Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers should be able to navigate.
• College, TSTC, to utilize 120,000 square feet of airport facilities, and we have already started to train

Bills: SB263, SB467, SB850, SB1030, SB1352, SB1453, SB2064, SB2206, SB2779, SJR84

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Besides the State Hospital, you mentioned earlier, what other facilities are available from the state
• Besides the State Hospital, you mentioned earlier, what other facilities are available from the state
• And these mental health facilities are all over the state. It's a huge problem.
• , and whether we can pay for something in a locked facility.
• You know, just basically it's more of a holding facility.

Summary: The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to a broad discussion of behavioral health policy, taking up work previously handled by a behavioral health working group. Representatives Wooldridge and Vaught described major gaps in Arkansas behavioral health care, emphasizing access problems, workforce shortages, rural service barriers, low reimbursement, and the need to move from a reactive crisis system to more proactive community-based care. Members discussed possible 2027-session priorities such as reducing red tape, improving provider licensing and supervision pathways, expanding billing codes and reimbursement structures, and considering interstate compacts and other workforce fixes. A major focus was the state’s crisis and forensic system, including long waits for competency evaluations, the backlog at the Arkansas State Hospital, and the use of county jails for people awaiting treatment. DHS Director Paula Stone explained that Medicaid pays for most behavioral health services, but cannot pay for services in jails or state hospitals because those individuals are treated as inmates of public institutions, leaving state general revenue to cover much of that cost. She outlined DHS efforts including secured restoration beds, therapeutic communities, community mental health center contracts for jail-based services, and plans for an institution-for-mental-disease waiver that could allow Medicaid payment for certain hospital-based services. Members also discussed crisis stabilization units, with DHS noting that Fort Smith and Jonesboro have been more successful than Fayetteville and Little Rock, largely because of location, partnerships, and law enforcement coordination. Questions covered reimbursement for county jails, step-down facilities, civil commitment options, non-emergency behavioral health transportation, and whether DHS should create a bed-availability dashboard similar to hospital systems. DHS said it does not currently have such a dashboard but is exploring the idea. The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the work, with more detailed discussion planned for August, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Besides the State Hospital, you mentioned earlier, what other facilities are available from the state
• Besides the State Hospital, you mentioned earlier, what other facilities are available from the state
• And these mental health facilities are all over the state. It's a huge problem.
• and can we pay for something in a locked facility.
• It's more of a holding facility.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• technical change to delete Section 10 of the bill as it incorrectly subjects access to nursing home facility
• >> The same recourse that they would today to hold the healthcare provider or facility accountable if
• I was confronted with navigating multiple aspects of our health care system, both as a consumer and a
• Every time your loved one steps into a healthcare facility.
• We regulate over 50,000 facilities and my vision is that we execute that duty with fairness, timeliness

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently have nine programs and two tribal nations supporting Regional Navigators who act as the
• Navigator and Supportive Services<00:03:26.760> Grants<00:03:27.959> evaluation<00:03:
• Regional Navigators who act as<00:05:03.759> the<00:05:03.960> first<00:05:04.280>
• Maryland, for example, created a regional navigator response after studying Minnesota's, and we have
• after studying Navigator response after studying Minnesota's<00:08:57.279> and<00:08:57.399><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Issue number one on distressed hospital and health facilities financing.
• Carolyn Abubishara, I'm the executive director of the California Health Facilities Financing Authority
• I'm the executive director of the California Health Facilities Financing Authority, and Treasurer Ma.
• I also oversee the California Educational Facilities Authority that's housed also under the treasurer
• I'm joined by Dean O'Brien, our deputy director over our health facility finance programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on several health-related budget items and trailer bills. On distressed hospitals, the California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a short-term lifeline that helped prevent closures, especially in rural and underserved areas, but said most recipient hospitals remain financially strained and will likely seek loan forgiveness. Witnesses said hospitals have improved when they cut contract labor, renegotiated with payers, formed partnerships, and added service lines such as labor and delivery or specialty care. The LAO cautioned that the program’s benefits may be limited over the long term and that HR1 is likely to increase uncompensated care. Public commenters, including hospital and patient advocates, supported additional funding for the program and noted ongoing closure risks for some facilities. HCAI also presented the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program, under which California received $233.6 million for the first budget period. The department said the funds will support hub-and-spoke care models, workforce development, telehealth, and technology improvements, with a rural technical assistance center to help applicants. HCAI said the money must be obligated by October 30, 2026, and that it is building a rolling grant process with CMS oversight. The committee also heard HCAI’s budget request for ongoing funding for the Health Care Payments Database, which the department said has been widely used for research and policy analysis. The Emergency Medical Services Authority outlined three budget proposals: replacement of disaster medical fleet vehicles, IT security work, and additional staff for HR, enforcement, and legal duties. Members raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the AB 716 ambulance rate reporting required by statute; EMSA said prior funding had been removed in the 2025 budget but it remains committed to compliance. Covered California reported that it expects enrollment declines because of the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and new federal rules, but said it is right-sizing its budget and does not plan to cut services. The Department of Managed Health Care presented proposals tied to menopause coverage, PBM licensure and oversight, credentialing reforms, and prior authorization reporting, with members and public commenters largely supporting the work while raising concerns about implementation costs, provider burden, and the need for strong PBM regulation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have navigated the foster care system myself starting at a young age.
• , and further allow the transfer of the certificate. ...home facility to further allow the transfer of
• the certificate of need beds based on this purpose for no more than 100 miles from that facility.
• The way practitioners and facilities must provide records to patients.
• It ensures the administration of insulin in group home facilities by direct support professionals or

Summary: The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association. Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably. The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These reviews determine whether emissions from proposed or existing facilities comply with state and
• SB 1198 would add spaceports to this list. of designated critical infrastructure facilities.
• The bill would cover facilities such as Blue Origin launch site in Van Horn. which I believe is in your
• The bill specifically includes property or facilities for space flight activities to be covered. by the
• Now as General Manager of Starbase, I have the privilege of leading operations of a facility that is

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• you ensuring that when it is developers or people from communities who do not understand how to navigate
• you ensuring that when it is developers or people from communities who do not understand how to navigate
• how to navigate this process to<00:20:38.559> get<00:20:38.760> benefits<00:20:39.320>
• and it adds income averaging as a tool for cities who are using TIF and want to access tax-exempt facility
• used Rail Yards rail storage facilities used Rail Yards rail storage facilities or<01:18:58.360>

Bills: HF1746, HF2585, HF1159, HF2574, HF2839, HF157, HF158, HF160, HF338, HF512

Keywords: Oakdale, tax increment financing, local government, funding, urban development, tax increment, St. Paul, redevelopment, housing authority, housing trust fund, low-income housing, property taxation, Minnesota statutes, vacant property, housing, commercial to residential conversion, Minneapolis, urban redevelopment, public parks, tax capacity

Transcript Highlights:

• Learning the language of IDEA and navigating the IEP process is often the first rite of passage for parents
• Even before the dashboard existed, the SARC was difficult for families to navigate.
• simple PDF is for parents to scroll through rather than clicking through multiple web pages and navigating
• and as a mother of two children, when I had to pull my kids out and put them in another academic facility
• , it was really heartbreaking, the hurdles. ...in another academic facility.

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 2189, AB 2615, AB 2496, AB 1750, and AB 1644. AB 2189 would create an $800,000 grant program through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support a statewide parent network for special education advocacy and training. Supporters said families need stronger coordination and information to navigate special education, while an opponent argued the bill could duplicate existing family-led organizations. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to Appropriations, held on call for add-on votes. AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 on antisemitism and instructional materials, drew the most controversy. The authors said it was intended to clarify prior commitments by removing references to professional responsibility standards, refining the “factually accurate” language, and clarifying how discriminatory materials are handled. Supporters said it would help protect students from discrimination, while many educators, civil rights groups, and other organizations opposed it unless amended, warning that the factual-accuracy language could chill teaching and be applied too broadly. The committee chair and members raised concerns about implementation but ultimately supported moving the bill forward; it passed 5-0 and was held on call. AB 2496 would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, phasing out the School Accountability Report Card over time, and making mid-year LCAP reporting optional. Supporters said this would reduce duplication and administrative burden while preserving access to key data; opponents worried families could lose the simplicity and accessibility of the current SARC and that the mid-year update still serves an important purpose. The bill was approved 3-0 and held on call. AB 1750, which would extend full salary for an additional five months for school employees who exhaust sick leave due to illness or injury, was supported as a dignity and retention measure but opposed by administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. AB 1644 would require a bell-to-bell smartphone ban in TK-8 and recommend it for high school, with exceptions for instructional and safety needs; supporters said phones are harming attention and learning, while opponents argued districts had just adopted local policies and needed more flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Opened the first private facility in the state in 1996 because I knew there was a need for a private
• and confidential, uh, facility to take care of these victims.
• Survivors are often forced to navigate up to 7 different systems family and friends, society, faith,
• Instead, I was left to navigate the system alone. Sadly, my story is not unique.
• I was left to navigate this nightmare alone. I was misled about his custody status.

Bills: HB47

Keywords: HB 47, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem taxes, property tax, voter-approval tax rate, tax rate election, taxing unit, injunction, taxpayer rights, property owner, local government finance, tax refund, attorney's fees, court costs, voter-approved tax increase, tax reform, municipal taxes, county taxes, school district taxes, bond election

Transcript Highlights:

• and confidential facility to take care of these victims.
• Thank you for testifying, and thank you for being the first private facility in the state.
• Survivors are often forced to navigate up to seven different systems, family and friends, society and
• Instead, I was left to navigate the system alone. Sadly, my story is... not unique.
• I was left to navigate this nightmare. I was misled about his custody status.

Bills: HB47, HB1552, HB1686, HB1953, HB2151, HB2355, HB2582, HB2697, HB2895, HB3073, HB3418, HB47

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, digital services, reporting requirements, children's protection, sex offender registration, indecent assault, educator-student relationship, criminal justice, legislation, crime victims, compensation fund, information disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• AND WHEN AND WORKED IN NURSING FACILITIES.
• FOR EXAMPLE A RESIDENT OF THE FACILITY WAS ADMITTED THERE 1999.
• THE FACILITY WAS ADMITTED THERE 1999.
• IT IS A DIFFICULT SYSTEM TO NAVIGATE.
• OR AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY AND THAT IS THE BILL MADAM CHAIR.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• facility in the system in the country. facility in the system in the country. >> Yeah.
• >> Well, these facilities serve long-distance facilities.
• >> Well, these facilities serve long-distance facilities.
• >> Well, these facilities serve >> Well, these facilities serve They're<02:01:46.160>
• They're long-distance facilities. They're long-distance facilities.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, we went up to Lisman and built the highway maintenance facility.
• maintenance facility. maintenance facility. 2017<01:08:06.960> with<01:08:07.119> the<
• And it's very difficult to navigate from one employer to another. At times it's unfair.
• I think we all know that it’s not easy to navigate.” Well, you can’t define customary.
• I think we all know that it’s not easy to navigate. To navigate. Um, to navigate.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened its labor hearing on SB 655 and outlined the day’s schedule, including a later working session on SB 416 and an executive session planned for 2:30 p.m. Senator Dan Innis introduced SB 655, describing it as a technical bill affecting employee leasing companies/professional employer organizations (PEOs), workers’ compensation coverage, and a Senate-added minimum wage exemption for minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement. He said the PEO change would let either the PEO or the client business hold workers’ comp coverage, while still requiring coverage, and argued it would align New Hampshire with most other states and reduce barriers for small businesses and multi-state employers. He also said the baseball provision would clarify wage treatment for minor league players and support the Manchester team. Justin Warell of Insperity testified in support of the PEO portion, explaining that PEOs provide HR, payroll, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation administration through a co-employment model. He said the bill would preserve mandatory coverage while allowing flexibility for the client or PEO to maintain the policy, which could help clients who already have preferred coverage or who face cost or administrative issues in multiple states. He noted that most clients would still remain under the PEO’s policy and said Insperity would submit written comments. Committee members asked about how the arrangement would work, whether the client or PEO would pay, and whether the bill would affect liability insurance packaging; Warell said the employer still bears the cost and that the bill mainly gives larger clients an option. One member asked him to remain available for possible follow-up after hearing from the labor department. Stephen Gonzalez of Major League Baseball testified in support of the minor league baseball exemption. He said MLB and the MLB Players Association negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that already provides players with salary, housing, meals, per diems, health and retirement benefits, disability continuation, tuition assistance, and signing bonuses. He argued that treating players as hourly workers creates impractical time-tracking problems because players do work-related activities on their own time, and said the bill would recognize them as salaried workers and avoid litigation over what counts as hours worked. Committee members questioned why the exemption was needed if players are already salaried and whether MLB could simply amend its CBA; Gonzalez said the bill would help prevent wage-and-hour lawsuits and noted that similar exemptions have been enacted in other states. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the bill would be considered for executive action later that afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• for Somerville County Hospital District, but for many other districts as well, trying to help them navigate
• County jails often rely on mandatory overtime to maintain the security of their facilities.
• responsible for maintaining the jail with, as far as Bexar County, upwards of 5,000 inmates, with facilities
• and housing out in two outside facilities.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also emphasize the need for local flexibility as districts face real differences in staffing, facilities
• We also emphasize the need for local flexibility as districts face real differences in staffing, facilities
• I do want to make one-time pitch quickly for one-time funds for facilities.
• A lot of those facilities issues are access issues.
• That's really the highlight for me of how complicated it is for a student to navigate, particularly with

Summary: The committee heard testimony on three education budget items: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance/statewide system of support, and universal school meals plus kitchen infrastructure grants. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579, and committee members questioned how the rate was determined, how much funding is actually spent, and whether overlapping funding from ELOP, ACEs, and 21st Century programs is being tracked. CDE said ELOP is showing positive attendance and math outcomes, but some requested data will not be available until mid-2027; members also raised concerns about double-funding, transparency, and whether middle and high school students are being equitably served. On differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the statewide system of support and the various tiers of universal, targeted, supplemental, and intensive assistance. Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to replace the current DA structure with a more stable universal and targeted assistance model, funded at $131.9 million ongoing, with a three-year support cycle aligned to LCAP and ESSA timelines and broader State Board authority to revise eligibility criteria. The LAO objected to considering the proposal before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria, and committee members expressed concern that moving to a three-year cycle could delay support for LEAs that newly fall into need mid-cycle. There was also discussion about whether the proposal would weaken subgroup-based equity guardrails or give the State Board too much discretion over who qualifies for support. For school meals and kitchen infrastructure, Finance proposed $1.8 billion ongoing for universal meals and an additional $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure and training grants. The LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the unmet need is not yet clear. CDE said prior investments have improved meal participation, efficiency, and menu variety, but many schools still lack the facilities for scratch cooking and face construction, electrical, and procurement barriers. Members asked for more data on how prior grants were used, which schools are benefiting, and whether funds could also support lower-cost food access strategies such as pantries, while noting federal restrictions on some meal-service innovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They did receive 98 million that they currently have in hand for the design construction of that facility
• Currently, the project for this pretreatment facility, they've been awarded approximately 5.4 million
• And then we've got private land to navigate as well.
• And so it's really Navigating the latitudes of the public assistance program because ultimately it's
• I have been to Mora to see the facility. It is exciting to think of the great potential of this.

Transcript Highlights:

• You provided part of the Guadalupe facility was being utilized, and, if I can remember right, it had
• Okay, so my math is, it's about 87 years that he, that they owned that facility.
• His grandmother had owned that facility, correct?
• And I say camp because it is one camp with shared facilities, shared management, same entity, and most
• Evacuation and it makes a distinction: emergency shelters and evacuation of buildings and facilities.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would combine our current family group in a home and our residentially based group in a facility
• despite these of psychiatric residential treatment facilities.
• Are any of these children with behavior problems eligible for any of the DD group home facilities?
• Our intermediate care facilities are not categorized by children or adults.
• One more geeky question: Do you use the CIS with children in DD facilities? I'm sorry, what?

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.