Transcript Highlights:

• Tomorrow at 1:30, Public Utilities will have a joint hearing with the Senate Energy in room 204.
• <00:17:39.760> at<00:17:39.920> 1:30,<00:17:41.080> Public<00:17:41.400> Utilities
• <00:17:42.000> will Tomorrow at 1:30, Public Utilities will Tomorrow at 1:30, Public Utilities

Keywords: MS House Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, dispensed with reading of the journal, and received no reports from select committees or resolutions. Members then recognized several guests, including the JPS Tougaloo Early College High School Mock Trial Team, which was congratulated for its performance in the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial competition, along with Gayla Carver Sanders and Judge Crystal Wise Martin. The chamber then took up a series of local and county bills on the calendar, all of which were advanced by the usual motions and passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. House Bill 4080 authorized Jackson County to contribute $5,000 to the Junior Auxiliary program; HB 4110 created a trust fund for Oktibbeha County related to the sale of medical property; HB 4111 and HB 4135 authorized conviction assessments in Perry County and Waynesboro, respectively, for justice court building maintenance; HB 4115 extended a Hattiesburg lease to 30 years; HB 4130 created the Yazoo County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, with an amendment changing “partnership” to “alliance”; and HB 4134 created an industrial zone emergency response district for Lowndes County. Each bill passed with little or no debate, with vote totals ranging from 115 to 119 yeas and zero nays. After the bills, the Clerk reported no announcements, and members made several notices, including a Capitol Prayer Group meeting, BEAM office hours for broadband grant information, and a joint Public Utilities/Senate Energy hearing on the MSWiNS system. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• That basically allowed, based on a multiplier that they utilize, agencies to apply for certificates of
• We provide a variety of different services that are underfunded, and we utilize the...
• populations in our counties we provide a variety of different services that are underfunded and we utilize
• the Different services that are underfunded, and we utilize the proceeds from the certificate of need

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee will please come to order.
• Utility-scale solar is finally catching up.
• Minnesota's Board of Water and Soil Resources has more than 7,000 acres of solar arrays, both community and utility
• certainty and stability that you can build an industry around, and it requires you to require things of utilities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for me, the Working People Program means that I can utilize my degree to the fullest, my degrees,
• It also means that while I utilize the Medicaid waiver service programs, I'm not utilizing a lot of other
• things I would be utilizing had I not been able to work.

Bills: S0006, S0036, S0560, S0778, S0844, S0864, S1002, S1016, S1022, S1030, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, psychotropic medication, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, sickle cell disease

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of health, child welfare, aging, disability, and public records bills. CS/SB 1002, on child welfare and parental substance abuse, was described as clarifying that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect when it creates an ongoing risk to a child; it passed after limited questions and supportive testimony from Florida Smart Justice Alliance. CS/SB 1630, a broad aging and long-term care modernization bill, would streamline eligibility screenings, allow temporary DOEA services during emergencies or lead agency failures, tighten oversight of area agencies on aging, permanently establish the Florida Alzheimer’s Care Center of Excellence, and expand guardianship training and enforcement tools; it drew support from AARP, area agencies, and the Alzheimer’s Association and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1022 to add Bay County and Pompano to the Florida Children’s Initiatives, and CS/SB 1030, via strike-all amendment, to streamline regulation of substance abuse and behavioral health providers and clarify background screening and privacy rules. Several bills focused on health care practice and patient access. CS/SB 36, with an amendment, allows nurses with doctoral degrees to use appropriate titles while requiring clear identification as nurses and making misuse grounds for discipline; nursing organizations supported it and it passed. CS/SB 844 requires physicians and nurses to complete a one-time, board-approved continuing education course on sickle cell disease care management, with multiple patients and advocates testifying about delayed care, bias, and the need for better provider education; the bill was reported favorably after an amendment aligning it with the House version. CS/SB 560 streamlines procedures for psychotropic medication for children in DCF custody by reducing duplicative reports, clarifying evaluator qualifications, limiting repeated background checks, and simplifying consent documentation; an amendment removed postsecondary education language, and the bill passed. The committee also approved a public records exemption bill for a uterine fibroids research database (CS/SB 864). The committee also advanced measures affecting disability services and forensic care. SB 6, a claims bill, would pay $3.8 million to a trust for a child who suffered severe abuse-related injuries after DCF involvement; it passed without opposition. SB 778 updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism found incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure forensic setting, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1016 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program, allowing eligible developmentally disabled adults to work while retaining Medicaid waiver benefits and requiring notice to enrollees; advocates described the bill as essential to employment and independence, and it passed. Throughout the meeting, most bills received supportive public testimony, few questions, and unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• because The bill in chief requires the Public Service Commission to consider the economic impact of utility
• At a time when New Yorkers are struggling to pay skyrocketing utility bills, your offices, our offices
• the increased supply costs resulting from the current frigid weather that you may have noticed, and utility
• the Climate Investment Account at the close of each fiscal year, specifically those collected from utility

