Transcript Highlights:

• Adjustments for the federally approved indirect cost allocation among all state funding sources includes attorney
• general fees, legislative audit costs, state controller fees. ...includes attorney general fees, legislative
• I move to include the Governor's FY 2027 recommendation adjusting attorney general fees, state controller

Summary: The committee met in Joint Finance-Appropriations to review budget mechanics, the green sheet, and several budget-related bills and statewide decisions. Staff explained how the green sheet tracks FY 2027 impacts and reviewed bills including HB 503 (soil and water conservation consolidation savings), HB 556 (county jail per diem reimbursement increase), HB 559 (tax conformity with a large general fund impact), and HB 578. Members also discussed the 2026 Idaho Budget Rescissions Act, which would reduce FY 2026 appropriations under different scenarios, and the committee heard extensive debate over whether to use across-the-board reductions or more targeted cuts. After debate, the committee first adopted the substitute rescission motion for FY 2026, which set a 1% additional reduction above the governor’s recommendation, then approved a related motion transferring $22,366,500 from the Public School Income Fund to the General Fund. The committee then moved to statewide decisions and considered ongoing base reductions for selected state agencies. Three motions were offered: the governor’s recommendation, an additional 1% reduction, and an additional 2% reduction. After debate, the original governor’s recommendation passed on a 13-7 vote, while the 1% and 2% alternatives failed. The committee then turned to personnel benefit cost increases, including health insurance and other employer-paid benefits. Staff explained the different funding formulas and agency-specific fill-rate adjustments, and members raised concerns about the role of the Change in Employee Compensation process, salary savings, and whether the figures should be tied to future rather than current-year projections. Motions were offered for the DOGE working group recommendation and the governor’s FY 2027 recommendation for health insurance and variable rate changes, but the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no final vote shown on those motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• the GCMAD board and staff, only to be stonewalled, even experiencing great difficulty with their attorney
• Welfare, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environmental Quality, the EPA, and even the Attorney
• I guess we were trying to leave it, ultimately, to a prosecutor, you know, or the attorney general, perhaps

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:48.080><c> and</c><00:19:48.320><c> have</c><00:19:48.480><c> an</c><00:19:48.640><c> attorney
• </c><00:19:49.120><c> tell</c> clarify that and have an attorney tell clarify that and have an attorney

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:03 Roll Call 00:00:10 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 00:02:21 Discussion of the Restoration of Voting Rights 00:06:34 Discussion of the Application of NTI Days for Schools Designated by County Clerks as Polling Locations for Elections 00:25:20 Approval of Minutes from July 29, 2025 Meeting 00:32:22 Adjournment 00:32:49, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up two fire commission regulatory amendments. Bruce Roberts, director of the Fire Commission, explained that one amendment updates financial disclosure reporting rules to align with changes to KRS 95A.55, including revised definitions, reporting requirements, and moving compliance reviews from every four years to an annual basis. The second amendment changes the deadline for fire departments to submit state aid documentation from July 31 to September and adds flexibility for departments affected by natural disasters by allowing a waiver process for missing, lost, or damaged documents. The committee approved the agency amendment by motion, second, and voice vote with no opposition. The main policy discussion centered on a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies after they complete their sentence and probation/parole. Senators Hickden and Herren said the proposal would restore only voting rights, not citizenship or the right to run for office, and would still exclude certain offenses such as treason, bribery in an election, sex offenses, violent offenses, and offenses against a child. They argued that Kentucky is one of only three states without automatic restoration, that the current governor’s executive order is temporary, and that the issue should be settled by constitutional amendment. Members asked about the relationship to expungement, costs, and whether election-related crimes should be included among the exceptions; the sponsors said expungement is separate and that they were open to refining the language. Several members voiced support, and the sponsors said they hoped to continue working on the proposal before the next session. The committee also discussed a practical issue involving schools used as polling places and conflicts with KDE testing days. The chair raised the possibility of adjusting testing schedules or using NI days at affected schools, while members noted that county clerks already have authority to use tax-funded buildings for elections and that schools have long been used because of ADA accessibility. Some members suggested a simpler fix would be to prevent KDE testing dates from overlapping with election dates, rather than changing NI-day rules or limiting clerks’ authority. The committee then approved the minutes and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the first row are a Distant attorney who is a child and adult... Medical system and rep.
• I am an attorney and the director of the Native American Disability Law Center.
• I am an attorney at Disability Rights New Mexico.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It was deemed by the attorneys that we could not go back and make people who received that non-time-limited
• So, just like an attorney, just like an engineer, you could pick and choose exactly what you want to
• I would just note that CMEs, I don't know how many of you are attorneys, how many of you are physicians

Bills: SB2024 , SB227 , SB268 , SB1467 , SB1580 , HB5537 , SB1313 , SB1677 , SB918 , SB331 , SB2207 , SB2721

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• You need to know that our team, along with the Attorney General, has probably filed over 100 lawsuits
• And we also have our attorney on hand, Mary Mooney, and we're happy to continue the discussion.
• I'm a staff attorney at Legal Aid at Work.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• than the other testifier on and you're than the other testifier on and you're an<00:21:15.039><c> attorney
• </c><00:21:15.600><c> The</c><00:21:15.840><c> first</c><00:21:16.000><c> amendment</c> an attorney.
• The first amendment an attorney.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• statute</c><00:04:50.039><c> the</c><00:04:50.919><c> uh</c><00:04:51.280><c> the</c><00:04:51.360><c> Attorney
• </c> Under the current statute, the Attorney General's interpretation is that if students are still enrolled
• questions<00:25:58.320><c> thank</c><00:25:58.480><c> you</c> Ricky Fujitani, from the Department of the Attorney

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education and Labor and Technology heard Senate Bill 420, which would extend Department of Education workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students participating in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs through July 31 after graduation. DOE testified in support, estimating the bill could affect about 50 to 100 students in the first year and saying it would help students gain experience and transition to employment. Members asked about current coverage, costs, and partnerships; DOE said current coverage ends at graduation, there had been no incidents, and the bill would create no additional cost. The committees voted to pass SB 420 with amendments, including an amended effective date, and the bill was adopted. The Committee on Education then took up several education measures. It adopted a proposed SD1 for SB 894, a Farm to School measure that would appropriate funds to help meet a goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public schools. The committee also heard SB 789 on school cafeteria meal costs; DOE said it wanted the existing requirement lowered from 50% of meal preparation cost to 25% rather than repealed, to align with its administrative package, and explained current prices were about $2.75 while meal costs were about $9. Testifiers from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported removing the requirement entirely or at least reducing it, saying it would avoid large price jumps and move toward free school meals. The committee later voted to pass SB 789 with amendments lowering the threshold to one-fourth of meal cost and changing the effective date. The committee also heard SB 449 on a school facilities planning database. DOE said it supports better planning but believes the database should be housed within DOE rather than duplicated under the School Facilities Authority, while SFA supported the bill as a proactive decision-making tool. The Attorney General’s office suggested clarifying language to make clear references to the Board of Education. In later agenda items, the committee heard SB 423, which would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; EOEL and the board chair supported it and suggested technical language to preserve required representation. The committee also heard SB 1384, a housekeeping bill redirecting repaid early childhood educator stipend funds to the Early Learning special fund after the prior special fund was repealed; EOEL supported it and said about $31,864 was being recouped from nine recipients. Finally, SB 684 would require the Board of Education to adopt rules banning cell phones at DOE schools; testimony was in support, and members discussed the need for a consistent statewide policy, with the board expected to work on one in collaboration with DOE.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have to work with a public defender, with the state's attorney.
• So you have to work with a public defender with the state's attorney.
• There's a public safety. attorney. You have to get the judges on board.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s mental health and substance abuse system, with representatives from DCF, AHCA, two managing entities, and two providers describing how the state’s behavioral health network is funded and operated. Members focused on the implementation of prior legislative investments, especially the $50 million in recurring funding from Representative Maney’s bill and the earlier $126 million community behavioral health appropriation. Witnesses said the newer funds were used mainly for crisis beds, discharge planning, outpatient services, regional collaboratives, and a USF Marchman Act report, while the larger behavioral health appropriation supported CAT, FACT, FIT, forensic teams, residential and outpatient services, and crisis care, with most dollars going directly to services and only a small share to administration. A major theme was access to crisis care and the role of mobile response teams, 988, and central receiving facilities in diverting people from Baker Act admissions and reducing readmissions. DCF and providers said mobile response teams have expanded, are being used to de-escalate crises and connect people to care, and have shown strong diversion results and reductions in Baker Acts in some regions. Members also asked about waitlists, children in crisis, and how to handle people without housing or support; providers said discharge planning is individualized but often constrained by homelessness, transportation, and a lack of safe placements, and several witnesses identified housing as one of the biggest barriers to recovery and stability. The committee also examined provider sustainability, reimbursement, and funding gaps. Witnesses described delays caused by contract timing, cost allocation rules, and Medicaid reimbursement rates that do not always keep pace with labor and operating costs, especially for smaller providers and rural networks. DCF and AHCA said managing entities can provide advances, retroactive rate adjustments, and technical assistance, and that Medicaid managed care plans have network standards and complaint/dispute processes. Members raised concerns about a reported $7 million loss in federal non-sustainable funds, provider closures, and whether there is a formal ombudsman process for disputes; DCF said the federal reductions were known and tied to one-time funds, and that the department generally handles provider issues informally while working with managing entities to preserve continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was the attorney for Talley Amusements in the two lawsuits that are referenced in your committee report

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and heard one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, after SB 1410 was pulled from the agenda. SB 1223 would require state and county fairs to use competitive bidding standards for contracts and prohibit sole-source contracting. The author and witness argued the bill was needed to close loopholes in the Public Contract Code after media reports and lawsuits alleged corruption and manipulated contract awards at certain fairs, including allegations that RFPs were written to favor a single bidder. No witnesses testified in opposition. Committee members expressed support, describing the issue as a matter of transparency and proper state contracting. A motion was made to pass the bill to the Appropriations Committee. The committee voted 4-0 in favor, with the bill placed on call for the absent member before the meeting concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Approves all rules that were proposed by the Board of Alcohol and Drug Influence, the Attorney General

Bills: SJR49 , HB3281 , HB4319 , HJR1086

Committee: Senate Administrative Rules

Keywords: wildlife, conservation, Oklahoma, regulations, permanent rules, administrative procedures, guidance documents, transparency, public inspection, rulemaking, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, judicial rules, public safety, state agencies, legislative approval, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to be clear because all of this legal ease and these attorneys here are kind of confusing

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a result of a significant amount of effort by our office alongside the Attorney General's

Committee: Senate Internet And Technology

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Internet Technology Committee met on February 25 at 12:10 with Senator Gonzalez chairing and Senator Stec as ranking member. The committee considered a series of bills focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biometric surveillance, and related technology issues, including measures to create a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, require notices for generative AI systems, direct a state agency telework report, require multi-factor authentication for governmental entities, establish a Secure Our Data Act, study facial recognition technology, restrict biometric surveillance by law enforcement, and increase transparency for synthetic content and AI training data. Most bills were moved and reported out of committee, with several sent to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Codes Committee, or reported without recommendation or with opposition noted. SB 933, SB 934A, SB 936A, SB 3699, SB 6954A, SB 6955A, SB 7263, and SB 9051 were reported to the floor; SB 1139, SB 1961A, and SB 9051 were sent to Finance; and SB 5609 was sent to Codes. Votes varied by bill, with some receiving no opposition and others drawing one or more nays or without-recommendation votes. Senator Gonzalez also briefly highlighted SB 9051, which would prohibit AI chatbots from using features considered unsafe for minors, describing it as a response to concerns about harm from companion bots and chatbot interactions with children. The chair noted work with the Attorney General’s office and Common Sense Media and said the bill was intended to promote regulation and accountability for companies deploying such systems. The meeting concluded with thanks to the ranking member and staff, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I subsequently learned that this same attorney, whom he had chosen to be the head of, again, the FDA's

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Keywords: public health, nominations, NIH, FDA, drug affordability, transparency, pharmaceutical industry, healthcare accessibility

Summary: The meeting focused on vital health-related nominations, primarily emphasizing the roles of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya for NIH Director and Dr. Monty McCary for FDA Commissioner. During the discussion, various senators expressed their support and concerns regarding these nominations. Senator Sanders voiced opposition to both candidates, highlighting issues related to drug affordability and public trust in health agencies. He emphasized the need for leaders committed to transparency and addressing the epidemic of high prescription drug prices, advocating for action against pharmaceutical industry greed. Overall, the conversation underscored the critical crossroads in public health leadership amidst ongoing challenges such as trust restoration and healthcare accessibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not an attorney.
• I'm not an attorney either, but because it doesn't say that doesn't mean you can't do it.
• </c><00:31:37.919><c> either,</c><00:31:38.640><c> but</c> &gt;&gt; So I'm not an attorney either, but
• &gt;&gt; So I'm not an attorney either, but because<00:31:39.120><c> it</c><00:31:39.360><c> doesn't
• ;&gt; Well, we do have an attorney in the room,<00:31:44.080><c> but</c><00:31:44.320><c> I</c><00:31

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that could potentially shield employees from accountability even from our own attorney general, even
• And that could potentially shield employees from accountability even from our own attorney general, even
• And that could potentially shield employees from accountability even from our own attorney general, even
• And that could potentially shield employees from accountability even from our own attorney general, even
• And if it happened in the state, as an attorney, it's helpful to seek remedies for that so that those

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not an attorney. My lay read of this is it appears to allow co-mingling.
• I wonder, again, I'm not an attorney,<00:29:08.799><c> but</c><00:29:09.039><c> I</c><00:29:09.279><c
• > wonder</c><00:29:09.600><c> about</c><00:29:10.080><c> whether</c><00:29:10.480><c> the</c> attorney
• , but I wonder about whether the attorney, but I wonder about whether the this<00:29:11.120><c> how</
• </c> won't they both go to the attorney won't they both go to the attorney general<00:36:09.599><c> office

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, the attorney general's office has been involved.
• Uh next, uh the attorney general's 2024.
• </c> park in Northfield uh where the attorney park in Northfield uh where the attorney general<00:46:
• I'm an attorney at the Housing Justice Center.
• As a real estate broker and attorney, and respecting the time I have, I want to focus on the portion

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:37.520><c> fees</c><00:05:37.919><c> in</c><00:05:38.160><c> any</c> as reasonable attorneys
• fees in any as reasonable attorneys fees in any action<00:05:38.720><c> brought</c><00:05:38.960><c>
• Um, as the attorney, I was needing to give guidance on what these terms meant.
• I'm the only attorney that works as general counsel for the department.
• :56.720><c> as</c><00:37:56.960><c> general</c> only attorney that works as general only attorney that

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:06.720><c> Uh</c> Including clarifying that law enforcement and county attorneys broadly,
• who are often the ones attorneys who are often the ones implementing<00:33:23.840><c> the</c><00:33:
• </c> enforcement and county attorneys enforcement and county attorneys broadly,<00:33:33.039><c> not<
• Uh, it would eliminate the proposals provided by the county attorneys that are implementing these red
• </c><00:52:48.319><c> that</c><00:52:48.559><c> are</c> the county attorneys that are the county attorneys

Keywords: 1187, senate, all