Transcript Highlights:

• to people must always be greater than service to self.
• Show HB 5203E referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Show HB 5207E referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Senate Bill 2518E makes various changes to statute to conform with the health and human services budget
• Senate Bill 2518E makes various changes to statute to conform with the health and human services budget

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is our second meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services.
• </c> members of the Health Services members of the Health Services Committee.<01:19:59.280><c> I'm</c
• So, not just looking at it from a health services committee perspective, but what is it across all levels
• So, not just looking at it from a health services committee perspective, but what is it across all levels
• ><c> what</c> services committee perspective, but what services committee perspective, but what is<01

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:17 - Approval of June 18, 2025 Minutes 00:02:33 - Introductions and Discussion on Priorities 00:07:27 - Health Data Discussion-KY Health Information Exchange (KHIE) 00:34:02 - Health Data Discussion-Public Health Data 01:19:24 - Health Data Discussion-Other Health Data Platforms 01:42:40 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations (Except 201 KAR 005:010) 01:44:48 - Discussion of Optometry Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 02:25:29 - Hearing on Unified Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Application for FFY 2026 - 2027 Funds 02:33:40 - Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 Vote Clarification 02:34:03 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Health Services met to approve the June 18 minutes and hear introductory remarks from new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services Dr. Steven Stack and new Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langfeld. Both described their backgrounds and emphasized a shared focus on using health data to improve quality, coordination, and outcomes across Kentucky. They highlighted the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHI) as a central tool for connecting hospitals, labs, providers, public health systems, Medicaid, and other state and federal data sources, and said the system supports notifications, immunization records, surveillance, and care coordination. They also outlined priorities such as continued investment in KHI, stronger interoperability, privacy protections, and expanded analytic capacity to turn data into action. Committee members then asked about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and informed consent, particularly for pregnant women and children. Dr. Stack said informed consent should come through a licensed health care provider, that Kentucky did not mandate the COVID vaccine, and that the evidence still supports vaccination for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, citing professional medical guidance. A follow-up exchange focused on concerns about past vaccine policies and the need for patients to receive full information before making decisions. Senator Heron asked how KIPRC/KIPR could be used to address firearm injuries. Dr. Langfeld said the key opportunity is to make data more real-time and usable for day-to-day response, while Dr. Stack said the department would continue its long-standing partnership with KIPRC and noted his view that gun violence is a public health emergency. He added, however, that because firearms are a deeply divided issue, the Department for Public Health’s current role is mainly to make data available for authorized research rather than to take a broader policy role. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call the Joint Committee hearing on the Committee on Higher Education and the Committee on
• Ryan Yani from the Department of Human Services testified next.
• </c><00:01:55.920><c> we</c> Department of Community Services we Department of Community Services we
• </c> Yani from Department of Human Yani from Department of Human Services<00:02:09.520><c> uh</c><00:
• With that, we will adjourn the committee. I call to order the Committee on Higher Education again.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• This these both committees. year for us. This these both committees.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just failure to complete services.
• I thank you, committee, for hearing.
• I believe you have a committee substitute and so The chair lays out the committee substitute to House
• We made it to the committee sub. in the committee says that it applies only to causes of action that
• I think there's a committee substitute.

