Transcript Highlights:

• This is just simply about counselors, and there's some dedicated counselor funding.
• This is just simply about counselors, and there's some dedicated counselor funding.
• It would have been laid off out of that fund instead of laying them off and going somebody new.
• Innovative school and teaching ideas—things that schools come and talk about.
• innovative innovative ideas<01:19:33.920><c> um</c><01:19:34.080><c> would</c><01:19:34.239><c> be</

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• . innovation. innovation.
• </c> competitive elder justice innovative competitive elder justice innovative grants<00:26:32.320><c
• It's a multi-year innovative Project.
• And that funding doesn't get cut off.
• </c> lose $3.5 billion in federal funding. lose $3.5 billion in federal funding.

Bills: HF3901 , HF962 , HF4428 , HF4478 , HF1775

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• from our own educational mission and student support, which will also have a chilling effect on innovation
• We shouldn't block educational innovation in a privacy bill when separate AI legislation is a better
• For these reasons, we oppose AB 1159 for its negative impact on innovation in California's educational
• Karen Stout here on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Good afternoon, Chair and members.
• Karen Stout here on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• , which funds...
• Uh one mostly regarding uh funding.
• </c><00:04:57.840><c> to</c> bit and then shifts some funding to bit and then shifts some funding to
• Non-competes are anti-innovation.
• </c> laid off, the unemployment trust fund. laid off, the unemployment trust fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• The remaining 25% created an innovation and support fund to address emerging career fields.
• </c><00:53:52.040><c> and</c><00:53:52.200><c> support</c><00:53:52.640><c> fund</c> created an innovation
• and support fund created an innovation and support fund to<00:53:53.120><c> address</c><00:53:53.600
• Through innovation and support funds, five districts have been awarded $100,000 grants to implement innovative
• ><c> funds,</c> Through innovation and support funds, Through innovation and support funds, five<01:08

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding sunsets on June 30, 2026.
• But that shift away from funding placements to really seeing and funding the needs of children so that
• : $6 million General Fund, $17 million total funds.
• These funds are not indexed, unlike the incentive funds, as Nan mentioned earlier, so that $10 million
• This reform is really created to shift child welfare from funding placement types to funding actual needs

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was referring to the Office of Climate and Innovation, not the fire agencies. As far as I know.
• I was referring to the Office of Climate and Innovation, not the fire agencies.
• funding after this bill passes?
• funding after this bill passes?
• Is there anybody getting state funding right now that would be affected by this?

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding sunsets on June 30, 2026.
• But that shift away from funding placements to really seeing and funding the needs of children so that
• The first is an increase of $4.6 million in federal funds due to an estimated increase in federal funds
• : $6 million General Fund, $17 million total funds.
• “These funds are not indexed, unlike the incentive funds, as Nan mentioned earlier, so that $10 million

Transcript Highlights:

• And we believe in the ability of people to innovate and to think...
• So it's requiring us to innovate faster, and it's requiring us to think differently, and it's shifting
• It's something that all of us are focused on, but I really do believe in the incredible innovation and
• It's something that all of us are focused on, but I really do believe in the incredible innovation and
• And like I said, I'm hearing about really innovative ideas that these industries are doing.

Bills: SB6013 , SB6291

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology, recreation, economic development, SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice

Transcript Highlights:

• The paper that I put before you is fund beginning and end balances in the conservation fund alone, which
• Yeah, so fund balance, just like the state of Missouri has a fund balance, that fund balance is really
• a rainy-day fund account.
• Funds then return to the fund balance for future use by the commission.
• That's why today's bill, HB 1734, the Soil Erosion Control Fund Act, is an innovative way to give neighborhoods

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources heard House Bill 2202, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew, which would allow active-duty military personnel, 100% disabled veterans, and youth during youth hunt seasons to receive certain hunting permits at no cost. Mayhew argued the bill would help recruit younger hunters, support military members and disabled veterans, and would not threaten conservation funding because the conservation fund has maintained substantial balances. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal impact, possible constitutional issues, effects on Pittman-Robertson federal reimbursements, and whether the bill duplicated existing Missouri Department of Conservation exemptions. Some members supported the concept of honoring veterans but suggested other funding mechanisms or clarifying language, and MDC said it would revise the fiscal note after misreading some figures. Testimony on HB 2202 was mostly opposed or informational. An Army veteran testified against the bill, saying current MDC rules already provide significant exemptions for veterans, active-duty personnel, and seniors, and warning the bill could reduce revenue and federal matching funds. MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffreys said the department already offers numerous veteran and military exemptions and supports veteran hunts through partnerships with NGOs, but also explained the agency’s fund balance is being used for major capital projects and is expected to decline. Several members and the sponsor debated whether conservation revenues are being held in reserve unnecessarily or are needed for ongoing projects and future obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 1734, sponsored by Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, which would create a Soil Erosion Control Fund Act to help homeowners associations finance erosion mitigation projects through assessments, state fund allocations, and matching local or grant dollars. Wellenkamp and supporters said erosion and flooding are causing major property damage, especially in water-rich and river-adjacent areas, and that the bill would give communities a practical tool to address problems that are too expensive for cities or counties to solve alone. Members from affected districts described severe flooding and erosion impacts, and the sponsor said the bill includes safeguards such as HOA nonprofit status, homeowner approval, and repayment terms to protect taxpayers. HB 1734 drew broad support from witnesses including the Community Associations Institute, a stream restoration business, the Missouri Municipal League, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy of Missouri, and a St. Charles County lobbyist. Supporters said the proposal would help stabilize land, protect homes and property values, improve habitat and water quality, and reduce long-term public costs. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing on HB 1734 concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we created a kind of contingency fund to cover those costs.
• and access, and technology innovation.
• and access, and technology innovation.
• Whatever the legislature feels is best to help Utah administer these funds effectively.
• So this is about funding five pilot projects in rural areas to fund innovative ways to help transport

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• funded through the IDEA federal reimbursed. funds or awards funded through the IDEA federal reimbursement
• funding.
• Though the identified fund source is federal Title II, Part A funds, funding is fungible with Proposition
• Though the identified fund source is federal Title II Part A funds, funding is fungible with Prop 98
• General Fund because the May Review Part A funds, funding is fungible with Prop 98 general fund because

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals for higher education, beginning with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Finance proposed a one-time $10 million General Fund backfill to repay a special fund loan used to cover litigation costs, plus provisional language to allow budget flexibility for a remaining legal expense and to repay the loan without interest. The LAO opposed shifting the litigation costs to the General Fund and raised legal concerns about waiving interest on the loan, noting that special fund loans have historically been repaid with interest. Members asked about the litigation amount and the estimated interest savings, which Finance said would be about $245,000. The committee then discussed University of California funding, including the Governor’s proposed compact funding and a $1.5 million one-time increase for the First Star foster youth program at UC campuses. UC said the program has strong outcomes at UCLA, including a 100% college-going rate and high college completion rates, and that the new funding would expand the program to additional campuses and eventually be self-supporting through fundraising. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that UC already has overlapping outreach programs, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, and that the new initiative would duplicate existing services. Several senators questioned whether the state should expand a new program instead of strengthening existing ones, while UC and Finance emphasized the program’s focus on foster youth and its high success rates. For the California Community Colleges, Finance outlined the May Revision’s increase to the Student-Centered Funding Formula COLA from 2.41% to 4.31%, along with enrollment growth funding, categorical COLAs, deferred maintenance, and other ongoing and one-time investments. The Chancellor’s Office supported the flexible “super COLA” approach and asked for more enrollment growth funding, arguing that many districts are already above current targets and that unfunded growth restricts access. The LAO recommended funding at least the statutory COLA, redirecting some ongoing funds to enrollment growth or one-time priorities, and rejecting the $9.7 million Adult Learner Demonstration Project because districts already have incentives to do similar work. Senators pressed Finance and the Chancellor’s Office on the use of COLA funds to cover the new paid pregnancy disability leave requirement, the impact on hold-harmless and basic-aid districts, and whether the state should fund actual enrollment growth rather than a flat COLA. The committee also reviewed California Student Aid Commission proposals, including adjustments to Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship funding, continued Golden State Teacher Grant funding, and implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance said the Middle Class Scholarship changes reflected updated caseload estimates and that the higher 35% unmet-need level had been one-time funding, while CSAC urged continued support and noted the importance of financial aid for student success. The LAO recommended rejecting additional Golden State Teacher Grant funding as not well-targeted and urged caution on Workforce Pell trailer bill language, citing uncertainty about federal rules, ongoing administrative workload, and the need for clearer implementation planning. Members also raised concerns about declining CADAA applications and the need to better promote state aid for undocumented and mixed-status students. No votes were taken during the transcripted portion, and the committee moved through the agenda items with questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, we want to fund the members.
• They're mostly federal funds.
• </c> funds.
• Um the federal funds are on line funds.
• I'll start on line 133: net general fund. The PUC has $3.8 million of general fund spending.

Bills: HF2438

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> responsible innovation. responsible innovation.
• SB 640 stifles evidence-based innovation. Innovation is needed now, not restriction.
• We're not afraid of innovation. We may be concerned about innovation.
• We're not afraid of innovation. We may be concerned about innovation.
• We may be afraid of innovation.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• we get the principles out there, unless we can get industry to offer ...to donate money to public funds
• AGO enforcement, would you please let me know, because we have found the mechanism to take private funds
• Anti-innovation.
• This bill is a necessary step toward protecting vulnerable people and ensuring that innovation does not
• Innovation does not come at the cost of human lives.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three AI-related bills. HB 1170 would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and include latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated or altered content; supporters said it is needed to combat deepfakes and disinformation, while opponents raised First Amendment, technical feasibility, and compliance concerns, and the Attorney General’s Office said the bill needs clearer provider definitions and enforcement language. HB 2157 would regulate high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions such as employment, housing, health care, and parole by requiring risk management, impact assessments, disclosures, and a private right of action; the sponsor said it is needed to address algorithmic discrimination and consumer protection, while industry and civil liberties groups warned it is overbroad, burdensome, and constitutionally problematic, and the AG’s Office supported the concept but asked for changes to enforcement and the right-to-cure provisions. HB 2225 would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on manipulative engagement, and safeguards for minors and self-harm; the sponsor, governor’s office, AG’s Office, researchers, and several families testified in support, citing harms to youth and real-world suicides, while industry groups supported narrower protections but objected to the private right of action and scope. No votes were taken during the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Column B uh, is where the funds items. Column B uh, is where the funds come<00:04:04.560><c> from.
• </c><00:04:50.400><c> budget</c> Senate budget general fund budget Senate budget general fund budget
• pilot program which was the innovative pilot program which was funded<00:32:08.799><c> by</c><00:32:
• </c> the funds became available last summer. the funds became available last summer.
• resource to fund those trust funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Initially, it required the fee, it required the fund, it required the funding.
• So then would you agree this is another way to maybe help fund some of these local extension services
• Would you agree that it helps fund some of these local extension services that are not doing well right
• that the landowners, if they're given the chance to really have a moment to really understand how innovative
• and everything that's happening, that they are A moment to really understand how innovative everything

Bills: SB2173 , SB2028 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Summary: The committee first laid over Senate Bill 1573, then took up Senate Bill 2173, which would create a landowner/energy negotiation and agriculture preservation education program through OSU and Langston Extension, and authorize but not require the Corporation Commission to establish an energy land-remediation fee of up to $25 per acre on disturbed land, with a 50% credit for dual-use projects. Members discussed whether the fee would fall on landowners or projects, the role of county extension offices, and the bill’s lack of a fiscal impact after revisions. The bill was amended, title struck, and passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2028, as amended and worked from committee substitute, would allow advertising of raw milk and raw milk products, require labeling, and raise the incidental sales limit to 1,500 gallons per month while still barring commercial store sales. Senators debated whether warning labels should include health risks, especially for pregnant women, and whether the gallon limit was arbitrary. Supporters argued for consumer choice and parity with other risky foods, while opponents raised public health concerns. The bill passed 11-2. The committee then passed Senate Bill 2127, which creates an Oklahoma Department of Food and Forestry advisory council on product classification, by a 11-2 vote. Senate Bill 2117, dealing with contamination of grain and assigning responsibility to the Department of Agriculture after a sewage-related wheat contamination incident, passed 13-0 after members noted the need for clearer definitions of contamination. Finally, Senate Bill 2134, addressing livestock safety and humane treatment after truck wrecks by directing ODAF to develop rules and training for emergency responders, also passed 13-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rural Arizona needs comprehensive groundwater management tools that encourage innovation.
• What we need is the sort of flexibility that will encourage innovation, and this does not yet do that
• We are encouraged by the... ...innovation, and this does not yet do that.
• that in the McMullen Valley, for example, last year, there was a large land purchase by some hedge funds
• So with that, I'm going to vote aye, and I hope we seriously look at additional funding and supporting

Bills: SB1041 , SB1176 , SB1197 , SB1198 , SB1199 , SCM1004

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, stormwater, water storage, replenishment credits, groundwater, aquifer, Arizona Revised Statutes, irrigation rights, water duty, water allocation, management areas, Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing

Transcript Highlights:

• reimagining capital outlay that can focus on rural communities or rural pro projects and have a pot of funds
• with that, I'd also look at um over-regulation and taxation and how it prevents private sector. innovation
• federal, state, local, and rural, uh, uh, rural tribal governments can support energy goals with funding
• how we can how they can work with each other and in eastern New Mexico I've heard that some of the funding
• , some of the federal funding has been cut back, so I think we ought to look as as a.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to jeopardize that funding.
• funds.
• But we try to leverage those federal and other funds to their max capacity.
• It was a $25 million investment out of a workers' comp fund.
• Do you need more funding to get farther ahead of it?

Committee: House Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational hearing on the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) within the Office of Administration, with no quorum present and no formal action taken. Chair Voss said the purpose was to review ITSD’s programs, budget needs, and future plans, and members emphasized the value of an informed appropriator. Representative Riggs cautioned that the state should avoid jeopardizing federal broadband funding and asked that AI-related work remain consistent with federal expectations. ITSD leadership, including CIO John Loren and Deputy CIO Tara Damp, outlined the division’s scope and recent modernization efforts. They said ITSD supports 15 executive agencies plus the governor and lieutenant governor, manages about 1,200 production software solutions, handles roughly 35,000 help desk requests per month, and defends against billions of cyberattacks monthly. They highlighted investments in layered security, data center and network redundancy, a unified Microsoft 365 environment, modern development tools, and portal platforms. Damp reviewed the history of IT consolidation, noting budget reductions after 2007, then increased investment beginning in 2020 and especially with ARPA funds in fiscal 2023. Members asked about spending projections, subscription-based licensing, procurement modernization, and the role of non-consolidated agencies such as MoDOT and Conservation. The committee also discussed future funding needs and benchmarking. ITSD said its current spending is about $287 million, with a projected ongoing need of about $345 million to maintain and modernize services, while Gartner comparisons suggested Missouri spends less per employee and as a share of operating budget than peer states. Members asked for more detailed fiscal-year spending profiles for major initiatives and for clarification on what is and is not included in the projections, including Social Services and HR1-related work. ITSD said it would provide additional detail. A major portion of the hearing focused on AI strategy and governance. Tim Marsheski, ITSD’s director of AI and innovation, described a cautious, pilot-based approach centered on secure use, human oversight, and data governance. He cited examples such as an internal HR chatbot that reduced average response time from about 45 minutes to two minutes, pilots with DESE data transformation, and efforts to use AI for code assistance, document scanning, and workflow support. Members asked about workforce impacts, training, closed versus open models, and whether AI could help with auditing and fiscal analysis. ITSD said it is still early on workforce forecasting, but it is building governance, acceptable-use policies, and feedback loops to test tools, measure results, and scale only when they provide value and remain secure.