Transcript Highlights:

• Laurel, and part of Madison.
• part of La part<00:01:08.240><c> of</c><00:01:08.439><c> Madison</c><00:01:09.439><c> and</c><00:01:
• palaski</c> and part of part of Southern palaski and part of part of Southern palaski County<00:02:52.560
• <c> for</c> the Department of local government for the Department of local government for administrative
• </c> revenues that are collected as part of revenues that are collected as part of the<00:05:18.160><

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 1:00PM est. Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:17 HB 114 Discussion 00:38 HB 114 Vote 01:56 HB 808 Discussion 02:24 HB 808 Vote 06:30, 958, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Economic Development, Labor, and Tourism met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 114, sponsored by Representative Truett. He explained that the bill clarifies the recreational use statute by expressly adding rock climbing, bouldering, and rappelling, removing liability for landowners who give permission for those activities on their property. After no questions, the committee voted unanimously in favor and reported the bill to the floor with a favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 808, sponsored by Representative Ken Upchurch, which would establish the Burnside Island Development Authority to promote recreation and tourism at General Burnside Island State Park in Pulaski County. Testimony described the authority as a public-private partnership entity that could develop lodging, restaurant, and recreational facilities, with potential for significant tourism and economic development. Members asked about expected economic impact and how revenues would be used; witnesses said direct fees would go back to the authority for the bill’s purposes, and referenced a feasibility study suggesting substantial private investment and indirect tax benefits. Several senators expressed support but also raised questions about whether the proposal had been fully reviewed by Appropriations and Revenue and about the governor’s potential response. The committee ultimately voted to report House Bill 808 favorably to the floor, with Senator Boswell requesting his vote be recorded. The meeting then moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Department of Defense have spoken the past year at the KCPA and KSA conferences to help
• Members of the Department of Defense have spoken the past year at the KCPA and KSA conferences to help
• Members of the Department of Defense have spoken the past year at the KCPA and KSA conferences to help
• Members of the Department of Defense have spoken the past year at the KCPA and KSA conferences to help
• Members of the Department of Defense have spoken the past year at the KCPA and KSA conferences to help

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est. Meeting Start: 00:03 Attendance Roll Call: 00:12 HB 321 (Rep. Johnson): 00:49 HB 340 (Rep. Hampton): 05:10 HB 520 (Rep. Fugate): 08:55 Adjournment: 32:26, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered three bills. House Bill 321, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson and supported by the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Realtor Association, was amended by committee substitute and adopted unanimously. As amended, it extends training deadlines for planning commission and board of adjustment members and adds required training on how planning and zoning policies affect housing supply and accessibility. The committee substitute also limits appeals of final board of adjustment actions to persons or entities claiming injury who own real estate in the same zone as the affected property. The bill passed 8-0, and a title amendment was adopted. House Bill 340, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton with support from law enforcement and federal security representatives, would create a new section of KRS Chapter 13 to require criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records for federal suitability or fitness background checks and allow a $25 fee for records requests reimbursed by the federal government. It also conforms juvenile records law to the new process. The committee approved the bill 9-0 with no opposition. House Bill 520, sponsored by Rep. Chris Fugate and backed by the Kentucky Sheriff's Association, Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, and Kentucky League of Cities, generated the most debate. The bill and committee substitute would exempt certain open police investigation records from disclosure under the Open Records Act when an agency says release could harm an investigation or reveal informants or witnesses. Several senators raised concerns that the “could” standard was too broad and could weaken transparency, while supporters argued it was needed to protect ongoing investigations, witnesses, and officers. The committee initially failed the bill 6-4, then after additional vote changes and discussion, reconsidered it and advanced the amended bill with favorable expression 6-4 to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in November of 2019, a young man, 22 years old, by the name of Jared Lee Helton from my community
• In November of 2019, a young man, 22 years old, by the name of Jared Lee Helton from my community was
• That's not the purpose of this bill or the intent of it, and I do think this bill will go a long ways
• . about a couple of those things um of about a couple of those things um of course<00:30:21.840><c> the
• Of course, insurance system modernization is on the horizon, as well as electronic sheriff's inspection

