Transcript Highlights:

• its presence felt in the islands, how they deal with that: identification, surveying, eradication, control
• , and at some point giving up on control and deciding what places they want to preserve versus other
• <00:23:29.280> and identification eradication control and identification eradication control
• <00:23:30.080> giving<00:23:30.320> up<00:23:30.559> on<00:23:30.799> control
• <00:23:31.120> and at some point giving up on control and at some point giving up on control

Bills: HB2240, HB2272, HB2273, HB2274, HB2275

Keywords: appropriations, legislative expenses, auditor, legislative reference bureau, state ethics commission, ombudsman, government transparency, HB2272, Act 026, public employment cost items, emergency appropriations, collective bargaining, bargaining unit 11, BU-11, state employees, excluded employees, salary increases, cost adjustments, health premium payments, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, the state's implementation of internal controls for all of these areas must be tested.
• Deficiencies were noted in the internal controls over the eligibility of recipients.
• Also, overpayments recovered as a result of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, or MFCU, for short, casework
• Finally, deficiencies were noted in the internal controls over properly supporting provider eligibility
• She's the deputy in charge of our Medicaid fraud control unit, or Mafuku.

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the November 2018 minutes and receive a primer on the subcommittee’s role and Medicaid oversight in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s history and explained that Medicaid is audited annually through the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including weaknesses in eligibility and data-matching controls, improper use of Medicaid funds for partially non-Medicaid work, issues with incarcerated juveniles’ coverage, the absence of a Medicaid recovery audit contractor program exception request, reporting problems involving MFCU recoveries, and provider eligibility documentation concerns. Staff also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for further action. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of Medicaid’s structure, eligibility, delivery systems, and budget. DHS described Arkansas Medicaid as covering about 850,000 people through fee-for-service, managed care, and premium assistance for the expansion population, and outlined major spending categories such as institutional care, long-term services, pharmacy, capitated payments, and supplemental payments. DHS also explained the difference between state plan amendments and waivers, and said it has a beneficiary-fraud unit that refers cases to local prosecutors. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, distinguishing between suspensions for credible allegations of fraud and recovery actions for mistakes or overpayments. OMIG said it works with DHS and law enforcement, issues quarterly and annual reports, and has increased recoveries in recent years. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, can also handle long-term care neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases, and works with local prosecutors as special deputies. Committee members asked about court venue, provider suspensions, beneficiary fraud, education of providers, and the status of Medicaid expansion work requirements; DHS said it is preparing to implement community engagement requirements under HR 1 and will begin with a soft launch before full enforcement. No formal votes were taken beyond adoption of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions were answered.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE STATE-BASED PRICE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT IGNORES OTHER STATE POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT
• THERE'S THREE BIG PBM'S THAT CONTROL 80% OF ALL COVERED PLANS, THE PBM'S ARE OWNED BY THE HEALTH PLANS
• IF WE IMPORT CITRATE SYSTEM HERE AND THROUGH A STATE-BASED PRICE CONTROL SYSTEM WE WOULD HAVE SIMILAR
• , WE'VE SEEN PRICE CONTROLS AND MEDICARE RECENTLY, 60% OPTION I KNOW FLORIDA DOESN'T WANT TO DO THAT
• PBM IS IN THIS BILL WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO CONTROL WHETHER THEIR PHARMACY CAN DECLINE TO FILL A

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT THAT MEANS IS WAYS TO CONTROL WEEDS, WAYS TO CONTROL OTHER PESTS AND HARVESTERS AND I'M GOING TO
• A FUNGICIDE APPLICATION AND WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS SCENARIO IS RATHER THAN SPRAY THE WHOLE FIELD TO CONTROL
• MOTHER NATURE PROVIDES THAT CONTROL.
• IT'S OUT OF OUR CONTROL MUCH OF IT BUT THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME AND AI IS A BIG HELP ON OUR FARM. >>
• I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IN MY OWN RESEARCH TEAM WE HAVE, WE DEVELOPED SOMETHING IN A CONTROLLED

Transcript Highlights:

• LOGISTICS, WE ACQUIRED AND DEPLOYED 12,200 LINEAR FEET OF FLOOD CONTROL DEVICES TO HELP FLOOD FIGHT EFFORTS
• LOGISTICS, WE ALMOST TRIPLED WHAT WE PUT OUT FOR LINEAR FEET OF FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS. 3500 FOR THE FLOOD
• I CAN CONTROL WHAT I CAN CONTROL.
• THERE IS AN AGENCY THAT SITS IN DC THAT I CANNOT CONTROL AND TO THAT END ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS
• I CANNOT CONTROL AND TO THAT END ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORICAL PRESERVATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Shifts control from developers to homeowners on a clear timeline.
• Client control period. When a developer loses the control, they lose.
• Number one, they control the election of board members, right?
• When my members are in control, that issue doesn't exist.
• It's about controlling cities. Thank you, ma'am.

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:40.199> of Design the user maintains control of Design the user maintains control of
• Privacy rights protect personal control and individual freedom.
• privacy rights protect personal control privacy rights protect personal control and<00:13:40.079
• I think the idea here is that the customer controls it, whether we allow it in the MDL.
• I think the idea here is that the customer controls it, whether we allow it in the MDL.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the control was still an okay term?
• What we can do for control and also education, which helps with the control. Yeah. And I thank you.
• What we can do for control and also education, which helps with the control. Yeah. And I thank you.
• education, which helps with the control. education, which helps with the control.
• <00:25:52.200> might would understand that control might would understand that control might

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• roles, including now, I continue to champion process improvement and strengthening our internal controls
• process Improvement and strengthening our<00:02:23.319> internal our internal our internal controls
• c> much<00:02:26.640> as<00:02:26.800> we've<00:02:27.080> accomplished controls
• as much as we've accomplished controls as much as we've accomplished to<00:02:27.840> date<00
• and and other provider controlled and and other provider controlled settings<00:32:04.279> uh

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These models align directly with social housing principles like decommodification, community control,
• These models align directly with social housing principles like decommodification, community control,
• In coordination with local jurisdictions, this is not about eliminating local control.
• I think it is all about the local control fight. To be quite honest, part of it is guardrails.
• And so now people, between urban limit lines and really keeping tight control of local control, is because

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• These models align directly with social housing principles like decommodification, community control,
• These models align directly with social housing principles like decommodification, community control
• In coordination with local jurisdictions, this is not about eliminating local control.
• I think it is all about the local control fight. To be quite honest, part of it is guardrails.
• And so now people, between urban limit lines and really keeping tight control of local control, is because

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-finance and permitting reforms aimed at making affordable and middle-income housing projects “pencil.” The first panel focused on the welfare property tax exemption, with witnesses arguing that annual recertifications are outdated, burdensome, and costly for both residents and operators. They urged streamlining by aligning eligibility rules with TCAC or HCD monitoring, allowing one-time qualification at occupancy, and preserving exemptions for projects that remain in compliance, especially as insurance costs and operating deficits are rising sharply. A major portion of the meeting centered on social housing and community land trusts under SB 555. HCD described the state’s ongoing study, due by December 31, 2026 and to be included in the 2027 annual report, and outlined public engagement already completed with residents and practitioners. Community land trust and policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action beyond the study, including expanded tax abatements, public land use, soft loans, and simpler capital stacks. They emphasized that the model should include mixed-income and “missing middle” households, and several members discussed the stigma around the term “social housing,” suggesting a rebrand toward generational or multi-generational housing to broaden public support. The committee also discussed a proposed certified professional program modeled on Vancouver, Canada, to speed plan checks and inspections by allowing state-certified private professionals to perform certain code-compliance functions under local oversight. The witness said this would reduce delays, repeated reviews, and cost overruns while preserving local authority over zoning and enforcement. Members raised concerns about local control, infrastructure costs, and political resistance, but expressed interest in exploring a pilot and further recommendations. In the final panel, housing advocates supported allowing HCD loan funds to be disbursed during construction rather than only after completion. They said this would reduce interest costs, improve project feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes without new appropriations. Members agreed the current system is fragmented and outdated, and several speakers and legislators repeatedly called for streamlined, more flexible financing and permitting tools to support housing production.

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing will focus on a number of budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Cannabis Control
• We will be now talking about issue number four, which is the Department of Cannabis Control.
• Issue number four, which is the Department of Cannabis Control.
• I'm the Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the Department of Cannabis Control.
• The department's primary source of funding is a special fund called the Cannabis Control Fund.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives. The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access. The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing will be. covering proposals from the Governor's budget that are germane to the Local Control
• Seeing none, we will then begin with issue number one, which is the Local Control Funding Formula and
• I'll be going over the Local Control Funding Formula, but the bulk of unrestricted funding. for local
• educational agencies is provided through the Local Control Funding Formula and is distributed based
• So you're allowing districts to have local control over how they program?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it was kind of our weakest. weakest point but we're we've got it under control now and we've asked
• We work with pest control, pesticides. Both agriculture and structural.
• We've got those under control. But it's kind of like an average Hitchcock movie.
• So, you know, we're certainly supportive of any of those control measures.
• So obviously, keeping the feral swine under control...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• time in legislative time when OA reports have come out and there are recommendations for internal controls
• We'll pick 20 internal control changes or recommendations that have come from the OA to a department
• to be made uh we'll pick 20 20 controls to be made uh we'll pick 20 20 internal<00:01:34.119> control
• <00:01:34.759> changes<00:01:35.280> or internal control changes or internal control
• Financial practices internal controls Financial practices internal controls and<00:08:40.159>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3, authored by Chair Nash, which would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report for fiscal committees showing how well agencies have implemented prior audit recommendations, especially those related to financial practices, internal controls, and management. Nash said the bill is intended to give legislators a clearer, ongoing tool to evaluate agencies before making funding decisions and to help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. He noted the bill would use existing audit information rather than create a new reporting burden, though he said it would deepen the review of implementation. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the Office of the Legislative Auditor already tracks implementation to some extent through annual information collected by Minnesota Management and Budget, but that current reporting is based largely on agency self-reporting and is not always independently verified. She said the bill would expand that work and provide the legislature with more useful accountability information. A representative from Americans for Prosperity also supported the bill, calling it a transparency and stewardship measure that would help taxpayers and legislators see whether agencies are following through on recommendations. Several members spoke in favor, describing the bill as a common-sense accountability measure and comparing it to audit practices in local government and private organizations. Nash and Randall also discussed Colorado’s similar process, where audit follow-up information is presented during budget hearings. Members raised concerns about fraud and inefficiency in state government, and Nash said the bill is meant to help lawmakers better protect taxpayer dollars. The committee voted to recommend House File 3 and re-refer it to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:47.279> without insects that are hard to control without insects that are hard to control
• Russo, >> Davido with the division of pesticide control. >> Davido with the Division of Pesticide Control
• Can you tell me like the control board.
• Um I'm my of gets out of control.
• So so there is some effort to control So so there is some effort to control that<04:46:44.718>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I have great concern about usurping local control in this particular area, so that is why I am here
• But I have great concern about usurping local control in this particular area, so that is why I am here
• in this particular area so that control in this particular area so that is<00:19:49.360> why<
• Nearly every state has some sort of an exemption from local control zoning ordinances when it comes to
• from uh local control zoning ordinances when<00:24:30.399> it<00:24:30.559> comes<00:24

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , employee access control, employee access control, and<00:08:50.400> at<00:08:50.560>
• controls to prevent fraud. controls to prevent fraud.
• We should be talking about the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the work that, in committee in Public
• Unit um and the work that Fraud Control Unit um and the work that in<00:56:47.320> committee<
• <00:57:32.880> on<00:57:33.280> non-emergency<00:57:34.000> medical controls on

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It also has it where a certified law enforcement officer or an animal control officer has to be there
• Uh, it also takes where it has to be a certified law enforcement officer or the animal control officer
• And this is after talking with our law enforcement and our animal control people that are here today.
• with our law enforcement and our talking with our law enforcement and our animal<00:10:50.000> control
• people that are here animal control people that are here today.<00:10:51.600> This<00:10:51.760

Bills: SB361

Keywords: dogs, dog tethering, dog confinement, animal welfare, animal cruelty, animal neglect, outdoor shelter, kennel standards, leash laws, trolley system, animal control officer, law enforcement enforcement, service animals, working dogs, hunting dogs, herding dogs, USDA breeder, commercial breeder, pet care, veterinary care

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not replace local control.
• We believe we achieved it. ...remain under local control.
• And so are we overriding that local control voice by implementing the state law?
• And so are we overriding that local control voice by implementing the state law?
• certain issues if we think about land use control.

Keywords: 988, house, all