Video & Transcript : 'nursing program' :

Page 274 of 500
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • It continued the Board of Nursing for four years.
  • Madam Chair, members, SCR 1004, subject to voter approval, prohibits photo enforcement system programs
  • for traffic violations after December 31st while allowing existing programs to continue under specified
  • run by the Department of Corrections, outlines program eligibility for participants, outlines rules
  • that the department must establish in order to run the program, has reporting requirements, and contains
Summary: The caucus reviewed several bills on its calendar, mostly focused on Senate amendments and whether sponsors intended to concur. HB 2114 would alter Motorcycle Safety Fund distributions and motorcycle registration rules, including a Senate change requiring at least one registered owner to be licensed in Arizona; the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2729 would continue several boards and agencies, including the Board of Nursing, Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, Board of Physician Assistance, Department of Economic Security, and Board of Pharmacy; the sponsor also intended to concur. Members discussed two agriculture property inspection bills, HB 2104 and HB 2105. HB 2104 would change rules for agricultural property classification and inspections, while HB 2105 would add notice and reporting requirements for inspections; both had Senate amendments that changed inspection timing and exemptions. Some members raised concerns about county assessors’ workload, opposition from county organizations, and possible inequities and insurance or disaster-related consequences for agricultural property owners. HB 2477, the Arizona Education Savings Plan bill, drew the most discussion. The Senate amendment combined the 529-related provisions with several treasurer-related restrictions and investment rules, and members questioned the policy implications of allowing 529 funds to roll into Roth IRAs. HB 4117 would create or expand criminal penalties for interfering with religious worship, and some members expressed concern about civil liberties and equality issues, while the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2311 would require AI service disclosures to minors and, after substantial Senate amendments, to all account holders in some cases; members asked about effects on schools and government systems, and some noted concerns about the expanded scope and AG enforcement limits. The caucus also heard SCR 1004, which would prohibit photo enforcement traffic programs after December 31 subject to voter approval, though existing programs could continue under certain conditions; law enforcement concerns were noted. SB 1110 would establish a home confinement and electronic monitoring program in the Department of Corrections. SB 1618 would revise the Military Affairs Commission’s membership and duties, but one member objected to adding defense-industry representation and warned about military-industrial-complex influence. The meeting ended with the chair noting that only the bills that had gone through rules were on the agenda and adjourned the caucus.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House workforce panel considers HF1216 3/18/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> strong communities is a program created strong communities is a program created to<00:01:06.560>
  • Before starting the program, I was in the medical field for 20 years, anywhere from a nursing assistant
  • Before starting the program, I was in the medical field for 20 years, anywhere from a nursing assistant
  • But that program, I think there's a grant program, Women in Nontraditional Occupations, and other programs
  • But that program, I think there's a grant program, Women in Nontraditional Occupations, and other programs
Keywords: 1183, house
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (01/21/2026)

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • It does seem to be a program that’s being utilized.
  • So I think this is a program that the state probably should encourage.
  • The program is so popular that it is oversubscribed.
  • I was a nurse.
  • Y'all sit here and put out all these bills and these great programs in the state, great programs, and
Keywords: 1189, house, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT Mar 16th, 2026

ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT

Transcript Highlights:
  • there was a differential in her pay, that one of her certifications of being a communicable disease nurse
  • distress related to alleged medical negligence, patient abandonment, and discrimination by a UAMS nurse
  • UAMS denied liability and moved to dismiss the claim, arguing that the nurse practitioner was covered
  • UAMS denied liability and moved to dismiss the claim, arguing that the nurse practitioner was covered
  • UAMS denied liability and moved to dismiss the claim, arguing that the nurse practitioner was covered
Keywords: 1204, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