Keywords: Roll Call 00:23 Roll Call Approval of Minutes 00:57 HB 664 Discussion 01:26 HB 664 Vote 08:25 HB 682 Discussion 10:46 HB 682 Vote 12:12 HB 493 Discussion 13:00 HB 493 Vote 20:20 HJR 5 Discussion 21:14 HJR 5 Vote 25:08 Kavis and Sherriff’s Inspection Discussion 27:40 Admin. Reg Consideration 35:40, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved prior meeting minutes, and then took up several transportation-related measures. House Bill 664, concerning work zone safety, was amended by the committee to clarify that a peace officer may issue a citation based on images from an automated speed enforcement device. Representative John Blanton said the bill was prompted by the 2019 death of Jared Lee Helton in a work zone and is intended to slow drivers, protect workers, and improve safety. The bill would allow automated devices to transmit speed and rear license plate images to an officer, require active worker presence and warning signage with flashing lights, keep the $500 fine, and direct fines to the work zone safety fund. After questions about whether citations would be mailed and whether a worker must be present, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 664 favorably with expressions of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 682, sponsored by Representative Ken Upchurch, was also amended by a committee substitute and reported favorably. The bill gives cable operators and broadband providers the same reimbursement treatment as other public utilities when their facilities must be relocated for construction projects. House Bill 493, sponsored by Representative Steve Pollock, was taken up next and, after a committee substitute was adopted, was reported favorably. Pollock described the bill as a transparency measure for towing and storage, creating a certification process through the Transportation Cabinet, requiring public rate sheets, and setting rates to be reasonable and customary in Kentucky. The substitute removed an initial $1,500 cap, extended notice timing to up to five days in some cases, and clarified fees related to investigations and fatalities. Senators asked about regional differences in towing rates, and Pollock said the cabinet would consider different situations and that posted rates would govern. House Joint Resolution 5, designating honorary road and bridge names, was amended by both a committee substitute and committee amendment and then reported favorably. Representative Josh Branscum said the resolution honors various Kentuckians and is especially in memory of Russell County Deputy Joshua Fipps, who was killed in the line of duty in September 2024. The committee approved the resolution and a title amendment. Later in the meeting, Senator Armstrong asked to be recorded as voting aye on HB 664, HB 682, and HB 493. The committee also received an update from Transportation Cabinet IT Director Heather Stout on the CAVIS system, including improved performance, upcoming integration with KY ELT, centralized lien management, online boat renewals, permanent fleet plates, rolling replating changes, temporary tag printing, insurance modernization, and an electronic sheriff’s inspection system expected to reduce fraud and streamline transfers. No vote was taken on the CAVIS update, and the committee also began consideration of a referred administrative regulation on hazardous materials endorsement requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Commissioner for the Department for Medicaid Services, and in the interest of time I will just
• This is Julie Brooks with the Department of Public Health. Can you hear me okay?
• Okay, so we've got Julie Brooks with the Department of Public Health not on the feed.
• I am Julie Brooks, policy specialist for the Department of Public Health, and with me today is Erfi,
• That is part of the overall scope of work for the Department for Public Health, yes.

