Transcript Highlights:

• and mental health programs that we've actually cut.
• and mental health programs that we've actually cut.
• So I think, programs and mental health programs that we've actually cut.
• as part of the division's program maintenance appropriation.
• as part of the division's program maintenance appropriation. as part of the division's program maintenance

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard a report from the Joint Millennium Fund co-chairs on recommended uses of Millennium Fund dollars. The recommendations included one-time funding for juvenile safety assessment centers and child advocacy centers, ongoing funding for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments to reduce the general fund impact in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation because the fund had previously been directed away from Medicaid; the co-chairs said the request was made in light of a revenue downturn and was intended as one-time funding, with any unused balance returned. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Legislative staff summarized the division’s consolidation of licensing boards, staffing, fee-balance management requirements, and the governor’s and committee’s budget recommendations, including vehicle replacement and IT hardware requests. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced overall expenditures since consolidation, improved licensing and inspection timeliness, and used fee changes, fee holidays, and board mergers to keep board balances within the target range. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for prescriber DEA fees, the continued need for a 10% transfer exemption, vehicle replacement timing, and how complaints and discipline are handled; Barron said complaints drive investigations, boards set fees subject to legislative approval, and a universal discipline bill could improve consistency. Finally, the committee heard the state lottery budget. Staff described lottery revenues, prize payouts, dividend distributions to schools and state buildings, and a small one-time request for replacement computers. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts for significant future savings, and is trying to improve performance without relying heavily on paid advertising. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, the return on advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; he said detectives investigate theft and other lottery-related crimes, advertising results are hard to isolate from jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design work. The committee concluded its business and adjourned, with a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• program.
• program.
• </c><02:43:49.920><c> These</c> programs. I mean for this program. These programs.
• Our programs empower families. families. Our programs empower families.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides coordinated health... ...specialty program under Sooner Select.
• of these programs for their adopted children.
• This program is familiar, it's stable, and it's already tested.
• This program is familiar, it's stable, and it's already tested.
• These are our nurses. These are our teachers. These are our waiters.

Bills: SB65 , SB248 , SB330 , SB378 , SB844 , SB1330 , SB1410 , SB1475 , SB1476 , SB1565 , SB1618 , SB1623 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB2084 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB2174 , SB1775 , SB1873 , SB1204 , SB1884 , SB1916 , SB1937 , SB1447 , SB1500 , SB2007 , SB2074 , SB1944 , SB2018 , SB1984 , SB2026 , SB2045 , SB2049 , SB2062 , SB2112 , SB2118 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2135 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Summary: The Senate first considered Senate Bill 1623, a measure updating the state charter for state-regulated credit unions to make them more competitive with federal credit unions. Two amendments were adopted: one changing certain board authority language from “shall” to “may,” and another restoring the title. Supporters said the bill was the product of years of negotiation with bankers and credit unions and would not affect national banks; after questions about membership expansion and census-tract service areas, the bill passed 44-0. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would send to voters a constitutional amendment lowering annual caps on assessed-value growth for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 1%, and for other property from 5% to 3%. Proponents argued it would slow property-tax growth, help seniors and fixed-income homeowners stay in their homes, and not reduce government revenue but only slow future growth; opponents warned it would reduce local revenue growth for schools, counties, infrastructure, and bonding capacity, and would disproportionately benefit higher-value property owners. The resolution passed 38-8, and the special-election referral also passed 38-8. Senate Joint Resolution 47, which would place current voter ID requirements into the Constitution, also advanced and passed 39-8, with the special-election provision passing by the same margin. Supporters said it simply constitutionalized existing law requiring proof of identity and would preserve election security; critics said Oklahoma already has voter ID rules, the measure was unnecessary, and the language could create uncertainty for absentee voters and future changes. Debate also touched on provisional ballots, military and overseas voting, and whether the measure would make future adjustments harder. Later, Senate Bill 2084 passed 35-7 and as an emergency measure. The bill limits wrongful-termination settlements for faculty members at higher education institutions to two times annual salary, including pay and accrued benefits. Supporters said it would provide certainty for universities and regents; questions focused on tenure, free-speech claims, and how the cap would interact with existing tort limits. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1655 unanimously to allow Oklahoma Complete Health’s Children’s Specialty Program to contact adoptive parents and offer continued voluntary services for post-adoption children, and Senate Bill 1679 was introduced as the “Preserving Oklahoma Values Act,” aimed at codifying adherence to the U.S. and Oklahoma Constitutions and rejecting foreign law, with debate beginning over its enforcement and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we are not able to identify additional nursing support, then nursing leaders, charge nurses, supervisors
• And if we are not able to identify additional nursing support, then nursing leaders, charge nurses, supervisors
• ,</c> number of new nurses, number of new nurses, 5,272<00:37:44.800><c> new</c><00:37:45.040><c> nurses
• I was raised by a nurse. My mom was a nurse her whole career in Duluth also.
• My mom um was a nurse um her nurse.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs are crucial for our communities. Our schools also need repair.
• I want you to realize that regional day school programs are some of the most expensive programs in public
• Regional day school programs provide hearing aids for students.
• To be a member of a regional day school program by the state.
• Overall, we serve 30 districts for our regional day school program.

