Transcript Highlights:

• All materials have been sent electronically via email and will be available on the committee's LRC webpage
• They also gather materials.
• They also gather materials. interviews. They also gather materials.
• underlying complaints or the materials underlying complaints or the materials that<01:17:22.720>
• It impacts whether the dollars you invest in instructional materials and professional development hit

Keywords: 0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes 0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools 0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257 0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System 1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the agency gets set and their presentation ready, I want to point members to materials in the committee
• folder provided by the department and materials provided by our staff.
• Before I turn it over to MDE, I would ask our fiscal analysts to briefly describe the materials related
• materials related to MDE in your folder. materials related to MDE in your folder.
• So, Perpich is a wonderful resource for those professional materials.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on March 3, 2026, approved the minutes from February 26, and then held a lengthy informational hearing on the Minnesota Department of Education’s funding and internal allocation of resources. House fiscal staff walked members through several spreadsheets showing federal, non-general fund, and general fund administrative spending, noting the data was filtered from SWIFT and was not exact. The chair said the discussion was intended to help members understand how MDE is funded and how those funds are used internally, in advance of later budget decisions and a separate upcoming hearing on the Perpich Center. Commissioner Willie Jett opened by describing MDE’s mission, statewide reach, and FY 2026 budget of about $14.1 billion, most of which flows directly to districts and charter schools for instruction, special education, transportation, nutrition, and operations. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and the department’s role in implementing laws, distributing aid, and supporting schools and students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. He also noted the department serves more than 873,000 pre-K through 12 students in 2,264 schools. Deputy Commissioner Maren Holden outlined the Office of American Indian Education, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Inspector General, highlighting support for American Indian students, legal and rulemaking work, special education dispute resolution, fraud prevention, and student maltreatment investigations. Assistant Commissioner Dr. McCari Traum described the Office of Equity and Engagement, including equity and inclusion training, safe and supportive schools work, public engagement, family outreach, and fraud-prevention coordination. Assistant Commissioner Darren Cordy reviewed nutrition programs, special education services, and the charter center, including free school meals, commodity food distribution, IDEA compliance, and charter school support. Assistant Commissioner Bobby Bernham then described the Office of Teaching and Learning, including early education, academic standards, instruction and assessment, state library services, expanded learning, and literacy work. He highlighted early childhood alignment efforts, standards development across core subjects, professional learning, and library grants. No votes were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes, and the meeting remained informational, with members expected to ask questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• That decision should also include other members of the school community, particularly if the material
• <01:53:42.239> has<01:53:42.480> been that a that a book or material has been that
• student access to use of the material student access to use of the material that<01:53:57.520>
• is, you know, identity focused material is, you know, identity focused and<01:54:15.679> targeted
• <01:54:59.440> or material or material or um<01:55:01.814> [sighs]<01:55:02.159> you

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the posters and those kinds of materials the posters and those kinds of materials done<01:07:37.039
• So you said that posters or materials are being developed.
• Are those materials completed and ready to go to employers?
• So does the department have materials ready, or are those still in development?
• Chair, Representative, the materials, those types of materials, are still in development.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment removes the bill provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials
• The amendment removes the bill provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials
• bill was first presented, there was some language in the bill that pertained to DOE development of material

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K-12 Appropriations met with a quorum present, but the chair announced that the committee would not be presenting its budget that day due to a Senate memorandum. The only bill heard was SB 7036 by Senator Corey Simon, which was described as a broad education package strengthening school turnaround tools, early literacy supports, early learning policies, academic interventions, and educator pipeline provisions. Simon explained that the bill would expand educational emergency authority, clarify use of Title I funds for STEM, align charter renewal and dismissal rules, update epinephrine policy, protect gold seal provider status in certain cases, expand VPK summer bridge eligibility, support math and reading interventions, expand agriculture and Algebra I career-based instruction, re-engage students through GATE, and update teacher certification pathways, including computer science. The committee adopted an amendment offered by Simon that removed provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials and added a GATE startup grant update to expand rule eligibility and allowable implementation costs. The bill drew many appearance forms, with several individuals and the Florida Education Association waving against, while one speaker, Ella Latimore, appeared in support/for the bill. Simon said concerns from the prior stop had been addressed by removing the contested language and noted discussions with the CFO’s office and law enforcement regarding the door lock provisions. After closing debate, the committee approved the bill on a roll call vote and reported CS for SB 7036 favorably. The remainder of the meeting included brief remarks recognizing visiting students from Childs High School and the Rack Pack, comments about community member Misty Cash, and a discussion by Senator Osgood about declining immigrant student enrollment and its budget impact on school districts. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you click on Meeting Materials, each of the agency budgets are listed in order on the website.
• If you click on Meeting Materials, each of the agency budgets are listed in order on the website.
• If you click titled meeting materials.
• <02:14:26.400> If wayfinding uh m print materials. If wayfinding uh m print materials.
• 350,000 for print and digital materials. 350,000 for print and digital materials.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and processes because the materials and processes because the original<00:15:45.240> building
• both safe and effective, but you do deal with the materials differently. know manufacturer A's materials
• to know manufacturer A's materials to manufacturer<00:16:18.000> B's<00:16:18.800> materials
• B's materials back and forth<00:16:20.639> when<00:16:20.880> really<00:16:21.160>
• <03:52:10.560> exceptions<03:52:11.080> were material exceptions were material exceptions

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is material to us. >> Senator Uecker.
• <01:36:57.800> So<01:36:57.960> it<01:36:58.040> is<01:36:58.160> material
• So it is material to over 150 a year. So it is material to us.<01:36:59.520> Right.
• but something that's<01:42:41.480> significantly<01:42:42.160> and<01:42:42.280> material
• <01:42:42.760> will that's significantly and material will that's significantly and material

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . materialized. materialized.
• Those meeting materials are online. So, you've got access to those as well.
• <01:07:19.480> for<01:07:19.640> today's to all of the materials for today's to all
• Those meeting materials<01:07:35.720> are<01:07:36.040> online.
• So, you've got materials are online.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:36 Homeland Security: 00:03:46 Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership: 00:36:29, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to factor that additional cost in due to the purchase of materials 5 years down the road
• We're going to factor that additional cost in due to the purchase of materials 5 years down the road
• I would say, you know, a lot of that has gone to help us keep pace with the increased cost of materials
• <01:17:47.880> is the the state, hazardous material is the the state, hazardous material is
• <01:18:57.160> a 10,000 carloads of hazardous material a 10,000 carloads of hazardous material

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials
• may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials
• may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials
• AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIALS IN THE RECORD ON THE BILL. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
• may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very difficult to fully trace the dependencies from full raw materials to deployed systems.
• We did review where things like the material for battery infrastructure come from.
• For developers and buyers of these kinds of equipment to demand clear and detailed bills of materials
• their own software bill of materials if needed.
• But if the load forecast materializes, we're going to need a lot more of that type of generation.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the hazardous waste side, it's been very viable as far as using a lot of those materials back in as
• a raw material, etc.
• back in as a raw those materials back in as a raw material<00:26:03.840> etc.
• <00:26:04.680> So,<00:26:04.760> there's material etc. those things.
• So, there's material etc. those things.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Such as instructional materials or things of that nature, or they might use this one-time funding for
• It's not just, you know, they're covering instructional materials for some of these students.
• It's not just, you know, they're covering instructional materials for some of these students.
• Are only being used for instructional materials. I think you raise a good point.
• Sometimes it gets used for instructional materials. Yeah.

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3 on page 2 establishes disclaimers for lobbying material. There's one change here.
• Section 3 on page 2 establishes disclaimers for lobbying material. There's one change here.
• disclaimers for lobbying material. disclaimers for lobbying material.
• Section 16 on page 19 modifies the campaign material disclaimer.
• An email address is an option instead of a mailing address, and it specifies that material posted on

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, to update public information materials for taxpayers, practitioners, and stakeholders, clearly
• Information materials for taxpayers, practitioners, and stakeholders to clearly understand how the law
• And if the credit’s not a material factor, that’s the difference between a subsidy and an incentive.
• And weight and distance are money when it comes to shipping your materials.
• But then the question we would have would be, well, where do your raw materials come from?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market. The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure. The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns. Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.

Transcript Highlights:

• So math, high-quality instructional materials for math would be funded with this appropriation.
• do receive funding through the SEG for instructional materials.
• But when I read this, it doesn't show a lot of money for instructional material.
• Yes, it doesn't show a lot of money for instructional material in some of these columns.
• And then if it's a welding technology, you need materials and you need supplies.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LAW IT IS ONE OF THE ONLY LAWS IN FLORIDA BOOKS WHERE SOMEONE CAN PROVIDE SERVICES OR PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS
• YOUR CAR, THEY CAN COME TO YOUR HOUSE AND GET YOUR DESIGNER CLOSE, BUT THEY CAN'T COME AND TAKE THE MATERIALS
• I RUN 400 DUMP TRUCKS, I BUY AND SELL MATERIALS. WE PUT OUT 100 NOTICE TO OWNERS EVERY MONTH.
• OVERLOOKED AND OFTEN OVERWHELMING PROCESS OF SIGNING A NEW LEASE AGREEMENT AND GETTING THE MOVE-IN MATERIALS
• THE EASIEST AND CHEAPEST WAYS TO REDUCE TRASH IS BY KEEPING MATERIALS THAT DON'T BELONG THERE FROM ENTERING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Yes, those are the materials there. >> Thank you. >> And so if you're looking to follow along, page
• Yes,<00:26:44.320> those<00:26:44.400> are<00:26:44.559> the<00:26:44.640> materials
• >> Yes, those are the materials there. >> Yes, those are the materials there.
• We had no material weaknesses.
• The rest of our materials are fairly routine, and so, given that they are not extraordinary, um, I'll

