Transcript Highlights:

• All regulations in Chapter 12 have staff-suggested amendments. 40 KAR 2:201 repeals the application for
• So, on the waiver application, there's a little checkbox.
• And that was our suggestion when the waiver application came out was to check that box.
• came out was to check uh application came out was to check that<00:53:21.760> box.
• talking about on the waiver application talking about on the waiver application is<00:54:02.400>

Keywords: 0:06 - Roll Call 0:30 - Approval of Minutes 0:45 - OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 2:08 - FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CABINET - OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER 2:55 - BOARD OF DENTISTRY 5:30 - BOARD OF OPHTHALMIC DISPENSERS 7:30 - BOARD OF NURSING 8:32 - BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 9:30 - EDUCATION AND LABOR CABINET - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPPORT SERVICES 15:35 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH 18:44 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, HEALTH SERVICES AND FACILITIES 23:39 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES 1:01:46 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS 1:03:46 - Next meeting/adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up a series of administrative regulations from several agencies. Early items included Attorney General consumer protection rules on removal sales, health spas, liquidation sales, and nonresident sellers of visual aid glasses; Finance and Administration Controller rules on clearinghouse validation and fraud prevention; and Board of Dentistry rules updating exam requirements, controlled substance prescribing, training for neuromodulators and dermal fillers, infection control, sedation/anesthesia continuing education, and required education on pediatric abusive head trauma and controlled substance ingestion prevention. The committee also approved staff amendments on these items, generally to conform to KRS Chapter 13A, and members asked a brief question about the dentistry controlled-substances changes, which was answered as an alignment with statute. The committee next approved regulations for the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers, Board of Nursing, and Board of Emergency Medical Services. The ophthalmic dispensers package would revise meeting and recordkeeping language, raise renewal fees, set reinstatement and apprentice-license rules, add complaint and hearing procedures, and repeal a duplicative regulation. The nursing regulations would streamline approval of training programs and require notice and documentation of site visits and deficiencies. EMS rules would create five EMS medical director certifications, set expiration and renewal requirements, require publication of disciplinary sanctions, and exempt currently approved directors before October 1, 2026. Staff amendments were adopted without objection on each set. The Education and Labor Cabinet’s school transportation regulation drew extended discussion. The agency explained the changes were intended to implement Senate Bill 46 and update references affected by later legislation, including an oral amendment to delete a subsection reference tied to KRS 160.380. The committee adopted both the agency and oral amendments without objection after brief questions about the scope of the bill changes and van transportation for students. The committee then heard a lengthy package from the Department for Public Health on WIC and related nutrition program regulations, including updates to infant and child certification periods, documentation requirements, vendor criteria, sanctions, hearing procedures, and high-risk vendor standards. Staff amendments were adopted without objection. Finally, the committee considered the Inspector General’s regulation for freestanding birthing centers, which included both staff and agency amendments. The agency changes would require two neonatal resuscitation program-certified staff, set rules for medical director vacancies and appeals, revise facility and staffing terminology, adjust transfer-agreement requirements, and allow waivers when agreements cannot be secured. Mary Katherine DeLodder of the Kentucky Birth Coalition testified in support, saying the parties had worked through concerns and were ready to move forward. The committee then moved on to Medicaid’s 1915C child waiver regulations, where staff amendments were adopted, but Lucy Heskins of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified against the package because it did not include person-directed services, which she said are required by Kentucky law and important for families using the waiver.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:59.280> uh<00:07:59.440> for facilitate the application uh for facilitate the
• We're also requiring that each applicant has to have applied to be a nuclear-ready community. we move
• involve contracts applications will involve contracts between<00:15:17.760> other<00:15:18.079
• Uh, in terms of the military applications, there is the Janus program, which is to develop and place
• license application and project plans. license application and project plans.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 03:09 SB 57 Discussion 04:03 SB 57 Roll Call Vote 38:37 SB 172 Discussion 41:27 SB 172 Roll Call Vote 50:23, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a prayer, the pledge, recognition of an Energy and Environment Cabinet leadership academy group, a roll call establishing quorum, and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes. The main item was Senator Danny Carroll’s presentation of legislation to create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program in Kentucky. He said the bill is intended to help build a nuclear ecosystem in the Commonwealth by supporting early site permits, construction permits, or combined licenses, with the state contributing up to $25 million per project and a total of $75 million for up to three projects. He emphasized safeguards such as refundable funding if conditions are not met, legislative rather than authority-only selection of projects, and oversight by the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (NIDTA). He also described related provisions on cost recovery through the Public Service Commission, tax incentive eligibility for nuclear ecosystem projects, training and consultant support for the authority, and eligibility for fusion projects. Carroll and Rodney Andrews said the proposal is meant to attract utilities, developers, and large industrial users such as data centers, and to spread projects geographically, with particular attention to Eastern Kentucky and other rural areas. They said selection criteria would include site suitability, prior site use, regional economic need and impact, geographic diversity, additional investment, federal funding status, and whether a community has applied to be designated nuclear-ready. They stressed that communities would not be forced to host reactors and could choose which parts of the nuclear ecosystem to participate in. Carroll also said the bill could help Kentucky compete with states like Texas and Tennessee, and Andrews said industry contacts viewed the proposal as a signal that Kentucky is open to investment. Members generally expressed support for the bill and its goals, while asking about taxpayer exposure, site size, permitting, grid needs, national security, and reactor technology. Carroll said the state’s direct commitment would be capped at $75 million, with any additional cost recovery depending on PSC approval and project specifics. He said small modular reactor sites would be much smaller than traditional plants, and described a model in which a utility partners with a developer and a data center, with power contracts helping offset costs over decades. On security and technology, Carroll and Andrews said newer reactors would still be subject to the same standards as larger units, and Andrews explained that next-generation designs may use different fuels and materials such as TRISO and high-assay low-enriched uranium. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair noted time limits and that additional members still had questions, including one witness expected to speak against the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• on time um and they've gone applications on time um and they've gone through<00:14:05.120> the
• <00:14:18.000> process<00:14:18.480> they they during the application process they
• uh through through the grant application uh through through the grant pool.<00:14:36.000> And
• And so if these applicants uh meet pool.
• process and go through a very applicant process and go through a very rigorous,<00:27:26.080> as<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:15:02.920> so including long-term care applications so including long-term care applications
• So is that application offered as software as a service?
• person should only do 500 new applicants person should only do 500 new applicants a<03:23:08.439
• <03:32:12.880> that reviewing long-term applications that reviewing long-term applications
• <03:45:21.880> system for the electronic application system for the electronic application

