Transcript Highlights:

• Anthony Albans, State Election Commissioner: Thank you, Madam President.
• We have the commissioner on hand to answer questions.
• Anthony Albans, State Election Commissioner: That's correct.
• This bill was made in collaboration with the Marijuana Commissioner, the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner
• This bill was made in collaboration with the Marijuana Commissioner, the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 15, we're just Insurance Program.
• Trust your insurance provider.
• be any getting back to the insurance be any getting back to the insurance consideration,<00:57:54.480
• It includes an insurance company.
• , insurance, insurance, uh,<05:05:16.000> whether<05:05:16.240> I<05:05:16.400> want

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 1554 by Assembly Member Calderon, an act relating to insurance.
• This bill also directs the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group by January 1, 2028, to incorporate
• AB 1629 will prevent insurers from shifting financial burdens onto patients by requiring dental plans
• Every month, millions of Californians pay for dental insurance but still struggle to access the care
• Assembly bill 2054 by Assembly Member Gibson and others and act related to unemployment insurance to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved quickly through a long Third Reading File. Early measures included AB 2417 on community college faculty retirement information, AB 1579 expanding the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program, AB 2041 on EMS compliance reporting, AB 1547 directing a feasibility study for a UC medical school in Kern County, and AB 1552 on civic education and democracy engagement in public higher education. All of these passed, with AB 1547 and SB 73 treated as urgency measures requiring 54 votes. A major floor debate centered on SB 73, an elections security bill presented by Assembly Member Pellerin. Supporters said it would protect ballots, voting systems, and voter data from unlawful seizure or political interference, while opponents argued it could hinder investigations, create constitutional problems, and reduce local law enforcement flexibility. After extended debate, the bill passed 54-16 on both the urgency and the measure, with immediate transmittal to the Senate. Other notable bills passed included AB 1554 on California Earthquake Authority transparency, AB 1584 on civil rights duties at the Air Resources Board, AB 1592 on the California Indian Cultural Center, AB 1629 on direct payment to dentists, AB 1645 on prison visitation contact rules, AB 1688 on foster care notice requirements, AB 1699 on prescribed and cultural burns, AB 1738 on virtual home inspections, AB 1741 on sexual battery during residential break-ins, AB 1802 on mitigation lands, AB 1813 on community renewable energy, AB 1899 creating a youth homelessness office, AB 1904 on teacher apprenticeship credentialing, AB 1941 on organized metal theft, AB 2043 on drone threats to mass gatherings and infrastructure, AB 2054 on paid family leave for military relatives, AB 2122 on bench warrants for infractions, AB 2176 on student housing planning, AB 2187 on tribal contracting exemptions, AB 2221 on charitable fundraising processing deadlines, AB 2232 on parole hearing reporting, AB 2235 on judicial home address confidentiality, AB 2250 on hemp enforcement cleanup, and AB 2266 on electricity. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, many unanimously. A few drew limited opposition, including AB 1552, AB 1584, AB 1813, and AB 2122, but all still passed. The Assembly then retained or passed through the remaining file items, announced upcoming deadlines for floor amendments, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 1554 by Assembly Member Calderon, an act relating to insurance.
• This bill also directs the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group by January 1, 2028, to incorporate
• AB 1629 will prevent insurers from shifting financial burdens onto patients by requiring dental plans
• Every month, millions of Californians pay for dental insurance but still struggle to access the care
• Assembly bill 2054 by Assembly Member Gibson and others and act related to unemployment insurance to

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then completed the roll call and prayer, adopted routine procedural motions, and moved through the daily file with many bills passed and retained or passed outright. Early measures included AB 2417 on community college faculty retirement information, AB 1579 expanding the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program, AB 2041 on emergency medical services reporting, AB 1547 on a UC medical school feasibility study in Kern County, and AB 1552 directing higher education segments to report on civic engagement and democracy education. The body also took up SB 73, an urgency elections-security bill, where supporters argued it would protect ballots, voting systems, and election workers from interference, while opponents said it could be unconstitutional, partisan, and overly restrictive of local and federal investigations. SB 73 passed with urgency and immediate transmittal to the Senate. The Assembly then approved a long series of policy bills, many with unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including AB 1554 on California Earthquake Authority transparency, AB 1584 on civil rights duties at the Air Resources Board, AB 1592 on the California Indian Cultural Center, AB 1629 on direct payment to dentists, AB 1645 on prison visitation physical-contact rules, AB 1688 on foster care notice and accountability, AB 1699 on prescribed and cultural burns, AB 1738 on virtual final inspections for single-family homes, AB 1741 on charging sexual battery during a residential break-in as a wobbler, AB 1802 on mitigation lands endowments, AB 1813 on community renewable energy program changes, AB 1899 creating a youth homelessness prevention office, AB 1904 on a credentialing apprenticeship program, AB 1941 on organized metal theft, AB 2043 on drone-attack prevention for mass gatherings and critical infrastructure, AB 2054 on paid family leave for military relatives, AB 2081 on home-based Medi-Cal care, AB 2116 on predatory lending, AB 2122 limiting bench warrants for vehicle-code infractions, AB 2176 on student housing coordination, AB 2187 on tribal public-contract exemptions, AB 2221 on charitable fundraising processing deadlines, AB 2232 on advance parole hearing reporting, AB 2235 on confidentiality of judges’ home addresses, AB 2250 on cannabis/hemp enforcement cleanup, and AB 2266 on electricity. Most measures were described as support or bipartisan bills and passed with little or no opposition. A few bills drew notable debate or recorded opposition, including AB 1813, AB 2122, and SB 73, though all ultimately passed. After finishing 35 items, the Assembly announced it would return the following week with a much larger file, noted upcoming floor amendment deadlines, and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. A post-adjournment vote change was also recorded, changing Assembly Member Dixon’s vote on AB 2041 from aye to no.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have an idea because all of our school districts' property insurance costs have gone up, and I have
• an idea that we just do a property insurance study to help reduce costs for all of our school districts
• Requirements on traditional public schools to charters, but I think as you referenced insurance, we need
• . insurance costs, and just trying to make life make sense and pay bills, those teachers make while we've
• Pressures of inflation and the increase in cost and insurance and everything else, that of course there

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there are some insurance plans available, but I think if we can figure out a way to subsidize, you
• He's currently the president of Hub Insurance Commercial Lines at St.
• I deal a lot with his two sons, Josh and Jake, in the insurance business. And so with that, I'll...
• I think, through the insurance background that we have, we also specialize in construction.
• I think they should have some benefits on basically insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• an insurance an insurance policy<00:12:42.480> but<00:12:42.680> the<00:12:42.920>
• <00:12:48.240> companies category that the insurance companies category that the insurance
• profitable for the insurance companies.
• thank you would you mind insurance thank you would you mind insurance company<00:19:58.200> would
• <04:04:29.840> and related to repairs insurance and related to repairs insurance and infrastructure

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeowners insurance rates, if we're getting quality buildings that can help Rodney Holmes: lower our
• homeowner's insurance rates, I think we have that responsibility to our citizens.
• One of those has been as a new commissioner for planning and zoning of a city larger than 10,000 people
• , but for two years, I also served as a planning and zoning commissioner in a town that this would affect
• And so these smaller homes on smaller home sites have reduced ownership costs, homeowners insurance,

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's discretion that was given to the commissioner.
• So appreciate you raising those questions, but I think we'll wait for the commissioner, a temporary commissioner
• So appreciate you raising those questions, but I think we'll wait for the commissioner, a temporary commissioner
• they empower the commissioner and say, 'You are responsible for the entire entity.'
• :14.560> person<01:36:14.960> who's the commissioner is the person who's the commissioner

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, my name is Mike Marath, Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency.
• Thank you, Commissioner. First and foremost, I really appreciate you.
• Morning, Commissioner. As you know, we've had you and I.
• Do you have for us as a commissioner of the Texas Education Agency?
• Good morning, Commissioner. So I guess my first question.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this legislation ensures a state health insurance plan cover standard fertility preservation services
• Committee substitute for House Bill 677, a bill to be entitled an act relating to state group insurance
• Committee substitute for House Bill 677, a bill to be entitled an act relating to state group insurance
• Committee substitute for House Bill 677, a bill to be entitled and act relating to state group insurance
• Committee substitute for House Bill 677, a bill to be entitled and act relating to state group insurance

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to have insurance if there's problems. Isn't that correct? Mr.
• Chairman, if you're awarded this, obviously you've had to get the bond, to get the insurance, to cover
• He's the District Engineer for District 3, and our commissioner is Hilma Chinoweth.
• District 3 and our commissioner, Hilma Chinoweth.
• I was unable to... county and the commissioner and everybody that was involved, started, gosh, probably

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs. Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I would highlight, um, the fire insurance issue.
• Quite frankly, are going to have Insurance premiums imposed on them that they can't afford.
• to find other insurance.
• Uh, the communities where we need these buffer areas put in and then also, um, the insurance.
• Hopefully, the state will be able to help them out and get them some insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't have insurance.
• That's when insurance is there. You die. That's when your life insurance kicks in, right?
• And now they have no insurance.
• So now that we have a new insurance commissioner, maybe we can rewrite those statutes so we can be a
• So if you have insurance, you have to go through your insurer and pay the higher insurance price.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of increased batteries in the stream, insurance costs have skyrocketed, making it tough for
• costs have skyrocketed, um, insurance costs have skyrocketed, um, making<00:59:48.000> it<00:
• In addition to having trouble finding<00:59:51.280> insurance,<00:59:52.360> uh,<00:59:
• I'm assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• commissioner with the Minnesota commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution<01:18:52.640> Control

Bills: HF3426, HF3896, HF1426, HF3793, HF4061, HF4246

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, wild rice, watercraft regulation, environmental protection, aquatic ecosystems, HF1426, product stewardship, extended producer responsibility, EPR, electronics recycling, e-waste, battery recycling, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, electrical products, covered products

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:49.599> Um,<00:42:50.000> subdivision<00:42:50.720> 3 health insurance
• Um, subdivision 3 health insurance.
• The summary of benefits and coverage for health insurance.
• Which plan is really going to insurance.
• > policies<01:32:03.440> and commissioner for programs policies and commissioner for programs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Commissioner Lay, you have the floor. >> Thank you.
• >> Commissioner<00:22:20.480> Lay,<00:22:20.680> you<00:22:20.760> have
• >> Commissioner Lay, you have the floor. >> Commissioner Lay, you have the floor.
• Commissioner Lee, you have the floor. >> Thank you.
• , we met and and as well as commissioner, we met and talked<01:26:03.120> about<01:26:03.280><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports. The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year. Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the next item is for a feasibility study to accept insurance at their dental clinics.
• A&M Forest Service and this was a cost-out adjustment for the rural... volunteer fire department insurance
• Deleting writer 25 travel expenses of the Commissioner is adopted turning to page 11 item number 28 amendments
• under work group revision and additions, a new writer is added, domestic travel expenses of the commissioner

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's because I do see a couple more commissioners coming in, so I'd rather do that in a little bit in
• And then we can open the floor for questions from the other commissioners. Great.
• That could be Medicare for more acute, post-acute care situations, some private long-term care insurance
• “So, Monica, I happen to be a commissioner and work with these great people, and I'm just so thrilled
• And at the time,” “...and at the time, I was the commissioner of Mass Rehab, and I convinced Robin Callahan

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. Monica Mitra introduced the institute’s work on disability health equity and long-term services and supports, and staff described several research centers focused on community living policy, disability and pregnancy, and parents with disabilities. The presentation emphasized participatory research, accessible dissemination, and the connection between health equity and access to home- and community-based services. Joe Caldwell discussed the Community Living Policy Center’s work on Medicaid HCBS, the direct care workforce crisis, housing, and policy advocacy, including efforts related to the Money Follows the Person program and the Medicaid access rule’s interested parties advisory group. Sid Pickern highlighted a workforce study interviewing direct care workers, a forthcoming policy brief on the access rule, and housing research including Massachusetts’ Alternative Housing Voucher Program. Teresa Nguyen described the Community Living Equity Center’s focus on disparities in community living for people of color, especially a study on self-direction and community living outcomes, and asked for help recruiting participants. Lauren Bixby demonstrated the community living data dashboard, which compares adults who need LTSS with those receiving Medicaid LTSS using ACS and TMSIS data. She explained that the dashboard can be filtered by state and demographics, but noted major race and ethnicity data gaps for Massachusetts and other states. Commissioners praised the dashboard and the institute’s work, asked questions about data sources and the 1115 waiver, and discussed possible connections to the Health Equity Compact. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with an invitation for follow-up, including a forthcoming direct care workforce brief and the institute’s October 28 lecture.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill prohibits the Commissioner.
• Senator Bettencourt, I just want to be clear, under this bill, is it your understanding that Commissioners
• There's insurance levels on. All elected officials at Harris County.
• To shut out the elected county commissioners from oversight of contracts that they and our taxpayers
• You're now denying the ability of the commissioners' courts to fulfill their statutory responsibilities

Bills: SB 3, SB 16, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB17, SB 54, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB48, HB149, HB192, HB254, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud