Transcript Highlights:

• So that gets us to $61.2 million total increase.
• And so that gets us to a total increase of around $28.6 million based on what was funded last year for
• the child welfare system, around a 2% increase in this funding formula.
• If That right now what we're funding with Tiers 1 and 2 is like a 2% increase.
• If we did consider doing Tier 3, how much more of an increase would that be? You're recognized.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Department of Children and Families on HB 7089, which revises how Florida’s community-based care (CBC) lead agencies for child welfare are funded. Representative McFarland described the bill’s background, arguing that the prior formula relied too heavily on outdated, static factors and produced inequities among CBCs. She emphasized that the new approach is intended to provide a more stable, transparent, and statute-based funding method that better supports prevention, case management, and family services while reducing year-to-year political uncertainty. DCF Chief of Staff Casey Penn explained that HB 7089 required an actuarially sound, reimbursement-based formula developed with CBC and provider input. The new model uses a cost-based structure with three tiers: Tier 1 for operational and administrative costs, Tier 2 for per-child/per-month service costs, and a possible Tier 3 incentive component for performance measures if the Legislature chooses to fund it. The model includes regional growth factors, inflation adjustments, a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, a hold-harmless provision for agencies that would otherwise receive less than prior funding, and the ability for CBCs to retain some state general revenue savings. DCF said the model produced a total budget need of about $1.392 billion, roughly $28.6 million above the prior year after offsets, and that the department is also updating its child welfare case management system to improve data quality and future modeling. Members asked about whether prevention spending is captured, how Tier 3 incentives would work and how much they might cost, how the formula accounts for insurance, hurricanes, child acuity, and staffing costs, and whether CBC executives’ compensation is capped. DCF said prevention is included in the model but is not yet separately broken out due to data limitations, Tier 3 is optional and not yet costed, and the formula can incorporate additional growth factors if needed. On executive pay, DCF explained that compensation is limited by statute for CBC contracts, but multiple contracts and non-state funding sources can affect total compensation; staff later clarified that CBC CEOs with multiple contracts had been reviewed for compliance. The meeting ended after questions, and Representative Miller moved to adjourn; the subcommittee adjourned without any vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:28.880><c> the</c> uh for the Enterprise in increasing the uh for the Enterprise in increasing
• </c> function we have built out increased function we have built out increased automation<00:20:50.600
• </c><01:01:10.720><c> rather</c> assistance hf10 would increase rather assistance hf10 would increase
• </c> that this bill will increase that this bill will increase homelessness<01:20:44.199><c> for</c><
• </c> chair this bill will increase chair this bill will increase homelessness<01:20:54.000><c> for</c

Bills: HF10

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:01.360><c> in</c> public payers, increases in public payers, increases in uncompensated<00
• ><c> been</c><00:08:26.960><c> typically</c> inflation increases have been typically inflation increases
• Uh and all of increases in complaints.
• </c> uh the health plans to get increases uh the health plans to get increases every<01:41:47.520><c>
• </c> us increases that uh that we need. us increases that uh that we need. &gt;&gt; Followup.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Olson about increasing the scope.
• I did also increase the rural from $50 million to $100 million.
• Senator Mesnard, I just want to say obviously increasing fees is not a popular thing to do.
• This is a modest increase to the fraud unit assessment, ...which has also not been increased in quite
• Just a $300 increase in that assessment.

Bills: HB2091 , HB2140 , HB2320 , HB2384 , HB2398 , HB2502 , HB2780 , HB2918 , HB2939 , HB2950 , HB2999 , HB4020 , HB4026 , HB4029

Committees: Senate Finance , Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, investment, state treasurer, gold bullion, treasury management, financial regulations, school districts, bonds, financial advisors, elections, municipal advisors, cost of borrowing, lease agreements, school property, tax exemptions, impact aid revenue bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing the number Of in-network optometrists increases choice and access for Texans.
• All told, this could lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.
• Members, again, I filed HB3211 to increase patient access to eye doctors without increasing costs to
• The increase in the number of people with Alzheimer's is...
• What can you offer to increase that number of people that are covered?

