Transcript Highlights:

• from a highly-restricted program.
• Diversion program funding.
• within the state of California and the programs that are served?
• Alejo the the program is administered in 2019-2020.
• Education and prevention are essential to our program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll go through each program.
• Veteran mental health program.
• We have a grant program.
• We have a women veterans program. This program focuses on the state.
• We have a grant program. That grant program awards over $40 million a year to not.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard a briefing from the Texas Veterans Commission on its major programs and outreach efforts. TVC described its claims assistance, health care advocacy, education oversight, employment services, entrepreneurship support, mental health and suicide prevention work, women veterans services, grant funding for nonprofits and local governments, and support for veteran treatment courts. The agency also highlighted its communications strategy, including media outreach, events, newsletters, social media, and the Texas Veterans State Benefits Booklet, and noted that less than 58% of veterans were aware of TVC in the latest needs assessment. A committee member asked about performance metrics, and TVC said each appropriation has associated measures and that it could provide recent results. The committee then took up Senate Bill 651, which would allow a county veterans service office in a large county to report either directly to commissioners court or to a designated county executive official. Senator West explained the bill as a cleanup of current practice, and Dallas County testified in support, saying the change would streamline internal management. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 897 would reduce the non-state matching requirement for the Texas Veterans and Family Alliance grant program in larger counties from 100 percent to 75 percent in the committee substitute, rather than the 50 percent reduction in the filed version. Supporters from MetroCare and Emergence Health Network said the lower match would help sustain and expand veteran mental health services, citing increased demand and program growth. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also adopted its rules. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1814, which would create an interagency database to collect and coordinate contact information for transitioning veterans so agencies could proactively connect them with services. Senator Hancock said the goal was to better use information already being collected, though he noted the bill had a significant fiscal note. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1818, which would create a temporary six-month licensing and certification process for military members and spouses assigned to Texas while they wait for letters of good standing from other states. VFW testified in support, emphasizing the importance of employment for military families. Both bills were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Chair care pool payment program.
• <00:24:55.440> for assessment and monitoring program for assessment and monitoring program
• program. And now I'll move to Miss Mock. program. And now I'll move to Miss Mock.
• uncompensated care pool payment program uncompensated care pool payment program at<00:30:55.679>
• when because they're on our program. when because they're on our program.

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A number of programs in the education world are forecast programs, or entitlement programs, and they
• <00:30:15.600> and programs um or entitlement programs and programs um or entitlement programs
• program.
• programs and those entitlement programs programs and those entitlement programs are<00:35:04.760
• <01:27:26.000> or<01:27:26.199> the programs or they reflect programs or the programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on January 21, 2025, for its first hearing of the session and began with organizational business. Members and staff introduced themselves, described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair reviewed committee procedures, including how to request bill hearings, amendment deadlines, and handout deadlines. The committee also heard introductions from nonpartisan and partisan staff, including House Research and House Fiscal Analysis personnel who will support the committee’s work this session. The main substantive item was an overview presentation on the state budget and education finance process. Staff explained how Minnesota’s general fund is forecast twice a year, how the committee should read the budget documents and aid/levy tracking sheets, and how the current biennium compares with the upcoming budget window. They described the November forecast, noted that the committee will later receive the February forecast, and outlined the committee’s role in reviewing K-12 state aid spending, school district revenue, and property tax impacts. Staff walked through the aid appropriation summary spreadsheet and explained its columns, including end-of-session spending, fiscal year 2024-25 actuals and estimates, and the 2026-27 and 2028-29 planning horizons. They emphasized that many education programs are forecast-driven and can change with enrollment and other data. The presentation also summarized the state’s overall revenue mix and spending priorities, noting that K-12 education is the largest general fund category and that state aid makes up the majority of school revenue. No bills were heard and no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have included two programs.
• got a program.
• Let's keep the program got a program.
• public health programs? public health programs?
• program. Not encouraged at all. program. Not encouraged at all.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, program.
• And while that's an important program and a vital program and a necessary program, and it's a program
• a<02:43:54.319> vital<02:43:54.640> program important program and a vital program important
• program and it's a and a necessary program and it's a program<02:43:57.200> that<02:43:57.439
• . programs. programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So my question for you: I love the program and support it.
• Obviously, I'm just the face of the program.
• But is there a program, either federal...
• There is a program.
• program, loan assistance program.

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard two informational presentations before taking up legislation. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida described the organization’s work protecting wild and working lands, especially ranch and timber lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and argued that agricultural conservation easements are essential to preserving habitat, water resources, family farms, and the corridor itself. Senators discussed how conservation easements can help family operations remain viable across generations, and Dean emphasized strong demand for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever funding. Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida then gave a detailed presentation on honeybees, their role in pollination and Florida agriculture, and major threats such as Varroa mites, queen quality, nutrition issues, hurricanes, and the yellow-legged hornet; senators asked about colony losses, pollination alternatives, and the economic importance of beekeeping in Florida. The committee then considered SB 210 on animal cremation, sponsored by Senator Harrell. The bill was described as a response to a case involving mishandled pet cremation and would require crematories to provide clear disclosures about services, prohibit false or misleading information, and authorize civil penalties enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. Next, the committee took up SJR 318, a joint resolution by Chair Truenow creating a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. Several industry and agency representatives appeared in support, and the resolution was also reported favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment motioned by Senator Rouson.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then our final two programs are home visiting and child welfare.
• Which we did, and we found the Firstborn program to be a commendable program.
• What does completion of a home visiting program mean? So, Mr.
• both mutually determine that they've completed the program.
• , were to best fit those programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• the program itself. the program itself.
• >> Uh, well, the program is a four-year regular bachelorate program.
• so it's it's a full four-year program. so it's it's a full four-year program.
• accredited program? accredited program?
• program and leadership. program and leadership.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from its May 29 meeting and then received an informational update from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing about the state’s ASL interpreter pipeline. Representative Woods and Associate Commissioner Ann Landry explained that the American Sign Language program at UNH Manchester, the nation’s first fully accredited program, is facing viability concerns because high tuition has left only two of a potential 20 students committed so far. They warned that if enrollment does not recover, the program could face a teachout and eventually be lost, which they said would be detrimental because many state services and legal proceedings require qualified interpreters. Members discussed possible alternatives, including whether community colleges could help, and asked for follow-up research and contact information for UNH officials. The committee also heard that interpreter demand across DHHS continues to rise and that the department must ensure compliance with civil rights and service-access requirements. The committee then turned to Medicaid policy changes tied to Senate Bill 134 and a new federal interim final rule on Medicaid community engagement, or work, requirements. DHHS officials Olivia May and Ann Landry explained that the state law and federal rule align in many areas, but the committee still needed to decide how to implement several remaining policy choices. The department recommended adopting all four short-term hardship exceptions because the federal rule requires states to take them all or none: inpatient or institutional care, federally declared emergencies, high-unemployment areas, and extensive out-of-state travel for serious medical care. Members generally supported the exceptions but raised concerns about how they would be defined and applied, especially the emergency and medical-travel categories. Several legislators asked for more clarity on terms like “extensively” and “serious or complex medical care,” and DHHS said the federal rule does not rigidly define them, though the state could refine implementation through rulemaking if authorized. The department also said the emergency exception would apply only to federally declared emergencies, not state declarations, and would be tied to the emergency event itself. No final vote on the Medicaid policy was recorded in the portion provided, but the discussion indicated the committee was reviewing the remaining decisions needed to implement Senate Bill 134 under the new federal framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• this program also has state oversight. this program also has state oversight.
• . program. program.
• think a collection program makes sense. think a collection program makes sense.
• stewardship program. stewardship program.
• program properly working. program properly working.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for one of the as uh one of the program for one of the programs?
• <00:58:59.280> uh Program as well as other programs uh Program as well as other programs uh
• , program, the rental assistance program, program, the rental assistance program, um,<00:59:09.119
• That program has matched that program.
• Integration Program, the DoD REP program Integration Program, the DoD REP program [snorts] for<05

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill establishes two new children's initiatives programs, Bay County and Pompano.
• This bill establishes two new children's initiative programs, Bay County and Pompano.
• to all eligible adults when they enroll in a waiver program.
• And so first and foremost, codification of this program is paramount at this point.
• So it's really a cost savings for the state as far as SNAP and other programs.

