Transcript Highlights:

• That's what we have to really assess.
• So can you provide an adequate cost-benefit assessment of this activity now?
• </c><01:17:55.280><c> so</c> that's what we have to really assess so that's what we have to really assess
• we need is a Time based cost benefit we need is a Time based cost benefit assessment<01:20:11.880><c>
• no I think that all of the um assessment no I think that all of the um experts<01:20:16.080><c> and<

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assessments currently are not embedded in the block grant.
• It presumes the YTOP interim and modular assessments are used. $25 has been embedded under the Select
• </c><00:36:12.720><c> are</c><00:36:12.960><c> not</c> uh assessments currently are not uh assessments
• And we have the staff and the resources to continuously assess and adjust and move those kids around
• </c><03:28:53.279><c> and</c> then we have high quality assessment and then we have high quality assessment

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These students advanced through two rigorous phases of competition, beginning with a written assessment
• Instead, it is funded by fines, monetary penalties, and assessments paid by convicted federal defendants
• ,</c><03:37:26.000><c> and</c><03:37:26.160><c> penalties</c><03:37:26.800><c> paid</c> fines, assessments
• , and penalties paid fines, assessments, and penalties paid for<03:37:27.359><c> by</c><03:37:27.520>
• was not only a familiar face around our community, but he was a familiar face on Broadway, on TV screens

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you should know that CMS in Washington does annual audits for the program and have assessed that
• CMS in Washington does annual audits for the program and have assessed that two things.
• That's federal assessment. That's not me bragging.
• That's the feds' assessment of the entire program.
• </c> to conduct an internal assessment to conduct an internal assessment investigation,<00:52:06.720>

Bills: HF2354 , HF3621 , HF3429 , HF3483

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• For context, 10 mills is almost as many mills as the counties can assess, and so that really causes a
• Chairman, I would sit for any questions. counties uh can assess and uh and so counties uh can assess
• </c><01:24:35.760><c> Uh,</c><01:24:36.159><c> and</c> line to assess that mill levy.
• Uh, and line to assess that mill levy.
• I will point out on page two, line 9 through 12, that there is no limit on the assessment for payments

Bills: SF0082

Committee: House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought texting while driving was already a violation where points were assessed.
• </c><00:32:08.799><c> to</c><00:32:09.039><c> the</c> where points are assessed to the where points are
• assessed to the license. license. license.
• :19.840><c> were</c> already a violation where points were already a violation where points were assessed
• Is that actually reversing assessed. Is that actually reversing that?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its sixth and final interim meeting after a brief technical delay, approved the October 14 minutes, and heard a presentation on a proposed Kentucky hands-free driving bill. The main discussion centered on distracted driving and a draft measure modeled on South Carolina law that would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while driving on public roads, while allowing limited exceptions for parked/stopped vehicles, navigation, emergency reporting, dispatch systems, first responders, and certain hands-free call functions. The bill would make a violation a $100 fine plus court costs, with the draft allocating fine revenue to the traumatic brain injury trust fund, Kentucky trauma care system, and veteran program trust fund. The sponsor also said the bill would address prior concerns about enforcement and clarify that officers need a clear, unobstructed visual observation before stopping a driver, and that they may not search or seize devices or make custodial arrests solely for the violation. Alyssa Burns gave emotional testimony in support of the bill, describing the death of her young daughter Kimberly in a crash she attributed to a distracted driver and urging lawmakers to pass the measure to improve roadway safety. The sponsor cited Kentucky traffic fatality statistics, including 814 deaths in 2023 and an estimated 20% involving distracted driving, and argued that the bill could reduce preventable deaths. Several members voiced support and sympathy, including remarks comparing the effort to past seat belt legislation and suggesting possible future additions such as community service. One member raised concerns about enforcement and whether officers could reliably observe phone use inside vehicles, while another asked about the bill’s interaction with existing texting-while-driving penalties and whether points would still apply. The sponsor said the draft was still being refined, acknowledged gray areas, and invited further changes as the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, at that point the staff will have to assess what the safety pieces are of that.
• We withdrew C from that school before the end of May, demanded behavior assessments, called for an IEP
• And they failed to hold IEP meetings to make functional behavior assessments or a behavior support plan
• , called for an IP meeting assessments, called for an IP meeting ourselves,<00:50:24.960><c> and</c><
• assessments or a behavior<00:50:45.760><c> support</c><00:50:46.160><c> plan</c><00:50:46.400><c> for