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> a job, have low wages, a job, have low wages, uh<01:29:58.840><c> can't</c><01:29:59.200><c> make
• </c><02:35:06.840><c> shelter</c> pertaining to the increased shelter pertaining to the increased shelter
• It peaked, but because of the increased cost of rentals, people working on minimum wage and above jobs
• It peaked, but because of the increased cost of rentals, people working on minimum wage and above jobs
• </c><02:52:07.840><c> their</c> the country that have increased their the country that have increased

Transcript Highlights:

• The ability to reach into people's pockets and increase their cost of living.
• You’re not increasing it. But what does get funded? A billion dollars for high-speed rail.
• It's going to increase the cost of energy, gas, and utility prices. Then it does two things.
• Assembly Bill 889 by Assembly Member Hadwick and others, relating to the prevailing wage.
• Assembly Bill 889 by Assembly Member Hadwick and others, snackily, the prevailing wage.

Summary: The chamber reconvened after a late-night session and first adopted the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range, by a 48-0 vote. Members then took up several Senate bills and Assembly measures, with repeated remarks about the long hours and the need to respect staff and keep proceedings moving. A vote change was also announced for Assembly Member Patel on SB 414, changing from aye to not voting. The main policy debate centered on energy, climate, and affordability. SB 237, dealing with oil and gas policy, refinery closures, pipeline safety, Kern County permitting, gasoline blend flexibility, and regional fuel coordination, drew strong support from members who framed it as a managed transition to stabilize fuel supply and protect jobs, and strong opposition from members who called it a giveaway to oil interests and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package, included wildfire mitigation financing, a successor wildfire fund, transmission cost reductions, clean energy permitting changes, and energization timelines; members raised some concerns about local control, but the bill passed 58-0. SB 840 and AB 1207 advanced the cap-and-invest reauthorization package, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, housing, transit, wildfire prevention, and community air programs, while opponents argued it would raise costs and function as a tax-and-spend scheme. SB 840 passed 54-15 and AB 1207 passed 55-10, both with urgency and immediate transmittal. Members also approved SB 352, which makes the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and requires air quality monitoring and reporting on AB 617 implementation, by 43-19. AB 825, authorizing California to help establish a Westwide electricity market, was presented as a way to lower bills, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; it passed 67-2 and was sent to the Governor. Additional actions included concurrence in Senate amendments to AB 8 on cannabinoids and AB 383 on firearms cleanup, and the chamber began consideration of AB 764 on wildlife as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had already, we know, increased energy costs by as much as 267%. Think about that.
• They had already, we know,<01:25:27.120><c> they</c><01:25:27.360><c> increased</c><01:25:27.920><c>
• </c><02:39:47.200><c> I</c> increase the deficit or the debt? I increase the deficit or the debt?
• that directly increase the value of<02:47:33.120><c> their</c><02:47:33.359><c> stocks.
• It increases competition for the biggest companies because they are close to customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wage and salary employment increased by 39,000 people.
• PIP increased; they requested an increase from 800 to 904.
• an increase since 2017.
• This represents a 6% increase over 2025, which is certainly a healthy increase in that regard. ...increase
• You're seeing increased costs in Medicaid, and you're seeing increased costs in CHIP.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the purposes of enhancing water yield, reducing catastrophic wildfire, increasing forest products
• </c><00:37:55.839><c> forest</c> catastrophic wildfire, increasing forest catastrophic wildfire, increasing
• Um, increasing or pushing back the reversion date and then increasing the funding for the planning associated
• </c><00:51:29.200><c> the</c> reversion date and then increasing the reversion date and then increasing
• wage law, for<01:05:09.359><c> example,</c><01:05:09.839><c> would</c><01:05:10.079><c> apply</c><01

Transcript Highlights:

• The surcharge has not been increased since 2009, and Idaho has changed a lot since then.
• Fuel, equipment, and personnel costs have all increased, but the surcharge has stayed flat.
• Structures and forests have substantially increased the complexity, risk, and cost of wildfire response
• In mirroring what Michelle said, cost of equipment, cost of fuel, cost of everything has increased.
• Just to clarify, would your group have an additional cost given this fee increase if it's for improved

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Older Jewish Americans overwhelmingly recognize the increasing threat of anti-Semitism.
• More than 94% of Jewish Americans age. 50 to 64 reported an increase in anti-Semitism over the past five
• Particularly concerning is the 84% increase in anti-Semitic activity on college campuses.
• Congress recognized the importance of this program by increasing funding to three 305 million in the
• Even with this increased funding the not-for-profit security grant program is oversubscribed and less

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm just asking you to consider that, that the inflationary... ...the wage increase factors, the
• increase. increases for the next year.
• Have your revenues been increasing? They're not increasing this year.
• Is increasing, would this bill have affected your spending increases this year?
• Cities increased spending by 72%, counties increased spending by 74%.

Bills: HB26 , HB73 , SB 14 , HB46

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a 10-time increase. Forget about the rest of the state. The cost is huge.
• Do you feel that extending this by an additional year would increase fraud?
• Do you feel that extending this by an additional year would increase fraud?
• What are we tying the increase to?
• The increase is congressional pay for the governor and base it off of that.

Bills: HR257 , HR258 , HR259 , HR260 , HR261 , HR262 , HR263 , HCR105 , HCR106 , HR252 , HR253 , HR254 , HR255 , HR256 , HCR103 , HCR104 , SB83 , SB143 , SB155 , SB228 , SB283 , SB295 , SB338 , SB388 , SB408 , SB431 , HR84 , HR188 , HR205 , HB302 , HB597 , HB819 , HB1257 , HB1258 , SCR24 , 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 , SB357 , SB406 , HR171 , HCR49 , HCR65 , HCR72 , HR37 , HCR64 , HR170 , HR191 , HR206 , HR207 , HR208 , HR217 , HCR11 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR66 , HCR68 , HR9 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR50 , HCR62 , HCR67 , HCR71 , HCR78 , HCR81 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , SCR20 , HCR6 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB130 , HB258 , HB633 , HB801 , HB61 , HB98 , HB102 , HB139 , HB142 , HB170 , HB185 , HB194 , HB199 , HB231 , HB247 , HB294 , HB336 , HB474 , HB661 , HB842 , HB852 , HB301 , HB359 , HB657 , HB675 , HB680 , HB727 , HB79 , HB251 , HB625 , HB769 , HB775 , HB783 , HB895 , HB1011 , HB1057 , HB1155 , HB1186 , HB1224 , HB1245 , HB1247 , HB1253 , HB1254 , HB1255 , HB1256 , SB41 , SB44 , SB64 , SB84 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB107 , SB118 , SB142 , SB192 , SB195 , SB199 , SB219 , SB222 , SB234 , SB241 , SB255 , SB275 , SB277 , SB292 , SB294 , SB306 , SB314 , SB482 , 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 , HB646 , HB824 , HB341 , HB682 , HB766 , HB926 , HB998 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1201 , HB1223 , HB603 , HB940 , HB1191 , SB47 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: condolences, memorial resolution, House Resolution, Shreveport, children, tragedy, sympathy, bereavement, tribute, mourning, schoolchildren, public charter school, elementary school, Head Start, family loss, Louisiana House of Representatives, condolence resolution, House resolution, victims, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• ONLY A SLIGHT INCREASE.
• AND THOSE INCREASES ARE COMPOUNDING.
• ANOTHER MATTER IS TO INCREASE JUROR REIMBURSEMENT.
• IT IS INCREASED BY THAT AMOUNT. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN THOSE INCREASES.
• I HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER SINCE WE KEEP WRITING BILLS TO INCREASE PENALTIES THAT WILL INCREASE

Transcript Highlights:

• many of those folks earned an associate degree or a bachelor degree, for example, what their median wages
• were, how many folks were employed wages were, how many folks were employed in<00:15:26.959><c> the<
• In the 2023-24 report, it shows a promising rebound in library use of patrons, including an increase
• Senate Bill 25, the average rate of increases has declined.
• I think that is why you see a lot of that increase in circulation as well.

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on State Government met for its first meeting and heard a presentation from the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KY Stats) by Executive Director Matt Barry and Legislative Director Calli Arnold. The presentation reviewed KY Stats’ statutory background, its evolution from KESUS, its board membership, and its role in housing Kentucky’s longitudinal data system and labor market information office. Barry explained that KY Stats links data from multiple state sources, validates and cleans it, deidentifies it, and uses it to produce reports, evaluations, and responses to data requests for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Barry described the scale of the system, noting more than 6,000 active data elements, 178 unique file types, and data from 48 sources across 26 agencies. He highlighted the agency’s privacy and security practices, including separate servers for source data and deidentified reporting data, and said KY Stats does not use real-time data. He also outlined the types of reports produced, including the annual high school feedback report and a recent life outcomes report tracking the 2017 public high school cohort’s postsecondary education, completion, wages, and employment outcomes. Members asked about the timeliness and availability of data, especially SNAP and Medicaid information, and Barry said most data arrive annually or quarterly and that Medicaid data had been used in a limited one-time project rather than as an ongoing feed. Questions also focused on artificial intelligence; Barry said KY Stats has not integrated AI but is exploring it cautiously because of privacy and security concerns. Several members encouraged further work with AI tools, while Barry emphasized that any use would need to protect confidentiality. The committee also discussed staffing and funding, with Barry saying KY Stats has about 49 total staff and annual funding of roughly $3.1 million in state general funds, plus federal labor-related funding. Committee members praised the agency’s work and suggested legislators may not fully understand its capabilities. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice Act task force, but with Justice Act task force, but with increasing<00:36:22.720><c> demands
• demands on those funds, we increasing demands on those funds, we must<00:36:24.880><c> act</c><00:36
• you know, they're already dealing with affirmative action, they're already dealing with prevailing wage
• <c> prevailing</c> they're already dealing with prevailing they're already dealing with prevailing wage
• They're already dealing with all wage.

Bills: HF2362 , HF2136 , HF1316 , HF2009 , HF1918 , HF1614

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, if you could just restate there's a rate increase and then a tax increase if I heard you
• First, the governor recommends an increase in our operating budget.
• Second, the bill also funds an increase in lieu of rent.
• increased by $500,000.
• With the support of the office, that increased to nine.

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will increase the qualified workforce in veterinary practices.
• It will increase access to care.
• That's true, unless we actually increase that.
• in wages and also more people wanting to enter the industry.
• By increasing demand and a generation... ...quality health care.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 28, 2026 minutes and held Senate Bill 1241 for a later hearing because a witness was unavailable. It then took up Senate Bill 1144, which would create an alternative pathway for veterinary technician certification through supervised on-the-job training and board-approved skills standards. Supporters, including the Arizona Humane Society, a high school student in a veterinary program, and other advocates, said the bill would help address workforce shortages, reduce student debt, and improve access to care, especially in rural and low-income areas. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and several veterinarians, argued the bill could weaken training standards, increase liability, and create safety risks; the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association ultimately moved to neutral after amendments added supervision and affidavit requirements. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1144 as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee next passed Senate Bill 1247 unanimously. That bill would allow a person who does not receive care services to live with a resident in an assisted living center, and would bar the Department of Health Services from imposing requirements on that person that the resident would not face. Supporters said the bill was needed to fix a recent agency interpretation that could force spouses or other companions to separate or pay for services they do not use, and noted a possible floor amendment to extend the same treatment to assisted living homes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1286, which would extend from 14 days to 60 days the period for veterinary prescriptions and renewals issued through telemedicine. Supporters said the change would improve access in underserved and rural areas and reflect how telemedicine is already used in human medicine, while opponents warned that longer telemedicine prescriptions could delay necessary exams and diagnostics, increase the risk of misdiagnosis, and create animal welfare and liability concerns. After testimony, the sponsor asked that the bill be held for a possible amendment next week, so no vote was taken. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1164, which would allow Medicaid claims to continue under a prior owner’s billing number during a skilled nursing or assisted living facility change of ownership until new enrollment is complete; supporters said this would prevent long reimbursement delays, while Access raised concerns about federal-law conflicts and said it needed advance notice to process ownership changes. The bill passed 6-0 with one member not voting. Finally, the committee passed Senate Bill 1181, which expands CPA licensure pathways by allowing combinations of degree and work experience and updates reciprocity and rulemaking provisions, and Senate Bill 1415, which creates a licensing path for salaried insurance adjusters with out-of-state credentials, subject to an amendment clarifying exam and employment requirements. Both bills were supported as workforce and mobility measures, and both were reported out of committee on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• some of the job creation and clean energy, which is a really growing sector that provides some high-wage
• And for an overburdened community like ours, it means more family-wage jobs and more investment back

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two bills. Senate Bill 5420 would expand access to state benefits and preferences for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses by adding the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps to various eligibility provisions, extending some employment preferences to military spouses, and updating related protections. Staff and the prime sponsor, Sen. John Lovick, described it as a long-worked-on measure that passed the Senate overwhelmingly. Tammy Pro of the Department of War supported the bill, saying it modernizes state law and better recognizes service members and military families. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, which would create a Washington State supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal port projects tied to freight mobility and supply chain performance. Sen. Marko Liias and port representatives testified in support, saying ports are critical to Washington’s trade-driven economy and that the bill would help fund needed infrastructure, including rail and terminal improvements, especially for smaller and rural ports. Testifiers said the program would fill a gap because ports lack a dedicated state grant program and could help leverage federal funding. An amendment to SB 5649 was explained as limiting eligible projects to those not already eligible for funding from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, to avoid duplication. The committee paused and later closed the hearing on SB 5649, then returned to SB 5420 to hear additional testimony. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended after the public hearings were closed.