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, who offered remarks about gratitude, diversity, and support for Kosovo’s independence. The Journal was approved, and the chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Resolution 1516 commemorating the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence and Resolution 1317 honoring the Stillwater Girls Varsity Soccer Team and Head Coach Christine Ihnatolya for winning the NYSPHSAA Class C state championship. Both resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors were authorized to seek additional co-sponsors. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures on environmental conservation, education, public health, civil service, penal law, public service, labor, and a retroactive real property tax exemption for the Silver Lake Foundation. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew recorded no votes from a small group of senators. Senator Fahy explained her vote on a bill renaming an OASAS scholarship in honor of Father Peter Young, emphasizing his work on addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. Two items drew extended debate. On Calendar 141, Senator Walczyk appealed the chair’s ruling that an amendment to a public service bill was nongermane; the Senate voted 21 to overrule the chair, so the ruling stood, and the bill then passed 52-6. On Calendar 213, Senators Kavanagh and Borrello debated a food-safety bill concerning disclosure of certain food ingredients and chemicals; supporters said it would improve transparency and protect children’s health, while opponents argued federal action was already underway and a national standard would be preferable. After the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar, it passed 56-2. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now utilizing machine reading technology to automate invoice intake, so we don't have to manually
• And we can account for with great detail the fleet we have control over and its utilization.
• What they're deploying and their levels of utilization because we have no leverage to get that information
• something outside of ordinary use, so we're not paying for any GEOAB subscriptions that aren't being utilized

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you see on that slide, we utilize 31 aircraft.
• In addition to these 31 that we utilize, we also have not only exclusive-use aircraft but call-when-needed
• In addition to these 31 that we utilize, we also have not only exclusive use aircraft, but call when
• And To one of their existing reserves, and it's again land that we can't utilize.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Displays, like the bottom left picture, show digital displays utilized within schools.
• And for Section 8, if you, of course, for private landowners who utilize their home with Section 8, there's
• Through that, we are utilizing the No Minor Sale initiative and conducting a newsletter to provide educational
• In terms of the more funding-specific question about possibly utilizing funds for that, I know that,

Transcript Highlights:

• KNOW THAT THERE IS ADDITIONAL LOAD REDUCTION THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND ALSO WITH A LOT OF THESE UTILITIES
• MORE RECHARGE ON THE AQUAPHOR SO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IN THE SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES YOU CAN ASK ANY UTILITY
• WATER SUPPLY SIDE THERE ARE LAWS IN PLACE THAT IF YOU ARE A UTILITY AND YOU HAVE A CERTAIN POPULATION
• WHETHER IT'S A LOWER FLORIDA WHILE AQUAPHOR IN THE BRACKISH WITH A RESERVOIR AND THAT IS ON THE UTILITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to explore ways to utilize the rural hospital swing bed benefit for post-acute care and expand
• engagement with primary Care providers, which ultimately lowers readmissions, emergency department utilization
• addressed with the value-added benefits of all three managed care organizations, how healthcare is utilized
• Coverage for respite care is a frugal move that helps us prioritize how this healthcare is utilized amongst

Summary: The meeting focused on hospital “avoidable days” and the difficulty of discharging medically stable patients who still need post-acute placement or social services. Presenters from Saint Anthony Hospital Midtown, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, City Care, and OU Health described common barriers including lack of skilled nursing, rehab, long-term care, behavioral health, and hospice placements; insurance prior authorization delays; Medicaid and Social Security eligibility delays; guardianship and Adult Protective Services bottlenecks; limited home health and private duty nursing; and the challenge of placing unhoused, uninsured, or medically complex patients. Several speakers emphasized that these delays reduce bed availability, increase emergency department boarding, contribute to staff burnout, and expose patients to hospital-acquired conditions and other harms. The testimony included multiple examples of patients remaining in acute care for days, weeks, or even months after being medically ready for discharge, including patients awaiting guardianship, disability determinations, or placement in facilities willing to accept them. Speakers also highlighted special populations such as patients with behavioral health or substance use disorders, medically fragile children, patients with criminal histories, and unhoused individuals who need respite or hospice care. City Care described its planned 40-bed medical respite facility, set to open in 2027, as a way to provide clinical support and housing navigation for patients too sick to recover on the street or in shelters. Witnesses recommended policy and system changes such as standardizing preauthorization protocols, expanding rural swing-bed and home-based services, increasing public guardianship resources, improving data collection on homelessness, expanding private duty nursing hours, and creating more placement options for complex patients. They also suggested better coordination between hospitals, DHS, APS, the Health Department, and post-acute facilities, including a database of facility services to improve discharge planning and keep patients closer to home. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the transcript, but the chair indicated the issue would require collaboration across multiple agencies and partners.

Transcript Highlights:

• distributed medication for human use for that particular purpose, but it does show, in this case, utilization
• And in fact, many, many drugs are utilized off-label.
• What your bill does, Senator, is allow that utilization by the people of Texas like we've already done
• in four other states to utilize it without a doctor's permission if the side effects warrants that to

Bills: SB 3, SB 16, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB17, SB 54, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB48, HB149, HB192, HB254, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• million to continue through June 30, 2026, a contract for an operational observer to monitor covered utilities
• ’ implementation of measures that mitigate the risk of wildfire ignitions from utility infrastructure
• I'm assuming that either Natural Resources or the Air Resources Board has a portal on the utilization
• I'm assuming that either Natural Resources or the Air Resources Board has a portal on the utilization

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on SB 100/AB 100, the early action budget bills, with a focus on Medi-Cal funding, wildfire recovery, and several smaller budget adjustments. The Department of Finance explained that the bill would add $2.8 billion General Fund and $8.3 billion federal funds for Medi-Cal, along with other items including wildfire-related local assistance for Los Angeles County, property tax backfills for fire-damaged local agencies, Cal OES wildfire monitoring authority, nonprofit security grants, the Property Tax Postponement Fund, FARMER and Clean Cars for All funding, foster family home insurance claims, Proposition 98 technical assistance for LA wildfire-impacted schools, teacher credentialing authority, and Proposition 4 climate bond appropriations for wildfire and forest resilience projects. Much of the member discussion centered on rising Medi-Cal costs, the recent $3.4 billion cash-flow loan, and whether the new appropriation would cover payments through June. Finance said the new funds were for program costs and cash flow, not repayment of the loan, and that no additional loan authority remained. Members also debated the causes of higher Medi-Cal spending, including expanded eligibility, higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, and federal policy changes. The LAO noted that forecasting errors are not unusual but that current revisions are somewhat higher than typical, though not unprecedented. Several members emphasized that Medi-Cal supports access to care and hospital stability, while others raised concerns about sustainability and future federal cuts. Public commenters largely supported the bill, especially the Medi-Cal funding and wildfire-related provisions. Health and labor advocates argued that the program is functioning as intended by covering more low-income Californians and preventing uncompensated care. Representatives of special districts and the Altadena Library District supported the property tax backfill provisions tied to the Eaton fire. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting that the committee would adjourn for floor session and that the Assembly would vote on one of the early action bills later that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, when grants aren't fully utilized, there's a transfer authority within OHE, but it's defined, and
• > when like I said when grants aren't when like I said when grants aren't fully<00:07:35.199> utilized
• the<00:07:36.199> there's<00:07:36.360> a<00:07:36.479> transfer fully utilized
• the there's a transfer fully utilized the there's a transfer Authority<00:07:37.319> within<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2454, the Minnesota Law Enforcement Scholarship Act, and then laid the bill over. The author said the bill is intended to address a law enforcement workforce shortage by creating a last-dollar scholarship for licensed police officers and their dependents to pursue criminal justice or law enforcement degrees at Minnesota state colleges, universities, and University of Minnesota campuses. The bill was described as modeled on a Nebraska program and aimed at both recruiting officers from other states and retaining current Minnesota officers. Mark Ross, president of the St. Paul Police Federation and a longtime St. Paul officer, testified in support. He said the shortage is severe, citing vacancies in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and statewide, and argued the scholarship could help retain officers nearing retirement and attract people from other professions into law enforcement. No one else testified, and there were no questions from members during public testimony. During member discussion, questions focused on how unused funds would be handled and how the scholarship would interact with other aid. The author said the program was intended to be last-dollar, with other gift aid applied first, and expressed a preference that any funds roll over rather than lapse. Nonpartisan staff explained that transfer authority for unencumbered balances is typically addressed in the omnibus appropriations act and is not automatic. The author and chair indicated they would work on legislative intent and funding details in the omnibus process before the bill moves further.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a fund that is not being utilized because the funds would go to proven, data-driven, best practice
• This gives more flexibility and strength to judges' discretion and makes a statutory fix to best utilize
• grant fund. more flexibility and strength to judges' discretion and makes a statutory fix to best utilize
• And so they'll be just in the community for anyone to utilize.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s one thing that people don’t realize is that a lot of the folks that utilize our food banks in
• realize is that a lot of the folks don't realize is that a lot of the folks that<00:02:11.480> utilize
• 12.319> banks<00:02:12.560> in<00:02:12.680> the<00:02:12.760> state that utilize
• our food banks in the state that utilize our food banks in the state of<00:02:13.080> Kentucky

