Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Karen Phillips, and I work for Restore Hope.
• What used to work in 2005 doesn't necessarily work the same way in 2026.
• He works very closely with those individuals.
• What works so much for us is that we've worked with specialty courts, such as mental health treatment
• We're working hard.

Summary: The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with a focus on unsheltered homelessness, untreated mental illness and substance use, public safety, and the role of local law enforcement and shelters. Presenters from law enforcement, homeless service providers, mental health, and policy groups discussed federal Continuum of Care funding, the need for better data and accountability, and proposals such as statewide camping enforcement, stronger treatment access, and consolidating or reworking the continuum-of-care structure. Much of the discussion centered on the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, with witnesses describing it as a way to expand crisis services, treatment, and coordination with housing and justice systems. They also discussed homelessness among sex offenders, family homelessness, workforce supports, and how to scale successful local programs statewide. No formal action was taken on the homelessness proposals during the discussion. The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. The energy rule updated solid waste post-closure cleanup thresholds from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025. Nursing-related rules added fees for the new dialysis patient care technician registration created by Act 198 of 2025, updated contact-information requirements, implemented APRN authority under Act 862 of 2025, clarified durable medical equipment language under Act 431 of 2025, and incorporated delegation changes from Act 959 of 2025. Additional nursing rules updated certified medication assistant training and duties under Act 265 of 2025, and corrected rules for full independent practice to include clinical nurse specialists under Act 872 of 2023. Each rule was reviewed without objection. At the close of the meeting, members received an update that UAMS had completed its NCII designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, which was described as a major milestone. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Karen Phillips, and I work for Restore Hope.
• What used to work in 2005 doesn't necessarily work the same way in 2026.
• What used to work in 2005 doesn't necessarily work the same way in 2026.
• What works so much for us is that we've worked with specialty courts such as mental health treatment
• We're working hard.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While both proposals benefit working families, While both proposals benefit working families, this bill
• Could you give me an example of how that would work?
• It's a pilot program to see if it works, and I like that.
• I hope it works.
• We will continue our work again on Friday. Thank you all.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to work with you offline.
• I'm happy to work with you offline.
• And so we have a lot of work.
• I appreciate the work you do.
• I appreciate the work you do.

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where we finally have a model that works.
• who, who live and work on the Texas coast have been working together with the insurance industry to
• Uh, we are working on a committee substitute that will address more changes working with all the stakeholders
• in doing the work in order for this to work because you, you don't get credit for just slapping on the
• Uh, so, uh, the program does work.

Transcript Highlights:

• work plan and we're ready.
• So, uh, those two things is my, my request today to put in the work plan.
• So I, I would just, to go back to your work table, and thank you for all the work that you guys do.
• On the 3rd page of the work plan.
• they're lettered in the work plan recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot to bring employers in and show the work that we can do and show the quality of work for the
• Uh, we do work closely with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
• That being said, we are looking at programs where we can have interns work with us.
• working on it.
• Um, and so coming to work today, every day for them is, is, can be, can be scary.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is remarkable to watch you work.
• And know that we will need to do work around that.
• The 66-hour work week, in addition to addressing firefighter mental health and reducing the work week
• We look forward to working with all of you.
• Obviously, there is a lot to think about, a lot to work on, and we look forward to that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it worked. It worked big. In fact, since the creation of the Dallas tourism PID.
• there any that work in the private sector?
• We've seen this work through our partnership with TDHCA.
• And in the case of working with us, they would have an agency to work directly on those cases, although
• You know well that this model has worked in the past.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there are people working on that. There are companies working on that.
• I know there are people working on that. There are companies working on that.
• I know there are people working on that. There are companies working on that.
• I know there are people working on that. There are companies working on that.
• I know there are people working on that. There are companies working on that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I believe the work you all do and the work we do as a school board is rooted in compromise.
• I think we did great work last year.
• The two-year biennium that we worked on, but I will say, we did amazing work in increasing the amount
• I work in a very large school district, so that's another one.
• Representative Keillor and I have worked with multiple stakeholders.

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• work of the organization?
• /c><00:04:51.360> of<00:04:51.520> the your work um and the work of the your work um and
• the work of the organization?
• have worked for many years with work and have worked for many years with plant<00:20:40.159> management
• work and the work it may impact uh your work and the work of<00:26:39.360> your<00:26:40.000>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have to work those extra hours.
• But, you know, that's something that I did and it worked.
• And, you know, it took 10 years of working in the state.
• They don't to worry about working as many hours.
• work with them.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, right now we're working on the design.
• So we're just working administratively to do that.
• Working capital would not decline materially throughout the forecast range.
• You can think of working capital as sort of like the reserves.
• We worked very closely with the Assembly last year on AB 432.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on five health-related budget items. First, members reviewed state support for distressed hospitals and health facilities. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a lifeline for 16 hospitals, many of which remain financially strained and are expected to seek loan forgiveness rather than repayment. Speakers cited reduced contract labor, new service lines, strategic partnerships, and the reopening of Madera Hospital as signs of progress, but also warned that federal policy changes under H.R. 1 will likely increase uncompensated care and pressure emergency departments. Public commenters from hospital, dental, and consumer groups supported additional funding, including a request to refresh the program with another $300 million. The committee then heard HCAI’s update on the California Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded at $233.6 million for California. HCAI said the program will focus on rural care models, workforce development, and health technology, with grants to be rolled out on a fast timeline and all funds obligated by October 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about rural provider capacity to apply for grants, and HCAI said it will use a third-party administrator, a technical assistance center, webinars, and other supports to help applicants. HCAI also presented its budget request for the health care payments database, seeking ongoing non-General Fund support to continue operations and expand data, including pharmacy benefit manager data. The Emergency Medical Services Authority presented three budget change proposals: funding to replace disaster medical services fleet vehicles, funding for IT security work, and additional positions for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. A member also raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the annual ambulance rate reporting required by AB 716, and EMSA said it remains committed to the requirement but lost prior funding through later budget reductions. Covered California reported that it is still finalizing its own budget, but expects a lower operating budget due to efforts to reduce baseline costs and align spending with actual expenditures; it also projected enrollment declines tied to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and federal rule changes, while noting that revenues may still rise because premiums are expected to increase. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined budget proposals tied to menopause coverage and education, PBM licensure and enforcement under AB 116 and SB 41, credentialing reforms under AB 1041, and prior authorization reporting under SB 306. Public testimony generally supported the menopause and PBM proposals, while also urging clearer language and attention to Medi-Cal parity. The hearing concluded after public comment, including additional advocacy for sickle cell services and rural health workforce funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope we can still work together.
• This is obviously a work in progress.
• democracy work.
• Diplomacy works.
• This may not be temporary.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is really a bill that I'm hoping in this cycle I can sort of complete some work that I worked
• This is a bill I actually worked with this very committee.
• I heard the opposition say they're really interested in working with you.
• today, try to work through some of those issues as it moves forward.
• Doesn't work.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now we're working on the design.
• So we're just working administratively to do that.
• You can think of working capital as sort of like the reserves.
• We worked very closely with the Assembly last year on AB 432.
• We worked very closely with the assembly last year on AB 432.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've worked around some condemnation.
• I finally got the appraisal, but it took this amount of work.
• I assume y'all were working with...
• it works, and if it doesn't work ...
• Work, then you obviously have the ability to come back.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this temporary provision would give us. a little wiggle room to work with them to ensure compliance
• We have a lot of local non-profits that we work with.
• The pilot program worked; food truck operators liked it.
• It was beautiful, and these are working horses. If they don't work, then they're put down.
• So we do not work.

Bills: HB386, HB1449, HB1701, HB2142, HB2675, HB2857, HB3063, HB3171, HB3641, HB3732, HB4045, HB4370, HB4491, HB4505, HB4626, HB5267, HB5356

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• We all know how this works.
• I want to thank Senator Martin for working within this process and working... with a plethora of stakeholders
• Senate Bill 1620 is the work of.
• We worked with and sent it to the House.
• I AM SO PROUD OF THE WORK YOU'VE DONE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all