Video & Transcript : 'vendor rate' :
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WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Conference Committee - HB0078, March 5, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- of investment, the ROI, rate of return on investment.
- of investment, the ROI, rate of return on investment, typically on these things, particularly large
- The larger those go, the higher the value of that rate of return is.
- and when that Elk Fire came rolling out of Tongue River Canyon, it hit that stuff and it stopped. rate
- And so on an average rate on return is.
Summary:
The meeting focused on resolving a House-Senate disagreement over funding for a new forestry/fire mitigation program. House members explained that their objection was not to the program itself, but to the Senate’s increase from the original $3 million level; they argued the program should start at the lower amount and be expanded later if needed. Senate members responded that the higher amount was based on forest health briefing information showing significant beetle kill, rising fire danger, and the need to act quickly while federal partners and current conditions made treatment work feasible. They cited recent large fire suppression costs and argued the added funding would have a strong return on investment by reducing future suppression expenses.
After discussion of possible compromise amounts, including $4 million and then $3.5 million, House members said $3.5 million would be more acceptable to their chamber and suggested supplemental funding could be considered later if the program proved successful. The Senate agreed to the $3.5 million compromise. Members also noted that other amendments in the bill, including repeal of a sunset date and changes intended to speed contracting by removing an attorney general step, were important and appreciated by the House.
The committee then took a voice vote on the compromise, and it passed unanimously. Members indicated they would take the agreement back to their respective chambers as part of the conference report and expected the bill to move forward.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Nursing licensure pass rate of 96% compared to the rest of the U.S. at 94% and the national average of
- She has instituted a scorecard providing all of us real insight into retention and graduation rates,
- I teach a class at the Lutgert School of Business, which the students actually rate.
- One of my colleagues on this call mentioned the pass rate of the nursing students.
- Actually, our pass rate is 100%. So, thank you very much. With that, I will finish off.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it.
The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes.
The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications.
At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 5th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our uninsured rate reached an all-time low after the enactment of the enhanced premium tax credits.
- For years and years and years, decades, we have not funded Medi-Cal reimbursement rates at what they
- He didn't want to protect those Medi-Cal reimbursement rates that we fought for and that we passed.
- It's the feds who are attacking those rates.
- In fact, our homeownership rate ranks 49th out of 50 states in the country. It's a crisis.
Summary:
The Assembly convened in Sacramento, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. After routine procedural motions, members voted to withdraw SB 106 from committee for third reading and to suspend the rules so AJR 25 could be taken up immediately. AJR 25, authored by Assembly Member Bonta, urged Congress to restore and extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that expired on January 1, with supporters arguing the lapse would sharply raise premiums for millions of Californians, including veterans, working families, and other vulnerable residents. Opponents, led by Assembly Member DeMaio, argued the resolution blamed federal action for California’s high health care costs and said state mandates and spending choices were the real problem. The resolution was adopted 58-4, and Assembly Member Addis was added as a joint author.
The chamber also took up H.R. 76 on affordable homeownership, presented by Assembly Member Schultz and supported by Assembly Member Wicks, who emphasized the importance of homeownership for wealth-building and noted ongoing efforts to expand programs such as CalHome. H.R. 79, by Assembly Member Valencia, recognized February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month; supporters highlighted the large amount of unclaimed property held by the state and encouraged residents to search for funds owed to them. Both resolutions received broad support, with co-author rolls opened before final adoption. The second-day consent calendar, including ACR 127 on National School Counseling Week, was adopted 64-0.
Members also heard a lengthy adjournment in memory from Assembly Member Soria honoring Pablo Rodriguez, a Central Valley organizer and civic leader remembered for his work with United Farm Workers, Communities for a New California, and AB 1441 on the Merced County Independent Redistricting Commission. The Assembly observed a moment of silence for Rodriguez, welcomed his family and colleagues, and then adjourned until Monday, February 9, at 1 p.m.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Oct 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So we had seen a surge during the pandemic when the Federal Reserve lowered the interest rate to pretty
- And the federal reimbursement rate is actually a little better.
- You know, how are those rates set, how are they justified?
- You know, how are those rates set, how are they justified?
- They have to certify that the rates they're setting are actually down.