Bills: HB170 , HB865 , HB748 , HJR112 , HB 1110 , HB1495 , HB786 , HB 1130 , HB170

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• They were not part of the Human Services Department.
• Okay, we're going to go next to the committee.
• Members of the committee, and thank you, Brendan.
• The other part of this is the contractual services category.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are really appreciative of you, your committee, and the committee consultant for discussing a bill
• Committee members, Mr. Calder. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• When you go to another committee, those amendments may impact the jurisdiction of another committee.
• And you go to another committee, those amendments may impact the jurisdiction of another committee.
• I want to bring it back to the committee. Shalit: Yeah.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing bills. AB 2270, by Assemblymember Arambula, would give farmworker housing projects scoring parity in the state low-income housing tax credit program so they are not disadvantaged by amenity-proximity criteria that do not fit rural agricultural areas. Supporters, including La Cooperativa Campesina, said the bill would help farmworker projects compete fairly for credits; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved 11-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2552, which would clarify use of the state’s new CEQA vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation bank for affordable housing near transit. The author and supporters from the California Building Industry Association and business groups said the bill would add guardrails so the program is cost-effective and usable, while Housing California, the Planning and Conservation League, and others opposed the least-cost requirement, arguing it could undercut the new mitigation bank before implementation. After discussion about balancing housing and environmental goals, the bill passed 11-1 to Appropriations. AB 2689 would require good cause for nonrenewal of certain state-subsidized housing tenancies when a household’s income exceeds 140% of area median income for two consecutive years, with notice requirements and protections if the tenant cannot afford market rent. Some members supported the bill as a way to free up scarce subsidized units and create a housing “ladder,” while others objected that it could punish people for increasing their income. The bill was amended and passed 11-1. The consent calendar items AB 2308, AB 2397, and AB 2512 were also approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:23.519><c> which</c> opportunity to use phone service which opportunity to use phone service
• Marshals Service.
• Marshals Service.
• I yield back. miss Michael in his service but he never miss Michael in his service but he never could
• </c> discipline and the safety of our service discipline and the safety of our service members<02:09:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, mahalo for joining us today on the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, Wednesday, April
• Okay, on behalf of GM 552, we have Director Yamane from the Department of Human Services in support.
• Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, committee members.
• </c> ensuring equitable access to services. ensuring equitable access to services.
• ,</c><00:08:59.280><c> um</c> the committee, um the committee, um we<00:09:00.080><c> appreciate</c><

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met on April 15 to consider several gubernatorial nominations, with the chair reminding the public that written testimony had been reviewed and testimony time would be limited. The first nominee, James Landgraf (GM 528) for the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators, was supported by the Department of Health and testified that his water-system experience would help ensure certification standards protect safe drinking water, including on Maui and the other islands. Committee members asked about his background and Maui water issues, and the chair later recommended advise and consent. The committee also heard GM 552 for Pina Lemosu to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, but Lemosu was absent due to illness. Daintry Bartoldus of the council testified in strong support, citing Lemosu’s lived experience, critical thinking, and advocacy on disability and employment issues. The committee deferred decision-making on this nomination until the next day. For GM 717, Annabelle Stone for the Language Access Advisory Council, testimony from Waipahu Safe Haven Immigrant Migrant Resource Center and Aloha Care emphasized her interpreter background, bilingual skills, and commitment to equitable access for limited-English-proficient residents. Stone said her public health and community experience would help the council, and the chair recommended advise and consent. The final nomination, GM 782, was John McComas for the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Supporters including Jack Lewin and Aloha Care highlighted McComas’s long career in health care, including leadership at Aloha Care and work on expanding community health resources. McComas said he wanted to continue contributing to health care access statewide after retirement. The committee took no objections on the nominations it voted on and adopted the chair’s recommendations to advise and consent for GM 528, GM 717, and GM 782, while GM 552 was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• service wraparound support services from the county?
• </c><00:05:04.360><c> Service</c><00:05:04.639><c> wraparound</c> just need more Human Service wraparound
• just need more Human Service wraparound support<00:05:05.560><c> services</c><00:05:06.000><c> from<
• </c> end up having like family service end up having like family service wraparound<00:13:32.720><c>
• </c> um bring Minnesota IT services um bring Minnesota IT services departments<00:23:20.679><c> counties

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to need a committee amendment for that. to need a committee amendment for that.
• </c><00:52:51.119><c> And</c> committee? Seeing none, you got it. And committee?
• Moving on to the Health and Human Services items, page 10.
• </c> uh need a committee amendment. uh need a committee amendment.
• </c> Moving on to the Health and Human Moving on to the Health and Human Services<00:58:16.119><c> items

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A 6-0 map would not come out of this committee. A 6-0 map will not be coming out of this committee.
• committee.
• Like you say, you served on this committee, and the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee is a serious
• committee.
• We are human beings.

