Transcript Highlights:

• pollutants into the upper<00:08:42.959> atmosphere<00:08:43.440> to<00:08:43.599> block
• <00:08:43.919> sunlight<00:08:44.320> or upper atmosphere to block sunlight or upper
• atmosphere to block sunlight or modify<00:08:44.959> the<00:08:45.200> weather,<00:08:
• <00:15:04.880> Um,<00:15:05.519> that's level block sunlight.
• Um, that's level block sunlight.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 313, which would shorten the required notice a city must give a utility provider before a contract expires from 18 months to 6 months. The sponsor and Kentucky League of Cities representative said the change would better reflect current market conditions and reduce the risk of leaving either cities or providers in a bad financial position. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 60, the geoengineering ban. A committee substitute was adopted to add exemptions for ground-level agricultural activities and certain energy-related equipment, while keeping the bill’s core prohibition on spraying pollutants into the upper atmosphere to block sunlight or modify weather. Supporters described the bill as a preventive measure against future weather modification experiments, while members asked about enforcement, federal notice provisions, and whether cloud seeding or ordinary jet contrails would be affected. The sponsor said the bill targets high-altitude geoengineering, not normal aircraft exhaust, and that cloud seeding is banned. The bill, as amended, passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 397, as amended by House Committee Substitute 2, to protect trophy catfish. The substitute reduced penalties from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor and added $500 restitution per violation. The bill would prohibit transporting live trophy catfish, defined as 35 inches or longer, for commercial purposes except by boat, while exempting personal fishing, tournaments, festival events, and smaller fish. Supporters said the measure would protect a slow-growing natural resource and preserve catfish populations, and a Kentucky Waterways Alliance representative testified in support. Members asked about the Butler County catfish festival, statewide application, and special lower Ohio River licensing provisions; the sponsor said the festival would not be affected and the special licenses would be phased out. The bill passed with favorable expression, with one member passing to seek more information before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the largest group settings will be in what we call group homes, supported living, supported housing
• And, uh, you know, those will be groups of 4 or 5 people.
• Next we have Senator Block. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, Senator Block.
• Senator Block, um, is there any opposition? OK, seeing none, we have.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block. Senator Boone. Senator Brown. Senator Brantley. Senator Campos. Senator Cervantes.
• Senator Block, we need to clear the line of discussion, please.
• And development going north of there, is this group looking at any expansions for Double Eagle?
• Thank you, Senator Block. We have Senator Tobias in next. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Amendment sponsored by Senator Block. Senator Block to move the amendment. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the interest from physician groups, and, like, to adopt pharmacists into their groups?
• I provided a map in my testimony, and it’s not that far — we say a block, two blocks, three blocks; it
• I provided a map in my testimony, and it’s not that far — we say a block, two blocks, three blocks; it
• I provided a map in my testimony, and it’s not that far — we say a block, two blocks, three blocks; it
• I provided a map in my testimony, and it’s not that far — we say a block, two blocks, three blocks; it

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1046 SD1 on condominiums. Testimony on that bill focused on reserve funding and enforcement of reserve study requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would create hardship, confusion, and be difficult to administer, while also urging stronger penalties for boards that fail to comply with reserve study rules. The Real Estate Commission offered comments, and one testifier spoke in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 532 SD2 HD1 relating to the Department of Education, which would improve access to pre-approved medications for students with health conditions at school and during off-campus activities. The Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing and medical programs, and the Department of Education all supported the measure, with DOH suggesting amendments to better identify the correct student and improve medication safety. Members had no questions, and the bill moved on. Next was SB 1245 SD2 HD1 relating to pharmacists, a bill to allow reimbursement for clinical services pharmacists are already trained and licensed to provide. The University of Hawaiʻi, Board of Pharmacy, Walgreens, Mikai Drugs, and the Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association supported the bill, emphasizing improved access to care, recruitment and retention of pharmacists, and better chronic disease management. The Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association also discussed proposed amendments to prevent plans from denying coverage or network participation when pharmacists meet credentialing requirements. Members questioned whether insurers would actually use pharmacists and how the bill would affect pay and contracting; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 1279 SD2 HD1, another pharmacists bill focused on telepharmacy and 340B-related issues. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported it, saying telehealth could reduce costs and avoid travel for audits, while the Board of Pharmacy opposed it. Lānaʻi representatives opposed the bill and asked for an exemption, arguing the island already has close in-person access to a resident pharmacist and clinics. The Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association supported the measure, citing large patient savings from 340B pricing, while Mikai Drugs opposed it, arguing that mail-order and telepharmacy are not necessary on some islands and can create delivery and medication-safety problems. Members asked questions about insurer participation, scope of practice, and whether the bill would meaningfully change reimbursement; the transcript ends before any final action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so Texas is somewhat unique in this, allowing a small number of neighboring property owners to block
• Block the whole thing. That's the general gist of this bill.
• This one is unique in that it is supported by many groups, and this is supported by the Texas Municipal
• We could go through a long list of friends of everyone on this floor— a diverse group of stakeholders
• the City Council still has to approve it, but what we are changing is letting one or two landowners block

Bills: SJR85, SCR29, SCR38, SCR42, SB23, SB39, SB209, SB227, SB240, SB330, SB527, SB584, SB618, SB619, SB636, SB663, SB715, SB732, SB758, SB801, SB825, SB826, SB843, SB844, SB847, SB870, SB884, SB912, SB957, SB1013, SB1020, SB1065, SB1143, SB1152, SB1164, SB1183, SB1257, SB1299, SB1325, SB1349, SB1413, SB1455, SB1539, SB1558, SB1574, SB1583, SB1624, SB1642, SB1643, SB1667, SB1717, SB1718, SB1727, SB1734, SB1756, SB1757, SB1784, SB1789, SB1832, SB1868, SB1870, SB1883, SB1896, SB1920, SB1924, SB1963, SB2010, SB2018, SB2024, SB2037, SB2052, SB2073, SB2111, SB2161, SB2196, SB2207, SB2253, SB2268, SB2322, SB2323, SB2332, SB2349, SB2371, SB2533, SB2570, SB2601, SB2626, SB2692, SB2705, SB2717, SB2774, SB2788, SB2877, SB2920, SB2, SB260, SB1786, SB1, HJR4, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR85, SJR84, SCR12, SCR39, SCR38, SCR42, SCR29, SCR4, SCR18, SCR43, SCR46, SB2023, SB825, SB2010, SB1870, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB1505, SB583, SB957, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1349, SB1433, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB618, SB393, SB1791, SB826, SB1257, SB870, SB529, SB209, SB1883, SB2024, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1860, SB2037, SB1924, SB2253, SB2018, SB2206, SB1963, SB1643, SB1299, SB841, SB668, SB584, SB1085, SB2431, SB1490, SB1868, SB2314, SB434, SB2046, SB1667, SB1727, SB2127, SB1975, SB1760, SB1734, SB1335, SB2246, SB2439, SB1624, SB1244, SB1468, SB2717, SB1612, SB1262, SB604, SB2395, SB1832, SB1745, SB1746, SB2207, SB1784, SB1524, SB528, SB437, SB269, SB1137, SB968, SB636, SB747, SB1325, SB1789, SB1455, SB2056, SB1940, SB2052, SB1579, SB2068, SB3034, SB844, SB1920, SB1558, SB1236, SB1044, SB884, SB463, SB227, SB240, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB1717, SB2141, SB2323, SB2200, SB2332, SB2199, SB1642, SB1757, SB2050, SB1138, SB2626, SB2458, SB1864, SB2201, SB1862, SB1583, SB1055, SB2660, SB1898, SB2662, SB2161, SB2964, SB2881, SB1065, SB801, SB2743, SB2533, SB1413, SB2073, SB3014, SB3013, SB2774, SB2702, SB2629, SB2443, SB2349, SB2167, SB2145, SB2121, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB438, SB1721, SB2268, SB1495, SB2705, SB2366, SB1422, SB1369, SB1013, SB682, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB1896, SB1164, SB1020, SB663, SB2371, SB1152, SB2196, SB2383, SB2581, SB2798, SB330, SB646, SB843, SB1998, SB1418, SB2788, SB1169, SB2873, SB1754, SB1534, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1143, SB1756, SB912, SB2119, SB2032, SB527, SB1580, SB1952, SB2601, SB2322, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB407, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB3031, SB2877, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1183, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB2117, SB715, SB2330, SB1964, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB39, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2658, SB1574, SB2900, SB23, SB2753, SB2398, SB401, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB2031, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, HB135, HB1109, SCR48, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666

Keywords: Texas constitutional amendment, property tax relief, school district taxes, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, elderly homeowners, senior citizens, disabled homeowners, age 65 or older, school finance, tax exemption increase, local school taxes, property tax exemption, homestead tax relief, voter approval, school district revenue, tax rollback, disabled persons exemption, El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:03.280> chat<00:35:03.920> and going to pop it in a group chat and going to
• Shannon joined the group after attending a fireside chat about school safety in her community.
• Hail Jenner and Block and Perkins Coyle<00:48:14.800> continue<00:48:15.440> to<00:48:
• <02:43:56.880> nationwide another bill um to block nationwide another bill um to block nationwide
• are using this vote to block are using this vote to block Representative<03:30:51.840> Luna

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call up items 2, 3, 4, 18, and 19, and I'll call those up in block.
• I would like to call up in block items 5 through 16.
• And then I will go through items 20 through 40 and call those up in block.
• Does any member wish to have any of these resolutions set aside and not in the block?
• We will take those up in block. Does that conclude your explanation, gentlemen? >> Yes, sir.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer led by Pastor Darren Leech, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After confirming a quorum, the chamber dispensed with reading the journal and handled routine introductions. Members welcomed several guests in the galleries, including Mick Bulock of NCSL and multiple youth and community groups. The House also recognized Pastor Leech’s remarks about public service and stewardship. A series of congratulatory resolutions were taken up and adopted, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. These included resolutions honoring Derek Hall for winning Super Bowl 60 with the Seattle Seahawks, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars cross country and softball teams for state championships, and other special recognitions. The House also adopted STR 536 and several additional resolutions from the rules calendar, with votes reported at 118 yeas, 0 nays on multiple items. On the conference calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1150, which merged the engineers and surveying boards, added an exception so title attorneys were not affected, and changed board member terms from six years to four years. The concurrence motion passed 122 yeas, 0 nays. The House also adopted a conference report on item 60 related to state security operations center language, removing a reverse repealer, by a vote of 117 yeas, 0 nays. Later, members continued introducing guests and honoring school groups, including the Winston Academy football team for its state championship, the Jeff Davis County Mayor’s Youth Council, Columbus High School’s boys basketball team and Mr. Basketball honoree Michael Hood Jr., Heritage Christian Academy, and Mississippi State basketball player Josh Huard, who was recognized for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Award. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the next day, with the journal left open until the last conference report is filed.

Transcript Highlights:

• ANY OF THE 127 APPOINTEES LISTED ON THE BLOCK TAKEN UP SEPARATELY IN THE VOTE.
• THAT IS WHERE THE APPOINTEES ARE LISTED IN BLOCKS. YOU CAN SEE THE NAMES LISTED THERE.
• ARE THERE ANY APPEARANCE FORMS ON ANY OF THE NOMINEES WHO ARE ON BLOCKS? MR.
• BILL SNYDER ARE YOU SPEAKING FOR OR AGAINST ANY OF THE APPOINTEES WERE LISTED ON THE BLOCK?
• I HAVE BEEN BUILDING TO THIS AND I HOPE I CAN BRING EXPERTISE TO THE GROUP.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sadly, I walked three blocks, but Marquise Mason, California, and I'm on a voter's strong support.
• Anne West from San Bruno, California, and the California Clean Money Group, in strong support.
• Patchwin, Oakland, Montclair Presbyterian Church, Democracy Steady Group, strong support.
• But far more often, big money in politics is blocking legislation.
• We've blocked a local government from saying, 'We think we can do it.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up eight agenda items, including four consent bills. The committee first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 280, SB 621, SB 851, and SB 852, all moving forward without objection. The committee then heard several bills from Senator Umberg focused on election administration and campaign finance, along with SB 408 on voter-roll maintenance. SB 249 would require county board of education elections to be consolidated with the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, argued this would increase turnout and make those elections more representative; opponents, including Orange County education officials, argued it would override local control, increase costs, and add ballot fatigue. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Education. SB 398 would make it a crime to pay or offer contingent payments or other valuable consideration to induce voting or voter registration, closing what supporters described as a loophole involving lotteries and incentives. It passed 5-0 as amended and was re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 42 would remove the state ban on public financing for campaigns in general law cities and counties, allowing local voters to decide whether to adopt such systems. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and many local advocates said it would broaden participation and reduce the influence of big money; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer funding, guardrails, and local oversight. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 408 would require election officials to use U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data to help maintain voter rolls; supporters said it would improve accuracy and trust in elections, while one commenter questioned reliance on postal data. The bill passed unanimously 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining roll calls and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allegedly, Facebook also built censorship tools to block certain content from Chinese users, according
• Was there any pressure to block his account? account. The General Counsel, Mr. Stretch, no senator.
• Here's a reading, here's a readout. of a group of Facebook engineers offering to create a censorship
• regime that will allow Facebook to block all traffic the Chinese Communist Party doesn't. want.
• We identify all traffic that are currently blocked in China and we, Facebook, block them.

Keywords: Meta, Facebook, whistleblower, regulation, China, user data, artificial intelligence, testimony, Congress

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism focused on oversight of Meta's foreign relations and representations to Congress. An essential witness, Sarah Wynne-Williams, a former executive at Facebook, provided testimony outlining significant concerns about the company's practices and its complicity in aiding oppressive regimes. The atmosphere was charged, with ongoing debates about the regulation of big tech companies and the ethical implications of their policies. The committee explored topics such as user data management, whistleblower retaliation, and the need for legislative measures to protect users and enhance accountability in the tech sector. A notable point of contention was Facebook's alleged cooperation with the Chinese government regarding the dissemination of user data and AI tools, leading to serious ethical implications.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block, thank you, Mr. Chair, and congratulations, Carrie, on this.
• Chair, Senator Block, thank you for the question.
• and sort of what Senator Block was saying, maybe in the IT realm.
• Thank you very much, Senator Block. Thank you, Madam. Chair.
• Senator Block, aye. Senator Brantley, yes.

Bills: SM13, SM14

Keywords: land grant, Las Vegas, governance, self-governance, judicial management, forced sterilization, coerced sterilization, Indigenous women, Native American women, women of color, reproductive justice, reproductive sovereignty, truth and reconciliation commission, memorial, trauma-informed care, reparative justice, human rights, bodily autonomy, Indian Health Service, Indian affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:49.680> it the state of Hawaii to try to block it the state of Hawaii to try to block
• <00:07:31.759> well<00:07:31.919> as<00:07:32.639> um block group program cuts
• as well as um block group program cuts as well as um dismantling<00:07:33.360> the<00:07:33.599
• That's a much more discreet group.
• That's a much more discreet group.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:15.680> It protesters from blocking entrance?"
• It protesters from blocking entrance?"
• Um, or, um, in support, um, referencing the employer groups.
• What's new is the civil remedy that these employer groups, these hospital employer groups, can now wield
• , these hospital employer employer groups, these hospital employer groups,<00:54:59.920> can<00

Bills: SCR96, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166, SCR182, SCR7, SCR59, SCR58, SCR60, SCR89, SCR184, SCR11, HB2296, HB2315, HB2343

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience, energy analysis, cost reduction, financial risk, Hawaii PUC, energy self-sufficiency, natural gas, energy transition, ratepayer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:47.760> move those group for that group to move those group for that group to move
• <00:28:45.440> who finally, there's that last group who finally, there's that last group who
• Now I will say that kind of group.
• So this is the group um I will psych.
• talks about screening at the cell block talks about screening at the cell block before<01:19:03.600

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The briefing focused on the Hawaii State Hospital’s overcrowding, construction defects in the new addition, and how Act 26 and related court-ordered processes are affecting admissions and discharges. The chair said the hospital has become increasingly forensic-focused, has lost beds after the closure of Kahimohala, and may face further costs and possible litigation over the defective addition. Hospital and Department of Health officials said they are working with the attorney general and contractors on repairs, and that the hospital is currently using all 292 licensed beds, including 13 waiver beds, while average daily census last fiscal year was 376. Officials explained that the high census is driven by both increased admissions and discharge barriers. They said the loss of Kahimohala returned patients to the state hospital, and that Act 26-related petty misdemeanor cases are contributing to admissions. They also said limited lower-level placement options delay discharges. Hospital staff reported that many patients are repeat admissions, about 22% were unhoused before admission, and a significant share are in categories such as fitness-to-proceed evaluations and conditional-release violations. They said these groups could potentially be reduced if evaluations were done elsewhere and if more community or supportive housing were available. The chair and senators questioned whether some fitness-to-proceed detainees need to be held at the state hospital at all, and whether the Clark consent order requires transfer to the hospital. The attorney general’s office said the Clark injunction does not govern unfitness-to-proceed cases; instead, the requirement comes from state statute, and the statute could be changed. Director Johnson said DCR cannot keep such detainees because the court orders them into the custody of the Department of Health, and the department cannot provide the needed therapeutic level of care in a correctional setting. The discussion also emphasized co-occurring substance use and mental illness, especially among petty misdemeanor defendants, and the need for supportive housing and a decompression plan to reduce readmissions and free beds for civil commitments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I understand why the committee's interested in the working group.
• Association, perhaps others, who recommended the JAC working group position.
• And you can see on line 6 through 8, the working group left a blank there.
• And of course, the working group did not take any action.
• When those building blocks are in place, Wyoming wins.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this group right here has done a great job.
• Chairperson Charlie and Senator Block, yes.
• Chairperson Charlie and Senator Block, yes.
• Senator Block, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Thank you, Senator Block.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments on block offered pursuant to this section shall be considered as read.
• Amendments on block described in section Amendments on block described in section 8 of this resolution
• Amendments on block offered pursuant to this section shall be considered as read.
• Before the Affordable Care Act went into place, UnitedHealth Group was trading at $28 a share.
• I can tell you my local hospital has about $15 million outstanding with UnitedHealth Group.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So these folks are the ones who are recommending how that block of votes is to be voted on, and most
• of votes is to be how those that block of votes is to be uh<00:24:52.760> voted<00:24:53.120>
• Financial Working Group created by the Financial Services Committee in Congress, that has identified
• Financial Working Group created by the Financial Services Committee in Congress, that has identified
• Financial um the workg group created by Financial um the workg group created by the<00:31:38.120>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:17 Attendance Roll Call: 00:41 Approval of Minutes: 02:40 HB 694: 03:16 SB 183: 18:32 Discussion on PPOB Membership: 36:10 Adjournment: 42:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its January 27 meeting and then took up House Bill 694, which would create a default rule for the Teachers’ Retirement System health insurance trust fund once it reaches 100% funding, currently anticipated around 2027. The bill would redirect two funding streams now going to the health trust—state payments on behalf of local districts and other employer contributions—into TRS pension benefits if the health fund reaches and maintains full funding. The sponsor said this would add about $154 million annually to TRS pensions and would only serve as a default if no other plan is adopted later. Members asked whether the bill would shift the unfunded liability to teachers or affect employee contributions. The sponsor and staff said it would not shift liability to teachers and would not change the employee contribution; only the employer-side payments would be redirected. Several members asked about the meaning of actuarial 100% funding, whether the fund could fall back below 100%, and whether employee contributions might be reduced in the future. The sponsor said the bill is based on actuarial projections, would revert the money back to the health trust if funding fell below 100%, and does not prevent future legislative or board action. Senator Higdon and others spoke in support of discussing the issue, noting the 2010 shared-responsibility changes and the need for a default approach as full funding is reached. The committee then heard Senate Bill 183, which would amend Kentucky law governing proxy advisers used by retirement systems. The sponsor said the bill would require proxy advisers, when handling shareholder-sponsored proposals, to act solely in the interest of retirement system members and beneficiaries and to provide an economic analysis when voting against a company board’s recommendation. He argued the measure is aimed at proxy advisers such as ISS and Glass Lewis, which he said often advance ESG-related proposals not tied to shareholder value. A guest from APCIA said the bill is meant to distinguish proxy advisers from investment managers and to strengthen the 2023 law by requiring a clearer economic justification for votes that depart from board recommendations. Members asked how proxy advisers differ from other financial advisers, whether Kentucky uses them, and whether the bill would prevent pension funds from investing in companies with ESG factors if those investments are profitable. The sponsor and guest said the bill would not bar such investments; it is intended to regulate proxy voting recommendations, not investment decisions. They described the bill as a proactive measure to reinforce fiduciary responsibility and limit outside proxy influence on pension voting. No final vote on either bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I was we permits blocking streets.
• It's illegal to block the street, it's illegal to block the sidewalk. Okay.
• > street, illegal to block the street, illegal to block the street, >> right?
• <01:19:00.400> of specific and very dangerous group of specific and very dangerous group of
• Victims were invoked, and I don't know that any victim advocacy groups were consulted here.

