Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, without this role, we have faced volunteer shortage increases, and our staff members
• As you can see, without this role, we have faced volunteer shortage increases, and our staff members
• And so we need a staff member who is able to go out in those outlying areas and train, recruit those
• And so we need a staff member. ...we can remain compliant with Idaho statute and court rules.
• And so we need a staff member who is able to go out in those outlying areas and train, recruit those

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: A joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee heard presentations on the Idaho judicial branch budget, beginning with court operations. Legislative staff reviewed the branch’s structure, staffing, recent technology upgrades funded with ARPA dollars, and prior budget enhancements, including support for court technology, judicial compensation, and additional judges in several districts. Court officials explained a late budget request for an additional $800,700 from a dedicated magistrate retirement fund to cover unexpected retirement bonuses and purchase-of-service costs for seven magistrates, as well as the impact of a governor holdback and reduced federal support for some treatment and domestic violence court-related services. Committee members asked about the timing of the revised retirement request, the purpose and success of the magistrate retirement bonus program, the court’s technology modernization, and the effect of losing federal and other outside funding. Court officials said the retirement timing could not be known earlier because magistrates had until January to notify the court, and they described the bonus as helping judges complete their terms. They also said the court had moved case management and recording systems to the cloud and built a statewide network, and that cuts to treatment court and peer support funding would likely force reductions in non-constitutional services. The committee then heard the Guardian ad litem division request, including a $77,900 general fund enhancement for the Second Judicial District CASA program. The CASA director said the money would support a recruiter/trainer/data supervisor position and required compliance costs such as financial review, office space, and liability insurance. She described volunteer shortages across a large rural district, declining VOCA and grant funding, and the need to spend more time fundraising instead of serving children. Members asked about the decline in VOCA funds, the share of funding coming from donations and fundraising, the number of children served, and the role of CASA for older youth. The director said about 30% of the program’s funding comes from fundraising, that the district serves children over age 12 and some older youth, and she gave an example of a case where CASA helped stabilize a family and reunify children with their parents. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT SAID MY QUESTION BECOMES WHEN THIS BILL IS IDENTIFYING THE FACT THAT TEACHERS, INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
• THE STAFF OF THIS COMMITTEE HAS REVIEWED THE BILL.
• IT'S BEEN SAID THIS BILL IS REPLACING IT WITH STANDARD AND 94.301 AND I ENCOURAGE YOUR STAFF TO PROCEED
• AND I APPRECIATE YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO ADD THIS AMENDMENT AND I APPRECIATE YOUR STAFF FOR ADDING IT
• ALBRITTON AND STAFF AND THE FAMILY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a report by staff on the status of legislatively mandated rulemaking for the 2023 and 2024 session
• My name is Amelia Johnson, and I'm the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Education.
• I serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff here at the department.
• Is there any sort of staff analysis, or not bills proposals, is there any sort of staff analysis for
• So this is just a recommendation of the materials from our staff coordinator.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself. Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines. The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings. The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no debate, staff please open to vote. Is that everybody?
• Staff declare the vote: three aye, one nay.
• Seeing no debate, staff, please open for a vote. Okay.
• Seeing no debate, staff, please open the vote. Representative with three ayes and one nay...
• Seeing no debate, staff, please open the vote. Close the vote. Declare the vote.

Bills: SB1327, SB2065, SB2155, SB2159

Keywords: tourism, recreation, economic development, Oklahoma Commission, executive director, pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, Route 66, revolving fund, commission, cultural heritage, funding applications, official crop, wheat, Oklahoma

Summary: The committee first considered SB 265, which would restore full authority to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Board. The bill establishes listed qualifications for board members, keeps the board at eight members with five needed for a quorum, and preserves the governor’s authority to appoint the chair, vice chair, and secretary. After a brief question about the rationale for the change, the committee moved the bill and passed it by a vote of three ayes and one nay. Representative Eves then presented SB 265 as a state pollinator act, with 15-year-old 4-H State Ambassador Lucille Moorhouse explaining the bill and her pollinator project. She described pollinator decline and its importance to agriculture, ecosystems, and grocery prices. Members praised her presentation, and the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. She also shared pollinator seeds with members. The committee next heard SB 2155, which updates the Route 66 Commission and its grant program by allowing memoranda of understanding with state agencies, mainly to hire a project manager to keep multiple projects on schedule. It passed by three ayes and one nay. Finally, SB 2159 designated wheat as Oklahoma’s official crop, citing the state’s large annual wheat acreage and more than $1 billion in yearly economic impact. After a question about whether Oklahoma already had a state grain, the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. The chair then noted it was the last meeting and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please, will the staff read the amendment to the amendment presented by the speaker? Mr.
• Seeing no questions or call for debate, having a due pass and a second, I'll ask staff to please.
• Seeing no call for questions, I'll ask staff to please open the queue.
• Seeing no more questions or call for debate, I'll ask staff to please open the queue.
• Seeing no need for debate, staff, please open the vote. Declare the vote: 29 ayes, zero nays.

Bills: SB169, SB201, SB1290, SB1377, SB1991, SB2060

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, minimum salary, education funding, teacher compensation, Oklahoma education, salary schedule, 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, foster care, duffel bags, personal belongings, children's welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:57.200><c> in</c> able to access data on the staff in able to access data on the staff in
• </c><00:19:05.919><c> saying,</c> they're going to those staff saying, they're going to those staff saying
• </c><00:19:12.480><c> We</c> to intimidate and bully the staff.
• We to intimidate and bully the staff.
• Uh and finally, the staff process again.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Brumley, just thank you for your staff and all y’all doing.
• Okay, so this is your BESE staff. This is staff only, yes. Okay.
• Can you just give me some idea of what the staff members do?
• So all of our staff are obviously college-educated folks.
• It’s just a rough average of the annual pay, the salaries of the different staff.

Summary: The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises. Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves. The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh Eric Olson's nonpartisan fiscal staff for the Senate Housing Committee.
• Uh Eric Olson's nonpartisan fiscal staff for the Senate Housing Committee.
• Uh Eric Olson's nonpartisan fiscal staff for the Senate Housing Committee.
• Uh Eric Olson's nonpartisan fiscal staff for the Senate Housing Committee.
• </c> it's an important moment to thank staff it's an important moment to thank staff in<00:23:24.240>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• with Steve, and then we’ll make our way around the table and then talk to nonpartisan and partisan staff
• then talk uh to uh nonpartisan and uh then talk uh to uh nonpartisan and partisan<00:00:40.320><c> staff
• as</c><00:00:41.600><c> introductions</c><00:00:42.120><c> as</c><00:00:42.280><c> be</c> partisan staff
• um as introductions as be partisan staff um as introductions as be G<00:00:42.520><c> on</c><00:00:42.719
• Zipko, and in case you think that it’s one of the other members of the committee or other staff, that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 10 bills on the agenda today, but thanks to the great work of committee staff and the Republican
• caucus staff, we have three bills on the consent calendar.
• We have 10 bills on the agenda today, but thanks to the great work of committee staff and the Republican
• caucus staff, we have three bills on the consent calendar.
• I want to thank the author, the committee staff, and everybody who's working on it.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on AI-related consumer protection, child safety, and privacy bills. Members first adopted the consent calendar, then took up SB 1050, which would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Common Sense Media, and labor groups, said consumers should know when an ad depicts a non-human performer and that the bill protects both consumers and workers. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, could burden accessibility uses and short audio ads, and created litigation risk. The committee voted the bill out on a party-line-leaning roll, with several members noting concerns but supporting continued work on the measure. The committee also approved SB 1111, which creates liability and remedies for non-consensual digital replicas using a person’s voice or likeness, and SB 1146, which targets deceptive AI-generated health advertisements that depict synthetic health care providers. Both measures drew support from consumer, labor, medical, and child-safety advocates and faced no formal opposition. Members emphasized the need to prevent deepfake abuse, especially in health-related ads where consumers could be misled into trusting fake doctors or medical endorsements. Several child- and privacy-focused bills were also heard and advanced. SB 867 would place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children, with supporters warning about harmful content, addictive design, and privacy risks; some opposition raised definitional concerns and asked for clearer standards. SB 1247 would give child influencers the right to delete monetized content posted during their minority, and it moved forward without opposition. SB 1000 updated California’s AI Transparency Act to align content provenance rules with newer technology and international standards, with support from Google and Adobe and no opposition. Finally, SB 957 would require social media companies to notify users when the federal government seeks their data through administrative subpoenas, give users time to challenge the request, and report disclosures; supporters framed it as a First Amendment and due process protection, while one member opposed it as an overreach against federal law enforcement. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, with several rolls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cardona has maintained an open-door policy and listened to feedback from staff.
• We have focused, aside from disciplinary action against staff...
• We have focused, aside from disciplinary action against staff at that time, which I cannot speak for,
• There would be corrective action taken if there was something that we found an employee, a staff member
• So thank you, and thank you to the staff. The staff is wonderful.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established a quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to State Bar appointments requiring testimony. The committee heard from George Cardona, reappointed as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar, who described reforms made after the Girardi matter, efforts to reduce discipline disparities, backlog reduction measures, and staffing shortages tied to a vacancy rate and increased incoming complaints. Senators questioned him about safeguards against misconduct, the John Eastman disbarment case, discipline disparities affecting Black and Latino attorneys, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, and the use of AI in complaints and pleadings. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 3-0 to advance him to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Laura Enderton Speed, nominated as Executive Director of the State Bar. She emphasized restoring public trust, improving operations, addressing the February 2025 bar exam problems, and strengthening discipline and admissions processes. Senators asked about the State Bar’s structural budget deficit, the ongoing audit and investigations related to the bar exam, conflict-of-interest safeguards after Girardi, and plans for the future of the bar exam. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted 5-0 to advance her nomination to the Senate floor. The meeting concluded with final votes on the earlier items, thanks to Senator Jones for his service on the committee, and adjournment to executive session after a cake presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to introduce my staff, my team, Nadia Alves, my office manager, and my two constituents, Nani
• I'd like to introduce<00:14:12.000><c> my</c><00:14:12.240><c> staff,</c><00:14:12.880><c> my</c><00:
• 14:13.120><c> team,</c><00:14:14.000><c> Nadia</c> introduce my staff, my team, Nadia introduce my staff
• Please allow yourselves and your staff sufficient time to file your reports before the deadline.
• <00:44:18.160><c> sufficient</c> yourselves and your staff sufficient yourselves and your staff sufficient

