Transcript Highlights:

• Here with us to testify today, I have Amy Jenkins on behalf of the California Cannabis Operators Association
• Amy Jenkins on behalf of the California Cannabis Operators Association, proud sponsors of AB 2537.
• Amy Jenkins, on behalf of the California Cannabis Operators Association, in support.
• Amy Jenkins on behalf of the California Cannabis Operators Association, in support.
• Amy Jenkins on behalf of the California Cannabis Operators Association in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• List: Nancy Polley, Maggie Robinson, Amy Sweet, and Leila Flores.
• Next is Amy Sweet, followed by Leila Flores. Thank you.
• Hello, my name is Amy Sweet, and I've been a teacher in APS for 38 years in ESL, bilingual education,
• Also, the interest, what Amy is saying, is the interest of the students to stay in school, to be present
• And I just appreciate the conversations, and I want to say that I think it was Miss Amy; she said something

Transcript Highlights:

• On September 15, 2024, Amy Porter, a tribal citizen of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, was last
• Amy Porter, a tribal citizen of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, was last seen in the Lake Elsinore
• On September 22, 2024, Amy Porter's body was found in a ravine off the highway in Yucaipa.
• The Feather Alert process failed Amy Porter and her family. That's why we're here.
• Amy Porter, you know, and the Feather Alert would have been issued.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs opened its 2025 hearing with a traditional song and remarks about the importance of Native visibility and land acknowledgment. The hearing focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), exploitation and trafficking in a Public Law 280 (PL 280) state, and California’s response. Members and tribal leaders emphasized that MMIP is tied to historical trauma, forced removal, undercounting, and ongoing inequities in law enforcement response, media attention, and access to resources. Several panelists urged stronger tribal consultation, better data collection, more funding, and culturally informed education and victim services. In the first panel, tribal chairpersons described personal and community impacts. Chairperson Antonet Del Rio spoke about the need to include federally and non-federally recognized tribes and to educate schools and communities, while naming long-unsolved cases from her tribe. Chairperson Cheyenne Stone connected MMIP to the history of violence in Owens Valley and to the disturbance of Indigenous remains during infrastructure projects, calling for forensic resources, mandatory consultation, and accountability. Chairperson Charles Martin described the death of Morongo citizen Amy Porter and said the Feather Alert failed her family because law enforcement did not act quickly enough; he called for reforms and better coordination, especially in PL 280 jurisdictions. Chairwoman Nelson and committee members echoed the need for equity, urgency, and government-to-government respect. The second panel examined how PL 280 complicates MMIP and trafficking cases. Professor Carol Goldberg explained that PL 280 created an unfunded mandate, reduced federal jurisdiction and funding, and contributed to under-resourced policing and mistrust; she recommended mandatory training, community-oriented policing, formal tribal-county collaboration, and possible retrocession in some cases. Yurok Chairman Joe James tied MMIP to boarding schools, trafficking, and the need to advance bills such as AB 31, SB 4, ACR 39, AB 285, and AB 1378, along with increased budget funding. Morning Star Gali argued that PL 280 enables traffickers and violent offenders to exploit jurisdictional gaps and called for tribally led public safety, housing, victim services, and stronger consultation. Dustin Contreras, a human trafficking investigator, described the overlap between trafficking and MMIP, stressed partnerships and task forces, and supported more education for law enforcement, schools, and families. In the final panel, state and county officials described current efforts and acknowledged remaining gaps. The Attorney General’s Office said it is working on MICIC outreach, tribal response planning, PL 280 training through an advisory council, and improved data systems, while supporting bills and the Feather Alert. Humboldt County Sheriff Hansel described the case of a missing woman, Emily, as an example of how people with mental illness or justice involvement can become invisible, and said counties need more consistent training and clearer jurisdictional protocols. He and other officials supported the Feather Alert, tribal police authority, and a pilot program for POST status for tribal police, which they said had been vetoed previously. Across the hearing, speakers repeatedly called for better coordination, more funding, stronger tribal authority, and sustained action rather than symbolic recognition.

Transcript Highlights:

• AMI.
• stands, if the market rents of the subject property are already below the targeted rents, Based on 80% AMI
• affordability requirements that are in this bill are already being implemented, including the 10% at 60% AMI
• Most of my residents have an AMI of 30 to 40%.
• So the tool has worked, and we have followed the rules in our affordable world, which is below 60% AMI

Bills: SB467, SB325, SB867, SB994, SB1052, SB1237, SB1449, SB1531, SB2063, SB2172, SB2173, SB2520, SB2529, SB2538, SB2541, SJR46, SJR84

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Transcript Highlights:

• Amy Dennis. Angelique Gonzalez Page and Jennifer Fleck. Autumn Laner.
• Amy Dennis. And you're Amy. OK.
• Amy Dennis, we have you as testifying on behalf of yourself and against the bill. Is that correct?
• My name is Amy Dennis. I am a mother of adult children.

Bills: HB 45, HB 755, HB 1232, HB 1555, HB 2460, HB 2702, HB 2973, HB 3120, HB 3225, HB 3314, HB 3356, HB 3371, HB 3634, HB 3638, HB 4247, HB 4283, HB 4290, HB 4302, HB 4503, HB 4511, HB 4565, HB 4581, HB 4627, HB 4632, HB 4660, HB 4668, HB 4960, HB 5042

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair calls Autumn Launer, Amy Dennis, Angelique Gonzalez-Page. And Jennifer Fleck. Thank you.
• Amy Dennis. And you're Amy, okay.
• Amy Dennis, we have you as testifying on behalf of yourself and against the bill, correct?
• My name is Amy Dennis. I am a mother of adult children.

Bills: HB45, HB45, HB755, HB 1232, HB1555, HB2460, HB2702, HB2973, HB3120, HB3225, HB3314, HB3356, HB3371, HB3634, HB3638, HB4247, HB4283, HB4290, HB4302, HB4503, HB4511, HB4565, HB4581, HB4627, HB4632, HB4660, HB4668, HB4960, HB5042

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money

Transcript Highlights:

• Amy, please call the roll. Chair Jelimbaro, here. Vice Chair Porras, here.
• Representative Oliver having closed on our bill, Amy, will you please call the roll?
• Having closed on the bill, Amy, will you please call the roll? Chair Delumardo. Chair Jelimbaro?
• Having closed on the bill, Amy, will you please call the roll? Chair Jelombardo, Vice Chair Porras?
• Having closed on the bill, Amy, please call the roll. Chair Delumardo. Yes. Vice Chair Porras.

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, can I have the chair and secretary for the Ray Ami Committee?
• All right, please follow your chair and secretary if you were in the Ray Ami Committee.

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 25, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The transcript appears to be from the opening of the 2026 Maryland YMCA Youth and Government State Conference, including the joint session of the Youth General Assembly. The House and Senate were called to order, a quorum was announced, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and oaths of office were administered to the Youth Senate, House of Delegates, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Youth Governor. The Youth Governor then delivered an opening address about vulnerability, growth, civic engagement, and the importance of speaking up and learning through debate and public service. The State Director followed with conference safety and conduct instructions, emphasizing traveling in groups, looking out for roommates, respecting shared spaces, attending mandatory events, using the Guidebook and Slack apps for communication, obtaining adult permission to leave scheduled activities, staying in rooms after room checks, and only interacting with people wearing conference lanyards. She also encouraged delegates to make new friends, set personal goals beyond winning or passing bills, and to debate ideas rather than people. After adjournment of the joint session, participants were directed to their next locations based on program and committee assignments. Legislators were instructed to check Guidebook for committee assignments and move to the House Office Building, while lobbyists and press were sent to their respective leaders. The transcript then shifts into committee roll calls and informal introductions, with no substantive bill debate, votes, or committee actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go to Amy Schaefer, who is with the Rural Capacity Program manager.
• Amy Schaefer: Thank you, Mr. Chair, thank you, committee members. My name is Amy Schaefer.
• most powerful and impactful programs CEDA has created and operates is the Rural Capacity Program. to Amy
• schaer who is with rural capacity to Amy schaer who is with rural capacity program<00:18:01.760>
• Schaefer I'm the rural uh my name is Amy Schaefer I'm the rural capacity<00:18:14.200> manager

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to Representative Amy Sangiolo.
• Amy Mager. And by way of Teams, I have Dr.
• Amy Mager, Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts and American Society of Acupuncturists.
• Amy Mager online? We do. I'm sorry, it's not letting me give you my—there we go.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hybrid hearing on a wide range of bills focused on patient safety, workforce development, health equity, and access to care. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 2362/S. 1491, which would require health care providers to offer trained chaperones for sensitive exams. Sponsors and supporters said the bill is a common-sense safeguard prompted by cases of physician sexual abuse, and survivors gave emotional testimony describing grooming, isolation, and abuse during exams when no chaperone was present. Support also came from a health services researcher, a physician, and a RAINN representative, all arguing that trained chaperones and clearer documentation would improve transparency and protect patients. Committee members asked about clarifying who may serve as a chaperone and whether the bill would apply to other clinicians such as PTs and OTs. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2401/S. 1485, which would require explicit informed consent for certain educational exams performed on unconscious patients. The bill’s supporters said patients should know in advance if students or physicians will conduct non-medically necessary exams while they are under anesthesia, and that the measure would protect survivors from retraumatization. The hearing then moved to H. 2537, a primary care access bill. Health Care for All, the Massachusetts Medical Society, pediatric and internal medicine physicians, and a patient advocate described long waits, provider shortages, and difficulty finding primary care, especially for low-income people and people of color. They supported the bill’s proposed primary care spending target, payment reforms, Medicaid graduate medical education funding, and a commercial payment floor for health centers. Another set of bills addressed workforce and safety issues. H. 2397/S. 1593 would establish a nursing workforce center; nursing leaders said Massachusetts should make the current workforce council permanent to support data collection, apprenticeships, and long-term planning for the state’s largest health care workforce. H. 2396/S. 1535 would require safe patient handling and mobility programs in health facilities; nurses described serious injuries from lifting patients and said better equipment and programs would reduce staff injuries and improve patient outcomes. H. 2501/S. 1505 on LGBTQ+ health disparities drew support from a medical student and Doctors for America, who urged collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data to improve care and school outcomes. Finally, H. 2448/S. 1522 on patient safety and equitable access to care drew strong support from nursing organizations and individual nurses who described unsafe staffing, burnout, and patient harm, while the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems opposed the bill as redundant for psychiatric facilities already regulated by the Department of Mental Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me to testify and support are Amy Costa on behalf of Alameda County, and Tawanda Gilbert, the chief
• With me to testify and support are Amy Costa on behalf of Alameda County, and to Wanda Gilbert, the chief
• I'm Amy Costa of Full Moon Strategies. I'm here on behalf of the County of Alameda.
• Amy Jenkins here on behalf of the California Cannabis Operators Association, as well as the Orange County

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health met without a quorum for much of the hearing and began as a subcommittee, hearing several bills and taking some votes once quorum was established. SB 1124 by Senator Archiletta would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters said the bill addresses low awareness and late-stage diagnosis, while retailers raised implementation concerns about sign size, distribution, and notice. SB 1150 by Senator Jones would require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry; the author and chair emphasized patient privacy and awareness, while registry and university stakeholders said they appreciated the amendments and would continue working on the language. SB 1400 by Senator Argin would modernize Alameda Health System governance to give Alameda County more flexibility and direct oversight; county and labor witnesses supported the bill as a way to improve accountability and system stability. The committee then heard SB 1094 by Senator Weber Pierson, a sponsor-backed measure to expand biosimilar substitution and allow health plans and pharmacists to use lower-cost biologics unless a prescriber opts out. Supporters from health plans, hospitals, pharmacists, labor, business, and consumer groups argued it would lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, while biotechnology and rheumatology groups opposed or sought amendments, warning about non-interchangeable biosimilars, switching concerns, and physician oversight. After discussion about notice requirements and substitution authority, the committee passed SB 1094 on a 6-0 vote and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1314 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide definition for smoke shops, impose a 600-foot buffer from schools and daycares, restrict nitrous oxide sales, and allow local governments to adopt stricter rules. Support came from city officials, pediatric and public safety groups, and the bill’s author framed it as a youth-protection measure; members discussed alignment with alcohol and cannabis buffer rules, operating hours, and enforcement. The committee approved SB 1314 on a 6-0 vote and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1309 by Senator Rubio would eliminate cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up care after lung cancer screening; supporters, including clinicians and cancer advocates, said it would prevent delayed diagnosis and treatment, while health plans opposed it over premium impacts. After questions about costs and follow-up coverage, the committee passed SB 1309 on a 7-0 vote and placed it on call. The hearing also began SB 1199, which would ban copay accumulators, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• After Jordan will be Amy Porterfield, and after that will be Danny Roberts. Welcome, Mr. Moon.
• The last thing I want to say before my colleague Amy Porterfield comes up here, because I know she has
• We have Amy. Jordan did so well, I would love to yield to some actual seniors, so thank you.
• I want to give a shout out to Jordan and Amy.

Bills: SB1001, SB1035, SB1056, SB1065, SB1138, SB1161, SB1204, SB1207, SB1248, SB1274, SB1284, SCM1002, SCM1006, SCR1020

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, state budget, private prisons

Transcript Highlights:

• And Amy Griffiths, that? Perfect. Have a seat and state your name, and welcome to our committee.
• And joining me is Chief Amy Griffiths with the Division of Prison Operations.
• Joining me is Chief Amy Griffiths with the Division of Prison Operations.
• Amy Griffiths, UDC Chief of Prison Operations. Could you pull up, Mike, just a little bit closer?

