Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:26.240><c> with</c><00:19:26.440><c> this</c> ground with negotiating with this ground with
• uh negotiations and at the<00:20:16.840><c> end</c><00:20:17.000><c> of</c><00:20:17.200><c> those</
• </c><00:24:28.919><c> with</c> question on this um negotiating with question on this um negotiating with
• It allows those staff members the flexibility to negotiate the weather.
• It allows those staff members the flexibility to negotiate the weather.

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, I guess, I see this as, you know, we're negotiating for better pricing.
• </c><00:28:33.520><c> for</c> taxpayers, I think negotiating for taxpayers, I think negotiating for better
• And we didn't get to negotiate the price of those books, and they were fairly expensive.
• And we didn't get to negotiate the price of those books, and they were fairly expensive.
• </c> wanted I would have rather negotiate wanted I would have rather negotiate better<00:34:35.280><c

Bills: HF3698 , HF3067 , HF3730

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• It represents a lot of negotiation that was done with the Senate and with our House colleagues and with
• more of a statement than a question because they've had discussions and this has come out of some negotiations
• than a question on this because, uh, I know we've had discussions and this has come out of some negotiations
• </c><00:03:05.680><c> Um,</c><00:03:06.400><c> but</c><00:03:06.959><c> I</c> out of, uh, some negotiations
• Um, but I out of, uh, some negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• their negotiated contracts that they<00:14:50.600><c> have?
• So, you know, in my professional role I negotiate my contract.
• So, you know, in my professional role I negotiate my contract.
• </c><00:22:46.920><c> for</c> they have a union that negotiates for they have a union that negotiates
• </c> problem-solving, and negotiating. problem-solving, and negotiating.

Bills: HF3878 , HF4131 , HF3796 , HF4097

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

Keywords: airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, consumer rights, automated decision systems, Minnesota Statutes, suitable seating, employee seating, workplace seating, occupational safety, workplace safety, labor standards, employer requirements, chair, stool

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our big points of negotiation is that a substantial amount of water from these reservoirs above
• So the status of the current negotiations, these are the three things we need to make a deal.
• But we're... ...risk in a negotiation. You might come together toward the middle, right?
• They've been negotiating with some of their water in that regard.
• And so they are now in negotiation with what can we do to make this work.

Bills: HB2042 , HB2052 , HB2055 , HB2056 , HB2094 , HB2098 , HB2185 , HB2328 , HB2758 , HB2798

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So until we go out and actually start negotiating with landowners, it would be Difficult to know how
• How does that strike you in terms of your planning and your negotiations with the private sector and
• There are negotiations, but there is no set timeline even for that canal.
• There's an imbalanced negotiating table here. You can see it.
• We're hopeful that that funding can remain in the negotiations as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is wasn't no negotiating.
• </c><00:32:14.240><c> Um,</c> negotiating. That's how things work. Um, negotiating.
• , you ask and you negotiate with them.
• </c> the smart thing to do is just negotiate the smart thing to do is just negotiate as<00:52:45.359>
• </c> believe in um negotiating in good faith. believe in um negotiating in good faith.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, members, this is a great bill that was negotiated with bipartisan agreement.
• But I understand why this is something that's negotiated.
• Um it's even between that's negotiated.
• This isn't some sort of win through negotiation skills. This is a mistake.
• > it</c> that came easily. we negotiated and it that came easily. we negotiated and it actually<02:23

Transcript Highlights:

• The members who held firm on these provisions through a long negotiation understood what was at stake
• Just wanted to make sure I explicitly thank you all, and especially the chief negotiators of both the
• I'm glad to see that that is not in the final negotiated package.
• In a shared government, compromise and negotiation are necessary. And so no budget will be perfect.
• a priority, but not just those that negotiated this budget, but the entire Republican caucus.

Bills: HB4154 , HB4155 , HB4156 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB4160 , HB4161 , HB4162 , HB4163 , HB4164 , HB4165 , HB4166 , HB4167 , HB4168 , HB4169 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1859 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation, state appropriations, biennium, 2026-2027, fees, licensing, regulation, tourism, parks, fairgrounds, carnivals, arcades, HB4156, capital outlay, appropriations, capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• For our partners in the administration, as we continue the three-party negotiations, I hope that we can
• And as we move forward with negotiations, the Assembly will be guided by our twin goals of compassion
• And as we go through this budget and the continuing negotiations with the administration, I just encourage
• We look forward to supporting it as it moves to conversations and negotiations with the Governor.
• Just while we understand that the Prop. 4 expenditure plan and the GGRF are still being negotiated, we

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, so, I know with a superintendent, they have an opportunity to kind of, I guess, negotiate their
• their contracts at the I guess negotiate their contracts at the beginning. beginning. beginning.
• , those are really important negotiate, those are really important principles.<00:04:47.840><c> So,</
• </c><00:04:56.000><c> a</c><00:04:56.040><c> contract</c> that district to negotiate a contract that
• district to negotiate a contract and<00:04:56.960><c> and</c><00:04:57.360><c> keep</c><00:04:57.600>

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• That PBM, much like hiring a travel agent, is to negotiate discounts, manage networks, and coordinate
• In the travel world, the travel agent negotiates bulk discounts with airlines and hotels on behalf of
• And here's why: because the PBMs negotiate with the drug manufacturers, it's secret.
• The PBMs negotiate with the distributors and the wholesalers, it's secret.
• They negotiate with the retailers, it's in secret. Everything is secret.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1414 by Sen. Polsky on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) education. The bill would require the Department of Health, working with medical experts, to create and distribute CMV educational materials to expectant and new parents or caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, and OB/GYN practices. An amendment removed a section that would have required instruction for medical professionals, and the amended bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then took up a block of confirmations. Appointees on tabs 2 through 7 were recommended favorably in one vote, and Chavon Harris was separately confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after extensive questioning. Senators praised her leadership and experience, while others raised concerns about Medicaid redeterminations, the state’s CORE modernization project, Hope Florida, and a DCF anti-marijuana ad campaign; Harris said she would follow up on some issues and defended the agency’s work on transparency, managed care oversight, and access to care. Her confirmation was recommended favorably, with Sen. Berman noting opposition. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. SB 186 by Sen. Garcia expanded epilepsy training requirements for school personnel, including charter school bus drivers, and was reported favorably. SB 902 by Sen. Garcia, after amendments narrowing dental workforce provisions and allowing certain seizure rescue medication delegation to family home health aides, was reported favorably; testimony focused on medical marijuana regulation, practitioner accountability, and concerns about park and child-care proximity restrictions. SB 196 by Sen. Sharif created a uterine fibroid research database with privacy protections and was reported favorably after emotional testimony from a patient and supporters. SB 688 by Sen. Rodriguez would reestablish licensure of naturopathic doctors; it drew both support and skepticism about diagnosis and treatment boundaries, but was reported favorably. SB 1574, Maddie’s Law, would add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening and was strongly supported by parents describing a delayed diagnosis; it was reported favorably. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 1092 on podiatric medicine and certain cellular/tissue-based products, and SB 1032 on medical marijuana registry timelines and veteran fee waivers were also reported favorably, while SB 1032 drew debate over longer renewal/supply periods. The committee then began SB 1760 on Medicaid oversight and program transparency, with the sponsor describing the bill’s creation of a joint legislative oversight committee and a legislative actuary.

Transcript Highlights:

• That PBM, much like hiring a travel agent, is to negotiate discounts, manage networks, and coordinate
• In the travel world, the travel agent negotiates bulk discounts with airlines and hotels on behalf of
• And here's why: because the PBMs negotiate with the drug manufacturers in secret.
• The PBMs negotiate with the distributors and the wholesalers in secret.
• They negotiate with the retailers in secret. Everything is secret.

Bills: S0688 , S1414 , S0186 , S0902 , S0196 , S1574 , S0878 , S1092 , S1032 , S1684 , S1686 , S1760

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: cytomegalovirus, education, maternal health, newborn care, infectious diseases, student health, epilepsy, seizure disorders, school safety, training requirements, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis, neurofibromatosis, healthcare, state regulations, child care facilities, public safety, grant program, uterine fibroids, health database

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was looking through possibilities negotiating regarding what would be a good way to make as many
• with the House of Representatives, Because the person who has carried the ball in negotiations with
• I think that we are close to, obviously, figuring out negotiated products.
• I think that we are close to, obviously, figuring out negotiated products.
• I think that we are close to, obviously, figuring out negotiated products.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into special order and returning messages. Early floor action included passage of HB 6503 (relief for Mandy Penny Lamon by Sarasota County), HB 1123 (sewer collection systems), HB 211 (farm products), and a joint resolution on ad valorem tax exemption for agricultural tangible personal property, all approved without opposition. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the chamber recessed and later returned to messages from the House. The Senate then took up a series of House amendments and conference-style motions on major bills. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response was amended and concurred in after debate over hurricane recovery, local government moratoriums, evacuation timing in the Keys, and property tax and redevelopment provisions; it passed 34-1. CS/HB 1609 on waste incineration and auxiliary containers was heavily debated over plastic and polystyrene preemption, local beach and park regulations, and landfill/incinerator provisions, then passed 26-10. CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiatives was amended to allow volunteers to carry up to 25 petitions without registration/training and passed 28-9. The Senate also refused to concur in a House amendment to SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, and in SB 116 on veterans, seeking to restore funding for veteran suicide prevention. Later, the chamber approved or advanced several education and health-related bills. CS/HB 1255 on education was amended and passed, with changes to school readiness and other education provisions. CS/HB 875 on educator preparation passed after discussion of cognitive science, classroom management, teacher excellence programs, and the phaseout of the general knowledge test. CS/HB 1105, a large education package, passed after debate over charter school conversions, cell phone restrictions, and other school governance changes. In health care, CS/HB 1427 was introduced as a comprehensive package combining multiple health-related provisions, though the excerpt ends before final action on that bill. Throughout the day, the Senate also concurred or refused to concur in various House amendments on mental health, financial institutions, land development, brownfields, and out-of-network provider legislation, with votes generally recorded and several measures passing on divided but mostly favorable roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unfair advantage in that negotiation. unfair advantage in that negotiation.
• </c> sector, there's a lot more negotiation sector, there's a lot more negotiation uh<01:22:24.560><c
• Um there's a lot more negotiation negotiation negotiation and<01:22:30.159><c> so</c><01:22:30.480><c
• </c> this prehiring negotiation phase. this prehiring negotiation phase.
• . negotiated. negotiated.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, in that opioid negotiations with the... Disputes over the attorneys' fees.
• In fact, in the opioid negotiations with the plaintiff attorneys, it delayed settlement by nearly two
• As negotiations went on with the states, so not only were we negotiating with the states, we also then
• It was all over what the negotiations of the attorneys' fees were going to be for two years.
• Because there were 2,700 local jurisdictions, it was very unwieldy in negotiations at the back end of

