Transcript Highlights:

• And so we meet regularly as a tri-agency group.
• And our third focus group focused on... bolstering faculty positions and preceptorships and preceptor
• And then we put on something with a group called Healthier Texas, and the Healthier Texas.
• And so, last December, December 23, we brought a work group together, and from that group of experts.
• And there's a group of over 300 headhunters that about every four or five years they go out and they

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of groups in the audience I'd like to recognize.
• It's like dueling leadership groups. So, I'm on this side, some on that side.
• There's a couple of things going on here. our commodity groups that are here today our commodity groups
• And I want to apologize for being late to leadership group.
• for being late to leadership group. for being late to leadership group.

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 28, which would create a framework for the $5 million in agricultural economic development funding included in the 2024 budget. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified that the bill is intended to support agriculture-focused economic development, especially processing and further processing projects, by giving the Department of Agriculture tools to identify opportunities, convene partners, and offer incentives. He emphasized the role of the new economic development division in the department and said the effort is meant to complement, not replace, the work of the state Economic Development Cabinet. Shell and several senators described the bill as a rural development tool aimed at helping smaller communities attract projects that fit their scale. He cited examples such as poultry processing, grain and elevator operations, milling, and specialty crop ventures, arguing that local processing can create jobs, strengthen markets for farmers, and keep more value in Kentucky. Senators discussed the need for return-on-investment metrics and clawback provisions for unsuccessful projects, and Shell said the framework includes those concepts. He also said the department is working on opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and other markets that could bring more acres into production. Members also raised questions about small-farm innovation, raw milk, and direct-to-consumer opportunities. Shell said raw milk testing and related consumer protection issues are more closely tied to the University of Kentucky and the department’s consumer/environmental protection functions than to the bill’s economic development focus, but he said the department can help expand small-farm programs such as Kentucky Proud, Buy Local, KOAP, CAP, food-as-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. The discussion also turned to beef processing and feedlot development, with Shell saying Kentucky wants a beef processor but first needs to prove it can feed cattle at scale; he said changing conditions in western states could create an opening for Kentucky if it can build the necessary supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:03:41.760> of legislation is u companies or groups of legislation is u companies or groups
• So, the hope is the group will get going pretty quickly.
• plan for the DLC, with input from the impacted groups, um, this amendment repeals the working group provision
• plan for the DLC, with input from the impacted groups, um, this amendment repeals the working group provision
• plan for the DLC, with input from the impacted groups.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , organizations, our multispety groups, organizations, our multispety groups, our<00:35:59.680>
• These are provider<00:36:25.920> groups.
• So that's important to provider groups.
• We did do individual provider focus groups.
• We have medical transport work group.

Keywords: During the committee meeting live stream, portion of the video was lost due to network issues. There were also some technical difficulties with content and the incorrect background image being used. The lost footage was recovered from backup, and the other issues corrected in post production editing. 1. 00:00:41 Call to Order 2. 00:01:02 Roll Call 3. 00:02:54 Approval of Minutes 4. 00:05:06 Statutory Reports and Data Requests 5. 00:35:14 2025 and 2026 Session Update 6. 01:03:10 Board Structure Updates and Subcommittees 7. 01:05:20 Public Comment 8. 02:23:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions. On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year. Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available. Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that multiplicative factor is quite different for Group 1s and Group 2s because Group 1s are expected
• And that multiplicative factor is quite different for Group 1s and Group 2s because Group 1s are expected
• And that multiplicative factor is quite different for Group 1s and Group 2s because Group 1s are expected
• And that multiplicative factor is quite different for Group 1s and Group 2s because Group 1s are expected
• So the multiplier for Group 2 is much higher than the multiplier for Group 1.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met to continue work on House Bill 2, with the chair saying the goal was to finish the bill as given by the governor, though additional amendments were expected. Members first discussed the bail section and agreed to hold it for later because a separate House bail bill was expected on Thursday and could have significant county cost impacts. They also generally accepted the proposed reorganization of positions between Fish and Game, DNCR, and the Department of Environmental Services, but noted the need to review effective dates and funding details, including a possible double appropriation of $275,000 for a scientist position already funded in HB 1. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on environmental review and native plant-related sections moving functions from DNCR to DES. Members discussed changing the rulemaking timeline from 180 days to 90 days, and clarifying that “begin” means the public hearing stage. They also reviewed how fee revenue would shift between agencies in HB 1 so the budget impact would be net zero. The committee indicated it would prepare amendments reflecting these changes and revisit them at a later vote. The longest discussion concerned the boathouse provisions. Members debated whether the new definitions and construction standards were appropriate in a budget bill, with one member arguing they should be in a separate bill, while others said the provisions were urgent because of a lawsuit and the lack of clear guardrails. Concerns included the February 20, 2025 effective date, which some thought might be retroactive, the detailed limits on what may be stored in a boathouse, and a fee increase that some felt could discourage homeowners from seeking permits. The committee also questioned whether the fee structure should be tiered for smaller projects and whether permit-by-notification projects should be exempted. No final votes were taken on these sections during the discussion; instead, members agreed to seek legal and policy answers and to return with amendments and public hearing input before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• the summer, which is the bulk of our events, that we wanted to make sure that we figured out as a group
• I'm wondering, as part of the work that we do, is look for best practices, maybe of groups like ours.
• So I'll share that with the group later.
• So there's so many different groups.
• I know we work with groups all over our diaspora as far as even Holland.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission approved the minutes from its March 11 meeting after a motion by Jeannie Costa and a second by Senator Michael Brady, with members noting a few possible corrections to attendance and wording. The meeting then focused on updates about the commission’s timeline and funding. Staff reported that an amendment to extend the commission’s deadline from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 was filed in the Fair Share budget but was not accepted, and members discussed pursuing the extension through other budget vehicles, including the regular budget, a supplemental budget, or other legislation. Commissioners also discussed the need to fill a vacancy left by Julius Brito and to potentially extend the deadline for appointing new commissioners. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to brainstorming the commission’s community engagement plan for the proposed Cape Verdean Culture Center. Members revisited a three-part approach involving site visits, traditional listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, while also emphasizing historical accuracy, youth engagement, visibility, and regional collaboration. Commissioners suggested using surveys, canvassing, social media, a website, and other digital tools to reach people across the diaspora, including those unable to attend in person. Several members recommended specific locations and institutions for engagement, including New Bedford, Brockton, Boston, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island, with references to museums, historical societies, clubs, and cultural organizations already doing related work. Testimony and comments also addressed funding and organizational structure for the future center. Legislators described possible funding sources such as House and Senate earmarks, a bond bill, and a nonprofit structure that could later support fundraising and operations. Members discussed examples from other cultural institutions, including the Holocaust Museum, the African American History Museum, and the Haitian Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center, as models for governance and public support. The group also raised the possibility of future collaboration with the Cape Verdean government and institutions in Cabo Verde, though one member urged waiting until after upcoming elections there before making formal contacts. No additional votes were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, Department of Veterans Affairs with the Ecological Design Group.
• Number six, Department of Health with the GEL Group Incorporated.
• Number eleven, with DHS, is with Healthcare Services Group.
• Number 11 with DHS is with Healthcare Services Group.
• Number 29, University of Arkansas with the Siegel Group.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I think that in general, the consensus group has expected.
• The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) is looking at this.
• We are collaborating with the other economists in the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group.
• There are groups that don't... I'll get back to you for two years.
• So within that, it had to fall within our congressional group.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are perpetuating harm, and I think a lot of the work that the Incarcerated Women's Work Group has
• I want to thank the legislature for their support on these issues, including funding for a working group
• camp training, as well as arts and corrections, and a wide variety of incarcerated person self-help groups
• We focus efforts through education, self-help groups, and becoming trauma-informed, prepare the population
• The legislature has entrusted the sexual assault response and prevention working group to communicate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My mom currently is a member of your group and a retired teacher, and my sister is a current teacher.
• We have a group here today in the...
• Speaker, members, today I have the honor of recognizing a group that represents the very heart of the
• This group represents the best of San Antonio.
• Members, today we are honored to have a very special group of young Texans in our Capitol.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, you're putting the onus on one group.
• Like, you're putting the onus on one group.
• And when I was speaking yesterday with a group that was in control of this, that was a concern of theirs
• Members, the population served by the Children's Medical Services is a really special group of kids.
• Medical Services is a really special group of kids.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and System Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered five bills. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers drew the most discussion; Rep. Albert said it would require written notice when a patient is referred to an out-of-network provider and would count certain insurer payments toward deductibles. Several members and the Florida College of Emergency Physicians raised concerns about placing the burden on doctors’ offices, possible delays in referrals, and unclear enforcement, but the bill was reported favorably 16-2. Public testimony included support from AARP and concerns from emergency physicians about ER workflow and insurance-network transparency. The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 475, reducing fines for ambulatory surgery centers that violate good-faith estimate requirements from $1,000 to $250 per day, with a lower maximum penalty. The bill sponsor said the change was intended to right-size penalties for smaller facilities; witnesses from surgery centers and HCA supported it. HB 797, which would allow a nonprofit retirement community serving veterans and spouses to create veteran-and-spouse nursing home beds and transfer a certificate of need within 100 miles, also passed unanimously after members discussed whether it could affect access for veterans; the sponsor said it would create additional private beds rather than displace existing ones. HB 1085 on the Children’s Medical Services Program was amended and reported favorably 14-3. The bill would move managed care plan operations for medically fragile children from the Department of Health to AHCA, keep clinical eligibility at DOH, and shift PPEC services fully into managed care. The adopted amendment changed the waiver provision to require AHCA to develop and present a comprehensive redesign plan for the Medicaid model waiver for children receiving private duty nursing. Several members supported the goal but raised concerns about eliminating family choice and the impact on medically fragile children. Finally, HB 1353 on home health care services passed unanimously. The bill would remove geographic limits on home health administrators, allow more licensed RNs including contract RNs to perform visits, and revise the home health excellence award program. Supporters said it would address workforce shortages and improve access, while one member warned it could increase costs and competition for nurses. The committee adjourned after reporting all five bills favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:18.799> All demographics, all age groups. All demographics, all age groups.
• perfect, but it does indicate a group perfect, but it does indicate a group that<00:54:24.640>
• Over 500 you the ultrarocessed group.
• to the group in the unprocessed diet. to the group in the unprocessed diet.
• A very quiet group we have up here.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1136 by Miles, relating to the inspection of group homes by county fire marshals, to Local
• Senate Bill 1137 by Miles, relating to group home consultant referrals, to Health and Human Services.
• Bill 1138 by Miles, relating to municipal first responder policies for emergencies occurring at a group
• Senate Bill 1136 by Miles relating to the inspection of group homes by county fire marshals to local
• Senate Bill 1137 by Miles relating to the group home consultant referrals to Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund. Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters. No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a group of 35 folks that are from Leadership North Houston.
• The group today is celebrating 30 years of service to the community. Welcome to your state Capitol.
• People in the entire country as well as a business group that is bringing many businesses to our county
• Speaker, uh, members, we have a special group visiting the Capitol today that I want to take a moment
• I would like to recognize a great group of students and their leaders in the gallery for combating the

Transcript Highlights:

• I've asked the White Bear Lake Group actually as part of the 15 studies in that work group that we're
• <00:22:41.840> actually<00:22:42.640> as the White Bear Lake Group actually as the
• White Bear Lake Group actually as part<00:22:43.039> of<00:22:43.200> the<00:22:43.440>
• that we're working on trying to group that we're working on trying to stabilize<00:22:46.960> the
• ,<00:44:57.760> but directed to the hospital groups, but directed to the hospital groups,

Bills: HF1531, HF4017, HF3399, HF4146, HF4019, HF3677

Keywords: crossbow, crossbow hunting, archery season, deer hunting, bear hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, common carp, rough fish, game and fish, wildlife management, hunting license, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, sunset clause, expiration removal, archery equipment, outdoor recreation, infectious waste, pathological waste

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, Jews as a group do not get Title VI protection.
• They are not religious, so they do not fit into the religion group.
• And Jews are various... ...not fit in the religion group. And Jews are various races.
• Even the Americans, who are the stupidest group of people, realize that you are murderers.
• We're an interfaith peace and civil liberties group.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm talking about an interest group that I thought had a role, an important role.
• Any community groups, anybody? Yes, I've... Your time has expired.
• And it was all, not just some, Hispanic, Black, Asian, and other minority groups. ...Groups? Yes.
• Those two groups, when combined, make up a clear majority.
• Hispanics will be the most underrepresented population group in all 50 states.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:39.839> I to do is endorsed by all those groups I to do is endorsed by all those groups
• <01:40:25.040> of decided was the appropriate groups of decided was the appropriate groups
• >> And and I believe there's other groups >> And and I believe there's other groups
• Uh behavioral different age groups?
• >> The psychiatric society as a group has said, and I agree with the group, that if we were to look at

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• number of groups number of groups that<00:15:43.880> are<00:15:44.040> focused<00:
• Further along in that statute, when it lists group carriers and group plans, it was a may.
• their group insurance premiums. their group insurance premiums.
• This is under Medicare or under small group health insurance? Small group. Okay. All right.
• <03:45:06.920> Small<03:45:07.200> group. insurance? Small group. insurance?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As Marlees and Jen laid out for the group, as you know, we have a law that allows schools to suspend
• What group of people would be affected by this bill that's not currently?
• In Massachusetts, school discipline is not distributed evenly across social groups.
• On the entire group, I think. Thank you. Okay, there's nobody here.
• Programs that group like-ability students together with trained teachers could better serve students

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with much of the testimony focused on school discipline and student equity. Bills discussed included measures to address inequities in suspension and expulsion, clarify school exclusion rules, reduce discipline for dress and grooming violations, and expand protections related to fair educational practices. Committee members repeatedly reminded witnesses of the two-minute limit and asked for written testimony to supplement oral remarks. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on the RAISE Act and related school discipline bills, including H. 730/S. 376 and H. 731/S. 380. Testifiers from advocacy groups, legal services, and the legislature argued that exclusionary discipline disproportionately affects Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, low-income students, and DCF-involved youth. They said current law is overly broad or unclear in areas such as “assault on educational staff,” indefinite suspensions tied to felony complaints, and definitions of weapons, leading to unnecessary removals from school. Supporters said the bills would add due process, clearer definitions, and better accountability, while one legislator testified in support of the discipline reforms and opposed several other bills on the agenda. The committee also heard testimony on H. 576/S. 368, which would prohibit suspensions and expulsions for dress and grooming violations and require clearer, non-discriminatory dress code policies. Witnesses cited research and personal stories about disproportionate enforcement against Black girls, girls of color, non-binary students, and students wearing religious attire, and said the bill would prevent physical contact used to enforce dress codes. Another major topic was H. 641/S. 349, which would add “special medical status” protections in education; supporters said it would prevent exclusion based on medical decisions or conditions, though members questioned how it would interact with existing disability law and vaccination-related school requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 625, which would extend the ban on corporal punishment from public to private schools, with witnesses citing research on harm and disproportionate impact. Additional testimony covered bills on accelerated learning and gifted education, with parents, educators, and advocates saying Massachusetts under-identifies advanced learners and lacks adequate acceleration pathways. A senator also testified for S. 406 on recovery high schools, saying the funding formula should be updated to better support students in recovery. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair closed testimony on several bill groups and noted that written testimony would remain open for a week.