Transcript Highlights:

• evidence-based practices for teaching students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other reading and writing difficulties
• > disgraphia, and other reading and disgraphia, and other reading and writing<00:18:35.360> difficulties
• writing difficulties. writing difficulties.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:11 Report of Committees 06:05 Orders of the Day/HB 320 07:52 HB 366 14:55 HB 389 17:22 HB 56 22:10 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 25:47 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 29:20 Petition of Impeachment Filed 31:24 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 32:03 ConC/Rules Report 36:31 Floor Amendments 37:29 Adjournment 37:47, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the pledge, recorded 96 members present, excused absences, and approved the journal from January 27, 2026. The Senate clerk announced passage of Senate Bills 17 and 181 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced a number of bills on health insurance, judiciary, local government, and transportation topics, including measures on pharmacist reimbursements, hearing aid coverage, feeding and eating disorders, grooming a minor, local government liability, water fluoridation, cigar bars, chickens on residential property, highway pavement markings, motor vehicle titles, and pedestrian issues; all favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The House then took up and passed House Bill 320 on human trafficking, with the sponsor explaining it would equalize penalties for promoting human trafficking with those for trafficking itself and increase the penalty when the victim is under 18. A member asked whether the bill included additional funding for cyber enforcement; the sponsor replied it was not an appropriation and would not require new funding, though prior budgets had increased support for anti-trafficking efforts. The House adopted a title amendment changing the bill’s title to combating human trafficking. The chamber also passed House Bill 366, which clarifies that materials portraying a sexual performance by a minor include computer-generated images and requires 85% service of the sentence before probation or parole; the sponsor said it was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. House Bill 389 on reading and writing in schools also passed as amended by House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said it would require annual updates to the state dyslexia toolkit, expand professional development and coaching, require local school boards to develop processes for universal screening and diagnostic tools, and add dyslexia instruction to teacher preparation programs; the substitute added conformity with IDEA and revised the instructional language. Members spoke in support of early dyslexia detection and one member noted the bill updated prior legislation associated with former Rep. Bam Carney. House Bill 56, an omnibus Department of Agriculture bill, then passed; it addressed amusement ride inspections, grain warehousing penalties, egg handler licensing renewal timing, exemptions for small producers, and repealed obsolete tobacco and egg marketing board provisions. All three bills passed by roll call with 95 or 94 votes in favor and none opposed, and clinchers were applied. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings and events, including a suits-and-sneakers day and cancer-related breakfast, caucus meetings, and committee meetings. New bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on local occupational license fees, early learning and child care, tuition waivers, an adult workforce diploma pilot, motor vehicle usage tax, contract procurement, Fish and Wildlife Resources, adoption, veterans’ benefits, Cabinet for Health and Family Services operations, organ donation safety, hate crimes, prescription drugs, and resolutions on the Kentucky-Japan partnership and veterans’ benefits accreditation. The clerk also reported a petition of impeachment filed against Judge Julie Goodman. The House then referred a group of bills to committees, reported floor amendments for House Bills 321 and 416, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we increase the difficulty for them to get the...
• If we increase the difficulty for them to get the records out on time, I'm afraid many of these companies
• And as much as I respect our wonderful Chair of Health Policy, I have to say I have major difficulties
• And as much as I respect our wonderful Chair of Health Policy, I have to say I have major difficulties

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a full agenda of bills, moving quickly through 20 measures and several amendments. Early bills reported favorably included SB 976 on procedures for challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care provider access outside regular business hours, and SB 584 on housing supports for foster youth and college students, which drew supportive testimony from former foster youth and was backed by members as a way to improve stability and educational opportunity. The committee also approved SB 1412 to modernize home health regulations and SB 1800 to create a Parkinson’s research consortium at USF, with members citing the need for more research and future funding opportunities. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including technical and conforming changes to the Parkinson’s bill and other measures. The committee then advanced a series of health care and child welfare bills. SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening; SB 1156 revised the Home Health Aide Program for medically fragile children, including training, reimbursement, and work-hour flexibility; and SB 1490 reorganized services for medically fragile children by shifting program administration to AHCA and requiring a redesign plan for the Medicaid waiver. SB 1174 allowed foster home and child-caring agency licenses to be amended when a foster parent relocates, and SB 1620 implemented selected recommendations from the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, including a new research center at USF and school-based behavioral health review requirements. SB 1568 revised e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 78 authorized certain veterans’ nursing home beds and related certificate-of-need transfers. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate or supportive testimony. Several bills prompted more extensive discussion and some opposition. CS for CS SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, included provisions on vaccination-related patient rights, medical marijuana reporting, background screening, temporary licensure, compact participation, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dentists; it passed despite concerns from Senators Berman, Brodeur, and Harrell about vaccination language and board/voting-power provisions. CS for SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from physicians and health information professionals over privacy, security, fines, and portal access; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill. CS for SB 1736, allowing insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and SB 1808, requiring timely refunds to patients, both passed. CS for SB 1842, requiring referring providers to help patients determine whether referred providers are in-network, also passed over concerns about burden on small practices. The committee also advanced SB 1354, a behavioral health oversight bill requiring audits, performance reporting, and system transparency measures for managing entities, and SB 1768, which authorizes physicians to perform certain stem cell therapies using specified products and requires informed consent; both drew supportive comments but also concerns about patient understanding and oversight. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to create presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals during redetermination, and after reconsideration it reported SB 1606 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting ended with members noting their recorded votes on select tabs and adjourning after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in the past had great difficulty.
• We have, in the past, had great difficulty trying to apply these two sections, 8 and 9 of the UCC, to
• We have in the past had great difficulty.
• We have, in the past, had great difficulty trying to apply these two sections, 8 and 9 of the UCC, to

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of 20 bills, beginning with CS/HB 1173 on the Florida Trust Code, which clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; it was amended and reported favorably. The committee also unanimously or near-unanimously approved several claims and relief bills, including HB 6507 for Marcus Button, HB 6523 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., HB 6525 for Eric and Jennifer Miles, HB 6529 for J.N., and HB 6519 for the estate of Beniel Hambier, all involving settlements or compensation for injuries or wrongful death. Other measures reported favorably included CS/HB 213 on commercial squatters, CS/HB 1447 on trespass at large-scale ticketed events, CS/HB 515 updating the Uniform Commercial Code for virtual currency and related technologies, CS/HB 1007 on gift card fraud, CS/HB 1049 on protection of court officials, CS/HB 1219 on non-compete and garden leave agreements, CS/HB 399 on stolen valor in the ethics code, CS/HB 57 on xylazine regulation, HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/HB 265 on enforcing terrorism-related judgments against frozen assets. Most of these bills had support from industry, law enforcement, or affected parties and passed with little or no opposition. The most contested measure was CS/HB 1517, which would expand Florida’s wrongful death statute to include parents of unborn children as survivors. Supporters argued it would allow families to recover damages when negligence causes the loss of a pregnancy, while opponents—including the ACLU of Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, reproductive rights advocates, and some committee members—warned it could be used to advance fetal personhood, chill medical care, and empower abusive partners or others to sue over abortion-related conduct. The sponsor said the bill remained within the wrongful death framework and included protections for mothers and lawful medical providers, but the committee still reported it favorably on a 14-6 vote. CS/HB 903, a corrections bill addressing inmate litigation, sentencing, execution methods, tracking devices, health services, and offender review appointments, also drew debate over a proposed tolling amendment and due process concerns; the amendment failed and the bill passed 16-5. CS/HB 57 on xylazine likewise saw debate over whether penalties should target users or traffickers, but the committee rejected a narrowing amendment and passed the bill 20-1. Several bills were amended in committee, often with technical or clarifying changes, including CS/HB 1219, HB 1351 on sexual offender and predator registration, and HB 901. Public testimony was generally supportive on the non-controversial bills, especially from law enforcement, business groups, and affected claimants. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Gottlieb offered a personal correction, acknowledging he had wrongly criticized FOP in a prior meeting after learning the organization had, in fact, contacted him. The committee then adjourned after completing the full agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have difficulty with their respiratory system.
• kindergarten through third grade to gauge reading development and identify students at risk for reading difficulties
• Whereas districts have been instructed to provide intervention to those identified at risk of these difficulties
• monitoring and allow educators to specifically see the skills with which a student is experiencing difficulty

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, there's difficulty when you're looking at projects and when they go out to bid.
• As you know, there's difficulty when you're looking at projects and when they go out to bid.
• As you know, there's difficulty when you're looking at projects and when they go out to bid.
• As you know, there's difficulty when you're looking at projects and when they go out to bid.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:30 Approval of Minutes 00:59 Information Items 03:34 Finance and Admin Cabinet 12:31 KY Infrastructure Authority 21:47 Office of Financial Mgmt 23:27 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions. The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line. Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%. Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.

Transcript Highlights:

• re-entering society often face burdensome barriers when obtaining housing and employment due to difficulties
• c> due<00:04:09.360> to housing and employment due to housing and employment due to difficulties
• <00:04:10.400> with<00:04:10.959> identification<00:04:11.959> to difficulties with
• identification to difficulties with identification to address<00:04:12.519> this<00:04:12.720

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on January 27, 2025. SB 24, relating to identification, would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain civil ID cards and other vital documents for reentry. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from DCR, the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission, DHS, the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, health and youth advocates, and others, with comments emphasizing that reentry should begin on day one and that lack of identification is a major barrier to housing and employment. A senator asked about the low number of IDs issued in 2022 and DCR said it already has a satellite ID card machine at Hālawa and plans to procure more for other facilities. The committee recommended passage of SB 24 as is. SB 474, relating to psychologists, would require DCR clinical psychologists to obtain licensure within 10 years of employment and would sunset in 2035. DCR strongly supported the bill, citing a severe staffing shortage, low exam passage rates, and many vacant positions, while the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association expressed concerns and one testifier argued psychologists serving incarcerated people should be licensed before employment. Committee members questioned whether the 10-year period was too long and discussed alternative solutions such as pay incentives and shortage differentials. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, shortening the licensure period to 5 years, moving the sunset to July 1, 2030, and making other technical changes. SB 353, relating to emergency management, would clarify emergency authority, bar suspension of public records or vital statistics requests during emergencies, define “severe warning,” and allow the legislature or city councils to terminate a state of emergency. DHS and HMA opposed the bill, arguing it could limit executive flexibility and cut off access to the major disaster fund, while supporters included public-interest and good-government groups. The committee discussed whether legislative termination authority could interfere with ongoing emergency response and recovery, with the bill’s sponsor explaining it was aimed more at situations where emergency conditions have ended, such as prolonged COVID-era proclamations. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a delayed effective date and committee report notes referencing DHS request data and HMA’s opposition. The committee also heard SB 259, relating to recordkeeping for secondhand dealers and pawn brokers, and SB 37, relating to recordings of law enforcement activities. SB 259 was set for amendment and deferred decision-making to January 29, 2025, so the committee could seek input from HPD. SB 37 drew support from the Legal Clinic and other advocates, with a clarifying question about civil enforcement actions, and the committee recommended passage with amendments and a delayed effective date. The meeting concluded with the committee adopting its recommendations and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• GRANDPA AND VERY OFTEN THEY'VE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF 1009.6212 A SUBSECTION B BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD DIFFICULTY
• BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE PROOF PROCESS AND DO WE HAVE ANY CONCERN THAT THE DIFFICULTY
• AND I THINK WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY ADDRESSING YOUR SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT SO WE ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH
• BECAUSE OF OUR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE SMITH LATE FILED AMENDMENT WE WILL STAND IN A SHORT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Should any member experience technical difficulties, please call or text 302-545-0158.
• No, and I hope I'm not the object of any difficulty getting this forward.

Summary: The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from its June 11 meeting, and noted that the prior day’s minutes were not yet available. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 21, presented by Senator Townsend on behalf of Senator Hoffner, which directs the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to study issues related to the preservation and long-term storage of biological evidence and return recommendations by November so legislation can be considered in 2027. Sergeant Mike Ripple testified for the department, explaining that the agency had worked through multiple drafts with Senator Hoffner and other stakeholders and concluded that a feasibility study of other jurisdictions would be more useful than providing unreliable cost estimates. He said the department also consulted with the courts, which currently store evidence, and hopes to develop a centralized storage approach aligned with best practices. In response to a question from Senator Pinkney, he said the $15,000 cap on the study and report was believed to be sufficient and absorbable for travel and related costs. No other members of the public testified, and there was no virtual public comment. Senator Hoffner arrived just as the meeting was ending. The committee then adjourned by motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity to provide us with adequate health insurance, so when we face those calamities and those difficulties
• In my role as a recruiter, I've had some difficulty, especially during the climate now, trying to recruit
• diversity equity and inclusion officer for the department in my role as a recruiter I've had some difficulty

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting public employees, retirees, and public safety personnel. Early testimony focused on House Bill 2859, which would make Massachusetts Department of Correction industrial instructors permanent civil service employees after years of provisional status, and House Bill 2995, which would reduce the Boston Fire Cadet Program service requirement from two years to one year. Supporters of the Boston fire cadet bill argued it would improve equity, expand opportunities for Boston residents, and help diversify the Boston Fire Department; committee members asked about the current makeup of academy classes and the effect of a hybrid model, and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association was described as neutral on a separate age-related police bill. The committee also heard several proposals related to post-retirement earnings and civil service rules for police and fire retirees. Testimony supported bills including H. 2903 and H. 2966, which would loosen earnings limits for retired public safety workers returning to work, and related measures affecting civil service exemptions and professional services for retirement boards. Speakers argued the current limits are confusing, discourage experienced workers from filling needed municipal jobs, and can create safety issues on public works and construction sites. One witness from Worcester Police supported raising the police academy age limit from 32 to 39 to improve recruitment, especially in BIPOC communities, while Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata supported a separate bill to raise the Boston Police Academy age cap from 39 to 45. A substantial portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 2812 and S. 1817, which would increase the pension COLA base from $13,000 to $18,000 and freeze certain retiree health insurance contribution rates, with additional testimony about capping out-of-pocket health costs for some retirees. Educators and union representatives said the current COLA structure has eroded pension value and leaves retirees struggling with rising costs, while one witness described long delays and confusion in navigating retiree health coverage. The committee took no substantive votes on the bills during the hearing and adjourned after hearing all testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The difficulty that I have with that is an educator— I mean, obviously at this point in the session,
• The difficulty that I have with that is an educator— ...that they may be struggling with and passing.
• The difficulty that I have with that is an educator, I took the Praxis, and I took it after I had completed

Bills: SB175, SB277, SB374, SB400

Keywords: military, veterans, education, teaching, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, licensure, certification, public schools, charter schools, school social worker, school counselor, school psychologist, internship, practicum, student support services, mental health, harassment, bullying, power-based violence, school safety

Transcript Highlights:

• struggled to prioritize my academic obligations as a result of the severe emotional and personal difficulties
• struggled to prioritize my academic obligations as a result of the severe emotional and personal difficulties
• opportunities to students who are homeless or were formerly in the foster care system and are still having difficulty

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held confirmation hearings for two State University System Board of Governors appointees, M. Carson Good and Speaker Paul Renner. Good described his background in Florida real estate, airport governance, and fundraising, and said he would focus on improving university performance, collaboration among institutions, and growing endowments while keeping in-state tuition stable. Renner emphasized his legislative experience with higher education, and said his priorities on the Board would be transparency, compliance with legislative direction, and reducing administrative bloat. Both nominees were recommended for confirmation on a single vote, with Senator Berman noting concern about the low number of women on the board. The committee then heard and passed SB 1726, a higher education transparency bill by Senator Calatayud. The bill would require Board of Governors members to comply with constitutional financial disclosure requirements, set term limits for State Board of Education and university board members, change rules for presidential searches and public records, and require more detailed textbook and syllabus information for students. A student advocate from Florida Student Power Network supported the bill as increasing student involvement and democratic accountability in higher education. Senator Harrell raised a concern about residency requirements for Board of Governors members, and the sponsor said that issue could be revisited later. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship funding. A delete-all amendment was adopted that required clearer funding splits between local education agencies and program providers, annual reporting, a standard DOE contract template, and a cap on administrative fees in certain cases. Supporters from industry groups said the changes would improve transparency and accountability without requesting additional funding. The committee then reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 584 on young adult housing support. An amendment removed a requirement that state agencies act as co-signers or guarantors on leases while preserving coordination for the federal Foster Youth to Independence program. Several former foster youth and advocates testified in support, describing housing instability and its impact on education, and urging broader access to campus housing and vouchers. The sponsor said the bill prioritizes housing and work-study for homeless and former foster youth, supports the FYI program, and directs a statewide study of housing barriers. The committee reported the bill favorably and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:25.120> I That increasing frequency is really causing a lot of difficulties in the
• uh in the insurance uh in difficulties uh in the insurance uh in the<00:12:47.440> insurance<
• <00:37:42.720> of<00:37:42.960> obtaining the the difficulty of obtaining the the difficulty
• The difficulty of getting reinsurance for those lines of business was kind of an aggravating factor.
• having difficulties getting insurance. having difficulties getting insurance.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• THE DIFFICULTY IS THIS.
• THAT'S THE DIFFICULTY. WE LIVE IN SUCH A MARGIN LINE. WE ARE NOT WALMART, WE ARE NOT AMAZON.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, we're<00:05:14.240> having<00:05:14.800> technical<00:05:15.360> difficulty.
• >> Well, we were waiting on our technical difficulties. >> Okay, go ahead. >> You want to introduce?
• >> Well, we were wait on our technical >> Well, we were wait on our technical difficulties
• . difficulties. difficulties.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had reported some gambling in their lifetime, and about 2% of them had said they had financial difficulties
• had reported some gambling in their lifetime, and about 2% of them had said they had financial difficulties
• about 2% of them had said they had about 2% of them had said they had financial<00:15:32.279> difficulties
• > as<00:15:33.120> a<00:15:33.600> result<00:15:34.600> our financial difficulties
• as a result our financial difficulties as a result our research<00:15:35.360> shows<00:15:35.759