Summary:
The committee met to hear Amy Baker’s presentation on Florida’s constitutionally required long-range financial outlook for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2028-29. Baker said the forecast reflects slower but still positive economic growth, continued above-average personal income growth, rising wages, and population growth that is increasingly driven by in-migration as Florida’s senior population expands. She highlighted weakening housing-related revenue, especially documentary stamp taxes, softer consumer sentiment, and the expectation that Florida will pass 25 million residents by 2030, with nearly a quarter of the population age 65 or older.
Baker said the outlook largely retained the March 2025 general revenue forecast, but the Legislature’s 2025 session actions significantly improved near-term funds available by redirecting or freeing up money, including contingency appropriations and reversions. She noted total state reserves are just under $15 billion, or about 30% of general revenue, and that the budget stabilization fund is at its constitutional maximum. The main spending pressures in the outlook were critical needs, led by a new emergency preparedness and response fund transfer and Medicaid growth driven mainly by medical inflation and behavioral analysis costs in managed care, not by caseload growth. Other high-priority needs were also identified, and Baker said the first year shows a projected surplus, but years two and three show shortfalls, meaning fiscal strategies will still be needed.
Members questioned Baker about the accuracy of the forecast, Medicaid managed care costs, the emergency preparedness fund, federal funding assumptions, and whether recent federal legislation was reflected in the numbers. Baker said the outlook is a good representation of the total picture, though the Legislature will likely adjust it as conditions change, and that more information on federal changes would come in later estimating conferences. Senator Trumbull asked about the governor’s veto of $750 million, and Baker said it simply returned to unallocated general revenue rather than being spent or added to the budget stabilization fund. The chair closed by warning members to expect a difficult budgeting process and noting that the committee would adjourn without further action.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House workforce panel considers HF661 2/25/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We're currently sitting with an over 10% vacancy rate for those crucial fields.
- ><00:04:32.400><c> over</c><00:04:32.680><c> 10%</c><00:04:33.320><c> vacancy</c><00:04:33.800><c> rate
- </c> sitting with an over 10% vacancy rate sitting with an over 10% vacancy rate for<00:04:34.199><c>
- My question with the 300 that you have in the program is: Is the placement rate for them accepting jobs
- for them accepting jobs the same rate for them accepting jobs the same number<00:10:11.480><c> or</c
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><04:03:56.080><c> try</c> than having fluctuating tax rates, try than having fluctuating tax rates
- So they have the setting the tax rate.
- ,</c> and now we have to to create a tax rate, and now we have to to create a tax rate, right?
- </c> the DRRA to make that tax rate decision. the DRRA to make that tax rate decision.
- I obviously uh have spent fire ratings.
Committee:
House Education Funding
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/23/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously, it means our rate that low.
- Um murder rate in the in the country.
- Crime rates tell a different story.
- risen in the rate the the way haven't risen in the rate the the way that<00:54:50.079><c> they</c><00
- We're talking about a group rate.
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Two - Thursday, March 26
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- completion rates over the past five years.
- Just to be clear, We never cut those rates.
- This body never recommended a rate reduction.
- Just to be clear, we never cut those rates.
- This body never recommended a rate reduction.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and numerous introductions of visiting groups and guests, including schoolchildren, Republican women’s organizations, county commissioners, and family members of legislators. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow baseball apparel in celebration of opening day, with the motion passing 118-22.
The chamber then took up the state budget bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2002, covering elementary and secondary education and child care, drew the most debate. Supporters said it maintained record funding for the foundation formula, transportation, and early childhood programs, while critics argued it still fell short of fully funding the formula and underfunded child care subsidies by about $51 million. After extended debate over statutory obligations, school funding, and child care policy, the bill passed 85-70. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2003, the higher education and workforce development budget, also prompted substantial debate over a proposed shift to an FTE-based funding model for colleges and universities. Supporters called it a fairer, more equitable system that follows students and encourages efficiency, while opponents warned it would sharply reduce funding for some institutions, including community colleges and regional universities. The bill passed 83-66.
