Transcript Highlights:

• When you think about that facility, those are 1,200 to 1,400 each one of those facilities and communities
• Those facilities not only have those jobs that are there directly created at those facilities, but you're
• Each of those facilities around poultry.
• each one of those facilities and each one of those facilities and communities<00:05:04.440><c> across
• ." facility." facility."

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 28, which would create a framework for the $5 million in agricultural economic development funding included in the 2024 budget. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified that the bill is intended to support agriculture-focused economic development, especially processing and further processing projects, by giving the Department of Agriculture tools to identify opportunities, convene partners, and offer incentives. He emphasized the role of the new economic development division in the department and said the effort is meant to complement, not replace, the work of the state Economic Development Cabinet. Shell and several senators described the bill as a rural development tool aimed at helping smaller communities attract projects that fit their scale. He cited examples such as poultry processing, grain and elevator operations, milling, and specialty crop ventures, arguing that local processing can create jobs, strengthen markets for farmers, and keep more value in Kentucky. Senators discussed the need for return-on-investment metrics and clawback provisions for unsuccessful projects, and Shell said the framework includes those concepts. He also said the department is working on opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and other markets that could bring more acres into production. Members also raised questions about small-farm innovation, raw milk, and direct-to-consumer opportunities. Shell said raw milk testing and related consumer protection issues are more closely tied to the University of Kentucky and the department’s consumer/environmental protection functions than to the bill’s economic development focus, but he said the department can help expand small-farm programs such as Kentucky Proud, Buy Local, KOAP, CAP, food-as-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. The discussion also turned to beef processing and feedlot development, with Shell saying Kentucky wants a beef processor but first needs to prove it can feed cattle at scale; he said changing conditions in western states could create an opening for Kentucky if it can build the necessary supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:30.799><c> 911</c> Transition to the next generation 911 Transition to the next generation
• </c> of bills on general file. of bills on general file.
• That's generally the way it is.
• I just to have on those facilities?
• </c> airport and it's a fantastic facility airport and it's a fantastic facility that<02:27:56.240><c

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About the section, Chapter 536, or non-severable, any powers vested in the General Assembly, et cetera
• The section are non-severable and if any of the powers vested within the General Assembly pursuant to
• So again, this is the general concern that we have with it.
• Generally, I mean, is the concern for providers a general concern? Yeah, yes, it is.
• So we're above general creditors, but below administration.

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Committee for Insurance met with a quorum and first took up three bills in executive session. House Bill 2902 was amended with a committee substitute that removed the commission language while keeping provisions on software and key-emulating devices, and members confirmed it still included a Class D felony penalty. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass, with one member voting no. House Bill 1789, dealing with delivery network companies and insurance coverage during the delivery availability period, was also amended and adopted; the substitute clarified that the availability period is not commercial activity and that auto insurance applies until a driver is actually engaged in delivery. The committee then voted the bill do pass, with one no vote and one present. House Bill 1647 was amended to remove it from the collateral source rule section and clarify that it applies only to civil actions for damages and property claims; the substitute was adopted and the bill voted do pass, with several no votes recorded. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1894, which would implement federal nondiscrimination requirements for licensed health care providers in Missouri insurance law. The sponsor said the bill is about patient choice, fairness, and access, especially in rural areas, and does not expand scope of practice or require coverage of new services. Supporters from chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would ensure equal reimbursement for the same covered services and improve access to local providers. Opponents from the insurance industry argued the bill would interfere with network design, reduce negotiating leverage, and require equal payment regardless of provider type or credentials; they also said current federal law already governs network adequacy and that the bill’s rulemaking language was standard but the reimbursement mandate was the main concern. The committee also heard House Bill 3314, which updates Missouri’s insurance guaranty association laws. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill would clarify coverage for cyber policies, ensure coverage follows the policyholder in insurance business transfer or corporate division transactions, and allow limited pre-liquidation information sharing from the Department of Commerce and Insurance to guaranty associations so claims can be handled faster after insolvency. Witnesses said the bill is technical and intended to modernize the system without expanding coverage or increasing taxpayer exposure. Members asked about the $300,000 property and casualty claims cap, the definition of high-net-worth individual, oversight of guaranty associations, and confidentiality concerns; supporters said the cap is longstanding, high-net-worth means over $25 million, and the department’s existing oversight and confidentiality protections are sufficient. The hearing closed after a final supportive statement from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the Attorney General here to answer any of your questions.
• Good morning, Attorney General. I hope you're doing well.
• How are you doing, Attorney General? I'm good. How are you?
• Their request is made up of $208.4 million in state general fund.
• We don't generate the data.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2131 is referred to the General Register.
• I'm the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Facilities for Minnesota State.
• So it varies slightly, but generally speaking that’s how the process tends to play out.”
• The student initiative was generally well received.
• The student initiative was generally well received.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our campuses uh in our in our facilities our campuses uh in our in our facilities uh<00:33:31.960
• </c> the next slide please this is a general the next slide please this is a general path<00:46:50.359
• I'm third generation Army. Go Army.
• I'm third generation Army. Go Army.
• </c> to appear on the VA Office of general to appear on the VA Office of general counsel<01:23:53.480

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In one example, it took two months to find out whether there were Minnesota foster youth at a facility
• ><00:04:05.840><c> that</c><00:04:06.080><c> had</c><00:04:06.319><c> made</c> foster youth at a facility
• that had made foster youth at a facility that had made national<00:04:06.879><c> news</c><00:04:07.200
• ,</c> lives with OIG, in process facilities, lives with OIG, in process facilities, malreatment<00:08
• I can tell you that the requests go through our general counsel's office.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• fund at the end of department's general fund at the end of the<00:29:49.080><c> biennium.
• </c> general fund from that program as well. general fund from that program as well.
• And while visiting at a Kemps facility where they make Top the Tater, we had a discussion, a bipartisan
• And while visiting at a Kemps facility where they make Top the Tater, we had a discussion, a bipartisan
• And while visiting at a Kemps facility where they make Top the Tater, we had a discussion, a bipartisan

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She started working as a nurse at a skilled nursing facility, and when she did so she was assigned 20
• </c><00:18:40.720><c> A</c><00:18:40.880><c> blanket</c> generally mutually beneficial.
• A blanket generally mutually beneficial.
• Uh, I'm the general manager of Premier Jet Center.
• And my question for at a MAC facility.

Bills: HF3889 , HF2567 , HF3878

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The LFC recommendation totals three million dollars from the general fund.
• It includes $6 million for facility repairs.
• You'll see that in the general fund.
• So it would be general fund within OBE, right?
• Chair, Senator, that will be general fund from OBE over to the agency.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Health Care Rights and Access Section.
• I'm the Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Health Care Rights and Access section.
• So Rady Children's Hospital is under Attorney General conditions.
• Is it going to grow any way to X amount of people now going to those facilities?
• Is it going to grow any way to X amount of people now going to those facilities?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Health Care Rights and Access Section.
• So Rady Children's Hospital is under Attorney General conditions.
• Facilities that are essentially made a decision to not provide care.
• What generally is...
• Is it going to grow any way to X amount of people now going to those facilities?

Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with members of the Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees hearing first from the Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Health Care Services. State officials described California’s legal protections against discrimination, privacy protections, shield laws, and Medi-Cal and commercial plan coverage requirements for medically necessary gender-affirming care. They also outlined ongoing litigation and advocacy against federal actions and proposed rules that could restrict care, including challenges to executive orders, HHS declarations, and federal reimbursement rules, as well as a temporary restraining order protecting care at Rady Children’s Hospital. Committee members pressed the agencies on why some hospitals that had stopped providing care had not been sued, how the state measures network adequacy and equitable access, whether the $15 million previously allocated for gender-affirming care had been used, and what additional statutory changes might be needed. DMHC and DHCS said they regulate health plans rather than providers directly, rely on complaints and independent medical review to address denials or delays, and do not track utilization or have a specific provider category for gender-affirming care. DOJ said it is focused on the federal government as the source of pressure on hospitals and providers, while members discussed possible shield-law expansions and, if federal rules are finalized, the possibility of state-only funding to preserve access. The second panel featured a physician, clinic leaders, parents, and a transgender teen describing how families navigate care and the effects of hospital closures and insurance barriers. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy gave a history of transgender health care, described puberty blockers and hormones as established treatments, and said minors need parental consent for medical interventions. J.M. Jaffe of Lyon Martin Community Health Services said community clinics are absorbing patients after hospital programs closed and asked for $26 million in state funding to expand capacity. Parents and youth testified about delays, out-of-network referrals, lost coverage, and the emotional strain of uncertainty, while also urging the Legislature to stabilize access and protect continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Health Care Rights and Access Section.
• I'm the Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Health Care Rights and Access section.
• So Rady Children's Hospital is under Attorney General conditions.
• Facilities that are essentially made a decision to not provide care.
• Is it going to grow any way to X amount of people now going to those facilities?

Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with opening remarks from the subcommittee chairs emphasizing the importance of protecting transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex Californians and asking for decorum during public comment. The first panel from the Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Health Care Services described existing state protections, including nondiscrimination rules, privacy protections, shield laws, and Medi-Cal and commercial coverage requirements for medically necessary gender-affirming care. State officials also outlined ongoing litigation against federal actions and against hospital decisions to end or restrict care, including the Rady Children’s case and challenges to federal proposed rules and declarations affecting Medicaid, Medicare, and provider participation. Members questioned state agencies about why some hospitals that had stopped providing care had not been sued, how network adequacy is measured, whether the state can track actual access to gender-affirming care, and what legislative changes might strengthen protections. DMHC said it monitors complaints and independent medical reviews but does not track gender-affirming care as a separate provider category or collect utilization data, while DHCS said Medi-Cal continues to cover medically necessary care and that the state is preparing for possible federal rule changes. Finance staff said the previously approved $15 million for gender-affirming care was still being implemented through Covered California. The second panel featured a physician, clinic leaders, a parent, and a transgender teen describing how care is delivered and the effects of hospital closures and federal pressure. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy described the history and medical basis for gender-affirming care, said minors need parental consent for medical interventions, and argued that care should be individualized and supported by families. Providers and families testified that hospital closures and insurance barriers have disrupted continuity of care, forced patients to travel farther, and shifted demand to community clinics that lack sufficient funding and contracting support. Several witnesses asked the Legislature to provide new funding, strengthen insurance enforcement, and stabilize access to care for transgender youth and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• IS DEFINED IN LEGISLATION THE OFFICE OF SAFE SCHOOLS SERVES AS A GENERAL REPOSITORY FOR BEST PRACTICES
• IT REQUIRED BAKER ACT RECEIVING FACILITIES TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH THREAT MANAGEMENT TEAMS.
• BUT GENERALLY THEY ARE TOTALLY SEPARATE POSITIONS.
• IS ONLY AFTER GIVEN A PASS AND SOMETIMES EVEN AN ESCORT TO GO TO THE FACILITY.
• BUT THE CLASSROOMS, THE PROPERTIES ARE GENERALLY UNDER LEAST. BY THE COLLEGE.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Kohala District Court current facility Kohala District Court current facility carries<00:14:38.639
• </c><00:15:01.639><c> occupied</c> extend the life of facilities occupied extend the life of facilities
• for it's a nice use the facility for it's a nice facility<00:16:02.440><c> and</c><00:16:02.800><c>
• </c><00:16:12.000><c> just</c> be working it's a workable facility just be working it's a workable facility
• So, but that's a general fund. So, yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 888, Senators Lamb and Ellis, election district, General Assembly, and representatives in
• </c><00:07:06.319><c> assembly,</c><00:07:06.720><c> and</c> election district, general assembly, and
• where they're actually loading the caskets onto like a Gator-type vehicle, and then the grounds facility
• ><00:08:19.759><c> then</c><00:08:19.919><c> the</c><00:08:20.080><c> grounds</c><00:08:20.479><c> facil
• </c> vehicle and then the grounds facil vehicle and then the grounds facil keepers<00:08:21.360><c> are

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To be able to complete the construction of both facilities, that's basically all we're doing.
• The construction is taking about 36 months on one of these facilities.
• There’s another pool of money we can float those bonds, perhaps general obligation bonds.
• I want some clarity on how we're incorporating the existing facilities.
• Deteriorated, as you know, many facilities are already closed.

Bills: SB86

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: independent contractors, portable benefits, employee benefits, tax deductions, employment relationship, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General General mtis, so, uh, stand by for just a bit.
• General General mtis, so, uh, stand by for just a bit. bit e e e e e e e e All right, folks, uh, at
• The Adjutant General is in the house, I see him. General Matis, welcome back.
• The challenge for us is there's only three to four full-timers, so generally a lot of our facilities
• </c><04:16:34.439><c> for</c> General midus is the agitant general for General midus is the agitant general

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It comes from a retail facility or from the street. I can thank you.
• That's generally what they're thinking, and frequent use of high-potency products are more likely to
• We're a regulated cannabis facility based in western Massachusetts.
• If you want to, these are from your facility? No, no, no. These are intoxicating hemp products.
• Gas stations in general don’t serve food. And so it really needs to come under the CCC.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held a hearing on a broad set of cannabis and hemp bills, with the chairs opening by emphasizing unfinished work on equity, public health, safety, and market stability. The committee heard testimony on House Bill 146, which would create more efficient cannabis testing standards by increasing batch sizes, reducing or eliminating some environmental testing, standardizing lab reporting, and requiring annual scientific review and public data reporting. Industry witnesses, including a representative of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, cultivators, and a testing lab owner, said current testing rules are overly burdensome, costly, and inconsistent, and argued the bill would lower compliance costs while preserving consumer safety. A testing lab witness also said some operators switch labs to obtain higher THC results or pass contaminated batches, and urged greater transparency and better sampling protocols. A major portion of the hearing focused on intoxicating hemp and related bills that would bring hemp-derived intoxicating products under a stronger regulatory framework. Legislators and industry witnesses described products sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores as often untested, not age-gated, and sometimes mislabeled or far above the federal hemp THC threshold. Testimony from attorneys and cannabis business leaders said states can regulate these products more strictly under the Farm Bill’s non-preemption language, and pointed to New Jersey and other states as possible models. Some witnesses and committee members stressed that any new rules should avoid harming non-intoxicating CBD businesses or lawful hemp farmers, while others argued that the products are effectively cannabis and should be regulated like cannabis for licensing, testing, age limits, and taxation. The committee also heard extensive public-health testimony in support of bills S. 95, S. 96, S. 97 and their House counterparts H. 191, H. 192, and H. 193. Parents, advocates, and public health professionals urged stronger warning labels, THC potency caps, and improved data collection on cannabis-related harms, citing cannabis-induced psychosis, addiction, anxiety, and youth exposure to high-potency products. Several witnesses said Massachusetts has not done enough to track health outcomes or warn consumers, and referenced other jurisdictions such as Connecticut, Vermont, Colorado, Canada, and Quebec as examples of stronger limits or warnings. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a joint facility and sharing that. a joint facility and sharing that.
• </c> idea of having shared facilities idea of having shared facilities appropriate<01:16:51.720><c> there
• </c> task force, and then adequate facilities task force, and then adequate facilities and<01:21:07.720
• </c> same kinds of equipment and facilities. same kinds of equipment and facilities.
• 01:44:46.600><c> has</c> generally intervening is something has generally intervening is something has

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all