Transcript Highlights:

• The SAU is supposed to be a pro-social treatment program.
• program.
• program.
• We know that being able to access program, mental health treatment, meaningful out of cell time, socialization
• , and this bill guarantees essential access to that programming, including substance use treatment, medical

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security focused on several correction-related bills, including visitation reform, elder and medical parole, incarcerated persons’ human rights, and creation of an independent correctional oversight office. Vice Chair Christopher Worrell chaired the hearing in place of Chair Dan Cahill for much of the session and explained that the committee would first hear from incarcerated individuals remotely, then move to public testimony. The committee repeatedly enforced three-minute limits and accepted written testimony as well. Much of the testimony from incarcerated people emphasized that visitation is central to rehabilitation, family stability, and reentry, and that current DOC policies—visitor caps, pre-approval requirements, scheduling rules, dress-code enforcement, and restrictions on contact—have reduced family contact and caused harm. Several speakers argued that elderly and medically frail prisoners should be released through parole because incarceration is costly, ineffective, and inhumane for people who pose little public-safety risk. Others described poor prison conditions, limited programming, inadequate healthcare, segregation-like housing, and the impact of K2 use, suicides, and self-harm. Supporters of the oversight bill said an independent office is needed to address racial disparities, grievance failures, and lack of accountability within the DOC. A number of speakers tied their support to personal experiences, including alleged racial discrimination, denial of programs, and barriers to family visits. Some testified that rehabilitative programming, education, and restorative justice reduce violence and improve outcomes, while others said the DOC spends too little on programming and too much on punishment. Committee members asked a few follow-up questions, including about K2 contraband and how to reduce drugs in facilities, and one member asked about typical visitation lengths. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony on the bills and several witnesses urged favorable reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he had to, of course, incur medical treatment as a result of that. Is that right?
• I managed the dog program for the Department of Defense. Sir, I would ask this.
• I managed the dog program for the Department of Defense.
• So I managed the dog program for the Department of Defense.
• I accredited the programs, and the people that were involved in those programs had to be certified to

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the treatment for kratom is no different.
• House Bill 903 is some clarification within our SNAP program.
• government limiting junk food in the SNAP program.
• And some of those situations would include expected complications of treatment, a treatment that provides
• medical advice, or use of alternative medical treatment.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee continued testimony on House Bill 864, which would schedule kratom as a Schedule I substance. Testimony was sharply divided. Family members of people who died after using kratom urged a full ban, arguing that kratom leaf and extracts can be lethal, that labeling is misleading, and that regulation would leave loopholes. Retail and industry witnesses, along with the American Kratom Association, argued that the problem is synthetic 7-OH and other adulterated products rather than natural kratom leaf, and said the bill would criminalize users and push products into the black market. A physician who worked in corrections testified that kratom is an addictive opioid-like substance and supported the bill, while other witnesses said kratom helped them manage pain or avoid stronger opioids. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to hold HB 864 to a time certain of March 25 by a roll call vote of 11-5. The committee then took up House Bill 903, a SNAP-related bill clarifying which foods can be purchased with benefits. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clean up the earlier SNAP restrictions and keep more nutritious items eligible, but he also announced planned amendments to remove cookies, cakes, brownies, sprinkles, chips, and snack bars from the allowable list. Retailers and related industry groups supported the bill as a clarification measure, but several members objected to advancing it before the proposed amendments were formally available and before stakeholders could weigh in. A substitute motion to hold the bill failed, and the committee then voted to send HB 903 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 757, which would define medical neglect in state law and create protections for parents and guardians from bad-faith or false reports. The sponsor said the bill narrows medical neglect to life-threatening conditions, adds a reasonable-person standard, and provides safe harbors for parents seeking care or dealing with complex medical situations, including alternative treatments. Members began asking questions about what qualifies as life-threatening as the hearing moved into testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those situations would include an expected complication of treatment, a situation that has a
• limited benefit of treatment, high-risk treatments with serious side effects, conflicting medical advice
• treatment recommended by a physician as defined by Section 54-1803.
• Because right now I can do whatever I want with my child as far as seeking treatment. Correct?
• But actually, we have to use our own general fund money to administer the SNAP program.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 13 minutes and then considered three RS proposals. RS 33263, sponsored by Rep. Healy, would require annual reporting by dental insurers on dental loss ratios to increase consumer transparency. The committee had no questions and voted to introduce the RS unanimously. The committee then heard RS 33042 from Rep. Kaler, which would narrow the definition of medical neglect in child protection and adult protective services law and create private civil causes of action for knowingly false reports of medical neglect. Members raised concerns that the language could discourage reporting, be too broad regarding alternative care, and create a "get-out-of-jail-free" effect if a parent eventually sought care after delaying treatment. Kaler said the bill was intended to address false or bad-faith reports and to protect parents seeking care in good faith, but after extended discussion the motion to introduce failed on a 7-7 tie vote. Finally, Rep. Vander Woude presented RS 33328 on SNAP benefits, saying it would codify current practices and tighten administration in light of new federal guidance, while noting the state must use general funds to administer the federal program. The committee moved to introduce the RS, and it passed. The committee then adjourned and noted there would be no meeting the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• You need the right manage your program.
• </c><00:48:18.000><c> uh</c> hopefully do this pilot program uh hopefully do this pilot program uh within
• This critical Kucky's Medicaid program.
• </c><00:59:12.559><c> to</c> curative and aggressive treatments to curative and aggressive treatments
• </c><01:07:22.319><c> in</c> that have been made to our program in that have been made to our program

