Video & Transcript Research : 'acceptance'

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EEP/AEN Joint Info Briefing - Tue Jan 7, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's legally acceptable under federal and state laws, including Act 73.
  • <00:14:45.560> under 22 um it's legally acceptable under 22 um it's legally acceptable under
  • That then equates to a volume that it can accept until it reaches its full height.
  • There's no acceptable solution.
  • very complex there's no acceptable very complex there's no acceptable solution<01:27:43.360>
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before the Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Chair Nicole Lowen and other legislators opened the meeting by framing the issue as important statewide and encouraging recycling, composting, and proper use of the curbside bins. The city’s Department of Environmental Services, led by Director Roger Babcock and Deputy Director Mike O’Keefe, then presented the background and siting process. ENV explained the legal and technical constraints that shaped the search, including the 2019 Land Use Commission decision requiring closure of Waimanalo Gulch by March 2, 2028, and the 2020 Act 73 restrictions on landfill siting near residences, schools, hospitals, conservation districts, airports, and tsunami inundation areas. They said a landfill advisory committee reviewed six candidate sites in 2021-2022 and rejected them because they fell within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. After further evaluation and an extension of the naming deadline, the city selected a site in central Oahu near Wahiawa, on agricultural land currently used as a Dole pineapple field. City officials said the selected site was chosen as the best of the evaluated options and, in their view, could be permitted under state and federal law. They described planned environmental protections, including a modern sanitary landfill design with double liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring, and said the existing Waimanalo Gulch landfill has operated for 35 years without leachate leaks. They also emphasized that the site would still require a special use permit, Department of Health approvals, an environmental impact statement, and other public permitting processes, and that public engagement would continue over the next several years.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also want to note that we are accepting written testimony through the position letter portal on the
  • When electronic signatures are accepted, it reduces stress, saves time, and allows me to focus on my
  • However, while we are familiar with processed foods, we cannot accept that for veterans impacted by changes
  • It is the only food Accept that for veterans impacted by changes to SNAP.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, and no opposition testified. SB 902 would allow electronic signatures for child care and development services paperwork while preserving paper options; supporters said it would reduce burdens on families and providers, and the bill passed to the Assembly Education Committee 4-0. The committee also heard SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance efforts, and SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule. Supporters of SB 1025 said the state’s food system is fragmented and needs a coordinated strategy; SB 1030 supporters argued the rule is outdated, redundant, and rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. Both bills received no opposition testimony and were approved on 4-0 votes, with SB 1025 sent to the Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee and SB 1030 to Appropriations. The committee then approved SB 1077, which would require CDSS to create a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns, including a public webpage and planning for state-funded benefits; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1194 would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand immigration legal services in underserved areas, and supporters emphasized the need for legal representation in rural and Central Valley communities; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1201 would seek federal waivers to protect veterans from CalFresh time limits, require referrals to county veterans service officers, and adjust treatment of job-search expenses; it passed unanimously 6-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 557 and SB 1051, also passed unanimously. After all items were heard, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also want to note that we are accepting written testimony through the position letter portal on the
  • When electronic signatures are accepted, it reduces stress, saves time, and allows me to focus on my
  • However, while we are familiar with processed foods, we cannot accept that for veterans impacted by changes
  • It is the only food Accept that for veterans impacted by changes to SNAP.
Keywords: 988, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary B May 21st, 2026

Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:
  • And thank you, Representative Henry, for agreeing to accept the amendment. Thank you, Senator.
  • Thank you, Representative Henry, for agreeing to accept the amendment. And I do want to thank Mr.
  • And I do want to thank the bill author, Representative Henry, for accepting some of these amendments
  • Part of the settlement was that they were not supposed to accept criminal justice debt for credit reporting
Keywords: 974, senate, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary B May 21st, 2026

Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:
  • And thank you, Representative Henry, for agreeing to accept the amendment.
  • Thank you, Representative Henry, for agreeing to accept the amendment. And I do want to thank Mr.
  • And I do want to thank the bill author, Representative Henry, for accepting some of these amendments
  • Part of the settlement was that they were not supposed to accept criminal justice debt for credit reporting
Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary B met on May 21 with a quorum present, approved the May 14 minutes, and then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions. It first reported Senate Resolution 125 favorably, which urged the Navy to expedite funding and implementation of medium-unmanned surface vessels, citing jobs and private investment tied to Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City. The committee then heard House Bill 1253, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act, from Chairwoman Butler and Crystal Romero, who described the painful history of Gracie’s death, exhumation, and discovery that her heart had not been returned after autopsy; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 89, a local retirement health insurance measure for the Third and 30th Judicial Districts; House Bill 1257, barring elected officials and immediate family members from owning interests in electronic monitoring companies; House Bill 1029, as amended, creating a moratorium on alcohol beverage licenses in House District 3 until 2027; House Bill 1011, making a juror-per-diem donation program for CASA permissive statewide; House Bill 1064, creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot in East Baton Rouge Parish with support from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and YWCA; House Bill 816, prohibiting foreign adversaries from buying land near military installations; and House Bill 940, creating a counter-unmanned aircraft system task force to coordinate law enforcement response to drone threats. The committee then heard House Bill 1247, which addresses the shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners by creating a statewide SANE coordinator in the Attorney General’s office and a response standards subcommittee; after adopting a technical amendment set, it was reported favorably with amendments. House Bill 335, expanding public-benefit eligibility verification to entities administering benefits and adding legislative auditor oversight, was also amended after concerns from food banks and disaster-response nonprofits, with members agreeing to work on additional floor amendments to protect essential services during emergencies. House Bill 623, a tobacco-related deadline fix, was voluntarily deferred to allow more time for drafting. The committee also reported favorably HCR 64, extending a report deadline for the Supreme Court drug and specialty court office. Later, the committee reported favorably House Bill 243, changing recusal procedures so cases go first to the Attorney General rather than a private lawyer; House Bill 451, allowing hearing notices to be sent more than 30 days in advance and electronically; House Bill 1251, reducing permit costs for very small in-state distillers; House Bill 1053, allowing salons, barbers, and boutiques to offer limited complimentary wine or champagne without a permit; House Bill 153, barring criminal-justice debt from being reported to credit agencies; House Bill 59, authorizing East Baton Rouge Parish to transfer funds to the public defender’s office; HCR 50, a task force request; HCR 102, continuing the Senior Task Force on Fraud Prevention; and House Bill 1098, part of the aerospace package addressing liability related to sonic booms. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief exchange about LSU and McNeese football.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 29th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is a no-brewer licensee shall require a licensed distributor to accept delivery of any beer that such
  • Then they accept loan requests from the entities.
  • The treasurer may accept or reject any part or all of a program package based on the evaluation of the
  • And let's be clear when the state accepts below Market returns, that is a cost it may not show up as
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Crime and Public Safety Apr 28th, 2026

Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, prostitution is occurring down in the city, but it's almost accepted, where if you're... ...institutions
  • occurring down in the city, but it's almost accepted, where if you're, if you see that on, you know,
  • I'm not sure if it's accepted in the city. It probably happens, but I don't think it's accepted.
Summary: The committee on Crime and Public Safety met for public hearings on three bills. Senate Bill 1652, sponsored by Sen. Angela Mosley, would create a permanent office in the Missouri Department of Public Safety focused on missing and murdered African-American women and girls, including a Phoenix Alert system, data collection, cold-case review, and support for community organizations. The sponsor and several supporters, including family members and advocates, said Black women and girls are disproportionately missing, often misclassified as runaways, and do not receive equal attention from law enforcement. Some members questioned whether the office should be broader and include all missing persons, and the Department of Public Safety’s estimated six FTEs and funding through grants/private sources were discussed. No vote was taken on the bill at the hearing. Senate Bill 1572, by Sen. Mike Henderson, would change the St. Louis Police Retirement System board by staggering the mayor’s two appointments and limiting three elected board seats to active commissioned officers elected by active members, with travel time provided for board duties. The sponsor and witnesses said the change is intended to prevent the board from losing quorum when appointments are delayed or members are unavailable, which had created problems for major fiduciary decisions. The bill was described as technical and received no opposition in the hearing. House Bill 3533, by Rep. Knight, would raise casino admission fees and gaming taxes and adjust related revenue provisions, with funds directed to state purposes including natural resources, historic preservation, education, and the Gaming Commission. The sponsor framed it as a revenue measure, while the Missouri Gaming Association opposed it, arguing the higher fees and taxes would significantly burden casinos, reduce reinvestment, and could drive patrons to neighboring states or illegal gaming machines. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry also opposed the bill in principle, saying the committee should be cautious about targeting one industry for higher taxes and fees. No committee action or vote was taken during the hearing.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Crime and Public Safety Apr 28th, 2026

Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, prostitution is occurring down in the city, but it's almost accepted, where if you're... ...institutions
  • occurring down in the city, but it's almost accepted where if you're, if it's, if you see that on, you
  • I'm not sure if it's accepted in the city. It probably happens, but I don't think it's accepted.
Keywords: 959, house, all
Summary: The committee on Crime and Public Safety heard testimony on Senate Bill 1652, which would create a permanent office in the Missouri Department of Public Safety focused on missing and murdered African-American women and girls. Senator Angela Mosley said the office would review cold cases, improve data collection, support community organizations, and include a proposed Phoenix Alert for missing persons. Supporters, including family members and advocates, described long-standing disparities in how missing Black women and girls are treated, said cases are often mislabeled as runaways, and argued the state needs dedicated staff and resources. Some members raised questions about whether the office should serve all missing persons and about the bill’s estimated cost and staffing, but the bill was generally supported in testimony and no vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1572, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson, which would change the membership structure of the St. Louis Police Retirement System board. The bill would stagger the mayor’s two appointments and require the three elected board members to be active commissioned officers elected by active members of the system, with travel time provided for board duties. Henderson said the change was prompted by a prior quorum problem caused by vacancies and illness. The St. Louis Police Retirement System and related city stakeholders supported the bill, describing it as a technical fix to avoid future quorum failures. The measure had already passed the Senate 31-0 and was reported to have passed the House pension committee unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3533, which would raise casino admission fees and gaming taxes and direct additional revenue to state funds, including natural resources, historic preservation, education, and the Gaming Commission. The sponsor framed it as a revenue measure, while the Missouri Gaming Association opposed it, arguing the bill would significantly increase costs on casinos, could reduce reinvestment, and might require voter approval for some sports betting-related changes. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce also opposed the bill in principle, saying it did not want to pick winners and losers through targeted tax increases. No action or vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after the HB 3533 testimony.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/15/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I don't know if you all notice, but hidden in the final pages was an acceptance, not a conformity,
  • So, in summary, I just really don't think we should be hiding an acceptance of the Trump private school
  • Because we cannot just go blindly around and accept it as dogma that if we spend taxpayers' money, it's
  • So we just need to have a real solid line, and we should never just accept the dogma that this investment
Keywords: 1182, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 11, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • It says around military installations, it sets a framework if the state accepts for the state to assume
  • framework, and in a minute I'll talk about an amendment which makes clear that it says the state may accept
  • paragraphs one and two, and its substance is that it changes the word from the present active tense of "accepts
  • " to saying "may accept jurisdiction."
Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard a full agenda of local and policy bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports. Early in the meeting, the committee approved HB 4019, capping Lake County inmate health care and emergency transport reimbursements at percentages tied to Medicare; HB 97, allowing small counties to opt back into transportation concurrency; HB 267, expanding SHIP/local housing assistance eligibility to mobile home owners paying lot rent; HB 351, creating a framework for concurrent state jurisdiction over certain matters involving military installations, with an amendment changing the bill to say the state “may accept” jurisdiction; HB 4013, revising and merging fire district boundaries in Lee County; HB 481, increasing public nuisance fines and strengthening nuisance abatement and foreclosure procedures; HB 4025, conveying state land to the Village of Tequesta for continued park use; and HB 4017, repealing an obsolete Nassau County recreation and water control district, as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 299, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which would create a voluntary framework for very large developments that dedicate 60% of land to conservation while allowing compact, walkable development and affordable housing on the remainder. The sponsor argued it would balance growth, conservation, and housing affordability without new bureaucracy, while opponents from Audubon Florida, county groups, and local governments warned the bill could weaken local planning, lack enforceable conservation safeguards, and allow nonconservation uses within reserved areas. Supporters said it could preserve large tracts of land at no taxpayer cost and improve long-range planning. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying reserve areas, allowing use of the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, requiring easements be provided without charge, and aligning affordability definitions with existing programs. The bill then passed favorably as amended, with some members voting no. The committee also approved HB 4023, a local bill adjusting the boundaries of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District in Collier County, with no change to the district’s powers and duties. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local officials, industry groups, or affected residents, and some had amendments adopted without objection. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted it was the last interim committee week meeting, thanked members and staff, and encouraged continued stakeholder engagement ahead of session.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • And let's go ahead and begin with the acceptance of the June 30th, 2025 meeting. So move.
  • And let's go ahead and begin with the acceptance of the June 30th, 2025 meeting. So move.
  • Move to accept. Do I have a second? Motion has been made and seconded.
  • The town manager has stated the valuation is acceptable.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met and first approved the June 30, 2025 meeting minutes. The committee then took up a series of Department of Transportation property actions, including authorization to grant an access point in Exeter, sell two small tracts in Keene, amend a prior Guilford disposal based on a revised survey and appraisal, sell 0.42 acres in Lincoln, list and sell 9.77 acres in Chesterfield, sell 0.54 acres in Fremont, and approve a permanent access easement in Belmont. The committee also approved a utility easement in Albany and a permanent access easement on Route 153 for the Bickfords. Most of these items involved direct sales or listings, administrative fees of $1,100, and conditions requiring surveys and local/state approvals; several were approved unanimously after brief or no questions. Representative Faulkner declared a conflict of interest on the Chesterfield item, and Representative Newman sat in for that matter; later, Faulkner was recused from the Belmont item as well. The committee also approved a Department of Administrative Services request to grant a perpetual utility line easement to Public Service Company of New Hampshire for a facility under construction at the Hampstead hospital property, with the administrative fee waived because the grant was in exchange for utility service. During discussion of informational item LRCP25-038, staff explained that no committee action was needed because the item was only to notify members that a parcel’s fair market value had been reduced due to a change in access. The committee received additional informational materials from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development, including minutes from its May 8 meeting and memorandums on surplus land review for Meredith and Hampstead. The next meeting was set for December 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and the chair noted the meeting would be on a Tuesday because of building scheduling. The committee then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Leader Media Availability 5/29/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the Minnesota House DFL is accepting that as a condition of the House GOP, better than the Senate
  • So the Minnesota House<00:13:22.399> DFL<00:13:23.040> is<00:13:23.360> accepting
  • ><00:13:24.240> that<00:13:24.560> as<00:13:24.800> a House DFL is accepting that
  • as a House DFL is accepting that as a condition<00:13:26.160> of<00:13:26.320> the<00:
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Legislative leaders said budget negotiations were still underway in working groups, with public meetings planned or already held for several committees, including Environment, Education, Transportation, and Jobs. They said the remaining major issues were health and human services and taxes, while bonding was also still unresolved. One speaker said Republicans were not engaging on bonding, though another later said House Republicans were interested and that the target remained $700 million. The governor was expected to review completed bills and then call a special session, likely early to mid next week if the remaining work could be finished in time. A major point of discussion was whether coverage for undocumented immigrants would move separately from the larger health bill. One participant said the undocumented healthcare measure would travel separately, while another said that had not yet been fully decided because the health package was not locked down. The speakers also discussed layoff notices tied to the budget delay, saying nurses and some staff at MState and Minstate would receive notices first, with the rest following on June 9, and that leaders were trying to minimize stress by getting a date for the special session and final bill drafts posted quickly. The speakers emphasized that the negotiations were still active and not broken down, though they acknowledged a few sticking points and said some work had been slowed by the need to bring together House and Senate dynamics in a closely divided legislature. They said the process remained transparent because the same committee chairs and working groups were still involved, and that public meetings were being requested for Senate chairs. One speaker also noted that Senator Mark Johnson had been invited into the talks earlier but was not currently in the meetings because he had not signed the deal being implemented.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session - part 4 May 19th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here to tell you that the caucus on this side is willing to accept the Democrat-led bill in the Senate
  • , accept that language as is, and pass today Senate File 856.
  • The Senate did it, so we should just take it and accept it.
  • We don't accept someone else's homework.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House passes cannabis policy bill, SF2370 5/5/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think that we I would recommend members accept the amendment for today.
  • 35.919> members think that we I would recommend members think that we I would recommend members accept
  • <00:04:37.440> I<00:04:37.600> think accept the amendment for today.
  • I think accept the amendment for today.
Keywords: 1183, house
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • the board may use any available revenue including legislative... appropriations and may solicit and accept
  • Kaysen was ultimately accepted into every program he applied to, but landed on the Empower program at
  • It prohibits accepting gifts... ...contracts or agreements from foreign adversaries without approval
  • It sets the default. ...that these opportunities will not be accepted unless the coordinating board approves
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I appreciate the very meaningful engagement by the committee, and I accept the committee's amendments
  • The federal CRA was enacted in By the committee and I accept the committee's amendments.
  • The policy objective of the federal CRA is to require institutions that accept deposits to reinvest those
  • I will be accepting all the committee amendments.
Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized. The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • avoid wasting time and money on a transfer application if they do not meet the requirements for acceptance
  • counted. dual credit, or if you took it in community college and the foyer says yes, it's one of our accepted
  • in a certain college of study says, no, well, that's not the level of ours, they say, no, we don't accept
  • day, the goal of this bill is to expand the range of standardized college entrance examinations acceptable
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • for the actual legal verbiage, but essentially any legal agreement has to be either put forward as accepted
  • c><00:05:43.280> uh has to be either put forward as uh has to be either put forward as uh accepted
  • 45.280> So<00:05:45.520> any<00:05:45.759> amendments<00:05:46.240> to accepted
  • So any amendments to accepted or or not.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first took up a series of House bills in decision-making. HB 309 was recommended to pass with amendments deferring the effective date to 2050 and was adopted unanimously by members present, with one member excused. HB 344 was recommended to pass with amendments changing the EV charger-ready parking stall requirement from a fixed 25% to a standard allowing the Department of Accounting and General Services to determine the number needed in a new facility; that recommendation was adopted. HB 423, HB 833, HB 987, and HB 988 were each recommended to pass unamended and were adopted without objection. HB 596 was recommended to pass with amendments deferring the effective date to 2050 and adding the Department of Defense’s concerns and testimony to the committee report. HB 750 was passed unamended because of the filing deadline, with concerns to be noted in the committee report for conference committee review. HB 1161 was also passed unamended, with the committee report to reflect requested Department of Transportation amendments. HB 1483 was recommended to pass unamended, with the chair voting no with reservation on that measure. The meeting then shifted to a separate agenda item involving the governor’s office and a proposed settlement related to Lahaina. Members questioned why the legislature had not been kept informed during negotiations and expressed concern that the committee was being asked to approve the settlement without meaningful ability to amend it. The governor’s representative said the administration would defer legal questions to the attorney general, but stated that amendments could jeopardize the legal agreement and potentially have significant impacts on the state. Members also raised concerns about transparency, the public nature of the process, and uncertainty over how Hawaiian Electric would cover its share of the judgment. In response, the governor’s office said it would follow up with the attorney general and governor and provide answers directly. The chair then moved to reconsider the prior action and recommended passing the settlement measure with the attorney general’s suggested amendments removing language from page 7, lines 3 to 17, while preserving prior committee-report concerns. That reconsidered recommendation was adopted by the committee.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Motion to accept the agency amendment. on our system and we already check that on our system and we already
  • questions about the the the amendment<00:17:06.760> most<00:17:07.000> to<00:17:07.199> accept
  • c><00:17:07.480> the<00:17:07.600> AG<00:17:08.280> agency amendment most to accept
  • the AG agency amendment most to accept the AG agency Amendment<00:17:09.480> yes<00:17:10.280
Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children held its first meeting of 2025, with the chair welcoming new members and Vice Chair Wilson. After roll call, the committee took up House Bill 164, sponsored by Representative Wesley, which concerns an honorary adoption situation. The committee adopted a House committee substitute clarifying that any survivor benefits or inheritance would not go to honorary adoptive parents, and heard emotional testimony from Caitlyn Rollins about fostering and adopting a child who later died before a scheduled adoption date. Members discussed the bill’s purpose as providing closure and ensuring legal parentage is recognized in life and death, while also noting a possible drafting issue about whether all listed conditions must be met. The committee agreed to address that concern through a possible House floor amendment, and HB 164 passed favorably 16-0. The committee then heard House Bill 242, sponsored by Representative Sam, and testimony from child welfare researcher Matthew Walden. The bill is intended to increase transparency in Kentucky’s child welfare system by making program data available to researchers while protecting privacy. With no questions from members, the bill passed the committee favorably by a 16-0 vote. Finally, the committee reviewed referred administrative regulations and considered agency amendment 490 related to adoption assistance and Title IV-E adoption assistance. CHFS representatives explained that the amendment removes a civil determination requirement from certain sections because the cabinet cannot make such determinations and already relies on substantiations and other safety checks. The committee approved the agency amendment by voice vote, then concluded its review of the remaining regulations without further action. The next meeting was announced for February 20, 2025, and the committee adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
  • We accepted our first participant on February 1, 2012.” “Done a lot in 14, 15 years.
  • Number five, accept behavioral change is not overnight. It is incremental.
  • To use is somehow accepting illicit drug use is going to be tolerated.
  • Once we accept that this is similar to diabetes, then we are not going to discharge these patients.
  • Once we accept that this is similar to diabetes, then we are not going to discharge.
Summary: The meeting focused on Missouri’s substance use prevention and treatment system, with repeated emphasis on recovery support services, peer support, recovery housing, transportation, and harm reduction. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he urged greater investment in recovery housing, peer support, employment, and community-based supports that help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding sources, program capacity, referrals, treatment court, transportation, and how Into Action supports people on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said the organization is funded through a mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private donations, and that housing and transportation remain major barriers, especially because support is often funded for too short a period compared with the longer time people need to stabilize. Matt Cushman of the Raytown Fire Protection District gave a strong endorsement of harm reduction, including naloxone distribution, syringe service programs, and broader decriminalization of harm reduction tools. He argued that stigma is a major barrier to care and that Missouri should expand access to clean needles, test strips, and other services, while also improving access to MAT in jails and communities. Committee members questioned the evidence base, the role of faith-based providers, and whether safe consumption sites should be pursued; Cushman said syringe exchange decriminalization should be the immediate priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term issue. He also described community paramedicine and mobile integrated health as valuable but funding-dependent, and said naloxone distribution is improving but still uneven, especially in rural and minority communities. Representatives from Central Ozarks Medical Center and Four Rivers Community Health Center highlighted the importance of peer support specialists, community health workers, care coordinators, and wraparound services in rural health centers. COMC’s Morgan McClure and Monet Lehman described a jail reentry program in Pulaski County, with Lehman sharing her trauma and recovery story and explaining how she helps incarcerated people prepare for release with housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and treatment connections. Four Rivers’ Devon Polarys and Cassandra Trout said their CEO would change Missouri policy to allow FQHCs to receive reimbursement for peer support and community health worker services similar to CCBHCs, arguing that these roles are essential for addressing barriers like transportation, housing, food insecurity, and insurance. Members discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, the differences between FQHCs and CCBHCs, and the need for better funding and clearer policy for peer and community health worker services. No votes were taken; the discussion ended with a suggestion to bring in a subject matter expert on community health workers for a future session.