Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, all right, we'll move to open public testimony on the committee substitute to House Bill
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
• We'll begin public testimony on the committee substitute to House Bill 3711.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we'll move to open public testimony to be substitute the House Bill 1449.
• Public testimony is closed.
• All right, uh, let's see, we'll get public testimony. The committee substitute the House Bill 3711.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I'll finish up my testimony there.
• Um, and I'll finish up my testimony Um, and I'll finish up my testimony there.<00:16:23.759>
• So, we will move into testimony Okay.
• testimony as well, we do use this data. testimony as well, we do use this data.
• , but as you were doing your testimony, but as you were doing your testimony,<04:15:04.880> if

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate your testimony.
• testimony.
• written testimony. written testimony.
• your testimony here today. your testimony here today.
• with your testimony, please. with your testimony, please.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ' legislative strategy, managed high-level legislative requests and communications, and provided testimony
• The public testimony that we had was very good for some of us to be able to have, and we talked about
• The subcommittee heard testimony from the Arkansas State Crime Lab regarding the construction and the
• The subcommittee also heard testimony regarding rapid DNA testing, the new CODA system that's in place
• The Hospital Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities Study Subcommittee met on Monday to hear testimony

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• ' legislative strategy, managed high-level legislative requests and communications, and provided testimony
• The public testimony that we had was very good for some of us to be able to have, and we talked about
• The subcommittee heard testimony from the Arkansas State Crime Lab regarding the construction and the
• The subcommittee also heard testimony regarding rapid DNA testing, the new CODA system that's in place
• The subcommittee heard testimony on the Arkansas Lottery fiscal year 2027 proposed budget and director's

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A few logistical items: we accept written testimony through the position letter portal on the committee's
• She gave me her testimony.
• So if I may read her testimony on her behalf. Please. Thank you again. My name is Paloma Corona.
• You have two minutes of testimony.
• Thank you for that testimony.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no questions, we'll now move into public testimony.
• We have no public testimony on this bill. Members, is there any debate?
• Seeing no other questions, we will move into public testimony.
• Members, that concludes our public testimony. We will now move into debate.
• Seeing no other questions, we will move into public testimony. B.G.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please introduce yourself and your guests for the record, and then you may proceed with any testimony
• Krauss would mind going ahead and chiming in and giving her perspective and testimony. >> I.
• :08:32.240> and and give give uh her perspective and and give give uh her perspective and testimony
• . testimony. testimony.
• . >> Please introduce yourself and your guest for the record, and then you may proceed with your testimony

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:05 Discussion HB 3 01:32 Vote HB 3 02:26 Discussion HB 169 05:31 Vote HB 169 09:44 Discussion HB 164 10:44 Vote HB 164 12:24, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 3 was presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors with a representative from the Kentucky Pharmacist Association; the committee moved directly to a vote and passed the bill with favorable expression. The transcript does not include the bill’s substantive details, but the committee approved it without recorded opposition. House Bill 169, sponsored by Rep. Fleming, addressed coverage for eating and feeding disorders. A committee substitute was adopted after a brief explanation that the change would remove body mass index as the sole criterion for coverage decisions and instead focus more on mental health considerations, with Dr. Andrea Kray of the Kentucky Eating Disorder Council supporting the change and explaining that BMI is not a reliable marker of severity and can create barriers to timely treatment. The committee then passed HB 169 as amended with favorable expression. House Bill 164, presented by Rep. Hein with guests from the Academy of Audiology, was summarized as improving coverage for children’s hearing aids in Kentucky. After a brief explanation and no questions from members, the committee passed the bill with favorable expression. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• to take a new four-hour course dedicated and specific to distracted driving dangers, including testimonials
• include that one hour of the four-hour class include the dangers of distracted driving, including testimonials
• had their lives changed forever because of an injury or death due to... ...driving, including testimonials
• to take a new four-hour course dedicated and specific to distracted driving dangers, including testimonials
• include that one hour of the four-hour class include the dangers of distracted driving, including testimonials

