Video & Transcript : 'DFPS budget' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So your budget does... ...use of the in-school product, if that makes sense.
- So your budget doesn't reflect any revenue from the sale and licensing of student data? It does.
- So your budget does. use of the in-school product, if that makes sense.
- So your budget doesn't reflect any revenue from the sale and licensing of student data? It does.
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard two bills. AB 1159 by Assemblymember Addis would update California student data privacy law to extend protections to college students, limit how ed tech companies can collect and use student information, and add restrictions around sensitive data and generative AI use. Supporters, including Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, CFT, labor, civil rights, and education groups, said students and educators need stronger safeguards against invasive data collection and misuse. Opponents, including College Board, TechNet, CalChamber, and ACT Education, argued the bill was overly broad, could interfere with legitimate educational services and AI development, and raised concerns about a private right of action and impacts on adult students and recruitment opportunities.
AB 883 by Assemblymember Lowenthal would expedite deletion of personal information for elected and appointed officials under California’s data broker deletion system by having state agencies provide official lists to the privacy agency and requiring brokers to delete the information within five days. Supporters said the measure responds to rising threats, harassment, and violence against public officials and would help reduce exposure of their personal data. TechNet and TechC.A. opposed unless amended, citing concerns about exemptions for lawful data sharing, the five-day timeline, and litigation risk, while the author emphasized the bill does not create a new right but streamlines access to an existing deletion process.
Both bills were advanced after committee discussion and roll calls. AB 1159 passed 11-2 and was sent to the Judiciary Committee. AB 883 passed 14-0 and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And we also know that in these times of extreme budget challenges, we need to be as efficient as possible
- a rate increase to meet the increasing cost of our services would not be feasible in light of the budget
- effort to create transparency and provide accurate data to those making decisions, whether it is a budget
- Lastly, unfortunately, due to the budget deficit and directions that provider rate increases will not
Summary:
The Early Learning and Human Services Committee opened its 2026 session with member and staff introductions, then took up four bills. HB 2185 would expand the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more members with lived experience of homelessness or involvement in public systems, broaden youth representation up to age 25, and allow members who turn 25 to finish their terms. The prime sponsor and testifiers from homeless youth advocacy organizations supported the bill, saying it would improve representation and the quality of advice to the Office of Homeless Youth. The hearing on HB 2185 was then closed.
The committee next heard HB 2319, which renames Washington’s residential habilitation centers by removing the word “school” from their titles and updating related statutory references. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect current services and reduce confusion, and advocates from The Arc of Washington, Disability Rights Washington, and self-advocates supported the bill as a needed terminology update that would better describe the facilities and avoid misleading the public. No opposition was heard.
HB 2230 would limit DSHS to one annual routine review in specified subject areas for community residential service providers and require more document-sharing across divisions to reduce duplicate oversight. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill is intended to cut redundant audits and site visits so staff can spend more time on client care, while still preserving investigations and required oversight. HB 2200 would direct JLARC to review safety and stability outcomes across developmental disability residential settings and require a public dashboard comparing data such as 911 calls, ER boarding, placement terminations, and staff retention. The sponsor and several witnesses supported greater transparency, while provider representatives raised concerns about raw data being misleading without per-client or percentage-based context and about possible fiscal impacts. The committee did not take final votes on the bills in the transcript and adjourned after public hearings and caucus time were announced.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jan 13th, 2026
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- cisterns were initially installed, the maintenance and responsibility was unclear, and there was no budget
- This past budget, it was $50 million.
- This past budget, it was $50 million. Since 2010, Chris Stark continued: “The line item.
- This past budget, it was $50 million. Since 2010, it has increased over 250%.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Keywords:
healthcare, direct primary care, insurance, referrals, network providers, payment denial, insurance costs, manufactured homes, homeowners insurance, affordability, state regulations, insurance market, consumer protection, mobile homes, firefighting, water supply, cistern program, rural areas, urban interface, state funding
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 19th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Authority through restructuring of the board. to better reflect the agricultural community, improving budgeting
- A lot of this was brought on because, you know, today we don't really have a number from the budget as
- Is it already in the budget? No, it's currently in negotiations.
- That is 5% of our whole budget on repairs.
