Transcript Highlights:

• rate.
• So the contribution rates The contribution rates would increase for both of us.
• contribution rate.
• It has a 75% graduation rate and a 70% placement rate.
• The unemployment rate or underemployment rate of people with disabilities is 80%.

Bills: SB1041, SB1050, SB1131, SB1138, SB1249, SB1267, SB1272, SB1317, SB1461, SB1488, SB1504, SB1517, SB1523, SB1580, SB1582, SB1584, SB1585, SB1602, SB1630, SB1654, SB1672, SB1673, SB1718, SB1761, SB1819, SB1826, SB1827

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, veterans, lifetime pass, state parks, Arizona, access, disabled veterans, cardiac arrest, defibrillators, school safety, emergency response, CPR training, Arizona education funding, automated license plate readers

Transcript Highlights:

• The vendor that does our utilization review right now is CENTRA, actually AFMC on the hospital side.
• We have proposed a rate of $850 a day to CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• So we're waiting ...on approval from them on that bed-day rate.
• When we proposed $850 a day, that is a hospital daily rate for a hospital.
• When we propose $850 a day, that is a hospital daily rate for a hospital service.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Similarly, the bill my colleague referenced, AB 564, would keep the cannabis excise tax rate at 15%,
• I think this is a sense. ...tax rate at 15% through trailer bill legislation.
• Generally, it's just good public policy to select vendors using a competitive bid process.
• The contract is $2.4 million, right, to this vendor, L.A. 211? Correct. $2.4 million.
• By the way, that's an average contact rate of 5.8 emails or phone calls a day.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment prohibits the state from rating local property taxes.
• So that a vendor has been selected in time for July 1st, 2026.
• basically the program all in the $2.4 million vendor contract.
• Whereas the new fee structure applies. a $60 per ton rate, including fractions of a ton.
• Whereas before Or larger businesses would simply cap out at the higher rate.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not suggesting any vendor. This is vendor agnostic. Follow-up.
• Yes, we have a vendor that already provides MyCare, and that vendor is willing to work with us to get
• this at a lower rate.
• Yes, we have a vendor that already provides MyCare, and that vendor is willing to work with us to get
• this at a lower rate.

Bills: SB1290, SB1332, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1386, SB1390, SB1428, SB1584, SB1696, SB175, SB1778, SB1794, SB1806, SB1836, SB201

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a long series of Senate bills covering criminal justice, courts, education, health, water infrastructure, economic development, and social services. Early measures included SB 1584, which shortens the timeline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing, and SB 1386, a courtroom transparency bill creating a pilot program for audio/video recording in certain courtrooms; SB 1386 drew the most extended debate, with concerns raised about privacy, selective editing, political use of footage, and impacts on victims, witnesses, jurors, and attorneys. The author said the bill was intended to improve the accuracy and context of the record, not to add live streaming or AI transcripts, and both bills advanced. Several education and justice-related bills also moved forward. SB 1381 would require arrested persons to be brought before a judge within 48 to 72 hours and establishes a pilot in Oklahoma County; SB 201 raises each step of the minimum teacher salary schedule by $2,500; and SB 1778 revises the Strong Readers Act by directing a single state-paid screening instrument, adding early intervention and transitional/pull-out reading support, and phasing in changes beginning in 2027. SB 1836, requiring a board-approved mental health screener in routine primary care visits, passed after debate over its costs and implementation. SB 1806, allowing some young adults to remain in or re-enter DHS care until age 21, and SB 1428, creating an Alzheimer’s and dementia coordination office at the Health Department with private funding, also advanced. The committee approved multiple public health and human services funding and coordination measures, including SB 1369 creating a revolving fund for the 988 crisis line, SB 1290 creating a 2-1-1 hotline revolving fund, SB 1794 establishing a statewide real-time behavioral health bed/capacity registry, and SB 1379 creating a two-year private grant program for certified human trafficking service providers. Members questioned fiscal impacts, administrative overhead, and service continuity, but the bills moved on. Other bills passed included SB 1696 to fund local recruitment incentives for new residents in rural and mid-sized communities, SB 1332 creating zero-interest water infrastructure loans for housing-related projects, SB 175 creating a reimbursement fund for abandoned uninsured commercial vehicles, and SB 1390 extending the gross production tax sunset to July 1, 2032.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think it's equal across each rate. Is that correct? That's correct.
• I don't think it's equal across each rate. Is that correct? That's correct.
• for authorized certified registered nurse anesthetist services that differs from the reimbursement rate
• Is this a vendor bill or? Madam Whip, Mr. Blackman, I do not know the answer to that question.
• Is this a vendor bill or? Madam Whip, Mr. Blackman, I do not know the answer to that question.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across elections, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, public safety, transportation, rural development, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent or third-read consent items, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data for media, adjuster/contractor conduct during emergencies, Industrial Commission changes, association meeting closures, banking and remittance rules, central bank digital currency, public safety parity funding, barbering and cosmetology board continuation, digital asset reserve management, contractor licensing, gaming and racing commission continuation, school AED instruction, classroom removal procedures, school safety reporting, special education complaint transparency, foreign influence and land ownership restrictions, DCS and DES process changes, health care licensing and reimbursement rules, EMS compact adoption, and multiple tax, housing, and transportation measures. Staff repeatedly summarized each bill and answered questions, with several bills noted as mirror or identical to House measures or as strike-everything amendments from committees. A few bills drew discussion. On SB 2874, staff explained that the Senate amendment would limit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports when a committee certifies it received no contributions and made no expenditures, but the sponsor did not concur. SB 1074 prompted questions about whether parental notification changed; staff said it did not and that the bill was aimed at improving communication between teachers and principals about discipline. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction in abuse or neglect cases, drew concern about the scope of the photos, while supporters said it would improve continuity and documentation. SB 1180 also drew comment because the sponsor and committee chair disagreed over an amendment, though the bill was advanced for further work. The most extended debate came on SB 1751, which would allow death-row inmates to choose firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas if voters approve the related constitutional measure. One member strongly opposed the bill on moral and personal grounds, another argued it could be a more humane option if the state is going to carry out executions, and a third raised concern that it could be used against Second Amendment rights. The bill remained on the third-read consent calendar despite the objections. The caucus concluded after moving through the remaining agenda items, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript beyond committee status and consent-calendar placement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um they have no third party vendors.
• I can tell you since the vendors.
• ><c> are</c><01:39:11.600><c> not</c> these third party vendors are not these third party vendors are
• </c> party vendor that's dealing with it. party vendor that's dealing with it.
• </c> with respect to participation rates with respect to participation rates that's<04:09:05.520><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had issues with that manager, or with that vendor.
• So when you use the term vendor, is the vendor a project manager, or are they a contractor?
• Think of our vendor as the boots on the ground.
• Think of our vendor as the boots on the ground.
• It is part of the vendor relationship.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a rating. But I don't have it with me.
• Vega here might have the best rate at about 6% vacancy rate.
• Regarding NBIS, our condition ratings, and our national bridge elements, NMDOT rates bridges using NBIS
• ratings from 0 to 9.
• NBE ratings, or National Bridge Element ratings, refer to our ability to rate each individual bridge

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with the new vendor to begin in in 2027. with the new vendor to begin in in 2027.
• to a wide range of vendors.
• </c> great foundation to hold our vendors great foundation to hold our vendors accountable<00:13:07.279
• </c> error rate. error rate. Senator<00:45:02.480><c> Adi.</c> Senator Adi. Senator Adi.
• those rates um through training.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, aren't those rates locked in for a 20-year period, and why would the interest rate be increased
• Well, aren't those rates locked in for a 20-year period, and why would the interest rate be increased
• </c> work for that person but at any rate work for that person but at any rate there<00:57:32.760><c>
• There's a number of different vendors that provide that capability.
• </c> there's a number of different vendors there's a number of different vendors that<01:08:56.480><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the vendors have any more or less, will the inspection of that be any more or less strict?
• And the vendor won't have to drive to Jeff City, right?
• And we don't have vendors traversing all the way...
• And kind of protect that local control, and we don't have vendors traversing all the way to Jeff City
• page eight, down there line two, the department or local authority may investigate a mobile food vendor

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session with a quorum present and took up three bills. House Bill 3262 was moved do pass and approved unanimously, 15-0. No discussion was recorded on that measure. House Bill 3157 was then considered with a House Committee substitute ending in .02C. The sponsor explained the substitute cleaned up language with DHSS, clarified definitions, required one license per vehicle, extended the licensing timeline to 30 days, and preserved local inspection authority through collaborative agreements with state reimbursement. Members asked about inspection standards, local control, county reimbursement, and concerns raised by Kansas City; the sponsor said the substitute addressed those issues. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the bill do pass, 15 ayes and 2 present. House Bill 2886 was also taken up with a House Committee substitute ending in .04C. The sponsor said the substitute aligned speed standards with existing technology, adjusted eligibility for middle-mile and related broadband funding, clarified treatment of second-place finishers, and removed language limiting other forms. After brief questions and support from members, the committee adopted the substitute and voted it do pass by 17-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, stolen property has been coming into California, and these vendors are not following
• Again, out-of-state vendors are not obeying our requirements. They're misinterpreting the law.
• We want these out-of-state vendors to not take advantage of the law and to follow the law.
• Again, out-of-state vendors are not obeying our requirements.
• We want these out-of-state vendors to not take advantage of the law and follow the law.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you just explain to me how do you determine if a vendor is an agent of a foreign adversary?
• Can you just explain to me how do you determine if a vendor is an agent of a foreign adversary?
• We're a B-rated district.
• We're a B-rated district.
• But unfortunately, as Representative Freeman mentioned, birth rates have declined.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 690 by Rep. Amedee, which would prohibit education agencies and vendors from contracting with foreign adversaries, foreign terrorist organizations, or their agents, and would apply to education service providers, vendors of educational products, and some schools. Supporters argued the bill would protect school tax dollars and prevent foreign influence, especially from the Chinese Communist Party, citing similar actions in Florida and Texas. Some members raised questions about due process, how ineligibility would be determined, and whether payments would stop before appeals were resolved. A technical amendment changing “terrorists” to “terrorist” was adopted, and HB 690 was reported as amended without objection. The committee then took up HB 1078 by Rep. Freiberg, which would allow higher education institutions to offer standalone online courses, not just online programs tied to a degree, and to offer online programs even when there is no equivalent on-campus program. LSU officials said the bill would give flexibility for professional and workforce-related courses and certificates. Members asked about tuition-setting, prerequisites, and whether non-degree students could enroll. The bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 113 by Rep. Phelps, which sought retroactive application of the uniform 10-point grading scale to students who were ninth graders in 2023-2024, drew significant concern. Members questioned fairness, inconsistency if only some districts could recalculate grades, and the fiscal impact of retroactivity. Phelps said he had intended to capture that cohort and was willing to work with the Department of Education, but after debate the committee voted 2-9 against reporting the bill, so the motion failed. The committee also heard HB 632 by Rep. Spell on LA FIRST data sharing. The bill would streamline how student data is shared for the state’s longitudinal data system, and amendments were adopted to remove a five-year look-back and clarify data matching and de-identification. Members debated privacy, opt-out rights, and whether the bill should require or merely allow districts to participate; concerns were raised about sharing personally identifying information and the lack of clear opt-out protections. Rep. Carlson offered an amendment to change “shall” to “may,” but later withdrew it so the bill could be deferred for further discussion. Finally, HB 1132 by Rep. Carver, carried by Rep. Carlson, was introduced to expand lab school authorization within the University of Louisiana system; an amendment was offered to limit the change to new schools established after August 1, and discussion began on that amendment as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In developing the rate study, our contracted vendor in partnership with DHS met with numerous community
• rate add-ons and rate cutbacks different rate add-ons and rate cutbacks which<00:07:01.599><c> again
• that are not under RBRVS, we used what, um, our vendor coined a market-based rate-setting methodology
• were</c> but um these rates these sud rates were but um these rates these sud rates were mostly<00:19
• </c><00:40:11.040><c> and</c> mental health rates and sud rates um and mental health rates and sud rates

Bills: HF1005

Keywords: health insurance, medical assistance, behavioral health, reimbursement rates, primary care services, physician fee schedule, managed care, residential services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have also included recidivism rates as determined. by the Legislative Budget Board, and this rate
• We are currently at around 40%. approval rate.
• And we generally have between. in, I would say, 30% to 70% grant rate.
• The recidivism rates specifically?
• The response was, we're talking to the vendor.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last couple of years, even though we had this big rate increase since the pandemic, rate increases
• We would say this year we looked at the rates, and you can look at the rate filings.
• So they had a 2.6 experience rate, and I can't recall the surcharge rate, but we charge them for the
• In response to your question, broadly speaking, the rates we've seen—the theft rates have gone down nationwide
• And when you started talking about experience ratings, ratings, all the lights flashed all over in my

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> experience higher employment rates, experience higher employment rates, increased<01:13:28.800>
• </c><02:42:07.600><c> of</c> the high schools, it's a flat rate of the high schools, it's a flat rate
• rate at the rate institutions a lower rate at the rate that<03:50:47.920><c> we're</c><03:50:48.160><
• The state has requirements that any resulting vendor must be a United States-based vendor, and no data
• vendor vendor to<04:55:08.798><c> to</c><04:55:09.680><c> explain.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we also work with many delivered fuel vendors who have been increasing prices as well.
• for 2025 and as a increase in rates for 2025 and as a previous<00:10:20.880><c> testifier</c><00:10:
• </c> work with many delivered fuel vendors work with many delivered fuel vendors who<00:10:24.760><c>
• At the municipal level, our rates are basically passed through what our costs are become the bills for
• At the municipal level, our rates are basically passed through what our costs are become the bills for

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• A large rate increase.
• We have increased our FTE and lowered our vacancy rate.
• And the vendor has not come forward in disclosing that to us.
• In order to do that, we can sometimes work with a vendor.
• We can scan, for example, the school vendor.