Transcript Highlights:

• College System language for that project. community college system projects in community college system
• </c><00:12:09.760><c> college</c> not work with the community college not work with the community college
• </c> Any other questions on the community Any other questions on the community colleges<00:16:32.720>
• The community the construction part.
• </c> thousands of cars pass our community thousands of cars pass our community without<01:52:40.800><

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> community uh with these funds. community uh with these funds.
• Um, the council or the community early childhood councils?
• We're in constant communication with them.
• U we're in constant communication those.
• </c> this model moved from the community this model moved from the community early<01:11:24.800><c> childhood

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met to review how tobacco settlement dollars are being used and to press recipients for detailed information on total funding, administrative versus program spending, and measurable outcomes. The chair emphasized that the committee was not there for general program overviews, but to assess return on investment and whether each program should continue to receive tobacco settlement support. The committee approved the minutes from its December 22, 2025 meeting and then heard presentations from several agencies and organizations. Volunteers of America Mid-States described its southeastern Kentucky restorative justice program, which uses an evidence-based New Zealand model for juvenile cases in nine counties. The group reported tobacco settlement funding of $516,000 in FY24 and $233,500 in FY25, representing about 17% and then about 5% of the program budget, respectively. It said the funding helped expand the program from 13 cases in 2021 to 180 youth served, and cited an independent evaluation showing recidivism of 24.5% compared with 40.4% in AOC data, along with a cost of a little under $20 per day versus detention and other placements. Some members questioned whether the program fit the tobacco settlement funding categories and suggested it might be better supported through other justice-related funding sources. The Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Conservation explained that tobacco funds support $1 million in direct aid to conservation districts and $2 million in cost-share projects for farmers, with 5% of the cost-share appropriation allowed for administration, or about $100,000 in FY26. Officials said the direct-aid line was moved into tobacco funding in 2019, reducing money available for farmer cost-share, and described a multi-year project approval and reallocation process. Senator Webb asked for a more specific breakdown of the $850,000 direct-aid amount, and the cabinet said it would provide that information. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy reported that in FY24 it expended just under $30 million across tobacco funds, general funds, restricted funds, and a one-time federal grant, with less than 2% used for administration. Officials said most tobacco settlement money goes to Kentucky ASAP local boards in all 120 counties, supporting prevention, treatment, and some law enforcement work. The Department of Agriculture then began its presentation, describing strategic investments, loan programs, county funding, administrative costs, and a reported return of about $2.30 for every dollar spent, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• around other communities.
• </c> favor of the citizens of each community favor of the citizens of each community in<01:14:51.679>
• </c><01:16:45.280><c> that</c> still protecting the communities that still protecting the communities
• </c><01:26:33.520><c> 97</c><01:26:34.159><c> communities</c> all 99 municipalities. 97 communities all
• </c><01:29:34.560><c> for</c> and as important to our community for and as important to our community

Bills: SF0099 , SF0116 , SJ0006

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota, and importantly, communities Minnesota, and importantly, communities and<00:04:46.320
• and economic resilience for communities like Hibbing.
• and economic resilience for communities like Hibbing.
• </c><00:53:20.240><c> Senator</c> community. Thank you, Mr. M. Senator community. Thank you, Mr. M.
• The entire racially diverse communities.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Hospitals now have an incentive to go into communities that are higher-income communities and purchase
• Hospitals now have an incentive to go into communities that are higher-income communities and purchase
• Hospitals now have an incentive to go into communities that are higher-income communities and purchase
• Hospitals now have an incentive to go into communities that are higher-income communities and purchase
• Hospitals now have an incentive to go into communities that are higher-income communities and purchase

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> relationship between Vermont communities relationship between Vermont communities and<00:12:54.160
• They are watching fear spread through immigrant communities and communities of color.
• </c> communities and communities of color. communities and communities of color.
• </c> that community. that community.
• </c> immigrant community from federal action. immigrant community from federal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and working with local communities. and working with local communities.
• </c> communities is is very important, too. communities is is very important, too.
• Our community has been very generous to schools and other things, and I don't see where our community
• Our community has been very, project. Our community has been very, very<02:21:35.680><c> generous.
• </c><02:46:28.720><c> safer</c> mandate to make our communities safer mandate to make our communities

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• police officers that uh that communities police officers that uh that uh<00:11:56.480><c> was</c><00
• It's even lower if you're talking about Black communities, which I'm a part of.
• </c><00:16:05.040><c> Um</c><00:16:05.240><c> I</c> communities, which I'm a part of.
• Um I communities, which I'm a part of.
• And to the point that was made, not just schools, but community centers, you know, the Science Museum

Summary: The committee took up House File 4906, adopted the H4906A1 amendment, and heard a staff explanation that the bill would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for residential homesteads and the house/garage/1-acre portion of agricultural homesteads. As amended, the bill would appropriate $4 billion in fiscal year 2027, distribute payments based on 2026 property tax due, include a clawback for delinquent taxpayers, and coordinate with existing property tax refund programs so recipients would not receive more than they paid in taxes. House Research also discussed a disagreement with the Department of Revenue over whether the refund would be taxable federally, with House Research suggesting it would likely be treated as a non-taxable recovery of prior taxes. Public testimony was largely opposed. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the proposal was too large, would create a deficit and force future service cuts, and would disproportionately benefit higher-income homeowners. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project said the bill would create a major budget hole, threaten funding for health care, food support, schools, and other services, and exclude renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Members echoed those concerns, citing impacts on public safety, rural EMS, hospitals, education funding, and equity, while noting that renters and many seniors would receive nothing. Representative Howard questioned whether the bill was a cautious use of state resources, and Representative Norris said it missed the mark for struggling renters. Chair Davids defended the concept as a way to put money back in people’s pockets and said the proposal was scalable and intended to start a discussion. Representative Wiener strongly supported the bill, saying many homeowners and farmers in his district are not wealthy and need relief from property taxes; he said the bill should be even bigger. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved on after testimony and member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been used by communities. It's been used by New Orleans as well, and many other communities.
• And I think I like our community the way it is.
• And I think I like our community the way it is.
• We're a community land trust, housing rights organization.
• issues impacting our community and our state.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee took up several bills, beginning with HB 519, which would require special masters appointed in complex consolidated litigation to comply with judicial conduct and federal appointment/disqualification standards, subject to Louisiana law. After a technical amendment clarifying that the provision applies to cases designated under Supreme Court rules, the bill was moved favorably without objection. HB 29, creating the Ascension Parish Retired Employee Insurance Fund, was then heard and also advanced favorably without objection. The committee next considered HB 324 on judicial salaries. The bill would make the 2024 and 2025 judicial supplement stipend permanent and add future cost-of-living adjustments, subject to available funding and approval by the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board. Members asked about funding sources and whether the stipend could be made permanent without a constitutional amendment; after discussion, the bill was moved favorably without objection. The longest discussion centered on HB 211, the Homelessness Court Program, later named the Streets to Success Act. Amendments were adopted to limit the bill to licensed group homes and to remove enforcement language that would have created civil actions against local governments for failing to remove encampments, while setting staggered effective dates. Supporters, including the bill author and governor’s office representatives, said the measure would create a coordinated court-and-services response for people experiencing homelessness, especially those with substance use or mental health issues, and would allow designated camping areas and diversion into treatment. Opponents, including housing advocates, legal aid groups, and people with lived experience, argued the bill would criminalize homelessness, increase jail and court involvement, and fail to address root causes such as unaffordable housing, lack of shelter capacity, and inadequate wraparound services. The bill drew extensive testimony but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• road on their way to Bishop that this community is available.
• Our community is more than a stop along the road.
• And that's because we're not considered a rural community. We're an isolated community.
• That means cleaner air and less traffic congestion, which is great for all of our communities.
• . ...better can provide that oversight and make sure that it is safe in our communities.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• and those who return to our communities.
• As you're aware, the Board of State and Community Corrections sets the minimum standard...
• I am living proof that community-based healing programs do work.
• I am leaving proof that community-based healing programs do work.
• My name is Petla Flores, and I represent Community Solutions.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending. For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed. CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects. For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:42.959><c> from</c> group need a frequent communication from group need a frequent communication
• And so the native Hawaiian community.
• </c><00:39:48.000><c> Gaming</c> the Native Hawaiian community.
• Gaming the Native Hawaiian community.
• </c> worthwhile. there was strong community worthwhile. there was strong community support<00:52:14.000

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on economic development, tourism, technology, and related policy issues. Testimony generally came from state agencies and industry groups, with DBED, HTDC, and others mostly supporting measures that would create working groups, promote advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, encourage a Michelin Guide for Hawaii restaurants, support Taiwan’s international participation, and explore import substitution. One measure on a tourism and gaming working group drew strong opposition from the prosecutor’s office, which argued it would signal support for gambling and could worsen social harms, while other witnesses supported it as a way to gather data before any policy decisions. The committee also heard support for relocating the Pearl City Post Office to improve traffic and safety, and for a resolution to focus HTDC on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. Several items were amended before action. The committee agreed to amend the tourism and gaming working group resolution to narrow and clarify its purpose, and to amend the Taiwan resolution to add the president of the Republic of China as a recipient. The import-substitution resolution was also amended to add a definition, include language about avoiding new import dependencies such as LNG, and direct state and utility purchasing power toward substituting imports. A resolution on HCR 211/HR 203 was rewritten to address lowering fire insurance rates and mitigating fire risk in Puna lava zones, but decision-making on that item was deferred to a later hearing so the new language could be posted publicly. The committee voted to adopt several measures, including HCR 57/HCR 152, HCR 156/HR 151, HCR 19/HR 115, and HCR 33/HR 32, with some passed as amended and others passed as is. HCR 192 was adopted with amendments despite reservations from some members, and HCR 209/HR 2011 was adopted with amendments. The committee also recessed for decision-making during the hearing and later adjourned after completing action on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your commitment to making our community stronger. — Linda Chesterfield Thank you for your
• commitment to making our community stronger. — Linda Chesterfield One other comment from a longtime
• So he has never lost, he consistently spoils the ladies in his community, which I already said, but he
• Reggie loves God, his family, his community, and his people.
• Reggie loves God, his family, his community, and his people.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been serving our community as an ocean safety officer in Hawaii for over 30 years.
• I'm sure that you read that the airport has a seven to eight times survival rate versus the community
• And it's been that versus the community.
• </c><00:23:29.600><c> training,</c> on AEDs, on community training, on AEDs, on community training, and
• Hawaii Community Foundation, Lanakila Pacific,<00:27:55.120><c> and</c><00:27:55.360><c> the</c><00:

Bills: HCR112

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• And our group and, you know, my peers in the investing community, the energy investing community, are
• That then has to be redistributed among everyone else in the community.
• Then it has to be redistributed among everyone else in the community, every residential property and
• So when you say that then a $16 billion project doesn't come into, it gets to come into the community
• And I'm sorry, but I'm a little mad when I go from community to community and I see the people and they're

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Committee on Utilities heard testimony first on House Bill 2807, which would lower Missouri’s renewable energy standard from 15% to 7.5% and add nuclear generation as an eligible source, with the sponsor saying the goal is to give utilities more flexibility and support dispatchable power. The sponsor and several witnesses discussed a Senate companion and committee substitute that would clarify the bill to apply only to new nuclear and, in the Senate version, add battery storage credits. Support came from Renew Missouri, Ameren Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Associated Industries of Missouri, who emphasized grid reliability, dispatchable generation, and the need to adapt to growing energy demand. Opposition from the Consumers Council of Missouri focused on ratepayer impacts, warning that the bill could increase the RESRAM surcharge and urging explicit language to prevent nuclear costs from being passed through to consumers. The committee then heard House Bill 2598, a more complex proposal to create a Missouri Advanced Nuclear Office and a grant program to help finance a “power campus” pairing a natural gas plant with a small modular nuclear reactor. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to attract large data centers, provide near-term power, and use gas plant profits to help fund future nuclear development, while also positioning Missouri to compete with other states and federal nuclear incentives. Witnesses from Bridge to Nuclear and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce supported the concept as innovative and pro-reliability, though committee members repeatedly questioned why the state should put general revenue at risk, how profits and grants would be structured, and whether private markets could do the work without state involvement. Opposition to HB 2598 came from a consumer advocate and an environmental/community witness, who criticized the bill’s potential effects on electric rates, transparency, water use, and local communities affected by data centers. They objected to confidential grant applications and argued that the proposal would further favor large corporations over residents. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing. Before adjournment, the chair announced that a committee substitute for Representative Banderman’s solar bill would be heard at a later, committee-only session, with the public allowed to attend but not testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• Communication to members and staffing resources to support the additional work activities for anyone
• Hello, Madam Chair, members of the community, much taller than I am. Good morning.
• separation so that people aren't put into the position of not... ...and the importance of community
• Rural counties are less likely to have the community-based support... ...disproportionately impacted.
• Our community members would work, cutting grass and keeping up the grounds at ASH.

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733 , SB1192 , SB1398 , SB1399 , SB1494 , SB1557 , SB1813 , SB1821

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: nursing board, regulatory actions, disciplinary actions, expungement, healthcare professionalism, controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• We have over 1,600 young folks experiencing homelessness in my community.
• I'm watching an administration that is purposely and maliciously targeting communities like mine on a
• variety of different aspects. ...targeting communities like mine on a variety of different aspects,
• to say, you have too many Black and brown kids in your community.
• Thanks to our generous community, Lake Washington passed a capital levy in November 2024.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several House education bills. HB 1796 would allow school districts, under existing debt limits and with voter-approved capital levies, to issue non-voted bonds for certain new construction projects. The sponsor and school district witnesses said it would let districts front-fund projects, speed construction, and reduce inflation-related costs; a member of the public opposed it as bypassing voters. HB 2317 would exempt school-day ECEAP and Head Start programs located in public school or community/technical college buildings from child care licensing. The sponsor and providers said the current licensing process is duplicative, delays services, and creates barriers to expanding early learning; no opposition was heard. The committee also heard HB 2594, which would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections in state law, require OSPI planning and reporting, and reinforce district responsibilities for students experiencing homelessness. The sponsor gave personal testimony about experiencing homelessness as a student, and advocates said the bill would improve coordination and accountability at no added cost. For HB 2557, which requires school districts to give parents a copy of special education evaluation reports by the 35th school day and hold the eligibility meeting at least five school days later, the sponsor said it would give families time to review reports; school psychologists and OSPI supported the substitute version, while some advocates asked for shorter timelines and clearer waiver language. After the hearings, the committee moved to executive session and advanced two bills: Substitute HB 2360, allowing schools to maintain and use stock albuterol under specified conditions, and Engrossed Substitute HB 2534, updating requirements for military families’ enrollment, records transfer, and related services. Both bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to Rules, with no recorded opposition in the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please make sure that cell phones and other communication devices are turned off or on silent.
• I have lived peacefully. fully in my community for more than 10 years.
• Our communities are appreciative of it. Thank you. Further debate, members?
• I'm a foster parent from Whitville, a rural community in Southern Leon County.
• Florida is largely a rural state with vast stretches of community.

Transcript Highlights:

• And too many times people have driven by that community.
• And too many times people have driven by that community.
• Everybody's asked me about them, and it's all about our community. I couldn't be prouder.
• , and Avanzamos, advancing community engagement and personal growth.
• And they're accompanied by the Director of Community Relations, Dr. Criselle Martinez.

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HM2 , HM16

Transcript Highlights:

• Our communities are bursting at the seams. We can't get appointments.
• Our communities are bursting at the seams. We can't get appointments.
• Members of the community, certain communities across the state are using it already to good effect.
• Some people in my community have to go 40 miles to get this done.
• Some people in my community have to go 40 miles to get this done.

Bills: HB2555 , HB2658 , HB2683 , HB2685 , HB2168 , HB2196 , HB2545

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, traditional practices, health insurance, coverage expansion, mental health, insurance coverage, transparency, consumer protection, efficiency, health carriers, providers relations, tribal data, data protection, privacy, sharing of information, Indigenous rights, overdose prevention, data sharing, public health