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard three bills after temporarily postponing SB 1524. The committee first took up CS for SB 1264, a broad economic development bill covering law enforcement recruitment bonuses, venture capital tax credits, data center tax exemptions, military land transfers, Space Florida procurement exemptions, and changes to regional planning councils. An amendment was adopted to remove sections tied to emergency management shelter plans so the bill would align with another measure. The main debate centered on the proposal to repeal regional planning council statutes; supporters argued the councils are duplicative and bureaucratic, while opponents said they provide valuable regional coordination, technical assistance, and grant support, especially for rural communities. The bill was reported favorably 13-1, with Senator Sharif voting no. The committee then considered CS for SB 1348, which streamlines motor vehicle services by expanding the role of tax collectors as DHSMV agents. Three amendments were adopted: one making the scalping of driver and motor vehicle appointment slots a misdemeanor, one increasing penalties for texting while driving and requiring a new distracted-driving course to remove points, and one allowing veterans with DV plates to use a sticker instead of a stencil or imprint. The bill received supportive testimony from tax collectors and law enforcement-related groups and was reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 936, which directs the Department of Commerce’s workforce research bureau to conduct a recurring statewide study every three years on the effects of automation, robotics, and AI on Florida’s workforce. The sponsor said the study would have minimal fiscal impact and would help guide policy recommendations. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking staff and members.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that event, please know that your written testimony will be considered by the committee.
• Please keep yourself muted and your video off while waiting to testify, and after your testimony is complete
• If disconnected while presenting testimony, you may be allowed to continue if time permits.
• We don't have anybody listed for any testimony today. Do we have anybody on Zoom?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we listen to the testimony of the agencies who are assembled here today.
• Please share your testimony. Thank you.
• Thank you very much for your testimony here today.
• We really appreciate your testimony.
• We really appreciate your testimony.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Discussion and testimony complaints.
• testimony on this bill. testimony on this bill.
• Today in this testimony, I'm hearing a lot of rebuttal.
• instead of listening to the testimony instead of listening to the testimony and<00:58:23.680>
• <01:00:01.640> today, we heard in the earlier testimony today, we heard in the earlier testimony

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have heard testimony before in the Children and Family Law Committee, which is where this bill came
• I have written testimony. Where would you like me to leave it?
• I have written testimony. Where would you like me to leave it?
• <00:28:44.320> from there was conflicting testimony from there was conflicting testimony from
• actually concerned about the testimony actually concerned about the testimony that<01:04:57.680>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 493, a proposal to require physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to complete child abuse and neglect training as part of licensure and continuing education. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the measure addresses a gap in provider training, especially because abuse can be difficult to recognize and voluntary training has had low participation. They described a free Dartmouth online course and argued that mandatory, repeated education would help providers identify signs of abuse, know when to involve specialists or DCYF, and improve child safety. Supporters also noted the bill was amended to clarify coverage for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nursing hours, and to address language concerns raised by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Committee members and OPLC counsel raised implementation questions, including whether the bill would apply to all physicians regardless of specialty, whether it created a new licensure condition rather than only a continuing education requirement, how often the training would need to be repeated, and whether the accreditation language fit nursing rules. OPLC also noted that psychiatrists would be covered as physicians, while psychologists would not. A child abuse pediatrician testified that in his experience, children were sometimes seen by providers who missed early signs of abuse, leading to worse outcomes, and that mandatory education was needed because voluntary programs had poor uptake. The New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed the bill, saying health care professionals already have reporting duties and that the legislature should not single out one training mandate when similar requirements are generally left to licensing boards. The Office of the Child Advocate supported the bill, citing cases from 2023 involving non-ambulatory infants with fractures, conflicting medical testimony in court, and a low completion rate for the existing free online course. The Child Advocate said the bill should be mandatory and recurring so providers stay current on evolving science and law. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Williams give us a little bit of background and overview, and then we're going to take testimony kind
• Please introduce yourself and go ahead with your testimony.
• Please just introduce yourself for the record as you get started with your testimony.
• Thank you so much for your testimony, Commissioner Jepson.
• Thank you so much for your testimony, Commissioner Jepson.

