Video & Transcript Research : 'Legislative Management study'

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LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Insurance May 19th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I'm assuming there might be legislation in other states.
  • He added that study resolutions are not well received, but in this case they would support studying the
  • I really think you probably need to study it, but frankly, I don't even know why we'd be studying it
  • This legislation addresses...
  • who have supported our legislation in the past.
Keywords: 965, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (02/09/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • coverage of pain management services for the<00:31:41.279> management<00:31:41.600> of<
  • other types of benefits to help manage other types of benefits to help manage their<00:51:57.520
  • <00:59:57.359> the three per three people to manage the three per three people to manage the
  • bill came out of that that study bill came out of that that study committee.<01:09:40.799> So
  • It's just an option. interim study it and think a little bit interim study it and think a little bit
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 1042, which would increase the BFA contingent credit limit. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli explained that under RSA 66, state debt capacity is tied to unrestricted revenue and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is contingent rather than direct debt. She said the state currently has about 4.2% to 4.3% debt-to-revenue ratio, about $120 million in additional capacity, and that approving the bill’s proposed increase would reduce available capacity for future state borrowing, including capital budgets. She noted the BFA has a long history of using guarantees without a state payout, but said the legislature should consider whether the full additional $250 million is needed and whether unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Pease Development Authority, should be reviewed in the future. Committee members asked whether guarantees have the same effect as actual debt for bonding capacity, and the treasurer confirmed that they do for purposes of the formula. Members also asked about the usual level of debt relative to the statutory 10% cap, and she said the state generally stays well below that limit. BFA Executive Director James Key Wallace then testified that the request was driven by rising project costs, inflation, and the need for more runway so the agency does not have to return to the legislature in an emergency. He said the BFA is self-supported, has never had a guarantee paid out by the state, requires collateral and reserves, and believes the appropriate range is closer to $400 million to $450 million; he also said a Senate bill would raise the limit to $400 million. He added that the BFA’s pipeline includes projects from about $15 million to $100 million and that housing availability is an important factor in business location decisions. After closing the work session on House Bill 1042, the committee opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage for pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Dave Nagel, the prime sponsor, gave extensive background on his long career in pain medicine and said the bill is intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies and evidence-based pain management. He described the broad population affected by chronic pain and opioid use disorder, and said the proposal has long had bipartisan and stakeholder support. No vote or final action was taken on House Bill 241 in the portion of the meeting provided.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Health Services (2-26-26)

Health Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • critic of the managed care organizations than<00:04:08.319> myself.
  • So why the managed care organizations.
  • Well, that's one of the reasons for the feasibility study.
  • Obviously, there's uh feasibility study.
  • study. Um we can see how it works. study. Um we can see how it works.
Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 from Sen. Steve Meredith. He argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid system is too costly and bureaucratic, saying spending has grown dramatically and that managed care organizations do not align with improving health outcomes. His proposal would create a feasibility study for a five-year pilot of an “accountable community healthcare organization” in three area development districts, with a locally owned, nonprofit, provider-driven model intended to reduce costs, address social determinants of health, and keep savings in the community. Members asked about how the model would differ from MCOs, administrative costs, eligibility changes, and implementation costs; Meredith said the model would eliminate preauthorization barriers, rely on provider and community risk-sharing, and could be funded initially through existing grant opportunities. The committee then voted unanimously to report SCR 9 favorably. The committee next took up Senate Joint Resolution 23, the “Food is Medicine” resolution, introduced by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Dana Feldman of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. They described the resolution as part of a broader wellness and rural prosperity effort, emphasizing that nutrition should be treated as part of health care and that Kentucky agriculture can support better health outcomes through local, healthy food. They said the effort grew out of task force work and regional listening sessions and is intended to build a foundation for continued collaboration between hospitals, agriculture, and state agencies. Members expressed support for the concept and the partnership approach, and the discussion highlighted using evaluation and shared learning to expand the initiative.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/16/2026 - Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Social studies. Okay.
  • We also provided an integrated emergency management platform to help with updating and managing their
  • They now have a project manager, a district success manager, and an account manager handling all this
  • They now have a project manager, a district success manager, whatever is needed throughout that time.
  • They now have a project manager, a district success manager, and an account manager handling all this
Keywords: 1182, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

January 14, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Major recent legislation in the area of our budget included funding for environmental resource management
  • This includes water resource management, waste management, air resource management, and geological surveys
  • This includes water resource management, waste management, air resource management, and geological surveys
  • This includes water resource management, waste management, air resource management, and geological surveys
  • Our wildlife resource management also does a great job in managing our hunting and hunting regulations
Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Apr 28th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Bass, how would your legislation impact private institutions, specifically?
  • So there's some proposed legislation at the federal level.
  • And this made us work with Senator Cloud to create this legislation.
  • The words are mandated by the legislation, but not the appearance of the sign.
  • Thank you for your patience with me on this piece of legislation.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Apr 3rd, 2025

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • It requires that the department to adopt the best management practices which will guide how and where
  • Thank you very much, Representative V suit for filing this legislation.
  • They hire engineers to perform studies, they hire wildlife biologists to perform studies, and then the
  • Um, would be really to do an interim study.
  • Uh, we, we had legislation, well, we're not supposed to talk about other legislation.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, SCR 29 by Senator Klein-Peter creates a joint legislative committee to study and make recommendations
  • and needs to be a comprehensive study.
  • Like, will we use legislative...
  • Like, will we use legislator?
  • That fee is what funds the waste tire management fund.
Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts. Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context. The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate State and Local Government Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:00 am

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • So would our intent be then that we would study, or that we'd have this study look at, all compensation
  • So during the 25-26 interim, legislative management shall consider studying classified state employee
  • So during the 25-26 interim, legislative management shall consider studying classified state employee
  • So we also studied that kind of thing, but that's a much, much more in-depth study than, I mean, that's
  • But I think that's part of the study.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The State and Local Government Committee met to reconsider and amend House Bill 1165, which dealt with petition circulation requirements and ballot receipt rules. The committee walked through technical changes requested by the Secretary of State’s office, including moving petition-title language, adding a 15-business-day submission deadline for petition packets, and revising language related to mailed absentee ballots and the presidential executive order requiring ballots to be received by election day rather than merely postmarked. The State Election Director explained that the change was intended to provide clarity and consistency for voters and election officials, while Senator Braunberger objected that it was an unnecessary reaction to an executive order that could be challenged. The committee adopted the amendment 5-1 and then passed the bill as amended on a 5-1 vote, with Senator Braunberger voting no. The committee then took up House Bill 1307, which concerned election authority, home rule powers, and related city and county petition/signature provisions. After questions from members and clarification from the Deputy Secretary of State and a League of Cities representative, the committee agreed the amendment was intended to preserve city petition power and align the bill with changes made in another election bill, while also addressing park district language. The amendment was adopted 6-0, and the bill was passed as amended 6-0. Senator Castaneda was designated as the carrier. Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 1580, a study bill on state employee compensation. Members used language from an earlier draft tied to health plan changes and broadened it to study total rewards compensation, including pay grades, classifications, comparisons among state employees across departments and with similar private-sector jobs, equity funding and bonuses, prevailing wages on state projects, and the impact of changes to health plan benefits and premium structures. The committee agreed to make the language more generic and adopted the amendment 6-0, then passed the bill as amended 6-0. House Bill 1601 was not acted on and was held until after floor session so members could continue discussions and await additional input.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Commerce (04/01/2025)

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the bill went to interim study.
  • Um, if there was a study committee, I would oppose a study committee.
  • Well, what does the study be effective. Well, what does the study show?
  • impact studies.
  • there's going to be a study committee. there's going to be a study committee.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/24/2026)

Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:07:19.440> and literature that showed of studies and literature that showed of studies
  • studies that indicate positive impacts. studies that indicate positive impacts.
  • And this is the type of legislation legislation legislation that<01:48:11.040> they<01:48:11.280
  • managing uh drug trials? managing uh drug trials?
  • reputation for our esteemed legislation. reputation for our esteemed legislation.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 7th, 2025

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Until I got billed, I had no idea they were third-party managed.
  • And then they manage those, right?
  • In conducting the study, the workgroup will be tasked with evaluating the...
  • They would be the managing authority.
  • This would be a study.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-30 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She is a UCF student who's part of the Legislative Scholars Program.
  • She is a UCF student who's part of the Legislative Scholars Program.
  • So does your legislation only relate to the So does your legislation only relate to providers making
  • So, you know, I'm not really a huge fan of managed care.
  • They did a study. They did a deep dive.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a remembrance of former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special order bills. CS/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death was substituted for SB 138, amended to add warnings and penalties for refusal of breath or urine tests, and passed 37-0. CS/SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours access and network availability for Medicaid enrollees, also passed 37-0. The Senate then took up CS/CS/HB 913 on condominium associations, a major post-Surfside reform bill. Senator Bradley explained that the measure was intended to provide financial relief and flexibility while preserving safety and accountability. The bill was substituted for SB 1742, amended several times to limit milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies to buildings three habitable stories or more, and then passed 37-0 after extensive debate. Senators from both parties praised Bradley, Pizzo, Garcia, and staff for years of work on condo safety and affordability, with several members describing the bill as a balance between protecting residents and avoiding financial hardship. The final major item was CS/HB 1205, the bill on amendments to the state constitution and citizen petition drives. Sponsors Gates and Grohl argued the bill was needed to combat fraud, identity theft, and misuse in the petition process, citing a lengthy Office of Election Crimes and Security report. The House bill was substituted for SB 7016, and the chamber considered a long series of amendments and substitute amendments addressing petition circulator registration, volunteer participation, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and fiscal impact statements. Several amendments were adopted, while others were debated over whether they would protect access to the citizen initiative process or strengthen election integrity. The transcript ends during debate on the main substitute amendment, before final disposition on the bill is shown.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Apr 9th, 2025 at 12:30 pm

