Transcript Highlights:

• State University System, we're also the number one state in the nation for two-year college graduation rate
• We're also the number one state in the nation for two-year college graduation rates.
• Our teacher ed students exceed the Florida State College average on first attempt... ...pass rates in
• We want to get those four-year graduation rates up.
• And sometimes four-year graduation rate is a little challenging for them.

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held an informational hearing focused on how Florida’s public colleges and universities are aligning bachelor’s degree programs with workforce needs and improving student outcomes. Chancellor Kathy Hebda described Florida College System enrollment growth, the state college system’s workforce-oriented bachelor’s degrees, approval and accountability processes for those programs, and outcomes data showing strong completion and wage results, especially in health care. Emily Sykes of the Board of Governors outlined the State University System’s program review practices, performance-based funding metrics, strategic emphasis programs, and the MyFloridaFuture tool that lets students compare earnings, debt, and employment outcomes by major and institution. University and college leaders then described campus-level workforce initiatives. Florida Gulf Coast University highlighted employer-driven microcredentials, digital badges, internships, career fairs, service learning, and partnerships with regional employers. UCF discussed its career navigator requirements, major industry partnerships such as Lockheed Martin, nursing and faculty career-integration efforts, and a centralized career development center. Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida emphasized their bachelor’s programs, transfer pathways, teacher and nursing outcomes, military and defense-related workforce pipelines, cybersecurity training, and stackable credentials tied to regional labor needs. During member questions, senators asked how microcredentials and military experience translate into college credit, whether credentials transfer across institutions, and what legislators can do to help. Witnesses said the state’s common course and articulation systems already support transfer, and they encouraged continued legislative support for innovation, faster curriculum alignment, internships, and specialized transfer degrees. No bills were voted on, and the meeting ended with no public comment and an adjournment motion adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• States that have expanded midwifery access have lowered their cesarean and preterm delivery rates.
• , and they have higher breastfeeding rates and higher birth weights.
• As you have heard, Minnesota suffers from among the worst rates of health disparities in the country,
• As you have heard, Minnesota suffers from among the worst rates of health disparities in the country,
• As you have heard, Minnesota suffers from among the worst rates of health disparities in the country,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and with this rate study, we are working to adjust rates for our surrounding communities to make
• Um, and with this rate study, we are working to adjust rates for our surrounding communities to make
• I'm going to go to our sewer rates.
• We have an 18% rate of disability.
• we have our population has an 18% rate we have our population has an 18% rate of<01:08:50.199>