LGBT Aging Commission Mar 10th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • worked around health and a lot of human services and community health and wellness, where I was the program
  • I was their program officer and worked a lot with DPH community health on health and wellness programs
  • Community grants focused on culturally and linguistically inclusive behavioral health programs led to
  • Latino and Cambodian older adult peer support programs that still exist today.
  • Living in a nursing facility, shared how impactful it was not being seen and not having their identity
Keywords: 1212, all
Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming its first full-time director, Alison Bauer, who introduced her background in state government, public health, philanthropy, teaching, and LGBTQ family advocacy. Commissioners approved the December meeting minutes and then turned to the main presentation, a DEI workshop led by Adriana Boulin of Fenway Health and Boston Pride for the People. Boulin guided members through an interactive “power flower” exercise to define diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and power, and to reflect on personal values, identities, and the conditions that support or diminish power. Commissioners and guests shared examples of successful DEI work in their lives and in the commission’s work, including listening sessions, inclusive trainings, targeted recruitment, the strategic plan, the commission website, and passage of the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights. The discussion also included the history of intersectionality and how multiple identities can create both barriers and advantages. The group then applied an equity lens to the commission’s strategic priority on representation and inclusion. Members discussed the need for greater racial, ethnic, gender, trans, immigrant, and regional diversity, as well as barriers such as limited seats, appointment procedures, and the challenge of recruiting people who would otherwise be the only person of their identity in the room. Participants explored possible approaches including expanding seats legislatively, using advisory structures, and building relationships with organizations and potential appointers to broaden participation. The meeting ended with appreciation for the workshop and a reminder that the next quarterly meeting will be held in June.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Feb 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill is really about some clarification of definitions to the underlying foreclosure program, and
  • The foreclosure prevention program would still be able to charge the notices of default, and a little
  • folks, perhaps even on our side of the aisle, but I still have some concerns with expanding this program
  • folks, perhaps even on our side of the aisle, but I still have some concerns with expanding this program
  • And these are military families, these are traveling nurses, these are your law enforcement officers.
Committee: House Housing
Keywords: 904, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 20, 2026 - 09:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department to adopt rules to implement the Florida Medal of Valor and the Florida Blue Hard Metal programs
  • The Criminal Justice Professionalism Program within FDLE will provide support staff to the Criminal Justice
  • But if we are investing in these programs, we should also be able to clearly measure whether they are
  • This bill does not expand any court program, change eligibility, or impose new criminal penalties.
  • It weaponizes the Attorney General's office to harass doctors, nurses, and anyone who provides care to
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • And so for example, in Travis County, a lot of our programs for diversion have been.
  • know because the, the last time she was red flagged is because of a disagreement between her and a nurse
  • several years ago, and the nurse just filed a complaint with internally within the VA and unbeknownst
  • financial resources that can be used to support law enforcement and to fund violence prevention programs
  • Gun violence involving children is a tragedy, and there are many community-based intervention programs
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

General Laws Mar 9th, 2026 at 12:00 pm

General Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's always been a physician's assistant or a nurse practitioner. That has never been a doctor.
  • It's always been a physician's assistant or a nurse practitioner.
  • Same thing with the PAs, same thing with the nurses, nurse practitioners, everybody.
  • , for instance, you know, a physician could be eligible for 100% of the reimbursement where, like, nurse
  • A physician could be eligible for 100% of the reimbursement where, like, a nurse practitioner or physician's
Committee: House General Laws
Keywords: 959, house, all
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is taxpayer dollars, and we need to make sure that these programs are resulting in programs that
  • programs.
  • In our state and other states, nursing assistant programs typically are around 90 clock hours, so that's
  • There was one program that qualified, and it was a CDL program that ended up being eight weeks, because
  • And this program is designed for U.S.... Okay, and this program is designed for youth K through 12?
Summary: The committee first approved the November 3 minutes, then received an extensive update from Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Division of Career and Technical Education officials on LEARNS and ACCESS implementation. Witnesses said the state’s goal is for students to graduate employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and described expanded career pathways, student success plans, merit and distinction diplomas, and school accountability measures tied to pathway completion and tangible credentials. They reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment and concurrent enrollment, and explained that some secondary career center programs were reduced or eliminated because they no longer aligned with state workforce demand. Members asked detailed questions about how merit/distinction affects school letter grades, how AP, concurrent credit, CTE completers, apprenticeships, and work-based learning fit into the system, and whether homeschool and private school students can access the same opportunities. Officials said multiple pathways can satisfy the requirements, including AP Scholar, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships, and that counselors are being trained to advise students. They also discussed scholarship changes: ACCESS broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar awards, with diploma of merit or distinction now qualifying students for additional aid, while the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself remained unchanged. Questions were raised about whether homeschool and private school students can meet the new diploma-of-distinction criteria; officials said the intent is to make them eligible if they meet the same standards, and that guidance is being finalized. The discussion also covered workforce scholarships and grants. Officials said the Workforce Challenge was expanded to include vocational-technical schools and increased funding, and that the Division is reworking policy around “professional skills training” to support shorter-term, stackable programs. They reviewed the new federal Workforce Pell Grant, noting its narrow hour and duration limits and the need for programs to meet completion, placement, and earnings thresholds. Members also asked about the state lottery scholarship fund balance and whether more aid should be directed to students; officials said the fund remains healthy and that ACCESS has already increased awards and expanded eligibility, with more implementation data still to come. The final presentation came from the Director of Workforce Connections on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund. Arkansas will administer the national fund, which is aimed at expanding advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships across the country through a pay-for-performance model. Officials said the program will support occupations in aerospace, automotive, biotech, maritime, nuclear, semiconductors, supply chain, and automation, and that applications will open soon. Members asked who can apply and how the money will be distributed; the answer was that registered apprenticeship sponsors—sometimes companies, sometimes colleges, sometimes intermediaries—will apply, with Arkansas setting eligibility criteria, vendor requirements, and outreach efforts.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, we've actually administered over 30 competitive grant programs, and I'm highlighting programs which
  • grant programs and I'm highlighting<00:02:22.160><c> programs</c><00:02:22.879><c> which</c><00:02:23.120
  • ><c> total</c><00:02:23.520><c> about</c> highlighting programs which total about highlighting programs
  • </c> person leaves the program. person leaves the program.
  • In general, the grant programs.
Keywords: 1183, house
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 3rd, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Assistance Grant Program and the Rural Prosecutor Office Salary Assistance Grant Program for this Club
  • Ailes of Harris relating to nurses employed by public schools.
  • Services and supports under the Medicaid program which the individual on the waiting list for services
  • Relating to eligibility for bulletproof vests and body armor grant program, refer to the Committee on
  • H.B. 596 by Howard relating to the school program including an adjustment in those amounts to reflect
Keywords: 1184, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:35 pm

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Remarkable program.
  • or move from program to program.
  • We can spend that program income on our Vocational Rehabilitation Program, on our Older Blind Program
  • or on our Part B Program.
  • The normal rule is that you have to spend program income on the program that generated the program income
Keywords: 996, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Insurance Mar 9th, 2026

Insurance and Banking

Transcript Highlights:
  • Patients may choose care from providers they trust, which would include chiropractors, nurse practitioners
  • I'm in on behalf of the Missouri Nurses Association and also the Missouri Occupational Therapist Association
  • And so that means for either a nurse practitioner, or that would be the same price as another provider
  • Chris Ropee here on behalf of the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
  • for surgery, take out the liver, sew the patient back up, and put the patient back, the fee to the nurse
Summary: The Committee for Insurance met with a quorum and first took up three bills in executive session. House Bill 2902 was amended with a committee substitute that removed the commission language while keeping provisions on software and key-emulating devices, and members confirmed it still included a Class D felony penalty. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass, with one member voting no. House Bill 1789, dealing with delivery network companies and insurance coverage during the delivery availability period, was also amended and adopted; the substitute clarified that the availability period is not commercial activity and that auto insurance applies until a driver is actually engaged in delivery. The committee then voted the bill do pass, with one no vote and one present. House Bill 1647 was amended to remove it from the collateral source rule section and clarify that it applies only to civil actions for damages and property claims; the substitute was adopted and the bill voted do pass, with several no votes recorded. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1894, which would implement federal nondiscrimination requirements for licensed health care providers in Missouri insurance law. The sponsor said the bill is about patient choice, fairness, and access, especially in rural areas, and does not expand scope of practice or require coverage of new services. Supporters from chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would ensure equal reimbursement for the same covered services and improve access to local providers. Opponents from the insurance industry argued the bill would interfere with network design, reduce negotiating leverage, and require equal payment regardless of provider type or credentials; they also said current federal law already governs network adequacy and that the bill’s rulemaking language was standard but the reimbursement mandate was the main concern. The committee also heard House Bill 3314, which updates Missouri’s insurance guaranty association laws. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill would clarify coverage for cyber policies, ensure coverage follows the policyholder in insurance business transfer or corporate division transactions, and allow limited pre-liquidation information sharing from the Department of Commerce and Insurance to guaranty associations so claims can be handled faster after insolvency. Witnesses said the bill is technical and intended to modernize the system without expanding coverage or increasing taxpayer exposure. Members asked about the $300,000 property and casualty claims cap, the definition of high-net-worth individual, oversight of guaranty associations, and confidentiality concerns; supporters said the cap is longstanding, high-net-worth means over $25 million, and the department’s existing oversight and confidentiality protections are sufficient. The hearing closed after a final supportive statement from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the committee adjourned.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Of the six programs, current enrollment programs.
  • These are very different programs.
  • But they can access this, and we have two programs now at two of our colleges: a pharmacy tech program
  • Certificate programs.
  • set to lose access to this program.
Summary: The committee began with a work session on dual credit, hearing first from the Council of Presidents and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, then from the Education Research and Data Center. The dual credit overview described Washington’s six dual credit programs, high participation rates, transferability, and recent efforts to improve transparency, pathways, and equity. Testimony emphasized both benefits and challenges, including access, funding, advising, and the need for clearer statewide coordination. ERDC outlined its annual report, dashboard, research briefs, and future work on school-level factors and possible causal effects of dual credit participation. No votes were taken during the work session. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6227 would direct WSAC to work with public higher education institutions to create formal data collection protocols for parenting students and convene a work group to recommend how to identify and support them. Senator Wilson and multiple student and advocacy witnesses supported the bill, citing the lack of consistent statewide data and the barriers parenting students face; WSAC testified that its research found significant food, housing, and child care insecurity among these students. SB 6235 would prohibit public colleges with athletics programs from entering certain private equity or sovereign wealth fund agreements involving athletics revenues or control. Senator Holy said the bill was intended to prevent loss of institutional control, while UW and WSU testified in opposition, warning it could limit flexibility and create competitive disadvantages. The committee also heard SB 6217, which would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to students in eligible non-degree credential programs beginning in 2027-28. Supporters from the community and technical college system, a community college president, and workforce representatives said the bill would help students access short-term training for family-wage jobs and address workforce shortages, especially in construction trades. Finally, SB 6209 would restore Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship eligibility for certain private four-year and career/vocational schools if they meet a gainful-employment standard. DigiPen, Evergreen Beauty College, Seattle Film Institute, and related students and administrators testified in support, arguing the bill would preserve access for low-income and nontraditional students in career-focused programs; some witnesses on the bill’s earlier panel also urged that certificate and two-year programs be included. The hearings were managed with shortened testimony times because of the large number of sign-ins, and no final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 22 January, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then on Tuesday, January 27th, budget hearings for Department of Mental Health at 1:00, nursing home
  • ,</c><00:25:44.559><c> PT</c><00:25:44.960><c> at</c><00:25:45.200><c> 2:15,</c><00:25:46.159><c> nursing
  • </c><00:25:47.039><c> 2:30,</c> at 1:30, PT at 2:15, nursing 2:30, at 1:30, PT at 2:15, nursing 2:30,
  • :58.960><c> admin</c><00:25:59.600><c> at</c><00:25:59.840><c> 1:45,</c><00:26:00.640><c> and</c> nursing
  • home admin at 1:45, and nursing home admin at 1:45, and chiropractic<00:26:01.760><c> examiners</c><
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-HOU, HHS-LBT, HHS-CPN, TCA-HHS, AEN-HHS Public Hearings 02-07-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is for the senior housing program? No, this is for Ohana zones. Oh, okay.
  • We’re going to defecate this program.
  • Hawaii has the most restrictive program in the world.
  • I know that the nonpoint source program...
  • </c><01:09:05.799><c> I</c> nontoxic so I quit hospital nursing I nontoxic so I quit hospital nursing
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

