Transcript Highlights:

• For the state high school hockey tournament. >> Oh, good times. >> Representative Rymer, how about you
• &gt;&gt; For<00:04:12.560><c> the</c><00:04:12.799><c> state</c><00:04:13.040><c> high</c><00:04:13.280
• ><c> school</c><00:04:13.519><c> hockey</c> &gt;&gt; For the state high school hockey &gt;&gt; For the
• 00:53:55.280><c> on</c> to go for two years for a year on to go for two years for a year on bottled<00
• Well, Miss Win, I want to thank you again for making the trip down to Minnesota, and I hope you experienced

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is for the bonding, not for the budget, or is it? Mr.
• Thank you all for considering it. I hope you give it a due pass.
• I hope then we can go advocate for it.
• I just really appreciate you all, and I hope for a due pass. Thank you. Thank you.
• I want to thank DOT for its work. You guys do a very good job for all of us, for all the citizenry.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 299, a bill to support the Highway 180 project between Deming and Silver City. The sponsors described it as a three-phase road expansion that is already partly complete, but they emphasized rising construction costs, frequent accidents, heavy mining traffic, and the importance of the route to the local economy, tourism, and access to Silver City. A DOT engineer confirmed the project’s phases and cost increases, and the bill drew support from a former DOT official and others. The committee voted do pass, 6-0. The committee then heard HB 325, which would create a railroad crossing safety fund to help improve crossings statewide with lights, gates, overpasses, and other safety measures. Sponsors said the fund would be seeded with a modest amount and could leverage local, federal, and possibly public-private funding, with DOT setting rules and priorities. Railroad lobbyists from Union Pacific and BNSF supported the bill, saying it would help address a major public safety issue, especially for smaller communities. The committee voted do pass. Next, SB 73 was presented to require driver education schools to include at least three hours of instruction on vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Supporters said the bill would improve awareness and safety at low cost, and public testimony included a bicyclist and a parent who lost a daughter in a crash involving a vulnerable road user. Some members asked how the requirement would apply to first-time or older drivers, and sponsors said it would be part of driver education curriculum developed by MVD and DOT. The committee voted do pass, with one member explaining a vote to note the bill should be read as applying to any first-time driver, not just young drivers. The committee also heard SB 111, which would align the Motor Vehicle Division’s confidentiality rules with last session’s SB 36 by protecting personal information such as sex, gender identity, immigration status, and national origin from public disclosure. The Taxation and Revenue Department said the change was meant to close a gap in the law and prevent release of sensitive data in response to public records requests, while still allowing disclosure for law enforcement and other legally required purposes. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with one member voting no and saying he was frustrated by last-minute efforts to fix problems he did not see as existing. The meeting concluded with lengthy DOT district presentations from District 1 and District 6, covering budgets, completed and ongoing projects, local road and bridge work, equipment needs, and unfunded priorities. Members asked about specific projects, freight routes, cattle guards, dust and weather issues, striping contractors, and how projects are prioritized under the state’s asset management scoring system. DOT officials said many projects were complete or underway, that some major projects would be funded through Senate Bill 2 or other appropriations, and that equipment and recurring maintenance funding remain major concerns. The committee adjourned after thanking DOT staff and members for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes they go for more days or for less.
• We appreciate all of you so much for being here, for your leadership, and for taking on all of the challenges
• WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND FOR TAKING ON ALL OF THE CHALLENGES
• FOR THE ITALIAN AMERICANS IN THE BRONX SO WE THANK YOU FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS.
• Thank you for rising and thank you for being recognized. And thank you for your sign...

