Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Annie Tasman Ewing, and I am a senior consulting actuary with Wakely.
• My name is Tiffany Zayez, and I'm a senior regional clinical director with BCI.
• My name is Tiffany Zayez, and I'm a senior regional clinical director with BCI.
• Megan Van Nostrand, and I am also a senior regional clinical director at BCI. My name is Dr.
• Megan Van Nostrand, and I am also a senior regional clinical director at BCI.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a range of health care financing bills focused largely on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until each bill is acted upon. They said the day’s bills addressed affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable patients, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would recognize board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field and several providers testified that Massachusetts families face long delays for ABA services and that adding BCABAs would expand workforce capacity, reduce costs, and improve access. Wakely actuary Annie Tasman Ewing said a three-tier model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% annually, while Dr. Sandra Beaton and others described severe wait lists and said the bill would allow more families to be served sooner. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow people under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Representative Stanley, Senator Gomez, and advocates from the American Kidney Fund and Dialysis Patient Citizens argued that current law unfairly excludes these patients, leaves them with high out-of-pocket costs, and can delay transplant eligibility because many centers require secondary insurance. Testifiers said the change would help about 846 residents, could cost insurers only a small premium increase, and might reduce Medicaid spending by avoiding asset spend-downs. Committee members asked questions about the existing statutory carve-out and the practical effects on transplant access. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular Medicaid rate reviews for ABA services. Providers and clinicians said current MassHealth rates no longer reflect the cost of delivering care, especially with new 2026 policy requirements, workforce shortages, and accreditation obligations. They emphasized that the bills would not mandate a rate increase but would create a data-driven, transparent review process. At the end of the hearing, the chairs thanked participants, invited additional written testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked with seniors for over 30 years, and this bill will allow us to have a collaborative partnership
• to address senior services in Minnesota.
• to address senior services in Minnesota.
• for over 30 years and this bill seniors for over 30 years and this bill will<00:09:52.680><c> allow<
• </c><00:09:56.279><c> Services</c> partnership to address Senior Services partnership to address Senior

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair recognizes the senior senator from the fourth.
• The chair recognizes the senior senator from the fourth. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The chairman recognizes the senior senator from the fourth. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The chair recognizes the senior senator from the fourth.
• The chair recognizes the senior senator from the fourth. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 4893, which would increase penalties for contempt of magistrate court and raise the maximum fine a court may impose without a jury trial. Counsel explained that the bill would raise fines for first, second, and third offenses, add community service, and allow weekend jail or work release for a third offense. The committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and adopted a title amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 5684, a pilot program creating child protection commissioners to help handle abuse and neglect cases. Counsel and the sponsor described the proposal as a way to reduce circuit court backlog, improve the frequency and consistency of hearings, and provide more focused attention to children and families while leaving final decision-making authority with circuit judges. Supporters cited the heavy caseloads, shortages of guardians ad litem, and a Texas model that reportedly improved efficiency; one senator criticized the bill as adding bureaucracy, while others said the system needs a new approach. Members discussed funding through a companion bill tied to the medical cannabis fund, with an initial startup amount and ongoing annual support. Several senators raised concerns about the lack of a sunset date and the need for measurable outcomes. The committee adopted an amendment requiring the Supreme Court’s Administrative Director to identify measurable outcomes, establish a pre-implementation baseline, and provide annual reporting to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, including costs and projected costs. House Bill 5684, as amended, was then reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PURPOSE OF SB 1656 IS TO BRING GREATER TRANSPARENCY OF INSURER STATUTES TO PROTECT FLORIDA SENIORS
• FOR THE SAME THINGS OTHER PEOPLE DO IS THE ABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT OF COMMUNITY WITH LIKE-MINDED SENIORS
• THE BLACK EYE OF WHAT HAS OCCURRED AT A NUMBER OF CCRC'S, MOST RECENTLY UNISYN SENIOR LIVING IN DORAL
• PUTTING SENIORS FIRST IS AN AMERICAN VALUE. PUTTING SENIORS FIRST IS AN AMERICAN VALUE.
• CHAIR, CEO AND GENERAL COUNSEL FLORIDA SENIOR LIVING ASSOCIATION.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> General Assembly should afford seniors General Assembly should afford seniors the<01:08:11.599><
• </c> Seniors preferences to vote in person. Seniors preferences to vote in person.
• </c><01:09:32.560><c> and</c> with accommodations for seniors and with accommodations for seniors and
• And this bill simply... seniors, down syndrome, I mean retirees, seniors, down syndrome, I mean retirees
• This bill is a step forward to helping our members who are seniors, our constituents who are seniors

Transcript Highlights:

• They started talking about the seniors, and debt among senior households is growing, where the household
• ><c> debt</c><00:41:54.599><c> among</c> about the seniors and uh debt debt among about the seniors and
• </c><00:41:57.000><c> where</c><00:41:57.240><c> where</c> senior households is growing where where senior
• cost burden of burdened 78% of seniors cost burden of seniors<00:43:06.720><c> in</c><00:43:06.880><
• </c><01:15:37.600><c> intergovernmental</c> Pierre wette senior intergovernmental Pierre wette senior

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• A means-tested senior-citizen property tax exemption, House No. 5392. Is there an objection?
• According to the New England Hockey Journal, quote, when Canton senior defenseman Grady Carr got the
• According to the New England Hockey Journal, quote, when Canton senior defenseman Grady Carr got the
• According to the Boston Globe, senior Chloe Dubison, close, all right, got it, took control on the third
• To the seniors that are moving on, don't ever stop playing. Keep working hard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond their success on the mat, six seniors have earned collegiate wrestling scholarships, a testament
• I am a senior at Northwest Las Vegas High School, and I am currently a page for Senator Michael Brooks
• I am a senior at Oklahoma Connections Academy, and I have the honor of paging for Senator Chuck Hall,
• My name is Ade Burgess, and I am currently a senior at Morrison High School.
• I'm a senior at Alston High School.

Bills: HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647 , HB3986 , HB3548 , HB3661 , HB4346 , HB3075 , HB4273 , HB3391 , HB4128 , HB3557 , HB3239 , HB3982 , HB2123 , HB2979 , HB2997 , HB3148 , HB4108 , HB4143 , HB4266 , HB2053 , HB4058 , SR30

Keywords: controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a senior in Penn Foster High School.
• My name is Elise Duncan, and I am a senior at Charles Page High School.
• I'm a senior in high school.
• I'm a senior at Charles Page High School.
• I'm a senior.

Bills: HB4440 , HJR1067 , HJR1087 , HB4426 , HB3704 , HB4311 , HB3044 , HB4191 , HB3465 , HB3972 , HB3759 , HB3625 , HB1411 , HB2980 , HB3015 , HB3147 , HB3277 , HB3323 , HB3443 , HB3882 , HB3406 , HB2975 , HB3977 , HB3263 , HB2988 , HB3404 , HB1770

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then recognized several guests and honorees, including the doctor of the day, Dr. Mukesh Perek; nurse of the day, Cynthia Cochran; psychologist of the day, Dr. Colby Kipp; and a guest introduced by Senator Brooks, Marianella “Nellie” Castaneda, who was honored for her quick action in responding to a distress call that helped prompt a law enforcement response in a domestic violence situation. Senator Brooks and Castaneda both spoke about the incident and the importance of staff responsiveness and public service. The Senate also honored Jalen Lundry of Hayworth, named a national champion in the FFA Agriscience Fair for research on red wiggler worms and soil health. Lundry spoke briefly about her project and thanked Senator George Burns. The Pro Tem recognized April 6, 2026, as National Rifle Association and Oklahoma Rifle Association Day, with representatives from both organizations present in the gallery. The chamber also introduced the week’s pages, who each identified their schools, senators they were paging for, and future plans. No legislation was debated or voted on during the session. Instead, members made committee and floor announcements, including upcoming meetings of Revenue and Taxation, Appropriations, Public Safety, and the Senate Rural Caucus. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn and stood adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> noticed that you folks use the senior noticed that you folks use the senior centers<00:37:22.640
• </c> the entire Island are there senior the entire Island are there senior centers centers centers Beyond
• Okay, and the senior centers are run by the county, yeah? Yes, yes.
• </c> construction the Laina West Maui senior construction the Laina West Maui senior or<00:53:50.480>
• </c><01:00:52.039><c> want</c> for especially on demand um seniors want for especially on demand um seniors

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on Kupuna Care funding, distribution, utilization, and the status of program rules. The Office of Aging explained that state Kupuna Care funds are distributed using the same federally approved interstate funding formula used for Older Americans Act funds, with eight weighted factors tailored to Hawaii’s conditions: older adults, greatest economic need, low-income minority status, disability, language barriers, geographic isolation, inverse population density, and older adults living alone in poverty. The department said the formula is based on census and American Community Survey data, with current county shares listed as Kauai 7.45%, Honolulu 69.61%, Maui 11.7%, and Hawaii County 17.88%. Officials said the formula is being reviewed with current data and will need federal approval and then public hearing before final adoption. Members questioned how the program works in practice, noting that the statute and eligibility language can sound like direct individual benefits even though services are delivered through area agencies on aging, ADRCs, and contracted providers such as meal and adult day care programs. The Office of Aging said ADRCs determine eligibility and then refer clients to authorized providers, who must meet service standards in their contracts. The chair pressed repeatedly for long-delayed rules, saying the Legislature had expected them years earlier and that clear rules are needed to ensure funds are spent properly and to avoid conflicts of interest. The department acknowledged the delay, said draft rules were written in 2023 after earlier commitments to finish sooner, and said it paused while federal Older Americans Act rules were being updated; it now expects to send the rules to the Deputy Attorney General, then out for public hearing, with a goal of completion in 2025. The department also reported utilization data for the last two fiscal years. In 2023, it expended about 93% of its allocation and served 5,473 older adults at an average annual cost of $1,358; in 2024, it expended about 97% and served 5,520 older adults, with the average cost down by about $200, which officials said may indicate fewer services per person. Eligibility was described as age 60 or older, U.S. citizen or qualified alien, with cognitive impairment or disability and functional deficits, and the statewide profile showed many participants were homebound, living alone, or below poverty. The most-used services were transportation, case management, and home-delivered meals. The chair also asked about the former Kupuna caregiver program; officials said the programs are now combined under Kupuna Care, with most funding going to adult day care to provide respite for working caregivers. County representatives then described local conditions, especially on Hawaii Island. Hawaii County officials said the county covers about 5,000 square miles, has about 208,000 residents, and roughly 24% are age 65 or older. They identified three main challenges: staffing shortages and retention problems among providers, shortages within the county department itself, and the loss of adult day care capacity, with only one center remaining on the island and none on the west side. They said these constraints limit service delivery even as demand grows. At the same time, they highlighted successes such as serving people in the community before they need higher levels of care, providing caregiver counseling and training through adult day care, serving 467 individuals locally, and ensuring the Resource Center answers calls from caregivers seeking help.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justin Senior is speaking in information, Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.
• My name is Justin Senior. I'm the CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.
• Senior... or three by telehealth, and that encompasses the nature of the amendment, Madam Chair.
• My name is Justin Senior. I'm the CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.
• Senior Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to ask for your favorable support.

Bills: S0760 , S1012 , S1536 , S1582 , S1792

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• seniors, will have even fewer opportunities in our own communities.
• Thank you for your continued commitment to the seniors we serve.
• Thank you for your commitment to seniors in our communities.
• Protect access to Medicaid care for seniors. Thank you so much.
• I'm William Harrison, Senior Director at Center for Children and Youth Justice.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• We received increases to several of our pass-through programs for the Enna senior nutrition program,
• will be $3 million per year for five years, and it passed through to our Head Start program, the senior
• a $3 million per year for five years and it passed throughs again to ourCA headadart program the senior
• to provide meals to vulnerable senior citizens.
• nutrition program also known asenna and these dollars would go to468 senior centers Our final request

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think knowing the population that is usually taken advantage of is the seniors.
• Someone called me where a senior was defrauded of $600,000.
• And I think knowing the population that is usually taken advantage of is the seniors.
• Someone called me where a senior was defrauded of $600,000.
• Pete, there was a person who actually got hit twice, a senior citizen. St.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard five bills. HB 1097 would rename the Florida Catastrophic Storm Center at FSU as the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management, transfer the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide recurring and nonrecurring appropriations to support independent insurance research and collaboration with OIR and other universities. Members discussed university roles, model oversight, independence from industry funding, and student/workforce benefits. The bill passed favorably on a roll call vote. HB 319 would create a regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosk businesses, requiring registration with the Office of Financial Regulation, consumer disclosures, and penalties for violations. Much of the discussion focused on fraud prevention, especially for seniors, and whether the bill should include transaction caps or stronger recovery tools; AARP supported the bill but urged additional protections. The bill passed favorably. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and Community Property Trust Act, including decanting, trustee claims, redemption by satisfaction, and homestead transfer treatment; an amendment conforming to the Senate version was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. CS/HB 97 would allow service of process for exploitation injunctions against unascertainable scammers through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text or social media, and would let courts freeze funds temporarily while the matter is heard. Testimony from elder law practitioners and AARP supported the bill as a tool against scams, while some members raised due process and overreach concerns; the bill passed favorably. HB 839 would shorten the overpayment recovery window for claims submitted to psychologists and HMOs to match other health providers, with the goal of improving parity and access to mental health care; an amendment was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the final roll call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm grateful to be a joint author on this and taking care of especially the seniors in my district.
• really renter-heavy district, so we usually have between like five and ten points higher than the senior
• For seniors, it’s even greater; almost one-third of our seniors are...
• The other part of people not being able to afford the taxes, especially seniors—and I'm a senior—is that
• about 60 percent of seniors experience this issue. 2% of the population lives paycheck to paycheck.

Bills: SB4 , SJR2 , SB 4 , SJR 2

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• infractions like being late to duty, for example, to be delegated upward, if you can, to the most senior
• And they preserve our senior commanders for their critical role as appellate authorities.
• But actually, this process, by making these changes, it would allow our senior command...
• And then once again, we're freeing up those senior commanders to be able to also provide relief.
• And by doing that, those senior-level officers at the general officer level would be able to be free

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Transcript Highlights:

• Patience is a senior from Panama. She was athlete of the year for 2025 Special Olympics.
• Hayley is a senior from Tahlequah. She is valedictorian. Come on, girl!
• She is a senior from Calvert. She is here, let's make sure we get this right.
• With Pro Tim Moore, Sutton is a senior from Clinton.
• Folks, Luis is a senior from Bethany.

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370 , HB2937 , HB3419 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3267 , HB3268 , HB3310 , HB4311 , HB3841 , HB3024 , HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• Seniors' needs should come first over corporations.
• We should be looking at basic needs for our seniors.
• How moral is taking food away from seniors? How moral is putting seniors on the streets?
• Seniors should come first over corporations.
• These are seniors that have continuously called our offices..."

Transcript Highlights:

• , and this would allow certain seniors to receive an advanced payment of their property tax refunds in
• , and this would allow certain seniors to receive an advanced payment of their property tax refunds in
• , and this would allow certain seniors to receive an advanced payment of their property tax refunds in
• allow certain seniors to receive an advanced payment of their property tax refunds in the form of a
• The MVP is comprised of more than 100 CEOs and senior executives of Minnesota's largest employers.

Bills: HF2274 , HF1932

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is Audi Cole Carney, who's a senior at Nashua High School South, and we have a Senate resolution
• So this is Audi Cole Carney<00:15:02.079><c> who's</c><00:15:02.240><c> a</c><00:15:02.480><c> senior
• </c><00:15:02.720><c> at</c><00:15:02.880><c> Nasha</c><00:15:03.519><c> High</c> Carney who's a senior
• at Nasha High Carney who's a senior at Nasha High School<00:15:04.800><c> South</c><00:15:05.760><c>
• seniors and championing digital<00:17:41.039><c> literacy</c><00:17:42.320><c> along</c><00:17:42.720