Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Shannon Cooper today, representing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, and I hate
• So these programs are put in place to help the employers manage the cost of their program.
• and the implementation of those programs more money.
• And so we're going to have patient assistance programs.
• So just in the context, we've now heard that these programs are marketing programs.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first heard House Bills 2365, 2490, and 2249, a bipartisan version of Elijah’s Law, which would require child care facilities to receive training and guidance on recognizing and responding to food allergies and anaphylaxis. Sponsors described the bill as a response to the death of Elijah, whose daycare did not administer epinephrine quickly enough after a food exposure. Witnesses in support, including a parent and food allergy advocate, said the measure would improve preparedness and save lives. Committee members asked about whether the bill should use broader epinephrine terminology, whether the requirements could also be handled through child care licensing rules, and whether the bill was already included in a larger measure. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on those bills was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 1965, which would require insurers to reimburse athletic trainers for covered services and add athletic trainers to the practitioner definition for billing purposes. The sponsor and athletic training witnesses said the bill would recognize athletic trainers as licensed health care providers, improve access in rural and underserved areas, and allow reimbursement when trainers work in clinics, hospitals, or other non-school settings. Committee members raised repeated questions about the difference between athletic trainers and physical therapists, whether school-based services were already paid through contracts, whether the bill would increase costs or create double payment, and how diagnosis and billing would work under the current scope of practice. Opponents from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and the Missouri Insurance Coalition argued the bill would create a mandate, increase costs, and expand billing before clarifying the underlying scope of practice. No vote was taken in public hearing. The committee then moved into executive session and voted several bills do pass. A substitute was adopted for House Bill 1826 and the committee substitute for House Bills 1826, 2560, 2349, and 2194 passed 17-0. House Bill 1783 also passed 17-0. House Bill 2372, which incorporated multiple related provisions including changes to epinephrine terminology and other committee items, passed 17-1 after a substitute and amendment were adopted. House Bill 1827, the occupational therapy bill related to disabled placards and license plates, passed 18-0. The committee then returned to public hearing and heard House Bills 1941 and 2279, which would prohibit copay accumulator programs for fully insured plans so that third-party assistance counts toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Sponsors and a rheumatologist testified that the bills would prevent patients with serious illnesses from being forced to pay the same deductible twice and said similar laws have been enacted in many other states. Opponents from America’s Health Insurance Plans argued the measure would affect only a minority of plans, raise costs in the individual and small-group market, and could worsen affordability for remaining enrollees. The hearing ended without a vote on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• amputees to continue serving as first responders, and it added the Florida Medal of Valor, the Florida Blue
• amputees to continue serving as first responders, and it added the Florida Medal of Valor, the Florida blue
• , red, heart metal to statute. ...valor, the Florida Blue, Red, Heart Medal to statute.
• favorable outcome by identifying the inmates' use of vocational, educational, and self-betterment programs

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice considered and advanced a series of criminal justice bills, with most measures reported favorably after brief presentations, amendments, and roll-call votes. Among the bills approved were CS/SB 468 on fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, which increases offense levels and allows impoundment of involved vehicles; CS/SB 1136 on age as an element of a criminal offense, which strengthens protections for minors and was amended to adjust age thresholds and luring/enticement language; CS/SB 144 on criminal justice, which was narrowed by substitute amendment after discussion with law enforcement and includes provisions on kill switches, body cameras/AI, first responder recognition, and other corrections-related items; and CS/SB 1782, which creates penalties for dangerous excessive speeding. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 964 on objective parole guidelines, CS/SB 1450 on arrest and detention of individuals with significant medical conditions, CS/SB 612 on murder involving unlawful drug distribution by minors, CS/SB 1838 on tampering with or harassing court officials, CS/SB 716 on enhanced penalties for sexual offenses by repeat offenders, CS/SB 1604 on corrections, and CS/SB 1360 on xylazine, which preserves veterinary use while increasing penalties for illicit trafficking and possession for sale. Several bills drew substantive testimony and debate. CS/SB 1838 prompted concerns from the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers that the tampering language could be applied to prosecutors or defense attorneys; the sponsor said he would work to refine the language. CS/SB 964 received support from criminal defense advocates and a witness who argued Florida’s parole system needs revision due to prison overcrowding and staffing issues. CS/SB 1604 generated questions about inmate access to courts, the statute of limitations for confinement claims, and involuntary mental health treatment; the sponsor said the bill aims to balance inmate rights with timely reporting and to address bad actors in corrections. CS/SB 1360 was supported as a response to the spread of xylazine on the street, while noting its legitimate veterinary use. The most contested measure was CS/SB 1804 on capital sex trafficking. The bill would create a capital offense for adult trafficking of a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person under specified circumstances, with a life-felony fallback if capital punishment is later found unconstitutional. Supporters argued it targets especially heinous conduct and closes a gap in existing law; opponents, including the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and anti-death-penalty advocates, argued it expands the death penalty beyond homicide, raises constitutional concerns, risks retraumatizing victims, and would be costly to litigate. After extensive debate, the committee adopted an amendment aligning the bill with the House companion and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 776 adding an aggravating factor for assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, despite objections from some members who voted no. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members for the session, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• program? program?
• </c> of that program. of that program.
• </c> science programs at the university. science programs at the university.
• </c> programs have landed for NIL funding? programs have landed for NIL funding? &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• It's simply it's it's program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why sustained support of the SAFE program is essential.
• That's why sustained support of Safe Program is essential.
• Next, we have the alcohol testing program.
• So the fentanyl, the SAFE program, what is the latest designer drug called?
• The number of students in our residential commitment programs is growing.

Summary: The committee received a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $8.2 billion for the public safety silo and includes funding for the Departments of Law Enforcement, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections, along with courts and legal affairs. The Governor’s Office highlighted recurring reductions and vacancy eliminations, while agency heads outlined their major requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert-system upgrades, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, additional staff, facility construction and maintenance, communications upgrades, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about immigration enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, capacity, mental health services, contraband, housing, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. Public testimony also urged better prison conditions and basic necessities for incarcerated people. The committee then took up and reported favorably CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would strengthen penalties and clarify that a person may not resist an officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties. An amendment conforming the bill to House language was adopted, and the bill passed with Senator Smith voting no. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 54, which concerns use of substances affecting cognitive function and limits certain medical-record disclosures to information relevant to investigations of violent offenders; Senator Smith voted no on that measure as well. Next, the committee considered Senator Berman’s bills on domestic and dating violence. CS/SB 296 would direct a study of a secure web-based alert platform for victims, including a discreet phone-number/code system and geolocation support, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims. The bill drew emotional support testimony from survivors and advocates describing the dangers victims face when trying to leave abusive situations, and it was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, would extend public-records protections in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims; it was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Industry partners work with programs.
• </c> that information aware of this program that information aware of this program and<00:32:45.279><
• I cannot associates degree program.
• ,</c><00:36:42.240><c> including</c> have huge tax credit programs, including have huge tax credit programs
• </c> than what's in the current R&amp;D program than what's in the current R&amp;D program would<00:37

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review tax expenditures, elect a chair and clerk, and hear updates on two credits due for periodic review: the career and technical education (CTE) center tax credit and the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Members first organized the meeting, then heard from Jennifer Ramsey of DRA, who explained the purpose of the tax expenditure review process and summarized the CTE and R&D credits. She said the CTE credit allows donations to CTE centers for a credit against business profits tax, is capped at 25% of a taxpayer’s liability, has a $500,000 aggregate limit, and was extended in SB 98 to fiscal year 2031. She also noted DRA could not provide detailed financial data because of statistical disclosure limits when too few taxpayers claim the credit. Committee members pressed for more historical and aggregate information, arguing they needed numbers to judge whether the credit is effective and worth continuing. The committee then heard from Chrissy Vanderhook of the Department of Education on the CTE credit. She described New Hampshire’s CTE system as serving 26 secondary centers and seven post-secondary centers, with industry partners providing internships, work-based learning, equipment, employee time, and other in-kind support that can qualify for the credit. She said the department reports annually to legislative leaders and that fiscal year 2025 credit activity was down about 48% from FY24, partly due to staffing changes and outreach issues. Members asked whether the program extends to community college-level programs, and she said it can, though she was not sure how broadly it is used that way. The committee also discussed a new Granite Patron of the Arts credit, which DRA said went into effect July 1 and is included in the tax expenditure report even though it is not yet listed in the statute. For the R&D credit, Ramsey explained that it offsets business profits tax and can carry forward to business enterprise tax, is based on incremental research spending, and currently has a $7 million annual aggregate cap. She said the cap has not yet been reached but could require proration as early as fiscal year 2026 if not increased. She noted there were 271 taxpayers claiming the credit in fiscal 2024 and that a proposal last session to raise the cap to $10 million and increase the per-company limit did not advance. Mark Liberty of BEA said the credit is an important recruitment and retention tool, especially for life sciences, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, but acknowledged BEA does not track direct revenue return. Andrea Hchvaria of New Hampshire Life Sciences argued the R&D credit is critical for startups and cited growth in applicants from 71 in 2008 to 248 in 2024, with qualified wages rising substantially over that period. Committee members repeatedly asked for more objective economic-impact data, but DRA said it only tracks who claimed the credit and the amount claimed, not broader business outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> blue states, red states, purple states. blue states, red states, purple states.
• And so we're open to do some clarifications to make sure that that program or similar programs aren't
• aren't</c><04:51:46.718><c> swept</c> program or similar programs aren't swept program or similar programs
• </c> to create a standalone storage program. to create a standalone storage program.
• Eversource has a program.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet, Dana-Farber is subject to the payer's high-volume and variable prior authorization programs.
• And he went on to say that the cost of this program is almost as much as how much he saves from the program
• And he went on to say that the cost of this program is almost as much as how much he saves from the program
• As much as how much he saves from the program, which kind of begs the question: why do you have this
• program?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several health care access and insurance-related bills, with most testimony focused on H.1136 to improve the prior authorization process. The Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Health Care for All, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, physicians, and hospital representatives all supported the bill, arguing that prior authorization delays care, increases administrative burden, contributes to clinician burnout, and can worsen patient outcomes. Witnesses described examples involving delayed cancer treatment, diabetes care, COPD medication, shingles pain treatment, and hospital discharge delays. They said the bill would preserve prior authorization but add guardrails such as longer validity periods, continuity-of-care protections, faster responses for urgent care, clearer lists of services requiring authorization, and more transparency and standardization. The committee also heard testimony on H.1142/S.783 regarding equitable reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), with Senator Lovely and CRNA advocates supporting parity with physician anesthesiologists. They said CRNAs provide the same services at the same standard of care, but private insurers sometimes reimburse them at lower rates than physicians, which they argued is inconsistent with federal and state policy and harms access. Senator Keenan testified in support of a bill addressing claim denials and appeals, saying insurers should provide clearer explanations, time to resubmit claims, and timely appeal responses. Dr. Lorraine Schratz supported H.1126 to align state patient disclosure requirements with federal No Surprises Act rules, and Dr. Michael Trimbley supported H.1120 to recognize direct primary care as not being insurance and to encourage primary care participation. The committee also heard testimony on H.1140/S.801 to remove barriers to patient care by updating insurance statutes to reflect nurse practitioners’ full practice authority, and on H.1168/S.A.18 to eliminate the PCP referral requirement for specialty gynecological care. Witnesses on those bills described delays and denials affecting autism diagnosis, nutrition coverage, and endometriosis care, and said the proposals would reduce unnecessary barriers and improve timely access. After testimony and a few member questions, the chair closed the hearing; no votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also troubling is how this program is being implemented.
• There is no structure identified to administer the program.
• It shouldn't subject infrastructure programs that enhance mobility, support commerce, and improve safety
• I understand that the undoing of the program is not politically feasible.
• Growing communities like Anoka County, Scott County, Otter Tail County, Blue Earth County, and St.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 748, a bill revising Minnesota’s transportation greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impact assessment requirements for trunk highway projects. The chair first moved and adopted the A2 author’s amendment and then the A3 amendment, which was described as adding implementation time and project exemptions when federal dollars are available. The bill author explained that the measure responds to concerns from stakeholders that the current law can force costly mitigation, delay or stop safety and capacity projects, and create uncertainty because key implementation details are still being developed by a technical advisory committee. Testimony was split. County and city engineers, county commissioners, the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities generally supported the bill, arguing that the current requirements can add 20% to 40% or more to project costs, are difficult to administer, and could jeopardize critical safety improvements, congestion relief, and federal funding. They cited examples such as Scott County and Trunk Highway 65, and said VMT mitigation is especially hard to quantify and fund. Opponents, including Move Minnesota and Sierra Club, argued that safety and climate goals are not in conflict, that reducing driving can save lives and reduce pollution, and that the bill would weaken an important tool for cutting transportation emissions. Members also asked about how GHG and VMT are measured, whether the required assessment was ready, and who would be responsible for mitigation assets and costs. After discussion, the committee held a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, passed 8-7 and was moved to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program that we're working with is through Lutheran Social Service, and so it's a proven program
• ><c> our</c><02:26:37.120><c> veterans</c> programs seek to provide our veterans programs seek to provide
• We should let this program go seniors.
• </c> not going to vote to repeal this program not going to vote to repeal this program that's<03:06:55.120
• This is not just a policy program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> crimes, and then state program fraud. crimes, and then state program fraud.
• </c> accessing state programs and services. accessing state programs and services.
• </c> compensation support payment program. compensation support payment program.
• </c> nutrition program participants. nutrition program participants.
• Programs.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . four years to help support that particular program.
• when funding is put into that fund. ...those funds through that particular program when funding is put
• Okay, and then I was glancing back on airport development, page 14, under airport development programs
• My brother Brett lost his life in 2021 in an adult day program because of his poor impulse control.
• I had pled with the administration of this day program to implement changes that would have saved his

Bills: SCR58 , SB309 , SB514 , HCR63 , HCR69 , HB401 , HB487 , HB722 , HB730 , HB745 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1050 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1218 , HB1244

Committee: Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Bills: SCR47 , SCR21 , SCR163 , SCR169 , SCR170 , SCR50 , SCR75 , SCR149 , HCR83 , HCR111 , HCR110 , HCR122 , HCR118 , HCR61 , HCR162 , HCR36 , HCR19 , HCR106 , HCR14 , HCR178 , SB3022 , SB3102 , SB3144

Keywords: sister-state, Hawaii, Okayama, Japan, cultural exchange, economic partnership, tourism, agriculture, international relations, healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Legislative Cooperation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3980 creates the Rule Loan Assistance Program.
• The program will provide loan repayment assistance to assistant district attorneys who commit to long-term
• House Bill 3981 creates a locality and locality incentive program.
• The program provides a financial incentive of up to $50,000 over five years to assistant district attorneys

Bills: HB2650 , HB2696 , HB3177 , HB3264 , HB3298 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3497 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB4421

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3980 creates a loan assistance program.
• The program will provide loan repayment assistance to assistant district attorneys who commit to long-term
• House Bill 3981 creates a locality incentive program.
• The program provides a financial incentive of up to $50,000 over five years to assist in The program

Bills: HB2650 , HB2696 , HB3177 , HB3264 , HB3298 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3497 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB4421

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and advanced a large slate of House bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support and little debate. Early in the meeting, House Bill 2696 passed to exempt sensitive cybersecurity records—such as network configurations, passwords, and incident response plans—from public disclosure. House Bill 3941, which modifies the salary structure for bailiffs to help district courts recruit and retain them, also advanced. House Bill 3970, authorizing court reporters to use speech-to-text technology, was amended to add an effective date and emergency clause before passing. The committee also approved several criminal justice and court administration measures. House Bill 3264 makes domestic violence by strangulation an 85% crime. House Bill 3321 directs the cost administration implementation committee to gather county data and produce an annual report. House Bill 3497 clarifies when the state may appeal pretrial decisions to the Court of Criminal Appeals. House Bill 3499 expands special judges’ authority to include certain vehicle and personal property title matters, and House Bill 3500 passed from a committee substitute. House Bill 3845 was described as bringing Oklahoma into compliance with federal requirements tied to child support enforcement and driver’s license revocation processes. Several bills focused on district attorney recruitment and criminal procedure. House Bill 3980 creates a loan repayment assistance program for assistant district attorneys serving in high-need areas, and House Bill 3981 creates a related locality incentive program; both advanced after questions about title status and later appropriations handling. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” aimed at protecting children from fentanyl poisoning, also passed. House Bill 3742, described as a due process protection act, would require timely disclosure of charges and evidence to defendants and their counsel. The committee also advanced House Bill 3177, extending parity to Corporation Commission reporters, and House Bill 3322, which addresses how courts interpret duplicate statutory sections. No bills were rejected, and the meeting adjourned with notice that more controversial measures would be heard the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Human Resources Trust Fund by an estimated about $44 million to assist with the SNAP program
• Perver, Bill 152 by Senator Albertton: Children's Health Insurance Program and Department of Human Resources
• that $975,000 of that is to the historic Blakeley Authority in Baldwin County. $185,000 to the TANF program

Bills: SB146 , SB143 , SB144 , SB145 , HB224 , SB152 , SB153 , SB154 , SB162 , SB226 , SB146 , SB143 , SB144 , SB145 , HB224 , SB152 , SB153 , SB154 , SB162 , SB226

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: supplemental appropriation, FY2025 budget, general fund, Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy, Unified Judicial System, court automation, advanced technology and data exchange, judiciary funding, transportation debt service, highway bonds, bridge bonds, Alabama Department of Transportation, ALDOT, public highways, federal matching funds, state appropriations, bond principal and interest, special funds, budget amendment, SB143

Transcript Highlights:

• , the early prevention screening, treatment, and diagnosis program.
• Why could we not use that program? Thank you.
• Why can we not use that program and let those interested in having their children tested?
• The reality is that the uptake in those programs is relatively low.
• The programming is already in place.