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines. A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year. Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• and any applicable collective bargaining requirements<00:13:24.160> under<00:13:24.320> chapter
• It'd be part of their application to sit for licensure for their engineering license.
• :40.840> to<00:29:41.000> sit<00:29:41.520> for part of their application to sit
• <00:40:54.920> And<00:40:55.680> I of applicants over the years.
• And I of applicants over the years.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was the conditions around the program too difficult for potential applicants?
• Applications have been received and we're reviewing those applications for the Multifamily Super NOFA
• We received 413 applications from 38 Senate districts. And 68 assembly districts.
• The final point I'll make is the 413 applications represent a total demand for the program.
• Dealers not phased into the program still report and pay applicable sales or use tax directly to CDTFA

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we're in the middle of an active procurement, we can't disclose specific applicants or applicant
• However, we can say that the response reflects Specific applicants or applicant details.
• Many of the applications Many of the applications explicitly specify public-private partnerships.
• So we did, with our application that's posted on our website, get a lot of the same information.
• So we did, with our application that's posted on our website, get a lot of the same information.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Applications more than doubled, where in 2021 and 2022 we had 28 applications, and the past two years
• we had 29 applications.
• Applications more than doubled, where in 2021 and 2022 we had 28 applications, and the past two years
• we had 29 applications.
• <00:02:47.760> we've increase uh in mych applications we've increase uh in mych applications

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, AARP supports the trust fund using revenues collected from certification, application, and
• In addition, AARP supports the trust fund using revenues collected from certification, applications,
• The application of this requirement across rest...
• We respectfully urge the department to pause implementation, reconsider application to rest homes, and
• taking the whole model and changing it entirely into the MAP model too, which is completely not applicable

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on two assisted living bills, Senate 3057 and House 5376, which would create an Assisted Living Residence Trust Fund to support certification staffing, compliance reviews, complaint investigations, ombudsman services, public reporting, appeals, and oversight. Testimony from MassALA, AARP, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman generally supported the bills and the dedicated funding stream, but MassALA urged amendments to expand career pathways for staff through certified medication aides and to add guardrails on the use of fines as a funding source. The Ombudsman supported the fund and emphasized the need for additional staffing to better serve the state’s assisted living residents. Committee members asked for draft amendment language, and the chairs indicated they were open to further discussion, especially on fines and CMA language. The committee then heard testimony on Senate 3056 and House 5243 regarding medication administration in rest homes. Providers, including the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes, LeadingAge Massachusetts, and several rest home operators, opposed proposed Department of Public Health changes that would eliminate the long-standing “responsible person” model and move rest homes toward the Medication Administration Program (MAP). Witnesses said the current model has been used for decades, is tailored to rest homes, and is essential to affordability, staffing stability, and resident continuity of care; they warned that replacing it with MAP or nurse-only administration would raise costs, worsen workforce shortages, and could force closures or resident displacement. They asked the committee to support legislation preserving responsible persons’ authority to administer medications while improving training and oversight. Committee members asked questions about the history of the responsible person model, how medication administration works day to day, whether other states use similar systems, and whether data exist comparing medication error rates under MAP and the current model. The chairs said they were still reviewing building-code-related recommendations raised in the assisted living discussion and noted that some issues might be better addressed through a task force. The hearing concluded after testimony and questions, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 259 by Senator Barrow authorizes the creation of a civil protective order online application
• And then how does that get— is it just this person's word, or is it the word of the applicant and the
• If you're filling out... ...and accessing the forms online, how would the online application work with
• So this bill simply allows the online application. There would still be vetting.
• But the filer usually—pardon, again, I call them the filer—the person making the application would show

Summary: The committee first took up SCR 30 by Senator Connick, which memorializes Congress to compel the Department of Justice to release unclassified Epstein-related records. Senator Connick gave personal remarks about child sexual abuse and the need to hold powerful people accountable. Representative Newell supported the resolution, and the committee reported it favorably without opposition. Next, the committee considered SCR 40 by Senator Selders, urging Congress to timely pass defense appropriations that fully fund and align with the National Defense Authorization Act. The measure was briefly explained as a statement of support for military readiness and proper appropriations, and it was moved favorably with no opposition. The main substantive discussion centered on SB 259 by Senator Barrow, which would authorize an online portal for civil protective order applications. A Supreme Court protective order registry representative explained that the portal would let domestic and dating violence survivors complete petitions online, with the same judicial review, service, and hearing process that exists now; the bill would not eliminate manual filing. Members asked about fees, guidance for applicants, verification, judicial review, public access, and the risk of false filings. The witness and several members emphasized that the process remains temporary and ex parte at the outset, that final orders are issued by judges, and that the registry is not public. A domestic violence coalition representative also testified in support. Representative Newell moved favorable, Representative Edmondson objected, and the committee reported the bill favorably by a 10-1 vote. Finally, Representative Baham presented HR 245 condemning political violence in the United States. He cited recent and historical examples of political attacks and argued that violence against public figures and activists is harmful regardless of party. Members voiced support, no one objected, and the resolution was adopted before the committee adjourned, with the chair noting it was the last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• direct use in battery applications. direct use in battery applications.
• other applications versus other utility<00:33:59.440> scale<00:33:59.760> applications
• <00:57:27.440> and In our current call for applications and In our current call for applications
• We are in the early phases of evaluating the call for applications.
• If you do your math, 45 + applications.

