Transcript Highlights:

• Similar to the New Mexico Compilation Commission, this was not included in their authority for FY 26.
• Just a really quick question on line 15, the Sentencing Commission.
• This is true going on to pages 14 and 15, moving from State Engineer to Commission for the Blind.
• So our commission awarded $12 million in projects in October.
• So our commission awarded 12 million in projects in October. that we've done that so our commission awarded

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission offering testimony and support. Not present.
• > offering<00:23:46.960> testimony LGBTQ plus commission offering testimony LGBTQ plus
• Uh, we also had presenters from the PACE Commission, that's the commission to promote and advance civic
• that's the um from the PACE commission that's the um the<00:26:37.679> commission<00:26:38.640
• Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, that would also require review by the Hawaiian Homes Commission, beneficiary consultation, the
• homes commission act however that<00:14:39.720> would<00:14:39.920> also<00:14:40.240>
• <00:14:42.720> beneficiary hin homes commission beneficiary hin homes commission beneficiary
• <00:31:10.480> with commission with commission with comments<00:31:12.840> uh<00:31:13.039
• <01:04:02.160> has code as the ethics commission has code as the ethics commission has already

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm one of the commissioners with the commission.
• Comments from the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission?
• > to commission the oversight commission to commission the oversight commission to provide<02:
• correctional system oversight commission correctional system oversight commission um<03:03:38.840
• <03:03:48.000> to provisor that allows the commission to provisor that allows the commission

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, everybody, and welcome back to the Special Commission on Continuing Care Retirement Communities
• This Special Commission is chaired by Representative Stanley and Senator Jalen.
• Here's a brief overview of our agenda, so here we are calling the commission to order.
• Calling the commission to order, I believe that we do have quorum.
• The public hearing is required in Chapter 187, which is what birthed this commission.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Continuing Care Retirement Communities met for its third meeting, focused on regulations, oversight, and enforcement. Staff and agency presenters reviewed the current framework: the Executive Office of Aging and Independence explained that assisted living regulations generally do not apply to CCRCs unless an assisted living component markets itself separately, and that CCRCs must submit marketing materials, contracts, and disclosure statements for public posting. The Attorney General’s office described Chapter 93A consumer protection standards and noted it is working on draft assisted living-specific regulations. DPH outlined its oversight of licensed nursing facilities associated with some CCRCs, including routine surveys, complaint investigations, and enforcement tools such as admissions freezes, fines, receivership, and license actions, along with federal CMS sanctions for certified facilities. Commission members and presenters then discussed gaps and ambiguities in how CCRCs are defined and regulated, especially whether communities without on-site skilled nursing should still be treated as CCRCs, how assisted living-like services within CCRCs are classified, and whether residents have enough clarity about the services they are buying. A major theme was disclosure: members raised concerns about entrance fees, refund timing and conditions, whether skilled nursing is on-site or provided by contract, and how residents can compare communities. Several participants suggested more standardized disclosure and possibly broader consumer protection rules, while others cautioned that overly rigid requirements could affect community finances and development. The commission also explored enforcement and resident protections. Some members argued that independent living residents are already covered by landlord-tenant law and that existing complaint systems and community education may be sufficient, while others said residents in supported or assisted settings within CCRCs should have clearer access to ombudsman services and oversight. The discussion turned to closure and ownership transfer, with members citing recent national examples of sales and bankruptcies that changed resident terms. DPH explained its closure process for licensed nursing facilities, and members noted that Chapter 197 of 2024 adds oversight for facility transfers and financial disclosures. The meeting ended with logistics for the next session at Brookhaven at Lexington on June 2, a public hearing on June 16, and a request to circulate the hearing notice broadly to residents and stakeholder organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• He later enlisted in the army in 1968 and earned his commission through the office of candidate date
• This is a change regarding the long-range capital planning commission.
• The long-range capital planning commission and I'll explain a little more when we get to the amendment
• But again, the amendment clarifies some NAICS codes that were requested by the state tax commission,
• This is an Oklahoma real estate commission request bill.

