Transcript Highlights:

• At our travels, we've been to four of the seven continents, often with many repeat visits.
• Up until our most recent trip, prior to visiting a new country, we would study the language, learn essential
• Since Korea is only an hour or so from Japan, we added a short visit. I did not prepare as usual.
• And the Jewish cause visit the Mobile Museum of Tolerance until 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources also include operating expenditure funding to support travel to visit a few of these programs
• We'll be looking at coordination of follow-up visits after somebody has a behavioral health crisis...
• Over 80% of the encounters are diverted from costly emergency department visits.
• Over 80% of the encounters are diverted from costly emergency department visits.
• Which I did a visit two years ago. Yes, we did. Yes. Which I did a visit two years ago.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget and policy updates from the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services. DSH described its proposed 2026-27 budget of $3.2 billion, including savings tied to IST solutions, higher patient-driven operating costs, and a small increase in caseload projections. Officials said the department has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks, with wait times reduced from a pandemic peak of 1,953 pending placements to about 250, and average treatment initiation now around five days. Members asked about the effects of Proposition 36 and SB 1323, rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, and whether IST solution funding was being overbudgeted; DSH said referrals are slightly down overall, aging and medically complex patients are driving outside care costs, and the IST solution savings reflect slower-than-expected program activation rather than a service gap. The department also outlined proposed funding for CONREP cost increases, a new county-by-county LPS bed allocation model, electrical infrastructure upgrades at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and additional dental staffing and space at Metropolitan and Patton. The Commission for Behavioral Health reviewed its role in the Behavioral Health Services Act transition and its new Innovation Partnership Fund. Staff said the commission is shifting from county-level innovation oversight to a statewide grant strategy, with the first $20 million RFA drawing strong interest and awards expected in mid-June. Members asked how “innovation” would be defined, whether grants could be renewed after the initial three-year contracts, and how the state would ensure the money supports real service delivery rather than general outreach or training. The commission also sought a liquidation deadline extension for the Alcove youth drop-in center grants so remaining funds can be spent before they revert, allowing sites to finish implementation and support the final evaluation. DHCS provided an overview of CalAIM and BH Connect implementation, including updated specialty mental health access criteria, new ASAM-based substance use treatment standards, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation, and transitional rent services. The department also addressed BHSA implementation, saying it does not track specific local program cuts but will monitor county three-year plans, performance measures, and outcomes as counties shift to the new funding structure. On H.R. 1, DHCS said it is preparing outreach, eligibility simplification, and exemption strategies to reduce Medi-Cal coverage losses, including clinic navigators, a statewide outreach campaign, and possible employment supports through a future waiver. The department also reported that BH-CHIP bond funds have supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds, with additional outpatient capacity and tribal investments. Finally, DHCS outlined a proposed 988 trailer bill to create a statewide designation process for 988 centers and mobile crisis teams, with implementation no earlier than October 1, 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• During her visit, she got a PET scan and was stunned to get her bill $392, more than double what she
• There's also the aspect, when we look into it, that the overall amount of visits and the combination
• There's also the aspect, when we look into it, that the overall amount of visits and the combination
• Looking at where their patients get care, 97% of their patient visits are outpatient. Why?
• as for an in-person visit in a building.

Bills: SB500 , SB719 , SB912 , SB1232 , SB1467 , SB1777 , SB1864 , SB2023 , SB2119 , SB2458

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was fortunate enough to go down to your district and visit New Ulm and hear from some providers and
• I was fortunate enough to go down to your district and visit New Ulm and hear from some providers and
• I was fortunate enough to go down to your district and visit New Ulm and hear from some providers and
• I really love visiting that beautiful town.
• I really love visiting that beautiful town.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And L.A. is really massive, and I remember I visited a site where they did the Olympic pools, and they
• And LA is really massive, and I remember I visited a site where they did the Olympic pools, and they
• As a state property, it’s one of the most visited.
• all of the infrastructure needed to accommodate all of our additional athletes that are coming to visit
• No, I appreciate that, and I think we have a great trip, Visit California, Travel California, and we

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 32:41.320><c> to</c> means if your US citizen want to go to means if your US citizen want to go to visit
• Taiwan for less than 90 days then visit Taiwan for less than 90 days then you<00:32:46.320><c> don't
• So on behalf of Taiwanese people, I would like to welcome you to visit us anytime soon.
• So on behalf of Taiwanese people, I would like to welcome you to visit us anytime soon.
• So on behalf of Taiwanese people, I would like to welcome you to visit us anytime soon.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 491 02:14 Consideration of HB 738 07:58 Guest presentation by Taiwan Consul General Elliott Wang 25:20 Consideration of HCR 50 36:37 Consideration of SB 19 49:29, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have five, like the senator that came to visit us last week. Just three. You got a couple.
• I don't have five, like the senator that came to visit us last week. Just three. You got a couple.
• I don't have five, like the senator that came to visit us last week. Just three. You got a couple.
• HB 475 just requires verbal consent if AI is being used to record and transcribe in a medical visit.
• Does the section that we reference in here also apply to things like second medical opinion visits and

Committee: Senate Health & Welfare

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present. After adopting the April 28 minutes, the committee heard a brief presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, which is intended to bring together health care, business, policy, and education leaders to study Louisiana health challenges and build a network for action. Members expressed support for the program and its potential value to health policy work. The committee then advanced several bills, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 57, a nutrition-labeling bill, was amended to push its effective date to December 31, 2028 and reported as amended. HB 62 increased the membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to 27 members and was reported as amended. HB 193 updated membership rules for the sickle cell commission foundations so long-serving executive directors would not have to reapply repeatedly, and it was reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help families manage accounts after a death; it was reported favorably after a question about state-licensed banks. SB 405 was substantially revised to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing-facility quality initiative, including statewide quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, reporting requirements, and tools such as dashboards and surveys; after reconsidering prior action and adopting the new amendment, the bill was reported as amended. The committee also approved HB 222, which provides Medicaid dental coverage when needed for another covered medical procedure, and HB 420, which requires background checks for all DCFS employees with access to sensitive information. HB 475 requires verbal consent when AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit and was reported favorably after a technical question. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council on grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police superintendent or designee. HB 486 would enter Louisiana into the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact to expand access to mental health care, and HB 574 updated outdated board names on the Mental Health Advisory Services Board; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 949, which creates a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address imaging workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, and HB 584, which requires foster children to be provided luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings and restores “rights” language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The committee also reported HB 1214, restructuring certain LDH facilities into a single system under the secretary’s office; HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill; and HB 203, which adds members to the uterine fibroids commission. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses emphasized access to care, workforce shortages, child welfare, and quality improvement, and the committee repeatedly adopted amendments and reported the bills favorably or as amended before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• He went out, was just out there and visited and liked it, so. Yeah. Yeah.
• So if you see a dentist over here, you can count that as one of your visits.
• So if you see a dentist over here, you can count that as one of your visits.
• So if you see a dentist over here, you can count that as one of your visits.
• So if you see a dentist over here, you can count that as one of your visits.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Visit this place and stir the hearts of all who serve here toward mercy, justice, and love.
• Visit this place and commune with the hearts of all who serve here.
• Visit this place and commune with the hearts of all those who serve here toward the mercy of justice
• Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit with this wonderful family. Thank you very much.
• Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit with this wonderful family, and I am so excited by what y'all

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start by thanking Representative Diala for visiting with us about the concerns and encouraging
• us to visit with stakeholders to make this a good policy for Texas.
• bill addresses a critical challenge facing our judicial system: the severe shortage of qualified visiting
• faced any sort of disciplinary action, no matter how minor or how long ago, from ever serving as a visiting
• And that is why, from visiting with some of the folks over in the Senate, they asked us to consider that

Bills: HB 1181 , HB3704 , HB1363 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB3223 , HB1317 , HB2884 , HB2176 , HB4027 , HB1664 , HB933 , HB2613 , HB3353 , HB2086 , HB4101 , HB3441 , HB4145 , HB3455