Bills: HF1567, HF2809, HF3380

Keywords: public safety officer, peace officer, correctional officer, law enforcement, police privacy, officer safety, doxxing, personal information, data privacy, government data practices, private data, internet posting, online disclosure, residential address, phone number, email address, family member protection, child safety, school information, public records

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, you know, with our mental health block grant...
• Are these grants or contracts with vendors or training-specific groups? Yes. Okay. Sorry.
• I believe it's a formula for the block grant that's applied to all 50 states.
• It is driven by a block grant, and it is distributed.
• by a block grant, and it is distributed.

Summary: The committee heard a series of Arkansas Department of Human Services budget presentations and questions, beginning with the Secretary’s Office and then the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Staff described the divisions’ appropriations, funding sources, and major programs, including senior centers, Meals on Wheels, mental health grants, substance abuse treatment, community alcohol safety, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, and crisis stabilization units. Members raised concerns about flat or limited funding for senior services, the use and tracing of federal block grants, the lack of a funding source for the veterans’ mental health grant, and the mechanics of the community alcohol safety and treatment programs. The committee also discussed patient benefits funds at state facilities, transportation for senior center clients, and whether some special-language appropriations or fund balances should be revisited. Executive recommendations were adopted for the divisions considered. The committee then reviewed the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of County Operations. Questions focused on foster care growth, adoption subsidies, professional fees tied to staff training and onboarding, vacancies, the Children’s Trust Fund, and TANF subgrants. Members asked about the reduction or elimination of TANF funding to child advocacy centers and other subgrantees, and DHS explained that prior reserves had been spent down and that the department was now trying to live within the annual TANF block grant and rebuild reserves. County operations questions also covered summer EBT, SNAP employment and training, the farmers’ market program, and the expected impact of a federal SNAP administrative match change, which DHS estimated would increase state costs by about $24 million annually, with roughly $18 million affecting the current year because the change begins October 1. Executive recommendations were again adopted. Finally, the committee heard from the Division of Developmental Disability Services and the Division of Medical Services. DDS testimony covered vacancies, staffing shortages, human development center construction and repairs, the reopening of the Boonville work training program, and funding for infant infirmary and child/family life programs. Medical Services testimony covered the Medicaid program, the current FMAP rate, the Our Kids B CHIP program, Medicaid payments to schools, nursing home distress funding, and large appropriation lines used to provide flexibility for claims and potential facility closures. Members asked for more detail on school Medicaid payments, reserve balances, and why some appropriations were much larger than actual spending. In each division, the committee moved and adopted Executive REC after questions concluded.