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:37 KY Horse Racing and Gaming Corp. 08:32 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 35:28 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an update from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation on sports wagering revenue allocations and problem gaming funding. KHRGC reported that in fiscal year 2024, about $34.4 million was deposited to the pension fund and about $931,000 to the problem gaming assistance fund; fiscal year 2025 to date, the totals were about $18.5 million and $556,000, respectively, bringing all-time problem gaming funding to about $1.48 million. Members also discussed wagering volume, with KHRGC stating Kentucky had about $3.5 billion in wagers from September 2023 through December 2024 and about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2025 to date. KHRGC explained that it tracks the funds sent to CHFS and the self-exclusion list, but does not track the number of people seeking help or the outcomes of those calls. The Division of Mental Health then described how the problem gambling assistance account is used. Patty Clark and Sarah Cooper said the fund supports education, counseling, public awareness, counselor certification, and treatment-related costs, with $50,000 reserved for administrative expenses. They said the department has spent the last 18 months establishing criteria, funding standards, performance measures, monitoring, and application procedures, and that it issued notices of funding opportunity in October. They reported about 1.49 million in the fund through the end of January, with awards including support for the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling conference, a public awareness campaign by Project Ricochet, and a youth-focused campaign by Shaunie Transformation Youth Coalition. Testimony also focused on the scope of problem gambling in Kentucky and how the helpline works. The department said fewer than 10 clinicians in Kentucky are specifically certified in problem gambling, though all addiction clinicians can provide services, and estimated about 165,000 adults show problem gambling behaviors, with 47,000 to 64,000 potentially meeting criteria for a gambling disorder. They said helpline calls rose to about 3,240 in 2024, but only about 25% were from people seeking help, with most callers seeking information about online wagering. Members asked about anonymity, follow-up, co-occurring alcohol or drug issues, and whether the fund should reimburse Medicaid or directly cover treatment costs. The presenters said calls are anonymous, outcomes are not tracked unless callers follow up, and the program is currently focused on building provider capacity and targeted outreach rather than direct reimbursement or a statewide campaign.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should any members experience technical difficulties, please call Maddie Campbell at 302-744-4149.
• Should any members experience technical difficulties, please call Maddie Campbell at 302-744-4149.

Summary: The Senate Corrections and Public Safety Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from May 13, June 10, and June 17, and then considered two bills. HB 329 would reduce the governor’s control over emergency powers by giving the General Assembly more authority to review, limit, or end emergency orders and regulations, requiring more frequent updates and tighter renewal rules; members discussed the bill’s effective-date language, and no public comment was offered. The committee then heard HB 468, which would raise the monthly 911 surcharge from 60 cents to 90 cents, the first increase in about 20 years, to generate roughly $13 million annually for 911 operations and next-generation technology. Senator DeFar and the state 911 administrator emphasized the need to stabilize funding and improve services such as text-to-911, geolocation, and faster language translation for non-English callers; several members expressed support and asked to be added as sponsors. No votes on the bills were taken during the meeting, and there was no in-person public comment on either measure. The meeting concluded after public comment was closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director Ewald, and your team, and to our tech team as well for trying to work through the technical difficulties
• Director Ewald, and your team, and to our tech team as well for trying to work through the technical difficulties
• trying to work through<00:59:00.319> the<00:59:00.480> technical<00:59:00.880> difficulties
• <00:59:01.599> I through the technical difficulties.
• I through the technical difficulties. I appreciate<00:59:02.160> everyone.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• colleagues on a lot of the harder issues in the negotiation, but the House has worked through our difficulties
• colleagues on a lot of the harder issues in the negotiation, but the House has worked through our difficulties
• colleagues on a lot of the harder issues in the negotiation, but the House has worked through our difficulties
• colleagues on a lot of the harder issues in the negotiation, but the House has worked through our difficulties
• colleagues on a lot of the harder issues in the negotiation, but the House has worked through our difficulties

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the difficulty of the current budget landscape in Minnesota and are grateful that permanent
• We appreciate the difficulty of the current budget landscape in Minnesota and are grateful that permanent
• We appreciate the difficulty of the current budget landscape in Minnesota and are grateful that permanent
• We appreciate the difficulty of the current budget landscape in Minnesota and are grateful that permanent
• We appreciate the difficulty of the current budget landscape in Minnesota and are grateful that permanent

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the unlikely event that we have to abruptly end this hearing due to technical difficulties, the committee
• These difficulties can isolate parents from their loved ones or other support systems.
• He's present, but seems to be having technical difficulties.
• :41.880> so<00:43:42.319> while<00:43:42.520> we<00:43:42.680> are difficulties
• okay so while we are difficulties okay so while we are awaiting<00:43:43.800> Preston<00:43:44.440

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.