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• important to me to continue to protect what we all love and live every single day and people come and visit
• important to me to continue to protect what we all love and live every single day and people come and visit
• Not very many people visit Pensacola, Florida, and I know my Farm Bureau just loves you very much and
• And so we had made a visit with this task force, which is terribly underfunded and terribly understaffed
• And so we had made a visit with Like, Miami County has a special task force for enforcement.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• visits and safety screens prior to being cleared to move forward with psychedelic treatment. ...licensed
• medical programs receive multiple psychiatric visits and safety screens prior to being cleared to move
• and if we can strengthen our community-based system to decrease unnecessary emergency department visits
• This process takes multiple submissions for only three visits.
• out where to send these individuals and families when the insurance will only pay for these three visits

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy, who outlined procedures for the hybrid public hearing, noted the committee would hear testimony on 15 bills related to treatment settings, and recognized members present. The first major bill discussed was H. 4200, authorizing a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted treatment in licensed facilities. Representative Jim O’Day and witnesses from Control Z supported the bill, describing it as a tightly controlled, medically supervised pilot with DPH oversight, limited sites, and screening requirements. Committee members asked about the number of sites and whether Column Health still existed; witnesses said the bill contemplated three separate pilot programs and that Column Health no longer existed after being purchased by another company. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1405 to make the drug stewardship program permanent by removing its 2026 sunset date. Senator John Keenan and others said the program helps collect and safely dispose of unused medications, reduces diversion, and should remain in place because manufacturers should bear disposal costs. A member from Boston added support based on local concerns about people searching through bags for drugs, and Keenan explained the original sunset reflected pilot status and industry pushback. A large portion of the hearing focused on S. 1394 and H. 2193, which would strengthen implementation of the 2023 Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and Elliott Community Human Services testified that the roadmap’s helpline, community behavioral health centers, and crisis services are important but unevenly implemented. They urged a single point of accountability within EOHHS, regular strategic planning, a public data dashboard, and financial analysis of the behavioral health system and the access and crisis intervention trust fund. Witnesses said commercial insurance often does not fully reimburse community behavioral health center services, making sustainability difficult, and asked for better coordination across agencies and crisis response systems. Committee members asked whether the roadmap includes substance use disorder; witnesses said it is intended to cover behavioral health broadly, including mental health and substance use. The committee also heard testimony on bills to ban aversives and on suicide prevention signage. Lisa Jean Graff testified in support of S. 1394 by urging a statewide ban on aversive practices, including electric shock, withholding food or bathroom access, and other painful interventions, arguing disabled people deserve the same protections from harm as others. Fonda Bryant and Carol McLean supported a bill requiring suicide prevention signs on tall parking garages, describing personal experiences and saying the signs could create a brief pause and connect people to 988 or other help. McLean said her son died by suicide from a parking garage and that signage might have made a difference. The committee also heard strong testimony in support of creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within DMH facilities (S. 1398/H. 2204), with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a DMH nurse arguing that highly assaultive patients need specialized, more secure units to protect staff and other patients and to improve care. Additional testimony supported creating a dedicated board for licensed mental health counselors (H. 4696/S. 1382), with Rep. John Badger, the Mass Mental Health Counselors Association, and others saying LMHCs are a large and growing workforce that needs its own licensing board, clearer standards, and faster implementation of existing licensure reforms. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 2223 regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Survivors and advocates described severe withdrawal, lack of informed consent, cognitive harms, and long-term disability, while a physician supported the bill as a way to improve disclosure of risks. Finally, the committee heard multiple witnesses in favor of H. 2231/S. 1383 to establish peer-run respite centers statewide. Advocates and people with lived experience said peer respites provide non-coercive, home-like alternatives to hospitalization, can reduce trauma and repeated admissions, and may be especially important for marginalized communities; they also cited cost savings and existing positive outcomes from current respite programs. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing portion reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• shows that the use of hearing aids results in the direct opposite effect, with fewer emergency room visits
• shows that the use of hearing aids results in the direct opposite effect, with fewer emergency room visits
• , which resulted in 64% of those patients having a negative result, such as leakage or requiring a visit
• entire suite of ancillary services recommended by CDC guidelines, including lab testing and medical visits
• We have over 3,000 ostomy and fistula patient visits a year in our outpatient stoma clinic at Brigham

