Video & Transcript Research : 'bulk purchasing'
Page 182 of 393
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One of those dealers sold eight guns to a single straw purchaser in one and a half months.
- One of those guns was seized less than 24 hours after purchase from a five-time convicted felon.
- Purchases, detecting firearm trafficking indicators, and recognizing signs of self-harm risk.
- Stopping straw purchases, stopping guns in the hands of a bad guy is not a pro-Second Amendment versus
- We agree that straw purchases should not be made.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Mar 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- One, ACA would be required to employ the most cost-effective purchasing practices and negotiate rebates
- The bill creates a tax refund mechanism for state universities for tangible personal property purchases
- Section 14 ensures that products with these kinds of built-in features are not purchased with state funds
- We had one, thankfully, we had a little bit of one stakeholder. are not purchased with state funds or
- The bill prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, and prohibits
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings.
The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably.
The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel and Public Retirement (7-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Just take the school district alone, Jefferson County, JCPS, they purchased $24 million in food a year
- They only purchase about $900,000 in local purchases of protein or produce from the school district.
- of about $900,000 in local purchases of protein<00:45:37.119>
or <00:45:37.359>produce - He continued that many cases involve farmland being purchased or becoming out of reach for agriculture
- purchase locally nutritious food. purchase locally nutritious food.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:15
Office of the Secretary of State 00:01:59
Office of the Attorney General 00:12:40
Department of Agriculture 00:22:44, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process.
Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work.
Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/22/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- because So there's a small loophole which like Aerrol they have enough land they don't want to purchase
- Um, but this is not the case for these purchases. Okay. I have a question.
- . purchases. purchases.
- Also with leases, um, you sometimes have balloon payments at the end if you want to choose to purchase
- Also with leases, um, you sometimes have balloon payments at the end if you want to choose to purchase
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 12, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- Development Corporation for the purchase Development Corporation for the purchase of<00:30:28.480
- We want to prevent this parcel, which is about 146 acres, from being purchased from somebody who may
- We support the state purchasing large tracts of ag land, as you heard Director Gaty, to offer it up in
- We support the state purchasing large tracts of ag land, as you heard Director Gaty, to offer it
- this and give it to the and purchase this and give it to the small<00:34:29.079>
farmers <00:34
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm not saying anybody would even purchase it, but I think giving an option and setting up the framework
- to allow them to purchase it.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm not saying anybody would even purchase it, but I think giving an option and setting up the framework
- to allow them to purchase it.
Summary:
The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 20, confirmed a quorum, and approved the May 13 minutes. The first bill heard was House Bill 591, which would create the Paid Family Leave Insurance Act as a voluntary private-market insurance option for employers, with no mandate, state program, or taxpayer cost. Senator Bass presented the bill, offered technical amendments, and after brief questions about why the framework was needed, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments.
The committee then took up House Bill 76, dealing with coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications. Representative Amy Freeman and former Representative Julie Stokes explained that the bill updates Louisiana’s oral chemotherapy coverage law, which had not been revised since 2012, and addresses insurer rejection of newer oral cancer drugs. They also explained Amendment Set 4063, which was intended to restore the bill to the proper posture after changes made in the Appropriations Committee and to prohibit copayment adjustment programs such as accumulator or maximizer programs from reducing credit for manufacturer assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Senator Bass raised a concern about prior authorization language and possible ERISA litigation, and department staff responded that the bill would not alter ERISA enforceability and that the fiscal note already reflected about $67,000 in OGB costs.
After the amendments were adopted, Senator Bass moved to report HB 76 favorably with amendments, and the committee did so without opposition. Senator Carter thanked the bill authors for their advocacy on cancer-related issues and offered to help during the interim. The committee then adjourned.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development - 02/10/2026
Housing, Construction, and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- First Home Savings Program, which authorizes first-time homebuyers to establish savings accounts to purchase
- Private Housing Finance Law in relation to subsidizing closing costs for low-income tenants who are purchasing
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development met on February 10 and reviewed a largely recurring housing agenda, with the chair noting the meeting had been moved to Tuesday because of train delays and that a housing budget hearing was scheduled for February 25. Several bills were taken up that had passed the Senate in prior sessions or had been reported before, including measures on manufactured home park rent increases, first-home savings and grant programs, a mobile/manufactured home replacement program, closing-cost assistance for low-income tenants, protections against eviction for certified medical marijuana use, senior and disabled persons protections, fire code and housing standard penalties, a Manufactured Home Community Preservation Act, a public housing painters apprenticeship program, veterans with service-related disabilities receiving preferences in affordable homeownership programs, and a senior housing task force. One bill on an affordable independent senior housing assistance program was held at the sponsor’s request.
Testimony and discussion were limited, with most bills moving on sponsor motions and seconded by other senators. There was brief clarification on the closing-cost assistance bill that it was intended for renters in public or subsidized housing, not people living with parents. Senators generally supported the measures, though some members voted in the negative or to advance without recommendation on several bills.