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:25:25.440><c> risk</c> stated in its yearly energy risk stated in its yearly energy risk assessment
• report that our grid faces assessment report that our grid faces increasing<00:25:28.960><c> reliability
• And then I thought perhaps adding, including if deemed necessary, assessment of port facilities, economic
• And then I thought perhaps adding, including if deemed necessary, assessment of port facilities, economic
• of port facilities, necessary assessment of port facilities, economic<01:29:09.120><c> impact,</c><01

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of this amendment, which says the commissioner shall distribute such gifts based on his or her assessment
• So they already need to refer kids for assessments.
• They already need to inform courts when they're going to do assessments.
• they already need to inform assessments they already need to inform courts<01:38:48.880><c> when</c>
• so all much of this is in assessments so all much of this is in place<01:38:51.760><c> already</c><01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first recessed briefly, then took up HB 570, the prescription drug affordability board (PDAB). The chair and several members discussed the House amendment to repeal the board, which removed the fiscal note. The main concern raised was that the PDAB had not yet produced a clear business case showing value for the taxpayer investment, despite several years of work and four annual reports. Supporters of the repeal said the board’s recent report was largely redundant and that the board should either demonstrate a strong return on investment or be shut down; others cautioned against discarding the program too quickly and urged more time to refine the mission and legislative language. No vote was taken, and the committee appeared to agree to retain the bill for further work, with the possibility of revisiting it in a formal executive session on Tuesday. Members also shifted into discussion of HB 2, beginning with Section 85 on opioid abatement trust fund dollars for shelter programs. Department of Health and Human Services officials explained that the provision would provide $10 million from the opioid abatement trust fund, replacing general funds in the governor’s budget, while also noting an additional $2.5 million prioritized needs request for shelter care that was already fully funded. Committee members asked about shelter bed capacity, job placement efforts, and the remaining balance in the opioid fund; DHHS said there are 934 contracted beds and that case management includes help with housing and employment. Officials also said the current proposed budget includes another $1 million later in HB 2 from the opioid fund. The committee then began discussion of Sections 86 through 87, which would preserve the department’s ability to transfer funds between personnel lines. DHHS said the provision is operationally critical and that losing it would make it extremely difficult to manage the department, though it would not have a direct fiscal impact. The next item introduced was Section 88, extending a suspension related to eligibility for services until July 1, 2027; DHHS indicated that if the suspension were not continued, it would likely increase expenditures for Community Mental Health Centers and potentially others. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even back in 2012, there was a White Earth needs assessment done by the Minnesota Department of Health
• white even uh back in 2012, there was a white earth<00:04:26.240><c> needs</c><00:04:26.560><c> assessment
• done by Minnesota earth needs assessment done by Minnesota Department<00:04:28.560><c> of</c><00:04:
• I have worked with youth doing medicine wheel activities where they do a self-assessment to work on their
• I have worked with youth doing medicine wheel activities where they do a self-assessment to work on their

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Parts of it are leased out, and we're also doing an assessment to generate more revenue, whether it be
• recall from yesterday's meeting, that there's pieces of the Texas Government Code that allow for assessments
• recall from yesterday's meeting that there's pieces of the Texas government code that allows for assessments
• Okay, MUDs can impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
• So through their assessment and fees, they can generate the revenue to basically operate by contract,

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Research has shown us that youth who are assessed justice system costs are more likely to reoffend than
• This form of immunodeficiency is not tested for nor included to be assessed in routine checkups nor in
• Even though the vaccine insert said data was insufficient to assess risks in pregnancy, she was forced
• We went to the pediatrician's office to see for the assessment and see if anything needs to be done.
• We went to the pediatrician's office to see for the assessment and see if anything needs to be done.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing began with opening remarks from the House and Senate chairs outlining procedures for a large public hearing with more than 100 witnesses on 64 legislative proposals. They explained time limits, rules for in-person and virtual testimony, written testimony procedures, and the committee’s reporting deadline. Testimony then moved through a series of juvenile justice, child protection, and civil liberties bills, with witnesses generally urging favorable reports or, in one case, opposing expanded juvenile court transparency and child advocate access to records. Several witnesses supported bills aimed at juvenile justice reform. Representative Hendricks backed H. 1744 to prevent child labor exploitation and trafficking, citing federal findings of child labor in seafood processing and calling for stronger penalties and a ban on minors working in such facilities. Senator Gomez supported S. 1131 and S. 1121 to reduce juvenile fees, fines, restitution burdens, and bail-related costs, arguing they worsen racial and economic disparities. Senator Crean and other advocates supported S. 1051/H. 1695 to expand juvenile diversion eligibility, while multiple witnesses from juvenile justice and immigrant advocacy groups supported H. 1657/S. 1058 to expand juvenile expungement and to limit sharing juvenile fingerprints with federal authorities, describing recent ICE detentions of Chelsea students and the resulting fear in immigrant communities. Witnesses also supported H. 1918/S. 1240 to narrow the youthful offender statute, raising the minimum age and reducing mandatory adult-style penalties for youth. The committee also heard testimony on child safety and bodily autonomy bills. Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan supported H. 1752 to protect children left in extreme temperatures, explaining it would create civil penalties, allow emergency responders to remove children from cars without liability, and add criminal penalties when serious injury results. Representative Thurber and Senator O’Connor testified for H. 2011/S. 1227, a bill prohibiting coercion or mandates for health-related interventions, including vaccinations, and allowing legal remedies for violations. Senator Jalen supported S. 1136/H. 1847 to prevent false confessions by requiring recording of interrogations and banning deceptive tactics, and several innocence-project and legal-services witnesses described wrongful convictions tied to false confessions and coercive interrogations. Another major topic was H. 1626, which would require age verification for pornographic content and launch an education campaign about online sexual exploitation; Representative Cruz and survivor Udoz Wallace testified in support, describing nonconsensual image sharing and deepfake harms. Not all testimony was supportive. The Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed S. 1035, which would increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings, and H. 1689, which would expand the child advocate’s access to confidential juvenile records, arguing both would undermine privacy and trauma-informed protections for children and families. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the session consisted of opening remarks and public testimony on the listed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Eldridge continued: The bill would look at impacts between 1995 and 2024 to get a more robust assessment
• , with this advisory council in the bill that would come up with a number for what would be the assessment
• And it won't really—it'll be a one-time assessment. It won't be ongoing.
• National Climate Assessment, the National Academies of Science and Engineering, the National Oceanic
• Recently, the MBTA did vulnerability assessments across the entire system with regards to climate change

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• coordination to crisis response, outpatient referrals, and substance abuse residential treatment assessments
• coordination to crisis response, outpatient referrals, and substance abuse residential treatment assessments
• We're basically forwarding a phone call because we have assessed that they need that response and we
• have that part. ...forwarding a phone call because we have assessed that they need that response and
• established under Chair Ramos' Assembly Bill 2112, provides technical assistance, conducts statewide assessments

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are assessing whether it is generally redistributive, and if it's not, we can make it so.
• I think that's an accurate assessment. Okay. 58 positions is a ton. That's a ton.
• If they said we can no longer assess this penalty on people, is that what you're saying?
• That's part of the assessment that we're doing. Okay. Thank you. We're going to...
• Did we see any penalties accrued from that, or any assessed penalties?

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are assessing whether it is generally redistributive. And if it's not, we can make it so.
• I think that's an accurate assessment. Okay. Fifty-eight positions is a ton. That's a ton.
• If they said we can no longer assess this penalty on people, is that what you're saying?
• That's part of the assessment that we're doing. Okay. Thank you. We're going to...
• Did we see any penalties accrued from that, or any assessed penalties?

