Transcript Highlights:

• and a pretty comprehensive range of urgent care, health care services for their students.
• When I hear the word health care put with abortion, health care does not end in the murder of a human
• Abortion is health care.
• health care to all students, including providing information and referrals. ...for abortion care for
• I think when we're talking about the full range of reproductive health care and reproductive care, knowledge

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The direction of the impact, though, is very consistent.
• The direction of the impact, though, is very consistent.
• He spent a month in the neonatal intensive care unit.
• or directing child sexual abuse material.
• And so I think this is a step in the right direction.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• His goal is to serve his community as a health care professional.
• That was directed at Senator Townsend, Mr. President and President.
• Teaching them good work ethic, teaching them how to care about animals and how to care about others.
• We talk about health care in rural communities. We talk about health care in Albuquerque.
• This is about children who are very ill, who might qualify for palliative care or even hospice care.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am directed by the Senate to inform the House that the Senate has taken the following action. following
• A beloved brother to Bianca Escamilla and a caring pet parent to Jack. and Raleigh Guzman.
• lived a caring and purposeful life.
• Members, today I want to direct your attention to the gallery.
• HB 1420 by Beau relating to a study on nurse-to-patient ratios for critical care patients in health care

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:55.520><c> and</c> eating and spend $200 on skin care and eating and spend $200 on skin care
• ,</c> American growing up in foster care, American growing up in foster care, being<00:24:47.480><c>
• </c> every transfer of data user-directed. every transfer of data user-directed.
• </c> people who are teaching them and caring people who are teaching them and caring for<01:36:58.880
• </c> Minnesota school boards certainly care Minnesota school boards certainly care deeply<01:42:21.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico's health care needs.
• I had no direction. My world was really small. After stumbling upon a... ...direction.
• We also need to mirror that same custom care and specialty care for complex rehab. Okay.
• health care spending annually.
• It's active care, resilience, and responsibility.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 66, which would expand and restructure the Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Fund. The sponsor said the substitute narrows the bill to a $25 million fund, with 50% reserved for physicians and the rest for other health professionals, and raises physician awards to at least $75,000 per year for a four-year commitment. Supporters from nursing, physical therapy, health systems, social work, and advocacy groups said the program would help recruit and retain providers in New Mexico. The committee moved the substitute and then passed the bill on a do-pass motion. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility devices, drew extensive testimony from amputees, Paralympians, clinicians, and disability advocates. The bill would clarify and expand coverage for activity prosthetics, activity wheelchairs, and related complex rehab technology, with limits on the number of devices and replacement tied to physiological changes. Supporters said access to these devices is medically necessary for physical and mental health, independence, and participation in sports and daily life. After questions about provider qualifications, insurance contracting, and replacement for growing children, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill. House Bill 257 would appropriate funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement for vagus nerve stimulation implants for drug-resistant epilepsy. The sponsor and manufacturer’s representative argued current reimbursement is too low, leaving only UNM Hospital performing the procedures and limiting access statewide; they said better reimbursement could reduce emergency visits and long-term Medicaid costs. Members raised concerns about the bill’s language, including whether it could allow payment above allowable rates or create uncertainty about the reimbursement standard. A motion to table failed, and the committee then passed the bill 5-4, with several members noting they supported the concept but wanted the language tightened before the next committee. The committee also passed House Bill 178, which appropriates $3 million for shade structures in rural parks and outdoor recreation areas, after testimony that the project would reduce sun exposure, heat illness, and skin cancer risk. House Bill 198, which provides $2 million for peer-to-peer mental health training and treatment for first responders, also advanced on a do-pass without recommendation after members said they supported the goal but wanted clearer language on training standards, liability, and administration. Finally, House Bill 202, which would require data-sharing agreements to help the Office of Child Advocate access records from state agencies, drew support from child advocacy groups but concern from IT and family advocates about timelines, system complexity, privacy, and the need for family collaboration; the discussion continued with suggestions to refine the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> care was $150,000. care was $150,000.
• </c> their average cost of care was $550,000. their average cost of care was $550,000.
• </c> our already taxed health care system. our already taxed health care system.
• </c> state agency are telling long-term care state agency are telling long-term care facilities<00:41
• </c> struggling to care of our families. struggling to care of our families.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Directions for submitting public comments are included.
• , food. food, health care, transportation, and taxes.
• I've said we don't have health care, but we have sick care.
• We're the folks who take care of the folks who take care of everybody in the state.
• Those are the people that we take care of, and it's an absolute honor to take care of those people.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to make sure that my patients are well-care for. ...care because I want to make sure that my patients
• are well cared for.
• We provide primary care and, ultimately, for a lot of our patients, that is the only care that they're
• We provide primary care and, ultimately, for a lot of our patients, that is the only care that they're
• It's no care at all versus some care. And we need those to be reimbursed properly.