Keywords: Due to a technical issue in the room, the quality of the stream will be diminished. We apologize for the inconvenience. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:02:00 SB 61 Discussion Only 00:03:25 SB 13 Discussion Only 00:07:19 SJR 25 Discussion 00:25:33 SJR 25 Vote 00:28:40 SB 61 Discussion Only 00:29:44, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools, but initially had no representative from the governor’s office or cabinet available to explain the fiscal estimate. Senators questioned why the executive branch’s estimate was $4.25 million to $8.5 million while the committee’s internal fiscal note showed little or no impact. When Department for Public Health staff later joined, they explained their estimate was based on a roughly $85,000 cost for a large outbreak investigation, using a 2014 outbreak as a benchmark, and said the bill could increase workload and outside laboratory costs if private swimming pools became more common as rental properties. They reported 822 waterborne cases in 2024, with 8 tied to private swimming pools, and later corrected an earlier figure to 14 private-pool-related investigations over five years. Senators pressed on the discrepancy between those numbers and the projected 50 to 100 incidents, and staff said the higher figure was a ballpark estimate. The discussion also clarified that private pools are generally excluded by definition, while pools held out for rent may be treated as public pools under current definitions. No vote on SB 61 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard Senate Bill 13, concerning the reprocurement of managed care organizations for Medicaid. Department for Medicaid Services officials said the bill would require work on a new RFP, system changes, and oversight improvements, and estimated the cost at $2.8 million based on prior procurement spending of about $2.5 million in 2018-2019, with a 10% growth adjustment. They explained that the work is administrative and therefore matched at 50/50 federal-state funding, not the 80/20 rate used for benefits, and said the expense would be incurred whether the bill passed or not if the state proceeded with an RFP. Senators discussed possible savings from reducing the number of MCOs from five to three, but agency staff said those savings were hard to quantify and that provider and member disruption could create offsetting costs. The committee later moved on to Senate Joint Resolution 25, which would ask the Revenue Department to report on the cost of issuing farmers a wallet-sized tax-exempt card instead of a paper certificate. The resolution was adopted by roll call, with all members present voting aye, and it was reported favorably to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Children of the Confederacy Plague with a Plague of Honor for victims of the State's convict leasing
• Will the officers of the Senate please move to the bar? Will the Senate for the oath of office?
• I say state your name, I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of
• the Senate of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend.
• Of the office, your office, of the Senate of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve

Bills: SR1 , SR2

Keywords: Texas Senate, senate rules, caucus report, legislative administration, senate officers, parliamentarian, assistant parliamentarian, secretary of the senate, sergeant-at-arms, calendar clerk, journal clerk, doorkeeper, enrolling clerk, senate staff, employee policies, leave policy, compensatory time, outside employment, staff salaries, per diem

