Transcript Highlights:

• And I say that to say almost all of us have an image in our mind of what a school district is.
• So, when we think about a school board, the image in our mind is that group of five back home.
• And I say that to say almost all of us have an image in our mind of what a school district is.
• So, when we think about a school board, the image in our mind is that group of five back home.
• in our mind of what a have an image in our mind of what a school<00:03:16.480><c> district</c><00:03

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The image there in the background is some of the LAR data that's in the Palisades region.
• The image there in the Forest Service.
• By the way, that image there in the background was taken during the floods.
• By the way, that image there in the background was taken during the floods.
• This is an interesting image in the background here.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:01:10, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings after a motion and second, then heard a presentation from Kent Annis and Boyd Sheerer of the Kentucky Division of Geographic Information on the state’s “KY from Above” aerial imagery and elevation program. The presenters described the program’s goals of creating openly accessible statewide imagery and elevation basemaps, reducing duplicative local and state spending, and supporting uses such as transportation, emergency response, utilities, broadband planning, property taxation, economic development, and education. They said the data is owned by the Commonwealth, distributed in the public domain, and has strong return on investment, with statewide ortho imagery coverage completed in 2022 and elevation phases completed or underway in multiple stages. The witnesses emphasized that the program relies on cost-sharing among state, local, and federal partners and that a small state “seed” appropriation is needed to leverage larger federal contributions. They said about $300,000 a year in seed money could help secure additional federal funds, while a three-year imagery refresh cycle would cost about $5.7 million annually and storage/processing about $150,000 a year. They also noted that no subscription fee is charged for access, opposed charging for use of the data even by for-profit users, and said the program is intended as an economic development tool that avoids multiple entities paying for the same geography. Members asked about the funding request, the potential federal match, and whether the state should charge private companies for access. The witnesses explained that the requested amount was for aerial photography and LAR seed money, that federal funds would not cover aerial photography directly, and that the program already uses a cost-share model with 28 partners rather than subscriptions. They also clarified that imagery is refreshed every three years and elevation data on a longer cycle, with elevation prioritized because it supports accuracy for roads, water lines, and broadband planning. The presentation concluded with no formal vote on the program itself; after questions ended, the chair thanked the witnesses and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But look what happens when the images look really similar. Cannot see it, right?
• But our human intelligence allows us to look at each one of those images and make class.
• Human intelligence allows us to look at each one of those images and make classifications.
• She opens up her computer, and there she is on the computer in her AI image saying, 'I'm so-and-so, and
• She had gone through an exercise to create her own AI image where she could visually see herself on the

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini. Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because there's so much anger against those entities right now that the better we can improve their image
• I saw an image of a woman who was bound, her hands tied in front.
• And thankfully that 60 Minutes episode finally went up so people could see some of the images of what
• Up so people could see some of the images of what was happening in El Salvador, the people who were in
• take this image, and sometimes the insurance will cancel that policy.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of third-reading bills covering horse racing, local taxation, consumer financial security, elections, utilities, battery recycling, sexual health, body-worn camera privacy, property tax treatment for inherited homes, adoptee access to original birth certificates, a youth housing bond, workers’ compensation, and civil rights. Several measures were framed as technical or clarifying changes, while others addressed broader policy disputes over election security, immigration enforcement, utility oversight, and state borrowing for housing. Among the more debated items were SB 46, which would bar the California ballot from listing a presidential candidate who has already served two terms; SB 73, an urgency measure restricting county election officials from allowing federal agents to inspect voting machines; and SB 747, the “No Kings Act,” creating a state civil cause of action against federal, state, or local officers who violate constitutional rights. Supporters of SB 747 argued it was needed to address alleged abuses by federal immigration agents, while opponents said existing law already provides remedies and warned about added litigation and impacts on law enforcement. SB 492, a $1 billion youth housing bond, also drew debate over state debt and whether housing should be funded through bonds or other mechanisms. The chamber also considered SB 505, requiring money transmitters to use two-factor or multi-factor authentication; SB 501, expanding battery producer responsibility to medium-format batteries; SB 608, related to contraceptive access and school implementation; SB 691, allowing EMS-related redaction requests for body-worn camera footage; SB 288, clarifying Proposition 19 timing for inherited property in probate; SB 381, giving adopted adults access to original birth certificates; and SB 555, updating permanently partially disabled workers’ benefits. Votes were recorded on each measure, with most passing by party-line or near-party-line margins, while SB 795 and SB 288 passed unanimously. SB 73 and SB 747 both passed with urgency clauses, and SB 492, SB 555, and several other bills advanced after floor debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• because there's so much anger against those entities right now that the better we can improve their image
• I saw an image of a woman who was bound, her hands tied in front.
• And thankfully that 60 Minutes episode finally went up so people could see some of the images of what
• Up so people could see some of the images of what was happening in El Salvador, the people who were in
• take this image and sometimes the insurance will cancel that policy. ...image, and sometimes the insurance

Summary: The Senate took up a series of third-reading bills covering horse racing, local taxation, consumer financial security, elections, utilities, batteries, sexual health, body-worn cameras, property tax treatment for inherited homes, adoptee birth records, youth housing bonds, workers’ compensation, and civil rights. SB 795 on horse racing, SB 762 allowing Hercules to seek voter approval for a sales tax increase, SB 505 requiring two-factor authentication for money transmitter platforms, SB 46 barring California ballot access for presidential candidates who have already served two terms, SB 73 restricting federal access to voting machines without a court order, SB 327 on utility oversight and ratepayer protections, SB 501 expanding battery producer responsibility, SB 608 on school contraceptive access, SB 691 on EMS-related redaction of body-worn camera footage, SB 288 clarifying Proposition 19 timing for inherited homes in probate, SB 381 giving adoptees access to original birth certificates, SB 492 creating a youth housing bond, SB 555 increasing permanently partially disabled workers’ benefits, and SB 747 creating a civil cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers were all debated and advanced. Most measures passed on roll call, with SB 505 and SB 288 approved by unanimous roll call, and SB 73 carrying an urgency clause that also passed unanimously. Debate on SB 747 was the most extensive and contentious. Supporters argued the bill was needed to hold federal officers accountable for alleged constitutional violations, especially in immigration enforcement, and described it as a civil-rights remedy for people harmed by federal agents. Opponents said existing federal and state remedies already cover such conduct, warned the bill was politically motivated, and argued it could increase litigation and strain law enforcement resources. The bill nevertheless passed on a 30-10 vote, with the urgency clause also approved. SB 492 on youth housing also drew debate over state bonding and debt, with supporters emphasizing early intervention for homeless and foster youth and opponents arguing the state should avoid borrowing and instead fund projects through the budget; it passed 30-9 on both urgency and the measure. Other bills also drew focused testimony. SB 555 was presented as a long-overdue cost-of-living adjustment for permanently partially disabled workers’ benefits, and SB 381 was supported as a way to give adopted adults access to their original birth certificates for identity and medical-history reasons. SB 691 was framed as a privacy measure for patients receiving medical or psychological treatment, while SB 501 was described as closing a gap in California’s battery recycling and safety rules by adding medium-format batteries used in e-bikes and portable power systems. SB 762 was presented as a local option for Hercules to address revenue shortfalls, and SB 46 and SB 73 both centered on election integrity and constitutional questions, with members split over federal-state authority and ballot access.

Transcript Highlights:

• and body image.
• </c><00:02:37.360><c> and</c> children's, you know, self-image and children's, you know, self-image and
• body<00:02:38.360><c> image.
• Um, and then there are other body image.
• We own our image. We own our data. We own our image.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would include AI-generated or altered images.
• Willoughby's bill last year that added AI-generated image for child sex assault material.
• exploitation actually occurs today, online, at scale, and increasingly through synthetic and AI-generated images
• Current statutes focus on real images, but victims suffer the same harm when their likeness is digitally
• Current statutes focus on real images, but victims suffer the same harm when their likeness is digitally

Bills: HB2043, HB2045, HB2046, HB2048, HB2064, HB2074, HB2126, HB2133, HB2144

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, drive-by shooting, gun violence, firearms, felony, vehicle forfeiture, driver license revocation, drive by shooting, public safety, criminal penalties, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Please avoid using any trademarked or copyrighted images.
• avoid using any trademarked<00:02:49.040><c> or</c><00:02:49.200><c> copyrighted</c><00:02:50.360><c> images
• </c> trademarked or copyrighted images. trademarked or copyrighted images.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR20, which urges the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to re-evaluate policies on in-person contact visitation at correctional facilities statewide so incarcerated people can stay connected with loved ones who support rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson testified that the department supports the intent of the measure and would review its policies and procedures to see whether contact visits could be restarted at all facilities, noting that some facilities already allow them. The committee also acknowledged 11 written testimonies in support, and one Zoom testifier, Panda Valdono, spoke in favor, arguing that in-person visitation supports rehabilitation, mental health, family connection, and successful reentry, and that visitation is not a major source of contraband. After testimony, the committee initially lacked quorum and recessed until 3:40 p.m. When the meeting reopened with six members present, the chair recommended passing STR20 as is. The committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation, with members Morikawa, Puo, Witson, and Shimizu voting aye and several members excused. The measure was approved and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do physical therapists order imaging? No, ma'am. So...
• Are there times where you order imaging?
• Then, yes, that's the time I got imaging.
• When patients come to our imaging centers, they know it's a Memorial Hermann Imaging Center.
• So, if we bought an imaging center, they charged for imaging before we bought them, and then after we

Bills: HB46, HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:06.400><c> to</c><00:04:06.520><c> use</c><00:04:06.680><c> on</c> while searching for an image
• to use on while searching for an image to use on the<00:04:06.880><c> cover</c><00:04:07.240><c> of<
• in Civil War, love, loss, and a cause in Civil War, found<00:04:14.560><c> an</c><00:04:14.680><c> image
• the</c><00:04:15.160><c> painting</c><00:04:15.640><c> and</c><00:04:15.760><c> after</c> found an image
• of the painting and after found an image of the painting and after months<00:04:16.239><c> of</c><00

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• where people are being lied to and to not have the information that this is AI, this is a generated image
• </c><00:05:08.880><c> a</c><00:05:09.080><c> a</c><00:05:09.240><c> generated</c><00:05:10.000><c> image
• that is not this is a a generated image that is not real<00:05:11.639><c> then</c><00:05:12.039><c>
• It's making me think. website there are convincing graphic website there are convincing graphic images
• and pornographic videos on the images and pornographic videos on the internet<00:14:44.079><c> of</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So are you confident that that kind of use of an image or a voice or a likeness is... ...still protected
• the same time, advances in AI and digital media have made it easier to create realistic but false images
• social media, and I know a student who was impacted when someone generated explicit content using their image
• social media, and I know a student who was impacted when someone generated explicit content using their image
• social media and I know a student who has impacted when someone generated explicit content using their image

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. On SB 5906, the SAFE Act, staff and Sen. Hansen described protections limiting immigration enforcement access to non-public areas in schools, early learning settings, higher education, health care facilities, adult family homes, and ballot-processing areas, and restricting collection of immigration-status information. Supporters said the bill would clarify and strengthen existing Keep Washington Working policies, while some witnesses requested amendments to better define health care facilities, clarify adult family home and election-related provisions, and keep Section 6 on ballot security. Some members questioned the factual basis for reported ICE activity near schools and daycares and the distinction between judicial and administrative warrants. The committee also heard SB 5886 on personality rights and forged digital likenesses. Staff explained that the bill would add digitally created or modified likenesses to the Personality Rights Act, raise civil penalties, and allow recovery of actual and non-economic damages in forged-digital-likeness cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address AI deepfakes and identity misuse while preserving satire and fair use; student and advocacy witnesses supported the measure as a way to protect students and victims of digital impersonation. The committee then heard SB 5169, which expands child hearsay and closed-circuit testimony rules to older children and additional offenses. Prosecutors and forensic interviewers supported the bill as necessary in trafficking and child abuse cases, while defense advocates opposed it as an overbroad expansion that could raise confrontation-clause issues and create legal challenges. Additional hearings included SB 5865, which would move garnishment form updates from statute to the Washington Pattern Forms Committee; judges supported it as a way to fix a wage-withholding calculation error and allow future updates without legislation. SB 5912 would reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force to study statewide public defense delivery and recommend sustainable reforms; counties, the Office of Public Defense, and defense groups supported it. SB 6009 would make permanent the current process for direct review of administrative decisions by the Court of Appeals and retain land-use transfer provisions; a Court of Appeals judge supported the bill. SB 6087 would extend limited liability for donations of children’s items to religious organizations and add strollers and car seats, with support from Zero Waste Washington. The committee did not take final votes on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It refused to generate images of Caucasians and, as covered by the John Oliver show, led to a series
• of racist images that circulated the internet.
• Some users asked Grok to generate images of the founding fathers eating watermelon, and were provided
• with images of what looked like the founding fathers in blackface eating watermelon.
• haven't seen the John Oliver show, I highly recommend looking up that specific piece or some of the images

Bills: SB5609, SB6284

Keywords: cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, artificial intelligence, consumer protection, regulation, data privacy, technological impacts, 904, all

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two bills. On Senate Bill 5609, the committee heard a proposed substitute concerning cultural resource reviews under SEPA. Staff explained that the bill would require cultural resource review for certain categorical exemptions, including infill housing and some GMA-related projects, unless a local government has approved protections such as a DAHP-approved cultural resources management plan, a local ordinance, or a data-sharing agreement with tribes. Senator Kauffman said the bill is intended to protect tribal cultural sites without stopping development. Supporters, including several tribal representatives and the City of Redmond, said early review and consultation help avoid irreversible damage and can provide certainty; opponents from builders, counties, and business groups argued the bill would add costs, delay housing and permitting, and shift review to the project level without clear standards or timelines. The public hearing on SB 5609 then closed, with testimony sign-in totals reported as 15 in support, 266 opposed, and 0 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6284 on artificial intelligence. Staff described the bill as creating risk-management and disclosure requirements for high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions, requiring impact assessments, consumer notice, and Attorney General enforcement, while also extending the AI task force and adding a workplace subgroup. Senator Elias said the bill is meant to focus regulation on high-risk uses and balance innovation with consumer protection. Testimony was mixed: insurance, banking, hospital, technology, and business representatives generally supported the goal but asked for exemptions or amendments for regulated financial institutions and health care, and raised concerns about definitions, implementation, and overlap with existing regulation; a student testified in support, citing harm from non-consensual AI-generated sexual images and urging accountability. The hearing concluded with the sponsor and several witnesses noting the need for further work on implementation, and the committee adjourned after closing public testimony on SB 6284.

Transcript Highlights:

• It refused to generate images of Caucasians and, as covered by the John Oliver show, led to a series
• of racist images that circulated on the internet.
• Some users asked Grok to generate images of the founding fathers eating watermelon, and were provided
• with images of what looked like the founding fathers in blackface eating watermelon.
• haven't seen the John Oliver show, I highly recommend looking up that specific piece or some of the images

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two bills. On SB 5609, concerning cultural resource reviews under SEPA, staff explained that the proposed substitute would require cultural resource review for certain categorical exemptions, including infill housing and some GMA-related projects, unless a local government has an approved data-sharing agreement, ordinance, or cultural resources management plan with tribal consultation. Senator Kauffman said the bill is intended to protect tribal cultural sites without stopping development. Supporters, including tribal representatives and some local officials, said early review and consultation can prevent irreversible damage and provide clarity; opponents from business, builders, and county planning groups argued it would add costs, delay housing and permitting, and shift too much authority to state-level review without clear timelines or standards. The committee took public testimony only and then closed the hearing on SB 5609. The committee then heard SB 6284 on high-risk artificial intelligence. Staff described requirements for deployers of high-risk AI systems to maintain risk management policies, conduct impact assessments, notify consumers when AI is used in consequential decisions, and report algorithmic discrimination to the Attorney General, along with disclosures for government agencies and an extension of the AI task force with a workplace subgroup. Senator Elias said the bill is intended to focus regulation on high-risk uses while preserving innovation. Testimony was mixed: consumer and student advocates supported the bill’s transparency and accountability measures, while industry, banking, insurance, hospital, and technology groups raised concerns about definitions, implementation, overlap with existing regulation, and possible effects on innovation or regulated sectors. The committee heard public testimony and then adjourned after closing the hearing on SB 6284.

Transcript Highlights:

• page two, it's kind of an aerial larger photo of the area, but then the last page has the zoomed-in image
• has<00:03:23.519><c> the</c><00:03:23.680><c> zoomed</c><00:03:24.080><c> in</c><00:03:24.720><c> image
• of</c><00:03:26.000><c> what</c><00:03:26.239><c> is</c><00:03:26.640><c> 13</c> has the zoomed in image
• of what is 13 has the zoomed in image of what is 13 dairy<00:03:27.440><c> heers</c><00:03:28.239><c

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 4295, described by the author as the “Chicken Shift Bill,” which would address an unintended consequence of state feedlot regulations affecting backyard chicken coops. The bill would allow counties to adopt ordinances exempting small chicken coops, up to 24 chickens, from feedlot designation, while leaving counties free to set a lower limit or decline to act. The author and Wright County Administrator Greg Kryser testified in support, saying the measure would give local governments flexibility and resolve confusion for county feedlot officers. Kryser also explained the issue using animal-unit calculations to show how chickens in a coop could be treated differently from chickens at pasture. Representative Coulter raised a question about how a county ordinance would interact with a city ordinance on backyard chickens, and the chair said he did not know the answer but would look into it. Representative Grieman expressed support and noted the bill’s relevance to backyard chicken owners. The chair said the bill would be referred to the Environment Committee and suggested the jurisdictional question be clarified before further hearing. The author closed by reiterating the purpose of the bill and the phrase “the chickens come home to roost.” The committee then voted unanimously in favor of re-referring House File 4295 to the Environment Committee, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• differences of race, class, geography, or party, and remember that every Mississippian bears your image
• <00:04:15.840><c> your</c> that every Mississippian bears your that every Mississippian bears your image
• </c><00:04:18.560><c> Lord,</c><00:04:18.880><c> bless</c> image and deserves dignity.
• Lord, bless image and deserves dignity. Lord, bless this<00:04:19.440><c> state.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 23 February, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It lays out the penalties for misuse of an individual's name, likeness, and image, and it lays out the
• individual's uh name, misuse of an individual's uh name, likeness,<00:02:32.000><c> and</c><00:02:32.319><c> image
• > it</c><00:02:34.800><c> lays</c><00:02:35.040><c> out</c><00:02:35.440><c> the</c> likeness, and image
• . and it lays out the likeness, and image. and it lays out the first<00:02:38.480><c> amendment</c><00

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 4:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, with members' permission, I'd like to present some slides and images to demonstrate.
• And, uh, with members' permission, I'd like to present some slides and images to demonstrate.
• </c><00:10:46.360><c> here,</c> the blown up image here, the blown up image here, there<00:10:48.480>
• So based off of that image that Mr.
• </c><00:43:15.720><c> that</c> based off of that image that based off of that image that Mr.<00:43:17.200

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I know your image doesn't have any bad characters, but you know, I don't mean any organization you've
• I know your image doesn't have any bad characters, but you know, I don't mean any organization you've
• I know your image doesn't have any bad characters, but you know, I don't mean any organization you've
• I know your image doesn't have any bad characters, but you know, I don't mean any organization you've
• I know your image &gt;&gt; I know. I know.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses. The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness. Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.