Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:41.120> I<00:14:41.360> know<00:14:41.519> I<00:14:41.680> would
• group<00:14:48.160> that<00:14:48.320> may<00:14:48.480> have<00:14:48.639>
• <00:14:51.279> I<00:14:51.519> know<00:14:51.680> I<00:14:51.839> would<00
• :14:52.000> have<00:14:52.160> been<00:14:52.639> and<00:14:52.880> I'm bills
• We<00:14:57.360> don't<00:14:57.519> know<00:14:57.839> exactly<00:14:58.399>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I by a vote of 14 eyes and zero naz. I by a vote of 14 eyes and zero naz.
• eyes and zero nazs. 14 eyes and zero nazs. 14 eyes and zero nazs.
• May the Senate 14 eyes and zero nays. May the Senate 14 eyes and zero nays.
• eyes and zero nazs. 14 eyes and zero nazs. 14 eyes and zero nazs.
• you would support an October. The budget chairman support an October.

Bills: SCR 13, SCR 24, SB 1, SB 12, SB 15, SB 17, SB 24, SB 57, SB 65, SB 213, SB 371, SB 372, SB 378, SB 379, SB 388, SB 400, SB 402, SB 427, SB 495, SB 499, SB 502, SB 509, SB 535, SB 583, SB 610, SB 621, SB 650, SB 706, SB 740, SB 840, SB 854, SB 856, SB 875, SB 893, SB 918, SB 925, SB 974, SB 995, SB 1006, SB 1018, SB 1025, SB 1061, SB 1073, SB 1106, SB 1121, SB 1194, SB 1252, SB 1253, SB 1268, SB 1300, SB 1343, SB 1362, SB 1447, SJR 36, SJR 12, SJR 57, SCR 25, SCR 22, SCR 12, SCR 24, SCR 8, SB 565, SB 372, SB 765, SB 62, SB 666, SB 707, SB 888, SB 687, SB 847, SB 1248, SB 740, SB 14, SB 1006, SB 504, SB 925, SB 1121, SB 995, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 815, SB 1379, SB 1300, SB 1497, SB 1499, SB 1498, SB 1061, SB 65, SB 241, SB 304, SB 402, SB 499, SB 621, SB 974, SB 1023, SB 1024, SB 1025, SB 1106, SB 686, SB 112, SB 371, SB 204, SB 400, SB 609, SB 1447, SB 670, SB 502, SB 427, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1555, SB 1362, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 987, SB 1539, SB 893, SB 447, SB 875, SB 406, SB 509, SB 985, SB 965, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 24, SB 57, SB 1194, SB 1253, SB 1215, SB 1532, SB 1268, SB 1302, SB 856, SB 650, SB 583, SB 673, SB 840, SB 213, SB 681, SB 1172, SB 1252, SB 378, SB 610, SB 918, SB 1343, SB 608, SB 487, SB 955, SB 957, SB 988, SB 990, SB 1019, SB 1021, SB 1120, SB 251, SB 958, SB 535, SB 761, SB 1, SB 541, SB 315, SB 379, SB 1018, SB 1737, SB 266, SB 1415, SB 57, SB 499, SB 974, SB 1025, SB 1061, SB 1268, SR 302, SR 303, SR 304, SR 305, SB 30, SB 1333, SB 1666, SB 30, SB 1333, SB 1666

Keywords: water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas, Israel, trade, investment, partnership, economic ties, technological innovation, bilateral relations, appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• c> some<00:14:11.800> people<00:14:12.079> it<00:14:12.320> is<00:14:12.920>
• :14:15.240> so<00:14:15.399> we're<00:14:15.519> seeing<00:14:16.000> about
• <00:14:27.199> so<00:14:27.360> that<00:14:27.519> if<00:14:27.639> they<
• the<00:14:36.440> number<00:14:36.759> we're<00:14:36.920> looking<00:14
• we're looking at um we<00:14:39.160> um<00:14:39.880> we<00:14:40.040> do<00:14:

