Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The bill is referred to the Committee on Taxes.
• by saying I those opposed<00:58:07.440><c> the</c><00:58:07.520><c> motion</c><00:58:07.880><c> prevails
• c><00:58:08.319><c> the</c><00:58:08.400><c> bill</c><00:58:08.599><c> is</c> opposed the motion prevails
• the bill is opposed the motion prevails the bill is referred<00:58:09.079><c> to</c><00:58:09.240><c

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• relative to work-release programs, purposes of the program, assessment of costs, and disbursement of wages
• , relative to work-release programs, purposes of the program, assessment of costs, disbursement of wages
• Committee on Criminal Justice reports assessment of costs, disbursement of wages.

Bills: HR159 , HR160 , HR161 , HR162 , HR163 , HR164 , HCR60 , HCR61 , HCR62 , HCR63 , HCR64 , HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , SB124 , SB399 , SB441 , SB447 , SB460 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB175 , HB330 , HB364 , HB414 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB628 , HB786 , HB909 , HB1008 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1041 , HB1052 , HB1062 , HB1070 , HB1079 , HB1112 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1151 , HB1154 , HB1176 , HB1182 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1231 , HB1241 , SB244 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB193 , HB310 , HB635 , HB690 , HB961 , HB1003 , HB1146 , HB864 , HB977 , HB181 , HB31 , HB664 , HB615 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB284 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113 , HB1234 , HB1236

Keywords: occupational therapy, healthcare, medical professionals, recognition, professional day, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, Louisiana State Law Institute, real estate law, Black Maternal Health Week, maternal health, racial disparities, healthcare access, culturally competent care, Louisiana, community health, motorcycle safety, awareness month, motorcyclists education

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and received Senate messages, including several Senate bills and resolutions that were referred or laid over. The chamber also adopted a series of House resolutions honoring local organizations, commemorations, and community events, and referred one resolution on climate action to Natural Resources. Several Senate bills were read and referred to the appropriate committees, including measures on peer review confidentiality, higher education research security, pre-K program standards, police civil service, and a memorial highway designation. The main floor business was the budget. The House considered House Bill 1, the general appropriations bill, in Committee of the Whole and reviewed major funding levels and committee changes across state government. The bill included significant funding for early childhood education, higher education, TOPS, health care, corrections, public safety, transportation, and other agencies, along with adjustments tied to LASERS debt payoff, Medicaid, MFP, and various one-time or recurring items. Members heard brief questions on higher education funding and DOTD road needs, but no amendments were offered on the floor during the schedule-by-schedule review. HB 1 was reported from Committee of the Whole with amendments and then finally passed by a vote of 104 yeas. The House then took up House Bills 2 and 3, the capital outlay bill and the omnibus bond authorization act, both of which were explained as the financing measures for the capital program. HB 2 emphasized limited member project funding, reallocation of dormant projects, and bundling of projects to move them forward more efficiently; HB 3 authorized the bond sales needed to fund HB 2. Both bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The chamber also passed supplemental and fiscal bills including HB 312, HB 313, HB 383, HB 314, HCR 3, HB 983, and HB 1126, covering supplemental appropriations, treasury fund transfers, ancillary funds, hospital assessments, judiciary funding, and legislative expenses. The meeting ended with personal privileges, staff recognition, announcements, and adjournment to Monday at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wage increases came second.
• highest standard of health care in their collective bargaining agreements, which left very little for wages
• Very little for wages and other fringe benefits.

Bills: SB6258 , SB6182 , SB5947 , SJR8206 , SB5823 , SB6292

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database, National Practitioner Data Bank, license renewal, license reinstatement, medical board, professional discipline, credential surrender, healthcare regulation, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund

Transcript Highlights:

• And like he said, the longer programs do not increase wages once they get out in the field.
• We could hire dozens more right now, and it's a good wage.
• that was put forward why we should not pass your bill is the potential for market oversaturation, wage

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also cannot have clinicians' salaries and wages for facilities that subject clinicians to a non-compete
• We also cannot, unalleled costs would be clinicians, salaries, and wages for facilities that subject
• to note in here is that it provides that funds may be transferred to the department's salaries and wages

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was an objective around jobs, where the target was 18 jobs and wages of $35,000 at a Washington
• We cannot state whether the jobs and wages at this facility met the jobs objective.
• There was a And wages at this facility met the jobs objective.

Bills: SB5754

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also looked at the wage data from ESD, and in our sample, we estimated about 39% of the drivers in
• We've identified that the cost and driver wages tend to be a barrier, and so taking some steps to improve
• We've identified that the cost and driver wages tend to be a barrier, and so taking some steps to improve

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on January 7, 2026, approved the December minutes, and adopted an amended work plan. Staff proposed moving the drug takeback program sunset review up to 2026 and delaying the thermal energy network pilot review to 2028, which would free capacity for new studies. Members also noted bills that would eliminate two recurring JLARC reports, including one on unemployment insurance training benefits and one on lodging tax revenue reporting. The committee then discussed JLARC’s own performance measures and a pilot approach for evaluating tax preference performance statements in fiscal notes. Staff said JLARC will begin surveying members and the full legislature on satisfaction, track invitations to present to other committees, monitor recommendation resolution rates, staff retention, on-time report delivery, peer review results, and national recognition. For tax preference reviews, staff proposed a standard rubric to assess whether performance metrics match policy goals, are measurable, use reliable data, and allow enough time for evaluation; members generally supported the effort. Staff also outlined planned changes to public records reporting, including allowing agencies to opt out of tracking low-volume metrics, targeted outreach to nonreporting agencies, better data validation, clearer online guidance, and a survey of public records officers. The main audit presentation was a preliminary report on ignition interlock device compliance and monitoring. JLARC found that about 41% of drivers required to install devices had done so, with installation rates rising sharply with income; half of affected drivers earned less than $28,000 a year, and the typical annual device cost was about $2,700. Staff said the state’s financial assistance program has limited reach and lacks clear goals, performance measures, and coordination between the Department of Licensing and State Patrol. They recommended that the agencies formalize their roles and develop a coordinated strategy to improve installation rates. State Patrol and Licensing said they support the findings, described recent outreach pilots, and said they would work on a management plan and possible expansion of outreach efforts. JLARC also presented an expedited preliminary report on the drug take-back program’s fee setting and expenditures. Staff concluded that the current fee design limits the Department of Health’s ability to recover oversight costs and that public reporting of oversight expenditures would improve transparency. They recommended that DOH publicly report its oversight activities and that the legislature amend the fee structure to remove the cap tied to program operator expenditures. DOH agreed the current structure does not fully recover costs and said it would support a statutory change. The committee adjourned after noting its next regular meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gerwig: Following up to that one, minimum wage went up $1 in the state of Florida as of whatever date
• It does not automatically increase with minimum wage.
• IT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY INCREASE&nbsp;&nbsp; 970 WITH MINIMUM WAGE. 971 >> Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members. The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency. Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of the formality in the context of the paid family leave program which provides an eight-week wage
• Staggering wages in RTO will likely lead to high turnover in state. increasing recruitment costs, decreasing
• Telework is an incentive that attracts and retains quality state workers when wages have stagnated for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Weber: Okay, I'm going to change my vote to a no to go to the prevailing side, Senator

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Help us remember Your desires will prevail, Father.

Bills: HB4440 , HJR1067 , HJR1087 , HB4426 , HB3704 , HB4311 , HB3044 , HB4191 , HB3465 , HB3972 , HB3759 , HB3625 , HB1411 , HB2980 , HB3015 , HB3147 , HB3277 , HB3323 , HB3443 , HB3882 , HB3406 , HB2975 , HB3977 , HB3263 , HB2988 , HB3404 , HB1770

Keywords: Medicaid, low-income adults, healthcare, eligibility restrictions, constitutional amendment, Medicaid expansion, SoonerCare, health coverage, federal matching funds, FMAP, Article XXV-A, state question, special election, Title 63, public assistance, healthcare funding, federal-state match, Medicaid eligibility, Oklahoma Constitution, ad valorem

Transcript Highlights:

• the adolescent minor, the material has to depict sexual conduct that is patently offensive to the prevailing

