Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Through grant-making programs, Through grant-making programs like our California Documentary Project,
• These are outreach programs, education programs, youth programs, job training programs, incubators for
• These are outreach programs, education programs, youth programs, job training programs, incubators for
• These are outreach programs, education programs, youth programs, job training programs, incubators for

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:40:27.760> both comprehensive long-term programs both comprehensive long-term programs
• facilitating the highway safety programs facilitating the highway safety programs supported<03:41
• <03:45:31.080> uh what about a a possible grant program uh what about a a possible grant program
• I can't afford this kind of situation.
• If you could afford bail, you had a very different experience.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think the RFFC program is a good example of that. What program?
• Program that was funded starting in 2020-21 that created the California Wildfire Mitigation Program.
• The hazard mitigation grant program Unlike the BRIC program that you may have heard about, the BRIC program
• However, the hazard mitigation grant program, which is a post-disaster grant program provided through
• Program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That program was already out there.
• Most of this water under this program would be put into the program and would be available for those
• most of this water under this program most of this water under this program would<02:03:57.520><
• business innovation research program. business innovation research program.
• program that it could be applied for. program that it could be applied for.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the fee for the program to be paid<00:25:18.840> for<00:25:19.120> the<00:25:19.360>
• He said someone who can afford to pay for this program is situated differently than somebody who is in
• <00:28:57.559> toay<00:28:58.159> pay somebody who can afford toay pay somebody who
• can afford toay pay for<00:29:00.159> uh<00:29:00.600> this<00:29:01.320> program
• I would just say that the program did show good results, so I have high hopes for it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• general overview of the Medicaid Program general overview of the Medicaid Program how<00:02:30.200
• <00:02:31.760> that how we are the largest program that how we are the largest program that
• <00:03:53.079> we children's health insurance program we children's health insurance program
• And as of the Medicaid program, again, the Medicaid program is going to be 60 years old this year.
• And as of the Medicaid program, again, the Medicaid program is going to be 60 years old this year.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met with a quorum still coming together and first handled roll call and minutes. The main presentation came from the Department for Medicaid Services, with Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beckle giving an overview of Kentucky Medicaid, its federal-state financing structure, and the department’s 1915(c) home- and community-based waiver programs. They explained FMAP funding levels for traditional Medicaid, administration, IT, expansion adults, and CHIP, and noted the size of the program, including more than 600,000 Kentucky children eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, about 485,000 expansion adults, over 69,000 enrolled providers, and $18.5 billion in 2024 expenditures. A major focus was the waiver system, including the acquired brain injury waivers, model waiver, independence waiver, Michelle P. waiver, and Supports for Community Living waiver. The department said these waivers are intended to keep people with physical or developmental disabilities in home and community settings rather than facilities, and that many services are not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance. Officials described participant-directed services, interagency administration, and eligibility rules, including that some waiver programs use the child’s income only rather than family income. They also reported an unduplicated waiver wait list of 13,930 people and said the General Assembly had added waiver slots in the last budget, including 650 ABI slots and 1,275 more to be allocated July 1, 2025. The department also discussed a waiver rate study conducted by Guidehouse, explaining that CMS requires a defensible rate methodology because there is no Medicare or commercial benchmark for many waiver services. They said the study used cost and wage surveys, provider and stakeholder input, and aimed to improve transparency, provider stability, and rate parity. Officials reviewed prior COVID-era Appendix K rate increases and budget-driven increases, and said the budget ultimately funded rates at about 70% of the benchmark study, while preserving higher existing rates where needed so no provider would be cut. They highlighted larger differences in behavioral support and case management rates, and said a public report is available. Members asked several questions about the potential impact of federal FMAP changes, especially possible reductions in the enhanced match for expansion adults and Medicaid IT/admin activities. DMS said any FMAP reduction would require more state general fund dollars, estimating about $75 million for each 1% drop in the expansion match, while impacts on administrative IT funding would depend on the systems being built or implemented in a given year. Members also pressed for clarification on waiver wait-list procedures, funded versus filled slots, and what happens when someone on the wait list is later found ineligible. DMS said people on the wait list may not yet have been assessed, can be reevaluated if conditions change, and are still eligible for regular Medicaid state-plan services if they qualify, even if they are waiting for waiver services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so really this is our chance to remove the sunset and keep that particular program in place at least
• President, this is the most popular program we have.
• And so I think it's important that we take the repeal out, keep the program going at least for the time
• Our citizens need affordable housing.
• Our citizens need affordable housing.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• infant formula into the program. infant formula into the program.