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:37 KY Horse Racing and Gaming Corp. 08:32 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 35:28 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an update from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation on sports wagering revenue allocations and problem gaming funding. KHRGC reported that in fiscal year 2024, about $34.4 million was deposited to the pension fund and about $931,000 to the problem gaming assistance fund; fiscal year 2025 to date, the totals were about $18.5 million and $556,000, respectively, bringing all-time problem gaming funding to about $1.48 million. Members also discussed wagering volume, with KHRGC stating Kentucky had about $3.5 billion in wagers from September 2023 through December 2024 and about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2025 to date. KHRGC explained that it tracks the funds sent to CHFS and the self-exclusion list, but does not track the number of people seeking help or the outcomes of those calls. The Division of Mental Health then described how the problem gambling assistance account is used. Patty Clark and Sarah Cooper said the fund supports education, counseling, public awareness, counselor certification, and treatment-related costs, with $50,000 reserved for administrative expenses. They said the department has spent the last 18 months establishing criteria, funding standards, performance measures, monitoring, and application procedures, and that it issued notices of funding opportunity in October. They reported about 1.49 million in the fund through the end of January, with awards including support for the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling conference, a public awareness campaign by Project Ricochet, and a youth-focused campaign by Shaunie Transformation Youth Coalition. Testimony also focused on the scope of problem gambling in Kentucky and how the helpline works. The department said fewer than 10 clinicians in Kentucky are specifically certified in problem gambling, though all addiction clinicians can provide services, and estimated about 165,000 adults show problem gambling behaviors, with 47,000 to 64,000 potentially meeting criteria for a gambling disorder. They said helpline calls rose to about 3,240 in 2024, but only about 25% were from people seeking help, with most callers seeking information about online wagering. Members asked about anonymity, follow-up, co-occurring alcohol or drug issues, and whether the fund should reimburse Medicaid or directly cover treatment costs. The presenters said calls are anonymous, outcomes are not tracked unless callers follow up, and the program is currently focused on building provider capacity and targeted outreach rather than direct reimbursement or a statewide campaign.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:03.120> So,<00:14:03.440> Minnesota<00:14:03.920> Care,<00:14:04.399>
• ><00:14:06.480> of<00:14:06.639> federal<00:14:06.959> funding<00:14:07.279>
• 10.079> and<00:14:10.240> I'll<00:14:10.399> go<00:14:10.480> over<00:14:
• <00:14:11.920> Um<00:14:12.160> the<00:14:12.320> behavioral<00:14:12.880>
• <01:14:02.800> impose October 1st, 2026, states cannot impose October 1st, 2026, states cannot

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:14:05.839> follow<00:14:06.079> up<00:14:06.240> for<00:14:06.399> the
• Uh we will now<00:14:09.440> move<00:14:09.600> on<00:14:09.839> to<00:14:10.720
• I'm<00:14:13.279> not<00:14:13.440> sure<00:14:13.519> who<00:14:13.760>
• Uh from July<00:14:36.399> of<00:14:36.639> 27<00:14:37.120> to<00:14:37.360>
• August<00:14:37.680> of<00:14:37.920> 27,<00:14:38.880> we<00:14:39.199>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > this<00:14:04.079> is<00:14:04.240> in<00:14:04.399> your<00:14:05.120>
• :14:22.560> that<00:14:23.360> since<00:14:23.680> they<00:14:23.920> don't
• 14:32.959> running<00:14:33.680> card<00:14:34.000> game<00:14:35.199> uh
• <00:14:35.360> in<00:14:35.680> in<00:14:35.680> in<00:14:36.079> in are
• It's<00:14:39.839> just<00:14:40.000> a<00:14:40.560> it's<00:14:40.800> a

