Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't know what was wrong until a couple months ago.
• I had her two-month checkup.
• And so for two months... System. They failed to flag us. They didn't act on it.
• And so for two months, she was just being poisoned by the hour.
• a month for gene and cell therapy.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1414 by Sen. Polsky on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) education. The bill would require the Department of Health, working with medical experts, to create and distribute CMV educational materials to expectant and new parents or caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, and OB/GYN practices. An amendment removed a section that would have required instruction for medical professionals, and the amended bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then took up a block of confirmations. Appointees on tabs 2 through 7 were recommended favorably in one vote, and Chavon Harris was separately confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after extensive questioning. Senators praised her leadership and experience, while others raised concerns about Medicaid redeterminations, the state’s CORE modernization project, Hope Florida, and a DCF anti-marijuana ad campaign; Harris said she would follow up on some issues and defended the agency’s work on transparency, managed care oversight, and access to care. Her confirmation was recommended favorably, with Sen. Berman noting opposition. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. SB 186 by Sen. Garcia expanded epilepsy training requirements for school personnel, including charter school bus drivers, and was reported favorably. SB 902 by Sen. Garcia, after amendments narrowing dental workforce provisions and allowing certain seizure rescue medication delegation to family home health aides, was reported favorably; testimony focused on medical marijuana regulation, practitioner accountability, and concerns about park and child-care proximity restrictions. SB 196 by Sen. Sharif created a uterine fibroid research database with privacy protections and was reported favorably after emotional testimony from a patient and supporters. SB 688 by Sen. Rodriguez would reestablish licensure of naturopathic doctors; it drew both support and skepticism about diagnosis and treatment boundaries, but was reported favorably. SB 1574, Maddie’s Law, would add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening and was strongly supported by parents describing a delayed diagnosis; it was reported favorably. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 1092 on podiatric medicine and certain cellular/tissue-based products, and SB 1032 on medical marijuana registry timelines and veteran fee waivers were also reported favorably, while SB 1032 drew debate over longer renewal/supply periods. The committee then began SB 1760 on Medicaid oversight and program transparency, with the sponsor describing the bill’s creation of a joint legislative oversight committee and a legislative actuary.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't know what was wrong until a couple months ago...
• I had her two-month checkup.
• And so for two months, she was just being poisoned by the hour.
• Because it was not done before one month of life. So she passed seven times.
• a month for gene and cell therapy.

Bills: S0688 , S1414 , S0186 , S0902 , S0196 , S1574 , S0878 , S1092 , S1032 , S1684 , S1686 , S1760

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills and confirmations. It first heard SB 1414 on congenital cytomegalovirus education, which would require the Department of Health to develop and distribute educational materials to expectant and new parents through maternity, prenatal, newborn, and OB-GYN settings; an amendment removed a section on required instruction for medical professionals, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved a block of appointees on tabs 2 through 7 and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after her testimony on Medicaid accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, rural health, behavioral health, and the state’s technology modernization efforts. Senators asked Harris about Hope Florida, Medicaid redeterminations, the CORE project, an anti-marijuana ad campaign at DCF, and compliance with a federal Medicaid-related court order; she said she would follow up on some issues. The confirmation was recommended favorably, with Senator Berman voting no. The committee next passed SB 186 on student health and safety, which expands epilepsy and seizure-disorder training requirements to more school personnel, including bus drivers and charter school staff, and requires seizure-first-aid posters and updated Department of Health education efforts. It also approved SB 902 on Department of Health issues after amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and added provisions on medical marijuana regulation, early childhood intervention, practitioner accountability, and autism workforce development; one speaker raised concerns about marijuana dispensary location restrictions and low-THC ratios. SB 196 creating a uterine fibroid research database was also reported favorably after an amendment protecting patient privacy; the bill drew emotional testimony from a patient describing severe symptoms and the need for more research. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine was approved after committee discussion about scope of practice, referral obligations, and whether naturopathic care should be adjunctive to conventional medicine; supporters described complementary care and access issues, while opponents worried about delayed treatment for serious disease. Later, the committee passed SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” to add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening using the same blood specimen already collected at birth and to launch an education campaign; parents of a child affected by the disease testified that earlier screening could have prevented severe harm. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel was reported favorably to address staffing shortages by allowing Florida to rely more directly on federal CLIA standards for qualified lab workers. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine was approved after an amendment narrowed it to cellular/tissue-based products and podiatrists’ use of certain therapies; the bill also addresses continuing education, informed consent, and advertising disclosures. SB 1032 on medical marijuana was amended and passed, aligning physician certification and card renewal timelines, setting 70-day and 35-day supply limits, and reducing the fee for honorably discharged veterans while preserving funding for FAMU; Senator Harrell opposed it, saying the longer timeframes were too much of an expansion. The committee also heard SB 1760 on Medicaid coverage transparency from Senator Brodeur, who said the bill focuses on accountability and fiscal responsibility, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've been gone for nine months to come home to find that their wife is five months pregnant.
• So I think you just mentioned eight months.
• But what I'm getting at is, if my wife has a miscarriage right now at six months, seven months, eight
• But what I'm getting at is, if my wife has a miscarriage at right now, six months, seven months, eight
• months.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we issued a clean opinion for the 24-month period ending June 30, 2023.
• </c><00:09:12.959><c> period</c> clean opinion for the 24-month period clean opinion for the 24-month
• </c> make you aware that those are coming up. make you aware that those are coming up.
• because they would become vacation eligible after six months of employment. their wages.
• <00:26:01.360><c> of</c> vacation eligible after 6 months of of vacation eligible after 6 months of of

Transcript Highlights:

• What I use for a lot of this data is Child Care Aware National statistics.
• there is another website that I know that does that information, but I use the national Child Care Aware
• </c><00:02:20.959><c> National</c> this data is child care aware National this data is child care aware
• Is there a requirement around that that you’re aware of?
• We have meanwhile been focused on the Parent Aware ratings.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So even having a state fossil would raise awareness of fossils in general. symbols.
• </c><00:17:32.480><c> of</c> state fossil would raise awareness of state fossil would raise awareness
• I can only imagine how much first month.
• We completed that evaluation a month ago, and last week the OA published their own review of it.
• After months, they report many had not ended up in recycling centers.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• But it certainly has been something I felt the last few months, just the weight of having to make these
• We also talked about public awareness and education, and then, of course, the family caregiver support
• Patients, and these are the doctors who would have prescribed the treatment, and they were not aware.
• And so they just weren't aware of some of the recent developments.
• And, you know, they've become aware of the blood-based biomarkers. This was a summer ago.

Committee: All ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met with legislative members and agency, advocacy, and provider representatives present. The council adopted its rules and procedures, approved the prior meeting minutes, and authorized the co-chairs to approve special expenses. Members then heard an extensive update on the state Alzheimer’s plan and current developments in diagnosis, treatment, research, caregiving, and workforce issues. David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association described major changes since the first state plan, including the growth of blood-based biomarkers, broader access to amyloid PET scans, and the availability of disease-slowing treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla. He emphasized that Arkansas still faces major barriers in rural areas, including limited provider awareness, insurance coverage concerns, shortages of specialists, and long wait times for memory care and infusion services. He also highlighted caregiver burden, the need for better education and care navigation, and new efforts such as a dementia resource center pilot with UAMS, respite grants, and workforce training. Members discussed the importance of public education on brain health, diet, exercise, and risk reduction, as well as the need to collaborate with chronic disease partners and improve outreach to primary care providers. The council approved four proposed focus areas for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction, brain health, early detection and diagnosis; strengthening family caregiver support; improving access to diagnostics and treatment; and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce training and crisis response. Members also discussed possible legislative or statutory changes to keep the council active and engaged, and they agreed to pursue a future meeting in August, tentatively August 12 in Hot Springs, with additional meetings under consideration for later in the month. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:59.680><c> they</c> where a suspect may not be aware they where a suspect may not be aware
• </c> a mirror, okay, Chris wasn't even aware a mirror, okay, Chris wasn't even aware of<01:06:00.799>
• </c> Showing that the committee is aware Showing that the committee is aware [snorts]<01:36:56.080><c
• was</c><01:53:58.719><c> four</c><01:53:58.960><c> months</c> Four months before he was four months
• Four months before he was four months before<01:53:59.599><c> that,</c> before that, before that, the

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> her pelvis and also u a couple of months her pelvis and also u a couple of months later<00:07:49.840
• And when we actually got a month cost.
• </c><00:29:53.840><c> that</c> Chair, members, I'm not aware that Chair, members, I'm not aware that
• So, they're aware of that. the for them.
• Uh it is troublesome to not nine months.

Bills: HF2216 , HF1978 , HF2354 , HF1963 , HF1994 , HF1995 , HF1894

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Please be aware that the personal information you give on this card is subject to public disclosure.
• Are you aware of that? I am not. Okay. They all come out of the same fund.
• Is it six months, three months? That we're focused on with this particular initiative.
• Is it six months, three months? That we're focused on with this particular initiative.
• As a little backup, I’m sure that you are all aware of this.

Bills: HB12 , HB145 , HB222 , HB291 , HB430 , HB821 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB979 , HB1193

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette, school security, nonprofit security, emergency preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• With those years comes a humble awareness of what works and what may not.
• The reference of the two recommendations that have been implemented was a six-month follow-up by the
• Instead of the 18-month checkup that would have come naturally in the next step, we have started the
• Why did it take six months for the Department of Housing to...
• Chair, I'm not sure that there is an exemption available that I'm aware of.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• I put a list in there for just the last few months.
• In about a year, sometime in the next 14 to 16 months.
• Most of you might say something like once a month or twice a month.
• One other thing that everyone in the room may not be aware of is that we need tax reform.
• I think we all are aware that there is a need for... housing and affordable housing.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I testified last month on several bills that seek to fix this problem, and I'm grateful that legislators
• I testified last month on several bills that seek to fix this problem, and I'm grateful that legislators
• Witness: I'm not aware of any of those, sir.
• Witness: Yes, just last month.
• You're not aware of it?

Bills: HB322 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB1481 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB 121 , HB2243 , HB3627 , HB 1178 , HB367 , HB5515 , HB126 , HB121

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day. Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly. HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess I wasn't aware that you had amended it in section, but.
• I guess I wasn't aware that you had amended it in section, but.
• And it needs to be, if four is the four days a month is a, And it needs to be, if four days a month is
• I was made aware that we do have the amendments now for the LC budget.
• I was made aware that we do have the amendments now for LC budget.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We took a RAN out every year to just get us through the first several months and then until the money
• And so the public is not aware of these things. And you have very little public discussion.
• </c><01:04:10.319><c> They</c> aware of with the public hearings.
• They aware of with the public hearings.
• </c> couldn't if they find in a couple months couldn't if they find in a couple months or<01:04:52.079

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• That's enough new capacity every month to replace a peaker plant.
• That added months of delays.
• And, um... ...expensive than unbranded after like 18 months.
• They imposed a $10 per month fee.
• Instead of imposing a $30 per month fee, they imposed a $10 per month fee, with the understanding that

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that many parents perceive two to four absences per month as normal or average; however
• Um, because I would like to know if this exists and if any of you are aware of it, ultimately what's
• Um, because I would like to know if this exists and if any of you are aware of it, ultimately what's
• of it ultimately any of you are aware of it ultimately what's<00:43:09.240><c> the</c><00:43:09.960>
• Anything that you're aware of in terms of the state kind of saying, hey, we're going to intervene and

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for a six-month season. That's roughly $70 million per month.
• This is for a six-month season. That's roughly $70 million per month.
• Are you aware how many... and that's after the sixth violation is $950? Oh, no, sir.
• Are you aware how many... and that's after the sixth violation is $950? Oh, no, sir.
• I'm not aware of any time that it's reset. So the answer is no.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hours and hours, days and days, months hours and hours, days and days, months and<01:11:03.600><
• </c> outside our awareness outside our awareness where<01:11:47.440><c> they</c><01:11:47.600><c> can
• Senate Resolution 187, a resolution recognizing May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Kentucky.
• Senate Resolution 187, a resolution recognizing May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Kentucky.
• Senate Resolution 187, a resolution recognizing May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of them require that you pay a month in advance, sometimes 2 months in advance.
• >> I'm not aware of agreement a specific agreement.
• I am aware of situations where that has happened. Yes, any other questions.
• Most of them would be aware of this.
• They have high volumes of activities, hundreds, sometimes thousands of items per month.