Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully urge your support for this initiative and the creation of the veteran services grant fund
• I respectfully urge your support for this initiative and the creation of the veteran services grant fund
• services.
• Again, that's not ...and community-based mental health and support services.
• We still have additional services like ophthalmology and some other service.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 27 and first took up House Bill 175 and its companion House Bill 165, both dealing with lottery proceeds for veterans. HB 175 was amended to create a Veterans Service Grant Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs and direct $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund, with unused money returned to the lottery proceeds fund that supports the MFP. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, The Boot Louisiana, LDVA Secretary Charlton McGinley, and Bastion Veterans Organization, argued the grants would help veteran services, workforce placement, mental health, housing, entrepreneurship, and retention of veterans in Louisiana. Members raised concerns about drawing from lottery proceeds that traditionally support education, but the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 175 favorably as amended. HB 165, the constitutional amendment companion, was also amended for technical and ballot-language changes and then reported favorably as amended for voter consideration. The committee then considered House Bill 457, which would authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal to set minimum housing standards for homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes. The sponsor said the bill responded to a state auditor recommendation and to unsafe conditions in some facilities; he also explained an amendment changing the Fire Marshal’s duties from mandatory to permissive to reduce fiscal impact and allow agencies flexibility. Some members questioned whether local standards already existed and how enforcement and funding would work, while others supported the need for statewide minimum standards for human housing. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 457 favorably as amended. House Bill 488, by Representative Brough, sought to create a Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using recurring severance tax revenues from Plaquemines Parish to help buy out the Belle Chasse toll bridge and end what the sponsor described as excessive tolls and fees. He and several local witnesses, including business owners, a YMCA representative, and a parish council member, testified that the tolling arrangement had harmed access, businesses, and quality of life. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the revenue source and then reported HB 488 favorably as amended. House Bill 566, which would prohibit state funds from supporting net-zero greenhouse gas initiatives tied to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, drew significant debate over whether it would interfere with agency funding and economic development efforts; the sponsor argued the plan lacked legislative approval and should be repudiated, while members urged caution and suggested hearing from affected agencies. The sponsor agreed to consider deferring the bill, and the committee did not advance it at that time. House Bill 603, a constitutional amendment authorizing investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals, was discussed as a way to hedge inflation and preserve value; members asked about limits and safeguards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then began hearing House Bill 763, a transparency measure creating a public database for settlement agreements involving state agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in here our comprehensive family support services, our home visiting, some newborn navigation
• We help support them so that they know how to get access to the services they need and support them in
• Child and Family Services support home visitors who help identify goals for themselves, including planning
• support.
• child and the Child and Family Services child and Family<01:48:53.679> Support<01:48:54.599><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Chairman, thank you, and again, thanks for your support and partnership. Your service as well.
• The Texas A&M Forest Service brings four-wheel drive motor graders to the fight in the panhandle to support
• But if there's no service, there's no service. I see.
• River authorities can play a strong role in flood warning by supporting the National Weather Service
• GBRA supports these initiatives by contributing our observed rainfall data to the National Weather Service

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask for your favorable support.
• So thank you for your support.
• I see your husband here supporting you, your family supporting you.
• He came to support the bill.
• He came to support the bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged. The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wen, in support. Cecilia Wang in support. Marilyn Matsunaga in support.
• Lauren Zerbal in support. support. Lauren Zerbal in support.
• Frink, Department of Health in support. support. support.
• Casier in support. Elento in support. Casier in support. Elento in support.
• and just wanted to underscore services and just wanted to underscore our<00:42:23.040> support

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several health-related measures. SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance drew support from the Department of Health, healthcare organizations, and others, with DOH explaining the bill would formalize a surveillance program that has helped with real-time flu tracking and response to events like the Maui fires. A member raised privacy concerns from opponents, and DOH responded that the data are deidentified and do not include Social Security numbers or dates of birth. No votes were taken on the bill in the portion provided. SB 3134 on emergency medical systems of care received broad support from SHIPA, DOH, military and EMS representatives, and others, who said it would modernize the EMS system. SB 3136 on lead materials and water infrastructure was also supported by DOH and SHIPA; members asked whether the bill would allow Hawaii to keep stronger standards if federal drinking water rules were weakened, and DOH said the state would not have to follow weaker federal standards as long as Hawaii remained as stringent or more stringent. SB 3138 on independent audits of deposit beverage distribution drew support from DOH and several industry groups, but with amendments to reduce burdens on small businesses, raise the audit threshold, and modernize reporting; opponents also testified. DOH later clarified that the measure would affect a limited number of distributors and said it is working on an electronic submission system, though not yet for audit filings. SB 3139 concerning SHIPA was supported by SHIPA and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, while HMSA suggested one provision should remain under the insurance commissioner’s purview. SHIPA said the bill is about collaboration and a broader health vision, not regulation, and members indicated they were comfortable with removing the disputed portion. SB 3207 on background checks drew support from healthcare providers but opposition from the Attorney General and DOH. Supporters argued the FBI fingerprinting requirement is costly, duplicative, and difficult to schedule, while opponents said the bill would improperly shift fingerprint collection authority to hospitals and other facilities and could conflict with federal law. The committee engaged in extended questioning about costs, federal requirements, and whether the mandate would be passed on to patients; no final action is reflected in the excerpt. The committee then began SB 2271 on hospital licensing, with support from SHIPA, the Developmental Disabilities council, healthcare groups, Kaiser Permanente, and DOH, and commenters said the bill would allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance through CMS-recognized accreditation, with a suggested wording change to “approved” accrediting organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is permanent supportive housing through the Behavioral Health Services department.
• We are, um, a provider of the supportive services for this program.
• Individual housing with the supportive services provided so that could be supportive services on site
• services or other providers providing services on site and then with permanent supportive housing voucher
• certainly um funding for supportive services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Melissa Hardy, the division director for long-term supports and services at the department.
• concept that we can all support. concept that we can all support.
• I'm the division director for long-term supports and services.
• Um, so good morning, Melissa Hardy, the division director for long-term supports and services, and, redundantly
• Um, so good morning, Melissa Hardy, the division director for long-term supports and services, and, redundantly

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond that, there are many other people who travel with service animals and service dogs that serve
• If it's not a dog, it's not a service animal.
• There are two primary reasons why we support the bill.
• I am the President and CEO of Equity Services Inc.
• And we are strongly supportive of Senate Bill 2782.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking ahead, your support, your support, Ongoing support for an essential local workforce.
• The housing and the education and training and other support services that are in these communities are
• We can provide the services to support those developments.
• Michael Henning, California Alliance of Child and Family Services and Support. Mr.
• Survivor-centered supportive services and housing options are critical for creating long-term safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• support.
• I think the Health Services Association of Community Colleges clearly stated that they, while they support
• Yep, in support. Thank you. Sarah Free, nurse for 30 years, in support.
• Byre, in strong support. Osir, with U.S. Expired. Support.
• Osainu Jeanne, with US Fire, in strong support. Support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Chairman, thank you, and again, thanks for your support and partnership, as well as your service.
• The Texas A&M Forest Service brings four-wheel drive motor graders to the fight in the Panhandle to support
• But if there's no service, there's no service. I see.
• River authorities can play a strong role in flood warning by supporting the National Weather Service
• Service.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what is supporting that $370,000 ask.
• And that's what is supporting that $370,000 ask.
• need and give them the support they need.
• In addition to that, we contract with mental health services.
• services.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the clerks of court. FDLE outlined 28 legislative budget requests for fiscal year 2026-27, including funding for a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology and data system upgrades, moving several programs off uncertain federal grants, expanding the wellness office, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, cybersecurity, forensic equipment, digital forensics, criminal history modernization, training, and the SAFE fentanyl enforcement program. Members asked about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, the role of body cameras and masking, public records request burdens on local agencies, and the status of Fibers and the Uniform Arrest Affidavit systems. FDLE said the misconduct data covers all sworn officers and corrections personnel, that many cases would not be affected by body cameras because they involve off-duty conduct or internal matters, and that it is working with agencies and vendors to improve participation in reporting systems. DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh updated the committee on the Florida Scholars Academy, describing the new unified education system across 39 residential facilities. He reported first-year enrollment, course completions, graduations, and compliance results, and said the program now provides in-person and blended instruction, individualized support, mental health services, and career and technical education. He also discussed staffing shortages in some detention facilities, the need for more residential beds, and the importance of recognizing and supporting staff. In response to questions, he explained how the program addresses students with disabilities and behavioral needs through one-on-one instruction, paraprofessionals, and immediate mental health support. The clerks of court presented a budget request centered on funding shortfalls and rising costs. Clerk and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels despite increased statutory duties, higher postage and staffing costs, and growing workloads in priority case types such as injunctions for protection and other high-risk matters. The clerks requested $22 million in direct appropriations, including support for due process costs, jury management, and staffing for 37 new judges approved last session. Members also asked about Senate Bill 532, which Butterfield described as a CPI-based measure to update court fines and fees that have remained unchanged since 2008. The committee took no votes on the presentations and adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once the rural air service enhancement money has been encumbered, $17 million remains to support 2026
• We do support non-operating expenses through the State Road Fund, provides debt service to the New Mexico
• We provide passenger rail service that reduces traffic congestion, and we also support Target Zero by
• These include charter services, towing services, and other kinds of businesses that move property, such
• service from their airport to another commercial service airport.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so grateful to the committee for its longstanding support in the Senate support for court system
• And we have the support of services with their families or with other supports that are there and don't
• A gate of in forensic services and criminal justice information services with bad and Pollard Deputy
• certain disciplines and all of our additional services while supplementing the services to the county
• But thank you to your support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second large area, again an intersecting area of research, is long-term services and supports.
• and other long-term services and supports like housing.
• Who are, I guess, interested in understanding both who needs long-term services and supports, or LTSS
• There's likely many people who are receiving services or supports through alternative sources.
• But so this is looking at what adults in the United States need long-term services and supports, and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. Monica Mitra introduced the institute’s work on disability health equity and long-term services and supports, and staff described several research centers focused on community living policy, disability and pregnancy, and parents with disabilities. The presentation emphasized participatory research, accessible dissemination, and the connection between health equity and access to home- and community-based services. Joe Caldwell discussed the Community Living Policy Center’s work on Medicaid HCBS, the direct care workforce crisis, housing, and policy advocacy, including efforts related to the Money Follows the Person program and the Medicaid access rule’s interested parties advisory group. Sid Pickern highlighted a workforce study interviewing direct care workers, a forthcoming policy brief on the access rule, and housing research including Massachusetts’ Alternative Housing Voucher Program. Teresa Nguyen described the Community Living Equity Center’s focus on disparities in community living for people of color, especially a study on self-direction and community living outcomes, and asked for help recruiting participants. Lauren Bixby demonstrated the community living data dashboard, which compares adults who need LTSS with those receiving Medicaid LTSS using ACS and TMSIS data. She explained that the dashboard can be filtered by state and demographics, but noted major race and ethnicity data gaps for Massachusetts and other states. Commissioners praised the dashboard and the institute’s work, asked questions about data sources and the 1115 waiver, and discussed possible connections to the Health Equity Compact. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with an invitation for follow-up, including a forthcoming direct care workforce brief and the institute’s October 28 lecture.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:44.560> staff more knowledgeable human services staff more knowledgeable human services
• services it's intended for, not fraud. services it's intended for, not fraud.
• <00:05:08.240> for and individuals on the services for and individuals on the services for
• > and<00:18:30.240> actually had bipartisan support and actually had bipartisan support and
• <00:28:42.799> from needs to be to get their support from needs to be to get their support

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• apportionment and replacement system project IT services support, and the proposals, budget in TK through
• apportionment and replacement system project IT services support, and the proposals, Principal apportionment
• and replacement system project IT services support, and the proposals for sustaining cybersecurity investments
• So any—you don't have to be in the cohort to participate from the support services created by this program
• and keep the impacts and the cuts as far away from student services, student classroom sizes, and support

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• support services, our behavioral health, which includes our executive medical director, our outpatient
• <00:04:24.960> services<00:04:25.880> our operation support services our operation
• support services our Behavioral<00:04:26.680> Health<00:04:26.960> which<00:04:27.080><
• <00:10:32.720> Services<00:10:33.320> of<00:10:33.760> uh about which are Support
• Services of uh about which are Support Services of uh legal<00:10:34.680> HR<00:10:35.680>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• performed by ambulance service providers as essential services.
• So we'd like to add the ambulance service provider language to the list of essential services.
• Melissa Hardy, Division Director for Long-Term Supports and Services at the department.
• > services<01:32:17.920> at<01:32:18.080> the and services at the and services at
• participant needs CFI services.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we want to support.
• would support them.
• We deliver QLife, Australia's national LGBTIQ+ teleweb peer support and referral service.
• LGBTI young people, particularly those without family support, supportive schools, are more likely to
• Well, in the context of the services that they provide, so many of those services—one service, for example

Keywords: 988, house, all