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• Pregnant, nursing, and neonatal animals require even more intensive care.
• </c> nursing dogs and cats was really common. nursing dogs and cats was really common.
• </c><01:14:25.679><c> mothers</c> monitoring, and pregnant nursing mothers monitoring, and pregnant nursing
• Um, we may want to look nursing mothers.
• </c> colleagues with foster care programs colleagues with foster care programs already<01:17:04.640><

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, ma'am, it would represent graduate programs, professional programs, and all undergraduate programs
• And then lastly, just the graduate program portfolio—so Ph.D.s and other professional master's programs
• And then lastly, just the graduate program portfolio—so Ph.D.s and other professional master's programs
• We are meeting needs in nursing, for example.
• programs.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on higher education funding, focusing on how Florida’s university system should be financed and whether a new funding model is needed. University system financial officers and Chancellor Ray Rodriguez discussed major cost drivers, including wages and benefits, utilities, maintenance, financial aid, research, and the effects of geography, institutional mission, and student mix. UF highlighted the cost of research and graduate programs; UCF and FAU pointed to growth, location, and cost of living; FAMU emphasized recruiting top-tier talent while relying on other revenue sources; and UNF noted the challenges of growth and long-term planning. Members also discussed the role of internal controls and audits in addressing excessive spending and questioned whether out-of-state tuition should be adjusted to help offset costs. On revenue sources beyond state appropriations and tuition, the panel described auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. Several universities noted that some revenues are restricted to specific purposes and cannot be used for general operations. FAMU explained that a large share of its capital project funding reflected active campus construction, while UF said its component-unit revenue is largely tied to UF Health. The Chancellor emphasized that the system’s low tuition and strong state support are central to Florida’s national standing, but also noted that some auxiliary revenues are pledged to debt and must be managed carefully. When discussing the current funding process, witnesses praised Florida’s performance-based funding model for aligning incentives with student success, transparency, and accountability. They also raised concerns about non-recurring appropriations, rising employee benefit costs, unfunded mandates, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of multi-year planning. Suggestions for improvement included more recurring funding, better coverage of mandated costs, greater flexibility in fee-setting, and possible weighting for mission, geography, and institutional type. The Chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a “version 3.0” of performance-based funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications, but any changes would require legislative action. On out-of-state tuition, most universities said they would prefer local board flexibility, while the Chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or fees could affect future state support and should be balanced carefully.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:43.440><c> that</c> one of the um uh model programs that one of the um uh model programs that
• This is not a mandatory program.
• The purpose is as this program out.
• great great program. Um just wanted a great great program.
• . nurse. nurse.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:03 Roll Call 00:00:08 Discussion of Indiana Residential Infrastructure Fund 00:01:27 Discussion of Affordable Housing Trust Fund 00:33:30 Discussion of Urban Infill 01:12:37 Approval of Minutes from July Meeting 01:39:00 Adjournment 01:39:42, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force heard a presentation from Anita Sanford of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky and Sheri Cybert of Indiana’s Residential Infrastructure Fund about Indiana’s low-interest loan program for local housing infrastructure. They described the program as a voluntary, locally driven model that helps communities finance roads, sewers, sidewalks, traffic lights, turning lanes, and other infrastructure needed for new housing development. Sanford emphasized that infrastructure and regulation are major drivers of housing costs, citing estimates that infrastructure can account for up to 30% of a home’s cost and regulations another 25%, and said the association is studying Kentucky-specific regulatory costs. She also noted that every $1,000 added to new home construction can price out about 2,000 Kentucky households. Cybert explained that Indiana’s program, administered through the Indiana Finance Authority, began in 2023 with $75 million appropriated over two years and has since closed 17 loans totaling $60.7 million, with more than 2,700 projected housing units. The program reserves 70% of funds for rural communities and 30% for urban communities, requires applications from local governments rather than developers, and asks communities to show need through a market study, describe the infrastructure and housing to be built, and provide preliminary engineering plans and a repayment source. She said the loans currently carry an interest rate around 3.5%, reset quarterly, and that the program has generated about $25 million in savings to communities compared with private borrowing. She also described recent Indiana legislative changes that encourage higher density and other zoning reforms, and said a majority of those local ordinance changes must be adopted for an application to be fundable. Members asked about the ordinance requirements, the funding split between rural and urban areas, repayment mechanisms, and whether there were caps on project size. Cybert said repayment is worked out case by case, often through existing or project-specific TIFs, temporary tax agreements, or letters of credit, and that the program has no cap on request size or income/affordability restrictions. She said the largest request funded was $19 million for a 700-unit project. Co-chair Mills and others discussed whether Kentucky could adopt a similar model and what it would cost, while Sanford and Cybert said they were still refining budget estimates. Later, Scott Welch, president of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky, testified that upfront infrastructure costs are a major barrier in his projects, citing a $1 million pump station and road-widening and utility relocation costs as examples, and said an infrastructure fund would help get projects off the ground.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this program a federal program? That is every state.
• So we're pressuring our programs unit to add more programs constantly, but not just add more programs
• for the KPI of having a ton of programs.
• Programs were eventually, we are pushing for more and more programs that eventually we're going to run
• That program there.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The outcome of that accident is that my daughter still remains a vegetable in a local nursing home.
• </c> Remains a vegetable in a local nursing Remains a vegetable in a local nursing home<00:04:30.039>
• </c><00:32:47.120><c> excuse</c> funds going directly to programs excuse funds going directly to programs
• But just wondering operationally kind of how to think about those programs.
• </c><00:49:08.760><c> um</c> how to think about those programs um how to think about those programs um

