Transcript Highlights:

• Fifteen other states have banned this already, so we would be the 16th state in the country to do so.
• We've heard about state employees being not paid well. These are not just state employees.
• I've seen it in two different states over my 22 years in state legislatures combined.
• We're a big state. We're a big boy state.
• We're helping agencies across the state, all over the state, to train law enforcement.

Bills: HB2207, HB2225, HB2602, HB2641

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it has the worst fraud uh of any state it has the worst fraud uh of any state in<00:05:33.880><c
• </c> next committee stop and that was stated next committee stop and that was stated by<00:10:25.320>
• This would ensure that all IG staff are subject to conflict of interest laws and the state code of ethics
• </c><00:50:53.720><c> uh</c> therefore the uh previously stated uh therefore the uh previously stated
• </c> agencies that were defrauding the state agencies that were defrauding the state of<01:02:26.240>

Bills: HF1, HF2

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• have</c><00:12:09.240><c> smaller</c> Many of these states have smaller Many of these states have smaller
• </c> similarly sized states similarly sized states with<00:14:09.640><c> staff</c><00:14:09.960><c> between
• </c> many state programs and services. many state programs and services.
• </c> efficient services across state efficient services across state government. government. government
• </c><00:35:25.120><c> of</c> for your service to the state of for your service to the state of Minnesota

Bills: HF1338

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• 31 other states.
• As I stated at the start, as state leaders, you have a choice.
• They lower state revenues, and they raise the need for state spending.
• What did the state do?
• What did the state do?

Bills: H5006, H5007

Keywords: tax revenue, state surplus, taxpayer refunds, budget growth, Massachusetts General Laws, income tax, tax reduction, state law, personal income tax, tax rates, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota in terms of the state budget. Minnesota in terms of the state budget.
• other similar-sized states.
• </c> have contracts with other state have contracts with other state agencies?
• Are they billing other state agencies? Are they billing other state agencies?
• </c> of state resources uh reporting to OA. of state resources uh reporting to OA.

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You're late filing the campaign report, and currently, the Secretary of State is required to send you
• It saves state money for filing a report by Rep. L. State money for filing a report by Rep.
• to prohibit foreign nationals from contributing and having any expenditures in elections within the state

Bills: HB310, HB363

Keywords: campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, foreign contributions, political parties, electoral integrity, state legislation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At least 22 states already allow a physician to initiate an emergency detention, and several other states
• No, I think... ...like she said, it varies widely from state to state, depending on the center that you're
• When you request those from the state, the state does not keep that information.
• The state of Texas actually has the most stringent charity care law in the state, the 5%.
• We have 91 in the state, the largest by far of any other state.

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• State treasurer.
• I'm the assistant state forester for operations with Wyoming State Forestry Division.
• state.
• state.
• </c> program kind of started in the state. program kind of started in the state.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the state of Wyoming. in the state of Wyoming. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:20:09.360><c> you.
• </c> state forestry and our federal partners. state forestry and our federal partners.
• </c> industries across the state. Thank you. industries across the state. Thank you.
• earlier, state, federal state of Wyoming earlier, state, federal government,<00:57:35.760><c> local<
• <01:03:32.799><c> forers</c> state forers state forers standard<01:03:34.799><c> budget.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2014, patients<00:14:07.760><c> across</c><00:14:08.079><c> our</c><00:14:08.320><c> state</c><
• 00:14:08.639><c> have</c><00:14:08.959><c> been</c> patients across our state have been patients across
• our state have been invited<00:14:09.440><c> to</c><00:14:09.680><c> nominate</c><00:14:10.160><c> health
• leadership in both clinical practice and research, she continues to advance cancer treatment in our state
• leadership in both clinical practice and research, she continues to advance cancer treatment in our state

Bills: SB2723, HB9

Keywords: law enforcement, State Sheriffs Day, Hawaii, commemoration, public safety, honor sheriffs, HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation

Transcript Highlights:

• Heart State.
• Designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart State would send a powerful message that our state stands with and
• Designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart State would send a powerful message that our state stands with and
• And so I'm such a fan of this legislation here at the state to make it happen across the state.
• um to make it happen across the state um to make it happen across the state.<00:15:35.279><c> And</c

Bills: HB9, SB2723

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, law enforcement, State Sheriffs Day

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 9 HD1, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart State, and SB 2723, relating to State Sheriff’s Day. On HB 9 HD1, Takumi Abby of Purple Heart Chapter 483 testified in strong support, saying the bill would recognize the service and sacrifice of combat-wounded veterans and honor Purple Heart recipients and their families. Additional support was noted from the Office of Veterans Services, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and CARES, whose representative Angela Melody Young described related veteran-honoring efforts in Honolulu and across Oahu and said the state designation would extend that recognition statewide. Members then moved to decision-making on HB 9 HD1. One member briefly commented on family military service and the importance of remembering Purple Heart recipients. The committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation to pass the measure as is, with all members present voting aye. For SB 2723, the chair indicated the committee would further defer the date, while also recommending passage with amendments. The committee voted on the amended version and adopted the chair’s recommendation with no objections or reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• private duty nursing through Medicaid, um, but as you all know, we have a nursing shortage in this state
• And it's been reported that states with complex care aid programs like these, there are about 7 so far
• Would amend language in the Texas Family Code allowing the Department of Family and Protective Services
• which would be accessible to the state and local emergency response agencies.
• There is a fairly well established line in the property codes.

Bills: HB 660, HB 4845, HB 3902, HB 5396, HB 4615, HB 1825, HB 1403, HB 4336, HB 4585, HB 4371, HB 863, SB 1589, HB 5223, HB 3195, HB 2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Duty nursing through Medicaid, but as you all know, we have a nursing shortage in this state.
• And it's been reported that states with complex care aid programs like these, about seven so far, have
• Senate Bill 1589 would amend language in the Texas Family Code allowing the Department of Family and
• Living in the state, which would be accessible to the state and local emergency response agencies.
• There is a fairly well-established line in the property codes.

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, as Madam Chair stated, there's a substitute.
• As a state representative, a state senator, and in the United States Congress, she herself was a registered
• As I stated earlier, the amount of services that she provided to the state of Texas was just so heartbreaking
• Here's what some of the best in the state do.
• I am the Deputy State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• federal tax credit scholarship program, allowing the program to continue regardless of a change in state
• regardless of a the program to continue regardless of a change<00:04:10.799><c> in</c><00:04:11.120><c> state
• </c><00:04:12.720><c> This</c><00:04:13.040><c> program</c> change in state leadership.
• This program change in state leadership.

Bills: HB342, HB342, HB168, HB220, SB187, SB270, SB265, SB220, SB242, SB277

Keywords: religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, tax credit, scholarship, education funding, financial aid, federal participation, HB168, Alabama, emergency management, local emergency management organization, mutual aid, mutual aid agreement, disaster response, public safety, public health, state emergency management plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington Elementary School right here in Dover.
• many states are moving in that direction.
• many states are moving in that direction.
• When those national rankings come out and we are compared to other states, and other states don't have
• to energy drinks.

Bills: SB293, SB279, SB293, SB279

Keywords: SB 293, youth camp, child care licensing, Office of Child Care Licensing, OCCL, American Camp Association, ACA accreditation, Purchase of Care, POC reimbursement, summer camp, school-age child care, child care exemption, Division of Public Health permit, Title 14, Delaware Department of Education, health and safety standards, child care provider reimbursement, summer child care, camp licensing, license exemption

Summary: The House Education Committee met and first heard Senate Bill 293, the Youth Camp Licensing Act, which would amend child care licensing rules for youth camps. The sponsor said the bill, with amendments, would remove accreditation language, clarify shelter requirements for outdoor camps, and eliminate limits that had restricted the number of children camps could serve, especially for families using purchase-of-care assistance. YMCA and school representatives testified in support, saying the measure would expand access to safe, affordable summer care for low-income working families. The committee voted to release the bill. The committee then approved Senate Bill 328, which would require the Department of Education’s school facility evaluation instrument to be established by regulation and to include lead-based paint hazards in the standard of good repair. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee supported the bill, explaining that lead had not been included in the original evaluation tool and that the new language would improve transparency and public comment. Senate Bill 318, updating the Delaware State Education Association special license plate program, also passed after DSEA testified that proceeds support scholarships for educators and students pursuing education careers. House Bill 443, dealing with background checks for education volunteers and mentors, passed as well. The sponsor said it would allow DOE to continue receiving wrapback reports for mentors in the state mentoring program and ensure state and federal criminal background checks remain in place. The committee also released Senate Joint Resolution 15, which directs DOE to reevaluate Delaware’s use of the SAT, modernize the accountability framework, and develop additional measures of student achievement and readiness; supporters argued the SAT does not capture career and technical pathways or other indicators of success. House Bill 459, which prohibits the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or events, passed after discussion focused on whether the bill would affect possession versus sale and whether it could lead to student discipline; DOE said the bill only bans sales, and the sponsor said an amendment would clarify intent. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 137 passed, directing DOE to review math instruction and MTSS supports statewide; testimony emphasized low math proficiency and the need for stronger, more coherent interventions. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 279 on occupational therapist salary placement, with discussion centered on aligning OT compensation with other specialist roles and broader salary regulation updates, though the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 72 hours comes from, as was stated, existing Delaware state law.
• Our Delaware state law does not allow that.
• Under the mental health in our code?
• And finally, states such as...
• This is about our state continuing to move forward in the way that not only means This is about our state

Bills: SB274, SB301, SB249

Keywords: healthcare, life-sustaining treatment, patient preferences, POLST, advance directive, medical orders, hospital discharge, pregnancy, patient care, discharge planning, healthcare policy, substance use, harm reduction, syringe services, needle exchange, overdose prevention, naloxone, opioid antagonist, drug paraphernalia, syringe

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an act to amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code related to child care.
• It's an act to amend title 14 of the dollar code related to child care.
• So is it a state agency, right? Exactly.
• So it's not very usable to the state to know that we're on track.
• New Mexico, D.C., and several other states have it too.

Bills: SB293, SB279

Keywords: SB 293, youth camp, child care licensing, Office of Child Care Licensing, OCCL, American Camp Association, ACA accreditation, Purchase of Care, POC reimbursement, summer camp, school-age child care, child care exemption, Division of Public Health permit, Title 14, Delaware Department of Education, health and safety standards, child care provider reimbursement, summer child care, camp licensing, license exemption

Summary: The Senate Education Committee approved the June 10 minutes and then heard House Bill 447, which would create a framework for voluntary child care cost-sharing partnerships among the state, employers, community sponsors, and families. Supporters said the bill is meant to help make child care more affordable and support workforce participation by using the existing Interagency Resource Management Committee to coordinate planning and funding. Committee discussion focused on how the tri-share model would work, who would participate, and whether it would reach lower-income families; no public comment was offered on the bill. The committee then took up House Bill 300, as amended, which would establish a statewide Title IX coordinator within the Department of Education to provide training, technical assistance, data collection, and oversight for interscholastic athletics in grades 6 through 12. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the position would help schools comply with Title IX, improve consistency, and make athletic participation and spending data more transparent; opponents or skeptics questioned whether a new DOE position was needed and whether districts were already meeting their obligations. The sponsor and witnesses responded that existing federal data are delayed and incomplete, that some Delaware schools have participation gaps, and that a state-level coordinator would provide needed support and accountability. Public comment on HB 300 included testimony from the Delaware State Education Association, the Delaware Association of School Administrators, the Delaware School Sports Network, and the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy, all generally supporting the bill or its goals. DASA noted it remained neutral but appreciated changes made in House Amendment 1 to reduce reporting burden. After public comment, the chair asked members to sign the bill release forms for the two bills heard, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is a policy of the state of Texas.
• But emergency on behalf of the state, on behalf of a growing state, I will continue to say is not an
• But emergency on behalf of the state, on behalf of a growing state, I will continue to say is not an
• But if society, if the state really needs it, then the state will be able to pay for it.
• But if society, if the state really needs it, then the state will be able to pay for it.

Bills: HB5489, HB5695, HB5699, SB291, SB292

Keywords: impact fee, moratorium, local government, Texas legislation, infrastructure funding, municipal utility district, eminent domain, bonds, assessments, infrastructure, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Harris County, Municipal Utility District, territory exclusion, debt service taxes, property taxation, condemnation, property acquisition, real property, appraisal reports