Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the disability rights advocate as well as the president and CEO of Soul Testing Experiences, LLC.
• Some of my comments will relate to the material that was covered there.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.

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• Then we will go through the normal public test.
• including their implementation, operation, and it enables oversight for the handling of related materials

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• Has DES conducted an analysis on some of the spending within the autism diagnosis to test out whether
• Have you asked for material dollars in writing or in meetings to anyone at the Trump administration?

Keywords: 1182, all

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• literacy system where we still need some work, some connections between training and instructional materials
• are proud of our child for maintaining straight A's and dramatically improving their standardized test

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• Now, does that. matter, are the benefits associated with breakup, are they materially different depending
• We need to subject our own companies to rigorous competition here so that they are battle-tested, so

Keywords: antitrust, competition policy, digital advertising, monopoly, America Act, big tech, consumer rights

Summary: The meeting, titled 'Big Fixes, Big Tech', marked the first hearing of the Senate antitrust competition policy and consumer rights subcommittee in the 119th Congress. Chairman Lee opened the session focusing on the urgent need for effective solutions regarding anti-competitive behavior among major tech firms like Google and Facebook, highlighting several ongoing court cases regarding monopolistic practices in the digital advertising and search markets. Key discussions included the limitations imposed on small businesses and innovation due to the dominance of these tech giants, with many testimonies advocating for stronger legislative measures, including the America Act. The act aims to disrupt the monopolistic capabilities of these firms and restore competitive integrity in the marketplace, which has suffered under their oppressive market control.

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• I was just going to quickly add that there's actually extensive testing at the FIU Wall of Wind for this
• Yes, I have my materials with me. She's incredibly responsive, so I'm happy to do that.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with CS for SB 592, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. The bill was explained as revising condominium eligibility and grant rules, lowering the approval threshold to 75%, changing roof project rules, capping reimbursement at $175,000 per association, and excluding detached units. Two amendments were adopted, including one clarifying the three-story threshold and another adding wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program was adopted on a roll call vote, but the bill itself was then reported favorably. Testimony generally supported the program, with members noting strong demand and the need for more funding, though one amendment drew concern from a window manufacturer and some members about product approval and fairness. The committee then approved CS for SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit holders, which would allow certain facilities to be leased to Hialeah permit holders and other same-class permit holders, with an amendment making the lessee eligible to apply for, rather than automatically receive, a license for inter-track wagering or Hialeah games. CS for SB 1404 on illegal gambling was also reported favorably after amendments added a declaratory judgment process for veterans organizations, strengthened ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel, and then withdrew a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property. Prosecutors and the Gaming Control Commission supported the bill as a tool to target criminal gambling operations, while amusement machine operators and veterans groups raised concerns about overbreadth and uncertainty for lawful operators. SB 604 on residential swimming pool requirements was temporarily postponed after questions about how the new sale/transfer disclosure and safety-feature requirement would work in practice, especially for cash transactions and whether home inspectors would be involved. SB 1682, adding 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responder, was reported favorably with support from dispatchers and members who emphasized the trauma and public safety role of telecommunicators. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were both reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a cost shift to taxpayers and the spring bill drawing support from JEA. The committee also approved CS for SB 948 on flood disclosures for tenants and condo buyers, and CS for SB 1742, a major condominium and cooperative association reform bill that would adjust reserve funding rules, allow temporary reserve pauses after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over a certain threshold, permit lines of credit in lieu of reserves through 2028, expand disclosure and data reporting, and add conflict-of-interest and governance changes. The condo bill drew extensive discussion and testimony, with supporters praising the flexibility and transparency provisions and some owners urging additional relief for inland, lower-rise buildings; it was ultimately reported favorably.

