Transcript Highlights:

• Uh while I'm going to switch<00:32:54.480><c> away</c><00:32:54.720><c> from</c><00:32:55.039><c> medical
• </c> switch away from medical assistance, Mr. switch away from medical assistance, Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you speak to the impact of switching that definition from a clinical medical definition to a legislative
• Can you speak to the impact of switching that definition from a clinical the impact of switching that

Bills: HB91, HB123, HB167, HB255, HB264, HB321, HB884, HB955, HB967, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB985, HB994, HB1005, HB1104, HB1107, HB1109, SCR3

Keywords: criminal procedure, disclosure, criminal records, witness protection, trial rights, electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, that's just the name of the company that was just the switch to a cloud-based information sharing
• not doing it anymore, not because they were doing it differently. the company that now was just the switch
• the company that now was just the switch to<00:09:23.600><c> a</c><00:09:23.760><c> cloud-based</c><

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The last item here is our certified community behavioral health organization switch.
• Once landlines have gone the way of the dinosaur, we've switched it over to cell phones.
• Once landlines have gone the way of the dinosaur, we've switched it over to cell phones.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The last item here is our certified community behavioral health organization switch.
• Once landlines have gone the way of the dinosaur, we've switched to Right, right.
• Once landlines have gone the way of the dinosaur, we've switched it over to cell phones.

Summary: The Budget Committee heard the Department of Mental Health’s FY 2027 budget presentation, with Director Valerie Hoon outlining a $4.4 billion department budget, including $1.7 billion in general revenue, and describing the department’s roles in substance use, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities services. Early questioning focused on marijuana-related mental health impacts, but the main discussion centered on the department’s new decision items, funding sources, and expected wait lists. The director explained several increases tied to Medicaid growth, mental health youth services, outpatient competency restoration, crisis residential services, developmental disability waivers, and provider tax adjustments, along with offsets such as reduced wraparound funding at the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center and cuts to some youth and self-directed DD services. A major portion of the hearing focused on competency restoration for people found unfit to stand trial and currently held in county jails. Members pressed the department on the cost, effectiveness, and legal implications of keeping people in jail while awaiting services, noting a reported wait list of roughly 524 to 538 individuals and average holds of about 14 months. The department said it currently has eight outpatient competency restoration beds in the community, is seeking funding for 50 additional outpatient slots, and also operates jail-based restoration for about 40 people at a time. Members repeatedly asked for breakdowns of violent versus nonviolent cases, success rates, cost per person, and the split between state and federal funding, while the department explained that Medicaid can cover only the treatment portion, not residential housing or other non-billable costs. The committee also discussed broader capacity constraints in state hospitals and developmental disability services. Hoon said Fulton, Center for Behavioral Medicine, and FTC North are full, with 183 vacancies across the department, and that the department is working on a new Kansas City hospital that would add 150 beds, though completion is now expected closer to 2029 or 2030. In the developmental disabilities section, the department warned that the governor’s recommendation would create wait lists for in-home waiver services and crisis residential services, and members questioned proposed reductions to self-directed services rates and other provider payments. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed before finishing the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• 45.119><c> section,</c> Um but for uh for the second section, Um but for uh for the second section, switch
• </c><00:43:48.720><c> um</c> switch back to that page. um switch back to that page. um for<00:43:50.880

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I don't switch eggs out. If they're cracked, I just put them back on the shelf.
• No switching. I just do, you know, my mom, she's a good country girl.
• He can't switch doctors to avoid fees because his local hospital system owns most of the practices in

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, by switching from a nonprofit to a for-profit on the corporate back end, it doesn't mean all of a
• So, by switching from a nonprofit to a for-profit on the corporate back end, it doesn't mean all of a
• So, by switching from a nonprofit to a for-profit on the corporate back end, it doesn't mean all of a