Summary: The committee met on April 1 and considered several health-related bills and one resolution. HB 933, by Rep. Charles Owen, would create commemorative birth certificates and adjust vital records fees; after adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 288, by Rep. Boyer, would require the term “miscarriage” to appear alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and billing; after an amendment changed the bill from mandatory “shall” language to permissive “may,” the committee heard emotional testimony both in support and opposition and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 420, by Rep. Berault, would require criminal background checks and registry review for all DCFS employees, not just those with direct contact with children; it was reported favorably. The committee also voluntarily deferred HB 927 and HB 962. The committee then heard HB 971, by Rep. Stagney, which seeks to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates for independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned provider-based clinics. Supporters, including clinic owners and practitioners, testified that independent clinics provide the same services under the same rules but receive far lower reimbursement, making it difficult to retain staff and avoid sale to hospital systems. The author said the bill is intended to prompt discussion and eventual parity without harming hospitals, and the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 815, by Rep. Carver, would allow federally insured financial institutions to receive death certificate information from vital records to reduce losses and help reconcile account issues after a death; credit union representatives supported the measure, and it was reported favorably. The committee also adopted HR 74, by Rep. Sterling, which urges the Department of Education and local school authorities to report on how schools accommodate students with seizure disorders. Sterling described personal experience with epilepsy and said the resolution is meant to gather data on implementation of existing seizure action plan law and identify gaps in access to rescue medication and training. Finally, the committee took up HB 915, by Rep. Dickerson, which would place Medicaid prior authorization and utilization management timelines into statute. After technical and substantive amendments, including changing some deadlines from five business days to seven calendar days, the bill drew support from providers and health groups concerned about delays in care, and the committee reported it favorably as amended. The committee also began consideration of HB 944, by Rep. Hilferty, creating a women’s consortium within LDH focused on menopause and related women’s health issues; technical amendments were adopted and testimony emphasized coordination of existing research and resources, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is based off of 2022 direction.
• </c> are trending in the right direction. are trending in the right direction.
• </c> care access where Kentucky ranks 16th. care access where Kentucky ranks 16th.
• </c> to care in the state of Kentucky. to care in the state of Kentucky.
• </c> lines are moving in the wrong direction. lines are moving in the wrong direction.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, we want to benefit the environment, which I know you care about and I care about as well.
• If CRAs are using, you ...you care about, and I care about as well.
• I think endocrinologist one wouldn't care.
• So they're going to see people who maybe never had health care and who desperately need dental care,
• I want you to feel comfortable because I care about your mental. I care about your physical.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We should be focused on ensuring comprehensive medical care for every woman, everywhere, not directing
• Because if you cared about women's health care services, you wouldn't be backfilling $90 million that
• , contraception, parental care, and gender-affirming care.
• preventative care.
• health care services.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In other cases, the direct services are provided to the department.
• </c> where the provider is providing direct where the provider is providing direct services<00:05:04.240
• So examples are direct department.
• ><c> to</c><00:05:30.960><c> the</c> direct services provided to the direct services provided to the
• c><00:13:04.720><c> here</c><00:13:04.880><c> that</c> direct service contracts in here that direct service

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• are able to provide that care.
• So I was able to provide that care.
• </c><00:03:12.879><c> of</c> um our vets are getting taken care of um our vets are getting taken care
• of them and particularly to take care of them and particularly to take care<00:28:17.120><c> of</c><
• </c><00:39:38.560><c> of</c><00:39:38.720><c> our</c> care or we haven't taken care of our care or we

