Transcript Highlights:

• Deferred maintenance is not a primary methodology factor here.
• What were the two factors you mentioned, Mr. Kowalski?
• So I have the description written down on that page, with the methodology factors detailed.
• So it's something we look at; it's just not one of the primary factors in our methodology.
• No, I don't think that would be a major factor in our credit rating.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:13.120><c> into</c> is the unused sick leave factored into is the unused sick leave factored
• If they have sick days, those sick days are at the... days and then that might be factored days and then
• </c><00:10:08.880><c> and</c> lump sum or Are they factored and lump sum or Are they factored and amortized
• It's just a hope for in the audit to better understand all of the factors that go into that and are we
• all of the factors that go into into into that<00:20:39.520><c> and</c><00:20:39.679><c> and</c><00:

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:07 Attendance Roll Call: 00:13 Approval of Minutes: 02:28 2025 RS SB 9: TRS Leave Audit Requirements & Process: 03:05 2025 RS SB 10: Overview of Enacted Legislation & Discussion: 28:38 Adjournment: 42:13, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call, a quorum was confirmed, and the minutes were approved. The committee then heard testimony on Senate Bill 9, which concerns TRS sick leave audit requirements and process. Auditor Allison Ball’s staff said the audit is an information-gathering review of how teacher sick leave is accumulated, current balances, how many employers use the sick leave function, and the policies and procedures governing sick leave. Members discussed how unused sick leave affects retirement calculations, the distinction between the state’s financial responsibility and school districts’ responsibility, and whether the audit would also examine related leave categories such as personal leave, annual leave, and leave of absence. Committee members emphasized that Senate Bill 9 was intended to add accountability and standardize reporting, including preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave. Several members asked for clarification on how sick leave is factored into retirement benefits. Witnesses and members explained that, under the system described, accumulated sick leave can be converted into retirement credit based on a teacher’s daily rate and then multiplied by a percentage, with the school district often bearing the cost. Members also noted nuances in the law, including different accumulation limits by hire date and tier, and that the audit may help the public better understand why some educators retire relatively young. The auditor’s office said it is still early in the process, has met with TRS leadership, and will report back once the audit progresses. The committee also asked whether maternity leave would be included; the auditor’s office said it was not specifically mandated but could be examined if the body requests it. The committee then received an overview of Senate Bill 10 from KPA representatives Ryan Barrow and Rebecca Atkins. They explained that the bill enhances retiree health insurance benefits for certain CRS members who are non-Medicare participants and meet specified career thresholds, with different rules for hazardous and non-hazardous service. They described the benefit as $40 per month per year of service for non-hazardous service and $50 per month per year for hazardous service, both inflated annually, and clarified that these amounts are not cumulative with prior benefit formulas. Members asked about the interaction between the new amounts and existing benefits, and the presenters explained that the bill also changes current employee health insurance contribution rates effective July 1, 2026, with different impacts by tier and hazardous status. The committee discussed the need for clear communication to affected employees and reviewed example calculations showing how the new contribution structure would work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I have a question on load factors of these facilities.
• a big deal, and there's a load factor in here.
• Yeah, so that load factor is left alone in this bill.
• It said they would, because to qualify, they do have to keep that 55% load factor.
• of which is load factor.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first took up House Bill 2762, with a committee substitute and amendment that folded in the titles of related solar bills, HB 2816 and HB 2402. The sponsor and other members described the substitute as a compromise solar framework covering taxation, setbacks, and decommissioning/bonding. The bill would set a nameplate capacity tax rate of $4,000 per megawatt, allow commercial assessment of facility property, exempt certain pre-August 9, 2022 Chapter 100 agreements and PSC-regulated projects, establish setback rules of 500 feet from an occupied dwelling or 300 feet with screening, and require county-notified decommissioning plans and bonds for larger projects, with county rulemaking limited so it cannot impose undue burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute, then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2762, 2816, and 2402 do pass by a roll call of 18 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change economic development electric rates. The sponsor and utility witnesses said the bill would close a loophole that could let data centers under 75 megawatts access reduced rates intended for job-creating manufacturers, and would replace the current variable 10-year rate structure for larger projects with a fixed five-year 35% discount on fixed costs while still requiring full payment of service costs and maintaining load-factor requirements. Supporters from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, and the Missouri Chamber said the current formula is unpredictable and hurts Missouri’s ability to compete for manufacturing projects. Ford Motor Company testified in informational opposition, asking the committee to consider a retention discount for large existing industrial users, arguing that long-term baseload customers help support the grid and local jobs. No vote was taken on HB 2248 in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903 on critical infrastructure protection. Senator Henderson said the bill responds to increasing vandalism and theft involving telecommunications and utility equipment, including incidents affecting 911 and other services. The bill would add wireline and broadband networks to the definition of critical infrastructure, create or adjust penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and establish an unauthorized-possession offense for certain stolen materials such as copper and related telecom materials, with exceptions for legitimate possession and scrap operations. AT&T, Verizon, Missouri broadband and railroad representatives, electric cooperatives, the Missouri Chamber, and municipal utilities supported the bill, saying it would deter theft, protect public safety, and help law enforcement; some witnesses noted concerns about distinguishing legitimate scrap dealers from thieves. The hearing on SB 903 concluded without a recorded vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I have a question on load factors of these facilities.
• big deal, and there's a load factor in here.
• Yeah, so that load factor is left alone in this bill.
• It's because to qualify, they do have to keep that 55% load factor. That's why I remember.
• of which is load factor.

