rural Missouri, that volunteers often receive extensive training and respond to fires, EMS calls, and disasters, and that the benefit would help departments recruit and keep members. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce also supported the bill, citing public safety and workforce benefits. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was concluded after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• At 23, I thought we had passed that really tough part, and she had... Really tough part.
• I don't know if any of my district itself will take part.
• But we do want to see people who want to be a part of those processes be a part of that process.
• But we do want to see people who want to be a part of those processes be a part of that process.
• But by the same token, are they really part-time?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm excited to be part of furthering To the front-line contributors.
• I'm excited to be part of furthering the positive momentum.
• That part I'm clear on. I guess my question is, after the three-year... That part I'm clear on.
• So that would not be a part.
• Aircraft parts are those additions, or is that already included?

Bills: SB1280, SB1392, SB1393, SB1395, SB1400, SB1405, SB1832, SB1839, SB1989, SB2001, SB2143

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee took up a mix of tax policy, incentive, and administrative measures, beginning with an annual motion authorizing the chair to request OSBI background checks for any Horse Racing Commission nominees. The committee then passed Senate Bill 1839, as amended, to create a de minimis ad valorem tax exception for personal property valued at $5,000 or less per account. The committee also confirmed Daniel LaFortune to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by a 12-0 vote, with LaFortune emphasizing his IRS background and commitment to customer service and fairness. Several other bills were approved, including Senate Bill 1280 to align the plugging fund sunset date in the tax code with another statute; Senate Bill 1832 to reauthorize income tax refund checkoffs for veterans programs; Senate Bill 2001 to freeze property taxes for three years for homeowners displaced by a turnpike or eminent domain, though members raised concerns about downsizing and future valuation; and Senate Bill 1405 to renew the wildlife diversity checkoff, with testimony clarifying it would fund non-game species rather than predator reintroduction. Senate Bill 1989 also passed, expanding the Oklahoma College Savings Plan to accept digital payment platforms such as Venmo and PayPal, with members discussing how deposits would be tracked. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2143, which would allow counties to use aerial or satellite imagery and fixed-wing aircraft for property assessment while excluding drones; supporters cited efficiency, safety, and accuracy, while opponents raised privacy, foreign-company, and taxpayer-frustration concerns. The bill passed 7-4. Senate Bill 1393, a housing redevelopment tax credit for vacant and abandoned properties, passed 8-3 after discussion about affordable housing requirements and project ranking. The committee also approved three Incentive Evaluation Commission recommendations: Senate Bill 1392 to increase the aerospace engineer employee tax credit, Senate Bill 1395 to limit carryforward of the new jobs tax credit to seven years, and Senate Bill 1400 to consolidate aircraft-related sales tax exemptions. The meeting adjourned after the chairman noted more bills would be heard at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it says provided in whole or in part independently from a regular classroom setting. Okay?
• Is it your intention that they be included in this definition as part of this?
• We want to be a part. But, you know, they almost didn't stick with it.
• I think about this bill in two parts.
• One part is that system that I was just talking about where OSPI writes contracts.

Bills: HB2142, HB2369, HB2432

Keywords: remote learning, hybrid learning, education reform, alternative education, student engagement, local food, public schools, nutrition, sustainability, agriculture, technology access, educational resources, surplus hardware, student support, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 166 times, which means about 16 parts per billion. 160 parts per billion.
• And so as part of that actually goes into the fund.
• program that might be part of a compromise.
• I mean, yes. ...part of the program that might be part of a compromise. Is that what you're saying?
• This is part of our witness.

Keywords: 988, house, all