Transcript Highlights:

• So we do<00:02:00.000><c> follow</c><00:02:00.320><c> our</c><00:02:00.640><c> statutes</c><00:02:01.040
• ><c> in</c><00:02:01.280><c> Kentucky</c><00:02:01.680><c> as</c> do follow our statutes in Kentucky
• as do follow our statutes in Kentucky as well.<00:02:02.880><c> Every</c><00:02:03.200><c> single</c>
• 00:02:37.440><c> person</c><00:02:37.680><c> will</c><00:02:37.920><c> look</c><00:02:38.080><c> at</
• at our medical<00:02:38.959><c> records,</c><00:02:39.519><c> see</c><00:02:39.760><c> how</c><00:02

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:02:07.920><c> I</c><02:02:08.159><c> did</c><02:02:08.400><c> want</c><02:02:08.560><c> to</c><02:
• Folks, it's<02:32:11.600><c> a</c><02:32:11.840><c> statute.
• </c><02:32:13.760><c> down</c> it's a statute.
• </c><02:32:16.240><c> We</c><02:32:16.399><c> can</c><02:32:16.560><c> change</c><02:32:16.800><c> statutes
• We can change statutes and<02:32:17.439><c> we</c><02:32:17.600><c> can</c><02:32:17.680><c> pull</c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> students</c><05:02:05.240><c> in</c><05:02:05.440><c> some</c><05:02:05.760><c> cases</c><05:02:
• </c><06:02:08.080><c> now</c><06:02:08.280><c> have</c><06:02:08.400><c> to</c><06:02:08.520><c> go</
• </c><06:02:12.520><c> to</c><06:02:12.638><c> this</c><06:02:12.798><c> bill</c><06:02:13.478><c> we<
• can say<06:02:13.920><c> all</c><06:02:14.040><c> day</c><06:02:14.200><c> long</c><06:02:14.638><c>
• that</c><06:02:15.320><c> there</c><06:02:15.638><c> is</c><06:02:15.760><c> an</c><06:02:15.958><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:15.920><c> and</c><02:02:16.320><c> we</c><02:02:16.560><c> just</c><02:02:16.800><c> came</c><02
• :02:19.599><c> we</c><02:02:20.000><c> we've</c><02:02:20.320><c> been</c><02:02:20.480><c> at</c><02
• point<02:02:22.239><c> um</c><02:02:22.639><c> not</c><02:02:22.880><c> during</c><02:02:23.199><c>
• ><c> we've</c><02:02:24.800><c> been</c><02:02:24.960><c> at</c><02:02:25.119><c> a</c><02:02:25.280>
• 02:02:30.000><c> there</c><02:02:30.320><c> was</c><02:02:30.480><c> a</c><02:02:30.880><c> a</c><02:

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:09.520><c> um</c><01:02:10.000><c> not</c><01:02:10.240><c> to</c><01:02:10.400><c> most</
• 02:48.880><c> to</c><01:02:49.200><c> make</c><01:02:49.359><c> that</c><01:02:49.599><c> change.
• :02:56.639><c> to</c><02:02:56.880><c> adopt</c><02:02:58.080><c> um</c><02:02:58.480><c> and</c><02:
• 02:59.119><c> uh</c><02:02:59.280><c> next</c><02:02:59.520><c> Tuesday.
• 02:04:36.320><c> bill</c><02:04:37.599><c> uh</c><02:04:37.840><c> for</c><02:04:38.560><c> uh</c><02