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Keywords:
agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Before I do that, I want you to know there is a budget line item already adopted to do this project.
- We had a great budget chair, called Chair Missouri. Okay.
- I wanted to be clear, so the funding was put in previously, and you have an item in the budget now that
- is part of the budget recognition and reconciliation that we're going through.
Bills:
HB370 , HB738 , HB2935 , HB3227 , HB4103 , HB5259 , SB519 , SB1350 , SB1247 , SB1248 , SB2112 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR59 , HCR109 , HCR111 , HCR135 , SCR6
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Keywords:
HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Regulated Industries Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires that if a board proposes an annual budget exceeding 115% of the prior year, that the board
- will simultaneously propose a substitute budget, not including any discretionary expenditures and that
- such substitute budget should be considered first.
- Associations may obtain a lot of credit in lower reserves for all or a portion of the required reserves for budget
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine managing risk for the long-term in the 7(a) loan program, focusing on hearing from lenders. Feb 26th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Our annual operating budget is just shy of $2 million.
- They need to have a budget. If you don't plan, you plan to fail.
- I don't know what the SBA's budget will look like next year. None of us do, obviously.
- For example, my marketing budget is $80. $50 for my website, $30 for my psychology today directly.
Keywords:
SBA, 7A loan program, underwriting standards, loan defaults, Community Advantage Program, small business funding, testimony
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 2/26/25
Transcript Highlights:
- On top of that, we had a 40% increase in state budget spending overall.
- top of that we had a 40% increase in top of that we had a 40% increase in state<00:09:05.320><c> budget
- > uh</c><00:09:06.160><c> spending</c><00:09:06.600><c> overall</c><00:09:07.600><c> um</c> state budget
- uh spending overall um state budget uh spending overall um across<00:09:08.160><c> the</c><00:09:08.240
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- [Laughter] Nothing wrong with Britain getting to the budget.
- the Chief Justice, may be used exclusively for expenses authorized by this section and shall be budgeted
- Got a budget chair that's got a question over here. Calling the question over here.
- while we are working on everything else and trying to reorganize and streamline, we could cut our budget
Bills:
HB43 , SB81 , SB178 , SB138 , SB89 , SB183 , HB27 , HB188 , HB199 , HB190 , SB117 , HB43 , HB27
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, custodial sexual misconduct, sexual misconduct, inmate abuse, prisoner exploitation, correctional staff, jail staff, detention center, probation officer, parole officer, Department of Corrections, Department of Youth Services, sheriff, county jail, municipal jail
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
An oversight hearing to examine Native communities' priorities for the 119th Congress. Feb 12th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Indian Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The Indian Health Service National Tribal Budget Formulation Works Group estimated that full funding
- Regardless of the percentage of total budget, a pause in funding would be necessary.
- to create jobs and to supplement funding for tribal programs that are underfunded in the federal budget
- Our schools require consistent investment, not fluctuating annual budgets that create uncertainty.
Committee:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Keywords:
tribal sovereignty, healthcare, education, public safety, Economic Development, Tax Parity Act, PROTECT Act, trust obligations, bipartisan support, Indian Health Services
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have the Department of Budget and Finance providing comments only on this measure, not here
- :13:36.920><c> of</c> 554 first up we have um Department of 554 first up we have um Department of budget
- and</c><00:13:37.519><c> finance</c><00:13:38.519><c> providing</c><00:13:39.240><c> comments</c> budget
- and finance providing comments budget and finance providing comments only<00:13:39.920><c> on</c><00
Committee:
House Culture & Arts
Summary:
The committee heard several measures related to cultural recognition and arts policy. HB 531 would authorize special license plates recognizing the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and HB 458 would designate Brother Joseph Dutton Day; both received support testimony, including from the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Joseph Dutton Guild, and both were advanced. HB 345 would establish ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to help protect alkaline pool systems, with support from DLNR and multiple community and environmental groups, and it was also advanced. HB 194, relating to Maritime Day, received limited testimony and was moved forward with amendments to align the observance with National Maritime Day on May 22.
The committee also heard HB 554, which originally would have established Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Testimony in support emphasized cultural recognition and community benefits, but the chair explained that creating a new state holiday would cost about $9 million, so the bill was amended to make Lunar New Year a day of recognition rather than a state holiday. The committee noted several supporters, including youth testimony, and advanced the measure with amendments. HB 957, relating to Lāʻau Day, similarly drew broad written support; the committee amended it to designate the first Friday of May rather than May 1 and advanced it.
In each case, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations without opposition or reservations. The hearing concluded with HB 925, a short-form bill that would allow the state to levy a 1% tax on concert ticket sales to support arts access statewide; the committee recommended passing the bill with amendments and recommitting it for future public hearings, and that recommendation was adopted.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So LFC and LESC both their recommendations for the budget do include a $150 million transfer to the public
- the PERF be adopted by the legislature and signed by the governor, it would allow for multi-year budgeting
- Again, there are different proposals based on the various budget recommendations.
- It's not recreated, or because we start our budgeting process every year, it would not be a recurring
Committee:
Senate Senate Education
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee Jul 15th, 2026
Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So agencies weren't budgeting for wide use of AI.
- So agencies weren't budgeting for wide use of AI.
- We don't, because of the budgeting, we don't have that.
- I would say our current budget cycles are very long.
- , I don't know what to budget for, how to budget for today, if it's going to hit next biennium or if
Summary:
The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue.
Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches.
The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And more specifically, is there part of the upcoming budget request?
- Their appropriation process is being handled by our budget director so that the appropriation process
- So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
- So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
- Has this just been through their regular budget that they've just been building this in?
Summary:
The committee met on the Minot State campus for a presentation from President Shirley and several university leaders on enrollment, academics, workforce initiatives, and partnerships. Shirley reviewed the university’s financial audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings in recent years, and highlighted Minot State’s major programs, specialized accreditations, and ties to Minot Air Force Base and NCAA Division II athletics. Members asked about education workforce shortages, athletic tuition waivers, dual credit incentives, and the university’s in-state tuition policy for all students. Shirley also discussed the university’s recruitment efforts, including the Hometown Pride and Academic Excellence scholarships, campus visit growth, and the Emerging Scholars dual-credit reimbursement program.
A major focus was workforce development and new academic offerings supported by legislative Workforce Education Innovation Funds. Shirley described the new Innovation Engineering program, which was developed with industry input to train broadly skilled engineers for western North Dakota, and said it had already drawn more applicants than expected. Dr. Crystal St. Peter presented a new master’s program in counseling that integrates mental health and addiction counseling to address statewide provider shortages, with a hybrid format to reach rural students. Members asked about licensure requirements, internship hours, and job placement for graduates. Shirley also outlined a new nursing simulation center and health sciences space in downtown Minot, made possible by state support and the purchase of the former Trinity Health Center West building.
The committee also heard about Minot State’s efforts to build pipelines into education and special education, including the Aspire program for rural high school students and an online paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Shirley said these programs, along with new articulation agreements and a large Bush Foundation grant, are intended to address teacher shortages and keep students in North Dakota. No formal committee votes or actions were taken during the presentation; the session consisted of informational updates and member questions.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- bill requires the Florida Center for Cybersecurity to submit to the Executive Office of Policy and Budget
- bill requires the Florida Center for Cybersecurity to submit to the Executive Office of Policy and Budget
- And if we need to accommodate for those dollars in that budget, we will be able to.
- clarifies DOEA's authority to rescind AAA designation for failures in eligibility determination or budget
- And like I said, we still have time, so I will be very nice while we're still doing budget.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate measures before final passage. The first major bill, health care patient protection, required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, a pediatric emergency care coordinator, and readiness assessments; it passed 36-0. A public records bill protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the name of a law enforcement officer who is a victim also passed after questions about access for victims of police misconduct, with a 33-4 vote.
The Senate next approved a local government cybersecurity bill creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help counties and cities strengthen cyber defenses, with priority for rural and fiscally constrained governments; after amendments, it passed 37-0. A clerks of court bill allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and, through a House amendment, revising legal notice and traffic citation distribution provisions, passed 38-0 despite debate over impacts on municipalities and law enforcement. The chamber also passed a trademark modernization bill and a septic system permit bill intended to reduce delays for builders; the septic bill was amended to align the House and Senate versions and passed 38-0.
The longest and most contested item was the elections bill, which updated citizenship verification procedures using REAL ID and state databases, changed candidate qualification rules, and altered election administration provisions. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to exempt certain seniors, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, allow attestations in place of documentary proof of citizenship, and require human review over automated systems. One amendment to delay implementation until July 1, 2027, was also debated. The transcript ends while debate is still underway on the elections measure, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Sorry, I never looked at that. >> I think, uh, from the budget requests, I want to say, and please don't
- </c><00:14:29.680><c> requests</c><00:14:30.160><c> I</c> >> I think uh from the budget requests
- I >> I think uh from the budget requests I want<00:14:30.480><c> to</c><00:14:30.639><c> say</
- </c><00:14:56.079><c> Is</c><00:14:56.160><c> that</c> supplemental budget request.
- Is that supplemental budget request. Is that correct?
Committee:
Senate Labor and Technology
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work.
The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (12-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- federal cuts and budget challenges you all<00:18:45.039><c> face?
- We have a $21 billion Medicaid budget.
- We have a $21 billion Medicaid budget.
- We have a $21 billion Medicaid budget.
- We have a $21 billion Medicaid budget.
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well.
Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk.
Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (11-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- As you may recall, in the last budget cycle, the General Assembly allocated $250,000 for the state to
- review subcommittee on to the budget review subcommittee on economic<00:26:22.240><c> development</c
- Actually, we were recommending a much lower budget level that patients will talk through.
- ,</c><00:36:18.240><c> uh</c><00:36:18.400><c> review</c> front of the the budget, uh review front of
- </c><01:19:36.239><c> cycle</c> appropriation in the last budget cycle appropriation in the last budget
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:58
Putting Young Kentuckians to Work: First Year Update 00:04:06
Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative 00:21:59
Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership 00:57:15, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the October minutes, and heard first a progress report on the state-funded “Putting Young Kentuckians to Work” initiative. Workforce leaders from Cumberland Workforce Development Board and Kentucky Works said the HB 1 funding has allowed them to contract with all 10 workforce boards and build new pipelines with high schools, area technology centers, school districts, and community and technical colleges. They reported an end-of-year goal of 3,600 job placements, with 218 placements reported as of October 2025 and enrollment numbers continuing to rise. Testimony emphasized that the program is aimed at disconnected youth and high school seniors, that federal WIOA funds are too limited to support this work alone, and that the flexible state funding has enabled short-term training and placements in fields such as welding, CDL, and CNA. Members asked about barriers to implementation, wage levels, and services for students with disabilities; presenters said the main challenge was building school relationships and that wage growth should improve as students gain more skills and credentials.
The committee then received an update on the Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative. Representatives from Greater Louisville Inc. and Commerce Lexington explained that the General Assembly previously provided $250,000 for a consultant to develop a statewide talent attraction and retention strategy, and that more than 13 organizations across the state support the effort. Development Counsellors International described its research process, including statewide stakeholder engagement, and said the goal is to create a Kentucky talent value proposition that combines job opportunities with quality-of-place messaging. They reported that Kentucky faces a shrinking labor force and a projected national worker shortfall, while internal research found 47% of working-age respondents could consider leaving the state within two years because they are not confident in career opportunities. At the same time, they said 96% of surveyed higher education students would stay if offered a full-time job, and 72% of employers expect to expand staffing in the next two years. The presenters said they are moving from research into messaging and an action plan, and that the strategy should be customized and measurable rather than one-size-fits-all.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (11-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- analyzed the spending of the Fayette County public schools after news of a $16 million projected budget
- shortfall. in the last budget cycle.
- This year, my in the last budget cycle.
- </c> of a $16 million projected budget of a $16 million projected budget shortfall.<00:08:51.120><c>
- Um, how much of a district's budget should go toward administration?
Keywords:
Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15
Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14
Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities.
Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf.
Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (09/26/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not filling holes of budget gaps.
- It's not filling holes of budget gaps.
- But there are other changes that will impact states' budgets, including New Hampshire.
- So the state has to pay 75% of that budget?
- ><c> cut</c><01:12:09.679><c> on</c> >> There's been a budget cut on >> There's been a budget
Summary:
The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state.
The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training.
Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.