The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2004, covering revenue and transportation, 91-50, despite objections over a public transit cut and constitutional concerns raised about MoDOT appropriations. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration and employee benefits budget, passed overwhelmingly after members discussed state worker compensation, deferred compensation, and benefits funding. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2006, covering agriculture, natural resources, and conservation, passed 133-17 after members highlighted restored funding for agriculture business development and food insecurity grants, while others criticized cuts to natural resources and parks funding. The chamber then moved on to House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2007, covering economic development, commerce and insurance, and labor and industrial relations, with the budget chair introducing the bill and outlining its major departmental appropriations.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 6, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- These lower rates provisions permanent.
- Opioid overdose rates continue to climb.
- And this is based on today’s interest rate projections.
- We I today's interest rate projections.
- Does that make anyone rate. Does that make anyone concerned?
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HED Info Briefing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But at any rate, we got started at the beginning of 2024 and concluded with a board meeting in August
- And then on the right we see um the rates<00:16:49.279><c> of</c><00:16:49.519><c> participation</c><
- 00:16:50.720><c> of</c><00:16:51.040><c> individuals</c><00:16:51.680><c> 18</c> rates of participation
- of individuals 18 rates of participation of individuals 18 to<00:16:52.320><c> 44</c><00:16:52.800><
- </c> misremembering that but at any rate misremembering that but at any rate there's<00:34:48.960><c>
IN
Transcript Highlights:
- Now we've changed that to performance-based rate making, where the utility companies will need to look
- , and they'll have to excel in those areas if they want to get the full ROI, or rate of return, on their
- years, but you cannot argue that it's a great move to see Indiana and Michigan ask for and file a rate
- case to lower their utility rates.
- For and to file a rate case to lower their utility rates.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-25 (5:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 2005 to the present, drowning deaths in Florida have ranged between 350 and 500 deaths per year, a rate
- 2005 to the present, drowning deaths in Florida have ranged between 350 and 500 deaths per year, a rate
- Comparably, children between the ages of 1 and 7 drowned at a rate of approximately 5 per 100,000 and
- 2005 to the present, drowning deaths in Florida have ranged between 350 and 500 deaths per year, a rate
- Comparably, children between the ages of 1 and 7 drowned at a rate of approximately 5 per 100,000 and
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator Charlie Dean. Senators also introduced guests, including family members, church leaders, and visiting students. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers.
The Senate passed a series of bills focused on consumer protection, transportation safety, health, and financial regulation. CS/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks passed 37-0 after being substituted for SB 198 and amended to adopt Senate language aimed at limiting fraud and setting transaction controls. SB 382 on electric bicycles passed 37-0 after amendment to broaden the task force to micro-mobility devices. SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education passed 37-0, requiring certain health professionals to complete training on care management. SB 1014 on municipal utility service outside city limits passed 37-0, and SB 428 on the swimming lesson voucher program passed 36-0 after amendments expanding the program to ages 1 through 7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents.
The Senate also passed CS/CS/CS/SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation, which creates cybersecurity program requirements for certain licensees, expands oversight of some investment advisers, and updates credit union and anti-money-laundering provisions; it passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 1440 on public records passed 35-1 after technical amendments tied to related cybersecurity exemptions and reporting requirements. SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients passed 36-0, directing certain benefits for foster youth toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to certify all passed bills to the House and retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Jan 29th, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- An act relating to pawnbroker fees and interest rates, amending RCW 19.60.020.
- That means they must come and ask our permission to increase their interest rate and fees.
- Must come and ask our permission to increase their interest rate and fees.
- Importantly, they have not had an increase in interest rate and fees in over 10 years. Mr.
- Speaker, they are asking for a modest increase in the interest rate from 4% to 5%, a modest increase
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, offered the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, recognized visitors from the Colville Tribal Business Council, and then caucused briefly before taking up bills. The chamber also received a Senate message announcing passage of Substitute Senate Bill 5000.
Members advanced and passed several bills. House Bill 1269, raising pawnbroker interest rates and fees modestly, passed 83-14 after supporters said it would help small businesses serving unbanked customers and maintain operations amid inflation. Substitute House Bill 2123, changing foreign national campaign contribution reporting rules, passed 68-29 amid debate over whether it appropriately reduced burdens on candidate campaigns while still protecting initiative campaigns. Substitute House Bill 2178, a technical court-rules and procedure cleanup bill, passed 89-8; House Bill 2120, which removes two duplicative JLARC reports to free staff for higher-value audits, passed unanimously 97-0; House Bill 2309, eliminating postgraduate degree requirements for certain state jobs to reduce employment barriers, passed 97-0; and Substitute House Bill 2158, allowing electronic remote notarization of physical documents, passed 96-0.
