Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> final</c><00:14:18.680><c> uh</c><00:14:18.800><c> rule</c><00:14:19.320><c> uh</c><00:14:19.480
• question<00:14:23.440><c> about</c><00:14:23.639><c> the</c><00:14:23.959><c> the</c><00:14:24.160><
• a</c><00:14:28.279><c> little</c><00:14:28.440><c> bit</c><00:14:28.560><c> more</c><00:14:28.680><c
• whether there<00:14:35.199><c> some</c><00:14:35.480><c> the</c><00:14:35.560><c> governor</c><00:14
• <00:14:38.560><c> moving</c><00:14:38.920><c> through</c><00:14:39.320><c> like</c><00:14:39.759><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally. A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions. On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• they've got<00:14:02.279><c> remedy</c><00:14:02.800><c> like</c><00:14:03.120><c> Senator</c><00:14:
• /c><00:14:04.839><c> is</c><00:14:05.000><c> a</c><00:14:05.120><c> mess</c><00:14:05.320><c> up</c><
• insurance<00:14:06.639><c> and</c><00:14:06.800><c> the</c><00:14:06.959><c> board</c><00:14:07.320>
• :14.759><c> thank</c><00:14:14.920><c> you</c><00:14:15.240><c> I</c><00:14:15.320><c> had</c><00:14:
• /c><00:14:16.600><c> in</c><00:14:16.759><c> Tennessee</c><00:14:17.120><c> on</c><00:14:17.240><c> a

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting 00:00 – Meeting Start 00:37 – Attendance Roll Call 02:20 -Discussion on SB 69 18:10- Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee met to reconsider a committee substitute for a bill dealing with equine dental care and the regulation of non-veterinarian dental practitioners. The chair reopened the bill after prior testimony, and members focused on how the bill would set standards for training, testing, insurance, continuing education, and a registry for practitioners. Discussion also centered on whether the measure would affect veterinary practice or create a precedent for other animal care areas; supporters said it was meant to preserve access and affordability for horse owners, especially in rural areas where veterinarians are scarce or unavailable for routine work. A major topic was the bill’s grandfathering or “legacy candidate” provision. Senators asked how existing practitioners would qualify, whether they would need to apply, and what documentation would be required. Committee witnesses, including a Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association representative and the Board of Veterinary Examiners executive director, said the board could set licensing terms by regulation, including an application process, background/history checks, and letters of recommendation from licensed veterinarians. They also said the process would include an application window to allow current practitioners time to comply. Several members explained their votes in favor, while noting lingering concerns they wanted addressed on the floor. Supporters emphasized that the bill was the product of years of work, surveys, stakeholder meetings, and multiple drafts, and that it was intended to legitimize existing practitioners while protecting animal welfare. The committee substitute was approved, the bill passed the committee unanimously, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:08.959><c> in</c><00:14:09.519><c> a</c><00:14:09.760><c> sea</c><00:14:10.000><c> change</c><00:
• in<00:14:10.880><c> how</c><00:14:11.199><c> government</c><00:14:11.920><c> funds</c><00:14:12.240>
• 00:14:18.959><c> know,</c><00:14:19.279><c> institution</c><00:14:19.839><c> to</c><00:14:20.079><c>
• this<00:14:30.160><c> bill</c><00:14:30.399><c> creates</c><00:14:30.800><c> could</c><00:14:31.120>
• </c><00:14:44.800><c> Up</c><00:14:45.040><c> next,</c><00:14:45.760><c> um,</c><00:14:46.560><c> do<

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also,<00:14:06.240><c> motans</c><00:14:06.959><c> last</c><00:14:07.360><c> older</c><00:14:07.680><
• to be<00:14:17.519><c> agist</c><00:14:18.079><c> and</c><00:14:18.320><c> public</c><00:14:18.560><
• > to</c><00:14:26.639><c> making</c><00:14:26.959><c> Minnesota</c><00:14:27.440><c> a</c><00:14:27.680
• :28.720><c> is</c><00:14:28.880><c> a</c><00:14:29.040><c> good</c><00:14:29.279><c> place</c><00:14:
• </c><00:14:41.360><c> The</c><00:14:41.760><c> healthy</c><00:14:42.079><c> aging</c><00:14:42.480><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:14:13.199><c> this</c><00:14:13.519><c> availability</c><00:14:14.320><c> and</c><00:14:14.639
• 00:14:18.800><c> people</c><00:14:19.040><c> to</c><00:14:19.120><c> go</c><00:14:19.279><c> zoom</c>
• :14:23.760><c> we</c><00:14:24.000><c> promote</c><00:14:24.320><c> the</c><00:14:24.480><c> fact</c>
• have<00:14:24.959><c> libraries</c><00:14:25.440><c> and</c><00:14:25.600><c> this</c><00:14:25.760>
• </c><00:14:27.040><c> from</c><00:14:27.199><c> the</c><00:14:27.440><c> telecom</c><00:14:28.160><c>

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Government Operations Committee heard Governor’s Message 663, reappointing Corey Schaefer to the 911 Board for a term ending June 30, 2026. Schaefer described his telecommunications background and five years of service on the board, including recent election as chair. There was no opposition, and the committee recommended advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted with one member excused. The committee then took up a resolution asking the Comptroller and DAGS to work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access for participation in the legislative process. Testimony from library and disability advocates supported the goal, but members raised concerns that the measure was too broad and unclear about the actual problem, whether libraries already had sufficient broadband and equipment, and whether the focus should be on public access and education rather than DAGS. The committee deferred the measure to Thursday for a revised draft. Members also heard a resolution urging all state departments to partner with the Office of Wellness and Resilience on data-sharing agreements. The office and several advocacy groups supported the measure as part of trauma-informed state efforts, but members expressed strong privacy and HIPAA concerns and questioned what data would be shared, for what purpose, and how it would be protected. The committee deferred that measure as well so the office could work with the chair on narrower language. Finally, the committee considered a resolution urging boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of executive directors or equivalent exempt positions. With only one individual testifying in support, the committee recommended a Senate draft to clarify that the measure applies to civil service exempt positions, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:01.839><c> expect</c><00:14:02.199><c> that</c><00:14:02.360><c> to</c><00:14:02.560><c> change</
• /c><00:14:06.480><c> some</c><00:14:06.680><c> car</c><00:14:07.000><c> outs</c><00:14:07.360><c> for
• 14:09.759><c> constant</c><00:14:10.279><c> so</c><00:14:10.480><c> I</c><00:14:10.560><c> do</c><00:
• that<00:14:11.800><c> number</c><00:14:12.040><c> to</c><00:14:12.240><c> change</c><00:14:12.920><c
• > um</c><00:14:13.040><c> in</c><00:14:13.160><c> the</c><00:14:13.320><c> last</c><00:14:13.519><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:06.800><c> If</c><00:14:07.040><c> you</c><00:14:07.279><c> just</c><00:14:07.440><c> look
• /c><00:14:09.440><c> um</c><00:14:10.399><c> sub</c><00:14:10.800><c> two</c><00:14:11.440><c> the</c
• </c><00:14:13.600><c> says</c><00:14:14.320><c> um</c><00:14:14.480><c> that</c><00:14:14.800><c> you
• So<00:14:25.760><c> I</c><00:14:26.000><c> think</c><00:14:26.160><c> what</c><00:14:26.399><c> we're
• 00:14:44.480><c> really</c><00:14:44.800><c> not</c><00:14:45.040><c> how</c><00:14:45.360><c> this</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:05.839><c> the</c><00:14:06.079><c> algorithm</c><00:14:06.639><c> thinks</c><00:14:06.880><c> it
• </c><00:14:08.480><c> They</c><00:14:08.720><c> might</c><00:14:08.959><c> get</c><00:14:09.040><c> a
• :14:15.279><c> to</c><00:14:15.360><c> get</c><00:14:15.519><c> a</c><00:14:15.760><c> better</c><00:
• Even<00:14:18.480><c> if</c><00:14:18.720><c> the</c><00:14:18.880><c> algorithm</c><00:14:19.440><c>
• </c> I<00:14:30.880><c> don't</c><00:14:31.120><c> want</c><00:14:31.279><c> my</c><00:14:31.519><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.759><c> in</c><00:14:01.959><c> this</c><00:14:02.120><c> chart</c><00:14:02.440><c> we</c><00:14
• ><c> rate</c><00:14:09.120><c> cut</c><00:14:09.600><c> in</c><00:14:10.160><c> 2025</c><00:14:11.160
• ><c> rates</c><00:14:22.600><c> like</c><00:14:22.759><c> the</c><00:14:22.880><c> 30-year</c><00:14:
• </c><00:14:29.240><c> the</c><00:14:29.360><c> federal</c><00:14:29.680><c> funds</c><00:14:30.079><c
• 14:34.960><c> um</c><01:14:35.199><c> and</c><01:14:35.400><c> as</c><01:14:35.520><c> we</c><01:14:35.679

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:02.279><c> everyone</c><00:14:02.639><c> is</c><00:14:02.880><c> prepared</c><00:14:03.320><c>
• to approach this<00:14:04.720><c> in</c><00:14:04.880><c> a</c><00:14:05.079><c> in</c><00:14:05.279
• ><c> on</c><00:14:08.240><c> the</c><00:14:08.360><c> menu</c><00:14:08.720><c> of</c><00:14:08.920><
• ><c> sometimes</c><00:14:12.800><c> when</c><00:14:12.959><c> you</c><00:14:13.079><c> have</c><00:14
• ><c> first</c><00:14:19.560><c> why</c><00:14:20.399><c> so</c><00:14:20.839><c> if</c><00:14:21.040>

Keywords: 00:34 Call to Order/Roll Call 02:09 Discussion of 25RS HB 389 04:05 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 389 05:16 Discussion of 25RS HB 501 09:31 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 501 10:50 Discussion of 25RS HB 414 (Discussion Only) 42:05 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 389, a cleanup measure related to the CASPER prescription monitoring program. Representative Duval and staff explained that the bill addresses implementation issues the Office of Inspector General encountered and aligns the definition of “practitioner” for in-state and out-of-state providers. The committee took no questions, then approved the bill unanimously and reported it favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 501, which would allow a pharmacist to fill a prescription for a limited period after the prescribing provider has died, so patients can maintain continuity of care. Sponsors and a pharmacist witness said the bill is intended to reduce uncertainty and liability for pharmacists, excludes controlled substances to comply with federal law, and leaves professional judgment with the pharmacist. Members asked about documentation and verification, and the sponsor said the bill applies when the pharmacist knows of the death and that pharmacies would document the situation as they normally do. The committee discussed the issue briefly and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 414 for discussion only. Representative Tate and Adia Wisher described it as “Love Them Both,” a perinatal palliative care proposal meant to provide wraparound support for women and families facing fatal fetal anomalies or other serious pregnancy complications. Testimony emphasized that the bill would encourage referrals to programs offering medical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and bereavement support, with examples such as Footprints at St. Elizabeth. Members discussed access, referrals, counseling, coverage language, and the role of fathers, and supporters stressed that the services would be optional and intended to broaden support rather than impose penalties. No vote was taken on House Bill 414.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:14:14.399><c> have</c><00:14:14.519><c> a</c><00:14:14.639><c> motion</c><00:14:14.880><c> on</c><
• /c><00:14:16.399><c> as</c><00:14:16.600><c> amended</c><00:14:17.000><c> by</c><00:14:17.160><c> the
• :14:21.440><c> Mr</c><00:14:21.639><c> secretary</c><00:14:22.040><c> please</c><00:14:22.199><c> call
• ><c> today</c><00:14:39.240><c> I'm</c><00:14:39.440><c> still</c><00:14:39.839><c> trying</c><00:14:
• :14:49.959><c> just</c><00:14:50.079><c> going</c><00:14:50.160><c> to</c><00:14:50.360><c> pass</c><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and first introduced a guest before taking up House Bill 701, sponsored by Representative Adam Bowling. The committee adopted a committee substitute by voice vote. Bowling explained that the substitute removed the bill’s mining-related language and added clarification that the bill does not require anyone to accept digital assets as payment. The bill was described as a measure to modernize Kentucky’s approach to digital assets and blockchain technology, protect the right to hold and transact in digital assets, and clarify that certain crypto activities are not securities; it also preserves authority for the Attorney General to pursue fraud under existing consumer protection laws. Members asked questions about why Kentucky should act before federal regulators fully resolve whether digital assets are securities or commodities, whether the bill affected local zoning authority, and how the measure addresses consumer protection and money laundering concerns. Bowling and a Coinbase representative said the bill is intended to provide clarity, align Kentucky with emerging federal developments, and avoid stifling innovation. They noted that Coinbase remains subject to federal AML/KYC rules and that recent federal litigation over staking and securities issues had been dismissed. Several members said they supported the bill as a way to put Kentucky in a leading position, while others expressed uncertainty about the security-versus-commodity question. The committee then voted on House Bill 701 as amended by the substitute. The bill passed on a roll call vote, with most members voting yes. Representative Camuel passed, saying she wanted more time to understand the issue, and Representative Grossberg voted yes with reservations. Representative Hancock and others said the bill’s regulatory clarity and consumer protection aspects were important, and Representative Lockett said the measure would help Kentucky be ready once federal regulators decide how crypto should be classified.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh investment income<00:14:06.959><c> pays</c><00:14:07.279><c> for</c><00:14:08.639><c> by</c><00:14
• &gt;&gt; Than<00:14:34.720><c> if</c><00:14:34.880><c> you</c><00:14:34.959><c> put</c><00:14:35.120>
• <c> it</c><00:14:35.279><c> all</c><00:14:35.440><c> in</c><00:14:35.600><c> at</c><00:14:35.839><c>
• &gt;&gt; But<00:14:37.040><c> it</c><00:14:37.199><c> could</c><00:14:37.360><c> be</c><00:14:37.519>
• Uh<00:14:41.920><c> the</c><00:14:42.240><c> next</c><00:14:42.480><c> line</c><00:14:43.120><c> and<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard testimony from Bo Barnes, deputy executive secretary and general counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), on the TRS budget request for the upcoming biennium and how it compares with House Bill 500 as introduced. Barnes emphasized that the bill fully funds the system’s additional funding request to pay down TRS’s legacy unfunded pension liability, which he described as critical to the system’s long-term funding plan. He also explained that the pension and health insurance requests are broken into several line items, including legacy benefit items, state shared-responsibility payments for retiree health insurance, and reconciliation items that adjust for prior over- or underpayments. Barnes said the state portion of shared responsibility for retiree health insurance was funded below the request in House Bill 500, but he described the health insurance trust as a success story under the post-2010 shared-responsibility model. He said the trust is projected to be fully funded in about two years if medical inflation and federal subsidies remain stable, and he noted that any shortfall in the current budget would be reconciled later and could reduce investment income. In response to questions, he explained that the legacy benefit items are treated as part of the total actuarially determined employer contribution and that unpaid legacy benefits would have the same impact on the retirement trust as unpaid ADC amounts. Barnes also addressed questions about whether the $47.2 million SEEK-related teacher contribution reconciliation could be split between fiscal years, saying it could be done but would reduce investment income and potentially increase future contribution needs. He said the pension fund is currently about 61% funded and that TRS has received full funding for the pension for 10 straight years, with the state having provided full additional funding and more in recent budgets. He concluded by asking the committee to consider TRS’s original budget request, warning that underfunding now would be reflected in future actuarial calculations and could cost the Commonwealth more over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• It<00:14:09.279><c> is</c><00:14:09.519><c> absolutely</c><00:14:10.240><c> out</c><00:14:10.480><c>
• <c> what</c><00:14:31.279><c> they</c><00:14:31.519><c> do</c><00:14:32.000><c> and</c><00:14:32.240>
• :14:33.839><c> and</c><00:14:34.000><c> our</c><00:14:34.240><c> hourly</c><00:14:34.639><c> school</
• c> are</c><00:14:35.519><c> just</c><00:14:35.680><c> as</c><00:14:36.000><c> proud</c><00:14:36.720>
• :38.160><c> what</c><00:14:38.320><c> they</c><00:14:38.560><c> do</c><00:14:39.040><c> and</c><00:14

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :13.760><c> when</c><00:14:14.000><c> it's</c><00:14:14.240><c> too</c><00:14:14.399><c> hot</c><00:14
• just<00:14:17.440><c> simply</c><00:14:17.839><c> does</c><00:14:18.000><c> not</c><00:14:18.240><c>
• of over 100<00:14:21.040><c> degrees</c><00:14:21.360><c> in</c><00:14:21.600><c> the</c><00:14:21.680
• </c><00:14:26.720><c> Our</c><00:14:26.959><c> neighbors</c><00:14:27.279><c> at</c><00:14:27.440><c>
• > and</c><00:14:34.320><c> we</c><00:14:34.560><c> will</c><00:14:34.720><c> continue</c><00:14:35.120

Bills: HF3220

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:03.440><c> His</c><00:14:03.760><c> life</c><00:14:04.079><c> displays</c><00:14:04.639><c
• <c> Devon</c><00:14:18.160><c> Moore,</c><00:14:18.800><c> Owens</c><00:14:19.199><c> Mills,</c><00:14
• Private<00:14:26.160><c> First</c><00:14:26.480><c> Class</c><00:14:26.959><c> Devon</c><00:14:27.440
• 00:14:30.240><c> his</c><00:14:30.560><c> service</c><00:14:30.800><c> to</c><00:14:31.040><c> both</
• He is<00:14:53.760><c> survived</c><00:14:54.240><c> by</c><00:14:54.399><c> his</c><00:14:54.720><c>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, February 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the<00:14:04.000><c> ground</c><00:14:04.320><c> saying</c><00:14:04.639><c> this</c><00:14:04.800><
• ,</c><00:14:06.639><c> if</c><00:14:06.800><c> it's</c><00:14:06.880><c> a</c><00:14:07.040><c> low</
• ><c> is</c><00:14:08.160><c> in</c><00:14:08.320><c> fact</c><00:14:08.480><c> a</c><00:14:08.639><c>
• ><c> And</c><00:14:10.000><c> uh</c><00:14:10.079><c> and</c><00:14:10.240><c> it</c><00:14:10.480><c
• So step number<00:14:17.920><c> one,</c><00:14:18.399><c> there</c><00:14:18.560><c> needs</c><00:14:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:14:03.320><c> to</c><00:14:03.440><c> make</c><00:14:03.839><c> a</c><00:14:03.880><c> decision.
• </c><00:14:07.960><c> talk</c><00:14:08.200><c> with</c><00:14:08.360><c> people</c><00:14:08.640><c>
• </c><00:14:12.120><c> to</c><00:14:12.240><c> protect</c><00:14:12.600><c> kids</c><00:14:12.839><c>
• There<00:14:17.520><c> was</c><00:14:17.640><c> a</c><00:14:17.720><c> lot</c><00:14:17.880><c> of</c
• </c><00:14:26.520><c> I</c><00:14:26.560><c> was</c><00:14:26.680><c> just</c><00:14:26.959><c> going

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate leaders and bill authors held a post-debate press availability after completing floor debate and passage of a comprehensive gun violence package developed in response to the Annunciation school shooting and other recent violence. They described the package as combining mental health funding, school safety aid, and gun restrictions, including an assault-weapons ban, and said it reflected months of work with families, advocates, law enforcement groups, and members from both parties. They emphasized that the approach was intended to address both access to firearms and the people involved in violence, along with prevention, intervention, and consequences. The speakers said the bill reached 34 Senate votes after extensive conversations with colleagues, including some who had personal connections to Annunciation or concerns about their districts. They framed the vote as historic and said it showed Minnesotans where lawmakers stand. They also urged the House to take up the measure, warning that avoiding a vote would signal that politics were being placed ahead of public safety. They said they would continue lobbying House members and expected negotiations with House and gubernatorial leaders in the coming weeks. Mike Moyski, a family member of an Annunciation victim, praised the Senate action as meaningful and lasting for children and communities, while also criticizing a floor speech he said repeated the shooter’s name and platformed the attacker. In response to questions, senators said they remained open to further talks with House Republicans and Democrats, but stressed that the families wanted a comprehensive package. They said if the House sends over separate school safety legislation, the chambers would conference the bills to resolve differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• superintendent I've<00:14:04.079><c> made</c><00:14:04.240><c> it</c><00:14:04.440><c> very</c><00:14
• students<00:14:10.560><c> have</c><00:14:10.759><c> the</c><00:14:10.920><c> types</c><00:14:11.120>
• </c><00:14:23.320><c> our</c><00:14:23.480><c> school</c><00:14:23.720><c> buildings</c><00:14:24.440
• <00:14:27.880><c> for</c><00:14:28.160><c> example</c><00:14:28.720><c> we</c><00:14:29.160><c> used<
• 14:45.199><c> far</c><00:14:45.360><c> as</c><00:14:45.519><c> like</c><00:14:45.680><c> new</c><00:14

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HB 537 Discussion 00:00:40 HB 537 Vote 00:02:45 HJR 34 Discussion 00:03:30 HJR 34 Vote 00:07:45 HJR 30 Discussion 00:08:30 HJR 30 Vote 00:10:25 HJR 32 Discussion 00:11:00 HJR 32 Vote 00:41:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate. Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.279><c> this</c><00:14:00.440><c> in</c><00:14:00.560><c> front</c><00:14:00.759><c> of</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:03.040><c> able</c><00:14:03.199><c> to</c><00:14:03.399><c> push</c><00:14:03.639><c> more
• ><c> want</c><00:14:42.199><c> to</c><00:14:42.399><c> help</c><00:14:42.680><c> the</c><00:14:42.800
• 43.600><c> but</c><00:14:44.079><c> there</c><00:14:44.199><c> are</c><00:14:44.360><c> few</c><00:14
• 00:14:45.680><c> bills</c><00:14:46.320><c> and</c><00:14:46.480><c> seems</c><00:14:46.839><c> like<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee discussed three ambulance reimbursement bills and tried to distinguish their approaches. House Bill 185 would require insurers to pay the full amount billed by an ambulance provider when there is no contract rate, with no balance billing to the patient; the Insurance Department clarified that emergency ambulance services are already covered under the benchmark plan, so the bill’s reference to policies without ambulance coverage is effectively meaningless. House Bill 725 would set reimbursement at 325% of the Medicare rate for non-contract ambulance services and prohibit balance billing. House Bill 316 was described as addressing the broader problem that Medicare/Medicaid rates are low and that current balance billing shifts costs to patients or municipalities; its sponsor said the bill would require insurers to pay a rate that gives providers a fighting chance to remain in business, and he viewed 325% of Medicare as the most logical option. Members debated whether insurers should pay the billed amount, a negotiated in-network rate, or a regulated percentage of Medicare. Some argued that out-of-network ambulance providers are underpaid and that in-network rates are often too low to sustain service, especially for emergency providers who cannot steer patients. Others said ambulance companies should not be able to bill whatever they want and questioned the fairness of charging insured patients or insurers more than the service is worth. There was also discussion of whether rate schedules should be reviewed by an oversight body and whether different costs in rural areas justify different reimbursement levels. A recurring issue was balance billing and who ultimately bears the shortfall. Several members said balance billing harms patients and often does not get paid, leaving cities and towns or property taxpayers to cover the difference for municipal ambulance services. Others argued that shifting the cost to insurance premiums would spread the burden more fairly, though it could raise premiums by a few dollars per person per month. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt; the discussion focused on clarifying the bills and weighing their policy tradeoffs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:14:00.440><c> that</c><00:14:00.680><c> adds</c><00:14:00.920><c> a</c><00:14:00.960><c> sense
• ><c> help</c><00:14:32.160><c> them</c><00:14:32.320><c> understand</c><00:14:33.320><c> the</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:36.600><c> And</c><00:14:36.800><c> so,</c><00:14:37.040><c> it</c><00:14:37.280><c> it</c
• 00:14:38.839><c> I</c><00:14:39.040><c> I</c><00:14:39.120><c> keep</c><00:14:39.360><c> hearing</c>
• c> and</c><00:14:40.440><c> more</c><00:14:40.640><c> people</c><00:14:40.959><c> who</c><00:14:41.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all