Transcript Highlights:

• and marriage, prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and encourage the formation
• <00:28:55.880> and and encourage the formation and and encourage the formation and maintenance
• So, I see one of the four federal purposes is to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent
• How much of the funds do we spend on encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families
• of is actually promoting the formation of two-parent<00:51:37.480> families.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• used the provisions in the bill, I have used the same<00:14:31.920> slide<00:14:32.320> format
• c> make<00:14:33.040> it<00:14:33.120> a<00:14:33.360> little same slide format
• to make it a little same slide format to make it a little easier<00:14:33.760> to<00:14:33.920
• And what it does is it requires that states do not hold harmless the taxed entity for the taxes that
• State agencies or entities that have already been working on rural health in your state, through your

Keywords: 00:00:22 - Call to Order and Roll Call 00:03:00 – Approval of June 25, 2025 Minutes 00:03:22 - Update on Federal Changes to the Medicaid Program 01:03:44 - State Directed Payments, Provider Taxes, and the Rural Health Transformation Fund: How Medicaid Changes Could Impact Kentucky Hospitals 01:29:42 – Public Comments 01:45:25 – Announcements 01:46:19 - Adjournment, 958, all

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:

• He said that for those entities that are not engineers, there is quite a bit of geometric and other technical
• /c><00:57:55.040> and<00:57:55.200> title<00:57:55.520> sheet, have the same format
• and title sheet, have the same format and title sheet, etc.<00:57:56.480> So<00:57:57.040>
• in my short time in the legislature now, I've had a number of occurrences where constituents or entities
• in my short time in the legislature now, I've had a number of occurrences where constituents or entities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we hear a lot of claims like this from corporate entities of various kinds.
• So we hear a lot of claims like this from corporate entities of various kinds.
• And the idea that you can't compete on your own terms as private entities without some extra subsidy
• <00:52:57.720> are what where these um entities are what where these um entities are located
• Minnesota should encourage the formation of fire and ambulance special districts, support their creation

Bills: HF1016, HF2800, HF156, HF3051, HF526, HF2658, HF2062, HF2801

Keywords: local government aid, Baldwin, taxation, base year formula, municipal funding, population aid, aid penalty forgiveness, Minnesota, city funding, appropriations, HF156, lawful gambling, veterans organizations, licensed veterans organization, Minnesota gambling law, gross profits, lawful purpose, real property repair, facility maintenance, capital assets

Transcript Highlights:

• So, to me, I'm not here because I want to do formational and say, 'Well, better luck next time.'
• So, to me, I'm not here because I want to do formational and say, 'Well, better luck next time.'
• So, to me, I'm not here because I want to do formational and say, 'Well, better luck next time.'
• So, to me, I'm not here because I want to do formational and say, 'Well, better luck next time.'
• So, to me, I'm not here because I want to do formational and say, 'Well, better luck next time.'

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to see the kids have fresh fruits and vegetables, but it needs to be done in a standard format
• > We want to see the kids have fresh fruits and vegetables, but it needs to be done in a standard format
• but it needs to be done in<00:32:51.720> a<00:32:52.639> standard<00:32:53.399> format
• <00:32:54.320> we<00:32:54.480> believe<00:32:54.919> that in a standard format
• and we believe that in a standard format and we believe that doing<00:32:55.760> it<00:32:56.000

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with testimony largely in support. SB 1388 and SB 1393, both concerning the School Facilities Authority and Department of Education representation and land conveyances, received support from DOE and the School Facilities Authority, with no questions or action taken. SB 423, which would add Head Start representation to the Early Learning Board, was supported by the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning, which explained the bill would realign the board with federal Head Start Act requirements after the board was restructured in Act 170; EEL also requested an effective-date amendment. SB 422, allowing DOE to award diplomas to students whose education was disrupted by war, drew support from DOE, the Chamber of Commerce, the Military Council, and the Special Education Advisory Council, but also significant opposition from the Hawaii Patriot Republicans and many individuals; members asked questions about the bill, and DOE explained the measure’s purpose, but no vote was taken. The committee also took testimony on SB 532, which would expand who may administer certain medications in schools. DOE, the Department of Health, and the University of Hawaii supported the bill. Members asked detailed questions about oral, nasal, and topical medications and the process for prescription review and administration; DOE explained that parents request the medication, a school form is completed, a nurse reviews it, and either a trained school health assistant or a contracted nurse administers the medication. DOE said the measure could improve attendance and learning, especially for students with ADHD, asthma, and other chronic conditions. The committee then heard SB 659 on locally sourced food products and school meals, where DOE’s procurement office opposed the higher small-purchase threshold and DOE exemption from procurement rules, while Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others supported the bill as a way to advance farm-to-school goals and the 30% local food target by 2030. Testimony and questioning focused on the proposed threshold increase, transparency, and whether an online bidding system would be preferable. Finally, the committee heard SB 1300 on subsidies for ALICE families’ school meals. DOE supported the bill but requested amendments: defining eligibility at 250% of the federal poverty level, delaying implementation until the 2026-2027 school year, and covering reduced-price lunch students in full for 2025-2026. HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and others supported the measure, emphasizing food insecurity, the burden of meal paperwork, and the educational importance of free meals. Hawaii Appleseed suggested replacing ALICE with a federal poverty level standard and removing a rulemaking requirement that could delay implementation. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:38:46.880> We<00:38:47.040> don't file a statement of formation.
• We don't file a statement of formation.
• nonprofit that don't have<00:45:41.119> an<00:45:41.280> insurance<00:45:41.680> entity
• <00:45:42.640> and<00:45:42.960> that's have an insurance entity and that's have an
• insurance entity and that's rubbish<00:45:44.560> and<00:45:44.880> I<00:45:45.040>

