Transcript Highlights:

• just pull the rug out from under them, and so I think we really need to think about this process in a smart

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community College also had a lock grant proposed in the January budget, and there was no adjustments

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community College also had a lock grant proposed in the January budget, and there was no adjustments

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we as a state are not going to say that it is ok for you to lock a child into a contract.

Bills: SB1687 , HB1687 , HB4431 , HB2894 , HB2979 , HB3262 , HB3298 , HB3369 , HB3431 , HB3462 , SB1226 , SB1876 , SB1916 , SB1920 , HB3467 , HB3498 , HB3500 , HB3521 , HB3581 , HB3650 , HB3673 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3781 , HB3800 , HB3831 , HB3834 , HB3941 , HB2749 , HB3970 , HB3972 , HB3979 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB3996 , HB4095 , HB4104 , HB4191 , HB4248 , HB4298 , HB4338 , HB4427 , HB4428 , HJR1023 , HB3660 , HB3718 , HB4326 , HB3443 , HB3880 , HB3649 , HB3000 , SB1651 , SB504 , SB372 , SB1326 , SB1633 , SB248 , SB1242 , SB1238 , SB423 , SB1989 , SB1286 , SB904 , SB1213 , SB1216 , SB1827 , SB65 , SB1390 , SB259 , SB1944 , SB540 , SB2139 , SB346 , SB1595 , SB1400 , SB1555 , SB1209 , SB2110 , SB1670 , SB1061 , SB2104 , HR1057 , SB1946 , SB1734 , SB1316 , SB1360 , SB1557 , SB1684 , SB2049 , SB1410 , SB2011 , SB1437 , SB1204 , SB1732 , SB1775 , SB2084 , SB1380 , SB1572 , SB1772 , SB1224 , SB710 , SB1338 , SB1266 , SB1303 , SB1307 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1191 , SB1983 , SB1832 , SB1448 , SB1534 , SB1593 , SB1597 , SB1630 , SB1489 , SB1726 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1877 , SB1451 , SB1553 , SB1632 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1502 , SB2180 , SB1725 , SB2182 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB4434 , HB4324 , HB4342 , HB2137 , HB4432 , SJR50 , SJR52 , SJR53

Keywords: driver licenses, exam proctor, Service Oklahoma, commercial training, background checks, advance directive, advance health care directive, health care proxy, medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney for health care, living will, surrogate decision-maker, default surrogate, health care agent, capacity determination, supported decision making, mental health directive, psychiatric advance directive, end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• And we still don't have a good lock on that number, and we won't have that probably until we have done

Bills: HB2268 , HB3000 , HB3043 , HB3066 , HB3078 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB3320 , HB3467 , HB3321 , HB3329 , HB3431 , HB3464 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3586 , HB3590 , HB3650 , HB3671 , HB3695 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3834 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB3940 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4294 , HB4302 , HB4317 , HB4324 , HB4359 , HB4426 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4434 , HJR1077 , SR42 , SR35 , HJR1023 , HB1225 , HB1374 , HB1381 , HB1590 , HB1675 , HB2153

Keywords: HB2268, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, appropriation, General Revenue Fund, PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, elderly care, aging Oklahomans, long-term care, Medicaid, health care funding, provider reimbursement, rate increase, low-income seniors, senior services, integrated care, emergency measure, cosmetology, barbering

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, gallery introductions, and extended farewell remarks from Senator Jett, who reflected on his six years in the Legislature, his focus on representing constituents, protecting families, and holding government accountable. Several senators responded with personal tributes, praising his conviction, faith, family involvement, and willingness to ask difficult questions. No votes were taken during the farewell portion. The chamber then considered House Bill 2268, a PACE appropriation to support comprehensive care for low-income seniors and expand services in rural Oklahoma. The bill was amended to restore the title, advanced, and passed 34-9, then passed as an emergency measure 36-7. House Bill 3000, a cosmetology and barbering measure, made multiple changes including board reorganization, adding a human trafficking specialist and massage therapist, shifting some licensing functions to Service Oklahoma, and eliminating the massage therapy advisory board. It drew significant debate over process and policy, especially from senators concerned about late changes, lack of board input, and the human trafficking rationale; it passed 25-19 and then as an emergency 33-11. The Senate also passed House Bill 3043, allowing the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to hire prorated seasonal staff for veterans homes, 37-6; House Bill 3066, creating a revolving fund for federal workforce training money for behavioral health recruitment and retention, 38-6 and as an emergency; and House Bill 3078, allowing donation options on state payment forms for the ODVA revolving fund, 45-0 and as an emergency. Additional measures passed included House Bill 3143, extending the moratorium on new medical marijuana business licenses to 2028, 39-7; House Bill 3144, capping medical marijuana commercial grower licenses at 2,550 after amendment, 34-12; House Bill 3244 on identity theft, 46-0; House Bill 3298 on child interview procedures in court cases, 46-0 and as an emergency; House Bill 3320, replacing the traditional sunset process with more immediate legislative review of agencies, 33-13 and as an emergency; House Bill 3321, requiring county data collection and reporting related to court costs and financial obligations, 45-0 and as an emergency; House Bill 3329, a trailer bill adding a repealer and a sunset for the Board of Psychological Examiners, 33-10 and as an emergency; House Bill 3431, expanding restrictions on foreign entities owning or leasing land and critical minerals, 43-0; House Bill 3464, setting safety and training requirements for certain projects involving fire code compliance and decommissioning, 43-0 and as an emergency; and House Bill 3499, expanding special judges’ authority over vehicle title orders, which was presented and advanced as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• A landlord has changed the locks. A lease was never provided or suddenly changed.

Bills: HF1141

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing, finance, affordable housing, infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, supportive housing, homeless prevention, elderly assistance, community development, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That is, uh, the carp deterrent at Lock and Dam extension.

Bills: HF3879

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: outdoor heritage, conservation, habitat restoration, natural resources, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:27:13.200><c> far</c> Representative Boy asked whether that could present problems as far as locking

Bills: HB1881 , HB2218 , HB1956 , HB2151 , HB1845 , HB1844 , HB2103 , HB2424 , HB1650 , HB376 , HB2599 , HB1861

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• "And that's why we're having to replace all of the locks throughout the whole system.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire was the first state to introduce something called the lock boxes across the entire state

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on January 23, 2026, to approve prior minutes and receive an update from the Department of Health and Human Services. The main presentation focused on “Project Compass,” an internal cross-department effort to prepare for changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility. Department staff said the goal is to maintain continuous coverage for eligible people, align policy, operations, communications, legal, finance, and eligibility work, and use the new integrated New HEIGHTS system to streamline implementation. They emphasized outreach to beneficiaries, providers, managed care organizations, and other partners, and said temporary manual workarounds had already been used to stay in compliance with fast-moving SNAP changes. Members questioned how the department would avoid repeating the costly outreach effort used in a prior Medicaid work-requirement rollout. Department officials said they are focusing on ex parte processes, sharing eligibility information across programs, and using community partners to reduce duplicate contacts and paperwork. They also said the department is monitoring the SNAP error rate closely, expects automation and a planned system contract amendment to help reduce it, and noted that current error rates are trending downward and remain below the national average. Questions were also raised about possible future SNAP restrictions on certain foods; the department said it can implement whatever the legislature directs, but that defining and administering such restrictions would be complex. The commissioner and CFO then outlined the department’s budget reduction plan. They said the department has begun implementing required “back of the budget” reductions for fiscal year 2026, using contract savings and not cutting existing services where possible. Examples included dental and home-visitation contracts, where spending was adjusted based on utilization and projected need. Officials said they had already written down a little over $15 million in prior-year encumbrances, but that this one-time source will not be available next year, making fiscal year 2027 more difficult. They also explained the difference between legally required back-of-budget cuts and lapse, and said staffing remains a major challenge because vacancies have increased and customer-facing service levels are strained. Dr. Jonathan Ballard then began an update on opioid overdose fatalities, presenting the latest medical examiner data and describing the long-term rise in deaths after fentanyl entered the illicit drug supply, with a peak in 2017 and a later increase in 2022. The transcript cuts off before his full presentation and any further committee action beyond discussion of the minutes and receipt of the department updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• It almost was like a smear campaign instead of locking into factual stuff, which all of these institutions

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even just helping Payne to change the locks on my situation because I had someone, when they started.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's risk that future legislators will spend it in a way that's really not smart.
• <01:41:25.199><c> that's</c><01:41:25.520><c> really</c><01:41:25.840><c> not</c><01:41:26.320><c> smart
• </c> uh in a way that's really not smart. uh in a way that's really not smart.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's good for families, and it's also a smart investment for the state because supporting caregivers
• and</c><05:23:30.160><c> it's</c><05:23:30.320><c> also</c><05:23:30.480><c> a</c><05:23:30.638><c> smart
• </c> families and it's also a smart families and it's also a smart investment<05:23:31.200><c> for</c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hey, if my my tools were put in the tool shed and they locked the put in the tool shed and they locked
• the put in the tool shed and they locked the door.