North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Re-engrossed House Bill 1410, a bill for an act to provide for a legislative management study regarding
  • This is asking management to study state laws relating to criminal conduct against children, child sexual
  • management to consider studying legislative responsibility to carefully review and consider existing
  • House Concurrent Resolution 3028, take concurrent resolution directing the legislative management to
  • management study.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum call, then took up House amendments to Senate Bills 2009, 2147, and 2113. On motion, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendments and appointed conference committees for each bill. The chamber then considered several House bills, adopting amendments and passing House Bill 1556, which creates a Children's Cabinet work group to study out-of-home placement and treatment for children with behavioral health issues, and House Bill 1363, which directs development of a customizable cardiac emergency response plan template for schools and athletic events. House Bill 1533, requiring students to complete a half-unit of financial literacy for graduation, also passed after amendment. House Bill 1226, dealing with masks in public places and protest-related identification concerns, passed after the Judiciary Committee removed language about complying with law enforcement requests to unmask.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Dec 9th, 2025

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, an FWC study showed that out of a quarter million Reefs.
  • And additionally, an FWC study showed that out of a quarter million By artificial reefs.
  • It's actually through my division of waste management to collect these tires.
  • It's actually through my division of waste management to collect these tires.
  • Nutrient management is huge.
Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Land & Resource Management Apr 3rd, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman Gates: Land and Resource Management will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
  • So it's 10,000 and priority groundwater management area.
  • Our groundwater study shows that our wells are going to dry up by 2042.
  • Scott Norman Jr.: The priority groundwater management areas.
  • Have you all done a study or anything that suggests that?
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:58.840> representing<00:04:59.720> Hamstead legislator representing Hamstead legislator
  • <00:08:42.399> uh here with this uh legislation uh here with this uh legislation uh questions
  • others um yes there has been legislation others um yes there has been legislation in<00:33:22.360
  • uh successfully seen similar legislation uh successfully seen similar legislation our<00:33:43.399
  • A study by Professor Michael P.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee began by announcing that afternoon hearings, including House Bill 283, would be moved to Representatives Hall because of expected public interest. It then took up House Bill 671, which would establish a kindergarten literacy readiness program. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, described the measure as a way to close gaps in early reading readiness and said it was intended as a first step, with only a placeholder appropriation while details are developed. He framed it as a targeted effort to help children who are not entering first grade ready to read. Testimony on HB 671 was largely supportive. Representatives asked about the bill’s structure, whether a specific program had been identified, how it would interact with play-based learning, and why the provider was limited to a registered nonprofit. Waterford.org representatives Teresa Rosenberger and Rob Riley testified in support, describing Waterford Upstart as a home-based, evidence-based early learning program already used in New Hampshire. They said the program provides adaptive instruction, family coaching, and technology support, including computers, tablets, internet access, and translation services in more than 100 languages. They also said the model has been successful in New Hampshire, including a Nashua pilot and later statewide efforts, and that similar legislation has existed in other states. Rep. Jonah Wheeler also spoke in support of the bill. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 671. After a fiscal note for HB 671 was distributed, the committee moved to House Bill 781, which would require school districts to adopt policies for a cell phone-free education and includes an appropriation. The transcript cuts off as Rep. Litchfield was introduced to testify on that bill, so no testimony, debate, or vote on HB 781 is included in the excerpt.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 18th, 2025

Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have, Two full-time drivers, a program manager, and a warehouse manager.
  • So we don't actually manage the direct purchasing.
  • We also manage that.
  • And then managers and production coordinators.
  • We still have a lot of work to do as legislators.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Commerce and Tourism Mar 31st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Impact study is let me start of SB 936, automation impact.
  • Study is a study to evaluate the effects of artificial intelligence robotics and automation.
  • The recent update to the statewide regional evacuation studies which helps county emergency management
  • And there's a lot of great things in this proposed legislation.
  • So I feel this legislation is a step in the wrong direction.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • “Just to clarify, this is the rate study that was...”
  • “This is the rate study that was a piece of legislation that went through, remember, and it’s for specific
  • “So will that rate study that was, that the numbers that that rate study produced, is that going to address
  • Do you have a study out there? Is that part of a rate study somewhere, or what?” “No, sir.
  • Thank you. that the same day that the settlement was signed for Zachary, a manager, managing nurse, made
Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay. Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.