Transcript Highlights:

• their patience for allowing us as an industry to explain the importance and need for us to have practical
• It's practical. There are things that TRAM would like in there that they're getting.
• I think you have a good practical bill, and that's come out from the conversations we've had, because
• should be and, as you probably know, the TCEQ recently issued a draft of recommended best practices.
• I shared TRAM's concern about best management practices.

Bills: SB2037, SB1757, SB1758, SB1759

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources took public testimony on Senate Bill 1757 and its committee substitute, a measure dealing with aggregate production operations and a new permitting option for rock crushers/aggregate facilities. Testimony centered on whether the bill should remain focused on air permitting or also include broader quarry operations such as stormwater, reclamation, monitoring, and public participation requirements. Supporters of the substitute, including representatives of the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association and Associated General Contractors, said the bill would provide a voluntary third permitting option, preserve existing authorizations, and create a more practical regulatory path for Texas growth. Opponents and critics, including representatives of Texas for Responsible Aggregate Mining, Job Materials, and Public Citizen, argued the bill as written was too weak or too broad in the wrong ways. They said best management practices should be set in statute or through negotiated rulemaking rather than left to TCEQ rulemaking, and they raised concerns about limited monitoring periods, vague air-monitoring standards, public notice procedures, and the inclusion of non-air requirements in an air permit. Several witnesses said the bill should better balance industry needs with neighborhood impacts and public health protections. Chair Birdwell questioned witnesses about ongoing negotiations between industry groups and said the bill was intended to be a practical compromise. After testimony and questions, public testimony was closed. The committee left SB 1757 and its committee substitute pending, with no vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4922 would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include freestanding emergency department
• So what does that actually mean in practice? Are they not having a role in it?
• So you want to over-regulate out of the state of Texas for the corporate practice of fiduciary?
• You want to dictate their free market practice in Texas.
• In changing the social impact of certain practices. And that's, it's in its founding.

Bills: HB4922, HB4713, HB4256, HB872, HB1571, HB4266, HB4559, SB251, SB441, SB1719

Keywords: healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law

Transcript Highlights:

• Counselors who meet the rigorous requirements accept a substantial training and practice burden, yet
• of mental health counseling and can adapt to evolving best practices.
• There were many major provisions regarding LMHC practice enacted in that law, and they have yet to be
• I practice in Cambridge.
• In my roles, I see firsthand... ...practices.

Keywords: 995, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• to drive miles and miles to the Twin Cities if they are not able to access these types of health practices
• The committee's scope of practice with optometry and ophthalmology is just one of the many areas we need
• I've practiced optometry for 38 years and have witnessed tremendous advancements both in treatment and
• Our current scope of practice limits us from performing these procedures in a clinical setting at this
• These conflicts typically arise only in the political process, not in clinical practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill singles out Islam and not other practices or other religions.
• as to why this could be a problem because we're allowing them to practice autonomously?
• What HB 693 does is prohibit the practice of self-attestation, which was a practice that was implemented
• We're going to let you practice law.
• I'm typically very cautious about scope of practice expansion because patient care...

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We make you be licensed in practice for five years before you can turn around and supervise someone else
• As a practicing physician myself and as someone who has spent years working alongside multidisciplinary
• And I guess my second question is, so I believe you practice dermatology, is that correct? Correct.
• There are dedicated physicians that, you know, what they do is emergency medicine practice.
• This ensures that training stays relevant and aligned with modern best practices.

