Transcript Highlights:

• It actually requires that we rent buses and hire substitute drivers for students to practice on buses
• a minimum of four times per trainings a minimum of four times per year<00:32:07.799> if<00:32
• It's just that you don't have to train the entire school system.
• It's just that you don't have to train the entire school system.
• It's just that you don't have to train the entire school system.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 342, which would require all Kentucky students to complete a one-credit financial literacy course for graduation, with the credit able to count toward math, social studies, or an elective. Representative Meredith and student advocate Patrick Rovi argued the current financial literacy mandate is too weak without a credit requirement, citing low implementation across schools and the need for practical instruction in loans, credit, investing, and budgeting. Members generally supported the bill, while Representative Tipton raised concerns about adding credit requirements and limiting dual credit options, and Representative Willner questioned whether it would create an unfunded mandate. Supporters responded that the bill is designed to fit within existing graduation requirements and that free curriculum and professional development resources are available through groups like Next Generation Personal Finance. HB 342 passed the committee unanimously with an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next considered House Bill 661, a technical cleanup bill related to the previously enacted nine-passenger van option for school transportation. Representative Emily Callaway said the measure only adjusts regulations needed for KDE to implement the earlier law effectively. The bill passed without opposition. House Bill 208, sponsored by Representatives Josh Bray and James Tipton, would require school districts to adopt policies limiting cell phone use during the school day and, in the updated version, restrict social media access as well. Supporters said the bill is intended to improve student attention, reduce cyberbullying and mental health harms, and address concerns raised by school disruptions and social media use. Members asked about exemptions for students with medical needs, emergency access, and whether districts would need new software; sponsors said existing district technology and local discretion should handle those issues. The bill passed unanimously. The committee then began taking up House Bill 430, which would let certain small-transportation districts seek an exemption from the KDE requirement for four annual bus safety trainings, provided they adopt a local safety policy and submit it to KDE. A district superintendent testified that the current blanket requirement causes significant instructional disruption for districts with very limited daily transportation needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 815 would ensure that social service workers are not misclassified as commercial or for-hire drivers
• Being classified as a commercial driver means much higher premiums that are unaffordable for support
• There was no serious damage, and the other driver was very understanding.
• We're not delivering goods or drivers for hire.
• They would need training. It is also unclear when this decision would be made.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee and heard several bills related to workers’ compensation, insurance access, climate resilience, and farmworker protections. AB 815 would prevent social service workers who use personal vehicles to transport clients from being misclassified as commercial or for-hire drivers under personal auto policies; supporters said the current practice leads to unaffordable premiums and denied claims, while no opposition testified. AB 1329 would revise the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund to reduce litigation and medical-legal costs and lower employer assessments; insurers and business groups opposed unless amended, citing concerns about eligibility standards and the QME process, but the bill advanced after amendments were discussed. AB 1048 would allow disputed unauthorized payment reductions for medical providers to be reviewed through independent bill review; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opposition argued IBR is the wrong forum and existing contract dispute processes should control, though the bill also passed. AB 1236 would create a Department of Insurance grant program for climate and sustainability risk-reduction projects, with broad support from the department, environmental groups, and insurers, and it passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 1336, the Farmworker Heat Illness Prevention Act, which would create a rebuttable presumption that a heat-related injury arose out of employment when an agricultural employer fails to comply with heat illness prevention standards. Supporters, including United Farm Workers, argued the bill would help protect farmworkers amid extreme heat and enforcement gaps; opponents from the workers’ compensation and agricultural sectors said the measure improperly uses the compensation system to enforce OSHA rules and could create unclear adjudication and delay issues. Members discussed Cal/OSHA enforcement limits, undocumented workers’ reluctance to report violations, and the relationship between the bill and existing workers’ compensation procedures. Despite opposition, AB 1336 passed on a divided vote. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 1125, AB 1293, and AB 1398, which were approved together. Roll calls were held open and later completed, and the bills that advanced were sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after final votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The buildings that are our drivers are those seven nursing homes for which we have not had a capital
• But those are those Are really the drivers of what we had for those pin questions that we've got as a
• And the second one that I have is, can you tell me what your main cost drivers are for the increase in
• There's still positions that I need to hire, and there's training that needs to be done.
• While I've got good people in place, they still need more training.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a training facility.
• This location would act as that regional training hub in southern Minnesota, and our training programs
• <00:21:32.039> is increase one of the primary drivers is increase one of the primary drivers
• <00:28:56.279> is it's subsidized and so our training is it's subsidized and so our training is
• we've toured a lot of training we've toured a lot of training facilities<00:29:21.600> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal facts. Chair Franson then announced that the committee would hear the governor’s bonding request for state agencies, starting with the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Bob Jacobson, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, and State Patrol Colonel Christina Boich were introduced as the presenters. The Department of Public Safety focused on three capital projects: a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory, an expansion of the BCA regional office and laboratory in northern Minnesota, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters funded with trunk highway cash. Evans said the BCA’s St. Paul headquarters is severely overcrowded and that demand has grown because of sexual assault kit testing, digital evidence work, drug evidence, and a sharp rise in cybercrime and child exploitation cases. He said the regional facilities would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for testimony and evidence drop-off, expand training access for local law enforcement, and allow the BCA to serve southern and northern Minnesota more efficiently. Members questioned the high cost of the projects, including Representative Skraba’s concern about the per-square-foot cost. Evans responded that the facilities are expensive because they are specialized laboratories, not office buildings, and must include costly equipment, HVAC systems, redundant power, and other lab-specific features; he said retrofitting existing buildings would cost about the same as new construction. He also said the Southern Minnesota project had increased from about $48 million to $68.1 million due to final design changes, larger space needs, and rising construction costs. Representative Sexton asked about training availability, and Evans said the new facility would include a classroom for 40 to 60 students and could be used by other agencies at low or no cost. Representative Hansen asked about regional training centers, and Evans said the BCA uses them for specialized training but still needs this classroom-based regional space. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we do have to get a hold of what those drivers are.
• <01:13:16.159> You two big drivers that MMB mentioned?
• You two big drivers that MMB mentioned?
• <01:13:44.480> And hold of what those drivers are. And hold of what those drivers are.
• I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought. I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide screening levels for safety, no consistent definition of when a home is habitable, no training
• It requires appropriate agencies to develop a training and certification program for adjusters, public
• AB 1576 ignores the primary cost drivers and policy recommendations identified by Rand and the LAO.
• AB 1576 ignores the primary cost drivers and policy recommendations identified by Rand and the L.A.O.
• This bill will not make any changes to when Turo or a driver is at fault.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Saves California drivers up to $850 per year on gas costs by repealing Air Board's November regulation
• You're like the drunk driver blaming the cop who pulled you over and gave you the ticket.
• We talked about dental care, behavioral health, emergency preparedness, physician training.
• A train company, a high speed rail company that's doing this in Florida, doing this to Las Vegas.
• give it to a private company, perhaps one of Elon's companies, instead of having our skilled and trained

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my training was probably, you know, 45 years ago.
• uh an NRA sorry a with a training uh an NRA sorry a training<01:46:51.520> of<01:46:51.679>
• trained in how to handle that firearm. trained in how to handle that firearm.
• First, it limits the length of trains from the current mile and a half to a standard train length of
• of mine that are inside the uh the train of mine that are inside the uh the train yards<01:59:52.000

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 48:57.120> 500<02:48:57.920> special would have trained over 500 special would have trained
• ,<02:49:28.720> the our classrooms, our bus drivers, the our classrooms, our bus drivers,
• I didn't talk about Butch, but Butch was my middle school bus driver.
• <03:32:06.080> in that our teachers are being trained in that our teachers are being trained
• Bus drivers have heard you dismiss their Bus drivers have heard you dismiss their jobs<03:43:10.800><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to strengthen county training and engagement.
• So what is the biggest driver of taking out, dipping into the reserves?
• What's the biggest driver for the administration to do that?
• What are our big program drivers?
• IHSS is certainly a cost driver, but it's also a huge cost savings compared to the alternative.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, with no votes taken. The first major discussion focused on child care and early education, including proposed reductions tied to federal Child Care and Development Fund and Proposition 64 revenue changes, the shift of reductions from general child care to the California Alternative Payment Program, the end of funding for prospective pay implementation, a 2.01% cost-of-living adjustment, child care infrastructure grants, and a proposal to increase administrative funding for alternative payment agencies. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported removing prospective pay funding and urged caution on the administrative-rate shift, while also recommending more justification for the slot reduction approach and more detail on infrastructure grant alignment. Committee members strongly objected to eliminating about 6,000 child care slots, arguing the Legislature should preserve and expand child care access. The Department of Education supported the preschool QRIS block grant increase and the COLA but raised concerns about rate alignment for three- and four-year-olds and the lack of funding to maintain enrollment growth. The committee then reviewed trailer bill language affecting child care, including codifying age-based reimbursement categories, expanding documentation for enhanced inclusion rates, clarifying CalWORKs child care eligibility, aligning health and safety standards with federal requirements, coordinating disaster-related infrastructure funding, and updating oversight language. Administration officials said the proposals were intended to support the single reimbursement rate structure, improve safety compliance, and coordinate disaster recovery funding. LAO said it had no major initial concerns with the trailer bill language but would continue reviewing it. The hearing then turned to CalFresh and nutrition programs. CDSS described projected caseload declines, a one-time augmentation for county administration to implement federal H.R. 1 changes, a proposed reassessment schedule for county administrative funding, and updated estimates that H.R. 1 could cut CalFresh funding by $2.3 billion to $3.7 billion annually and affect about 500,000 people. Members pressed the administration on the impact of H.R. 1, the “chilling effect” on immigrant households, county workload, and whether the state should backfill federal cuts, especially for families with children subject to new work requirements. The committee also discussed a one-time CalFood augmentation, state administrative expense funding, staffing for H.R. 1 implementation, and a small increase to the CACFP meal reimbursement rate. Finally, the committee began IHSS items, including the impact of reinstating the Medi-Cal asset limit, automatic IHSS termination tied to Medi-Cal loss, and related savings and caseload estimates, with the administration explaining that these proposals would reduce eligibility and that there is no broad substitute for IHSS for many recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a Texas Justice Court training center that... ...tells the 93% of JPs who are not attorneys
• And it is already in that training center manual on page 31, exactly what happens with wages when they're
• The training center has come down against the opinion; the vast majority of case law is against this,
• So what they end up being is, I guess, personal drivers for the two that get to appoint.
• In fact, we had one judge that assigned the higher salary to somebody else and paid the driver a much

Bills: HB1193, HB2495, HB2733, HB3104, HB3395, HB4325, SB3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• The truck driver passed away at the scene while Trooper Fink was airlifted to the hospital, where he
• How does this bill address law enforcement pursuing a fleeing driver when law enforcement is in an unmarked
• chiefs and the sheriff's association to develop model policies and best practices for pursuing fleeing drivers
• They've gone through much more extensive weapons training and much more vetting than the concealed carry
• We train them in our prisons. Let's make sure that they can get employed once they leave prison.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met and considered nine bills, with members hearing brief presentations, limited debate, and mostly unanimous support. Early measures included CS/HB 421, which expands peer support access for first responders to include support personnel, and HB 205, which creates a new offense for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster (“Troopers’ Law”). Both bills drew support from law enforcement and animal welfare-related witnesses, and both were reported favorably; HB 205 was adopted with a technical amendment. The committee also approved CS/HB 157 on service of process, which clarifies that a prior statutory change applies to all causes of action, creates a safe harbor for compliance, tightens substituted service requirements, and allows individual registered agents to be served anywhere in the state. HB 693, which adds an aggravating factor for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for school, religious, or public government activities, drew both support and opposition; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters argued juries should have more tools in capital cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate. Members then approved CS/HB 113, increasing penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, after discussion about marked versus unmarked vehicles and an amendment that restored current penalties for two related offenses. Rep. Bracey Davis voted no, citing concerns about unmarked cars and public safety perceptions. The committee also passed HB 91 on misdemeanor probation, PCS/CS/HB 383 allowing certain officers and service members to purchase firearms without the three-day waiting period, and CS/HB 195 to let correctional education count toward professional licensure requirements for incarcerated people. Finally, CS/HB 479 was approved to allow judges to order restitution in hit-and-run property-damage cases. All bills were reported favorably, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• that run around town without a driver that run around town without a driver this<00:10:38.519>
• <00:12:54.600> violating our Kentucky roadways drivers violating our Kentucky roadways drivers
• <00:13:14.639> were 1491 Kentucky school bus drivers were 1491 Kentucky school bus drivers
• > were every driver school bus driver were every driver school bus driver were surveyed<00:13:53.160
• <00:14:28.480> Behavior fined this type of driver Behavior fined this type of driver Behavior

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 19 minutes, and opened with guest recognitions and a brief prayer for a colleague who had a medical episode. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 66, which would create a task force to study Advanced Air Mobility and related policy issues in Kentucky. The sponsor and witnesses described AAM as emerging eVTOL “flying car” technology, argued Kentucky has strong aviation and logistics assets to compete for the industry, and said the task force would include legislative, KYTC, and industry representatives. Senators asked about the technology and potential uses, including rapid transport of medical specialists. The resolution was reported favorably after roll call, with several members expressing support and at least one member noting a desire for more information while still voting yes. The committee next considered Senate Bill 38, as amended by committee substitute, dealing with school bus stop-arm safety cameras. The sponsor cited survey data showing hundreds of illegal school-bus passings in Kentucky and argued the bill would help change driver behavior by allowing, but not requiring, school districts to use camera systems funded through violators rather than district budgets. Testimony emphasized that the measure is voluntary, vendor-neutral, provides an appeals process in district court, limits camera activation to when the stop arm is deployed, and keeps revenues within the school district and court system. Representative David Hale supported the bill, sharing a personal story about a near-miss involving a child crossing after a bus stop. The committee approved the committee substitute and then reported SB 38 favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 63 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. The sponsor and Backroads of Appalachia representatives said the bill would define and regulate these vehicles, while expressly excluding farm and agricultural vehicles from its requirements. They explained the bill would require inspection, registration, and a motorcycle plate for qualifying vehicles, set limits on where and how far they can be driven, and allow local or state restrictions where applicable. Supporters framed the bill as an economic development measure for Eastern Kentucky and the broader state, citing tourism, trail-system spending, and examples from other states. A committee member asked for clarification about farm-to-farm use, and the witness confirmed the bill would not affect agricultural use. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 63, before any final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll cover what’s going on in the market, talk about fundamental drivers in supply and demand—we’re
• these, and it’s always interesting to see what the underlying data source is and what some of the drivers
• 30,000-foot overview, what does the data tell us about where the market is heading and what those drivers
• As I go through this, I’m going to boil things down to supply-side and demand-side drivers: what’s going
• And the driver of that, the common link across these states, is the illicit market.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the Department of Cannabis Control’s report on the condition and health of California’s cannabis industry. Department staff reviewed the evolution of state cannabis law, the creation of the current regulatory framework, licensing and compliance efforts, and enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids. The department said the licensed market has grown in production and retail units sold, while active licenses and retail sales value have declined, and that the illicit market remains a major competitive factor. The department also highlighted consumer education efforts, product testing and recalls, and coordination through the state enforcement task force and other agencies. The department’s economist said the data show continued growth in licensed production and a rising share of consumption through the licensed market, but falling wholesale and retail prices have reduced overall industry value. He identified major headwinds as taxes and fees, illicit-market competition, local prohibitions that limit retail access, regulatory costs, and broader business pressures, while noting opportunities in product innovation and possible hemp-market changes. Committee members pressed the department on enforcement, public health concerns, equity ownership and employment, delays in grant administration, pesticide testing, and whether the legal market is truly viable for small businesses and farmers. Several members argued that stronger enforcement and lower costs are needed, while one member raised concerns about cannabis-related health harms and said the hearing focused too narrowly on supply-side issues. Public commenters from industry groups and advocacy organizations largely echoed concerns about high taxes, regulatory burdens, limited retail access, and the size of the illicit market. Many urged the Legislature not to let the excise tax rise from 15% to 19% and called for tax relief, compliance reform, more enforcement, and broader retail access. Some speakers said the report was too optimistic and did not reflect business failures, debt, and closures, while others emphasized the need to protect small farmers, address wildfire insurance, and support equity businesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do all the training that we want, but if they do not have that coaching, we really do not see
• The next two items are really pertaining to educator and school board professional development, training
• of our educators—there's ...time programs, our behavioral health efforts, our training of our educators
• We can provide the training and the infrastructure, and it's a lot easier to stand it up.
• This is an effort to support our bus drivers to make sure they have the appropriate training they need

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes the Police Standards and Training Recruitment and Retention Fund, administered by the
• Police Standards and Training Council, in support of the Recruitment and Retention program.
• <03:17:49.600> Council<03:17:50.000> in standards and training Council in standards
• <03:18:16.080> Recruitment<03:18:16.520> and standards and training Recruitment and
• f73 the police standards and training f73 the police standards and training Council<03:18:25.479

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:59.359> uh able to get into some training uh able to get into some training uh projects
• <01:14:43.120> 14 of them were entered into training. 14 of them were entered into training
• <01:14:57.600> for up that's um actually training for up that's um actually training for individuals
• Their training usually takes place on public housing projects.
• We also provide grants, industry tools and resources, training.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The driver she trusted to get her home safe...
• The driver must be in possession of the front license plate while operating the vehicle if it is not
• The training course may be offered online and must include instruction regarding the following. ...of
• But leave it to a lawyer, I have to check yes, no, or on, and really I'm in favor of training.
• So, I am against changes to the bill, other than maybe a technical change to fix the training portion

Bills: HB75, HB108

Keywords: building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, drainage utilities, flood management, land use regulation, county authority, drainage fees, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And today we're gonna hear, uh, some further introductions to the, uh, main drivers in our budget.
• This is money to cost, uh, cover the cost of teacher training, principal training, and the like for districts
• The kind of, uh, training that, uh, accompanies that.
• And I think TEAs are the driver of that, right?
• You still have to have the cafeteria workers and the bus drivers and all that.

Transcript Highlights:

• And beyond addressing hunger, SNAP is also a significant economic driver.
• is also a a significant economic driver. is also a a significant economic driver.
• It is a required service and a major driver of the improved health outcomes.
• <00:59:46.240> of<00:59:46.400> the service and a major driver of the service and a
• major driver of the improved<00:59:46.960> health<00:59:47.119> outcomes.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Department for Public Health Budget Request 00:01:46 Department for Community Based Services Budget Request 00:31:58 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) 00:57:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met. Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted. The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support. Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.