Bills: S0006, S0036, S0560, S0778, S0844, S0864, S1002, S1016, S1022, S1030, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, psychotropic medication, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, sickle cell disease

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of health, child welfare, aging, disability, and public records bills. CS/SB 1002, on child welfare and parental substance abuse, was described as clarifying that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect when it creates an ongoing risk to a child; it passed after limited questions and supportive testimony from Florida Smart Justice Alliance. CS/SB 1630, a broad aging and long-term care modernization bill, would streamline eligibility screenings, allow temporary DOEA services during emergencies or lead agency failures, tighten oversight of area agencies on aging, permanently establish the Florida Alzheimer’s Care Center of Excellence, and expand guardianship training and enforcement tools; it drew support from AARP, area agencies, and the Alzheimer’s Association and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1022 to add Bay County and Pompano to the Florida Children’s Initiatives, and CS/SB 1030, via strike-all amendment, to streamline regulation of substance abuse and behavioral health providers and clarify background screening and privacy rules. Several bills focused on health care practice and patient access. CS/SB 36, with an amendment, allows nurses with doctoral degrees to use appropriate titles while requiring clear identification as nurses and making misuse grounds for discipline; nursing organizations supported it and it passed. CS/SB 844 requires physicians and nurses to complete a one-time, board-approved continuing education course on sickle cell disease care management, with multiple patients and advocates testifying about delayed care, bias, and the need for better provider education; the bill was reported favorably after an amendment aligning it with the House version. CS/SB 560 streamlines procedures for psychotropic medication for children in DCF custody by reducing duplicative reports, clarifying evaluator qualifications, limiting repeated background checks, and simplifying consent documentation; an amendment removed postsecondary education language, and the bill passed. The committee also approved a public records exemption bill for a uterine fibroids research database (CS/SB 864). The committee also advanced measures affecting disability services and forensic care. SB 6, a claims bill, would pay $3.8 million to a trust for a child who suffered severe abuse-related injuries after DCF involvement; it passed without opposition. SB 778 updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism found incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure forensic setting, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1016 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program, allowing eligible developmentally disabled adults to work while retaining Medicaid waiver benefits and requiring notice to enrollees; advocates described the bill as essential to employment and independence, and it passed. Throughout the meeting, most bills received supportive public testimony, few questions, and unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That previous budget slashed programs.
• We have seen program after program that the Democrats are crying foul about, saying Americans did not
• or the The school breakfast program.
• Of course, the school breakfast program and school lunch program are part of that effort for kids who
• or the School Breakfast Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• CalVet has a home loan program.
• programs.
• They needed more time to stand up their retail programs.
• We're now seven years into the program.
• And as a state agency, we support local arts infrastructure, programming, statewide through grants, programs

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives. The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access. The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• that would qualify under this program, which would be 8- to 15-week programs.
• that would qualify under this program, which would be 8- to 15-week programs.
• programs or is it just section 8? programs or is it just section 8?
• existing New Hampshire programs. Really? existing New Hampshire programs. Really?
• training programs. training programs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not currently implementing the MAT program for juveniles, the juvenile program.
• What in our Medicaid program can we use GLP-1s for?
• But it's our smaller program in New Mexico.
• Let's look at what other strategies Medicaid programs utilize beyond preferred drug lists. programs across
• suggestions of specific programs?