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard opening remarks and ground rules from Chair David Tarnas, including a request for two-minute testimony limits, clear speaking, Zoom etiquette, and respectful conduct. The first measure taken up was HB 2062, relating to gun violence prevention, which would appropriate funds for enforcement of gun violence protective orders and for public awareness campaigns. Judiciary submitted written testimony recommending technical changes to clarify that it does not enforce laws and instead should be funded for personnel to process temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders; the Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill and said it is well positioned to conduct public education. Support also came from county and advocacy witnesses, including Moms Demand Action, Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, HGEA, and a retired police officer, while opposition testimony argued the measure raises due process and Fifth Amendment concerns and that education, not enforcement, should be the focus. The chair noted 37 testimonies in support, 103 in opposition, and three comments; no vote was taken in the portion provided. Testimony on HB 2062 emphasized both public safety and constitutional concerns. Supporters described the bill as a way to increase awareness of an existing legal tool, prevent suicides and shootings, and help law enforcement and the public understand gun violence protective orders. Opponents, including gun owners and firearms groups, argued that red flag laws can be abused, lack due process, and should not be expanded through state funding. A county neighborhood safety witness suggested an amendment to allow public, private, and nonprofit consultants to assist with training and implementation. Members asked a few questions, but the agencies with written testimony were not present, so the chair referred members to their submissions. The committee then moved to HB 2061, relating to firearms, which appropriates money for the state gun buyback program and requires at least two buyback events in each county. Written support was noted from the Department of Law Enforcement, Hawaii County Council, the County of Kauai Prosecuting Attorney, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, with the latter emphasizing that buybacks are voluntary prevention tools that can reduce risk before crises escalate. Opposition came from the Mid-Pacific Pistol League, SDM Training Group/Bows and Bullets, and others; one witness argued buybacks are ineffective, costly, and can be vulnerable to misuse or black-market diversion, and suggested a year-round surrender option instead. The committee heard additional support from a retired police officer and from a gun violence survivor with Students Demand Action, but no final action or vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 05.880><c> at</c><01:02:06.039><c> all</c><01:02:06.279><c> or</c><01:02:06.520><c> giving</c><01:02:
• </c><01:02:09.559><c> step</c><01:02:09.799><c> forward</c><01:02:10.119><c> in</c><01:02:10.319><c>
• chair as I reached<01:02:20.119><c> out</c><01:02:20.680><c> um</c><01:02:20.839><c> late</c><01:02:
• > next</c><01:02:27.039><c> we</c><01:02:27.160><c> have</c><01:02:27.440><c> keani</c><01:02:27.920>
• 01:02:48.039><c> to</c><01:02:48.240><c> a</c><01:02:48.400><c> 2:</c><01:02:48.839><c> one</c><01:02

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input. The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um this was<00:02:01.680><c> an</c><00:02:01.759><c> interim</c><00:02:02.159><c> bill</c><00:02:02.320
• </c><00:02:08.080><c> Um</c><00:02:09.039><c> our</c><00:02:09.360><c> host</c><00:02:09.599><c> our<
• ><c> that</c><00:02:24.160><c> an</c><00:02:24.400><c> ambulance</c><00:02:24.800><c> shows</c><00:02
• The rates<00:02:27.120><c> uh</c><00:02:27.200><c> the</c><00:02:27.440><c> Medicaid</c><00:02:27.840
• </c><00:02:31.840><c> We</c><00:02:32.000><c> haven't</c><00:02:32.239><c> seen</c><00:02:32.400><c>

Bills: HB0122 , SF0004 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067 , SF0070 , SF0124

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, Medicaid, emergency medical services, ground ambulance, healthcare funding, reimbursement rates, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> um</c> to um to um Implement<01:02:41.200><c> if</c><01:02:41.359><c> somebody</c><01:02:41.880><
• c> is</c><01:02:42.039><c> just</c><01:02:42.319><c> coming</c><01:02:42.599><c> in</c> Implement if
• :02:43.200><c> brand</c><01:02:43.480><c> new</c><01:02:43.760><c> license</c><01:02:44.760><c> and</
• you</c><01:02:45.880><c> take</c><01:02:46.119><c> your</c><01:02:46.359><c> hour</c><01:02:47.000><c
• </c><01:02:58.119><c> this</c><01:02:58.359><c> be</c><01:02:59.119><c> would</c><01:02:59.440><c> this

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 493, a proposal to require physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to complete child abuse and neglect training as part of licensure and continuing education. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the measure addresses a gap in provider training, especially because abuse can be difficult to recognize and voluntary training has had low participation. They described a free Dartmouth online course and argued that mandatory, repeated education would help providers identify signs of abuse, know when to involve specialists or DCYF, and improve child safety. Supporters also noted the bill was amended to clarify coverage for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nursing hours, and to address language concerns raised by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Committee members and OPLC counsel raised implementation questions, including whether the bill would apply to all physicians regardless of specialty, whether it created a new licensure condition rather than only a continuing education requirement, how often the training would need to be repeated, and whether the accreditation language fit nursing rules. OPLC also noted that psychiatrists would be covered as physicians, while psychologists would not. A child abuse pediatrician testified that in his experience, children were sometimes seen by providers who missed early signs of abuse, leading to worse outcomes, and that mandatory education was needed because voluntary programs had poor uptake. The New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed the bill, saying health care professionals already have reporting duties and that the legislature should not single out one training mandate when similar requirements are generally left to licensing boards. The Office of the Child Advocate supported the bill, citing cases from 2023 involving non-ambulatory infants with fractures, conflicting medical testimony in court, and a low completion rate for the existing free online course. The Child Advocate said the bill should be mandatory and recurring so providers stay current on evolving science and law. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:05:35.199><c> and</c><02:05:35.360><c> D,</c><02:05:36.639><c> um</c><02:05:36.880><c> it</c><02:
• defined and the the way things were defined and the statutes<02:08:36.079><c> that</c><02:08:36.400>
• </c><02:08:38.000><c> I</c> statutes that things got put under.
• 02:09:10.639><c> uh</c><02:09:10.880><c> or</c><02:09:11.119><c> a</c><02:09:11.520><c> um</c><02:09:
• <02:15:27.440><c> we</c><02:15:27.520><c> remove</c><02:15:27.840><c> a</c><02:15:28.000><c> a</c><02

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's<01:02:05.839><c> not</c><01:02:06.079><c> an</c><01:02:06.319><c> attack</c><01:02:06.480><c> on
• Accountability<01:02:10.000><c> is</c><01:02:10.240><c> not</c><01:02:10.319><c> the</c><01:02:10.480
• of liberty.<01:02:11.680><c> In</c><01:02:11.839><c> fact,</c><01:02:12.000><c> it's</c><01:02:12.240
• </c><01:02:14.240><c> And</c><01:02:14.480><c> so</c><01:02:14.640><c> we</c><01:02:14.799><c> would<
• :02:37.680><c> drugs</c><01:02:39.040><c> and</c><01:02:39.359><c> drunk</c><01:02:39.680><c> driving

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><02:02:02.960><c> goes</c><02:02:03.199><c> into</c><02:02:03.599><c> each</c><02:02:04.199><c> one
• as you<02:02:05.760><c> would</c><02:02:06.079><c> expect</c><02:02:06.480><c> in</c><02:02:06.639><
• the</c><02:02:38.199><c> vested</c><02:02:38.920><c> status</c><02:02:39.400><c> and</c><02:02:39.560
• > set</c><02:05:02.400><c> in</c><02:05:02.679><c> statute</c><02:05:03.119><c> and</c><02:05:03.280>
• <c> do</c><02:05:03.480><c> not</c> they are set in statute and do not they are set in statute and do

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:36.880><c> Schools</c><01:02:37.200><c> are</c><01:02:37.359><c> shut</c><01:02:37.599><c>
• If<01:02:38.160><c> they're</c><01:02:38.400><c> carting</c><01:02:38.720><c> their</c><01:02:38.960>
• 01:02:41.119><c> it's</c><01:02:41.280><c> a</c><01:02:41.440><c> tough</c><01:02:41.599><c> thing</c
• ><c> statute</c><02:09:22.639><c> alto</c><02:09:22.880><c> together</c> we just repeal the statute alto
• together we just repeal the statute alto together and<02:09:23.360><c> leave</c><02:09:23.520><c> it

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:16.560><c> I</c><00:02:16.879><c> I</c><00:02:16.959><c> I</c><00:02:17.280><c> I</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:20.400><c> is</c><00:02:20.640><c> is</c><00:02:21.120><c> happening</c><00:02:21.440><c>
• ><c> schools</c><00:02:23.200><c> um</c><00:02:23.360><c> even</c><00:02:23.599><c> to</c><00:02:23.760
• ><c> I</c><00:02:26.879><c> I</c><00:02:27.360><c> don't</c><00:02:27.599><c> see</c><00:02:27.840><c
• So we can take<00:02:44.879><c> some</c><00:02:45.120><c> steps</c><00:02:45.440><c> forward</c><00:02

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee conference first returned to Senate Bill 210 on cyberbullying. Members discussed whether to keep the bill focused on prevention and school action or instead add a study committee. House members said they were willing to remove the open enrollment portion and return to the original intent of the bill, while Senate members argued that bullying is already addressed in existing law and DOE guidance but that the legislature still needs to take action. Several members emphasized that bullying and related mental health harms are occurring in schools and that parents, teachers, and students are asking for stronger accountability now, not just another study. Others said the current bullying statute is not being implemented properly and that revising language without enforcement changes would not solve the problem. The House side noted that the amended bill would require additional reporting from districts, including information about police being called to schools, and would address parent notification issues. Despite those points, the Senate position remained that the House and Senate were not in agreement and that the bill should revert to the original version. The committee ultimately agreed to a non-concur report, with members indicating consent for that action. The meeting then briefly turned to Senate Bill 206. Members said the issue had already been addressed because a cell phone use policy amendment had been added to HB2 during the budget conference, making further discussion unnecessary. Because the chambers still needed to choose one of the formal conference options, the committee agreed to file a non-concurrent report on SB 206 as well, with consent from the House-side members.

Transcript Highlights:

• and<02:02:27.280><c> to</c><02:02:28.480><c> put</c><02:02:28.719><c> that</c><02:02:29.119><c> on</
• c><02:02:29.440><c> the</c><02:02:29.599><c> other</c><02:02:29.840><c> side</c><02:02:30.239><c> in<
• in the special<02:02:30.960><c> education</c><02:02:31.599><c> aid</c><02:02:32.320><c> and</c><02:02
• </c><02:02:37.360><c> We</c><02:02:37.679><c> may</c><02:02:37.840><c> then</c><02:02:38.159><c> have
• foundation<02:02:41.679><c> or</c><02:02:41.920><c> their</c><02:02:42.159><c> base</c><02:02:42.800

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's already something<02:01:34.639><c> that's</c><02:01:34.960><c> in</c><02:01:35.199><c> statute.
• </c><02:01:35.679><c> It's</c><02:01:35.840><c> just</c> something that's in statute.
• </c><02:01:59.920><c> there's</c><02:02:00.639><c> some</c><02:02:00.960><c> people</c><02:02:01.280>
• :02.639><c> and</c><02:02:02.800><c> we</c><02:02:02.960><c> may</c><02:02:03.119><c> see</c><02:02:03.360
• </c><02:02:18.320><c> where</c><02:02:18.560><c> these</c><02:02:18.880><c> folks</c><02:02:19.119><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:41.120><c> the</c><00:02:41.840><c> committee</c><00:02:42.319><c> testimony</c><00:02:43.000
• we heard that<00:02:45.000><c> um</c><00:02:46.000><c> there</c><00:02:46.200><c> has</c><00:02:46.360
• ><c> been</c><00:02:46.599><c> a</c><00:02:46.760><c> lot</c><00:02:47.040><c> of</c><00:02:47.440><c
• :56.040><c> statute</c><00:02:56.800><c> that</c><00:02:57.400><c> kind</c><00:02:57.519><c> of</c><00
• :02:57.680><c> brings</c> create um a statute that kind of brings create um a statute that kind of brings

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee discussed HB 694, focusing on how to set fair market rates for lease renewals involving state agencies and political subdivisions. Members and the New Hampshire Association of Counties worked through draft language defining fair market value, including how appraisals, depreciation, and building deficiencies should be considered. Testimony emphasized that market value and appraised value can differ significantly, and that the bill should allow flexibility rather than require a rigid formula. The group also debated what expenses should be included in lease terms. After discussion of examples such as utilities, custodial services, insurance, maintenance, and newer needs like communications or internet service, members agreed not to create an overly specific list. They settled on language stating that additional expenses, including but not limited to utilities and custodial services, would be negotiated separately. The final amendment was revised to apply to lease renewals for land, buildings, or space between a political subdivision and the State of New Hampshire, with renewals at fair market rate unless otherwise agreed by the lessor. The subcommittee agreed to have the amendment drafted at OLS and then closed the public subcommittee meeting on HB 694.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are<00:02:06.479><c> you</c><00:02:06.640><c> ready</c><00:02:06.719><c> for</c><00:02:06.880><c> the
• If so, all<00:02:10.399><c> those</c><00:02:10.640><c> in</c><00:02:10.879><c> favor,</c><00:02:11.440
• The eyes<00:02:18.480><c> appear</c><00:02:18.800><c> to</c><00:02:19.040><c> have</c><00:02:19.120><
• </c><00:02:19.680><c> The</c><00:02:19.920><c> eyes</c><00:02:20.400><c> do</c><00:02:20.640><c> have
• The eyes do have it.<00:02:21.040><c> And</c><00:02:21.200><c> you</c><00:02:21.360><c> have</c><00:02

