Transcript Highlights:

• them tremendously, as other states don’t also have funds to be able to backfill what they were building
• With our, you know, red and blue states across the United States, we’re trying to open up that economy
• This is a United States problem.
• This is a United States problem.
• about how we do prospective pay as a state to make sure we are being good stewards of federal and state

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittees on early childhood education heard a broad review of the Governor’s child care and preschool budget proposals, with testimony from the Department of Finance, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). The main topics were cost-of-care-plus and COLA adjustments, the California State Preschool Program, child care slot reductions tied to federal and Proposition 64 funding changes, disaster recovery grants for child care facilities, trailer bill proposals on family fees and absences, prospective pay, and several budget change proposals for departmental staffing and licensing. Officials also discussed the state’s transition toward an alternative methodology for setting rates based on the true cost of care. On rate reform, CDSS and CDE said the current reimbursement system remains below the alternative methodology in many counties and that providers continue to struggle with recruitment and retention. The LAO recommended aligning cost-of-care-plus increases across provider types, while CDE urged that any COLA be added to base rates rather than cost-of-care-plus payments because providers view the latter as less ongoing. CDSS said the next alternative methodology update will be developed with a contractor during fiscal year 2026-27, with public engagement and legislative input, and estimated that fully transitioning to rates informed by the methodology would take about 24 months once policy and funding are in place. CDSS also said the direct-service cost of care under the methodology was estimated at about $18.7 billion in a July 2025 report. A major point of contention was the proposed reduction of 4,167 child care slots due to lower federal CCDF funding and reduced Proposition 64 revenue. CDSS said it expects to absorb the reduction through unspent funds and relinquishments so currently enrolled children are not disrupted, while the LAO supported the reduction as a way to avoid worsening the structural deficit. Members strongly objected to the slot cuts, arguing the administration has repeatedly proposed reductions after prior budget agreements and emphasizing the economic and family benefits of child care. The committee also discussed preschool enrollment trends, including growth in three-year-old enrollment and a sharp increase in two-year-olds served under a temporary provision, with CDE warning that the temporary two-year-old authority expires in 2027. The committee also reviewed an $11.5 million Proposition 64 proposal for child care infrastructure grants for facilities impacted by 2025 state disasters, especially the Los Angeles fires, and members asked for trailer bill language to make the funds flexible for repairs, equipment, insurance, and permitting. On trailer bill items, the panel discussed codifying family fee reimbursement rules, defining excessive unexplained absences to allow disenrollment after prolonged nonuse, and expanding temporary provider absences; CDSS said the absence policy is meant to mirror federal CCDF rules, while CDE said it is already pursuing its own rulemaking. The hearing also covered prospective pay, with CDSS and CDE saying they are waiting for final federal guidance before moving ahead; LAO said the state could save ongoing costs if the federal requirement is rescinded. Finally, the committee reviewed staffing and support budget requests for CDSS and other implementation items, and held several items open for further discussion before the May Revision. Public comment overwhelmingly urged full funding for child care slots, true cost-of-care payments, and ongoing support for early education programs and county offices of education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then Conduent State and Local Solutions… Conduent State and Local Solutions from 1/25 to 6/30/25, $9
• Conduent State and Local again… Conduent State and Local again from 6/25 to 6/26, $23.4 million, to implement
• Then we go back to Conduent State and Local Solutions from 10/25 to 9/30/26 for… Conduent State and Local
• We were one of the first states to do that.
• You type in a code and you go back.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it also include the larger portion that the state has to put up for state match?
• This is mostly attributable to state police.
• It also details what the state owns, such as cash, investments, roads, buildings, bridges, as well as
• It was done to aggregate what judges are doing throughout the state and to build the formula.
• the state.

Summary: The committee met to review budget and fiscal items, beginning with a roll call and a reminder about severe weather and the need to keep the meeting brief. Members first received the January fiscal status statement and certified the prior-year surplus at $577,073,871, with no changes from the prior month. The fiscal status statement was approved without objection. Staff then reviewed the five-year baseline budget and continuation/standstill budgets, noting projected imbalances in later years driven by revenue declines, including the redirection of motor vehicle sales tax, and by rising costs such as inflation and Medicaid adjustments. Representative Amadee asked about Medicaid growth and SNAP administrative costs, and staff explained that the SNAP federal match change is separate from Medicaid. The governor’s executive budget presentation focused on a third year of standstill budgeting, efficiency savings, and the impact of one-time reductions and agency reorganizations. Officials said the budget avoids recurring spending from nonrecurring revenue and incorporates savings from prior efficiency efforts. Major items discussed included funding for LA Gator vouchers, the high-impact jobs program at Louisiana Economic Development, DCFS modernization, corrections overtime and offender costs, Angola population growth, nursing home and MCO adjustments at LDH, and additional support for the MJ Foster Scholarship and Board of Regents systems. Members also discussed the distinction between state general fund and federal funds, the effect of inflation on specific purchases, and the use of surplus dollars, including deposits to the Budget Stabilization Fund and UAL paydown. No formal action was taken on the budget presentation. Later items included the FY27 expenditure limit calculation of $20.1 billion, up $953 million from FY26, and the annual comprehensive financial report, which received an unmodified audit opinion. The committee approved a BA-7 increasing federal funds for the governor’s office by $2 million for U.S. DOT-related infrastructure and rural transit work. It also approved Facility Planning and Control requests to add five higher education deferred maintenance projects and to combine two Baton Rouge Community College projects. CPRA received approval to extend contracts with Coastal Estuary Services and Access Sciences for monitoring and records-management services. The committee also approved a legislative intent clarification for a $500,000 appropriation to the New Orleans Recreational Development Foundation. The final major discussion was a presentation on a weighted caseload study for appellate and district courts. Judicial officials explained that the study updates an outdated formula used to assess judgeship needs, incorporates specialty courts and commissioners, and is intended as one tool in a broader collaborative process with the legislature. Members raised concerns about the number of judges, court funding, and how Louisiana compares with other states. No vote was taken on the study, but the discussion emphasized future collaboration on judicial resource allocation and possible structural changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and directing state medicine state and directing state agencies<00:04:29.680><c> to</c><00:04:30.000
• </c> state workers in the executive branch. state workers in the executive branch.
• </c> paycheck for state retirees. Thank you. paycheck for state retirees. Thank you.
• To meet that need, Norton Healthcare is building a new state-of-the-art Norton Children's Campus in Jefferson
• ><c> a</c><02:33:00.399><c> new</c> Healthcare is building a new Healthcare is building a new state-of-the-art

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• UnitedHealth continued, um, sorry, I will state that their lawyers deny this claim.
• The legal code baked into a corporation is to maximize profit for shareholders.
• AI also human creation is a software code designed to do the bidding of its creators.
• </c> human creation is a software code human creation is a software code designed<00:03:15.440><c> to
• Andre, with the Minnesota Council of Health Plans.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As Senator Perez was stating, that should never happen in this state, in this country.
• At the state hospitals.
• Mariko Yoshihara on behalf of UFCW Western States Council in support.
• Mariko Yoshihar on behalf of UFCW Western States Council in support.
• We have asked you to please make sure to remove these offensive CPT codes from the state plan and this

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• section of the code?
• </c> this building. this building.
• They gave states two options.
• They gave states September 30th of 2026. They gave states two<00:53:12.480><c> options.
• <00:54:02.800><c> law</c> state law state law &gt;&gt; by<00:54:03.839><c> state</c><00:54:04.160><c>

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 21 January, 2026; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we all agree that we have to build a lot more housing in our state.
• It's also a bill that is sponsored by California YIMBY and the state building trades, dogs and cats lying
• The United States is 250 years old and was going to be on our For context, the United States is 250 years
• As the innovation state, this will be a bold step for the state of California to send a strong message
• already enjoy in 21 other states and all our surrounding states.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This state is far from perfect.
• Some of you gave a five-year reprieve on the state building quote and that's awesome. Love it.
• Why is it so damn hard to build housing in the state of California?
• It's about giving families the chance to build stability, to build wealth, and to build a future in this
• state.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about an industry in the United States, energy.
• We're talking about an industry in the United States, energy.
• Ron Ness, North Dakota Petroleum Council. I have no prepared remarks.
• I want to build on what Mr. Ness said, how this is late to the game.
• I want to build on what Mr. Ness said, how this is late to the game.

Committee: House Finance and Taxation

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397 and a proposed amendment creating a development incentive well program for North Dakota oil and gas production. Representative Dockter explained the amendment as a way to encourage exploratory and innovative drilling in light of the state’s financial outlook and the growing share of stripper wells. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and DMR geologist Timothy Nashim presented background on the Bakken and Three Forks formations, with Nashim describing research showing that Middle Three Forks second-bench development can add reserves in some areas but not others, and that roughly 600 additional wells in the strongest area could yield about 250 million barrels of oil. Continental Resources representatives William Houser and John Argo supported the amendment. They said the bill would give a temporary oil extraction tax exemption for certified development incentive wells, limited to 36 months or 300,000 barrels, and would also update tax treatment for gas used in enhanced oil recovery and on-site electric generation. They argued the measure would encourage new technology and testing in existing spacing units, complementing House Bill 1483, which they said focused on geographic expansion into non-Bakken and non-Three Forks areas. Argo said Continental still invests heavily in North Dakota but is shifting rigs elsewhere because of economics, and he urged incentives to spur exploration and preserve the basin’s long-term future. North Dakota Petroleum Council executive director Ron Ness also supported the concept, calling it a targeted, low-risk way to encourage innovation and future barrels. Committee members asked about royalty treatment, the difference from House Bill 1483, pressure maintenance, and how the program would be administered. DMR said the amendment should clarify that the operator bears the burden of proving a well qualifies and that only one incentive well per stratigraphic interval should be certified. No vote was taken; the committee paused to work on revised language and indicated the bill would likely need further adjustment, possibly in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• :27.119><c> Frederick</c> Uh state representative Luke Frederick Uh state representative Luke Frederick
• </c> that we're in the Senate building that we're in the Senate building because<00:01:30.479><c> an<
• Uh, Liam Monahan, analyst with Senate Council. Uh, Ally Hoffman Lichi, Senate Council. All right.
• Update and clarify state<00:16:24.040><c> operated</c><00:16:25.040><c> crisis</c> state operated crisis
• </c><00:44:36.720><c> plan</c> requirements in our state plan requirements in our state plan amendment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state. Yes. state. Yes.
• . state. state.
• </c><02:20:51.280><c> So</c> the state. So the state.
• It's a state tax. Why is it a state tax?
• </c> state tax. Why is it a state tax? state tax. Why is it a state tax?

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:31.440><c> Council</c><00:34:31.760><c> on</c><00:34:31.919><c> developmental</c> state Council
• <c> here</c><00:34:44.240><c> on</c> state Council on disabilities here on state Council on disabilities
• </c> very much next Dy B balades Hawaii state very much next Dy B balades Hawaii state Council<00:48:
• </c><00:48:11.920><c> uh</c><00:48:12.079><c> Council</c> dentry with the Hawaii State uh Council dentry
• </c><00:54:28.000><c> Council</c><00:54:28.319><c> and</c> balus Hawaii state Council and balus Hawaii

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• here, a diaper changing bill, another bill that carved out all state buildings so we can drop fiscal
• <01:15:27.760><c> buildings</c> state buildings state buildings so<01:15:29.840><c> we</c><01:15:30.080
• </c> in this building. in this building.
• </c> that we make in this state. that we make in this state.
• </c> state of Colorado vesting in the state state of Colorado vesting in the state of<03:56:19.120><c

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “Just the QR code.
• For the QR code?” “For the QR code?
• And only 25% are in the state.
• the state.
• We have about 50,000 interstate signs in the state. About 50,000 interstate signs in the state.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 and first disposed of several local bills without controversy. House Bills 590, 679, and 873 were voluntarily deferred. HB 503, allowing certain utility terrain vehicles and golf carts in Golden Meadow, was amended and reported. HB 720, clarifying tacit dedication and public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably. HB 856, expanding indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting authority for DOTD and the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, was amended and reported. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who run red lights by using shoulders or turn lanes to pass stopped traffic, was amended and reported. HB 846, prohibiting obscured or covered license plates, was reported favorably. HB 733 and HB 875, both dealing with OMV reinstatement fees and lapses of insurance, were reported with amendments after discussion of audit findings and fee timing. HB 707, moving liquefied petroleum gas commission functions to Agriculture, was amended and reported. HB 693, creating legislator district signs, was amended and then voluntarily deferred. HB 777, requiring a driver's license renewal knowledge exam, was amended and voluntarily deferred for further work with the department. HB 746, concerning oversized trucking permits issued by local governments, was introduced but not advanced, with the author signaling a desire to work on the issue further rather than force a vote. Several bills drew extended debate over safety, enforcement, and government overreach. HB 309, which would have penalized pedestrians for looking at cell phones while crossing crosswalks, was amended from a criminal offense to a $25 civil fine but then voluntarily deferred after members raised concerns about enforceability, tourism, free will, and whether the bill targeted the right party. HB 695, requiring permits and QR-code documentation for consensual non-commercial towing of multiple connected vehicles, was heavily questioned over how it would work in practice, whether it applied to single or multiple vehicles, and how out-of-state travelers would know about the requirement; the committee asked the author to work with OMV and State Police and voluntarily returned the bill to the calendar. HB 868, removing the farm exemption from trailer safety-chain and attachment requirements after a fatal accident involving a trailer separation, was amended and reported despite concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment and the need to preserve flexibility for agricultural operations. The committee also heard testimony from law enforcement, the auditor’s office, the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and industry groups. Chiefs of police supported the red-light and license-plate bills as common-sense public safety measures, while the Legislative Auditor explained that the OMV fee bills were intended to align Louisiana’s reinstatement fees and grace periods more closely with other states and with audit recommendations. DOTD and the secretary supported the procurement bill as a tool to speed construction and maintenance work. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain supported the propane commission bill and urged caution on the farm trailer safety bill so that older and specialized equipment would not be unintentionally burdened.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe you stated this.
• of Washington and the state of Illinois.
• I would note that in many other areas of state policy we're not backfilling state policy or federal policy
• So even if we produce in California, it's going to go out of state to other states where they get the
• Mike Monaghan, on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades, we strongly support the tax credit

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Transportation to order here at the Hawaii State Capitol in Room 430.
• HB 860, relating to liability, specifies that the state or county that repairs or maintains a street
• She says HRS 663-10.5 should be amended to its original form so the state is held responsible for its
• </c> since this statute was amended the state since this statute was amended the state has<00:23:43.600
• </c> so that eventually when it's up to code so that eventually when it's up to code and<01:06:25.119

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if your across across the state.
• </c> &gt;&gt; One for the whole state &gt;&gt; One for the whole state &gt;&gt; for<01:04:26.319><c>
• Because it's my understanding that the codes used for rented property in many cases is the same code
• Because it's my understanding that the codes used for rented property in many cases is the same code
• </c><01:51:04.719><c> There's</c> people all across the state. There's people all across the state.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the State Board of Accountancy.
• engineers in those states.
• engineers in those states.
• engineers in those states.
• those states.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 46, which would allow lottery winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. After brief discussion and a motion with a second, the committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the House floor. Members then heard House Bill 54, a workforce and education measure aimed at aligning dual credit and project-based learning with licensed construction trades and other high-demand careers. The sponsor and witness said the bill is intended to help students meet both education and on-the-job training requirements, address labor shortages, and speed entry into the trades. Several members raised concerns about possible abuse of internships, the need for input from unions and other trade groups, and the amount of authority left to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to write regulations. The sponsor said the bill does not replace current hands-on training requirements and expressed willingness to continue discussions. The committee passed the bill, with some members explaining their votes as conditional or in hopes of further amendments. The committee also approved House Bill 261, which would let retired CPAs provide certain uncompensated services, such as nonprofit work, while retaining their CPA designation, and would create a retirement-based CPE waiver for those limited services. A question from Representative Donworth focused on how retired CPAs would disclose their status to nonprofits; the board representative said retired status is noted in board records, but there is currently no separate requirement governing use of the CPA designation. The bill passed. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 262, which would remove restrictions on small CPA firm names after an owner dies or retires. The sponsor said Kentucky is an outlier because current law requires the remaining owner to change the firm name. The bill passed unanimously. After that, the chair turned the gavel over to the vice chair and began presenting House Bill 306, which would change engineering education requirements for licensure, especially to help Eastern Kentucky University fire protection engineering technology graduates qualify for licensure in Kentucky rather than leaving the state. The sponsor and witnesses explained that the bill would not change the rest of the PE licensure pathway, only the education component, and said most other states already allow this route. Members noted that engineers may have concerns and encouraged continued discussions before the bill advances further.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:02.560><c> 67</c> throughout the state of Mississippi. 67 throughout the state of Mississippi
• We're one of two states that doesn't allow the sheriffs to run radar.
• I don't think it's in the code section.
• </c> it's in the code section. it's in the code section.
• </c><00:22:09.919><c> on</c> but we can we can get with council on but we can we can get with council

Committee: Joint Highways and Transportation

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all