Transcript Highlights:

• , high unemployment rates, low home ownership rates, and low median household income.
• , high unemployment rates, low home ownership rates, and low median household income.
• , high unemployment rates, low home ownership rates, and low median household income.
• , high unemployment rates, low home ownership rates, and low median household income.
• <01:26:02.520> or necessitating increased Levy rates or necessitating increased Levy rates

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025. A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone. The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• investments with Kucky's recidivism rate investments with Kucky's recidivism rate declining<00:37
• Kentucky has one of the highest rates of children who have had a parent who is incarcerated.
• Kentucky has one of the highest rates of children who have had a parent who is incarcerated.
• Kentucky has one of the highest rates of children who have had a parent who is incarcerated.
• state would pay an enhanced rate state would pay an enhanced rate >> uh<01:15:00.239> for

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:

• rate by August 1st, 2028. rate by August 1st, 2028.
• But he's at a 25% productivity rate. No matter what we give him to do, he's 25% productive.
• But he's at a 25% productivity rate. No matter what we give him to do, he's 25% productive.
• But he's at a 25% productivity rate. No matter what we give him to do, he's 25% productive.
• to make sure that that is a robust rate and that people can continue to access it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, and it's got the highest rates at the bottom income bracket.
• Iowa has a 3.9 single rate. Wisconsin has a 3.5 lowest bracket.
• at the bottom income highest rates at the bottom income bracket<00:01:54.000> we<00:01:54.119
• Wisconsin<00:02:09.119> has<00:02:09.239> a<00:02:09.399> 3.5 3.9 single rate
• notably um changes around interest rates notably um changes around interest rates uh<01:10:59.600

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we have an annual occupancy rate of 97%.
• So our budget with that million-dollar deficit is at that $27 per bed per day rate.
• So our budget with that million-dollar deficit is at that $27 per bed per day rate.
• Is this one of the match programs for the 50% federal match for Medicaid reimbursement rates?
• Don't the 50% federal match for the Medicaid reimbursement rates?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we just stop them from going forward, we'd significantly reduce the rate of growth of utility
• And if we just stop them from going forward, we'd significantly reduce the rate of growth of utility
• And if we just stop them from going forward, we'd significantly reduce the rate of growth of utility
• CALLED FOR INCREASED MONEY BEING SPENT FOR DISCOUNT COSTS FOR LOW-INCOME AND MIDDLE-INCOME UTILITY RATE
• COULD SEE GOING INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY THAT COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR UTILITY COSTS FOR RATE

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a Rules Committee report advancing several bills directly to third reading, including Senate Print 9630, an appropriations extender for government operations, and Senate Print 9631, an extender related to Part U1 of Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2023. The chamber then moved to the controversial calendar and debated the first extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning what the bill covered, how much funding it extended, and the status of budget negotiations. Senator Krueger said the extender covered about $1 billion for payroll and certain payments for agencies including Health, Law, OPWDD, and Veterans Services through April 7, and described the budget talks as still unresolved, with no announced follow-up Joint Budget Conference Committee meetings or table targets. She also discussed utility affordability proposals, including a three-year moratorium on A.I. and crypto data/storage facilities and support for green energy and low-income ratepayer relief. O’Mara argued the lack of urgency and absence of written proposals on climate and utility costs was concerning. Both extender bills were then passed, with the first receiving 59 ayes and the second passing 46-13 after debate over its two-year duration. The Senate then adopted the resolution calendar, excluding two items initially, and took up two resolutions. Resolution 1821, sponsored by Senator Ramos, recognized Farmworkers Day and highlighted the essential role of farmworkers, the history of organizing for farmworker rights, and concerns about immigrant workers facing fear and retaliation; Senator May added support, noting the importance of farm labor to dairy production and food supply and the impact of deportation fears on farms in her district. The resolution was adopted. Resolution 1823, sponsored by Senator Zellner, proclaimed March 20, 2026 as Behavior Analysis Day in New York, recognizing applied behavior analysis and its benefits for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, education, healthcare, and other fields; it was also adopted. The chamber also welcomed a group of students from Queens visiting Albany, with Senator Comrie speaking about the importance of civics education and government engagement. After the introductions and acknowledgments, there was no further business, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, April 1, at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you talk to me about the data surrounding The error rate with e-verification systems that you've
• come across and how the bill addresses that error rate.
• I am going to try to find that information in my Packet here, but the air rate is extremely low.
• The research that I have seen and that I've done shows that the success rate is actually higher than
• So they no longer could go out and bid and get those contracts and retain business at the rate that was

Bills: HB3725, HB3260, HB3660, HB3369, HB3370

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• discusses the previously mentioned increase for GR for CPRIT, and then below that is a chart of the rates
• which pursuant to house bill 1520 in the 87th Legislature issued three and a half billion of customer rate
• wrong, so we have to be very careful and sharpen our pencils when we look at the projected interest rates
• Where interest rates for the next biennium must be in- as I said, we work with these.
• involved of parties, including the TPFA, and I'm pleased to report that the gas collection The customer rate

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those two rate increases are no longer in the bill as well.
• TWO RATE INCREASES TWO RATE INCREASES ARE NO LONGER IN THE BILL AS WELL.
• Another change is that there is a rate increase for critical access hospitals.
• , and those major effective rates are going to be on the individual market.
• AMENDMENT THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR EFFECT ON THE RATES AND THOSE MAJOR EFFECTIVE RATES ARE GOING

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:35.840> Uh success rate in averting foreclosure.
• Uh success rate in averting foreclosure.
• But these areas simply cannot support the same rental rates as the metro.
• So now their rates are at a premium as well.
• So now their rates are at a premium as well. Mr.

