Transcript Highlights:

• So is there ever any evaluation in terms of cost-benefit of the new laws or regulations that we pass
• And I think a lot of that has to do with government, and I think somehow we need to evaluate that to
• any evaluation in terms of cost<00:57:45.640> benefit<00:57:46.240> of<00:57:46.480>
• <01:00:11.760> that<01:00:12.039> to somehow we need to evaluate that to somehow we
• need to evaluate that to bring<01:00:12.520> that<01:00:13.359> more<01:00:13.799>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work. Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would we be opposed to psychological evaluations?
• Would we be opposed to psychological evaluations?
• Would we be opposed to psychological evaluations?
• I I I don't think the evaluations?
• Um, but we do not have prehire psychological evaluations. >> Well, thank you for that.

Bills: HB60

Keywords: geoengineering, weather modification, environmental safety, atmospheric pollutants, criminal pollution, Meeting Start: 00:00:02 Roll Call: 00:00:08 26 RS HB 60 - AN ACT relating to geoengineering: 00:01:35 Department of Corrections Update: 00:32:59 Kentucky Parole Board Update: 01:19:21, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:18.159> So evaluated in our process accordingly.
• So evaluated in our process accordingly.
• that uh post-paid claim that evaluate that uh post-paid claim activity<00:31:27.076> [snorts]
• As I explained earlier in the process, we would evaluate the state policy and we’d use that to build
• and then uh flags will be evaluated and then uh flags will be generated.<00:46:01.440> Um<00:

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The report evaluated 20 buildings in downtown St.
• The report evaluated 20 buildings in downtown St.
• The report evaluated 20 buildings in downtown St.
• sort of normal process of um evaluating sort of normal process of um evaluating the<00:52:25.880
• <01:09:04.560> and the last bill about the evaluation and the last bill about the evaluation

Bills: HF1746, HF2585, HF1159, HF2574, HF2839, HF157, HF158, HF160, HF338, HF512

Keywords: Oakdale, tax increment financing, local government, funding, urban development, tax increment, St. Paul, redevelopment, housing authority, housing trust fund, low-income housing, property taxation, Minnesota statutes, vacant property, housing, commercial to residential conversion, Minneapolis, urban redevelopment, public parks, tax capacity

Transcript Highlights:

• Expenditure Review Commission, that's a bipartisan commission that reviews tax expenditures and evaluates
• We provide the research analysis to support their work in evaluating those tax expenditures and provide
• <00:04:12.640> their tax expenditures um and evaluates their tax expenditures um and evaluates
• <00:04:17.639> those<00:04:17.799> tax their work in evaluating those tax their work
• That's a bipartisan commission that reviews tax expenditures and evaluates their effectiveness and the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• evaluation evaluation and<01:27:09.360> uh<01:27:09.920> of<01:27:10.239> course
• <01:33:16.800> our to we are per currently evaluating our to we are per currently evaluating
• <02:00:23.040> It uh evaluation of the entire state.
• It uh evaluation of the entire state.
• <03:36:24.160> the that to take the time to evaluate the that to take the time to evaluate

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, if we need to wordsmith it differently, if we need to go back and re-evaluate some of it
• Why are we approving the program for evaluation for the MSOP?
• Okay, so I do have concerns about not evaluating these programs for effectiveness.
• <01:34:28.639> of repealing the program for evaluation of repealing the program for evaluation
• <01:35:58.320> these concerns about not evaluating these concerns about not evaluating these

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do the study, they're still going to do the assessments, they're still going to do the cost, or evaluate
• allow the interim water topics committee to take a really close look at how those ag benefits are evaluated

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on House Bill 1218 met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which concerns environmental assessment requirements and cost-share analysis for drainage projects. Members discussed revised language that would keep the existing $1 million threshold in place for assessment drain projects, maintain the moratorium on environmental assessments for those projects, and add study language to examine thresholds for when environmental assessments should be required. The House side explained that the goal was to prevent the threshold from being lowered again, while also allowing the interim study to gather more data on agricultural benefit valuation and cost-benefit analysis. Senator Engett asked why additional study time was needed if more than 50 environmental assessments had already been completed. In response, members explained that the current tool has gaps in how agricultural land benefits are valued, which can affect cost-share calculations, and that the study period would help improve the analysis. They also noted that the bill would not affect municipal water supply or flood control projects, with the main issue being assessment drains in agricultural land. No votes were taken. The committee agreed the revised language should be put into proper legislative form, and the chair indicated the committee could reconvene later that morning, possibly at 11:00 a.m., before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill appears to only allow the CF to support evaluative mediation and binding arbitration.
• Evaluative, in its initial draft, early neutral evaluation was going to follow an evaluative mediation
• for evaluative med mediation might<00:27:14.960> be<00:27:15.679> uh<00:27:16.000>
• ,<00:29:52.240> but took out the the neutral evaluation, but took out the the neutral evaluation
• A to clarify that the evaluative A to clarify that the evaluative mediation<02:49:39.680> is<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the biggest problems with HB 1194 is that it disregards the portfolio evaluation process and a
• One of the biggest problems with HB 1194 is that it disregards the portfolio evaluation process and a
• to evaluate...
• to evaluate...
• Next we have Evaluation Center for Complex Health Interventions, providing comments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• like in these really complex situations, we talked a little bit about creating a measurement and evaluation
• like in these really complex situations, we talked a little bit about creating a measurement and evaluation
• like in these really complex situations, we talked a little bit about creating a measurement and evaluation
• We talked a little bit about creating a measurement and evaluation system, so again that would be based
• um the outcomes and the work evaluate um the outcomes and the work that's<01:21:02.000> being

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:41.320> of<00:34:41.480> the excuse me, systematic evaluation of the excuse
• me, systematic evaluation of the blueprint<00:34:42.080> for<00:34:42.200> a<00:34:42.240
• ,<00:34:44.919> reassessment,<00:34:46.040> and this evaluation, reassessment, and
• this evaluation, reassessment, and retooling<00:34:47.000> is<00:34:47.200> actively<00
• Directs AHS, GMCB, and the Department of Financial Regulation, DFR, to evaluate their roles in health

