Video & Transcript : 'visa wait times' :
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AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 17th, 2026
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a pretty long time ago. Yes, ma'am.
- I think I've said this a few times.
- My daddy tells me that all the time.
- So if we wait for four and five, we're waiting too long. Representative Ennett.
- Is this an appropriate time to share? Sure. Okay.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- waiting for services currently?
- So I got to ask you, these are the best of times. These are the best of times.
- These are the best of times.
- Since we're waiting for the bill, I figured I would fill the time here in the chamber with additional
- President, since we're waiting for the bill, I figured I would fill the time here in the chamber with
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 11, 2025 - 10:15 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's going to take some time.
- What kind of real-time decision-making data or even feedback from families have you, real-time decision-making
- “Roughly, I think the last time I looked at it, there was roughly 12,000 kids total on the wait list.
- But over time, you'll see your wait list even decline too because nobody's going to be eligible.
- Thank you for your time today.
Summary:
The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and focused on School Readiness, specifically the new provider reimbursement rates and the School Readiness Plus program. The chair gave an overview of how School Readiness is funded and administered, noting that the Legislature now sets county-based reimbursement rates using market and cost data, and that School Readiness Plus was created to help families who would otherwise fall off the subsidy “cliff” at 85% of state median income by extending assistance up to 100% of state median income. Panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and the Division of Early Learning described the programs as major workforce and family-support tools that help parents stay employed and help providers recruit and retain qualified staff.
Testimony emphasized that higher reimbursement rates increase parental choice, help providers cover rising child care costs, and support better staffing and lower turnover. The panel also said School Readiness Plus is easing the pressure on families to turn down raises or promotions for fear of losing child care assistance, though uptake is still early because the program only began in late 2024 and is only available to current School Readiness families at redetermination. The Division of Early Learning reported about 275 children enrolled in School Readiness Plus as of March 10, with expenditures of about $161,420 through January 2025, and said participation is increasing.
Members asked about the federal-state funding split, wait lists, reverted funds, coalition accountability, county-based rate differences, and whether the entrance eligibility threshold should be raised or shifted to state median income. The panel said roughly 70% of School Readiness funding is federal, about 4% has typically reverted in recent years, and the wait list is around 12,000 children, with reasons including income ineligibility, lack of available seats, and funding limits. They argued that raising the entrance threshold would expand access but would require additional funding, and they also discussed the need to reduce workforce barriers such as in-person testing and training requirements. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond the presentation and member discussion, and the subcommittee adjourned.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- due to time constraints.
- due to time constraints.
- due to time constraints.
- due to time constraints.
- due to time constraints.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The committee opened its first hearing of the 2025 session with procedural instructions about testimony limits, Zoom participation, written testimony, and a reconvening date if needed. It then heard SB 200 on speedy trials. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create conflicts of interest for prosecutors, potentially make victims or witnesses quasi-parties to criminal cases, force traumatizing testimony on continuance motions, and unfairly delay trials for in-custody defendants. A World Care representative supported the bill and urged broader protections for minors, disabled people, and seniors. The chair also pressed the public defender to suggest improvements, emphasizing that the bill was driven by victims and families. No vote or final action was taken on SB 200.
The committee next took up SB 8 on jury duty exemptions for health professionals. Testimony was strongly supportive from nurses, physicians, and disability advocates, who said APRNs and other nurses are in short supply and that jury service can disrupt patient care, especially in rural and neighbor island areas. One witness suggested expanding the exemption to include registered nurses as well as APRNs, while a senator raised concerns about blanket exemptions for non-practicing APRNs and suggested a time limit. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported.
The committee then heard SB 144 on chiropractic, with the state chiropractic board offering comments and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supporting the measure as a way to address workforce shortages and provide students more hands-on clinical experience. A World Care witness also supported the bill after clarifying her remarks. The chair then moved to SB 107 on medical informed consent, where the Hawaii Medical Board opposed the bill and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and Queen’s Health System offered comments, citing concerns about duplicative standards. A support witness proposed expanding the bill to better address combined mental and physical health conditions. Finally, SB 189 on breast cancer screening drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Radiological Society, Queen’s Health Systems, and others, while the Insurance Division raised concerns about possible insurance mandate defrayment and the need for a sunrise analysis. Senators also asked about local demographic data and coverage impacts; the chair indicated decision-making would be deferred to another day.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (02/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate your time today.
