Transcript Highlights:

• SIPACT increases access to care.
• It's about expanding access and not replacing anyone.
• Patients can't get access to care.
• Patients can't get access to care.
• I visited many remarkable facilities, and I've also had the sobering experience of reviewing facilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item two discusses DPS facilities.
• Chair: ...You have the facility already, and it's a new facility that was built for you by that area.
• Yeah, so it is the physical bed capacity of one facility, and it's the Mart facility is the one facility
• to the facilities.
• to the facilities.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what that means is you can't access what that means is you can't access waiver<00:31:24.159>
• <00:58:33.680> to Cuts will not reduce access to Cuts will not reduce access to services<00
• The patient is not in the right place or is not able to access that care.
• The patient is not in the right place or is not able to access that care.
• <01:25:39.679> for close which results in less access for close which results in less access

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Language accessibility is another challenge.
• Slide 25. to help others access and operate this system.
• There are facility-based services for individuals with IDD, which include intermediate care facilities
• His testimony is online for members to access.
• Out of 132,298 Texans waiting for access to HCS.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the hospitals contribute through what we call access payments.
• We're really proud of the 27 critical access hospitals we have in the state.
• We're really proud of the 27 critical access hospitals we have in the state.
• We have nine clients that are Living Choices waiver clients in the facility.
• Has this facility always filed timely, and do you have—” “Um, has this facility always filed timely,

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Department of Human Services hospital payments in Arkansas Medicaid, with DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks presenting first, followed by Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jody Ann Tritt and a brief comment from Arkansas Children’s. DHS outlined the main hospital payment streams: fee-for-service per diem payments, upper payment limit (UPL) supplemental payments, cost settlements, and smaller payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked for plain-language explanations of cost settlements, why per diem rates vary by hospital type, and why UPL applies to private hospitals. DHS said cost settlements and UPL are mechanisms to help offset Medicaid underpayment, with SFY 2025 hospital payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and no general revenue used for supplemental payments beyond the state share funded through hospital assessments and related financing structures. Committee members focused heavily on whether Arkansas hospitals are adequately reimbursed and why rural hospitals struggle. Tritt explained that critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals operate under different federal and state rules, and said lower per diem rates for some facilities help with cash flow and later cost settlement adjustments. She said Arkansas hospitals are under financial strain, citing a negative patient services margin statewide and noting that Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers all contribute to the problem. She also said the association had just authorized a statewide survey of hospital finances and costs, which she expected would take about a year to complete. A major theme was commercial insurance reimbursement. Tritt argued Arkansas hospitals are paid far less than hospitals in neighboring states even though premiums are similar, and said administrative burdens, prior authorizations, and denials add to the problem. She said hospitals receive about 52 to 53 cents on the dollar for Medicaid costs without UPL and about 78 cents with UPL, still below cost. Members also discussed Medicare wage index issues, Medicare Advantage, and whether hospitals could use technology or alternative arrangements to improve finances. No votes were taken on the hospital presentation. At the end of the meeting, DHS provided a brief update on Living Choices and assisted living reimbursement. Officials said one assisted living facility, Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, with nine waiver clients being transitioned to other settings. DHS said the current cost reporting period was underway and that a new rate study could be ready for review before the end of the fiscal year if reports were submitted on time. Members also asked about the broader waiver plan, and DHS said the next waiver iteration would likely be brought back to the committee in the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• The definition of a net-metered facility states an electric generation facility constructed for the purpose
• Their grid access fees, which good access fees were implemented in 2016 so co-ops and municipalities
• They charge fees, grid access fees, solar access fees; that's income.
• produced by larger facilities to justify produced by larger facilities to justify the<01:15:32.639>
• There are grid access charges. Only about 10% of municipals charge a grid access charge right now.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would provide accessibility needs.
• <00:43:41.040> for restrooms and changing facilities for restrooms and changing facilities
• :50.640> for Current facilities are inadequate for Current facilities are inadequate for the<00
• Um, thank you for that clarification. facility. Um with that we are working facility.
• facilities are are a capital project. facilities are are a capital project.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is, yes, some of our critical access Yes, some of our critical access hospitals do have nursing homes
• There's critical access hospitals and there are PPS hospitals.
• So facilities were transferring them... ...So facilities were transferring them somewhere else as soon
• Do we have an access problem? Yes. Do more people address the access problem? Yes.
• . ...five facilities that we operate, this is a term everybody knows that operates healthcare facilities

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to report that um she can easily access to report that um she can easily access a<00:38:08.160><
• eyes, we wouldn't have that much access. eyes, we wouldn't have that much access.
• to detention facilities in San Antonio. to detention facilities in San Antonio.
• <01:10:16.000> to employees at MSP have access to employees at MSP have access to affordable
• notably, smaller facilities that Mr. notably, smaller facilities that Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what does it take to shut down a facility?
• We wanted a more intimate setting than a large facility.
• So, what does it take to shut down a facility?
• and must comply with the regulations as an assisted living facility. ...living facility by going through
• Medicaid does not cover these facilities.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• In an ideal world, everyone would have access to a dermatologist.
• to receive vapes from schools. enabling these facilities to recycle them.
• Vapes that are confiscated by a school from students should be acceptable at our HHW facilities.
• The bill would allow HHW collection facilities to safely disassemble HHW devices that come into our facilities
• These facilities are the economic backbone of our region.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It eases workforce burdens, keeps our classrooms accessible, and increases access for those 2 million
• It eases workforce burdens, keeps our classrooms accessible, and increases access for those 2 million
• needs, workforce needs, and family access.
• family access.
• AB 969 will expand access to CalWORKs domestic violence waivers, ensuring survivors safely access an

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• All these wastewater treatment facilities, whether it's 500,000 gallons a day or 5 million gallons a
• Proposed facilities that those smaller plants are able to meet our effluent quality.
• have a water and wastewater facility immediately available. I appreciate that question.
• But on the side of Sudhir, all these plants are sitting adjacent to a regional facility.
• Barriers to access to education, and, like, you know, access to the English language might even be a

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:35.440> We State is an open access system. We State is an open access system.
• complicated set of facility complicated set of facility requirements.<00:03:00.239> You'll
• curve, ensuring that our facilities curve, ensuring that our facilities remain<00:16:20.399>
• access to modern facilities<00:17:50.559> they<00:17:50.799> need<00:17:51.039> to<
• facilities daily. facilities daily.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They are about access, bias, and systems that have failed to serve all communities equally.
• Access to health care is a human right, yet for communities of color...
• But access to health care is the floor, not the ceiling.
• Screening and access to care for those living with Tardive Dyskinesia. Dr.
• This bill mirrors... ...the framework of SB 474, which addressed state facilities.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor recognitions. Members welcomed the Far West Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and honored its leadership and civic service, including wildfire recovery work and local chapter anniversaries. The body also recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees, with remarks tied to Cinco de Mayo and Latino resilience, followed by a series of resolutions and guest introductions. Several resolutions were adopted, including SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week, SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 recognizing California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 designating Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 on Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and remarks emphasized cultural heritage, shared struggles for justice, veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention, law enforcement sacrifice, and persistent racial health disparities. Most resolutions passed by unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also confirmed multiple Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, including Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson. Senators Grove and others voiced protest over CDCR appointments, arguing for consideration of Frank Silva, but the confirmations still passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The chamber then approved several bills, including SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public meetings, SB 1416 shortening refund timelines for duplicate medical/dental payments, SB 1273 expanding tied-house advertising rules for winery instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues, and SB 990 allowing a highway information sign near Ridgecrest. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader and UCLA Labor Center director Kent Wong and recognition of his family and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:18.240> to human resources in those facilities to human resources in those facilities
• <00:31:17.520> with<00:31:18.240> a facility and go to a facility with a facility and
• It's access to health care, not the quality, but just having access.
• It's access to health care, not the quality, but just having access.
• It's access to health care, not the quality, but just having access.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior journal. The House communicated that it had passed House Bill 4 and requested concurrence. The chamber then received second-reading reports for Senate Bills 18, 33, 85, and 132, and committee reports indicating Senate Bills 136, 183, 2, 4, and 71 should pass, with some substitutes and title amendments. The Senate also introduced Senate Resolutions 79 and 80 honoring Joseph Harden McFarland and Jeremiah Parsons. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 5, relating to Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement. The sponsor described it as a way to improve school nutrition, support Kentucky producers, and keep food dollars in local communities. Several senators spoke in support, including references to the Make America Healthy Task Force and the idea of using food procurement as a tool for rural prosperity and better nutrition in schools. Senate Bill 5 passed by roll call, 38-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 73, which would allow home-based processors to use beef tallow in cosmetic products. The sponsor said the bill would expand existing home-processing authority beyond food products to cosmetics. It passed unanimously, 38-0. Senate Bill 12, relating to medical provider coverage and level four trauma centers, drew the most extended debate. Supporters argued it would help rural hospitals join the trauma network by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work under physician supervision, including remote supervision, and said it would improve access and save lives in underserved areas. Opponents, including a physician senator, argued the bill would lower trauma-care standards and could put patients at risk by allowing non-physician staffing in facilities that need immediate hands-on medical expertise. After lengthy discussion, the bill was advanced and then passed by roll call, with supporters emphasizing rural access and opponents warning about patient safety and the adequacy of physician coverage.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:50.959> in who are building facilities in who are building facilities in Minnesota.
• He said that would likely be, in many circumstances, the owner of the production facility.
• He said that would likely be, in many circumstances, the owner of the production facility.
• <00:15:34.240> So, accessible throughout the Midwest.
• So, accessible throughout the Midwest.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the paywall, a paywall if they have it, so it's all free access.
• These facilities support 9/11 call centers, medical records, in some cases, national security.
• Traditional facilities stay on during emergencies. We can turn off.
• to access the fund.
• This ensures that every community has the tools they need to protect these vital facilities.

Bills: HB 1951, HB 2715, HB 3092, HB 3237, HB 3278, HB 3511, HB 3592, HB 3675, HB 3778, HB 3782, HB 3826, HB 3970, HB 4016, HB 4049, HB 4341, HB 4344, HB 4406, HB 4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Facility pricing is a big driver on that one.
• That was mainly focused on hospital and facility procedures.
• policies that larger companies can already access.
• policies that larger companies can already access.
• Oftentimes that's a facility.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that allow men into women's facilities.
• , shelters, schools, and correctional facilities.
• essential facilities.
• It's easily accessible, and it is an individual private stall.
• People deserve access to bathrooms.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.