Video & Transcript Research : 'advisory task force'
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (3-5-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- HCR 36 establishes the child welfare and family court reform task force.
- <00:10:29.839>
The <00:10:30.079>task family court reform task force. - The task family court reform task force.
- <00:10:47.200>
input <00:10:47.760>from The task force will seek input from The task - One in family into two task forces.
Keywords:
00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
01:10 - Discussion of 26RS HB 669
08:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 669
09:25 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 36
13:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 36
14:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 686
29:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 686
30:10 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 669, which would protect federal benefits belonging to children in out-of-home care. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to prevent the state from using a child’s Social Security survivor, disability, or death benefits to offset care costs, instead requiring those funds to be preserved in an account for the child and made available at certain milestones or when the child leaves care. Members asked about who would oversee the funds, how annual eligibility reviews would work, and when the child could access the money; the sponsor said the cabinet would set the review process by rule and that the funds would remain available for the child. The committee approved HB 669 15-0 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 36, as amended by committee substitute, which creates a child welfare and family court reform task force. The substitute changed the reporting structure to send the task force’s report to the interim joint committee on families and children and the judiciary committee, rather than a now-defunct Health and Human Services committee. Supporters said the task force should review child abuse and neglect, foster care, and family court processes, and gather input from experts and people with lived experience. Members discussed whether the work should be divided into separate family court and child welfare task forces, but the resolution moved forward and passed 15-0 with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 686, which would establish a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission and a dedicated trust and agency account to support community-based youth programming up to age 25. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill responds to rising youth mental health concerns, self-harm, and suicide, and would coordinate statewide efforts, support evidence-based out-of-school programming, and provide technical assistance to local partners. Testimony emphasized the importance of connectedness, trusted adults, community-based responses, and using settlement funds from social media-related harms to youth to support the trust. Members asked about how the bill compares with other states and how the “dose-response” language relates to adverse and positive childhood experiences. HB 686 also passed 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee announced its next meeting for Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. and then adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Contract Review Legislative Oversight Committee Feb 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- preparing the materials, agendas, and items for meetings, and then attending the in-person technical advisory
- If memory serves, he's practicing at England Air Force Base now, but he has...
- Air Force Base now, but he has connections to Alabama, and it's $34,000 for the two years.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 7, February 17, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that the task force done.
- So it was not in their task force done.
- If the task force is shut down, what is the current funding structure?
- task force was still is because the the task force was still in<02:30:38.160>
play <02:30:38.560 - with the task force. with the task force.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, the Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force in the Office of the Governor was created by the 86th
- In my role with the governor's office, I oversee the governor's section of the task force, including
- I have the honor of working closely with the Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force for over five years
- and have been closely involved in discussions regarding the task force.
- The task force aims to provide a strong, evidence-based response to sexual violence.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Child Custody Review Task Force Feb 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- So, at the last Child Custody Task Force meeting in December, Chairman Clemens invited task force members
- force members work together to discuss task force business or task force directives, and then they're
- And I think that's the crux of this task force here to meet.
- It really would be up to the task force.
- So you can think of examples from this task force.
Summary:
The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time.
The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation.
The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable.
On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF2077 5/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:16:23.519>
There's sustainable foraging task force. - <00:26:14.720>
the the foraging task force and this is the the foraging task force and this - task force of so um uh coordinate the task force of so that's<00:26:23.679>
an <00:26:24.159>- Minnesota sustainable foraging task Minnesota sustainable foraging task force.<00:37:23.760>
- Chair, the foraging task force. I just want to bring up a couple points there.
- Minnesota sustainable foraging task Minnesota sustainable foraging task force.<00:37:23.760>
Summary:
The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds.
Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027.
Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Jul 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- However, this is based on the recommendation from the task force, and in the task force, as was stated
- force and in the task force as was stated by assembly member Brian there was no clear there was nothing
- The task force was established by Assembly Bill 3121 in 2020.
- I served as one of the members of the California Reparations Task Force.
- force, the reparation task force report has put forth in eventually getting reparations in, you know
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call.
SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote.