Actions taken included reporting multiple bills either to the floor or to the Finance Committee. Among those reported to the floor were the manufactured home park rent bill, the medical marijuana eviction protection bill, the senior/disabled persons bill, the fire code and housing standards penalties bill, the veterans homeownership preference bill, and the senior housing task force bill. Bills on first-home savings, manufactured home replacement, closing-cost assistance, the first-home grant program, the Manufactured Home Community Preservation Act, and the public housing painters apprenticeship program were reported to the Finance Committee. The committee then adjourned.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 10 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- purchasing purchasing this<01:11:19.600>
software <01:11:20.160>as <01:11:20.280>a< - They do not purchase a thing.
- They do not purchase a thing.
- It doesn't loosen purchase limitations or weaken any oversight.
- It doesn't loosen purchase access.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, received the invocation and pledge, and then dispensed with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests and pages were introduced, including junior pages, a doctor of the day, Farm Bureau representatives, and other visitors in the galleries. The chamber also recognized a birthday and welcomed a House member to the Senate.
On the calendar, the Senate took up several bills and mostly adopted strike-all amendments before passing them, often by morning roll call. These included HB 1646, which increased disaster trust fund transfer limits for declared and non-declared disasters; HB 1649, which authorized additional state fund transfers for Main Street revitalization projects and increased the total authorized expenditure; HB 1653, which kept a local improvements project fund bill alive for possible repurposing of funds, including a Mississippi Valley State residence hall project; and HB 669, which allowed patrons to bring wine into licensed premises with a corkage fee and changed wine shipment reporting from quarterly to semiannual. HB 1620 created an economic zone around the Chevron refinery in Jackson County, and HB 2787 changed school district gas-piping inspection requirements from annual testing to a two-year cycle, with funding support from gas companies.
The Senate also handled several concurrence and conference motions on House and Senate bills, including SB 2263 on probable-cause requirements for Marine Resources officers boarding or stopping vessels, SB 2524 establishing the Postsecondary Attainment Council, and SB 2597 involving the ABC warehouse transfer in Madison County, with the chamber choosing not to concur and to invite conference on those items. SB 2368 made technical changes to the higher education legislative plan grant program, and SB 2526 on the Rural Water Oversight Committee returned with changes removing a reverse repealer and shifting administration of some duties to a nonprofit using rural water revolving loan funds. The Senate also tabled motions to reconsider on some items, and one nomination-related motion drew extended remarks about the role of the capital post-conviction counsel office and respect for crime victims.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (01/13/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The rate is $1.50, but that's going to be split: 75 cents is the obligation of the purchaser, and 75
- The rate is $1.50, but that's going to be split: 75 cents is the obligation of the purchaser, and 75
- <00:50:11.119>
a purchase a purchase a home<00:50:12.960>this <00:50:13.839>um < - Modern pricing and purchasing trends for wireless communications.
- taxable um modern pricing and purchasing taxable um modern pricing and purchasing trends<01:33:25.679
Summary:
The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund.
The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance.
Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected.
Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 12/17/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:40:33.760>
a defendant just recently purchased a defendant just recently purchased a fourth - And he used that new name to purchase the homes that are operated in an assisted living facility
- One of the homes purchased in that setting for that facility was purchased using the same LLC that he's
- <01:41:16.960>
in <01:41:17.280>that One of the homes purchased in that One of the - <01:41:20.080>
was <01:41:20.639>purchased setting for that facility was purchased
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 2 - 05/18/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We increased funding to meat processing grants, and we dedicated funding to purchasing milk from food
- We had $18 million cut through the local food purchasing assistance program, and in this bill we find
- In the last biennium, in fact, I think even two years ago, 13,000 acres was purchased outright.
- Over half of that was turned over after it was purchased by either the state or nonprofits.
- <02:07:14.400>
that or you know any land purchases that or you know any land purchases that
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- or things intended like that, highlighters, poster boards—pretty much anything that parents are purchasing
- I learned parents are purchasing I learned recently<00:46:10.480>
that <00:46:11.200>about - Senator Coleman, the sales tax exemption would apply to everyone making these purchases.
- to everyone making these purchases to everyone making these purchases I<00:53:57.280>
mean - these items are not included purchasing these items are not included in<00:55:13.520>
this <00
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy.(7-2-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- It's for the purchase.
- But, uh, it's kind of bothering me that natural gas is flat lined as a cost to purchase.
- So I can purchase them off. That's all that I'm looking for to see if there's a pattern.
- any of these packages to put purchased any of these packages to put in<01:12:17.000>
different - So, FEMA per se doesn't necessarily purchase these systems.
Bills:
SB8
Keywords:
utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51
Approval of Minutes 00:02:07
Legislator Comments 00:02:18
LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19
PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18
WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- In the two cases identified above, the two horse owners purchased a horse from another individual but
- Per administrative code, the purchaser of a horse is required to have all the paperwork submitted and
- For the Ray Richards golf course, we reviewed the expenses, transfers, and purchase card expenses to
- And that would be a school policy, again, to choose if they're not going to let kids purchase if they
- Political subdivisions are free to purchase coverage from the NDIRF, self-insure on their own, or purchase
Summary:
The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses.
Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself.
The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings.
The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26 - Evening Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesotans know it makes sense to eliminate middlemen in the purchase of goods and services, especially
- <01:08:34.160>
of eliminate middlemen in the purchase of eliminate middlemen in the purchase - In the same way that it includes the other county-based purchasing that counties are really important
- <01:37:13.480>
that <01:37:13.720>counties <01:37:14.480>are based purchasing - that counties are based purchasing that counties are really<01:37:14.960>
important <01:37:15.520
Summary:
The committee first took up House File 3939, a bill to support a Helping Paws service-dog litter named in honor of Gilbert and the Hortman family. Testimony from Helping Paws and service-dog graduate Angie Foley described the organization’s work, the significance of the “Guided by Gilbert” litter, and how the funding would help train dogs that provide independence and support to people with disabilities, veterans, and others. Members from both parties spoke warmly about Speaker Hortman’s connection to the organization and Gilbert, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
The committee then considered House File 3769, the Department of Corrections’ technical omnibus bill, with an A1 amendment adopted to clarify tuberculosis testing language. The bill updates TB screening procedures in correctional facilities, including how refusals are handled, and adds Quantiferon Gold Plus testing as an option alongside existing methods. Members discussed whether the bill would create costs for counties and jails, with some noting added testing and segregation costs and others arguing the changes would improve accuracy and reduce time in restrictive housing. The bill, as amended, was recommended to the general register.
House File 3978 was next, a technical cleanup bill for a provider wellness program created last year. The bill expands eligibility and confidentiality protections from physicians to all health care providers, while supporters said the program is meant to address burnout and mental health strain in the workforce and does not require new money. Some members questioned whether the change was redundant or would broaden the program without additional funding, but the Minnesota Medical Association testified that the program is separate from insurance and was intended to serve all providers. The bill was recommended to the general register.
Finally, the committee began House File 3476, which Rep. Liebling described as a cleanup bill related to Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care system and public program oversight. She argued that the state spends billions through managed care organizations and that the system has never been proven better than direct payment, setting up a broader discussion of the bill’s purpose and the state’s oversight of public health care spending.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- The reason for this is that it seems like limiting SNAP purchases to unhealthy items.
- you know, like limiting SNAP purchases you know, like limiting SNAP purchases to<00:30:18.760>
- other options to improve the health of our communities, things like the bucks, incentivizing the purchase
- other options to improve the health of our communities, things like the bucks, incentivizing the purchase
- <00:36:57.920>
to <00:36:58.240>restrict <00:36:58.800>the <00:36:58.920>purchase
Keywords:
HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction
Summary:
The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing.
The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (1-28-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- $100 million, to help those who have lost some of those additional federal tax credits when they purchased
- $100 million, to help those who have lost some of those additional federal tax credits when they purchased
- $100 million, to help those who have lost some of those additional federal tax credits when they purchased
- $100 million, to help those who have lost some of those additional federal tax credits when they purchased
- $100 million, to help those who have lost some of those additional federal tax credits when they purchased
Summary:
The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations.
Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities.
He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- to ensure that we have the monitoring tools or that it comes with the monitoring tool, or that we purchase
- And so I'll let Chad elaborate because he is the one who procures and purchases those monitoring tools
- And so I'll let Chad elaborate because he is the one who procures and purchases those monitoring tools
- the monitoring tool so that we purchase the monitoring tool so that<01:29:40.840>
we <01:29:40.960 - is the one who procures and purchases is the one who procures and purchases those<01:29:55.840><
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- , lease purchases, and leases.
- , lease purchases, and leases.
- What are we doing from the time of purchase, or how the trash is getting into the stream?
- You use the word to pay debts, but as you're understanding, it can also be used for purchases as well
- It can also be used for purchases as well. Senator Rodriguez. Thank you, Mr. President.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions recognizing interns, guests, and advocates. The Rules Chair added CS for CS for SB 622 to the special order calendar, and SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills when the measures were identical or nearly identical.
The Senate passed SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, requiring DEP to develop a recycling and waste diversion roadmap by 2026; SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking, after adopting amendments related to mitigation credit use and former phosphate mine lands; and SB 494/HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, which increases sentencing consequences and creates a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, with an amendment clarifying the database language. The Senate also passed SB 500/HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, SB 524/HB 1089 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 592/HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education, SB 936/HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, and SB 1156 on a home health aid program for medically fragile children. Most of these bills were adopted after brief sponsor explanations, questions, and in some cases amendments or House-substitute motions.
Debate centered on several policy issues. Senators raised concerns about the constitutional and environmental implications of mitigation banking credits in SB 492, the scope and privacy implications of the animal abuse database in SB 494, the funding and eligibility details of the condo resilience program in SB 592, and the public-school/charter-school balance in SB 822, which drew extensive questioning about enrollment, governance, discipline, accountability, and data sharing before being placed on the third-reading calendar after amendments. The Spectrum Alert bill drew support from members who compared it to the Purple Alert and emphasized the risks faced by children with ASD. The medically fragile children home health aid bill also drew strong support, with senators describing it as a long-needed fix to help families provide in-home care without losing Medicaid coverage. Votes on the measures reported in the transcript were overwhelmingly favorable, with bills passing by margins such as 38-0, 35-3, 37-0, 36-0, and 35-0.