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1142, which would clarify the Secretary of State’s authority to issue certificates of good standing to series LLCs and make each series searchable on the Secretary of State’s website. The sponsor said the bill was needed to preserve a long-standing practice and keep Missouri business-friendly, and witnesses from the Missouri Chamber and a law firm supported it as a simple clarification. No opposition was presented, and the hearing concluded without a vote in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 3347, sponsored by Rep. Murphy, which had two parts: one establishing requirements for political subdivisions entering contingency-fee legal contracts, and another addressing a Kansas City ordinance restricting sales of small liquor bottles in certain areas. Supporters of the legal-contract portion argued that local governments should coordinate with the Attorney General on contingency-fee cases involving statewide issues, citing opioid, PFAS, environmental, and other multi-jurisdictional litigation as examples where attorney fees and fragmented local action created delays and inefficiencies. Opponents, including the Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Association of Counties, and private attorneys, argued the bill would add bureaucracy, delay cases, undermine local control, and potentially freeze out smaller communities; they also raised concerns about vague language, a 45-day review period, and retroactive effects on existing contracts. On the alcohol portion, industry witnesses supported the amendment, saying the Kansas City proposal was discriminatory, unsupported by data, and would hurt retailers and tax revenue. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive session and unanimously voted House Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 907, 1154, and 1272 do pass and do pass with consent, after adopting a technical substitute. The transcript then returned to HB 3347, where testimony continued on both the legal-contract and alcohol provisions, but no final committee vote on HB 3347 appears in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most recently, I served as the deputy head of the U.S. delegation to the UN climate negotiations.
• I have experience as a negotiator, a facilitator, a regulator, and a lawyer.
• And then as a negotiator, trying to ensure that I'm kind of advocating for the U.S. government in that
• And then as a negotiator, trying to ensure that I'm kind of advocating for the U.S. government in that
• And then as a negotiator, trying to ensure that I'm kind of advocating for the U.S. government in that

Summary: The committee first established quorum and then approved several governor’s appointments and procedural items, including appointments to the Civil Rights Council, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, UC College of the Law, San Francisco Board of Directors, bill referrals, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these items passed unanimously, while the Civil Rights Council appointment of Indira Cameron Banks passed 3-2. The bulk of the meeting focused on confirmations to the California Air Resources Board. Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson, both nominated to CARB, described their backgrounds and emphasized balancing climate and air-quality goals with economic impacts, community engagement, and practical implementation. Senators raised concerns about cap-and-trade costs, leakage, warehouse and truck traffic impacts, agricultural burdens, emergency vehicle and fleet electrification challenges, natural gas appliance rules, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and the need for socioeconomic analysis. Both nominees said they favored open-door engagement, listening to affected communities, and using data and technology-neutral approaches. Public commenters largely supported both nominees, and the committee voted to advance Hopkins 4-0 and Locke Dawson 5-0 to the full Senate. The committee also heard the appointment of Andrew Rakestraw as chair of the Board of Environmental Safety. Rakestraw, who previously worked in U.S. climate and legal roles, said he would focus on transparency, accountability, fiscal stability, and community responsiveness at DTSC. Senators questioned him about DTSC reform, community engagement in places like the Hinkley/Herupah Valley and Exide cleanup areas, fee-setting and fiscal stability, the hazardous waste management plan, and coordination with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council. He said the board should go beyond brief public comment periods, engage communities directly, and ensure community concerns are reflected in outcomes. Supporters from environmental justice and waste-management groups testified in favor, no opposition was offered, and the committee moved his nomination forward to the Senate floor, with one member abstaining.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill implements negotiated and agreed upon general salary and benefits adjustments, as well as negotiated
• My comments on 139 really apply to the entirety of our labor negotiations.
• There were others also negotiating with the governor, which I was not part of.
• But in the art of negotiation, it is about give and take.
• The negotiations that we talk about continue to move forward that got us to this point that again to

Transcript Highlights:

• what is necessary infrastructure, as Senator Rarick is describing there, but that's part of the negotiation
• what is necessary infrastructure, as Senator Rarick is describing there, but that's part of the negotiation
• what is necessary infrastructure, as Senator Rarick is describing there, but that's part of the negotiation
• But that's that's part of<00:07:34.960><c> the</c><00:07:35.120><c> negotiation</c><00:07:35.759><c>
• </c><00:07:36.720><c> Once</c> of the negotiation over a bill. Once of the negotiation over a bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• During negotiated rulemaking and the public comment period, we received no comments.
• The Division and Board held four open public board meetings, one negotiated rulemaking hearing, and one
• Prior to the negotiated rulemaking meeting, all licensees were emailed with information on how to attend
• The Division and Board held four open public board meetings, one negotiated rulemaking hearing, and one
• So. meetings, one negotiated rulemaking hearing, and one public hearing to discuss the rule changes and

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources