Transcript Highlights:

• We conducted this assessment over the period of time.
• As of recently, we handed in the final assessment results.
• The assessment consisted of several components.
• However, to do an assessment like this...
• That's all called out in the assessment.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy presentation on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ I-Connect system, based on an ILAB assessment of the platform’s performance and requirements. ILAB said the system provides useful centralized records, reporting, compliance support, and audit trails, but users described it as cumbersome, outdated, and inefficient, with excessive manual entry, weak navigation, limited notifications, no mobile app, poor printing/export options, and performance issues. ILAB also said the original 2013-era requirements were too high-level and that only a portion of the requirements could be verified, with some features de-scoped or never implemented. Their recommendations included better integration with electronic health record systems, improved performance monitoring, electronic signatures, OCR, and more modern export and verification tools. Public testimony from providers and advocates echoed those concerns. A support coordination provider said the system is nicknamed “I Disconnect,” described problems with EVV/GPS sign-ins, lengthy support plans, lack of a phone app, and possible HIPAA concerns. Another advocate said the system should have preserved family access to records and criticized the need for providers to use workarounds and additional software. APD staff said the agency has spent about $19.7 million through FY 2023-24, has regular build updates under the current contract with WellSky, and uses an internal help desk and vendor ticketing process to triage bugs versus enhancement requests. They said some issues are handled case-by-case, critical tickets have SLAs, and the agency is working on interoperability and other requested improvements. Members questioned whether the system should be fixed or replaced, whether the original contract and SaaS arrangement were sufficient, and whether the state received value for the money spent. APD said the system went live in phases and that all functionality was in place by June 2024, while ILAB and members noted significant technical debt and unresolved gaps. The committee also discussed record retention, provider access to records after a consumer changes providers, and whether federal funding or compliance could be affected. The meeting ended with broader budget remarks emphasizing completion over expansion, stronger upfront planning for technology projects, and more accountability before funding new systems or major enhancements.

Transcript Highlights:

• To strengthen competency, consistency, and ethical practice across the workforce.
• One recent example illustrates how this policy framework translates into practice.
• with current best practices and community priorities.
• with current best practices and community priorities.
• with current best practices and community priorities.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began. MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Denson has practiced in Tyler County for over 32 years.
• allows for the Texas Animal Health Commission, regarding the management of diseases, to provide practice
• It simply creates a mechanism for allowing new assessments should they meet the academic standards set
• The audits have also showcased best practices, an example for other counties.
• This wasn't like this practice has been going on for 20 years or 10 years, but really since about 2021

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's Senate Bill 434, assessment of property used for residential purposes, by Senator Lee.
• So the reauthorization is to really continue with that practice.
• Just a... proposed is based on the best practices of Florida and Texas.
• That has been a best practice. Mr. Chair, you are recognized. How much stuff do we own?
• The reason why I asked you about grading or assessing my district, okay?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present and took up four bills. SB 434, relating to assessment of residential property, was presented as a measure to prohibit counties from increasing a home’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation improvements; it was reported favorably. CS for SB 110, concerning homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases that terminate at death, was described as a clarifying, remedial change for long-term leaseholders and was also reported favorably. SB 856, which requires online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew supportive testimony from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and local government groups. Senators emphasized consumer transparency and the problem of buyers being surprised by post-sale tax increases. The bill was reported favorably after discussion about where the estimates would appear and whether realtors already have disclosure duties. The committee then spent most of the meeting on SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund through December 31, 2027. Supporters, including the Executive Office of the Governor and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, argued the fund is needed for hurricanes, other disasters, and emergency response operations, and that reimbursements from federal or other sources are returned to the fund. Opponents, including the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, SPLC, Florida for All, and others, argued the fund has been used too broadly for immigration enforcement and detention-related activities, lacks sufficient oversight, and should be narrowed to true disasters. Senators questioned spending levels, reimbursements, detention facilities, State Guard involvement, and oversight; no final action on SPB 7040 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• because she's the one who understands in great detail the marketplace and how this would work in practice
• that we can charge the provider through the provider assessment that hospitals pay.
• We're acting on our community health needs assessment.' And they said, 'No, we welcome it.
• I'm aware of some private practices where, had that not happened, they were toast.
• But then we'd really have a lot of private practice medicine.

Bills: SB21, SB42, SB81, SB101, SB139

Keywords: SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation, senior health coverage, elderly, retiree, Medicare beneficiaries, preexisting conditions, underwriting restrictions, premium discrimination, New Mexico insurance law, superintendent of insurance, health care coverage, policy portability, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• assessment.
• Now we are 12 years later, and the assessments went down back in 2016, but we still are being assessed
• Um, if the assessment had been based on 10% of gross utility revenues, the assessment would have been
• </c> collected as part of the assessment collected as part of the assessment invoices<02:50:52.200><c
• </c> accounted for in the utility assessment accounted for in the utility assessment uh<05:18:52.840>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a predatory practice that is almost in no instance is it of benefit to the consumer.
• This is a practice that has been outlawed by several other states.
• , restricting certain sales practices, and classifying travel insurance for rates and forms.
• And when the plan needs funds, an assessment is made to the association.
• I have background in HR, so do recruiting before, and I'm thinking about hiring practices.

Bills: HB2428, HB2399, HB2087

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:44.000><c> where</c> the 10th grade, we would assess where the 10th grade, we would assess
• ,</c> they need review, they need assessment, they need review, they need assessment, they<00:36:38.880
• Forcing these professional practice.
• </c> best practices. best practices. &gt;&gt; Representative<02:05:57.760><c> Kuger.
• </c> evidence-based practices and strategies. evidence-based practices and strategies.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Practicality, actually 42 other states already allow animal composting and more states are moving in
• Just as current practices, including bone piles and burial, have not spelled the end for.
• Cockfighting is an important crime to address because it's an inexcusable practice that profits from
• Flawed logic states the practice of staking roosters on the grass invites infection.
• We have not raised the assessment, the commission board hasn't since 1994 because we've been close to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've been practicing this over the last four years.
• I know you worked very hard on this bill, as you know, I practice...
• I've been practicing for 30 something years.
• And that's when a judge has a better opportunity to assess a person.
• This turns into a practical problem... This turns into a practical problem, doesn't it? Mr.

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects applicants from unfair sales practices or unfair enrollment practices and facilitates public
• It protects applicants from unfair sales practices or unfair enrollment practices and facilitates public
• This bill doesn't do that through its reciprocity practice. It just opens it up.
• This bill doesn't do that through its reciprocity practice. It just opens it up.
• practice in other states as well.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard and approved several Idaho Department of Insurance rule dockets, most of them described as negotiated rules with no substantive changes and mainly aimed at removing duplicative language, clarifying definitions, and reducing regulatory burden. The approved rules covered self-funded health care plans, joint powers/self-funded arrangements, long-term care insurance, small employer and individual health insurance availability, coordination of benefits, short-term health plans, and managing general agents. Members asked a few technical questions, including about bonding versus dishonesty insurance, preexisting condition language, Medicare coordination, and the structure of short-term plans; the director explained that Idaho’s preexisting-condition protections remain in law and that the short-term plan changes were intended to expand consumer options and align coverage periods with the calendar year. One short-term plan docket had both a temporary and pending rule component, and the committee approved the pending rule to become effective on the Legislature’s sine die date. The committee also noted Rule 80 and Rule 82 declarations by members with insurance licenses. The committee then took up House Bill 563, which would lower barriers to becoming a CPA in Idaho by creating additional licensure pathways. Representative Ehlers said the bill responds to a CPA shortage by allowing a bachelor’s degree plus the CPA exam and two years of supervised experience, or a master’s degree path, while also easing reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs. Testimony from Rachel Misnick raised concern that the bill’s supervision language could make it harder for some state employees and others without direct CPA supervisors to qualify. Ken McClure, who helped draft the bill for the Idaho Society of CPAs, said the supervision requirement is a quality-control measure and that the Board of Accountancy can use peer or mentor verification arrangements; he also argued the reciprocity provisions reflect national uniform standards and would help Idaho CPAs practice elsewhere. Laura Lance of the Idaho Society of CPAs testified in support, saying the bill adds flexibility and helps address supervision challenges, especially in rural areas. After discussion, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I-502 made a safe but sensible, practical choice.
• Law enforcement is already practiced at identifying which stores or which homes are engaged in illegal
• I just want to say the tiered revenue thresholds in the bill seem reasonable, practical, and reflect
• This is a practical... ...the price of cannabis, the more youth are using the product.
• This is a practical, market-based solution. It says reasonable revenue expectations.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 5882 would extend workers’ compensation PTSD presumptions to local correctional facility workers after 90 days of employment, with staff explaining the bill’s scope, fiscal note, and how claims would affect employers’ experience ratings. The sponsor and labor representatives supported the measure as a response to correctional officer trauma, while cities, retailers, and self-insurers opposed it over cost, system sustainability, and the need for more study. Labor and Industries said the estimated five-year state-fund claim cost ranges from $6.7 million to $15.3 million, and the hearing closed after testimony from both sides. The committee then heard SB 6196, which would impose a 95% excise tax on kratom products starting in 2027, create licensing and labeling requirements, and direct revenue to youth harmful substance prevention. Supporters argued kratom is unregulated and increasingly available to youth, and some urged age-gating and stronger restrictions on synthetic concentrated products. Opponents, including retailers and the American Kratom Association, said the bill is too punitive, would hurt legitimate businesses, and should be revised into a consumer protection framework rather than treated like a controlled substance. No vote was taken. SB 6204, allowing adults to grow up to six cannabis plants at home with a 15-plant household cap, drew strong support from cannabis advocates and some medical users, who said home grow should have been part of legalization and would help consumers understand the plant. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and public health warned about youth access, enforcement problems, fire and chemical risks, and possible impacts on cannabis tax revenue. The committee also heard SB 6134, requiring notice to striking workers about possible UI overpayments if they later receive retroactive wages, which the sponsor said would prevent surprise repayment obligations; testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Finally, SB 6195, aimed at reducing cannabis oversupply by tying producer canopy size to reported sales, drew broad support from cannabis businesses and trade groups, who said it would stabilize the market and address JLARC’s findings, with some stakeholders asking for implementation fixes and clearer language.

Transcript Highlights:

• That this is good practice for them.
• Um, we have things called communities of practice.
• We in New Mexico are engaged in many of those same practices.
• Policies and practices by their intent instead of their outcome.
• Best practices already, community-informed needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties are required to assess these requests within 30 business days and determine whether to file
• Counties are required to assess these requests within 30 business days and determine whether to file
• It is near and dear to my heart as a former practicing deportation defense attorney.
• It is near and dear to my heart as a former practicing deportation defense attorney.
• Even I refuse to give legal advice to anyone no longer practicing because the law changes.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• What data will be available that will help us better assess the situation?
• So the... ...that will help us better assess the situation?
• Dental practices remain concentrated in middle. ...access problems and others.
• Dental practices remain concentrated in middle- and higher-income areas.
• How do we assess whether that outcome was met or not?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we'll continue to make that assessment.
• We will if we see that risk assessment dial turn up and then in a direction that we don't like.
• an assessment on your end and work together to pivot if needed.
• Sharing information, best practices. and how to address the threat. As Dr.
• Does anyone else, do you all concur with that assessment?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislature has passed bills that allow for the best procurement practice to be used in K-12, CSUs
• This bill is a narrow, practical bill to address this issue.
• Kathleen Rooney, an OB-GYN and managing partner of a Sacramento private practice.
• The EU is currently drafting the code of practice for the EU AI Act and is very interested in what we
• This is a long-standing practice.

Summary: The Senate began with a roll call, a moment of silence for the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The body then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Julia Montgomery as General Counsel for the Agricultural Labor Relations Board and reappointing Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr. Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez to the State Board of Education, and George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar. The Senate also heard a guest introduction welcoming Cal Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff to the gallery. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Phobia, and Transphobia; SCR 129 designating part of Highway 152 as the Rusty Arraes Highway; SCR 169 proclaiming October 2026 as Women's Small Business Month; and SCR 173 designating May 2026 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month. All of these resolutions passed, with members speaking in support of Arraes, women-owned businesses, and the public safety and community roles of fairgrounds. The Senate also passed a series of policy bills. These included SB 1154 on best-value procurement for community college public works, SB 1369 on judicial recall safeguards, SB 1106 shortening the data broker deletion timeline under the Delete Act, SB 1417 increasing transparency for mutual water companies, SB 1408 authorizing a future Contra Costa transportation sales tax measure, SB 1172 adding guardrails to local tax sharing agreements, SB 1383 protecting locally adopted labor standards in density bonus projects, SB 1371 barring waste haulers from suspending service during lawful labor disputes, SB 908 streamlining residential window replacement permits, SB 1361 limiting actions taken solely to avoid transit-oriented housing standards, SB 1014 requiring early fee and improvement estimates for housing projects, SB 1272 giving homeowners more time to fix preexisting code violations, SB 1406 targeting the Montana tax loophole, SB 1238 increasing HOA transparency and oversight, and SB 868 creating a plug-in solar framework. Most passed on largely party-line votes, with some Republican members objecting to labor-related or regulatory measures. Later in the day, the Senate approved additional health, education, privacy, and AI measures, including SB 950 on early-onset Alzheimer’s treatment coverage, SB 874 on Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment oversight, SB 1049 on correcting health plan claims, SB 1067 on early math screening, SB 1202 on Medi-Cal outreach amid federal changes, SB 944 on acupuncture coverage, SB 957 on notice for federal subpoenas to social media companies, SB 998 on discrimination prevention coordinators, and SB 1000 on AI content transparency. The final item shown, SB 1056 on protective orders for sexually explicit material involving adult victims, was introduced with the author noting ongoing work on amendments, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those have third-party assessments.
• Those have third-party assessments.
• We do the assessments, the Wonderlic assessments for numeracy and literacy.
• </c> assessments, the wonderlick assessments assessments, the wonderlick assessments for<00:29:08.399
• Um approximately assessment.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That same plan met or exceeded the statewide goal for 95% completion of comprehensive assessment and
• We offer some best practices to support a transition.
• Uh, our chief medical officer is a practicing physician.
• Uh and so I I practicing physician.
• But how else do you see this practically speaking, keeping more people in their home?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.

Transcript Highlights:

• The lead attorney has been practicing redistricting law for over 40 years, and they came through their
• Not only is it a good practice.
• It's not good practice, but it does occasionally happen. And then they go to another department.
• Senate Bill 16, relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related
• Senate Bill 16, relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then observed a moment of silence after Senator Eckhardt referenced a mass shooting in Austin. The chamber also agreed to postpone reading and referral of bills until later in the day. Early procedural business included a motion not to print Senate Bill 3, which was adopted without objection. Later, Senator Mendez raised a parliamentary inquiry about moving flood relief bills to the top of the calendar, but the presiding officer said the order of business was up to the chair. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 4, the congressional redistricting bill. Senator King laid out the bill, describing it as the companion to the House version, based on 2020 census data, and arguing it was legal, race-blind, more compact, and likely to elect more Republicans. Senators asked extensive questions about the process, public hearings, and the map’s effects on districts and communities. The Senate voted to suspend the regular order of business and the three-day rule, then passed SB 4 to engrossment and finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 19 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 6, relating to abortion and civil liability for the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs. Senator Hughes argued the bill was needed to stop illegal abortion pills being mailed into Texas and harming women and unborn children. The Senate suspended the regular order of business and the three-day rule, passed the bill to engrossment, and then finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 18 yeas, 10 nays, and one present not voting. A lengthy discussion followed on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 14, which would standardize law enforcement personnel and departmental files statewide. Senator King said the bill codifies a TCOLE model policy and limits public access to personnel files to substantiated misconduct, commendations, and evaluations, while keeping other records available through other legal processes. Senators Eckhardt, West, Hinojosa, and others questioned how the bill would affect transparency, meet-and-confer agreements, civilian review boards, and access to unsubstantiated complaints. An amendment by Senator Hinojosa of Dallas to narrow the bill to unfounded complaints failed, and SB 14 was then passed to engrossment on a vote of 18 yeas and 10 nays. The final major item was Senate Bill 1, the natural disaster omnibus bill responding to the July flooding. Senator Perry said the bill addresses camp and RV park safety, evacuation plans, emergency rooftop access, lines of succession for local emergency management, annual drills, volunteer management, drone restrictions over disaster areas, small-business recovery loans, and a statewide data hub for flood and weather monitoring. Senators Menendez, Eckhardt, and Kolkhorst asked about autopsies, volunteer background checks, liability, warning systems, floodplain mitigation, and coordination with FEMA and local governments. Perry said the bill focuses on preparation, response, and recovery, while broader prevention and mitigation issues may be addressed later. The transcript ends during this extended discussion, before final action on SB 1 is shown.