Transcript Highlights:

• And then also, if the counties could come up with a global intake procedure for...
• and patient care as well.
• So, cost, value, and outcomes—quality of patient care.
• Rebates been passed down to patients? You talked about pharmacies.
• So the specific dollar amount for how much those patients saved, I don't have.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know exactly how important they are, that I can stay at bedside with my patient, my sick patient, while
• The ED was full with many sick patients, the waiting room was packed.
• We prefer to keep patients as close as we can.
• And therefore, it does expand the reach of patient access to care.
• It absolutely expands patient access to safe care.

Bills: HB2014, HB2156, HB2180, HB2554, HCR2047, HR2002

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, agriculture, appropriation, University of Arizona, education, state budget, biennial budget, state funding, appropriations, budget procedures, fiscal years, Judea

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to ensure that everyone upon intake is afforded their rights.
• We want to ensure that everyone upon intake is afforded their rights, that they know they can contact
• We are your nurses and your patients, your teachers, and your students.
• We are small business... and your patients, your teachers, and your students.
• The Protect Act also ensures that those under ICE custody in our facilities have established intake rights

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority. Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to ensure that everyone upon intake is afforded their rights.
• We want to ensure that everyone upon intake is afforded their rights, that they know they can contact
• We are your nurses and your patients, your teachers and your students. We are small businesses.
• And your patients, your teachers and your students.
• The Protect Act also ensures that those under ICE custody in our facilities have established intake rights

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Something's very off there, if those figures are real. ...to patient care.
• need, and we had just caught up with our intakes.
• And we cleared the CIFCO backlogs, but fell behind again in the intakes.
• The wait list for an intake in our county is five months.
• Our intake timeliness has dropped from 94% in July to 33% in February.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our intake data.
• We've had a total of 675 total WISA intakes.
• This is our intake data. It August 2025. This is our intake data.
• Um and it gives you total WISA intakes.
• Um so the in the intake >> Yes madam chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I meet with judges, they sit there very patiently, but they're so ready to leave the room.
• Our courts and probate judges need more latitude to order longer-term treatments so these patients can
• We need to understand that anybody can be accused of anything, and psych intake has no record.
• we heal people or bring We need to understand that anybody can be accused of anything, and psych intake
• By requiring prompt access to legal counsel and making sure patients are informed of their rights, we

Bills: SB330, SB663, SB1020, SB1152, SB1164, SB1896, SB2111, SB2196, SB2383, SB2581, SB2797, SB2798, SB2371

Keywords: county funding, prosecutors' offices, elections, law enforcement, local government, community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 1020, Texas, personal bond office, pretrial release, electronic monitoring, GPS monitoring, global positioning system, bond conditions, probation, parole

Summary: The committee heard several criminal justice bills, with testimony largely focused on public safety, court procedures, and local criminal justice administration. SB 2371 would expand mandatory skimmer-reporting requirements from gas pumps to ATMs, point-of-sale systems, and virtual currency kiosks, with the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center saying centralized reporting would improve investigations, preserve evidence, and help identify organized criminal groups. SB 2581 would repeal a special law governing commissary funds in certain large counties; the sponsor and the Sheriff’s Association said it would restore parity with other counties while keeping spending subject to audit and inmate-benefit limits. Both bills were laid out and left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them at the hearing. The committee also heard SB 330, which would require voter approval before counties over a certain size reduce prosecutor funding, similar to an existing law for law enforcement budgets. Supporters argued prosecutors are essential to public safety and need stable funding, while an opponent from the Texas Civil Rights Project said the bill would restrict local budget flexibility and impose costly elections. SB 663 would remove district judges’ approval role for community supervision and corrections department budgets, replacing it with judge review after TDCJ-CJAD approval; probation officials said the change would reduce delays and confusion without reducing judicial oversight. SB 1020 would require more immediate sharing of ankle-monitor violation information and clarify that such records are not judicial work product; the Harris County DA’s office and Crime Stoppers supported it, citing inconsistent local practices and delays that can hinder prosecutions. The committee then took up SB 1164 on emergency detention and court-ordered mental health services. The bill, from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, would update emergency detention forms, clarify officer duties, allow filings in the county where a person is apprehended or located, and add a factor related to a person’s inability to recognize symptoms or appreciate treatment risks. Supporters included family members, law enforcement, and mental health and judicial witnesses who described cases where earlier intervention might have prevented tragedy; opponents warned the broader language could be misused and emphasized due process and the need for dangerousness to remain the standard. SB 2111 on indigent defense would expand access to counsel at first hearings, strengthen managed assigned counsel programs, create internships and fellowships, and adjust other defense-related procedures; the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and county defense program leaders supported it, while the committee substitute removed some provisions to reduce fiscal impact. Finally, SB 2383 would let recently retired DPS officers return to work in limited roles to help address staffing shortages, and SB 2797 would create reciprocal discovery requirements for criminal cases; prosecutors and some committee members said it would reduce trial surprise and improve truth-seeking, while others questioned whether the bill fully matched the state’s disclosure obligations and whether it could burden defense rights. Several bills were left pending after testimony, and the committee established a quorum later in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minute patient encounter, they spent between 15 to 20 minutes with the patient and around 10 to 15 minutes
• issues with patients.
• Even after patient encounters.
• manage patient loads?
• I think the awful part of that is we put the patient in the middle, and it's so confusing for patients

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to... ...who do so much, who intake almost every person who walks in the door.
• And Alexis has to answer a lot of those phone calls, and is patient, kind, caring, and...
• And Alexis has to answer a lot of those phone calls, and is patient, kind, caring, and...
• And Alexis has to answer a lot of those phone calls, and is patient, kind, caring, and...
• And Alexis has to answer a lot of those phone calls, and is patient, kind, caring, and... ...and is patient

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and then spent much of the opening portion of the session recognizing administrative assistants and other guests in the gallery, including a doctor of the day and a visiting robotics team. Members repeatedly thanked their staff for keeping offices and the chamber running, and one member also welcomed civic leaders from Buckeye and a foreign delegation connected to a circular economy forum. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole on a series of Senate bills. SB 1060, concerning voting eligibility for certain overseas-born children of service members, drew opposition from one member who argued it would disenfranchise military families; the bill still received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1093, described by opponents as an anti-protest bill, also received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1162 and SB 1270 were both advanced as amended after committee and floor/subfloor amendments, and SB 1814, dealing with substance use disorder-related issues, was amended with a friendly change and advanced with comments about the need for broader study and bipartisan work on fraud, waste, and abuse in that area. The House then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1345 and SB 1401. SB 1345 was amended to focus on licensure timing and DHS collaboration, then advanced. SB 1401, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, was amended after debate over affordability standards and public benefit; supporters said it would speed permitting and reduce housing costs, while critics wanted stronger affordability requirements. The bill was ultimately advanced as amended. The House also took up third reading on SB 1041, a health care institutions bill, where members explained yes votes by citing a recent abuse case in assisted living and arguing the measure would help protect vulnerable adults. The transcript ends during vote explanations on SB 1041.

Transcript Highlights:

• Affiliates of California, representing the seven Planned Parenthood affiliates across the state serving patients
• When you talk about patients who self-identify, what does that mean?
• Second, this bill strengthens data collection at intake.
• Second, this bill strengthens data collection at intake.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering why if we budgeted for I'm wondering why if we budgeted for 4,182 patient<00:04:14.319>
• in beds in nursing homes and we patient in beds in nursing homes and we have<00:04:19.359><c> 3,600.
• Littleton is closed to intake clients.
• c> closed</c><00:22:30.320><c> to</c><00:22:30.480><c> intake.
• </c> and Newport is closed to intake. and Newport is closed to intake.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item. The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well. The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.

Transcript Highlights:

• The questions as to how we bill patients.
• that are violent or uncooperative, obstetric patients within 20 weeks of gestation, any patient in need
• So now they just have a standing ED there, taking off those patients that could, but those ED patients
• patient.
• an intake form they have to fill out generally.

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it protects patients, the consumers, from the technology itself.
• In one instance, a patient of one of our members was screened by an AI intake tool.
• The patient relapsed before anyone caught the mistake. Those are just two examples.
• In one instance, a patient of one of our members was screens by an AI intake tool.
• In one instance, a patient of one of our members was screened by an AI intake tool.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , my sick patient, while they need to be transferred.
• The ED was full with many sick patients, the waiting room was packed.
• We prefer to keep patients as close as we can.
• And therefore, it does expand the reach of patient access to care.
• It absolutely expands patient access to safe care.

Summary: The committee first took up HCR 2047 and the identical companion H.R. 2002, both of which would direct state communications to use the terms Judea and Samaria instead of West Bank and affirm the historical, biblical, and legal legitimacy of those names. The sponsor and several proponents, including Jeff Schwartz, Jason Morris, Rabbi Pinchas Alouche, and Jake Bennett, argued that the language is historically accurate and that “West Bank” is a political term that erases Jewish history. No one testified against either measure. HCR 2047 passed 10-6, and H.R. 2002 passed 11-6, both with due pass recommendations. The committee then heard HB 2554, which would establish a biennial state budget process and biennial capital planning, shifting agencies to submit budget requests every other year and requiring the governor to propose a two-year executive budget. Sponsor Rep. Joseph Chaplik said the bill would make government smaller, more disciplined, and more efficient, reduce long budget sessions, and restore a part-time legislative model. JLBC staff provided historical context on Arizona’s past annual and biennial budgeting systems and noted that second-year budgets are often modified for revenue and caseload changes. Several members raised concerns about legislative leverage, flexibility, and whether the change would be constitutional or practical. The bill received a do-pass recommendation after debate. Next, HB 2014, as amended, would require ADEQ and the Department of Agriculture to study gasoline blend emissions and feasibility for seasonal fuel sales in certain areas, with appropriations for the studies. Sponsor Rep. Lisa Fink said the bill responds to fuel vulnerability in Maricopa County and possible supply disruptions tied to California refinery closures. Some members supported the concept but voted present or no, citing prior stakeholder work, cost, and uncertainty about whether the studies would change outcomes. The amended bill passed with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2180, as amended, appropriated funding for the AZ Reach hospital transfer program; Rep. Julie Willoughby and AZ Reach representatives said it helps rural hospitals transfer patients efficiently and keeps clinicians at the bedside. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the appropriation from $2.5 million to $500,000, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation after testimony from rural health providers. Finally, HB 2156, as amended, appropriated $250,000 to the livestock compensation fund to help ranchers with wolf depredation losses and conflict-avoidance measures. Game and Fish staff said the existing federal funding is unstable and insufficient, and the state fund helps compensate ranchers in rural Arizona. Some members supported the fund but opposed using general funds, citing budget constraints, transparency concerns, and wildlife conservation priorities. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• An admission, on average, we get about $1,500 per patient more if the patient is admitted versus an observation
• So we've had patients who, several patients who have utilized the ER in a three-month period more than
• So when we look at our self-pay patients, they do make up about 7 to 8% of our patient population, which
• to: OBH patient transitional housing?
• When you talk about OBH patient transitional housing, then you're conflating the same patients to go

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I sat here patiently listening to everybody.
• We've logged about a thousand new intakes.
• We've logged about a thousand new intakes.
• And that doesn't count the intakes that we've had from years before.
• These intakes give us a really good and detailed understanding of what's happening in I don't know.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• care trumps profitability, to focus on the care of the patients as opposed to when a patient comes in
• care trumps profitability to focus on the care of the patients as opposed to when a patient comes in
• that we give based on this as opposed to what does the patient really need.
• So the 800 allegations is our intake.
• Every member, every patient has rights and they have responsibilities.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey. The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know there is a high need as we continue to see food insecurity on intake forms of the clients.
• Upon intake, 26% of our clients report suicidal ideation. 28% report previous suicide attempts, and over
• The number of patients we are completing therapy in 14 sessions, which is also a significant point.
• I'm also a patient. I went through therapy at the VA. Unfortunately for me, EMDR was not offered.
• You've been so patient today.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then into August, she developed a team approach to complaint intake for the intake process.
• </c> complaint intake for the intake process. complaint intake for the intake process.
• now, I say to my patients, you patients now, I say to my patients, you know,<00:44:58.160><c> this</c
• These are not just our patients.
• </c> responsibility to patients on the line. responsibility to patients on the line.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• advised the person that doing the intake advised the person that a<00:51:19.520><c> false</c><00:51:
• where the person making the intakes where the person making the report<01:02:34.720><c> says</c><01:
• The amendment takes out the patient portals part. Now, what is in the portal?
• So, the portal will have communication between the doctor and the patient.
• It'll have and the patient. It'll have prescriptions<01:23:05.840><c> on</c><01:23:06.080><c> there.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all