Video & Transcript Research : 'Legislative Service Office'

Page 139 of 500
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 18th, 2026

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • They don't apply for services.
  • Now, the interesting thing about the public assistance offices is they are the only offices that are
  • sort of implemented the Department of Workforce Services and also moved the Office of Family Support
  • also moved the Office of Family Support from Human Services over to the new Department of Workforce
  • You said by the local board, and the rest of these services are already being done out of a central office
Summary: The committee met to hear consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie discuss Arkansas’s “one door/no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. Bishop argued that the current system is fragmented across multiple agencies, offices, and portals, making it hard for job seekers and employers to access services efficiently. He said the goal is to create a more integrated system that promotes upward mobility, longer labor force attachment, better employer access to talent, greater efficiency, and faster adaptation to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as a model, describing how that state combined workforce and public assistance functions into a single agency, used statewide cost allocation to blend funding streams, and improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said Arkansas should consider integrating governance, service delivery, and financing, including possible waivers, a statewide cost allocation plan, and a benefits-cliff pilot. He also said Arkansas’s current local workforce board structure creates duplication and weak coordination, and that Launch is a useful tool but not a full service-delivery system. Committee members asked how the proposal would work in practice, including whether TANF could be used to cross-train DHS workers, how federal waivers might be obtained, how local boards would be affected, and how disabled clients would be handled. Bishop said TANF should be treated as part of a workforce strategy, that federal pilot authority for workforce reform nearly passed but did not, and that waivers are now the practical path. He also said Arkansas could either merge functions more fully or at minimum co-locate workforce staff in DHS offices statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with plans to continue the discussion in August, including a focus on case management and whether the state is managing programs or people.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, June 9, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He went on to serve as my legislative director in my congressional office, and for the last 6 1/2 years
  • He went on to serve as my legislative director in my congressional office, and for the last 6 1/2 years
  • He went on to serve as my legislative director in my congressional office, and for the last 6 1/2 years
  • He went on to serve as my legislative director in my congressional office, and for the last 6 1/2 years
  • He went on to serve as my legislative director in my congressional office, and for the last 6 1/2 years
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 02/13/25

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Office of Cannabis Management also has a customer service desk staffed by real people who answer
  • I'm here in strong support of this legislation to ban service charges in restaurants.
  • I'm here in strong support of this legislation to ban service charges in restaurants.
  • While every type of restaurant could be impacted by the proposed legislation, independent table service
  • While every type of restaurant could be impacted by the proposed legislation, independent table service
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 25, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Carrie Mo, Director's Office, Department of Human Services, on behalf of Director Ryan Yanii.
  • They hear from the judge, their intake services officers, their probation officers, and from their attorneys
  • In addition, as noted in my written testimony, our office conducted two online legislative surveys.
  • <01:46:48.360> officers<01:46:48.920> their their intake Services officers their their
  • intake Services officers their probation<01:46:49.599> officers<01:46:50.280> and<01:46
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 302, which would repeal the requirement that a provider-patient relationship for medical cannabis certification be established in person first. The Department of Health said it supported the House Draft 2 version as a way to expand patient access, and several testifiers from the medical cannabis community and dispensary industry supported the bill, especially for patients on outer islands or those unable to travel. One witness asked that earlier language removed in committee be restored to further improve access. Representative Shimizu asked whether follow-up in-person visits would still occur, and DOH responded that this varies by provider, with some continuing in-person care and others moving to telehealth for chronic conditions. The committee then took up House Bill 712, relating to the federal 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacies. The Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office both said they supported the bill’s purpose but wanted it clarified and possibly moved into a standalone chapter rather than chapter 481B. Supporters, including Hawaii Pacific Health and the Queen’s Health Systems, said the bill is needed to protect safety-net funding and access to discounted drugs, citing large financial benefits from 340B and losses caused by manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies. PhRMA opposed the bill, arguing the issue is not access to discounts but accountability and transparency in how contract pharmacies distribute benefits, and said it was willing to discuss amendments. Members asked follow-up questions about whether there was data showing misuse; PhRMA said it did not have numbers, while hospital witnesses said the program is federally audited and used appropriately in Hawaii. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1482, HD1, which would tighten hemp and controlled-substance definitions to exclude Schedule I cannabinoids from manufactured hemp products and clarify the treatment of artificially derived cannabis. The Department of Health supported the measure, saying it adds clarity to existing prohibitions. Kūre Hawaii and other supporters said it would close loopholes involving Delta-8 and similar products. An individual testifier urged stronger language to also cover compounds such as HHC, THCA, THCP, and THCO. In response to questions about enforcement against mislabeled hemp products, DOH explained that THC percentages are relative to product weight, that some products can remain under the hemp threshold while still containing significant THC, and that hemp flower is already prohibited from direct retail sale, though enforcement can be complicated and involves both administrative and criminal authorities.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, the officers involved, they lost their jobs as officers, but they never did any time in jail.
  • Well, the officers involved, they lost their jobs as officers, but they never did any time in jail.
  • There will be mental health treatment services.
  • We passed these pieces of legislation. We have these hearings.
  • It was a summer program through social services.
Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an informational hearing on the state’s response to the missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) crisis, with an added focus on foster youth and child welfare. Opening remarks from the chair and members emphasized that California has made some progress through the Feather Alert, DOJ coordination, grant funding, and MMIP summits, but that the crisis remains severe and requires ongoing, not one-time, investment. Members repeatedly noted the need for stronger statewide coordination, better data, and more consistent attention to tribal communities and foster youth. Tribal leaders described the crisis as rooted in jurisdictional gaps, poor data collection, and lack of urgency from law enforcement. Witnesses from Hamul, Chachancey, Tahon, Yurok, and Hoopa tribes shared personal accounts of missing and murdered relatives, criticized inconsistent responses, and called for regional response agreements, direct tribal access to data, sustained funding, and clearer law enforcement protocols in Public Law 280 settings. Several leaders said Feather Alert and state grants have helped build infrastructure and partnerships, but stressed that trust-building, training, and accountability are still uneven across the state. The second panel featured the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice’s Office of Native American Affairs, both of which reported on implementation improvements. CHP said it has tightened Feather Alert practices, increased activations, improved outreach and training, appointed a tribal liaison, and expanded human trafficking training. DOJ described work under AB 3099 and AB 1334, including a Public Law 280 advisory council, improved crime reporting and data systems, MMIP outreach, and a tribal police pilot program with the Yurok Tribe. Members also raised the need to better support tribal courts and ensure protection orders are enforced. The final panel focused on foster youth as part of the MMIP crisis. Advocates from Pitt River, the California Tribal Families Coalition, and Coyote Valley said Native children are disproportionately represented in foster care and are at heightened risk of going missing or being exploited. They argued that foster care, trafficking, poverty, housing instability, and historical trauma are all connected to MMIP, and called for stronger ICWA implementation, culturally grounded services, better coordination with social workers and law enforcement, and immediate use of Feather Alert when Native children are missing. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with continued calls for legislative, budgetary, and policy action.
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session 26-07-02

Michigan Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Colleagues, please join me in thanking Larry for his five years of service and his five years of service
  • This legislation is about prevention.
  • She spent a year as an intern in Senator Chang's office, two years total with our office, joined our
  • office as an intern, was promoted to scheduler and then constituent services coordinator and legislative
  • Our office has a busy schedule.
Keywords: 983, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 01/27/25

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am also the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers legislative chair, which we'll
  • <01:24:30.480> you Veteran Service Officer I can tell you Veteran Service Officer I can tell
  • <01:28:02.159> officers again County Veteran service officers again County Veteran service
  • <01:36:32.320> officer henpen county veteran service officer henpen county veteran service
  • solve Service Officer cannot possibly solve Service Officer cannot possibly solve with<01:45:
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The subcommittee held its first hearing of the session and began with introductions from members and staff, many of whom shared personal or family connections to military service. The chair emphasized that the committee would work respectfully and invited members to raise concerns directly. No votes or formal actions were taken during the opening portion of the meeting. The main substantive item was an overview presentation from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Commissioner Brad Lindsay described the agency’s mission, statewide footprint, and strategic goals, noting Minnesota has more than 286,000 veterans and that MDVA serves veterans in all 87 counties. He outlined the department’s structure, including eight veterans homes, four state veterans cemeteries, tribal and campus outreach, and the agency’s focus on seamless support, awareness of programs, stewardship of resources, and workforce retention. Deputy Commissioner Ben Johnson then detailed the Programs and Services Division, including federal VA claims assistance, veterans employment and education support, state veterans cemeteries and memorial affairs, the State Soldiers Assistance Program, homelessness prevention, tribal veteran service officers, women veterans services, the Minnesota GI Bill, licensing and certification assistance, the state approving agency, veterans preference, emergency assistance, the LinkVet line, and the Minnesota Service Core partnership with Lutheran Social Services. He also noted the agency’s work on food insecurity and burial services. The presentation was informational only, with no committee action reported.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 5, 2025 - 12:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • I can take that back and certainly talk to our Office of Health Services and see about kind of a stronger
  • Have you done a survey of the officers? I met an officer who had the 16-hour mandatory.
  • I was a probation officer in the Inverness Probation Office at the time.
  • officers have on a daily basis.
  • officers like you pay other law enforcement officers.
Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard an informational presentation from the Florida Department of Corrections on how the prison and community supervision systems operate after sentencing. Assistant Deputy Secretary Hope Gartman described the reception process for new inmates, including intake, medical and mental health screening, classification, custody and housing levels, gain time, and the department’s academic, vocational, substance abuse, chaplaincy, visitation, and communication programs. She emphasized that reentry begins on day one and that program placement is driven by risk and needs assessments, with facilities matched to inmates’ medical, mental health, and security requirements. Members also asked about family contact, visitor applications, inmate welfare trust funds, tablet access, private prison placement, staffing shortages, overtime, contraband interdiction, and waiting lists for programs; several follow-up materials were requested for distribution to all members. Mr. Winkler then outlined community corrections, explaining the different supervision types under Florida law, including probation, drug offender probation, community control, sex offender supervision, conditional release, and addiction recovery supervision. He described the department’s monitoring tools, such as office and field visits, warrantless searches, alternative sanctioning for technical violations, telephone reporting for low-risk offenders, employment assistance, and mobile probation and reentry units. He said the department’s supervision success rate is about 62%, with more than 91% of successful completers not returning to custody within three years. Members questioned officer workloads, the use of radios and GPS check-ins, the rollout of uniforms and firearms, how violations are handled, and whether all circuits participate in alternative sanctioning; Winkler said the program is statewide and that the department is seeking funding for radios. During public comment, Florida Cares Charity urged the committee to consider evidence on deterrence, parole, and recidivism, arguing that community supervision is less costly than incarceration and can be effective. James Beardy of the Florida PBA emphasized the dangers faced by correctional and probation officers, including long shifts, field searches, and working alone, and argued for higher pay and better support comparable to other law enforcement. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the presenters and public speakers, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any legislative votes or formal actions.
WV
Transcript Highlights:
  • This rule would provide regulation of mortgage lenders, brokers, and other services.
  • This rule would provide regulation of mortgage lenders, brokers, and other services.
  • is administered by the director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services, which is
  • only to counties that have an excess levy or fee dedicated to EMS services.
  • EMS service is hurting greatly throughout the state, and this goes a long way.
Keywords: 994, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Three officers and a K9 dog was seven. Three officers and a K9 dog was killed. killed. killed.
  • And of course my officers would also be covered in this legislation.
  • uh my piece of legislation to you today. uh my piece of legislation to you today.
  • . legislation. legislation.
  • service credit and retire a year early. service credit and retire a year early.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty on a bill to expand minimum hazardous-duty retirement and health benefits for certain public safety workers injured in the line of duty. She used a video and examples from Floyd County to describe officers and an emergency management director who were catastrophically injured but did not qualify for existing hazardous-duty coverage because their employers had enrolled them in non-hazardous retirement plans. The bill would provide a minimum benefit of 25% of pay, plus 10% for dependent children and limited health coverage, for eligible workers who cannot return to hazardous work. Laferty said the proposal would apply retroactively through a five-year window, estimated to affect a limited number of workers statewide, and would be funded by small increases in employer contribution rates. Committee members questioned how many former employees might qualify, how the bill interacts with the pension system, and who would pay the added cost. Discussion also noted that local governments choose whether to place employees in hazardous or non-hazardous coverage, largely based on cost. The sheriff’s association was present online in support, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gber present a revised bill allowing teachers and school district employees to use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not already on the school calendar, if they provide a personal statement and sufficient advance notice. He said the measure is intended to address the rigid school calendar and the difficulty teachers face in observing non-school holidays without losing service credit toward retirement. He noted that the earlier version of the bill had allowed make-up work time, but the current draft is shorter and focused on sick leave use. He also referenced a supporting letter from a constituent who could not attend because of weather. The bill was presented for discussion only, with no committee action reported.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • personnel for their years of service.
  • and Chief Executive Officer positions.
  • Tom Palladino: ...We also help the county veterans service officers with each of their claims benefit
  • We also help the County Veterans Service Officers with each of their claims benefit cases.
  • and how those services were provided.
Bills: SB1, SB 1
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Jun 5th, 2026

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:
  • In other business, Legislative Auditor Kevin White updated the committee regarding the Arkansas Legislative
  • Audit teams to service providers to ensure services are provided correctly?
  • Office of State Technology. Gary Vance, State Chief Information Security Officer.
  • Is Workforce Services here?” “Good morning.
  • This report is issued in response to a legislative request approved by the Legislative Joint Auditing
Keywords: 1204, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 4029 addresses that gap by granting these officers supplemental program service credit and
  • A peace officer with at least 25 years of service under this program can retire regardless of age or
  • HB 4029 is a smart targeted solution that recognizes the service of school-based peace officers and gives
  • Our officers dedicate, uh, their service to our communities, our kids and our staff members.
  • This legislation establishes a 25-year eligibility, a retirement eligibility for certified officers.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session May 1st, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • scholar from my office.
  • The offices already hire additional staff when they're doing just VBMs and regular services.
  • Thank you for your service. Thank you for your service.
  • She's been a tremendous help to District 33 office, helping our aides, research, legislation, prepare
  • Best of wishes, and thank you for your service to our office and the people of the state of Florida.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, and retiring Senate staff, including Pastor Gary Austin. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators would not need to plan on being in Tallahassee the following week. The chamber then moved to third reading and returned messages from the House later in the day. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, the citizen initiative/constitutional amendment bill. Sponsors said the measure was intended to address fraud in the petition process, citing investigations, arrests, pleas, and open cases involving paid circulators and invalid petitions. Opponents argued the bill would make citizen-led amendments far more difficult, expensive, and risky, warning it would chill grassroots participation, burden supervisors of elections, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed efforts. Supporters responded that the bill preserved grassroots petitioning, placed reasonable guardrails on paid circulators and sponsors, and included a provision barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot initiatives. The bill passed 28-10. The Senate also passed several education measures unanimously, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy. Later, the chamber concurred in House amendments on several bills: stem cell therapy legislation clarifying permitted therapies and penalties for improper use of fetal or embryonic tissue; an EKG requirement bill for student athletes with exemptions and partnership options for districts; and a cardiac emergency response bill that renamed the school emergency plan and removed a bill title honoring Rafe McCrone. These measures passed by wide margins, generally 37-0 or 38-0.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Floor Session 5/19/25 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:05:09.440> are the staff. like we as legislators are the staff. like we as legislators
  • , public employees, our police officers, public employees, our police officers, our<00:20:27.840>
  • announced that I was running for office announced that I was running for office him<00:25:41.440
  • <00:28:02.399> is school district providing services is school district providing services
  • <00:49:07.599> need treatment and Minnesota legislators need treatment and Minnesota legislators
Keywords: 1183, house
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Aug 14th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, you know, maybe At the Legislative Council Service with staff, you know, maybe that becomes a practice
  • The update from the Office of Indian Elder Affairs at the Aging and Long-Term Services Department.
  • We are adult protective services.
  • The Office of Indian Elder Affairs was created in 2004, and it's within our Aging and Long-Term Services
  • I have the greatest respect for state police and all the officers, and I thank you both for your service
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits Nov 5th, 2025

JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Transcript Highlights:
  • , comparing student needs to district funding and service provisions.
  • under the authority of legislation approved by the voters via Initiative 900.
  • Students must meet three prongs required to qualify for services.
  • that reflect the needs of education services that reflect the needs?
  • Funding to evaluate students and provide special education services that reflect the need for those services
Summary: The JLARC I-900 Subcommittee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on special education services, focused on comparing student needs, district identification practices, and funding. Auditors said Washington does not appear to under-identify any particular population for special education, though districts face ongoing challenges with identification, documentation, staffing shortages, and inconsistent referral tracking. They explained that their analysis used statistical models because the true prevalence of disabilities is unknown, and found Washington districts generally clustered near the national average, with little evidence that any demographic group was systematically under-identified. The audit also found that special education funding has historically been insufficient, with districts collectively covering about $500 million in costs not paid by state or federal sources, and that districts spent about 26% more per student than they received in funding. Auditors noted recent legislative changes that removed the special education enrollment cap and changed the safety net process, but said it was too soon to assess their effects. Their recommendations to OSPI included clarifying what counts as an official special education referral, requiring districts to report referral data even when no evaluation follows, and ensuring the new statewide data system is developed with district input, training, and possibly a mandate for uniform use. OSPI staff said they concurred with the report and appreciated the work of the auditor’s office and JLARC. During member questions, Representative Paulette raised concerns that the audit did not directly examine prevalence of specific disabilities, such as autism and dyslexia, in vulnerable populations or compare Washington’s identification practices to medical and peer-reviewed prevalence data. Auditors responded that medical prevalence is not known in a systematic way, that educational eligibility differs from medical diagnosis, and that the report’s conclusions should not be read as proving no populations are under- or over-identified. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Apr 29th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Preventive Services Task Force to make preventive service recommendations.
  • Preventive Services Task Force that makes recommendations on preventive services.
  • Preventive Services Task Force that makes recommendations on preventive services.
  • It would be easy to simply demand that we add perinatal services to the list of required services and
  • By reclassifying perinatal services as a basic hospital service, this bill ensures that all patients
Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.
UT

Utah 2025 Regular Session

Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee - November 19, 2025

Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • It would create the new office to coordinate nuclear energy regulation.
  • The services and their contracts remain subject to oversight by the Utah Public Service Commission.
  • And I think you need to up your game a little bit on service and service reliability in the state of
  • Christopher Bramwell, Chief Privacy Officer, State of Utah.
  • My agency, the Office of Consumer Services, and the Public Service Commission are all funded with fees
Keywords: 985, all
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session 26-07-02

Michigan Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Colleagues, please join me in thanking Larry for his five years of service and his five years of service
  • This legislation is about prevention.
  • She spent a year as an intern in Senator Chang's office, two years total with our office, joined our
  • office as an intern, was promoted to scheduler and then constituent services coordinator and legislative
  • Our office has a busy schedule.
Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, pledge, attendance, and a series of recesses and caucus calls. The chamber also recognized the retirement of Larry Horn of the Michigan Senate Police Department and later honored departing staff members Macy Maine, Maddie Cutler, and Julia Schmidt. Senator Geiss delivered a statement marking the 62nd anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, emphasizing its legacy and the need to protect and strengthen civil rights protections. The Senate received House messages on Senate Bills 870 and 878, with SB 878 sent to conference. It also introduced several new measures, including Senate Joint Resolution L and Senate Bills 1085 through 1091, plus House Bills 4833, 5152, 5153, and 5727, referring them to the appropriate committees. The chamber discharged multiple committees from further consideration of bills and suspended rules several times to move legislation onto the General Orders calendar and to allow committee meetings during session. On the floor, the Senate passed House Bill 4072 and Senate Bills 792, 793, 1013, and 947. SB 1013, dealing with the Insurance Code and price optimization, included a failed Tice amendment and passed 34-3. SB 947, concerning dam safety under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, drew supportive remarks from Senator McMorrow and a strong no-vote explanation from Senator McBroom before passing 22-15. The Senate also adopted a McMorrow substitute for SB 947 and later considered a large group of bills in Committee of the Whole, reporting many with amendments and others without amendment for third reading. The session ended with the Senate adjourning until Friday, July 3rd at 12:15 a.m.