Transcript Highlights:

• If we were to look back on another way that we try to evaluate things and say, what can we live without
• If we were to look back on another way that we try to evaluate things and say, what can we live without
• But I think that we can at If we were to look back on another way that we try to evaluate things and
• But I think that we can at Evaluate things and say, what can we live without?
• , you know, one, can we achieve evaluate, you know, one, can we achieve the<00:21:24.000> same

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Northern Kentucky building industry representatives Brian Miller and Matt Mains on housing affordability and construction workforce issues. They argued that regulatory and code requirements add significant cost to new homes, citing an estimate of nearly $94,000 per home nationally and $15,000 to $20,000 per home in Boone County over the past decade. They recommended reforms to building code adoption, architectural design mandates, permit fees and delays, and setback/land dedication rules, saying these changes could reduce costs by $25,000 to $35,000 per home without affecting public safety. They also discussed workforce training efforts through the Enzwe Building Institute, dual-credit programs, apprenticeship incentives, and workforce grants, saying these efforts have helped hold wage growth below regional trends and improve housing affordability. Committee members asked about the breakdown of regulatory costs, the effect of energy codes, and ways to speed up permitting. The presenters said the costs were roughly split among federal, state, and local requirements, with local regulations adding about $25,000 to $35,000 and some energy-code changes adding about $19,000 per home. They said faster plan review, coordination with the Kentucky Division of Water, and addressing municipal staffing shortages could cut 30 to 45 days from approvals. Members also discussed the difficulty of building starter homes under about $350,000 and the need for more missing-middle housing, with the presenters saying such homes are hard to produce without sacrificing quality. The committee then took up Representative Kim Moer and Dr. Dale Bertram’s discussion of marriage and family therapist licensing and healthcare workforce data reporting. They explained that the bill would allow Kentucky to recognize out-of-state marriage and family therapists who meet licensure requirements, have no disciplinary history, and have passed the national exam, in order to reduce barriers and address provider shortages, especially in rural areas. They also described a separate workforce data reporting section that would require licensure boards to collect consistent information on where licensees practice and whether they are actively seeing patients, including through telehealth, so the state can better understand its healthcare workforce. Members supported the portability idea, noted that some qualified applicants are currently working in Indiana instead of Kentucky, and asked whether the data collection could be handled administratively; the sponsors said the bill would create consistency across boards. The committee also briefly discussed occupational board updates and the need for stronger communication between legislators and licensing boards, including architecture licensure issues and efforts to recruit more professionals.

Transcript Highlights:

• say that I'm very happy to see compensatory aid funding in this bill as long as a work group to evaluate
• say that I'm very happy to see compensatory aid funding in this bill as long as a work group to evaluate
• Section 16 requires the department to post on its website the rubric used to evaluate curriculum.
• rubric used to evaluate curriculum. rubric used to evaluate curriculum.
• <01:38:08.560> the statutory criteria for evaluating the statutory criteria for evaluating

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Madam Chair, this has to do with the timing of reports, the program evaluation from the director
• Uh, Madam Chair, this has to do with the timing of reports, the program evaluation from the director
• Uh, Madam Chair, this has to do with the timing of reports, the program evaluation from the director
• Uh, Madam Chair, this has to do with the timing of reports, the program evaluation from the director
• this would work and they would evaluate this would work and they would evaluate that<01:16:10.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further, the 24-204 Cast Review, an independent comprehensive evaluation of gender identity services,
• Further, the 24-204 Cast Review, an independent comprehensive evaluation of gender identity services,
• The bill requires contractor selection, evaluation, continuation, expansion, limitation, suspension,
• In addition, we worry that it would limit our flexibility to solicit and evaluate new innovative ideas
• The bill allows the study committee to evaluate fiscal impacts and funding pathways, examine national

Bills: SB1014, SB1094, SB1146, SB1177, SB1192, SB1194, SB1214, SB1372, SB1390, SB1398, SB1399, SB1494, SB1557, SB1561, SB1564, SB1602, SB1603, SB1621, SB1628, SB1629, SB1713, SB1752, SB1776, SB1813, SB1814, SB1821