The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2411, expanding shared leave eligibility to include absences related to hate crimes and immigration enforcement actions, by a vote of 60-36 after supporters framed it as support for public employees and opponents raised cost and policy concerns. House Joint Memorial 4004, a nonbinding request to Congress concerning sea lion management to protect salmon and treaty fishing rights, passed 80-16 after debate focused on salmon restoration and tribal rights. Finally, Substitute House Joint Memorial 4001, honoring Russell Blount by naming the future East 34th Street overpass over I-5, passed 96-0. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled session.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, there is no way to easily measure how inflated the INS rates are across the state when compared
- to a rate set only to pay the minimum level of debt service.
- of HB 3526, one indication that bond transparency legislation of this type is as necessary as the rate
- What's the pass-fail rate?
- a local annual report, and if you look at the period from 2020 to 2024, the average percentage... rate
Bills:
HB148 , HB334 , HB554 , HB762 , HB1520 , HB1593 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , SB2215 , HB2607 , HB148
Committee:
Senate Local Government
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- they do not have a fail-first policy for severe mental health illnesses, and their hospitalization rate
- , their Baker Act rate, and whatever, is about 9%.
- illnesses, and their hospitalization for severe mental health illnesses, and their hospitalization rate
- , their Baker Act rate, and whatever, is about 9%.
- using antipsychotics were higher in Florida at $24,969 per enrollee per year than in Michigan at a rate
Committee:
Senate Health Policy
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and heard five bills. SB 126, on prescription hearing aids, would remove Florida’s prohibition on mailing hearing aids when required tele-audiology testing and procedures are completed before sale. The sponsor said the bill would improve access, especially for people with travel or geographic barriers. The Florida Academy of Audiologists expressed support in concept but said it was still working with the sponsor on an amendment for consumer safety. The committee voted the bill favorably.
SB 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures. Supporters, including the Florida Nurses Association and several nurses, described surgical smoke as a workplace and patient safety hazard containing harmful chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants, and said evacuation technology is available and already required in some settings. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 264 would expand step-therapy exemptions for severe mental illness, including certain postpartum and pregnancy-related mental health conditions, so physicians would not have to require patients to fail preferred drugs in specified circumstances. Support came from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, NAMI Florida, and several medical and pharmacy groups, who argued that delays in effective treatment can worsen crises and increase hospital and crisis-care costs. The committee voted the bill favorably.
SB 342 would create a public-records exemption for current and former AHCA employees and certain family information, citing threats and harassment directed at inspectors and regulators. President Gaetz said he generally opposes such exemptions but supported this one because the employees are not elected officials and face real safety risks. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 294 would limit the Board of Pharmacy’s ability to add heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac rhythm disorders to the list of chronic conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice, keeping those conditions under direct physician management. The Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, and the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, while the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists opposed it. The committee voted the bill favorably. Senator Trumbull asked to be recorded in support of SB 126 and SB 152, and the meeting adjourned without further business.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- What that rate of assessment is varies. It is set by the Bureau.
- What that rate of assessment is varies.
- rates.
- Sometimes it also might be very high graduation rates or placement rates, right?
- There are disparate rates that are assessed, and students who come to Northeastern may only come for
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They do have a filled vacancy rate of no... ...work very hard to fill those positions.
- They do have a filled vacancy rate of 96.67%.
- So the Office of Species Conservation has a filled FTP rate of approximately 93%.
- So about 6.5% there is, you know, their vacancy rate.
- So about 6.5% there is, you know, their vacancy rate.
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations and questions for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Office of Species Conservation, and the Office of the Attorney General. Fish and Game’s budget was described as largely dedicated and federal funding with no general fund support, with discussion of ongoing and one-time enhancements for fisheries inflation, habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, depredation claims, chronic wasting disease testing, and communications. Director Jim Fredericks also reviewed the new nonresident tag draw system, access challenges on private lands, and the department’s role in habitat work and species management. Members raised concerns about depredation claim shortfalls, survey and advisory committee processes, predator management, and the overlap between Fish and Game and the Office of Species Conservation on habitat and endangered species work.
The Office of Species Conservation presentation focused on its role coordinating state actions for threatened, endangered, and candidate species, mostly through federal and miscellaneous revenue funds. Administrator Mike Edmondson explained that the office often serves as the policy and administrative lead while Fish and Game carries out much of the field work, and he described metrics for sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bear-related efforts. He also said the office has been working with the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources on a possible merger, with some staff reductions under consideration, and answered questions about grizzly bear delisting, wolf litigation, and tribal consultation.
Attorney General Raul Labrador then argued that his office has produced significant results without asking for new money, but said the committee’s proposed reductions would force furloughs or position cuts and asked for $980,000 to be restored. He highlighted the ICAC unit’s elimination of a cyber-tip backlog, increased arrests, consumer protection recoveries, and expanded appellate and civil litigation work defending state laws. Members asked about the source of recovered funds, the office’s flexibility to absorb cuts, and whether the state could work on a framework to transfer incarcerated undocumented offenders to federal custody for deportation. The committee ended by noting upcoming budget-setting work and adjourned until the next morning.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/24/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #7
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2271, insurers covering firefighters rate deviation, requires that firefighters can only submit a
- , to spread risk and reduce rates for firefighters.
- Right now, when you buy something from Amazon, they use your address to determine your tax rate.
- They feel like they should be using the tax rate at somebody's address, and that there's confusion.
- Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2782 requires that if a regulatory asset is included in the rate base
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars.
Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills.
The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Water Sector Commission Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Just to clarify, they did not get 10 points for match availability during the rating process.
- The rate study should be completed this month, and advertising to consolidate has already begun.
- And you got your water rate study back; has those rates been implemented yet? I think we did.
- They did complete the rate study.
- They didn't have a change in their rates, though; it wasn't a change required.
Summary:
The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Chairmen reminded members that no funding had yet been appropriated for future Water Sector awards, so any discussion of upcoming projects remained speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then moved through a series of deadline extension requests for phase two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch Water Corporation, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Each extension was approved after brief discussion, including testimony explaining local match timing, consolidation agreements, and project delays.
The committee next considered several phase one ARPA-funded requests. St. Tammany Parish Project 845 received approval for a scope change to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. Tallulah’s mayor gave an extended update on the city’s water rehabilitation project, explaining that the original project had been bid twice, that the state had already completed some emergency work, and that the city wanted to isolate the purchase of four permanent media filters and related electrical work from the original rehab plan. Members questioned whether the request was a scope change or a partial implementation of the original project, but ultimately approved it. The committee also approved additional funding for the City of Kaplan’s sewer project and for Ponchatoula’s sewer project, with Ponchatoula explaining that the increase covered emergency levee repair, miscellaneous equipment and safety items, and a force main reroute around unmarked fiber and other obstacles.
St. Martin Parish Water Project 1001 was approved for additional funding after engineers explained that the final well site and related work cost more than originally estimated, though the project remained within the original consolidation plan. West Allen Water Works also received approval for additional funding after its new groundwater well encountered unexpected geologic problems; the contractor and engineers agreed to reduce their fees to preserve the project’s match structure, and members asked that the in-kind match be clearly documented for JLCB. By contrast, Tensaw Water Distribution Association’s large request for additional funding to complete a consolidation with Newelton drew significant concern over cost growth and timing. After discussion of the project’s scope, the need to serve Newelton, and the possibility of future reapplication or further value engineering, the committee voted to defer the Tensaw item to the next meeting for more review.
At the end of the meeting, staff reported that 42.11% of ARPA funds remained and reviewed a list of high-risk projects, noting that the committee was trying to ensure ARPA dollars are drawn first and reconciled properly before deadlines. Members discussed the need to ground-truth self-reported project status and potentially adjust procedures to better track construction progress and final draws. The meeting concluded with no subfund or termination items and adjourned after a motion by Senator Bass.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (2-12-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- So the All Stars program is our quality rating system in Kentucky.
- It's quality rating system in Kentucky.
- rating system that accurately<00:12:53.120><c> measures</c><00:12:53.600><c> quality</c><00:12:54.000
- You know, our rate of having children has really declined with generations and with younger generations
- You know, our our um our rate families?
Committee:
House Families & Children