The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force (11-21-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Secondly, the continuation of the task force in some form, whether it's a task force like we're doing
- Secondly, the continuation of the task force in some form, whether it's a task force like we're doing
- Secondly, the continuation of the task force in some form, whether it's a task force like we're doing
- And the one thing in this task force.
- But uh there's a project task force.
Summary:
The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub.
The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes.
In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jun 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In 1975, the governor created a task force called the Task Force on Decision-Making Models in Corrections
- So while the task force did not, So while the task force did not talk about parole specifically, there
- But first, I'll give you, Senator. from the Sentencing Task Force.
- So while the task force did not, So while the task force did not talk about parole specifically, there
- None of these had consensus, and that is how the task force worked.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims.
Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes.
The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Our goal in this budget, reflective of the diminishing revenues and sort of the task and purpose that
- The Florida Digital Service will be tasked with documenting the agency's current IT environments, transitioning
- The teams are tasked with producing needs assessments for each agency to facilitate better understanding
- Building Commission must establish a crane and hoisting equipment hurricane preparedness technical advisory
- Many parents or family members are forced to sleep in their cars, hospital lobbies, or struggle to afford
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors.
The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects.
Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House tax panel hears bill to expand tax incentives for producing sustainable aviation fuel 4/8/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Finally, I sit on the governor's advisory council on climate change.
- <00:09:57.279>
SAF advisory council on climate change. - SAF advisory council on climate change.
- And what happens is that industry forces that we see in the room, a lot of new faces for us in taxes
- Representative Gomez continued that industry forces travel around the country and advocate for these
Summary:
The committee took up House File 1669, adopting the DE2 amendment, which was described as the bill itself. The amended bill would expand Minnesota’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit by increasing annual allocations, extending the sunset date from 2030 to 2035, adding an extra credit for lower-carbon fuels, and adding environmental and other qualifying requirements. The chair noted the amendment aligned the bill with the governor’s proposal, and the amendment was approved on a voice vote.
Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Commissioner Tom Peterson of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture backed the bill as a way to preserve Minnesota’s leadership in SAF, attract private investment, and keep crop and timber feedstocks processed in-state. Farmers and agricultural groups, including Minnesota Farmers Union and Minnesota Farm Bureau, said SAF could create new domestic markets for crops such as corn, soybeans, winter camelina, and pennycress while improving farm income and supporting climate-smart practices. Forestry representatives argued that wood waste and forest residue could be turned into SAF, improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk.
Environmental and clean-energy groups also supported the bill, emphasizing the added guardrails. The Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Friends of the Mississippi River, and Fresh Energy said the amendments would better protect water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and climate outcomes by favoring lower-carbon SAF and limiting harmful land-use change. University of Minnesota Forever Green representatives said winter-hardy crops could scale over time, and they pointed to ongoing commercialization work and a 1 Million Acre Scaling Study. Labor and construction groups said the bill would support major infrastructure investment and create long-term jobs, with testimony citing the first Minnesota SAF facility already announced and the potential for multiple hubs statewide.
No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided, but the committee heard extensive supportive testimony and questions focused on scalability, infrastructure, and how the credit would accelerate SAF development in Minnesota.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 28th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- An e-bike safety task force will be created to examine and recommend improvements to state law and to
- I also strongly support the electric bicycle safety task force and improved crash reporting.
- We would ask, though, that with the task force, the task force include a school board member, potentially
- Maybe in the meantime we say don't ride them until they pass the task force.
- Maybe in the meantime we say don't ride them until they pass the task force.
Keywords:
transportation facility designations, road naming, highway designation, honorary designation, memorial highway, memorial boulevard, memorial interchange, airport naming, FDOT markers, Florida Department of Transportation, State Road 80, SR 80, U.S. 90, U.S. 41, A1A, Turnpike interchange, Kissimmee Park Road, Bobby Bowden, Donald Trump Highway, President Donald J. Trump Highway
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer Muhammad Hatham, and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing remembrance and support for the families.
The committee then heard CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. The bill would require riders on shared pathways to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements. Law enforcement, local officials, and school board representatives supported the bill and described safety concerns and data gaps, while several senators raised questions about enforcement and asked that e-scooters be addressed more explicitly. The bill was reported favorably.
Members also approved SB 880, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and SB 696, which allows online trademark registration applications and updates Florida’s trademark classification and verification procedures. Finally, the committee took up CS/CS/SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red light, school zone speeding, and school bus violations. The bill and an amendment added guardrails on data use, hearings, reporting, signage, and contract limits; senators raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and school zone enforcement, and a Hillsborough County sheriff’s representative testified that all-day school zone enforcement has improved safety. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after recording additional affirmative votes on SB 628 from Senators Martin and Smith.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force May 5th, 2026
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, we're going to call the meeting to order: the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
- I think we may have a few more task force members come in, and if we do, we'll announce that so the persons
- And thanks to a great degree for our center appropriations chair, who serves on the task force, that
- force.
- Force.
Summary:
The Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment met to confirm quorum, review its recent work, and reorganize leadership. The chair explained that the task force’s prior reports had been cumulative: the first surveyed Missouri’s substance use disorder system and spending, the second identified objectives, and the third focused on transportation and housing. For the coming year, the chair suggested revisiting the task force’s existing goals and asking state departments how successful those efforts have been, with possible summer hearings and a meeting with the governor’s office to align priorities.
Members then considered nominations for chair. Senator Joe Nicola and Representative Del Taylor were nominated, and after roll call Senator Nicola was elected chair for the remainder of the year by a 6-4 vote. Representative Taylor was then nominated and selected by acclamation as vice chair. During discussion, members noted the work involved in collecting data and drafting reports, thanked staff and policy support teams, and emphasized that the state still has significant substance abuse challenges despite progress.
Before adjournment, members suggested improving public notice for meetings so more community members and people working on the ground can participate in hearings. The new chair said he would work with staff to schedule summer hearings and gather input from departments and the governor’s office. The meeting then adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It is a vision so repulsive to some that one observer was a force dement.
- <04:53:45.680>
It <04:53:45.920>is one observer was a force dement. - It is one observer was a force dement.
- The motion may force majority committee report of inexperience to legislative House Bill 1810.
- majority<06:18:16.240>
committee The motion may force majority committee The motion may force
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, we'll call the task force to order. All right, we'll call the task force to order.
- Chairman and members of the task force. Yeah, Mr. Chairman and members of the task force.
- Questions from the task force? Representative Bosch: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question.
- Chairman and members of the task force.
- We're still sort of on task force discussion, but is there any further discussion to be had?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:58:22.800>
force priority emissions task force priority emissions task force recommendations - <02:00:42.800>
have of the task force that um will have of the task force that um will have - competency restoration task force before then.
- task force report uh puts out there. task force report uh puts out there.
- The important last met as a task force.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jan 29th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I expect you to provide Congress with confidential financial disclosures from the advisory committee
- And if forcing somebody to participate in a medical procedure as a provider that they believe is murder
- When we have different opinions and not, you know, not force our opinions on other people.
- And he was not looking at shutting down our country for the year, forcing people to wear masks for a
- year, forcing all social distancing that did not have any scientific basis, which Dr.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 022 Feb 5th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He said when the result of these things is what you end up doing, you force the individuals, you force
- He said when the result of these things is what you end up doing, you force the individuals, you force
- He said when the result of these things is what you end up doing, you force the individuals, you force
- He said when the result of these things is what you end up doing, you force the individuals, you force
- Animals that do perform tasks. Animals that do perform tasks.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 7, recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. The resolution was read at length and grounded in the history of Black history commemoration, Carter G. Woodson’s work, the evolution from Negro History Week to Black History Month, and Colorado-specific Black leaders and pioneers such as Barney Ford, Clara Brown, John T. Gunnel, Joseph H. Stewart, and others. Members emphasized that Black history is American history and that the centennial observance should honor both the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent.
Several representatives spoke in support. Representative Bacon described the resolution as an important tradition and said the chamber should record its history. Representative Joseph framed Black history as a living story of resilience, innovation, and justice. Representative Jackson said the resolution matters especially amid efforts to erase or minimize Black history, and tied it to Colorado figures and to her own family history. Representative Carter highlighted the importance of naming schools after Black Coloradans and introduced guests, including educators and community members connected to the resolution.
Representative Gonzalez also spoke in support and honored a community member, Tony Gomes, who died of cancer. Representative DeGraaf stated full support for the resolution but offered a lengthy amendment to add more historical references, including Black patriots of the American Revolution, Nat Love, James Beckwourth, Harriet Tubman, and the Tuskegee Airmen. The transcript ends during his proposed amendment, and no final vote or disposition on the resolution is shown in the excerpt.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force. Good morning.
- Welcome to the Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force. We are going to get started here.
- Does anybody here on the task force have any questions? Okay.
- And then the follow-up question is going to be, and either of our task force members, if you have an
- Okay, so we've got other business, and so our two task force members who are here, I want to say thank
Summary:
The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and then reviewed several vacant membership slots on the task force, including appointments from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian positions. Members discussed trying to fill those vacancies before the next meeting, and noted that if they remain open they may be addressed in the task force’s legislative report and through possible statutory changes in the next General Assembly.
Representatives from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association (DDPA) and Civitan Services presented on DDPA’s role serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arkansas. They said DDPA now represents 80 providers serving more than 13,000 individuals in 75 counties, with services including early intervention, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services. They also shared survey data on older clients and said these services remain available to seniors with IDD, including people with autism.
The task force then heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to include licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while still maintaining quality standards. Members asked about training, licensure, and whether other professionals such as speech-language pathologists or audiologists should be included; Dr. Scott noted that current practice already relies on a two-provider model and that speech-language pathologists play a role because autism diagnosis considers communication, cognitive ability, and language. The discussion also touched on the need for proper testing standards and board oversight. No vote was taken on the amendment, and the meeting ended with plans to return to fraud-related discussion and to begin prioritizing recommendations for the 2027 session before adjourning.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Joint House Committee on Local Government and Senate Committee on State and Local Gvt. (3-11-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- discussion from our housing task force. discussion from our housing task force.
- <00:20:12.080>
should task force, both these sections should task force, both these sections - work of the the task force and also um work of the the task force and also um Senator<00:27:35.440
- message was heard by task force members.
- recommendations of the housing task recommendations of the housing task force.
Keywords:
Upon adjournment of the concurrent meeting, the Senate State and Local Government committee will continue meeting, 958, all
Summary:
The concurrent meeting began with roll calls for both the Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government and the House Standing Committee on Local Government, establishing quorums. The committees then heard a Department for Local Government presentation on the Community Development Block Grant program, which serves smaller and more rural areas. Commissioner Matt Sawyers and Executive Director Mark Williams explained the 2026 HUD application as a public hearing, noting an estimated total of a little over $25 million, with proposed allocations for public facilities, community projects, economic development, public services/Recovery Kentucky, and housing. They also described proposed changes, including shifting some funding from economic development to housing, raising non-traditional application ceilings, extending the economic development application window, and giving the commissioner flexibility to reallocate funds if requests exceed the allotment. No legislators or members of the public asked questions, and both chambers approved the presentation and then adjourned the House portion.
The Senate committee then took up Senate Bill 149 by Senator Elkins, which updates county treasurer statutes. The bill shortens the waiting period for appointing an acting treasurer from 30 days to 5 days and allows fiscal courts to appoint a temporary treasurer for up to 60 days during vacancies, illness, incapacity, or termination. Members discussed the need for continuity in county finances, and the bill received favorable expression 9-0.
Next, the committee considered several housing-related bills from the housing task force. Senate Bill 224, by Senator Mills, creates vested property rights for development applications and narrows who may appeal certain local land-use decisions; the committee adopted a substitute, then approved the bill 8-1 after members raised concerns about standing language and possible impacts on local participation. Senate Bill 225 requires the housing and construction department to analyze the cost and housing-supply effects of proposed housing regulations; it passed 9-0 after a committee substitute. Senate Bill 233, by Senator Neal, removes annual financial reporting requirements for homeowners associations with 14 lots or fewer to reduce burdens on small developments; it passed 9-0. Finally, Senate Joint Resolution 75, as amended, directs the Public Service Commission to study affordability and water/wastewater utility regionalization, including possible consolidation of small districts; the amendment and the resolution both passed 9-0, with one member noting concerns about whether the matter should proceed as an administrative case rather than a study.