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm currently an energy analyst with the BUILD program.
• I'm a program tech two, and I too support this bill.
• I'm a registered nurse working for the state of California.
• Christine Lugo, CDCR nurse, fully support this bill.
• Christine Lugo, CDCR nurse, fully supports this bill. Good morning. David E.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public employment. AB 1601, by Assemblymember Rogers, would give Sonoma County flexibility to work with its retirement board and actuaries on a possible retiree cost-of-living adjustment; supporters said Sonoma is the only 1937 Act county system without an automatic COLA and that retirees have gone since 2008 without an increase, while no opposition testified. The bill passed on a do-pass vote and was placed on the floor. AB 1729, by Assemblymember Lee, would update state telework policy by requiring written telework plans, adding more structure before return-to-office decisions, and restoring public reporting on telework savings. Supporters, including SEIU Local 1000, the Association of California State Supervisors, and many state workers, argued telework improves productivity, reduces emissions and commute costs, and could save the state about $225 million annually; there was no opposition. The committee approved the bill 6-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations. AB 1630, by Assemblymember Colosa, would allow union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions, including remotely, to increase transparency and engagement. UC and CSU opposed the measure, saying observer rules should be negotiated at the table and warning the bill lacked clear limits on the number of observers and could create logistical and security problems. The bill passed 5-0 with one member not voting and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1750, also by Assemblymember Colosa, would require school employees who exhaust sick leave and are absent due to illness or injury to receive full salary for an additional five months. CTA supported the bill as a needed safety net for teachers and classified staff, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, staffing, and student stability concerns, saying it could encourage longer absences and strain already tight budgets. The committee passed the bill 5-0 and sent it to Higher Education. AB 1896, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public employment, with supporters framing it as a response to ICE and Border Patrol actions and opponents warning it was overbroad and could exclude otherwise qualified applicants from law enforcement jobs; the bill passed 5-1 and was referred to Public Safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cost and Coverage Program at UT Health Science Center in Houston.
• House of the Legislature may submit a request to the Analysis Program to prepare and develop an analysis
• There's not the opportunity to do other programs. They're basically paying the most of anyone.
• He walked down the aisle two weeks later and he sent my nurse a note thanking me for that effort.
• The LPR claims database does include claims data specific to nurses and physicians and to hospitals.