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee took up Senate Bill 1448, with Senator Todd Lakey explaining that the measure makes technical revisions to Idaho’s obscenity-related library law in response to recent court decisions and language suggested by the Attorney General’s office. He said the bill does not change the underlying policy from the earlier law, but updates definitions such as “adolescent minor,” clarifies exceptions for things like breastfeeding, childbirth, medical treatment, and non-erotic contact, and aligns the statute more closely with the Miller test and current case law. Several library and public witnesses testified in opposition. They argued the bill would still chill access to constitutionally protected materials, create liability for libraries, and force subjective judgments by librarians and boards. Speakers from the Community Library, Idaho Library Association, Library Alliance of North Idaho, and individual residents also criticized the process and timing of the bill, saying it limited public scrutiny. One witness raised concern about language referencing homosexuality in the definition of sexual conduct, while another urged repeal of the law rather than further revisions. After Senator Lakey closed, Senator Foreman moved to send SB 1448 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, seconded by Senator Kaiser. Senator Ruchti said the bill’s history gave him pause but acknowledged the new language appeared to improve the statute. The committee approved the motion, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no, and sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• the adolescent minor, the material has to depict sexual conduct that is patently offensive to the prevailing

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating Anna Karaz on her 100th birthday. It then took up and passed to be engrossed a home rule bill authorizing bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole for the Town of Randolph. The sponsoring senator spoke in support, saying the measure would improve access, inclusivity, and voter participation for Randolph’s growing Haitian Creole-speaking population, and noted the town’s low recent turnout and the importance of not waiting for a federal language-access review. The Senate also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the Town of Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor. It later adopted a Ways and Means order advancing a House bill on teacher preparation and student literacy with a new draft, and suspended rules to refer several Senate petitions. Additional local bills were enacted, including measures concerning Provincetown’s charter, the appointed town clerk in Avon, and Westwood liquor license authority. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition on retirement benefits for a Massachusetts Maritime Academy associate professor. Later, the Senate amended and passed a bill validating and confirming certain acts and proceedings of elected and appointed officials in the Town of Plymouth. A senator also offered remarks congratulating Sweet Paws Rescue on its 15th anniversary and new facility, which were ordered printed in the Journal. The chamber then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Gerard W. Moynihan of North Reading, followed by a moment of silence, and adjourned until the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero nays; the motion prevails. All right members, is there any more business to discuss today?

Bills: HB3557 , HB5578 , SB973 , SB974 , SB2068 , SB2073

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, incomplete structure, human occupancy, tax exemption, HB 5578, Texas Tax Code, Section 6.062, appraisal district, county appraisal district, chief appraiser, budget hearing, public notice, notice of hearing, newspaper publication, website notice, social media notice, online newspaper, county government, property appraisal

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and the amendment is adopted. Further amendments at the desk.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails, and the A1 amendment is adopted. Representative Tapkey, thank you very much, Mr.
• The motion prevails. The A2 amendment is adopted. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• The motion prevails. The A2 amendment is adopted. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• c><01:05:13.599><c> no</c><01:05:14.599><c> the</c><01:05:14.680><c> motion</c><01:05:15.000><c> prevails
• </c><01:05:15.839><c> the</c> those oppose no the motion prevails the those oppose no the motion prevails

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. The amendment is adopted. Senator Jeong, tell us about your bill.
• Motion prevails. 1373 be recommended to pass and be 1373 be recommended to pass and be re-referred<00
• 16.440><c> you</c><00:27:17.000><c> chair</c><00:27:17.360><c> Senator</c><00:27:17.720><c> umu</c> prevails
• thank you chair Senator umu prevails thank you chair Senator umu verbon<00:27:18.760><c> senfl</c><00
• Motion prevails. The amendment is adopted. Senator Oumou Verbeten, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion prevails. Thank you, Representative. Okay, let's get right into the agenda.
• Motion prevails. Two-year bill as amended. Representative Witte, thank you, Chair Davids.
• Motion prevails. It kind of scared me on that one. I kind of had to come to the rescue one.
• like all in favor say I I opposed motion<00:41:43.119><c> barely</c> motion barely motion barely prevails
• it it isn't matter it kind of prevails it it isn't matter it kind of scared<00:41:47.400><c> me</c><

Bills: HF1833 , HF148 , HF1127 , HF1227 , HF1681 , HF1974 , HF1106 , HF1016 , HF2197

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness