Transcript Highlights:

• We're striking out the word "intakes" and replacing it with "reports."
• /c><00:35:55.119><c> and</c> striking out the word intakes and striking out the word intakes and replacing
• <00:35:55.800><c> it</c><00:35:55.960><c> with</c><00:35:56.200><c> reports</c> replacing it with reports
• replacing it with reports you<00:35:57.880><c> know</c><00:35:58.040><c> I'm</c><00:35:58.200><c> somewhat

Keywords: 00:11 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:02 Discussion of 25RS SB 26 07:48 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 26 08:43 Discussion of 25RS SB 85 28:04 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 85 29:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 805 40:30 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 805 41:32 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 26, presented by Senator Brandon Storm, Family Court Judge Marcus Vanover, and Crystal Adams on behalf of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The bill would ensure Kentucky complies with the ADA by prohibiting disability alone from being used to terminate adoption petitions, parental rights, or child-placement petitions. Testimony cited Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases involving parents with intellectual or developmental disabilities and national data showing high removal rates for parents with psychiatric, intellectual, or physical disabilities. The committee approved the bill 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 85 from Senator Steve Meredith and State Auditor Allison Ball, which continues the transition of the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Auditor’s office. Testimony focused on completing the transfer by clarifying access to the ITWIST database, ensuring complaints go directly to the Ombudsman, adding whistleblower protections, and making the office a separate office within the Auditor’s office for efficiency. Members asked about the prior conflict of interest when the Ombudsman was housed within CHFS, the database access dispute and lawsuit, and whether the office still remained independent. The bill passed with favorable expression after some members voted pass. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 805, with Representative Nick Wilson and Representative Sarah Stalker explaining a committee substitute and amendment. The bill would set timelines for the Cabinet to physically locate children reported at immediate safety risk and require annual kinship-care reporting to be automatically provided to the legislature and posted publicly. Wilson said the bill also cleans up language from last year’s House Bill 271, including changing “threats” to “risks” in the safety-plan definition and other terminology fixes. The committee adopted the substitute and amendment and advanced the bill with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• The difference here being the change of the seal means the badges are being replaced with that new logo
• 00:16:10.399><c> badges</c><00:16:10.759><c> are</c><00:16:10.920><c> being</c><00:16:11.279><c> replaced
• </c><00:16:12.199><c> uh</c> the uh the badges are being replaced uh the uh the badges are being replaced

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the good thing about that is we're not allowed to use this money to replace or to pay for, you know
• or to pay for you know, replace or to pay for you know, supplanting.<00:40:43.360><c> You</c><00:40:
• However, um, when new administrations come in, secretaries are swept away, commissioners may be replaced
• are swept away, commissioners<00:57:30.680><c> may</c><00:57:30.840><c> be</c><00:57:31.000><c> replaced
• ,</c><00:57:32.040><c> but</c> commissioners may be replaced, but commissioners may be replaced, but

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would implore the other side of the aisle: we can still elect regents this session, and we can replace
• All four regents can be replaced by us this session.
• the</c><00:35:47.040><c> ones</c><00:35:47.360><c> that</c><00:35:47.520><c> were</c> and we can replace
• All four regents can be replaced that.
• All four regents can be replaced by<00:36:04.360><c> us</c><00:36:04.680><c> this</c><00:36:04.880><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The smaller places are then replaced by big box stores.
• They're replaced by bigger coffee shops, corporate coffee shops.
• </c><01:21:37.200><c> by</c> The smaller places are then replaced by The smaller places are then replaced
• </c><01:21:38.880><c> They're</c><01:21:39.040><c> replaced</c><01:21:39.560><c> by</c> big box stores
• They're replaced by big box stores.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fuel transportation infrastructure and current aircraft engines as a supplement and ultimately a replacement
• </c> replacement to petroleum-based jet fuel. replacement to petroleum-based jet fuel.
• my farm is crushed and the oil from it is refined and used locally at MSP Airport as a drop-in replacement
• Uh, you know, mobile-first design, smartphones that's replacing the desktop, streaming services, voice
• Uh, you know, mobile-first design, smartphones that's replacing the desktop, streaming services, voice