Summary: The committee first completed action on House Bill 3009, adopting an amendment, rolling the bill into a House Committee Substitute, and then voting do pass on the substitute by a 20-0 roll call vote. The meeting then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1963, which would reduce from five years to three years the amount of licensed practice required before certain social workers may supervise others. Representative Tara Peters said the change would help address Missouri’s behavioral health workforce shortage, especially in rural areas, and testimony from the National Association of Social Workers and Burrell Behavioral Health supported the bill as a way to remove a bottleneck without changing education or supervision-hour requirements. There was no opposition testimony on HB 1963. The committee then heard House Bill 2557, which would require a physician to be physically present in an emergency department during all hours of operation. Representative George Hruza argued the bill would improve patient safety and standardize emergency care, while noting possible telehealth accommodations for low-volume critical access hospitals. Supporters, including physicians and medical associations, said patients expect physician-led emergency care and that physician presence is the gold standard. Opponents, led by the Missouri Hospital Association and several rural hospital administrators, argued the mandate is not realistic given physician shortages, could force rural ER closures, and would reduce access to care; they emphasized that current hospital models rely on teams, telehealth, and transfer protocols. The bill drew extensive discussion but no vote was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 311, which would modernize Missouri’s bail bond laws by creating a professional board and tightening training, oversight, and recovery procedures. Representative Brandon Phelps said the industry itself wants clearer standards and that he may revise the bill in committee substitute form to merge the new board with an existing board to reduce costs. A bail bond industry representative testified in support, saying the profession wants higher standards and accountability. The chair then adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It specifies that the requirement for a veterinarian who practices telehealth to certify at least 14
• days a year of clinical practice means that those 14 days must include a minimum of 105 total hours.
• The proposed substitute removes the requirement that one of veterinarian is practicing telehealth.
• 14 days a year of practice in a clinical setting?
• , I can tell you that's enough of a deterrent to do something against the practice act.

Bills: HB2384, HB2402, HB2505, HB1904, HB2145, HB2182, HB2211, HB2242, HB2247, HB2329, HB2339

Keywords: continuing care retirement community, CCRC, life plan community, senior housing, retirement community, long-term care, assisted living, nursing home, actuarial analysis, solvency, financial oversight, resident contracts, entrance fee, disclosure statement, registration, insurance commissioner, DSHS, consumer protection, elder care, aging services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:50.600><c> of</c> right now to prohibit this practice of right now to prohibit this practice
• of NDAs can be to that public practice of NDAs can be to that public trust.<00:03:27.560><c> So,</c>
• Corporations use them all the time to maneuver in private practice and in business to prevent people
• And so, that's why we need to make sure that right now we know and prohibit this practice.
• </c> know and and prohibit this practice. know and and prohibit this practice.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules in relation to extreme risk protection orders.
• Civil Practice Law and Rules in relation to extreme risk protection orders. Any discussion?
• It's an act to amend the Judiciary Law and the Civil Practice Law and Rules in relation to the purchase
• , I think, the real last time I checked, who are continuing to use this very disturbing business practice
• With specifics, especially in my own personal practice... A one-line order. A one-line order.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its fourth meeting of the year and considered a series of bills, mostly on civil practice, real property, and court administration. SB 26A on extreme risk protection orders drew some concern about possible unintended consequences and broad exclusions for minors, but it was moved and reported to Codes. SB 1116, designating April 20 as New York State Constitution Day, was moved quickly and reported to the floor. The committee spent the most time on SB 1477, which would limit certain debt-collection practices involving sovereign debt and so-called vulture investors. Senator Krueger explained that the bill is narrowly targeted at investors who buy distressed sovereign bonds with the intent to sue in New York courts, while Senator Palumbo raised concerns about breadth and possible effects on legitimate lending and contract rights. After extended discussion and assurances that the bill would not affect ordinary investors or credit-card debt, it was moved and reported to Finance. Members also discussed SB 7541 on transparency for co-ops and condos; some members warned of unintended consequences and opposition from the co-op/condo community, while others argued it would improve disclosure. The bill was ultimately reported to the floor. Several other bills were approved with little or no opposition: SB 2546 on abandoned multiple dwellings, SB 8294 requiring more detailed judicial determinations on motions, SB 8372 on expenses in matrimonial actions, SB 8870 extending supervision requirements for a real estate license application, and SB 9482 creating a New York City Civil Court subpart for eviction matters involving affordable housing providers and small landlords. SB 9482 drew supportive comments, with a note that funding and staffing would be needed in the budget for it to function effectively. All bills considered were moved out of committee and reported to the appropriate next committee or to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe in healing practices in a different way at times.
• , other practices for better outcomes within our health.
• 45.680><c> in</c><00:01:45.920><c> a</c> believe in healing practices in a believe in healing practices
• ><c> practices</c><00:01:54.399><c> for</c><00:01:54.799><c> better</c> with um other practices for better
• And I think it's a real practical approach to this problem.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• for changes to financial or asset management practices of affordable housing providers and funders to
• practices of affordable housing<00:04:23.960><c> providers</c><00:04:24.400><c> and</c><00:04:24.600
• for changes to financial best practices for changes to financial or<00:04:52.400><c> asset</c><00:04
• practices of or asset management practices of affordable<00:04:54.280><c> housing</c><00:04:54.680><
• They gave me two meetings, and they pretty much defended their practice.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it may include ideas from other sectors or geographies, adapting promising practices in new areas
• Traditional health care practices are intended to improve access to culturally responsive care for our
• Traditional health care practices are exclusively offered through our Indian health care providers.
• Traditional health care practices are exclusively offered through our Indian health care providers.
• Traditional health care practices are exclusively offered through our Indian health care providers or

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• It may include ideas from other sectors or geographies, adapting promising practices in new areas or
• Traditional health care practices are intended to improve access to culturally responsive care for our
• So this was an exciting first in the nation approval that we were practices.
• Traditional health care practices are exclusively offered through our Indian health care providers.
• Traditional health care practices are exclusively offered through our Indian health care providers or

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is just a little tiny tweak to make sure that we're keeping in line with best practices on the
• Current best practices.
• that the IRS has permitted practices that the IRS has permitted since<00:41:03.839><c> the</c><00:41
• </c><00:41:39.760><c> In</c><00:41:40.079><c> particular,</c> those best practices.
• In particular, those best practices.

Bills: SB309, HB192, SB178, SB179, SB237, HB10, HB107, HB189, HB37, HB226, SB309, HB192, SB178, SB179, SB237, HB10, HB107, HB189, HB37, HB226

Keywords: automated driving systems, oversized vehicles, transportation, regulations, permits, HB192, international wire transfer, wire transfer fee, remittance fee, money transmission business, Alabama Securities Commission, Department of Revenue, Education Trust Fund, ELL instructors, English Language Learner, ESL teachers, income tax credit, remittances, international money transfer, migrant families

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...for the discussion of medical and practice-related problems, and whereas the Arkansas chapter
• Dermatology Training Advocacy Group is the organization consisting of dermatology trainees and practicing
• physicians dedicated to promoting the highest standards of clinical practice, education, and research
• in dermatology, to advocating for policies that improve patient care and the practice of dermatology
• innovative research while striving to improve patient outcomes and uphold the highest standards of practice

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a committee of practicing attorneys that practice in this area, in the trust area.
• So if you read through it, there's, and our witness who practices, who actually chaired the committee
• I'm a practicing trust and estate attorney in St. Louis.
• This included practicing attorneys, sitting judges, trust companies, banks, and other stakeholders in
• A lot of this, and I'm a practicing attorney, is that expungements have been client-initiated.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorneys licensed in other states could be eligible to practice law in the State of Nevada.
• That's an attorney practicing law.
• It just says eligible to practice. Is my read on it?
• Otherwise, they'd be liable to be prosecuted for practicing law without a license in Nevada.
• Otherwise, they'd be liable to be prosecuted for practicing law without a license in Nevada.

Bills: AB58, AB275, SB46, SB457, SB465, AB320, AB344, AB381, AB541

Keywords: Nevada gaming, gaming regulation, sports pool, race book, interactive gaming, slot machines, restricted license, Gaming Control Board, Gaming Commission, game approval, administrative approval, service provider, cash access, wagering instruments, global risk management, information service, sports wagering, pari-mutuel wagering, casino regulation, gaming license

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that people use these practices inappropriately.
• We know that there's a wide range of practices that occur not in alignment with the way we train or expect
• We know these practices inappropriately.
• c><00:01:39.759><c> wide</c><00:01:40.079><c> range</c><00:01:40.720><c> of</c><00:01:41.200><c> practices
• </c> that there's a wide range of practices that there's a wide range of practices that<00:01:41.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, they practically came in with flaming torches because anybody— you know, in fact, one
• But, you know, they practically came in with flaming torches because anybody, you know, in fact, one
• Scope of practice wise. Who's authorized? Chair McLeod and Senator Roos, yes.
• Who is eligible to apply topical fluoride varnish, and it lists registered nurse, licensed practical
• So there's a limited number of procedures at the beginning of a practice that DTs learn, and they go

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 380 and fraudulent practices.
• </c> Relating to the practice of dentistry.
• 65 for her practical uh improvements on 65 for her practical uh improvements on the<00:20:20.160><c>
• ,</c> that back, then they couldn't practice, that back, then they couldn't practice, but<00:35:42.480
• practice practice uh<00:35:46.320><c> but</c><00:35:46.560><c> just</c><00:35:46.880><c> not</c><00:

Keywords: 958, all