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a district that voted for Donald Trump at the presidential level, but Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith
• Donald Trump at the presidential<00:02:28.720> level,<00:02:28.959> but<00:02:29.360> Amy
• <00:02:29.680> Clolobashar presidential level, but Amy Clolobashar presidential level, but
• Amy Clolobashar and<00:02:30.319> Tina<00:02:30.640> Smith<00:02:30.879> at<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jason Turk, and Amy Lusson. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Chair recognizes Amy Lusson.
• My name's Amy Lessin and I'm a licensed pharmacist in Texas. and Director of Pharmacy and Retail Operations
• it, I think is going to be ultimately a good thing for those folks that decide. to get it, and then Amy

Bills: HB 3772, HB 1656, HB 4504, HB 1896, HB 4420, HB 4421, HB 4076, HB 3708, HB 2806, HB 3540, HB 1586, HB 5459, HB 4553, HB 4535, HB 3811, HB 3749, HB 4255, HB 4051, HB 5098, HB 3554, HB 4539, HB 5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• residents in our communities earn 50% of area median income, and a full one-third of households earn 30% AMI
• a full one-third of households<00:23:56.960> earn<00:23:57.280> 30%<00:23:57.840> AMI
• <00:23:59.360> These households earn 30% AMI or below.
• These households earn 30% AMI or below.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And requesting documents that appeared in the trial exhibit of the U.S. versus Amy Bach.
• So it binds the U.S. attorney's office, the government, and it binds the defendant, Amy Bach, but it
• the government, and it binds uh the government, and it binds uh the defendant,<01:20:20.640> Amy
• Bach, but it does not defendant, Amy Bach, but it does not bind<01:20:23.120> us<01:20:23.520
• it has been lauded and celebrated by Amy it has been lauded and celebrated by Amy Clolobashar, Clolobashar

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Shannon, you're up and Amy as well.
• If yall don't are up and Amy as well. If yall don't mind, You get settled down.
• And my good friend Amy said I can do math after that.
• again families come to me, come to Amy again families come to me, come to Amy as<01:41:53.280>
• Amy, what is your understanding of why the rates weren't increased to the 100%...

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board’s fourth meeting focused primarily on a presentation from University of Kentucky and University of Louisville health leaders about the state university directed payment program. Mark Birdwhistle and Ken Marshall described the program as a long-running, value-based Medicaid arrangement that began in 2019, uses university-provided matching funds rather than provider taxes, and ties a portion of payments to quality outcomes. They said the program has improved measures such as tobacco cessation, diabetes control, depression screening, and cancer screening, while supporting access to specialty care, medical education, and workforce training. They also emphasized that Kentucky’s model is nationally notable and has helped improve health rankings and generate cost savings. A major topic was the federal reconciliation bill signed July 4, which the presenters said will reduce directed payments by 10% annually for 10 years beginning in 2028. UL Health estimated a first-year loss of about $75 million and a cumulative loss of about $600 million over the decade; UK estimated about $100 million in the first year, for a combined first-year impact of roughly $175 million. Both speakers warned the cuts could affect access to care, training capacity, and the sustainability of Kentucky’s value-based model, though they expressed hope that congressional action could alter or delay the changes. They also noted that 340B drug pricing changes could further strain already thin operating margins, but did not provide exact figures during the meeting. Committee members responded positively to the program’s reported outcomes and the institutions’ role in Kentucky health care. Senator Berg praised the quality of care and shared a personal example of being advised to stay at UofL for breast cancer treatment. Representative Moer highlighted Kentucky’s strong cancer-control score and asked for more explanation of the value-based payment structure; the presenters said the system is built around ongoing measurement, accountability, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended August 27 minutes by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, next we have Amy Heg.
• So Amy, if you are ready, would you please introduce yourself and you may begin. Great.
• I think what's really unique about our Farm to School program here is Amy is very humble, but she is
• is very humble but she is here is Amy is very humble but she is excellent<00:36:40.200> at<00
• but for a lot of beginning as Amy but for a lot of beginning farmers<00:37:13.319> and<00:37:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was involved with that, with Amy Clark, my predecessor, as one of the folks who was invited on the
• <01:28:53.800> Clark<01:28:54.239> my involved with that with Amy Clark my involved
• Yeah, and so I'm trying to get my, uh, Amy provided me a nice little flowchart that I will cheat off
• Yeah, and so I'm trying to get my, uh, Amy provided me a nice little flowchart that I will cheat off
• Yeah, and so I'm trying to get my, uh, Amy provided me a nice little flowchart that I will cheat off

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.