• And just to give an example of private equity firms in Vermont, 57% of our opioid treatment programs
• is dedicated to syringe service program is dedicated to syringe service program statewide,<01:52
• As a result, we shifted those programs to be supported with opioid settlement funds.
• As a result, we shifted those programs to be supported with opioid settlement funds.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with routine business, including referral of Senate Bill 211 on motor vehicle inspections to the Transportation Committee and Senate Bill 298 creating the Vermont Voting Rights Act to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. The chamber also referred House bills reported by Ways and Means to Appropriations, including H. 211 on data brokers and personal information and H. 931 on miscellaneous education law changes. JRH9, a joint resolution urging the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to reconsider its opposition to rapid prompting method communication instruction for students with apraxia of speech or autism, was read and referred to Human Services. Several announcements followed, including a welcome to members of the Vermont chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, a reminder about an education reform meeting, and a correction regarding a prior reference to S. 138 of 2023 and the working group on student protections from harassment and discrimination in schools. The House also recognized guests in the gallery, including Donnie Kanovsky, who was described as a proponent of JRH9. The Speaker announced that H. 606 on firearms procedures, H. 642 on youthful offender proceedings, and later H. 585 would be bumped to later in the calendar. The House then took up H. 537, the right to grow vegetable gardens. The committee explained the bill would protect vegetable gardening in common interest communities and rental housing, while allowing reasonable restrictions and landlord or association oversight; witnesses included a South Burlington resident, HOA and landlord representatives, and legislative counsel. The committee reported an 8-0-0 vote, the House adopted the committee amendment, and ordered third reading. The chamber then passed H. 171 on Attorney General investigations into a law enforcement officer’s use of a firearm and H. 519 allowing Randolph police officers to enroll in Group C of the state retirement system. The House also passed H. 536 on toxic heavy metals in baby food products after extended debate over whether infant formula should be included. Supporters said the bill would help parents make informed choices and noted the amendment was intended to align with federal action; opponents argued formula-specific federal work was still underway and urged waiting. The chamber then passed H. 550 on gender equity in correctional facilities, H. 733 on franchise agreements, H. 775 on housing production tools, H. 887 on crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act, H. 917 on military affairs, and H. 921 on alcoholic beverages. Action on H. 930 addressing chronic absenteeism was postponed one legislative day, and H. 942 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects began second reading with the committee outlining sections on water quality training, non-sewage waste management, and unit pricing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:40.080> and oversee and administer affordable and oversee and administer affordable
• housing programs and accessible housing programs and authorizes<00:21:42.320> the<00:21:42.559
• Specifically, the bill Grant Program.
• assistance program. Favorable. assistance program. Favorable.
• This bill GED option pilot program.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, confirmed a quorum, and welcomed several guests and groups, including Maryland Library Association members, Stephen Decatur High School’s boys soccer team, Clarksburg High School’s girls flag football team, NAMI representatives, Baltimore Promise, local soil conservation district representatives, and a 911 center leader. The chamber also journalized the invocation and prepared for the Governor’s upcoming State of the State address by exchanging messages with the House and appointing Senate members to escort the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The body then took up a series of Finance Committee bills, most of them receiving favorable reports and being ordered to third reading without objection. Measures discussed included SB 14 on small business health insurance SHOP enrollment effective dates; SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations; SB 134 on Medicare supplement policy enrollment periods; SB 139 on third-party administrator enforcement; SB 199 on the Individuals with Disabilities and Service-Disabled Veterans Voting Fund; SB 205 codifying federal mental health parity requirements; SB 216 on unemployment insurance confidentiality; SB 43 on the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund; SB 46 on state veterans cemeteries interment provisions; and SB 226 on the Maryland Heritage Area Authority. Several bills had brief amendments or procedural issues. SB 22 received a technical amendment changing “Attorney General” to “Office of the Attorney General.” SB 199 received an amendment adding a co-sponsor, and SB 46 was briefly set to lie over under the rule after a senator requested time to review a technical clarification. The chamber also received House Bill 1, which was referred to committee, and SB 624 was reassigned to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Most committee reports were adopted unanimously or without objection, and the Senate repeatedly congratulated the honored school teams and library advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the mission of the Board of Water Supply: to provide safe and dependable and affordable water
• water now and dependable and affordable water now and into<00:33:09.720> the<00:33:09.919>
• <00:33:22.399> Water safe and dependable and affordable Water safe and dependable and affordable
• He's been involved with refuse for more than 15 years, including all the recycling programs, but let
• uh as the minimum um and and program uh as the minimum um and and that's<01:37:04.639> what's

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before the Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Chair Nicole Lowen and other legislators opened the meeting by framing the issue as important statewide and encouraging recycling, composting, and proper use of the curbside bins. The city’s Department of Environmental Services, led by Director Roger Babcock and Deputy Director Mike O’Keefe, then presented the background and siting process. ENV explained the legal and technical constraints that shaped the search, including the 2019 Land Use Commission decision requiring closure of Waimanalo Gulch by March 2, 2028, and the 2020 Act 73 restrictions on landfill siting near residences, schools, hospitals, conservation districts, airports, and tsunami inundation areas. They said a landfill advisory committee reviewed six candidate sites in 2021-2022 and rejected them because they fell within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. After further evaluation and an extension of the naming deadline, the city selected a site in central Oahu near Wahiawa, on agricultural land currently used as a Dole pineapple field. City officials said the selected site was chosen as the best of the evaluated options and, in their view, could be permitted under state and federal law. They described planned environmental protections, including a modern sanitary landfill design with double liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring, and said the existing Waimanalo Gulch landfill has operated for 35 years without leachate leaks. They also emphasized that the site would still require a special use permit, Department of Health approvals, an environmental impact statement, and other public permitting processes, and that public engagement would continue over the next several years.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director of its veteran service programs Director of its veteran service programs in in in 2020<
• They don't want to address unnecessary programs.