- </c> duplicate effort that a lot of times duplicate effort that a lot of times we've<00:14:26.160><c>
- Is there a wait list currently for child care assistance or— >> There is no current wait list, right?
- Um a lot of times it's specific time.
- </c><01:10:53.199><c> So</c> see the data now in real time. So see the data now in real time.
Summary:
The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway.
Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot.
The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Special Session E May 29th, 2026
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So I got to ask you, these are the best of times. These are the best of times.
- These are the best of times.
- So I got to ask you, these are the best of times. These are the best of times.
- Since we’re waiting for the bill, I figured I would fill the time here in the chamber with additional
- President, since we’re waiting for the bill, I figured I would fill the time here in the chamber with
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies.
Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management.
Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a pretty long time ago. Yes, ma'am.
- I think I've said this a few times.
- My daddy tells me that all the time.
- The wait list is 2,800. Yes, ma'am.
- So if we wait for four and five, we're waiting too long. Representative Inett.
Summary:
The committee met to review the minutes and then held a workshop-style discussion with Arkansas Department of Education early childhood officials about the state’s early learning programs, funding, and access. Officials explained that the state-funded ABC program has been largely flat for years, rising from $11 million to about $14 million in 2018, while the federally funded SRA/CCDF side is much larger. They described differences between the programs, including ABC’s 10-month school-year structure, current enrollment of about 23,000 children in ABC and about 14,871 in SRA, and a SRA wait list that has grown to roughly 2,971 children. Members raised concerns about rural access, school-based versus community-based providers, reimbursement rates, and the need to align early childhood funding with K-12 and kindergarten readiness goals.
A major topic was the recent $14.741 million PDG B-5 competitive grant. Officials said it is a one-year systems-building grant, not a direct services grant, and will support local leads, CLASS observations, workforce efforts, and data systems while helping offset some costs that otherwise would have been paid through CCDF. Members also discussed the end of a federal pre-K funding stream in June, with children either moving into ABC slots or requalifying for SRA, and the state’s new enrollment-based payment approach, which officials said saved about $576,000. The committee also heard that the current cost-of-care study is about three years old and that a new market-rate survey is being planned.
Several members questioned dual enrollment in home visiting/HIPPY and ABC, with officials saying about 1,200 children are enrolled in both and that limiting double enrollment could save about $2.4 million and affect roughly 470 children. Members also asked about provider closures after rate changes; officials said eight providers cited funding as a reason for closing, while 26 new providers have been added under the new rates. The discussion ended with broad agreement that the committee should continue regular updates, keep providers and families informed, and explore policy changes, waivers, and possible state investments to improve stability, access, and quality in early childhood education.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/29/2026 - Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- For how long, until what time? Mr.
- Chair, if I could, we've had Senator Fincham patiently waiting for a long time.
- And I know the waiting lists like that, depending upon their period of time, will cause people to stay
- PPCG has a six-month wait period, and that's...
- Please wait to your acknowledgement.
Committee:
Joint Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Summary:
The committee first went into executive session and then returned to approve settlements in three risk management cases based on the Attorney General’s recommendation. It then took up JLBC staff items on school facilities, including a 4.8% increase to the school facilities construction cost index for fiscal 27, which staff said would have no fiscal impact in fiscal 27 but would increase costs in later years; the committee approved the item. The committee also favorably reviewed ADE’s annual federal monies report, showing fiscal 26 federal funds of $1.38 billion, up from $1.27 billion in fiscal 25, and reviewed the annual Career and Technical Education District report, which showed 14 districts, $244 million in expenditures, and a 37% retention rate from first to second course, with 79% ultimately earning a credential. Members raised concerns about the low retention rate and asked for more comparative and trend data.
The committee then considered a DES transfer within the developmental disabilities budget, moving $3.3 million from the Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid line to the state-only case management line. DES said both lines had shortfalls and that the transfer was needed to address more immediate cash-flow pressure in state-only services; members questioned the growth in the state-only population, the lack of federal matching funds, and whether the state should impose a waiting period for new arrivals. The committee attached conditions requiring DES to send formal deficiency letters to legislative leaders, provide monthly breakdowns of DD populations by diagnosis, and report within 30 days on Minnesota audit findings related to fraud vulnerabilities. It then favorably reviewed the transfer and separately favorably reviewed the annual report on the Arizona Training Program at Coolidge, where the population has declined to about 48 residents and DES is making capital repairs and consolidating buildings.
Finally, the committee reviewed a proposed transfer of $650,000 from unused special election funds to the Secretary of State’s cybersecurity budget. The Secretary of State’s office said the money would fund contracted monitoring, endpoint protection, and remediation of identified vulnerabilities during the election year, and members discussed the office’s relationship with federal cybersecurity partners and the need to maximize outside support. Some members objected to the office’s communication and asked for more outreach to federal agencies, while others noted the urgency of the security needs. After debate, the committee gave favorable review to the $650,000 transfer, and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- while they wait.
- I'm currently waiting for emergency public housing, but the program will take a long time to offer me
- Tenants who are waiting for answers from rental assistance applications also take time, and they should
- Tenants that are waiting for answers from rental assistance applications also take time, and they should
- Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. Any questions? Thank you for your time.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Housing
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of housing and homelessness bills. Chairs Rich Haggerty and Julian Cyr opened by noting the committee’s focus on EOHLC programs such as RAFT, MRVP, and HomeBASE, and several members and advocates emphasized the urgency of the state’s homelessness crisis, including rising family homelessness and the need for earlier intervention, more stable subsidies, and stronger long-term housing tools.
A major theme was homelessness prevention and rehousing. Multiple witnesses supported bills to codify and strengthen RAFT and HomeBASE, arguing that assistance should be available earlier in a crisis rather than only after a notice to quit or imminent loss of housing. Testimony from legal services, homelessness coalitions, social workers, municipal housing staff, and tenant advocates said the programs help families avoid eviction and shelter, but need more flexibility, higher benefit caps, and permanent statutory protection. Several speakers also urged support for codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), describing it as a critical long-term subsidy for low-income households and older adults, and warning that codification would protect the program from future budget or policy changes.
The committee also heard testimony on housing stability for older adults, affordable homes for people with disabilities, supportive housing, housing cooperatives, home sharing, local preference, and reentry housing for returning citizens. Advocates for older adults described a Somerville bridge subsidy pilot that helped stabilize seniors while they waited for permanent housing, and urged statewide expansion. Supporters of supportive housing called for an interagency board to streamline funding and development, while cooperative housing proponents backed creation of a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives and a dedicated funding reserve. A bill to secure housing for returning citizens drew support from reentry providers and Senator Adam Gomez, who said stable housing is essential to successful reintegration. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses generally asked the committee to report the bills favorably, and some members asked follow-up questions on data and program details.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/29/2026 - Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, specifically, there is no waiting period. Mr.
- Chair, if I could, we've had Senator Fincham patiently waiting for a long time.
- And I know the waiting lists like that, depending upon their period of time, will cause people to stay
- So PPC has a six-month wait period, and that's...”
- Over time, it worked into more of a 50-50 split.
Committee:
Joint Joint Legislative Budget Committee
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Most things are going to have an open wait list, and getting on an open wait list is really important
- And so we put a lot of time and effort and staffing into this mission.
- waiting for accessible units?
- waiting for accessible units?
- I know we're a little over time. So I'll, again, thank you everyone.
Summary:
The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with a presentation from Housing Navigator Massachusetts. Staff described the nonprofit’s mission to improve access to affordable housing through a free, 24/7 search tool and public data dashboards. They explained how the site distinguishes between rent-based-on-income units and fixed below-market rent units, how mobile vouchers such as AHVP and Section 8 interact with those listings, and what types of housing are included or excluded from the database. They also reviewed accessibility filters, supportive housing resources, and related state programs such as EOHLC resources and RAFT.