Bills: HB138 , HB335 , HB388 , HB138

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:01.480><c> homes</c> you're having a hotel or nursing homes you're having a hotel or nursing
• You have to create another program, and you have to create more program.
• and you have to create another program and you have to create more<00:59:16.319><c> program</c><00:59
• </c><01:04:29.680><c> homes</c> seniors in group homes nursing homes seniors in group homes nursing homes
• </c> terms do you see these types of program terms do you see these types of program limiting<01:18:07.000

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:07.960><c> the</c> programs the programs what provide the programs the programs what provide
• </c> couple years ago that took the programs couple years ago that took the programs that<00:58:52.640
• </c><01:08:51.199><c> in</c> adults attended programming in adults attended programming in 2023<01:08
• </c> program the library construction program program the library construction program has<01:10:43.679
• It's a key point in our program.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:07:35.840><c> other</c> federal cuts in Medicaid and other federal cuts in Medicaid and other programs
• :37.759><c> have</c><00:07:37.919><c> to</c><00:07:38.160><c> come</c><00:07:38.319><c> back</c> programs
• And will you have to come back programs?
• He is in a nursing home. His care is $16,000 a month.
• And she's worried the nursing home will close. She will lose her care. She can't take care of him.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and mental health programs that we've actually cut.
• as part of the division's program maintenance appropriation.
• Once we merged them into the Board of Nursing, it dropped to $35 a year.
• The state lottery is organized as a single budgeted program under its director.
• The state lottery is organized as a single budgeted program under its director.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first heard the Joint Millennium Fund Committee’s report. The co-chairs recommended one-time or ongoing funding for several programs: $692,200 for the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, $1 million for juvenile safety assessment centers, $3 million for child advocacy centers, $150,000 ongoing for the Upper River Youth Leadership Council Recovery Center, $5 million for a statewide drug awareness media campaign, and $25 million one-time for Medicaid claim payments in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the Medicaid recommendation, noting prior language against using Millennium Fund dollars to offset Medicaid; the co-chairs said the current recommendation was tied to the governor’s request and intended as one-time funding, with any unused money returned to the fund. The report was accepted by unanimous consent. The committee then reviewed the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses budget. Legislative staff outlined the division’s structure, growth, fund balances, and fee-setting framework, including the requirement to keep board balances within a range tied to a five-year rolling average of expenditures. Administrator Russ Barron said the division has reduced costs, consolidated boards, and used fee increases, fee reductions, and fee holidays to bring boards into range; he also said the division had improved retention after inspector pay increases. Members questioned rising personnel costs, the use of opioid settlement funds for DEA license reimbursements, the request to remove a 10% transfer limitation, and whether cash balances should be redistributed among boards. Barron said the transfer exemption was largely a holdover and that cross-subsidizing boards would be possible but unpopular. He also explained that complaints drive enforcement, that a universal discipline bill could improve consistency, and that vehicle replacements were still needed because the fleet is aging despite possible future legislation. Finally, the committee heard the State Lottery budget. Staff reported that the lottery continues to generate dividends for schools and public buildings, with most expenditures tied to prizes and commissions. Director Andrew Arulenandum said the lottery has reduced management layers, renegotiated major contracts, and expects significant savings beginning in fiscal year 2027. Members asked about the role of lottery detectives, advertising spending, and the need for MacBooks and iMacs; the director said detectives investigate theft and other crimes involving lottery inventory, advertising effectiveness depends heavily on jackpot size, and the Apple equipment is needed for in-house design and artwork. The meeting ended with adjournment and a reminder about upcoming budget-setting work groups and future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s across Medicaid and other programs, as well as SNAP.
• Also, thank you for Cascade Care Savings, our state premium assistance program.
• This highlights a couple of the other programs again on that focus on affordability.
• This highlights a couple of the other programs again on that focus on affordability.
• We also have recently responded to an HR1 program opportunity.