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its August 21 meeting and then received an update from Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation leadership on implementation of Senate Bill 299 and House Bill 566. Jamie Eids and staff described the agency’s new structure after charitable gaming was brought under the corporation, including new divisions, staffing, banking, payroll, insurance, procurement, and reporting systems. They also unveiled the corporation’s new logo and tagline, and said the transition had been designed to avoid interruption for charities, licensees, and racing operations. A major focus was the fee structure required by House Bill 566. Eids outlined current licensing fees across racing, sports wagering, and charitable gaming, compared Kentucky’s fees with other states, and recommended keeping the status quo for one more year because the agency has only recently brought all three components fully in-house. Members asked about whether charitable gaming had harmed veterans’ groups or other nonprofits, whether any revenue should be transferred back to the state, and whether the charitable gaming licenses cover one-off raffles as well as standing operations. Eids said she had not heard complaints, said the licenses include all such activity with some exemptions, and agreed to look at the question of future transfers. The committee then heard from Melissa Combs Wright on pari-mutuel wagering and Hannah Sims on sports wagering. They reported continued growth in historical horse racing, more than $11 billion in total pari-mutuel wagering in fiscal year 2025, over $10.5 billion in HHR wagers, and about $161 million in pari-mutuel tax revenue, with most of that supporting the general fund and horse-breeding development funds. They also said sports wagering has generated nearly $5 billion in wagers since launch, $73 million for the public pension fund, and more than $2 million for problem gambling services, while expanding to 13 retail locations and 92 additional sports events. Members raised concerns about players being cut off after winning, the lack of local government revenue sharing from gaming facilities, and the growth of computer-assisted wagering; the witnesses said they were reviewing CAWs and that Kentucky does not license poker rooms through the corporation.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Um<00:14:06.960> I<00:14:07.040> want<00:14:07.160> to<00:14:07.240>
• get<00:14:07.440> a<00:14:07.480> little<00:14:07.680> bit<00:14:07.840>
• :09.960> are<00:14:10.200> are<00:14:10.400> going<00:14:10.640> to<00:14
• So, I'm going<00:14:11.440> to<00:14:11.520> pass<00:14:11.840> for<00:14:11.960
• <00:14:12.800> Uh<00:14:12.960> I<00:14:13.000> hope<00:14:13.160> to

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We<00:14:04.000> do<00:14:04.120> not<00:14:04.360> have<00:14:04.520> to
• <00:14:04.640> see<00:14:04.840> the<00:14:04.960> ground<00:14:05.320> to
• Um<00:14:07.240> and<00:14:07.520> everything<00:14:08.000> that<00:14:08.160>
• :14:43.560> you<00:14:43.680> may<00:14:43.839> not<00:14:44.040> be<00:14
• :14:53.520> is<00:14:53.640> a<00:14:53.720> lot<00:14:54.280> of<00:14:54.440

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met on October 14, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the September 16, 2025 minutes. Members then received a Kentucky Air National Guard 101 briefing from Brigadier General Bruce Bancroft, commander of the Kentucky Air National Guard, who described the Guard’s structure, missions, and statewide role. He emphasized that Kentucky is a single-wing state centered at Louisville’s 123rd Airlift Wing and highlighted several unique capabilities, including the Contingency Response Group, critical care air transport teams, medical detachment for chemical environments, explosive ordnance disposal, fatality search and recovery, and special tactics personnel. General Bancroft also discussed staffing and readiness, saying the Guard has 1,273 authorized positions, with a mix of AGR, Title 32, and Title 5 personnel. He noted that AGR positions are funded at about 96 percent, while technician positions are funded at about 53 percent, leaving the organization to operate at roughly 75 percent of authorized manpower overall. He said the wing converted from the C-130H to the C-130J in 2021 and completed the transition in about 2.5 years, ahead of the original three-year timeline. The briefing further covered the Guard’s operational tempo and community role. Bancroft said the unit has earned 21 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, has deployed about 500,000 days since 9/11 across 45 countries, and routinely supports federal and domestic missions. He described the C-130J’s tactical airlift, airdrop, and blacked-out operations as directly useful for disaster response in Kentucky, and he pointed to strong ties with UPS and other aviation employers. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:36.040> allowed<00:14:36.360> for<00:14:36.480> the<00:14:36.560> first
• <00:14:38.920> or<00:14:39.079> if<00:14:39.160> it<00:14:39.279> was
• > could<00:14:45.920> be<00:14:46.279> adjusted<00:14:47.279> based<00:14
• :14:53.079> so<00:14:53.279> that<00:14:53.360> would<00:14:53.519> reset
• 00:14:54.959> and<00:14:55.079> the<00:14:55.199> ACT<00:14:55.639> actual

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:14:18.880> that<00:14:20.000> um I asked that um I asked that um I<00:14:22.320>
• asked<00:14:22.639> that<00:14:22.800> when<00:14:23.040> it<00:14:23.279
• Implementation would occur on October Implementation would occur on October 1st.<00:20:26.799>
• go in place until October 1 of 2027. 2027. 2027.
• The only thing that would start October The only thing that would start October 1<00:43:34.640><

Bills: SB222, HB560, HB475, HB484, HB583, HB542, HB566

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:02.640> were<01:14:02.960> to<01:14:03.199> end<01:14:03.440> for<
• reason,<01:14:04.159> the<01:14:04.400> commissioner<01:14:04.880> is<01:14:
• and then putting<01:14:14.560> back<01:14:14.880> in<01:14:15.040> force<01:14:
• <01:14:17.040> be<01:14:17.120> up<01:14:17.199> to<01:14:17.360> you
• But we want<01:14:21.199> to<01:14:21.360> honor<01:14:21.679> what<01:14:22.000

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:04.720> and<00:14:05.279> to<00:14:05.440> pull<00:14:05.680> some
• <00:14:07.839> article<00:14:08.160> that<00:14:08.399> we<00:14:08.959>
• >> Not<00:14:15.760> at<00:14:15.920> this<00:14:16.079> time.
• Um the<00:14:20.560> next<00:14:20.720> section<00:14:21.040> refers<00:14:21.360
• eligibility<00:14:22.720> and<00:14:22.959> it's<00:14:23.120> just<00:14:23.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the previous meeting minutes and then reviewed a draft preliminary report on long-term managed care. The chair explained the report is intended to frame issues and outline legislative options, not make a final recommendation, especially given unresolved questions about the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). The report’s key issues included the current financing of county and private nursing homes through Medicaid rates, ProShare, MQUIP, and related funding mechanisms, and the concern that those payments could be affected or eliminated under a managed care model. Members also discussed managed care organizations’ role in Medicaid and cited other states’ experiences, noting examples of savings in Florida and Tennessee but higher costs in California. One member raised Indiana as another important comparison, and the committee agreed to add it to the report’s state examples. The committee also reviewed sections on dual eligibility, D-SNP, PACE, and CFI waivers. The chair raised concerns about whether OB3 creates incentives for states to move toward D-SNP and whether federal changes could affect provider taxes, state-directed payments, and intergovernmental transfers. Henry Litman, the state Medicaid director, said he would confirm details on D-SNP incentives and explained that ProShare is based on certified public expenditure rather than an IGT, while county cap financing is the relevant intergovernmental transfer issue. He said IGTs are not going away and that the main risk is whether current financing mechanisms could be preserved if the state later changed course. Members discussed the possibility of a waiver not being granted or renewed and the high fiscal impact that could have on counties and property taxes. The committee then discussed the population that any long-term managed care model should cover. Members agreed that there is no appetite to move developmental disability or acquired brain disorder populations into long-term managed care at this time, and the chair changed the report’s terminology from “elderly” to “aging population.” The chair also noted that the status quo option should reflect the recent shift toward home and community-based services and reduced nursing home utilization since earlier county reports. The report’s four policy options were summarized as: maintain the status quo; pursue D-SNP for dual eligibles, with DHHS potentially submitting an application as early as 2027; adopt an HCBS carveout; or move fully to managed care for the aging population. No final policy recommendation was made, and the committee discussed making edits to the draft before circulation, including adding Indiana, clarifying OB3-related issues, and changing the report title from “final” to “preliminary” or “interim.”

Transcript Highlights:

• :52.880> so<00:14:53.120> that's<00:14:53.279> kind<00:14:53.399> of<00:14
• would want<01:14:10.120> people<01:14:10.440> in<01:14:10.600> your<01:14:10.800
• :14:13.719> branches<01:14:14.639> a<01:14:14.719> little<01:14:14.920> bit
• accountability<01:14:16.400> and<01:14:16.520> we<01:14:16.679> may<01:14:16.840
• <01:14:17.360> political<01:14:17.760> parties<01:14:18.120> but<01:14:18.280>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the fiscal note process, prompted by concerns raised in a prior hearing about the fiscal note for the Paid Family and Medical Leave law. Chair Marty, Senator Pratt, and Senator Wiklund said the goal was not to revisit the bill itself but to strengthen understanding of fiscal note standards, the role of the Legislative Budget Office (LBO), and communication with agencies. They emphasized bipartisan concern that fiscal notes must be respected and that the process should be clearer going forward. Christian Larison of the LBO explained that the 2024 fiscal note issues stemmed from three main problems: choosing the proper baseline for a program that had not yet started, interpreting the seven-day qualifying event/waiting period, and determining whether DEED could adjust the first-year premium rate. He said the LBO, DEED, MMB, and House fiscal staff ultimately used the October 2023 actuarial analysis as the baseline because it was the most recent and likely most accurate estimate, but that choice meant the fiscal note did not show the difference from the 2023 enacted budget. He also described how DEED later interpreted the seven-day provision as a waiting period and how the premium-rate assumptions affected the fiscal impact. Larison outlined possible responses, including more assertive early communication from the LBO, providing more detailed analysis in unusual cases, and possibly creating a working group through the LBO Oversight Commission to consider new standards for substantial assumption changes, complex new programs, and third-party actuarial work. He also noted the LBO has authority to issue unapproved fiscal notes if standards are not met, though it has not used that authority. In questions, Senator Murphy asked about protecting the credibility of fiscal notes, and Larison said maintaining independence, objectivity, and consistent standards is central to the LBO’s role. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:14:06.079> We<00:14:06.320> have<00:14:06.399> a<00:14:06.639> a<00:
• <00:14:27.519> about<00:14:28.240> um<00:14:28.560> you<00:14:28.720> know
• Um what<00:14:34.959> if<00:14:35.279> anything<00:14:35.680> have<00:14:35.920>
• <00:14:45.279> Uh<00:14:45.600> what<00:14:45.760> have<00:14:45.920> you
• I mean<00:14:52.959> this<00:14:53.199> session,<00:14:53.760> last<00:14:54.079

Bills: SB8, SB22, SB137, HB295, HB2, HB343, HB220, HB303, HB81, SB8, SB22, SB137, HB295, HB2, HB343, HB220, HB303, HB81

Keywords: emergency management, public funds, educational materials, state legislation, disaster response, uniformity, state laws, legislative commission, appointments, government structure, resilience, natural disasters, risk management, Alabama Resilience Council, Chief Resilience Officer, state planning, environmental protection, community preparedness, Alabama Office of Civic Engagement, Alabama Office of Minority Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• :20.399> or<00:14:20.720> provide<00:14:21.040> testimony?
• >> Okay.<00:14:24.720> Thank<00:14:24.880> you,<00:14:25.040> Robbie.
• <00:14:25.600> Anyone<00:14:25.839> in<00:14:26.000> the >> Okay.
• Anyone in the room<00:14:26.320> that<00:14:26.560> wishes<00:14:26.880> to<00:14
• Yes,<00:14:30.480> if<00:14:30.800> you<00:14:30.880> can<00:14:31.120> please

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group held its first meeting on August 21, 2025, to organize under Act 292, which directs the group to review and recommend laws, policies, and procedures on restrictive housing for vulnerable populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, people with serious mental illness, those with sensory impairments, and people perceived to be LGBTQIA+. Co-chairs Sen. Brandon Elefante and Rep. Della Au Belatti outlined the group’s purpose, membership, and timeline, noting the final recommendations are due to the Legislature by January 8, 2027. Members and invited participants introduced themselves, including legislative members, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff, the Department of Health, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, ACLU of Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, UPW, and an OHA representative in the audience. The working group discussed its initial focus and agreed that a first priority should be understanding current restrictive housing practices at DCR, including policies on solitary confinement, training, reporting, and how the department currently handles vulnerable populations. Co-chair Belatti said the group should also hear from people with lived experience, including incarcerated individuals and family members affected by solitary confinement, and review litigation, settlements, and outside expert work on best practices. DCR Director Tommy Johnson, appearing by Zoom, said the bill contains specific implementation timelines and that the group should use future meetings to surface topics tied to the act’s requirements. Rep. Shimizu asked how the working group’s recommendations would fit with SB 104 and whether they would supersede existing provisions; Belatti responded that the act allows time for review and for both departmental policy changes and legislative recommendations, with section two’s implementation date set for July 1, 2026. Public comment was limited, with no online testimony. An OHA representative thanked the chairs and said the office looked forward to participating once formally designated. House legislative attorney Sean Aronson suggested the group should hear about any outside or court-mandated oversight of DCR in a future presentation. A member of the working group also asked about scheduling an in-person visit to a correctional facility, and the chairs said that could be arranged with DCR. The group tentatively scheduled its next meeting for October 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., noted that September would be skipped, and discussed holding future meetings on third Thursdays. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:02.560> So<01:14:04.000> um<01:14:04.800> I<01:14:05.199> called
• > but<01:14:08.880> can<01:14:09.120> we<01:14:09.600> u<01:14:09.760>
• Um, initially<01:14:14.480> when<01:14:14.719> I<01:14:14.880> had<01:14:15.040>
• ><01:14:18.159> had<01:14:18.400> said<01:14:18.560> that<01:14:18.719> we
• going<01:14:19.360> to<01:14:19.600> pause<01:14:20.080> some<01:14:20.320>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The working group convened with all members present, approved the minutes from its October 16, 2025 meeting and its October 28, 2025 Halawa Correctional Facility site visit by unanimous consent, and received no public testimony on the agenda or minutes. The chair then reviewed the statutory timeline under Act 292/SB 104, noting the group continues until January 8, 2027, and discussed required reporting dates and the need to develop a work plan for the remaining meetings. The chair also said the October 16 DCR presentation would be treated as satisfying the group’s interim-report purpose, though the legal reporting obligations to the Legislature and oversight commission still needed to be sorted out. The main discussion focused on DCR’s proposed amendments to Act 292 and the department’s interim report. Director Johnson said the department’s October 16 presentation included recommended statutory amendments because the law, as written, could not be fully complied with; the proposals were described as section-by-section changes intended to address implementation problems. Members discussed several specific issues, including transfer language for higher levels of care, the 2010 MOA with the Department of Health, and replacing “physician” with “clinician” to reflect staffing realities. DCR explained that the change would allow licensed clinicians, including APRNs and doctors of osteopathy, to make decisions when physicians are not on duty, and that the MOA is being updated so transfers can occur from any DCR facility to the state hospital. An OHA staff member gave a detailed critique of the proposed amendments, saying they would weaken Act 292’s intent by reducing procedural protections, expanding exceptions, and relying on aspirational language such as “strive” and “if practicable.” OHA also raised concerns about the lack of baseline data on restrictive housing use and said the department’s report showed serious operational problems, including overcrowded and outdated facilities, limited space for private medical or mental health exams, and the use of suicide/safety cells for people who may not need mental health treatment. DCR responded that it had requested 35 new medical positions in the budget, supported by the governor, and said those positions are needed to meet basic care obligations for people in custody. The group did not take a vote on the proposed amendments. Instead, members agreed to continue the discussion, with the chair saying the reports, settlement tracker, 2010 MOA, and comparison guidelines would be distributed and used as the basis for future work. In the final discussion on work-plan priorities, members identified staffing shortages, physical plant limitations, and the need to examine humane alternatives and implementation challenges as key topics for upcoming meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then<00:14:04.600> the<00:14:04.680> budget<00:14:05.080> cycle<00:14:05.440>
• repeats<00:14:06.120> on<00:14:06.280> October Then the budget cycle repeats on October
• Then the budget cycle repeats on October the<00:14:06.800> 31st,<00:14:07.840> we'll<00
• :14:08.000> be<00:14:08.120> informed<00:14:08.800> what<00:14:09.040> our
• ends October. ends October.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• starting<00:14:11.680> in<00:14:11.920> January<00:14:12.399> of<00:14:12.720><
• on claims filed after<00:14:50.720> October<00:14:51.279> 1st<00:14:51.680> for
• <00:14:51.920> services<00:14:52.320> that<00:14:52.560> are after October 1st for
• services that are after October 1st for services that are delivered<00:14:53.120> at<00:14:53.360
• 14 counties. 14 counties.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up S. 190, a health care cost-containment bill relating to the Green Mountain Care Board, reference-based pricing, and a study of a public employee health benefit authority. The House first suspended rules to take the bill from the notice calendar, then heard committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. The Health Care committee chair described the bill as a strike-all amendment intended to carry out Act 68’s hospital reference-based pricing timeline, saying it would let the Green Mountain Care Board begin implementation for fiscal year 2027, expand reference-based pricing to qualified health plans and the Vermont Education Health Insurance program, and address hospital pricing transparency, outsourcing, and critical access hospital Medicare outpatient cost-sharing issues. Supporters argued the bill would lower insurance costs, help reduce property taxes, and improve hospital sustainability by reducing the need for hospitals to limit access as they approach revenue caps. The Ways and Means committee said the bill could reduce education spending by lowering health care costs for school employees and reported the bill favorably on a 7-4 vote. The Appropriations committee said it reviewed the bill and an amendment, and noted that much of the detailed language would be changed by the appropriations amendment; it also discussed a possible state innovation waiver under the Affordable Care Act. The Health Care committee reported its strike-all amendment favorably on a 10-0 vote. The bill’s provisions were described in detail, including requiring hospitals and insurers to express rates as a percentage of Medicare, setting a path toward national median hospital prices by 2030, limiting certain reimbursements for QHP and VHI plans, requiring a report on hospital outsourcing and provider tax impacts, and creating a public health system performance tool if funding is available. The speaker also noted that the bill would not affect critical access hospitals or Vermont’s Medicare-dependent hospital in the reimbursement cap provisions, and that critical access hospitals were already working with the Green Mountain Care Board on solutions to Medicare outpatient cost-sharing concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:14:20.639> can<00:14:20.880> we<00:14:20.959> just<00:14:21.120> special
• <00:14:24.240> Any<00:14:24.480> of<00:14:24.639> the<00:14:25.440> March
• <00:14:35.440> Third,<00:14:36.160> whatever<00:14:36.480> day<00:14:36.720>
• Without objection,<00:14:43.920> the<00:14:44.079> bill<00:14:44.160> will<00:14
• <00:14:47.920> Uh,<00:14:48.160> let's<00:14:48.399> go<00:14:48.480> to<

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Friday, February 27, with an invocation by Reverend Howard Travers and several guest introductions, including family members, defense organization leaders, a South Asian Herald editor, Eagleton Institute fellows, and physicians from Johns Hopkins. The chamber journalized the prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved into bill introductions, House messages, and committee reports. Several measures were advanced without objection, including Senate Bill 338 to extend a work group report deadline on transfer of retirement system member services, Senate Bill 448 authorizing Carroll County public facilities bonds up to $27 million, Senate Bill 453 clarifying that the Arabian horse race associated with Preakness can be run at Laurel Park, Senate Bill 614 allowing Dorchester County detention officers to join the correctional officers retirement system if the county opts in, and Senate Bill 724 making a technical emergency adjustment to cost-of-living calculations for retirees because October CPI data was unavailable during a government shutdown. Each of those bills received favorable committee reports and was ordered printed for third reading after no objections or amendments were offered. Two bills were postponed for later consideration: Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles tied to organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams was special ordered to Wednesday of the following week, and Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement was special ordered to March 3 while members worked on possible amendments. Senate Bill 56 on the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and third-party data sharing was also special ordered to the following Wednesday because committee discussion was ongoing. House Bill 6 and House Bill 372 were received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate also took up Executive Nominations Committee Report No. 3 and, after no nominations were separated out, confirmed the executive nominations by a vote of 41 in the affirmative. Later, the chamber heard a personal privilege statement from a Montgomery County senator about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald schools in Maryland, highlighting preservation efforts and an upcoming Scrabble tournament fundraiser at a Rosenwald school. The Senate then confirmed a quorum, and the Majority Leader moved that the Senate stand in recess until Monday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding<00:14:04.680> for<00:14:04.920> a<00:14:04.960> feasibility<00:14:05.600
• The agency<00:14:12.040> may<00:14:12.360> be<00:14:12.680> able<00:14:13.040>
• In<00:14:20.360> addition<00:14:20.840> to<00:14:21.040> adopting<00:14:21.480><
• :11.520> to<01:14:11.640> the<01:14:11.760> October<01:14:12.480> date.
• <01:14:13.120> Yeah. closer to the October date. Yeah. closer to the October date. Yeah.

Keywords: 958, all