Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee, just for your reference, we also included in the meeting materials
• Chairman, members of the committee, just for your reference, we also included in the meeting materials
• And um you Wyoming has historically And um you Wyoming has historically really<02:43:51.359>
• But historically, the communities could come together and they worked really well together.
• Historically, these were on the consent list.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Introduction and reference of bills will be deferred.
• University, a historically black college in Oklahoma, but he was soon drafted to the US Army.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that what that amount is that you're referring to, the lump sum? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• program, and this year we don't include any reference to that.
• It actually refers back to Section 106.
• This fixes the directory clause references. Senator Leak, you are recognized. Thank you.
• This fixes the directory clause references to subsection numbers. That is the amendment.

Bills: S2500, S2502, S2504, S7028, S2506, S2508, S2510, S2512, S2514, S2516, S2518, S0482, S0678, S0984, S1016, S1074, S1706, S7030

Keywords: budget, appropriation, education funding, healthcare, environmental protection, infrastructure, local government, Appropriations Act, funding, education, rural development, economic assistance, collective bargaining, state employees, labor relations, impasse resolution, negotiations, retirement, elected officials, Deferred Retirement Option Program

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, overall, there are different ways that state funding flows to public schools, and they're referred
• Chairman, I think you're correct that historically House Bill 2 has used the word average, and that's
• This bill does focus on reading and the parts that you're referring to.
• We specifically reference positive behavior intervention supports, right, Mr. Chairman? And John.
• Representative, are you referring to the office within PED, Mr. Chairman, and John?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there are others that might be in a better position to explain the historical perspective than
• And if you want to reference that while you testify, that's fine.
• And if you want to reference that while you testify, that's fine.
• Vice Chair, are you referring to what public schools can do to improve those scores? Sure. Mr.
• Chair, Representative Sandoval, the 2,000 that I referred to were the number of audits that we conduct

Bills: HB2352, HB2388, HB2418, HB2499, HB2500, HB2579, HB2584, HB2804

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to give a little bit of historical context for the rural unit.
• The context has been given, the historical context.
• So, based on that, we're referring these types of processes back to PEC and their governing councils,
• Chair, Representatives, so if you refer to page four of the LAC analysis... Oh, sorry, Mr.
• Let's bolster up our counselors at the school site so teachers can refer to the counselors.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Jordan moved that Senate File Number 1740 and House Law Number 1306, now on the general register, be referred
• We have this saying in our culture because historically, or even now, we are a people with no actual
• I'd just like to refer now to Co-Chair Moeller to describe her plans for the bill.
• to 124, paragraph 2, but I heard the point of order being raised under 124, paragraph 1, which references
• Our interpretation is that it refers to how the ruling of the Speaker can be overturned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do these millions of deaths rate any historical awareness?
• historical historical awareness<00:22:38.840> uh<00:22:39.120> Reagan<00:22:39.720>
• it would help provide some historical it would help provide some historical context<00:34:06.080
• They said they were not familiar with those discussions, but if the member was referring to the 306s,
• <01:06:44.839> trust three reasons first the historical trust three reasons first the historical

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic. Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience. A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislative people refer to it as OP3.
• The legislative<00:04:29.240> people<00:04:29.520> refer<00:04:29.840> to<00:04:
• legislative people refer to it as OP3. legislative people refer to it as OP3.
• what have traditionally historically what have traditionally historically been<01:16:25.080>
• And this is what we refer to as our high-risk opioid prescriptions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 149 be amended as followed and, as amended, be referred to the Committee on Appropriations
• Sheel. bills 15 as amended and 124 be referred bills 15 as amended and 124 be referred to<00:59:48.480
• to the committee on referred to the committee on appropriations<00:59:53.680> with<00:59:53.839
• Native survivors are significantly less likely to access traditional western services due to historical
• due to historical trauma, lack of<01:44:57.920> culturally<01:44:58.480> appropriate<01

