Transcript Highlights:

• This program wasn't developed in a vacuum.
• This program wasn't developed in a vacuum.
• through some great programs.
• So I think it's a great program.
• Continue to vote. Elections have consequences, all right?

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present. After adopting the April 28 minutes, the committee heard a brief presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, which is intended to bring together health care, business, policy, and education leaders to study Louisiana health challenges and build a network for action. Members expressed support for the program and its potential value to health policy work. The committee then advanced several bills, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 57, a nutrition-labeling bill, was amended to push its effective date to December 31, 2028 and reported as amended. HB 62 increased the membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to 27 members and was reported as amended. HB 193 updated membership rules for the sickle cell commission foundations so long-serving executive directors would not have to reapply repeatedly, and it was reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help families manage accounts after a death; it was reported favorably after a question about state-licensed banks. SB 405 was substantially revised to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing-facility quality initiative, including statewide quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, reporting requirements, and tools such as dashboards and surveys; after reconsidering prior action and adopting the new amendment, the bill was reported as amended. The committee also approved HB 222, which provides Medicaid dental coverage when needed for another covered medical procedure, and HB 420, which requires background checks for all DCFS employees with access to sensitive information. HB 475 requires verbal consent when AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit and was reported favorably after a technical question. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council on grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police superintendent or designee. HB 486 would enter Louisiana into the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact to expand access to mental health care, and HB 574 updated outdated board names on the Mental Health Advisory Services Board; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 949, which creates a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address imaging workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, and HB 584, which requires foster children to be provided luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings and restores “rights” language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The committee also reported HB 1214, restructuring certain LDH facilities into a single system under the secretary’s office; HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill; and HB 203, which adds members to the uterine fibroids commission. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses emphasized access to care, workforce shortages, child welfare, and quality improvement, and the committee repeatedly adopted amendments and reported the bills favorably or as amended before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• forward to make sure that they continue to be worthwhile.
• The state also supports this from two different programs.
• In August 2012, I enrolled in WEVE's Self-Employment Training Program, a 14-year program. week course
• Participated in the accelerator for local goods program by DoorDash a Program designed to support small
• We had a young man who came into our program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• -<00:23:51.280> Education<00:23:51.919> Program.
• Assistance Program- Education Program. Assistance Program- Education Program.
• Assistance Program-Education Program.
• The program has impact studies that show it works.
• Very strong This is the SNAPED program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• That said, we have three operating programs.
• , and they run that program with 160 FTE.
• We'll continue with that.
• We have two programs: the adjudication of disputes program, under Chapter 120 of the Florida Statutes
• So we've got that program as well that we'll have more to report on as we continue doing that.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will continue to wait for Senate... ...for this Senate hearing.
• There have been some challenges that we've met, and we're continuing to meet.
• Know that you will continue to work with the opposition as this bill moves forward.
• And I think that will continue for, I hope, for a very, very, very long time.
• programs, peer support programs, and other innovative approaches that complement traditional care.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Food sovereignty: We have a unique fish distribution program.
• Food sovereignty: We have a unique fish distribution program.
• Over 1,000 members have benefited from this program since 2023.
• It's a growing program.
• who self-exclude to that program.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee focused on proposed amendments to the tribal-state gaming compacts for the Tulalip Tribes and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the compact approval process under IGRA and said the parties had reached tentative agreement; the commission and ex officio members will take public comment and vote at an August 28 special meeting on whether to forward the compacts to the governor or return them for further negotiation. Tulalip Chairman Hazen Chappell described the tribe’s long history of gaming in Washington and emphasized that gaming revenues support governmental services, jobs, charitable giving, and community support. Commission advisor Johnny Bray said the Tulalip restated compact consolidates 12 prior amendments, reorganizes and updates appendices, removes some outdated provisions, and includes higher wager limits, jackpot sharing, and the option to increase player terminal allocation in stages. Chappell also noted the tribe’s ongoing responsible gaming efforts and community support, including aid for wildfire-affected families. For the Cowlitz Tribe, Chairman William Ayala and Ilani Casino President Kara Fox LaRose described the tribe’s history, community programs, and the resort’s growth. The proposed sixth amendment would raise gaming station wager limits up to $1,000, create a special higher-limit player process with financial suitability and anti-money-laundering checks, strengthen responsible gaming signage and marketing requirements, allow temporary gaming areas, and adjust TLS ticket pricing through the most favored nation process. Committee members asked about self-exclusion and credit practices; Cowlitz gaming officials said hundreds of people have used the self-exclusion program and that higher-limit play is tied to substantial credit/front-money requirements. No votes were taken at the hearing, and the meeting ended with closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two different similar grant programs.
• leadership to manage that aviation program.
• , uh, you know, they have billions and billions of dollars into that program and a well-run program,
• , also known as the BEED program.
• we had a lot more flexibility with that program.

Transcript Highlights:

• preserve the use of TIF to continue preserve the use of TIF to continue advance<00:14:56.640>
• A quick recap of those programs: the Fridley Front Door grant program, the home improvement loan program
• A quick recap of those programs: the Fridley Front Door grant program, the home improvement loan program
• A quick recap of those programs: the Fridley Front Door grant program, the home improvement loan program
• A quick recap of those programs: the Fridley Front Door grant program, the home improvement loan program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that without action, housing costs will continue to rise, and more Delawareans will continue
• That program worked.
• You're right—the syringe exchange program, which led to the syringe handout program, had tremendous..
• So if we're going to use the studies that say that syringe exchange programs, syringe handing out programs
• services program.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and read several committee reports and communications into the record. Members also observed moments of silence for two young people who had recently died, and the prayer and pledge were offered before the chamber moved into business. Consent calendar number 28, consisting of several resolutions, passed by voice vote. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and retirement remarks for Representative Jeff Holowski, who was praised by colleagues for his work on financial literacy, veterans’ issues, health care, diabetes policy, and constituent service, as well as for his military service and community involvement. Holowski thanked staff, colleagues, and his family, and said he was retiring to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The chamber also recognized former Representative Harvey Kenton as a guest. The House then acted on several measures. Senate Bill 286, as amended by House Amendment 1, passed 40-0 and extends consumer protections and dealer equity standards to ATVs, side-by-sides, and vessels. Senate Bill 179, which updates the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission and its bench book/data analysis process, passed 27-14. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 23, the housing supply and affordability bill, was presented with extensive explanation and questions about local control, zoning, and implementation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and directing flags at half-staff, was also discussed in emotional remarks about overdose losses and the state’s ongoing response. The House later recessed for party caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs are designed to help. programs are designed to help.
• licensed programs. licensed programs.
• state Medicaid program. state Medicaid program.
• they administer this program. they administer this program.
• <01:30:56.880> issues same programs and the pro program issues same programs and the pro program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But if I may continue...
• And there's a lot of programs, right? And I'm not the program guy.
• Two different programs? Okay.
• And I'll go back to the parent-teacher program, which isn't a perfect program.
• , program costs, program this, they, they request that.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then received a lengthy DPI presentation from Stanley Schauer on statewide reading and math assessment data for students with and without disabilities. He explained the assessment systems used over time, the absence of 2019-20 data, and how North Dakota’s standards are set by educators. Members asked about alternate assessments, cohort trends, the apparent drop in proficiency in higher grades, and the new NDA+ assessment. Schauer emphasized that the biggest pattern in the data was the relative stability of students with disabilities, the post-pandemic drop and partial recovery, and the need to focus on reducing the novice category. He also said the state plans to revisit high school standard setting and that future data could be broken out by program, disability category, and schools using science-of-math or other initiatives. Public testimony from special education staff suggested that the flat performance of students with disabilities during COVID likely reflected continued services and intensive supports, and committee members discussed whether the current disparity goal is realistic and whether growth measures would be more useful than simple proficiency buckets. After the presentation, the committee took a short break and then moved into discussion of special education funding models. Chair Richter said members should contact Schauer directly with ideas for additional data views and noted that the committee would continue its work on funding and possible model changes. Brandon Bomback of Grand Forks Public Schools began a presentation arguing that the special education funding formula, especially the weighting factor, should be reconsidered if the committee wants a system that better reflects accountability and student needs. He said his comments were based on the perspective of a larger district and focused on the special education weighting factor rather than other parts of the formula. The remainder of his presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• such as a Head Start program or licensed child care program.
• those Learning Program programs most of those Learning Program programs most of those projects<00
• Here's the history of the program.
• Huffman, you may continue.
• representative depel uh we'll continue representative depel uh we'll continue to<01:26:39.239>

Bills: HF919, HF1192, HF212, HF214

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• The early implementation period coincided and administer this program.
• We really need your help to continue this program, and I hope you'll support SB 38. Thank you.
• So without state action, ...creating new programs similar to the HDAA.
• So without state action to repeal the program sunset, the program will be eliminated permanently in 2030
• This bill ensures that state policy continues to support long-term access, continuity, and fairness in

Bills: HB25, SB38, SB101, HB199

Keywords: juvenile delinquency, firearm possession, criminal background checks, state law, gun control, youth offense, conviction, public safety, SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to continuing to work with you.
• Bob Drew continued: "...that they comply with.
• Member Haney continued: "Thank you, Assemblymember.
• The bill extends sunset date provisions for these programs to ensure their continued effective operations
• She could not continue in our program, as it is virtually impossible to become authorized in New York

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the organization's official statement, programs continued through the summer of 2026 so
• So as we continue to promote this beyond Region 8, we'll continue to refine this, continue to expand
• Connecting to regional partners is a huge part of how this program, I think, continued to grow.
• We are continuing, as you all approved in September, to continue in year two.
• We are continuing you all approved in September to continue in year two. to continue in year two for

Keywords: Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and through Hazard Mitigation. ...grant program.
• We are partners in this vision as well, and we look forward to continuing this work. ...continuing the
• Another key flood grant program that we manage is the FMA program.
• Program as part of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program.
• These are our current programs. Yes.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finances and rate setting within the Medicaid program.
• , which we know is a very important and robust program in the state.
• There's been a lot of ups and downs and volatility across the program.
• Program changes trend 1.3.
• On the program change tracking, OHA is working closely with CCOs on program changes, including new potential

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing focused first on Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO) finances and rate setting. Oregon Health Authority staff explained how 2025 CCO financial results will inform 2027 capitation rates, including reserve requirements, subcapitation arrangements, and major cost drivers such as behavioral health, pharmacy, rural hospital costs, and dental directed payments. They said the Legislature’s added 2025 funding materially improved CCO margins and that, without it, the program would have been negative overall. Members asked about retained earnings, subcapitation, behavioral health utilization, ABA therapy, and whether outcomes are being evaluated; OHA said rate setting is actuarial and that CCOs, OHA, and other partners all play roles in monitoring efficacy and access. OHA also reviewed House Bill 4039 changes intended to increase transparency and give CCOs earlier access to rate information and reconciliation exhibits. CCO representatives then testified that the system is under significant financial pressure and that behavioral health state-directed payments, benefit changes, and federal uncertainty from H.R. 1 are reducing flexibility. CareOregon said it has lost more than $500 million over the last couple of years and is now making provider terminations and other network changes to align spending with available funding, while emphasizing that CCOs must make hard decisions about which services and providers can be sustained. Eastern Oregon CCO said rural and frontier factors, cost-based hospitals, air ambulance needs, and statewide efficiency adjustments are not fully reflected in rates, and that dental funding is especially strained. Trillium similarly warned that state-directed payments and benefit expansion pressures are constraining the global budget model and that H.R. 1 could worsen acuity and volatility. Members pressed the witnesses on who is responsible for evaluating treatment effectiveness, especially for ABA and psychotherapy, and on how utilization limits and reimbursement changes are being used to control costs. The committee then shifted to an overview of the Affordable Care Act and Oregon’s commercial insurance market. Department of Consumer and Business Services staff explained actuarial value, metal tiers, premium tax credits, medical loss ratio rules, and the main drivers of premium rates: cost trend, utilization trend, and administrative costs. They said mandates have likely added only a limited amount to premiums over the past decade, though the exact effect is difficult to isolate, and they gave examples of how high-cost, low-volume services versus broad, high-utilization services can affect rates differently. Staff also noted that Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are withdrawing from the individual market, though consumers should still have at least three insurer options in every county and may have four in many counties. The division said it is in the middle of reviewing proposed 2027 rates and will continue its public rate review process, including hearings and written comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• and our One Care Program.
• The Senior Care Options Program is a program that is a partnership between UnitedHealthcare, MassHealth
• Just to go about one minute back on this program, the Quality and Equity Incentive Program at MassHealth
• And this program, though, the HECM Center program is designed based on feedback from stakeholders with
• So through this program, the entities are incentivized for the first two years of the program to assess

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are continuously trying to get investment to continue to do the turnarounds and the maintenance needed
• So along with that, we have programs such as DSGS, ELRP, and some of the non-ratepayer-paid programs
• A number of these programs at the CPUC include air conditioning cycling programs, capacity bidding programs
• We have ELRP programs.
• program to continue.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:11.560> In designing or running the program. In designing or running the program.
• At a time when Minnesota is program.
• <00:11:39.880> onto fully a full cost of the program onto fully a full cost of the program
• This program is modeled on a similar program operated in the Red River and that also receives or has
• It is to the actual program costs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all