Transcript Highlights:

• Multiple studies have shown our cost effectiveness.
• Some data: Wellesley and 10 other towns participated in a case study.
• Now regarding medical debt, in a well-known early Harvard study led by author Dr.
• You won't study the data. You won't ask your constituents what they think.
• And as we know, the committee again let the bill die under the charade of going back to study.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're excited about the PERF money because you all have required evaluation studies so that we can see
• They are based on student number, but we are trying with all of our monies to be able to study what's
• Vice Chair and members of the Education Study Committee. My name is Jason Morgan.
• or flying. ...avoid speaking or working in a large class setting, fading into the background or flying
• Thank you, Chair and members of the Legislative Education Study Committee.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• With 112 legislators and six years of academic study, the number could be as high as 672 scholarships
• I think the General's point to that is that he has, you know, 28 years of background in that particular
• that's never been studied—a homegrown program.
• I mean, we're having a conversation, but I mean, you're saying it's a first-year study.
• And in that, you'll find everything from study design and construction.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to introduce HB 448, which establishes a committee to study violations found in the 5 April
• and this study committee is designed<01:27:09.000> to<01:27:09.159> look<01:27:09.360>
• Uh, I need to give you some background first about myself and how I got involved in all this.
• I say all this because I have a background in computer science.
• 2024 in an important way for background 2024 in an important way for background I've<03:13:52.880

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A USC study in 2025 found that roughly one in three low-income residents in L.A.
• Our study shows that the majority of survivors who experience online sexual harm did not reach out to
• The entire pediatric gender medicine edifice rests on a single Dutch study of 70 kids.
• It also requires an initial background check before activating a rideshare driver and annual background
• SB 623 also expands background checks and requires annual re-screening for drivers.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:56.800> checks qualify and all your background checks qualify and all your background
• It's a study language. Are redesign. It's a study language.
• It addresses licensing and background studies.
• studies.
• <01:38:42.800> It licensing and background studies. It licensing and background studies.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committees resumed discussion of amendments to a bill dealing with licensing moratoria, change-of-ownership rules, and related provider oversight issues. Amendment A8 would prevent a licensing moratorium for certain intermediate care service settings from blocking a new license when the change is due to a change of ownership, including temporary licenses and transitional licenses. Department of Human Services staff said they were still reviewing the language but explained the department’s concern was maintaining program integrity and ensuring owners go through full change-of-ownership review so the agency can see who owns a provider and check compliance history. Senators supporting the amendment argued it would keep legitimate businesses from being harmed by a moratorium and could help preserve providers when ownership changes or family members take over after a death. A8 was adopted on a roll call, with both committees voting in support. Amendment A9, also on the moratorium topic, would exempt a change of ownership from the moratorium so long as it does not increase license capacity or service scope. The department said it needed more analysis to avoid unintended consequences, but the amendment was added to the working bill. Amendment A10 proposed a more detailed, data-driven framework for the moratorium and included a provision about refunds after implementation; department staff said the language would add cost and would require technical assistance, while senators emphasized the need to address licensure backlogs and avoid making provider delays worse. A10 was approved by the committees, though not unanimously. Amendment A11 would have set standards for how the commissioner designates provider types or program areas as moderate or high risk, with added transparency criteria. The department said the commissioner already has that authority and raised concerns about federal requirements and the state’s corrective action plan, and Senator Hoffman withdrew the amendment. Amendment A12, offered by Senator Fateh, would preserve remote supports by removing bill language that repealed the service and would add safeguards for remote overnight supervision, including staffing ratios to ensure emergency response times can be met. Several senators supported keeping remote services as an important, cost-effective option amid workforce shortages, while the department said it had program integrity concerns and supported the governor’s proposal to remove the service. The committee nevertheless advanced A12, with members noting the need to balance safety and integrity with access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I need to study a little bit.
• Chairman, that's typical of other studies too. Senator Davison.
• But this is just, we don't need to study it.
• So it seems like a lot of time to drive to Bismarck and back to do a study.
• I'm okay studying the rates and the payment structures.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members. The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration. A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's part of the findings from the peer-reviewed study that they submitted for peer review.
• The findings from the peer-reviewed study that they submitted for peer review is that even regardless
• I can share a brief overview of our mobile crisis trailer bill language and also some key background
• As mentioned in the background materials, we've got two distinct grant categories, one for small and
• Yeah, and we could get you like a little bit of background information on the programs. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused first on behavioral health, especially hard-to-treat serious mental illness through the lens of anosognosia, and the impact of potential federal Medi-Cal reductions under H.R. 1. A family member, Dawn Marie Anderson, described her son’s long cycle of psychosis, homelessness, arrests, jail-based stabilization, and repeated relapse when treatment ended, arguing that anosognosia is a symptom of illness rather than refusal of care. She and other witnesses urged more consistent, long-term treatment, family involvement, medication support, and stronger county and state coordination. County and provider representatives said the current system still relies too heavily on crisis response and leaves people with serious mental illness falling through gaps between managed care, county specialty care, housing, and justice systems. Testimony from the California Behavioral Health Association, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Health, and the County Behavioral Health Directors Association emphasized that people with anosognosia often cannot self-navigate care, making a “no wrong door” system essential. They said H.R. 1 could destabilize coverage and shift costs to counties, while existing private insurance coverage is inadequate for early psychosis and related services. Witnesses highlighted CalAIM, jail in-reach, assertive community treatment, mobile crisis, supportive housing, and LEAP-style family training as promising tools, but said counties still need more resources and that the state should strengthen both Medi-Cal and private insurance behavioral health coverage. A public commenter from Lake County said private insurers denied most claims, especially for unlicensed staff providing case management and mobile crisis services. The committee then heard an update on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, including the virtual services platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna and the CYBHI fee schedule program. DHCS reported strong growth in app registrations, coaching sessions, referrals, and positive user outcomes, and said the platforms are serving children and youth statewide, including many who had never previously accessed care. For the fee schedule, DHCS said 72% of school districts and 50 of 58 county offices of education are participating across six cohorts, with $9.6 million reimbursed to date and 41,556 students represented in claims. Members pressed the department on the program’s roughly $69.3 million administrative cost, the slow pace of reimbursement relative to the investment, and the late delivery of requested data. DHCS responded that many claims are still being submitted, most denials are correctable, and local implementation is still scaling up through technical assistance and capacity grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• our tremendously successful STAR program over the last 4 years, but actually started at the bureau studying
• And have you and your team studied ways and if this were to still be implemented, how can, how can we
• And I share this background to emphasize my extensive experience in this policy arena.
• Uh, a study has been recommended, uh, and apparently, I think a bill was filed on, on Friday.
• Let me tell you a little bit about my background.

Bills: HB206

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• It's cut down on the background.
• That's why I think we want to do the study. I mean, I think we want to do the study.
• How long is the study going to take, and what's the estimate on the study?
• So, the cost, the total cost of the study, and then the length of the study. We'll do.
• study and then the length of the study. study and then the length of the study.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also will do a background check when they are renewing their credentials.
• And your background check was done at the SOE point. So, thank you.
• <00:41:08.319> I and was subject to a background check.
• I and was subject to a background check.
• That's 18.3 lowincome backgrounds.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems completely reasonable until we consider the background and other options.
• The chair of the commission to study OHV use in New Hampshire is in support of this bill.
• Lincoln came from a very humble background. His family were farmers.
• In the meantime, he had studied law. He never attended any formal education.
• of there in the meantime he had studied of there in the meantime he had studied law<04:26:10.520

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm asking you now to create a study So, I'm asking you now to create a study committee<00:43
• <00:52:56.240> to to participate in an interimm study to to participate in an interimm study
• With that consider interim study for it.
• Additionally, according to a study Additionally, according to a study published<02:02:57.599>
• but we're happy to engage in the study but we're happy to engage in the study committee<02:09:59.119

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First one is a case study.
• The first one is a case study for part 2. So it's related. So let's look at SB 794.
• Taking time to look at something that I've studied really the past 50 years since the President Nixon
• We actually just completed a study in House for the Department of Financial Services that provided some
• We have a little bit of background and the precious metal monetary reform for decade and a half back