Bills: SB1421 , SB1427 , SB1484 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1591 , SB1642 , SB1794 , SB1837 , SB2044

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Transcript Highlights:

• , the early prevention screening treatment and diagnosis program.
• It's the ASC program.
• Why could we not use that program? Thank you.
• As I mentioned before, the programming is already in place.
• As I mentioned before, the programming is already in place.

Bills: SB1421 , SB1427 , SB1484 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1591 , SB1642 , SB1794 , SB1837 , SB2044

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced a series of health-related bills. Senate Bill 1503 would allow a digital abortion-related service provider to participate in the Choosing Childbirth grant program without requiring a brick-and-mortar Oklahoma presence; it passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1553, dealing with appeals reviewed by psychologists, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1427, as amended, would add antibody screening for type 1 diabetes with parental consent and Medicaid reimbursement for the Medicaid population; it passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1642, allowing physicians to prescribe opioids in divided quantities during the initial seven-day period, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1421, requiring non-physical intervention training for direct-care staff and volunteers in certain mental health facilities, also passed unanimously. The committee also approved several behavioral health and rural care measures. Senate Bill 1837 would ask the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek a federal exemption so rural providers of home- and community-based services can also provide case management and person-centered planning; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1566, aimed at expanding access to autism diagnosis and ABA therapy by broadening who may diagnose ASD and allowing telemedical supervision of behavioral techs, passed 9-3 with title off due to fiscal concerns. Senate Bill 1567, a cleanup bill for APRN prescriptive authority and medical board fee language, passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1794 would create a statewide behavioral health vacancy registry to help place people in crisis more quickly; it passed 11-1 with title off after fiscal concerns were raised. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1484, requiring medical examiner investigations of SIDS and sudden unexpected infant deaths to include review of immunization and medical records and adding parental notification/consent provisions unless a crime is suspected; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1557, transferring ABA therapist licensing duties from DHS to a licensing board, passed after an amendment shifting the board involved. Senate Bill 1564, requiring a standardized billing code and reimbursement rate for certain dental surgeries under general anesthesia, passed 11-1 with title off because of a $1.9 million fiscal note. Finally, Senate Bill 1591, as amended, would cap THC in medical marijuana edibles at 10 mg per edible and 100 mg per package to reduce child poisonings; it passed 10-2. Several bills were amended during discussion, and multiple members noted fiscal concerns, parental consent, and access-to-care issues throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• When this grant program was implemented, ISD officers... officers were left off the initial pool of peace
• It's my intent to at least get this grant program in statute, and then this legislature and the Criminal
• Prison Fellowship serves men and women in over 20 Texas facilities through character education programs
• To promote accountability, the program also requires that grant recipients annually report clearance
• This has been acknowledged by the governor, who established a clemency program in 2020, which has been

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• Red or blue, teachers or preachers, it doesn't matter who.
• Just a question with regard to the program here.
• So to explain about the program, this augments our day-to-day... The program is split in two.
• The other half of our program is our CODIS program, which has existed since, I think, about 1995.
• with FBI guidelines for rapid DNA programs across the country.

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• When this grant program was implemented, ISD officers were left off the initial pool of peace officers
• SB 15 1858 aims to amend the eligibility criteria for the bulletproof vest and body armor grant program
• It's my intent to at least get this grant program in statute, and then this legislature and the Criminal
• To promote accountability, the program also requires that grant recipients annually report clearance
• This has been acknowledged by the governor who established a clemency program in 2020, which has been

Bills: SB 614 , SB 872 , SB 1199 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1573 , SB 1588 , SB 1602 , SB 1660 , SB 1704 , SB 1723 , SB 1833 , SB 1858 , SB 1946 , SB 2009 , SB 2146 , SB 2177 , SB 2373 , SB 2460 , SB 2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law