Keywords: gender transition, gender detransition, health insurance, medical procedures, insurance claims, official documents, Arizona law, gender reassignment, civil liability, minors, medical consent, detransition, dependent children, foster care, periodic review, court hearings, child welfare, public funds, prohibition, Arizona legislation

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several health-related bills, with the longest discussion centered on SB 1214, the Arizona Stem Cell Therapy Act. The bill would regulate stem cell and birth tissue therapies, bar use of tissues derived from aborted fetuses or embryos, require informed consent and disclosure for non-FDA-approved therapies, and create civil and criminal penalties for violations. Supporters framed it as a patient-safety and bioscience-innovation measure, while opponents objected to the abortion-related language and felony penalties. The committee approved SB 1214 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also advanced SB 1194, which would prohibit health professionals and institutions from denying care or reducing care quality based on vaccination status, and SB 1814, which creates a study committee on substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight. SB 1602, increasing monthly stipends for kinship foster care parents, and SB 1603, expanding child-only cash assistance eligibility for certain foster and relative placements, were both amended and passed unanimously. SB 1177, barring public funds from being used for gender transition procedures, and SB 1014, requiring insurance coverage for detransition care and related reporting, both drew strong support and opposition and were each approved on 4-3 votes. Later, the committee unanimously passed SB 1628, requiring insurers and health plans to report claims-denial and prior-authorization data to DIFI for public reporting, and SB 1629, requiring AHCCCS managed care organizations to give advance notice and network-adequacy documentation before terminating high-volume providers without cause. Supporters of both bills emphasized transparency and patient access, while opponents argued the measures duplicated existing federal or state oversight. The committee then heard SB 1752, which would criminalize commercial harvesting or sale of mescaline while preserving a religious-use defense; the sponsor said it was intended to address improper sales of peyote-derived substances, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• basically heads. or tails how we see our community members, our students in our community, for evaluating
• I would like to discuss how faculty is being evaluated in light of declining bar passage rates.
• We provided A 22-page self-assessment and an over 200-page self-evaluation questionnaire.
• All of this was reviewed by A 22-page self-assessment and an over 200-page self-evaluation questionnaire
• ranking purposes, credential purposes with AALS as well as ABA and perhaps even a UNM internal evaluation

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• The board lacked a quality control process to ensure staff evaluated and appropriately approved only
• We also found that the department has not developed a process to regularly evaluate the appropriateness
• In addition to the performance audit findings, the sunset review also evaluated the department across
• There was one category here to develop a time-bound plan for following up on the independent evaluator
• Recommendations three through five are regarding the event settlement reviews, which are CFO evaluates

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Arizona Auditor General’s sunset review of the Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board. The audit found some strengths, including timely licensing and complaint resolution in the sample reviewed and rules that matched statutory curriculum requirements, but it also identified a major finding that the board had imposed inconsistent discipline for similar violations and lacked documentation for deviations from its disciplinary guidelines. Other issues included missing reciprocity education requirements, weak application quality control, incomplete school and establishment oversight, and compliance concerns involving open meeting law, public records, and conflicts of interest. The report made 25 recommendations total, including two tied to the disciplinary finding and three suggested statutory changes on esthetics scope of practice, cease-and-desist authority, and eyelash technician training. The board’s executive director said the board agreed with the findings, had already implemented several recommendations, updated disciplinary policies and conflict-of-interest procedures, and was working on legislation and rule changes. After questions about enforcement consistency, licensing verification, cash handling, complaint volume, and conflict disclosures, the committee voted 7-0 to recommend the board be continued for six years, until July 1, 2032. The committee then took up the Arizona Department of Gaming, the Arizona Racing Commission, and the Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission together. The Auditor General reported that the department correctly distributed more than $158 million in tribal contributions in fiscal year 2024 and issued event wagering licenses to reviewed applicants, but found several problems: the department did not consistently obtain and review independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements, and lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes. The review also found delays in distributing Compact Trust Fund payments to some tribes, gaps in IT security and horse-racing license checks, and incomplete fee-setting and public-records practices. The report made 36 recommendations to the department, six to the Racing Commission, and 13 to the Boxing and MMA Commission, and all three entities said they agreed and would implement them. In response, the Department of Gaming director said the agency was already making changes, including a historical look-back on operator audits, updated guidance to operators, a new constituent services unit and complaint-tracking process, and improved conflict-of-interest training and forms. She also explained the Compact Trust Fund dispute, saying the department administers the fund but the beneficiary tribes must agree on the revenue baseline formula, which has been complicated by COVID-era closures; no Category Three distributions had yet been made. Committee members asked about possible revenue losses, penalties, and the status of 2024-2025 audits, as well as prediction markets and whether they are legal under Arizona’s event wagering framework. The director said the department had issued cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed prediction-market operators, would review licensed operators for suitability if needed, and would continue to enforce Arizona law. The transcript ends while questioning on prediction markets is still underway, before any vote on the gaming-related reviews is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and one last component is evaluation.
• And so, we need a hypothesis, a baseline, and a rigorous evaluation, process measures, outcome measures
• Um, and one last component is evaluation.
• Um, and one last component is evaluation.
• There's some you know evaluation There's some you know evaluation components<00:45:42.200> and

