Transcript Highlights:

• That concludes my report. Happy to answer any questions.
• That concludes my report. Happy to answer any questions.
• 01:04:00.240> differentiating better at reporting and differentiating better at reporting and
• a a universities as reported by a a congressional<01:08:59.520> report<01:09:00.400> that<
• those who may know that performance those who may know that performance funding<01:10:29.280>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed. Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body. Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully urge you to report H. 4119 out favorably. Thank you.
• Please report this bill.
• Every day, dentists perform irreversible procedures inside a patient's body.
• are performed in one of the most delicate areas of the human body.
• Surgery was performed by leading... ...side effects, like periodic incontinence.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote, CS for Senate Bill 306 is reported favorably. Thank you.
• Senators, by your vote, CS for Senate Bill 524 is reported favorably.
• Senate Bill 1174 is reported favorably.
• By your vote, CS for Senate Bill 1568 is reported favorably.
• Also, we’re standardizing the reporting within the bill.

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:

• <00:12:24.959> in procedures that are already performed in procedures that are already performed
• In doing so, House File 1011 will be used by optometrists to perform surgery.
• How many eye injections does the average optometrist perform during training?
• <00:44:35.920> When to be able to perform injections.
• When to be able to perform injections.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• those functions or helping the federal agency perform those functions.
• those functions or helping the federal agency perform those functions.
• those functions or helping the federal agency perform those functions.
• those functions or helping the federal agency perform those functions.
• those functions or helping the federal agency perform those functions.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Administration establish specific performance targets for FY27.
• That we will be reporting on.
• Both are validated and perform very well.
• It's a report that comes through to me on a weekly basis.
• I appreciate the report, and thank you for this.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did the first report on 340B, and what I learned from that report is that there's a lot less money
• We did the first report on 340B, and what I learned from that report is that there's a lot less money
• that<01:29:29.920> are technicians performs tasks that are technicians performs tasks that
• those instruments are used to perform those instruments are used to perform procedures<01:29:43.120
• act and the 340B covered entity report act and the 340B covered entity report to<01:37:50.719>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:31.799> you'll and then your Revenue performance you'll and then your Revenue performance
• <00:36:45.200> of you'll see um historic performance of you'll see um historic performance
• performing performing um<01:10:16.159> you<01:10:16.320> know<01:10:16.560> fiscal<
• and um and again we we we we uh report and um and again we we we we uh report that<02:38:59.080>
• <03:13:08.200> that where we can find the reports that where we can find the reports that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair moves that SB 1172 As substitute be reported favorably.
• The chair moves that SB 1355 without amendment be reported favorably.
• The chair moves that SB 1378 without amendment be reported favorably.
• Chair moves at SB 1577 without amendment be reported favorably.
• The chair moves to HB 3945 as substituted be reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• ACOs continue to be a high-performing ACO.
• Power, we went from the lowest performing to the highest performing.
• back and report back.
• Report back to you, sir. Okay. Thank you.
• reports and collective performance reports.

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• in '86 to reflect the rising costs of living performers face while doing business.
• SB 1116, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, was going to address this problem.
• This is exactly what Assemblymember Zabour was asking about in terms of performing arts.
• -based nonprofit arts organizations report terminations.
• We're hearing grim reports from the governor's revise this morning. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there reports of committees? On the desk, Mr. President. Read the report.
• Are there reports of committees? On the desk, Mr. President. Read the report.
• The reading of the report, Mr. President. Thank you.
• President, show the report adopted. Thank you, Chair Gates.
• Right now, you know, there is performance, but there are not always performance requirements, and as

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 executive appointments. After explanation by Ethics and Elections Chair Don Gates, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties losing population, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care measures. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health provisions in light of a new federal rural health grant and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, while also asking about eligibility and access to grant funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision for later conforming legislation and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators from both parties supported the bill while raising concerns about accountability, student oversight, and school quality. The bill passed 38-0. Afterward, the Senate waived rules so SB 250 and CS/SB 318 could be immediately certified to the House. The session ended with announcements, including Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and a reminder about the chamber group photograph, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:57:35.400> the testify seeing then we'll report the testify seeing then we'll report the
• If we look at the definition of an energy performance contract, the energy performance contract is set
• you like to author the committee report you like to author the committee report sure<04:23:55.640
• Who will write the report? Representative Murphy: Madam Chair, I'll write that report. Thank you.
• calendar and who will write the report calendar and who will write the report representative<05:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• abortion against any person who performs abortion against any person who performs the<00:02:53.519><
• <00:15:16.000> I practice, I performed abortions. I practice, I performed abortions.
• <00:59:52.640> in highest external pressures reported in highest external pressures reported
• what we would be performing. what we would be performing.
• <01:52:06.159> a<01:52:06.639> procedure >> perform a procedure >> perform

Bills: HB0003, HB0117, HB0041

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, informed consent, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, law enforcement, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to gaps in reporting, the number of infants born alive in the United States is unknown, though with
• Now, the information I gave you after that was I talked about the gaps in reporting.
• This section shall not apply to any person who performs or attempts to perform a legal abortion if the
• These are late-term abortions performed in Canada. We were taking Canadian information there.
• or attempts to perform a legal abortion if the act that... ...person who performs or attempts to perform

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families heard testimony on Senate Bill 999, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson. Hudson said the bill was a revised substitute combining the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act with language from other bills dealing with domestic violence/no-contact orders, the Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Board, and cyber-harassment. He argued the born-alive provisions were needed to ensure infants born alive during or after an abortion receive the same care as any other child, and he cited a Canadian study and Missouri infanticide law as support. Committee members questioned him about the study, the scope of the bill, the medical duty of care, and the bill’s non-severability clause and multiple-subject concerns. Supporters included Missouri Right to Life, which said the bill was needed to protect babies born alive after abortion attempts and prevent confusion in medical settings. Opponents, including Abortion Action Missouri, argued the bill was a “trap law” designed to restrict abortion access, said no such situation was being documented in practice, and cited opposition from numerous medical organizations. An informational witness from Campaign Life Missouri said he supported the born-alive language but warned the added provisions and non-severability clause could make the bill vulnerable to a constitutional challenge and could jeopardize other enacted provisions if struck down. During executive session, members debated the bill’s purpose and political implications. Several members said they would vote no because they trusted Missouri medical providers and opposed adding more law to an already regulated area, while others said they supported the bill as a protection for children born alive. The committee then voted 12-4 to send Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 999 do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• terms of uh uh History Day performance terms of uh uh History Day performance nationally<00:10:20.160
• We perform the work for public owners.
• We perform the work for public owners.
• We perform the work for public owners.
• <00:31:21.720> or need to um they're not performing or need to um they're not performing or

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been, I think, very successful, and we've provided reports on that.
• So, Mark, I was rereading your report from July and... I guess I'm on page four.
• Chair, Senator, we are very focused on improving our academic performance.
• One, just on the performance side of things: charter schools do close because of performance issues.
• Some of the ties to getting them in, but when the performances are low, then.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any confirmed, reported, um...
• a liar, but I will report it again in the 25th.
• So those performance measures include.
• We're performing better than that.
• So, on slide seven, we really focus on process, how an agency performs. performs its functions rather

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The report listed two recommendations that the work group would like the legislature to adopt, which
• Our performance... We are meeting them and exceeding them every session.
• Members perform multiple roles.
• Every staff member performs multiple roles, and thus necessitated additional specialized training.
• Again, back to the salary issue, my staff, every one of them has to perform multiple functions.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the length of stay on probation is not reported by any source.
• Corrections performance incentive, then I'll pass it over to the Department of Finance to present the
• the years between 2021-2022 and 2023 and if that would be the set new baseline so they would be performing
• So that wraps up the first kind of performance component.
• But we acknowledge that if the state were to fund only on performance, there'd be a significant decrease

Keywords: 988, house, all