Video & Transcript Research : 'backflow preventer'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/27/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, these aren't preventing anything.
- This could have been prevented.
- This could have been prevented.
- And I have no power to prevent other.
- >
presenting prevents defendants from presenting prevents defendants from presenting evidence<
Keywords:
mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/2/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- If the developer wants it, nothing prevents him or her from doing it.
- We got that changed so that they cannot prevent them from being put on within HOA.
- and they have prevented and they have prevented many<00:26:42.280>
floods many floods many - No, it does is not it does not prevent No, it does is not it does not prevent them<00:41:02.120>
- <01:12:05.680>
things not passing this won't uh prevent things not passing this won't uh prevent
Keywords:
homeowners associations, local government, building permits, housing policy, residential development, voter access, polling place, elections, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, transparency, 1183, house
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2614, a bill aimed at preventing local governments from requiring or effectively mandating homeowners associations (HOAs) as a condition of residential development approval. The committee first approved the February 25 minutes, then adopted the DE1 amendment to HF 2614 before hearing the bill. The authors said the measure is a bipartisan piece of a larger HOA reform effort and that the language was negotiated with the League of Minnesota Cities and other stakeholders; they emphasized that developers could still choose to create HOAs, but cities and counties could not require them.
Testimony in support came from Housing First Minnesota and the Minnesota Homeownership Center. Supporters argued that unnecessary HOAs raise housing costs, reduce affordability, and are often used to shift public infrastructure costs onto homeowners. They said HOAs remain appropriate for shared-wall housing, shared amenities, and other situations where common property is truly needed, but should not be imposed for single-family developments or minor features. Several members shared examples of HOA overreach and asked for clarification on how the bill would work, including whether developers could still request neighborhood signs or other features; staff and the authors said that would still be possible if the developer requested it rather than the local government requiring it.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on stormwater ponds and other infrastructure. One member said the bill should not prevent cities from requiring stormwater facilities because maintenance costs and water-quality responsibilities can be substantial and should not be shifted to all taxpayers. The authors responded that the amendment language was intended to balance concerns about unnecessary HOA mandates with the need to address maintenance, noting that some maintenance responsibilities could remain with cities or be handled through developer agreements. A member requested a roll call on the bill, but the transcript does not include a final vote or disposition beyond the discussion and amendment adoption.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Emergency Management Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Emergency Management
Transcript Highlights:
- Suicide prevention should never be political. It's a public health responsibility.
- , which is the nation's largest private funder of suicide prevention research.
- , which is the nation's largest private funder of suicide prevention research.
- Cassandra Wetstone, a volunteer with NorCal Gun Violence Prevention, in support.
- Julie Chapman, volunteer with NorCal Gun Violence Prevention, in support.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 27th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Because, as the resolution also notes, the CDC has deemed sexual assault a preventable health issue.
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 130 by Senator Grove relative to Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- This is... ...as a child abuse prevention month in California.
- Prevention must be our priority.
- We're also working to prevent the inflow of people becoming homeless, and I think that's a goal that
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several recognitions during privileges of the floor, including students from the Fresno State Ag Leadership Development Program and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The body also approved the Senate journals and proceeded to confirmations, including Heather Lynn Gonzalez to the Court Reporters Board and reappointments of Anacubas and David Hübner to the California Law Revision Commission, each confirmed by roll call votes of 26 ayes and 10 noes.
The chamber then took up SCR 136, commemorating the 50th anniversaries of the California Coastal Act, Coastal Commission, and Coastal Conservancy. Supporters emphasized coastal access, habitat protection, resilience, and the economic value of the coast, while Senator Grove raised concerns about regulatory overreach, delays, and impacts on local control and development. The resolution passed 27-4. The Senate also adopted SR 68 for Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with extensive remarks focused on survivor support, accountability, and the need for trauma-informed systems; it passed unanimously, 37-0. SCR 130, recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month, also passed unanimously after remarks about child abuse, trafficking, and prevention efforts.
