Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Block, and everyone's doing great on time.
• Madam Chair, Representative Block, there are a few questions here.
• Ran systems, insurance companies, medical groups.
• They are now owned by a different private equity group called the Equity Group Investment.
• **Representative Block** (member_14069): Thank you, Madam Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the block grant pool, I understand we don't really need to talk about.
• And then the FTE position adjustment is part of the block grant?
• And then the FTE position adjustment is part of the block grant? Mr. Chair, yes.
• Is that part of the block grant? Mr. Chair, Senator Magrum, yes, that's the block grant.
• Senator Magrum, yes, that's the block grant.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Block. Well, this will help in a number of ways.
• As I mentioned, I've mentioned, Thank you, Representative Block.
• Thank you, Representative Block, for the clarification.
• It's a question that Representative Block brought up.
• We're just deliberating on this bill, I think, as a group.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:00.560> grant, education under the block grant, education under the block grant, but
• <00:52:51.560> of who comes every year with the group of who comes every year with the group
• <01:00:52.880> grant >> the is the block grant >> the is the block grant has<01
• And I think Natrona working group.
• Our group did um decide requirement.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee heard from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on several interim topics centered on student-centered learning. She highlighted work-based learning and dual/concurrent enrollment, saying the state is updating accountability measures and should examine whether these programs are helping students progress, avoid duplicative costs, and reduce the need for remedial college coursework. She also discussed broader life-skills education, including financial literacy and soft skills, and said districts vary widely in what they offer. On gifted and talented programs, she noted that districts are statutorily required to provide them but the state does not have a clear picture of how consistently they are implemented, and she suggested the committee may want to study that area further. Members asked follow-up questions about whether dual enrollment should be evaluated only by time-to-degree, and Degenfelder said the analysis should also consider additional credentials and remedial coursework. Senator Schuler and others raised the idea of making financial literacy or other life-skills content more common, though Degenfelder said she did not favor a statewide mandate and instead preferred incentives and district-level implementation. The committee also discussed artificial intelligence in schools as an information-sharing topic, with Degenfelder saying the department is beginning a landscape analysis with districts and teachers. She then reviewed NAEP results, noting Wyoming performs strongly in fourth grade but drops sharply by eighth grade, and said the state wants to understand where students are falling off. Members also raised concerns about international comparisons and the need to improve literacy and math outcomes. The committee then moved to member-submitted topics. Representative Strock proposed reviewing the governance structure of state education, arguing that the current split among the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other boards creates inefficiency and confusion, especially for licensure and programs like CTE. Senator Scott noted that turnover in the superintendent’s office could be a practical issue in any restructuring, and Strock responded that administrative staff could handle day-to-day operations. Representative Williams then introduced a discussion of common core standards and literacy, arguing that standards may be too broad and not specific enough, especially in early grades, and that Wyoming should emphasize phonics, basic reading, math, and civics more directly. Representative Guggenmos agreed that narrowing early-grade focus to math and literacy could improve outcomes. Finally, Representative Williams raised virtual education, saying it is growing quickly and the committee should study funding, accountability, and student support more closely; the chair opened that topic for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of the human services work group process, we identified key factors as a group to guide our reinstatement
• We're going to do some more recognitions before we move on to the last block.
• We're going to do some more recognitions before we move on to the last block.
• I yield our time back in this block.
• I yield back the rest of our time in this block.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum confirmed, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for retired fire captain Bill Guston and a welcome for guests in the galleries. The Speaker then outlined the House’s budget approach, saying the proposed General Appropriations Act would be lower than both the governor’s proposal and last year’s budget, and announced plans to seek a permanent 0.75% reduction in the state sales tax. The chamber also received the governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001 and began considering motions to restore several vetoed appropriations. Members unanimously reinstated funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, the Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1 project, the automated staffing/time management system for the Department of Corrections, and the Baldwin sanitary sewer and water main replacement project. The House also adopted special order and GAA amendment-procedure reports. On the special order calendar, the chamber passed HB 289 on boating safety (“Lucy’s Law”), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process, all by wide margins. The most debated measure was HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “free kill” law limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-sought justice measure for families who lost adult children and were barred from suing, while opponents argued it was needed to provide accountability and fairness. The bill passed 104-6. The House then took up HB 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. An amendment to keep the age at 21 was defeated, and debate featured strong arguments on both sides about constitutional rights, public safety, Parkland, military service, and data on youth violence; the transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Representative Block, the PED recommendation came September 1st.
• So this concerns me that it still even exists with this group.
• Chair, Representative Block, I think it's a reasonable question.
• Oh, Representative Block? Yes, I'm sorry. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm sorry.
• And Representative Block, you bring up a good point about the FIR.

Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block, I'll jump in quickly.
• Every block, practically, we were so saturated.
• Representative Block talked about ACEs.
• We have study groups, small group study groups, and we can meet with our students one-on-one if we need
• We offer tutoring, again, in small groups or one-on-one.

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking at these four blocks, are you able to either provide an estimate for how much money, what, as
• So these four blocks essentially make up some of the high-level objectives, rather, or mission of the
• difficult to guess so these four blocks difficult to guess so these four blocks essentially<00:11
• We got any waivers in to try to block grant and streamline this process.
• for states, and there are federally defined specific purposes for the use of this block grant.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines. A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year. Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• I I see one other I don't know the group I I see one other I don't know the group that<00:42:59.599
• We introducing that group of gentlemen.
• So this is a really key piece to groups.
• preferences for disadvantaged groups. preferences for disadvantaged groups.
• Block grants provide predictability for long-term planning.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they have the npi was the members scene by a provider group who has credentialed but they're happy
• And in the Tampa Bay area there, there's a new group that's being created.
• program. 720 of those groups are pcps with nearly 3,000 practitioners assigned to them in 2024.
• Thank you for that question. >> There was some we had supplemental block.
• Actually gets into one the intricacies of actual block grant funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:01.360> um into the atmosphere again to block um into the atmosphere again to block
• I mean, there's nothing that some groups won't do.
• I mean, there's nothing that some groups won't do.
• And when we've had those block sunlight.
• <00:28:47.279> sunlight for us to try to go block sunlight for us to try to go block sunlight

Bills: HB60

Keywords: geoengineering, weather modification, environmental safety, atmospheric pollutants, criminal pollution, Meeting Start: 00:00:02 Roll Call: 00:00:08 26 RS HB 60 - AN ACT relating to geoengineering: 00:01:35 Department of Corrections Update: 00:32:59 Kentucky Parole Board Update: 01:19:21, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block, the PD Recommendation came September 1st.
• So this concerns me that it still even exists with this group.
• Chair, Representative Block, I think it's a reasonable question.
• Oh, Representative Block, yes, I'm sorry. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Thank you, Representative Block. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block. Senator Block: Here. Senator Block. Senator Boone. Senator Brant. Senator Brantley.
• Pledge of Allegiance to be led today by Senator Block.
• Center Block. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Block. Senator Charlie.
• Senator Block. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of our high schools I blocks.
• Campbell County does not do a block Campbell County does not do a block schedule.<00:58:00.640><
• But so you have these four blocks equal time.
• Usually A and B blocks are the most attended.
• Well, you took 10 minutes out of each block.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we have a group that is our priority, and maybe it is having a point person, one point person
• And again, that government-to-government language sounded like a stumbling block. I don't know.
• Professor Block, do you want to speak to any of that, anything that we've kind of forgotten?
• Professor Block, do you want to speak to any of that, anything that we've kind of forgotten?
• I will be reaching out to Professor Block.

Keywords: Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, 976, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review its electronic meetings policy, which was adopted without objection, and then discussed the outcome of the most recent General Assembly session for bills affecting federally recognized Virginia tribes. Opening remarks emphasized that the commission’s work continues under its new name and extended sunset date, but that several major proposals stalled or were continued, including consultation requirements, sovereignty/definitions updates, in-state tuition, conservation easements, emergency management coordination, and DMAS consultation. Members repeatedly stressed the need for better education, clearer fiscal explanations, and more direct engagement with the administration, Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and the Attorney General before the next session. The commission then reviewed each bill and set priorities. The sovereignty/definitions bill and the consultation bill were treated as top priorities, with members rejecting any effort to remove government-to-government language and suggesting a letter or meeting with the Attorney General to clarify that the bill simply codifies existing federal law. The conservation easements bill was also supported as a likely priority, with plans to consult the conservation community, the Indigenous Conservation Council, and the administration. The in-state tuition bill was viewed as important but not a top priority, with concerns about disputed fiscal estimates and the need for stronger coalition-building. The emergency management bill was placed in a lower-priority tier because the relationship already exists in practice and the main issue was agency capacity. The DMAS bill drew more mixed views because it was introduced late and had unresolved external issues, but public testimony urged the commission to continue it, noting that more tribes are developing health programs and that early consultation would help avoid future conflicts. The public also supported extending the commission beyond one year and suggested future work on State Corporation Commission entity categories for tribal governments and businesses. Additional topics discussed for future consideration included the Indian Child Welfare Act, a possible sales tax exemption for tribal governments, and a proposal to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which was requested as a tier-two priority. The meeting ended with plans to schedule additional meetings over the summer or fall and to invite outside presenters and agency representatives for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block? Aye. Senator Block votes yes. Senator Boone? Yes. Senator Boone votes yes.
• Senator Block? Aye. Senator Block votes yes. Senator Boone? Yes. Senator Boone votes yes.
• Will Senator Block yield, please? Senator Block yielded. Madam President, I yield. He yields.
• Senator Block: aye. Senator Block votes yes. Senator Boone: yes. Senator Boone votes yes.
• Senator Block: Aye. Senator Block votes no. Senator Boone: No. Senator Boone votes no.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of kids or a group of young adults to come through and they get targeted just because they're young
• of kids or a group of young adults to come through and they get targeted just because they're young
• of kids or a group of young adults to come through and they get targeted just because they're young
• <00:07:39.840> or do a roadblock or a boat block or do a roadblock or a boat block or whatever
• of kids or a waiting for for a group of kids or a group<00:08:40.640> of<00:08:40.800> young

Keywords: Ports and Marine Resources - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 11:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2263, which would require Department of Marine Resources law enforcement officers to have probable cause before boarding or stopping a vessel or conducting a search at a marina. The bill sponsor said current law does not require probable cause for DMR stops, and members discussed complaints from constituents about boats being stopped and searched without cause, including checks for life jackets, fish measurements, whistles, and flares. Questions also raised whether the bill should be consistent with wildlife officers and other law enforcement standards; the sponsor noted a separate bill addressing freshwater officers was in another committee. The committee ultimately moved the bill forward with a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2264, a coastal restoration and conservation planning bill. The sponsor explained that Mississippi receives multiple streams of restoration-related funding, including RESTORE Act, GOMESA, tidelands, and other federal funds, but lacks a coordinated science-based plan for how those dollars should be deployed. The bill would create a technical advisory board with representatives from state agencies, universities, and an NGO to develop a strategic plan and annual report on priorities such as water quality, habitat loss, and Mississippi Sound restoration. Members confirmed the bill would not change executive branch control over the funds and that GCRF economic damage funds were not included. The committee adopted the bill and reported it out. Next, Senate Bill 2370 was taken up to allow airport authorities to remove abandoned vehicles using the same procedures available to municipalities and private landowners. The sponsor said airports were dealing with vehicles left in parking areas for long periods and needed authority to begin the abandonment process. The bill was reported out. Senate Bill 2618, which would authorize airport authorities to enter public-private partnerships for property on airport-controlled land, was amended with a reverse repealer so it could be studied further; the committee then adopted the amendment, passed the bill as a committee substitute, and reported it out. Finally, Senate Bill 2634, which would let DMR create and pay reserve officers for special events and other staffing needs, was also approved and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> WHAT IS GOING ON THERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A GROUP CALLED BACK DOOR OUT OF KISSIMMEE AIRPORT THAT ARE
• FLASHING BEACON AS LONG AS IT IS NOT WITHIN THE INTERSECTION PER THE BILL COULD ACTUALLY BE EVERY BLOCK
• AND THESE DEVICES ARE ALREADY BEING INSTALLED AT ALL NEW FDOT MID BLOCK CROSSWALKS IN MANY AREAS OF THE
• IF IT IS A SUBDIVISION THERE REALLY IS NO NEED FOR A MID BLOCK CROSSING.
• IT'S VERY PROBABLE THEY WILL NOT GO TO THE LIGHTED INTERSECTIONS TO CROSS THEY WOULD GO MID BLOCK.

Transcript Highlights:

• Panchuco. is a partner at Boies, Schiller, Flexner, and co-leader of the firm's appellate practice group
• Three federal judges in three different states have blocked this order, including two judges appointed
• Judge John Cunar, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, was the first judge to block the order
• Now the president and his political allies are welcome to disagree with judicial decisions that block
• Federal judges blocked the administration's funding freeze that jeopardized everything from community

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Madam Chair, Representative Block.
• We also have Senators Block, Brantley, Charlie, and Pope.
• Representative Block, thank you so much, Madam Chair. Thank you.
• The court deemed four student groups as at-risk.
• There we go, the group that controls water in New Mexico.