Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• of home and community-based services, which are waiver services, to enroll as providers.
• Provided services may be an option.
• in the fee-for-service model.
• services even provided?

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• , that the need for additional services, that the need for additional services, supports,<00:01:53.439
• to support autism services. each session to support autism services.
• <00:03:12.159> for that it's research and services for that it's research and services for
• technologies, services, and supports. technologies, services, and supports. and<00:03:34.080>
• spectrum disorder research and services spectrum disorder research and services throughout<00:03

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:01 SB 69 Discussion 00:00:30 SB 69 Vote 00:05:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up only one item: Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams. The bill would create an autism spectrum disorder trust fund in the state treasury, allow taxpayers to contribute a portion of their individual income tax refunds to the fund, and authorize additional grants, contributions, and appropriations. Senator Adams said the fund is intended to support autism spectrum disorder research and services in Kentucky, administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services with grants awarded through the advisory council on autism spectrum disorders based on a statewide needs assessment. She also noted the bill includes an emergency clause. During questions, Senator Boswell confirmed the tax refund contribution option would be available on both paper and electronic returns. Senator Funky From asked how families would access services, and Senator Adams explained that providers would apply for grants to the trust fund, which would then review and award funding if the proposal was deemed a good use of the money. No outside testimony was presented; a signed-up witness from the Russell County Fiscal Court did not speak. The committee then moved the bill, with Senator Boswell making the motion and Senator Neil seconding it. The roll call resulted in 12 yes votes and no nays, and Senate Bill 69 passed the committee with a favorable expression. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have the social services fund.
• service fund.
• So, similar to what Robin just talked about with fleet services, all of our operational services are
• And what that would mean is that, for a particular service or service delivery, the central IT is general-funded
• for the whole cost of that service.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to welcome you all to the fifth hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Service in the
• It's Seda, S-E-D-A, K-O-C-O-R-O-C-H, or mailed to the Joint Committee on Public Service, Room 156.
• It provides a little extra for a public employee who has military service.
• I first entered state service on July 1, 2005, celebrating 20 years of service this coming week.
• Specifically, the statute says in part the following: that any member in service In service in any other

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a range of retirement-related bills, with several witnesses and advocates focusing on pension equity, veteran benefits, and recognition for public safety workers. Representative Dennis Gallagher and Mass Retirees supported legislation to increase the long-standing veterans’ bonus from $15 to $50 per year of service, up to $1,000 annually, and described it as a modest, overdue adjustment with minimal fiscal impact. Mass Retirees also backed bills to raise the minimum survivor allowance for public retirees and to address inequities in Option B and Option C survivor benefits for retirees whose pensions were calculated under older mortality tables. The committee also heard a personal bill from Representative Jim Arceiro and Nathan McKinnon seeking creditable service for McKinnon’s years in the Nevada higher education system, which he said should count toward his Massachusetts retirement. Another individual bill was presented by Roberta Wollins, supported by Senator Keenan, to remedy what she described as misleading retirement advice from UMass Boston that affected her ability to buy back prior service and made her retirement planning inaccurate. Senator Keenan and others framed both cases as unique fairness issues rather than broad policy changes. A large panel from police, fire, corrections, EMS, and related organizations testified in favor of a COVID-19 retirement credit proposal and a study bill, arguing that essential workers who reported in person throughout the pandemic should receive recognition and a time-based retirement credit. Witnesses described exposure risks, illness, deaths, staffing strain, and long-term effects from COVID-19, and several committee members voiced support and appreciation for their service. The hearing concluded with no votes taken on the bills and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• It rejects reductions to In-Home Supportive Services.
• The next bill is AB 152, the Human Services Omnibus.
• It requires the Department of Social Services to make transition support services available to adoptive
• , food services, and the safety net.
• providers who also provide fee-for-service.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services contribute to national GDP. services contribute to national GDP.
• Since the early 1950s, the services Since the early 1950s, the services sector<00:02:37.599>
• As we've heard, our economy is shifting toward services and increasingly digital services.
• primarily digital advertising services. primarily digital advertising services.
• include certain professional services include certain professional services related<00:14:12.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Their speech pathology services are provided online from a service in California.
• Their speech pathology services are provided online from a service in California.
• <00:32:18.000> It Is the services good? I don't know. It Is the services good?
• Uh, on the issue of services.
• We had to do services that services.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services and I own a 13-year-old car and Services and I own a 13-year-old car and it<00:12:50.079>
• <00:15:31.000> with<00:15:31.199> State these services with State these services with
• servic servic HIV<00:42:28.240> supports HIV supports HIV supports division<00:42:31.319>
• and all the other Supportive Services and all the other Supportive Services that<00:52:45.280>
• benefits in addition to the services benefits in addition to the services that<00:54:34.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services thank you Senator members there Services thank you Senator members there is<00:04:05.040>
• <00:08:19.319> system<00:08:20.120> thank service system thank service system thank you
• roads federal crime victim Services roads federal crime victim Services funding<00:09:27.320>
• We need these services to be there.
• > of legal service Services is comprised of legal service Services is comprised of multiple<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TRAINING ADP, AND PRE VOCATIONAL SERVICES.
• SERVICES.
• BASED ON A STUDY CONDUCTED BY ACHA ACTUARIAL SERVICE VENDOR.
• AND WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS ON SERVICE DELIVERY?
• BE DOING PREVOCATIONAL SERVICES HELPING THEM TO GET JOBS.

Transcript Highlights:

• actually leasing services. actually leasing services.
• service fees. service fees.
• <01:27:24.560> going<01:27:24.800> to service service charge is not going to service
• <01:27:34.640> or<01:27:34.760> service distribute service uh charges or service distribute
• Service If I could. charge. Service If I could.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:27.440> portal this um portal or self-service portal this um portal or self-service
• onboarding All State Civil Service onboarding All State Civil Service positions<00:10:42.360>
• government service.
• government service.
• government service.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for our services anytime soon. for our services anytime soon.
• victim services. victim services.
• eliminate life-saving services. eliminate life-saving services.
• continuation of the service in jeopardy. continuation of the service in jeopardy.
• funding needed to maintain services. funding needed to maintain services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CareerSource, the REACH office, and Florida Digital Services.
• We were able to pay for services and have services basically rendered for us all the way through September
• To actually pay an invoice, all the services that we work with are based on paying an invoice for services
• Getting information about these different services and really engaging with these services through that
• Longer to get to the services they're looking for.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services. Services.
• , and whether receiving the services, and whether receiving the services<00:12:33.240> via<00:
• eligible for services. eligible for services.
• We're authorizing the service, and the provider is responsible for the delivery of the service.
• . services. services.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Bureau for Social Services, Child Protective Service caseworkers, $536,466 for social services
• The Bureau for Social Services, Social Services casework. Child Protective Services caseworkers.
• for social services, and $185,225 for Child Protective Service caseworkers. $670,720 for personal services
• And for the Bureau of Social Services, Youth Services caseworkers, $122,529 for personal services and
• Bureau for Social Services, Adult Services, $1 million for social services. I urge passage.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and spent much of the day recognizing pages, guests, school groups, and civic organizations visiting the chamber. Several communications from the House and committee reports were received, and a petition on support for new electric transmission lines was referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining. Senate Resolution 61, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell, was referred to the Committee on Rules, while other resolutions and bills were held over or referred as required. The chamber then acted on a large number of measures, including concurrence in House amendments to Senate Bill 137 on parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and a conference committee was appointed on House Bill 4026 regarding integrated resource plans. Numerous House bills were advanced or passed after committee reports, covering topics such as industrial access roads, local airport hangar financing, college campus safety, youth and handicapped hunting, missing persons records, driver’s licenses, adjudicatory alternative dispositions, chronic absenteeism, party-switching deadlines for candidates, teacher/school personnel/state police pay raises, election official trainees, political committee filing notices, security personnel for the State Treasurer, post-secondary financial aid, legal practice rules, overseas voting, public officials’ residential information, homestead exemption, military juvenile jurisdiction, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, statewide prevention planning, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment taxation, microgrid and data center certification, transcript acceptance for students, emeritus medical licenses, higher education rule authorizations, board and commission reforms, managed care organization taxes, and deputy sheriff vacation carryover. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, and several received title amendments. The Senate also passed a series of supplemental appropriations, many with immediate-effect motions adopted by the required two-thirds vote. These included funding for the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia, Homeland Security divisions, Health Facilities, Administration, Human Services, the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Senior Services. Votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with only a few measures drawing one or more dissenting votes. One bill on tourism appropriations was referred to the Committee on Rules, and several second-reading bills were advanced, including measures on the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites, volunteer fire companies, religious organization eminent domain restrictions, electric load forecasting, and funeral service licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• , I mean, from coupon service or whatever you call it, to basic services at that point.
• “You have these optional services in place.
• This is for our third-party administrative services.
• Okay, this is the Sedgwick Claims Management Service.
• Okay, this is the Seduit Claims Management Service.