Several bills then passed on unanimous roll call, including SB 1058 on school nutrition procurement flexibility, SB 930 requiring end-to-end encryption for certain school exam proctoring services, SB 917 expanding farmers’ market sales opportunities for wineries, SB 1002 on continuity of out-of-state telehealth care for eligible patients, SB 1036 on mitigation fee credits for redevelopment, SB 1285 on juvenile record dismissal, SB 969 on remote developmental services, and SB 1418 and SB 1429 on the consent calendar. The Senate also adopted SCR 131 on unsheltered homelessness after debate over interim shelter, permanent housing, self-sufficiency, and housing-first approaches; it passed 34-0. Finally, SCR 157 recognizing School Bus Driver’s Day passed unanimously, committee announcements were made, and the Senate adjourned in memory of Sandy Steers, with the next floor session scheduled for April 30, 2026.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public Safety Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This will also help with retention, preventing burnout.
- In 2023, the legislature established a community crime and violence prevention account in the special
- Prevention and intervention is to prevent or intervene if a violent altercation is about to happen.
- , and there is no reason to defund violence prevention.
- I must go to public safety; I must go to law enforcement and crime prevention.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Mar 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- CWDA and county child welfare agencies have long championed prevention work.
- We restarted our prevention work in 2018 by establishing a statewide prevention cabinet with CDSS to
- It helps strengthen families to prevent foster care entry.
- Stability, then we will do everything that we can to prevent that from happening.
- This program helps prevent against those issues.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability.
The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action.
The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- the during and active being prevention the during and active and<00:08:02.319>
the <00:08:02.479 - Its focus is on prevention and addressing the mental health needs of our students is as important as
- This bill overemphasizes physical security measures at the expense of proven prevention strategies.
- than react to it. access controls will prevent a motivated access controls will prevent a motivated attacker
- over real solutions that can prevent over real solutions that can prevent violence<00:32:29.519>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Supportive prevent and end homelessness.
- A 30-day notice does not prevent landlords from being paid.
- Preventing eviction is entering courts.
- /c><01:30:28.960>
have prevention project alone, we have prevention project alone, we have contacted - to invest in prevention is that Homeline<01:36:24.560>
prevented <01:36:25.120>over <01
Keywords:
supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, eviction, rent, nonpayment of rent, landlord-tenant, residential tenant, notice to quit, unlawful detainer, housing, lease violation, late fees, rental assistance, legal aid, tenant rights, Minnesota Statutes 504B.321, pre-eviction notice
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- innocent lives and prevent hate before it takes root.
- innocent lives and prevent hate before it takes root.
- If Massachusetts leads in prevention, we can change the trajectory for countless children and families
- But even in those cases, I do agree an ounce of prevention is even better.
- As such, there was also little understanding and awareness of the role workplaces can play to prevent
Summary:
The Special Commission on Combating Anti-Semitism opened by approving the minutes from its November 5, 2025 meeting and outlining plans for its next meeting on November 20, when it expects to vote on the draft master report and recommendations. The chair explained that revised drafts would be circulated, changes would be handled by motion, and the final vote would be by roll call. The meeting then moved through several public panels focused on prevention, education, workplace support, and community safety.
Parents for Peace testified that anti-Semitism and extremism should be treated as a public health crisis and urged state funding for training in K-12 schools, healthcare, and law enforcement. The panel described its intervention work with radicalized youth and families, argued for early-warning training for educators, and recommended diversion resources for courts and prosecutors so cases can be addressed before they escalate. Commissioners asked about the origins of radicalization, the need for school-based training, and how to connect courts and police to available resources.
Project Shema’s Orrin Jacobson argued that effective anti-Semitism education must be nuanced, pluralistic, and grounded in a better understanding of Jewish identity and contemporary anti-Semitism, especially in conversations about Israel and Palestine. He said the group has run dozens of workshops in Massachusetts and emphasized that institutions should adopt content-neutral norms, train staff and administrators, and measure whether trainings lower tensions and increase willingness to intervene. Commissioners asked about handling activists who reject nuance, the role of faculty versus students, and whether classroom norms should limit teachers from advancing personal agendas.
A workplace panel from Klaal and Combined Jewish Philanthropies presented survey data showing many Jewish employees feel unsafe being openly Jewish at work and that antisemitism training is the top requested support. They described rapid growth in Jewish employee resource groups, existing programming and stipends for ERG leaders, and recommended mandatory anti-Semitism training, support for Jewish affinity groups in public and private sectors, and broader convenings of major employers. The commission also heard from Truah rabbis and educators, who urged stronger interfaith solidarity, a state office of faith-based and neighborhood partnerships, and explicit attention to democracy and civil rights as part of anti-Semitism strategy.
After a recess, the commission heard from Israeli-American, Russian Jewish, and Persian Jewish witnesses who described antisemitism as a lived, personal, and civic issue affecting immigrants and their families. They called for inclusion of diverse Jewish voices in state initiatives, stronger protections for Israeli-American businesses, and recognition that anti-Zionist rhetoric often becomes direct harassment of Jews. The chair said the testimony and suggested edits would be incorporated into the draft report, and the meeting ended with plans for further revisions before the final vote.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to jump to Senate Bill 152, an act relative to preventing sexual abuse of children and youth
- it further. ...and I appreciate you turning that into advocacy to prevent it further.
- Okay, we're gonna go to Senate 152, an act relative to preventing sexual abuse of children and youth
- My name is Lindsay Hawthorne, and I'm a Public Voices Fellow on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
- I think. ...and communications coordinator with child abuse prevention nonprofit Enough Abuse.
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services.
Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being.
The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS-SENATE AND HOUSE May 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- for the next person, and she told me that she... ...these things preventable for the next person, and
- They go through a two-week phase class, which includes CPI, or Crisis Prevention Institute, the program
- They're all actively doing things to prevent this from ever happening. I understand that.
- They're all actively doing things to prevent this from ever happening. I understand that.
- To prevent this from ever happening? I understand that.
Summary:
The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint.
Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay.
Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- responding to those changes in federal policy and making sure we are doing everything possible to prevent
- The bill also expands muscle prevention activities to include all invasive mussels, including golden
- This is to try to understandably expand the pool of folks who are having to pay for these prevention
- We will not be able to prevent hunger for veterans, foster youth, children, and others as a result of
- The $30 million invested to prevent California from being subject to a $2 billion federal penalty is
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Health Department policy bill 3/23/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Section two and three combine two separate suicide prevention reports into a single biennial report.
- Section two and three combines two separate<00:01:07.760>
suicide <00:01:08.320>prevention< - health improvement program, tobacco use prevention, vulnerable adult maltreatment.
- He also said that with violence prevention, specifically gun violence prevention, that is an incredibly
- Chair Beerman said he wants to make sure the suicide prevention reports are getting through.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, is there language in here that prevents the change of party registration?
- Senate Memorial 21 is studying overdose prevention tools to save lives in New Mexico.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths in New Mexico rose by...
- ...the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- an overdose, prevent deaths, and connect people to treatment and medical care.
Keywords:
Governor's Residence, management committee, government administration, New Mexico, advisory, commission, general services, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, overdose prevention centers, harm reduction, drug overdose, opioid crisis, substance use disorder, public health, addiction treatment, naloxone
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It promotes prevention through awareness rather than reactive measures alone, and it encourages public
- It promotes prevention through awareness rather than reactive measures alone, and it encourages public
- It promotes prevention through awareness rather than reactive measures alone, and it encourages public
- prevent them from utilizing those phones during an emergency, basically.
- prevent them from utilizing those phones during an emergency, basically.
Summary:
The committee began with brief announcements and thanks to staff and members as this was described as the last regular House Education Committee meeting of the 57th Legislature. Chad Heinrich of the University of Phoenix invited members to an upcoming lunch-and-learn on artificial intelligence and education. The chair and ranking member both offered closing remarks recognizing staff, pages, and public testimony over the session.
The committee then heard SB 1497, which requires school districts with at least 300 employees and a self-insurance program to seek quotes for health coverage and related services at least every four years, with some exceptions for certain self-insurance arrangements. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase competition, transparency, and better benefits for school employees. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation.
Members next considered SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to compile age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, including sexual conduct, and requires schools to make those resources available to students and parents. Supporters said it would provide vetted, voluntary resources without mandating curriculum; opponents argued it was too limited and should include more robust, trauma-informed, age-appropriate sex education and accessibility requirements. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1798, creating a FAFSA awareness program and school designation for schools that promote FAFSA completion, also passed after testimony from a college student and the Arizona Board of Regents in support; the vote was 8-2.