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first took up S. 298, the Vermont Voting Rights Act. Members explained the Senate’s further proposal of amendment, including changes to language about how the State Ethics Commission may respond to ethics inquiries, a directive for the Secretary of State and Ethics Commission to work out a shared process for the candidate financial disclosure form by January 30, and a technical PAC-related wording change. The committee reported an 11-0-0 vote in favor, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The chamber then suspended rules to take up S. 328, the omnibus housing bill, and heard detailed committee reports from General and Housing, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. The bill addresses common interest community resources, a service-supported housing advisory council, expansion of the 10% for Vermont program to 12.5%, an off-site construction accelerator pilot, VHFA’s rental housing revolving loan program, special assessment districts, municipal housing planning requirements, and several reports on housing-related issues. Ways and Means described revenue impacts from the cash-balance expansion and revised the off-site construction pilot and loan program language; Appropriations removed a section already included in the budget and adjusted advisory council per diem funding. The House adopted the amendments, ordered third reading, suspended rules to place the bill in all remaining stages, passed it in concurrence with proposal of amendment, and messaged the action to the Senate forthwith. The House then suspended rules to take up S. 197, relating to payment reform for primary care. The House Health Care Committee recommended a strike-all amendment, saying the health care system is in crisis, premiums are rising, access to primary care is limited, and clinicians are burdened by documentation and administrative work. The committee vote on its amendment was 10-0-1, and the bill was also referred to Ways and Means and Appropriations because of fiscal implications. The transcript cuts off as the House was beginning consideration of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• we do have the Legislative Auditor who's uh been commissioned to conduct an analysis and program evaluation
• <00:01:49.080> of<00:01:49.240> the analysis and program evaluation of the analysis
• and program evaluation of the TTAA.<00:01:50.840> And<00:01:50.920> so<00:01:51.040>
• The final report provides recommended ideas for the legislature to consider when evaluating available
• the interplay with federal evaluating the interplay with federal regulations<01:24:07.160> and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A general performance evaluation<00:27:09.360> of<00:27:09.679> facilities<00:27:10.880
• > and<00:27:11.120> a<00:27:11.360> focused evaluation of facilities and a focused
• evaluation of facilities and a focused review<00:27:12.559> of<00:27:12.880> concerns<
• Staffing at the veteran centers was also evaluated.
• Overall staffing levels have evaluated.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:00 Approve Minutes from November 13, 2025- 00:00:55 RiverLink Tolling Operations for Louisville Bridges-Quarterhill Testimony- 00:01:48 Staff Report on Veterans’ Centers- 00:26:45 Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Response to Staff Report- 0:58:53 Adjournment- 1:18:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the November 13, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony from Quarter Hill, the tolling subcontractor for RiverLink on the Indiana-Kentucky bridge system. Quarter Hill described its role in back-office support and call center operations for the Lincoln, Kennedy, and Lewis and Clark bridges, and said the contract began in 2021 with go-live in September 2023. The company reported that revenue has increased since it took over, customer service response times have improved, and it has been operating at a loss because the contract was based on outdated transaction estimates and did not account for higher-than-expected volume and added support costs. Members questioned Quarter Hill about the role of consultants, the low reported collection rate, and why the company was leaving the contract. Quarter Hill said a single large consulting engineering firm had been hired to help shape the RFP and contract, but argued that consultants and overly detailed requirements can create disputes and hinder efficient service. On collection rates, the company said the reported 85% rate reflects the absence of registration holds and other enforcement tools, and that the remaining unpaid tolls are the hardest to collect. The company also said it had lost significant money on the contract and had reached a change order and termination agreement, while emphasizing that the system itself was functioning well. The committee then received a staff report on Kentucky veterans centers. Staff said quality of care is generally high and staffing has improved, but reported occupancy figures are misleading because they are based on certified beds rather than functional capacity after conversions to single-occupancy rooms and capital projects. The report said actual occupancy is closer to 85% than the commonly reported 56%, and that increasing occupancy would not necessarily increase revenue because the state’s cost of care exceeds reimbursement and private-pay revenue. Recommendations included adopting functional occupancy reporting, continuing the move to single-occupancy rooms, reviewing modernization needs at Thompson Hood, including Eastern Kentucky in planning, and referring the Radcliffe HVAC procurement and installation to the Auditor of Public Accounts and Attorney General for review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of this DOH survey or evaluation, it's a great opportunity when they sign up to make sure that they
• We just haven't done that evaluation yet.
• for evaluations, and we're relying on the Section 106 consultation.
• Process to help us and the federal government in this case evaluate those areas for traditional use.
• We're looking to continue to evaluate and refine that as quickly as possible.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• training and the annual evaluation training and the annual updates.<00:26:36.640> Okay,<00:26
• I was not part of the scoring evaluation team. Okay.
• I was not part of the scoring evaluation team. Okay.
• I was not part of the<00:31:36.240> scoring<00:31:36.640> evaluation<00:31:37.279> team
• <00:31:39.120> Um the scoring evaluation team. Okay. Um the scoring evaluation team.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met after several reschedulings due to flooding, welcomed a new assistant, and confirmed a quorum. It first approved the March 11 minutes, then reported that the day’s agenda included 310 items totaling about $139.4 million, with all vendors registered with the Secretary of State. The committee then approved deferred items involving the Transportation Cabinet/Department of Highways, including one routine PSC green-list item and one PSC amendment item, after hearing from the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Professional Services and noting prior questions had been answered. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Education contracts tied to reading and literacy initiatives. Officials described a competitive grant program for high-quality instructional resources and related professional learning, explaining that resources are selected through evidence-based reviews and a quality curriculum task force, and that districts apply using an instructional resources alignment rubric. Members questioned the program’s reach, whether districts opt in, how many schools applied, and whether the effort is producing measurable reading gains. Department witnesses said about 155 schools applied and were awarded, the program is voluntary, and the University of Louisville’s Reading Research Center is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate effectiveness. Several members expressed concern that the state has repeatedly funded literacy efforts without improving reading scores, though the committee ultimately approved the education items, with Senator Meredith noting support but frustration about the lack of progress. The committee also approved an MOA amendment item supporting the Principal Partnership Project, which provides tools, resources, and professional learning for administrators and helps meet statutory evaluation-training requirements. Members asked about the use of nonrecurring federal funds and whether the arrangement affects retirement benefits; staff said the contract pays districts based on daily wage and additional workdays, which does increase retirement packages. Representative McCool voted yes but voiced caution about possible supplanting. Finally, the committee took up an Office of the Controller contract for a brokered insurance-related procurement. Representative Balman moved to disapprove the contract, arguing the winning broker was not the low bidder and that the committee lacked answers about how technical scoring outweighed a roughly $600,000 price difference. The motion to disapprove did not prevail, and the contract was approved after further discussion about procurement scoring and the committee’s limited information.

