Transcript Highlights:

• A timer will appear on the screen when you begin speaking.
• Psychiatric hospitals were never intended to assess and restore the competency of a man who is charged
• I was toggling between two screens so that I could read my script.
• they're not, you know, following any type of recovery path, they're testing positive for every drug screen
• with young mothers who have a small child who, for her, talking to their child needed to be on a screen

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a broad set of mental health, substance use, recovery, and patients’ rights bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2227, which would replace stigmatizing substance use terminology in the General Laws, and H. 3950, which would support parents in recovery involved with DCF by requiring more individualized recovery plans, clearer benchmarks for parenting time, access to recovery coaches or counselors, family counseling after sustained recovery, and staff training on addiction and lived experience. Speakers described the bills as ways to reduce stigma, increase accountability, and improve reunification outcomes for families. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1386, which would transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. Advocates, family members, and disability groups testified that Bridgewater functions like a prison rather than a hospital, with excessive restraint, seclusion, involuntary medication, poor conditions, and racial disparities, and argued DMH should oversee a treatment setting. One DMH occupational therapist and MNA member opposed the transfer, saying the real issue is mixing forensic and continuing-care patients and that DMH should instead create designated forensic units under bills H. 228/S. 1408. Committee members asked about Bridgewater’s population, the history of DOC control, capacity, staffing, and how a transfer might be implemented. The committee also heard testimony on modernizing the six fundamental rights for psychiatric inpatients, including expanding communication options, clarifying visitation and advocacy definitions, and improving access to gender-appropriate and culturally relevant items. Another bill, H. 2216, would require stronger oversight before antipsychotic medication is prescribed in nursing homes, prompted by concerns about inappropriate use. Finally, testimony supported H. 2240 and H. 2239 on sober homes, with supporters saying discharge and relocation policies are needed when a resident returns to active use or becomes unsafe, while preserving the recovery environment and resident rights. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• done the research to identify what we want and are just in the process of getting ready to ask and screen
• We're obviously going to screen volunteers very carefully.
• And I think the important thing I just want to note to you at the top of the screen is we are unlike
• We also engaged OES and had an independent technical assessment done.
• about $2 to $3 million in our revolving funds, not this $28 million that's kind of showing up on the screen

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public health departments to really increase access to behavioral health and preventive health screenings
• Some of the activities in that initiative include chronic disease screening, education, referral and
• , referral and screening, education, referral and follow-up,<00:22:47.600><c> chronic</c><00:22:48.080
• In fact, we have federal requirements for community health needs assessments that identifies what some
• In fact, we have federal requirements for community health needs assessments that identifies what some

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't see the deck projecting on the screen here.
• I don't see the deck projecting on the screen here.
• I don't see the deck projecting on the screen here.
• Um but I'm not but um if me screen here.
• The next one, um, you have most formal risk assessment completed and most formal fraud risk assessment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• guideline from the GTAC recommendations that came down um with one change to the environmental assessment
• understanding of the helium resource in Minnesota to define a helium production project that would be assessed
• Rulemaking will allow assessment of gas resources and a thoughtful approach to development of a new industry
• One of the services that we provide at this clinic is vital support for heavy metal screenings within
• metal screenings within our community.<01:10:17.040><c> I'm</c><01:10:17.280><c> here</c><01:10:17.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for. house appraises for or assess for.
• Um, on the screen up there, you know, God has given humans a wonderful gift.
• <02:09:53.080><c> is</c> screen is screen is um um um very<02:09:57.040><c> uh</c><02:09:57.080><c> I'm
• You can on the screen. >> One moment. 15 to 60, please, sir. >> Okay.
• </c> those up on the screen. those up on the screen.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also alters health insurance coverage requirements for certain immunizations, screenings, and
• the next bill. requirements for certain immunizations, requirements for certain immunizations, screenings
• </c> screenings, and preventive services. screenings, and preventive services.
• Amendment number two alters the allocation percentage of an assessment issued by the fund and establishes
• </c><01:24:59.679><c> the</c> subsidy for purposes of assessing the subsidy for purposes of assessing

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Screen is over. We'll get moving about now. Okay, everybody, we are back.
• DCF goes into a particular home and assesses the situation, but the police department and the courts
• So there also, in order for there to be a screening situation, there would also have to be a form of
• </c><03:14:00.640><c> and</c> necessary for a screen in with DCYF. and necessary for a screen in with
• </c><03:32:34.319><c> the</c> send a social worker out to assess the send a social worker out to assess

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first opened with brief remarks about a member’s recovery and then heard House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs related to DCYF. The sponsor, Representative Erica Layon, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how much time and money are spent on DCYF work versus other departmental work, and help future discussions about staffing, resources, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely produce the report without additional cost, though she was open to adjusting the reporting date and possibly adding more detail about federal mandates. Former Representative Betty Gay and several members supported the bill as a way to better document costs and procedures, while DCYF Director Marie Nunan said the department was not taking a position on the bill, already has many policies and operating procedures, and believed it could comply without a fiscal note. Members raised questions about whether the reporting requirement duplicated existing oversight, whether it should apply to other agencies, and whether the report should include federal funding mandates. Some suggested that a broader review or subcommittee on DCYF might be more useful than a single reporting bill. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, so it will not go on the calendar. Members said they wanted more time to discuss the bill, watch the budget process, and consider whether the reporting requirement could be implemented informally or through a broader oversight effort. The committee then moved on to House Bill 775, which was introduced by Representative Jodi Nelson as a measure to support supervised visitation centers. Dr. Scott Hampton testified in favor, describing the loss of visitation centers since 2019, the role of supervised visitation in protecting children and vulnerable parents in domestic violence cases, and the potential benefits for child safety, crime prevention, and family preservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background checks, as well as Child Protection Registry screenings
• As a school social worker, my role was to assess the concern, support the family, and coordinate community-based
• As a school social worker, my role was to assess the concern, support the family coordinate community-based

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shares screen to close. Members are reminded if you're in the chamber, you're required. To vote.
• pretrial programs that are in place for all 77 counties would be the ones to actually administer this assessment
• There are several assessments that are already out there, so counties don't have to spend any money whatsoever

Bills: SB1543, HB1933, HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, SB1859, HB2988, HB3016, SB237, SB2065, HB3418, HCR1027, SB1641, SB1589, SB44, SB563, SB1403, HB1979, HB3075, SB2045, SB1653, SB1655, SB2030, HB2951, SB2028, SB2071, SB206, SB1849, HB3755, SB1509, SB1314, SB1561, SB1217, SB1618, HJR1096, HJR1099, HJR1100

Keywords: driving under the influence, felony offense, ignition interlock device, community service, criminal assessment, nitrous oxide, Maddix Bias Act, intoxication, underage sale, misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, enforcement, education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I will tell You in my perturbation in my assessment, childhood trauma today is at an epidemic
• Cultural challenges, all the things, childhood trauma, all that has to be a part of our assessment.
• In fact, can I just share just share on screen real quick?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sector to pick up the tab, or they might justify paying for it out of the revenue that's coming in by assessing
• And I've requested multiple times we need to evaluate and assess the cost of the taxpayer or the private
• , this bill recommends testing, you know, nutrient content evaluation, pathogen, and Contaminant screening

Bills: HB3005, HB3007, HB3403, HB1907, HB3175, HB3986, HB3466, HB3411, HB4246

Keywords: climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have to try to screen those and also check, to the extent we can, with the applicable chairman
• the court would have to, as a result of Senate Bill 1330, if it becomes law, the court will have to assess
• transport and records created during the intake process for juveniles, known as observation and assessment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of the hunting and advanced technology working group was to assess public perspectives on
• To provide the HAT working group with a random and unbiased, statistically relevant assessment of how
• We have one of our virtual testifiers on the screen right now. Sure.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we're afforded with a variety of risk assessment tools that we use that help us kind of identify
• I want to be able to assess their credibility. I want them to be able to answer questions I have.
• You might see me on the other side of the video screen, addressing whether or not your license should

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee began its first meeting of the session by introducing two pages, Emmy Roberts of Lewiston and Cooper Smith of Nampa, who each described their backgrounds and interest in serving. The committee then considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Commission on Pardons and Parole: reappointment candidate Scott Smith and new appointee Dylan Hobson. Both testified about their public service backgrounds and approach to parole decisions, emphasizing public safety, individualized review, rehabilitation, and the importance of prison programming and supervision. Members asked about parole factors, the rider program for sex offenders, the role of politics, workload, and whether the system is working well. The committee did not vote on the appointments at this meeting, noting that votes would be taken at a later meeting. The committee then took up several Idaho State Police rule dockets. Lieutenant Colonel Russ Wheatley presented rule cleanups for civil asset forfeiture, the Idaho Public Safety and Security Information System (ISLITS), state criminal history records, and the sex offender registry. He repeatedly stated the changes were non-substantive, mostly simplifying language, deleting duplication, or updating the sex offender registry rule to match a new photo-transfer process after DMV system changes. The committee approved each of those rule dockets after brief discussion and no public comment. The final and most extensive item was the pending Idaho Rules of Administrative Procedure update presented by Chief Administrative Law Judge Brian Nichols. He explained the changes were driven by recent statutory modernization, field testing of the 2024 rules, and a new rule addressing artificial intelligence in administrative contested cases. Nichols said the AI provisions are aimed at transparency, disclosure, and safeguards against misuse, while preserving access for self-represented parties; he also said ALJs themselves are barred from using AI in deciding cases. Members questioned whether avatars should be allowed to present testimony or argument, and some expressed concern about abuse, but the committee ultimately approved the pending rule docket, with one senator stating he would have preferred a stricter prohibition on avatars. The meeting ended after all rule dockets were approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we're afforded with a variety of risk assessment tools that we use that help us kind of identify
• I want to be able to assess their credibility. I want them to be able to answer questions I have.
• You might see me on the other side of the video screen, addressing whether or not your license should

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• often made to resemble mundane objects like pens, but a new trend is emerging to include elaborate screens
• We collect assessments, maintain general accounting, not to mention facilitate resolution between disputing
• We collect assessments, maintain general accounting, not to mention facilitate resolution between disputing

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard three bills ahead of the house-of-origin deadline. AB 762 by Assemblymember Irwin would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vapes in California, with committee amendments to align implementation dates and allow a sell-through period. The author and supporters, including waste agencies, firefighters, local governments, and public health groups, argued the devices create lithium-ion battery fire risks in waste facilities and burden ratepayers and first responders. Opponents, including cannabis industry and retail groups, argued the bill would not meaningfully reduce battery waste because most problematic products are already illicit, and warned it could worsen the illegal market and reduce consumer access to legal products. After extensive debate, the committee passed AB 762 as amended to Appropriations on a vote with some members not voting or on call. AB 1382 by Assemblymember Castillo would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals created for cosmetic purposes. Supporters said the bill would prevent novelty pet breeding, reduce pressure on already overcrowded shelters, and avoid ethical concerns about modifying animals for appearance alone, while preserving medical and scientific research. Opponents, including the pet industry, argued the measure was unnecessary because regulated products such as glowfish already undergo scientific review and that the bill could create ambiguity and harm lawful commerce. The committee clarified that glowfish and scientific research were exempt, and AB 1382 passed to the Judiciary Committee. AB 739 by Assemblymember Jackson would require managing agents in common interest developments to provide homeowners and HOA boards a summary of fees charged for management services. Realtors supported the bill as a transparency measure, while community managers and the Community Associations Institute said they could accept it once promised amendments were adopted to narrow the disclosure and avoid blanket mailings that could raise costs. The author said amendments would be taken in the Housing and Community Development Committee and committed to further consultation. AB 739 passed to Housing and Community Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• often made to resemble mundane objects like pens, but a new trend is emerging to include elaborate screens
• We collect assessments, maintain general accounting, and facilitate resolution between disputing homeowners
• We collect assessments, maintain general accounting, not to mention facilitate resolution between disputing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I I just think from a practical standpoint, it would be very challenging to assess practical standpoint
• , it would be very challenging to assess all of that and to, you know, turn around and then have it be
• If the policies are not put in place to screen the drivers properly and keep our community safe, the

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• each individual discrete then assessing each individual discrete bill.<01:03:43.039><c> Is</c><01:03
• </c> to folks and it and then it is assessed to folks and it and then it is assessed or<01:06:39.119>
• </c><04:41:27.280><c> Actors</c> if you are not in the Screen Actors if you are not in the Screen Actors
• </c><04:41:52.480><c> Um,</c><04:41:52.878><c> believe</c> Screen Actors Guild actor.
• Um, believe Screen Actors Guild actor.

Keywords: 1189, house, all