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Background checks on others do not use information the way it says at the top of it in return.
• Background checks on others do not use information the way it says at the top of it in return.
• <00:28:37.279> Nonetheless,<00:28:38.240> you a background check.
• Nonetheless, you a background check.
• ,<00:55:47.760> so knew you'd be a quick case study, so knew you'd be a quick case study,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alcohol is one of the most studied substances on the face of the earth.
• But I do know that background on that.
• Alcohol is one of the most studied Alcohol is one of the most studied substances<00:51:56.240>
• A Washington state study uh found group.
• A Washington state study, as training.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A bit of background.
• Representative Kitzman, directs the Health and Human Services Commission. to establish a work group to study
• The work group will study accessibility, gaps in care, workforce capacity, interest lists, and funding

Bills: HB50

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The most important question you'll answer today, Kyle, is Are you gonna make Bible study in Lubbock tomorrow
• He is in a bio-study we meet on Fridays with a group of guys.
• Commitment to an extensive background check, I fear, without this commitment sawed-off shotguns would

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, studies have shown that wearing helmets reduces fatalities or major injuries by 37%.
• Studies have shown that wearing helmets reduces fatalities or major injuries by 37%.
• is fair and that it provides an automatic review for everyone regardless of their socioeconomic background
• is fair and that it provides an automatic review for everyone regardless of their socioeconomic background
• <00:34:01.519> or socioeconomic background or socioeconomic background or situation<00:34:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several transportation and public safety measures on March 28, 2025. SB 1195 would prohibit parking within certain distances of crosswalks and intersections, direct parking fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund, and remove the need for signs or curb markings in some cases. The Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Ulupono Initiative supported the bill, emphasizing improved visibility, pedestrian safety, and funding for school-route improvements; written testimony included both support and one opposition. No vote was taken during the hearing segment provided. The committee also heard SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit chief, which would set term-based appointment provisions for the airport division’s fire chief. DOT supported the measure, saying it would give the director flexibility to select leadership and adapt to changing needs, while a member asked about current removal procedures for underperforming employees. The bill was presented as a management and leadership measure, with no action taken in the excerpt. SB 1216, addressing noisy mufflers and safety inspection requirements, drew DOT support in principle but concern that existing rules already cover inspection standards and that enforcement after inspection remains difficult; DOT also described a planned noise-detection camera pilot on Oʻahu. Testimony included support from neighborhood and advocacy groups and opposition from three individuals. For SB 30, which would require helmets for moped riders under 21, DOT and HPD supported the bill, citing crash data and injury prevention; testimony was evenly split overall, with six in support and six in opposition. SB 344 would require helmets for skateboard users under 18; DOT supported it, and a DOT witness explained current helmet rules for other devices such as e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles. SB 1095, increasing decal size limits for special number plates, drew DOT concerns that larger decals could interfere with plate readability and automated enforcement. SB 1522 would make proof of filing required vehicle-transfer notice forms a complete defense to actions arising from the vehicle’s later use or abandonment; the Judiciary said it had no position on the bill’s merits but objected to language requiring new court forms and raised access and legal-advice concerns, while Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services supported the measure. The committee then heard SB 597, extending the deadline for the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office to issue written review decisions. The Attorney General and DOT supported the extension, citing limited toxicology capacity and shipping delays for testing, and several law enforcement and public health entities also supported it. In contrast, the ADLRO hearing officer testified with serious concerns about due process, warning that eliminating or delaying the review process could create constitutional problems, disproportionately burden people without attorneys, and jeopardize thousands of cases. Finally, SB 1285 proposed a tiered revocation system for DUI arrests; ADLRO strongly opposed it on due process grounds, while DOT supported it as a safety measure and the Hawaii Public Health Institute commented that evidence is lacking for standalone mandatory revocation and suggested stronger impaired-driving standards instead. The committee had not yet taken final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That experience sent me to Texas A&M on an agriculture scholarship, where I studied and majored in ag
• And Senator, if I may add one more thing: my deep background working in state policy included working
• I don't pretend to even know the beginnings of it; I've just started studying it, but it seems to me,
• And of course, I love your background in ranching.
• And I hope just with your background and your FAA involvement and the like, I think that would be among