Bills: HB2246, HB2119, HB1929, HB1953, HB1572, HB2549, HB2594, HB2551, HB2595, HB2548, HB2459, HB1931, HB1604, HB1616, HB1736, HB2233, HB2241, HB1891, HB1803, HB2567, HB2534, HB2399, HB2172, HB1595, HB1811, HB2168, HB1780, HB1781, HB1785, HB2122, HB2012, HB2398, HB1779, HB2296, HB1894, HB1925, HB2019, HB1896, HB2294, HB2298, HB2300, HB2344, HB2345, HB2391, HB2037, HB2201, HB1941, HB1635, HB1943, HB2325, HB1926, HB2490, HB1710, HB2545, HB1976, HB2173, HB1804, HB1563, HB2015, HB1619, HB2475, HB1889, HB2367, HB2187, HB1765, HB1452, HB2231, HB1700, HB1705, HB1626, HB1897, HB1642, HB1523, HB2593, HB815, HB1655, HB1596, HB1732, HB1842, HB2476, HB2478, HB2022, HB1588, HB2575, HB1163, HB2153, HB772, HB1519, HB2050, HB2309, HB2147, HB2329, HB2274, HB2280, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2306, HB2148, HB2088, HB1764, HB2438, HB2117, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2155, HB1832, HB2216, HB1601, HB1934, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2454, HB2004, HB2427, HB2207, HB1810, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB2323, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB1691, HB2386, HB2423, HB2121, HB1984, HB1593, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB1643, HB2558, HB1864, HB1898, HB2214, HB2167, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB322, HB1964, HB2218, HB2616, HB1535, HB1574, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2250, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1740, HB1724, HB1733, HB1799, HB1725, HB2049, HB2161, HB1970, HB2519, HB1790, HB2416, HB1873, HB2001, HB2151, HB1603, HB1880, HB1753, HB2198, HB1511, HB1991, HB2546, HB1615, HB1939, HB2140, HB2429, HB1870, HB1850, HB1782, HB2137

Keywords: agriculture, federal grants, Hawaii, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, financial support, coffee, pest control, subsidy program, coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust, economy, biosecurity, invasive species, Molokai, advisory board, quarantine, environmental protection

