Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 5627 establishes the Texas Commission on Public School Teacher Retirement Funding Transparency
• This bill enhances transparency, aligns incentives, and provides a roadmap for strengthening TRS long
• do is make sure that we're not wasting public money through unnecessary long-term, uh, interest payments
• But basically we shouldn't be spending, we shouldn't be making interest payments 28 years from now on
• Uh, it also states that there is some question as to whether or not some sort of retroactive payment

Transcript Highlights:

• The payment error rate is not a measure of fraud.
• We did receive our final payment error rate for this year.
• So we do now know that our 2025 payment error rate is 9.89. Okay.
• The payment errors are divided into two categories.
• So how are they involved in the payment error rate discussions?

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the general actual transparency for the general actual transparency purposes<00:41:43.359>
• . transparency. transparency.
• <02:58:29.760> while strengthen that transparency while strengthen that transparency while
• is transparency too.
• So it kind of transparency too.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's actually half of that total amount because the other half goes towards debt payments.
• I think you might have used the word clarified, but just around debt payments in general, what is ACA
• 20 doing as it relates to debt payments, if anything?
• I think you might have used the word clarified, but just around debt payments in general, what is ACA
• And it had a list of debt payments that were eligible as of that time in 2014.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight heard ACA 20, the Safe for California Futures Act, a constitutional amendment to strengthen the state’s Budget Stabilization Account (rainy day fund). The authors, Assembly Members Gabriel and Valencia, said the measure would raise the reserve cap from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, change how reserve deposits are treated under the Gann limit so deposits would not count against the spending cap until withdrawn, and update eligible debt repayments to include items such as budget loans, Proposition 98 settle-up obligations, and unemployment insurance debt. They emphasized that the proposal was intended to protect schools and core public services and to help California better withstand revenue volatility and future downturns. Committee discussion focused heavily on the technical effects of the measure, especially its interaction with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit. LAO and Department of Finance staff explained that Prop. 98 funding would not be changed directly, that the reserve deposits would be treated as exclusions from the appropriations limit, and that withdrawals would count when spent. Members asked about current reserve levels, mandatory deposits, and whether the measure would create more room for discretionary spending; supporters argued it would simply allow the state to save more in good years, while one member expressed concern that it could function as a slush fund and expand spending opportunities. Several members cited recent budget volatility, record revenues, and the need for stronger reserves, while others stressed that the measure should be understood as a future-oriented savings reform rather than a response to this year’s budget choices. Public testimony was uniformly supportive. California Forward, Elevate California, and the California Chamber of Commerce all backed the proposal, with the Chamber noting support for the policy and highlighting the importance of addressing unemployment insurance debt for small businesses. The chair concluded by thanking the authors, staff, and witnesses, and said ACA 20 was expected to move to the Assembly floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Website transparency: town records did not document that the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget was posted
• Website transparency.
• for the prompt payment act.
• And I think that by putting these policies in place, I think that type of transparency will keep us going
• And our last item on the agenda today is the Transparency Florida Report.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee first heard a long-running audit finding involving Daytona Beach’s unexpended building permit funds, which have exceeded the statutory limit for several years and were reported at $10.8 million in the most recent audit. Mayor Derek Henry and city staff said the city has analyzed the fund, adopted a corrective action plan, waived more than $5.5 million in permit and inspection fees over several periods, and used some excess funds for a training facility rehabilitation and a proposed City Hall expansion. Committee members repeatedly questioned whether the city was simply trying to spend down the money, raised concerns about the legality and necessity of proposed expenditures, and asked about interest earnings, truck purchases, and the lack of detailed tracking for training-facility use. The city said an Attorney General opinion allows construction of a new building for building-code functions but not purchase of an existing building, and that if the city cannot comply through permissible construction it would have to return the funds. No vote was taken, but members expressed strong frustration and urged the city to resolve the issue quickly and lawfully. The committee then received the Auditor General’s presentation on the Town of Greenville, which found 31 findings and described pervasive control failures, possible fraud, waste, and abuse. The findings covered elections and quorum issues, conflicts of interest, late or missing financial disclosure forms, related-party transactions, poor meeting notices and minutes, council involvement in day-to-day operations, missing ethics training, budget and accounting deficiencies, weak bank reconciliations, improper utility billing and rates, grant compliance problems tied to a grocery store project, personnel and compensation issues involving the town manager, late vendor payments, weak procurement and P-card controls, vehicle-use and property-control problems, public records issues, and IT/fraud-policy weaknesses. The auditor said the review focused mainly on October 2022 through February 2024 but went back further for some grant-related matters. Greenville’s mayor and staff said the audit reflected actions of a previous administration and that the current council and staff have already adopted seven new policies to improve procurement, financial controls, inventory management, grant oversight, and ethics. They said the town has a new manager and clerk, that the former manager was terminated, and that the town referred matters to FDLE, which is investigating. Committee members asked about the manager’s salary increase, severance, P-card use, and whether the town should consider consolidation or dissolution. The mayor said the town is on a better path, that most of the prior leadership has been voted out, and that the town is working with auditors and an outside accounting firm to correct the problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• associations to provide payment associations to provide payment agreements<02:06:31.520> and<
• and transparency. and transparency.
• You know, one of the things that that we sought as part of this bill is transparency because transparency
• I think transparency is the key.
• I think transparency is and of itself. I think transparency is the<03:22:05.680> key.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OLA report, which found that, you know, DHS might have had existing tools in its toolbox to stop payments
• c><00:03:37.600> to tools in its toolbox to tools in its toolbox to stop<00:03:39.720> payments
• <00:03:40.920> and<00:03:41.040> investigate<00:03:41.760> just stop payments
• and investigate just stop payments and investigate just kickbacks<00:03:42.480> alone.
• way and come up with a very transparent way and come up with a list<00:12:15.800> of<00:12:15.920

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republicans discussed the governor’s supplemental budget and criticized proposed cuts to nursing homes, disability services, and counties, arguing the changes would hurt vulnerable Minnesotans and that the tax package would amount to roughly an $868 million increase. They said they were open to some family-focused tax provisions, such as an expanded child care or dependent credit, but opposed broader tax increases and several previously rejected ideas, including sales tax changes and a social media tax. A major topic was fraud prevention and the Office of Legislative Auditor report on kickbacks. Republicans said the report reinforced their push for a statewide independent Office of Inspector General with a law enforcement division and a broader fraud definition, and they argued the office would have handled the cases more effectively. They also said they support the concept of an OIG bill but want only modest amendments, while criticizing House Democrats for resisting the law enforcement division and for raising constitutional objections they called a drafting issue. The lawmakers also reacted skeptically to the governor’s proposed AI-related job development fund and $10 million in forgivable loans for businesses affected by Operation Metro Search, saying the aid would mainly benefit downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul rather than the broader state. They closed with broader comments that the session felt relatively normal and less intense than past years, noted ongoing work on a bonding bill, and joked about campaign politics, possible candidates, and even the idea of a Senate dog.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the problem I have with it is it doesn't have the level of transparency that an actual nonprofit
• The amount of information, the transparency of the operations of nonprofits, again, the foodless food
• But the problem I have with it is it doesn't have the level of transparency that an actual nonprofit
• Is that the most transparent? Is that the way that we can and should provide those services?
• Is that the most transparent? Is that the way that we can and should provide those services?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the words, the most important words here is transparency.
• Alright, credit score, insurance transparency.
• That's real transparency. Yes, sir. Go ahead. One point.
• This provides greater transparency.
• In landowner payments.

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• I encourage agency or making a payment.
• It also pay taxes on those payments.
• It clarifies that payments targeted way.
• year in total child support payments. year in total child support payments.
• <04:50:40.320> were program, and over 5,000 payments were program, and over 5,000 payments

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's a down payment on a house for many of these veterans.
• There should be a clear, transparent way for the public to verify who is accredited and who is not.
• There should be a clear, transparent way for the public to verify who is accredited and who is not.
• There should be a clear, transparent way for the public to verify who is accredited and who is not.
• There should be a clear, transparent way for the public to verify who is accredited and who is not.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• prime motives were uh transpar prime motives were uh transpar transparency<00:11:07.120> over
• transparency over over everything. transparency over over everything.
• And I say that transparency issue.
• , the whole reason for the transparency, the whole reason for the transparency, I'm<00:18:03.120>
• uh for transparency and inclusion. uh for transparency and inclusion.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session to consider HB 314, which would prohibit the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities. Representative Turkot offered a replace-all amendment intended to be a compromise measure focused on transparency and local control. He explained that the amendment narrows the bill to registered lobbyists, clarifies that public officials and employees who are not required to register as lobbyists are not restricted from testifying, and adds a process allowing municipalities to opt in to lobbying-related spending if approved locally and disclosed in annual reports. He also said the amendment was designed to address confusion he believes has been caused by misinformation about the bill’s effect on municipalities and associations. Committee members raised repeated concerns about how the amendment would apply to school districts, cooperative districts, counties, and other associations beyond the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Turkot and others said the language in RSA 15 and the added references to RSA 318-A were intended to cover lobbying entities generally, while the NHMA section was included because it is separately addressed in statute. Several members questioned whether the amendment’s intent was clear enough without explicit references to schools and counties, and whether the committee should have held a public hearing on the substantially revised language. Supporters argued the amendment was clear, that school districts and municipalities are distinct legal entities, and that cooperative districts could handle the issue through their existing annual-report and voting processes. The discussion also covered how local approval would work, including whether the proposal would require an opt-in vote and how county budgets would reflect lobbying-related dues or expenses. Members noted that in cooperative districts and county settings, approval would likely be handled through existing budget or annual report procedures, with majority vote rules applying where relevant. No final vote on the amendment or bill is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee spent most of the session debating the scope, clarity, and transparency requirements of the proposed changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and find you if they can't get a hold of you, if there's something that they need, whether it's for payment
• and find you if they can't get a hold of you, if there's something that they need, whether it's for payment
• Most folks will have automatic payment. And for some reason, the charge doesn't go through.
• The public policy reason that we have for newspapers is to provide transparency.
• So transparency is very important.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee heard and voted on four bills. HB 587 on self-storage spaces would let rental agreements include an alternate contact person and allow default notices to be published online instead of only in newspapers, while keeping existing notice timelines and servicemember protections. Newspaper and press witnesses opposed the online-notice change, arguing it could reduce public reach and transparency, especially in rural areas; the sponsor said newspapers could still be used and the bill was only adding another option. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to October 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably 12-2. HB 6033 would repeal the Florida Labor Pool Act. The sponsor argued the act duplicates other state and federal protections, while opponents said it contains unique safeguards for day laborers, including limits on fees, transportation charges, and deductions, and a private right of action. Testimony from labor advocates and workers warned repeal would reduce protections for vulnerable workers; the sponsor and supporters said other laws already cover the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably 11-3. HB 897, dealing with timeshare plan management, was presented as a clarification of conflicts created by recent condominium legislation and would require faster records responses, more disclosure of contracts, and clearer remedies for mismanagement. Support came from industry groups, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The final measure, PCS for HB 1385, created a civil remedy for parental abduction or unlawful withholding of a child in violation of a timesharing order. Family law attorneys opposed it over concerns about added litigation, child involvement, and overlap with existing remedies, while the sponsors and supporters said it would provide needed deterrence and compensation in serious cases. The committee adopted the PCS and reported it favorably 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, transparency... ...data granularity and reporting, you know, transparency in the model and
• things like in-home, out-of-home, you know, maintenance adoption subsidies, different groups of payments
• So a key component of this model is around data accuracy and transparency.
• And so there's some standardization that's... ...and transparency.
• And so you'll see on there, there, there's, there's,... and transparency.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Dr. Kelly O’Dare on first responder behavioral health access, peer support, and suicide prevention. She described UCF Restores, the Second Alarm Project, and related partnerships that provide culturally competent treatment, peer training, clinician education, disaster response support, and behavioral health navigation. She cited survey and state data showing significant rates of sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide among Florida first responders, and said evidence-based treatment has helped many patients recover, including a reported 76% who no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after treatment. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, peer support standards, and whether the state should create more consistent statewide requirements; O’Dare said peer support training must be specialized, linked to higher levels of care, and supported by sustainable funding and statewide coordination. The committee also heard from a public commenter who supported the work and emphasized the need for adequate resources and peer support infrastructure. The committee then received a Department of Children and Families presentation from Casey Penn on the proposed funding methodology for community-based care lead agencies under HB 7089. Penn explained that the new model is intended to be actuarially based, reimbursement-oriented, and more transparent than prior funding approaches, using historical expenditures, standardized reporting, and two main tiers: Tier 1 for largely fixed administrative and operational costs, and Tier 2 for direct child-serving costs based on per-child-per-month blended rates. He said the model includes a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, hold-harmless funding in the first year, and optional Tier 3 performance incentives, with an estimated additional state appropriation need after offsets. Senators raised concerns about prevention, historical inequities, reasonableness of costs, administrative overhead, blended state and federal funds, adoption subsidies, high-acuity placements, and disaster-related disruptions. Penn said some of those issues could be addressed in future iterations as the child welfare information system is modernized, and he agreed to provide written responses to committee questions. Representatives of the Florida Coalition for Children and CBCs responded that the model is a major improvement but urged additional safeguards, including an administrative cap, clearer separation of direct and indirect costs, and better treatment of federal and pass-through funds. They argued that the system already has oversight and that deficits reflect insufficient appropriations rather than excess spending, while also noting that higher-acuity children and regional differences can drive costs. No votes were taken on either topic, and the meeting ended with committee staff introductions and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing sheriff's offices with meeting and confer options foster better communication, transparency
• So the The uh Uh, the basics of this are it's a budget transparency bill for, for our firefighters in
• Importantly, HB 4259 incorporates robust transparency safeguards.
• Use payment if there were issues with the procurement process.
• It also requires a public hearing, ensuring the process remains transparent and open to the community

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing sheriff's offices with meet-and-confer options fosters better communication, transparency,
• The basics of this are that it's a budget transparency bill for our firefighters.
• It is important that HB4259 incorporates robust transparency. Safeguards.
• So if there were ever issues with the purchasing department, the county auditor can always refuse payment
• It also requires a public hearing, ensuring the process remains transparent and open to the community

Bills: HB1597, HB2364, HB2437, HB3205, HB3253, HB3310, HB3648, HB3906, HB4259, HB5645

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in Burleson, we prioritize fair and transparent billing for our residents.
• That's what the payment should have been.
• They then got it filled at a local community pharmacy and the payment was $60.
• It will save money if you have transparency to the system, OK?
• No, the, the, and the bill doesn't actually have much to do with transparency and PBMs.

Bills: SB 502, SB 513, SB 622, SB 670, SB 731, SB 732, SB 916, SB 961, SB 1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is actually about transparency, as the Majority Leader said.
• Eighty-four percent of Arizona voters want transparency.
• That's called transparency. And Arizonans agree with that.
• And what they've stated is, by 90%, they want transparency.
• Very simple, very transparent. With that, I urge all my members to vote aye.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation honoring National School Social Work Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school social workers in supporting students’ mental health, safety, and access to services. The House then handled a long series of first readings and committee/calendar actions before moving into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions. In the first major round of floor action, the House advanced HB 2123, HB 2140, and HB 2144 after adopting amendments. HB 2123 would affirm gold and silver as legal tender and allow their use through electronic systems; HB 2140 would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% in gold and silver; and HB 2144 would require child support to begin at pregnancy, prompting debate over paternity, genetic testing, rape-related pregnancies, and recourse for mistaken paternity. The House also advanced HB 2492 on urban growth boundaries, HB 2875 with clarifying language, HB 2946 on housing affordability and construction sales tax, and HB 4115/HCR 2051 on ballot initiative petition rules and disclosure. Supporters framed those measures as transparency reforms and protections against out-of-state influence, while opponents argued they would make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives and local measures for the ballot. Later Committee of the Whole action advanced HB 2175, HB 2270, HB 2416, HB 2557, HB 2697, HB 2940, and HB 4010, along with HB 2324, HB 2573, HB 2601, HB 2876, and HCR 2004. HB 2175 drew debate over whether political affiliation should be included in hate-crime law; a proposed Garcia amendment to add gender identity and remove political affiliation failed, and a later motion to add it to the report also failed by roll call. HB 2557 clarified a medical-records timeline to business days. HB 2697 created a good-Samaritan style protection for use of expired opioid antagonists such as Narcan. HB 2940 was defended as reducing improper enrollment in Access/SNAP-related programs and opening managed-care bidding, while opponents said it would cut benefits and burden vulnerable residents. HCR 2004, dealing with photo enforcement, was amended to let cities put the issue to local voters; supporters called it a compromise and opponents argued photo radar saves lives and reduces speeding-related crashes. In third-reading votes, HB 2264 passed overwhelmingly on Arizona Geological Survey matters, HB 2373 passed unanimously on income tax refunds for veterans, HB 2413 failed on sex offender monitoring, and HB 2862 passed on sentencing enhancements for crimes committed while wearing a mask. The House also reconsidered and revived HB 2055, HB 2150, HB 2426, and HB 2755 related to state land and groundwater measures. The transcript ends with the House beginning third-reading consideration of HB 2941 on motorcycles, with members speaking in support of roadway safety and personal experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just as with coerced debt, we are proposing not to count those payments as taxable income.
• <00:53:51.920> as to count that uh those payments as to count that uh those payments as taxable
• actions where the court orders payment actions where the court orders payment for<01:11:40.800><
• <01:32:19.280> from action with respect to a payment from action with respect to a payment
• Thank you, Senator Rest. would have received a payment under this would have received a payment under

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:44.560> on crisis to step in and make payments on crisis to step in and make payments
• And these payments are meant to repay.
• And we're going to make those payments for them and get them back on their feet.
• <00:05:29.840> for we're going to make those payments for we're going to make those payments
• received our last uh $500,000 payment. received our last uh $500,000 payment. um<00:08:36.959>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met on Military Kids Day and first heard an update from USA Cares, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance and follow-up support to military and veteran families. Representatives said the organization helps families facing housing, vehicle, and utility crises, as well as transition challenges, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and related risks. They reported that the state’s prior $2 million appropriation was nearly all directed to direct aid, with about 97% used for family assistance and 364 families served in the past 18 months, including more than 500 dependents. They also described a new post-assistance mental health survey and referral effort with the University of Louisville, and said they are requesting another $2 million over the next two-year budget cycle. Members asked about referral sources, the impact of possible VA benefit changes, substance abuse, and whether USA Cares can connect clients to treatment. USA Cares said the VA is its most steady referral source, with referrals also coming from homeless crisis lines, HUD-VASH, KDVA, and local resources. They said they already consider reductions in benefits when reviewing applications and that they do make warm handoffs to VA counselors and other professionals, while expanding a follow-up mental health assessment program to better identify substance abuse, mental health issues, and suicide risk. The committee then took up Senate Resolution 103, which recognizes and honors military children on Military Kids Day and commemorates the event’s history and growth. The resolution notes the event began in 2017, was inspired by a military spouse’s suggestion, and has grown from roughly 20-40 participants to about 250. Members and the sponsor spoke about the resilience and leadership of military kids and the importance of the event. The resolution was adopted, and Senator Jimmy Higdon was recognized with a service coin in appreciation of his leadership in creating Military Kids Day.