Committee members asked about the organization’s funding, the availability of voucher programs, and whether the site tracks demand for accessible units or wait lists over time. Housing Navigator said it is primarily supported through the state, works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and does not collect personal application data because it is not part of the application process. Staff said accessible units appear to be in high demand, but they do not have direct data on how many people are waiting or how many applications result from site visits. They also said they are working to improve data sharing, more frequent updates, and future research tools.
Members discussed ways to increase public awareness of Housing Navigator, including sharing a one-page fact sheet or infographic through disability organizations, local disability commissions, independent living centers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The subcommittee also briefly discussed future goals, including inviting MassHealth to a January meeting, seeking regular updates on federal Medicare and Medicaid developments, reviewing the annual report’s recommendations, and possibly planning a future health equity event. The meeting ended with the introduction of new commission member Victoria Gill and a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- At the same time that we had a 50% decrease in our wait time, we have had a 51% increase in the number
- At the same time that we had a 50% decrease in our wait time, we have had a 51% increase in the number
- At the same time that we had a 50% decrease in our wait time, we have had a 51% increase in the number
- At the same time that we had a 50% decrease in our wait time, we have had a 51% increase in the number
- At the same time that we had a 50% decrease in our wait time, we have had a 51% increase in the number
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to afford everyone an equitable amount of time to speak, but at the same time, I want you to be
- But now we don't have that wait because we were able to hire and have four full-time therapists.
- But now we don't have that wait because we were able to hire and have four full-time therapists.
- Time and time again, families tell me the same heartbreaking story.
- As Helen said, a lot of times people pass away while they're on the wait list.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on several budget requests tied to health and human services. Louisiana Children’s Advocacy Centers asked for continued support and a supplemental appropriation of $1.173 million for infrastructure and standardization, explaining that the money would expand use of the Guardify digital evidence system, improve chain of custody, and reduce reliance on DVDs. Baton Rouge and statewide CAC leaders said prior funding helped eliminate a therapy wait list and speed services for abused children. Members asked detailed questions about the digital system, MDT coordination, and how the request related to SB 237, which would strengthen multidisciplinary review of child abuse cases.
The Alzheimer’s Association sought $824,000 to sustain the dementia care specialist program, saying it helps families navigate services, keep loved ones at home longer, and reduce Medicaid costs. AARP and the Live at Home Coalition also testified for 750 additional Community Choice waiver slots at a state cost of $3.3 million, arguing that home- and community-based care is cheaper than nursing homes and that the current wait list is more than 11,000 people. Legislators discussed the size of the need, the state’s long-term care spending mix, and whether more support should go to family caregivers and community-based options.
Testimony also focused on disability support services, substance use treatment, and developmental disability provider rates. A parent and direct support worker described the Children’s Choice waiver’s 20-hour cap and low pay, saying it makes it hard to retain caregivers and meet the needs of medically fragile children. Odyssey House and O’Brien House asked for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates under ASAM 4, warned that removal of room-and-board payments and weak Medicaid eligibility pathways are reducing access, and called for more oversight of sober living homes; members questioned outcomes data, length of stay, and links to homelessness. Finally, the Arc of Louisiana said the LDH rate study confirmed underfunding and supported a $53.6 million increase in state general funds, with local ARC leaders describing the services they provide and the need for higher direct support professional wages.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate your time today.
- that times the rate.
- That also increases the total volume that we get when you times that times the rate.
- I can't think of one person who would wait that amount of time to maybe get this extended amount of money
- We’ve got time. Representative Hogan?
Committees:
House Insurance , House Insurance and Banking
Summary:
The Committee on Insurance held a public hearing on House Bill 1718, which would clarify Missouri’s sovereign immunity statute so that the liability cap is tied to the date of the accident or injury rather than the date of judgment or settlement. Representative Dave Hinman, the bill sponsor, said the measure is a narrow fix to address a court interpretation in Robinson v. St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners and argued it would reduce budget uncertainty for political subdivisions and remove incentives to delay settlement. Supporters said the bill would align coverage with occurrence-based insurance policies and prevent local governments from being responsible for amounts above the policy limits when cases take years to resolve.
