Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it can range, depends on the size of the system. It can range. It can range.
• Well, it can range, depending on the size of the system.
• The Safe Drinking Water fee is actually collected by the water system from customers, which doesn't affect
• So the water system is what remits the payment to the health department, and then it's the convenience
• These are water systems. Okay.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 28, 2026, approved the May 19 minutes, and then considered three third-party convenience fee schedules for online payments. The first was for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, presented by Rebecca Dupree with Louisiana Interactive; members confirmed the online payment option would be voluntary and approved the fee schedule without objection. The second was for the Department of Health’s Safe Drinking Water Program, presented by Karen Benjamin, and generated extended discussion about a $2.50 flat fee plus a 2.5% card-processing charge, especially whether that charge would violate recently passed Senate Bill 254 regarding debit card surcharges. Senators Mizell, Lambert, and Luneau questioned the structure, and department representatives said they believed the fee was not a surcharge and that ACH payments would avoid the percentage charge; the committee approved the fee schedule but urged the department to review it for compliance with SB 254. The third fee schedule was for the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, presented by Lindsay Savoy and Garrett Lee, covering online payments for the conveyance program and the Fire Emergency Training Academy. Senators again raised concerns about the 2.5% card charge in light of SB 254, and the presenters said they intended to comply with the new law and would discuss the issue further. The committee approved this fee schedule as well, with a similar reminder to consider the bill’s impact going forward. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• my name is Farrah, and I'm here today as a student who has lived throughout my life. our education system
• The system becomes about scores, not students.
• As students encounter our public education system, that the fate of their school, the fate of their funding
• Let's rethink the system and let's start saying these are the things we want to be teaching.
• It perpetuates a broken system of testing and miraculously makes it work. ...manages to spend $50 million

Keywords: House Bill 8, standardized testing, student testimony, education policy, mental health, parent concerns, Texas Education Agency

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the impacts of House Bill 8, which proposes increasing the frequency of state testing for students in Texas. During the meeting, various testimonies were provided by students, highlighting their concerns about the negative effects of standardized testing on their educational experience. Students expressed that the pressure of multiple assessments causes significant stress and detracts from the joy of learning. Some lawmakers voiced their opposition to the bill, emphasizing the need for a thorough review and consideration of alternative evaluation methods that prioritize student well-being over testing metrics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, my name is Farah, and I'm here today as a student who has lived through what our education system
• The whole system becomes about scores, not students.
• Because from almost as soon as our students encounter our public education system, they're told that
• Let's rethink the system and let's start saying these are the things we want to be teaching.
• This bill is terrible and It is such a big change to our accountability system that we have no business

Transcript Highlights:

• But the problem is... within reach, and this will be problematic as we do grow out our EV system.
• So there's a system we've structured in the bill to... ensure that to the extent that we can, we're going
• There's no system in place, like a comprehensive system, to extract these batteries.
• And we're really losing a lot of opportunity by not having a more comprehensive system in place so that
• just automatically, when a battery is replaced or a car is turned in at the end of life, there's a system

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Flair system replacement, known as the Palm Project, is a monumental undertaking for our state that
• The Flair system replacement, known as the Palm Project, is a monumental undertaking for our state that
• $46.7 million of project-related costs and $62.2 million for agencies to continue configuring their systems
• for a successful integration into the new Palm system.
• We've also had recent in-depth discussions regarding the I-Connect system at the Agency for Persons with

Summary: The Information Technology Budget and Policy Subcommittee met to consider House Bill 369, relating to digital content provenance and AI-generated images, sponsored by Representative McFarland. McFarland explained that the bill is intended to address concerns about people being misled by AI-generated content, especially on social media, by preserving digital provenance data or watermark-like signatures attached to AI images. He said the measure is meant to support transparency without stifling innovation. A strike-all amendment was adopted that narrowed the bill in response to industry feedback. It removed an initial pilot program for the Division of Emergency Management, deleted provisions dealing with AI in elections, tightened definitions, and delayed the effective date to July 2026. Members asked about user control over provenance data, whether the data could include personal information, and how enforcement would work. McFarland said users may add extra information but are not required to, and that enforcement would begin with a complaint to the Attorney General, followed by notice and a 30-day cure period before possible action under the Fair, Unfair, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Public testimony included support from an artist advocate, who said AI transparency is needed to protect creators, and support statements from Adobe and Comcast. TechNet appeared for information only and said it appreciated the changes, including the removal of the capture device, the 30-day cure period, and the delayed effective date. The amendment was adopted, and HB 369 was then reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. After the bill, the chair presented the subcommittee’s recommended 2025-2026 IT budget, totaling $528 million, including $146.5 million in general revenue and $382.2 million in trust funds. The proposal reflected a roughly 13% decrease from the prior year and emphasized funding for major ongoing projects such as the PALM/FLAIR replacement, the AHCA FX program, the Department of Revenue’s CAMS modernization, and the APD I-Connect system. No questions were raised, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• What you do matters profoundly systems.
• ,</c><01:17:56.320><c> becoming</c> out of the system, becoming out of the system, becoming self-sufficient
• </c> again out of the system. again out of the system. &gt;&gt; Very<01:21:42.800><c> good.
• If someone care system that we have.
• So I appreciate your all's time system.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><00:04:25.400><c> is</c><00:04:25.720><c> not</c> in a system a housing system that is not in
• a system a housing system that is not producing<00:04:26.520><c> the</c><00:04:26.680><c> housing</c
• This whole housing system is complex.
• This whole housing system is complex.
• these systems put entire these<00:45:29.040><c> failing</c><00:45:29.440><c> systems</c><00:45:29.839

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is on the fire hydrant testing for community water systems.
• Currently, the system allows for setting our folks who are in our system up for failure when they come
• , allowing concealed carry holders to carry on the transit systems.
• Honestly, I don't use the transit system.
• Modernizing the 8-1-1 system here in Missouri.

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we have In the 1970s, we had a special gas system. Now we have a combined gas and oil system.
• We have a steady and legally durable system.
• Having said that, it's the best system in the world.
• It's the system that provides for the greatest affordability in the world.
• We know that hydrogen is not just a molecule; it is a system.

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is daunting in a system that's not working for the people who are having to go into debt, maxing
• that are already in place using systems that are already in place to<00:12:19.760><c> keep</c><00:12
• Through Hennepin's coordinated emergency rent system, Rent Help Hennepin, we have prevented more than
• , Rent Help Henipin, we have system, Rent Help Henipin, we have prevented<00:13:59.680><c> more</c><00
• And it seems more like a systemic problem to me than just the ICE issue.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other section is within the system itself.
• Those that within the system itself.
• </c><00:38:09.359><c> that</c> system which is the state system that system which is the state system
• Um the Council for in the state system.
• . two speakers to talk about systemness.

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:00:30 Kentucky Department of Education 00:27:10 Education and Labor Cabinet 00:31:35 Auditor of Public Accounts 00:36:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill number 437 was substituted by Representative Faulkner, relating to the shark alert system.
• . ability to use an Amber Alert system.
• The Amber Alert system is, I believe, I had...
• Well, we have a court system and a judicial system that tries to handle both of those.
• It's crucial for maintaining the integrity of our system. a technical or legal technicality.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is on top of the benefits our court system feels when parties are represented in court.
• Civil Legal Services is just one leg of the three-legged stool of the Minnesota justice system.
• Um, I think that the main change that's happening is that having been part of the court system, I've
• Um, I think that the main change that's happening is that having been part of the court system, I've
• Um in light of system uh is taking on.

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we don't decimate our health care system we don't decimate our health care system in<01:54:50.880
• But the reality is, you know, the way the federal system works and the way our health care system works
• But the reality is, you know, the way the federal system works and the way our health care system works
• works and the way our health uh system works and the way our health care<02:10:15.360><c> system</c>
• </c> offender system. offender system. &gt;&gt; Judiciary. &gt;&gt; Judiciary. &gt;&gt; Judiciary.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system we support for postsecondary.
• These are young people that the system lost track of.
• I thank you. system entirely. Researchers call them system entirely.
• And we've seen it happen even in our most secure military systems.
• </c> other systems, he said. Mystified. other systems, he said. Mystified.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the quarterly the university system that the quarterly reporting<02:30:28.160><c> is</c><02:30:
• So, thank you. ...got from Mark Rubenstein, the chancellor of the community college system.
• , let the community college system, particularly the chancellor, develop what's necessary in order to
• , let the community college system, particularly the chancellor, develop what's necessary in order to
• And the same thing with the community college system.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of care for strengthening systems of care for healthy<01:11:13.280><c> aging.
• So, a system of care is healthy aging.
• </c><01:12:21.199><c> I</c> strengthening our systems of care. I strengthening our systems of care.
• </c><01:12:33.040><c> And</c> some goals for the system of care.
• And some goals for the system of care.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill exempts from the electronic procurement system the Department of Education's purchase of fresh
• </c><00:35:59.760><c> to</c><00:36:00.000><c> James</c> the state public library system to James the
• </c> appropriate content with a tiered system appropriate content with a tiered system according<01:15
• put that in the system and we'll honor<01:32:32.880><c> that</c><01:32:33.400><c> request</c><01:32:
• that we utilize and it's um some systems that we utilize and it's separated<01:33:20.520><c> from</c

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• So, you know, and again, we have the best higher education system.
• All the way down to the California State Teachers' Retirement System, CalSTRS.
• "In this case, it's dollars that have been put into the system by teachers.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and several related budget proposals. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to target sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, export promotion, film tax credits, and the California Civic Media Fund, emphasizing job creation, regional equity, and business attraction/retention. Members raised questions about support for journalism, arts and creative industries, AI’s impact on jobs, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, tariffs, and how the Jobs First framework is being implemented across regions. Go-Biz then presented trailer bill language to extend the encumbrance deadline for remaining Jobs First administrative funds and to codify the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The department said $95 million of the $100 million Jobs First appropriation had already been deployed to grants for counties and tribes, and members asked for more information on regional outcomes, including Orange County and the North State. Public comment supported Jobs First and the Small Business Development Centers’ role in helping businesses access capital and create jobs. The committee also heard a request for ongoing CalExport funding to replace uncertain federal STEP support; the LAO noted the Legislature may want to weigh whether to backfill federal reductions, while Go-Biz argued the state program is needed because federal support appears unlikely to continue and demand exceeds available funding. The committee next heard the film and television tax credit staffing request. Go-Biz asked for funding for three permanent positions to manage the expanded program, and the LAO recommended approval given the increased workload. The Film Commission reported a sharp rise in applications after AB 1138 and the program expansion, with productions taking place both inside and outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone and activity spread across the state. Finally, Go-Biz presented a request for one permanent position and one graduate student assistant to support innovation and emerging technologies, including quantum and fusion. Members asked about the use of the state’s quantum funding, and staff explained it would support microgrants, state capacity-building, and workforce education. No formal votes were taken in the portions provided, and the chair indicated some items would be moved and heard later in the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• So, you know, and again, we have the best higher education system.
• All the way down to the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, CalSTRS.
• In this case, it’s dollars that have been put into the system by teachers.

Keywords: 988, house, all