Bills: HB2246, HB2119, HB1929, HB1953, HB1572, HB2549, HB2594, HB2551, HB2595, HB2548, HB2459, HB1931, HB1604, HB1616, HB1736, HB2233, HB2241, HB1891, HB1803, HB2567, HB2534, HB2399, HB2172, HB1595, HB1811, HB2168, HB1780, HB1781, HB1785, HB2122, HB2012, HB2398, HB1779, HB2296, HB1894, HB1925, HB2019, HB1896, HB2294, HB2298, HB2300, HB2344, HB2345, HB2391, HB2037, HB2201, HB1941, HB1635, HB1943, HB2325, HB1926, HB2490, HB1710, HB2545, HB1976, HB2173, HB1804, HB1563, HB2015, HB1619, HB2475, HB1889, HB2367, HB2187, HB1765, HB1452, HB2231, HB1700, HB1705, HB1626, HB1897, HB1642, HB1523, HB2593, HB815, HB1655, HB1596, HB1732, HB1842, HB2476, HB2478, HB2022, HB1588, HB2575, HB1163, HB2153, HB772, HB1519, HB2050, HB2309, HB2147, HB2329, HB2274, HB2280, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2306, HB2148, HB2088, HB1764, HB2438, HB2117, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2155, HB1832, HB2216, HB1601, HB1934, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2454, HB2004, HB2427, HB2207, HB1810, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB2323, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB1691, HB2386, HB2423, HB2121, HB1984, HB1593, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB1643, HB2558, HB1864, HB1898, HB2214, HB2167, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB322, HB1964, HB2218, HB2616, HB1535, HB1574, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2250, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1740, HB1724, HB1733, HB1799, HB1725, HB2049, HB2161, HB1970, HB2519, HB1790, HB2416, HB1873, HB2001, HB2151, HB1603, HB1880, HB1753, HB2198, HB1511, HB1991, HB2546, HB1615, HB1939, HB2140, HB2429, HB1870, HB1850, HB1782, HB2137

Keywords: agriculture, federal grants, Hawaii, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, financial support, coffee, pest control, subsidy program, coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust, economy, biosecurity, invasive species, Molokai, advisory board, quarantine, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is to evaluate—it is to invalidate the law. Is that right? Right.
• I think we have some data needs that we would need to evaluate, and I know that it probably would require
• June draft agenda, I just have two items based on that discussion: the preliminary 2025 actuarial evaluation
• I mean, I have no idea how much time the evaluation will take.
• So would you... ...state the agenda is to include three items: preliminary 2025 actuarial evaluation,

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Executive Committee approved the April minutes by roll call vote, with members present voting aye and the minutes adopted. Staff then provided an Attorney General update on pension-related litigation, including the newly filed Dawson class action challenging Gross Second Substitute House Bill 2034, the concluded Dolan case, and the Fowler case, where the trial court orally ruled for plaintiffs on interest calculations and potential disgorgement of state gains, with a written ruling still pending. Committee members emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and regular reporting on the Dawson case because of its potential impact on the committee and retirement systems. An actuarial update followed, noting that June will include the preliminary 2025 valuation results and contribution-rate information, along with commentary on the demographic experience study. Staff said actuarial resources are limited and asked that any additional actuarial agenda items be scheduled for July or later. The committee also discussed the draft interim work plan and agreed to move the OSA annual update to July. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on Plan 1 COLA policy. Retiree representatives urged the committee to keep working on both immediate ad hoc COLA relief and a longer-term ongoing COLA solution. Members discussed a possible budget proviso requiring legislators to consider a COLA each budget cycle, and staff was asked to develop proposals for further discussion. The committee also agreed to add a June briefing on the PERS/PEACERS request involving animal control technicians, and to include an introductory Plan 3 briefing, with possible comparison to Plan 2, on the June agenda. Staff also explained changes to correspondence handling, including removing letters from the public website to better protect privacy while still making records available upon request. The committee approved the revised June agenda and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorities who are telling us how important the IRS determination will be before us so we can kind of evaluate
• and I will probably have to do a little bit of a dance, but the study itself does require it to evaluate
• and I will probably have to do a little bit of a dance, but the study itself does require it to evaluate
• But the study itself does require it to evaluate the actuarial impacts, and so that piece will be evaluated