Bills: HJR 1 , HB 9 , HB 21 , HB 26 , HB 30 , HB 37 , HB 116 , HB 630 , HB 879 , HB 913 , HB 1151 , HB 1318 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 2703 , HB 2809 , HB 2890 , HB 2970 , HB 3307 , HB 3526 , HB 5092 , SB 128 , SB 203 , SB 317 , SB 393 , SB 397 , SB 644 , SB 731 , SB 801 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1073 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1232 , SB 1250 , SB 1262 , SB 1285 , SB 1310 , SB 1359 , SB 1444 , SB 1483 , SB 1705 , SB 1782 , SB 1861 , SB 1897 , SB 1944 , SB 2023 , SB 2043 , SB 2082 , SB 2133 , SB 2215 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2309 , SB 2532 , SB 2549 , SB 2566 , SB 2617 , SB 2619 , SB 2639 , SB 2688 , SB 2696 , SB 2717 , SB 2790 , SB 2841 , SB 2847 , SB 2850 , SB 2857 , SB 2891 , SB 2919 , SB 2928 , SB 2972 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 1 , SB 260 , SB 1506 , SB 1637 , HB 37 , HB 109 , HB 334 , HB 1130 , HB 1238 , HB 1327 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 1689 , HB 2081 , HB 2809 , HB 2884 , HB 2890 , HB 4215 , HB 5092 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SB 644 , SB 1086 , SB 1230 , SB 1310 , SB 1361 , SB 1553 , SB 1778 , SB 1790 , SB 2344 , SB 2460 , SB 2515 , SB 2600 , SB 2747 , SB 2751 , SB 2785 , SB 2790 , SB 3047 , SB 3048 , SB 3050 , SB 3051 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3056 , SB 3058 , SB 3061 , HJR 1 , HB 1130 , HB 1689 , HB 2884 , HB 1393 , HB 2559 , HB 26 , HB 3012 , HB 1327 , HB 109 , HB 1238 , HB 2890 , HB 9 , HB 4215 , HB 2970 , HB 37 , HB 1899 , HB 1593 , HB 2607 , HB 3526 , HB 3810 , HB 5092 , HB 388 , HB 2809 , HB 1151 , HB 913 , HB 3307 , HB 879 , HB 116 , HB 12 , HB 2703 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 30 , HB 21 , HB 2712 , HB 2692 , HB 1633 , HB 1318 , HB 685 , HB 630 , HB 4753 , HB 2742 , HB 303 , HB 198 , HB 1535 , HB 762 , HB 148 , HB 1520 , HB 5061 , HB 2286 , HB 1606 , HB 1041 , HB 132 , HB 11 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SB 2023 , SB 1310 , SB 2972 , SB 1073 , SB 2847 , SB 2532 , SB 2619 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 2458 , SB 801 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 2797 , SB 2076 , SB 2876 , SB 1640 , SB 1449 , SB 1181 , SB 1359 , SB 1234 , SB 2926 , SB 2841 , SB 1528 , SB 2891 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 1285 , SB 1237 , SB 2819 , SB 629 , SB 2608 , SB 1602 , SB 2009 , SB 2460 , SB 867 , SB 640 , SB 1698 , SB 2680 , SB 2994 , SB 2747 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1483 , SB 1444 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1703 , SB 2133 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2622 , SB 2955 , SB 2334 , SB 1861 , SB 2043 , SB 1367 , SB 2857 , SB 128 , SB 3058 , SB 2044 , SB 2363 , SB 2565 , SB 1888 , SB 3048 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3036 , SB 3057 , SB 3056 , SB 3043 , SB 3050 , SB 3063 , SB 3035 , SB 1790 , SB 1778 , SB 203 , SB 3061 , SB 2799 , SB 2790 , SB 2688 , SB 2515 , SB 1230 , SB 2522 , SB 2639 , SB 2459 , SB 3051 , SB 2655 , SB 2251 , SB 1884 , SB 2617 , SB 2751 , SB 2928 , SB 2566 , SB 1897 , SB 1749 , SB 1361 , SB 2549 , SB 2553 , SB 2919 , SB 1782 , SB 1705 , SB 2696 , SB 1944 , SB 2215 , SB 644 , SB 1232 , SB 2850 , HB 45 , HB 48 , HB 1261 , HB 1465 , HB 1778 , HB 2596 , HB 5238 , HB 33 , HB 1188 , HB 210 , HB 1022 , HB 1458 , HB 5560 , HB 1240 , HB 1950 , HB 2027 , HB 2768 , HB 2788 , HB 2791 , HB 3146 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 1893 , HB 3700 , HB 4850 , HB 4187 , HB 1397 , HB 4885 , HB 4804 , HB 3751 , HB 3611 , HB 2775 , HB 2061 , HB 2003 , HB 1729 , HB 1242 , HB 791 , HB 2029 , HB 647 , HB 2522 , HB 4738 , HB 3033 , HB 3594 , HB 3474 , HB 2563 , HB 2802 , HCR 90 , SJR 87 , SB 2969 , SB 3073 , SB 2497 , SB 1798 , SB 2603 , SB 2607 , SB 781 , SJR 34 , SB 17 , SB 314 , SB 455 , SB 509 , SB 529 , SB 541 , SB 693 , SB 761 , SB 963 , SB 1023 , SB 1968 , SB 2122 , SB 2308 , SB 2371 , SB 2420 , SB 2544 , SJR 87 , SB 1285 , SB 1359 , SB 2857 , SB 3073 , HJR 1 , HB 9 , HB 21 , HB 116 , HB 913 , HB 1151 , HB 1899 , HB 2970 , HB 3307 , SB 1073 , SB 1310 , SB 2532 , SB 2619 , SB 2847 , SB 2972 , SB 128 , SB 2043 , SR 393 , SR 511 , SR 518 , SR 520 , SB 314 , SB 455 , SB 761 , SB 1023 , SB 2122 , SB 2371 , SB 2420 , SB 17 , SB 509 , SB 644 , SB 1230 , SB 1361 , SB 1778 , SB 1790 , SB 2460 , SB 2515 , SB 2747 , SB 2751 , SB 2790 , SB 3048 , SB 3050 , SB 3051 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3056 , SB 3058 , SB 3061 , HB 37 , HB 109 , HB 1130 , HB 1238 , HB 1327 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 1689 , HB 2809 , HB 2884 , HB 2890 , HB 4215 , HB 5092 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SB 1086 , SB 1553 , HJR 182 , HB 4 , HB 24 , HB 46 , HB 101 , HB 146 , HB 170 , HB 214 , HB 305 , HB 426 , HB 549 , HB 551 , HB 594 , HB 722 , HB 824 , HB 1119 , HB 1579 , HB 2215 , HB 2458 , HB 2530 , HB 2674 , HB 2713 , HB 2974 , HB 3015 , HB 3151 , HB 3180 , HB 3221 , HB 3359 , HB 3556 , HB 4088 , HB 4211 , HB 4396 , HB 4413 , HB 4580 , HB 4609 , HB 4864 , HB 5088 , HB 5154 , HB 5263 , HB 2294 , HJR 182 , HB 4 , HB 24 , HB 46 , HB 101 , HB 146 , HB 170 , HB 214 , HB 305 , HB 426 , HB 549 , HB 551 , HB 594 , HB 722 , HB 824 , HB 1119 , HB 1579 , HB 2215 , HB 2458 , HB 2530 , HB 2674 , HB 2713 , HB 2974 , HB 3015 , HB 3151 , HB 3180 , HB 3221 , HB 3359 , HB 3556 , HB 4088 , HB 4211 , HB 4396 , HB 4413 , HB 4580 , HB 4609 , HB 4864 , HB 5088 , HB 5154 , HB 5263 , HB 2294

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief

Transcript Highlights:

• records are usually, well, they're in a computer system that we have access to, and then they're locked
• records are usually, well, they're in a computer system that we have access to, and then they're locked
• records are usually, well, they're in a computer system that we have access to, and then they're locked

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That budget's pretty much locked in."

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:28 Approval of Minutes 0:00:40 Information Items 0:01:13 Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:26:46 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:30:53 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:39:20 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:52:42 Econ Development – EDF Grants 0:55:15 OFM Debt Issues 0:58:43 Informational Discussion 1:44:36 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of minutes, and informational items on school district financing and KCTCS equipment purchases. It then considered two KCTCS capital projects after initially rolling them together and later unrolling them: a Fire Commission Fire Academy maintenance building project that had grown from an original $2 million authorization to $4.7 million because of design changes, soil issues, and higher mechanical costs, and a $1.5 million renovation of the Blake Lee building at Somerset Community College for a health science simulation lab. Members questioned the large cost increase on the fire academy project and the adequacy of front-end due diligence, while KCTCS said the project was bid and ready to proceed and that a 15% contingency had been included. Both projects were approved by roll call vote, with the Blake Lee project ultimately approved after the committee unrolled the items and took them separately. The committee next heard and approved a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for the Hamburg East Medical Office Building, a five-story, 220,000-square-foot facility with a not-to-exceed budget of $275 million. UK said the project is intended to expand outpatient access, consolidate some services, and support projected growth in patient volume; the building will house multiple specialties, urgent care, therapy, imaging, and a retail pharmacy. Members asked about possible community uses, consolidation of services, and whether the project would free up other space, and UK said it hopes to consolidate some services and free campus space. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved three UK lease renegotiations: a specialty pharmacy and infusion services lease at Wellington Way in Lexington, a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences lease at Conte Terrace, and a College of Social Work lease at McGrath Park Way. Members asked about rising lease rates, occupancy, and whether space needs should be reduced; UK and the lessor’s representative said the pharmacy space remains busy, the ophthalmology lease was lower than before, and the social work lease had been negotiated down from a higher request. The committee also approved a Department of Military Affairs project amendment for a Mutual Field Maintenance Shop Restoration project, increasing federal funding by $1 million to $4.5 million because of higher construction costs, and approved a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation project funded by bond and HBCU Title III funds. Finally, it approved a new lease for the Office of Mines and Minerals in Pike County, a new lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Pulaski County, and a lease renewal for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kenton County after questions about rent increases and office utilization; the cabinet said the Kenton County space still has limited vacancy and remains in use by field staff. The meeting ended as the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority began presenting six sewer and water loans and six cleaner water program grant reallocations, with members agreeing to roll those items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we do that with paper by locking it in file cabinets and then having badge access to our buildings

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thomas Locke, Department of Finance, nothing for her to add. Joanne, oh, excuse me. Jwantar, L.O.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and extensive testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and advocates for older adults and people with disabilities. The administration described IHSS as a large and growing program serving more than 900,000 recipients, and outlined three proposals: shifting the cost of growth in authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The LAO said the overall budget estimates appeared reasonable but raised concerns about the hours-per-case proposal, including the lack of a comprehensive root-cause analysis, the limited control counties have over statewide cost growth, and uncertainty about how the baseline and savings would work. CWDA, SEIU, and consumer advocates strongly opposed the hours cost shift, arguing that counties use state-designed tools, that demographic changes and rising need explain much of the growth, and that the proposal would pressure counties to cut services and destabilize care. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the administration about the proposed baseline, the claimed savings, and whether the measure effectively circumvents the county maintenance-of-effort agreement. On the backup provider system, the administration said the statewide program is underutilized and administratively expensive, and proposed eliminating it to save about $3.5 million. The LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced while preserving some version of the program. County and consumer advocates opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical safety net when regular providers are unavailable, especially in rural areas and for people with complex needs. They argued that low utilization reflects the difficulty of finding emergency backup care, not lack of need, and that many counties already rely on local backup systems or other models. Committee members also pressed for better data on requests, fulfillment, and administrative costs, and discussed whether the state could support local alternatives instead of eliminating the program. The final topic was the proposal to align IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations by automating the process when recipients fail to complete Medi-Cal redeterminations. The administration said this would reduce General Fund costs by about $86 million by preventing payment of IHSS in the residual program when recipients are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal, while also automating reinstatement when Medi-Cal is restored. The LAO noted the proposal has been rejected in prior years and suggested improved notice and communication to recipients as an alternative. CWDA and advocates warned that the change could create gaps in care, especially for people who lose Medi-Cal for procedural reasons, and urged additional safeguards such as better notices, faster reprocessing, and automatic reinstatement. Members questioned how many people would be affected, how the residual program currently works, and whether providers could go unpaid during the gap; the department said the automation is already built and would be activated if the proposal is approved. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the committee moved through public comment and questioning without final action on the proposals in the excerpt provided.