Transcript Highlights:

• And we did give you a lot of compliments while we didn't have you on screen.
• basic service component, and what the true customer choice are available to them to then be able to assess
• We do have, I just want to point out on time, we do have a lot of people. outside waiting to assess it

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commander, in your assessment, how were the firing of so many employees from the VA?
• the specialized health care with respect to our women veterans, whether it's increasing cancer screenings
• system challenges highlighted by users and future IT issues. should continue to conduct operational assessment

Keywords: veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention

Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in particular, do you do a needs assessment?
• I do want to say, and maybe this is coming from the education perspective, that of course assessments
• We're not seeing anything come up on the screen. I know members have to go.

Transcript Highlights:

• know, one reason you put a sunset like this is to evaluate how a program is working and to make an assessment
• Representative Gomez: Put a sunset like this is to evaluate how a program is working and to make an assessment
• economy has transitioned from people selling items door-to-door to targeted ads that flash across your screen
• 00:53:05.160><c> flash</c><00:53:05.400><c> across</c><00:53:05.760><c> your</c><00:53:05.880><c> screen
• </c><00:53:06.360><c> and</c> ads that flash across your screen and ads that flash across your screen

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• So moving on, I'm going to provide a few comments about the LAO's assessment of the governor's proposal
• So first, the LAO's assessment of the governor's proposal.
• But even by, I think, CDFW’s own assessment, the department is meeting 40%—am I correct in this?
• I didn't want to walk away with the wrong assessment of your testimony.
• The other thing I would like to get on the radar screen is, of all of these things, some of them, I say

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that that assessment will be determined based off of this vote for this urgency. Why?
• </c><01:13:12.680><c> We</c><01:13:12.760><c> had</c><01:13:12.840><c> a</c> good, trying to assess that
• We had a good, trying to assess that.
• Notably, what's not in this bill is any assessment of how good a job they're going to do, which is the
• of how good a job bill is any assessment of how good a job they're<01:14:21.960><c> going</c><01:14:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're now on page seven in the packet and on the screen.
• There is a, excuse me, page six in the packet and on the screen, I apologize.
• You can see that there is, on your screen, a difference from the language that you found in your packet
• You can see that there is, on your screen, a difference from the language that you find in your packet
• Senator Cook, we can't see his screen. We cannot see the screen.

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to consider several FY 2026 and FY 2027 cash transfers and then begin work on maintenance budget language for FY 2027. Keith Bybee of Budget and Policy Analysis and Lori Wolf of the Division of Financial Management explained that the transfers were tied to balances in funds with obligations below available cash, and that some projects had been canceled or delayed for reasons including budget constraints, site issues, or other program changes. Senator Wintrow raised concerns that some of the projects, such as corrections, reentry, juvenile services, and the Carnegie Library, had been important when originally funded and should not be viewed as unimportant now. The committee approved a $33.745 million transfer from the Permanent Building Fund to the General Fund, a $15 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General Fund, and a $10 million transfer from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund for FY 2026. It also approved a separate FY 2027 transfer of $10 million from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund, with language specifying the transfer would occur after awards were obligated and reconciled, on or after December 31, 2026. Each motion passed on roll call with due-pass recommendations, with a small number of dissenting votes. After the cash transfer actions, the committee shifted to reviewing the draft clear language for FY 2027 maintenance budgets. Bybee explained that the packet contained standard language for the ten maintenance budgets and that the analysts would work with members in agency-by-agency workgroups because the reporting structure had been disrupted by budget adjustments. Members discussed how maintenance-bill language is selected and confirmed that the language reflects existing law or previously adopted budget provisions. The committee then adjourned until the next morning, with workgroups to continue reviewing the maintenance budget language.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is assessment payment via electronic funds.
• The first is the assessment payment via electronic funds.
• The one trailer bill language, the assessment payment via electronic funds transfer..."
• However, a copy of that assessment wasn't submitted with this report.
• That's where our maintenance program is able to go in and assess the severity.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department described funding for EDD Next document management work, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, UI and school employee benefit changes, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to an EDD Next reversion. PERB discussed reduced funding requests for AB 288 due to litigation and a proposal to implement AB 1 covering legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and removing a salary cap for the DWC administrative director. CalHR proposed consolidating employee assistance services into a statewide contract with enhanced support for first responders, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs, state contributions, and benefit overpayments. Members focused heavily on the unemployment insurance debt and interest payments, asking why the administration had no concrete plan to pay down principal. Finance and LAO explained that the state’s UI tax structure has long been insufficient and that any long-term solution would need to address both the outstanding federal loan and the structural imbalance in employer taxes. Questions also centered on EDD Next costs and timelines, with the chair asking for clearer long-term project cost estimates and Finance noting that future maintenance and operations costs will continue after implementation. On DIR’s emerging technologies unit, members asked whether it would address AI-driven workplace harms; DIR said the unit would focus on physical workplace safety issues involving AI, robotics, autonomous equipment, and related guardrails, while LAO noted broader labor-practice questions would likely fall outside Cal/OSHA’s scope. In the CalPERS discussion, members raised concerns about transparency in private equity and external management fees, while CalPERS said higher fees reflect a strategy of greater private-market and active-management exposure and are offset by higher net returns. Members urged more information on specific investments and future reporting. For CalSTRS, Finance presented routine contribution and overpayment adjustments, but members also raised broader transparency concerns that CalSTRS staff said they would follow up on separately. Public comment in Part A was dominated by strong support for an immigrant worker emergency relief fund, along with support for apprenticeship and workforce proposals and PERB staffing. The chair and members said they would follow up on where the immigrant relief proposal should be considered, noting it may belong in another policy area. The hearing then moved into Part B with an overview of Judicial Branch-related May Revision items, including court interpreter funding, appellate court security, workload cap changes, lactation room implementation delays, and a reduction to the state court facility construction backfill.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we've developed is an assessment tool. It's about 20 questions.
• And what we're going to do with that assessment tool is gauge housing risk.
• So the assessments is where a majority of our income for that division comes from.
• The last biennium, 23 to 25, about 90% of our income came from those assessments.
• The assessments are also based on asset size for the credit unions.

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm talking green screens.
• And I'm talking green screens.<00:07:17.440><c> So,</c><00:07:17.640><c> if</c><00:07:17.800><c> you<
• /c><00:07:17.919><c> remember</c><00:07:18.720><c> when</c><00:07:19.080><c> there</c> screens.
• So, if you remember when there screens.
• and a dial that would be a green screen and a dial that would<00:07:21.160><c> spin,</c><00:07:21.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• screening for parents, right?
• I know Faiola had a bill related to the postpartum pediatric screening.
• And there was a screening mandate for both public and private insurers in both the maternity care and
• And in fact, there were things on screening in the law that we had pushed for over a decade ago when
• There's also a screening happening on April 11th at the Ritz-Carlton in Boston.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The meeting was an organizational and planning session of the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression. After roll call and housekeeping, the co-chairs thanked Senator Liz Miranda for her service and announced Senator Adam Gomez as the new Senate co-chair. Senator Miranda explained her transition off the leadership role due to other responsibilities and personal losses, while Senator Gomez said he was honored to join, would listen and learn, and would bring a Western Massachusetts perspective to the statewide commission. Members discussed current maternal health developments, including a new Department of Public Health regulation implementing the 2024 midwifery law and allowing temporary licenses for licensed certified professional midwives. The commission also reviewed open seats and possible future appointees, with an emphasis on adding regional, clinical, and lived-experience diversity. Several commissioners raised concerns about birthing hospital and inpatient obstetric unit closures, workforce shortages in OB-GYN and midwifery, reimbursement changes, and the need to expand training slots and funding for perinatal care. A major theme was how the commission should focus its work in the coming year. Members suggested more attention to parent-child relational health, pediatric screening for postpartum mood disorders, coordination across OB-GYN, pediatrics, infant mental health, and home visiting systems, and stronger involvement from clinicians and organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The Division of Public Health and the Division of Insurance shared updates on community midwifery reimbursement, a payer learning community, insurance coverage for mental health examinations, and the need for better education about birthing centers and doulas. Commissioners also discussed substance use and maternal mental health supports, noting that current funding for community-based organizations is limited compared with demand. The group reviewed upcoming maternal health events in April, including Black Maternal Health Week activities, and agreed there was not enough time to plan a new commission event for May. Instead, members favored using the commission’s communication channels to share relevant events and information. The commission approved a motion to create a biweekly digest for information sharing, with urgent items still able to be sent directly to commissioners, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Wyoming, this type of screen, or is this a one-off deal?
• of Wyoming, this type of screen, or is this a one-off deal?
• In this case, they'll be screened in a drum and returned.
• In this case, they'll be screened in a drum and returned.
• In this case, they'll be screened in a drum and returned.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But so we've got them on the screen today. Mr.
• Codle is going to talk screen today. Mr.
• >> I got a share screen option here. I'll click on it.
• &gt;&gt; Looks<00:07:36.000><c> like</c><00:07:36.240><c> your</c><00:07:36.479><c> screen</c><00:07:
• is up and ready &gt;&gt; Looks like your screen is up and ready to<00:07:38.560><c> proceed.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 01:17 SB 19 Discussion: 02:23 SB 19 Vote: 16:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1494 modifies required coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings in Florida
• The bill also provides that the policy or contract must cover one or more medically necessary screenings
• , including mammogram screenings based on a licensed physician recommendation.
• The bill also provides that the policy or contract must cover one or more medically necessary screenings
• , including mammogram screenings based on a licensed physician recommendation.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and heard a full agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and passed without objection after supportive testimony from banking and credit union groups. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program; the sponsor described it as a way to move emergency out-of-network payment disputes away from costly litigation and into an independent dispute resolution process modeled on the federal No Surprises Act. A proposed amendment drew significant questions from senators and concerns from the Florida Insurance Council about confusion over state versus federal eligibility and possible effects on contracted rates, and the sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment. The underlying bill was then supported by health care and insurance stakeholders and reported favorably. SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels also passed, with Progressive Insurance waiving in support. The committee next approved CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which requires continuing education for agents, clearer consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; the amendment was technical and adopted. SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage was presented as expanding required coverage for mammograms and supplemental screenings for certain insurance products, and it passed with support from cancer and radiology groups. CS/SB 314 on digital asset issuers was amended to create a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act, allowing state-level regulation as an alternative to federal supervision, and was reported favorably. SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, including higher small-estate thresholds and clearer authority for personal representatives, also passed after a banking-related amendment requiring letters of administration for safe deposit box access was adopted. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance, which raises the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ comp policies from 10% to 20% and adjusts the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; a carrier representative testified that the change would help keep more high-risk accounts in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 on a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for DFS to create a Florida coin, limit the pilot to existing stablecoins with at least $1 billion market capitalization, and require qualified public deposit handling; it then passed. CS/SB 838 on electronic payments for retail installment contracts clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments are permissible while preserving a fee-free option, and it was reported favorably after questions about consumer access to free payment methods. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, made a wide range of administrative changes affecting My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, licensing, bail bonds, and other DFS functions; a late-filed amendment on title insurer appointments was adopted, and the bill passed. The committee also approved SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting condo hardening assistance to owner-occupied units meeting income and occupancy criteria, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which the sponsor and industry witnesses said would modernize Florida law and promote insurance competition and economic activity. The meeting ended with all bills on the agenda reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is the assessment payment via electronic funds.
• This proposed trailer bill language will require payment of the annual employer assessment by electronic
• The one trailer bill language, the assessment payment via electronic funds transfer—I remember this was
• Legislature to assess whether the change is effective.
• However, a copy of that assessment wasn't submitted with this report.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They'll be up on the screen, and they should be live on fiscal.
• Printed for you, they'll be up on the screen, and they should be live on fiscal.1.gov.
• operating budget three-way comparison statewide summary report, and Lisa will be bringing this up on the screen
• If you could screen-share the next page, Lisa, for an example.
• So as this is coming up on the screen, there were a variety of fund transfers in both the Senate-passed

Summary: The conference committee on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998 met to review the operating budget conference report. House and Senate budget coordinators walked through comparison documents showing the Senate-passed budget, House-passed budget, and the conference proposal, including statewide totals, agency detail, revenue assumptions, transfers, and the four-year outlook. They said the conference budget uses the February 2026 ERFC forecast, includes an $880 million transfer from the budget stabilization account to the general fund, and reflects a four-year net near-general-fund impact of about $800 million, with an ending fund balance of $231 million in 2025-27 and $563 million in 2027-29. They also noted that future collective bargaining agreements are not included in the outlook beyond those already settled. The briefing highlighted major policy items across the budget, including Working Families Tax Credit expansion, a proposed city and county fiscal health account, changes to Working Connections child care attendance payments, behavioral health facility and staffing adjustments, long-term care funding for certain non-citizen residents affected by federal changes, Apple Health and other health-related responses to H.R. 1, K-12 changes such as free school meals contingent on related legislation, Running Start and transportation depreciation adjustments, higher education administrative reductions, corrections staffing and bed changes, wildfire response funding, and state employee compensation agreements. Members also discussed the budget’s reliance on revenue measures and transfers, including legislation referenced as 2487, 6228, 6231, and 6346. After the presentation, Senator Robinson moved adoption of the conference report and passage of the bill as recommended by the committee. In discussion, supporters said the budget protected core services and responded to federal H.R. 1 impacts, while opponents criticized the size of the budget, the use of reserves, future outlook assumptions, and reductions in some K-12 and other programs. The committee then voted 4-2 to recommend the conference report and ESSB 5998 to the legislature, with Representatives Gregerson and Ormsby and Senators Robinson and Stanford in favor, and Representative Couture and Senator Gildon opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we're seeing more and more that employers are going to be using it to select applicants, to screen
• 04:08.319><c> select</c><00:04:08.799><c> applicants</c><00:04:09.480><c> to</c><00:04:09.720><c> screen
• </c> using it to select applicants to screen using it to select applicants to screen people<00:04:10.920
• screen out potential applicants<00:09:41.839><c> you</c><00:09:41.959><c> know</c><00:09:42.120><c>
• and then a printer a mouse and a screen and then a printer are<00:23:21.320><c> some</c><00:23:21.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He understood that property assessment is not just a number.
• not</c><00:41:43.839><c> just</c><00:41:44.000><c> a</c> property assessment is not just a property assessment
• Ed on the board of assessment review.
• He told me Ed was one assessment review.
• We need to know how we expand access to early detection and screening, which we know saves lives.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• city was in non-compliance with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen
• city was in non-compliance with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen
• city was in non-compliance with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen
• city was in non-compliance with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen
• city was in non-compliance with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee approved the February 13 minutes and then heard several committee reports. The executive committee report noted that audit and special reports were scheduled for presentation, one requested report remained outstanding, and staff was asked to review selected Benton County circuit court case transfers. The committee also received and adopted reports from the counties and municipalities committee, the education committee, and the state agencies committee. Those reports covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, education audit reports, and state agency findings such as duplicate vendor payments, collateral issues, record-keeping problems, and vehicle log deficiencies. In each case, the committee voted to file or adopt the reports, with some reports deferred for follow-up or for officials to appear at a later meeting. A major portion of the meeting focused on the City of Pine Bluff’s 2024 financial audit. Auditors said the city received a clean opinion overall, but management letter findings identified serious issues in the mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and the finance department. The Parks and Recreation finding involved $179,629 in manual receipts that could not be traced to city deposits, missing receipts from several facilities, $48,415 in unallowable purchases, $13,000 in questionable purchases, altered invoices, unapproved vendors, and missing equipment; those matters were referred to the prosecuting attorney, attorney general, Governmental Bonding Board, and Arkansas State Police. The finance finding cited weak cash-receipting and bank-reconciliation procedures and late or missing deposits. City officials, including the mayor, finance director, and parks director, testified that the problems predated the current administration and said they had taken corrective steps. They described hiring a forensic audit firm, creating or updating standard operating procedures, improving receipting and deposit processes, adding procurement oversight, and moving Parks and Recreation to electronic or system-based receipting. Committee members questioned the officials about oversight, nonprofit relationships, and whether theft or system failures were to blame. After discussion, the committee voted to file the Pine Bluff report. The next meeting was announced for June 4-5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the horses that you take in as candidates for this training, what's the process, screening process
• But um and I don't know if that really answers your question as far as a screening process, but we get
• </c><01:50:23.199><c> process,</c> question as far as a screening process, question as far as a screening
• Do you think it would behoove you to have input into that screening process?
• the the impacts and the cost of assess the the impacts and the cost of overabundance<02:41:35.200><c

Keywords: 916, all