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• do a rate do a rate study<00:09:17.600> um<00:09:18.399> and<00:09:18.839> first
• DHS currently has a 37% vacancy rate in child welfare services.
• DHS currently has a 37% vacancy rate in child welfare services.
• DHS currently has a 37% vacancy rate in child welfare services.
• DHS currently has a 37% vacancy rate in child welfare services.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first repeals the requirement that a lodging business post a maximum and minimum room rental rate
• We couldn't see rates on our phones, and there were, you know, sometimes questions about particular rates
• The second section does the same thing relative to outside signs advertising rental rates, and that's
• You know, I used to be in the business, and we didn't have these rates posted.
• on the door or have a billboard advertising the nightly rate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and gas rates are set with the necessary information to best protect ratepayers.
• So this is about trying to add some additional transparency during rate making to ensure that the PUC
• That's the load that helps bring down the rates for everyone.
• The utilities have settled... ...especially the misaligned incentives that contribute to high rates.
• Members, California has the fourth-highest non-renewal rate in the country for insurance.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2026-27, that marginal cost rate is around $11,000.
• years there were more than 5% increases, but the average annual rate has been 4.2%.
• We do have a goal in our strategic plan to continue to increase graduation rates.
• Like declining population, declining birth rates, higher cost of living in certain areas.
• The goals in the compact are around access, affordability, collaboration, and graduation rates.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an oversight hearing on the California State University system covering enrollment, core operations, Title IX/civil rights, and basic needs. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s 2026-27 budget does not change CSU enrollment targets from the prior year and proposes a 5% ongoing General Fund increase for core operations as the final year of the compact. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended a lower resident undergraduate enrollment target than the Governor’s proposal, separate funding for enrollment growth rather than folding it into base, a smaller or no base increase tied more closely to inflation, earmarking some base funds for capital renewal, retiring deferred payments, and avoiding new multi-year compact commitments. CSU said enrollment has rebounded for three straight years, but growth is uneven across campuses, with several Northern California campuses still facing structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. CSU described a multi-year reallocation plan shifting about 10,000 FTE and $89 million in ongoing funding toward higher-demand campuses, plus $40 million in one-time support, and said seven campuses submitted turnaround plans aimed at recovering enrollment over the next several years. The system highlighted strategies such as dual enrollment, guaranteed admission pathways with community colleges, outreach to high school students, retention and advising efforts, and new degree models for working adults and military-connected students. Members raised questions about how campus targets are set, whether the May Board of Trustees discussion will address a systemwide enrollment framework, and how CSU will manage future deficits if projected out-year funding does not materialize. On core operations and facilities, CSU said it faces about $320 million in mandatory cost increases in 2026-27 and is pursuing shared services, procurement consolidation, campus administrative sharing, and program redesigns to reduce costs. CSU and the LAO emphasized the system’s large deferred maintenance backlog, estimated at $8.6 billion, and discussed whether CSU’s bond/debt capacity is sufficient to address it; CSU requested up to $1.1 billion for deferred maintenance, while the administration did not propose new funding. The committee also heard CSU’s annual Title IX and civil rights update: CSU said it has implemented 15 of 16 State Auditor recommendations, has dedicated Title IX coordinators at every campus, is using a systemwide case management dashboard, and is piloting centralized investigations at five campuses. Finally, on basic needs, the Governor maintained current funding levels for food assistance/basic needs, rapid rehousing, and mental health. CSU reported heavy use of food pantries, CalFresh support, emergency housing, and counseling services, while warning that federal changes to CalFresh and related funding could make it harder to serve students in need.

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh, you know, you could look at any district's Monday or Friday sub rates and for me, you can look
• and for me, you can look at sub rates and for me, you can look at any<00:10:30.080> sunny<00:
• So for us, I've got the average teacher salary there, which helps to convert out to a daily rate.
• They can get 30% of the current daily rate for that.
• I Current daily rate for that.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the highest growth rate in mass skin care sales in 2023.
• assistance and 21% of California's water system has unaffordable rates.
• With our unemployment rate already at 17. Two, which is the highest.
• As we heard already, we have over a 17% unemployment rate and 21% poverty. every economic opportunity
• Consequently, that is a cost that's going to be passed on to rate payers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Question eight: Have the MCO capitation rates ever been increased due to GLP-1 medication coverage?
• Provide the date of each capitation rate increase and by how much.
• provide the date of each capitation rate provide the date of each capitation rate increase<00:11
• Uh GLP1's drugs make rate development.
• There were some uh specific rate There were some uh specific rate adjustments<00:11:37.279> due

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.

Transcript Highlights:

• So first of all, what is it going to do to their rates?
• And that was passed to lower the rates. And guess what? The rates weren't lowered. Thank you.
• There are higher rates of violence and suicide in that age group.
• And the neuroscience confirms... ...rates far higher than older adults.
• And a first-year student retention rate of 97%.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24. The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7. The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have other parts include the transition readiness and graduation rate.
• We also have other parts include the transition readiness and graduation rate.
• They're still going to be the color ratings, although I'm not in agreement with the color ratings, but
• They're still going to be the color ratings, although I'm not in agreement with the color ratings, but
• So it may be color coding color ratings.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:38.320> payers rate payers rate payers and<00:52:39.920> what<00:52:40.400> uh
• And one of the basis I think that they indicated was that it's causing utility rates to go up.
• One is what is 1 and 1/2% for the average rate payer for an average household?
• have gone sky-high as about their rates have gone sky-high as of<01:22:04.440> lately.
• We’ve had some big rate cases, big controversial rate cases.