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do want to just briefly summarize by saying that Senate File 2320 would essentially replace the
• It would replace consistency with fragmentation and stability with uncertainty.
• </c><01:03:02.960><c> the</c><01:03:03.160><c> clarity</c><01:03:03.560><c> of</c> essentially replace
• the clarity of essentially replace the clarity of preemption<01:03:04.560><c> with</c><01:03:04.680>
• </c> replace consistency with fragmentation replace consistency with fragmentation and<01:03:08.320><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, our current building is failing and must be replaced.
• Thank you for your consideration. replaced. Originally built in in 1949, replaced.
• As proposed, that sales tax would replace a local levy to pay that bond payment.
• As proposed, that sales tax would replace a local levy to pay that bond payment.
• </c><01:00:35.280><c> a</c> proposed, that sales tax would replace a proposed, that sales tax would replace

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for SB 688 is not about replacing or undermining physicians, nor is it about ignoring the very real
• No religious legal system can replace the Constitution of the United States of America.
• It replaces the term infant with the term participant. 37 yeas, 0 nays, Mr. President.
• It replaces the term infant with the term participant. That is the bill, Mr. President.
• And then I do believe the governor has the opportunity to replace these people.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Partial wage replacement, about half of what the individual is making when they were working full-time
• </c><00:03:20.879><c> to</c><00:03:21.120><c> assist</c><00:03:21.599><c> the</c> partial wage replacement
• to assist the partial wage replacement to assist the unemployed<00:03:22.319><c> worker</c><00:03:22.560
• Partial<00:03:44.560><c> wage</c><00:03:44.959><c> replacement,</c><00:03:46.000><c> about</c><00:03:
• 46.319><c> half</c><00:03:46.480><c> of</c> Partial wage replacement, about half of Partial wage replacement

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This office will lead rigorous Minnesota-specific research to replace guesswork with evidence by exact
• This office will lead rigorous Minnesota-specific research to replace guesswork with evidence by exact
• This office will lead rigorous Minnesota-specific research to replace guesswork with evidence by exact
• Patient one was recovering spectacularly after joint replacement surgery.
• </c> spectacularly after joint replacement spectacularly after joint replacement surgery.<01:33:09.840

Bills: HF3668, HF2779, HF2771

Keywords: gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration

Transcript Highlights:

• Evidence indicates that government mandates replacing parental choice will be ineffective, as shown by
• There's some discussion about insurance for deed fraud, but there's no amount of money that can replace
• They replaced both family pictures, his honorary discharge from the Air Force, and Emeritus Professor
• And the community actually rallied around him and replaced the HOA’s board.
• But the HOA lawyers decided that somehow the election replacing the board was deficient, and it wound

Bills: HB2128, HB2255, HB2397, HB2429, HB2591, HB2680, HB2834, HB2868, HB2911, HB2951, HB2979, HB2991, HB2996, HB2999, HB4001, HB4011, HB4017, HB4020, HB4026, HB4086, HB4088, HB2244, HB2342

Keywords: homeowners associations, condominiums, open meetings, governance, transparency, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, HOA, homeowners association, planned community, condominium, CC&Rs, covenants, conditions and restrictions, resale disclosure, association disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we lose them from the team, it will be extremely hard to replace them.
• And the ones we're trying to replace them with, they're much more inexperienced.
• </c><00:14:26.959><c> And</c><00:14:27.199><c> in</c> extremely hard to replace them.
• And in extremely hard to replace them.
• we're trying to replace them with, they're<00:14:43.760><c> much</c><00:14:44.079><c> more</c><00:14

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• talks about representative, legal representative... ...representative, legal representative, so it replaces
• , from what I'm understanding, it replaces personal representative with legal representative, and I didn't
• Senator, it seems like everything through the bill, the amendment replaces those words that say 'all
• The amendment modifies the bill's approach on approving certified recovery residences by replacing the
• The amendment modifies the bill's approach on approving certified recovery residences by replacing the