Keywords: 958, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• If there is any program that promotes or provides differential or preferential treatment or special benefits
• Promotes differential treatment.
• of Black Floridians or differential or preferential treatment.
• I mean, who would have thought they were going to prohibit a program on diversity, prohibit a program
• So you're going to have a program to help women who are in abused, You're going to have a program to

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1134, which would extend the use of qualified private providers in the building permit process to residential solar energy systems and certain single-trade inspections, and would allow computer-based plan review tools. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long solar permitting delays and lower costs. A late amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted, and after some discussion about local permitting problems and the need to work with municipalities, CS/SB 1134 was reported favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. The committee then took up SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would limit fee collection if verification is not completed. Members discussed whether the bill should include more flexibility and whether private providers are appropriate for this function, but the committee ultimately reported CS/SB 784 favorably. SB 1738, allowing counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in while maintaining current levels of service, was also reported favorably without significant opposition. Next, SB 1080 on local government land regulation was presented as a measure to speed up development permit and order approvals, limit repeated information requests, prevent hearing delays, and impose penalties for noncompliance. Local government testimony argued it would rush planning and weaken public input, while supporters called it common-sense streamlining. After debate, the bill was reported favorably, with several no votes. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members raised concerns about county budget timelines. Finally, the committee considered SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, programs, or policies, while carving out compliance with state and federal law and defining DEI-related terms. The amendment removed retroactivity and delayed the effective date, but members from both parties raised concerns about vague definitions, impacts on women- and minority-owned business programs, local commemorations, and the loss of attorney’s fees for prevailing counties. Public testimony was sharply divided, with many speakers opposing the bill as an attack on local control and inclusion, and a few supporting it as a merit-based standard. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition in debate and was not yet reported in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Um, so you've mentioned, um, programs, right?
• Just, I think generally, but what kind of medical treatments or programs can be used for, for women who
• Common barriers to treatment include the cost of treatment, denial of having a problem with substances
• In fact, I've seen several frequent flyers at my treatment center where some clients return for treatment

Bills: HB116

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• medicine treatment.
• Program as well.
• Every aspect of this program.
• Under this program.
• Of the program was very good.

Transcript Highlights:

• NORTON MENTIONED MICHIGAN WAS MEDICAID PROGRAM HAS OPEN ACCESS POLICIES FOR ANTIPSYCHOTICS FOR OVER A
• DECADE MEDICAID PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT, CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.
• SUCH DELAY WOULD LEAD TO THE NEED FOR OTHER TREATMENTS SUCH AS THE COST OF INVOLUNTARY EVALUATION DURING
• THE BILL COULD MITIGATE THE NEED FOR THOSE OTHER COSTLY TREATMENTS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH MME.
• AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET THE RIGHT TREATMENT AT THE RIGHT TIME BECAUSE WE KNOW AT NAMI WE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment establishes a student loan repayment program for certified teachers.
• The mental health professional loan repayment program was created in 2015.
• to develop some additional necessary changes to the program.
• And so... ...and may need aggressive cancer treatments.
• Code, or facilities offering narcotic drug treatment programs under Chapter 466 of the Health and Safety

