Video & Transcript : 'assessment practices' :
Page 458 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 320 removes unnecessary district requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities,
- It improves assessments and accountability processes by simplifying Senate Bill 320 removes unnecessary
- district requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting, so districts can focus
- It improves assessments and accountability processes by simplifying local testing calendars, specifying
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer, pledge, and recognitions of guests, including YMCA youth and government participants and the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Thomas Clem. Senators also made introductory remarks honoring the YMCA’s 175th anniversary and its community service, and the chamber noted the president’s birthday.
The body then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 regular session laws; Senate Bill 102 and Senate Bill 104 were reviser bills updating and cleaning up the Florida Statutes. Senate Bill 320, on administrative efficiency in public schools, would reduce district reporting and procedural requirements, expand teacher apprenticeship and certification options, adjust assessment and accountability rules, increase district flexibility in funding and facility planning, and shift some VPK oversight to school districts. Senate Bill 7010 would allow Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans. Sponsors described each bill as improving efficiency, flexibility, or statutory clarity.
All four bills passed unanimously, 36-0, after brief debate or no debate. The Senate also withdrew Senate Bill 1720 from further consideration. At the end of the session, the chamber adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 31st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- assistance program for post-adoption services and $250,000 ongoing to restore funding for safety assessments
- Idaho Home Visiting Program, $28,000 and $20,000 one time for the restoration of the immunization assessment
- for the Idaho Home Visiting Program, $28,020,000 one-time for the restoration of the Immunization Assessment
- there's a section of language requiring another report from the department on the immunization assessment
- for the state of Idaho and service providers regarding vaccines purchased using the immunization assessment
Summary:
The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee met to consider several budget items and related language for the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Health and Welfare. For the Attorney General’s office, members debated competing restoration proposals tied to the Consumer Protection Fund and the Internet Crimes Against Children program. The committee first rejected a narrower substitute focused only on the Internet Crimes Against Children personnel costs, then approved the broader restoration motion and sent it forward with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee then took up reconsideration of Senate Bill 1428 items for Health and Welfare, including the Division of Early Learning and Development, the Division of Youth Safety and Permanency, and the Division of Family and Community Partnerships. Members approved funding for moving the Idaho Home Visiting Program to Early Learning and Development, a Walker mower replacement for the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center, transfer authority language, a reporting requirement for the Home Visiting Program, unlimited transfer language for Youth Safety and Permanency to Switzie, restoration funding for post-adoption services and safety assessments, and $180,000 for kinship navigation services. All of these actions received do-pass recommendations.
The committee also revisited the Division of Public Health Services after Senate Bill 1401 failed on the House floor. Members approved a substitute that kept the Idaho Home Visiting Program in Public Health Services for now, restored funding for immunization assessment, laboratory testing, ARPA grants, HIV and hepatitis prevention, and suicide prevention, and reduced the Health Care Policy Initiatives program. The committee adopted reporting language on outcomes and return on investment for several public health programs, plus a new report on immigration status data for HIV prevention services. That last language item drew debate over privacy and discrimination concerns, but it was adopted.
Finally, the committee addressed the Rural Health Transformation Program, a new federal funding stream for Idaho. Members approved a supplemental appropriation for FY 2026 and a larger FY 2027 appropriation, both with 12 limited-service positions, to support the program’s administration and spending. The committee also adopted intent language clarifying that physician assistant and dental hygienist reforms proposed to CMS should continue and be reported back to JFAC and germane policy committees. The meeting ended early because of time constraints, with the remaining items postponed until the next morning.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/12/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- governments to enter into intergovernmental agreements to administer the program and into special assessment
- agreements with property owners to secure special assessment financing for qualified properties.
- the local government, capital provider, and the property owner after the imposition of special assessment
- So HB 2824 authorizes cities and counties in Arizona to establish a commercial property assessment capital
- such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and other infrastructure upgrades through a special assessment
Summary:
The committee began with a presentation on modernization of the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. Testimony from local officials and port authority representatives described the port as outdated, flood-prone, and a major congestion and safety concern because CBP equipment and officers are positioned near the international boundary and stormwater/sewer infrastructure. Speakers said the port is vital to local and state commerce, estimated modernization could cost $1.5 billion to $2 billion, and requested state support and letters of support for federal advocacy. Committee members discussed the economic and safety impacts, and leadership said a joint letter would be prepared.
The committee then considered several bills. HB 2237 would appropriate $4.5 million for Apache Junction’s Superstition Trails and a visitor gateway; it passed 4-2. HB 2926, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, would create expedited permitting for workforce housing, exempt the state portion of prime contracting tax for such projects, and adjust bond-related rules; after an amendment, it passed 6-1. HB 2113 would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when proposed residential rate increases are 100% or more; testimony focused on large rate hikes in rural areas versus RUCO’s limited staff and budget, and the bill passed 5-1 with some members asking for continued discussion about RUCO’s priorities.
The committee also passed HB 2824, which authorizes local governments to establish voluntary C-PACE programs for financing commercial property improvements through special assessments, with supporters saying it would help attract investment without using state general funds. HB 2939, the “Lucid bill,” would add a rural-location tax credit tied to large qualifying investments and new jobs; Lucid Motors testified that it would support advanced manufacturing and rural job creation, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after noting HB 2950 would be held due to time and heard first at the next meeting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And that would also allow management to assess or evaluate staff performance.
- </c><00:22:48.799><c> We</c> assess or evaluate staff performance.
- We assess or evaluate staff performance.
- </c> feel like we will get a chance to assess feel like we will get a chance to assess what<00:26:14.159
- 01:22:44.080><c> or</c> datadriven riskbased assessment or datadriven riskbased assessment or determination
Summary:
The informational briefing focused on the Office of the Auditor’s recent audit of Hawaii’s deposit beverage container program and the Department of Health’s response. State Auditor Les Condo reviewed the program’s structure, noting it was created to increase recycling and reduce litter, but said prior audits have repeatedly found weak internal controls, reliance on self-reported data, and an “honor system” approach. He cited examples of underreporting and overpayment risks, including a Whole Foods settlement and secret-shopper testing at a redemption center where the program reimbursed more than what was actually paid to consumers. Condo said the special fund continues to grow, increasing by more than $12 million between FY24 and FY25, and that the 2024 audit found no meaningful progress in implementing earlier recommendations. He also noted that many prior recommendations were later codified in law, including risk-based audits and internal control requirements, and said the office will audit the program again in about a year.
Senator Fevella said the briefing was needed because he has seen little progress over the years and emphasized the program’s goals of reducing litter and promoting recycling. He noted that Hawaii has lost a glass recycler, underscoring broader challenges in the system. Department of Health Deputy Director Kathleen Hoe said the department is committed to addressing longstanding problems and said the director’s office meets with the program twice a month. Program staff outlined steps being taken to respond to the audit, including revising accounting and inspection/enforcement manuals, retaining third-party services, and implementing risk-based audits of distributors and redemption centers. They said internal control process documents from distributors were due June 30, with about 200 received and roughly 100 still outstanding, and that enforcement letters are being sent.
The department also described plans for electronic reporting to reduce manual entry and improve accuracy, as well as a broader legislative proposal for a tiered audit system. Under that proposal, larger distributors would remain subject to the current every-other-year audit requirement, middle-tier distributors would be audited every five years, and smaller distributors would be exempt. Officials said the governor had temporarily waived enforcement of the 2025 independent audit requirement because of cost concerns for smaller distributors, while the department reviews submitted audits and considers a longer-term fix. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/19/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- We have open meeting laws, we have data practices laws, and those are meant to balance the public's right
- </c> best practices. best practices.
- Renovation would typically be the most practical and cost-effective solution.
- Renovation would typically be the most practical and cost-effective solution.
- </c><01:52:04.600><c> and</c> typically be the most practical and typically be the most practical and
Committee:
Senate State and Local Government
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> current sales tax diversion practices current sales tax diversion practices and<00:30:06.400><c>
- It will assess<00:30:08.920><c> the</c><00:30:09.040><c> financial</c><00:30:09.440><c> impact</c><00
- :30:10.120><c> of</c> assess the financial impact of assess the financial impact of misallocated<00:30
- and<00:30:20.400><c> reporting,</c><00:30:21.200><c> uh</c><00:30:21.280><c> evaluate</c> It will assess
- House Bill 479, Universal Recognition of Occupational License Act, receive revised regarding practices
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 11/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:17:34.960><c> effects</c><00:17:35.360><c> of</c> tangible and practical effects of tangible
- and practical effects of withdrawing<00:17:36.960><c> research</c><00:17:37.280><c> and</c><00:17:37.520
- Over time, we have used that throughout our practice models as we work with clients.
- models um as we work with our practice models um as we work with clients.<00:44:29.200><c> Our</c><00
- the impacts to unable to fully assess the impacts to financial<01:41:24.719><c> aid</c><01:41:24.960
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Service (9-17-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Sometimes you get on the phone with a resident for an assessment, which is done with everybody, and it's
- Sometimes you get on the phone with a resident for an assessment, which is done with everybody, and it's
- , which is done with an assessment, which is done with everybody,<00:31:33.120><c> and</c><00:31:33.279
- So for the hospital rate improvement program and the ambulance provider assessment program, those two
- So for the hospital rate improvement program and the ambulance provider assessment program, those two
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses.
The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness.
Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TOU/WAL Joint Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:26:56.360><c> taxes</c><00:26:56.679><c> and</c><00:26:56.880><c> fees</c><00:26:57.200><c> assessed
- </c> parks and other taxes and fees assessed parks and other taxes and fees assessed on<00:26:57.760>
- these taxes, then these taxes should be assessed.
- We are doing an assessment of all state parks.
- There currently is a case law in, you know, made... doing an assessment of all state parks doing an assessment
Summary:
The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism and Water and Land was held on March 20, 2025, on SB 1396 SD3 HD1, which would raise transient accommodations tax revenues beginning in 2027, impose a $20 per-night tax on stays booked through loyalty or rewards points, and dedicate funds to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. The Office of the Governor, DLNR, DBEDT, the Hawaii State Energy Office, Tax Department, Hawaiian Home Lands, HI-EMA, the Climate Advisory Team, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HCDA, the Hawaii Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resource Legacy Fund, KUA, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority all testified in support or with comments, generally emphasizing the need for dedicated funding for environmental stewardship, resilience, wildfire and climate preparedness, and community-based projects. Several supporters cited polling showing broad visitor willingness to pay additional fees to protect Hawaiʻi’s resources, and DLNR and the Attorney General noted the bill aligns with broader state land-management and fire-safety priorities.
Opposition came from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which argued the bill unnecessarily raises the TAT, places more burden on visitors and visitor-dependent businesses, and could harm Maui’s still-recovering economy. The Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaiʻi initially marked opposition but then said it had misunderstood the bill’s relationship to another measure and asked to resend testimony. Expedia Group did not oppose the TAT increase itself but raised operational concerns about the new tax on loyalty-point redemptions, calling it novel and difficult to administer. The American Hotel Lodging Association and Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance were listed as having no comments present.
Testifiers also suggested amendments, including dedicating the revenues to a special fund, ensuring community grants, and clarifying administrative provisions. One testifier urged the bill be used to fund hurricane shelters and stronger building standards, while another emphasized that the measure should support people and disaster resilience as well as environmental protection. During questions, members asked for the polling methodology and for a breakdown of current TAT allocations; staff indicated they could share the survey memo and began identifying existing statutory remittances. No vote or final committee action was taken during the excerpted portion of the hearing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tax Reform Feb 19th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Special Committee on Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- It ensures the credit does not reduce assessed valuation or impair bonded indebtedness.
- So the assessments continue, the assessment process goes forward.
- So if the house transfers, you don't have these years of gap where assessments weren't taking place.
- Because the assessments are going to continue to go up as far as, you know, I think the issue that we
- So those assessments and support...
Committee:
House Special Committee on Tax Reform
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the last 13 open enrollment periods, we have saved Idahoans $44 million through lower assessment
- Your Health Idaho's primary revenue stream is an assessment fee, which is applied to every plan sold
- You mentioned on the revenue, assessment fee revenue, you said $11, but the slide show says $15.
- Assessment fee revenue. You said $11, but the slide show says $15. Can you confirm for me?
- Total assessment fee revenue for fiscal year 2025 was approximately $15 million. Okay.
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Our own needs assessment again showed that water providers have a real need, a large need, for new water
- And we can do a more holistic assessment of what is the need of these communities, how are they meeting
- those needs, environmental assessments, those types of things.
- So yes, highlighting again the water demand that we found through our needs assessment was a supply gap
- So I think if we went back to do that needs assessment again, we would probably see a bigger number,
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Energy Finance Bill Working Group 6/8/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- $304,000 per year and again that's run through the special revenue fund and those costs would be assessed
- $304,000 per year and again that's run through the special revenue fund and those costs would be assessed
- 04:47.520><c> be</c> revenue fund and those costs would be revenue fund and those costs would be assessed
- back through the uh natural gas assessed back through the uh natural gas utilities.<00:04:51.840><c>
- to PUC and to the one assessment at the Department of Commerce.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (01/23/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> So I guess what you have told us is that there's no changes to the risk assessment, but is there
- ><01:06:30.720><c> risk</c> um there's no changes to the risk um there's no changes to the risk assessment
- but is there a risk of assessment but is there a risk of management<01:06:34.240><c> override</c><01
- Also, on page two in the audit risk assessment section, we identified two significant financial statement
- It's standard practice. We'd just like to thank the LBA.
Summary:
The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote.
The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 9 through 12 are from Chair Mohler's House File 1082, which increases certain fees and creates assessments
- It also requires that money received from the current assessment on insurance policies be used only to
- It also requires that money received from the current assessment on insurance policies be used only to
- It also requires that money received from the current assessment on insurance policies be used only to
- It also requires that money received from the current assessment on insurance policies be used only to
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, this is a practical common Mr.
- Speaker, this is a practical common sense<03:52:06.239><c> solution</c><03:52:06.720><c> that</c><03:
- </c> Speaker, again, HR 2252 is a practical Speaker, again, HR 2252 is a practical and<03:53:02.080><
- Now, I'm proud to support this bill because it's particularly a practical, forward-looking investment
- The amendment we're voting on advances practical bipartisan solutions to modernizing federal housing
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- necessarily here in Arkansas, but I just see in general that the idea sounds good in theory, but in practice
- So what happens is, again, if you have the kind of upfront assessments, career-connected sort of ability
Summary:
The committee met to hear an update from consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie on Arkansas’s “one door” or “no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. The discussion focused on moving the state toward a work-first system that better connects job seekers, employers, education, and public assistance programs, with goals of increasing upward mobility, improving labor force attachment, reducing inefficiencies, and adapting to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. The consultants argued that Arkansas’s current system is fragmented across multiple offices, portals, agencies, and funding streams, and that people often have to navigate separate doors for workforce services, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and related supports.
Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as the model, describing how that state integrated workforce and human services into a single department, used cost allocation to blend funding behind the scenes, and saw improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said TANF should be treated as a workforce program, not just a benefits program, and suggested that Arkansas could use TANF and other tools to cross-train DHS staff, co-locate services, and create a more unified service delivery model. Members asked about federal flexibility, waivers, and whether the state could use one large waiver or a broader restructuring to simplify the system. Bishop explained that a federal pilot authority proposal failed in Congress, so the current approach relies on waivers, cost allocation plans, and possible state-level changes.
The committee also discussed the relationship between DHS and workforce offices, the role of local workforce boards, how disability and vocational rehabilitation cases would be handled, and how the governor’s Restore Hope/Hope Hub and faith- and community-based initiatives might fit into the broader plan. Bishop said Arkansas already has rehabilitation services within the workforce department and emphasized that case managers should focus on people rather than programs. No votes were taken. The chair said the committee would revisit case management at its August meeting and adjourned the meeting after thanking the consultants.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Apr 1st, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The absence of doing something isn't indicative of its practicality.
- This isn't, you know, assessment-based, and this isn't something that we are mandating be a part of anything
Committee:
House Elementary and Secondary Education
Summary:
The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2722, then voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 13 yes and 2 no. The sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the roles of liaisons for foster care students, McKinney-Vento students, and unaccompanied youth in higher education, and added language to avoid conflicting with Missouri law on public benefits for non-citizens. Members also discussed the fiscal note, which was expected to be minimal or not yet available until after committee reporting.
The committee then heard House Bills 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Representatives Prouty and Pollitt, which would require the General Assembly to create Missouri-specific educational materials about how the state legislative process works and how a bill becomes law. Supporters, including legislators, teachers, students, and social studies coordinators, said the materials would help students understand Missouri government, civic engagement, and the differences between state and federal lawmaking. Several witnesses suggested the materials should be tailored by grade level, with third grade and high school mentioned as likely targets, and some members raised questions about drafting, implementation, and the estimated fiscal note. One witness spoke in opposition, saying only that he opposed the bill in the spirit of civil discourse.
Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 31, sponsored by Representative Martin, which would establish a Missouri seal of civic recognition for students who demonstrate civic knowledge, participation, and service. The sponsor described a tiered recognition system tied to coursework, civic engagement, and community or military service, administered through DESE and the existing civics and patriotic work group. Members asked about the resolution format, the role of the work group, how schools would track eligibility, and whether the measure should be narrowed to high school graduation before expanding to younger grades. Supporters, including a retired educator and civic education advocates, said the seal could encourage stronger civic learning and student engagement, while one coalition witness urged a streamlined, merit-based model and local district flexibility. The committee took no final action on the latter two measures during the hearing and adjourned after testimony.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Apr 1st, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The absence of doing something isn't indicative of its practicality.
- This isn't, you know, assessment-based, and this isn't something that we are mandating be a part of anything
Committee:
House Elementary and Secondary Education
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Mar 20th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- We talked to them about their hiring practices on Tuesday and Monday, and when we had those conversations
- Did we even do an assessment?
Committee:
All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Summary:
The council opened with a prayer, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received the February 2026 Monthly Revenue Report from Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research. He reported gross revenues of $5.36 billion and net collections of $4.5 billion, both above the prior year to date, and said the updated forecast now shows a larger expected surplus. Members asked about declines in some tax categories, natural gas severance fee fluctuations, inflation, and economic development incentives; Silva attributed several changes to timing, refunds, tax cuts, weather, and price volatility, and generally described the state’s revenue trend as positive.
The Executive Committee, Administrative Rules, Claims Review, Game and Fish, Higher Education, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Medicaid studies, Occupational Licensing Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and other subcommittee reports were adopted. The Medicaid studies report drew extended discussion about DHS staffing and contract nursing costs at state hospitals and human development centers; DHS officials said they were working on a recruitment and retention plan, reported significant vacancies and turnover, and said the state was not at risk of overspending the contracts. Several members urged reducing reliance on contract labor and moving staff onto state payrolls.
The Review Subcommittee report prompted questions about a Department of Public Safety aircraft maintenance item and a Department of Shared Administrative Services contract for Deloitte to implement performance and goals management software tied to the state’s new personnel system. After discussion, the aircraft maintenance item was held briefly and then withdrawn from the hold, while the shared services contract was explained as a one-time integration/configuration project for a system that will support employee evaluations and performance-based pay; the report and the separate contract vote were approved. The Personnel Subcommittee also heard testimony from Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald about reductions in force at the Division of Services for the Blind, which he attributed to funding shortfalls and fiscal mismanagement; members questioned the impact on blind and visually impaired clients, the status of board appointments, and whether federal funds could be at risk. The report was adopted with immediate consideration, and the meeting ended after filing the remaining APER report and adjourning.