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move for the approval of the House Journal for the 14th day, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and I ask for
• Again, this is for Jobs for America's Graduates.
• And then my high school student shadow from Eldon High School is Tyler.
• Incredibly high legal bills and getting the restaurant, getting the small business to pay them for their
• Louis County for a motion on House Committee subsuit for House Bill 20.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3, 2026 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members then spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including a page for the day, Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, JAG program students, school counselors, elementary students observing online, interns, and a tribute honoring Josephine Baker’s life and legacy. The chamber then moved to first reading of several bills and to perfection of multiple House Committee Substitutes. The most substantial debate centered on a composite anti-trafficking bill, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2273, 1946, 1814, and 2551. Supporters said it would strengthen Missouri’s response to trafficking, grooming, sextortion, and child sexual abuse material by updating terminology, creating a permanent Attorney General’s statewide council, expanding training for professionals, extending the civil statute of limitations for trafficking claims, increasing penalties, and allowing expungement for victims. Members cited testimony from survivors and advocates and emphasized the need for coordinated enforcement and education. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members also debated House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1694 and related bills, a package aimed at curbing abusive website-accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses. Supporters described “sue-and-settle” tactics targeting small businesses with little notice and high settlement demands, while opponents of the abusive practice argued the bill preserves legitimate ADA claims and gives businesses a chance to cure problems. The House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which supporters said would clarify the “prevailing factor” standard, address preexisting-condition claims, adjust treatment and appeal rules, and reduce costs; opponents warned it could make it harder for injured workers to obtain care and create disputes between insurers. The House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the past.
• To give a high-level overview of what the microgrids are designed to do: first, they are primarily for
• For the land grant side, it would be for a variety of infrastructure types for community development,
• be paid for.
• So with that, I hope I've answered the majority of questions, but I stand for any from the committee.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The following bills are proposed for consent for today's hearing.
• And for those reasons, we ask for your support today. Thank you so much.
• And for those reasons, we ask for your support today. Thank you so much.
• So I'm hoping.
• So thank you, Senator, for bringing for this measure.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for having me here today.
• for financial aid, ensuring more students receive the assistance they qualify for.
• The state is laying the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous future for all Minnesotans.
• </c> high school seniors applying for high school seniors applying for financial<00:01:51.240><c> aid
• </c> for increased funding our support for for increased funding our support for the<00:03:59.120><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The following bills are proposed for consent for today's hearing.
• And for those reasons, we ask for your support today. Thank you so much.
• So I'm hoping.
• moves for today.
• So thank you, Senator, for bringing for this measure.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• The A is for association. The R is for residents. It's long, it's life care and then Massachusetts.
• So cost and accessibility for the long term are the things that I hope that we are able to address.
• So I, again, hope it might be something that could be another project for us to work collaboratively
• people to be able to plan, you know, For people to be able to plan for their needs over time.
• Thank you, Jim, for your presentation and for your years of service.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence commission meeting focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with members and presenters discussing how the model works, consumer protections, and areas for future review. After member introductions, Jennifer Fuller summarized survey results showing the top priorities as financial viability and affordability, consumer protections and rights, and regulation/monitoring standards. The commission said those issues would guide its work plan, while also keeping staffing, definitions, and federal support on the radar. Alyssa Sherman of LeadingAge Massachusetts and Jim Freiling of Brookhaven at Lexington gave a detailed overview of CCRCs, explaining that they combine housing with health-related services under long-term contracts and typically require entrance fees plus monthly fees. They described the three common contract types: Type A/life care, where costs stay relatively stable if residents need more care; Type B, which offers some included or discounted care with higher costs later; and Type C, fee-for-service, with lower entrance fees but higher costs if care needs increase. They also discussed nonprofit governance, resident involvement, and the role of state and Attorney General disclosure requirements. Several members raised concerns about affordability, refund timing, and the need to distinguish true CCRCs from other senior housing marketed similarly; presenters said refunds are often tied to reoccupancy and that their organizations are collecting data on refund timelines and contract terms. The discussion also covered resident rights and governance, including whether residents should have seats on nonprofit boards. Christine Griffin said her community lacks resident board representation and urged the commission to consider a state requirement, while others said resident associations and direct engagement with boards can be more effective than mandatory board seats. Members also discussed transparency around monthly fee increases, financial screening before admission, and the importance of clear marketing so consumers understand what they are buying. No votes were taken. The meeting ended with logistical updates, including a tentative public hearing date of June 3, 2025, a note that the next meeting would focus on regulation and monitoring standards, and a reminder that the commission would continue refining its work plan based on survey feedback.

