Transcript Highlights:

• So none of these have anything to do with rural areas.
• There can be a differential for rural areas and what have you.
• But you have to look at the rural communities that... Thank you for the answers.
• We've had to this committee for rural health care providers that is especially the issue.
• And come back to practice in one of these high rural areas.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And in rural Kentucky, we know right now we're suffering with amount of vets that we regulation that
• ><c> right</c><00:05:20.400><c> now</c><00:05:20.600><c> we're</c> rural Kentucky, we know right now
• The goal is straightforward: improve access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while
• The goal is straightforward: improve access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while
• on the general dollars with no impact on the general fund.<00:11:55.080><c> Let</c><00:11:55.280><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of health-related measures. House Bill 178, on the psychiatric collaborative care model, was presented by Rep. Kim Mosher and psychiatrist Arthur Oliva. They said the bill would let primary care providers address mental health needs more quickly with psychiatrist consultation, reduce long wait times, and save money. Members voiced support, and the bill passed 7-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 387, presented by Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, would keep veterinarians excluded from KASPER reporting requirements and instead add two veterinarians to the Controlled Substance Council. Meade argued that veterinary prescribing is difficult to track by animal, that prior efforts created complications, and that rural Kentucky needs the flexibility. A senator asked about possible diversion of veterinary opioids to humans; Meade said there was no substantial evidence of widespread abuse. The bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 676, by Rep. Rebecca Raymer, was amended from creating a health data utility to directing LRC to study best practices for one during the interim, with a report due December 1, 2026. Members said the state needs a coordinated way to use health data. The amended bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 689, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors and Dr. Heidi Marley, would authorize a Medicaid state-directed payment program for qualifying hospital-affiliated physician and non-physician services, pending federal approval, with supporters saying it would improve access in underserved areas, support provider retention, and bring in about $29 million annually in federal funds without using state dollars. It also passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. Finally, House Joint Resolution 24, presented by Rep. Kim Fleming, would direct the administration to withdraw a previously required community engagement waiver request because it is no longer needed. The resolution passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. The chair noted the next meeting might be April 1, though no bills were currently scheduled, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a lot of them in particular provide help to some of our rural counties and partners.
• I want to ask you a little bit about your workforce impact.
• And then it looks like there'll be some impacts to that on these additional reductions.
• We're really able to leverage those, our dedicated funds, four to five times in direct impact to rural
• We're really able to leverage those, our dedicated funds four to five times in direct impact to rural

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Department of Juvenile Corrections budget. Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson outlined the agency’s funding sources, staffing, recent expenditure patterns, and several FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget requests, including substance use disorder treatment, youth assessment center funding, replacement items, IT upgrades, and a clinician services transfer from the Department of Health and Welfare. Members asked about the governor’s holdback, public works projects, vehicle replacements, and staffing. Director Ashley Dowell said the department’s census has declined due to strong county partnerships, prevention and diversion efforts, and youth assessment centers, and she explained that a staffing analysis found the agency understaffed by 12 positions, with six vacancies converted to direct care roles. She also described the holdback impacts as coming from contract reductions, internal efficiencies, travel and training cuts, and substance use disorder funding adjustments. The committee adjourned after the department discussion. The committee then reviewed the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources budget. Peterson described the office’s mostly federal funding, small staff, dedicated funds, prior energy resilience appropriations, and FY 2027 requests for personnel realignment, Idaho Orchestrating Nuclear (ION) support, and home energy rebates. Administrator Callie Younger said the office is focused on energy resilience, permitting coordination, hydropower relicensing, geothermal and mining projects, and a growing nuclear policy portfolio. She highlighted the new nuclear task force, the office’s request for information to industry, and work on a federal request related to a nuclear lifecycle campus. Members asked about nuclear development, spent fuel, modular reactors, permitting efficiency, and whether the office might merge with the Office of Species Conservation. Younger said the office is exploring a merger because of overlapping permitting functions and could reduce positions and save some general funds, while also improving its ability to handle nuclear and mining work. The chair closed by noting the committee’s alignment with several governor’s office recommendations and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• District, I represent a very rural district.
• Much of West Texas is rural and does not have access to broadband.
• It's almost all rural areas that have at least a line of sight.
• Consider the impact on challengers to incumbents.
• All of us that represent rural communities know that.

Bills: SR5 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Summary: The meeting centered around the discussion of congressional redistricting, where the committee established the procedures to ensure a fair and transparent process. Led by Senator King, the session focused on adopting a resolution that authorized a special committee dedicated to congressional redistricting and allowed for regional hearings to gather public input via videoconferencing. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate notice for public participation, especially from marginalized communities potentially affected by proposed changes. Disagreements emerged regarding the timeline for regional hearings and how to address the implications of the redistricting process on minority districts. Overall, participants acknowledged the complex nature of redistricting and the importance of engaging constituents in the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> accomplishing and delivering high impact accomplishing and delivering high impact and<00:25:07.520
• </c> how much we continue to make impact how much we continue to make impact nationally<00:31:36.240>
• County fairs, you know, they're basically the backbone of rural America.
• County fairs, you know, they're basically the backbone of rural America.
• </c><01:03:28.039><c> in</c> but it's still making a big impact in but it's still making a big impact

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and actually positive impact on students.
• and actually positive impact on students.
• It's negatively impacted our faculty and staff researchers.
• It's negatively impact our faculty and staff researchers.
• So lots of secondary impacts that people may not be aware of because...

Bills: SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• There is, again, you know, a bit of a fiscal impact there.
• I represent rural New Mexico, and how does this bill benefit rural communities that might not have MRAs
• In a past life, I was State Director of USDA Rural Development.
• I represent rural New Mexico, and how does this bill benefit rural communities that might not have MRAs
• We're connecting rural producers.

Bills: SB36 , SB88 , SB92 , SB97 , SB48 , SB55 , SB58 , SB76 , SB93 , SB89 , SB60

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• Attract economic development and rural communities. Thank you. Thank you so much.
• This is impacting you. rural in eastern Washington, as you heard from some of our ports today already
• We are deeply concerned about the impacts of that on economic development.
• Also, this bill has a fiscal impact that's not in the governor's budget.
• In December, over 20,000 customers were impacted.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on four bills. SB 5982 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to include port districts and certain single-customer utilities, and would revise definitions for market customers and affected market customers. Supporters, including environmental groups, Commerce, Ecology, and some port and utility representatives, said it would close loopholes and ensure large loads such as data centers and port-based generation are subject to CETA. Opponents from ports, PUDs, business groups, and industrial consumers argued the bill could sweep in existing single-customer utilities and burden smaller ports or industrial projects. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing after noting substantial pro, con, and other testimony. SB 6008 would create a statewide residential battery incentive and flexible demand program administered through Commerce, with higher incentives for low- and moderate-income customers and requirements tied to utility flexible demand programs. Supporters said it would improve grid resilience, lower bills, and help deploy virtual power plants and distributed storage. Utilities and some advocates supported the concept but asked for changes on funding, low-income verification, compensation, deadlines, and program design. No action was taken beyond the public hearing. SB 6050 would allow portable plug-in solar devices and one meter-mounted device per premises, while restricting utilities, landlords, and HOAs from blocking them and setting safety and certification conditions. Supporters called it a low-cost way to expand distributed solar access, especially for renters and lower-income households. Opponents, including labor, utilities, and safety-focused witnesses, raised concerns about fire risk, backfeeding, lack of existing electrical code standards, utility worker safety, and the need for interconnection review. The committee then heard SB 6056, which would direct Ecology to exempt utility service vehicles from certain clean vehicle emissions standards; Ecology said it was already pursuing a similar rule and flagged the bill’s broad definition and potential policy implications, while utility associations supported the exemption for emergency response vehicles and environmental advocates opposed the statutory approach. No votes were taken on any of the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, we reformed the Medicaid reimbursement formula, and since then, rural hospital closures have
• So on behalf of the cotton farmers whose wells now draw clean water, the rural Texans who still have
• He's a champion for rural Texas.
• Texas, all rural Texas, and water.
• His impact on the lives around him will never be able to fully measure until eternity.

Bills: SB27 , SB30 , SB293 , HB4 , HB2974 , HB5138 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB112 , HB104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB123 , HB5606 , HB1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59

Keywords: judicial conduct, judges discipline, judicial compensation, retirement benefits, judicial transparency, SJR 50, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, securities tax, transaction tax, occupation tax, financial markets, broker-dealer, stock exchange, securities exchange, trading platform, clearing agency, transfer agent, FINRA

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say we did review research related to a variety of impacts.
• and that businesses as well have been impacted.
• They are part of our total H.R. 1 impact estimate.
• a significant impact on supplemental food resources for food banks.
• Noat Bottomal with California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services opened its first hearing of the year with a discussion centered on CalFresh, the Department of Social Services, and related anti-poverty and immigrant services programs. Chair Jackson framed the hearing as a response to the “historic and enormous challenges” created by H.R. 1, emphasizing that the committee’s goal was to minimize harm to vulnerable Californians. No votes were taken in the hearing. The first major topic was the impact of H.R. 1 on CalFresh eligibility and administration. CDSS estimated major federal funding reductions, with hundreds of thousands of Californians potentially losing benefits under new time limits and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, and additional losses among certain non-citizen groups. County welfare directors, eligibility workers, SEIU, and other advocates argued that counties are underfunded and understaffed to implement the new rules, and urged release of the previously authorized $20 million General Fund, a county match waiver, and an additional ongoing workforce investment. LAO and the Department of Finance said they were reviewing the administration’s proposals and emphasized the need to use existing data, automation, and statutory direction to reduce administrative burden and improve implementation. A second panel addressed county administrative backfill and the broader fiscal effects of H.R. 1. CDSS explained that the law shifts more administrative costs to the state and counties beginning in federal fiscal year 2027 and could also create future state benefit costs tied to payment error rates. County and food bank representatives warned that many counties will struggle to absorb the higher match and that penalties tied to payment error rates could worsen budget pressure. Members pressed Finance and CDSS for clearer timelines, written responses, and more detailed workload assumptions, while Finance said it was still analyzing the federal guidance and county resource needs. The final major topic was the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and possible state responses for people losing federal CalFresh eligibility. CDSS said CFAP remains limited by statute and by the federal structure it currently uses, but that the planned expansion to Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status remains on track for October 1, 2027, subject to funding. Immigrant advocates urged the state to fold newly excluded humanitarian immigrants into CFAP and to invest in outreach and administration, while Western Center on Law and Poverty proposed a broader state-funded anti-hunger response for people cut off by H.R. 1. LAO noted that the CFAP expansion is difficult to estimate and that further policy and technical work would be needed to assess costs and implementation options.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> feel the the Read Act had an impact. feel the the Read Act had an impact.
• Most others reported no impact, and very few reported a positive impact.
• Most others reported no impact, and very few reported a positive impact.
• Other impacts shared in open-ended responses included mental health impacts such as stress, anxiety,
• Other impacts shared in open-ended responses included mental health impacts such as stress, anxiety,

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was living on a farm in a rural area.
• </c><01:31:17.440><c> Uh</c> to the rural transformation project.
• Uh to the rural transformation project.
• </c><01:32:11.480><c> of</c> underestimate the economic impact of underestimate the economic impact of
• </c><01:56:53.440><c> of</c> going to address the negative impacts of going to address the negative impacts

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> directly involved in making that impact directly involved in making that impact and<00:18:34.360
• areas. impacted by the delayed FAFSA roll out impacted by the delayed FAFSA roll out as<00:28:27.640
• </c><00:29:29.360><c> our</c> pandemic sign ific anly impacted our pandemic sign ific anly impacted our
• </c> we're doing to help address rural we're doing to help address rural Workforce<00:29:55.399><c> needs
• </c><01:23:54.600><c> on</c> this would have a significant impact on this would have a significant impact

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the financial impact is significant.
• First, the financial impact is significant.
• And this bill is not going to greatly impact, especially rural... ...counties.
• Now, will there be an impact to the primary fund potentially?
• It doesn't impact the accuracy of a voter list.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, These funds recycle back into the program, extending their long-term impact.
• For these reasons, and for the positive impact it would have on housing access in our communities across
• But I guess going back to the question is there a percentage that is going to Be focused on rural New
• And then a follow-up to that would be, Madam Chair, is, and I bring this up Because rural New Mexico,
• We filed this credit on behalf of a lot of our clients in rural and urban areas, and this credit has