Bills: HF3279, HF1879, HF1417, HF2462

Keywords: housing, sales tax, homeownership, rent assistance, community stability, education, counseling, financial assistance, housing development, culturally appropriate services, HF1417, manufactured home parks, manufactured housing, mobile home parks, housing development fund, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, infrastructure grants, infrastructure loans, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• 2023 small business credit survey, Black-owned businesses are denied financing at nearly twice the rate
• Okay. >> Um, so the highest interest rate that Fortis has ever had has been 8.5%.
• The interest rate for this type of gap financing for the business owner? >> Mr.
• Okay. >> Um, so the highest interest rate that Fortis has ever had has been 8.5%.
• He then asked what Fortis’s default rate has been since its first loan in 2021. Mr.

Bills: HF3707, HF3732, HF2581, HF3731

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So [clears throat] I know you rates.
• of preterm birth and low birth rates of preterm birth and low birth rate,<00:54:28.319> better
• ><00:54:28.640> childhood<00:54:29.119> nutrition<00:54:29.760> and rate, better
• >> What's<00:59:34.160> the<00:59:34.400> rate? >> What's the rate?
• >> What's the rate?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the federal shutdown’s impact on state benefits, with the main focus on SNAP. DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division Administrator Scott Morish explained that SNAP serves about 86,229 households statewide, or 168,947 individuals, and averages roughly $58–60 million in monthly federal benefits. He said USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP benefits effective November 1 if the shutdown continues, while existing October balances on EBT cards remain usable and cash benefits such as TANF, General Assistance, and AABD are not affected. DHS said it has continued processing applications, recertifications, interviews, and required reporting, and has posted public guidance on its website. Morish also reviewed other SNAP-related changes taking effect November 1 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including expanded able-bodied adult work requirements and tighter non-citizen eligibility rules. He said the work requirements now extend from ages 18–54 to 18–64 and apply to additional groups previously exempt, while only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible among non-citizens. He also noted Hawaii’s ongoing SNAP benefit reduction tied to a federal calculation error in the thrifty food plan, which has lowered benefits by about $8 per person per month for the past three years. On the state response, DHS said it is working with the Hawaii Food Bank and seeking $2 million in state funding to support it, and is also developing a Hawaii Relief Program using TANF reserve funds. The program is intended as a short-term housing and utility assistance program for families with dependent children under 300% of the federal poverty level, with up to four months of assistance. Senators questioned why rainy day funds were not being used and whether the state could directly fund EBT cards; DHS responded that the TANF approach was the fastest available option, that EBT delivery involves significant technical and administrative mechanics, and that the department is still in discussions with the vendor and other stakeholders about additional options.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the Mississippi River and is the anchor for a larger development including affordable and market-rate
• development including affordable and development including affordable and market<00:01:18.080> rate
• <00:01:18.320> housing,<00:01:18.960> retail,<00:01:19.439> and market rate
• housing, retail, and market rate housing, retail, and creative<00:01:20.159> space.
• This is by far the highest rate paid by any department in the Big Ten Conference.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the cost difference between rate.
• Um, there's very high negative ratings.
• I do manage a medical building in Farbo, and you can adjust the rate per kilowatt that you charge the
• <01:02:08.480> of performance times the usage rate of performance times the usage rate of
• <01:04:43.680> per<01:04:43.839> kilowatt you can adjust the rate per kilowatt you

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. sooner rather than later at the rate sooner rather than later at the rate we're<00:55:24.680
• She said they have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.
• She said they have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.
• She said they have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.
• They have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• against the financial viability of the utilities to provide the same when determining appropriate rates
• There's a number of other things like time-of-use rates, which I think we're nearly every state maybe
• <01:05:03.800> Um PUC like time of use rates. Um PUC like time of use rates.
• Uh, another is that you details of the performance-based details of the performance-based rate-making
• process and that's something rate-making process and that's something that<01:33:01.920> could

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:13:28.839> go<00:13:29.199> through<00:13:29.519> and<00:13:29.720> rate
• <00:13:30.079> each uh so they'll go through and rate each uh so they'll go through and rate
• for for the building an overall rating for for the building itself<00:14:57.000> thank<00:14:
• We raised water rates 10% in January. We will do another 10% in July.
• their rates 10% in January<00:57:19.640> we<00:57:19.760> will<00:57:19.920> do

Bills: HF919, HF1192, HF212, HF214

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• to make it could do at a reduced rate to make it more<00:48:41.559> developer<00:48:42.000>
• rate should you stop at the lender's end?
• There are many projects where they can't move ahead with the higher interest rates we have right now
• <01:03:38.480> we ahead with the higher interest rates we ahead with the higher interest rates
• <01:03:41.880> rise have right now because when rates rise have right now because when rates

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.
• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.
• Major catastrophe is going to cause your rates to skyrocket.
• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.
• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current rate as of January 1st of this year is 32.6 cents per gallon.
• The current rate as of January 1st of this year is 32.6 cents per gallon.
• The current rate as of January 1st of this year is 32.6 cents per gallon.
• Has that sets the tax rate yearly.
• <00:21:24.559> yearly discretion has set the tax rate yearly discretion has set the tax rate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all