Bills: HB0116, HB0056

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• request, a combined state plan, the overview of SNAP and Medicaid, and an update on reimbursement rates
• Mutual Insurance Company, and COPSAC, proposed state and public school employees' 2027 contribution rates
• Mutual Insurance Company, and COPSAC, proposed state and public school employees' 27 contribution rates
• , OPR rules concerning Arkansas school district. these 2027 contribution rates, OPR rules concerning
• This is a request to review the proposed new rates of services for fiscal year 2027, and I'll need a

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1745, local excise rates rate limit.
• rate limit government SB 1746 elections voting centers polling places judicial sharing elections as
• SB 1800, income tax additional rates. Schools finance. SB 1801, event majoring data.
• In 2024, 1,731 provisional ballots were rejected in the tribal precincts, a rejection rate five times
• higher than non-tribal precincts, and a 401% relative increase in rejection rates compared to 2020 in

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services such as 988 Florida Lifeline continue to show a 96% diversion rate from an involuntary Baker
• respond to a person in crisis, and then recently implemented care coordination with an 86% diversion rate
• What we've heard is that they rated these psychiatric nurses as very or somewhat effective at initiating
• Discharge planning enhances long-term recovery, reduces readmission rates, and empowers individuals to
• manage the condition successfully after... ...reduces readmission rates and empowers individuals to

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's rate for those that have not.
• How's what's the success rate like? How's what's the success rate like?
• Um, I know that some have been rate.
• charge for this but these are the rates charge for this but these are the rates you<01:53:02.320
• [clears throat] gross vehicle rating [clears throat] gross vehicle rating that<04:04:53.840>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• removed the financial burden of traditional phone calls, families continue to face high per-message rates
• and prioritize what matters: housing and employment planning, normalization, and lower recidivism rates
• Housing and employment planning, normalization, lower recidivism rates.
• When a judge offers diversion and an individual successfully completes that diversion, recidivism rates
• Premium costs below the filed rates. Does the legislation have that authority?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other practical examples, I heard mentioned the appeal rate in regards to JP court. the appeal rate in
• Bernard Parish and our appeal system, our appeal rate is extremely.
• And our appeal system, our appeal rate is extremely low.
• And I can't speak for other parishes, but the appeal rate from JP, successful appeal rate from JP to
• from JP, successful appeal rate from JP to JDC is not very high.

Bills: HR2, HR37, HR61, HCR11, HCR64, HB89, HB183, HB341, HB371, HB451, HB480, HB520, HB541, HB579, HB597, HB816, HB1004, HB1064, HB1165, SB44

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1165, which was converted into a substitute bill to reorganize the Avoyelles Parish court system by creating two city courts, one for Marksville and one for Bunkie, and expanding their jurisdiction parishwide, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. The sponsor and supporting judges said the change would better use existing courts and improve access to justice, while the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket, could create staffing and constitutional issues, and needed more study. After questions about voting districts, appellate procedure, and minority vote dilution, the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1064 creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th Judicial District, with testimony from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and the YWCA describing a specialty court model focused on accountability, victim services, and wraparound support. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 341, clarifying law enforcement officer rights during administrative investigations, was amended to specify administrative matters and reported with amendments. House Concurrent Resolution 64, as amended, expanded a study of behavioral health courts to include additional parishes and a later reporting deadline, and was reported favorably. House Bill 579, the sexual assault survivor bill of rights, was amended to strengthen notice, confidentiality, and funding provisions and then reported favorably. Later, House Bill 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional threshold for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew significant opposition from city court judges who warned of unintended consequences, including different evidentiary standards, possible attorney-representation issues for entities, and added burdens on district courts. Supporters framed it as an inflation adjustment and access-to-justice measure, but after debate the committee voted 5-11 to defer the bill. House Bill 183, limiting courthouse cell phone bans in fee-payment areas, was amended and then failed on a 7-7 tie with the chair voting no. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 451 on ATC hearing notices, House Bill 541 on micro distillers via substitute, Senate Bill 44 on tactical medical professionals’ firearms, House Resolution 37 honoring veterans who served in Honduras, and House Bill 89 requiring a district attorney office to pay certain retirees’ health premiums from its own funds. Several other bills were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• But LI-Tech developments often cost far more than comparable market-rate developments.
• And so higher wage rates, higher insurance costs... ...LI-Tech program.
• And so higher wage rates, higher insurance costs, and also waiting on some trade delays that have been
• Yeah, I mean, if it's a market driver that's driving it, the market-rate developments would have the
• So in terms... ...whether it's a market-rate developer or a low-income developer, right?

Keywords: 1182, all