Transcript Highlights:

• quality and provides resources and supports for these programs.
• quality and provides resources and supports for these programs.
• quality and provides resources and supports for these programs.
• <00:37:10.320> or enrollment in a particular program or enrollment in a particular program
• <00:37:16.800> House department, program, or major. House department, program, or major.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:26 Report of Committees 05:13 Orders of the Day/ HB 6 06:22 HB 480 14:13 HB 562 17:55 HB 136 25:53 HB 257 29:47 HB 490 35:54 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 40:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 52:44 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:49 ConC/Rules Report 57:12 Floor Amendments 58:49 Adjournment 58:59, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from February 13, 2026. The Senate also transmitted Senate Bills 72 and 110 for concurrence. Committee reports advanced several bills, including measures on deputy coroner training, local jail booking procedures, local business tax collection, peace officers, Kentucky National Guard benefits, and first responder mental health. The chamber then considered House Bill 6 on child care. The sponsor described it as the product of extensive stakeholder collaboration aimed at improving affordability, quality, access, and data in child care, including changes to the low-income subsidy program, employee child care assistance, Kentucky All-Stars, micro-centers, and a military child care pilot program in House Committee Substitute 1. The substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 84-11 with one abstention after supportive remarks from members emphasizing workforce needs, family support, and military families. House Bill 480, relating to state contracts, was explained as requiring clearer contract terms for appropriated funds, partial payment protections, a 1% penalty for late payment, and semiannual reporting on whether cabinets are paying bills on time. A member noted a planned amendment to limit the bill to state-funded appropriations, but the bill passed 96-0. House Bill 562, relating to alternative high school diplomas, would create a Kentucky alternative diploma for certain students with disabilities and require the Education and Labor Cabinet to maintain employer information for graduates; members spoke in strong support of the bill’s workforce and dignity goals, and it passed 96-0. House Bill 136, relating to campaign finance, was amended to remove a $15,000 cap and allow campaign funds to pay for reasonable security costs for candidates; the sponsor cited rising threats to elected officials, and the bill passed 97-0. The transcript ends as the House moved on to House Bill 257.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:34.079> the Training uh restoration programs the Training uh restoration programs the
• The rural physician associate program, designated with the acronym RPAP, and the MetroPAP program.
• <00:38:06.839> about veterinary medicine programming about veterinary medicine programming
• medicine program medicine program and<00:41:28.160> our<00:41:28.359> office<00:41
• <00:41:34.839> dollars programs Grant programs so those dollars programs Grant programs so

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So can the author address whether this particular program, how it intersects with the HFFI program, the
• federal program?
• So if the fair program through HFFI were to be...
• Many of the farm-to-school programs, many of the grant programs that CDFA has had don't have those individual
• So how do we create the program?

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture heard three bills. SB 18 by Senator Rubio would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at CDFA to help open or improve grocery stores in food desert communities. Supporters said it would improve access to healthy food, create jobs, and help underserved neighborhoods; opponents argued it could favor large chains, lacked community input and accountability, and should better prioritize tribal, BIPOC-owned, and community-led retail. Committee members raised concerns about population thresholds, community engagement, and long-term commitments, and the author said the bill could be strengthened with guardrails. SB 18 passed 7-0 and was sent to Appropriations. SB 312 by Senator Umberg would require out-of-state shippers of dogs to electronically submit health certificates to CDFA and make them available to buyers and enforcement agencies, aiming to improve consumer protection and traceability in the puppy import pipeline. Supporters from animal welfare and humane organizations said the bill would help stop sick or misrepresented puppies from entering California and give investigators a central record. Members asked about privacy and enforcement, and the author indicated amendments could address consumer privacy concerns. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. SB 493 by Senator Becker would change how compensation is set for secretary managers of district agricultural associations and fairgrounds, shifting salary-setting authority to CDFA and requiring periodic salary surveys. Supporters said fairgrounds are critical emergency-response and community facilities and that the bill would help recruit and retain qualified leaders with fairer pay. Some members expressed concern about local control and appointment delays, but clarified the bill only addressed salary, not appointments. SB 493 also passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• or immigration, also put these other programs in jeopardy.
• or immigration, also put these other programs in jeopardy.
• in 2024 alone domestic violence programs in 2024 alone domestic violence programs served<00:10:05.120
• We know that culturally specific and rural programs will be especially hard hit.
• Programs have already started to make changes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all