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• such<00:49:43.760> as<00:49:43.920> the<00:49:44.160> Hawaii with other entities
• such as the Hawaii with other entities such as the Hawaii State<00:49:45.040> Bar<00:49:45.359
• c> digestible make it in a little bit more digestible make it in a little bit more digestible format
• 37.520> to<01:23:37.840> read<01:23:38.159> through<01:23:38.800> both format
• for people to read through both format for people to read through both on<01:23:39.520> uh<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next testifier is Sue Eberholden. yet they only written in formal format yet they only written in
• formal format and<02:06:11.840> hollow<02:06:12.239> in<02:06:12.599> action.
• Um, elsewhere in Senate statutes or in state statutes 1517 says that government entities must create
• Well, now if a government entity destroys records improperly, a private citizen has a private right of
• > improperly,<02:54:20.399> a entity destroys records improperly, a entity destroys records

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if it's just those two entities, obviously at that much, it would not take long with the number of
• I do so we also would be happy to send that information along if it'd be better in an electronic format
• I do so we also would be happy to send that information along if it'd be better in an electronic format
• I do so we also would be happy to send that information along if it'd be better in an electronic format

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's correct. >> Now with this private entity, this is this an entity that will go through the RFP
• So just for clarification, what every entity, the private entity, they will go through the RFP process
• Senate Cs for SB 1354, in behavioral health, managing entities by Senator Trumbull Senator Trumbull.
• And I think that this is a simple problem, but it's an urgent problem because its government entities
• And so they should have the capacity for already partner in some format with that provider where that

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:19.520> can auction and compliance entities can auction and compliance entities can
• Uh investors compliant science entities.
• So it it's one to the entity, right?
• Some entity was able to inflict on us on a no-notice basis.
• I mean, I've been in federal entity.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We feel that it'll be less expensive if the entities that are involved in the election share the cost
• I'm not sophisticated enough to go to all those other formats, but a lot of that stuff's floating around
• That may be a different issue if you're talking about, say, for example, private entities like private
• An internal entity claim. is a claim that concerns the internal affairs of a corporation.
• So we talk a lot about how internal entity claims are governed.

Bills: SB29, SB406, SB447, SB875, SB893, SB1033, SB1346, SB1362, SB1539, SCR22, SB 29

Keywords: business organization, internal management, corporate governance, partnerships, liability reduction, birth certificate, biological sex, gender identity, health and safety, sex assignment, SB 875, Texas, independent school district, ISD, school board trustee, superintendent, campus administrator, electioneering, political signs, early voting

Transcript Highlights:

• The state has to contribute a certain amount of administrative funding for the MBRC itself as an entity
• uh for mbrc itself itself as an entity that's<00:16:34.800> sort<00:16:34.959> of<00:16
• around the state in our our entities around the state in our our mostly<00:16:43.360> rural<00
• So they have an entity in SBDC. now um okay so we come to now uh page now um okay so we come to now uh
• so it would be a and same layout format so it would be a be<01:05:32.520> able<01:05:32.680><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the current format.
• support uh than than it currently is we support the<00:22:02.279> current<00:22:02.600> format
• between oftentimes for-profit entities between oftentimes for-profit entities or<00:35:54.640>
• is really not uh in the entities is really not uh in the Department's<00:35:58.520> wheelhouse
• <02:14:53.440> fails if the utilization review entity fails if the utilization review entity

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our local governance doesn't have any impact on these entities from from some distant jurisdiction
• They are entities that, Cameron County is one of them; there are several, there's a list.
• It simply says that when ballots are hand-counted, they must be in a standardized format so that they
• It just allows a private individual and entity to create their own health plan, and I know we've got
• SB 2121 by Johnson relating to the regulation of certain business entities of active data brokers.

Bills: HJR98, HJR8, HJR133, HB23, HB33, HB144, HB 109, HB 103, HB148, HB3809, HB1686, HB2217, HB2156, HB220, HB2421, HB2363, HB3773, HB421, HB2584, HB2615, HB2455, HB3711, HB2559, HB3747, HB2775, HB2886, HB3126, HB3666, HB3595, HB3260, HB3506, HB1638, HB3376, HB3826, HB3628, HB1349, HB3770, HB1831, HB1762, HB2614, HB3113, HB267, HB322, HB431, HB869, HB 1203, HB 1201, HB 1244, HB1875, HB1950, HB2152, HB2290, HB2341, HB2436, HB2809, HB2856, HB3012, HB2954, HCR56, HCR102, HB 107, HB1587, HB3684, HB658, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HJR2, HJR6, HJR31, HB1971, SJR3, HB1775, HJR72, HB502, HB3109, HJR98, HJR8, HJR133, HB 118, HB388, HB 114, HB205, HB2789, HB2791, HB499, HB2960, HB3163, HB3135, HB2427, HB1618, HB1672, HB1722, HB1338, HB787, HB2618, HB879, HB 1126, HB4134, HB3513, HB718, HB1536, HB1445, HB1640, HB1893, HB1734, HB3229, HB3306, HB 1276, HB3272, HB3276, HB3516, HB4145, HB1585, HB4810, HB2989, HB2558, HB3014, HB2742, HB1695, HB23, HB33, HB144, HB 109, HB 103, HB148, HB3809, HB1686, HB2217, HB2156, HB220, HB2421, HB2363, HB3773, HB421, HB2584, HB2615, HB2455, HB3711, HB2559, HB3747, HB2775, HB2886, HB3126, HB3666, HB3595, HB3260, HB3506, HB1638, HB3376, HB3826, HB3628, HB1349, HB3770, HB1831, HB1762, HB2614, HB3113, HB267, HB322, HB431, HB869, HB 1203, HB 1201, HB 1244, HB1875, HB1950, HB2152, HB2290, HB2341, HB2436, HB2809, HB2856, HB3012, HB2954, HCR56, HCR102

Keywords: Article V, federal government, fiscal restraints, constitutional amendment, term limits, nuclear energy, electric generation, funding, Texas nuclear development fund, advanced reactors, HJR 133, Texas constitutional amendment, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, homestead exemption, surviving spouse, veteran, veterans benefits, service-connected death, presumed service-connected condition

Transcript Highlights:

• All these entities have this irrigation infrastructure.
• All these entities have this irrigation infrastructure.
• All these entities have this irrigation infrastructure.
• All these entities have this irrigation infrastructure.
• <00:31:35.760> You same as any other local entity. You same as any other local entity.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it was changed, and any town or city furnishing aid may seek reimbursement in this format, but
• And so it was changed, and any town or city furnishing aid may seek reimbursement in this format, but
• And so it was changed, and any town or city furnishing aid may seek reimbursement in this format, but
• but it they reimbursement in this format but it they can<00:27:09.600> they<00:27:10.000>
• There is a concern that if this bill passes, those entities may have to just turn off the adolescence

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DoorDash, they'll be able to pull down the data themselves to do a verification, and it will be in a format
• and it will be uh to do a verification and it will be in<00:27:16.240> a<00:27:16.400> format
• 17.120> easier<00:27:17.440> for<00:27:17.760> our<00:27:18.159> IT in a format
• that'll be easier for our IT in a format that'll be easier for our IT systems<00:27:19.120> to
• consequences and that was my formation. consequences and that was my formation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We already have goals, but to put it in this format, to report on it in this format, would take, I would
• um to report on to put it in this format um to report on it<01:12:03.760> in<01:12:03.920>
• this<01:12:04.080> format<01:12:04.480> would<01:12:04.800> take<01:12:05.040
• > I<01:12:05.280> would<01:12:05.440> say it in this format would take I would say
• it in this format would take I would say at<01:12:05.840> least<01:12:06.640> 80<01:12

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 74, which would require state agencies, especially the Department of Environmental Services and other permitting agencies, to report more detailed data on permit applications, approvals, denials, pending applications, and permits taking longer than 90 days. The sponsor’s representative and a lawyer who helped draft the bill argued that the legislature needs comprehensive permitting data to evaluate whether current timelines are reasonable and whether regulatory delays are burdening property owners and economic activity. They said the information should already be tracked within existing budgets, despite a fiscal note claiming additional staff would be needed. A Business and Industry Association representative supported the bill, saying better data is needed to understand actual permitting timelines and to help streamline the process, especially in light of housing and development concerns. Members asked whether the bill was simply collecting data without a clear next step, and the response was that the data would allow lawmakers to judge whether existing deadlines, extensions, and exemptions are justified and whether changes to permit timelines are needed. Several members agreed the information would be useful and that agencies should already be tracking it. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 74 on a roll call, with the motion approved and the bill placed on consent for further consideration, with a note that it would go to finance for review of the fiscal note. The committee then took up Senate Bill 196, which would raise the threshold for certain in-house construction projects handled by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and two other departments from $500,000 to $1 million, described as an inflationary update. The sponsor said the department’s existing staff can handle these smaller renovation-type projects and that the bill should not require new positions; the deputy adjutant general later confirmed the department does not need additional staff and said the projects are typically roof, boiler, and similar repairs. Members asked about a fiscal note suggesting new positions and about revenue/expenditure impacts, and the sponsor explained that the fiscal note language appeared to reflect an earlier draft and that the budget effect is largely a shift in where the work is performed. The committee recessed briefly for the deputy adjutant general’s arrival, then continued discussion of the bill.