Witnesses in support included representatives of municipal self-insurance pools, the Missouri Municipal League, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, the Missouri Association of Counties, and housing authority interests. They said the current rule can create “unfunded” exposure when inflation increases the cap between the injury date and the resolution date, and they emphasized that the bill would provide certainty and consistency for public entities. Committee members asked about the cap amounts, inflation adjustments, minor claims, and whether delaying settlement could increase recovery; the Department of Commerce and Insurance later clarified that the inflation factor is tied to a GDP-based implicit price inflator rather than CPI.
Opposition came from the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the State Public Advocate. Opponents argued that the current rule is fair because it uses the cap in effect when the claim is resolved, that the alleged incentive to delay settlement is unrealistic, and that injured plaintiffs—especially minors or people with serious injuries—should not be limited by an older cap when the case is finally adjudicated. They also noted that some claims involve significant harm and that municipalities should resolve valid claims promptly. No vote was taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And we are still waiting on fin release.
- </c> are still waiting on LAM release. Okay. are still waiting on LAM release. Okay.
- </c> facilitate timely delivery of projects. facilitate timely delivery of projects.
- </c> CD1 is ready for prime time. CD1 is ready for prime time.
- </c> the language worked out and are waiting the language worked out and are waiting for<00:14:10.000
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- time.
- We heard this on the floor time and time again, over and over.
- I'll wait to be recognized. I'm sorry. Thank you for your time, Mr. Chairman.
- Future time. Can you speak to what the future time may be?
- and time again.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Budget Commission Apr 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- When was the last time we did a provider network adequacy test? Mr.
- up if there is a wait list here.
- and using trend information available at that time.
- It was my understanding that we were waiting for federal approval.
- We were waiting for federal approval.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- But during that small piece of time, many organizations, That small piece of time, many organizations
- So kind of to continue that, a lot of these wait lists, they are very time sensitive.
- This has been in place for a long time.
- This has been in place for a long time.
- Hit it one more, one more time. Hello. Okay, sorry.
Committee:
All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Commission (6-17-25) - Part 2
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> want to do is currently the waiting want to do is currently the waiting period<00:05:34.400><c>
- </c> the uh bill that we had last time. the uh bill that we had last time.
- </c><00:10:12.080><c> Wait,</c> to be none. All those in favor. Wait, to be none.
- Wait, wait,<00:10:12.800><c> wait,</c><00:10:12.959><c> wait.
- </c> wait, wait, wait. Mike has a question. wait, wait, wait. Mike has a question.
Summary:
The commission first returned from executive session and noted that discussions there were preliminary only and no final agency action was taken. It then approved the budget report, which staff said was within year-to-date budget parameters.
Members discussed recommended changes to the code of ethics. Staff proposed four items: defining and prohibiting sexual harassment as ethical misconduct; two housekeeping changes related to lobbyist registration notice and campaign contribution language; and a possible reduction of the post-service waiting period for former legislators to become lobbyists from two years to one year. Members agreed the lobbying cooling-off period was a broader General Assembly issue and voted to recommend only the first three changes, leaving the fourth for later review. The chair noted the July 1 deadline for submitting ethics-code recommendations to the LRC.
The commission also approved renewal of a $100,000 contract with Casey Bailey and Mains for Robert Jenkins to continue serving as enforcement counsel, with hourly rates of $125 for the attorney and $40 for the paralegal. Finally, it approved a 3% cost-of-living pay increase for General Counsel Steven Pium, discussed possible conference attendance and informal opinions, and adjourned after no further business.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- it's a timing issue.
- They might redeem them all at one time. They may wait till later in the summer.
- I mean, it's changing all the time.
- And that takes time.
- Well, I think that we're still working on the wait list. We understand there is a wait list.
Committee:
All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING