Transcript Highlights:

• We are incentivizing the quantity of patient care, not quality.
• it's improving patient care.
• Care at some of these facilities, I don't think it's improving patient care.
• So you're not just getting the first line of care; you're getting what I call a bounce-back care.
• for abortion-related advice or guidance and gender-affirming care?

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It was just the two of us taking care of her, and we needed respite care.
• I don't care where it's from. I don't care what jurisdiction it is.
• I don't care if it's sovereign land; State Police does not care.
• I don't care what jurisdiction it is; I don't care if it's sovereign land.
• State Police does not care.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their Health Care their Health Care Program<00:15:16.279><c> were</c><00:15:16.440><c> you</c><00
• </c> America relies on like VA medical care America relies on like VA medical care and<00:29:23.640><
• </c> and retaining them in the foster care and retaining them in the foster care system<04:12:54.680>
• </c> vulnerable children in our foster care vulnerable children in our foster care system<04:16:51.000
• With the right tools and right resources, we can find a caring home for every child in our foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't care what they're highly.
• I didn't care. I didn't care. You what at the time what political party were. I didn't care.
• Who cares?' I care. All of the parents in St. Charles County care. The kids... I care.
• Charles County care. The kids in school care.
• That's the only ideology as a parent I care about.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• Though you were high and lifted up, you care deeply about lowly mankind.
• care.
• they deserve, and ultimately ensuring delivery of care that benefits all Floridians.
• More than 80% of that growth is going to kid care, to fully fund kid care and Medicaid.
• Senator Davis, we are just aligning the existing managed care programs with the other managed care programs

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language. The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• It keeps those health care providers at bedside providing the health care that is needed, It keeps those
• health care providers at bedside providing the health care that is needed for the people in the ER or
• have enough access to care.
• And therefore, it does expand the reach of patient access to care.
• It absolutely expands patient access to safe care.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

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:

• But we have agency after agency that demonstrates they don't really care what we pass.
• I don't care what any other state is doing.
• Do you, at Science Care, abide by all those? Yes.
• The short answer would be no from Science Care. No, I do not. So, Doctor, would you like?
• One of our primary concerns is the absence of health care professionals on the commission.

Bills: SB1406 , SB1681 , SB2480 , SB2721

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> care was $150,000. care was $150,000.
• </c> their average cost of care was $550,000. their average cost of care was $550,000.
• </c> our already taxed health care system. our already taxed health care system.
• </c> state agency are telling long-term care state agency are telling long-term care facilities<00:41
• </c> struggling to care of our families. struggling to care of our families.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bonding Authority for health care bonding Authority for health care facilities<00:40:39.520><c>
• ><c> is</c> facilities and Health Care Facilities is facilities and Health Care Facilities is not<00:
• This would be things like a long-term care facility wanting to expand its memory care unit, wanting to
• This would be things like a long-term care facility wanting to expand its memory care unit, wanting to
• This would be things like a long-term care facility wanting to expand its memory care unit, wanting to

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• and financial obligations... ...care, financial obligations, and also restitution for crime victims
• This bill is addressing the ongoing mergers of our hospital systems and health care systems that may
• be impacting access to our health care and impacting how health care is delivered in a way that harms
• in health care standards.
• To make the delivery of health care services cheaper or more available or easier or anything.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, heard Senate messages on several bills, and then took up a series of third-reading and concurrence votes. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had concurred in House amendments to several other bills and that the Senate President had signed Engrossed Senate Bill 5068. Members then considered a slate of bills dealing with climate commitment account revenue, court administration, attorney general investigative authority, inmate funds, health care facility transactions, ferry governance, gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms, and renewable energy tax treatment. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, Engrossed House Bill 2445, Substitute House Bill 2334, Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, Second Substitute House Bill 1909, Engrossed House Bill 2156, Substitute House Bill 2539, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, Engrossed House Bill 2588, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 all received final passage after Senate amendments, with several members speaking in support or opposition. Supporters generally described the measures as clarifying revenue accounts, improving court access, protecting consumers, updating inmate account limits, addressing hospital consolidation, enabling local ferry management, and strengthening gun-violence prevention or renewable-energy tax policy. Opponents raised concerns about reduced transparency, expanded bureaucracy, shifting costs, attorney general overreach, limits on local control, and First Amendment or property-rights issues. Recorded votes showed passage on each of those bills, with margins ranging from narrow to broad: 55-38 on HB 1170, 54-40 on HB 2251, 66-29 on HB 2445, 80-15 on SHB 2334, 86-9 on ESHB 1960, 61-34 on ESHB 1500, 57-38 on SSB 1909, 54-41 on EHB 2156 after reconsideration, 57-38 on SHB 2539, 55-41 on ESHB 2548, 56-40 on EHB 2588, and 58-38 on ESHB 2320. The House also agreed to retransmit Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 to the Senate after deciding not to concur in the Senate’s fourth amendment. The meeting ended with both caucuses called and the House at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we see primarily tied directly to being an employee of a specific company, whether it's health care
• that we see primarily tied directly to being an employee of a specific company, whether it's health care
• So we're really just trying to make care readily available.
• So we're really just trying to make care readily available.
• They’re abandoning their care.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:05.120><c> to</c> on Medicaid to provide health care to on Medicaid to provide health care
• His care is $16,000 a month, and she's worried the nursing home will close. She will lose her care.
• His care is nursing home.
• She will lose her<00:14:28.639><c> care.
• </c> her care. She can't take care of him. her care. She can't take care of him.

Transcript Highlights:

• “He did leave me Tucker to care for and cherish.
• You built a wonderful family that loves you, that cares for you; you care for each other.
• I don't care what type of trouble I get in for saying this. I don't care what you do next.
• care.
• We care for people. And these people in this particular population care for people.

Transcript Highlights:

• an act relating to health care.
• in act relating to health care.
• an act relating to health care.
• I did not hear anything about health care other than...
• I did not hear anything about health care other than, I did not hear anything about health care other

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:26.960><c> DHS</c> that they don't care either. DHS that they don't care either.
• to child care.
• </c> country and care for their families. country and care for their families.
• to child care.
• They keep our subs care to child care.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:16.320><c> GLP1's</c> care related expenses including GLP1's care related expenses including
• </c> talk about our rural healthc care talk about our rural healthc care initiative<00:24:07.760><c>
• </c><00:39:37.520><c> Traditional</c> care for the disease. Traditional care for the disease.
• In in my opinion, with obesity care.
• Fragmented care increases safety risk and undermines continuity, something health care policy has long

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barr, a pediatric physician recognized for her dedication to holistic, coordinated care.
• We add facility authority to include health care facilities in bonding.
• This increases access to eye care for patients and increases the availability of eye care doctors.
• The field of eye care faces significant workforce challenges.
• and LASIK care, all closely in harmony with ophthalmology.

Transcript Highlights:

• I certainly don't think I need to pray to avoid starting any wars. and I care for my family, I care for
• I'd rather talk about funding schools, expanding health care, and lowering the cost of child care.
• Rather than improving patient care or data integrity, this section may deter health care professionals
• If they ask me that, I just think that gender-affirming care is gender-affirming care and if I'm forced
• Instead of fully funding schools, expanding access to health care, and lowering costs of child care,

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Transcript Highlights:

• She felt in control of her health. healthcare center taking care of the healthcare center taking care
• </c> changes are harming their patient care changes are harming their patient care this<00:26:54.520>
• Health care doesn't work that way.
• Health care doesn't work that way.
• Health care doesn't work that way.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have to be very careful.
• One is access to care.
• So, with that, access to care, early detection, new forms of imaging.
• And we have to be careful with our environment.
• He has a new girlfriend, and he takes care of her.

Bills: HB5 , HJR3 , HB155 , HB513 , HB5 , HB155

Committee: House Public Health