Transcript Highlights:

• are a low performer, any type of discipline, if they score in the lowest two categories of their evaluation
• , two categories of their evaluation, two categories of their evaluation, their<00:03:45.959>
• Um, part of the criteria evaluation is to ensure that they have the appropriate tools.
• But I'm just saying that is a component of the criteria that the agency has to evaluate.
• agency has to evaluate. agency has to evaluate. Okay. Okay. Okay.

Keywords: Investments in Information Technology Improvement & Modernization Projects Oversight Board will met upon adjournment of both chambers. The time set is noon on YouTube, But the official time will likely vary based on chamber proceedings. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:00 Tools for Managing Remote Work Kentucky Personnel Cabinet 00:00:30 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 00:20:20 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:33:10 Housing, Buildings and Construction 00:47:40 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:56:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.

Transcript Highlights:

• level of care often are accompanied with the need, for example, from the court for a competency evaluation
• from the 2025 survey that's currently being fielded will be available in early 2026 to inform and evaluate
• from the 2025 survey that's currently being fielded will be available in early 2026 to inform and evaluate
• share relevant data with us and the independent research team we're partnering with to conduct the evaluation
• And, you know, the purpose of a pilot with a really, just a rigorous evaluation, independent evaluation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• A self-evaluation form. >> [clears throat] I think in summary, probably the best way to look at this
• Chairman, um, so we've recently put into place a process where we go through and evaluate complaints.
• We go through and evaluate complaints that come in and determine whether they fall under our purview.
• So we go through and evaluate, "Hey, does it fall under our authority?"
• Um, and then we evaluate what, if any, follow-up we need to do.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• processes, created procedures for stipends and extra duty pay, and implemented a superintendent evaluation
• In summary, Representative Martinez's request asked for the office to evaluate the effectiveness of the
• Additionally, our performance audit division was unable to fully evaluate multiple items in both the
• Additionally, our performance audit division was unable to fully evaluate multiple items in both the
• 24-month and 36-month follow-up ...able to fully evaluate multiple items in both the 24-month and 36-

Summary: The committee first heard an update on Topok Elementary School District’s long-running noncompliance with Arizona’s Uniform System of Financial Records. The Auditor General’s office explained the USFR noncompliance process and reported that Topok had made substantial progress, correcting many deficiencies in areas such as open meeting law, procurement, payroll, attendance reporting, property control, and information technology. The district’s superintendent and staff described the corrective actions they had taken, the use of outside consultants, and their plan to maintain compliance through stronger leadership, training, and consistent procedures. Members praised the district’s progress and asked about the remaining deficiencies and the status of the 3% state-aid withholding, which the Auditor General said would be addressed by the State Board of Education. The committee then considered a request for a fourth school safety special audit, tied to concerns raised by Representative Martinez about Phoenix Union High School District and school violence response practices. The Auditor General said the proposed audit would be a new topic focused on policies and procedures for responding to credible threats of violence and allegations of staff misconduct affecting student safety, and could include Phoenix Union in the sample. Representative Martinez described a fatal 2024 shooting, weapons incidents, and concerns about district oversight. The committee approved the motion 10-0. Next, staff presented the fiscal years 2027-2028 school district performance audit schedule, describing 26 randomly selected school districts and career and technical education districts, plus 84 planned follow-ups. The Auditor General said the schedule is intended to shorten the average time between audits and that the school audits division is now fully staffed. Members asked about county coverage and the inclusion of ESA accountability, but the schedule was ultimately presented for review rather than approval. The committee also heard a detailed federal compliance audit presentation on the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administered by DES. The Auditor General reported repeated findings involving missing provider documentation, questioned costs, and FFATA reporting errors, including a 2024 sample that led to questioning $2.88 million in costs. The office recommended stronger documentation, record retention, reporting procedures, and staff training; DES concurred and said it would correct the findings in 2026. Members discussed the limits of the single-audit scope, the possibility of a broader special audit, and the federal government’s recent actions on CCDF oversight in other states. Finally, the committee considered and discussed a special audit request for CCDF that would broaden review to provider oversight, licensing, site visits, and billing accuracy across multiple state agencies, with estimated costs of $547,000 to $625,000 and a projected report date of July 31, 2027.