Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
• The filed version adds nutrition, counseling and instruction services as a new service for that the Medicaid
• The change aligns with Senate companion laid out last week in the Committee on Health and Human Services
• The committee substitute adjusted appointments to the advisory committee to include feedback and input
• advisory duty and was reconstituted when DFPS was removed from HHSC in the eighty-fifth session.

Transcript Highlights:

• 04:14.959> of Lord, we lift up these leaders who have accepted the responsibility of public service
• And may all that has been said and done here reflect the highest ideals of service, justice, and goodwill
• These are the young men and women who come fight for us, and they don't thank you for your service.
• He's used his platform to host service.
• Uh, we had MDITS, and the House made it Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Bruce Wells and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized a joint resolution honoring the University of Southern Mississippi Army ROTC program on its 75th anniversary, and welcomed several guests and groups in the galleries throughout the morning. A series of special recognitions followed. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 53 honoring Katie Blunt on her retirement as director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; Blunt spoke about the success of the Two Mississippi Museums, fundraising for exhibits and public programming, and her long service to the state. The Senate also recognized the Winston Academy Patriots football team for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 2A Division 2 state championship, the Mississippi State University All-SEC basketball guard Josh Hubard for his athletic and community service achievements, and the Columbus High School Falcons for winning the 2026 MHSAA Class 5A boys basketball state championship. A South Panola High School Air Force JROTC drone team was also honored for its third consecutive grand championship, with its instructor describing the program’s statewide and national success and its role in preparing students for careers and research opportunities. On the legislative calendar, the Senate tabled a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2588, the Safeguard Honesty, Integrity, and Elections for Lasting Democracy Shield Act. It then adopted the conference report on Senate Bill 2654, creating the State Security Operations Center within the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, after members noted the changes were largely clerical and did not alter the bill’s substance. The Senate also confirmed several nominations by use of the morning roll call, including reappointments to the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, appointments to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, and an appointment to the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund board.

Transcript Highlights:

• to uh section 7616, um exceptions from civil service made outside of that and other chapters cannot
• board on tourism or the office advisory board on tourism or the office of<00:18:50.160> tourism
• is the civil service code um it<00:20:04.000> exempts<00:20:05.280> the<00:20:05.600><
• but I wanted to note that uh if service but I wanted to note that uh if a<00:20:10.559> change
• <00:20:18.960> made exceptions from civil service made exceptions from civil service made

Bills: SB2187

Keywords: housing, economic development, tourism, state department, renaming, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Tourism and Water and Land hearing focused on HB 1947, which would repeal the Hawaii Tourism Authority, create an Office of Tourism in DBEDT, and establish a Division of Destination Management in DLNR. The Attorney General opposed provisions allowing the new tourism office or advisory board to hire independent attorneys, and also noted civil service and transfer-of-functions issues, including the need for standard transition language for employees, contracts, records, and equipment. DNR said it stood on its written comments, while the Department of Taxation also stood on its written testimony. HTA opposed the bill, arguing that Act 132 had already improved its governance and that destination management should remain within a single, holistic tourism framework. HTA said it is better positioned to coordinate with counties, communities, and state agencies on both tourism promotion and mitigation of impacts, and pointed to its strategic plan and DMAP work as evidence. The County of Kauai Office of Economic Development also opposed the bill, saying tourism issues cross multiple agencies and that coordination is best handled by one entity rather than splitting responsibilities between DBEDT and DLNR. One member of the public testified in support with reservations, saying Hawaii needs stronger leadership and control, but also warning that dissolving HTA would be a major change. During questioning, committee members pressed HTA on why destination management should not simply be handled by DLNR if HTA already consults with it on land-use and conservation issues. HTA responded that its role is broader than conservation alone and includes balancing economic development, visitor management, and resident quality of life, while deferring to DLNR on matters within DLNR’s jurisdiction. The hearing then moved to decision-making, where the chairs announced amendments that removed the transfer of destination management to DLNR, added counties and state/county agency assistance to the Office of Tourism, and made other conforming changes. The House committees voted to recommend HB 1947 pass with amendments, with several members voting aye and some voting with reservations, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Francine Byrne, Director of Criminal Justice Services, Judicial Council.
• Council, long-term Judicial Service Council member, trying to add in there.
• You know, we are in the service... people in service, and the initial and primary, what I would describe
• On the one hand, this money will improve service levels.
• Services.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the budget goes to salary, office space lease, and unavoidable minute costs for email, Azure services
• of the budget goes to salary, office space lease, and unavoidable minute costs for email, Azure services
• of the budget goes to salary, office space lease, and unavoidable minute costs for email, Azure services
• of the budget goes to salary, office space lease, and unavoidable minute costs for email, Azure services
• <00:15:03.639> opinions there are about 430 advisory opinions there are about 430 advisory

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It wouldn't be an approved service service service necessarily,<00:31:18.480> if<00:31:18.720>
• support services that are available. support services that are available.
• council provides a valuable uh service council provides a valuable uh service to<02:48:43.200>
• HAK, or the home education advisory council, is an advisory council to the commissioner and, for the
• 37.200> to<03:01:37.359> the is an advisory council to the is an advisory council to the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• ; Monica Partita, director of staff services.
• to Texans by reducing the number of advisory committees that the agency must convene.
• by reducing the number of advisory committees that the agency must convene.
• This bill came out of the Health and Human Services Committee.
• biggest battles in health and human services have been scope of chiropractic.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several recognitions and memorial resolutions, including honoring retiring Senate staffer Kelvin Bass and Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff. Members also adopted a series of local and honorary resolutions, including designating Rockport as the Redfish Capital of Texas, San Antonio as Military City, Texas, and Bridge City as the Corn Dog Capital of Texas, along with memorial and medal-of-honor resolutions for Texans and service members. The chamber also received messages from the House reporting passage of various measures and conference committee actions. The bulk of the meeting focused on conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions. The Senate adopted reports and/or out-of-bounds resolutions on SB 293, SB 1610, HB 46, HB 145, HB 1545, SB 650, SB 1660, HB 40, SB 2217, HB 119, HB 493, HB 3642, HB 2963, SB 2024, SB 2972, HB 2516, HB 2885, and SB 2753, among others. Topics included the Texas Civil Commitment Office, the T-Cup prescription program, wildfire mitigation and utility liability, sunset scheduling, alcohol ID swiping at retail and package stores, business court jurisdiction, election administration and data consistency, foreign adversary lobbying, poll watcher qualifications, road naming, right-to-repair, disguised vape pens, and campus expressive activity rules. Several measures passed with near-unanimous votes, while others drew more opposition, including SB 268 on medical board enforcement and SB 2753 on election procedures. There was extended debate on SB 268, which would shift enforcement authority for scope-of-practice complaints to specialty boards rather than the Texas Medical Board. Senators raised concerns about whether the bill would weaken the Medical Board’s ability to stop unlicensed practice of medicine, while supporters argued that specialty boards should police their own licensees and that criminal referrals remain available for unlicensed practice. The Senate also discussed SB 2972 on expressive activities at public universities, with questions about content-neutral restrictions, who counts as the university community, and whether the bill provides a mechanism to challenge campus time, place, and manner rules. Both bills ultimately passed their conference reports, and the Senate later adopted a large package of resolutions by voice vote before adjourning further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whip and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2307 requires the Arizona Department of Health Services
• state certification program for lactation care providers under the Arizona Department of Health Services
• and establishes the lactation care providers community advisory committee as outlined.
• So they're going to get, the whole goal is to treat them with mental health, you know, obviously services
• and establishes the lactation care providers community advisory committee as outlined.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus briefly reviewed House Bill 2307, which addresses the placement and treatment of dangerous, incompetent defendants when no secure mental health beds are available in Arizona. Staff explained the Senate amendments would allow one such defendant to be housed temporarily at the Arizona State Hospital in a secure setting, require DHS to study the cost of building or converting a secure facility on ASH grounds, create a study committee on long-term secure mental health facility options, and include an emergency clause. The sponsor said the bill is intended as a temporary fix while the state works toward a permanent secure facility, and noted the individual would receive mental health treatment aimed at restoring competency to stand trial. Members asked about where the person would be housed, whether treatment would be provided, and whether out-of-state compacts might be used if needed. The group then discussed House Bill 272, which as passed the House would have created an optional state certification program for lactation care providers and a related advisory committee under the Arizona Department of Health Services. Staff reported that the Senate adopted a strike-everything amendment turning the bill into an emergency measure repealing Dr. Cesar Estrada Chavez Day. The sponsor, Representative Fink, was reported to concur with the Senate amendments. No votes were taken during the caucus discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Chief Program and Services Officer at Texas Health and Human Services.
• Services Commission.
• with those ongoing services.
• to get services.
• do have services.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ...less water supply available and to allow them to diversify the supplies that they have amongst service
• We have the AI consoles and computing advisory consoles.
• In May of 2025, the department sent the draft permitting rules to our surface water advisory panel.
• Oh, sorry, this water advisory panel. I'm over here trying to read my slide here.
• We don't have bad customer service.

Transcript Highlights:

• support and thank you for your service support and thank you for your service to<03:29:39.520>
• make the commission advisory make the commission advisory only<05:20:43.680> and<05:20:43.878
• > that's<05:20:44.120> it<05:20:44.480> advisory only and that's it advisory only
• advisor and now other words advisory advisor and now other words advisory means<05:22:10.760>
• say advisory say advisory only<05:26:29.680> I<05:26:29.798> know<05:26:30.040>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, a fully certified professional has all the same expertise and could provide the same service
• definitely concern about imposing, um, added mandates or unfunded mandates on local communities. the same service
• in a shorter amount of the same service in a shorter amount of time<00:33:25.279> um<00:33:25.760
• But there are a lot of things that the state government and, by proxy, local governments do control.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:05 Roll Call 00:00:12 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:03:12 Discussion of Housing and Land Use 00:21:58 Discussion of Short Term Rental Policies 01:03:17 Adjournment 01:15:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply. Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal. The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide energy-efficient service to help lower energy costs and water use for data centers and
• It urges Congress to include physical therapy as a professional service.
• As you know, we have a... ...to include physical therapy as a professional service.
• And I was informed that if they're not included as a professional service, then they can only borrow
• I'm running this bill to urge Congress to include physical therapy as a professional service.

Bills: HR171, HCR49, HB632, HB1084, SB310, SB351, SB399

Keywords: HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• We should probably get some people that really understand legislation to talk to advisory committee under
• We should probably get some people that really understand legislation to talk to advisory committee under
• ] committee under advisory [snorts] committee under section<00:17:19.679> 8<00:17:20.720> or
• <00:17:55.360> committee and appoint with an advisory committee and appoint with an advisory
• Section eight gives the advisory committee authority to hire staff.

Bills: HB433, HB443

Keywords: tax distribution, Talladega County, economic development, public safety, rural infrastructure, HB443, Underground Damage Prevention Program, One-Call Notification System, 811, utility locate, dig law, excavation safety, damage prevention, underground utilities, pipeline safety, public utilities, buried facilities, excavation notice, demolition notice, Alabama Public Service Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• done by the grid modernization advisory done by the grid modernization advisory group.<00:54:04.000><
• > having<00:55:09.920> the modernization advisory group having the modernization advisory
• would otherwise take default service would otherwise take default service supply.<01:06:54.720><
• modernization advisory group as their modernization advisory group as their tasking.<02:17:59.120>
• services services entitlements<04:11:38.880> along<04:11:39.199> with<04:11:39.439>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Barbara Tom, please stand, to the Language Access Advisory Council.
• Thank you very much for willing to volunteer. the language access advisory council. the language access
• advisory council.
• <00:06:20.000> Thank participate in essential services.
• Thank participate in essential services.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is great that we made it to an advisory is great that we made it to an advisory board.<00:35:16.400
• a governing board versus an advisory a governing board versus an advisory board.<01:25:31.360>
• > I<02:28:17.840> don't<02:28:18.000> really service thing, but I don't really service
• I know the year advisory now, that path.
• So for that and marketing service. Yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the advisory Advisory Board for the Center
• Alright, servicing.
• Alright, servicing.
• servicing.
• Postal Service to communicate with customers.