Transcript Highlights:

• The safety assessment tool rose from 91% in '23 to 94 in '24, and the risk assessment tool from 88 to
• Um Um Um the<00:04:13.840><c> intake</c><00:04:14.560><c> assessment</c> the intake assessment the intake
• </c><00:04:45.800><c> tool</c> risk assessment tool risk assessment tool and<00:04:47.200><c> all</c>
• </c> That is part of assessing for safety. That is part of assessing for safety.
• </c> that agenda is going to be for a special that agenda is going to be for a special session.<01:15

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding. The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays. The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.

Transcript Highlights:

• For adults, we assess criminal responsibility.
• Varela, who is also going to be providing bilingual competency assessments.
• They're in custody, and I'm asking a new provider to make a new assessment.
• Assessment, and then we've been able to move forward on a few of those.
• I'm devastated to learn that 33 kids under special juvenile immigrant status were deported.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is the Arizona State Board of Chiropractic Examiners special audit, January 2026 follow-up
• Madam Chair, that is not a correct assessment of what occurred. Dr.
• There’s a one-time special assessment to recover the balance of those funds that were taken. Okay.
• We're moving people for the one-on-one special education and things like that.
• What was the assessed value per—what is it, per hundred or per thousand?

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The rest will go to the special counsel. And I assume that you... It is in there, sir.
• One other aspect of the bill is assessments in these communities consist of two types: the annual assessment
• The associations can also apply a special assessment, and that special assessment can be of some significant
• So what we've done in this... ...bill is to address those special assessments and say for any special
• assessment and a threat of immediate foreclosure.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill relates to the use of video cameras in certain special education classrooms.
• Current law requires special education classrooms to be equipped with a video camera and an audio recording
• So those are our initial assessment workers.
• workers that would do the initial family assessments.
• So initial assessments are to be completed within 30 days. That's our time frame.

Summary: The committee considered and advanced several bills. House Bill 4995, concerning video cameras in special education classrooms, was explained as requiring parents to be notified of recording interruptions, providing written notice of the law to parents and school employees, shortening the required random review of recordings from every 90 days to every 30 days, and clarifying that school boards must still conduct independent investigations even if DHS or prosecutors do not act. The committee adopted the motion to report the bill to the full Senate. House Bill 5214, dealing with drug testing in child abuse and neglect cases, would allow courts to order testing of parents in certain cases, require laboratory confirmation of positives, and require DHS to notify the court and other parties; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, then reported the bill as amended and adopted a title amendment. The committee also advanced House Bill 4025 and House Bill 5441, both restructuring state personnel systems. HB 4025 would exempt employees of the Department of Health, health facilities, and human services from classified civil service and grievance procedures beginning July 1, 2026, while preserving status for some current employees and allowing exemptions to comply with federal requirements; the committee adopted a piecemeal amendment and reported it as amended. HB 5441 would eliminate separate civil service systems for Transportation, Revenue, and the Bureau for Social Services and move classifications and compensation structures to the Division of Personnel, with testimony from the governor’s counsel emphasizing faster hiring and more flexibility; the committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment and reported the bill as amended. House Bill 4602, a child welfare pilot program creating a private community-based system for post-removal services, drew testimony from DHS about concerns over costs, continuity, oversight, and child well-being outcomes, while supporters argued it could reduce caseloads and improve flexibility. The chair amended the bill to remove one of the two pilot regions, leaving only the Berkeley/Jefferson County pilot, and the committee then reported the bill as amended despite opposition from the senator from Marion. House Bill 4106, removing the provisional concealed handgun license requirement for ages 18 to 21, heard testimony from a pediatrician opposing the change and from a gun rights advocate supporting it; an amendment requiring firearms training for under-21 carriers failed by a 1-14 roll call, and the committee then reported the bill as amended. Finally, House Bill 4198, after a subcommittee rewrite, was advanced with a strike-and-insert amendment that refined E-Verify requirements for public and private employers, added exemptions for certain small or new employers and sole proprietors, clarified recordkeeping and notice requirements, and adjusted penalties and enforcement procedures. After a motion for the previous question, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4198 as amended. House Bill 5319 was removed from the agenda, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill establishes that any government entity other than a local government special purpose district
• jurisdiction's total assessed value.
• The bill amends provisions related to the assessment of impacts in the project analysis.
• The assessment must be done in consultation with any impacted taxing district.
• Are we talking special purpose districts? Special purpose districts.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is the assessment payment via electronic funds.
• That was very, very special and very thoughtful. Thank you so much. Okay.
• Legislature to assess whether the change is effective.
• However, a copy of that assessment wasn't submitted with this report.
• And there are oncologists who specialize in just seeing cancer patients in dealing with them.

Transcript Highlights:

• It extends the period that the person assessed for an extraordinary medical placement is expected to
• It replaces release with placement and requires the department to use risk factors to assess the person
• If they're getting special privileges to leave the state jail system, it has to be within Washington
• However, it is special privilege. ...family joke is I spent a lot of time in jail this last year, and
• However, it is special privilege. And I understand those. However, it is special privileges.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in executive session to review several bills, with one bill on the DCYF Oversight Board (SB 5942) held until the following week so additional stakeholder input could be incorporated. Staff briefed bills on escorted leaves for incarcerated individuals (SB 5873), extraordinary medical placements (SB 5895), financial stability for youth in DCYF care receiving Social Security benefits (SB 5911), an extended foster care housing pilot (SB 5940), changes to the persistent offender definition and resentencing (SB 5945), adding positions to the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee (SB 5957), and medically tailored meals for Apple Health enrollees (SB 5966). Several of these bills had multiple proposed amendments, many offered by Senator Christian, addressing eligibility limits, monitoring, location restrictions, time limits, liability, victim notification, and funding contingencies. In executive action, the committee adopted only the chair’s technical amendment to SB 5873 and rejected the other proposed amendments, then advanced the bill as a proposed substitute to the Rules Committee. SB 5895 also moved forward as a proposed substitute after most amendments were rejected and one was withdrawn; the committee sent it to Ways and Means. SB 5911’s amendment clarifying protected accounts for youth benefits was adopted, and the bill was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5940 was also advanced to Ways and Means after adoption of the substitute. SB 5945’s proposed substitute was adopted and the bill was sent forward, while SB 5957 and SB 5966 were briefly discussed in briefing but not acted on during the portion of the meeting captured here. The chair noted that any remaining executive bills not completed would be taken up at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs such as special education or CTE.
• For special use classrooms. Mr.
• Specialized classrooms are classrooms that are sort of electives that have special equipment in them,
• We'll call a special meeting.
• I still have to have a special ed space.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• The individual safeguards that are assessed on each audit are scoped independently for each agency based
• were fully implemented on all systems, and 61% of the safeguards assessed were fully implemented on
• To further simplify these engagements, we use a three-tier alignment scale for our assessments, which
• . ...tend to see lower alignment in their assessments and more vulnerabilities on their pen test.
• The State Auditor's Office assessed agency practices against these controls.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on two State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025: one covering state agencies and one covering local governments, along with related ransomware resiliency and critical infrastructure audits. SAO staff explained that the audits are independent under Initiative 900, are kept confidential at the entity level, and assess cybersecurity safeguards against the Center for Internet Security controls plus penetration testing. For state agencies, auditors found about one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and identified 227 vulnerabilities, including 3 critical and 21 high. For local governments, they found nearly one-quarter of safeguards fully implemented on all systems and nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including 9 critical and 47 high. They also reported six ransomware resiliency audits and 39 critical infrastructure audits, with over 260 vulnerabilities found in the critical infrastructure work and a notable vendor-wide security improvement resulting from one test. SAO staff said governments generally show increasing attention to cybersecurity, but many still need more staffing, guidance, and resources. They highlighted cybersecurity checkups, policy guides, and other support services, and said agencies and local governments are typically responsive in fixing serious issues. Washington Technology Solutions’ state CISO praised the audits, described the rising national ransomware threat, and said the audits help identify vulnerabilities and align agencies with recognized standards. He noted that federal and state cybersecurity grant funding has supported more than 200 projects statewide and that the state is working on monitoring, incident response, training, and updated policies. In member questions, Representative Scott asked about whether agencies can quickly repurpose funds to address critical vulnerabilities and how nimble the grant program is. SAO and WOTEC said some fixes can be handled through settings changes or compensating controls, while others may require grant funding or other resources; they also said the grant process is annual and not especially nimble, though Washington has been efficient in distributing funds. Scott also asked how Washington compares nationally, and witnesses said direct comparisons are difficult because other states do not use the same audit approach, though Washington’s I-900 cybersecurity audit program was described as unusually comprehensive and unique. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any formal action on the reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report of the annual assessment findings... ...services.
• In terms of the annual assessment report, the agency issued the assessment in October 2024, and responses
• Some of these folks have special needs in and of themselves.
• It's a home health agency that specializes in pediatrics.
• I'm a mother of a special needs child with comorbidity of issues.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:45.360><c> are</c> special deposits, things that are special deposits, things that are deposited
• Usually, it's an escro special purpose.
• </c> protects that account that special protects that account that special deposit<00:04:52.720><c> account
• Um but it wouldn't uh the assessment.
• </c> are very basic questions to assess are very basic questions to assess whether<00:47:51.200><c> our

Bills: HF2233 , HF1999 , HF1995 , HF1614 , HF2781 , HF1775 , HF1316 , HF2127 , HF2521 , HF689 , HF2380 , HF1273

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• This is unacceptable and also I hope we're going to get from everyone an accurate and full assessment
• He's retiring after 38 years of selfless service as a SEAL and Special Operator.
• My assessment is yes. Thank you. Thank you.
• We'll be able to define to him exactly how much special operations forces that we have.
• And what do you assess the impact?

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. military strategy, China military drills, Taiwan, Philippines, North Korea, defense budget, military modernization

Summary: The meeting focused on significant strategic discussions regarding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its military posture in the region. Admiral Paparo and General Brunson were commended for their services, with the Chair noting an alarming shift in the balance of power towards China. Key topics included China's aggressive military drills near Taiwan, the increasing coercion against the Philippines, and the need for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitments to its allies in the region. Concerns were raised regarding China's military modernization and its implications for U.S. forces, alongside discussions on North Korea's threats and its burgeoning nuclear capabilities. The committee emphasized the urgent need for military and defense appropriations to counteract these growing security challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Panorama Education School Climate and Culture Survey is used by schools across New Mexico to assess
• And while social workers are trained to assess and support students dealing with mental health concerns
• Like, if you really want to know what the need is, this is an opportunity to assess that. And Mr.
• We work with our Assessment Bureau. To make sure that we have accurate contact lists.
• That is the assessment for our English language development.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's one of our special things about the Fifth.
• Now we'll talk about the assessments that are used in JR.
• State law requires assessments that are used to determine risk to be validated.
• I mean, one has to do with the training of staff and then the assessment.
• In terms of assessments, we determined they were not validated.

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities are facing substantial increases in the cost of insurance, special assessments for deferred
• We had to have a special assessment, and it was very painful.
• of a special assessment, they would duly call a meeting of the members to vote on said assessment, this
• of a special assessment, they would duly call a meeting of the members to vote on said assessment, this
• </c><00:48:03.599><c> assessment,</c><00:48:04.079><c> they</c> process of a special assessment, they

Transcript Highlights:

• Following the process, Funds to fund the initial assessment process.
• This is an assessment of all of that.
• modifications to kids with special learning needs.
• Not just when we're trying to ban books or opt kids out of special ed. But special, thank you.
• Have been assessed against them.

Bills: LB815A , LB838A , LB912A , LB972A , LB1126A , LB962A , LB1114 , LB921 , LB937 , LB803 , LB803A , LB1032 , LB1032A , LB1075 , LB1075A , LB889 , LB878 , LB933 , LB304 , LB304A , LB1096 , LB1096A , LB1165 , LB1165A , LB958 , LB958A , LB762 , LB1187 , LB966 , LB929 , LB962 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787

Transcript Highlights:

• We do assessments assessment centers.
• That doesn't necessarily mean every assessment that we offer is offered in every assessment center.
• That doesn't necessarily mean every assessment that we offer is offered in every assessment center.
• That doesn't necessarily mean every assessment that we offer is offered in every assessment center.
• That doesn't necessarily mean every assessment that we offer is offered in every assessment center.

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then for special transportation service, this is largely Metromobility.
• </c> DPS that is funded out of the special DPS that is funded out of the special revenue<00:12:47.360
• </c> of the funds here are from the special of the funds here are from the special revenue<00:12:52.880
• Um so the combination of assessments.
• </c><00:31:35.120><c> and</c> transportation impact assessment and transportation impact assessment and

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Our special revenue funds are like your, One too. We hold it precious, just like you guys do.
• Our special revenue funds are like your trust funds and your state budget.
• So if you look at my special revenue fund, the one I always use, think about gas taxes.
• I'm just going to hit it really quickly: general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and special assessment
• assessments—think septic-to-sewer conversions when you hear special assessments—because it's not always

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.