Transcript Highlights:

• We're doing our process.
• We're doing our process.
• How does that process work? Whether it's a bubble.
• How does state-to-state agreement process compare to the Electronic Registration Information Center process
• How does state-to-state agreement process compare to the electronic registration information center process

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met to hear a lengthy presentation from Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Florida election administration, with a focus on how elections are handled during natural disasters, election security, and preparations for the 2026 cycle. Byrd described Florida’s response to hurricanes in 2022 and 2024, saying the state works directly with county supervisors of elections to tailor executive orders to local conditions, add or relocate polling sites, extend deadlines, and help displaced voters and emergency workers cast ballots. Members from affected areas echoed that local supervisors had managed storm disruptions well and that turnout remained strong despite major damage. A large portion of the meeting covered election integrity and security. Byrd emphasized Florida’s use of paper ballots, pre-election logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, public canvassing, standardized voter-intent rules, and strict vote-by-mail request and signature-match requirements. He said the Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security investigates complaints and refers matters to law enforcement, and that Florida has expanded access to the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship. Members asked about threats to election workers, staffing vacancies, cybersecurity, ballot design, vote-by-mail address changes, and how the state coordinates with county supervisors, emergency management, and other agencies. Several members raised questions about voter eligibility and returning citizens, and Byrd said the department provides free information to help people determine whether their rights have been restored, while noting that court and clerk reporting practices still create challenges. He also said the department is considering additional legislative proposals, including more safeguards tied to driver’s license and citizenship verification and a possible statewide 100% audit of races before certification. The meeting ended with the chair encouraging members to visit supervisors of elections offices and submit specific ideas for future elections legislation; no votes were taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:49.280> on in the decision-making process on in the decision-making process on matters
• It's a lengthy process.
• And uh and it's a lengthy process. And uh and it's a lengthy process.
• There's at least probably 12,000 to 15,000 referral requests every month.
• least probably 12 to 15,000 referral least probably 12 to 15,000 referral requests<01:02:25.839>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are at a limit of knowledge or, what have you, of contacting a physician to ask a question or for referral
• I'd love it someday if we allow new health plans to direct access to physical therapists without a referral
• To physical therapists without a referral. Thank you. Thank you. Senator, is that all? Okay.
• My expectation is the same process will have to happen with these words.
• It's the way the process works.

Bills: HB10, HB12, HB34, SB130, SM21

Keywords: physician assistants, interstate compact, medical services, licensure, cross-state practice, military families, regulatory authority, physical therapy, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare, military spouses, criminal background check, HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• It has built-in mandatory reporting and review process.
• This is something that will instill transparency and trust back into our election process.
• One is, we had three referrals from last session. We have two referrals from earlier today.
• You know, and I just really think that adding another referral, Roong?
• SCR 1032 proposes a constitutional referral that imposes a rigid requirement...

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the due process concerns are fairly substantial.
• And under paragraph D, the process.
• We shouldn't be told to process.
• we're trying to streamline the process we're trying to streamline the process for<02:00:48.960><
• <02:35:16.800> for that those sorts of referrals for that those sorts of referrals for criminal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an important part of the correctional process.
• It is an important part of the correctional process.
• It is an important part of the correctional process.
• 00:42:32.040> um as our investigative processes um as our investigative processes um we<00:42:
• finalized all of our complaint processes finalized all of our complaint processes and<00:42:51.960

Bills: HB389, HB1166, HB1510, HB1541, HB1605, HB1661, HB1663, HB1678, HB1769, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1840, HB1853, HB1860, HB1891, HB1952, HB1960, HB1969, HB1970, HB1972, HB1976, HB2050, HB2094, HB2104, HB2158, HB2165, HB2171, HB2208, HB2246, HB2271, HB2300, HB2310, HB2315, HB2319, HB2338, HB2339, HB2343, HB2443, HB2498, HB2551, HB2599, HB2606, SB17, SB83, SB99, SB148, SB411, SB709, SB847, SB874, SB888, SB1032, SB1166, SB2001, SB2014, SB2031, SB2041, SB2050, SB2057, SB2061, SB2074, SB2075, SB2089, SB2095, SB2101, SB2102, SB2108, SB2109, SB2110, SB2125, SB2135, SB2138, SB2140, SB2146, SB2151, SB2152, SB2175, SB2203, SB2239, SB2246, SB2247, SB2253, SB2261, SB2268, SB2271, SB2272, SB2320, SB2340, SB2347, SB2353, SB2363, SB2367, SB2372, SB2376, SB2386