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Nicole Valenzuela, rules coordinator for the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Allison Rad Megan, administrator for the Department of Health and Human Services Rules Unit.
• </c><00:10:54.960><c> Before</c> Human Services, Bureau of Aging.
• Before Human Services, Bureau of Aging.
• Nicole Valenzuela, Rules Coordinator for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6353, referred to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections.
• that the measures listed on the day's introductions and first reading report be referred to the committees
• Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, 588 Silver Stars, more than 4,000 Bronze Stars, 22 Legion
• We need to get beyond that and, as humanity, rise together and lift all boats. So, Mr.
• Services.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, including approving the previous day’s journal, receiving House messages transmitting House Bill 73 and Second Substitute House Bill 1784, and referring Senate Bill 6353 to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections. It then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8687, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and acknowledging the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, drew extensive remarks in support from several senators. Speakers emphasized the injustice of the internment, the contributions of Japanese American veterans and civil rights activists, the importance of remembrance, and the need to prevent similar abuses in the future. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The Senate also considered Senate Resolution 8688, recognizing Washington’s dairy farms and the role of dairy producers in the state’s economy and communities. Senators shared personal ties to dairy farming and praised the hard work of family farms, dairy workers, and industry representatives. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and visiting members of the Washington State Dairy Council, Dairy Women’s Organization, and Dairy Ambassadors were recognized in the gallery. At the close of business, the Senate agreed to adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a large disability service provider in the southeastern region of the state, in the metro area
• I'm chair of the policy committee. I'm also a part of the D.D. Council.
• I'm chair of the policy committee, and I recently joined the boards of the Institute for Exceptional
• services, and many different systems.
• Tennessee, it's the human resources department.

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and began with an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about every individual mattering and making a difference. Members introduced themselves and described their roles in disability services, workforce policy, accessibility, and advocacy. The committee then welcomed Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina from the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), who explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy support to help states improve disability employment outcomes. SEED presented seven broad policy areas where states are active: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health supports, stay-at-work/return-to-work programs, employer recruitment and accommodation supports, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer initiatives. They shared examples from other states, including scholarship and transition policies, peer support training, accommodation funds, procurement goals, and state hiring strategies. Members asked about SEED’s role in Massachusetts, digital accessibility, and the status of PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED’s role is policy-focused rather than implementation-focused, though it can connect Massachusetts with peer states and examples. The discussion then narrowed to two possible Massachusetts projects: developing a state-as-model-employer roadmap and creating a youth/young-adult employment and volunteer pipeline, especially for transition-age individuals. Members noted related state efforts, including the governor’s executive order reestablishing a disability policy subcommittee, the commission’s Meeting the Moment series, and the need to help people navigate upcoming work requirements and transition cliffs. SEED agreed to follow up with a questionnaire and draft briefs on Massachusetts analysis, career readiness, and state-as-model-employer policies, and the group planned an offline follow-up to define priorities and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Higher Education will come to order.
• Chair and committee members.
• We had an evening Health and Human Services committee meeting.
• </c><00:42:31.920><c> Services</c> had an evening Health and Human Services had an evening Health and
• Human Services uh<00:42:33.280><c> committee</c><00:42:33.599><c> meeting.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will come to order. A quorum is present.
• Forest Service.
• The bill will not be going to the Education Finance Committee. refer to the education finance committee
• It's like the human impact on the land, the way that humans are changing the landscape, and the way that
• </c> just sit there it's like the human just sit there it's like the human impact<01:10:30.840><c> on

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the reports from committee. Mr.
• Speaker, your Committee on Physical Review, to which was referred House Committee Substitute for House
• Bill 2178, Your Committee on Physical Review, to which was referred House Committee Substitute for House
• This passed in committee just a few weeks ago.
• 169, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2682, House Bill 2274, House Committee Substitute for

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to start by thanking the committee for two things.
• Anybody from the committee would like to start? Please.
• I mean, and thank you to the committee.
• That's just not how the human body works.
• on this Select Committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you be willing to waive your committee time speaking, your position will be included in the committee
• And I did not hear this in the first committee.
• Thank you, Chair and committee.
• Thank you, committee.
• Good afternoon to you and the committee.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes. The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues. Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.