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the Department of Health Care Services’ proposed budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds budget and projected Medi-Cal enrollment decline as redeterminations continue. Members focused heavily on the fiscal and programmatic effects of prior budget solutions and federal changes, especially the elimination of General Fund-supported Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, the hospice utilization-management change, and the impact of reduced caseloads alongside rising health care costs. DHCS said it is still completing required access and rate-reduction analyses for the dental cuts and has been engaging stakeholders, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect on utilization or provider participation. The committee also reviewed the November 2025 Medi-Cal local assistance estimate, which shows higher General Fund spending despite lower enrollment, driven by managed care rate growth, Medicare cost growth, state-only claiming, and federal policy changes. The hearing then turned to provider taxes and federal H.R. 1 constraints, with extensive discussion of the MCO tax, the hospital quality assurance fee, and other health care-related taxes. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 phases down allowable tax levels and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, making the current MCO tax structure and the proposed higher hospital fee levels difficult or impossible to renew as originally designed. Staff and the LAO described the tradeoff between preserving Medi-Cal funding and avoiding higher costs on private providers and consumers. Members asked about options for preserving revenue, including possible amendments to Prop. 35 or returning to voters, and were told the department is still evaluating approaches while federal guidance remains in flux. The committee also reviewed hospital payment increases already implemented through state-directed payments, with DHCS noting that H.R. 1 will force those payments down to Medicare levels over time. Several budget change proposals were discussed and left open, including requests tied to the managed care final rule, managed care operations, hospital value strategy, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability requirements. The committee also heard about a one-year trailer bill extension for skilled nursing facility financing, including continuation of the SNF workforce standards program, the SNF quality assurance fee, and annual rate growth, while the department develops a longer-term financing redesign for 2027-28. Members expressed skepticism about repeated rate reform efforts and questioned whether a one-year extension of the eliminated workforce quality incentive program should be restored during the transition. Finally, Covered California presented its budget and enrollment update, reporting that the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit is expected to reduce affordability significantly, with average premiums roughly doubling for many enrollees and as many as 400,000 Californians potentially losing marketplace coverage over time. The exchange said California’s $190 million subsidy program is helping lower-income enrollees, but not enough to offset the federal loss, and it is also implementing a new gender-affirming care benefit and awaiting federal action on benchmark plan changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky policymakers currently lack basic data on how much is being assessed in fines, fees, and court
• It seeks information to know how much there is that's uncollected, how much has been assessed, what the
• :25.360><c> been</c> that's uncollected, how much has been that's uncollected, how much has been assessed
• 26.879><c> the</c><00:08:27.120><c> difference</c><00:08:27.520><c> is,</c><00:08:28.160><c> who</c> assessed
• , what the difference is, who assessed, what the difference is, who pays<00:08:28.800><c> it,</c><00:

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as some of you may be aware, there was an assessment in 2024 that identified some significant structural
• c><00:35:35.040><c> there</c><00:35:35.200><c> was</c><00:35:35.359><c> an</c><00:35:35.520><c> assessment
• </c><00:35:35.920><c> in</c> may be aware, there was an assessment in may be aware, there was an assessment
• You know, we know from our assessments that even if the roof trusses and the clock tower issue is resolved

Keywords: 00:10 Call to order and Roll Call 01:06 Information Items and Introduction of Kentucky Court of Justice 03:02 Discussion of Interpreter State and National Contractor Rates 06:35 Discussion of Certifications 08:44 Discussion of AI use in Interpretation 13:56 Software Service Initiatives 16:47 Data Security and AV system Upgrades 24:38 Drug Court Issues 28:43 Discussion of Jefferson County Record Storage 35:33 Boyle County Courthouse Construction 39.26 KY State Police Driver Testing 45:22 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget overview from the Kentucky Court of Justice focused on mandated services and several growth items in the judicial branch budget. Court officials said the requests were driven by legal and contractual obligations, including higher contractor rates for court interpreters and IT support, annual software-as-a-service costs, and upgrades to the court’s audiovisual record system (JAVS). They also discussed local facilities needs tied to Jefferson County lease space and the Boyle County Courthouse, though the bulk of the presentation centered on the court’s technology and service-delivery costs. Members asked detailed questions about interpreter services, including whether services are provided in person, by phone, or by Zoom, and whether Kentucky could train and certify more local interpreters instead of relying on contractors from around the country. Court officials said the certification process is rigorous, that the branch is working with the National Center for State Courts on an apprenticeship program, and that they believe Kentucky may have flexibility to develop state-level certification if it meets court needs. They also said they are exploring technology and AI tools for translation, but have not found a solution that reliably handles complex courtroom context. Representative Sharp asked whether cases had been delayed for lack of interpreters; officials said they could provide aggregated data later. The court also described its major IT modernization effort, including a statewide case management system, e-filing, and maintenance of many legacy applications. Officials said contractor rates need to be raised to compete for skilled labor during the implementation phase, but that those costs should decline once the new systems are fully built and only maintained. They explained that part of the request covers three SaaS initiatives: ongoing subscription costs for existing systems, annual fees for the CaseWorks system used in pretrial and specialty courts after federal grant funding ends, and adoption of DocuSign to streamline invoicing, procurement, and contract execution. In response to questions from Representative KC Carney, they said cybersecurity is taken seriously, that they recently conducted a tabletop exercise, and that some risk shifts to cloud vendors under contract, though no separate cybersecurity line item was included. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the JAVS audiovisual court-record system. Court officials said not all courtrooms are on the same version, and they want funding to bring all locations up to the current version and prepare for version 9, which they said would standardize the system statewide and support the official court record. When asked about costs, they said each upgrade can cost about $70,000 to $80,000 per system, that they aim to upgrade about 50 per year, and that the request reflects the need to keep pace with a four-year refresh cycle. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• about the extended date is the fact that whenever somebody is taken in, there can be an intake assessment
• is taken in, there can be<00:09:54.720><c> an</c><00:09:54.959><c> intake</c><00:09:55.360><c> assessment
• </c><00:09:56.959><c> Just</c><00:09:57.200><c> as</c> be an intake assessment, right?
• Just as be an intake assessment, right?
• We haven't had um the opportunity to be able to go through and fully assess the amount of resources that

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing was on an SP 15 replace-all, non-germane amendment to Senate Bill 15, a proposal to require hard labor for certain serious offenses in the New Hampshire prison system. Representative Jennifer Rhodess, the co-sponsor, said the bill is intended to make incarcerated people productive, help reduce costs, and serve as a deterrent; she also noted a two-year effective date for implementation and said anyone who refuses hard labor would receive a 50% sentence increase. She framed the work as ordinary labor already done by many people in the state and said the committee would later hear related testimony and possible amendments. Committee members questioned how the proposal would work in practice, especially for people already incarcerated, the difference between current prison work and the bill’s “hard labor,” and the impact on prison security and staffing. Rhodess said the bill only applies going forward, not retroactively, and that the Department of Corrections could better address operational details. Members also discussed the terminology, noting that “capital murder” is not a current New Hampshire charge and that the relevant offense is first-degree murder with mandatory life without parole. Department of Corrections officials Jane Graham and Nicholas Duffy testified in a neutral position but raised significant implementation concerns. They said the department would need more resources, vehicles, security equipment, and possibly armed supervision for higher-risk crews, and noted a 47% corrections officer vacancy rate. Duffy described current work programs inside prisons and in the community, including correctional industries, kitchen and education jobs, transitional work crews, and community service projects such as road work and landscaping. He explained that current community crews are limited by custody level, court approval, staffing, and safety, and said C1 and C2 inmates are already in transitional or work-release settings, while C3 and higher inmates would pose greater risks if taken outside the walls. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, according to NERC, the 2024 long-term reliability assessment for the Midwest Independent System
• 202 2024 long-term reliability nerk the 202 2024 long-term reliability assment<00:03:50.799><c> assessment
• </c><00:03:51.159><c> for</c><00:03:51.319><c> the</c><00:03:51.400><c> Midwest</c> assment assessment
• for the Midwest assment assessment for the Midwest independent<00:03:52.840><c> service</c><00:03:53.200
• She said the 2024 NERC long-term reliability assessment highlights the urgent need for firm power and

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house