Transcript Highlights:

• I just think we have the ability to change and adapt.
• I mean, is there a definition of farm-to-table food?
• I mean, is there a definition of farm-to-table food?
• I mean, is there a definition of farm-to-table food?
• And to your point, we will make some changes.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Division met in a work session on the draft Rural Health Transformation appropriations bill, 25.1392.01000, with no public testimony taken. Legislative Council and the Department of Health and Human Services walked through the bill, which would appropriate about $397.8 million in federal grant funds over two federal fiscal years, provide transfer authority, allow certain federal funds to be used for salaries and wages without counting against existing transfer limits, and authorize OMB to adjust other agencies’ spending authority if they receive grant awards through HHS. The bill also includes several temporary statutory exemptions to help implement the program, plus recipient acknowledgement/reporting requirements, periodic reports to Legislative Management, and an immediate effective date upon filing. Committee discussion focused heavily on how the federal rural health transformation money can be used and administered. Department officials explained that CMS will review projects for allowability and sustainability, that the state has flexibility to move funds among categories, and that the grant is limited to 10% administrative costs. Members asked about whether the funding could support renovations, equipment, ambulances, bulk purchasing, food distribution, and other rural health ideas, and were told many details will depend on CMS approval and the eventual applications. Questions also addressed cash flow, timing of obligations and reimbursements, FTE funding, and whether grant recipients should be told the program will not continue beyond the federal period; officials said the language is meant to prevent expectations of automatic continuation, not to bar future legislative action. The committee also discussed the bill’s use of a two-year appropriation amount, with staff explaining that the state must appropriate enough authority to cover the federal grant cycle and that unused authority would lapse if the full amount is not received or spent. Members raised concerns about whether the bill’s language could limit creativity or future program design, but department officials and several members emphasized the need for flexibility because CMS may reject overly specific directives. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the bill draft to the full committee; the motion carried on a roll call vote, and the chair said the full Joint Appropriations Committee would take up the bill at the special session next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The IRA changed that.
• When the Inflation Reduction Act changed the benefit design, it changed the percentage coming from each
• In 2019, they changed that 50% to 70%.
• And in 2019, they actually changed that 50% to 70%.
• And by definition, the national...

Summary: The committee received an update from Grant Wallace on the rebid and possible decoupling of the state’s Medicare Advantage retiree coverage. He said the state is exploring splitting medical and pharmacy benefits for post-65 retirees, with UnitedHealthcare as the incumbent vendor, and that preliminary estimates suggested savings of about $100 to $200 per participant per month. He outlined the expected timeline for final CMS rate announcements in April 2026, with contract amendments likely to come before the committee in May or June after review by the EBD Advisory Commission and State Board of Finance. Representatives from Segal Consulting then reviewed the history and current structure of the Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan, explaining that the plan was adopted after a 2021 recommendation and launched in 2023 alongside the existing Med-Sup option. They said the Medicare Advantage option has produced substantial savings, including a lower monthly rate than the Med-Sup plan and about $40 million in savings from initial enrollment, while also restoring pharmacy benefits for some retirees. The presenters then explained recent federal changes under the Inflation Reduction Act, including major changes to Part D funding, the direct subsidy, and risk-score methodology, which they said have made risk adjustment much more important and are driving interest in separating medical and pharmacy contracts. In response to questions from senators, the presenters said the Medicare Advantage plan covers post-65 teacher and state employee retirees, including retirees from state agencies and K-12 public schools. They also explained that the new Part D structure has reduced out-of-pocket costs for members, with a $2,000 annual cap and lower average member spending to reach it, while shifting more cost to the plan. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported; the committee simply received the update and was told to expect further information after the April rate notice. The meeting adjourned with the committee scheduled to return on May 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• the definition of municipal host.<00:19:37.600> I<00:19:37.840> think<00:19:37.919>
• to include more people like definition to include more people like those<00:20:06.400> who<00
• So, this follows true to what we passed in House Bill 2 with the two additional changes that I made.
• An additional change would be oop sorry an<00:24:15.039> additional<00:24:15.360> change
• changes that I made. changes that I made. >> Senator<00:26:27.760> Waters.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to adopt the proposed PUC amendments, including section B1 changes, which narrow the definition
• We're going to adopt the proposed PUC amendments, including section B1 changes, which narrow the definition
• Thank you. definition of wildfire recovery costs in definition of wildfire recovery costs in response
• katum tea a simple tea that changed katum tea a simple tea that changed everything<01:27:15.280>
• <01:47:31.480> you chair T Chang on Zoom okay T Chang you chair T Chang on Zoom okay T Chang

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:55.600> to committee sub did make one change to committee sub did make one change to
• One minor change in the bill.
• <00:18:54.200> in changed in changed in it it it uh<00:18:58.360> in<00:18:58.559> the
• <00:37:10.359> consistent a lot of good definitions consistent a lot of good definitions consistent
• > there<00:37:13.200> so<00:37:13.359> I definitions in statute out there so I definitions

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• definition of adding insult to injury. definition of adding insult to injury.
• With the concern of there is a change of law, it is correct not a change of law but a change of guidance
• Was the definition? this. Was the definition?
• clear definition? clear definition? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.
• Now they want to change it. So, they want to change that, which I...

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was the definition.
• Will there be changes?
• Will there be changes?
• Will there be changes?
• Will there be changes?

Bills: SB65, SB248, SB330, SB378, SB844, SB1330, SB1410, SB1475, SB1476, SB1565, SB1618, SB1623, SJR39, SJR47, SB2084, SB1655, SB1679, SB2174, SB1775, SB1873, SB1204, SB1884, SB1916, SB1937, SB1447, SB1500, SB2007, SB2074, SB1944, SB2018, SB1984, SB2026, SB2045, SB2049, SB2062, SB2112, SB2118, SB2127, SB2134, SB2135, SB2139, SB2154, SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't let this town change your mind or anybody on this dais change your mind.
• , what kind of changes would we make?
• I should change that. We did when it came out.
• No, definitely. Probably not.
• It will definitely impact small businesses.

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• confusion due to conflicting definitions.
• So basically, this is just a cleanup of the definitions.
• We can make that change. Yeah, I think you can do that with an amendment.
• I think it's a good change. There was a committee substitute.
• It was an E&E draft on the front end, so there's nothing changing in that.

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Transcript Highlights:

• The section two is the population definition and change, but section one basically just changes that
• The section two is the population definition and change, but section one basically just changes that
• The section two is the population definition and change, but section one basically just changes that
• The section two is the population definition and change, but section one basically just changes that
• . change. change.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:38.360> further<00:25:38.840> discussion definition further discussion definition
• the definition completely for even the reason that we would have a clean energy definition, um, and
• the definition completely for even the reason that we would have a clean energy definition, um, and
• That is the definition of electricity that's always there, and that's the definition of reliable.
• of there and that's the definition of there and that's the definition of reliable<01:14:40.920><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have not changed.
• We think it's a sensible approach to leave those definitions out of the statute.
• have not changed.
• We think it's a sensible approach to leave those definitions out of the statute.
• We think it's a sensible approach to leave those definitions out of the statute.

Bills: HB1979

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This change codifies current state for fire marshal rules.
• What does this bill do changing that process?
• This bill doesn't do anything in changing that process.
• That changes some things that original bill. But yet the need for these changes was evident.
• I have a definition that can help with that.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a study is a, is definitely, uh, a step in the right direction. So we support the bill.
• Typically, the definition of being parked illegally, uh, is not an arbitrary one.
• I don't want to change driver's licenses. I don't want us to have to reissue all the titles.
• I can definitely give you some demographics.
• As far as, uh, we definitely have more veterans.

Bills: HB101

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:08.640> to schools and make substantial changes to schools and make substantial changes
• Change from 8 hours to 9 hours per day.
• <00:04:13.920> of amends to update the definitions of amends to update the definitions of
• and the national exam definition rule. and the national exam definition rule.
• looks like and any changes being made? looks like and any changes being made?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item. The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted. The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response. The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the issue has come up of how to define a technical change, and You can see a potential definition
• And that's an additional technical change. And maybe, is that a technical change, or is that a...
• Is a chair a technical change? What is a technical change?
• And they come in and say we were gonna make a technical change to the building and/or a technical change
• Changes just for the legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope it changes.
• the definition of symptomatic the definition of symptomatic macroastia?
• >> Definitely.
• Just<01:42:57.600> changes Just changes Just changes who<01:42:59.520> is<01:42:59.760>
• changing rules and things like that. changing rules and things like that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to give a few timeline changes.
• And so even though those students didn't change, the faculty didn't change, and potentially the cost
• of running that program didn't change, they're still generating additional units now because they changed
• Their teachers didn't change. Their school culture didn't change. That all stayed the same.
• So for two years, nothing will change.

Bills: HB2, SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's definitely the intent of us reinstating this function.
• the first year we can make the changes the first year we can make the changes in<00:46:26.400>
• <00:47:27.520> get all those project we can definitely get all those project we can definitely
• We'll definitely look into the concern.
• Definitely.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I can tell you we’ve changed a little bit.
• We’ve changed that. We now have specific degrees.
• The others, I don't know definitively.
• The others, I don't know definitively.
• changes...

Summary: The committee met at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Flanagan and campus leaders on the college’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce programs, facilities needs, and industry partnerships. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, the college’s strategic plan, and new or expanding programs such as aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also described the need for a new dorm and a remodel of the library into academic and allied health space, including a simulation center, to address capacity limits and support growth. Several committee members asked about program demand, faculty recruitment, pay competitiveness, and how the college shifts resources from lower-demand programs to high-demand ones. Industry partner Jim Albright of Comdell testified that the college has been essential to the local manufacturing workforce and that many employees and interns come from NDSCS. A major topic was dual credit. Flanagan said dual credit is important but financially challenging, noting that only a small share of dual credit students ultimately matriculate to NDSCS and that the college’s dual credit model is close to break-even. He explained that many dual credit credits are general education rather than CTE, and that the college pays instructors, supports high schools, and absorbs indirect costs. Williston State College President Bernal Herning added that his institution loses money on the front end but has shifted toward helping students complete associate degrees before high school graduation because many go directly to work after high school. Committee members questioned how dual credit is delivered, how instructors are qualified, and whether students are truly doing college-level work. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit statewide. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs and said the analysis shows dual credit is not profitable at several institutions once tuition, instructor payments, and overhead are included. Members asked how much of the cost is borne by students, families, and the state, and whether K-12 funding should also be considered. Discussion also covered the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, payments to high school teachers or schools, and the possibility of waiving tuition in the future. No votes were taken, and the committee mainly gathered information for the ongoing dual credit cost study.