Transcript Highlights:

• Montgomery County High School.
• I'm the superintendent for the Montgomery County R-2 High School. Hello, my name is Dr. Walker.
• I'm the superintendent for the Montgomery County R-2 High School.
• Thank you for coming here today for our discussion.
• Eventually, the hope is for community taxes to be lowered because the data centers will be paying so

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hope to see you all tomorrow, but if I don't, I want to thank you, good senators, for your faithful
• And I hope that we're not cutting so severely that we make it impossible for some of our students to
• maybe four, up to four courses for maybe a senior in high school to help them get a bachelor degree.
• It's for high school students. And this is a much-needed dormitory. It's for high school students.
• I'm hoping on the last day that we can move forward. Again, this is for rural health.

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, approved the March 31 journal, and moved through committee reports, gubernatorial messages, and House messages before taking up several bills on final reading. Among the measures considered were House Bill 930 on campaign finance, House Bill 949 on consolidating the STEM Action Center with the Workforce Development Council, House Bill 950 providing a one-time appropriation for a consultant to support Medicaid review work, House Bill 952 revising the Secretary of State’s budget, Senate Bill 1444 for public school support, House Bill 940 revising Idaho Digital Learning Academy policy, Senate Bill 1438 funding the IDLA budget, House Bill 516 on parental rights and education, and House Bill 897 on the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption. The chamber also received and referred additional bills, including House Bill 968 and several appropriations and committee reports. House Bill 930 passed after debate centered on campaign finance transparency, separate campaign accounts, limits on investments, and requiring self-loans over $1,000 to be deposited into campaign accounts. Supporters said it would improve accountability; opponents questioned enforcement and warned against weaponizing campaign reporting. House Bill 949 passed with discussion of consolidating STEM and workforce functions, shifting funds and staff, and reducing administrative costs. House Bill 950 passed as a one-time $200,000 appropriation for a consultant to assist the legislature’s Medicaid review panel. House Bill 952 passed with a small reduction to the Secretary of State’s ongoing general fund budget. Senate Bill 1444 passed despite objections that the school budget underfunds district health insurance and shifts costs to local districts; supporters emphasized federal fund authority and other budget adjustments. House Bill 940 passed after extensive debate on narrowing IDLA’s mission, ending state support for certain uses, limiting elementary and online participation, and reducing enrollments and costs. Senate Bill 1438, the companion IDLA appropriation bill, also passed after debate over the size of the cut, the use of the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and whether the budget should include a cap on enrollments; supporters said it matched the policy changes in House Bill 940, while opponents argued it was too restrictive and could harm students’ access to courses. House Bill 516, dealing with parental rights and education and teacher-union-related payroll and activity restrictions, passed after a lengthy and sharply divided debate over whether it protected taxpayer dollars or unfairly targeted educators and unions. House Bill 897, as amended, was then taken up for final consideration on the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption, with the sponsor explaining that the bill narrows the exemption to internal server equipment and limits it to 20 years in response to changing data-center trends and water-use concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs in there, for example, is our hope to be able to have a memorandum of agreement with the university
• and</c> program that's for for younger kids and program that's for for younger kids and we<00:32:36.600
• So for Dr. Aam, I would say, for Dr.
• for for um Creative responsibilities for for um Creative Media<02:06:09.599><c> system</c><02:06:10.000
• ><c> Hilo</c><02:08:01.520><c> um</c> Kwai for Maui and for Hawaii CC Hilo um Kwai for Maui and for Hawaii