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy Executive Committee approved the June minutes and received a brief update from Assistant Attorney General Jesse Yoder, who had no litigation updates but offered to answer questions. Actuary Michael Harbour then previewed the September full committee meeting, which will include a report on the financial condition of the DRS-administered pension plans and the state actuary’s recommended economic assumptions. He also cautioned that any actuarial pricing done over the summer could change if assumptions are updated, and suggested taking votes on potential legislation later in the interim, possibly in November or December. A discussion followed about the Left 1 benefit improvement and where the funding came from. Harbour said the benefit tied to SSB 5791 (2022) was paid from the Left 1 trust fund, while a separate Left 2 benefit improvement was in SHB 1701, and he agreed to double-check the issue with DRS after members raised conflicting information. Members then discussed the broader Left 1 study, including whether IRS approval is a key barrier and whether options are limited to merger or closure. Several members asked to hear from Ice Miller, which has been advising on the tax issues, and staff said the committee should receive a written response in the next couple of weeks and could have Ice Miller appear in October. The committee reviewed and adjusted its interim work plan. September will include the actuarial presentations, a more detailed Left 1 study update, and a presentation on PERS and TERS Plan 1 COLAs, including a recap of the bill recommended this year and initial considerations for an ad hoc COLA. October is expected to include DRS administrative and performance updates, with November reserved for the State Investment Board update and a final Left 1 study update, and December may include an educational presentation on excess compensation. Members also requested a future briefing on the month-of-death benefit discussion. The September agenda was adopted, correspondence materials were noted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We, so precisely what this would do, would establish a three-year pilot program to evaluate the inclusion
• outcomes of the screenings, and the Commissioner of Public Health will submit an annual report evaluating
• I'm pleased to support today's petition, which would establish a three-year pilot program to evaluate
• Recently, we re-evaluated the epidemiology of pediatric celiac disease in Italy, and were surprised to
• I am pleased to support H. 5013 / S. 2928, which would establish a three-year pilot program to evaluate

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on four bills: H. 5013 and S. 2928, which would establish a three-year celiac disease screening pilot program for children during routine cholesterol/lipid screening at ages 8 to 12; H. 5087, regulating medical spas; and H. 5115, establishing statewide food truck regulations, though the transcript focused almost entirely on the celiac and medical spa bills. For the celiac proposal, Rep. Badger and Sen. Lovely described long diagnostic delays, the lack of a cure, and the potential for a simple blood test to identify children earlier and reduce long-term harm. Multiple patients, clinicians, and researchers supported the pilot, saying celiac is frequently missed because symptoms vary widely or are absent, and that early detection could prevent malnutrition, growth problems, osteoporosis, and other complications. Testifiers also emphasized that the bill would study feasibility, accuracy, cost, and acceptability, and would include family education and support resources if diagnoses are made through the program. Several experts and advocates backed the celiac screening pilot, including a pediatric gastroenterologist from Italy who described successful national screening efforts there, a Celiac Disease Foundation representative, pediatric gastroenterologists from Massachusetts and Colorado, a pediatric dietitian, and a parent whose child was diagnosed after severe malnutrition. They argued that routine screening alongside existing pediatric bloodwork could identify many undiagnosed children and improve health equity, since celiac disease is often overlooked in people of color and lower-income patients. Committee members asked about how the screening would work, and witnesses explained it could begin with a blood test, followed by confirmatory endoscopy if needed. No vote was taken in the hearing. On H. 5087, witnesses from the medical aesthetics industry largely opposed the bill as written, saying it was outdated, redundant with existing Massachusetts licensing and board oversight, and too restrictive for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other licensed providers. Testifiers, including a retired lobbyist, a nurse practitioner, a PA, a plastic surgeon, and a clinic owner, said the bill could reduce access, raise costs, and push care into less regulated settings, while not addressing the real issues of training, compliance, and patient safety. Committee members pressed for more specific feedback on what provisions were unnecessary or duplicative, and witnesses said they had submitted position papers and written testimony identifying conflicts with current law. The hearing ended with the chair noting that all oral and written testimony would be reviewed before any decisions are made.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a matter of fact, they haven't been evaluated for it.
• I wanted to read the warning, or the statement. 13.1, spike vaccine has not been evaluated for carcinogenic
• TOXIC  OR THAT THEY'RE NOT CARCINOGENIC 462 AND AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY  HAVEN'T BEEN EVALUATED
• Have not been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential or impairment of fertility.
• THAT CAUSES CANCER 481 BECAUSE IT'S A PROBLEM. 482 THIS IS MMR TWO VACCINES 483 HAVE NOT  BEEN EVALUATED

Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum present and heard several bills, with HB 1483 temporarily postponed. The most contentious measure was HB 945, which would create a state counterintelligence/counterterrorism team within FDLE. The sponsor said it was aimed at terrorists, nation-state actors, and other criminal threats, not political speech, and noted an amendment would address First Amendment concerns later. Opponents from the First Amendment Foundation, ACLU Florida, and other groups argued the bill was too vague, lacked guardrails, and could enable surveillance of protected speech or political activity. Members also raised questions about fiscal impact, oversight, warrants, and the bill’s July start date. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 945 favorably by roll call vote. The committee then unanimously passed HB 6507, a claims bill appropriating funds to compensate for damages caused by departmental negligence. HB 813, which clarifies Florida’s firefighter cancer law and death-benefit provisions, also passed after an amendment narrowed the bill and added language allowing a firefighter’s family to receive the death benefit if the firefighter separates from employment and dies within one year. Firefighter representatives supported the bill as a compassionate fix, while one local firefighter representative opposed the amendment, saying it would remove protections and create an arbitrary cutoff. Sponsors responded that DROP would not be affected and that the change was intended to help terminally ill firefighters spend their final days at home without losing survivor benefits. Finally, HB 365, dealing with law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism, passed favorably. Supporters, including family members and autism advocates, said in-person training and positive interactions are crucial to preventing escalations and tragedies during police encounters. They described real-life incidents where lack of training led to harmful outcomes and urged adoption of the bill’s training provisions. Members from both parties voiced support, calling the measure overdue and important for both public safety and the autism community. The chair closed the meeting by noting it was likely the committee’s last budget meeting and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• medical providers to receive funding through the Cancer Innovation Fund, as well as to provide an evaluation
• report, which will include the results of completed and ongoing research, and also a five-year evaluation
• continue reviewing the Cancer Innovation Fund applications, to award those grants, to monitor and evaluate
• And I know that is set up with peer review to evaluate the process.
• And I know that is set up with peer review to evaluate the projects, both when they’re presented, but

Summary: The committee first received an update from the Department of Health on the Cancer Connect Collaborative, the Cancer Innovation Fund, and the new Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, created and expanded by recent legislation. The department reported that the Cancer Innovation Fund has awarded $80 million to 95 researchers to date, with $60 million available in the current cycle and 65 projects funded across 28 institutions in 16 cancer areas last year. The new pediatric cancer incubator received $30 million and awarded four Florida children’s hospitals $7.5 million each. Senators asked about outreach to oncologists statewide, peer review and accountability, funding for National Cancer Institute-affiliated institutions, and whether underserved and rural areas are being prioritized; the department said it uses website notices, listservs, collaborative outreach, and eligibility criteria favoring rural and high-cancer-care providers, and that it monitors projects through reports, expenditures, and contract provisions. The committee then heard Senate Bill 312 on patient-directed medical orders, which would create a voluntary, portable, physician-authorized electronic registry for patients to document end-of-life and serious-illness treatment preferences. Supporters, including nurses, hospice and emergency care advocates, and medical professionals, said the bill would help ensure patient wishes are accessible in emergencies, reduce unwanted interventions, and improve continuity of care. Opponents, including Florida Right to Life, argued the bill could broaden end-of-life decisions too far, raise privacy and coercion concerns, and allow withdrawal of care inappropriately. The sponsor said the measure is intended to support patient autonomy and is not anti-life, and noted she was open to amendments. After public testimony, the committee voted on SB 312 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed support from Senators Berman and Harrell, with the bill passing on the committee vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE IDD PILOT EVALUATION, WE ARE IN PROGRESS TO DEVELOP A REQUEST FOR COTE RELATED TO THE EXPANSION STATE
• TO THE AGENCY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE HAVE A WELL-DESIGNED EVALUATION FOR THIS PROGRAM.
• WE WERE DIRECTED TO COMPLETE AN ANALYSIS EVALUATING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS USING
• IT HAS BECOME QUITE HOW STRICTLY EXECUTED TO PERFORM THIS EVALUATION REPORT AND WE ARE ON TRACK TO SUBMIT
• I THINK WE ARE EVALUATING WHETHER THE CENTRALIZED CREDENTIALING WILL BE ROLLED OUT.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they should monitor, manage program performance through monitoring and evaluation.
• development goals and to discover we actually don't really have performance outcome goals or an evaluation
• very numerous different sectors that it will take to have a goal, a set of strategic goals and evaluations
• that, you know, an evaluation system, I should say, that takes into account.
• An evaluation system, I should say, that takes into account many different sectors.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation would permit the department to receive all charges, including pending charges, so they can evaluate
• would allow the department to receive charges that are pending, not just convictions, so they can evaluate
• They currently evaluate convictions and use similar types of convictions when looking to exclude people
• <00:04:48.720> when<00:04:48.880> they're currently evaluate when they're currently
• evaluate when they're convicted<00:04:49.720> and<00:04:49.840> we<00:04:49.960> would