Bills: SB1543, HB1933, HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, SB1859, HB2988, HB3016, SB237, SB2065, HB3418, HCR1027, SB1641, SB1589, SB44, SB563, SB1403, HB1979, HB3075, SB2045, SB1653, SB1655, SB2030, HB2951, SB2028, SB2071, SB206, SB1849, HB3755, SB1509, SB1314, SB1561, SB1217, SB1618, HJR1096, HJR1099, HJR1100

Keywords: driving under the influence, felony offense, ignition interlock device, community service, criminal assessment, nitrous oxide, Maddix Bias Act, intoxication, underage sale, misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, enforcement, education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• or possibly to the joint commission or possibly to the joint transportation<00:13:31.800> commission
• transportation commission transportation commission which<00:13:33.560> by<00:13:33.720><
• Harris said from ALDOT, we talked about it in our commission, our study. Road builders and Mr.
• Harris said from ALDOT, we talked about it in our commission, our study. Road builders and Mr.
• Harris said from ALDOT we talked about it in our commission, our study. Road builders and Mr.

Bills: HB542

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is the fair commission was put in years ago, and the supervisors have asked this to bring the
• Uh, this is the fair commission was put in years ago, and the supervisors have asked this to bring the
• Uh, this is the fair commission was put in years ago, and the supervisors have asked this to bring the
• Uh, this is the fair commission was put in years ago, and the supervisors have asked this to bring the
• The fair commission was put in years ago, and the supervisors have asked this to bring the fair commission

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of local and private bills, mostly extending repealer dates or authorizing small local taxes and contributions. These included measures for the City of Laurel, City of Clinton, City of Moss Point, and City of Hattiesburg to continue hotel/motel or restaurant taxes for tourism, parks, and recreation; a Marshall County bill allowing a $7,500 annual contribution to the Bahyia Area Arts Council; a Jackson County bill extending a $5,000 contribution to Friends of Arts, Culture, and Education; a City of Philadelphia bill authorizing a one-time $10,000 contribution to Philadelphia Transit; and a Dotto County bill allowing golf carts and low-speed vehicles on certain public roads. The chamber also approved a Jackson County bill revising the powers and duties of the county fair board. Most of these local bills were passed by voice vote and then by the morning roll call, with no questions raised. The Senate also took up several conference-related matters and House amendments. On Senate Bill 2676, the Proxy Advance of Transparency Act, the Senate voted not to concur and to invite conference. On Senate Bill 2882, dealing with homestead exemption eligibility, members discussed a House amendment clarifying that property owners who deed property but reserve a life estate do not have to reapply for homestead exemption; the Senate concurred and sent the bill to the governor. Additional items later in the calendar included nonconcurrence and conference invitations on bills involving a rural hospital pilot program, dependent care tax credits, health reimbursement arrangement tax credits, state park land lease tax treatment, rural hospital contributions, electronic payment processing fees, storm-related utility revenue bonds, agriculture and logging sales tax exemptions, and revisions to the Pregnancy Resource Act. Near the end of the calendar, senators chose to pass and retain several remaining items rather than take final action, and leadership noted the need to move bills off the calendar in the next session. The Senate then moved to announcements, including committee meetings and a bipartisan social event, and several members requested that the journal reflect adjournment in memory of named individuals. The chamber ultimately agreed to recess until later that day or until the last committee report was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:46:39.440> in legislation asks for a commission in legislation asks for a commission in
• this commission do? this commission do?
• established this commission. established this commission. >> Mhm. >> Mhm.
• um but would not create a commission um but would not create a commission that<05:04:49.760>
• aspects of legislation and commissions aspects of legislation and commissions and<05:17:07.200><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environmental Policy Subcommittee took up HB 1621, which would require a baseline environmental impact study before development of certain manufacturing and storage facilities. Members said the concept had merit, but they could not resolve major drafting and implementation issues, including how to define covered facilities, what the study would require, and how enforcement would work at the municipal or county level. Several members expressed concern about unintended consequences and said the proposal was not ready; the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL), and the full committee later adopted that recommendation on a 16-0 roll call vote, placing the bill on consent. The committee then discussed HB 1053, involving electronically submitted pesticide use reports. Representative Comtois presented an amendment creating a department database and protecting confidential information, but said she still needed to check whether it was germane and to review administrative issues with the Department of Agriculture. After hearing from David Russo of the Division of Pesticide Control, the committee agreed to continue work on the amendment and took no action that day. The committee also reviewed HB 1186 on egg labeling and producer exemptions. Representative Comtois offered an amendment exempting small producers from most requirements except labeling, but Commissioner Sean Jasper asked for more time to review the impact and suggested the state might not need the existing egg law at all if federal USDA rules already cover the field. Members agreed to hold action until the following week. Finally, the committee began discussion of HB 1780 on penalties for violations involving seeds, plants, and nursery stock, focusing on labeling rules and germination-date requirements; testimony from industry and department representatives indicated they were working toward a compromise that would allow multiple relabelings, add production dates, and set a 36-month sale limit, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Melissa Salazar, the Director of Boards and Commissions at Regulation Licensing. Thank you.
• items I'm just asking you, Madam Chair, Madam Chair and presenters: So there are 29 boards and commissions
• Does RLD license every single facility for all of those 29 boards and commissions?
• Are these inspectors ones who are assigned to every single one of the boards and commissions if indeed
• Do you have 24/7 hour entry into every single establishment licensed... under the Boards and Commissions

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2924 is directly aligned with the intent and purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920,
• SB 2924 is directly aligned with the intent and purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920,
• SB 2924 is directly aligned with the intent and purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920,
• SB 2924 is directly aligned with the intent and purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920,
• Moving on to Senate Bill 3127, relating to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Department of Hawaiian Home Lands measures. SB 2635 would appropriate funds for DHHL land development, land purchases, and mortgage or rental subsidies to address the wait list; DHHL and five supporters testified in favor, and the committee later recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, with the measure adopted as amended. SB 2924 would authorize funding for a capital improvement project for the Kaneili Community Hall, access road, and parking lot; DHHL stood on testimony in support, Randall Ao and another online testifier spoke in favor, and the committee later amended the bill to shift the funding structure from general obligation bonds to general funds before passing it. SB 3127 would raise the state liability cap for DHHL-related borrowing and guaranteed loans from $100 million to $500 million; DHHL testified, no other testimony was offered, and the committee passed it with amendments, including a date defect. The committee also heard SB 3248, which establishes labor requirements for Aleha Products. No testifier from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Board was present, and there was no additional testimony or questions during the hearing. During decision-making, the chair noted there was both support and some opposition but recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The meeting concluded after all three decision-making votes were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Gaming Commission is required to issue such statement within 60 days, and that statement is binding
• on the commission and may be introduced in any subsequent proceeding as evidence of good faith. ...is
• binding on the commission and may be introduced in any subsequent proceeding as evidence of good faith
• Deputy Director Brandon McCaffrey of the Gaming Commission waves in support.
• Those are three folks that have legal machines that were arrested a year ago by the Gaming Commission

Bills: S0204, S0540, S0772, S1294, S1474, S1504, S1708

Keywords: gaming, slot machines, veterans organizations, regulatory compliance, Florida Gaming Control Commission, declaratory statement, criminal penalties, financial regulation, vulnerable adults, information security, financial exploitation, licensing, biosolids, agronomic rate, land application, environmental protection, Florida statutes, nutrient management, recordkeeping, farming

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met with a quorum present and first took up confirmation votes for appointees on tabs 2 through 6, which were recommended favorably without public testimony. The committee then heard CS/SB 1474, which would direct DEP to stop issuing or reissuing permits for Class B biosolids land application when a wastewater treatment facility is reasonably accessible within 50 miles, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1708, which removes a timing requirement for veterinarians licensed in good standing elsewhere to qualify for Florida licensure; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and the ASPCA and was reported favorably. Members then considered CS/SB 204 on illegal slot machine operations. An amendment was adopted that set the baseline penalty at a second-degree misdemeanor, elevated violations involving six or more machines or repeat offenses to a third-degree felony, and made violations by a person of authority involving six or more machines or multiple prior convictions a second-degree felony. Testimony supported the bill’s effort to target larger illegal operations while protecting veterans’ organizations and other lawful users from felony exposure; the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all for CS/SB 1294 addressing Class AA biosolids, requiring agronomic-rate application, recordkeeping, IFAS guidance, and application of fertilizer-related requirements to bulk land application products, with an effective date of November 1, 2026; it was reported favorably after limited questions about oversight and IFAS’s role. Later, CS/SB 772 was heard to allow portable electronics limited licensees to sell “iware” insurance and define that term, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1504 updated pre-licensure education for the 440 customer service representative license so a high school student completing a half-credit insurance and personal finance elective can apply upon turning 18; it received supportive testimony from industry groups and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to CS/SB 540 creating cybersecurity program requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, extending oversight to certain investment advisers, clarifying emergency suspension authority for anti-money laundering violations, extending payment deadlines for examination costs, and adjusting director experience requirements for financial institutions; the bill as amended was reported favorably. Senators McClain and Truenow requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tabs 11 and 13, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• TAKE-UP TAP 1 APPOINTMENT OF RODNEY, FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
• I CAN TELL YOU, I CAN GET MY RECORD AT NIGHT EFFORTS ON THE COMMISSION AND YOU CAN SEE AND THEY CAN SPEAK
• TO USE THE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, WATERWAYS AND WE CONSERVED A LOT MORE LAND THAN ANY OTHER COMMISSION
• I WAS GONE ON THE COMMISSION WHEN THEY VOTED THE PREVIOUS TIME TO DO A BEAR HUNT.
• BARRETO BULLIED THE REST OF THE COMMISSION INTO BRINGING THIS BACK TO THE MAIN MEETING, A PROPOSAL FOR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ALSO WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.
• SO IT DOES ADD MORE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.
• TODAY THEY REPORT TO THE CITY OR COUNTY COMMISSION.
• THEY ARE AUDITED BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FDOT, COMMISSION FOR TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGE
• COMMISSION FOR TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGE ALSO HAS A SEPARATE COLLECTION AND DATA REPORT FOR SYSTEMS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has a bill relating to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.
• Commissioning enabling legislation. The Commissioning enabling legislation.
• We have an enabling legislation established the commission in 2013, and over time the commission has
• commission has set forward. commission has set forward.
• and Trails Commission. and Trails Commission.

Bills: HF3564

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee met to approve the prior meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its performance audit of the Department of Natural Resources’ administration of Outdoor Heritage Fund grants. OLA explained that the DNR generally complied with the criteria tested, but the audit identified two main problem areas: grant payments and grant monitoring. The audit covered 13 grants, mostly legislatively named grants awarded in fiscal year 2020, and reviewed agreements, amendments, payments, monitoring, and some site visits. OLA reported that for three grantees, totaling about $400,000, invoices lacked enough detail to determine whether costs were allowable, and about $5,000 was paid to two grantees without sufficient supporting documentation. The auditors also said DNR lacked policies defining allowable costs and what “directly related to and necessary” means under state law. On monitoring, DNR missed required annual visits for six grants, made payments on current progress reports that were missing or not on file, and had weaknesses in closeout evaluations, including missing required elements, late completion, and two grants with no closeout evaluation at all. OLA recommended stronger documentation, clearer guidelines with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, timely monitoring and closeout, obtaining progress reports before payment, and improved internal controls. Members reacted strongly to the findings, especially the repeated failures to follow grant procedures and the risks of legislatively named grants and advance payments. Representative Heintzeman and Vice Chair Skraba questioned whether the issues reflected broader problems in state grant oversight and asked about prepayments, follow-up, and whether more legislative action was needed. OLA officials said they do not rely on self-attestation, but instead retest agencies after 2 to 3 years, and noted a new annual update-report process that will track whether agencies implement prior recommendations. Judy Randall, the Legislative Auditor, said the laws and policies already exist and emphasized that the issue is ensuring agency staff follow them; she also said most recommendations in the recent update report had been implemented. No further committee action or vote was taken on the audit during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:26.240> Um commission does oppose this bill. Um commission does oppose this bill.
• Not the commission. Correct. Okay.
• <01:49:53.199> Not the commission. Not the commission. Not >> correct.
• didn't need to go before the commission didn't need to go before the commission and<01:56:00.239
• At the commission we vote as a state.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . commission um in current statute it commission um in current statute it basically<03:30:12.760>
• . commission and make it uh a mandatory commission and make it uh a mandatory meeting meeting meeting
• commission and that the commission commission and that the commission should<03:31:55.520> uh
• read your P right oversight commission read your P right oversight commission this<03:35:31.199>
• <03:50:05.760> is the surveying um this commission is the surveying um this commission is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission on the fiscal health of rural schools found that the amount of rural aid that would meet
• There was a Transportation Finance Commission chaired by Representative Paish, I believe, right, and
• I'm from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and also the Rural Policy Advisory Commission.
• This is to set up a commission to address, basically, to... ...to set up a commission to address, basically
• We would go straight to an act, but we felt it was better to have a study commission first.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on H. 517/S. 314, a bill to provide a sustainable future for rural schools, and H. 697, a bill to require full funding of regional school transportation. Witnesses from rural districts, school committees, superintendents, students, and local officials described chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, high fixed costs, special education and transportation burdens, and the loss of programs, staff, and extracurriculars. Several speakers argued that rural aid should be funded at $60 million annually and made non-discretionary, while others emphasized that transportation reimbursement for regional districts has repeatedly fallen short of the state’s promise and is driving budget crises and overrides. A number of students testified in support of rural aid, describing cuts to classes, counselors, and activities, and the impact on their schools and communities. Committee members also discussed whether transportation policy should be revisited to address underlying cost drivers, including bus bidding practices and whether regional districts should have more flexibility in transportation requirements. The committee also heard H. 515, concerning Hancock Elementary School and a school choice-related exemption from a state requirement that has created a large financial burden for the district. Hancock’s superintendent and Rep. John Barrett explained that a decades-old regulation, recently enforced by DESE, would require Hancock to pay tuition for choice-in students through high school graduation even though the district only serves pre-K through grade 6 and sends its own students elsewhere for middle and high school. They said the rule creates a significant per-student shortfall and has forced Hancock to opt out of school choice. Committee members asked for clarification about how the arrangement works and how the costs fall on Hancock. Additional testimony supported related transportation bills for non-regional districts, especially Plymouth/Carver and North Middlesex, describing high and rising bus costs, special education and McKinney-Vento transportation expenses, and the strain on local budgets. Speakers repeatedly said that state reimbursement has not matched actual costs and that communities are being forced to choose between transportation and classroom services. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed the hearing on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Relative the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission to provide for legislative purpose, it lies
• Assault Nurse Examiners to provide for the membership of the Louisiana Sexual Assault Oversight Commission
• Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Field Artillery and
• on Civic Education and provide for membership of the commission.
• Members, House Bill 861 simply removes inactive and obsolete boards and commissions that are no longer

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases the commission from 14 people to 18 people.
• During the summer, the Kentucky Fire Commission underwent an audit by the Legislative Research Commission
• the summer, the Kentucky Fire Commission the summer, the Kentucky Fire Commission underwent<00:20
• And from that Research Commission.
• Uh the language that's commission.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 369, which would add post-traumatic stress disorder to an existing 2018 hyperbaric oxygen therapy-related law for veterans. Representative Scott Sharp and HBOT for KY Vets representatives testified that PTSD and traumatic brain injury often overlap, that veterans are frequently misdiagnosed, and that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has shown benefits in clinical trials and in Kentucky’s own funded program. Members asked whether the bill would require insurance coverage; the sponsors said it would not, and noted they are seeking broader approval through medical and congressional channels. The committee voted favorably on HB 369, with members expressing support based on personal experience and the needs of veterans and their families. The committee then considered House Bill 419, for which a committee substitute was adopted before testimony. Representative Suzanne Miles and Kentucky Fire Commission/KCTCS representatives explained that the bill would expand the fire commission board from 14 to 18 members, clarify that KCTCS’s 5% administrative fee applies collectively to all funds rather than separately to each fund, and allow excess funds to help cover out-of-pocket cancer screening costs for volunteer and paid firefighters. A question about board staggering was answered by explaining that staggered terms were originally used to avoid all terms ending at once and were expected to continue. The committee passed HB 419 with favorable expression. Later, USA Cares presented an update on how it has used prior state funding. The organization described its grant-based assistance for veterans and military families facing housing, vehicle, and utility crises, as well as career transition and housing-related support programs. Testimony emphasized that the aid helps prevent homelessness and reduce suicide risk, and the group reported it had used nearly all of the $2 million awarded in the last budget cycle to assist 364 families and more than 500 dependents. No vote was taken on the USA Cares presentation.