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and it if that cost is going to impact and it if that cost is going to impact and it will impact many
• of our businesses not will impact many of our businesses not will impact many of our businesses not
• and I've I've asked this to be impacted and I've I've asked this to be impacted and I've I've asked
• on every citizen it doesn't skip impact on every citizen it doesn't skip impact on every citizen it
• a lot of this country that are impacting a lot of this country that are impacting a lot of people as

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• colleagues who count on their rural hospitals and the rural medical providers to be able to provide
• But perhaps nowhere is the impact more critical than in rural Oklahoma.
• Our rural hospitals are hanging on by a thread. Many are operating in the red.
• I just said what the fiscal impact was.
• We saw this and looked at the first physical impact, which was over $100 million.

Bills: HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710 , HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268 , HB4440 , HJR1067 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1149 , SB1167 , HJR1024 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB3419 , HB3748 , HB4335 , HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420 , HB3040 , HB4140 , HB1638 , HB3298 , HB4113 , HB1082 , HB4301 , HB3269 , HB3587 , HB4226 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4342 , HB3278 , HB3996 , HB4236 , HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is subjecting landowners to impacts that are not workable. They can't live that way.
• That's a conversation we have in rural Minnesota about barn siting.
• Rural co-ops, and so you know how that process happens and that resource and the rest.
• There's also an environmental impact on wildlife that's not really understood.
• Just the impacts in general are very different. And so I have particular concerns about that.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is the essence of the bill, and I think that it obviously doesn't have a fiscal impact.
• We don't try to impact that at all.
• of over 110 small rural school districts all across the state.
• Our district is federally impacted, with up to 10% of revenues coming from impact aid.
• And our federal impact aid payments, they come in the spring unless there is a delay.

Summary: The House Education Committee heard public testimony on three bills focused on school district finances and education ombuds confidentiality. House Bill 2593, an OSPI request, would require school districts to maintain minimum general fund balances beginning in the 2031 school year, with OSPI calculating district-specific amounts and adopting rules. It would also require monthly financial reporting starting in 2028-29 and allow OSPI to withhold apportionment for late reporting or require repayment plans if districts fall below the minimum. Supporters, including OSPI and the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to prevent districts from reaching binding financial conditions and to provide earlier intervention; opponents from WASDA, rural districts, and school boards argued it would reduce local control, create cash-flow problems, and impose rigid limits that do not fit different district circumstances. Several witnesses also raised concerns about the proposed maximum fund balance and the impact on districts with enrollment volatility, federal impact aid, or special project savings needs. The committee also heard House Bill 2551, which would let school districts with estimated ending fund balances at or below 3% of revenues seek OSPI approval to sell real property before entering binding financial conditions, with proceeds used to restore solvency rather than being deposited into capital or debt service funds. The prime sponsor and Tacoma School District testified that the bill would give districts flexibility to avoid deeper fiscal distress, while OSPI said it supported the concept but suggested a higher threshold and broader minimum fund balance policy. Testimony in opposition or concern focused on the risk of selling appreciating assets, the possibility of one-time sales being used to solve ongoing budget problems, and the need for stronger state funding rather than asset liquidation. The committee also heard House Bill 2440, which would make identifying information in Office of Education Ombuds complaint records confidential, allow limited disclosure by consent or under legislative or gubernatorial subpoena, and require release of a complainant’s own records with redactions; the bill was supported by the ombuds office and its sponsor as a way to protect complainants and encourage reporting. No votes or executive actions were taken. The committee closed the public hearings after hearing testimony and recorded sign-ins, and the chair noted that the bills could be eligible for executive action beginning the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> years to advocate for issues that impact years to advocate for issues that impact our<00:24:13.039
• These musicians and its cultural impact.
• I'm proud to be from rural Colorado.
• Start to step for rural Colorado. Start to step for my people.
• Yes, real people have been impacted.

Keywords: 981, all