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. Grant Wallace presented March and April formulary changes, explaining that the updates favored lower-cost generics, re-tiered some drugs, left several new-to-market drugs uncovered pending more evidence, and added quantity limits in some cases. The committee approved those formulary recommendations. The subcommittee also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would exclude automatic coverage of those therapies and route them through prior authorization and review, with members noting the process should not delay urgent cases and that appeals remain available. Members then discussed a UAMS professional consultant services contract amendment for pharmacy benefit consulting. The discussion focused on confusion over the dollar amount and scope, with Wallace clarifying that the committee was being asked to approve up to $2.596 million, including optional services related to coupon and rebate management that could be used later without returning for another approval. Several members raised concerns about matching the written contract to the approval amount and about the relationship to the current pharmacy benefit manager, but the committee ultimately approved the item with the understanding that any use of the optional services would return to the committee. The committee also reviewed, without objection, a Blue Cross/Blue Advantage third-party administrator contract, a CompSack employee assistance program contract, and approved proposed 2027 employee and public school health plan rates of 9.8% and 4.9% increases, respectively. Wallace also said the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in final negotiation and would return in August. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules for the property insurance program, a contingency-fee subrogation contract with Denenberg-Tuffly, and extensions for Sedgwick Claims Management, Actuarial Advantage, and Stevens Capital Management. Members asked about claim-adjustment delays after a major winter storm, and Wallace said performance guarantees and communication requirements had been added, with claims still expected to vary by case. The committee also approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, lower rates for K-12 and higher education, a higher rate for state agencies, and an overall 10% reduction. Wallace said the reductions reflected improved actuarial foundations, better claims management, and the program’s first-year performance. The meeting adjourned after approving the rate item.

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• service.
• all receive service.
• With bond issuance comes debt service, and so part of that is recouping the debt service.
• With bond issuance comes debt service. And so part of that is recouping the debt service.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 470, which would change California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules and allow a phased transition away from copper landlines in areas deemed well served by alternative phone options. The author and AT&T argued the bill would protect consumers, preserve 911 access, require public notice and CPUC review, and direct investment toward modern fiber and emergency communications. Supporters included a wide range of business, civic, tribal, and community groups, while opponents from TURN, rural counties, labor, digital equity organizations, and local governments warned the bill could let AT&T shed service obligations too quickly, weaken protections for rural and underserved households, and harm workers. After extensive member discussion about CPUC authority, rural carveouts, labor impacts, and reinvestment, AB 470 was passed do pass as amended to Appropriations, with one no vote and one not voting, and the roll left open. The committee then took up AB 1532, a committee omnibus bill extending funding and surcharge authority for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program and the TNC Access for All program, while also adding CPUC accountability provisions. Chair Boerner Horvath explained the bill would not raise consumer costs and would require the CPUC to appear at hearings when requested and adopt rules for commissioner attendance. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was moved do pass and re-refer to Utilities and Energy, though the roll was left open because it had not yet reached the threshold for immediate transmission. Finally, the committee heard AB 353, the Affordable Home Internet Act of 2025, which would establish an affordability floor for home broadband for low-income Californians after the expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Supporters said broadband costs remain too high and that families, students, and vulnerable communities need a state solution now; opponents from the wireless industry and rural county representatives argued the bill would amount to an artificial price mandate and could complicate existing rural broadband buildouts. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on small ISPs and rural areas, and the bill was moved forward with a motion and second while discussion continued about possible exemptions and amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, but also how a state treats service members' families.
• Our service members, but also how a state treats service members' families.
• . ...anywhere from 20 to 22 of our service members.
• Service members are required to obey lawful orders and uphold their oath of service, but they have a
• Seyi began his path to public service at an early age.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with routine formalities, then took up several final-passage and engrossment matters. It adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Iwanek, and House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate Bill 2528, allowing Marblehead to establish fines related to parking violations, and adopted a pair of congratulatory resolutions. Later, it ordered several House bills to third reading, including measures for an additional off-premises alcohol license in Somerset and sick leave banks for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran, and concurred in a gubernatorial amendment to a vital statistics bill. The chamber then considered major committee reports and amendments on military and veterans issues. It advanced a Ways and Means substitute for a bill on free expression and a substitute for a bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, placing both on the Orders of the Day. The Senate also debated and amended Senate Bill 2503, the EASE Act for military-connected families, with remarks emphasizing school stability for military children, special education continuity, juvenile justice transfers, and use of military protective orders in domestic violence cases. Several proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected, including tax relief proposals for 100% disabled veterans, while an amendment requiring tracking of veteran suicides was adopted. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed by roll call, 39-0. Another major item was Senate Bill 2501, clarifying the duties of the adjutant general. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means substitute and considered multiple amendments, including one withdrawn proposal on entry by non-federalized armed forces from other jurisdictions and another adopted amendment requiring recruit training on lawful orders; other amendments were withdrawn. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed House Bill 3388, designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Throughout the session, members also offered and adopted several adjournment motions honoring the lives and service of Judge Leslie E. Harris, former Newton Mayor Seyi Warren, and Anthony P. Dwingnan, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• those services.
• Our utility service area...
• and service levels.
• , senior services.
• I understand we're talking about what services do people want, but I want good services.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.