Transcript Highlights:

• So adding um laid off due by Doge employees, federal employees to the state's UI trust fund, a relocation
• /c><00:03:17.680> the<00:03:17.840> state's<00:03:18.159> UI<00:03:18.560> trust
• <00:03:18.800> fund, employees to the state's UI trust fund, employees to the state's UI trust

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the end of the day, we are the first ones to see their children, and parents trust us to care for
• Name, transactions made at the airport, trusted traveler details, lounge information, travel dates, length
• Lounge memberships and trusted travel information such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
• Airports Association, I urge you to support the bill. to protect the citizens' privacy and enhance public trust

Bills: SB249, SB546, SB744, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1365, SB1366, SB1394, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1745, SB1746, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB1939

Keywords: memorial markers, law enforcement, officer memorials, killed in the line of duty, highway signage, school bus, school district, student transportation, child safety, seat belts, three-point seat belt, two-point seat belt, bus retrofit, bus warranty, Texas Education Agency, TEA, transportation code, school activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, school-chartered bus

Transcript Highlights:

• If these individuals are trusted to own, possess, and use a rifle responsibly, they should be trusted
• to work through the... to own, possess, and use a rifle responsibly, they should be trusted to work
• firearms for their own protection, we force them to rely on others or leave them defenseless, all while trusting

Summary: The House convened for opening-day business, with prayer, a moment of silence for Captain Bill Guston, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum established. The Speaker outlined a budget message emphasizing reduced spending and a proposed permanent 0.75% sales tax cut, and the chamber then received the Governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001. Members moved to reinstate several vetoed appropriations, including the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1, the Department of Corrections automated staffing/time management system, and Baldwin sewer and water main work; each reinstatement passed unanimously. The House also adopted a special order calendar and special amendment procedures for the General Appropriations Act and related bills. On the special order calendar, several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including Lucy’s Law on boating safety (CS/CS/CS/HB 289), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process. These measures focused on boating safety, water infrastructure, utility-rate fairness, school walking safety, and procedural civil-law updates. A major floor debate centered on HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “Free Kill Law” limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-awaited justice measure for families who lost adult children or unmarried relatives to medical malpractice, while opponents were not recorded in the final vote tally; the bill passed 104-6 after extensive emotional testimony from sponsors and affected families. The chamber also heard a lengthy, highly divided debate on HB 759, which would lower the firearm purchase age from 21 to 18. Supporters argued the current law is inconsistent with adult rights and responsibilities and cited constitutional precedent, while opponents emphasized Parkland, youth gun violence, and public-safety concerns; the transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• on HB10001, and we hope that obviously the importance of this bill for the Maui Wildfire Settlement Trust
• the importance of this bill for the Maui Wildfire<00:10:01.680> Settlement<00:10:02.000> Trust
• /c><00:10:02.240> Fund<00:10:02.640> and<00:10:02.880> so Wildfire Settlement Trust
• Fund and so Wildfire Settlement Trust Fund and so I'm<00:10:03.440> here<00:10:03.680> to<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 344 HD1, which would require new buildings to include electric vehicle charger-ready parking stalls. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the State Energy Office, Department of Accounting and General Services, the Disabilities and Communication Access Board, and others. Members asked about cost and infrastructure impacts; the State Energy Office said the added cost would likely be modest if planned from the start, but that electrical capacity remains a key challenge for expanding EV charging. The chairs proposed two amendments: extending the bill to cover on-grade parking lots and adding language for Level 1 or Level 3 charging when appropriate. After discussion, both committees voted to pass HB 344 HD1 with amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, the chair voted aye, one member voted with reservation, and excused members were noted; the Government Operations committee also passed the measure, with one aye vote and one vote with reservations. The committees also heard House Bill 10001 HD1 SD1, relating to the Maui wildfire settlement trust fund. The Governor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, Maui County, and the Tax Foundation testified in support. Members questioned Hawaii Electric Industries’ ability to fund its share of the settlement and whether the state should pay first or in tranches. The chair proposed amendments requiring all defendant parties to submit payment plans and proof of ability to pay, and requiring non-state defendants to fund their shares into escrow before the state releases its share. The committee adopted the amendments and passed the bill unanimously by the members present. Later, the committee deferred action on House Bill 229 HD1 until March 20 for clarification on amendments, then passed House Bill 860 HD1 with amendments addressing liability for limited resurfacing of disputed roads, and passed House Bill 1161 HD2 with amendments concerning highway fund use, formula calculations, and EV-related county fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• I agree that parents are trusted sources and that we should have...
• I agree that parents are trusted sources and that we should have strong school and family partnerships
• , and those should be built on trust.
• And trust is certainly, in sex ed, the utmost aspect of making sure parents and community members know

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the last four years, public trust in the department has declined.
• On a personal note, I can think of no one, no one I trust more to do the right thing every single time
• I also want to thank Attorney General Pam Bondi for her inspiring leadership and her her trust in me.
• roles to assure Americans that we are going to bring this back to America. a place where Americans can trust

Keywords: Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion

Summary: The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.

Transcript Highlights:

• And last but not least, groundwater deposits in the Texas Water Trust.
• We work closely with our sister agency, TCEQ, on surface water donations to the Water Trust.
• proposal would give that authority to our agency should an entity want to donate groundwater into the trust
• It has the trust of our local producers across the various sectors of agricultural production.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trust me, we were considering that, but I just don't have the money to do that right now.
• I wouldn't do that, trust me. But it was to that gravity. We're using foreign teachers."
• “Trust me, I’ve been in that household. They have structure.
• where the lion's share of the students are, and this is where we need to... ...put our interest and trust

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee met to discuss the needs of rural school districts and the role of Florida’s three regional education consortia: the Panhandle Area Education Consortium, Northeast Florida Educational Consortium, and Heartland Educational Consortium. Executive directors and several rural superintendents described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide shared services, professional learning, leadership development, grant support, cooperative purchasing, risk management, IT/cybersecurity help, and back-office assistance that small districts could not afford to provide on their own. They emphasized that rural districts are often very small, have limited staff, and must still meet the same state reporting and compliance requirements as large urban systems. Testimony focused heavily on teacher recruitment and retention, alternative certification, and the difficulty of staffing specialized roles such as CFOs, MIS directors, IT staff, and content-area teachers. Superintendents said many new hires are career changers or alternatively certified teachers who need consortium-supported training, and several argued for more flexibility in funding so districts can raise salaries and compete with neighboring districts and nearby states. Members also asked about the impact of declining enrollment, homeschooling, and voucher-related school choice; superintendents said those trends are reducing FTE and creating budget instability, while also requiring districts to right-size staff and programs. Several speakers described the financial strain on rural districts, including rising insurance costs, transportation costs, and the challenge of forecasting budgets when enrollment changes after the school year begins. One superintendent recounted major hurricane damage and said consortium risk-management support was essential to recovery. Others said the consortia help districts pool resources for property and health insurance, payroll, student data systems, and procurement, and that this shared approach saves money and improves services. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I want to first thank Speaker Perez for trusting me to lead this subcommittee, and I want to say
• I know my son better than anyone, and it's only by trusting my intimate knowledge of him rather than
• recurring funds from general revenue and almost $2 million in recurring funds from the Medical Care Trust
• recurring funds from general revenue and almost $2 million in recurring funds from the Medical Care Trust

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will note that the vast majority of our funding comes from trust funds, and only 4% is from general
• We have a very important responsibility that the voters' voices are heard and that there is trust in
• Our budget currently is about $657 million, trust-funded, not general revenue, from the Highway Safety
• Operating Trust Fund.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• Called, you have to trust your teammate.
• You have to trust them, and the coach has to have trust in them, and them to have trust in the coach.
• friend to cattlemen, foresters, trusted friend to cattlemen, foresters, producers,<01:23:52.719>
• >> And this comes from the education trust >> And this comes from the education trust
• fund money if we don't education trust fund money if we don't have<05:20:21.600> to.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players. After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar. The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:40.720> you lot of respect for you and I trust you lot of respect for you and I trust
• I trust you. I know, I trust you. Go ahead. Look, I know, I trust you. Go ahead. Look, I...
• I trust you. I know, I trust you. Go ahead. Look, I know, I trust you. Go ahead. Look, I...
• But trust<01:42:20.639> but<01:42:20.880> verify. trust but verify. trust but verify.
• So, we're going to trust funds from private vendors. What about the special education?

Keywords: MS House Floor - 15 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and approval to dispense with the reading of the journal. Members introduced guests from Humphreys County and South Haven, then moved to the calendar and took up House Bill 2, a broad education-related measure. The bill was called up, the rules were suspended, and a committee substitute was adopted. An initial amendment correcting drafting errors in the charter school section and subsection numbering was then adopted without objection. Members then gave extended explanations of HB 2, describing it as a comprehensive school choice and education reform package. Supporters said the bill would create Magnolia student accounts/education savings accounts funded from existing per-pupil dollars, prioritize lower-income families, require testing and financial audits, expand special needs ESAs, and allow public-to-public transfers without a sending district veto. The bill also would expand charter schools into districts with D or F schools, create an accountability dashboard for public and private school reporting, expand the Tim Tebow Act for homeschool extracurricular participation, extend literacy and math requirements through eighth grade, adjust teacher and assistant teacher pay and retirement-related provisions, create a specialized school option program, and require a federal testing waiver. Supporters framed the measure as empowering parents while preserving public schools. During questions, members raised concerns about charter schools, the cost of the program, accountability, and whether the bill would help or harm public education. One member asked whether failing charter schools were addressed; the response was that the bill was aimed at reconstituting the system rather than directly fixing those schools. Another questioned why a child accepted for transfer could still be denied by a receiving district; the bill sponsor said districts would set and publish acceptance policies and could deny students for lack of room. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s scope and policy rationale, and the transcript does not show a final vote on passage of HB 2 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• now openly admitting they can't trust now openly admitting they can't trust us.<00:18:00.480>
• So don't positions of public trust.
• And I love the brain trust. It goes, don't raise the debt ceiling.
• And I love the brain trust. It ceiling? And I love the brain trust.
• Trust me, I I'm not that bright. I Yeah. Trust me, I I'm not that bright.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times this leads to a situation where it's a trust but verify.
• A lot of times this leads to a situation where it's a trust but verify.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy and Environment met with 13 members present, approved the June 4, 2026 minutes, and took up Senate Bill 947, which concerns dam registration, inspections, and related enforcement. The committee discussed a substitute that made technical changes and implementation adjustments, including lower registration fees for counties with multiple dams, extending registration validity from five to ten years, allowing conditional permits, giving EGLE flexibility to modify deficiency schedules, and adding provisions related to inspection reports and low-hazard dam evaluations. Members also raised an unresolved issue involving FERC preemption and hydroelectric dams; the chair and EGLE said that issue would continue to be worked on, likely through the floor process. Public testimony cards were read in support from a range of environmental and policy groups and individuals. The committee adopted the S-1 substitute 13-0 and then reported SB 947 to the floor on an 8-3 vote with two passes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 627, which also had been heard previously. No additional questions were raised, and testimony cards were read in support from several organizations, including the Michigan Environmental Council, Sierra Club, the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. The committee voted to report SB 627 to the floor with the recommendation that it pass, and the bill was reported on an 11-1 vote with one pass. Finally, the committee took testimony only on House Bill 4361, sponsored by Representative Green, which would direct the Public Service Commission to create a rule allowing utilities broader vegetation management within rights-of-way to improve grid reliability. Representative Green and Thumb Electric Cooperative’s Kevin Mazur testified that the bill would reduce outages, improve safety, and align statutory standards with existing utility practices. Several senators raised concerns that the language was too broad and could allow extensive tree removal, harming property owners, local control, tree canopy, and environmental and health interests; others said utilities already have similar authority and emphasized reliability and homeowner coordination. The committee did not take action on HB 4361 and adjourned after reading in testimony cards from utilities, environmental groups, and others both supporting and opposing the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• given guidance, direction, instruction, and counsel concerning the problems and affairs of those who trust
• She was known throughout the neighborhood in North Chesterfield as a trusted caregiver for children,

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce and Consumer Affairs to evaluate registration, reporting, and transparency mechanisms for trusts
• formed under chapter 554G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and other large private trusts.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard House Bill 1481, which would require cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, HSI facilities, and mortuaries to dispose of human remains within 60 days after a burial transit permit or related affidavit is issued. The Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association and several funeral-related entities supported the bill, and the association said it had already implemented consistent cremation authorization language regarding notice and consent for recycling metal implants, effective January 1. The committee later recommended HB 1481 be passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; the vice chair voted with reservations, saying the prior version with Department of Health rulemaking was stronger consumer protection. The committee also considered several resolutions. SCR 96 and SR 91, on a status update for implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, were recommended for passage with amendments adopting the PUC’s requested changes. SCR 172 and SR 163, seeking a comprehensive analysis of ways to reduce costs and financial risks while meeting state goals, drew support from the PUC and Energy Office with comments, and the committee recommended passage with amendments removing a disputed whereas clause. SCR 109 and SR 102, on studying expanded mail-order pharmacy use, drew mixed testimony: the Insurance Division and HMSA supported a study, while the Hawaii Pharmacist Association and others raised concerns about patient outcomes, rural access, and community pharmacy sustainability; the committee amended the resolutions to require broader agency cooperation and evaluation of community pharmacy impacts, then recommended passage. In additional decision-making, the committee deferred SCR 193 and SR 1802 on trust transparency due to no testimony. It recommended passage with amendments on several bills, including HB 1782 after clarifying terminology with the Attorney General’s Office, HB 1514 on workers’ compensation, HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure, HB 1643 on pharmacy, HB 1721 on housing, HB 1864 on insurance, HB 1946 on timeshare registration, and HB 2475 on labeling requirements. HB 350 on energy was deferred for more work. The committee also reconsidered HB 2101 on commercial aquarium collection and recommended passage as amended after hearing from supporters and noting concerns about enforcement and statewide consistency.

Transcript Highlights:

• The endowment fund is like a trust fund that money is invested and then you draw off X% every year to
• And then in 2019, we created two more: we created this one and we created the early childhood trust.

Bills: SB61, SB62, SB99

Keywords: rural libraries, funding, cultural affairs, education, community support, appropriation, state investment, public resources, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're starting off slow but we will pick up the pace, and trust me.
• The transparency builds public trust and supports the principle while respecting constitutional protections

Transcript Highlights:

• Just on the budget reserve trust fund, of course, we've had this is a great table, a really great recent
• One of the comments made here by, you know, and I've dealt with the Pew Charitable Trust before, uh,

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Approval of Minutes 00:01:40 2026-2032 Statewide Capital Improvements Plan 00:02:15, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the prior meeting minutes. The board then reviewed the 2026–2032 statewide capital improvement plan, including project recommendations across maintenance, renovation, IT, and new construction categories. Staff explained that 15 projects were selected in each category and described how the board’s tiebreaker process was used to finalize the recommendations. Members asked about the asset preservation pool, specifically whether institutions receive a blanket appropriation or must identify projects. Staff explained that the Council on Postsecondary Education serves as the gatekeeper after appropriation, reviewing institution-submitted uses to ensure they meet criteria for maintaining and improving existing facilities rather than new construction. Staff also outlined revisions to the draft plan, including updated summary data, revised wording for clarity, an updated maintenance pool policy recommendation based on Pew research, and a change to cross-reference major state-funded construction project status information rather than listing it directly. During discussion, one member praised the work on the plan and commented on the budget reserve trust fund, noting disagreement with Pew’s suggestion that the process should be in statute because Kentucky has long used the budget bill to govern deposits and uses. The board then moved to final action and unanimously adopted the draft 2026–2032 statewide capital improvement plan, with authority for staff to make final technical and editorial revisions and insert the comprehensive project list before publication. The chair thanked members for their work, noting it was the final meeting of the year, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• losses of a single breach sometimes can be calculated, what can't be calculated is the loss of public trust
• audits and ensuring Washington information systems remain resilient, secure, and worthy of our public trust

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025, covering both state agencies and local governments. SAO staff explained that the audits are conducted independently under Initiative 900 and are kept confidential at the entity level, with detailed findings shared directly with the audited organizations. They reported that state agency audits found nearly one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and 227 vulnerabilities across seven agencies, including three critical and 21 high-severity issues. For seven local government cybersecurity audits, nearly a quarter of safeguards were fully implemented on all systems, and auditors identified nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including nine critical and 47 high-severity issues. SAO also summarized its ransomware resiliency audits and critical infrastructure audits for local governments. In six ransomware audits, a little over 35% of assessed safeguards were not in place, while about 60% were at least partially in place. In 39 critical infrastructure audits, focused largely on water and sewer providers, auditors found over 260 vulnerabilities and said more than 10% were critical or high. Staff highlighted that these audits have led to improvements, including one vendor making security changes after SAO testing that were later echoed in a federal advisory. They also described related services such as cybersecurity checkups, policy guidance, and other cyber-related work by the office. Washington Technology Solutions’ state chief information security officer, Ralph Johnson, praised the audits and said they help protect essential public services. He cited a sharp national rise in ransomware incidents against governments and said Washington has used more than $11 million in federal and state cybersecurity grant funds for over 200 projects. In response to questions from Representative Scott, SAO and WOTEC discussed options for addressing urgent vulnerabilities, including compensating controls, grant funding, and low-cost mitigation steps. The committee also discussed how Washington’s program compares nationally, with Johnson saying Initiative 900 is unusually comprehensive and that local governments often seek audits voluntarily. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony was offered but none was given.