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for coming.
• for safety.
• It was mentioned earlier that there are exceptions for potentially niche, high-heat industrial customers
• And that potentially, to me, seems like a reasonable exemption for some kind of niche, high-heat industrial
• I hope that was quick enough. That was great. Thank you very much for your time.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• for those programs.
• We need it for the whole state, but certainly for our rural communities.
• Patterns that can be used, for example, for doing prediction, for doing forecasting, or for realizing
• I hope you enjoyed it. I hope you have a great day.
• their students, for their high school, for their middle school, so that the students could enjoy what

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I would ask for a motion for approval of the minutes from May 5th of this year.
• for drug use.
• This is what's recommended in the literature for folks who are very high risk and high risk, how much
• So for us, it's a rearrangement for the one year starting with us.
• for justice-involved.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met to approve the May 5 minutes and hear a presentation from the Massachusetts Probation Service. The minutes were approved unanimously, with a request that a member’s closing remarks be added to the record. The commission also noted online participants and confirmed quorum before moving to the presentation. Probation leaders described the agency’s role as the state’s largest post-release supervision system and emphasized its focus on reentry, accountability, and reducing technical violations. They outlined the from-and-after sentencing structure, dual supervision with parole, and efforts to reduce revocations and non-criminal violations. Members asked about racial and ethnic disparity work, and probation said that effort is funded through the trial court and state budget, not federal grants. The presentation highlighted community engagement, simplified and translated probation conditions, workforce diversification, and training aimed at improving trust and access for court users. A major portion of the discussion focused on Community Justice Support Centers, evidence-based programming, and shared services such as housing, MassHealth enrollment, transportation, and behavioral health referrals. Probation said the centers are underutilized but have shown improved outcomes in non-randomized studies, with lower recidivism among participants compared with similar probationers. Members discussed mental health access, veterans identification, medication-assisted treatment, and the importance of state IDs and driver’s licenses for successful reentry. The commission also heard about housing supports, including transitional and sober housing, and a statewide behavioral health initiative for justice-involved individuals. The meeting ended with plans for the next session on July 11 and a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe they're lucky enough to sell it for some portion of what they paid for it.
• The second step would be for the local governing authority to actually call for a tax election for that
• And it came up for a vote.
• It's locked in for 10 years.
• That's my hope.

Bills: HB287 , HB340 , HB412 , HB440 , HB514 , HB515 , HB521 , HB543 , HB553 , HB570 , HB961

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: HB 287, Louisiana Tax Commission, ad valorem, property tax, property assessment, assessment fees, fee extension, sunset extension, public service property, utility property, insurance company property, financial institution property, tax administration, R.S. 47:1838, Act 296, reappraisal, ad valorem tax, valuation, Louisiana tax law, homestead exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• As he's mentioned, this provides the authority for the High-Speed Rail Authority to manage encroachment
• But I'll reserve my vote for when it gets on the floor. But hoping that it gets to a better place.
• The number one crisis, not just now but for many, many years, is rents too high.
• The number one crisis, not just now but for many, many years, is rents too high.
• I do share some of the concerns of retailers that I'm hoping you can clarify for me.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that more single-occupancy private spaces over time can be a win for everyone.
• I hope I speak for everyone when I say that all people should feel safe.
• for that, for that testimony.
• I can get an abortion for a dog, but not for me.
• We hosted a Christmas Angel Tree Drive and provided cribs, high chairs, diapers, and much more for pregnant

Bills: HB7 , SB 8

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for this honor. Thank you for your service for those who are still here.
• SO THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL HERE.
• I hope it does.
• So as I was reviewing the bill before us, I was really hoping to find a clear plan to reduce costs for
• I’ve got news for you.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Living and the Department for for Living and the Department for for Behavioral<00:04:58.120><c> Health
• </c> days for ABI, 38 days. days for ABI, 38 days.
• Uh, home visitation, uh, for, uh, women with high-risk pregnancy has proven to be very effective and
• If we can't address those issues, I'm not sure there's much hope for rural health care in Kentucky.
• hope for rural healthcare there's much hope for rural healthcare in<01:45:20.920><c> Kentucky.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.