Bills: HF4059, HF76

Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• from large applications like unemployment insurance to smaller applications.
• that powers the agency applications that powers the business<00:29:08.960> of<00:29:09.159>
• really big applications things like unemployment<00:29:13.880> insurance<00:29:14.880> uh<
• we're seeing an on average Applications we're seeing an on average 43%<00:36:12.760> Savings<
• right if you will uh 209 applications right if you will uh 209 applications that<00:37:54.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• focus on identifying what kinds of oversight exist to ensure that these fusion centers comply with applicable
• In 2023, an apartment complex for low-income seniors in Englewood submitted their application for a solar
• Instead, constituents have brought forward serious concerns about mismanagement, inconsistent application
• has us determine whether or not the board used its public resources in a manner consistent with applicable
• that Districts in the state of California do, approving charter school applications.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there would be inherent tension on initial application with a client company engaging with the a
• Um, there would be inherent tension on initial application with a client company engaging with the a
• within the application section at 277B5. within the application section at 277B5.
• <00:24:04.640> with<00:24:04.960> a<00:24:05.280> client initial application
• with a client initial application with a client company<00:24:06.159> engaging<00:24:06.640><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to those applications.
• So it's sort of about balancing, you know, what's applicable.
• Consolidating a single application for the MCO process?
• You didn't seem to be as positive about the single application in your presentation.
• So providers have to fill out a separate Medicaid application for every single MCO.

Transcript Highlights:

• Applicants are required to obtain approval from their respective regulatory agency before testing.
• Ensuring consistent application of sunset standards.
• Declinations are provided to policy applicants.
• applicant for review.
• It is actually affecting section 9 as to the applicability of the bill and making it immediate effect

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the petition purports to amend certain provisions of the General Laws to extend application
• of Chapter 66 of the General Laws, hereinafter it refers... ...to extend application of Chapter 66 of
• And whereas, by extending the application of the public records law to the General Court, the petition
• And whereas, by extending the application of the public records law to the General Court, the petition
• And whereas, by extending the application of the public records law to the General Court, the petition

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with ceremonial items, including the Pledge of Allegiance and a welcome to Tri-County High School’s championship football and boys’ cross-country teams. The chamber then adopted a resolution commending the town of Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for recognizing the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. Several local bills were taken up and passed to be enacted, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting the senior property tax deferral income threshold in Wellesley, amending the Hopedinton charter regarding library trustee appointment powers, and later engrossing bills affecting the Cotuit Fire District, the Salem licensing board, and validating Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and, on committee recommendation, advanced two Cotuit Fire District bills to third reading and engrossment. A major portion of the session focused on two Senate orders seeking advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on pending initiative petitions. One order concerned a public records initiative that would extend public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends initiative that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney spoke in support of both orders, saying they were meant to inform the committee’s work and were not votes on the merits of the ballot questions. Both orders were adopted without objection. The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft and amendment pending, and adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026. The session concluded with an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., which was adopted, and the Senate adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorizing limited remote joint committee voting through the remainder of the calendar year 2026 and the application
• authorizing limited remote joint committee voting through the remainder of calendar year 2026 and the application
• of... year 2026 and the application of the ADA there too.
• expansion of access to the cannabis development fund beyond the limited scope of existing priority applicants
• We wanted to make it about rural applicants and more applicants. Um, they left the tax...

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Human Services HB 3356 by Patterson relates to the applicability of certain generational
• HB 3370 by Ashby relates to the lay application of the appraisal of land for the tax purposes of the
• Affairs HB 3375 by Metcalf relating to the filing of a campaign treasurer appointment and the application
• Relating to the applicability of the class size limits in certain parental notification requirements
• HB 3412 by Gomez relating to the notice and the assistance in a filing of an application for residents

Transcript Highlights:

• The other part that goes in line with conducting backgrounds is requiring applicants for being on raffle
• statutory basis for assessing criminal history information for contractors and for bingo and raffle applicants
• the rules created by the agency for conducting backgrounds of contractors and bingo and raffle applicants
• criminal history data for all the relevant parties, including contractors and bingo and raffle applicants
• These are complex investigations; the background investigations and the multi-jurisdictional applications