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:15.520><c> PVA</c><00:02:16.560><c> um</c><00:02:16.879><c> administrators</c><00:02:17.760><c
• Um and uh we<00:02:22.560><c> work</c><00:02:22.720><c> with</c><00:02:22.879><c> them</c><00:02:23.120
• Um and we<00:02:25.440><c> stand</c><00:02:25.760><c> ready</c><00:02:26.000><c> to</c><00:02:26.239>
• ><00:02:28.160><c> as</c><00:02:28.239><c> we</c><00:02:28.480><c> have</c><00:02:28.879><c> language
• There<00:02:47.519><c> has</c><00:02:47.760><c> been</c><00:02:47.920><c> some</c><00:02:48.160><c> language

Keywords: Call to Order: 00:15 PVA Administration : 00:15 Adjournment: 10:17, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved prior meeting minutes, and then took up a single agenda item involving the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) salary schedule and payroll administration. Finance Cabinet representatives Dale Clemens and general counsel Barbie Dickens testified that the cabinet’s role is to administer PVA payroll and that it needs clear statutory language to do so without interpretation. They said the salary schedule is set in statute, not regulation, and explained that the last update they were aware of was in 2020, with later changes tied to CPI and then updated in 2024 through House Bill 122. Members asked whether PVA salaries had effectively doubled under the 2024 update, how the schedule had been adjusted before 2024, and whether the cabinet could update the schedule administratively. The Finance Cabinet responded that the current language would apply the same increment given to other state employees rather than a CPI-based increase, and that the schedule itself remains in KRS 132.590. The chair and members discussed proposed budget language, including references to the Kentucky Association of PVAs and issues arising since the 2022 budget, with the goal of cleaning up the language so the cabinet could make necessary adjustments. The chair indicated the most recent language appeared to be in the newly dropped HB 500 budget bill and asked whether the PVA representatives could live with it; the PVAs appeared agreeable. No formal vote was taken on the substantive issue during the meeting, and after concluding there were no further questions, the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. oh<02:00:11.639><c> did</c><02:00:11.800><c> she</c><02:00:12.040><c> close</c><02:00:12.360
• </c><02:00:16.520><c> like</c> are<02:00:26.119><c> you</c><02:00:26.280><c> on</c><02:00:26.480><c>
• </c><05:02:02.718><c> version</c><05:02:03.638><c> or</c><05:02:03.920><c> us</c><05:02:04.080><c> as
• code<05:02:10.920><c> to</c><05:02:11.120><c> that</c><05:02:11.280><c> code</c><05:02:11.558><c> so
• ><c> got</c><05:02:13.638><c> to</c><05:02:13.718><c> get</c><05:02:13.798><c> into</c><05:02:13.958>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:44.880><c> of</c><01:02:45.119><c> certifying</c><01:02:45.920><c> children</c><01:02:46.240><
• </c><01:02:53.599><c> This</c><01:02:53.839><c> is</c><01:02:53.920><c> a</c><01:02:54.160><c> pilot<
• :02:53.199><c> through</c><02:02:53.360><c> it</c><02:02:53.520><c> again</c><02:02:54.080><c> or</c>
• or any other discussion.<02:02:55.440><c> Representative</c><02:02:55.920><c> Murray.
• Um<02:02:58.080><c> I'm</c><02:02:58.400><c> certainly</c><02:02:59.119><c> we've</c><02:02:59.440><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law. Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut. Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.