Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to start off by thanking my co-chair, Senator Kennedy, for your professionalism and for having
• delivery, we continue focusing on workforce development and recruitment of experienced, skilled professionals
• We remain focused on hiring direct care professionals, including CNAs, LPNs, and RAs.
• These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of our team.
• professionals wishing to pivot into the CART captioning field.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Student success means investing in professional advisors, which is really a cornerstone of New Horizons
• , so that all first- and second-year students have dedicated professional advisors.
• But today, we want to do that well, and that’s this new idea of professional advising, which drives up
• In May, our professional advisors started meeting one-on-one with new first-year students, so this is
• It'd be much like if you had a professional franchise and a pro sport; they do economic impact studies

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Student success means investing in professional advisors, which is really a cornerstone of New Horizons
• , so that all first- and second-year students have dedicated professional advisors.
• But today, we want to do that well, and that's this new idea of professional advising, which drives up
• In May, our professional advisors started meeting one-on-one with new first-year students, so this is
• It'd be much like if you had a professional franchise and a pro sport; they do economic impact studies

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is necessary to address this practice of our education professionals.
• That amount of money, it is necessary to address this practice of our education professionals using their
• We have amazing doctors, amazing professionals, not only in our state, especially in Southern Nevada,
• Todd Engelsby, representing the professional firefighters in Nevada.
• These departments are staffed 24-7 with emergency-trained professionals and advanced diagnostic tools

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to add as a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional clinical
• We make consequential decisions regarding the preparation and licensing of these professionals.
• By adding these professionals to the Commission, this bill will bring valuable expertise, experience,
• Peach is a co-sponsor of AB 1123 which seeks to add three early childhood education professionals with
• Board members deserve the state's support in receiving curated professional learning to best serve the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the attorney general's office where if they do not wish to represent a state employee, a professional
• <00:06:11.440> or um a state employee, a professional or um a state employee, a professional
• landlord online, uh, to be professional landlord online, uh, to be able<00:18:11.280> to<00:18
• And if you're a professional landlord, what I would do is I would send a notice.
• And if you're a professional landlord, what I would do is I would send a notice.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process protections, investigations against them involving egregious misconduct can result in professional
• Not only can this ruin the professional and personal lives of innocent classified school employees, it's
• inconsistent. ...professional and personal lives of innocent classified school employees.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Public Health Law and the Insurance Law in relation to healthcare professional applications
• This extends due process protections for healthcare professionals in the instance that the insurance
• This extends due process protections for healthcare professionals in the instance that the insurance

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of TEAS's core strengths lies in its ability to deliver high-quality, hands-on, professional education
• On a daily basis, these professionals put their lives in immediate danger.
• I'm a firefighter for the City of Arlington and on the Executive Board of the Arlington Professional

Bills: HB1654, HB1691, HB2545, HB2652, HB3799, HB4144, HB5008

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

Transcript Highlights:

• These are highly skilled professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and patriots. ...who march forward
• Additionally, veterans often have a limited professional network; unlike civilians, they frequently lack
• Locations and deployment every three to four years make it harder to build and maintain long-term professional

Bills: SB 390, SB 1197, SB 1271

Keywords: veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, Veteran Affairs

Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Veteran Affairs addressed several significant bills aimed at supporting veterans and their businesses. Among the bills discussed was SB390, which seeks to expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include all veteran-owned businesses, regardless of disability status. This change aims to create a more equitable economic landscape for veterans and to foster their participation in state procurement opportunities. The committee heard strong testimony supporting this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing veterans with fair chances in business development.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would further... ...this bill would further require doctors and other healthcare professionals
• The bill also prohibits the use of honorifics in professional...
• The bill also prohibits the use of honorifics and professional titles for externs who have not met all

Bills: SB191, HB84, HB79, SB132, HB108, HB109, HB110, HB114, HB118, HB120, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB128, HB129, HB131

Keywords: postpartum depression, mental health, Medicaid, screening, education, maternal health, Chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, license renewal, continuing education, election procedures, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, SB132, Alabama, controlled substances, Schedule I

Transcript Highlights:

• And Landon runs all the day-to-day operations, and he's put together a team of top professionals so that
• And Landon runs all the day-to-day operations, and he's put together a team of top professionals so that
• in the light and Landon runs all the day-to-day operations and he's put together a team of top professionals

Bills: SJR36, SB2

Summary: Texas senators, representatives, the Texas Trucking Association, DPS, and Bob’s House of Hope held a Capitol press event focused on human trafficking awareness, with an emphasis on the often-overlooked trafficking of boys and young men. Speakers said Texas remains among the worst states for stopping trafficking and argued that public awareness must expand beyond the common assumption that victims are only girls and women. Several participants described trafficking as modern-day slavery and stressed that it affects people across all backgrounds, including in border and highway communities. The event highlighted a new awareness campaign in partnership with the trucking industry, including decals and posters to be placed on trucks statewide to encourage drivers and the public to “see something, say something.” Texas Trucking Association leaders said the industry’s large statewide footprint gives it a major role in spotting suspicious activity and educating drivers. Bob Williams of Bob’s House of Hope said his organization opened the first U.S. safe house for sex-trafficked boys and young men and cited studies suggesting boys may make up a substantial share of trafficking victims, though the problem is underreported. Lawmakers and DPS officials said the state should continue giving law enforcement more tools to combat trafficking and praised the partnership with private industry and victim services. No formal vote or legislative action was taken at the event; the main action was the launch of the awareness campaign and the public rollout of the truck decals, with participants posing for photos with the first truck carrying the new messaging.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may be familiar with our annual summit, and also various other professional development seminars
• You may be familiar with our annual summit, and also various other professional development seminars
• In terms of health, at least 23 states and 26 enacted bills related to licensed medical professionals
• They are planning professionals. This is the work they were doing.
• They are planning professionals. This is the work they were doing.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've never had... ...advisors there have the utmost professionalism.
• And I am especially grateful for your professionalism.
• Everybody's professional. taxpayers and promote economic opportunity.
• And I am especially grateful for your professionalism. Everybody's professional.
• I am especially grateful for your professionalism, everybody's professionalism, integrity, and unity

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see that people are moving those procedures to professional settings and outpatient settings.
• The younger persons in 2020 did not seek care in the professional setting.
• Chuck Rosen with the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
• I serve in the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
• The professionals that are being most negatively impacted are people like yourself.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They choose to medical professionals.
• probably like a lot of professionals probably like a lot of licensing<00:53:58.720> people<00
• I just want to first start off with my comments by, you know, thanking the professionals, the doctors
• And you are just so diligent and committed to your gig and your professionalism, and so we just thank
• and so we gig and your professionalism and so we just<01:26:04.760> thank<01:26:04.960> you

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a proposal to extend the availability of appropriations for the health professionals education
• education loan forgiveness professionals education loan forgiveness program. program. program.
• Sections 6 through 8 modify requirements for the health professionals clinical training expansion and
• at 80% of the rate that is paid to doctoral-prepared professionals.
• And again, she's writing this as an insurance professional.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mental health professionals and counselors—people who can work with the root cause.
• Many families are actively working to hold accountable those who impersonate medical professionals and
• I am not here as a professional or an expert.
• I am a licensed professional counselor here in Austin, Texas.
• Local governments should not use the people's money to hire professional lobbyists who in turn lobby

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• I would ask that professional capacity.
• We believe that professional pay will keep more teachers serving students.
• We believe that professional pay will keep more teachers serving students.
• Minnesota-based companies already struggle to recruit executives and highly skilled professionals from
• <01:21:53.600> from highly skilled professionals from highly skilled professionals from outside

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the representative who asked Tim Ball the question: public adjusters are the only licensed professionals
• Sometimes it's worth it for people to have a professional prepare their claim. Right.
• I'd like to end with this: I'm an educated, professional, strong-willed individual who stands up for
• commercial businesses who typically employ risk managers, insurance brokers, and other insurance professionals

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.