Transcript Highlights:

• Within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there's $43.8 million for the Florida Forest
• Their expertise will ensure that the study will provide practical and science-based recommendations to
• new reporting, quality tracking, and a third-party comprehensive study on national quality best practices
• legislation increases transparency in planning, funding, budgeting, reporting, and the business practices
• So this bill does not affect nurse practitioners who hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've practiced. >> You have, and so you've got this down pat.
• And I've practiced. Please, bring your amendment.
• So we were just following their practice.
• And so this piece of legislation just lines up common practice with statute.
• Forest Trump &gt;&gt; Representative Forest Trump like<03:50:17.560><c> thanks.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:47:05.440><c> matter</c><00:47:05.960><c> all</c><00:47:06.119><c> that</c> and as a practical
• matter all that and as a practical matter all that really<00:47:06.520><c> means</c><00:47:06.920><c
• Many of the lands being spoken about today are being used for cultural practices such as fishing and
• </c><03:12:34.520><c> and</c> office of information practices and office of information practices and
• We have a number of attorneys ready for retirement or taking a step back from their practice.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have Darcia Forester in support. Aloha.
• </c><00:28:58.880><c> Um</c><00:28:59.520><c> other</c> practice credential.
• Um other practice credential.
• </c> collaboration of advanced practice collaboration of advanced practice providers<00:30:28.559><c>
• </c> information practices providing comment. information practices providing comment.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a large number of health-related measures, with the most extensive discussion on SB 2283, which would expand mail-order pharmacy access for prescription drugs. Supporters including HMSA, the Board of Pharmacy, and health plan groups said mail order could lower costs, improve adherence, and reduce hospitalizations, while independent pharmacies and rural neighbor-island providers warned it could harm local pharmacies, reduce access for patients who rely on face-to-face service, and create delivery and storage problems for medications. No vote was taken on SB 2283 during the excerpt, and the chair moved on after hearing testimony. The committee also heard SB 2855 on opioid antagonists, with the Insurance Division and HMSA noting that medically necessary opioid antagonists are already covered and suggesting the issue may be addressed through education or administrative fixes. Fentanyl and substance abuse groups supported the measure. SB 3045 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors drew broad support from diabetes and health organizations; HMSA said it had already expanded coverage for members on injectable insulin but raised concerns about supply constraints and said it had not yet seen an auditor study referenced in discussion. Members asked whether the bill would extend coverage beyond current policy. SB 2843 on domestic violence received support from the Public Defender’s Office, prosecutors, and victim-related organizations, who said the pilot program for misdemeanor domestic violence cases had reduced backlogs and improved court efficiency. A prosecutor also supported retaining coercive control as a petty misdemeanor tool in larger domestic violence cases. SB 2845 on healthcare facility access drew strong support from many health, legal, and advocacy groups, who said it would protect patients and staff from disruptive interference at healthcare facilities; one opponent argued it would chill lawful speech and protest and unfairly exempt labor demonstrations. The committee then heard SB 2854 and SB 3202, both healthcare-related measures, with testimony largely in support. SB 2854 drew comments from health and dental groups, and SB 3202 focused on workforce and licensing issues, including support for retired physicians volunteering, preceptor tax credits, and adding advanced midwifery and physician assistant-related provisions. The chair repeatedly enforced a one-minute testimony limit and moved through the agenda without recorded votes in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• MSA cities the highest among the major MSA cities and<01:02:42.799><c> labor</c><01:02:43.119><c> Forest
• </c><01:02:43.799><c> shrinking</c><01:02:44.799><c> although</c> and labor Forest shrinking although
• and labor Forest shrinking although sensus<01:02:46.039><c> data</c><01:02:46.480><c> show</c><01:02

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they've done so by continuously adapting and embracing new tools, technologies, and practices.
• On what should have been a normal afternoon at swim practice, Mary saw her brother Tristan at the bottom
• ,</c><02:18:17.599><c> Mary</c> normal afternoon at swim practice, Mary normal afternoon at swim practice
• Two open-pit mines outside Lake View in the Fremont National Forest supplied the material that went to
• </c> Lake View in the Fremont National Forest Lake View in the Fremont National Forest supplied<08:29

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This matters first for environmental protection: wild pigs and other feral animals destroy native forests
• We will train teachers, foster cultural competence, and create a best practices framework that directly
• </c><00:21:19.679><c> framework</c><00:21:20.200><c> that</c> create a best practices framework that
• guide that the state can practice guide that the state can leverage<00:21:41.480><c> towards</c><00:
• I also learned many Hawaiian culture practices.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes PERB, among other things, to decide unfair labor practices pursuant to a specified
• The bill grants PERB jurisdiction to make initial determinations as to whether charges of unfair practice
• So this is with regards to the unfair labor practices adjustment.
• For the people who have been detained, those who have been practically separated from their families
• Forest Service occupy a building and they cannot vacate it before 2028.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And she still practices treatment.
• </c><00:07:28.800><c> Social</c> Provisional License to Practice Social Provisional License to Practice
• </c> abusive, or deceptive trade practice abusive, or deceptive trade practice under<00:15:32.079><c>
• </c><00:35:10.960><c> social</c> provisional license to practice social provisional license to practice
• </c> any kind of common cultural practices any kind of common cultural practices don't<01:04:22.480><

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a mechanical engineer by trade, with 30 years in industry, seeking practical solutions to real-world
• Listen, this is anything but practical to me. It's, it's, while it's incredible.
• From historic African American and Hispanic communities, and Southeast Fort Worth and Forest Hill, to
• If you say you have morals, a conscience, or are a Christian, you should be against this practice.
• People of color, stop the practice of packing, cracking, or manipulating districts to serve short-term

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:56.919><c> plans</c> setup the best management practice plans setup the best management practice
• It's a best management practice document for CWD.
• document for CWD they still practice document for CWD they still consider<04:51:26.958><c> live</c><
• This bill seeks to change many RSAs that have been in practice for several years.
• I'm a licensed New Hampshire guide, a guide outfitter for White Mountains National Forest.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They do a lot of education uh promoting environmental best practices.
• Um John Swain and uh best practices.
• And what I want to share with my colleagues is that this team's 93-day journey from practice to winning
• The purpose of practice music therapy.
• individual to practice while completing the<00:35:04.720><c> requirements</c><00:35:05.119><c> for</

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit of protecting our drinking water source, to protect, enhance, and restore wetland, prairie, forest
• 04:48.320><c> prairie</c> enhance and restore wetland prairie enhance and restore wetland prairie forest
• However, there are still outstanding unfair labor practices filed, and I am aware of no movement on a
• filed and I am unfair labor practices filed and I am aware<00:46:37.920><c> of</c><00:46:38.160><c>
• Thank you. ...is one area where actually dirt is moved and practices are applied to the landscape in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes PERB, among other things, to decide unfair labor practices pursuant to a specified
• We estimate that this new jurisdiction will result in about an average of 10 to 15 new unfair practice
• Thank you. ...unfair practice are justified and to grant specific remedies.
• So this is with regards to the unfair labor practices adjustment.
• Forest Service occupy a building and they cannot vacate it before 2028.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department described funding for EDD Next document management work, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, UI and school employee benefit changes, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to an EDD Next reversion. PERB discussed reduced funding requests for AB 288 due to litigation and a proposal to implement AB 1 covering legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and removing a salary cap for the DWC administrative director. CalHR proposed consolidating employee assistance services into a statewide contract with enhanced support for first responders, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs, state contributions, and benefit overpayments. Members focused heavily on the unemployment insurance debt and interest payments, asking why the administration had no concrete plan to pay down principal. Finance and LAO explained that the state’s UI tax structure has long been insufficient and that any long-term solution would need to address both the outstanding federal loan and the structural imbalance in employer taxes. Questions also centered on EDD Next costs and timelines, with the chair asking for clearer long-term project cost estimates and Finance noting that future maintenance and operations costs will continue after implementation. On DIR’s emerging technologies unit, members asked whether it would address AI-driven workplace harms; DIR said the unit would focus on physical workplace safety issues involving AI, robotics, autonomous equipment, and related guardrails, while LAO noted broader labor-practice questions would likely fall outside Cal/OSHA’s scope. In the CalPERS discussion, members raised concerns about transparency in private equity and external management fees, while CalPERS said higher fees reflect a strategy of greater private-market and active-management exposure and are offset by higher net returns. Members urged more information on specific investments and future reporting. For CalSTRS, Finance presented routine contribution and overpayment adjustments, but members also raised broader transparency concerns that CalSTRS staff said they would follow up on separately. Public comment in Part A was dominated by strong support for an immigrant worker emergency relief fund, along with support for apprenticeship and workforce proposals and PERB staffing. The chair and members said they would follow up on where the immigrant relief proposal should be considered, noting it may belong in another policy area. The hearing then moved into Part B with an overview of Judicial Branch-related May Revision items, including court interpreter funding, appellate court security, workload cap changes, lactation room implementation delays, and a reduction to the state court facility construction backfill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And does the school have a cardiac emergency response plan aligned with national best practices?
• It's ensuring that we are putting into law our current practice. It's a good policy.
• I want to make sure that it goes back into the general fund, and this codifies existing practice.
• Chairman and Senator Leach, codifying these practices, rebates will still be handled under this bill.
• So this bill takes a practical approach.

Bills: SB1041, SB1050, SB1131, SB1138, SB1249, SB1267, SB1272, SB1317, SB1461, SB1488, SB1504, SB1517, SB1523, SB1580, SB1582, SB1584, SB1585, SB1602, SB1630, SB1654, SB1672, SB1673, SB1718, SB1761, SB1819, SB1826, SB1827

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, veterans, lifetime pass, state parks, Arizona, access, disabled veterans, cardiac arrest, defibrillators, school safety, emergency response, CPR training, Arizona education funding, automated license plate readers

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have to kind of think about this and be practical and trust our clerks.
• Just a way to do that to make it practical in a possible situation where there's an overwhelming number
• Just a way to do that to make it practical in a possible situation where there's an overwhelming number
• Just a way to do that to make it practical in a possible situation where there's an overwhelming number
• Just a way to do that to make it practical in a possible situation where there's an overwhelming number

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The city of Bismarck does not want that growing in their city forest. And so...

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the statewide fire protection forester for DLNR, Forestry and Wildlife.

Bills: SB2405, HCR19, HCR63, HCR85, HCR140, HCR166, HCR82, HCR98, HCR104, HCR106, HCR141, HCR165, HR20, HR57, HR77, HR132, HR156, HR74, HR90, HR96, HR98, HR133, HR155

Keywords: agricultural workforce, housing, Hawaii, working group, zoning, land use, financial incentives, tax credits, water conservation, infrastructure, public health, March4Water, water access, sustainable resources, Honopou Bridge, emergency access, wildfire risk, public safety, structural integrity, community outreach

Summary: The Water and Land Committee met on April 7 and heard testimony on several resolutions and one bill. SB 2405 SD1 HD2, relating to agricultural workforce housing, received support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, HFTC, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the committee later recommended passage as is; one member voted with reservations citing department cost and staffing concerns. The committee also heard HCR 19/HR 20 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 63/HR 57 urging DLNR and DOT to clarify jurisdiction over Honouliuli Bridge, HCR 85/HR 77 on transferring parcels for the East Kapolei TOD project, HCR 140/HR 132 on vegetation management and fuel reduction in West Maui, HCR 166/HR 156 on identifying East Oahu lands for native Hawaiian tree planting, HCR 82/HR 74 on basic shelter standards for rapid deployment housing, HCR 98/HR 90 on a Honolulu housing pattern book, HCR 104/HR 96 on North Shore coastal trails, HCR 106/HR 98 on endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, HCR 141/HR 133 on Maui fire code enforcement, and HCR 165/HR 155 on permanent pickleball nets and lighting at Kamiloiki Community Park. Testimony was generally supportive on most measures, with several agencies and organizations submitting written comments or appearing in support. HCR 82/HR 74 drew the most discussion: the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent but asked that accessibility be considered on the front end, while another testifier opposed the resolution, arguing it could turn temporary emergency shelters into permanent substandard housing and should be deferred. Committee members discussed temporary versus permanent housing standards and accessibility, and the chair later said the measure would be amended to require permanent units to meet appropriate code standards and to note accessibility concerns in the committee report. On HCR 140/HR 132, DLNR testified that firebreak maintenance on its Waianae lands would be costly, and members noted funding and staffing implications. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures it voted on. SB 2405 was passed with a reservation from one member; HCR 19/HR 20, HCR 63/HR 57, HCR 85/HR 77, HCR 98/HR 90, HCR 104/HR 96, HCR 106/HR 98, HCR 141/HR 133, and HCR 165/HR 155 were passed unamended, while HCR 140/HR 132 was passed with reservations and HCR 166/HR 156 and HCR 82/HR 74 were passed with amendments. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• National Environmental Policy Act, FLPMA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and the National Forest

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 19 and March 11, then took up Senate Bill 1285, which would make non-public school diplomas, including homeschool diplomas, equivalent to public school diplomas or GEDs for occupational and professional licensing in Idaho. Representative Redmond presented the bill as a fairness measure for homeschool and private school graduates, and Melissa Nash of Homeschool Idaho testified in support. After questions about interstate recognition and diploma designation, the committee voted to send SB 1285 to the House floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 841, a major prior authorization reform bill aimed at setting clearer standards, timelines, appeal procedures, and reporting requirements for insurers and health plans. Representative Wheeler said the bill was intended to reduce delays in care without dictating prices or benefit design. Testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a migraine patient, and the Idaho State Dental Association supported the bill as a way to improve transparency and patient access. Despite that support, the motion to send HB 841 to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed on a roll call vote, 9-5, with 4 absent. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 1262, a narrow insurance investment bill that would simplify a confusing “lesser of” standard by allowing certain miscellaneous investments up to 10% of an insurer’s assets. Representative Ayler’s and a United Heritage Life representative said the change would clarify the code and improve portfolio flexibility; the committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 898, which would move the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Supporters argued the move would streamline permitting and align related functions, while opponents—including SHPO staff, preservationists, and historians—warned of conflicts of interest, loss of independence, and possible financial impacts to the Historical Society and local preservation programs. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee did not reach a final vote in the portion provided, and discussion continued with a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are whole forests of trees in Minnesota because of Melissa Hortman.

Keywords: 1183, house