Transcript Highlights:

• The House will attend to a motion to withdraw House Bill 476 FN, relative to the restrictions on elective
• Speaker, if I know that this bill requires the owner of restricted multifamily residential property to
• Speaker, if I know that this bill requires the owner of restricted multifamily residential property to
• It would incentivize sellers to wait 90 days to outwait the 90-day restriction period for potentially
• It would incentivize sellers to wait 90 days to outwait the 90-day restriction period for potentially

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are statutory restrictions on district employees getting involved in board races and board members
• There are statutory restrictions on district employees getting involved in board races and board members
• There are statutory restrictions on district employees getting involved in board races and board members
• There are statutory restrictions on district employees getting involved in board races and board members
• We'll let you know if I do, but there are restrictions on that.

Keywords: 0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes 0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools 0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257 0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System 1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, those symptoms would be around social behavior, communication, and repetitive and restrictive behaviors
• communication, and social behavior, communication, and repetitive<00:14:00.160><c> and</c><00:14:00.280><c> restrictive
• So, social and communication are now one category, and then the repetitive and restrictive behaviors
• regulation, and decreases problem behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, and severe repetitive and restrictive
• regulation, and decreases problem behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, and severe repetitive and restrictive

Committee: Joint Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, last session we discussed issues around local governments having restrictive ordinances
• As you know, last session we discussed issues around local governments having restrictive ordinances
• As you know, last session we discussed issues around local governments having restrictive ordinances
• As you know, last session we discussed issues around local governments having restrictive ordinances
• As you know, last session we discussed issues around local governments having restrictive ordinances

Bills: HF4207 , HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• existing gaming laws. 25-plus states have seen through this deception and responded with bans, restrictions
• existing gaming laws. 25-plus states have seen through this deception and responded with bans, restrictions
• 01.160><c> responded</c><00:39:01.760><c> with</c><00:39:01.920><c> bans,</c><00:39:02.640><c> restrictions
• ,</c> and responded with bans, restrictions, and responded with bans, restrictions, or<00:39:03.680><

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• where an individual, or perhaps a developer with more resources than the track owner would have, can restrict
• On subdivision two, this preempts local government from enforcing an ordinance that would restrict, limit
• 15:36.000><c> ordinance</c><00:15:36.480><c> that</c><00:15:36.640><c> would</c><00:15:36.800><c> restrict
• ,</c><00:15:37.280><c> limit,</c> an ordinance that would restrict, limit, an ordinance that would restrict

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:26.800><c> uh</c> Representative Schultz said that last week they put in additional restrictions
• She said the bill restricts irrigation to the aquifer's northern extent, and a committee handout shows
• First, the bill restricts<00:18:44.000><c> irrigation</c><00:18:44.480><c> to</c><00:18:44.640><c> the
• </c><00:18:44.799><c> aquafer's</c> restricts irrigation to the aquafer's restricts irrigation to the

Bills: HF4253 , HF4257 , HF3236 , HF4264 , HF4149 , HF4019

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Transcript Highlights:

• Without this clarity, the bill may unintentionally restrict tools that help providers deliver consistent
• pharmaceutical manufacturers<01:03:36.000><c> from</c><01:03:36.240><c> imposing</c><01:03:36.880><c> restrictions
• </c> manufacturers from imposing restrictions manufacturers from imposing restrictions on<01:03:38.079
• A key financial hurdle is the increasing cost of drugs and the 340B restrictions the pharmacy companies

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• federal funding, general fund funding, the gift fund, other miscellaneous special revenue fund, the restricted
• :07:23.039><c> revenue</c><00:07:23.360><c> fund,</c><00:07:23.599><c> the</c><00:07:23.759><c> restricted
• </c> special revenue fund, the restricted special revenue fund, the restricted miscellaneous<00:07:24.960
• of the focuses of our program is around making sure that students are being taught in the least restrictive

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• influence the way that we're able to conduct our free speech on the internet by imposing upon them restrictions
• <01:03:17.359><c> them</c> internet uh by imposing upon them internet uh by imposing upon them restrictions
• 19.920><c> can</c><01:03:20.079><c> and</c><01:03:20.319><c> cannot</c><01:03:20.640><c> be</c> restrictions
• to what can and cannot be restrictions to what can and cannot be said.<01:03:21.520><c> And</c><01:03
• folks, is a transparency bill, and it exists because access to Wyoming courts today is far more restricted

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it's the public's right to access government proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted
• the material that is subject to the complaint will remain in place without change, be removed, be restricted
• change, be remain in place without change, be removed,<01:54:01.040><c> be</c><01:54:01.280><c> restricted
• </c><01:54:01.760><c> be</c><01:54:01.920><c> modified,</c><01:54:02.719><c> or</c> removed, be restricted
• , be modified, or removed, be restricted, be modified, or have<01:54:03.199><c> other</c><01:54:03.520

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But then once those categories are set, after they've been filtered down and restricted to certain steps
• down</c><01:00:44.640><c> and</c> they've been filtered down and they've been filtered down and restricted
• <c> certain</c><01:00:46.240><c> steps,</c><01:00:47.440><c> it's</c><01:00:47.839><c> hard</c> restricted
• to certain steps, it's hard restricted to certain steps, it's hard for<01:00:48.640><c> the</c><01:00
• I will mostly stand on my written testimony out of respect for the time restrictions, but I did want

Bills: HB1527 , HB1823 , HB2490 , HB2223 , HB2325 , HB2104 , HB2593 , HB2592 , HB1927 , HB1553 , HB1964 , HB1918 , HB1990

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: gambling prohibition, Aloha Stadium, University of Hawaii, amateur athletics, state lands, coastal resilience, Maui, Mantokuji Bay, coastal erosion, environmental protection, Native Hawaiian, spiritual sites, historic preservation, economic development, burial sites, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, cultural history, archaeology, Hawaii Revised Statutes, civil service

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill. The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other related Texas legislation, SB 314, on the school meal restrictions, prohibits schools from putting
• excellent bill last session and may have made a few modifications to that, but this SNAP benefit restriction
• modifications to that, but this SNAP modifications to that, but this SNAP benefit<01:23:22.400><c> restriction
• is</c><01:23:23.280><c> definitely</c><01:23:23.679><c> on</c><01:23:23.840><c> our</c> benefit restriction
• is definitely on our benefit restriction is definitely on our radar.<01:23:24.639><c> So</c><01:23:24.800

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• having to make the unfortunate decision to either walk away from the Medicaid program or greatly restrict
• ><00:10:19.440><c> we're</c> What this leads to are longer wait times where people are having to restrict
• where people are longer wait times where people are having<00:10:44.160><c> to</c><00:10:44.399><c> restrict
• access</c><00:10:45.839><c> or</c><00:10:46.320><c> people</c><00:10:46.640><c> are</c> having to restrict
• access or people are having to restrict access or people are being<00:10:47.040><c> forced</c><00:10

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• These limitations hinder the effectiveness of the training programs and restrict the overall utility
• and fund it with a revolve with the uh, so the 19 million for the Winter Pasaki River Basin is a restricted
• basin</c><01:06:40.000><c> is</c><01:06:40.240><c> is</c><01:06:40.480><c> a</c><01:06:40.640><c> restricted
• </c><01:06:42.079><c> So</c> river basin is is a restricted fund.
• So river basin is is a restricted fund.

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first $478 million has been set aside and is restricted, so the balance, call it round numbers
• So the best we can do is give you some qualitative guidance, which is: the more that that is restricted
• /c><01:03:04.839><c> is</c> which is um the more that that is which is um the more that that is restricted
• ><c> the</c><01:03:06.160><c> more</c><01:03:06.400><c> challenged</c><01:03:06.880><c> the</c> restricted
• the more challenged the restricted the more challenged the company's<01:03:07.599><c> financial</c><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:43.360><c> fluid</c> with regards to starvation, fluid with regards to starvation, fluid restriction
• ,<00:23:44.720><c> force</c><00:23:45.240><c> exercise,</c><00:23:46.240><c> subjected</c> restriction
• , force exercise, subjected restriction, force exercise, subjected to<00:23:46.960><c> unsanitary</c>
• This can provide immediate relief by restricting the abuser's access to victims and their family.
• This can provide immediate relief by restricting the abuser's access to victims and their family.

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward. The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes. Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the issues there that we've run into is the Kentucky regulations are much more restrictive on
• Some of the issues there that we've run into is the Kentucky regulations are much more restrictive on
• Some of the issues there that we've run into is the Kentucky regulations are much more restrictive on
• Some of the issues there that we've run into is the Kentucky regulations are much more restrictive on
• Some of the issues there that we've run into is the Kentucky regulations are much more restrictive on

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:19 Discussion of 25RS HB 785 00:30:25 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 785 00:32:15 Discussion of 25RS HB 61 00:36:42 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 61 00:38:07 Discussion of 25RS HB 788 00:51:01 Discussion of 25RS SB 14 01:11:09 Discussion of 25RS HB 685 01:44:57 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you restrict meeting um process.
• restricting how appropriated funds may restricting how appropriated funds may be<04:10:29.760><c> used
• This wouldn't<04:13:07.040><c> restrict</c><04:13:07.439><c> that.
• I I don't wouldn't restrict that.
• </c> Specifically, this bill would restrict Specifically, this bill would restrict the<04:26:21.520><

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is take meaningful action to restrict access to firearms that are leading to the deaths of our
• 01:22.040><c> meaningful</c><01:01:22.640><c> action</c><01:01:23.240><c> to</c><01:01:23.440><c> restrict
• </c> is take meaningful action to restrict is take meaningful action to restrict access access access

Keywords: 1183, house