Bills: HB2391, HB2294, HB2374, HB1997, HB2147, HB2185, HB1641, HB2195, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB1937, HB2586, HB2575, HB2030, HB2115, HB2233, HB1801, HB1546, HB2132, HB2102, HB2356, HB2457, HB2292, HB2554, HB676, HB1528, HB2061, HB2094, HB2095, HB2181, HB2369, HB2578, HB2493, HB1642, HB1991, HB1652, HB2104, HB2593, HB1553, HB1823, HB1918, HB1860, HB2604, HB2605, HB2001, HB2437, HB1947, HB2384, HB2473, HB2140, HB1458, HB2603, HB2411, HB1611, HB2138, HB2141, HB2284, HB1568, HB1924, HB1928, HB2570

Keywords: tax holiday, school supplies, general excise tax, Hawaii, consumer savings, education, land transfer, public schools, Department of Education, property conveyance, Act 307, Kauai, Maui, shade trees, fruit trees, educational program, climate change, tree canopy, environmental education, native plants

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll ask staff to give a brief summary of each bill and amendments, and then we'll recess into caucus
• All right, if the staff could bring up the Standing Committee report and please call the roll.
• I wanted to ask staff, do I need to withdraw my amendment to the H-draft 3238.2? You can.
• If the staff could bring up the standing committee report. Goodman.
• But let's take a moment now to thank our incredible staff for the hard work that they've done.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met in executive session on several bills previously heard, first reviewing proposed substitutes and amendments, then taking final action after a caucus recess. House Bill 1591, which provides sentencing, resentencing, and record-vacation relief for defendants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, was advanced on a 7-2 vote after adopting substitute H3302.1. Members supporting the bill emphasized the need for a close causal connection and documentary proof of victimization; opponents raised concerns about cases involving harm to third parties and wanted more refinement. The committee also advanced House Bill 2146 on sexual exploitation of a minor after adopting Amendment 348, which clarified that the offense covers causing a minor to view sexually explicit conduct when the minor’s viewing will be photographed or part of a live performance. House Bill 2220, dealing with oversight and hearings procedures for the Criminal Justice Training Commission, was reported out on a 7-2 vote under substitute H3305.3, which dropped a higher burden of proof, adjusted hearing panel size, and allowed an administrative law judge to issue an initial order if the panel deadlocks. House Bill 2430, concerning the crime victim penalty assessment, was also reported out unanimously; its substitute increased assessment amounts, added a surcharge for defendants with substantial resources, tightened indigency exemptions, and restored an indigency exception for certain offenses. House Bill 2526 on prostitution generated the most debate. The committee withdrew one proposed substitute, then adopted substitute H3308.1 and Amendment Whale 275, which shifted the bill toward a model that increases penalties for buyers while requiring referrals to services for the first two investigative detentions of a person engaged in prostitution and limiting arrest until a third detention. Supporters said the changes would reduce criminalization of survivors and improve access to services, while opponents argued the bill and amendment would weaken enforcement and fail to protect trafficking victims. The committee reported the bill out 5-4. House Bill 2641 was deferred. Finally, House Bill 2648, addressing state and local law enforcement interactions with federal immigration enforcement, was amended with Lang 185 to require body cameras and reporting when officers encounter federal agents conducting immigration enforcement, remove a proposed Attorney General representation requirement, and require indemnification by the employing government. Supporters framed the bill as protecting civil rights and clarifying officers’ duties; opponents said it could hinder cooperation with federal partners and create operational problems. The committee approved the bill 6-3 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair, members, staff.
• I think when our staff meeting was pronounced a variety of different ways.
• So thank you so much, and to the sponsors for working with the committee staff.
• Thank you to the committee and staff for the opportunity to speak.
• Well, thank you, Chair, and staff in particular, and all the members here today.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> member of the staff that's already here. member of the staff that's already here.
• </c> And it was actually while I was staff And it was actually while I was staff that<00:19:12.000><c
• I don't even think the by our staff.
• ,</c> for mental health support, for staff, for mental health support, for staff, for<00:32:09.519><c
• . staff. staff.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> actually brought in um temporary staff actually brought in um temporary staff with<00:09:08.640>
• Um the other thing they staff person.
• </c> our travel budget so that the staff our travel budget so that the staff members<00:31:27.200><c>
• So, they want to reward the staff that they... ...reward the staff that they... more responsibilities
• He's our only staff person.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any questions for staff or the department?
• Okay, why don't you let the staff get with you?
• So this is all of our new staff training, onboarding of staff, as well as travel, vacant operating expenses
• I'm BLR fiscal staff.
• I'm BLR fiscal staff.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a ton of work as far as messaging to staff.
• So there's one staff member for every 2.5% of children in there.
• Congress, you have one staff member in this organization.
• In my experience, this attitude among DCS staff was not unusual.
• So your staff has enforced— So if your staff has enforcement mechanisms to get this done, I'd like to

Summary: The Committee on Government met for a presentation-only hearing focused on the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and related child welfare system issues; no bills were heard or voted on. Chair Blackman opened by stressing that the hearing was for fact-finding and data, not personal attacks, and Director Catherine Patak then presented DCS data on hotline volume, investigations, reunifications, adoptions, guardianships, extended foster care, and placement patterns. She said DCS investigated more than 43,000 cases in 2025, kept the out-of-home population relatively steady, and emphasized that Arizona places a high share of children with kin. She also highlighted a mismatch between the age of children entering care and the availability of foster homes willing to take older youth, and said behavioral health capacity, not DCS alone, is a major constraint. Patak discussed kinship supports, foster care reimbursement increases, the Family First Prevention Services Act, missing youth, congregate care reduction, and the department’s procurement process for group home beds. Members asked about kinship caregiver support, behavioral health access, reunification services, parental-rights terminations, Auditor General findings on notices and documentation, licensing and reimbursement rates, and why some relatives are not approved as placements. Patak said DCS is working on policy guidance, supervisor training, and improved supports, but that provider capacity and other system partners limit what DCS can do. Representative Gillette then gave a lengthy presentation focused on system design, procurement, funding flows, and congregate care. He argued that DCS, DES, and Access are structurally intertwined, that DCS’s procurement carve-out and capitated funding model create incentives tied to bed space and volume, and that fragmented oversight diffuses accountability. He cited budget figures, contract amendments, and audit concerns to argue that the system is overreliant on congregate care and that decision-making, medical referrals, and placement processes are too vague or too centralized in ways that can harm children and families. Gillette said his findings were based on contracts, interviews, and public records, and he indicated some material would be referred to special counsel. He also raised concerns about placement decisions, due process, and demographic disparities in congregate care outcomes. The chair cut off further questioning of Gillette for time and announced the committee would move on to the next presenter, Vice Chair Fink, with attorneys and other speakers to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a ton of work as far as messaging to staff.
• So there's one staff member for every 2.5 kids in there.
• Congress, you have one staff member in this organization.
• In my experience, this attitude among DCS staff was not unusual.
• So your staff has enforced— Right and upside.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our staff gave 110% to making your lives better. So, thank you for that trust.
• gave 110% to that I gave 110% our staff gave 110% to making<00:11:39.560><c> your</c><00:11:39.680><
• And I hope that we will all continue to be as grateful as we should be for our staff.
• We need to treat our staff with the respect that they deserve.
• So, please treat our staff with the respect not just on the last day of session, but every single day

Keywords: 1183, house