The committee also heard SB 1143, which requires schools to submit federal civil rights data collection information to ADE and directs ADE to publish an annual school safety report. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure for parents and policymakers, while opponents said it was duplicative, could be misused, and should apply to private schools as well. It passed 7-3. Finally, SB 1684, as amended, creates a private right of action against public schools for serious physical injury caused by bullying after a prior report and a negligent failure to respond; an amendment narrowed the bill to on-campus or school-sponsored events and removed verbal reports from the definition of prior report. Trial lawyers and the ACLU opposed it, warning about litigation and zero-tolerance discipline, while supporters said it would hold schools accountable for serious bullying. The amended bill passed 6-3.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You said that as a physician, you have to try to prevent harm.
- And we can prevent them in the first place.
- Private development to prevent environmental degradation.
- I mean, what would prevent someone from... ...timber harvesting.
- I mean, what would prevent someone from...
Summary:
The committee heard several climate, environmental, and housing bills. AB 1425, dealing with pit dewatering near the San Joaquin River Parkway, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect the river, groundwater, floodplain conditions, tribal and cultural resources, and public access from a proposed mining project near the river. Opponents, including Cemex, labor representatives, and industry groups, said the bill would bypass the CEQA process before it was complete, threaten jobs, and create uncertainty for an existing operation. Members questioned both sides about hydrology, blasting, dewatering, and the adequacy of the ongoing environmental review. The bill was moved, but several members expressed concern about preempting CEQA and some did not vote or voted no.
AB 881, which would allow California to move forward with carbon capture and sequestration pipelines, was presented as a way to advance state climate goals and capture federal funding. Supporters, including SMUD, labor, and industry groups, said the bill would help deploy carbon capture safely and preserve jobs. Environmental justice opponents supported stronger safety direction and warned that CO2 pipelines pose serious risks and that the state should not move ahead without clearer standards. The bill received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.
AB 1207, on the cap-and-trade allowance price ceiling and the social cost of carbon, was presented as a science-based update to California’s climate policy. The author and EDF said the bill would keep the program aligned with current economic and climate data and protect it from federal political interference. It received broad support and a due-pass recommendation. AB 1106, creating a coordinated network of air quality incident response centers, was also approved after testimony about wildfire smoke, toxic emissions, and the need for better real-time monitoring during disasters. AB 28, the Landfill Fire Safety Act, focused on the Chiquita Canyon landfill fire and related health impacts in Castaic and Val Verde; residents described serious illnesses and contamination concerns, while landfill and county representatives warned about costs and asked for more study. The committee nonetheless advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard AB 357, which would speed Coastal Commission review of student and faculty housing projects, with supporters citing student homelessness and opponents urging caution but acknowledging the need for more housing; the bill was presented and discussed, with the committee emphasizing the need to balance housing production and coastal oversight.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (03/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- and I have this tug of war preventable and I have this tug of war Within Within Within Myself<00:39:
- office the head of the injury prevention office the head of the injury prevention center<00:54:44.839
- <01:00:04.440>
future that we think might prevent future that we think might prevent future - Prevention Prevention awareness<01:01:09.520>
and <01:01:09.760>trying <01:01:10.000>- It just wasn't preventable.
Summary:
The committee met on March 28 for a Health and Human Services Oversight Committee meeting, approved the draft minutes from February 21, and then received updates from DHHS on the sudden termination of about $80 million in federal COVID-era funding. Commissioner Lori Weaver and Trisha Tilly said the funding had been expected to continue through September 2026, but an email ending it immediately created a 15-month budget gap. They explained that most of the money supported public health work, especially epidemiology, laboratory capacity, data systems, community health workers, outbreak response, and some behavioral health supports. DHHS said it had notified contractors, was reassessing which activities could continue, and had managed to avoid layoffs for its 20 affected staff by shifting funding sources, though some contract lab staff had to leave and some work would stop or be put on hold. Senators and representatives asked about impacts on labs, staffing, and the state budget lapse, and DHHS said the water lab and testing supplies would be affected and that the department was trying to backfill where possible with other federal funds.
The committee then heard a maternal mortality report from the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Alison Power and Caroline Naami explained that the MMRC reviews maternal deaths to identify contributing factors and make recommendations, and that it had completed one CDC grant and received another five years of funding. For 2023, the state recorded five pregnancy-associated deaths, including three from overdose, two from cardiovascular causes, and one homicide; the share of deaths related to substance use fell from 62.5% in 2022 to 40% in 2023. Over the 2019–2023 period, half of pregnancy-related deaths were due to overdose, most occurred postpartum, and many involved Medicaid recipients, transportation or financial barriers, and deaths at home. The committee said mental health and substance use remained the main drivers of maternal mortality, but that 79% of pregnancy-related deaths in the five-year aggregate were considered preventable.
Presenters highlighted recommendations and ongoing interventions, including expanding Medicaid coverage through one year postpartum, strengthening behavioral health access, partnering with the Department of Corrections on care for pregnant and postpartum women, and continuing clinical education through the Northern New England Perinatal Quality Improvement Network. Members asked why the maternal mortality rate had declined in recent years; staff said the 2021 spike was tied to the pandemic and that recent declines likely reflected both that spike and the impact of interventions, though the small number of cases makes trends hard to interpret. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-25 (5:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- treating bicycle and pedestrian injuries and a member of an organization involved with efforts to prevent
- Drownings at the age level are difficult to prevent through lessons.
- I bring this amendment to Senator Yarborough's bill to bolster his great efforts to prevent drowning
- toddlers in bathtubs, Pools and other water sources, water safety measures parents can employ to prevent
- This expands the scope of the bill to include drowning prevention so we can incorporate Senator Smith's
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- treating bicycle and pedestrian injuries, and a member of an organization involved with efforts to prevent
- I bring this amendment to Senator Yarborough's bill to bolster his great efforts to prevent drowning
- toddlers in bathtubs, pools and other water sources, water safety measures parents can employ to prevent
- I will note all the requirements on drowning prevention and safe bathing in the amendment are new.
- This expands the scope of the bill to include drowning prevention so we can incorporate Senator Smith's
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Preventing Gun Violence in Minnesota – Senator Ron Latz Mar 7th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- violence recently, you know, prompting a conversation with urgency and earnest around gun violence prevention
- So, Senator Zaynab Mohamed and I put together this gun violence prevention working group just to try
- So, in your opinion, what is the number one thing the legislation can do this session to prevent gun
- <00:03:18.200>
I <00:03:18.280>think session to prevent gun violence? - I think session to prevent gun violence?
Summary:
The interview focused on Minnesota gun violence prevention efforts following the June shootings of the Hortmans and Hoffmans and the Annunciation shooting. The senator said those events prompted him and Senator Zaynab Mohamed to form a gun violence prevention working group during the interim to gather public and expert input, explore ideas, and build bipartisan support. He said the group was meant to set the stage for session work, and that several ideas vetted there are now appearing in legislative proposals, along with a package from the governor’s office.
Asked what the legislature should prioritize, the senator said there is no single solution and outlined a multi-pronged approach: enforcing and expanding red flag and universal background check laws, considering an assault weapons ban and high-capacity magazine limits, banning ghost guns and binary triggers, improving firearm storage and security, and increasing school counseling and wraparound mental health supports. He emphasized that mental health alone is not the cause of violence, but said better identification of students in distress and easier access to care could help. He also argued that these measures can coexist with the Second Amendment and said regulation is appropriate to keep firearms from people with violent criminal histories, domestic violence histories, or other prohibitions.
On politics and prospects, he said passage will depend on bipartisan negotiation in a closely divided legislature, noting that some Democrats and Republicans are uncomfortable with certain proposals while others are open to them. He said he is willing to adjust language, as he did on earlier red flag and background check laws, and hopes members will work with him and Senator Mohamed, especially in swing districts. If no package passes this session, he said the issue will return next session and voters should hold legislators accountable in the next election. He closed by telling families affected by gun violence that lawmakers are working on the issue now and should not wait for another mass shooting, adding that gun violence also includes suicides and other daily deaths, not just mass shootings.