Transcript Highlights:

• The section also authorizes cooperative purchases of equipment and authorizes DHS to make bulk purchases
• advanced practice registered nurses, counseling, dietitians, emergency medical services personnel, the Interstate

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Health Care Task Force reconvened to hear reports from its divisions. The Appropriations Division reviewed a draft bill appropriating $198 million in federal grant funds for the current year and another $198 million for the next grant year, authorizing DHS to transfer funds within its budget, allowing OMB to adjust federal fund authority for related grants, speeding procurement and bulk purchasing, requiring grant recipients to acknowledge the temporary nature of the funding, and mandating periodic reporting. After questions were answered to the division’s satisfaction, the committee voted to forward the appropriations bill draft to Legislative Management. The Policy Division then reviewed four bills. One would require the presidential physical fitness test to be included in high school physical education; another would require physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle; a third would add physician assistants to the interstate licensure compact framework; and a fourth would authorize limited pharmacist prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Members generally supported the first three measures and noted that the pharmacist bill had been amended in discussion but was left in its current form so stakeholders could comment before the special session. The division also discussed that all four policy bills were tied to the federal grant funding and that failure to pass them, or changing them in a way that reduced CMS scoring, could reduce or eliminate funding. Department officials confirmed that if any of the bills failed or were altered in a way that lowered the score, the state could lose money and could not make up the points elsewhere. Members raised concerns about the physical fitness bill, including possible exemptions for students with severe illnesses or physical limitations, and noted the need for DPI input. Leadership indicated the special session hearings would likely begin Wednesday morning. The committee then approved a motion for Legislative Council to prepare a committee report for Legislative Management and adjourned, noting the task force may need to remain available during the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 551-FN establishes a statutory framework prohibiting cooperation with out-of-state investigations
• <03:26:36.640> commerce extr territoriality, interstate commerce extr territoriality, interstate
• If I know that cooperation between our local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies is
• If I know<05:10:59.440> that<05:10:59.760> cooperation<05:11:01.120> between<05:
• 11:01.440> our<05:11:01.760> local, know that cooperation between our local, know that

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The pilot program would include one section of interstate in the state of Alabama only.
• interstate in the state of Alabama only. interstate in the state of Alabama only.
• <00:21:15.440> job<00:21:15.679> in<00:21:15.840> the It's only one interstate
• There are very few miles within the almost 10,000 miles of non-interstate roadway that ALDOT maintains
• Cooper and Mr. Austin have said, I wanted to respond to the statement Mr.

Bills: SB222, HB560, HB475, HB484, HB583, HB542, HB566

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• Interstate commerce can... Can one of you explain?
• You cannot stop interstate transport or sales, interstate commerce or delivery through the USPIS.
• Interstate commerce, yeah. So the reality is that.
• You cannot stop the interstate commerce or interstate transport or the delivery or possession of a federally
• The interstate commerce issue is very complicated.

Bills: HB28, SB3, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• Historical Resources directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state
• DLIS also administers the state aid to libraries and library cooperative grant programs, which total
• The federal-state cooperative agreement entity has four recurring line items: $1.3 million in general
• the 25% required state match in order to receive funding from the federal government through the cooperative
• The cooperative agreements range in support from Florida Youth Challenge Academy readiness operations

Summary: The committee met to review agency program funding as it prepared to build the budget, hearing brief presentations from six agencies and then taking member questions. Florida Division of Emergency Management highlighted its role in response, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation, describing a largely federal pass-through budget, major technology investments, and large disaster and preparedness grant activity. The Department of Commerce, Department of State, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, Florida State Guard, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also summarized their budgets, staffing, and major programs, including workforce and economic development, elections and arts funding, housing assistance, transportation work programs, military readiness, state guard expansion, and highway safety and motorist services. Members focused questions on several issues: arts and library grant funding and whether award criteria had changed; Commerce’s rural infrastructure and job growth grants and why funds were not being disbursed faster; Florida Housing’s use of SAIL, Live Local, Hometown Heroes, and SHIP funds and how smaller agencies learn about and access funding; and DOT’s work program gap between agency and governor proposals. The most extensive questioning was directed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about long DMV lines, vacancies, overtime, staffing shortages, and the ability to shift funds between divisions. The department said staffing and pay constraints, especially in South Florida, were driving service delays and vacancy rates, and that overtime was being used because troopers were leaving for better-paying jobs. The Florida State Guard was also questioned about its spending and procurement pace, including aircraft purchases and facilities. Its director said long procurement timelines explained the low initial spending and that obligations had risen sharply as contracts matured. Members also asked about the department’s public opposition to Amendment 3 and whether agency resources were used in that effort; the director said no contracts or purchases were made to influence the vote and said the colonel’s comments were made off the clock. The meeting ended with the chair asking agencies to respond promptly to unanswered questions, and the committee adjourned without any recorded votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much, appreciate the cooperation. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry.
• Something that I really want to zero in on is the growing cooperation between Beijing. And Moscow.
• If we're able to lay responsibility at Beijing's door, and if they are cooperating with Moscow on some
• I think it's a country-level investigation and international cooperation.
• We never heard of interstate cables being disrupted, and now all of a sudden we get one right after the

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner Smith told me she could issue a fiduciary arrest warrant if I didn't cooperate with this
• At the end of the status conference, she stated that if I did not cooperate with working with the fiduciary
• Now, if we have interstate... This is a state issue, not a federal issue.
• Now, if we have interstate connections, then we can make it federal. Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the transcript, Commissioner Smith told me she could issue a fiduciary arrest warrant if I didn't cooperate
• Per the transcript, at the end of the status conference, she stated that if I did not cooperate with
• Now, if we have interstate... This is a state issue, not a federal issue.
• Now, if we have interstate connections, then we can make it federal. Thank you for your testimony.

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also last year, the Department of War's Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded Oak Harbor
• Also last year, the Department of Wars Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded Oak Harbor
• I heard a common theme between Colonel Hanke's briefing and yours: the value of interstate compacts to
• you have ideas where we can improve, areas we can improve in, maybe there's another piece of the interstate

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I've been a proponent for 80 miles an hour on the interstate for a long time.
• You know, I've been a proponent for 80 miles an hour in the interstate for a long time.
• support Rough Rider Industries in a manner that enables them to expand their mission while working in cooperation
• support prison industries in a manner that enables them to expand their mission while working in cooperation

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• also is About three quarters of these dams are situated within probably 100 miles either way of Interstate
• when it exceeds our capability and capacity, we, uh, mobilize working with TDEM, uh, the Texas Interstate
• We provide a variety of technical assistance to private landowners, a range of cooperators that we have
• We actually started a cooperative, uh, in the panhandle with ranch, uh, owners that had helicopters.

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4010, genetic counselors; HB 4011, HOA; HB 4012, special needs patients; HB 4013, interstate agreement
• Representative Cooper, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The question before the House is shall the Cooper sub-floor amendment be adopted to House Bill 2133.
• Cooper, please move your bill as amended. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as American Heart Month, with Representative Willoughby emphasizing CPR, AED awareness, and cardiac emergency preparedness. Members also welcomed school visitors and representatives of the Arizona Fairs Association, and the chamber handled routine business including committee assignments, first and second readings, and referral of bills. The main floor action occurred in Committee of the Whole, where the House considered several bills and amendments. HB 2016, HB 2133, HB 2223, HB 2459, HB 2501, and HB 2785 were all advanced with do-pass recommendations, with amendments adopted on HB 2016, HB 2133, HB 2223, and HB 2785. HB 2785 drew extended debate over tax conformity and the governor’s tax forms: supporters said it would codify federal tax conformity, preserve filing certainty, and prevent taxpayers from having to amend returns, while opponents argued it would mainly benefit corporations and wealthy taxpayers and lacked a clear funding plan. HB 2785’s committee amendment was adopted by division vote, 31-22. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House moved to third reading and passed HB 2029, HB 2120, HB 2126, and HB 2131. HB 2045 failed on third reading, and a later motion to reconsider that failure also failed. The chamber then entered a period of personal privilege remarks about legislative process, representation, and Black History Month, followed by committee announcements and adjournment until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The speaker said the state used to be part of Interstate Crosscheck but currently does not have a tool
• mean we used to be part of uh interstate mean we used to be part of uh interstate cross<00:12:47.720
• So it was about 10 years ago that we started the debate around Interstate Crosscheck.
• cross check um you know at interstate cross check um you know at the<00:15:37.639> time<00:15
• cross Che program uh I would interstate cross Che program uh I would be<00:34:11.760> open<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which the governor signed, that lets Kentucky and other states trade information on voters moving interstate
• do<00:21:21.000> what<00:21:21.080> kind<00:21:21.200> of<00:21:21.279> Interstate
• <00:21:21.640> agreements<00:21:21.960> do do what kind of Interstate agreements do
• do what kind of Interstate agreements do we<00:21:22.159> have<00:21:22.279> what<00:21
• The prior administration just was simply not very cooperative, and I think we were one of the first states

Keywords: Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20 Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44 Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56 Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup. Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• most people kind of thought it was more in the urban areas, along the I-10, you know, the main interstate
• These girls didn't want to cooperate.
• Cooper. That's a 2010 Louisiana Supreme Court case.
• Cooper. That's a 2010 Louisiana Supreme Court case.
• My son Cooper and so many others like him do not fit neatly into rigid boxes or simple formulas.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve had some issues with the Mexican government not cooperating.
• I talked to the secretary about that Saturday and she said we will now have full cooperation from the
• We've got a working group formed in that NASAHO group to look at interstate movement protocols and interstate
• I do not know if it will be some sort of cooperative agreement that they will pay for, perhaps Administrator
• was mentioned a little bit earlier that there is some reticence or issues with Mexico not being cooperative

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you know, cooperatives have a place in agriculture all across this state.
• Uh, you know, cooperatives have a place in agriculture all across this state.
• Uh, you know, cooperatives have a place in agriculture all across this state.
• So when the cooperative. They do that.
• <01:31:58.400> running really two uh interstates running really two uh interstates running

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:18 University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics Presentation 00:02:18 Farm Credit Mid-America Presentation 01:12:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Alabama Rural Electric Cooperative Legislative Reception is Cooperative Legislative Reception is
• Tulie is grateful for the cooperation we have with the great state cooperation we have with the great
• appreciating all the great cooperation appreciating all the great cooperation that this great state
• We have great cooperation with, you know, I I great cooperation with, you know, I I great cooperation
• , the Alabama Pharmacy Cooperative, the Alabama Pharmacy Cooperative, the Alabama Independent Pharmacy

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I'm going to hand the microphone over to Hannah Risely-White, the Director of the Interstate
• The Interstate Stream Commission is moving a number of river channel projects and partnering.
• The state has been extraordinarily cooperative in listening to our concerns and finding resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the investigation fully cooperated with the investigation that<00:38:09.680> they<00:38:
• Excellent. >> Miss Assistant Commissioner Courtois is in Lexington, Kentucky at the Military Interstate
• Excellent. >> Miss Assistant Commissioner Courtois is in Lexington, Kentucky at the Military Interstate
• Excellent. >> Miss Assistant Commissioner Courtois is in Lexington, Kentucky at the Military Interstate
• Excellent. >> Miss Assistant Commissioner Courtois is in Lexington, Kentucky at the Military Interstate