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• The RSVP program, retired senior volunteer program, is a program for retired seniors.
• It's a program for retired seniors.
• I don't know anything about this program.
• It amends an existing program for evaluations for the Arkansas AWARE program for mental health awareness
• Number 10 is DHS, Pine Ridge Treatment Center.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of appropriation, transfer, contract, and other review items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests in Sections B through F, including funding for prosecuting attorneys, education-related adjustments, school operating needs, labor licensing divisions, ARPA fund returns from Workforce Services, IIJA grants for state police CDL implementation and a forestry-related county grant, reserve fund transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic development, and a Commerce reallocation tied to organizational realignment. Cash fund requests in Section G and budget classification transfers in Section H were also reviewed, along with pay plan requests in Section I, overtime requests in Section J, and multiple methods of finance in Section K. The committee also reviewed discretionary grants in Section L, including agriculture promotion board grants and DHS aging/adult behavioral health grants, plus RFQs, construction contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and out-of-state contracts in Sections M1 through M5. Several items drew questions from members. Workforce Services explained that $225,000 in TANF-related funds would be returned to the federal government because the two-year hold period for uncashed or moved checks had expired. Commerce officials described the $25 million site infrastructure grant program, saying it supports site development, due diligence, and infrastructure build-out at eligible sites of 30 acres or more, including rural communities, with grant agreements and matching requirements providing accountability. DHS and Education officials answered questions about the Care Solace mental health referral contract, saying it is a statewide concierge/referral service that helps schools connect students to Arkansas providers and follow up so students do not fall through the cracks; members asked for more information on provider selection, school-day scheduling, and Arkansas vendor participation. The committee held one item over: the DHS discretionary grant item for the RSVP retired senior volunteer program in L2, after concerns were raised about whether state general revenue was being used effectively and how much administrative overhead the providers retain. Members also questioned several contracts, including a DHS sole-source contract with EMSLink for document management software and a DHS bridge contract with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care for Medicaid inspections of care reviews; in both cases, agency staff explained the need to avoid service disruption and said follow-up information would be provided. A Department of Corrections reentry center contract was discussed for its recidivism results, and ARDOT retirement-system investment contracts were briefly explained. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion of the Medicaid Trust Fund balance, with DFA and DHS officials saying the state is expected to finish the fiscal year without exhausting the fund, that a restricted reserve of $100 million is available as a backstop, and that the larger question is what minimum balance should be maintained going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we have helicopters, and we not only have one program, but we have two programs.
• Now we have helicopters, and we not only have one program, but we have two programs.
• </c> positions for managing this program. positions for managing this program.
• </c> funding for syringe services programs. funding for syringe services programs.
• Additionally, syringe service programs programs programs um<05:04:24.560><c> have</c><05:04:24.958><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They understand what the programs are, and we're doing the appropriate outreach to use these programs
• Our pilot programs are two main programs: assisted outpatient treatment.
• Our other program is our Competency Diversion Program. This arises in the criminal context.
• We are seeking GROW funding for our Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program.
• outpatient treatment program.

Transcript Highlights:

• program and our 4 program we Gardener program and our 4 program we have<00:09:24.040><c> four</c><00
• program.
• program.
• awarded</c> this program the program has awarded this program the program has awarded 17<01:04:23.680
• </c><01:42:00.199><c> serves</c> programs each year the program serves programs each year the program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amber and Marcus Capone of the Vets Organization, an acronym for Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions
• Co-founder and chairman of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions or VETs, and a fellow Texan for at
• Affordable access to effective treatments for the invisible wounds of war.
• The therapeutic efficacy of these treatments when administered in appropriate clinical settings under
• We simply cannot meet the unrelenting demand for access to our programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• </c> residency program. residency program.
• </c> good program here. good program here.
• It was a very competitive<02:38:29.840><c> program.</c> competitive program. competitive program.
• It's a It's an amazing program. program. program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program does not apply to the Medicaid program, but it does require that the commissioner of DMS
• </c> the terms of the exemption program the terms of the exemption program within<00:07:42.960><c> the
• </c><00:08:15.000><c> and</c> authorization exemption programs and authorization exemption programs and
• the Medicaid Program but it apply to the Medicaid Program but it does<00:08:23.080><c> require</c><00
• or pursuing the type of treatment or pursuing the treatment<00:10:01.160><c> again</c><00:10:01.440>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:13 HB423 Discussion: 01:38 HB423 Vote: 12:30 HB415 Discussion: 13:50 HB415 Vote: 15:13 HB390 Discussion: 16:30 HB390 Vote: 21:48 HB3 For Discussion Only: 23:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 423, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by Representative Kim Moser. A committee substitute was adopted to clarify that the bill’s prior authorization exemption program does not apply to Medicaid. Supporters, including the Kentucky Medical Association, said the bill would reduce red tape, improve transparency, and let providers spend more time on patient care. The bill would create a framework for insurers to establish a gold carding or waiver program for certain health services, exclude prescription drugs, prohibit retrospective reviews based solely on an exemption, and require annual reporting by the Department of Insurance and the Department for Medicaid Services. After questions about how exemptions would work and whether the bill addressed repeat prior authorizations, the committee voted to pass HB 423 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 415, sponsored by Representative Pollock and supported by AFLAC representatives. The bill was described as clarifying that health insurance coverage mandates are generally intended to apply only to primary major medical policies. With no substantive opposition or questions, the committee voted to pass HB 415 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 390 from Chair Meredith, presented with support from multiple insurance industry representatives and the Department of Insurance. The bill would move motor vehicle insurance verification data from the old system to the CAVIS database and shorten the reporting turnaround from 30 days to a ceiling of seven days, with the possibility of a shorter period by regulation. After brief discussion and no objections, the committee voted to pass HB 390 with favorable expression. The committee also heard House Bill 3 for discussion only, sponsored by Representative Neighbors and supported by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. The bill would require Kentucky Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for covered clinical services they already provide, aligning Medicaid with existing commercial insurance policy. Supporters argued it would improve access, especially in underserved areas, and could reduce emergency room use and improve outcomes; the bill was not voted on during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sounds like a really nice program.
• Sounds like a really nice program.
• Sounds like a really nice program.
• Sounds like a really nice program.
• And talk to me more about that water treatment plant for Hastings.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hours in a chair for treatment.
• So these oral treatments are really important also for our rural communities and for Treatments are really
• Treatments are really important also for our rural communities and for folks going through treatments
• We still have programs that will need to be run.
• We still have programs that will need to be run.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior day’s journal, and received committee and House messages moving a large number of bills and memorials through the process. Several measures were referred, enrolled, or transmitted, including appropriations bills, election and utility-related legislation, and various House bills sent to standing committees. The chamber also handled routine motions to hold bills on the calendar and to advance between orders of business. A major floor debate centered on House Bill 760, a low-income housing tax credit measure. Supporters argued it would encourage private investment in workforce housing, help local workers and families, and give counties an optional tool to address housing shortages. Opponents said it amounted to subsidized, rent-controlled housing that would benefit developers and banks while shifting property tax burdens onto other homeowners. The Senate first voted to reconsider the bill, then later defeated it on final passage, 15-20, returning it to the House. The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1397, which would regulate private sewer/wastewater utilities serving more than 100 connections, with supporters describing it as consumer protection for captive customers and opponents warning about overregulation. It also passed Senate Bill 1398 on presidential primaries, Senate Bill 1396 repealing obsolete Pacific Fisheries Task Force code, House Bills 631, 826, 585, 648, 773, 787, and 790, and rejected House Bill 630 on airborne predator control. The chamber also adopted a memorial honoring Lyndon B. Bateman, with several senators sharing personal tributes to his teaching, public service, and handwriting. The session ended with announcements, committee scheduling, and a recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also required a mandatory treatment of all brassica seed to prevent black leg disease.
• It was temporarily closed in this section to allow for quagga mussel treatment.
• The progress comparing 2024 to 2025 resulted in great news: our combined efforts, the treatments, the
• Thompson: ...either at a program update or just after this meeting.
• But yes, we will make sure to add that as a point in our discussion during our program update.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee met to approve the minutes from February 2, 2026, and then considered five Idaho Department of Agriculture rule dockets, presented by Andrea Thompson of the Plant Industries Division. The first docket, on seed production and distribution, updated testing and licensing references, removed redundant text, and eliminated outdated subrules on rapeseed/canola and bluegrass districts after stakeholders said the requirements were no longer needed. The committee also approved a docket on registrations and licenses for commercial feed, fertilizer, and soil/plant amendments, which mainly updated incorporated-by-reference publications and made a minor clarification to the fee exemption language. The committee then approved a docket on planting beans, which clarified that edible bean seed planted in Idaho must have an approved green tag and not a yellow tag, reflecting industry-supported language from a 2025 petition. Thompson explained that the change was intended to reduce disease risk and correct an oversight from earlier rulemaking. Members asked for clarification on the tag distinction, and Thompson confirmed that green tags indicate Idaho-grown/certified seed while yellow tags do not. The final two items concerned invasive species and noxious weeds. The committee approved a temporary rule maintaining the Snake River watercraft quarantine and decontamination zone after 2025 quagga mussel treatment, and a pending rule adding golden mussel to Idaho’s emergency invasive species list. Thompson said no golden mussel has been found in Idaho, but the species poses a serious threat to water delivery, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Members asked about the source of golden mussel spread, federal action, and local enforcement practices, and several expressed concern about invasive species impacts. All five dockets were approved by voice vote, and the committee adjourned without meeting again on Friday.