Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going to move someone from a $30 service to a $75 service.
• We're not going to move someone from a $30 service to a $75 service.
• We're not going to move someone from a $30 service to a $75 service.
• Thanks, Senator Jean. telephone service, essential services uh telephone service, essential services
• specific services for vulnerable youth. specific services for vulnerable youth.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's hear a little bit about the county Youth Services Center before we go over there.
• Our programming includes medical, behavioral health, and psychiatry services.
• Our educational services are provided through Albuquerque Public Schools.
• Services, support, and accountability.
• The Youth Services Center then becomes responsible for all medical care.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are meeting today for the Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee, and we have
• It differentiates between providing service in the home versus in the community.
• It's really important to note that this is just the fee-for-service data.
• This is just the fee-for-service folks that we had identified.
• This is just the fee-for-service folks that we had identified.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee met with MassHealth LTSS Chief Leslie Darcy to review the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program and the legislative work group focused on its long-term sustainability and cost containment. Darcy and Charlie described the work group’s five meetings and three consensus recommendations: enforce the 66-hour overtime cap, address fraudulent activity in the PCA program, and eliminate MassHealth handling of PCA paperwork/administrative work for members without a live-in exemption because those members are subject to EVV. They explained EVV as an electronic visit verification system replacing paper timesheets, and noted the rollout is expected to be completed this fall. The group estimated about $7 million in savings from the consensus recommendations and agreed to continue meeting through June to consider additional ideas. Darcy presented data showing the PCA program served about 56,000 members in state fiscal year 2024 and has grown from $1.2 billion in FY20 to $1.6 billion in FY24, with projections near $2 billion by 2027. She said much of the growth is driven by wage increases and older adults using more services, and compared PCA costs with other LTSS programs. The discussion also covered overtime spending, the role of federal financial participation, and how Massachusetts’ PCA program differs from other states because it has no hard caps on hours or activities. Several members emphasized the program’s value for independent living and community participation, while also acknowledging the need to control growth without undermining services. Members asked about undocumented immigrants and MassHealth funding, and Darcy explained that some eligibility categories are state-funded only and do not receive federal matching funds. Another member asked about workforce recruitment and wage pressures; Darcy said recent collective bargaining agreements raised PCA wages, with some workers eventually reaching $25 per hour and the entry wage reaching $20. The group also discussed whether IADL hours are disproportionately high compared with ADL needs, and reviewed data suggesting potential savings if IADL hours were limited relative to ADL hours, though no consensus recommendation was made on that point. The meeting ended with approval of the prior minutes by roll call vote, an update that the next health equity informational hearing is scheduled for May 19, and a motion to adjourn carried unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I left public service here in Richmond to enter into another form of public service, I didn't
• , victims' advocates, staff, court service unit members, social service workers, victims' advocates,
• I think services, wraparound services for the families.
• Service, public service means a lot to me.
• We thank you for your service.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So services for kids who have disabilities who are on IEPs.
• So services for kids who have disabilities who are on IEPs. school-based counseling.
• So services for kids who have disabilities who are on IEPs.
• That's your number one call for service.
• provider, human trafficking victim services provider.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five regulatory entities: the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Board of Psychology, the Physician Assistant Board, the Podiatric Medical Board, and the California Massage Therapy Council. Across the hearing, each entity described recent accomplishments, licensing and enforcement workload, workforce shortages, and efforts to modernize processes. Common themes included streamlining licensure, expanding access to care, addressing telehealth or emerging technology, and balancing consumer protection with workforce needs. For the Board of Behavioral Sciences, members discussed workforce shortages in mental health, supervision barriers, telehealth confidentiality, AI in therapy, interstate compacts, school-based services, and military spouse licensure. The board said it has expanded outreach, improved licensing processes, and created temporary practice authority tracking, while also expressing concern about counseling compacts and emphasizing California-specific law, ethics, and cultural competency. Public commenters supported the board’s work and the possible move to a national MFT exam, while also urging more resources. The Board of Psychology highlighted fee adjustments, streamlined licensure pathways, enforcement process improvements, new CPD requirements, and proposed changes including a psychotherapist-client privilege exception for investigations. Committee members and public witnesses focused heavily on that privilege proposal, with some members opposing it as too broad and privacy-invasive, while the board argued it is needed to obtain records in bias and sexual misconduct cases. The board also discussed workforce shortages, processing improvements, and the use of inactive status for psychological associates. The Physician Assistant Board reported growth in the PA workforce and education programs, SB 697 implementation, and financial pressure from rising enforcement costs. The main policy debate centered on physician-to-PA ratios and practice agreements, with board representatives and many public commenters arguing that current restrictions limit access to care, especially in rural areas, while the California Medical Association defended the need for explicit ratios and agreements. The board also discussed AI, fee increases, and tracking temporary practice authority. The Podiatric Medical Board described licensing and renewal reforms, residency expansion, enforcement support, and budget constraints, while public testimony raised concerns about a proposed fee increase and about reimbursement parity and practice recognition for podiatrists. Finally, the California Massage Therapy Council defended the certification model over licensure, citing lower costs, local government collaboration, anti-trafficking work, and its role in vetting applications and disciplining bad actors; no formal votes or final actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many jobs in retail service rights.
• retail, food service, and hospitality. retail, food service, and hospitality.
• We are constantly competing to maintain air service, to grow air service, to attract air service.
• We are constantly competing to maintain air service, to grow air service, to attract air service.
• We are constantly competing to maintain air service, to grow air service, to attract air service.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional money to kind of maybe help with the cooperative extension services.
• We service people south of us 40, 50, 60 miles, east of us 40, 50, 60 miles.
• And Elizabeth Pittman, Director for Division of Medical Services.
• management services, including referrals to care and services available in the geographic region of that
• we've added to our state plan as a service for this population.