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And folks are concerned about little access to care, but also the quality of care once these mergers
• Patients deserve to know who controls their care.
• care prices to rise.
• In health care generally causes health care prices to rise.
• entities in our health care system.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for five House bills, then held public hearings on several measures. On Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, the committee heard staff and sponsor testimony on expanding health care merger notice requirements to the Attorney General, adding transactions involving majority ownership/control and asset sales, requiring public posting of notices, pausing closings until information requests are substantially complied with, and adding filing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, nurses, and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and oversight of consolidation and private equity in health care; the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Hospital Association were neutral after compromise language, though the hospital association raised concern about the added fees. The hearing closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 2333, which would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or surplus funds to reimburse personal security expenses related to threats tied to their public roles. The sponsor and several prosecutors described personal threats and argued the bill is needed to protect public servants, while public disclosure officials said current PDC processes and the state Address Confidentiality Program already provide some protections and cautioned against over-codifying agency discretion. Some testimony urged restoring earlier address-protection provisions, while county auditors said the revised bill removed operationally unworkable redaction language and was acceptable as amended. The bill had broad signed-in support and opposition, but no vote was taken. For Engrossed House Bill 1574, staff explained the bill would expand Good Samaritan-style protections for people seeking overdose help, bar arrest or conviction for possession in those circumstances, limit related penalties and forfeiture, and allow hospitals and other health facilities to distribute public health supplies without committing paraphernalia infractions. Supporters said it would save lives and improve access to drug checking and harm reduction services, while prosecutors and law enforcement groups said the bill was too broad, especially regarding arrest limits, protection-order violations, probation/parole, warrants, and civil forfeiture. The sponsor said the bill was intended to keep people alive and encourage calls for help. The committee also heard Engrossed House Bill 2156, which would let Attorney General investigators be designated limited authority peace officers to electronically serve search warrants in economic and financial crime cases; the AGO and retailers supported it as a tool against organized retail theft and wage theft, while sheriffs and police chiefs opposed it and urged added guardrails and deconfliction with local law enforcement. Finally, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320, the committee heard a bill to regulate 3D-printed and digitally manufactured firearms and digital firearm manufacturing code. The sponsor and supporters, including students, pediatricians, and a gun-violence survivor’s family member, said it was needed to address untraceable ghost guns and keep pace with technology, while opponents argued the bill was overbroad, raised constitutional concerns, and targeted files and speech rather than criminal conduct. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Home and community-based care is not. Home and community-based care is not.
• That's when nursing homes have to cut staff and residents receive less direct care, jeopardizing their
• </c> staff and residents receive less direct staff and residents receive less direct care,<00:36:43.760
• Um, with school care, care, care, the<01:27:53.040><c> alarm</c><01:27:53.280><c> bell</c><01:27:53.600
• I am the School Care Director of Finance. I joined School Care in August of 2024.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• direct selling industries.
• I think if this is a continuation of... ...care prior to May 2023 or if it is new care.
• Again, it is about continuation of care.
• assisting young people with prohibited care.
• The care is what this bill is about is not about that care or abolishing that care.

Transcript Highlights:

• We sure don't want to go in the opposite direction either, right? Move it back to the middle.
• But it was directed toward the Board of Governors, which is a strong branch in the...
• It's the right direction.
• And he did feel like he had to be careful, very careful.
• But certainly different to say that these professors don't care about what happens to them.

Bills: SB37, SB1489, SB452, SB724, SB1067, SB1741, SB1273

Keywords: higher education, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council, ombudsman, faculty governance, decision-making, transparency, public meetings, department head, employment approval, public institutions, institutional oversight, education, funding, accountability, state budget, school performance, employment, Texas legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that the good Samaritan language does not involve direction, and often there is no one directing
• He added that the good Samaritan language does not involve direction, and often there is no one directing
• </c><00:41:04.960><c> of</c> good Samaritan under the direction of good Samaritan under the direction
• ><c> of</c> there is no direction of there is no direction of and<00:41:09.520><c> often</c><00:41:09.920
• ...the definition under the direction of, or that a lot of them are directed as being, you know, employees

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Bernt, for taking care of the rules this year.
• So I feel like we're moving in the right direction.
• Honestly, I do understand that this is potentially a step in the right direction.
• I am an Idaho native and I care deeply about our state. I live in Garden City.
• All of a sudden, you care? With all due respect.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and advanced the gubernatorial appointment of Ryan Lanham as State Athletic Commissioner to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee also sent RS 33249 to print, a resolution approving a package of temporary and permanent rules covering several state agencies, and RS 33252 to print, a joint memorial urging Idaho’s congressional delegation to support greater state autonomy over election laws and campaign finance matters. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1247, an E-Verify bill requiring state and local governments and certain larger contractors to use the federal verification system. Sponsor Senator Harris said the bill was intended to protect taxpayer dollars and encourage compliance, while opponents from Secure Idaho argued it was too narrow, largely codified existing practice, and left major loopholes in subcontracting and enforcement. Committee members raised concerns about effectiveness, identity theft, burdens on small businesses, and whether the bill should apply more broadly. Despite mixed views, the committee voted 6-3 to send SB 1247 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1236, which would remove the Idaho Women’s Commission from code as obsolete because it has been defunded for years. Supporters called it code cleanup and argued women are already well represented in state government, while opponents said eliminating the commission would send the wrong message and that there is still a need to reactivate it to address issues affecting women. After testimony from both sides, the committee voted to send SB 1236 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, with Senators Ruchti and Bernt voting no.