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and heard several committee and floor announcements about upcoming hearings. The chamber then took up House Resolution 1006, a resolution honoring Colorado law enforcement officers. The resolution was read at length and supported by Representatives Woo and Clifford, who emphasized officers’ service, public safety role, and the need for community trust. Several members spoke in favor, including Representative Bacon, who tied the resolution to broader discussions of policing, transparency, body cameras, and community relationships. The resolution passed unanimously, 60-0, with five excused. After the resolution, the House received committee reports and then considered Senate Bill 143, which renames the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee to honor Senator Faith Winter. Supporters, including Representatives Wilford and Garcia, said the change recognizes Winter’s commitment to youth leadership and civic engagement and does not alter the committee’s function or create new costs. The bill passed on a voice vote. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 124, which updates the automated protection order notification system by requiring the Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System, in addition to CBI, to provide information needed for notifications. The House then considered House Bill 1421, concerning prohibiting certain compensation arrangements in the legal profession and creating the Colorado Legal Practice Integrity and Fee Sharing Prohibition Act. Sponsors said the bill is aimed at preventing non-lawyer ownership and fee-sharing arrangements that could let outside investors influence legal strategy, while clarifying that it does not interfere with court regulation of the profession. Supporters from the business community argued it addresses profit-driven incentives in litigation, while one member objected to the late-night committee process and the number of amendments. The Judiciary Committee report was adopted, and the bill was then debated further as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And historically we would have people come into port in Portsouth and they would carry these in their
• <00:14:11.199> Um<00:14:11.959> and<00:14:12.959> historically<00:14:13.920>
• Um and historically we fishing line out.
• Um and historically we would<00:14:14.399> have<00:14:14.639> people<00:14:14.880> come
• specific reference to the concept<00:30:56.000> of<00:30:56.399> interstate<00:30:57.200

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, most frequently recipients of this program are referred to it by social workers at VA hospitals
• to it uh by by program are referred to it uh by by social<00:03:18.239> workers<00:03:18.560>
• Clients have also shared that they may<00:15:51.680> not<00:15:52.000> historically<00:
• have been the main may not historically have been the main meal<00:15:53.680> preparer<00:15:
• We can refer to therapists statewide.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Um, I believe that's what they're referring to.
• And so this is changing it referring to.
• It's historic, and I don't remember why, but it's been done for ages and it doesn't make a whole lot
• > remember<01:07:10.240> why,<01:07:10.640> but historic.
• And I don't remember why, but historic.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will be referred to their appropriate standing committees.
• Senate Bill 641, Senator Quarterman, State procurement exceptions, historic preservation services.
• <00:12:17.760> preservation,<00:12:18.480> archaeology,<00:12:19.600> or historic
• preservation, archaeology, or historic preservation, archaeology, or conservation<00:12:20.360> service
• members of the State Police Retirement System and Law Enforcement Officers Pension System, which I will refer

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 16, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on Monday, March 16th, with an invocation focused on safety during storms, support for first responders, and recognition of Women’s History Month. A quorum was present, and the President noted the chamber was preparing for a very busy week, with possible double sessions and a Saturday session if needed. The House message on House Bill 297, concerning adult education and high school diploma pathways, was received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The chamber then took up several committee reports, mostly adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the bills advanced to third reading were SB 85 on use of Information Technology Investment Fund revenues, SB 520 on public safety spending flexibility in charter counties, SB 558 creating a Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program, SB 641 on procurement exceptions for historic preservation services, SB 647 establishing a catastrophic disability benefit tier for certain law enforcement retirement members, SB 654 raising the State Police mandatory retirement age to 62 and adjusting DROP rules, and SB 668 on Children’s Cabinet funding for local management boards. SB 756, a Baltimore City PILOT/tax exemption bill for a Downtown Rise District project, was also advanced. Several bills were special ordered to allow time for amendments or further discussion. SB 334 on machine gun convertible pistols was special ordered to the next day after members said amendments were not ready. SB 309, concerning a statewide sales and use tax exemption for precious metal bullion or coins, was also special ordered for the next day so members could add co-sponsors. SB 818 on State Center development contract requirements and an advisory group was special ordered to the appropriate time the next day after discussion of its community input and federal-law compliance provisions. The Budget and Taxation Committee then reported on the fiscal 2027 operating budget, SB 282, and the budget reconciliation and financing act, SB 284. The committee chair said the budget left a $250 million cash surplus and $2.2 billion in the rainy day fund, kept general fund spending below the current year, imposed no tax or fee increases, and funded priorities including behavioral health in schools, child care scholarships, local government disparity grants, nursing homes, developmental disabilities services, public schools, Medicaid, energy assistance, and economic development. Both SB 282 and SB 284, along with their committee amendments, were laid over until the next day for second reading debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• One more reference like that, and you're gone. Indictments are easy to get.
• What I'm referring to is the voters who get an early ballot by mail, fill out that early ballot, and
• That is what I'm referring to as it's almost looking for a problem to find.
• That is what I'm referring to as it's almost looking for a problem to find.
• Chair, members, the IMF sets a... my apologies, may I reference my notes for a second?

Bills: HB2009, HB2022, HCM2001, HCM2002, HCM2004, HCR2001, HM2001, HM2004

Keywords: campaign contributions, foreign contributions, constitutional amendments, public disclosure, Arizona Revised Statutes, elections, voter registration, provisional ballots, primary election, voter participation, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress, Arizona, domestic security, CAIR, terrorist organization

Transcript Highlights:

• Johns River, described as super green by the Riverkeeper, with outbreaks of TMDL noncompliance at historically
• Overdorf: Could you explain a little bit about what international drug reference pricing is?
• International drug reference pricing is a tool where governments benchmark prices of the drug by comparing
• But in countries that rely on foreign reference pricing, lower prices are achieved by restricting or
• POLICIES THAT RAPID PATIENT ACCESS,   488 BUT IN COUNTRIES THAT RELY ON FOREIGN  REFERENCE

Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where's that sweet spot that was referred to, around that 62%?
• Um, I think we would probably be best served looking at that information, um, that Carlos is referring
• rather than prospectively trying to determine how... ...much of what the model costs, so to speak, historically
• And you can probably get it historically.
• So in that reference... What we do there. So, in that reference, just some quick numbers.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure if you're referring to it. Is the proposal included at their request?
• And the state has historically scored below the national average on the National Assessment of Educational
• And the state has historically scored below the national average on the national assessment of education
• I know maybe some people don't like to refer to it as that, but certainly the first step in school.
• Are you referring to freshly prepared on site? Thank you. Freshly prepared on-site meals.

Summary: The committee heard a series of budget proposals focused on education finance, with repeated questions about whether the state’s investments are coordinated, targeted to the highest-need students, and likely to produce measurable results. On the first item, the administration proposed $1 million for a study of California’s curriculum framework, standards, and instructional materials process, plus $250,000 for supplemental ELA/ELD guidance. CDE and Finance said the study would examine how other states organize standards, frameworks, and adoptions, while the chair and members questioned why California has gone so long without updating some standards, what the study would actually accomplish, and whether the proposal was too vague to justify the cost. The issue was held open. The committee then took up a proposed $25 million statewide literacy network within the system of support. CCEE and CDE said the network would coordinate multiple existing literacy leads, create a clearinghouse of evidence-based resources, and improve coherence across the state’s many literacy initiatives. Members pressed on how a one-time, five-year allocation could support a long-term system, how the work would reach distressed and rural districts, and whether the proposal would translate into classroom change rather than just another layer of coordination. The issue was also held open. Next, the committee reviewed a $500 million proposal to expand literacy coaches and reading specialists and to create a math coaches program. CDE described the existing literacy coach cohorts as producing positive reports from participating LEAs, while the LAO recommended modifications, especially for the math coach portion, including limiting eligibility to elementary schools, setting minimum grant amounts, directing funds to eligible school sites, and making eligibility automatic rather than application-based. Members focused on whether coaches were actually being placed at the schools with the greatest need and whether the state has a coherent long-term strategy for literacy and math investments. The committee also heard a $40 million proposal for training and implementation of K-2 reading difficulty screeners, which the LAO said was reasonable but could be reduced because $25 million had already been provided for training; CDE said the new funds were needed for full implementation, procurement, and sustainability. Finally, the committee heard a $10 million proposal for a developmentally appropriate TK multilingual learner screener, with CDE explaining why the preschool language-identification process is different from K-12 EL assessment and the chair asking staff to explore whether a single, more consistent approach could be developed. The meeting concluded with a presentation on universal school meals and kitchen infrastructure, including a $31.5 million backfill, an $84.1 million increase for projected meal growth, a COLA adjustment, and $150 million for kitchen upgrades and training to support freshly prepared meals.

Transcript Highlights:

• In making this addition, the state can correct a longstanding injustice tribes have his historically
• Current law gives the California Department of Let's decide regulation, I'll refer to it in the future
• With this significant role, 401s historically were issued by the state board, but in 2012, this authority
• We actually, and I'd like to actually also, pardon me, refer to committee member Castillo.
• I could refer you, member Castillo, to two different Kratom brands, one called Donuts Kratom, one called

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So one big thing that we assumed is that there's money coming from the switching from historical horse
• Um, I didn't refer to um the overview.
• That's how I refer to it throughout. We are a self-funded agency.
• That's how I refer to it two buckets. That's how I refer to it throughout. throughout. throughout.
• So historically the to the general fund.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all