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 20, 2026, first approving the minutes and then adopting the consent calendar as amended, with item 26045 removed for separate consideration. The committee then heard item 26045 from the Department of Health and Human Services on the Real Health Transformation Grant for Go North. HHS explained that the first-year award is $204 million, with most funds passed through to Go North and only limited administrative and audit costs retained by HHS. Members asked about staffing, procurement, the program’s spending plan, and whether future grant amounts would be fixed. HHS said Go North will administer the grants, staffing is expected to be about 20 positions, procurements will be competitive, and future awards will depend on federal review of performance and spending. The commissioner said the money is intended to create transformative changes that must be sustainable after the grant period. The committee then approved the item. The committee next took up regular calendar item 26041 from HHS and adopted it without discussion. It also approved two adjusted items on tab 11, FIS26028 and FIS26029. Item 26027 from the Department of Transportation was adopted as well. Item 26034 from the Department of Corrections was withdrawn, and members noted that any request for new overtime money would be closely scrutinized, especially given the tight budget and the need to explain how existing salary funds were being used. Committee staff said they would follow up with Corrections on vacancy rates, available funds, and other class lines and provide answers to the committee. The committee then received audit presentations on the state’s college savings plans, including the Unique College Investing Plan and the Fidelity Advisor 529 Plan. Auditors reported clean opinions, no material weaknesses, no audit adjustments, and no unadjusted items requiring reporting. The State Treasurer said the plans are performing well, now total more than $32 billion in assets under management, and are expected to generate about $20 million in revenue this year, with the proceeds supporting scholarship programs for low-income students. The committee placed the audits on file and released them in the usual manner. In other business, members set the next Fiscal Committee meeting for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These substances are being sprayed onto plant material to resemble marijuana and spice, and they're being
• all digital evidence, sadly where we see this come into play often is cases of child sexual abuse material
• Recently, FDLE uncovered advertisements on social media advertising six terabytes of material for $100
• They received 1 million videos and pictures of CSAM, child sexual abuse material.
• examiners are sometimes faced with looking at millions upon millions of files of child sexual abuse material

Bills: S0132, S0418, S0442, S0646, S0748, S1326, S1332, S1660, S1734, S1742, S1750

Keywords: voting rights, felony conviction, database, Florida Commission on Offender Review, restoration of rights, autism spectrum disorder, law enforcement, communication, training, blue envelope, blue card, search warrant, remote appearance, drones, data privacy, drug paraphernalia, narcotic testing, fentanyl, controlled substances, civil forfeiture

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 646, allowing the use of drug testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants, was presented as a harm-reduction measure and reported favorably after supportive testimony from advocates and criminal defense groups. SB 442, extending the return period for warrants involving digital evidence from 45 days to one year, also passed unanimously amid testimony from prosecutors and law enforcement about encryption, backlogs, and large volumes of child exploitation evidence. SB 418, creating autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops and other encounters, was reported favorably with support from police, disability advocates, and families. SB 132, creating a public database to help people determine eligibility for restoration of voting rights, and SB 748, requiring notice of voting-rights restoration information on sentencing score sheets, both passed with broad support from voting-rights and criminal defense advocates. The committee also approved SB 1734, recognizing juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under Florida law and extending related training and benefits, and SB 1660, designating June as Responsible Firearm Safety Awareness Month. SB 1742, which repealed the existing “unnatural and lascivious acts” statute and created a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, was amended with a delete-all amendment and then reported favorably. SB 1750, a major overhaul of career offender registration requirements, was later reconsidered after a bill-number mix-up and then reported favorably as SB 1332, with FDLE and sheriff’s association support. The most contentious measure was SB 1326, which would eliminate the traditional insanity defense and replace it with a lack-of-culpable-mental-state defense, require malingering assessments in competency evaluations, and limit downward departures based on mental illness. Criminal defense attorneys and disability advocates argued it lacked a treatment component, raised scientific and cost concerns, and could worsen public safety by sending mentally ill defendants to prison without adequate care. Supporters, including the sponsor and the Attorney General’s office, argued it would close gaps and better protect the public. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote, with several members voting no. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on some bills, and Senator Pizzo moved for reconsideration of SB 1326 for a future meeting.