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The formative evaluation highlighted the value of case-based learning and identified some implementation
• Again, evaluations found positive feedback on the value of simulations and active learning.
• Again, evaluations found positive feedback on the value of simulations and active learning.
• We've been providing robust evaluation support to make sure that it's being implemented well and that
• Took him to Appalachia Center here to have him evaluated. The child was then released.

Summary: The committee heard three presentations focused on child welfare workforce development and the needs of children in Florida’s dependency system. First, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare described its Grow Center and related initiatives, including academic curriculum enhancements, simulations, virtual reality training, coaching, on-demand learning, advanced certifications, and the planned Tallahassee learning lab opening in January 2026. Members asked about conflict resolution, domestic violence, addiction, and microcredentials; the presenter said the institute is expanding training in those areas and is working with DCF to align advanced certifications with the department’s career ladder. The Department of Children and Families then presented on the Continue the Mission initiative, which recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers into CPI, API, and case management roles. DCF said it has held more than 240 hiring events and hired 372 such workers since launch, while also improving recruitment and retention through higher starting pay, streamlined hiring, rebranding, wellness supports, and enhanced pre-service training. Senators asked about PTSD concerns, staffing levels, caseloads, hotline vacancies, and salaries; DCF said it had not seen direct PTSD issues from the hiring effort and provided figures including a $50,000 starting salary for CPIs, $37,000 for APIs, and average caseloads of 12 to 15 investigations for CPIs and about 10 for APIs. Finally, DCF discussed the increased acuity of children in the dependency system, explaining that fewer children are entering care overall but those who do often have more complex behavioral, mental health, developmental, or medical needs. The department highlighted a new Behavioral Qualified Residential Treatment Program (BQRTP) designed for youth who need more intensive support than traditional foster or group home settings but do not require inpatient psychiatric treatment; one facility is licensed with 12 of 14 beds filled, and DCF said it is seeking funding for placement for 230 youth total. Members pressed for details on licensure timelines, standards, funding, and the handling of crossover youth and lockouts, and DCF said it uses braided funding and works with DJJ, APD, and lead agencies through local and state review teams. A representative of the Florida Coalition for Children also testified, saying the issue is complex and multi-year, and that the coalition is working on possible legislative and programmatic solutions. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they need to be the metric that we evaluate our schools upon.
• Let's reimagine how we evaluate our schools.
• school, and I'm here to be excited and to learn," and not just as a statistic and a number to be evaluated
• In fact, I think we could guarantee a better bill written by these students to evaluate their performance

Keywords: House Bill 8, standardized testing, student testimony, education policy, mental health, parent concerns, Texas Education Agency

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the impacts of House Bill 8, which proposes increasing the frequency of state testing for students in Texas. During the meeting, various testimonies were provided by students, highlighting their concerns about the negative effects of standardized testing on their educational experience. Students expressed that the pressure of multiple assessments causes significant stress and detracts from the joy of learning. Some lawmakers voiced their opposition to the bill, emphasizing the need for a thorough review and consideration of alternative evaluation methods that prioritize student well-being over testing metrics.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they need to be the metrics that we evaluate our schools upon.
• Let's reimagine how we evaluate our schools.
• this school, and I'm here to be excited and to learn and not just as a statistic and a number to be evaluated
• In fact, I think we could guarantee a better bill written by these students to evaluate their performance

Transcript Highlights:

• million per year to a higher number of $67 million per year for the additional special education evaluation
• We talked about how HB 2 doesn't just allow through policy for additional evaluations, but it funds those
• evaluations.
• To accommodate the goals within the bill, evaluation incentives for this biennium.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all