Transcript Highlights:

• Under the new process, we have initiated redundant communications through program and rules staff in
• DHS doesn't; we have one component that really is part of the rural health transformation program grant
• , and that those programs are, You know, we would be either eliminating the programs, and if those programs
• , or if it's a minor resident and the parent of that minor wants a particular service that is outside
• Our members serve the state's most vulnerable residents every single day.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1712 allows Santa Fe Springs to use a protest process instead, giving residents a clear opportunity
• And this water district participates in the MET program, I believe.
• AB 2135 makes improvements to the facility-initiated discharge notices residents receive in nursing homes
• The bill also requires the notices to be translated in the language or format the resident can understand
• The bill has enjoyed bipartisan support and is supported by nursing home resident advocates, ombudsmen

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, Senator Harrell mentioned program directors and the discipline of program directors.
• For example, Senator Harrell mentioned program directors and the discipline of program directors.
• For example, Senator Harrell mentioned program directors and the discipline of program directors.
• We represent a very large program, nursing programs all around the country.
• , all nursing programs.

Bills: S0162, S0254, S0688, S0794, S1110, S1574

Keywords: surgical smoke, health standards, hospital safety, patient protection, medical regulations, nursing education, licensure, remedial courses, temporary license, graduate nursing preceptorship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, background screening, support coordination services, developmental disabilities, Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, public hearings, orthotics, prosthetics, healthcare, Medicaid

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the program, you know, truly is growing.
• program for the drinking water.
• also through the irrigated lands program.
• I'm the program director at Friends of the River.
• We've invested in programs. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So upon completing their year of... the program there are strict federal restrictions and regulations
• Nearly 600 AmeriCorps members serving in Massachusetts in our programs that we support directly will
• The program is going to remove financial burdens for those who serve and ensure access to educational
• We have a program, but it's just underutilized.
• Now, there is a program at the state level which functions very well...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on bills related to income and estates, with Chairs James Eldridge and Adrian Madaro presiding and members participating in person and virtually. The committee explained hearing procedures, written testimony deadlines, and the new joint rules for acting on bills. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was increasing Massachusetts 529 college savings deductions, through House Bill 3151 and Senate Bill 2066. Brad Freeman of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts testified in support, saying the current deduction has encouraged more families to save for college and should be expanded to match other states. He argued the change would help middle-income families and noted the original deduction was designed with a revenue offset and later made permanent. The committee also heard support for House Bill 3010 and Senate Bill 1963, which would exclude the federal Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from Massachusetts taxable income. Beth McGuinness and Lindsay Rooney of the Massachusetts Service Alliance said the tax creates a burden for AmeriCorps members, many of whom have low incomes and use the award directly for tuition or student loans, and that removing the tax would aid recruitment and retention. Another bill, House Bill 3062 on settlements of tax liability, drew testimony from a taxpayer, a tax practitioner, and a legal aid attorney who described the current offer-in-settlement process as too restrictive and underused; they urged changes to make tax debt resolution more equitable and more consistent with federal practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• The original bill had this program being administered by the Department of Labor.
• to accept administering the program.
• States slices that pie for the different programs.
• Section 7 and 8 offer new language that clarifies... ...managed repair program.
• And the health department has a whole program for dividing up those districts.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• non-resident employees? non-resident employees?
• residence.
• And people using a residence residence.
• These people will be in their residence that could be or in their commercial, they're now former resident
• <05:00:00.080> was the name of the program was the name of the program was environmental<05

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are focused on implementation and trying to make this program work.
• Hi, I'm Dick Donnelly, Sacramento County resident.
• Care Court is an unproven, costly, and coercive program.
• Care court is an unproven, costly, and coercive program.
• This bill is named after Masuma Khan, a 64-year-old resident of Altadena.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• good job with their wellness program. good job with their wellness program.
• And they have partnered to do a wellness program.
• well as the drop program. well as the drop program.
• . program. program.
• is enrolled in this type of program is enrolled in this type of program because<00:59:06.320>

Bills: HB339

Keywords: Civil Air Patrol, CAP, emergency leave, job protection, employment discrimination, leave of absence, volunteer service, emergency response, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, state employee leave, military leave, public employees, local government employers, reinstatement rights, seniority protection, unpaid leave, Meeting Start 00:00:03 Roll Call 00:00:14 Discussion of Local Law Enforcement Issues 00:03:08 Discussion of Civil Air Patrol Employment Protections 00:50:46 Adjournment 01:06:07, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How our program looks at affordability.
• The clean water program does not allow that.
• in the drinking water program.
• the project through their cost-share program.
• It is a levee that resides in their PL84-99 program.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a refresher for many of residents.
• :15.599> law for those programs, locks it into law for those programs, locks it into law with<
• So, the minority programs that we're really talking about are, you know, minority disadvantage programs
• And so these programs are at risk. They're being underfunded. And so these programs are at risk.
• services programs are social services programs are particularly<01:02:13.920> hardit.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii. Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements. Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Deferred Retirement Option Program, known as DROP, is nearly revolutionary, not untested.
• The program allows participating officers and firefighters to continue working one to five years.
• I strongly oppose a DROP program. When we passed PEPRA, our bond ratings in California almost...
• I strongly oppose a drop program.
• When we did DROP, we looked at previous history and what DROP programs didn't work.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , or SNAP, which is the largest anti-hunger program in the United States.
• In California, the CalFresh benefit program alleviates hunger for 5.4 million people, or one in seven
• and, accordingly, to the CalFresh program.
• So food banks alone will not be able to fill the gap if the SNAP program is cut at the federal level.
• I'd go to whichever food program, and I'd always take my mom.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard two measures after announcing that SB 792 had been pulled from the agenda. The first bill, AB 412, would require affiliated home care aides to receive training on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The author and supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and the Home Care Association of America, said the bill would help ensure more consistent and compassionate care for people living with dementia. A witness described difficult personal experiences finding aides who understood her husband’s needs. There was no opposition, and the committee members expressed support and personal appreciation for the issue. AB 412 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and passed 7-0. The committee accepted the author’s committee amendments. The committee also heard SJR 3, a resolution urging Congress to avoid cuts to SNAP, known in California as CalFresh. The author and supporters from the California Association of Food Banks and End Child Poverty California argued that the program is essential to reducing hunger, supporting children and families, and sustaining the food economy, and that food banks could not replace lost benefits. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with no opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, including one member who shared personal experience relying on SNAP. SJR 3 was adopted 7-0 and sent forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Health Professions and program subcommittee will come to order a NOLA please call the Roll. >> Chair
• And we also attend a 3 and a half here doctoral degree program.
• See earnings from 9 of our programs are planning to leave Florida to go work in one of the 44 other states
• Their programs that allow psych nurse practitioners to complete 100% of the clinical hours via telemedicine
• My name is Lindsay creates an osteopath that resident physician in Alachua County speaking on behalf

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they going to stop that program?
• This is an infrastructure program.
• This is an infrastructure program.
• And we were very careful to make sure that we didn't cut down on programming space because programming
• and you'll see, I mean, our resident programs and services—just in response to Representative Steiner's

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each of these three programs are existing programs. They have base budgets.
• Nothing happens fast in a state-grant program.
• There are these three existing programs.
• Is it his preference to fund those programs rather than helping kids with disabilities?
• healthcare workforce programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is houseonly the SAVY program.
• <00:25:21.120> These administer grant programs. These administer grant programs.
• <00:33:48.559> We administering grant programs. We administering grant programs.
• administer several state grant programs administer several state grant programs including<00:33:
• <00:34:03.039> We'd programs, it takes resources. We'd programs, it takes resources.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Three months since this program started, enrollment is triple what DHS estimated it would be for the
• We should not be surprised by this dramatic increase because this program creates an incentive for illegal
• This program typically if individuals.
• those safety net public health programs those safety net public health programs for<00:08:47.760
• <00:15:14.880> of um citizens here, residents of um citizens here, residents of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there's the SNAP E&T program, they call it, which isn't truly a work search program.
• initiatives—these pilot programs, the informal care pilot program.
• Different with the program.
• From the BEAD program to nearly every county minus one through that program.
• Of the BEAD program, that's a $675 million program.

Transcript Highlights:

• been seized, it is still there, and we have also fought for the funding for crime victims advocacy programs
• This is more than 1,200 of our Minnesota residents.
• Adequate space and plumbing to house the residents who were forced to share rooms.
• don't put people into those living conditions and say that we are proud of how we are housing our residents
• The judicial branch is not a discretionary program like much of what we deal with here in this House