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• to school districts saying that 5 years is not adequate time to plan for a new school needing to materials
• Behavioral challenges are lower test scores. That is not school choice. That is exclusion.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

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• additional funds to target proven researchers in strategic areas like a healthy Florida, advancing materials
• Clark, Florida State, thank you, Madam Chair. >> I appreciate the test and giving us a question that

Keywords: 999, senate, all

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• treatment, it's important to implement treatment criteria that is backed by evidence and has been tested
• skilled nursing facility after having... ...a massive stroke because I couldn't order the cardiac testing
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. Bonta, aye.
• Also, to narrow the requirements on MSOs to only report on material change transactions, and finally
• Also, to narrow the requirements on MSOs to only report on material change transactions, and finally

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a means-testing component to the program.
• Our means-testing criteria is identical to the home heating assistance program weatherization program
• <00:24:28.399> testing of it uh there is a means test testing of it uh there is a means test
• testing component<00:24:29.520> to<00:24:29.880> the<00:24:30.440> program<00:24
• uh so again there's means and tested uh so again there's means testing<00:25:12.200> there<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process. Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund. Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.

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• would be given a full license in the field after only three years of good evaluations and passing a test
• would be given a full license in the field after only three years of good evaluations and passing a test
• submission of materials to issuance is<00:44:27.680> problematic<00:44:28.680> especially<
• I think, from a teacher perspective, they would literally say the answers to the test are staring us
• I think, from a teacher perspective, they would literally say the answers to the test are staring us

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• We've done field testing since February. It just concluded in April.
• We will be going out to share the results of that second pilot test.
• There's a whole bunch of community engagement and education materials that will be part of that.
• Is there a test run for that? Can we, are you able to share a little bit more? Yeah, absolutely.
• Is there a test that you have to qualify to be eligible for the bilingual pay?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So FMDC will be in charge of doing all of the testing and remediation and future testing that's needed
• So FMDC will be in charge of doing all of the testing and remediation and future testing that's needed
• So I would say it's nothing usable material yet, but we are looking at the property as a whole, even
• It is being utilized and being vetted and being tested so that we can see what it does.
• Page 354 is associated with new legislation related to the lead testing requirements that were passed

Keywords: 959, house, all

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• This is, I mean, there's no drug testing done or anything.
• This is, I mean, there's no drug testing done or anything.
• How do they miss or get referred and then not get tested? That's...
• So there is testing available and it is done. Yeah.
• So there is testing available and it is done. Yeah. And to catch it that early would be wonderful.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• individuals understand when they might have the propensity for dementia and Alzheimer's, so they can be tested
• And $1,000,000 would help with organizing evidence and discovering materials for attorneys.
• This funding is to develop, test, and implement emerging information technologies.
• And then we have penetration testing of their critical applications. Then we...

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• In your materials is a map showing the locations of funded projects, and there's a brochure with additional
• <00:14:06.399> In<00:14:06.720> your<00:14:06.959> materials throughout the
• In your materials throughout the state.
• In your materials is<00:14:07.680> a<00:14:07.839> map<00:14:08.160> showing<00:
• Do come to test. test. test.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• We have successfully allocated dollars for about, well, more than 90% of the materials at this time.
• than<00:11:01.440> 90%<00:11:02.440> of<00:11:02.680> the<00:11:03.200> materials
• <00:11:04.200> uh<00:11:04.360> at<00:11:04.519> this Than 90% of the materials
• <00:14:00.040> okay you have a test okay you have a test okay good<00:14:02.880> representative
• You'll find in your materials a packet of information about our council that I'll be walking through

Bills: HF1867, HF1240

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It should have cost $12 million, but during COVID they had material shortages and everything that was
• shortages and everything that material shortages and everything that was<00:13:09.160> getting
• So I decided to take the Accuplacer test, and I did everything, and pretty soon I was in college.
• We tested it, and it has been protected so far.
• We tested it, and it has been protected so far.

Keywords: 1183, house

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• stop this from materializing. stop this from materializing.
• And at no point is anyone just given a mere math test.
• And at no point is anyone just given a mere math test. Mr.
• And at no point is anyone just given a mere math test. Mr.
• And at no point is anyone just given a mere math test. Mr.

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

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• using technology and to other materials using technology and to also<00:50:57.599> address<00
• These materials that you rent instead of own—is it going to be less costly, or is it going up?
• Our base budget for purchasing materials is only $1.5 million. Okay, but you know what?
• And then what about the last one, the automated material handling system?
• It's also our primary distribution to send materials out to neighbor islands.

Keywords: 912, senate, all