Transcript Highlights:

• We should support policies that actually lower costs and improve access to affordable care for Michigan
• We should support policies at actually lower costs and improve access to affordable care for Michigan
• Rights written on paper mean little if people cannot access them, understand them, or exercise them.
• It continues today in the fight for equal access, equal opportunity, and equal participation.
• The reality is this: if we took more than two years for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, to learn

Summary: The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees. In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1. Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• were implemented at that time because we found that it wasn't a danger to patients for them to have access
• So you're saying we've learned lessons from the COVID experience and your legislation is, ...lessons
• That's what they're learning in school, and their scope has expanded, and we just want to be able to
• Pharmacies have a little more flexible hours and availability, a little ease of access.
• I think the importance of early access to those types of services so that those things can be set for

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health heard public testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 42, Senate Bill 878, House Resolution 538, and House Resolution 4661. HCR 42 would urge Congress to support programs intended to reduce prescription drug costs for Medicaid and Medicare patients; the sponsor said it would help elderly and low-income residents, while an opponent argued the referenced program can cost more than alternatives like GoodRx or local pharmacy pricing. No votes were taken on HCR 42, and the hearing closed after no one appeared in support, opposition, or for information. Senate Bill 878, a pharmacist practice act bill, drew the most discussion. The sponsor said it would codify pandemic-era flexibilities for pharmacists, including administering certain vaccines, providing medication therapy services, dispensing some medical devices, and allowing over-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine with warning labels and standardized procedures. Supporters from pharmacy chains and the Missouri Pharmacy Association said the bill improves access, especially in rural areas, and keeps pharmacists working at the top of their training. Opponents raised concerns about vaccine authority shifting from the governor to boards, the safety and efficacy of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, and the adequacy of warning labels. The committee heard testimony but did not take a vote. The committee also heard two awareness resolutions. House Resolution 538 would designate May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month and call for support of ALS research and advocacy; members spoke in favor, citing the severity of the disease and the need for early access to communication technology and support services. House Resolution 4661 would encourage screening and public education about chronic kidney disease, especially for high-risk patients such as those with diabetes or hypertension, and would ask the Department of Health and Senior Services to consider public-private education efforts. Both resolutions were presented as nonbinding awareness measures, and no votes were taken before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service and the department on their website for easier access by the public to see exactly what
• I would encourage you and ask you all that are here, that are aware of this issue or would like to learn
• So this is just going to improve the accessibility of the public to see the agreement between the U.S
• Forest Service and the... ...the accessibility of the public to see the agreement between the U.S.
• We are responsible for zoning and land use decisions, but we don't have access to federal intelligence

Bills: SB1198, SB1199, SB1286, SB1683, SB1761

Keywords: Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing, commodity council, livestock, cattle industry, ranching, rural affairs, self-financed program, sunset extension, continuation bill, market development, beef products, Arizona agriculture, Title 41, Title 3, sunset review, marketing order, producer assessment, Salt River horse herd

Summary: The Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1199, which was amended to require the Arizona Department of Agriculture to post the Salt River Horse Herd Agreement on its website. Supporters said the change would improve public transparency and access to the agreement governing the Salt River wild horse herd, while the department said it was neutral and noted the contract was already on the state procurement website. The committee approved the amendment and then passed SB 1199 on a 6-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1761, an appropriation bill for the University of Arizona that would fund the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Arizona Experiment Station over multiple fiscal years. Senator Tim Dunn and the Arizona Farm Bureau argued the funding would support statewide agricultural research, extension services, water conservation, and rural communities, while members noted the bill would ultimately be part of budget negotiations. The committee passed SB 1761 with one member voting present. Next, SB 1198 was amended to also continue the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board for eight years, in addition to extending the Arizona Beef Council. Supporters said both entities were self-funded or industry-supported and did not need shorter review cycles, while some members objected to combining the two issues and to the eight-year continuation period. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 4-3 with one present. Finally, SB 1683, which expands restrictions on land ownership and related transactions by foreign adversary nations and agents near critical infrastructure, military bases, and universities, drew support from local and military witnesses who said it would address national security risks and improve review of sensitive land deals. Some members raised property-rights concerns and questioned whether the expansion was justified, but the committee passed the bill 5-3 and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lung Association believes everyone should have access to quality and should have access to quality
• You might ask, what coverage will children have access to in this plan?
• So, we went to the healthcare marketplace and learned that the same marketplace and learned that the
• Timely access to care, reliable coverage, and a clear path to appeal denials are not luxuries.
• And I talk about where I grew up and the people that I learned about agriculture and things like that

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While incarcerated, inmates have the potential to access health care services, partially through what
• But this doesn't guarantee that they will have any kind of continued access to health care once they're
• Without access to affordable health care services post-release, individuals who were formerly incarcerated
• the aggravated consequences of my actions. of knowing that my trafficker walks free with the same access
• a larger conversation around what it is that we need to do to ensure that survivors have adequate access

Bills: HB153, HB1828, HB2306, HB2498, HB3464, HB3488, HB3636, HB3673, HB3834, HB3860, HB4120, HB4937, HB1515, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, legislative leave, correctional officers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, accumulated leave, compensatory time, parole eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• their backs, access their backs, access to<03:03:34.479> medication,<03:03:35.920> or<
• everyday Americans like Kim to access everyday Americans like Kim to access their<03:16:36.960><
• and access and access medical<04:09:48.960> care.
• Cutting off access to phone service, making it harder for seniors to access their hard-earned benefits
• ability of millions of people to access ability of millions of people to access home<05:06:28.958

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've learned in this committee, we're well aware that this is not just a hypothetical situation.
• They got access to China's market.
• Organization, but also to increase their access to victims.
• We learned about a new one just last week.
• After learning of Ashton's abuse... my family and soul folks became his healing.

Bills: HB34, HB128, HB621, HB748, HB2259, HB2960, HB3113, HB4749, SB835, HB128

Keywords: HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy, local government, state agency, political subdivision, foreign adversary, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Taiwan, major non-NATO ally, cultural exchange, educational exchange, tourism, bilateral cooperation, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:17.560> how During my recovery, I had to learn how During my recovery, I had to learn
• lessons learned. lessons learned.
• <03:29:14.880> to relative to the restroom access to relative to the restroom access to certain
• <03:30:31.560> to very prudent to allow access to very prudent to allow access to restrooms
• <04:12:29.960> throughout I think that we've learned throughout I think that we've learned

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are able to then learn in school to be successful. The earlier we get to this, the better.
• During summer break, we know what the learning loss is for regular students in regular schools.
• The learning loss is so significant and parents really don't have any options.
• And that would allow them to continue with their therapy, maintain skills they learned in school all
• They're students within the Project Access program who are students with autism who are learning life

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would require that minors under 14 should not be able to access these platforms.
• It's a platform to have national or international access. Okay.
• Not something that has a local impact or access. Okay. All right, Representative Boyd.
• That is a source of tremendous information and learning for them.
• It's not stopping kids from accessing the Internet or It's not stopping kids from accessing the Internet

Bills: HB387, HB673, HB947, HB975, HB1102, HB1228, HB1229, HCR66, SB102, SB165, SB280, SB291, SB326, SB521

Keywords: engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, security cameras, abandoned property, blighted structures, property management, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, Department of Public Service, statutory entities, public administration

Transcript Highlights:

• to public funds just not have access to public funds going<00:19:48.640> forward.
• <00:20:02.160> Uh access to public funds in the future.
• Uh access to public funds in the future.
• <00:28:59.760> more and they they've learned more and they they've learned more information
• I think one of the things we all learned...

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:34.880> any SAM.gov is required to access any SAM.gov is required to access any federal
• And often these reports, they're required to access the federal monies, but they often need to look at
• Uh, it's much easier to access the funding.
• Uh, it's much easier to access the funding.
• uh northwest Minnesota of getting access uh northwest Minnesota of getting access lowerc<00:29:27.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 5 minutes, then heard a presentation from Balig Engineering on cost drivers for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in small Minnesota communities. The testifier said most Minnesota communities are small, and that limited local staff, complex funding requirements, and the need to combine multiple funding sources make projects expensive and labor-intensive. He cited examples of aging infrastructure, including a Tracy street collapse and failing water mains, and said federal funding can help but often requires extensive reports that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of staff hours. He also pointed to inflation, supply-chain disruptions, colder climate requirements, higher material and labor costs, limited competition among contractors and suppliers, and newer treatment requirements such as PFAS removal and cybersecurity controls as major cost drivers. Members asked whether reduced bonding or less frequent state funding would lower prices, whether annual bonding bills provide market certainty, how regionalization could be encouraged, and whether tightening specifications adds costs. The testifier said stopping work would likely drive contractors out of the market and reduce competition, which could raise prices later, and that consistent funding helps keep contractors in Minnesota. He said regional water systems such as Red Rock Rural Water and Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water are already helping lower costs and that legislators could encourage more regionalization through incentives. He also said some specifications and federal requirements, especially around treatment plant controls and cybersecurity, increase costs, though some standards like deeper water-main burial are necessary. The committee then moved on to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, where John Kelly began presenting the governor’s 2026 capital budget recommendations and described the department’s mission, statewide network of veterans homes and cemeteries, and service to nearly 300,000 veterans and dependents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Still learning. Good afternoon, chairs and members of the committee. My name is Jim Diggle.
• or because we have not provided appropriate access to supportive long-term housing, access to community-based
• mental health services, and access to mental health providers?
• support and services and that they are safe in the... ...from them before they can access support and
• Those of us who will be heading over to the State House will have a lot more to learn there.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committees held an informational meeting focused first on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). OHA Director Sajal Hathi introduced the hospital’s incoming permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, and praised interim superintendent Jim Deagle for stabilizing operations, restoring CMS compliance, and helping drive a culture change centered on safety, accountability, and transparency. Deagle and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amit Bavon described OSH’s role as the state’s highest-level forensic psychiatric hospital, the patient populations it serves, its partnerships with courts, counties, jails, hospitals, and advocates, and recent leadership changes across the hospital. They also reported improved accreditation and regulatory status, including Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and said the hospital is now using daily safety huddles, incident review meetings, stronger escalation procedures, and revised seclusion/restraint practices to reduce risk and improve oversight. Members pressed hospital leaders on past seclusion practices, asking how prolonged seclusions could have occurred under federal standards. Leaders said they could not explain past decisions but emphasized that current leadership has changed processes, training, reporting, and oversight so that seclusion and restraint are reviewed in real time and cannot be normalized. Questions also covered staffing, falls, and future planning. OSH said it is generally staffed to budget, though it still has RN and mental health technician vacancies and is working on recruitment, training, and better staffing distribution. Hathi said the hospital is building a public dashboard with key performance and safety metrics, including workforce data, and described the long-term goal as a consistently safe, disciplined, high-functioning institution that responds quickly to mistakes and remains accountable to the public. The committee then shifted to an informational overview of civil commitment. Oregon Judicial Department representative Chanah Newell explained the civil commitment process, including who can initiate it, the role of community mental health providers and courts, the five-day timeline to hearing, and the standards for danger to self, danger to others, and inability to meet basic needs. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised statutory language and new provisions allowing a second diversion period, but cautioned that the data are too early to show clear trends. Testimony from NAMI Oregon’s Chris Bonif and psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Lopez argued that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospital commitments because the broader community system lacks enough treatment, housing, and less restrictive alternatives. They urged the legislature to focus on upstream services, supported housing, and possible outpatient commitment tools so people can receive treatment before reaching crisis. The meeting ended with acknowledgment that additional reports and follow-up discussions are expected, including on residential treatment capacity and related behavioral health system reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a level playing field in terms of affordability or access to various insurances.
• Part-time faculty gaining access to benefits is among their top priorities.
• House Bill 120 is an important step toward creating a more equitable, safe learning environment.
• Schools should be a continuing safe place, one full of trust and built for learning.
• We really were trying to think about everyone and set a minimum to be accessible to everyone.

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate meeting with many of you and learning of your specific focus areas and policies. public
• Eager to learn, I worked on the economics of basically all things energy, even dabbling in the land's
• Are you committed to maximizing access to development of those resources in a responsible manner?
• I learned from the best. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Murkowski. Ms.
• or delayed access. to Customs and Border Protection to that land.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment tasks have access to basic preventive dental health.
• But I am open-minded and I'm trying to learn.
• So I see where there is a Florida Agriculture Legacy Learning Center.
• So I see where there is a Florida Agriculture Legacy Learning Center.
• So I see where there is a Florida Agriculture Legacy Learning Center.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and gallery introductions, and several recognitions, including USF Day at the Capitol and visitors from Miami Gardens, Teach For America Florida, and Pathways to Prosperity. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed and others passed after debate and roll call votes. The Senate unanimously passed several Open Government Sunset Review bills, including SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve public records exemptions related to insolvent insurance company receiverships and financial technology sandbox applications. It also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, SB 28 and SB 22 as claims bills involving South Broward Hospital District, SB 8 for relief related to a Pasco County School Board accident, SB 1718 preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking abortions without parental consent, and SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands also passed, but with two amendments and some opposition. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which included technical updates, restrictions on certain additives in public water systems, limits on ESG practices in farm lending, drone-related penalties, truth-in-labeling provisions for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, charity registration requirements, agricultural worker housing, and support for FFA and 4-H. The most contentious debate centered on fluoride provisions in the bill: multiple amendments by Senators Berman and Polsky to remove the fluoride language, require targeted fluoride assistance, or order an OPAGA study were all defeated, while a technical amendment by Senator Truenow was adopted. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and return CS for SB 7016 to second reading, then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• Take up CS for SB 738 on child care and early learning providers by Senator Burton.
• On child care and early learning providers by Senator Burton.
• Those are not the normal populations that lack access and resources.
• It should be access. It should be low income.
• Because those are the students that are having the lack of access.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Access is a challenge for us right now. We are working hard to address that.
• DDS is also focused on addressing challenges with access to day programming.
• Some refer to it as the Waze of accessibility.
• This will give MCDH more access to This will give MCDH more access to serve our constituents and our
• constituents more access to utilize our web-based services.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to gain access. to gain access.
• <01:54:23.199> from to this and then be able to learn from to this and then be able to learn
• I will easy it is to access the capital.
• I’m hoping that we keep it more open and accessible.
• We've learned in the last year, and from what we learned from testimony today, being a public official

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:39.520> to capital investments without access to capital investments without access
• As we know, land access is farmers.
• We focus on dignity, choice, and access. We focus on dignity, choice, and access.
• <01:39:20.560> new that farmers are facing accessing new that farmers are facing accessing
• Land Access and Emerging Farmer Steering Land Access and Emerging Farmer Steering Committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all