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken. The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I hope a lot of you can come down and visit us at our reservation. There's a lot going on.
• </c><00:32:56.320><c> There's</c><00:32:56.559><c> a</c> visit us at our reservation.
• There's a visit us at our reservation. There's a lot<00:32:56.880><c> going</c><00:32:57.120><c> on.
• I was in prison and you came to visit me.
• When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in an emergency room, one example is it could alert an emergency department that this patient has visited
• We could also provide data on many of our telehealth visits, so there's a lot of data we could provide
• Allergy listings and encounter history will include inpatient, outpatient, as well as emergent visits
• They've had five plus ED visits in the last 12 months."
• you want to take it a step further and see how that relates to utilization, inpatient admits, ED visits

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• A, a parent should not lose their visitation rights because they don't acknowledge a child's gender.
• items that mom and dad probably disagree with their child on that they shouldn't lose their uh visitation
• So what it does is a parent in their visitation rights doesn't get abused if they don't agree with the
• There is a provisor, they can opt out of visits.
• And you decide to do that, we will visit you at your apartment.

Bills: HB 2646 , HB 3941 , HB 5153 , HB 5155 , HB 5394 , HB 1106 , HB 426 , HB 4529 , HB 3984 , HB 4273 , HB 1097 , HB 3940 , HB 1941 , HB 4377 , HB 3153

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• judge roster that a regional presiding administrative... judge may ask to be a visiting judge.
• A new judge will get sworn in tomorrow, but right now I have a visiting judge that's retired handling
• judge without the geopolitical subdivision in which he is visiting having the ability to. say yea or
• However, during my very first visit to the Texas Capitol, I experienced something deeply concerning,
• Fort Cavazos, formerly named Fort Hood Communities, I was devastated when visiting the.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• judge roster that a regional presiding administrative judge may ask to be a visiting judge.
• A new judge will get sworn in tomorrow, but right now I have a visiting judge that's retired handling
• If a visiting judge is making poor decisions, because the problem is they're not an officeholder.
• judge without the geopolitical subdivision in which he is visiting having the ability to. say yea or
• However, during my very first visit to the Texas Capitol, I experienced something deeply concerning,

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, our team made 141,142 home care visits to 8,039 home care patients and 45,218 visits to 1,250
• </c><02:48:41.160><c> to</c> 45,2 188 visits to 45,2 188 visits to 1,250<02:48:43.240><c> patients</c
• home visiting and Family Resource Centers.
• Grant um which provides home visiting Grant um which provides home visiting<03:18:26.279><c> and</c>
• <03:18:26.479><c> Family</c><03:18:26.800><c> Resource</c> visiting and Family Resource visiting and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, is there any requirement on them to follow up with an actual physical visit to a property if
• They have had guns drawn on them because it's an unexpected visit, and this is a property rights issue
• traveling, it will prevent, in Oklahoma County, 70% of the properties from having to be physically visited

Summary: The House Finance Committee met for its only meeting in the second half of the 60th legislative session, with the chair briefly turning the gavel over to the vice chair and later thanking members as his final committee meeting. The committee considered several Senate bills, including SB 1832, which adds a checkbox on driver’s licenses and hunting permits for donations to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs; SB 44, extending a sales tax exemption from the person hiring the contractor to the contractor purchasing materials; and SB 134, reducing the required waiting period for certain Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System retirees to be rehired from 12 months to 6 months. Members also heard SB 1378 and SB 1400, both described as recommendation bills tied to tax policy, including updates to the Quality Jobs Act and consolidation of aircraft maintenance/manufacturing sales tax exemptions.