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8UtzDyQQ5k, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:39 Approval of Minutes 01:11 Report on the projects considered for funding by the Agricultural Development Board 01:26 Update from the Community Farm Alliance and Kentucky Double Dollars 17:01, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xajsTjwPKKk, 2026-06-21T07:17:07+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, PLEASE READ - Due to a network outage today's live streams may be unavailable. Should the stream never go live, a recording of the meeting will be uploaded to this channel as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjYT4ObSrOI, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:02:17 Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention Orders: 00:03:53 Crime Victims Compensation: 01:13:17 Discussion of Kentucky's Violent Offender Statute: 01:18:31 Safer Kentucky Act: 01:43:17, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nai0sMQgwsE, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting start 00:00:00 Attendance roll call 00:01:51 Approval of minutes 00:02:20 Report on the projects considered for funding by the Agricultural Development Board 00:02:40 Early Childhood Development 00:34:03, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0WXmanpBuM, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:56 Approval of Minutes 00:01:46 Report on the projects considered for funding by the Agricultural Development Board 00:02:25 Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program 00:34:34, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sei1Rht516Q, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, MEETING START 00:00 ROLL CALL 00:06 HB 13 DISCUSSION 05:19 HB 13 VOTE 13:06 HCR 5 DISCUSSION 14:58 HCR VOTE 21:26 DISCUSSION ON REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS 600KAR4;10, AND 603KAR5;50. 23:01, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n35DlZ5iXWU, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 SB 48 Discussion: 00:01:05 SB 48 Roll Call Vote: 00:25:32 Discussion on the TANF Block Grant: 00:26:25 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 00:59:36, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8l8LLj9_3c, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:01:12 Introduction of Distinguished Veterans 00:03:56 HB 29 Discussion 00:25:51 HB 29 Vote 00:33:31 HB 3 Discussion 00:36:59 HB 3 Vote 01:33:41, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: HI House YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9yFibJOAM, 2026-07-02T01:22:32+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Followed by joint hearing with Committee of Corrections, Military, & Veterans at 11:15 AM (tentative time) Hearing Agendas affiliated with this live stream: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2021/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHH_03-18-21_.HTM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2021/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHH-CMV_03-18-21_.HTM, 910, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: HI House YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUR44nTrRBA, 2026-07-02T01:22:28+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2021/hearingnotices/HEARING_EDN-HHH_12-15-20_INFO_.HTM The purpose of this informational briefing is to inform the public and update the Committees on the early learning programs and how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic., 910, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpGg2W72Mno, 2026-06-14T02:39:10+00:00, 2.2.23, Data collected via generic collector engine, http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/ 0:00 House Session – March 7, 2024 9:21 Adjourn from the Late Session 9:36 Prayer – Reverend Bob Stewart 12:11 Pledge of Allegiance 12:34 National Anthem by Louisa Sychterz 14:15 Leaves of Absence 14:54 Introduction of Guests. 15:44 Bills Removed from the Consent Calendar: HR 25 16:10 Consent Calendar Adopted 17:03 Motion to Suspend House Rules (DIV) 26:03 CACR 17 26:50 ITL (RC) 38:45 OTP 38:57 Floor Amendment 1003h (DIV) 42:42 OTP (DIV) 44:24 HB 1006-FN 45:07 Floor Amendment 0553h 46:08 OTPA 46:32 HB 1189 47:01 ITL (DIV) 1:01:12 OTP 1:01:37 HB 1263-FN 1:02:31 HB 1266-FN 1:02:50 OTP (RC) 1:11:04 HB 1308 1:11:38 ITL (RC) 1:23:51 HB 1392 1:24:21 ITL (DIV) 1:33:53 HB 1527-FN 1:34:26 ITL (DIV) 1:48:12 HB 1437 1:48:31 Amendment 0666h (DIV) 1:52:06 OTPA (RC) 2:04:48 Motion to Indefinitely Postpone (DIV) 2:06:35 HB 1695 2:07:10 OTPA (RC) 2:19:26 CACR 14 2:20:03 ITL (RC) 2:31:27 Motion to Print Debate on CACR 14 in Permanent Journal 2:31:41 CACR 11 2:32:39 HB 1029 2:33:23 ITL (RC) 2:44:28 HB 1100 2:44:58 Motion to Table (DIV) – TABLED 2:49:13 Motion to Reconsider HB 1695 (DIV) 2:51:53 HB 1194 2:52:43 OTPA (DIV) 3:02:07 Motion to Reconsider HB 1194 (DIV) 3:04:14 Lunch Recess until 1:20 pm 4:23:07 HB 1213 4:23:50 OTPA (RC) 4:33:19 Motion to Special Order HB 1250 to next Order of Business 4:34:45 HB 1250 4:35:13 OTP (RC) 4:46:28 ITL 4:46:44 Motion to Table (RC) 4:48:44 ITL (RC) 4:51:23 Motion to Reconsider HB 1250 (RC) 4:53:52 Motion to Reconsider HB 1213-FN (DIV) 4:56:04 Motion to Reconsider HB 1266-FN (DIV) 4:59:16 Motion to Special Order HB 1416-FN to next Order of Business (DIV) 5:04:45 HB 1416-FN 5:05:23 Motion to Indefinitely Postpone (DIV) 5:08:57 HB 1240 5:09:34 Motion to Table (DIV) - TABLED 5:12:45 HB 1482 5:13:19 Motion to Table (DIV) – TABLED 5:17:36 HB 1660-FN 5:17:49 OTP 5:23:30 Motion to Table (RC) 5:27:10 OTP (RC) 5:30:41 Motion to Reconsider HB 1660-FN (DIV) 5:33:21 HB 1706-FN 5:34:16 CACR 12 (RC) 5:55:31 HB 1037 5:56:10 Motion to Indefinitely Postpone (RC) 6:00:22 HB 1089 6:01:28 HB 1220-FN 6:02:31 Floor Amendment 0793h (DIV) 6:12:51 Point of Clarification by House Clerk 6:13:27 OTPA (DIV) 6:21:05 HB 1412-FN 6:21:16 Floor Amendment 0901h 6:34:48 OTPA (RC) 6:40:41 HB 1629-FN 6:40:58 Motion to Table (DIV) - TABLED 6:43:59 HR 29 6:44:45 HB 1086 6:45:33 HB 1120 6:51:26 Motion to Reconsider HB 1120 (DIV) 6:54:31 ITL (RC) 6:58:50 HB 1125 6:59:44 Floor Amendment 0854h 7:01:06 OTPA 7:01:27 HB 1242 7:01:55 ITL (DIV) 7:10:32 HB 1297-FN 7:10:58 Motion to Table (DIV) - TABLED 7:16:41 HB 1359 7:17:10 Floor Amendment 0952h (DIV) 7:26:31 OTP (RC) 7:41:42 HB1253 7:42:16 HB 1510 7:42:56 HB 1142 7:44:10 HB 1208-FN 7:44:46 Motion to Table - TABLED 7:45:10 HB 1483 7:45:40 IS (DIV) 7:58:20 HB 1036 7:58:32 Amendment 0763h (DIV) 8:00:46 OTPA (RC) 8:12:34 HB 1623-FN 8:12:45 Amendment 0782h (DIV) 8:15:24 OTPA (RC) 8:32:20 Motion to Place Debate on HB 1623-FN in Permanent Journal 8:32:57 HB 1118 8:33:44 Amendment 0637h (RC) 8:48:40 OTPA (RC) 8:57:42 Motion to Place Remarks on HB 1118 in Permanent Journal 8:57:57 Motion to Reconsider HB 1412 8:58:54 Motion to Reconsider HB 1623-FN (DIV) 9:01:31 Motion to Reconsider HB 1118 (DIV) 9:03:59 Motion to Special Order remainder of Calendar to next Session 9:04:07 Third Reading 9:05:01 Unanimous Consent – Rep. Schmidt 9:08:18 Motion to Place Remarks of Rep. Schmidt in the Permanent Journal 9:08:32 Recess until Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10:00 am, 928, house, all, 2.2.40, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• We're grateful for the beautiful weather today and for the opportunity we have to serve the people of
• Alabama.
• We're going to limit the discussion just because of the time we've got.
• In state insurance on a brand new house, 2650 square feet.
• It fails for lack of a second. The bill is not given. It fails for lack of a second.

Bills: HB241

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: residential construction, architectural approval, engineering approval, home building, single family residences, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands on a report card that our State Department of Education is putting out, but it's to evaluate
• So, this bill codifies and expands the work the Board of Education has already done and the department
• doing as well as our state stakeholders within the state of Alabama.
• </c> of Alabama. of Alabama.
• I remember when teachers took tests at one time in the state of Alabama.

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here joined by some of our colleagues, not all of them, but also Chair Some of our colleagues, not
• of vape cartridges out of it.
• Under state law, medical marijuana is legal, but the Mississippi Department of Health prohibits the advertising
• of these, better working conditions as a result of these allowance of working, of LPAs?
• includes business owners, public health experts, the Department of Revenue, MDAR, among many others.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law. The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility. A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Education, and the great state of Louisiana to provide quality education for our children
• operates within the Department of Health.
• And we are asking that you appropriate $200,000 to the Department of Health for operation of the Domestic
• right now, the cost of the utilities going up, the cost of insurance going up, the cost— ...of the utilities
• going up, the cost of insurance going up, the cost of, I mean, just, you know, everything in the store

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.