Transcript Highlights:

• In 2017, agencies reported receiving 22,572 public records requests.
• Last year, they reported 47,776. This is an increase of over 111% in only nine years.
• But as any journalist and reporter will tell you, there are privacy exemptions.
• I have yet to see that fact confirmed or reported on in the press.
• , I have yet to see that fact confirmed or reported on in the press.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.

Transcript Highlights:

• language um IT addresses reporting language um IT addresses reporting obligations<01:13:02.920><
• <01:13:11.280> requirements refining reporting requirements refining reporting requirements
• Furthermore, we still don't have the annual report due January 15th, though last year's annual report
• though last year's annual report 15th though last year's annual report was<01:17:56.920> completed
• We are issuing a number of reports, and, to a previous question, our most recent report is currently

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second key concept is that an electron is an electron.
• Electron is an electron, and there's a lot of devices out there that can provide distributed energy resources
• Um, and specifically, according to a Department of Energy 2025 report, virtual power plants are solutions
• <00:29:35.360> applied<00:29:35.760> specifically<00:29:36.080> to report applied
• specifically to report applied specifically to Minnesota.<00:29:36.799> So<00:29:36.960> that's

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a few housekeeping issues: Please make sure you turn down the sound on your electronic devices.
• Just a few housekeeping issues: Please make sure you turn down the sound on your electronic devices.
• The Secretary of State's Office Securities Division investigates reports of securities or investment
• The Secretary of State's Office Securities Division investigates reports of securities or investment

Bills: AB58, AB275, SB46, SB457, SB465, AB320, AB344, AB381, AB541

Keywords: Nevada gaming, gaming regulation, sports pool, race book, interactive gaming, slot machines, restricted license, Gaming Control Board, Gaming Commission, game approval, administrative approval, service provider, cash access, wagering instruments, global risk management, information service, sports wagering, pari-mutuel wagering, casino regulation, gaming license

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and members of the audience, please make sure to silence all electronic devices, and anyone wishing
• All electronic devices, and anyone wishing to speak before the committee should complete an appearance
• We built out a new mandatory reporter portal in which citizens can report incidents over the web.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received a Department of Children and Families update from CIO Cole Sousa on three major technology modernization efforts: ACCESS, CWIS, and FASMS. For ACCESS, he described the six-year, $205 million project to replace the aging eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid applications, noting completed releases such as the MyACCESS portal, document management, partner portal, workload management, and client registration modules. He said the system now supports mobile applications, multi-factor authentication, and bot detection, and that the next budget request is $36.625 million to continue moving workers off the mainframe, modernize notices, and complete more worker-portal functions. Members asked about performance data, interoperability with other systems, and the relationship to the FX project and APD; Sousa said API-based real-time exchanges are the goal and that current average case processing time is about 30 days, though he would provide a more exact figure later. The committee then heard about CWIS, a four-year, $75 million child welfare modernization project. Sousa said phase one is complete, including hotline intake, investigations, mandatory reporter, youth, parent, and mobile portals, along with mobile field tools, e-signatures, and customizable dashboards. Current work is focused on case management, assessment and safety planning, licensure, and placement modules, with collaboration from community-based care providers through advisory sessions. For the next fiscal year, DCF is requesting $28 million and expects to finish development by summer and launch in September, while continuing change management and training. Senators pressed on interoperability with ACCESS, FX, and FASMS, the use of a single unique identifier, and whether CBCs would be required to use the statewide system; Sousa said the department’s goal is one statewide system, with licensing costs absorbed by the state and no plan for dual systems after go-live. Finally, Sousa gave a brief update on FASMS, the financial and services accountability system used by managing entities. He said it remains in maintenance mode while DCF prioritizes ACCESS and CWIS, and that modernization of FASMS is still being planned with partner agencies. He estimated current maintenance costs at about $1.3 million and suggested a future modernization could cost roughly $5 million to $7 million, though no firm timeline has been set. The committee expressed support for using data and interoperable systems to improve decision-making, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• by moving toward an electronic by moving toward an electronic onboarding<00:04:28.160> that
• of the takeaways from this last report of the takeaways from this last report that<00:09:21.839>
• >> has been reported in this building. >> has been reported in this building.
• ,<00:25:47.000> uh, reports or, sorry, vacancy reports, uh, reports or, sorry, vacancy reports
• the second page of the the full report. the second page of the the full report.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Davis: What information would these reports include? What's on those reports?
• The report was published earlier today. Please read the report.
• So the report adopted.
• So the report, it was the 2010 retail bag report. It was issued in December 2021. That one.
• So the report, it was the 2010 retail bag report. It was issued on December 2021. That one.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:37.599> to suspects fraud, first they report to suspects fraud, first they report to
• <01:16:51.840> borrowed<01:16:52.239> this report and we actually borrowed this report
• submitting documents um electronically submitting documents um electronically or<01:38:08.800>
• Elon<01:40:53.920> Musk's The AP reported that Elon Musk's The AP reported that Elon Musk's
• the failure to comply with the reporting the failure to comply with the reporting requirements<02

