Transcript Highlights:

• included language increasing the general ed courses to two per junior and senior year and increasing the tuition
• funds will be denied after students have already started coursework, leaving families with unexpected tuition
• funds will be denied after students have already started coursework, leaving families with unexpected tuition
• funds will be denied after students have already started coursework, leaving families with unexpected tuition
• > coursework, leaving families with coursework, leaving families with unexpected<00:44:34.079><c> tuition

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education heard presentations from the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) on their strategic plans, enrollment trends, and budget priorities. University of Louisville President Bradley highlighted the university’s new five-year strategic plan, its R1 research status, community-engaged and opportunity college classifications, record enrollment of 25,005 students, and its role in serving first-generation, Pell-eligible, military-connected, and rural students. He also emphasized the university’s economic and workforce impact, including athletics, nursing, dentistry, and a recent Speed School building, and previewed major capital and program requests: a $142 million STEMH building, a $15 million one-time request for National Cancer Institute-related cancer research, and $5.3 million for the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership. He also discussed a planned $260 million health sciences building and the university’s efforts to expand health care access beyond Louisville through regional sites and residency partnerships. Members responded positively, with Representative Tipton asking about agency bond projects and regional health outreach, and President Bradley saying the university is evaluating debt capacity and exploring smaller projects while noting that the STEM building request would rely on state-funded debt service. He described UofL Health’s expansion into places such as Bullitt County, Shelbyville, Madisonville, and Paducah, and its efforts to train physicians for rural practice. Representative McCool praised the university’s military-friendly designation and cancer research priorities and noted personal family ties to UofL. Michaela Aman, a sophomore from Letcher County, also testified about how UofL has supported her as a rural student and emphasized the university’s commitment to opportunity and social mobility. KCTCS President Ryan Quarles and CFO Todd Kilburn then presented the system’s enrollment, completion, and workforce-training results. They said KCTCS now serves more than 110,000 students, graduated a record 24,000 students last May, and has moved from 45th to 4th nationally in graduation rate. They also highlighted that over half of students are first-generation, 60% work while enrolled, 70% of graduates work in Kentucky, and 74% graduate with no student loan debt. KCTCS described its common-course-numbering agreement with Morehead State as part of a broader transfer simplification effort, and said it trains about 200,000 Kentuckians annually when including workforce training and firefighter instruction. The system also outlined efficiency measures, including property sales, a new bookstore contract projected to save $4.3 million over five years, and a new evaluation process for real estate and facilities. KCTCS’s budget and capital requests included operating funding tied to enrollment growth, support for the TRAINs program, the ECTC training facility at Glendale, continued support for Health Force Kentucky, three capital construction projects at Jefferson, Bluegrass, and Gateway, and asset preservation funding focused on safety and security upgrades. Quarles also referenced House Bill 5, saying it would expand KCTCS’s correctional education and re-entry work and could help reduce recidivism. Members asked about the bill and its impact, and KCTCS said it already provides instruction in jails and prisons and sees the proposal as an extension of that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:06.760><c> um</c> administrative update to our waiver um administrative update to our waiver
• That's the 1332 waiver.
• The 1332 waiver is a waiver that allows the state of Minnesota to receive some funds back, and there's
• two parts to that waiver.
• What the waiver does is make sure the waivers are in place in case it wants to be funded.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We use the Community Alternative Care waiver, CAC waiver, through the consumer-directed community supports
• </c> without exhausting our waiver budget. without exhausting our waiver budget.
• </c> my family directly or onto the waiver my family directly or onto the waiver budget,<00:10:05.839
• </c><00:10:54.560><c> for</c> I'm also paid through Nash's waiver for I'm also paid through Nash's waiver
• ,</c> related to [clears throat] the waiver, related to [clears throat] the waiver, the<00:19:23.440>

Transcript Highlights:

• Per waiver requirement Waiver requirements residents are responsible for paying for their room and board
• So it's not a general waiver ability.
• It's just for participants of the Assisted Living Waiver Program.
• Facility Transitions Community Support, which is not included under that waiver.
• , which is not included under that waiver. for DHCS.

Committee: House Aging and Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:

• disabilities program for developmentally disabled Floridians who receive support through Medicaid waiver
• Eligible adults with developmental disabilities in a Medicaid waiver program be automatically enrolled
• And my only question is, is this going to require a specific waiver for ACA to get a waiver to do this
• Within the legislation and direct ACA to get the waiver, sometimes there can be a complication in it
• Since then, people with disabilities who are on a waiver have been able to work full-time.

Bills: S1002 , S1016 , S1030 , S1594 , S1630

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your committee is requesting this waiver to meet the second lateral filing deadline.
• The waiver is granted. Senator Enoi: Thank you, Mr. President.
• The waiver is granted. Senator Kidani: Thank you.
• The waiver is granted. Senator San Buenaventura: Thank you.
• c><00:18:28.760><c> Ed</c> filing deadline the waiver is GR Ed filing deadline the waiver is GR Ed Senator

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't need a waiver.
• . waiver. waiver.
• We don't need a waiver. So next month. We don't need a waiver.
• </c> applies and qualifies for a waiver applies and qualifies for a waiver pursuant<00:21:45.039><c>
• </c><00:21:49.200><c> Um</c> which is our waiver rules. Um which is our waiver rules.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items: DES rule FP 25127 concerning dug-in boat basins and HHS child care licensing rule 25132. The child care licensing item was then taken up separately. HHS staff said the rule had been developed over more than a year with the child care advisory council and the broader child care community, and that it was urgent because the department is out of compliance with federal Office of Child Care requirements and needs database changes completed in time for a September 30, 2025 implementation deadline. After brief questions, the committee moved to approve the rule as presented, and it passed unanimously. The committee also considered an HHS interim rule to restore expired rules and keep them in compliance while regular rulemaking proceeds. HHS explained the rules had expired in April and that the filing was intended to minimize the gap until permanent rulemaking could occur; the only fee in the rule relates to copying medical records, and the department said it is not collecting those fees. Committee members noted broader problems with keeping rules current in the state’s tracking system, but said the situation had improved. The committee then moved to approve the interim rule, and it was adopted unanimously. For DES rule 25127 on project-specific requirements for boat houses, staff and committee members focused on language about new dug-in basins. Some members were concerned the rule read like an absolute prohibition without clear statutory authority, while DES staff said a waiver process exists and offered possible edits to clarify that dug-in basins could still be approved in rare cases if a waiver is granted or if they are the least impacting alternative. Because the language needed further work, the committee postponed the item for one month and asked DES to return with written conditional-approval language. The committee also voted to move its October meeting to October 17 at 9:00 a.m. in State House 100, and was told to expect an emergency Lottery Commission rule on slot machines next month. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, though, redesigning our level of care process. ...a new waiver.
• So that will show an increase here, but a decrease in other waivers? Yes, and Mr.
• We would also anticipate that individuals would shift from our DD waiver to this new waiver as well.
• , you would also see increased costs associated with the new waiver.
• You know, I mean, we see it then moving towards the cross-disability waiver.

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• To prevent students from taking on unnecessary student debt, AB 1534 requires that programs limit tuition
• design or curriculum development and provides that unaccredited entities may not be compensated by a tuition-sharing
• design or curriculum development and provides that unaccredited entities may not be compensated by a tuition-sharing
• model. ...and provides that unaccredited entities may not be compensated by a tuition-sharing model,

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused largely on labor, education, workforce, and public employment issues. AB 65 would provide public school employees up to 14 weeks of leave with full benefits for pregnancy and pregnancy-related health issues; supporters said current rules force educators to exhaust sick leave and suffer long-term retirement penalties, while the bill’s author noted it mirrors budget trailer language. AB 1818 would change HEERA procedures for CSU bargaining by shifting certain renegotiation disputes to PERB; Teamsters and other labor groups supported it as a way to stop CSU from unilaterally refusing agreed raises, while CSU moved from opposed to neutral after amendments. AB 1940 would explicitly reference menopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause in workplace protections; supporters said it would clarify rights and improve awareness, while business opposition argued existing reasonable-accommodation law already covers these issues and warned of expanded liability. AB 1534 would add guardrails for new short-term Workforce Pell programs, including tuition caps, limits on income-share agreements, and transparency around partnerships with unaccredited entities; the author later said the bill would be amended to include private institutions. AB 1896 would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public jobs during a specified period; supporters framed it as a public-trust measure, while police and public-safety groups opposed categorical exclusion and urged a more individualized vetting approach. AB 2300 would streamline distribution of WIOA workforce funds and reduce delays in local workforce board contracting, with supporters emphasizing faster service delivery and no reduction in accountability. AB 2223 would require CDCR to report standardized data on contracted medical and mental health staffing, vacancies, and costs, following an audit that found heavy reliance on contractors and poor transparency. AB 2483 would create a pathway and certification for formerly incarcerated firefighters to move into firefighting careers after release, with strong support from the author and witnesses who described the work as a real career path and reentry opportunity. AB 2142 would require temporary classified school employees working more than 75% of the school year to receive permanent-employee benefits and protections; school administrators and community college groups opposed it as too rigid for grant-funded and fluctuating positions. AB 2367 would require quarterly reporting from state-run health care facilities on vacancies, overtime, registry/contract staffing, and missed staffing minimums, building on state auditor recommendations; health care workers supported it as a transparency and accountability measure. Several measures were voted out of committee or placed on call. AB 1818, AB 1534, AB 2300, AB 2483, and AB 2223 all received do-pass votes to the Senate Appropriations Committee, though each was placed on call after roll call. AB 65 and AB 1940 also advanced on do-pass motions but were placed on call. AB 2142 received a do-pass vote with opposition and was placed on call. S.J.R. 15, a resolution urging Congress to protect California employers from higher federal unemployment taxes tied to the state’s UI debt, drew divided testimony: business groups supported it, while labor and some members argued California should solve the problem itself and keep the unemployment system solvent; the resolution was also placed on call. The transcript also included committee discussion about working with authors on amendments, especially for AB 1940 and AB 1534, and several members noted support or co-authorship while raising concerns about implementation details and fiscal impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The honors would be equal to 100% of tuition.
• equal</c><00:32:10.399><c> to</c><00:32:10.720><c> 100%</c><00:32:11.440><c> of</c><00:32:11.679><c> tuition
• c><00:32:12.880><c> Um</c><00:32:13.679><c> the</c><00:32:14.000><c> next</c> be equal to 100% of tuition
• Um the next be equal to 100% of tuition.

Bills: SF0032 , SF0010 , SF0001 , HB0001

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we, of course, have tuition-free college here in New Mexico, but this is from a national statistic
• : 86% of infant care costs are 86% more than in-state public university tuition.
• and which provider they went to, who said, 'This is what I'm gonna charge you for your private pay tuition
• legislature has been very clear about universal pre-K through 12, universal you know no free college tuition

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This allows resident recipients to pay in-state tuition to veterinary school at participating veterinary
• This allows resident recipients to pay in-state tuition to veterinary school at participating veterinary
• This allows resident recipients to pay in-state tuition to veterinary school at participating veterinary
• This allows resident recipients to pay in-state tuition to veterinary school at participating veterinary

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making and hearing sessions on February 4, 2025, covering a range of bills on public funds, cremation contracts, condominium insurance, insurance protections, veterinarians, landlord-tenant issues, agriculture, sex offender licensing restrictions, and service animals. In decision-making, SB 69 on deposits of public funds was passed with a defective effective date, SB 525 on cremation service contracts was deferred for later work on a concurrent resolution, SB 805 on condominium insurance was passed with amendments incorporating Attorney General recommendations, and SB 1141 on insurance protections was passed with amendments expanding the bill to catastrophic disasters and adding insurer response and loss-run reporting requirements. All of those measures were adopted by committee votes, with some members excused. During the hearing portion, SB 493 on veterinarians drew mixed testimony: state agencies and animal welfare groups supported efforts to create a workforce development fund and scholarship/loan repayment program, while the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association opposed the bill as written, arguing the board lacked capacity to administer the program, suggesting more WICHE funding instead, and objecting to new licensing fees. SB 606 on online business registration received comments from DCCA, SB 822 on landlord-tenant injunctions drew opposition from HPD and comments from the Judiciary, and SB 825 on eviction mediation received broad support from mediation advocates, the Judiciary, and others. Other measures heard included SB 276 on false labeling of Hawaii-grown roasted coffee, SB 1293 on tenant recovery in disaster areas, SB 1369 on solvency reporting for insurers and mutual benefit societies, and SB 1373 on automatic license actions against registered sex offenders, which received support from DCCA and several licensing boards. The committee also heard SB 1493 on emotional support animals, where the Attorney General raised constitutional and enforcement concerns, while disability advocates and others supported the bill and suggested clearer enforcement and disclosure language. SB 1662 on landlord application fees was also heard with comments from Hawaii Realtors and support testimony from individuals. In the later decision-making session, SB 493 was passed with amendments removing the proposed licensing fees and blanking appropriations, while SB 606 was deferred. SB 822 was passed with amendments adopting Judiciary recommendations, adding a Judiciary-facilitated working group to review the landlord-tenant code, and setting a defective effective date of July 1, 2050.

Transcript Highlights:

• that waiver.
• in prior enough time to make sure that the waivers get in place before the old waiver runs out.
• So that's the old waiver runs out.
• Well, we did get one piece of the waiver. We did not get the second piece of the waiver.
• </c> waiver and no risk to Minnesota Care. waiver and no risk to Minnesota Care.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a waiver request by the City of Donaldsonville for a project in their area.
• Chairman, I'd move favorably on the waiver. Thank you, Senator Lambert.
• Senator Lambert has moved that we approve the waiver made by the waiver. The board is clear.
• Senator Lambert has moved that we approve the waiver made by the city.
• Seeing no objections, that waiver is approved. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you and God bless you.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay met on April 22 and first established a quorum, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and elected Representative Bacala as vice chair by acclamation after nomination by Senator Womack. The committee then took up a single substantive item: a waiver request from the City of Donaldsonville under a 2025 law allowing certain small municipalities to seek relief from the required local match for capital outlay projects. Matt Baker of the Office of Facility Planning and Control said Donaldsonville met the eligibility criteria, including a population below the statutory threshold, and recommended approval of the waiver for Project 50-M68-25-01, the Stormwater Resilience Project, Planning and Construction, tied to about $1,222,500 in state funds. Mayor Leroy Sullivan testified that the city has a high poverty rate, has already made difficult financial adjustments to complete prior water and wastewater projects, and needs the waiver to address drainage problems in an area expected to see new development, including an RPCC Westside campus. Senator Lambert moved to approve the waiver, and the committee approved it without objection. With no further business, Representative McFarland moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:48.639><c> The</c> community based services waiver. The community based services waiver.
• </c> waiver if they deny it completely. waiver if they deny it completely.
• </c> service waivers.
• These are niche waivers service waivers.
• </c> which states have provider tax waivers. which states have provider tax waivers.

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on July 30, 2025, approved the June 25 minutes, and received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Medicaid provisions in H.R. 1. The presentation outlined more than 20 Medicaid-related provisions, emphasizing that the largest federal savings come from work/community engagement requirements, changes to provider taxes, limits on state-directed payments, more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion populations, and related eligibility/enrollment changes. She said the fiscal effects are backloaded, with most reductions occurring in the later years of the 10-year window, and noted potential significant impacts on hospital payments and state financing. She also described new funding opportunities, including a $50 billion rural health transformation fund and a new home and community-based services waiver with associated grants. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on Kentucky’s pending community engagement 1115 waiver and how it would interact with the new federal requirements. Board members asked whether the waiver had been approved, what the cabinet’s contingency plan would be if CMS does not approve it, and what the timeline is for compliance. Cabinet representatives said the waiver has not yet been approved by CMS, remains under public comment, and that the state will wait for CMS guidance before moving forward; if needed, the state would amend the waiver or submit a new one. They said the work requirement must be in place by January 1, 2027, with a possible extension to 2028. Castanza also explained that expansion adults with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level would face new cost-sharing requirements beginning October 1, 2028, and that eligibility redeterminations would move from annual to every six months starting January 1, 2027. She then walked through provider tax changes, including a moratorium on new provider taxes beginning October 1, 2026, and a phased reduction in the hold-harmless threshold for existing taxes beginning January 1, 2028, with exemptions for nursing facilities and ICF/IID providers. Board members questioned the timing and likely impact on Kentucky, and Castanza responded that the effect would depend on each tax’s current rate and would phase in over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not receive a tax credit for paying my contractual tuition to the school, is that correct?
• >> It has to be a tax donation separate and apart from that tuition. >> To participate, you need to pay
• your tuition and participate in the program on top of that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Gentleman
• </c> apart from that tuition. apart from that tuition.
• and participate in the program tuition and participate in the program on<00:27:02.280><c> top</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, next order of business is the deadline waiver for House File 4598.
• So, I urge members to support the rules waiver on this bill. >> Any further discussion?
• </c> bill with a deadline waiver. bill with a deadline waiver.
• As you mentioned, for rules waivers.
• </c> urge members to support the rules waiver urge members to support the rules waiver on<00:02:49.240

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services established criteria for the approval of Medicaid waivers
• House Bill 2555 directs the Health Care Authority to apply for that waiver from CMS to allow for the
• The waiver application must allow for coverage of traditional health care practices when provided by
• I know that in looking at some of the waivers for the other states and some of the guidance from CMS,
• We have tribal leaders ready to do the work in DC to help get the waiver through.

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on three measures. HB 2555 would require the Health Care Authority to apply for a Medicaid waiver to cover traditional health care practices provided through Indian Health Service, tribal, and urban Indian facilities. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, tribal health leaders, and the Health Care Authority, said the bill would recognize traditional medicine, expand access, and leverage federal funding, though HCA noted the July 1, 2026 waiver deadline and urban Indian reimbursement questions may be difficult to resolve. HB 2685 would codify tribal data sovereignty principles for state agencies, require reporting of notifiable conditions to tribal health jurisdictions, and exempt certain tribal data from public disclosure. Tribal representatives supported the bill as necessary for access, governance, and better public health planning, while the Washington Coalition for Open Government and HCA raised concerns about the breadth of the PRA exemption, undefined ownership interests, and implementation details. HB 2658 would require health carriers to submit standardized public data on behavioral health and other coverage and access metrics, with the Insurance Commissioner posting the information on a public dashboard. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency about mental health parity and help families, employers, and policymakers compare plans; opponents argued it duplicates or complicates recent parity reforms and could be misinterpreted. HB 2683 would shorten carrier credentialing timelines from 90 days to 30 days and require carriers to post billing and coverage information online. Supporters said it would reduce delays for providers and patients, while opponents warned the shorter timeline could be hard to meet and that posting information without login protections could raise privacy concerns. In executive session, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2168, which concerns overdose mapping data, then reported the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 16-1. It rejected an amendment to HB 2196 that would have extended PANDAS/PANS coverage to public and school employee plans, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-2. Finally, the committee passed HB 2545, which would allow ambulatory surgical facilities to perform elective percutaneous coronary interventions, by a vote of 13-4, after members discussed safety, access, and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were going to go on a waiver.
• It prevents arbitrary price waiver.
• </c> waiver rooms, a limited waiver rooms, a limited number.<00:05:17.360><c> This</c><00:05:17.600><
• </c> having elderly waiver having elderly waiver available?
• </c> not covered today under the DD waiver. not covered today under the DD waiver.

Bills: HF2216 , HF1978 , HF2354 , HF1963 , HF1994 , HF1995 , HF1894

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> waivers and those waivers would waivers and those waivers would remove<00:18:48.280><c> a</c><00
• There are ways to apply for waivers now, so you can apply for a waiver to the Kentucky Board of Education
• </c> that would have to be part of the waiver that would have to be part of the waiver process<00:53:
• </c><00:53:51.000><c> have</c><00:53:51.119><c> to</c> waivers and those waivers would have to waivers
• > granted and so one of those waivers granted and so one of those waivers would<00:53:55.119><c> have

Summary: The Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, a proposal tied to the Southern Regional Education Board’s crisis recovery network. Senator West and Dr. Puit explained that, for an additional $10,000 in dues, Kentucky would help create a network of 40 trained counselors in each of the 16 Southern states to provide post-crisis stabilization and psychological first aid after events such as the Marshall County shooting. They emphasized that the effort would be complementary to local and state response, would run through the school district, would not replace therapeutic services, and would allow districts to coordinate parent notifications and other protocols as usual. Members asked about parent involvement and whether pastoral counselors could participate; the presenters said local districts would remain in charge and that pastors could be included if properly credentialed. The committee then voted, and SCR 43 passed with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up Senate Bill 207, the School of Innovation Act, with a committee substitute. Senator West described the bill as creating an optional path for districts to contract with an outside education service provider for a three-year school-of-innovation model, aimed at turning around low-performing schools or supporting other schools that want to innovate. He said the model would preserve core district functions such as transportation, facilities, and SEEK funding, while allowing waivers from certain statutes and regulations inside the school building. The committee substitute also added a high-quality instructional materials component, creating a vendor-supported repository of vetted instructional materials that KDE would still control, with testing data used to evaluate whether the materials were improving outcomes. Members questioned how the proposal differed from existing district-of-innovation law and what safeguards would exist for students. Senator West said the bill would repeal the unused district-of-innovation framework and replace it with a clearer process and guardrails, including KDE oversight, attendance rules, and authority to shut down a school arrangement for financial malfeasance. He also said the model could work with local partners, including superintendents’ associations, and could be used by magnet or other schools, not only low-performing ones. The discussion also touched on whether the bill would allow more flexibility in choosing third-party providers and whether it could support longer-term recovery and even philanthropy in schools. The transcript ends during the discussion of SB 207, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.