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, a solar-energy measure. The committee substitute combined the bills’ titles and focused on three main areas: a taxation framework for solar projects, setback requirements from occupied dwellings and property lines, and a decommissioning/bonding framework for project cleanup. Supporters said the bill would create baseline rules for a growing industry, protect neighboring landowners, and ensure land is restored after projects end. Members asked about Chapter 100 agreements, the setback distances, county rulemaking authority, and how reclamation and bonding would work. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and then voted the substitute do pass by 18 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change Missouri’s economic development electric rate structure and close a loophole that could allow data centers under 75 megawatts to receive reduced rates. The sponsor and utility witnesses said the bill would make incentives more predictable by replacing a variable formula with a fixed discount for qualifying new industrial projects, while still requiring customers to pay full cost to serve and meet load-factor and other requirements. Witnesses from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, the Missouri Chamber, and Ford discussed the value of incentives for manufacturing, the difference between new load and retention of existing large users, and whether the bill should also address retention discounts. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903, which would expand critical infrastructure protections. The bill adds wireline and broadband facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure, increases penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and creates an offense for unauthorized possession of certain stolen materials such as copper and related telecom materials. The sponsor and witnesses from AT&T, Verizon, cable, railroad, electric cooperative, recycling, municipal utility, and chamber groups said the measure responds to rising theft and vandalism, including copper theft and fiber cuts that disrupt 911 and other services. Members asked about scrap dealers, fiber versus copper, trespassing concerns, and whether harsher penalties would deter theft. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, if the period of construction was less or more, it would have a factor.
• ... ...nail down timeline costs, some of those factors to determine whether QIP is even necessary.
• The need for QIP is a cost factor.
• The need for QIP is a cost factor, which we demonstrated last year on SB 4.
• What does that permitting do to the cost of, you know, how does that factor in as you're planning to

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bills 2658, 2147, 2472, and 2546 by a roll call vote of 20 ayes and 1 no. The substitute expanded telephone solicitation language to include unsolicited real estate solicitations, adjusted reassigned-number compliance language, and refined spoofing-related definitions to focus on intent to cause harm or wrongfully obtain value. Members also discussed how the no-call list, existing business relationships, and political fundraising calls would be treated under the substitute. The committee then heard House Bills 1626 and 2122, both relating to nuclear energy and construction work in progress (CWIP/QIP) financing for nuclear projects. The sponsors argued the bills would remove an outdated barrier to nuclear construction in Missouri, especially for small modular reactors, by allowing utilities to recover construction costs during construction and thereby reduce interest and overall project cost. They emphasized ratepayer protections through clawback provisions, the role of the Public Service Commission, future energy demand, economic development, and keeping Missouri competitive with other states. Several members raised concerns about higher utility rates, the risk of cost overruns, the possibility of ratepayers paying for projects that are delayed or never completed, and whether the proposal was premature given that SMRs are not yet widely deployed in the United States. In response, the sponsors and supporters said the bill would include refund protections similar to Senate Bill 4 and that the PSC would oversee prudence and timing. Public witnesses in support included business, utility, and municipal representatives, as well as Missouri S&T’s chancellor, who stressed workforce development and the growing national and global move toward nuclear power. The hearing on House Bills 1626 and 2122 was then closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• First one: develop a scale adjustment factor that reduces the funding formula.
• And so those are some factors in terms of costs that might be different between in-person and virtual
• We have at-risk factors; we have various factors within our funding formula that increase the funding
• There are different factors based on student needs. So this is an average.
• I think we need to look at what's the... ...individual factors.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there is a factor in there that that counts for that.
• So I know that the money, some for some folks is a factor.
• That's a big factor to that. Eventually the 63 should equal the reimbursed.
• And so there's other factors that can also affect the premium that would charge.
• Can you talk about what the rapid cash factor buildup is and how it applies to premiums?

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really important for professionals who are working with vulnerable adults to be aware of the factors
• in the community as well, those working with vulnerable adults, so that they have all those risk factors
• It leads you right to our reporting portal at the hotline, and then you also have below risk factors.
• It leads you right to our reporting portal at the hotline, and then you also have below risk factors.
• It's used to help CPIs with potential identification of human trafficking and/or risk factors.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:35.040><c> of</c><00:52:35.920><c> parental</c> mitigating factors of parental mitigating
• factors of parental responsibility?
• </c><01:06:36.319><c> However,</c><01:06:37.359><c> allegedly,</c> factors involved.
• However, allegedly, factors involved.
• </c> dealing with the parenting time factor dealing with the parenting time factor costs<04:26:08.239

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But ultimately, again, That, but they factored some of that in there. So you don't... Yes.
• Not a factor in it? No, ma'am.
• But the standards, the case, the study doesn't factor that.
• And the workload study fact is intended to factor that in there. You did factor that in?
• And the work point study fact is intended to factor that in there. You did factor that in?

Bills: HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, SCR30, SB57, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB450, SB465, SB501, SB525, HR3, HR80, HR197, HR243, SCR5, SCR35, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB398, HB646, HR84, HR188, HR205, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB302, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, HCR72, HB633, HB603, HB940, HB251, HB775, HB998, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, HB842, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: Pineville High School, Lady Rebels, softball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Class 5A, state championship, high school sports, student athletes, commendation, resolution, athletics, girls softball, championship team, Pineville, school recognition, sportsmanship, coach Allison Frye, Louisiana legislature, House Resolution

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and special observances, including Transportation Day and a day without child care at the Capitol. Members also honored the Southern University Laboratory School track teams, early childhood educators, and later offered condolences and tributes, including a memorial resolution for Derek Butler’s family and birthday recognitions for members and staff. The chamber received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced or adopted several resolutions and bills throughout the day. A major portion of the floor was devoted to retirement-system cleanup and funding bills, including Senate Bills 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21. Members and authors explained these measures as technical changes to simplify contribution formulas, separate funding for COLAs and benefit increases from debt paydown, and update reemployment or benefit rules for retirees in various systems. Most of these bills passed with large margins after brief questions about whether they would affect automatic debt reduction; authors repeatedly said they would not stop debt paydown. Other measures passed on topics such as emergency vehicle procedures, international driving reciprocity with Ireland, seat belt use, port commission appointments, GOHSEP cybersecurity authority, storage facility rental rules, biomarker testing coverage, DNA sample collection procedures, and a law-institute bill on movable-property leases. The House also adopted HCR 72, the Jonas A. Feeley Act, which memorializes Congress to expedite research and treatment development for acute myeloid leukemia in honor of a deceased veteran, and H.B. 1258, which directs the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on handling unlawfully possessed sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Another notable bill, Senate Bill 200, created a process for expropriating property tied to foreign adversaries near military bases, with amendments allowing voluntary divestment before expropriation. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, with co-author votes taken on some resolutions and bills tabled or returned to the calendar when requested. The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 217, which would reduce the number of judges in Orleans Parish courts based on a statewide workload study. Supporters said the National Center for State Courts study showed Orleans had more judges than comparable parishes and that the bill would right-size the courts and save about $2.1 million. Opponents questioned the study’s methodology, the lack of Orleans delegation involvement, the counting of cases, the absence of uniform statewide clerk-of-court standards, and whether reducing criminal judges made sense given crime concerns. Despite the criticism, the bill was advanced after lengthy questioning, while the chamber continued to move other bills and resolutions forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill gives the court at a pre-trial hearing the opportunity, based on factors included in the bill
• included in the bill to based on factors included in the bill to determine<00:47:11.760><c> whether<
• </c> and you can use that as a um as a factor and you can use that as a um as a factor as<01:00:54.000
• ><c> a</c><01:00:54.240><c> bail</c><01:00:54.559><c> factor</c><01:00:55.040><c> to</c><01:00:55.280
• to say that this person as a bail factor to say that this person is<01:00:57.520><c> likely</c><01:00

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there, in addition to that, fuel efficiency, the rise in electric vehicles, is that also a factor
• or is that a relatively minor factor?
• or is that a is that also a factor or is that a relatively<00:12:03.680><c> minor</c><00:12:04.079><
• <c> you</c> relatively minor factor help do do you relatively minor factor help do do you have<00:12:
• And so all of those things have factored.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met on Transportation, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a road fund update from Transportation Cabinet officials Mike Hancock, Sean McCernan, and Ron Rigney. McCernan reported that FY 2024-2025 road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, but was about $11 million below FY24 because of a lower motor fuels tax rate. He said motor vehicle usage tax receipts were stronger than expected, and that the road fund ended the year with a $61.6 million surplus account that, under the budget bill, must be appropriated to state construction. Members focused heavily on how declining motor fuels receipts affect the formula funds that support cities, counties, and rural/secondary roads. Hancock and McCernan explained that lower gas tax receipts reduce both the road plan and revenue sharing, while higher vehicle sales tax receipts from motor vehicle usage go directly to the road fund and do not help the formula distributions. They also said fuel efficiency, hybrid and electric vehicle trends, and the removal of a prior hybrid fee all affect revenue collections. On tolling, officials said Louisville bridge toll revenues are covering bills and commitments, but they did not have the latest collection figures in front of them and said they would provide them later. The committee also asked about project delivery delays, right-of-way acquisition, disaster recovery work, annual contract awards, cash management, and overprogramming in the highway plan. Officials said project delays often stem from right-of-way purchases, utility relocation, and the large volume of projects in the plan, and described the process as a “duck paddling” situation with substantial work happening behind the scenes. They said FY25 contract awards were already just under $998 million by the July letting and expected to exceed last year’s total, and explained that cash balances are managed so they do not fall below $100 million; the current balance was said to be about $166 million. No further votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the factor that's a bit unknown for me, and it's the reason that I'm having—we really have to
• So I think we're kind of really addressing all five of those factors, but I would say that low-hanging
• Those are factors that Kind of count towards household income in the poverty metric.
• And then, of course, there are other factors. Like how much it costs to provide care.
• Those are all really big factors that kind of go into the poverty rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• numbers of applications for this upcoming year that I just mentioned, with those prior years and factoring
• Even after factoring in that deadline extension, our students from mixed-status families still appear
• These estimates will likely change as CSAC continues to unpack how different factors might be affecting
• If there's a way we can more confidently know the phase-in factor and that it's not subject to change
• For our incoming class, we're roughly just to be safe using a 10% phase-in factor.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• governor proposes to adjust the inflation in the DWS or how this will impact the competitive workforce factor
• again reducing that percentage Factor again reducing that percentage from<00:27:22.360><c> the</c><00
• </c><00:27:45.440><c> so</c> Creating that differential factor so that when staff are asleep, the rate
• based upon the base or is growth factor based upon the base or is it<00:41:23.920><c> based</c><00:41
• </c><01:08:41.560><c> by</c> we're going to update the factor by we're going to update the factor by

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a variety of factors that we look at.
• Just a variety of factors indictment.
• </c> made after considering many many factors made after considering many many factors and<01:01:56.400
• </c> We are required to consider the factors We are required to consider the factors of<01:02:11.920>
• There are also that is a factor.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Recognition of New Members: 00:01:17 Disaster Response: 00:01:41 Pretrial Discussion: 00:31:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting, and then heard an update on disaster response and courthouse recovery efforts after the April flooding. Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Franklin County Circuit and District Court Clerk’s office, and the Franklin Circuit Court described damage in Perry, Hardin, and especially Franklin counties. Perry County had limited roof and water infiltration issues with no operational impact. Hardin County’s justice center basement took about 18 inches of water, affecting court records and mechanical/electrical equipment, and court operations were briefly suspended. Franklin County’s courthouse was far more severely damaged, with about four feet of water on the first floor, forcing relocation of court operations to temporary sites, including AOC space and the regional jail for custody proceedings. Witnesses said damaged files from Hardin and Franklin counties were removed, sent to an out-of-state vendor for drying and remediation, and would be returned or destroyed as appropriate. They estimated combined costs for file restoration, building repair, and remediation at about $11 million, with insurance through KCOJ/KO expected to cover only part of the losses and FEMA reimbursement still pending a federal disaster declaration. They also said the Franklin County courthouse’s first floor remains gutted, electrical panels and HVAC systems need major replacement, and the second and third floors may be used temporarily once power and data are restored. Members asked about roof damage in Hardin County, the status of FEMA applications, digitization of court records, and whether Senate Bill 25 restricted funds could be used to cover the funding gap; staff said the funds cannot be spent without General Assembly authorization. The committee also discussed broader record-retention and e-filing issues, with members noting the limits of paper filing and the need for better digitization as a backup in emergencies. AOC staff said they are working with the Supreme Court and state law librarian on what records can be digitized and how long hard copies must still be retained. After the disaster-response presentation, the committee moved on to a separate informational presentation on pre-trial services, with introductions from the executive officer of pre-trial services, the president of the Kentucky District Judges Association, a circuit judge, and the manager of pre-trial services, who began explaining how the pre-trial system works for newer committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are so many factors that may make it difficult for a mother to breastfeed her child.
• customer and the extra high load factor customer has received all applicable zoning entitlements, and
• customer and the extra high load factor customer has received all applicable zoning entitlements, and
• Madam Chair, Senator Epstein, yes, if you go to 40-360.06, the factors to be considered in issuing a
• from various entities, including the Attorney General's office, they are required to look at these factors

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard several bills. HB 2686, sponsored by Rep. Heap, would require physicians performing surgeries at outpatient surgical facilities to annually and whenever changed provide the facility a call-coverage plan, including hospital coverage if applicable, to ensure patients have a known physician contact for complications; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2051 would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to CMS approval, to cover breastfeeding and lactation services in inpatient, outpatient, home-based, and group settings; supporters described the bill as improving maternal and infant health and AHCCCS said it was neutral with an estimated $1.8 million general fund cost, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2837, a transparency bill for municipal zoning hearings, would require speakers to disclose compensation for testimony and require certain board members or hearing officers to disclose and recuse for recent ties to entities appearing before them; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee also approved HB 2875, as amended, which clarifies local authority over commercial drone delivery systems and related land-use and zoning issues, including near airports; Zipline and industry supporters backed the bill as providing regulatory clarity, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting after adoption of the amendment. HB 2324 would let cities with their own fire codes, through an intergovernmental agreement, enforce those codes on county-owned buildings in city limits, with reporting requirements to the State Fire Marshal; county and fire-management representatives supported the measure as a clarification of jurisdiction, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2439 would exempt single-user public or semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ pool rules, but the committee adopted an amendment removing ADEQ rulemaking authority; supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and regulatory burden, while one senator opposed it over public-health concerns, and it passed 4-2 with one not voting. HB 2457 would allow utilities to build certain co-located power plants without a certificate of environmental compatibility after notice and a public comment session, which opponents said would reduce public review and transparency for power plant siting, while supporters said it would streamline power development; it passed 4-2 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2953 would cap certain nondisciplinary and disciplinary civil penalties imposed by the State Board of Pharmacy at $25,000 in specified circumstances; a supporter said it matched limits used elsewhere and gave the board authority to use nondisciplinary actions, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are so many factors that may make it difficult for a mother to breastfeed her child.
• environmental compatibility for the new plant if the new plant is co-located with an extra high load factor
• customer and the extra high load factor customer has received all applicable zoning entitlements, and
• customer and the extra high load factor customer has received all applicable zoning entitlements and
• from various entities, including the Attorney General's office, they are required to look at these factors