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position. Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program. Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We went back, as Representative Grund said, we sharpened our pencils, we reduced, we moved, we switched
• our pencils, we reduced, we<00:23:06.799><c> moved,</c><00:23:07.120><c> we</c><00:23:07.360><c> switched
• we</c><00:23:07.919><c> did</c><00:23:08.000><c> this</c><00:23:08.159><c> and</c> we moved, we switched
• , we did this and we moved, we switched, we did this and that.<00:23:09.039><c> Um,</c><00:23:09.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy Policy Advocates is a front group for the fossil fuel industry, and what their long arm is reaching
• /c><01:41:45.679><c> for</c><01:41:45.920><c> the</c><01:41:46.080><c> fossil</c><01:41:46.560><c> fuel
• </c> front group for the fossil fuel front group for the fossil fuel industry.<01:41:48.159><c> and</
• 01:42:24.320><c> against</c><01:42:24.800><c> the</c><01:42:25.040><c> fossil</c><01:42:25.440><c> fuel
• </c> attorney general against the fossil fuel attorney general against the fossil fuel industry<01:42

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• By imposing a stricter financial penalty on those who fuel this industry, we can help reduce demand and
• Demand fuels much of the violence inherent in what can rightfully be called the rape trade.
• Demand fuels much of the violence inherent in what can rightfully be called the rape trade.
• <c> much</c><00:29:22.399><c> of</c><00:29:22.559><c> the</c><00:29:22.679><c> violence</c> demand fuels
• much of the violence demand fuels much of the violence inherent<00:29:23.679><c> in</c><00:29:23.840

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to um to increase to other tobacco taxes to um to avoid<00:49:21.440><c> uh</c><00:49:21.599><c> switching
• </c><00:49:22.640><c> Um</c> avoid uh switching. Um avoid uh switching.
• who<02:37:24.479><c> have</c><02:37:24.640><c> made</c><02:37:24.880><c> the</c><02:37:25.040><c> switch
• ><02:37:25.520><c> Green</c><02:37:25.840><c> Snow</c><02:37:26.160><c> Pro</c> who have made the switch
• , Green Snow Pro who have made the switch, Green Snow Pro is<02:37:26.479><c> a</c><02:37:26.640><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resources of water and wastewater, and those are assets to this Commonwealth and assets that we can use to fuel
• So the districts had to fund temporary pump, diesel fuel, and a tune.
• fund temporary the districts had to fund temporary pump,<01:36:08.880><c> diesel</c><01:36:09.280><c> fuel
• </c><01:36:10.480><c> We</c><01:36:10.560><c> spent</c> pump, diesel fuel, and a tune.
• We spent pump, diesel fuel, and a tune.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• the patient calls to schedule the appointment, they are told there is no availability unless they switch
• systems should not require<00:40:59.520><c> patients</c><00:40:59.920><c> to</c><00:41:00.079><c> switch
• PCPs in order require patients to switch PCPs in order to<00:41:02.240><c> access</c><00:41:02.640><
• She said she had to switch insurance companies. And my birthday being in November, I turned 65.
• </c> incredibly huge and you're now switching incredibly huge and you're now switching it<04:28:59.680

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :42.800><c> then</c> point presented a percentage and then point presented a percentage and then switched
• </c><00:39:44.640><c> So,</c><00:39:44.800><c> you</c> switched to a solid number.
• So, you switched to a solid number.
• I'm not proficient in education policy, but somewhere along the lines, there was a switch that was made
• and do you believe that that switch and do you believe that that could<05:17:31.680><c> happen</c><05

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 58:01.359><c> uh</c> other tobacco taxes to um to avoid uh other tobacco taxes to um to avoid uh switching
• .<00:58:02.640><c> Um</c> switching.
• Um switching.
• For those who have made<02:46:04.720><c> the</c><02:46:04.960><c> switch,</c><02:46:05.439><c> Green<
• , Green Snow Pro is a made the switch, Green Snow Pro is a win-win<02:46:07.040><c> solution</c><02:46

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've already dealing with higher input costs when it comes to fuel, when it comes to fertilizer.
• We've already dealing with higher input costs when it comes to fuel, when it comes to fertilizer.
• costs when<01:07:34.520><c> it</c><01:07:34.600><c> comes</c><01:07:34.840><c> to</c><01:07:34.920><c> fuel
• when</c><01:07:36.000><c> it</c><01:07:36.120><c> comes</c><01:07:36.480><c> to</c> when it comes to fuel
• , when it comes to when it comes to fuel, when it comes to um um um uh uh uh fertilizer,<01:07:40.880

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• protection standards are met relating to weighing and measuring devices and their use in the sale of food, fuels
• Notably, DOS regulates the sale of gasoline and sets standards for the inspection of fuel dispensing
• And I know we tried to get away from fossil fuels, but, you know, the cliché: you can't put all your
• And I know we tried to get away from fossil fuels, but you know the cliche, you can't put all your eggs
• it's a great innovative idea, and it's tough because, you know, we're trying to get away from fossil fuels

Summary: The hearing in Barnstable opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs about the importance of holding Ways and Means budget hearings on the Cape, especially given the region’s seasonal economy and infrastructure needs. The committee then heard testimony from Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones on the governor’s FY27 budget proposal. She highlighted funding for workforce programs including the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, registered apprenticeship, YouthWorks, reentry workforce programs, and services for young adults with disabilities. She also discussed MassHire career centers, the MassHire Innovation Project, and the Department of Unemployment Assistance modernization effort, noting improved call wait times and claims processing, but acknowledging continued challenges and federal funding uncertainty. Members asked about job-seeker barriers such as child care, housing, and transportation; domestic outmigration of young workers; youth work permits; unemployment insurance costs and the COVID assessment on employers; and the state’s unemployment rate and UI trust fund solvency. Jones and Undersecretary Josh Cutler explained the difference between workforce training funds and the unemployment trust fund, described the statewide trigger that extends unemployment benefits from 26 to 30 weeks when regional unemployment averages 5.2 percent, and said the administration is reviewing the trust fund with labor and business stakeholders. They also said the administration is trying to preserve front-line DUA staffing while shifting resources to customer service and adjudication, including a Friday adjudication pilot and seasonal hires. Senators and representatives also pressed the administration on regional equity in workforce funding, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, which was described as serving a large rural area with fewer resources than other regions. Administration officials said they are reviewing MassHire funding formulas and modernizing the system with a policy committee and state workforce board input, but did not offer an immediate fix. The committee also heard that early childhood education apprenticeships are expanding quickly, with state funding leveraged to secure federal grants and support new Grow Awards. The hearing then moved to the Executive Office of Economic Development, where Secretary Eric Paley outlined House 2 proposals for economic development, including support for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, workforce partnerships, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, AI, small business assistance, tourism, and tax incentives. Undersecretary Leila D’Amilia followed with testimony on consumer affairs and business regulation, describing funding for consumer protection, banking oversight, occupational licensure, and public safety inspections.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really fueled the race to the bottom.
• It destabilizes the entire market, fueling a destructive race to the bottom.
• There's only one other state that provides asparagus, and we are being hit with ongoing costs and fuel
• conventional manufacturing process for synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer generally relies on fossil fuels
• conventional manufacturing process for synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer generally relies on fossil fuels

Bills: SB6294, SB6211, SB5650, SB6033, SB6297, SB6343, SB6067, SB6082, SB6323, SB6324, SB5862, SB5923, SB6151

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really fueled the race to the bottom.
• There's only one other state that provides asparagus, and we are being hit with ongoing costs in fuel
• There's only one other state that provides asparagus, and we are being hit with ongoing costs and fuel
• conventional manufacturing process for synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer generally relies on fossil fuels
• conventional manufacturing process for synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer generally relies on fossil fuels

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.