Summary: The committee first heard extensive public testimony from youth and advocates urging stronger restrictions on vaping. Speakers described vaping as a youth-targeted public health problem, citing flavored products, social media marketing, nicotine addiction, brain development concerns, school disruption, and exposure to harmful aerosol. They recommended prohibiting vaping in public indoor spaces and aligning vape rules with smoke-free laws. Committee members praised the speakers and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation. The main presentation was on Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, administered through DFA. Secretary Jim Hudson and program director Brad Andi explained that Arkansas received about $209 million in the first year under the federal program, with potential for roughly $1 billion over five years if performance is strong. They emphasized that the program is meant for long-term rural health transformation, not general operating support, debt relief, or new construction. The state’s plan centers on four initiatives: HEART for prevention and community health, PACT for access and provider collaboration, RISE for workforce development, and THRIVE for technology and telehealth. Officials said applications will be handled through upcoming notices of funding opportunity, with a focus on local, shovel-ready projects, regional collaboration, and transparency. Committee members asked how the program would work for hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, schools, faith groups, and urban providers serving rural patients. Officials said eligibility is broad if applicants can show a connection to rural health, and that targeted renovations, mobile units, school-based clinics, farm-to-school or garden projects, EMS equipment, residency expansion, and behavioral health initiatives may fit if they align with the plan. They stressed that the program cannot fund working capital, routine maintenance, or new buildings, but can support repurposing space and collaborative networks. Members also raised concerns about protecting existing rural providers from being displaced, and officials said applications would be reviewed by a state committee with technical assistance and a reimbursement-based process. The committee then reviewed and took no objection to several DHS and Health Department rules. DHS presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule implementing federal requirements for incarcerated youth, including pre- and post-release coverage, care coordination, targeted case management, and screening services, with no public comments received. The Health Department also presented a licensing rule for audiology and speech pathology that implements recent acts and changes the renewal deadline; that rule was likewise reviewed without objection. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• , they have the ability to use money for contracted services.
• They have the ability to use money for contracted services as it is.
• Flat funding has already reduced services and survivors feel that loss immediately.
• Both may have crossover services, but we want to make sure that our domestic violence services are being
• That our domestic violence services are being funded to the amount of this bill.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OYCR is within the California Health and Human Services. Agency.
• These CBOs have listed that at least 10% of their services are available to tribal youth.
• California Health and Human Services initiatives to operationalize them to the communities.
• Thank you for your service.
• And they have what is called an investigative services unit.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LINES ACROSS SERVICE LEVEL LINES TO TARGET PREPAYMENTS FOR THE HOSPITAL PLANS.
• NEW SERVICES THAT WERE PROVIDED FOR SENATE BILL 7016. FIRST MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES.
• NEW LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WITH THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE MODULE BEING DEPLOYED IN 2024.
• SUBMIT A TESTING TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE HOURS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE 25 HOUR REQUIREMENT.
• THEREBY EXPANDING SERVICE AND COUNTIES THAT DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > of<00:02:47.519> inspector human services office of inspector human services office of
• residential treatment services residential treatment services recordification<00:03:07.440> and
• they were on uh disability services they were on uh disability services because<00:10:00.000>
• <00:10:49.440> and where people had disability services and where people had disability services
• Well, it just so happens one services.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and must sell lawful goods and services.
• So retail, for example, you said good lawful goods and services.
• So they would just get their home inspected or wherever they do the service.
• , uh, supportive services for our tenants, and just trying to find nonprofits to help with those services
• We are the only, uh, third-service municipal EMS department in the state that holds civil service, uh

Bills: HB303

Keywords: jail standards, living conditions, Harris County jail, safety, inmate welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 685 would prohibit a municipality from adopting an increased rate for water or sewer utility service
• Uh, it's, um, not, um, not often that we see permits that, uh, abut our certificated service area or
• But in the quality of customer service, making sure things are addressed quickly.
• And getting those folks up to a true cost of service. And, and that would, you know.
• You know, there's, there's a lot of factors in that cost of service. Operators.

Bills: HB 29, HB 685, HB 1633, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 1918, HB 2010, HB 2500, HB 2608, HB 2626

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service.
• Forest Service. Fifteen were excited... ...directly by the U.S. Forest Service.
• Forest Service.
• Public service value.
• But it does take full wraparound services with regard not just instruction academics, but student services

Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're grateful for his life and his service.
• So, thank you all for your service. The chair recognizes Mr.
• It's to each of you for your District 49 service.
• Services Department Manager Mike Blackwell and staff.
• Can you put any actual numbers for like 10 years of service or eight years of service?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Municipality for failure to provide services.
• HB 2038 to Health and Human Services. HB 2128 to Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.
• HB 2510 to Health and Human Services.
• , HB 4273 to Health and Human Services, HB 4325 to Jurisprudence.
• to Health and Human Services, HB 5032 to Economic Development, HJR 34 to Education K-16.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board. The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders. Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide central administrative infrastructure services to the entire judicial branch, including human
• Our courts have the responsibility to deliver and pay for many different types of services pursuant to
• administrative infrastructure services administrative infrastructure services to<00:04:14.079>
• many different types of services many different types of services pursuant<00:05:19.440> to
• talk about the rising cost of delivering these services later in my presentation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on the Minnesota judicial branch’s 2026-27 budget request. He outlined the courts’ structure and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court cases annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. Shorba emphasized the courts’ constitutional role, the fact that court fines and fees are deposited into the general fund rather than retained by the branch, and recent legislative investments that helped reduce pandemic-era backlogs, improve technology, sustain treatment courts, and raise interpreter and examiner pay. The budget request focused on several areas: a 6% judicial salary increase to address recruitment and retention problems, including a 15% rise in turnover and a 27% drop in applicants since 2020; funding for health care and office lease cost increases; digital accessibility compliance work required by new federal ADA rules; a modernized justice partner access system for court records; higher pay for forensic psychological examiners, whose workload has risen sharply; increased juror compensation from $20 to $100 per day and mileage adjustments; and ongoing funding for interpreters, jury services, and cybersecurity. Shorba said the total request would be a 12% increase over the FY 2026-27 base budget. Members asked follow-up questions about funding for newly launched treatment courts and how those courts are financed after federal grants expire. Shorba said he would provide more detail later and noted the branch generally starts treatment courts with federal funding before seeking state support. Representative Ric also asked about labor negotiations, and Shorba explained that the judicial branch negotiates its own contracts rather than using the executive branch, with three unions involved and many unrepresented employees. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• and beyond table service. and beyond table service.
• <00:22:16.320> duties, The employees have table service duties, The employees have table service
• <00:27:11.960> They're service, the meal was good. They're service, the meal was good.
• Um and restaurants tipped service.
• They don't know a service charge is not for the people who provided the service.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impose sales tax on services. impose sales tax on services.
• such, they have been treated as service such, they have been treated as service providers,<00:43
• hearings, charges for legal services hearings, charges for legal services provided<01:10:45.680>
• <01:30:23.360> The outpatient therapy services. The outpatient therapy services.
• the state medical assistance and service the state medical assistance and service service<01:32:

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services, and storage. services, and storage.
• and wildlife resources waste services and wildlife resources waste services realy<00:09:12.320><
• for Community Based Services.
• for Community Based Services.
• The project will provide lead service The project will provide lead service line<00:26:44.159>

Keywords: 0:00:08 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:38 Approval of Minutes 0:01:02 Information Items 0:02:17 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:06:42 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:15:03 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:24:00 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:42:55 Economic Development Fund Grants 0:53:38 Rpt from OFM – New Debt Issues 1:16:33 Remaining 2025 Meeting Dates 1:16:45 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.