Transcript Highlights:

• First off, and I'll just really be brief, we actually support the idea of carefully evaluating and...
• and appreciates the work of BNSF and others who were advancing the idea of expanding commuter rail.
• He said the idea of exploring bus service is not to completely replicate the Northstar schedule, but
• as to um what the you give us an idea as to um what the future<01:11:00.960> is<01:11:01.640>
• <01:25:33.920> ifin payback period um I like the idea ifin payback period um I like the idea

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, it might be a good idea, but I've been around this place long enough to know that good ideas
• I speak against ideas that would penalize people for protecting these relatives.
• I speak against ideas that would penalize people for protecting these relatives.
• against ideas that would penalize<00:36:58.760> people<00:36:59.040> for<00:36:59.319>
• We all agreed that was a good idea, and so what I don’t want is this to be used as a tool to sort of

Bills: HF7

Keywords: public safety, criminal justice, sentencing guidelines, Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, public sentencing database, felony dismissals, prosecutor reporting, bail notice, bond posting, law enforcement data, arrest data, public records, sex trafficking, human trafficking, mandatory minimum sentence, peace officer assault, police assault, fleeing police, vehicular flight, stolen motor vehicle

Transcript Highlights:

• Why he chose to be a lawyer over a professional baseball player, I have no idea.
• but anyway uh uh Brian is have no idea but anyway uh uh Brian is from<00:15:02.440> PL<00:15:
• I didn't have any idea before we started that conversation, and we realized that that's kind of the dam
• of the issues I've got a um a broad idea of the issues that<00:34:24.040> are<00:34:24.240>
• To give you an idea of all the different—it’s not just one thing, right?

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, with that community, we've been exploring the idea of converting that property from a leasehold
• What is the intent going forward with this idea?
• Can you explain, in your idea though, what are your thoughts on the root causes of expensive housing?
• Thank you, Chair, and just want to start off by thanking you for having this hearing on this idea.
• of our talents and innovative ideas of our talents and innovative ideas together<01:34:57.199>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very quickly, what I’ll be doing is talking about the purpose and history of the report, the idea of
• of<00:10:45.079> what<00:10:45.200> a<00:10:45.399> tax report uh the idea
• of what a tax report uh the idea of what a tax expenditure<00:10:46.399> is<00:10:47.200>
• So their work will be more in the leading to potentially ideas for changes or enhancements or repeal.
• in the uh leading to potentially ideas in the uh leading to potentially ideas for<00:37:48.640><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, we had the bright idea, why don't we have a Hispanic-only uh Community Police Academy?
• So, uh, we had the bright idea, why don't we have a Hispanic-only Community Police Academy?
• I mean, I have no idea what it costs.
• c><00:50:20.440> if idea what it costs.
• I have no idea if idea what it costs.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity convened its first meeting of the 2026 interim, established a quorum, and introduced staff and a summer student intern. The chair explained that the commission’s first topic would be crime, public safety, violence prevention, and mentoring, and invited the police chiefs of Lexington, Louisville, and Bowling Green to discuss how the legislature could help them do their jobs more effectively. The chiefs described a shift in policing from a more enforcement-only approach to community policing built on relationships, trust, and prevention. They said community engagement and mentorship are central to reducing violence, and cited examples such as community engagement teams, youth programs, and efforts to build trust through regular presence in neighborhoods. Louisville’s chief said the department’s community engagement work has helped improve homicide solvability, while Bowling Green’s chief emphasized that juvenile crime and stolen guns are major concerns and that the state cannot arrest its way out of the problem. All three stressed that policing depends on cooperation with residents, prosecutors, and courts. Members then asked about recruiting officers who reflect the communities they serve. The chiefs said successful recruitment depends on personal relationships, officers serving as ambassadors, and reaching people through community presence rather than only traditional ads. Bowling Green described junior police academy and cadet programs that begin with youth and often lead to hiring, while Lexington said it uses social media, a community police academy, and outreach to keep local residents in the profession. They also said character matters more than background and that officers should be embedded in the neighborhoods they serve. A final exchange focused on immigrant and refugee communities and fear of police. The chiefs said they are trying to reduce fear through community police academies, multilingual outreach, neighborhood meetings, and clear communication that local police do not enforce civil immigration detainers. Louisville said it has marked SWAT vehicles more clearly and works with community organizations to spread accurate information. The chiefs repeatedly emphasized that their role is to keep people safe, protect constitutional rights, and make sure residents feel able to call 911 when they need help.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul has a program that works in their city, allow your city to take your idea and shine and invite other
• mine, and we sat at the City Hall Creamery in Jordan and we talked about this bill and many other ideas
• mine, and we sat at the City Hall Creamery in Jordan and we talked about this bill and many other ideas
• It's a good idea.
• It's a good idea.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call. The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote. Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote. The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a vertical integration that is not a good idea for patient care or for the provider.
• They tried to fight it with the Department of Justice, which didn't think it was a good idea and thought
• We know we have proven methods to prevent the idea behind this.
• We have ideas. We would love to be in conversations about this. And yeah, thank you for your time.
• Like most legislators, I get behind an idea, and there's always a question that I don't know, and I'm

Bills: HB2072, HB2251, HB2279, HB2308, HB2323, HB2342, HB2400, HB2408, HB2456, HB2660, HB2697, HB2868, HB2873, HB2877, HB2910, HB2946, HB2955, HB2991, HB4001, HB4010

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, midwifery, medication administration, healthcare, patient safety, advisory committee, licensed midwives, river trips, liability, outfitter, Grand Canyon, negligence, risk management, contractual waiver, dental practice, business registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and the whole idea of community-based sanctions, there should be some description or definition
• Do you have any ideas what that might be used for?
• Just an idea. I think we have to.
• Can you just kind of get us an idea what your thoughts are on that?
• And I think that's an outstanding idea. That's something we could definitely do.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's been a lot of outreach in terms of what ideas do you have for how we can use this money to
• <00:17:49.840> do<00:17:50.000> you outreach in terms of what ideas do you outreach
• in terms of what ideas do you have<00:17:50.320> for<00:17:50.559> how<00:17:50.720>
• >> The chair has no idea. >> The chair has no idea.
• >> The chair has an idea. >> The chair has an idea.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway. Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot. The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think frankly, it's a good question, but I don't know why it's a bad idea to have equal members
• to have equal members on both sides idea to have equal members on both sides at<00:52:00.480> this
• <00:54:48.960> Even<00:54:49.200> when<00:54:49.359> they idea what happened
• Even when they idea what happened.
• with that idea is that<00:54:54.480> we<00:54:54.960> basically<00:54:55.680> have<

Bills: HB0108, HB0039, HB0091, HB0070

Keywords: audit, transparency, government reporting, accountability, public access, firearm rights, restoration of rights, criminal justice, felony convictions, Wyoming law, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws

Transcript Highlights:

• So when I say we're inviting everyone to the table, it is to invite your ideas, all of you, 141 of you
• I want your ideas.
• I want<01:02:17.040> your<01:02:17.359> ideas.
• I want you to go to the want your ideas.
• So, what ideas do you have where we should make some strategic cuts this year to balance our budget?

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened for the first day of session and first elected Delegate Luke Clippinger as Speaker Pro Tem. Members nominated and seconded him with remarks praising his leadership, work on Judiciary Committee issues, and ability to mentor colleagues. Nominations were then closed, the House voted by voice, and Clippinger was sworn in. The chamber then opened nominations for Speaker of the House. Multiple members spoke in support of Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, highlighting her personal story, legal background, public service, and committee leadership. Speakers emphasized her work on major policy areas including education, police reform, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, and support for historically Black colleges and universities. One member from the minority party also seconded the nomination, saying she had been inclusive and respectful in committee work and legislative process. After nominations were closed, the House voted by voice and elected Peña-Melnyk Speaker of the House of Delegates. She was sworn in and thanked members for their support, reflecting on the diversity in the chamber and the significance of the moment. In her remarks, she also praised outgoing Speaker Adrienne Jones and recognized family members, dignitaries, and colleagues in attendance.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got more ideas that we could talk about.
• And so it wasn't my idea; we took it from another base, but the idea was no wrong door, right?
• And I think something that the government could do is just promoting and enforcing this idea that if
• I do like the idea of a public service campaign that might help spread some of that awareness.
• And same with the youth—come with us and tell us, give us your ideas.

Summary: The hearing focused on youth mental health and treatment access in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that youth distress, self-harm-related emergency visits, and difficulty obtaining care remain elevated, while workforce shortages and reliance on one-time funding continue to limit access. Assemblymember Lori Davies echoed concerns about unstable funding and said lawmakers need to hear directly from providers and families as they prepare for the budget and legislation. The chair framed the hearing as a chance to hear from county, school, provider, and student perspectives, especially in San Diego County, where needs are high and investments have not always matched demand. County and school officials described the current system and recent state initiatives, including the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, school-linked fee schedules, payment reform, and the Behavioral Health Services Act transition. San Diego County Behavioral Health said it serves Medi-Cal youth with specialty mental health needs through a broad continuum of care, including outpatient clinics, school-based services, crisis response, residential treatment, and new crisis and residential facilities. San Diego County Office of Education and San Marcos Unified School District described efforts to expand school-based services and reimbursement through CYBHI, but said implementation is slowed by complex billing rules, insurance-data collection concerns from families, administrative burden, and uncertainty about sustaining staff positions funded by grants or soft money. School counselor testimony highlighted reduced stigma through campus outreach and clubs, but also noted that counselor-to-student ratios remain well above national standards and that budget cuts threaten supports. Provider testimony stressed that the system remains fragmented and that youth often move between emergency rooms, inpatient care, outpatient therapy, schools, and county programs without smooth handoffs. A child psychiatrist described crisis cases in which the main choices are brief hospitalization or discharge with limited follow-up, and argued for stronger warm handoffs, more outpatient and intensive outpatient options, better school-clinic coordination, and broader use of mobile crisis and 988. Rady Children’s Hospital and Aurora Behavioral Health described large increases in behavioral health demand, expansion of integrated care, and major barriers tied to low reimbursement rates, delayed payments, and administrative complexity. Across the panel, witnesses called for more stable funding, clearer reimbursement rules, better parent education on warning signs, and stronger collaboration among schools, counties, hospitals, and community providers to reduce stigma and improve timely care for youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• I value the idea of people working whenever possible when they're on some sort of public assistance,
• but the idea that there's a big group of people out there who are manipulating the Medicaid system and
• a uh the idea that there's a big<00:54:57.680> group<00:54:58.000> of<00:54:58.240>
• Chair. >> Yes. >> The idea of merging this have been some preliminary discussions.
• Uh, but I am working and voting with the idea that I'm trying to make it under the circumstances that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, and I think I'm having difficulty with this idea that it's doctors' bills that are inflated.
• So the idea that you, you don't eliminate your mental anguish damages because you're able to move on
• Hey, that sounds like a great idea.
• I think they need to understand that telling patients not to use their insurance is a dumb idea.
• With some ambiguous idea, you would like to give them some guidance on what you think is correct.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we give you an idea, they did this in, in El Paso almost 60 some years ago.
• So if they, if we, let's say it cost $100 million I have no idea, by the way, how much it costs, but
• And the, the idea of being able to contract with the business so that that business can expand their
• The, the, the idea and there is no plan to transport, so let me just stop there.
• I come back to the idea that we have New Mexicans who are in crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea was to use a percentage rather than a fixed number, a percentage of registered voters.
• The next person that's going to... sounds like a good idea. Thank you.
• <00:53:36.640> cender<00:53:37.079> thank to sounds like a good idea cender thank to
• We were playing with the idea to move this one along past it and letting you bring your amendment onto
• <01:36:51.280> to<01:36:51.600> move um we were playing with the idea to move um we

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this thing this whole idea payments.
• Thanks for coming out and testifying. >> Sure. >> Um, any idea?
• So the idea of an insurance arrangement is that a bunch of people are coming together.
• So the idea of an insurance arrangement is that a bunch of people are coming together.
• So the idea of an at the end of the day?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any idea or any recommendation what that would be?
• Um, you think that’s a good idea, one way of financing it? Yeah.
• Um, you think that’s a good idea, one way of financing it? Yeah.
• idea of the<02:33:46.800> I<02:33:47.359> think<02:33:47.520> it's<02:33:47.760
• I have no idea, sorry.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that gives you just a real kind of a specific idea about what can happen in the state of Arkansas
• And they give you an idea of what's happening year over year to determine if things are improving or
• So when you look at pay for performance, I would love to see, and this is a crazy idea, organizations
• So when I get back, who would I need to talk to to bounce off ideas about possible legislation and what
• The idea is there are other states who've been doing it for a while, and it's working.

Keywords: 1204, all