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. The sponsor explained that the bill, as amended, would align Florida law more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” requiring providers to furnish requested records within set timeframes, allowing a limited extension with notice, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several members asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill affected meaningful-use rules or post-mortem access. Multiple witnesses opposed the bill, arguing it could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with existing privacy rules, and burden providers; supporters said it would improve patient access and consistency. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. The bill would direct DEP to establish rules for synthetic turf and limit local governments from banning it if state rules are followed, while also addressing change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor work, building code updates, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and single-trade inspections. Amendments removed the pool and spa contractor provisions and the tall mass timber language. Testimony on the bill centered heavily on the pool industry, with contractors and the Florida Swimming Pool Association opposing expansion of scope to general and building contractors, while some speakers supported other parts of the bill. After adopting the amendments, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. The bill would allow minors to be tested for STDs without parental consent but require parental consent for treatment, expand parents’ rights to access records and control certain health decisions, and restrict health care services, medical procedures, and biofeedback devices for minors absent consent or an exception. An amendment moved survey and questionnaire provisions into the education code, added an explicit court-order exception, clarified DNA and biofeedback provisions, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions. The committee heard extensive public testimony both for and against the bill, with supporters emphasizing parental authority and opponents warning it could delay STI treatment, mental health care, and other services for vulnerable minors. The transcript ends during public testimony on the bill, before any final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think there was a replacement item of 2580. withdrawn?
• /c><00:06:37.600><c> there</c><00:06:37.919><c> was</c><00:06:38.000><c> a</c><00:06:38.240><c> replacement
• </c><00:06:38.800><c> item</c> And I think there was a replacement item And I think there was a replacement
• c><01:19:45.760><c> its</c><01:19:46.159><c> legacy</c><01:19:46.880><c> computer</c> commission replacing
• its legacy computer commission replacing its legacy computer system<01:19:47.679><c> with</c><01:19:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are highway projects across every part of the state that are desperately in need of replacing crumbling
• There are highway projects across every part of the state that are desperately in need of replacing crumbling
• There are highway projects across every part of the state that are desperately in need of replacing crumbling
• There are highway projects across every part of the state that are desperately in need of replacing crumbling
• Representative Craft, I actually am authoring that wetland replacement bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we talk in terms of a replacement ratio: what's a good replacement ratio?
• 12.160><c> ratio</c><00:43:13.160><c> what's</c><00:43:13.280><c> a</c><00:43:13.480><c> good</c> replacement
• ratio what's a good replacement ratio what's a good replacement<00:43:14.319><c> ratio</c><00:43:14.760
• ><c> that's</c><00:43:15.000><c> how</c><00:43:15.119><c> much</c> replacement ratio that's how much
• replacement ratio that's how much post-retirement<00:43:16.040><c> income</c><00:43:16.559><c> a</c><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allowance afforded to individuals living in certain long-term care facilities is not intended to replace
• ><00:06:49.160><c> not</c><00:06:49.479><c> intended</c><00:06:49.880><c> to</c><00:06:50.080><c> replace
• </c><00:06:50.520><c> or</c> facilities is not intended to replace or facilities is not intended to replace
• adopt the recommendations from the AG's office on page five, lines 1 through 11: delete that and replace
• face it with when the that and replace face it with when the child<01:37:55.400><c> is</c><01:37:55.639

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a DOIT-supported application that we're looking to replace over time, and you'll hear more about
• It is a DOIT-supported application that we're looking to replace over time, and you'll hear more about
• It is a DOIT-supported application that we're looking to replace over time, and you'll hear more about
• It is a DOIT-supported application that we're looking to replace over time, and you'll hear more about
• It is a DOIT-supported application that we're looking to replace over time, and you'll hear more about

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and it's just frustrating, I guess, because back in the district, all we hear is replace it.
• It's not replace it. We would all love to replace it. Yeah, wouldn't we?
• Notably, we are requesting a replacement of a database that's over 20 years old, that is limited in what
• case management to our 15 courts of appeals. ...would provide funding to replace the legacy system that
• Every time a staff member leaves, it takes the replacement months to get up to speed.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.