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I am actually really happy that we're offering this Paid Family Leave program to Minnesota.
• One of the benefits of having both programs report into the same Department of Employment and Economic
• </c> AARP children's defense fund the nurses AARP children's defense fund the nurses the<00:02:27.680
• </c><00:05:01.400><c> report</c> know kind of having both programs report know kind of having both programs
• This is a really important program. It went through a number of iterations.

Bills: HF11

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to introduce Delilah, who is part of the LACE program down at Gadsden High School and is shadowing
• I became a victim of the sterilization program.
• I work with Juliana Kube on behalf of the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, and we're
• in Santa Fe, and she said that when she was younger she went to seek treatment in the city, and the nurse
• She thinks she's a nurse at Indian Health Service.

Summary: The Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee heard Senate Memorial 14, which calls on the Indian Affairs Department and the Commission on the Status of Women to conduct a comprehensive study of the history, scope, and continuing impacts of forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and women of color. Sponsors and advocates said the memorial is intended to document harms that occurred not only in Indian Health Service facilities but also through other health providers, while being culturally sensitive and respectful of tribal sovereignty. Supporters described the issue as a reproductive justice, human rights, and Indigenous rights matter, and said the study could help lead to acknowledgment, healing, and possible reparative action. Several witnesses gave personal testimony. Representative Caballero shared a personal experience in which she nearly underwent a hysterectomy after a miscarriage due to forms she was asked to sign while sedated, and said that experience motivated her support. Jean Whitehorse, a Navajo Nation member and daughter of a Navajo code talker, described being sterilized in 1972 after treatment at Gallup Indian Health Service and said the practice caused lasting trauma to Native families. Other speakers, including Elena Giacchi, Keeley Badger, Jennifer Raphael Gatz, Rachel Lorenzo, Alicia Carese Lobbius, Nasserian Olamako, Deanna Warren, and Kat Sanchez, supported the memorial and emphasized the need for survivor testimony, historical records, data gathering, informed consent protections, and culturally grounded healing. Committee members asked about the difficulty of obtaining records and whether the information exists or is being blocked. Witnesses said access is limited, requests often need to come from official state or federal bodies, and many records may be sealed or difficult to retrieve. The Commission on the Status of Women said it could serve as the organizing entity for a three-phase process: gathering data, holding discussions with subject matter experts and survivors, and contracting with an Indigenous organization to prepare the report. After public comment and questions, the committee voted 4-0 to give Senate Memorial 14 a do pass recommendation, and the chair then recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 689 will allow Kentucky to implement a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician
• Currently, many providers affiliated with teaching hospitals are not eligible for existing programs,
• Importantly, this program is estimated to bring in approximately $29 million annually in new federal
• Currently, many providers affiliated with teaching hospitals are not eligible for existing programs,
• Importantly, this program is estimated to bring in approximately $29 million annually in new federal

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of health-related measures. House Bill 178, on the psychiatric collaborative care model, was presented by Rep. Kim Mosher and psychiatrist Arthur Oliva. They said the bill would let primary care providers address mental health needs more quickly with psychiatrist consultation, reduce long wait times, and save money. Members voiced support, and the bill passed 7-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 387, presented by Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, would keep veterinarians excluded from KASPER reporting requirements and instead add two veterinarians to the Controlled Substance Council. Meade argued that veterinary prescribing is difficult to track by animal, that prior efforts created complications, and that rural Kentucky needs the flexibility. A senator asked about possible diversion of veterinary opioids to humans; Meade said there was no substantial evidence of widespread abuse. The bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 676, by Rep. Rebecca Raymer, was amended from creating a health data utility to directing LRC to study best practices for one during the interim, with a report due December 1, 2026. Members said the state needs a coordinated way to use health data. The amended bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 689, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors and Dr. Heidi Marley, would authorize a Medicaid state-directed payment program for qualifying hospital-affiliated physician and non-physician services, pending federal approval, with supporters saying it would improve access in underserved areas, support provider retention, and bring in about $29 million annually in federal funds without using state dollars. It also passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. Finally, House Joint Resolution 24, presented by Rep. Kim Fleming, would direct the administration to withdraw a previously required community engagement waiver request because it is no longer needed. The resolution passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. The chair noted the next meeting might be April 1, though no bills were currently scheduled, and the committee adjourned.