January 14, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • , which is the job certificate program at Lively Technical College. ...which is a job certificate program
  • The Department of Education has a program that you appropriate every year; that’s the PECO program that
  • We see those programs work.
  • And so what programs or incentives are there out there that we could potentially... ...programs or incentives
  • That program, the average applicant is 30 years old, high school diploma, 22-week program.
Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the year, took roll, and heard member introductions centered on the importance of workforce pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route. Members repeatedly emphasized manufacturing, trades, rural workforce needs, apprenticeships, and helping students and adults find multiple paths to good jobs. The chair outlined the subcommittee’s focus on policies that build a skilled workforce and announced the day’s theme would be manufacturing, with presentations from the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Fleet Force CDL training. Secretary Alex Kelly presented Florida’s manufacturing report, saying manufacturing is a major economic driver and that Florida has become the 10th largest state in manufacturing employment. He highlighted strong job multipliers, rapid growth in manufacturing GDP and establishments, the importance of logistics and ports, and the state’s small-business-heavy manufacturing base. He also stressed the aging manufacturing workforce, the need for modern skills such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics, and the role of public-private partnerships, apprenticeships, and workforce education investments in supporting reshoring and industry growth. Dr. David Arnold described Florida’s semiconductor sector and the Florida Semiconductor Institute’s mission to grow research, workforce, and ecosystem development. He said semiconductors are strategically important, Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce, and the main bottleneck is mid-level technician talent rather than engineers or entry-level workers. He pointed to NeoCity, Valencia College, and other regional partnerships as models, and said the state needs more proactive planning, better instructor capacity, and stronger pathways from K-12 through postsecondary. Evan Agiloff of Fleet Force discussed Florida’s CDL shortage, saying trucking is essential to the supply chain, Florida has about 18,000 open CDL positions, and Fleet Force’s college-based model can quickly move students into middle-class jobs. Members asked about apprenticeships, CTE pathways, semiconductor training, infrastructure needs, and how to expand and better fund workforce programs; no votes were taken.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 4, 2026 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • The program may provide referrals to the Department of Elder Affairs and provide information regarding
  • The first issue in the bill requires every employer of a residential facility or day training program
  • As far as the mentoring program Rep.
  • But the mentoring program in it is not something that really developed, I think, the way it was intended
  • for the iBudget waiver and for the CDC program, that's an offshoot of the iBudget.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> of nursing type facilities. of nursing type facilities. in<01:08:37.279><c> our</c><01:08:37.520
  • lot of different nursing facilities that we<01:09:05.359><c> don't</c><01:09:05.600><c> have</c><01:
  • Don't let us because we know skilled nursing facility. We're not experts there.
  • </c><01:16:07.040><c> We're</c><01:16:07.280><c> not</c> know skilled nursing facility.
  • We're not know skilled nursing facility. We're not experts<01:16:07.920><c> there.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the November 13, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony from Quarter Hill, the tolling subcontractor for RiverLink on the Indiana-Kentucky bridge system. Quarter Hill described its role in back-office support and call center operations for the Lincoln, Kennedy, and Lewis and Clark bridges, and said the contract began in 2021 with go-live in September 2023. The company reported that revenue has increased since it took over, customer service response times have improved, and it has been operating at a loss because the contract was based on outdated transaction estimates and did not account for higher-than-expected volume and added support costs. Members questioned Quarter Hill about the role of consultants, the low reported collection rate, and why the company was leaving the contract. Quarter Hill said a single large consulting engineering firm had been hired to help shape the RFP and contract, but argued that consultants and overly detailed requirements can create disputes and hinder efficient service. On collection rates, the company said the reported 85% rate reflects the absence of registration holds and other enforcement tools, and that the remaining unpaid tolls are the hardest to collect. The company also said it had lost significant money on the contract and had reached a change order and termination agreement, while emphasizing that the system itself was functioning well. The committee then received a staff report on Kentucky veterans centers. Staff said quality of care is generally high and staffing has improved, but reported occupancy figures are misleading because they are based on certified beds rather than functional capacity after conversions to single-occupancy rooms and capital projects. The report said actual occupancy is closer to 85% than the commonly reported 56%, and that increasing occupancy would not necessarily increase revenue because the state’s cost of care exceeds reimbursement and private-pay revenue. Recommendations included adopting functional occupancy reporting, continuing the move to single-occupancy rooms, reviewing modernization needs at Thompson Hood, including Eastern Kentucky in planning, and referring the Radcliffe HVAC procurement and installation to the Auditor of Public Accounts and Attorney General for review.