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're presenting a rule for electronic visit verification for in-home personal care and attendant
• You have already approved our rule overall for electronic visit verification.
• will institute what they call KPIs, or minimum requirements, of claims that can be submitted electronically
• a lot of providers that are doing manual entry, and so we're trying to increase the number of electronically
• ours, or they can provide their own, and many choose the one that is either integrated into their electronic

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard an emergency rule from the Department of Human Services on hospital-based residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorder. Paula Stone explained that the rule would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in a general hospital unit for ages 12 and up, with Unity Hospital in CERC expected to open the first such unit. Members asked about length of stay, cost, and capacity; Stone said stays would be determined by ASAM criteria with no fixed cap, the proposed Medicaid rate is $850 per day pending CMS approval, and the unit would have 24 beds split between boys and girls with on-site schooling. The committee then considered a rule on electronic visit verification for in-home personal care, attendant care, respite care, and home health services. Elizabeth Pittman said the update is intended to keep the state compliant with federal EVV requirements under the 21st Century Cures Act, improve auditing and corrective action plans for providers with too many manual claims, and remove the W-9 submission requirement in favor of IRS verification. Members confirmed that federal law requires an EVV system, and Pittman noted Arkansas uses an open system that allows providers to use the state option or their own vendor. No objections were raised to the EVV rule, which was reported as reviewed. The meeting then concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees. Reports of select committees.
• Communications and reports from state officers. Motions and resolutions.
• The Senate will return to order. >> There is a report of the Rules Committee at the desk.
• The report of the Rules Committee is accepted.
• >> Yes. >> The sponsor yields. >> It has been reported, Senator, that there has been a deal to provide

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, including approval of the prior journal and several messages from the Assembly to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills. The chamber then took up a budget extender, Senate Print 10262/Assembly Bill 11295, which would appropriate $2.9 billion to keep state government operating through May 14 while budget negotiations continued. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in reaching a full budget and criticized the lack of clarity on major policy issues, conference committees, school aid timing, and a proposed $1 billion utility ratepayer relief plan, arguing the state’s spending and affordability problems were worsening. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were in the final stretch and that the extender was necessary to maintain government operations. The extender passed 59-1 after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. The Senate also considered a major election-law bill, Senate Print 88A, providing for automatic voter registration and pre-registration through DMV, Medicaid, and NYCHA-related transactions. Senator Walczyk’s proposed amendment to require voter ID was ruled nongermane, and his appeal was rejected. The bill prompted extended debate over whether the process would protect against non-citizen registration or instead remove barriers for eligible voters. Supporters, including Senator Gianaris, said it would streamline registration and help eligible but unregistered New Yorkers participate; Senator Zellner said it would strengthen the process. Opponents, including Senators Walczyk, Borrello, Helming, Rhoads, and Martins, warned it would shift responsibility away from bipartisan boards of elections, create administrative errors, and risk improper registration. The bill ultimately passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar, with senators explaining votes along party lines. The chamber also adopted or advanced several resolutions and recognized guests. Senator Gallivan’s Police Week resolution drew remarks honoring fallen officers and law enforcement families, with Senators Chan, Rolison, Weik, Ryan, and Myrie speaking in support. Senator Sepúlveda’s resolution commemorating Dominicans in Albany was also discussed, with praise for the Dominican community’s contributions to New York and supportive remarks from Senator Chan. In addition, the Senate heard introductions for guests from Allen A.M.E. Church and the creators of the documentary “Teenage Wasteland.”

Transcript Highlights:

• I move Senate Bill 149, the report on Judiciary, and the report on Appropriations.
• Appropriations Committee report? Appropriations Committee report?
• We moved the cash fund and the electronic means for reporting e-filing competency reports that was in
• We moved the cash fund and the<00:23:01.640> electronic the electronic the electronic means<00
• competency means for reporting e-filing competency means for reporting e-filing competency reports

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House first took a call of the House, locked the doors, and then raised the call after members were counted. The chamber then considered Senate Bill 149, concerning pathways for individuals with mental health disorders and an appropriation, along with House Bill 1307 being set as a special order. A recorded vote adopted the motion to make SB 149 and HB 1307 special orders, 50 ayes, 5 noes, and 10 excused. The House adopted the Appropriations and Judiciary committee reports on SB 149. Appropriations explained that its amendment corrected earlier deficiencies and left the fiscal note at roughly $30 million. Judiciary described an amendment resolving overlap with HB 1343 by moving a cash fund and electronic reporting provisions into SB 149. Members then debated the bill’s fiscal note and capacity estimates, with one member questioning whether the projected beds and costs would meet the need; sponsors responded that the bill is based on fiscal analysis, that capacity will be built over time through hardened facilities, new beds, and contracted beds, and that the issue should be monitored in future budgets. On the floor, the bill’s sponsors and supporters described SB 149 as a major reform to create a constitutional pathway for civil commitment and treatment of defendants found incompetent to stand trial and unlikely to be restored, especially in serious violent or sexual offense cases. They emphasized due process protections, counsel, hearings, judicial oversight, least restrictive placement, and treatment rather than punishment, while citing public safety concerns and victim cases. The House then adopted a series of mostly technical and conforming amendments, including changes to definitions, agency references, reporting and placement language, HIPAA-related disclosure language, and terminology such as replacing treatment references with restoration services. After the amendments, one member raised concerns about stakeholder positions, noting many groups were listed as “amend” rather than “support,” and the sponsor replied that the bill had broad stakeholder involvement and that amend positions reflected the complexity of the measure rather than opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the public who would like to submit comments electronically should refer to the public notice
• The chair moves that House Bill 360 be reported to the full committee with a recommendation that it do
• Vice-Chair Noble moves that House Bill 1244 be reported favorably.
• Both reported losing significant portions of their basic allotment funding due to such plans.
• There is an article on March 12th following that meeting in the Fort Worth report.

Bills: HB329, HB361, HB546, HB1547, HB1745, HB2786, HB3235, HB3370, HB3575, HJR83

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• change, or two more changes, there was an issue regarding whether or not these would be automated reporting
• It's now going to be automated reporting.
• a chance to get all the things in place to get it up and running, and then they will continue to report
• The reason that there is a replacement cost over time is because we are putting electronic devices on
• devices um on a are putting electronic devices um on a sweaty<00:14:29.920> dirty<00:14:31.320

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill explicitly says it's okay to conduct your business 100% electronically by a video conference
• ><00:04:51.360> this increasingly um have more of this increasingly um have more of this electronic
• communication, we got to have electronic communication, we got to have a<00:04:52.960> way<00
• <00:05:24.400> by<00:05:25.039> a your business 100% electronically by a your business
• 100% electronically by a video<00:05:26.000> conference<00:05:26.560> in<00:05:26.800>

Keywords: HB 66 – discussion began at 00:03:37, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met and established a quorum after opening with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions of several guests and interns. Representatives introduced their interns and other visitors, who were welcomed by the chair before the committee turned to its only agenda item, House Bill 66, sponsored by Representative Hodgson. The committee adopted a committee substitute for HB 66. Hodgson explained that the bill concerns the use of video meetings by public agencies, boards, and commissions. The substitute would require agencies to post members’ names, term dates, and contact information; allow routine, informational, or advisory meetings to be conducted entirely by video conference to reduce travel costs; require a physical quorum for meetings involving policy, taxation, regulation, or large grants; and require agencies to adopt procedures for remote participation. He emphasized that the bill would not affect legislative committee meetings. Members asked whether the bill would apply to local boards, whether board members are compensated for attendance and travel, and whether it would affect legislative committees. Hodgson said it would apply broadly to public agencies, including local boards such as library boards, but not to legislative committees. He also said compensation for attendance would remain unchanged, while travel expenses would not be paid when no travel occurs. The committee then voted HB 66 favorably with 18 yes votes and one pass, and later adopted a title amendment by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll be reporting on those results again in the subsequent statewide report when I come back after
• Finally, we modified our annual reporting publication timeline, including the report that you'll hear
• Most reports in 2025 were closed after we referred reporters to more appropriate entities.
• intake service for report calls.
• This is a report that ...capital assets and the agency's annual risk report.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation. The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews. The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. A quorum is present. Please silence all electronic devices.
• In terms of the FISH Report, are we getting an adequate account?
• And so if this report can be improved upon, I'm always happy to meet with you.
• At a minimum, we get the report once a year. I know that's usually kind of inefficient.
• At a minimum, we get the report once a year. I know that's usually kind of inefficient.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those who wish to electronically submit comments may refer to the public notice posting.
• We are expecting the report today, but from what we've heard, one of the cleanest facilities they've
• Vail, would you please provide that TCQ report to the committee? Absolutely. Thank you. Members.
• And, uh, and you and your members report, um, transporters engaging in translating activities.
• This is in line to provide some kind of licensing and reporting mechanism to track.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those who wish to electronically submit comments, please refer to the appropriate guidelines.
• And I'd be happy to share the report with anybody if we're...
• Vail, will you provide that TCEQ report to the committee? Absolutely. Thank you.
• Do you and your members report transporters engaging in transloading activities?
• Some kind of licensing and reporting mechanism to track.

Bills: SB290, SB2949

Keywords: LP-gas, property owner notice, natural resources, gas installations, safety notification, motor fuel, fuel transport, fuel export, transloading, export fuel transloading facility, fuel terminal, terminal operator, comptroller, Texas Tax Code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Department of Public Safety, DPS, border security, ports of entry

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no reported scores from that because it's a baseline.
• We text, we email, we post, we have electronic signatures.
• The bill is reported favorable. Thank you, Representative. Thank you, members.
• It also bolsters the reporting on truancy by requiring the quarterly reports sent by schools to districts
• By your vote, the PCS is reported favorable. Congratulations, Representative, well done.

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee heard and passed HB 921, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5 and requires students to demonstrate proficiency by the end of fifth grade. The bill sponsor argued cursive is important for historical literacy, everyday signatures, and possible early identification of learning differences. Opponents and several members supported teaching cursive but objected to the testing/proficiency requirement, saying students and teachers are already overburdened and that reading cursive is not currently part of the standards. Some members also raised concerns about fairness to charter schools and the bill’s application only to public schools. Despite those concerns, the bill passed 21-0 and was reported favorable. The committee then took up PCS for HB 1405, a major rewrite of Florida’s juvenile prevention and truancy statutes in Chapter 984, covering children in need of services/families in need of services. The bill updates definitions and procedures, strengthens truancy intervention, requires earlier and more detailed school reporting, adds parent involvement through child study teams, allows virtual participation, and sets review timelines for shelter placement. Sponsors said the goal is prevention and family support rather than punishment, with court involvement only after school-based intervention. Members asked about school compliance, court capacity, parent accountability, and whether all counties have child study teams; the sponsors said the bill expects CSTs in every school and can escalate cases to court and, if needed, to prosecutors for noncompliant parents. Public testimony on the juvenile justice bill was supportive, including from the Department of Juvenile Justice, youth services groups, and juvenile justice advocates. In debate, members praised the modernization effort and the emphasis on early intervention and family participation, while also noting the bill’s size and suggesting further attention to attendance thresholds. The PCS for HB 1405 was then approved unanimously and reported favorable. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're presenting a rule for electronic visit verification for in-home personal care and attendant
• Electronic visit verification for in-home personal care and attendant care and respite care, as well
• You have already approved our rule overall for electronic visit verification.
• will institute what they call KPIs, or minimum requirements, of claims that can be submitted electronically
• or they can provide their own, and many choose the one that is either integrated into their own electronic

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard an emergency rule from the Department of Human Services on hospital-based residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders. Paula Stone explained that the rule would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in a separate unit within a general hospital, beginning with Unity Hospital in Searcy, which plans to open a 24-bed adolescent unit. Members asked about licensure, length of stay, and cost; Stone said the unit would be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health, length of stay would be based on ASAM criteria rather than a fixed cap, and the proposed Medicaid rate was $850 per day pending CMS approval. The committee then considered an electronic visit verification rule for in-home personal care, attendant care, respite care, and home health services. Elizabeth Pittman said the update was intended to keep Arkansas compliant with federal EVV requirements, increase electronic claims submission, and allow audits and corrective action plans for providers with excessive manual claims. She also said the rule would remove the W-9 submission requirement and allow automatic IRS verification. Members confirmed the federal EVV mandate and noted that providers may use the state system or their own third-party system. After the EVV discussion, the rule was reported as reviewed. The chair then adjourned the meeting after no further business was raised.