• They don't want to address unnecessary programs.
• to the strength of our athletic programs to the strength of our athletic programs and<04:15:59.760
• ref refuse payments to defense programs ref refuse payments to defense programs or<05:06:09.958>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program funds non-lapsing. program funds non-lapsing.
• <00:27:13.679> program CTE centers more on program program CTE centers more on program program
• program to reduce that capital up front. program to reduce that capital up front.
• We had talked about that with the building program, building school building aid program.
• We had talked about that with the building program, building school building aid program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion broadly around whether school building aid should remain a state program, how to address limited revenues, and whether the current system should continue to prioritize debt service and the existing formula or move toward a different model such as per-pupil allocations, a dedicated fund, or a split between new construction and renovation. He also raised questions about whether leasing should be included and how to manage any new fund under current law and the school building authority structure. Representatives and department staff discussed the current backlog of applications, the age and condition of school facilities, and the possibility that large projects can consume available funding for a year while other districts go unsupported. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities introduced himself and provided technical context on the program and current debt levels. Representative Luneau argued that under the ConVal decision, the state’s responsibility includes school buildings, construction, and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property wealth. He noted that construction and renovation have long been recognized categories and asked about leasing, which staff said is already supported in statute for charter schools and possibly CTE, with a cap of 30% of annual lease cost or $50,000. The discussion also covered CTE facilities: staff explained that capital funding for CTE centers is state-funded, that federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction, and that the current rotational capital model means only a few centers are funded each year, which may not match changing program needs. A committee studying CTE capital needs was referenced, along with concerns that the report from that work had not yet been received. Representative Papich urged the subcommittee to focus on policy, principles, and structure rather than just numbers, saying the current system produces a few winners and many districts that never receive aid. He favored a simpler, more equitable per-capita or formula-based approach, while acknowledging the need for a transition plan for projects already in the pipeline. The chair later cautioned against mixing maintenance and operations with construction and renovation, noting that operation and maintenance are already part of the adequacy formula and should not be confused with capital funding. No votes were taken during the meeting; the discussion was exploratory, with members and staff laying out competing approaches and identifying issues for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Campaign promises across the state at all levels were that we were going to make Minnesota affordable
• Promises of $2,000 tax return affordable Promises of $2,000 tax return or<00:02:41.440> returns
• We can't cut the tax bracket because we need the revenue to pay for the programs to help the people in
• that are supposed to design programs that are supposed to help<00:19:08.159> low-income<00:19
• Yeah, I mean, I just offer we already have a similar program like this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't know how those programs new.
• to affordable and nearby food options. to affordable and nearby food options.
• "These are not folks who can afford "These are not folks who can afford repeated<03:08:16.319>
• program or an exclusion<03:24:04.800> program<03:24:05.200> which<03:24:05.439> can
• We do have an enforcement program. The ... We do have an enforcement program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Access and affordability is key. Affordability is the leading obstacle to access to health care.
• Access and affordability is key. Affordability is the leading obstacle to access to health care.
• And the people who can least afford And the people who can least afford health<01:09:12.400>
• , protocols should optimize affordable, protocols should optimize affordable, effective,<02:03:10.400
• Um, but with that particular program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, because I live in a big city, we don't try a lot of cases because we can't afford it.
• Well, because I live in a big city, we don't try a lot of cases because we can't afford it.
• If they want to continue to use Aaliyah and be a part of the program, they pay a fee.
• <01:15:18.080> established uh have the wrapback program established uh have the wrapback program
• program, participate, they pay a fee. program, participate, they pay a fee.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, Item 3 is the **Landowner's Compensation Program**.
• This program was started by the **88th Legislature**.
• This program, per statute, expires two years after all the money appropriated for this program has been
• That whole program has gotten so much better.
• a really important program.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• safety, environmental approached between safety, environmental responsibility,<00:11:52.320> affordability
• ,<00:11:53.200> and<00:11:53.400> the responsibility, affordability, and the responsibility
• , affordability, and the fiscal<00:11:54.200> realities<00:11:54.920> facing<00:11:55.360
• My amendment is intended to move Vermont toward a more practical and affordable inspection system without
• Next is House Bill 674, an act relating to the creation of the Vermont Sister State Program.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first took up Senate Bill 214, relating to pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts. After third reading, the chamber voted by voice to pass the bill in concurrence. The House then recessed briefly before returning to Senate Bill 326, a motor vehicle bill with several proposed amendments. On S. 326, the House adopted an amendment from Representative Burke clarifying that the DMV could not use the bill to change emissions-inspection rules. It then adopted an amendment from Representative Tomlinson adding a website-based public notice step to the abandoned-vehicle process, intended to supplement certified-mail notice and help owners protect their property; the committee reported support for the change, and the DMV testified in favor. Representative Noise then offered an amendment to move non-commercial vehicle inspections to every other year while keeping annual emissions compliance unless federal approval is obtained, but after explaining the proposal, he asked leave to withdraw it, and no objection was made. The House then passed S. 326 in concurrence with proposal of amendment and suspended the rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. Finally, the House considered House Bill 674, relating to the Vermont Sister State Program. On a procedural motion, the chamber voted to commit the bill to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. A member asked whether the referral was intended to fix the bill or delay it, and the chair said the committee was working on another way to address the governor’s concerns and would revisit the issue the next day. The House then recessed until 3:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just can't talk about affordability without first addressing availability.
• You can't afford what doesn't exist.
• This is the most attainable and affordable insurance and consumer homeowners product that we have in
• Commissioner on expanding the Fair Plan to include more coverage for condos, apartments, and for legally affordable
• too want to congratulate and thank the Department of Insurance for all their hard work on the SIS program

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held its fifth oversight hearing on the California Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing an update on implementation. Lara said the department has finalized major reforms, including new catastrophe modeling tools, faster rate review procedures, use of forward-looking data tied to mitigation, and modernization of the FAIR Plan. He argued the strategy is intended to improve insurance availability in wildfire-prone areas, increase transparency, and stabilize the market, while also criticizing consumer intervenor groups and saying the department will tighten rules on intervener compensation and relevance. Members questioned Lara about when the SIS would begin producing visible market changes, how long rate filings would take to approve, and what the FAIR Plan modernization would mean for consumers’ costs. Lara said catastrophe model approvals should be completed by the end of the month, insurers are expected to begin submitting SIS filings in the coming weeks, and rate reviews have already been reduced from 281 days to 71 days. He also discussed a new market conduct investigation into State Farm’s handling of wildfire claims, ongoing complaints about smoke-damage claims, and a newly created smoke claims and remediation task force to develop standards. Lara said the department has helped more than 12,000 wildfire survivors, with over 38,000 claims filed and more than $17 billion paid, and that it is also working with other western states on underinsurance issues. Public commenters from the insurance industry, homebuilding, and insurance brokerage sectors largely supported the SIS and the department’s efforts, saying the reforms are needed to restore availability and stability. They emphasized the importance of timely rate approvals, FAIR Plan solvency, and greater transparency, and several noted that member companies are preparing to use the new filing process. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, though members and the commissioner discussed ongoing legislative needs, including AB 226 and possible future FAIR Plan transparency measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, some offenses like credit card or debit card use are afforded the seven-year statute of
• Senate Bill 2798 seeks to close this gap and afford our citizens the same protection that we currently
• afford to our financial institutions.
• This has been acknowledged by the governor, who established a clemency program in 2020.
• Texas' current legal protections afforded to victims do not prevent their unjust prosecutions.

Bills: SB1099, SB1896, SB1980, SB127, SB614, SB955, SB1278, SB1372, SB1936, SB1937, SB2580, SB2595, SB2798

Keywords: SB 1099, illegal alien, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense, first-degree felony, minimum sentence, Criminal Justice, Criminal Jurisprudence