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• Employment Committee to notice AB 291 Gibson for their hearing on Wednesday, April 23, pending re-referral
• Announcement from the chair, AR 77.2 re-referral.
• We already spoke about a re-referral of item number 75, we are going to pass and retain on items 76 and
• Pending re-referral from the local government committee.
• For the hearing on Wednesday, April 30th, pending re-referral from the Housing Committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please note that per committee referral sheet number 33, the following measures have been referred
• contained in standing committee report numbers 1591, 2073, 2075, 2051, 2081, and 2046, recommending referral
• recommending 2075, 2051, 2081, and 2046 recommending 2075, 2051, 2081, and 2046 recommending referral
• referral to their designated committees. referral to their designated committees.
• systems available and waste management systems available and waste management systems and ...and processes

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not missing in the process.
• They're not missing in the process.
• Are the recommendations that need to be made to improve the process?
• budsman is the the verification process budsman is the the verification process for<00:09:59.560
• This just started in July, and we’ve had a lot of hiccups in the process to getting here.

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• To make a lot of sense and seems to streamline that process.
• That's been an interesting process.
• We are also in the process of convening a robust stakeholder process regarding the rule promulgation,
• We are in the process of working on that RFP for the CARA portal.
• We're currently in the process of doing that.

Transcript Highlights:

• fall of 24 with the Sunset Commission, where the agency denied it had the authority to regulate. the process
• Friday February 28th for the reading and referral of bills upon the conclusion of the reading and referral
• Friday February 28th for the reading and referral. of bills.
• Upon the conclusion of the reading and referral of bills, the Senate will stand adjourned until 11 a.m

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28, SB28, SR131, SR168, SR174, SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2203 SD2 passes third reading. >> Referrals and re-referrals.
• Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with any supplemental orders of the day that may be
• >> Referrals<00:04:37.520> and<00:04:37.759> re-referrals.
• <00:04:38.639> Referrals >> Referrals and re-referrals.
• Referrals >> Referrals and re-referrals.

Bills: SB2347, SB2911, SB2033, SB2158, SB2993, SB2778, SB2672, SB2014, SB3144, SB3096, SB3097, SB2968, SB2363, SB3154, SB2400, SB3313, SB2896, SB3279, SB2614, SB2687, SB2754, SB2549, SB3325, SB2658, SB2659, SB2602, SB2611, SB2877, SB3063, SB2615, SB3232, SB2875, SB3272, SB2854, SB3203, SB2803, SB2804, SB3302, SB3229, SB2969, SB2412, SB2657, SB2880, SB2540, SB2414, SB3142, SB3202, SB2281, SB2852, SB2272, SB2479, SB2589, SB2936, SB2720, SB2730, SB2749, SB2688, SB2798, SB3040, SB3107, SB3010, SB3109, SB3140, SB3187, SB2057, SB2377, SB3048, SB3083, SB3182

Keywords: tenant rights, landlord obligations, housing crisis, eviction prevention, multilingual access, intoxicating liquor, direct shipment, breweries, distilleries, Hawaii, renewable energy, grid-ready homes, interconnection process, electric utility, energy independence, surcharge, customer access, energy storage, smart inverters, veterinary workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the supplemental orders of the day that may be
• Referrals<00:02:11.200> and<00:02:11.440> re-referrals. Referrals and re-referrals.
• Referrals and re-referrals.
• >> Referrals<00:02:12.879> and<00:02:13.120> re-referrals<00:02:13.840> are
• ><00:02:14.080> made<00:02:14.319> in >> Referrals and re-referrals are made in &

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the supplemental orders of the day that may be
• referral to committee. referral to committee. >> So<00:05:13.520> ordered.
• >> Referrals<00:05:14.960> and<00:05:15.120> re-referrals.
• >> Referrals and re-referrals. >> Referrals and re-referrals.
• >> Referrals<00:05:16.320> and<00:05:16.560> re-referrals<00:05:17.280> are

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• referrals on the order of the day. referrals on the order of the day.
• Referrals and third reading.
• Referrals and re-referrals.<00:03:38.480> Referrals<00:03:39.040> and<00:03:39.280>
• re-referrals re-referrals.
• Referrals and re-referrals re-referrals.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The following bills on first reading and referral to committee.
• Resources HB 38 by BC relating to the improvements of the Texas Information Referral Network referred
• HB 1005. 10005 by to relating to the process of canvassing elections for the committee on elections.
• AP 1087 by Schofield relating to the process to.
• HB 1188 by manual relating to referrals certain students receiving special education services to a local

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's Messages Nos. 654 to 664 are referred in accordance with the referrals on the order of the
• Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the order of the day and the supplemental orders
• <00:05:02.280> and motion is carried referrals and motion is carried referrals and re-referrals
• <00:05:03.320> referrals<00:05:03.800> and<00:05:04.000> re-referrals re-referrals
• referrals and re-referrals re-referrals referrals and re-referrals are<00:05:04.960> made<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with any supplemental orders of the day that may be
• >> Referrals<00:02:36.400> and<00:02:36.640> re-referrals.
• >> Referrals and re-referrals. >> Referrals and re-referrals.
• >> Referrals<00:02:37.920> and<00:02:38.080> re-referrals<00:02:38.879> are
• ><00:02:39.040> made<00:02:39.280> in >> Referrals and re-referrals are made in &

Bills: SB2138, SB2054, SB2987, SB2908, SB2702, SB2924, SB3248, SB2635, SB3127, SB3001, SB2294, SB2037, SB2797, SB2765, SB2961, SB2210, SB2948, SB3108, SB3240, SB2045, SB2675, SB2338, SB2451, SB2552, SB2553, SB3089, SB3176, SB3285, SB2234, SB2219, SB2312, SB2336, SB2343, SB2849, SB2928, SB2930, SB3332, SB2927, SB2983, SB2906, SB2353, SB2848, SB2340, SB2845, SB3246, SB3077, SB3254, SB2934, SB2571, SB2248, SB2471, SB2298, SB2413, SB2425, SB3045, SB2843, SB2595, SB2907, SB3204, SB2311, SB2532, SB2528, SB2313, SB3300, SB2530, SB2693, SB2010, SB3156, SB2697, SB2991, SB3153, SB2812, SB2527, SB2376, SB3081, SB3218, SB3219, SB3333, SB2232, SB2192, SB2378, SB2070, SB3011, SB2676, SB2957, SB2434, SB2673, SB3301, SB2247, SB2453, SB2457, SB2075, SB2811, SB2601, SB2258, SB2612, SB3263, SB3261, SB3334, SB2613

Keywords: SB2138, Hawaii National Guard, state tuition assistance, STAP, graduate degree, graduate education, tuition assistance, University of Hawaii, UH, Department of Defense, adjutant general, enlisted personnel, warrant officers, company grade officers, military education, veterans benefits, higher education, state residency, professional development, retention

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, HB 542 is a process.
• The private right-of-ways already have a process in place for that.
• Since the passage of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, the current process for utility relocation
• And that, uh, I would ask that you carry this over for either a referral back to a study commission or
• back to a study uh either a referral back to a study commission<00:13:29.760> or<00:13:29.840

Bills: HB542

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Still, there is a process to have that site open.
• That's a pretty standard process for us. Anything you would add?
• Why haven't we started the automating process?
• single rate structure process that is definitely still ongoing.
• Hello, Lily, with the California Resource and Referral Network.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.