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:19 Department of Agriculture 00:01:29, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met with Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell to discuss the Department of Agriculture’s current budget priorities and the impact of recent legislative investments. Shell praised funding for the Farms to Food Bank program, saying it helps food banks serve Kentuckians, especially seniors, while also supporting farmers. He also highlighted County Fair Grant funding, noting a $250,000 increase helped finance a record nine county fair projects, and he described the Raising Hope rural mental health, suicide prevention, and farm safety program as life-saving, citing one event in Owensboro where 14 people were sent to the hospital after health screenings. Shell also addressed emergency preparedness and bird flu response, saying the department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response is working effectively and that Kentucky has not had affected commercial or backyard flocks, only some wild geese cases. He discussed federal efforts to address egg prices and avian influenza, including biosecurity, farmer relief, and research funding, and said he expects those actions to affect prices in the coming months. He also urged the committee to codify Senate Bill 28 and referenced House Joint Resolution 371, which he said would allow the department to retain $5 million for rural economic development efforts aimed at attracting processors and other large-scale operations. In response to questions from Representative Hart, Shell said the department’s disaster role is mainly to coordinate response plans and identify agricultural needs for state and federal relief, rather than provide direct relief funding itself. He said recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky has mainly affected hay supplies for livestock producers, and that the department is working with the Cattlemen’s Association and UK Extension to locate affected farmers and secure hay donations. Shell closed by asking for continued support for agriculture economic development and for improved staff recruitment and retention, saying the department struggles to compete with other state agencies for employees. The meeting ended with thanks and adjournment, with the next meeting announced for the following Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I CAN'T CONTROL HOW MUCH A UTILITY PROVIDER WILL CHARGE US PER KILOWATT HOUR OR PER GALLON OF WATER BUT
• , 2021 WE IMPLEMENTED SOME ADDITIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES AND RECEIVED A 9% REDUCTION IN UTILITY
• ALL OVER THE STATE, 120,000 FT.³ OF NATURAL GAS, 12,000 KWH AND WE DENIES $300,000 IN UTILITY SAVINGS
• SAYING YOU HAVE 6,600,000 SQUARE FEET. >> WE DO BUT IT'S DIFFICULT WITHOUT ASKING THOSE AGENCIES THAT UTILIZE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Really interesting space in terms of how we can utilize our crops or byproduct streams in there as well
• <01:32:00.800> our<01:32:01.280> crops<01:32:01.760> or how we can utilize our
• crops or how we can utilize our crops or byproduct<01:32:02.400> streams<01:32:02.639> in<
• that idea or or push it down the utilize that idea or or push it down the road<01:44:48.480> and<
• of the crops that demand and utilization of the crops that we<01:46:09.679> that<01:46:09.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so certain utilities uh for example that are no funding for the SNAP program.
• And as far as economic impact, I think you may be referring to utilization.
• Program, education aid, and the federal Child Care Development Fund. utilization.
• The impacts uh that SNAP utilization.
• So the department utilized funding that it received from the fiscal committee. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We utilize the ORS pre-trial assessment tool, or the ORS PAT, a validated pre-trial risk tool, to guide
• We utilize the RS community supervision tool, or the CST, to identify risk and needs and for targeted
• We utilize various screening tools to assist the facility's medical unit and security staff with proper
• <00:27:51.520> by monitoring, this option is utilized by monitoring, this option is utilized
• about how the department is utilizing about how the department is utilizing sim<00:31:08.640>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ben Hirsch-Shargell to be a member of the Board of Public Utilities.
• Senator Stack moves list number one containing the singular name of the member of the Board of Public Utilities
• Senator McKeon, Affordable Power Purchase Agreement Expansion Act, concerns expansion of certain public utility
• A. 796 by Assembly Member Bailey requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules
• advanced transmission technology... ...of projects utilizing advanced transmission technology.

Keywords: 1146, all