Transcript Highlights:

• to create uh rules for the new program to create uh rules for the new program and<01:14:06.760><
• So it's a great program.
• bill says to contract to set the program bill says to contract to set the program upright<02:38:
• we wouldn't be running the program we wouldn't be running the program<02:39:13.720> we<02:39:
• debt um acquisition forgiveness program debt um acquisition forgiveness program um<03:00:58.319>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1494 on hearing aids. Testimony was generally supportive of expanding hearing-aid coverage, with the Insurance Division raising concern about possible federal defrayment issues, SHPDA supporting the goal of hearing augmentation, DCAB strongly supporting the bill as an important access issue, and health plans and insurers asking for amendments. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans requested changes to add a medical-necessity standard and clarify annual notice language, while HMSA suggested the proposal should be studied by the auditor. The chair noted concerns about federal preemption and the lack of an audit, and deferred the bill in favor of a related resolution calling for a study. The committee then heard SB 1448, an emergency appropriation for the Hawaii State Hospital. DAGS and the Department of Health supported the measure, with the hospital administrator saying the funding would improve the environment of care, support cleaning, and allow a third-party review of the building. Committee members questioned the size of the request and the status of litigation against the design-builder. Administration witnesses said they were pursuing a comprehensive study involving destructive testing, had made a demand on the design-builder to fund the study, and were using different processes than before. They also said the roof work would be handled through a separate CIP request. No final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 1432, relating to the future responsibilities of the Department of Health and land issues at Kalaupapa after the last patient dies. DOH supported the bill in part but said its long-term role would be limited mainly to environmental cleanup, with operations expected to continue under the National Park Service and land-use decisions left to DHHL and beneficiary consultation. DHHL asked that the measure reflect that any land-use or zoning changes on homeland lands require commission approval and beneficiary consultation. Testifiers from Kalaupapa and Maui County, including Degra Vanderbilt-Papa and Council Member Keani Rollins-Fernandez, supported deferring the bill, saying there had been no meaningful community discussion about provisions affecting Kalaupapa’s future management and possible transfer of responsibilities to Maui County. The committee also read into the record written testimony from Gloria Marks emphasizing that Kalaupapa stakeholders must be included in future discussions. Finally, the committee heard SB 955 on fitness-to-proceed examinations. The Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office both supported raising pay and standardizing expectations for private examiners, but opposed reducing felony fitness evaluations from three examiners to one and opposed expanding use of expedited reports. They argued that a single examiner would reduce reliability, create a more adversarial process, and likely increase costs and contested hearings, while expedited reports do not contain enough information for a proper fitness determination. The Department of Health also supported the bill’s intent but asked to preserve a three-examiner framework and said the goal was to reduce the number of people sent to the State Hospital, where admissions have reportedly risen about 20% year over year since Act 26. The bill remained under discussion in the excerpt, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• multi-layered anti-fraud program. multi-layered anti-fraud program.
• , insurance program, insurance program, uh<00:26:47.080> as<00:26:47.240> well<00:26
• service programs, Medicaid programs, or state grants, is not acceptable.
• :26:18.840> programs,<01:26:19.320> or service programs, Medicaid programs, or service
• report on the behavioral grant program. report on the behavioral grant program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• personal loan guarantee program. personal loan guarantee program.
• <00:35:00.520> so This is a a guaranteed loan program so This is a a guaranteed loan program
• this program continue um on unimpeded. this program continue um on unimpeded.
• benefit from this program benefit from this program may<01:10:11.440> not<01:10:11.760>
• this grant program. this grant program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This would service to success program.
• This is a newer program.
• better for us to have this new program? better for us to have this new program?
• train locally at like the CNA programs train locally at like the CNA programs at<00:58:03.599>
• I'll note with the healthcare workforce grant program a similar point, but even added when a program

Bills: HF4598, HF4884, HF3732

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Transcript Highlights:

• can create a program in Louisiana.
• Well, this is different because what this does is this allows LED to develop a grant program, a program
• can create a program in Louisiana.
• dedicated to these programs in 2020.
• dedicated to these programs in 2020.

Bills: HR3, HR80, HB4, HB172, HB189, HB623, HB944, HB1185, HB1199, HB1222, SB105, SB125, SB461

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which would reinstate an existing TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans after a sunset expired. The author said the program had been underused because it was not well promoted, but that the new veterans workforce effort called “The Boot” would help connect veterans to the benefit. Members confirmed it would use existing TOPS funds and not require new money, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3 asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be used for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. The author described it as an exploratory study, while members raised concerns about the fiscal note and the scope of the study. Fiscal staff explained the agency had requested additional positions to do the work. The committee discussed narrowing the study to certain areas, but the resolution was ultimately reported favorably. House Bill 189 sought supplemental pay for fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport. The author and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform hazardous, specialized ARFF duties at a busy public airport and should be treated like other supplemental-pay recipients. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualified under existing law and whether the proposal would expand an already costly program. After debate, the committee rejected the bill on an 8-10 vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 461 favorably, which would place certain small groups of active employees under the Office of Group Benefits to improve insurance rates without using general fund money. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor product producers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was amended to clarify the direct-to-consumer shipment prohibition and then reported favorably. House Bill 1222, which would authorize LED to create a grocery initiative grant and assistance program to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters said it would only create incentives for private grocers and related assistance. It was amended and reported favorably by a 16-2 vote. Finally, House Resolution 80, as amended, would shift a proposed audit-related effort on higher education budget metrics away from the legislative auditor and toward university systems’ own boards; members questioned the need for a look-back report and the added workload, and the chair indicated he would move to recommit the resolution to the education committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:05:05.119> its resident expert on the program, its resident expert on the program, its
• supports the operation of the program supports the operation of the program paid<01:07:45.119>
• ,<01:08:10.640> but mean, it sounds like a good program, but mean, it sounds like a good program
• ,<01:10:02.080> and have been registered in the program, and have been registered in the program
• <01:16:15.920> while benefits of of the program while benefits of of the program while providing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impact of the direct admissions program impact of the direct admissions program on<01:09:38.799>
• can take advantage of this great program can take advantage of this great program by<01:12:54.679
• It's a very exciting program.
• <01:36:45.560> up their day um to set this program up their day um to set this program up
• <01:37:10.760> would options are but this um program would options are but this um program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Are you referring to like the fortified programs? Yeah, fortified programs.
• The BOOT program.
• So as part of the BEAD program, as I mentioned, that's a technology-neutral program, right?
• might be, what the goals of the program in the office were in announcing such a program.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1546 renames the Inspired to Teach program to the Next Ed program and it doubles the scholarship
• TSIP program, the Inspired to Teach program, and now the NextEd Teacher program, we've actually increased
• Now, the way this program is currently funded, we put a large dollar amount already into this program
• Program post fact, we asked for this much money to be appropriated to that program.
• That's kind of how this program has worked.

Bills: HB1427, SB1403, SB1448, SB1489, SB1546, SB1557, SB1614, SB1377, SB1990, SB1439, SB1630, SB1632, SB1696, SB1796, SB1824, SB1362, SB1849, SB2066, SB2071, SB2104, SB933, SB1633, SB1224, SB1246, SB1280, SB1303, SB1346

Keywords: tax credit, clean-burning fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, environmental impact, vehicle modification, renewable energy, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, deceptive practices, exemptions, statutory exemptions, Corporation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, it expands the use of the ERF funds in the Encampment Resolution Funding Program to local
• Finally, the amendments provided move provisions specifying that the ERF program applies to safe parking
• We should be creating a program that supports the children and provides them what they need.
• Participants in these programs are very low income.
• Both of the programs impacted are only available to those who meet the criteria for free Medi-Cal.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several homelessness, public benefits, and aging-related bills. SB 748 would expand Encampment Resolution Funding to support safe parking sites for people living in cars or RVs, require quarterly reporting from HCD on outcomes, and direct LAO evaluation; supporters said it would help local governments reduce RV encampments while connecting people to housing and services. SB 290 would repeal the CalWORKs immunization sanction that reduces aid when parents cannot provide acceptable proof of a child’s vaccination; supporters argued the penalty unfairly harms families already in poverty and can worsen instability, while no opposition testified. SB 606 would define “functional zero” for overall and unsheltered homelessness and require local jurisdictions to plan for and report on the housing and interim shelter needed to reach that goal; supporters said it would add accountability and focus on reducing unsheltered homelessness, and one group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. SB 433 would create an income-based room-and-board cap and personal needs allowance for all Medi-Cal assisted living participants in residential care facilities for the elderly, not just SSI recipients; supporters said it would prevent eviction and homelessness among low-income seniors and people with disabilities, and facility groups withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. SB 761 would require students applying for Cal Grants to be notified that they may be eligible for CalFresh and given information on how to apply; supporters said it would address widespread student food insecurity and low enrollment among eligible students. The committee accepted amendments on the bills, and all of the measures discussed were reported out on 7-0 or similar unanimous votes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, with the consent calendar also approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• The advice of programs like the EI initiatives are a problem.
• think targeting the outreach of that program and how to get that program into the communities where
• We are for this bill because it helps the program and provides improvements.
• They use the H-2A programs, like the farms and ranches here in Texas. But there are those.
• for an award under the program.

Bills: SB231, SB667, SB689, SB825, SB965, SB992, SB1059, SB1220, SB2368, SB2601

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• So it won't have any effect on the VPK programs.
• will be monitoring those programs.
• That now will fall on the VPK programs to monitor their own programs, not the early learning coalition
• that's currently monitoring those programs.
• I also like the provision about the apprenticeship program.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 296, as amended by strike-all, on middle and high school start times. Senator Bradley explained that the amendment would repeal the statewide mandate for later start times and return scheduling decisions to local school boards, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic effects of sleep deprivation and to consider later start times when setting transportation schedules. Testimony and debate were largely in support, with several school district and education group representatives waiving in support, and members citing transportation, staffing, family logistics, and cost concerns under the existing mandate. The strike-all was adopted, and SB 296 was reported favorably by roll call vote, with Senators Berman, Osgood, and Chair Calatayud voting yes and Senator Gaetz voting no; other members were absent or not recorded in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 356, which would designate January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. Senator Berman said the date matches the UN’s Holocaust Remembrance Day and would require the governor to annually proclaim it, while allowing public observance and instruction about the Holocaust’s harms and its impact on the Jewish community and humanity. There was no substantive opposition in the excerpt, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote with yes votes from Senators Berman, Gaetz, and Chair Calatayud. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools. Senator Simon described a broad deregulation package affecting student assessments, grade promotion, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, internal audits, facilities planning, cost-per-student-station limits, emergency make-up days, federal fund timing, and VPK oversight. Testimony was mixed: school district and education organization representatives generally supported the flexibility, while some groups opposed or urged changes to the grade 4 promotion and graduation-related provisions, arguing they could weaken academic standards. After debate focused especially on third-grade promotion and testing requirements, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on SB 296 and SB 356, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But of course, this program is much larger.
• That scholarship program.
• I'm sure is the mobility between the programs.
• But given the mobility of this program, if that same student also sees the scholarship program within
• Notice you will see that we will be continuing our discussion on the FEFP and scholarship programs programs

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2476 addresses these challenges by creating a program.
• communities, faculty programming, in-hall study groups, among other initiatives.
• The Act maintains funding for the loan repayment program at the same levels as last year.
• And we had a recent experience with low-producing minors in degree programs.
• Would you cut my degree program because it's not valuable?

Bills: HB2476, HB2893, HB4848, HB5062, SB37, SB60, HB2860, HB4930, SB646, SB 37

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who would fit in the program.
• And that program, unlike programs operated by the Department of Housing or by Texas State Affordable
• Um, our programs are typically mortgages on homes, um, but the Veterans Land Board does have a program
• to evaluate the program by 2 years.
• allow for time for the pilot program to produce results.