Bills: HB2051, HB2324, HB2439, HB2457, HB2686, HB2837, HB2875, HB2953

Keywords: AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, HB2324, fire code, fire marshal, state fire marshal, municipalities, cities and towns, county-owned buildings, county buildings, intergovernmental agreement, IGA, fire inspection, occupancy certificate, building inventory, local government, county government

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, it's matching up what the treasurer feels like is, you know, the appropriate risk factor
• Is, you know, the appropriate risk factor and return.
• So, yeah, there would be a, depending on what the factors are at the time.
• And it would be qualification-based on a number of factors.
• And it would be qualification-based, a number of factors, and I presume those weighting factors would

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about $325 million by the end of the fiscal year, unless there were cyclical, timing, or seasonal factors
• governor will be speaking with leadership as they work on the budget and consider where Medicaid factors
• She asked whether those factors are being considered in the trust fund projections.
• Representative Cavenaugh said that would be one of the many factors used in the projections.
• I think generally some of the concerns that Representative Cavenaugh raised in terms of health factors

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and transfer requests, beginning with a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing to cover administrative costs for its enterprise licensing platform, funded by license and application fees. It then reviewed two large Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation for the final quarter of the fiscal year, and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support the Arkansas BEAD broadband grant program, including an extra help position and grants to internet service providers. The broadband item drew extensive questions about awardees, contract amendments, accountability, build-out timelines, backup plans if providers default, the definition of broadband serviceable locations, and the cost per location. The State Broadband Director said no providers had requested amendments, the program would use milestone-based disbursements and a four-year build-out period, and the first tranche would serve 51,566 homes and businesses with $126.1 million in grants. Both Section B and Section C items were approved. In Section D, the committee approved a $458,000 transfer within the Department of Correction from the female work release program to the Tucker Unit water treatment plant, a $25 million transfer within the Department of Education to cover declining enrollment, teacher incentive, school recognition, and Easter Seals funding, and a $229,000 transfer for the Department of Shared Administrative Services to support two project management office positions. The education transfer prompted questions about how declining enrollment funding is calculated, how many districts receive it, and how long districts can continue to receive it; agency staff said 152 districts were on the preliminary list and the formula is based on the prior two-year average ADM compared with the previous year. The committee also gave favorable advice on a proposed $4.7 million loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization tools; agency officials said the loan would be repaid through cost recovery rates over five years and would replace an existing loan that is ending, with expected savings from consolidating applications but no precise savings estimate yet. The committee then reviewed cash fund and federal grant requests, including $200,000 for wage and hour claimant payments, $15 million for unclaimed property claims, $8,000 for a heritage program grant, and $1.1 million for a College and Career Coaches grant to expand services in rural districts. It also reviewed pay plan and budget manual items without objection. The most extensive report discussion focused on the Medicaid trust fund, where DHS and DFA officials said the balance has been declining and that the state may need to add capital back into the fund. Senators and representatives asked about the current balance, the projected year-end level, the role of the $100 million set-aside, the impact of outstanding Medicaid rules from the prior session, and whether future federal funding could help reduce long-term Medicaid costs. Officials said they are still working through more than 10 outstanding rules with CMS and do not yet have a final price tag for those changes. The meeting ended after the reports were reviewed and the committee adjourned.