Transcript Highlights:

• to get Amendment 3 passed because not only does it help current teachers, but I think it'll also stabilize
• It'll help stabilize it.
• House Bill 30 by Representative Bacala provides relative to annual retirement education.
• House Bill 30 by Representative Bacala provides relative to annual retirement education for certain participating

Summary: The Retirement Committee heard several retirement-related bills and deferred two measures at the start: HB 26 and HB 993 were voluntarily deferred by the author. HB 31, by Rep. Eccles, would allow certain small municipalities to terminate participation in the municipal police employees’ retirement system and create a lower-cost “Plan C” option for small towns like Stirlington. After discussion about population and officer-count limits, the committee adopted amendments, heard concerns from the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System about remaining issues, and reported HB 31 as amended favorably. The committee also advanced HB 1134, which creates a backdrop-style retirement option for judges whose positions are abolished, and HB 24, which would allow retired teachers to return to work as one-year contract teachers without the current retirement contribution structure. TRSL testified that return-to-work policy is complex and that a broader Senate study-group proposal is also moving, but the committee reported HB 1134 and HB 24 favorably. HB 21, a technical correction to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System law, was amended to remove a sunset problem that would be fixed in another bill and was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee reported HB 1017 favorably, which limits former spouses’ claims to post-divorce earnable compensation in the Firefighters’ Retirement System, with testimony that the bill would reduce litigation over promotions and raises after divorce. HB 43, which would let certain LASERS members retire after 35 years of service at any age, drew testimony from LASERS about its cost and workforce effects but received no motion and was voluntarily deferred. HB 30 was also voluntarily deferred because its substance would be moved into another bill. The committee then took up two major municipal police bills. HB 45, after extensive negotiations among the author, the Louisiana Municipal Association, EMPERS, and the City of New Orleans, was substantially rewritten by amendment to address retention pay, out-of-state service credit purchases, survivor benefits for certain officers killed in the line of duty, COLA funding, and a reduction in the non-hazardous accrual rate. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 45 as amended favorably. HB 49, a related bill on municipal police and firefighter retirement issues, was also replaced by a substitute that changed opt-out procedures, revised partial dissolution rules, and preserved full dissolution liability; after testimony that the changes would save New Orleans and other cities significant money, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 49 as substituted favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• to get Amendment 3 passed because not only does it help current teachers, but I think it'll also stabilize
• It'll help stabilize it.
• House Bill 30 by Representative Bacala provides relative to annual retirement education.
• House Bill 30 by Representative Bacala provides relative to annual retirement education for certain participating

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would support a stepwise regulation process of clear labeling, education, age restrictions, and
• He was able to step away from opioids and regain stability, independence, and quality of life.
• He was able to step away from opioids and regain stability, independence, and a quality of life.
• I strongly support stricter guidelines, clear regulation, and consumer education.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee heard testimony on House Bill 864, which would classify kratom and related substances as Schedule I drugs. Sponsor Rep. Mike Pohanka and co-sponsor Rep. Aaron Bingham argued the bill was needed for public safety, citing reports from law enforcement, families, coroners, and medical professionals about addiction, overdoses, and deaths they attributed to kratom, along with concerns about synthetic 7-OH products. Supporters included the Bonneville County sheriff and coroner, who said they were seeing kratom-related deaths, youth exposure, and limited enforcement tools under current law. Opponents and those urging a regulatory approach said natural leaf kratom has helped with chronic pain, opioid recovery, and quality of life, and that a full ban would push users to black markets or more dangerous substances. Several retailers, consumers, and a toxicologist distinguished between traditional leaf kratom and concentrated or synthetic 7-OH products, arguing that the latter should be targeted instead of banning all kratom. A family physician and treatment provider said kratom use disorder and withdrawals were real and increasing, but cautioned that an abrupt ban could create unintended harms and recommended labeling, age limits, and product testing instead. Committee members asked questions about the difference between natural kratom and 7-OH, the evidence behind overdose and death claims, and whether a Schedule I classification would eliminate medical access. After hearing from a long list of testifiers, the chair said the committee had only reached partway through the sign-up list and asked whether to continue another day. Members agreed to resume testimony the next morning from 8 to 9 a.m., and the meeting adjourned without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• that need to be passed, about $80 million worth of policies that the governor had on his budget: education
• What they've done is they've done a great job of stabilizing our network and protecting the state's network
• Our biggest fund balance, of course, is the budget stabilization fund.
• We also know that we've got built into the governor's budget $80 million of cuts from education and Medicaid

