Transcript Highlights:

• We wanted to let you know here at Equal Ground we fully support this bill, and we fully support my Jacksonville
• Chair: Brad Ashwell, All Voting Local Action, waives in support. Martin Orti waives in support.
• Chair: Florida Family Voice waiving in support.
• Chair Robinson: Erin, Florida Family Voice in support. Chair Robinson: Norm Brockman in support.
• I'm here in support of the pink birds.

Transcript Highlights:

• that really person-centered and person-focused on what families need as they seek out services.
• So, for example, families often need an assessment or some other services in order to begin services.
• So helping kind of have that service immediately available so that a family doesn't need to go and get
• We'd also look at hiring some family navigation supports that would support our current waivers and really
• work toward the new waiver, also looking at some additional kind of family navigation services as well

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Department of Accounting and General Services in support.
• We have the Department of Human Services in support.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of investments in family planning services.
• and family planning services, and ask the committee to keep this in the budget going forward.
• Page 383, HTH 560, sequence 1001: add funds for Family Health Services.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• support events like Juneteenth, and we need to become more as one.
• Today I rise in strong support of ACR 124.
• to our country, and the inspiration he continues to provide to students, families, His service to our
• as a service to Californians.
• This bill has had zero no votes and has had bipartisan support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Colonel Kowton wrote that book about a specific Vietnamese family.
• Burciaga, Director of Legislative Council Service, March 16, 2011. 2011 WL 1587745.
• President, I want to take us back to the fostering tax credit for foster families.
• President, and, Chair, Madam Chair, the foster families here in New Mexico. Mexico.
• So for that reason, I want to stand in support of House Bill 71, as twice amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it would help those families. services did a very intense management structure to address the issue
• And it would help those families.
• Families that don't get access to child care often end up on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Families that don't get access to child care often end up on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• We can support peace.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's finally retiring after a long career in public service.
• And with that, I'd ask for your support.
• Florida families.
• The bill provides stronger support for families with infants in the NICU by requiring evidence-based
• they place on Florida families and businesses.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the type of care option... ...of families.
• Leo Benavides with UNLV, here in support of AB 428.
• I join you today in support of Assembly Bill 404.
• my family.
• So we are in support of this bill. So we are in support of this bill.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We support that. We support the restrictions, but we do not support the prohibition on that.
• We support that. We support the restrictions, but we do not support the prohibition on that.
• I do not support a ban.
• I support this bill.
• All support.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee continued testimony on House Bill 864, which would schedule kratom as a Schedule I substance. Testimony was sharply divided. Family members of people who died after using kratom urged a full ban, arguing that kratom leaf and extracts can be lethal, that labeling is misleading, and that regulation would leave loopholes. Retail and industry witnesses, along with the American Kratom Association, argued that the problem is synthetic 7-OH and other adulterated products rather than natural kratom leaf, and said the bill would criminalize users and push products into the black market. A physician who worked in corrections testified that kratom is an addictive opioid-like substance and supported the bill, while other witnesses said kratom helped them manage pain or avoid stronger opioids. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to hold HB 864 to a time certain of March 25 by a roll call vote of 11-5. The committee then took up House Bill 903, a SNAP-related bill clarifying which foods can be purchased with benefits. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clean up the earlier SNAP restrictions and keep more nutritious items eligible, but he also announced planned amendments to remove cookies, cakes, brownies, sprinkles, chips, and snack bars from the allowable list. Retailers and related industry groups supported the bill as a clarification measure, but several members objected to advancing it before the proposed amendments were formally available and before stakeholders could weigh in. A substitute motion to hold the bill failed, and the committee then voted to send HB 903 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 757, which would define medical neglect in state law and create protections for parents and guardians from bad-faith or false reports. The sponsor said the bill narrows medical neglect to life-threatening conditions, adds a reasonable-person standard, and provides safe harbors for parents seeking care or dealing with complex medical situations, including alternative treatments. Members began asking questions about what qualifies as life-threatening as the hearing moved into testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• He cares for Candy and his family.
• And I think that I—we talked about my family already, but I'm going to thank my family: my husband, Pat
• I was not supportive of the bill. Second session, I wasn't supportive of the bill.
• Next term, I wasn't supportive of the bill. Last session, I wasn't supportive of the bill.
• Supporting this legislation and supporting lawful gun ownership are not mutually exclusive.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so we do have a motion. ...to support this bill.
• So I will be supporting the motion. And again, thank you for bringing this back.
• So I will be supporting this motion.
• Representative Redmond, I do intend to support the motion to introduce.
• I ask that you support that which has been and just help us lend the clarifying language.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• helped</c><00:20:55.520><c> families</c><00:20:55.960><c> to</c> relocate or it helped families to relocate
• </c> amendment and do support it. amendment and do support it.
• </c> and we either support support it or not. and we either support support it or not.
• </c> reimbursements or other support systems. reimbursements or other support systems.
• </c><00:44:30.520><c> the</c> I would urge members not to support the I would urge members not to support

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Cabinet for Health and Family the Cabinet for Health and Family Services,<00:04:02.879><c> Department
• </c> for the Cabinet Health and Family for the Cabinet Health and Family Services.<00:08:55.200><c> Um
• The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has six lease renewals.
• The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has six lease renewals.
• </c> The Cabinet for Health and Family The Cabinet for Health and Family Services<00:30:46.880><c> has

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December meeting minutes and received several information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, University of Kentucky medical and equipment purchases, school district bond issue notices, and a University of Kentucky RFP for an enterprise services partner. Members also briefly discussed a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for student housing and dining, with comments that such arrangements may improve efficiency and use of taxpayer dollars during a difficult budget year. The main substantive discussion centered on a new CHFS lease in Harlan County for the Department for Community Based Services. Members questioned the proposed annual cost of $25.62 per square foot, which was far above the county average cited in the meeting, and raised concerns about the one responsive bid, the long lease term through 2033, and whether a nearby hospital or other entity might have been interested. CHFS staff said the current office space is in poor condition, that the new lease includes needed construction and 60 parking spaces, and that the office is limited to considering only actual bidders. After debate over whether to rebid or negotiate, the committee voted to approve the lease, with some members supporting it because of the current facility’s condition and others recording reservations. The committee then approved the remaining 10 lease renewals as a group. These included one renewal for the Commonwealth’s prosecutorial system and renewals for several CHFS offices, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Natural Resources. One member noted that seven of the 10 renewals were at or below the county average rate and said the overall package was substantially in line with local market conditions.

Transcript Highlights:

• . services. services.
• . service. service.
• And so, we go before ours, we go before family services, health services, we come before MOAB, we have
• Other families share one car to support all work, school, and other needs.
• Other families share one car to<01:41:22.480><c> support</c><01:41:22.960><c> all</c><01:41:23.240><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports. The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year. Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ADUs can provide much-needed solution to families seeking multi-generational living options.
• Happy to be here today in support of Senate Bill 673.
• So again, we're very happy to support this legislation.
• It would also be an unfunded mandate for our public services such as fire, EMS, and police services.
• Careful infrastructure planning is required to support all that growth.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Children and Families. So it's a direct Children and Families.
• </c> get services. get services.
• to the family.
• to the family.
• to the family.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 22-FN, which would expand child care licensing background checks so the Department of Health and Human Services can receive fuller criminal history information, including pending charges and other non-conviction records, similar to the system already used for school staff. Grant Bossi, for Senator Pearl, and DHHS officials Melissa Clement and Christine Sheay testified in support, saying the bill closes a gap that can allow people with disqualifying charges to work with children. They explained that the FBI record is a snapshot in time, that juvenile records are not included, and that the bill would apply to child care programs including residential group homes. Questions focused on what “confidential criminal history” means and how often checks are repeated; DHHS said checks are done every five years or sooner if new charge information is received. The hearing on SB 22 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 23-FN, which would expand the child endangerment statute and remove the word “purposely” from part of the language. Senator Pat Long said the bill is intended to strengthen protection for children and allow more serious conduct to be charged appropriately. Testimony from law enforcement, including Executive Counselor Dave Wheeler, Sergeant Ryan Rooney of Nashua Police, and Nicholas Georgulis of Manchester Police, supported the bill as a way to distinguish routine misdemeanor cases from the most egregious abuse and neglect cases, such as children living in squalor or being exposed to severe danger. Wheeler and some members raised concerns that the language could be vague or overbroad and cited a prior Manchester firearm-in-a-car arrest as an example of possible unintended consequences; supporters responded that the bill still requires knowingly violating a duty of care and that the serious bodily injury or death standard limits its reach. Rooney also described a fentanyl overdose case involving an 11-year-old and said the current misdemeanor charge did not fully reflect the seriousness of the conduct. The committee recessed SB 23 briefly to open and close SB 161, then returned to SB 23, which remained under hearing with no final vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public school support.
• On line 126, you have the family income support, and that amount was, is that $10 million? $10,000?
• So in terms of supporting families and then one supporting a student, about a $500 monthly amount.
• The Family Income Index support was money flowing directly to schools based on concentrated poverty.
• So that's actually why LESC doesn't have a recommendation for the Family Income Index. index support,

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Postal Service.
• Waving in support... All right.
• We also have Yvonne Fernandez waving in support. AARP waving in support. Thank you.
• And Yvonne Fernandez, also waving in support. AARP, waving in support. Thank you so much.
• And Yvonne Fernandez, also waiving in support. AARP, waiving in support. also waiving in support.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard and advanced a series of bills covering transportation, unemployment benefits, public records, education, law enforcement, and health. Senator Massullo’s SB 488, the DHSMV agency package, would update fuel tax and motor carrier definitions, raise the crash-reporting damage threshold from $500 to $2,000, expand email use for certain DHSMV transactions, and align tank vehicle definitions with federal rules; SB 490 would create a related public records exemption for certain email records. Both bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 892, revising enhanced sentencing procedures for repeat offenders, and SB 124, which cleans up and clarifies Florida Virtual School statutes without changing day-to-day operations. The most debated measure was SB 216, which would tighten reemployment assistance eligibility by adding work-search and interview requirements, requiring more frequent identity and eligibility verification, and expanding fraud reporting and information sharing. Supporters said the bill targets fraud and improves program integrity; opponents, including labor advocates and several senators, argued it would create burdens for legitimate claimants, especially rural residents, seniors, and workers facing layoffs, and could sharply reduce access to benefits. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 382 on e-bike safety, requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating a task force to study broader regulation. Testimony from a parent who lost her son in an e-scooter crash prompted discussion about whether scooters should be included in the bill. Additional bills advanced included SB 584, strengthening oversight of commercial driving schools and giving DHSMV and county tax collectors more enforcement tools; CS/SB 656, formally codifying the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force within FDLE and renaming the related grant program; and SB 816, establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to support research, treatment, education, and outreach. All were reported favorably with support from law enforcement, advocacy groups, and institutional representatives. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you know, my family business is in the oil and gas service sector, where I dealt with the
• Marcel exception at our family business.
• As many of you know, my family business is in the oil and gas service sector, where I dealt with the
• Marcel exception at our family business.
• We do have some green cards in support.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> families pockets each and every year. families pockets each and every year.
• </c> What would that do for our families? What would that do for our families?
• And so by supporting this of that.
• </c> interventions, health care, food service interventions, health care, food service integration,<00
• </c><00:35:25.760><c> I</c> Health Services will be March 5th. I Health Services will be March 5th.

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all