Bills: HF2254, HF2302, HF2502, HF2315, HF2475, HF2086

Keywords: HF2254, Minnesota child credit, baby bonus, child tax credit, income tax, individual income tax, tax relief, newborn, birth credit, family tax credit, tax refund, advance payment, Department of Revenue, taxable year, parenting, families with children, child credit, state regulations, families, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:52.360> on<01:32:52.639> his uh read read this testimony on his uh read read
• this testimony on his behalf<01:32:54.159> um<01:32:54.360> HB<01:32:54.800> 370
• <01:36:53.040> and questions after his testimony and questions after his testimony and commerce
• And I think that's why Representative Bernardi used the word 'warehousing' in his testimony.
• We will need a pink card from you after your testimony or before, either one.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, thank you so much for your testimony.
• Uh thank you so much for<00:48:22.160> your<00:48:22.319> testimony.
• I remember previous for your testimony.
• Thank you all for your testimony, and I'd ask for the county judges to come forward, please.
• Thank you all for your testimony, and I'd ask for the county judges to come forward, please.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is that the committee received testimony regarding...
• Testimony also indicated productivity savings would be realized more as a reallocation of staff time
• Testimony did caution that an RFI is less specific than a request for proposal, and a formal request
• It was noted in testimony that the student module is the most critical module for higher education.
• So, if I understood the testimony today on the revenue shortfall and the change of some wording in a

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's moving testimony you provided.
• Thank you for your testimony. I think it's very important.
• Thank all three of you for your testimony. And Mr.
• I have attached this article to my testimony. And Andrea, we're just about...
• I have attached this article to my testimony.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Anti-Semitism opened by approving the minutes from its November 5, 2025 meeting and outlining plans for its next meeting on November 20, when it expects to vote on the draft master report and recommendations. The chair explained that revised drafts would be circulated, changes would be handled by motion, and the final vote would be by roll call. The meeting then moved through several public panels focused on prevention, education, workplace support, and community safety. Parents for Peace testified that anti-Semitism and extremism should be treated as a public health crisis and urged state funding for training in K-12 schools, healthcare, and law enforcement. The panel described its intervention work with radicalized youth and families, argued for early-warning training for educators, and recommended diversion resources for courts and prosecutors so cases can be addressed before they escalate. Commissioners asked about the origins of radicalization, the need for school-based training, and how to connect courts and police to available resources. Project Shema’s Orrin Jacobson argued that effective anti-Semitism education must be nuanced, pluralistic, and grounded in a better understanding of Jewish identity and contemporary anti-Semitism, especially in conversations about Israel and Palestine. He said the group has run dozens of workshops in Massachusetts and emphasized that institutions should adopt content-neutral norms, train staff and administrators, and measure whether trainings lower tensions and increase willingness to intervene. Commissioners asked about handling activists who reject nuance, the role of faculty versus students, and whether classroom norms should limit teachers from advancing personal agendas. A workplace panel from Klaal and Combined Jewish Philanthropies presented survey data showing many Jewish employees feel unsafe being openly Jewish at work and that antisemitism training is the top requested support. They described rapid growth in Jewish employee resource groups, existing programming and stipends for ERG leaders, and recommended mandatory anti-Semitism training, support for Jewish affinity groups in public and private sectors, and broader convenings of major employers. The commission also heard from Truah rabbis and educators, who urged stronger interfaith solidarity, a state office of faith-based and neighborhood partnerships, and explicit attention to democracy and civil rights as part of anti-Semitism strategy. After a recess, the commission heard from Israeli-American, Russian Jewish, and Persian Jewish witnesses who described antisemitism as a lived, personal, and civic issue affecting immigrants and their families. They called for inclusion of diverse Jewish voices in state initiatives, stronger protections for Israeli-American businesses, and recognition that anti-Zionist rhetoric often becomes direct harassment of Jews. The chair said the testimony and suggested edits would be incorporated into the draft report, and the meeting ended with plans for further revisions before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out one of the witness cards completely.
• Your signature is an affirmation that the testimony you give is true and honest.
• Vice Chair, if I could make a comment based on Cole's testimony. Please go ahead.
• I mean, it's relevant to the testimony and what we're trying to achieve.
• And thank you for your thoughtful testimony.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.