Summary: The committee first received a lengthy briefing from JFAC Chairman Grow and budget analyst Keith Bybee on the state’s fiscal outlook for fiscal years 2026-2028. They said revenues had been revised upward, but uncertainty remains around tax conformity, sales tax softness, and pending policy decisions that could affect the bottom line. Bybee explained structural balance, noted that ongoing revenues are projected to lag ongoing spending, and reviewed long-term growth in Medicaid, public schools, and other state programs, much of it driven by policy changes. Members asked about the Delaware model for research and development expensing, the use of one-time money versus budget cuts, the impact of tax cuts, reserve levels, bond ratings, and the effects of Medicaid expansion and prior recession-era cuts. Chairman Grow closed by emphasizing that the budget is not structurally balanced and that rainy-day funds are meant for temporary shocks, not recurring gaps. The committee then approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and advanced several gubernatorial appointments with recommendations for confirmation: Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, Erica Malman to the Idaho Personnel Commission, and Dr. Karen Cabell to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Representative John Weber appeared for reappointment to the Idaho State Insurance Fund Board, and Robert Cuoio appeared virtually for reappointment to the Your Health Idaho board; both were thanked and told their appointments would likely be voted on at a later meeting. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to DOPL rule dockets. The committee approved fee-increase dockets for the Contractor Registration Board, the Board of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety, and the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board. DOPL representatives said the increases were needed to bring boards into compliance with statutory cash-balance requirements after consolidation costs, new licensing software, and other one-time expenses, and noted that the rules included “not to exceed” language. Several senators questioned whether the fee increases reflected broader inefficiencies within DOPL and argued that some boards were being asked to raise fees because of agency-wide costs. Despite those concerns, each docket was approved, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• think when the EMS Act first passed, there was the paradigm in pre-hospital care was to assess, stabilize
• I think when the EMS Act first passed, there was the paradigm in pre-hospital care to assess, stabilize
• Her experiences and mistrust in government—and she was an educated woman in the Bay Area.
• I am director at the Health Education Council, a local nonprofit, who is also a grantee from the CRDP

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I expect that we'll have a lot more stability next year, and that's certainly my goal.
• from HHS at the federal level, so it will help with increasing school readiness, leading to better educational
• challenges that we've had is, as we mentioned, we're really excited at Commerce to have some... ...stability
• operations of state lodges and golf courses, and promote tourism through statewide marketing and public education

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes smart, targeted investments in critical housing, education, wildfire resilience, and public
• It enhances economic stability. It improves the overall health of the workforce.
• It enhances economic stability and reduces poverty.
• I won't get in too much about what this does to education funding, again, for the second year in a row

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect. Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians. After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• They must be addressed, addressed quicker to stabilize the system, and I know a lot of people in the
• Um, and I go around, I educate people all the time that the NFA and these laws that have been passed
• on various ESS projects, as well as preparing communities throughout the nation with training and education
• And ERCOT is trying to stabilize our grid by installing over 900 federally subsidized high-risk battery

Bills: HB 551, HB 1281, HB 1378, HB 1617, HB 2868, HB 2881, HB 3374, HB 4439, HB 4726, HB 4732, HB 4878, HB 4914, HB 4921, HB 4958, HB 5200, HB 5318, HB 5360, HB 5402, HB 5568, HB 5573, HB 5623, HJR 218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 622, by the Education Committee, is an act relating to education, amending Section 33-1020
• Household number 623 by Education Committee, an act relating to education amending Chapter 16, Title
• Amending Section 33-3726, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the higher education stabilization
• of special education children.
• of Career Technical Education.

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The Idaho State Historical Society then gave its annual presentation, highlighting artifacts tied to the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and Idaho statehood, along with remarks about the importance of civic history and public understanding. The House also received Senate messages transmitting Senate Concurrent Resolutions 115 and 116 and Senate Bills 1234 and 1239, and it reported several committee actions, including the enrollment of House Bill 559 to the governor and the printing and referral of House Bills 606 through 611. On the floor, the House considered and passed House Bill 551, which addresses urban renewal districts and fire and ambulance district budget authority, and House Bill 526, which expands a small-seller exemption for certain food sales. House Bill 544, increasing Guard and Reserve leave from 120 to 160 hours, also passed. House Joint Memorial 11, urging Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, passed after debate over federal funding commitments and fiscal concerns. House Joint Resolution 7, which would have sent a constitutional question to voters on repealing Idaho’s sectarian appropriations ban, failed to reach the required two-thirds threshold. The House also advanced a large batch of new bills for first reading, including measures on solar energy, polling place liability insurance, mental health and developmental disability detention standards, disturbing the peace, architects, programmable money, fire insurer transparency, wildfire risk mitigation, county commissioner powers, concealed weapons, Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, a daily moment of silence in schools, and aggregated student data on immigration status and nationality. Senate Bill 1225 was sent to third reading, and House Joint Memorial 12 was held one legislative day. The chamber then filed committee letters approving pending administrative rules, made a temporary change to the third reading calendar order, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 622, by the Education Committee, is an act relating to education, amending Section 33-1020
• Household number 623 by Education Committee, an act relating to education amending Chapter 16, Title
• Amending Section 33-3726, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the higher education stabilization
• of special education children.
• of Career Technical Education.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 66 members present, approved the journal, and then paused for an Idaho State Historical Society presentation featuring artifacts tied to the Declaration of Independence, the Brady Powder Horn, and the Idaho Admission Act. The presentation emphasized Idaho’s historical connection to the nation’s founding and statehood, and members thanked the Historical Society before the House resumed business. The chamber received Senate messages transmitting Senate Concurrent Resolutions 115 and 116 and Senate Bills 1234 and 1239. Committee reports also moved several bills forward, including House Bills 561, 573, 583, 587, 520, 570, 580, and 581, while House Bill 559 was reported enrolled and sent to the governor. New bills introduced included measures on solar energy, polling-place liability insurance, mental health and developmental disability detention standards, disturbing the peace, architects, programmable money, fire insurer transparency, wildfire risk mitigation, county commissioner authority, concealed weapons, Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, a daily moment of silence in schools, and aggregated student data on immigration status and nationality. On the floor, House Bill 551 passed 68-0 on a voice/recorded vote after explanation that it would allow fire and ambulance districts to opt out of urban renewal areas and capture new construction for service funding. House Bill 526 passed 67-2, described as a small-seller/cottage-food style exemption to help entrepreneurs selling low-risk foods directly to consumers. House Joint Resolution 7, which would have sent to voters a repeal of the Idaho Constitution’s sectarian appropriations prohibition, failed to reach the required two-thirds threshold with 41 ayes and 28 nays. House Joint Memorial 11, urging Congress to fully fund IDEA special education costs, passed 40-28, and House Bill 544, increasing Guard and Reserve leave from 120 to 160 hours, passed 68-0. The House also approved committee rule recommendations, rearranged the third-reading calendar, made announcements, and adjourned until February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I... ...in and out of the budget stabilization fund.
• So basically what you're saying is the budget stabilization fund is packed to the brim, right?
• This is time right now to stabilize the budget and to ensure that we're not cutting more things.
• That $880 million balance in the budget stabilization fund would be over that cap of 15%.
• Chairman, and I do understand that the budget stabilization fund is at 15%.

Summary: The Joint Finance and Corporation Committee met with a quorum and first approved a $6.5 million federal supplemental appropriation for the Military Division to replace failing climate control systems in Idaho Air National Guard buildings at Gowen Field. The motion passed with a do-pass recommendation after brief explanation that the work would begin with design and contracting and the remaining funds would carry into fiscal year 2027. The committee then considered Idaho State Police funding tied to the Project Choice Fund. Staff explained three revenue sources supporting a $6.695 million personnel appropriation: a beer excise tax reallocation, a new specialty license plate, and House Bill 967, which would redirect additional liquor account distributions. Members discussed the impact on cities and counties, the need for stable public safety funding, and the fact that the proposal shifts some liquor revenues away from local governments. The appropriation motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. Next, the committee took up two Idaho Digital Learning Academy-related language items. The first, a trailer to Senate Bill 1362, was adopted by unanimous consent to resolve a potential conflict with House Bill 940 regarding course fees. The second would have allowed IDLA limited access to PSIF after spending down cash balances, but members raised concerns about financial risk and whether the language was necessary; the motion failed in both chambers. The committee then approved language redirecting about $12 million from the Strategic Initiatives Fund to the local highway distribution formula instead of LTAC grants, after debate over local equity versus larger grant projects. Finally, the committee adopted language preventing an automatic transfer out of the Budget Stabilization Fund that would otherwise occur because the fund is at its statutory 15% cap. Members debated whether excess funds should instead flow to the general fund given budget pressures, but the motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the insurance industry and thus stabilize the affordable housing industry.
• This task force must identify recommendations to strengthen and stabilize the homeowners and commercial
• I'm a former educator, and I realize I'm giving a lot of directions here.
• </c><00:31:46.080><c> and</c> the uh sorry, I'm a former educator and the uh sorry, I'm a former educator
• </c><00:46:14.079><c> element</c> with that uh consumer education element with that uh consumer education

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so, I I I'm going to have education.
• </c> we have a target in education this year. we have a target in education this year.
• </c><00:52:06.560><c> Finance</c> members of the Senate Education Finance members of the Senate Education
• </c> central part of community education central part of community education programs<00:52:23.640><c
• </c> the Minnesota Department of Education. the Minnesota Department of Education.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund for fiscal year 2027; appropriating and transferring interest earnings from the Public Education
• Stabilization Fund to the General Fund for fiscal year 2027; appropriating and transferring interest
• , amending Section 33-3731, Idaho Code, to provide for the Medical Education Fund and to provide for
• Senate Bill 1439, by the Judiciary and Rules Committee, an act relating to education, amending Section
• Senate Bill 1439 by Judiciary and Rules Committee and Act relating to education.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received several communications, including substitute-member appointments and committee reports on pending administrative rules. The House State Affairs and Resources and Conservation committees recommended approval of most agency rules, with some exceptions and one rejection for inconsistency with legislative intent. The chamber also received gubernatorial and Senate messages transmitting and signing numerous bills, and it concurred in several Senate amendments to House bills, including HB 730, HB 928, HB 758, and HB 822. The main floor action focused on suspending rules to take up memorials and bills. House Joint Memorial 22, concerning wildlife and pelican impacts on fisheries, was adopted after debate emphasizing fish losses and asking for federal compensation. HB 957, a Department of Water Resources code-cleanup bill, and SB 1396, repealing an inactive Pacific Fisheries Task Force provision, both passed. HB 948, directing LSO to help produce an annual revenue estimate, passed 61-4. HB 967, providing $4 million for Idaho State Police pay raises by shifting some liquor-account revenue, passed 50-18 after debate over impacts on counties, cities, and property taxes. The House also passed HB 959, a property-tax measure for fire and EMS districts that raises the cap for those districts and changes how new construction is calculated, after extensive debate on property-tax relief and local impacts. On the Senate side, SB 1435, the Health and Welfare maintenance budget, passed; SB 1401, a public health enhancement bill, failed 30-36; SB 1429, the behavioral health enhancement budget, passed 39-27; SB 1431, the Water Resources enhancement budget, passed 48-18; SB 1389, addressing liability for private polling locations, passed; SB 1391, a trailer bill adding surveyors to a property-rights/trespass measure, passed; and SJM 114, urging Congress to act on NIL in college athletics, was adopted by voice vote. The House also took up additional budget and trailer bills later in the day, including HB 964, HB 965, and HB 966, which passed, while continuing to process Senate amendments and committee referrals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it addresses a procedural failure that can undermine the very stability custody law is supposed
• This measure, which would add, quote, the freedom of a parent in the nurturing, education, care, custody
• Terms like nurturing, control, and even education are not defined in the bill.
• Nurturing, control, and even education are not defined in the bill text.
• Those were about directing education. Then there’s Wisconsin v.

Bills: HCR6, HCR19, HB81, HB134, HB154, HB163, HB170, HB194, HB254, HB318, HB410, HB473, HB485, HB718, HB970

Keywords: HCR 6, House Concurrent Resolution 6, successions, intestate succession, testate succession, disinheritance, disinherison, forced heirship, forced heir, legitime, estranged heir, estranged child, inheritance, estate planning, wills, testaments, Civil Code Article 1617, Civil Code Article 1618, Civil Code Article 1619, Civil Code Article 1620

Transcript Highlights:

• These are professionals, educators, social workers, healthcare workers, nonprofit employees, people who
• Care without housing is not stability.
• They were educators by profession, but freedom fighters by calling.
• Jasmine Bernie Clark: Founder of Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund.
• I've had to be very vocal about my personal story because I think it's my duty to educate others on why

Transcript Highlights:

• All families were provided with safe sleep education.
• I'm wondering if you all have any sort of public education built into your plan?
• Yes, more education is needed.
• I would be more than happy to kind of get that additional education out there. Thank you.
• Experts help design policies that give families a fair path to stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over time, education has improved responses, but significant gaps remain.
• Training and education.
• It's the difference between education and none at all.
• cost for a special education student was $13,825.
• special education transportation.

Bills: S2743, S2861, S3021

Keywords: domestic violence, police training, suspicious deaths, homicide investigation, victim support, school bus safety, commission, student safety, operator training, safety standards, Legislative oversight, public health, student transportation, school bus, school pupil transportation, pupil transport, child passenger safety, school van, transportation contractor, motor vehicle safety

Transcript Highlights:

• educational education and other educational resources<00:16:17.279><c> for</c><00:16:17.600><c> job<
• Opioid abatement is one, but we use a lot of other educational funds from Kentucky adult education to
• provide education for individuals.
• Opioid abatement is one, but we use a lot of other educational funds from Kentucky adult education to
• provide education for individuals.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• is an additional stipend, excuse me, of about $400 for a period of time while the child is being stabilized
• And so we wanted the money to be available to them for perhaps education or something like that further
• And so we wanted the money to be available to them for perhaps education or something like that further

Keywords: 996, all