Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not necessarily the controllers. that requires that use PAP is do you want to take this one actually
• our methods and assistance program review the methods and assistance program or MAP requires the controller
• be so that the school districts aren't put in a bind over something that's completely out of their control
• By processes or methods that are they're largely outside their control and so one potential solution
• They think the county and my office has control. roll over their entire tax bill.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second part of flood control is mitigation.
• “Texas doesn't control the National Weather Service.
• That's the only thing we control.
• Those dams acted as a flood control preventive.
• control.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I just want to say we can't control everything in the legislature, even though we try, but we
• everything<00:34:13.000> in we can't control everything in we can't control everything in
• And that's the legislature's control.
• <00:52:56.880> People<00:52:57.120> are self-control challenges.
• People are self-control challenges.

Bills: HF4502, HF3388, HF4106, HF400, HF4138, HF4118, HF4203

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Transcript Highlights:

• have no control over. have no control over.
• My husband's diabetes would not be controlled.
• . controlled. controlled.
• of the process and certainly in control of the process and certainly in control<02:11:52.719> of<
• So, I would ask control of our budget.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would prohibit Kentucky Medicaid and its managed care contractors from implementing utilization controls
• would prohibit Kentucky Medicaid and its managed care contractors from implementing utilization controls
• would prohibit Kentucky Medicaid and its managed care contractors from implementing utilization controls
• She required complex symptom control experts to address her emotional and spiritual needs, and that was
• She required complex symptom control experts to address her emotional and spiritual needs, and that was

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think that it is locally controlled by the school districts.
• Um, I think that it is locally controlled by the school districts.
• Around the to mandate local control. No. Around the issue?
• <00:24:25.760> by I think that it is locally controlled by I think that it is locally controlled
• I is at this point is out of my control.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• or DNREC programs, hunting, fishing, trapping, duck blinds, wildlife nesting structures, mosquito control
• Greg Patterson, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
• Alison, environmental scientist for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
• Greg Patterson, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
• alison environmental scientists for a Delaware Department of Natural Resources and environmental control

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• To strengthen internal controls, credit card statements are now reviewed monthly by the CFSD business
• These measures are intended to strengthen internal controls and ensure constitutional compliance.
• While the district cannot change the decisions that led to these findings, we can control how we move
• In addition to the items listed, the district lacked internal controls over credit card purchases, as
• In addition to the items listed, the district lacked internal controls over credit card purchases, as

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and adopted the minutes. Legislative Audit reported 103 education audits total, with 89 having no findings and 14 containing findings. The committee first heard from Camden Fairview School District, which had findings for spending operating funds on an end-of-year employee banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges. District officials said they had implemented stronger internal controls, stopped using the affected card, and would limit future events to comply with state law and constitutional requirements. Members questioned the district about prior practices, donated funds, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using operating funds; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee then reviewed Forest City School District, which had a finding for spending $33,000 in operating funds on an off-campus end-of-year celebration and entertainment event. District representatives said the money came from a long-standing Pepsi-related donation fund, but acknowledged confusion over whether it should be treated as operational funds and said they would stop using it that way and provide training to staff and the board. Members discussed whether the funds were private donations or operating funds, the lack of a formal board vote, and whether the event was intended to recognize staff and growth; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee also received notice of more serious findings that were referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general, including Conway School District for misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees, Magnolia School District for undeposited activity funds, Westside School District for undocumented and personal credit card charges, and Boonville School District for paying a board member’s son in excess of the statutory limit without an approved exemption. The remaining eight reports with findings were filed en masse as reviewed, and the 89 reports with no findings were also filed en masse. The committee adjourned after noting that most districts reviewed had no findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• To strengthen internal controls, credit card statements are now reviewed monthly by the CFSD business
• These measures are intended to strengthen internal controls and ensure constitutional compliance.
• While the district cannot change the decisions that led to these findings, we can control how we move
• In addition to the items listed, the district lacked internal controls over credit card purchases.
• In addition to the items listed, the district lacked internal controls over credit card purchases, as

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, it clarifies language allowing temporary erosion control measures when an emergency erosion
• control permit runs out, provided that the applicant engages with the state to develop and implement
• trust and allows for the removal of the trust and allows for the removal of the temporary erosion control
• It controls diseases and outbreaks because they realize sometimes rehabilitation and just saying no is
• harvesting, storing, concealing, injecting, and inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• continuing education requirements, so only podiatric physicians registered with the DEA must complete controlled
• It imposes enhanced quality control requirements by mandating the products be retrieved, processed, stored
• is one accountable administrator overseeing compliance and data security while allowing limited controlled
• is one accountable administrator overseeing compliance and data security while allowing limited controlled
• 464.0156 prohibits registered nurses from delegating the administration of all Schedule 2, 3, or 4 controlled

Bills: S0042, S0196, S0878, S0902, S0914, S1092, S1168, S1340, S1404, S1414, S1684, S1686

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, uterine fibroids, health database, medical research, personal data protection, women's health, clinical laboratory, licensure, healthcare personnel, technologist, technician, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to hear and vote on a series of health, human services, and education-related bills, along with a presentation of the committee’s proposed HHS budget. The budget was described as increasing by more than $2.1 billion over the current base, with major funding highlighted for Medicaid and KidCare, rural health, provider rate increases, child welfare, mental health and substance use, opioid treatment, Alzheimer’s initiatives, cancer research, ADAP, veterans’ services, and IT modernization. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on AIDS Drug Assistance Program funding and concerns about Department of Health changes affecting access, premium assistance, notice, and continuity of care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Among the bills reported favorably were measures on podiatric medicine and tissue-based products (SB 1092), background screening and clearinghouse procedures (SB 1168), child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses and second opinions (SB 42), clinical laboratory personnel licensure standards (SB 878), uterine fibroid data tracking and research (SB 196), medical marijuana treatment center oversight and related health provisions (SB 902), dyslexia and dyscalculia screening and intervention in schools (SB 1340), memory care licensure for assisted living facilities (SB 1404), congenital CMV education materials (SB 1414), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption bills (SB 1684 and SB 1686), and occupational therapy dry needling licensure standards (SB 914). Several bills were amended before passage, including SB 1092, SB 42, SB 902, SB 1684, and SB 1404. Testimony generally came from professional associations, advocacy groups, and affected stakeholders, with support voiced for most measures. The committee adopted amendments on the floor, heard no opposition during debate on the bills described, and then voted to report each measure favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded in the affirmative on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finding one was a repeat finding related to deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting
• two was related to a loss in tuition revenue totaling $100,000, almost $144,000, due to an internal control
• two was related to a loss in tuition revenue totaling $100,000, almost $144,000, due to an internal control
• I am interim CFO, but my formal position is the executive director of accounting and controller.
• director of accounting slash and My formal position is the executive director of accounting slash controller

Summary: The committee opened with prayer, approved the January 8 minutes, and then reviewed education audit reports. The first report concerned Northwest Arkansas Community College, which had two findings: repeat internal control deficiencies that caused material misstatements in the financial statements, and a tuition revenue loss tied to a Workday system issue that failed to charge some students after drop-add changes. College officials said the problems were misclassification and process issues rather than missing funds, described corrective steps including checklists, monthly closing procedures, and approval controls, and attributed some issues to staffing turnover and the Workday implementation. Members asked about accountability, staffing, and whether students should have been billed; the report was filed as reviewed. The next report was Cedarville School District, where auditors found improper personal credit card charges of $794 by a former elementary teacher. The employee reimbursed the district, and the matter was referred to law enforcement, the prosecuting attorney, the attorney general, and the Professional Licensure Standards Board. Members asked whether any licensing action would follow, but staff said they were only aware that no further action had been taken by the board. The final finding was for West Memphis School District, which had a repeat capital assets issue involving failure to capitalize $851,000 in construction expenditures for a baseball-softball complex, along with other asset-recording and inspection discrepancies. The superintendent said the district had recently begun using Arkansas Legislative Audit for the first time after previously using a private CPA firm, and described new controls such as multi-level purchase approval, tagging, separation of duties, and inventory cleanup. Members questioned why the district had not been audited publicly before and how private audits are handled; staff explained that private audits are still reviewed and findings come before the committee. The report was filed as reviewed. The meeting ended with notice that 28 school districts had no findings and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 10, we updated the title on 9/12 to reflect what that section actually does, which is the fiscal controls
• And we didn't make any changes in the fiscal controls. And then Section 6. Thanks.
• Funds that are under its control, interagency transfers or interagency services are where it's charging
• So other state funds—tell me what kind of funds they have under their control.
• Senator Woods, PED has control of it. They have to approve the calendar.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• district, to serve as a representative of business reappointed member of the Colorado Limited Gaming Control
• 34.159> Gaming member of the Colorado Limited Gaming member of the Colorado Limited Gaming Control
• 35.039> for<00:24:35.120> a<00:24:35.279> term<00:24:35.440> expiring Control
• Commission for a term expiring Control Commission for a term expiring July<00:24:36.000> 1st,
• for the Colorado Racing Commission, Michael Faber of Castle Pines for the Colorado Limited Gaming Control

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, in the budget, we, uh, in the Senate took control of the second floor of the annex, which is
• in the budget, we uh in the<00:14:32.079> Senate<00:14:32.639> took<00:14:32.959> control
• <00:14:33.360> of<00:14:33.519> the<00:14:33.760> second the Senate took control
• of the second the Senate took control of the second floor<00:14:34.880> of<00:14:35.120> the
• There will be no basement because in order to get this space, the House will be in control of the LOB

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the strike-all removes ownership and control disclosures and focuses more narrowly on the relationship
• However, the strike-all removes ownership and control disclosures and focuses more narrowly on the relationship
• to countries of concern. ...control disclosures and focuses more narrowly on the relationship to countries
• Chief Justice of our Florida Supreme Court's analysis of the orders of the regulator of a body that controls
• of the regulator of a body that is I'm going to be. the orders of the regulator of a body that is controls

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• somebody who might have an ankle monitor as a pretrial release condition or somebody who's on community control
• SB 878 ensures that misdemeanor offenses involving controlled substances remain under the supervision
• driving conviction but didn't use alcohol in the commission of the reckless driving and used a controlled
• officials were clearly on the anti-gun side and they wanted to use the statute to their ability to control
• their inalienable, God-given rights. ...side and they wanted to use the statute to their ability to control

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several criminal justice, public records, nuisance, and firearms bills. SB 1168, by Sen. Leak, would create a second-degree felony for aggravated installation or use of a tracking device or application when done in furtherance of a dangerous crime; it passed unanimously. SB 1054, by Sen. Garcia, would increase penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices, require immediate revocation of pretrial release for tampering, and bar further pretrial release on the current charges; after testimony raising concerns about unintended consequences and proof issues, it was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1198, by Sen. DeSigley, addressing fraudulent use of gift cards, was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment and a technical amendment, then reported favorably with support from retail and industry groups. SB 710, by Sen. Osgood, would create a public records exemption for personal identifying and location information of current and former Crime Stoppers employees, board members, and volunteers; it was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1022, by Sen. Wright, would strengthen nuisance abatement enforcement by raising fines, allowing tax-collector collection and special assessments, and authorizing foreclosure on unpaid liens; it was reported favorably after support from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. SB 716, by Sen. Martin, would impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses by registered sexual offenders or predators and bar early release; after an amendment to tie the penalty to prior convictions rather than registration status, it passed favorably. SB 878, also by Sen. Martin, would extend probation supervision for certain misdemeanor controlled-substance offenses and align them with existing alcohol-related probation rules; it passed unanimously. Finally, SB 952, by Sen. Guglia, would repeal the statute allowing firearm and ammunition sales restrictions during certain declared emergencies; after extensive testimony from gun-rights advocates and debate about local emergency ordinances, it was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• In another social media post, Vice President Vance falsely claimed, Judges aren't allowed to control
• amendments, some of which may be actually constructive. of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control
• But I will say this, if you don't control the border, you really can't halt fentanyl.
• Typically, substances are controlled only. after science-based testing and analysis by the DEA and HHS
• We have our own Center for Disease Control under the Biden administration cautioning that test strips

Bills: SB331

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, drug trafficking, public health, research regulations, law enforcement, S-331, Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, fentanyl crisis, public testimony, drug legislation, bipartisan support

Summary: In this committee meeting, the focus was primarily on S-331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis. The bill's key components include making permanent the class scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, confirming existing sentencing penalties, and easing registration requirements for scientific research on Schedule I substances. Numerous parents shared heartbreaking testimonies about their losses due to fentanyl, which fueled an urgent call to pass the legislation without alterations. The committee members engaged in passionate discussions highlighting the urgency of the situation as overdoses continue to claim American lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think sometimes we get so prescriptive we're taking away that local flexibility, local control, to
• Now, Senator, when we talk about more local control and more flexibility, where do charter schools fit
• Senator when we talk about<00:03:32.439> more<00:03:32.720> local<00:03:33.319> control
• <00:03:33.720> and<00:03:33.840> more about more local control and more about more
• local control and more flexibility<00:03:35.080> where<00:03:35.200> do<00:03:35.439>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• being overridden, and also laying out the systems by which the whole system itself has to be under control
• We used parental controls. We did everything we were told to do. It was like playing whack-a-mole.
• And yet, the product kept pulling her back, and the parental controls just didn't work.
• Risk assessments, safeguards including default settings, parental controls, notices, and measures to
• So we know it's something they can control.

Keywords: 987, senate, all