Transcript Highlights:

• I don't see this on some of the cable networks. 13,700 active patents.
• We want a 21st century transportation network. Full environmental clearance is done.
• And we provided in that extension close to $60 billion in...
• You provided $267 million to 55 local law enforcement agencies.
• In fact, we provided mortgage relief; we provided, you provided, over half a billion dollars of grants

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ITD has been very good at providing some information.
• ITD has been very good at providing some information.
• That program provides training for local roadway employees.
• That program provides training for local roadway employees.
• The technical assistance we provide comes a lot from our staff.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provides for definitions, types of conduct constituting criminal activity, provides for penalties, and
• provides for definitions, types of conduct constituting criminal activity, provides for penalties, and
• , provide for counsel of record.
• , provide for limits, and provide relative to the value of fuel reward points earned.
• , provide for limits, and provide relative to the value of fuel reward points earned.

Bills: HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR184, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, HR165, HR166, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, SCR34, SB34, SB43, SB52, SB56, SB165, SB173, SB189, SB190, SB260, SB322, SB345, SB374, SB387, SB401, SB448, SB449, SB455, SB487, SB496, SB502, SB505, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB9, HB192, HB225, HB306, HB310, HB366, HB635, HB911, HB1230, HB1236, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1003, HB1082, HB1113, HB1234

Keywords: neighborhood, crime prevention, security districts, law enforcement, community safety, funding, Counseling Day, mental health, Louisiana Counseling Association, community support, mental wellness, Louisiana State University, athletics, NAIA, sports achievements, recognition, success, competition, education, higher education

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and several personal privileges recognizing guests and special observances, including Junior League Day, Renewable Energy Day, Wholesalers Day, and Sin Law Day. Members also introduced and adopted a number of commemorative resolutions, including condolences, recognitions of schools and community figures, and resolutions related to LSU, ALS Awareness Month, and local festivals. Several Senate and House measures were referred or laid over, and the chamber announced upcoming scheduling changes for House and Senate bills. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 385, which would require certain TOPS scholarship recipients to repay one semester of aid if they fail to meet academic requirements, subject to listed exemptions and an option to avoid repayment by entering certain high-demand career and technical programs. Opponents questioned the bill’s impact on students, its possible constitutional issues, administrative costs, lack of a fiscal note and implementation details, and whether it would worsen brain drain or convert a merit scholarship into a loan. The motion to recommit the bill to Appropriations failed 34-16, but after continued questioning and criticism, the author later moved to return the bill to the calendar, and that was agreed to. The House then passed House Bill 55, which restricts public disclosure of juror information, after adopting an amendment clarifying that juror interviews are still allowed if jurors choose to participate. The chamber also passed House Bill 394 extending the conditional parole programming period from nine months to 24 months, House Bill 396 making autopsy photographs admissible in criminal proceedings, House Bill 406 directing the Department of Education to study whether it should supervise interscholastic high school athletics, House Bill 622 aligning state criminal history record handling with federal requirements, and House Bill 676 creating the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or body brokering, with amendments clarifying lawful marketing arrangements. House Bill 1030, concerning reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation for certain mental health-related services, was taken up with amendments and then temporarily returned to the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides relative to prescription drug affordability board.
• Provide for membership, powers duties of the board. Provide relative to drug pricing information.
• This bill provides no change to that constitutional right.
• provides for definitions, types of conduct constituting criminal activity, provides for penalties, and
• Morning hour six. provides relative to probation.

Bills: HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR184, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, HR165, HR166, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, SCR34, SB34, SB43, SB52, SB56, SB165, SB173, SB189, SB190, SB260, SB322, SB345, SB374, SB387, SB401, SB448, SB449, SB455, SB487, SB496, SB502, SB505, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB9, HB192, HB225, HB306, HB310, HB366, HB635, HB911, HB1230, HB1236, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1003, HB1082, HB1113, HB1234

Keywords: neighborhood, crime prevention, security districts, law enforcement, community safety, funding, Counseling Day, mental health, Louisiana Counseling Association, community support, mental wellness, Louisiana State University, athletics, NAIA, sports achievements, recognition, success, competition, education, higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 522 by Senator Edmonds, providing relative to vocational and technical education; providing
• for charter schools; providing for Type 2 charter schools; providing for resolutions from the State
• provide relative to licensure, and Mr.
• Provide relative to licensure, and Mr.
• House Bill 690 by Representative Omidy provides relative to education service providers, vendors of educational

Bills: HR165, HR166, HR167, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, HR159, HR160, HR161, HR162, HR163, HR164, HCR60, HCR61, HCR62, HCR63, HCR64, SCR23, SCR32, SB105, SB125, SB304, SB430, SB438, SB442, SB522, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB573, HB741, HB1242, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB345, HB366, HB446, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB750, HB911, HB982, HB1010, HB151, HB180, HB192, HB193, HB310, HB635, HB690, HB961, HB1003, HB1146, HB864, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB615, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1113, HB1234, HB1236

Keywords: condolences, community service, education, local government, Port Allen, HR166, House Resolution 166, condolences resolution, memorial resolution, Billy D'Aquilla, William Henry D'Aquilla, St. Francisville, Louisiana House of Representatives, tribute, obituary, mayor, alderman, mayor pro tempore, public service, sympathy

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the pledge, adopted the journal, and granted several members leave. The chamber also recognized visiting groups and honored individuals and organizations, including Livingston Parish Day at the Capitol, the Denham Springs High School robotics team, Principal Justin Wax, and the Louisiana Primary Care Association. Multiple House and Senate resolutions were introduced, adopted, or referred, including commendations, memorials, and study requests on topics such as TOPS, workforce outcomes, health issues, and transportation. In regular order, the House considered and passed several measures. HB 27, a constitutional amendment on applying state monies to retirement system unfunded liabilities, passed 87-0. HB 71, extending civil liability protection to licensed armed private security officers when use of force is deemed justified, drew extensive debate over training standards, criminal versus civil liability, and the role of prosecutors and law enforcement before passing 70-28. HB 214, a constitutional amendment on ad valorem tax exemptions for certain property, passed 82-10. HB 241, a technical correction to bank records disclosure law, passed 91-0. HB 244, clarifying constitutional convention ballot language and delegate/vote requirements, passed 77-16. The House also passed HB 345 to add port rail infrastructure to the Class 2 and Class 3 Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program, HB 446 to change when local bond and tax elections may be held, HB 511 to create a grant program for pursuit intervention safety technology after the death of Sgt. Grant Candies, HB 514 to expand the ad valorem tax exemption for seniors age 65 and older, and HB 65 to allow DOTD more contracting options for ferry operation and maintenance. HB 730, which would bar use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data to levy fees or taxes, prompted lengthy discussion about aviation safety, privacy, airport revenue, and alleged misuse of tracking data before the bill was presented for final action near the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've taken on medical debt, preventing it from impacting credit scores, stopping medical providers from
• </c><00:54:43.000><c> hundreds</c><00:54:43.480><c> of</c> to 21, and we provided hundreds of to 21,
• and we provided hundreds of millions<00:54:44.000><c> of</c><00:54:44.120><c> dollars</c><00:54:44.440
• of counties, managed care network of counties, managed care organizations,<00:58:10.440><c> and</c><
• We expect House and Senate leadership to speak to the media shortly and provide comments and reactions

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But that report provides an overview of what our findings are about TOD.
• But, you know, that report provides an overview of what our findings are about TOD.
• But if you could provide somewhat of a profile, at least to have an idea who it is that we're talking
• We can't limit ourselves because we've provided the lowest common denominator solution.
• We have networks who are ready to start sharing the news about the program right away.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard a series of work-session presentations focused on transit-oriented development, commercial-to-residential redevelopment, building code implementation, housing market trends, and the Covenant Homeownership Program. The first presentation, from the Urban Institute, reviewed research on HB 1491 and TOD feasibility, arguing that Washington has made major progress but faces diverging conditions across transit areas. The presenter said rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and lower rents in some markets have made many projects less feasible, and recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market communities, adjustments to MFTE and affordability requirements by local market conditions, more support for very low-income housing in high-market transit areas, minimum density standards near stations, expanded public land/joint development tools, and better tracking of TOD outcomes over time. Committee members asked about AMI calculations, immigration’s effect on construction labor, developer input, and whether a tracking mechanism had been removed from the bill. The Department of Commerce then outlined implementation of HB 1491 and demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, which is live and intended to help visualize zoning, overlays, and station-area conditions. Commerce said local governments will designate station areas, update zoning and MFTE policies, and handle anti-displacement measures, with Vancouver and Spokane first to implement and Puget Sound following later. Staff described a timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking on variances. The committee also heard from the Lieutenant Governor’s office on a report about converting commercial properties to housing, which found substantial potential for redevelopment on vacant or underused commercial land, especially near transit, but noted barriers such as ground-floor retail mandates, affordability requirements, infrastructure costs, private covenants, and slow implementation. The office urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster rollout of new housing laws. The State Building Code Council updated the committee on its three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed actions, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, and especially single-exit stairs and multiplex housing. Council staff said those code changes are nearing completion and will provide prescriptive solutions, while noting that elevator size and requirements were not changed and would require separate legislative direction if the committee wanted to revisit them. Members discussed the cost impacts of building and energy codes and the council said it is required to consider economic impacts and is increasingly looking at performance-based approaches. Later, the Washington Center for Real Estate Research presented its annual housing report, showing that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced affordability, flattened house prices in many cities, and slowed single-family permitting and completions, while multifamily construction has recently cooled after a prior surge. Finally, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission reported strong first-year results for the Covenant Homeownership Program, which provides zero-interest down payment assistance to eligible first-time buyers with family ties to Washington before 1968; the program assisted 547 homebuyers in its first fiscal year, with more than $60 million loaned, and the agency said participation has continued to grow after income-limit changes enacted in 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• This afternoon, I want to provide an overview and background on the Commission's actions addressing storm
• the utilities at reasonable and affordable prices that insured their transmission and distribution network
• The commission provided reports to the legislature.
• The commission provided reports to the legislature and then also took action in a multifaceted approach
• So it's certainly something that we can look into providing. Thanks. Good. Senator Fine. Thank you.

Summary: The committee met to hear invited presentations on storm recovery and storm protection from the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Chesapeake Utilities, and the Office of Public Counsel. The PSC reviewed the history of storm restoration financing and utility hardening efforts after major storms such as Hurricane Andrew, the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, Irma, and Michael, explaining storm reserve funds, storm recovery bonds, and the current three-year storm protection plan process. The commission’s role in approving plans and later reviewing prudence of actual costs was emphasized, along with the types of work included in the plans such as vegetation management, pole replacement, undergrounding, feeder hardening, and substation flood protection. The utilities described their own storm-hardening investments and recent storm performance. FPL said it has spent about $4.9 billion on storm protection and recovery-related efforts, highlighted improved restoration times during Helene and Milton, and said it is expanding undergrounding, feeder hardening, and smart-grid technology. Duke Energy reported more than 40,000 hardened poles and structures since 2021, major gains from self-healing grid technology, and faster restoration during recent storms. Tampa Electric described a roughly $200 million annual storm protection effort, including vegetation management, undergrounding, substation hardening, and new storm surge protections, and Chesapeake Utilities discussed its smaller-scale hardening program, vegetation work, pole replacement, and rapid restoration after Helene in Nassau County. Committee members asked about how utilities prioritize neighborhoods for lateral hardening, whether maps of planned projects could be shared, how much each utility has spent on undergrounding and hardening, and how reliability comparisons are normalized against the national average. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argued that storm recovery and hardening costs fall too heavily on investor-owned utility customers, said the current framework lacks a meaningful cost-benefit or prudence check at the planning stage, and urged broader sharing of storm costs because the benefits extend to the whole state. Senators also discussed whether the commission can review the reasonableness of approved programs and whether future reports or recommendations from Public Counsel would be helpful. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 14 nonprofit member organizations of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence serve
• In 2025 alone, their advocates responded to more than 23,600 hotline and chatline contacts and provided
• They provide life-saving services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• It was adopted to provide a act 250.
• The public utility commission and telecommunications providers supported retaining section 248A as the

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our vision is to build a modern transportation network that meets the urgent need of our growing population
• Uh, so I will just provide a few thoughts, and they'll be slightly different than my comments in Spanish
• Our Texas Triangle provides that perfect combination of flat terrain and geography with population density
• But let me tell you one thing that the communist China has over us is the largest high-speed rail network

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:00:51.760><c> and</c> behalf of mental health providers and behalf of mental health providers
• It provides purpose section of a bill.
• </c> States are afforded the right to provide States are afforded the right to provide additional<00:
• care providers, refugee and immigrant<01:13:39.120><c> networks,</c><01:13:40.000><c> WhatsApp</c><01
• :13:40.560><c> groups,</c> immigrant networks, WhatsApp groups, immigrant networks, WhatsApp groups,

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would have set rates on providers—specifically, it would have established the rates that providers
• On behalf of Providence St.
• Stanford from providing life-saving care that our practitioners are trained and licensed to provide,
• Providers can apply for the grant to provide abortion and contraception services for individuals below
• Dollars to 14 grantees to reimburse health care providers for providing lower or no-cost abortion and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide services through voucher-based programs, which provide certificates for families to obtain
• Many of the children I provide for come from single-income households Many of the children I provide
• First child care providers go.
• , but there will not be another provider because all providers' doors will basically close.
• Our providers are steadfast.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Trump administration’s freeze of federal child care and social services funding and its potential impact on California. The chair opened by emphasizing that child care is economic infrastructure and warning that the freeze could destabilize California’s $10 billion child care system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services explained that California child care programs rely on roughly $1.4 billion in federal CCDF and TANF funds, which are blended with state dollars and support hundreds of thousands of children and families. CDSS said the state and four other Democratic-led states quickly sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that has kept the funds flowing for now. Witnesses including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, child care provider Amisha Griffin, and parent advocate Mara Linda Bustamante described the practical consequences of a funding interruption: providers could lose reimbursement, close centers, cut enrollment, or lay off staff; parents could lose child care, jobs, or school opportunities; and counties could not backfill the lost federal dollars. Several speakers stressed that child care centers also provide wraparound supports such as nutrition, developmental screening, and referrals, especially in rural and low-income communities. Mitchell and others argued that the freeze would worsen child care deserts and disproportionately harm women, single parents, and communities of color. Members repeatedly challenged the federal rationale of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” asking for oversight details. CDSS said providers face extensive audits, fraud policies, monitoring, and recoupment procedures, and that identified fraud amounts to about $7 million over two years compared with roughly $6.5 billion in annual child care spending. Several members said the fraud rate is under 1 percent and criticized the freeze as politically motivated and illegal. They also discussed the need for a state “bridge plan” to protect families if federal funds remain disrupted, and some members referenced prior legislation to modernize CalWORKs and child care eligibility. During public comment, parents, providers, county representatives, and advocacy groups echoed the same concerns, citing waiting lists, workforce losses, and the risk of families falling back into homelessness or poverty. No formal vote was taken; the hearing concluded with broad bipartisan expressions of support for child care funding and a commitment to continue working on state protections and federal advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were providing ours on the in the whole southwest.
• There were no porta-potties provided. There were no services provided.
• There were no porta-potties provided. There were no services provided.
• So if it's Conservative Grassroots Network Special Plate Fund, why couldn't any other grassroots network
• What services does the nonprofit provide for the students, or what services did they provide? Mr.

Bills: HB2003, HB2057, HB2109, HB2111, HB2112, HB2114, HB2256, HB2259, HB2317, HB2323, HB2398, HB2443, HB2446, HB2574

Keywords: driver education, instruction permit, underage drivers, motorcycle licenses, traffic regulations, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We also do a lot of work with medical providers and training folks across the primary care team to provide
• We also do a lot of work with medical providers and training folks across the primary care team to provide
• that are providing that care in their communities.
• There's a federal certification that's provided to the providers.
• As anesthesia providers, we realize it is impossible to conduct a complicated procedure and provide appropriate

Bills: SB6138, SB5899, SB6072, SB6094

Keywords: dental procedures, sedation, patient safety, multiprovider system, healthcare regulation, chiropractic, animal care, veterinary medicine, license endorsement, nonhuman animals, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, veterinary telehealth, telemedicine, teletriage, teleadvice, animal health, licensed veterinarian, Washington veterinary board, prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• provider eligibility, to provide for definitions, and to provide for related matters.
• Current framework, as it stands, consists of regional providers, and this provider network is still maturing
• Current framework as it stands consists of regional providers, and this provider network is still maturing
• to cover the entire state. and this provider network is still maturing to cover the entire state.
• , to provide for applicability, to provide for an effective date, and to provide for related matters.

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 15 and first considered HB 909, which would require commercial health insurance coverage for behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and Office of Behavioral Health interim assistant secretary Dr. Holly Howitt described the Louisiana crisis response system, the goal of reducing emergency room and 911 use, and the need to expand provider participation beyond Medicaid. A technical amendment and a stakeholder-driven amendment allowing insurers to require documentation of crisis, medical necessity, and follow-up plan were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended with support cards from several health care and local government entities. The committee then advanced HB 1151, which changes investment limits for domestic insurers, especially life insurers, by capping equity holdings and aligning the rules with solvency concerns. After questions about whether the bill would increase profits at consumers’ expense, the author and Department of Insurance staff explained it was intended to provide guardrails and keep insurers solvent; the bill was reported favorably. HB 1154, dealing with prior authorization for certain generic medications, also received technical and substantive amendments. The bill would generally eliminate prior authorization for non-opioid generics, with a $250 wholesale acquisition cost cap and physician-specialty exceptions; it was reported as amended after support testimony from the Louisiana Dermatological Society and other health groups. HB 869, which sought coverage for injectable drugs used for glucose control or weight loss, prompted extended debate over cost, obesity, and long-term savings. Several members raised concerns about premium increases and the large fiscal note, while the author argued the bill was preventive and could save money over time. Representative Jordan proposed a 25% coverage amendment, but the committee declined to take up the substantive amendment that day, and the bill was voluntarily deferred to the next meeting. Later, the committee reported HB 1196 favorably, clarifying that screening colonoscopies remain screening even if polyps are found, and HB 1176 favorably, restoring Medicare Advantage coverage for certain integrative cancer care services. The committee also heard HB 771, which would have changed Medicare coordination rules for retirees who return to state employment, but staff explained the issue is governed by federal CMS rules and preemption concerns; the bill was voluntarily deferred so the author could review the governing law. HB 751, dealing with term life insurance disclosures, was likewise voluntarily deferred after the author said more work was needed and noted concerns about existing law and consumer understanding. At the end of the meeting, the committee also deferred HB 920 and HB 1199 to the following week and briefly stood at ease before moving on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also provide trade grants to take companies overseas with them in trade missions.
• They also provide trade grants to take companies overseas with them in trade missions. provide trade
• It's provided $270 million in loans to small businesses, and that's just since 2023.
• We partner with them to provide that loan. We also will back and guarantee the loan.
• When we look at this, this is really a referral network.

Summary: The committee heard two informational presentations: one from the Department of Commerce and one from the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy and tools, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, defense, life sciences, and international trade. He described programs such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Rural Community Investment Program, the Florida Opportunity Fund, the Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Job Growth Grant Fund, performance-based tax credits, and disaster recovery loans, and cited examples including ServiceNow, Williams International, NeoCity, and Point Blank Enterprises. Members asked about small-business grants, foreign investment interest, workforce needs, and whether additional tools are needed; Mahon said most Commerce programs are loan-focused and noted ongoing workforce and site-readiness challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, highlighting congestion relief, express lanes, bridge and interchange work, and accelerated delivery methods. She cited projects such as Golden Glades, I-95 improvements, the NASA Causeway Bridge, the DuPont Bridge, I-4 corridor work, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, A1A seawall work, and Turnpike projects, along with examples of cost savings and schedule acceleration. Senators asked about how express lane locations are chosen, toll revenue use in South Florida, the status and cost of the I-395 downtown Miami project, and whether EV and rideshare access to express lanes should be preserved. FDOT said it would follow up on several of those questions, and the committee adjourned without taking any legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:40.239><c> some</c> legislative session um and provide some legislative session um and provide
• </c><00:36:59.960><c> you</c> emergent markets and we can provide you emergent markets and we can provide
• you can<00:37:00.440><c> provide</c><00:37:00.880><c> help</c><00:37:01.480><c> provide</c><00:37:01.880
• ><c> sustained</c> can provide help provide sustained can provide help provide sustained funding<00:37
• </c> pedestrian bike and Transit Network pedestrian bike and Transit Network we're<01:18:55.719><c> doing

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's roughly about 17 providers in the state of New Mexico that provide this care that are certified
• Having this explicitly in the language ensures that it's not any willing provider that can provide it
• Having this explicitly in the language ensures that it's not any willing provider that can provide it
• Provide one. Madam Chair? Yes.
• Many forms of providers, such as behavioral health providers, specifically psychologists mentioned in

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 66, which would expand and restructure the Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Fund. The sponsor said the substitute narrows the bill to a $25 million fund, with 50% reserved for physicians and the rest for other health professionals, and raises physician awards to at least $75,000 per year for a four-year commitment. Supporters from nursing, physical therapy, health systems, social work, and advocacy groups said the program would help recruit and retain providers in New Mexico. The committee moved the substitute and then passed the bill on a do-pass motion. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility devices, drew extensive testimony from amputees, Paralympians, clinicians, and disability advocates. The bill would clarify and expand coverage for activity prosthetics, activity wheelchairs, and related complex rehab technology, with limits on the number of devices and replacement tied to physiological changes. Supporters said access to these devices is medically necessary for physical and mental health, independence, and participation in sports and daily life. After questions about provider qualifications, insurance contracting, and replacement for growing children, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill. House Bill 257 would appropriate funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement for vagus nerve stimulation implants for drug-resistant epilepsy. The sponsor and manufacturer’s representative argued current reimbursement is too low, leaving only UNM Hospital performing the procedures and limiting access statewide; they said better reimbursement could reduce emergency visits and long-term Medicaid costs. Members raised concerns about the bill’s language, including whether it could allow payment above allowable rates or create uncertainty about the reimbursement standard. A motion to table failed, and the committee then passed the bill 5-4, with several members noting they supported the concept but wanted the language tightened before the next committee. The committee also passed House Bill 178, which appropriates $3 million for shade structures in rural parks and outdoor recreation areas, after testimony that the project would reduce sun exposure, heat illness, and skin cancer risk. House Bill 198, which provides $2 million for peer-to-peer mental health training and treatment for first responders, also advanced on a do-pass without recommendation after members said they supported the goal but wanted clearer language on training standards, liability, and administration. Finally, House Bill 202, which would require data-sharing agreements to help the Office of Child Advocate access records from state agencies, drew support from child advocacy groups but concern from IT and family advocates about timelines, system complexity, privacy, and the need for family collaboration; the discussion continued with suggestions to refine the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• provider in it.
• networks to meet network adequacy requirements.
• So the providers perhaps are not participating because they're not in the right provider type to do that
• This grant program provides approximately $3.3 million to reimburse labs and hospitals to provide this
• that was sent out on December 20, 2023, and the provider alert, as all provider alerts are, has been

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.