Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:54.240> not current fiscal landscape this area not current fiscal landscape this area
• residents travel to and from these areas residents travel to and from these areas for<00:02:17.120
• But we would have to look at cuts in areas where we've been an innovator, in areas bringing hope and
• development of a multifaceted develop of development of a multifaceted multi-disciplinary<00:14:36.519
• definitely focused on in terms of areas definitely focused on in terms of areas for<00:27:06.840

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development and support for workforce development within the broad narrative of how we make New Hampshire
• So thank you so much for hosting elevate workforce development and elevate workforce development and
• > development support for work workforce development support for work workforce development within
• We certainly need to look at workforce development in a holistic perspective.
• certainly need to look at workforce certainly need to look at workforce development<00:33:05.600

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're right, CTE is funded in multiple different areas.
• This is actually one of my favorite areas within the roadmap.
• She's our analyst responsible for that content area.
• The second project is our educator workforce analysis.
• by content area.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:18.559> without about selling in public areas without about selling in public areas
• ,<01:32:25.760> and leaving for more affordable areas, and leaving for more affordable areas
• And it addresses workforce options. And it addresses workforce housing<01:45:25.719> needs.
• <02:05:07.040> housing enforcing that it's workforce housing enforcing that it's workforce
• know in 10 years it's still workforce know in 10 years it's still workforce housing<02:05:15.520

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• University of Minnesota also developed University of Minnesota also developed an<00:22:26.559>
• particular service area for that system. particular service area for that system.
• So, is the area you're focusing on the pink area or the blue area, which is the high-priority area?
• area which is the high priority area? area which is the high priority area?
• Those applicants are required to develop a workforce plan which describes how they will maximize the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognizing this, the National Children's Alliance launched the Leadership and Workforce Development
• Recognizing this, the National Children's Alliance launched the Leadership and Workforce Development
• And I know we have some areas that do not have CACs.
• To your point, there are areas of the state that do not have child advocacy centers.
• We still have some areas where the staff aren't, you know, we still have some areas where there are some

Summary: The Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs held a panel discussion on Florida’s child protection teams (CPTs), child advocacy centers (CACs), and the related roles of DCF, DOH, and law enforcement. Testimony from DCF, the Department of Health, a local CAC director, the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, a Pinellas County CPT nurse practitioner, and a Jacksonville sheriff’s sergeant described how the system is intended to work: hotline reports are screened by DCF, mandatory referrals are sent to CPT, forensic interviews and medical exams are coordinated through CPT/CACs, and multidisciplinary teams share findings with law enforcement and prosecutors. Speakers emphasized the value of co-location, telemedicine, multidisciplinary staffings, and trauma-informed practices to reduce repeated interviews and improve child safety and case outcomes. Committee members focused heavily on communication breakdowns, staffing shortages, and delays in response times. Senators raised Jordan’s Law and asked what had been done to improve coordination among DCF, CPT, and law enforcement. Several members questioned whether the promised 24-hour response standard is being met in practice, citing reports of delayed referrals, delayed forensic interviews, and bottlenecks that can affect medical evaluations and criminal investigations. Law enforcement testimony from Jacksonville described cases where CPT interviews were scheduled one to two weeks out and reports were not received for weeks, while DCF acknowledged average CPI caseloads of about 12 investigations and turnover commonly occurring within 12 to 18 months. The panel also discussed access gaps and funding concerns. The Florida Network of CACs said Florida has 26 member centers, with some counties lacking CAC coverage and some centers having closed due to funding challenges. Speakers said CACs are voluntary but critical for integrated services, and that workforce shortages in medical and mental health providers limit expansion. DCF and DOH representatives said they would provide follow-up information on the number of CPT medical staff and other requested data. No bills were voted on; the meeting ended with committee members requesting additional information and recommendations for statutory and budgetary changes, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We now have all 13 areas.
• In some areas, we are in the plan development phase.
• So in some areas, it is somewhat new, and then in other areas, it's absolutely new.
• development in New Mexico.
• within those areas.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:50.120> um outside of the metropolitan area um outside of the metropolitan area um
• projects and sourcing an Development projects and sourcing an adequate<00:43:07.200> Workforce
• <00:43:41.079> for but require more modest Workforce for but require more modest Workforce
• or predatory developers.
• or predatory developers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands the workforce development.
• , traction, recruiting industries to come into an area that if the area or the municipality maybe has
• So the accountability is key to the bill. >> Does does it different different area?
• Chair. >> So the area of expertise where I teach is economics. >> So the area of expertise where I teach
• preventing parents from entering or remaining in the workforce.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We unfortunately have done little to nothing in the area of significance in the area of children's mental
• a prevention-oriented workforce as well to help our kids.
• a prevention-oriented workforce as well to help our kids.
• And I purposely did it that way, number one, because those are mostly the blighted areas, the urban areas
• Those are mostly the blighted areas, the urban areas in which there is a need to talk about the urban

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• realtors, the bankers association, a lot of area development districts, the county judge executives
• c> bankers association, a lot of area bankers association, a lot of area development<00:09:30.080>
• family housing on all commercial areas. family housing on all commercial areas.
• Real fast-growing area.
• But but in our area, area, area, the<01:13:58.080> the<01:13:58.640> weakest<01:13:59.120

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:15 Roll Call 00:00:45 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:33 Adjournment 01:17:15, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year. KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years. The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will move that House File 500 be re-referred to the Committee on Labor and Economic Development Finance
• We have closely monitored the board's actions as they considered the development of the two standards
• The nursing home workforce board legislation that passed in 2023 has been important to us.
• I think the dollars in a lot of areas are out there.
• and Economic Development Finance and Policy. and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Bills: HF1419, HF500

Keywords: nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 500, which would require the legislature to fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s standards before they could take effect. An author’s DE2 amendment was adopted first; the amendment was described as pausing the board’s standards unless the legislature estimates and fully pays the cost for each nursing home. The bill author argued that mandates without money create serious consequences for seniors and providers, and said the measure would keep budget authority with the legislature rather than an appointed board. Supporters, including nursing home operators and the Long-Term Care Imperative, said the board’s holiday pay and minimum wage standards would create large unfunded costs, citing estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for individual facilities and more than $200 million statewide. They argued that some facilities could face debt, reserve depletion, or reduced access to care if the standards are not funded. Opponents, including SEIU workers and union leaders, said the board has improved staffing, recruitment, morale, and worker safety, and that caregivers deserve higher wages and holiday pay. They argued the bill would weaken the board’s ability to address chronic understaffing and would shift focus away from worker protections. Members also debated whether nursing home reimbursement rates have already risen enough to cover wages and whether the problem lies with how funds are used by providers. After public testimony closed, several members spoke in opposition and support. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted 9-7 to re-refer House File 500, as amended, to the Committee on Labor and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then workforce development.
• But there have been analysis looking at this whole area. a workforce in which part of that mental health
• In two areas of the state, which is El Paso and the Midland-Odessa area.
• New workers entering the workforce.
• It's let a local organization build that those foster families develop. that and develop residential

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also over the years uh developed We've also over the years uh developed several<00:03:18.480
• <00:04:46.000> A<00:04:46.240> workforce<00:04:46.639> that hurting our workforce
• A workforce that hurting our workforce.
• <00:08:55.200> because people stay on the workforce because people stay on the workforce because
• Uh it may or may not the area fraud.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth’s Attorneys, County Attorneys, Prosecutor’s Advisory Council 00:00:18 Approval of Minutes 00:20:09 State Treasurer 00:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from representatives of the Prosecutor’s Advisory Council, including county and commonwealth attorneys, on their proposed budget. They described the scope of their work in district and circuit court, juvenile and dependency cases, specialty courts, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, and the Rocket Docket program. The witnesses emphasized that their budgets are overwhelmingly personnel costs and warned that proposed cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced retention, and loss of recently added positions. They also said the General Assembly’s recent salary classification plan had improved recruitment and retention, and that underfunding could reverse those gains. A major topic was the Rocket Docket program, which they said speeds lower-level cases through the system, reduces jail costs, and saves money for both counties and the state. They reported that in one circuit, average jail time for certain cases dropped from about 50 days to about 6 days. They also raised concerns that the Rocket Docket line item may not be clearly included in the committee substitute and asked for clarification on how the budget would treat it. In response, the chair said the intent was to move some of those items into the base budget, though the exact structure was still uncertain. The presenters also discussed a 2022 subsidy for county attorney employees tied to retirement contributions, saying it totals about $1.3 million and should not be reduced because the obligation remains. They said the budget would need to support the salary classification plan extensions, House Bill 8 subsidies, and a new case management system that they described as essential to modernizing operations and improving communication with victims and law enforcement. The chair thanked them for the testimony and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the budget. The committee then heard from Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber, who reported that the treasury has now returned more than $90 million in unclaimed property to Kentuckians. He said the office faces ongoing fraud issues and requested funding for a dedicated legal counsel and a fraud investigator, along with outreach money to educate the public about unclaimed property. He also outlined several capital requests, including the final year of a printer-system lease and replacement of HVAC equipment in the treasury building. Members briefly joked with him about a mineral-rights bill and coal, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The area was dangerous.
• The area was dangerous. Uh we unsafe. The area was dangerous.
• development. I'm here as an individual. development.
• facing our downtown areas. facing our downtown areas.
• The area our school district covers remains a popular area for tourism.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is currently under development, with software development in its final stage with CMI, the manufacturer
• Those qualifying under the workforce development statute can make application for these funds.
• The CB's website is full of information on the acts workforce development and career pathways, and I
• Do you think that that’s hindering growth in the workforce? Don’t.
• And it’s not going to increase Oklahoma’s educated workforce.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have worked with the Kentucky Department of Education, the Chamber of Workforce Development, and KCTCS
• The best part of this legislation is the Department of Workforce Development and the Education and Labor
• Department of Workforce Development, and Department of Workforce Development, and KCTCS<01:00:50.600>
• <01:00:55.440> Development<01:00:56.520> and Department of Workforce Development and
• Department of Workforce Development and the<01:00:56.800> Education<01:00:57.400> and<

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we will have a discussion of the overview of the current status and developments regarding TANF and
• development reform.
• development reform.
• And then the Department of Workforce Services that has WIOA.
• And then the Department of Workforce Services that has WIOA.

Summary: The subcommittee first recognized the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute and received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement process, including that the new cost-reporting period began in January and provider/contractor calls are underway. The main presentation then focused on SNAP and TANF, with DHS describing federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill that tighten SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 without certain exemptions, remove some prior exemptions, and add new federal definitions for Native American populations. DHS also reviewed SNAP Employment and Training providers, their service areas, projected budgets, participant characteristics, and outcomes, noting that the program is currently voluntary but will shift toward mandatory participation for those subject to the new rules. Members asked detailed questions about how mandatory participation will be implemented, how referrals will be made, what other training options exist, how verification of work, volunteering, disability, and exemptions will be handled, and whether DHS has enough funding and provider capacity. DHS said it will conduct verbal and written notices during eligibility interviews, make direct referrals to providers, use six-month recertifications and documentation from employers or volunteer organizations, and apply sanctions for noncompliance after determining whether a good cause exists. Members also requested additional data, including age breakdowns of at-risk SNAP recipients, provider-level outcomes and costs, and information on other training programs such as WIOA. The committee then moved to Medicaid community engagement requirements for ARHOME, which DHS said are also required by the same federal law and must be implemented by January 1, 2027. DHS said it is preparing policy, system changes, communications, and a customer-service/outbound verification vendor, and plans a soft launch beginning in July to help clients understand what would be required if the rule were already in effect. Members raised concerns about timing, local versus central decision-making, and how clients in rural areas will be notified and assisted. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the committee’s workforce-development goals, the recently released Alliance for Opportunity audit, and interest in continuing the contract with that group to help guide future reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it's a big problem in your area.
• I know it's a big problem in your area.
• Are you seeing the development of the new housing developments you're talking about, where they're putting
• 2073 Chair: ...the development of the new housing developments you're talking about, where they're putting
• Chair: ...development of the new housing developments you're talking about, where they're putting them

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also see this as we represent the family voice in many areas throughout the state.
• Having this information is critical in identifying issues and developing appropriate policies.
• People of all ages participate in ABCD's programs such as... ...Valley area.
• It's fuel for this workforce to keep going.
• But if we lose our workforce, we will lose our impact.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting foster youth, child welfare oversight, homelessness services, juvenile justice, social work licensure, and human services workforce supports. Committee co-chairs Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone opened the hybrid hearing by outlining testimony procedures and accessibility measures. Several members and legislators participated throughout the day, and many witnesses were invited to submit additional written testimony after speaking. A major portion of the hearing focused on House 227/Senate 105, which would protect federal benefits owed to children in foster care. Supporters, including advocates from Hopewell, the Disability Law Center, CPCS, the Children’s Law Center, More Than Words, Friends of Children, and youth witness Onyx Rosario, said DCF had already ended the practice of taking most Social Security and SSI benefits and now conserves them in accounts for youth, but argued the policy should be codified to prevent future reversals. Witnesses described how conserved benefits help with basic needs, housing, education, transportation, and transition to adulthood, and several noted the bill also adds financial literacy and transparency requirements. Senator Joan Comerford and others said the change would protect vulnerable youth, especially children of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth with disabilities. The committee also heard testimony on House 225, which would expand the grandparents-raising-grandchildren commission by adding appointments and helping with quorum and representation. The committee also took testimony on Senate 136, which would improve emergency housing assistance for families experiencing homelessness by easing documentation requirements, allowing use of existing state data to verify eligibility, requiring notice before benefit reductions, and creating an ombudsperson. Senator Adam Gomez and other supporters said the bill would reduce barriers for families in crisis. On House 262/Senate 148, an omnibus child welfare bill, witnesses supported provisions on data reporting, education coordination, and Office of the Child Advocate reforms, while CPCS raised concerns about expanded access to sensitive records and the OCA’s role in certain proceedings. The Office of the Child Advocate supported codifying current practices and also backed child fatality review changes in House 234/Senate 133. The committee additionally heard support for Senate 108, which would require attorneys and audio/video recording during juvenile custodial interrogations, and for House 247/Senate 116, which would update the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board to add supported lived-experience seats. Finally, the committee heard competing testimony on Senate 135, a bill to ensure parity in social work licensure. SEIU Local 509 and supporters argued the current exam requirement disproportionately harms Black, Latino, multilingual, and multicultural applicants and worsens workforce shortages, while the Association of Social Work Boards opposed the bill, saying the exam is a necessary public-protection measure and that removing it would conflict with interstate compact efforts. The hearing also included testimony in support of a loan repayment program for human service workers, with providers and workers describing low wages, high student debt, and the need to retain staff in essential services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing itself.