Transcript Highlights:

• establishing a committee to study establishing a committee to study options<00:38:44.120> for
• representative on that study committee. representative on that study committee.
• Energy to study the RPS every 5 years. Energy to study the RPS every 5 years.
• cost of this study. cost of this study.
• to cover the cost of this study. to cover the cost of this study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Move an interim study. Senator Byrd or Senator Birdsell moves interim study. Do I have a second?
• So, motion's interim study on 1719. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> I.
• <00:10:48.680> Thank<00:10:48.839> you, Interim study three to one.
• Thank you, Interim study three to one. Thank you, Senator. Senator. Senator.
• So motion is interim study. All those in favor say I. I. I. I. All those opposed? I.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four...
• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four parts.
• So that's the study. I took...
• Taxing district property value increases is the second area of the study.
• I separated the memo based on studies. So we have the property tax reform and relief study.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four...
• So that's the study.
• Regarding the property tax reform and relief study.
• that, you also have the economic development tax incentive studies.
• I separated it in the memo based on studies. So we have the property tax reform and relief study.

Summary: The committee met to receive updates from the Tax Commissioner’s office on property tax relief programs and related compliance work. Commissioner Brian Croshys reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting that the Homestead program expanded significantly after HB 1158, that some households are “adjusting out” of eligibility as incomes rise, and that the committee may want to consider indexing income thresholds. Members asked for additional data on bracket breakdowns, possible costs of eliminating income limits for seniors, and how many households are zeroed out by the combined programs. Croshys also discussed the simpler administration of the disabled veteran credit, the growth in participation, and the heavy workload and auditing safeguards built into the new primary residence credit system. He said the department found no material compliance findings and that the program is designed to be digital-first, with county auditors and the Tax Commissioner’s office both involved in review and notification. The committee recessed for lunch and later reconvened, with the chair noting that more detailed PRC information would likely be available at a September meeting. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase, or “zero growth,” report and the 2025 statistical report. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and which jurisdictions showed the largest percentage changes in countywide, citywide, school district, and park district levies. In the statistical report, she summarized recent trends in assessed values: agricultural values remained relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed property values increased over the past five years. She also reviewed statewide tax levies by property class and clarified that centrally assessed growth figures were annual averages. Members discussed how shifts in land use and annexation can make it appear that tax burdens are moving from ag to residential/commercial property. Myers then summarized the interim study on the 3% levy limitation under HB 1176, saying most counties complied without budget changes, while some used hiring freezes, deferred purchases, or reserve funds; 23% of counties had to reduce levies, and the affected funds were mainly general, road and bridge, and weed control. She said 12 counties reported zero new growth in the data and that 35 counties reported not using all of their cap. The committee also received an oil tax presentation from Croshys on the stripper well extraction tax exemption. He outlined the number of active stripper wells, the production and revenue implications of the exemption, and projections for future biennia under different tax scenarios. He said the exemption represents substantial savings to operators but also corresponds to production tax revenue that would otherwise be collected, and he emphasized that future outcomes depend on oil prices, well counts, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly answered a question about why Red River wells have a different production threshold than Bakken wells, explaining it was tied to completion costs and lateral length. The committee then heard from Charlie Gorecki of the EERC, who presented an analysis of typical Bakken well decline curves and argued that most oil is produced before a well reaches stripper status, but that keeping wells open and investing in refracturing or other interventions can recover additional production. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the main actions were receiving reports, asking for follow-up data, and scheduling further discussion for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm speaking in support of Bills 1513 and 4076 that would establish committees to study the EMS system
• The findings from this study are...
• And the study that Dr.
• Secondly, on the benefits, there's not a single study, not one, of psilocybin and PTSD.
• There's not a single study showing any preventive benefit.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then you see supporting studies coming from other universities.
• They don't publish health studies. No, no published health studies. Okay.
• When you read that study, and it's a great study, it's a meta-analysis covering all the studies on this
• I only quoted peer-reviewed studies.
• Studies, and I would encourage you to make decisions based on peer-reviewed studies.

Bills: SB1015, SB1049, SB1066, SB1081, SB1092, SB1133, SB1134, SB1139, SB1147, SB1148, SB1168, SB1189, SCR1001, SCR1002, SCR1005, SCR1010

Keywords: gender transition, detransition, healthcare liability, medical malpractice, youth protection, legal action, Arizona law, spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, child safety, dependency cases, attorney regulation, foster care, legal representation, probation, dangerous crimes, children

Transcript Highlights:

• With regards to the rate study that was mentioned a while ago, last question, Mr.
• “Just to clarify, this is the rate study that was...”
• “So will that rate study that was, that the numbers that that rate study produced, is that going to address
• Do you have a study out there? Is that part of a rate study somewhere, or what?” “No, sir.
• “Is that part of a rate study somewhere, or what?” “No, sir.

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay. Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think there is value to studying these areas.
• Now, this bill just requires state institutions to study this and not private institutions.
• I think you could make that argument for studying music or studying poetry or studying history.
• And I know plenty of people who've studied such degrees as sociology, religious studies, biology, et
• And I know that folks will say, well, we're not eliminating the study.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the previous legislative session, we funded a transportation study.
• In the previous legislative session, we funded a transportation study.
• He said that is what the study did.
• He also said that UND and Steve Holland did the study and the legwork on it.
• So that's what the study did.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript. The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education. House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the third piece of the workload study is a Delphi process, as recommended by OPPAGA.
• Through the time study, it has increased to 169 minutes.
• So these are just some of the weights as illustration of that workload study.
• They're an average statewide based upon that month time study that we did.
• In the time study that I described...

Summary: The committee first heard an update from the Florida Department of Corrections on the proposed Lake Correctional Institution mental health project in Clermont. Tim Fitzgerald explained the project’s history, including the 2016 Disability Rights Florida litigation, the 2018 consent decree, and the original plan for a 550-bed inpatient mental health facility. He said inflation and design changes pushed the project above the bond amount, leading the department to shift to a “continuum of care” alternative with 572 beds total: 92 inpatient beds and 480 residential treatment beds in three special housing units. Fitzgerald said the project is currently paused pending House concurrence, while the Senate has already agreed to the alternate plan, and noted the bond balance, prior expenditures, and the need to spend down the tax-exempt bond by August 2026. Members questioned how the new plan differs from the original facility, whether it satisfies the consent decree, and what caused the cost increases. Fitzgerald said the department believes it has already met the consent decree through systemwide improvements to housing, staffing, programming, and out-of-cell time, though he said he would confirm the court documentation. He also said the original scope grew from 275,000 to 350,000 square feet as treatment, nursing, security, and programming needs were refined, and that inflation, fees, permitting, and contingencies contributed to the higher cost. Several members asked for follow-up information on Senate approval, consent decree documentation, and the project’s impact on crisis-stabilization capacity. The committee then received a joint court-system presentation from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure and Clerks Corporation Executive Director Jason Welty on caseload trends, case tracking, and staffing. McClure described statewide filing trends, the use of weighted caseload studies to certify judicial need, and recent Supreme Court rule changes aimed at active civil case management, including differentiated case tracks, stricter deadlines, and proportional discovery. He said the latest workload study led the Supreme Court to certify a need for 23 circuit judges and 25 county judges. Welty reviewed clerk workload trends, the statewide case maintenance and CCIS systems, and declining clerk FTE despite rising case volumes, and said clerks are seeking additional funding for injunctions, Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator work, and juror management. In questions, members pressed both presenters on data quality, case-weight calculations, filing fees, and whether current resources are enough to reduce delays. McClure clarified that the workload weights are based on judge time studies and that a capital murder case averaged 3,177 minutes, while other examples such as auto negligence and dissolution cases were much lower. Welty said the Legislature could help by increasing funding or potentially revisiting filing fees, and noted that many clerk services are unfunded or underfunded, especially indigent and protective filings. The chair and members also raised concerns about backlog, inconsistent case reporting across circuits, and enforcement of judicial time standards; McClure said there is no direct sanction in the rules, and compliance is largely managed through chief judges and the Supreme Court. The meeting ended with no votes taken and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• study. Is there any further discussion? study. Is there any further discussion?
• The motion of refer to in interm study The motion of refer to in interm study is<00:59:49.200>
• . studies. studies.
• ask that you vote down interterm study. ask that you vote down interterm study.
• motion of refer to interimm study fails. motion of refer to interimm study fails.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrent Resolution 31 by Representative Domain, which requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study
• I am here today to present HCR 31, which requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study a word that
• It came about as a result of a resolution that asked us to study the legal standards for modification
• It requests the Louisiana State Law Institute to study the use of trusts with extended durations and
• This gives them the authority to go in and do a basic study of some of the...

Summary: The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure met and reported a series of measures, many of them asking the Louisiana State Law Institute to study legal issues. HCR 31 was reported favorably to study the use of the term “foreign” as applied to juridical persons. HCR 61 was reported favorably after discussion about expropriation and carbon capture, with the author agreeing to broaden the study beyond carbon capture alone. HCR 96 was also reported favorably to study civil bench warrants and notice procedures in judgment debtor proceedings. The committee likewise advanced HCR 160, which asks the Law Institute to study property transfer issues and the public records doctrine in light of a recent case. Several bills dealing with court procedure and family law were heard and advanced. SB 68, a constitutional amendment to give the Louisiana Supreme Court authority to discipline out-of-state attorneys in certain circumstances, was amended and reported favorably. SB 76, concerning modification of child custody judgments, was reported with amendments after testimony that it would codify existing standards and add a five-year rule for applying the lower best-interest standard. HB 1198, which prohibits arbitration of child custody and visitation disputes and limits recognition of foreign custody laws contrary to Louisiana public policy, was reported favorably. SB 66, which prioritizes testimony from medical experts in child custody and child-in-need-of-care cases, was also reported favorably after testimony from advocates and medical groups. The committee also advanced measures involving civil litigation and state legal procedures. HCR 38, urging Congress to reform FISA and the FISA court to protect privacy rights, was reported favorably. SCR 19, asking the Law Institute to study long-duration trusts and possible revisions to the Trust Code, was reported favorably. SB 336, allowing civil investigative demands in Medicaid fraud/False Claims Act investigations, was reported favorably after explanation that it would let the Attorney General gather information without filing suit first. SB 139, adjusting interest on personal injury and wrongful death claims against the state or political subdivisions, was reported favorably. Finally, SB 475, dealing with fees for service of process, was reported favorably. HB 668 was voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures stability and consistency of service for students with disabilities and provides for the study
• A study in 2025 discussed 23,000 occurrences per year.
• In December 2025, a white paper study conducted by Everetics examined reading growth using the Lexile
• What that study demonstrated was significant.
• Are there any anticipated costs to this study? Mr.

Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• It waters it down to a study by DOT. Okay, members, do we have any questions on the amendment?
• Just for clarity's sake, is it a strike-all that just creates a study of the issue itself?
• A study by DOT that'll review the emerging technologies in railway crossing safety.
• And we are in support of the study.
• In fact, I look forward to the study. I wish we were doing something right now.

Transcript Highlights:

• Listen to the first reading of the bill. >> S. 325, an act relating to studying the creation of model
• <00:07:33.599> the >> S 325, an act relating to studying the >> S 325, an act
• relating to studying the creation<00:07:34.240> of<00:07:34.479> model<00:07:34.880>
• He completed a Master of Arts in East Asian studies at Yale University in 1993.
• masterers of arts in East Asian studies masterers of arts in East Asian studies at<00:12:32.320>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was part of the committee that worked on that task force to study it.
• My expert witness is Annie Armitage from... the Legislative Education Study Committee.
• Is that we need to study the issue.
• "Quote, unquote," study the effectiveness of this.
• Chair and Madam Chair, I think Have we done any studies?

Transcript Highlights:

• interim study. interim study.
• I would like to get this bill study.
• The motion interim study passes 171. Uh, this concludes the ...
• Mayor, interim study. I thought interim study. We're not going to vote interim study on the ...
• Interim study. I thought interim study. We're not going to vote interim study on the ...

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So these studies moved me to get rid of my gas stove.
• These studies have been going on since the 1980s.
• These studies have been going on since the 1980s, maybe the 1970s.
• These studies have been going on since the 1980s.
• These studies have been going on since the 1980s, maybe 70s.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened with logistical remarks about testimony procedures, time limits, accessibility supports, and the large number of witnesses. The first bill discussed was H. 451, which would allow professional license applicants who do not have a Social Security number to use an ITIN instead. Supporters said the bill would help qualified workers, especially immigrants, enter licensed trades and professions without lowering training or testing standards, while addressing workforce shortages. Committee members asked a few questions, and the bill was framed as a uniform statewide licensing reform. The bulk of the hearing focused on S. 210 and H. 1278, two bills aimed at improving wheelchair repair and warranty protections. Supporters included the Attorney General’s Office, disability advocates, wheelchair users, clinicians, and legislators, who described long repair delays, missed work and medical appointments, loss of independence, hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and other harms caused by broken wheelchairs and slow service. They argued for stronger timelines, two-year warranties, required parts availability, loaner chairs, and enforcement mechanisms, with H. 1278 modeled on a Connecticut-style repair deadline and S. 210 focused on warranty protections. Several witnesses emphasized that wheelchairs are essential medical equipment, not ordinary consumer goods. Opposition came from NCart, which said it supports solutions but raised concerns that the bills, as written, could be difficult to implement for complex rehab technology. NCart said some warranty provisions may not fit wear-and-tear components and noted that MassHealth has already taken steps such as preventive maintenance, reduced prior authorization, and transportation support. Other witnesses and advocates countered that the current market is dominated by a few profitable companies and that the legislature needs to impose clear standards because voluntary fixes have not worked. The committee also heard testimony on S. 195, a toxic-free kids bill from Senator Comerford and Representative Hawkins, which would restrict PFAS and other toxic chemicals in children’s products and create disclosure and phase-out requirements. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, to put a finer point on the Title 25 piece, having studied it for years...
• We did a study not too long ago.
• I think we'd have to study it out a little bit.
• Um, there was a study in Rhode Island done from the years 2008 to 2012.
• Um, so we'll forward to LSO a study that was done probably six years ago.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• means is not, not a single damn product that goes into the operating room ever had a human safety study
• Of making awareness and actually having the scientific studies showing what's actually in our food and
• No, they're safe because there have been numerous peer-review studies and scientific studies, not just
• We commend the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee's charge to study the role that ultra-processed foods
• Including the study of macronutrients, micronutrients, therapeutic diets, advanced clinical nutrition

Bills: HB25, HB38

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, interest rate, ad valorem taxes, homesteads, property tax, tax deferral