Bills: HCR7

Keywords: memorial, tribute, military service, community contribution, Texas legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• longer even apply for our programs.
• to the programs in Canada, New York, and other countries.
• Here are the main changes we believe will rationalize the program.
• As part of the 2023 Film and Television Tax Credit Program 3.0, the program expanded its diversity, equity
• AB 1377 strengthens these programs through additional accountability and the new 4.0 program protections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've expanded our case manager program.
• This program apparently is a self-funded program. They make enough money to fund themselves.
• Anyone who's participating in that program...
• RISE is a program under Courts and Corrections.
• Is it under you, the RISE program? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• industry certification or end of program industry certification or end of program assessment<00:
• <00:15:20.720> since Kucky's had a preschool program since Kucky's had a preschool program
• Thank you. that the um public prek program uh that the um public prek program uh should<00:42:32.880>
• 00:46:13.440> expansion<00:46:13.920> program program, our our prek expansion program program
• would the programs would the programs >> how<00:47:45.280> would<00:47:45.440> it

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and first heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials on career and technical education funding. KDE explained that House Bill 499 created a CTE funding formula using 60% weighted full-time equivalent enrollment and 40% incentives, but House Bill 6’s budget language excluded area technology centers (ATCs) from that supplemental funding. KDE requested approval of an additional budget request of $14,789,352 in each fiscal year 2027 and 2028 to include ATCs in the formula and hold local districts harmless. Officials said ATCs serve students from 117 of Kentucky’s 171 districts and argued the change would reduce funding disparities and better reflect the return on investment from CTE programs, citing growth in dual credit and work-based learning participation. Members asked whether the issue would need to be revisited each budget cycle. KDE responded that the problem could be fixed by removing the notwithstanding language from the budget bill, which they said would allow ATCs to be included under the existing statute. Representative Klein supported the request, saying the current clause could lead to stagnation and that the committee should help the program continue to grow. No vote was taken on the CTE item during the portion of the meeting provided. The committee then heard a presentation from PreK for All on expanding preschool access in Kentucky. Advocates said the state’s preschool program has been funded since 1990 and currently serves about 14,200 children at roughly $84 million per year, but that many working families still fall into a coverage gap. They proposed expanding eligibility to 250% of the federal poverty line, which they said would add about 9,600 children at a cost of $40 million in year two, after a planning year. The proposal also included regulatory flexibility for classrooms and partnerships with private child care providers and nonprofits, with speakers emphasizing child care deserts in some counties and citing research that early learning improves kindergarten readiness and later outcomes. No action or vote was taken on the preschool proposal in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• will be automatically able to stay in the program if they so desire.
• take advantage of the program take advantage of the program um<00:33:58.399> you<00:33:58.640
• are being discriminated within the program.
• And I I think when you this program.
• So, while I understand the program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on SB 145, which would require sexual assault evidence kits to be delivered to the state forensic lab within seven business days and analyzed more promptly. Pamela Kyle of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence said the bill was developed after survivor concerns and extensive discussions with the Departments of Safety and Justice. She explained that most agencies already deliver kits quickly, but some kits sit for months, and the bill is intended to add structure without penalties while preserving chain of custody. Members discussed the use of common carriers or courier services for transport, the need for clear rules, and whether carriers would know what they were transporting. Representative Papovich offered amendment 2025-2301H to remove the reimbursement program for police shipping costs, arguing it would add administrative overhead and was unnecessary. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, and the committee then voted OTPA on SB 145 as amended, with members voting yes on the roll call. The committee then opened a work session on SB 295, and the sponsor presented a replace-all amendment intended to simplify and clarify the Education Freedom Account bill without changing its purpose. The amendment would remove income-cap language, define priority enrollment groups, establish an enrollment cap for the EFA program, and create rolling enrollment rules. It would set a 10,000-student cap for the 2025-2026 school year, allow the cap to increase by 25% if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior cap, and ensure current participants can remain enrolled. The amendment also provides that certain sections would later be repealed once the Department of Education certifies that applications have not exceeded the cap for two consecutive school years. The sponsor walked through the amendment section by section, explaining that the bill is structured in two phases: one while caps exist and another after they are no longer needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or, I looked up like a police program that's about a 2-year program at the Hibbing College.
• about a like a police program that's about a 2-year<00:26:17.440> program<00:26:17.920> at
• updates across several programs updates across several programs including<00:49:36.080> the
• of the federal voucher program. of the federal voucher program.
• Next slide, please. pre-kindergarten program. And this is an pre-kindergarten program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all