Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So a family who is trying to take care So a family who is trying to take care of<01:12:29.840><c
• </c> allow for 56 hours of home care allow for 56 hours of home care for<01:18:14.080><c> caregiver.
• </c> care community. care community.
• </c> They have lost trust in our health care They have lost trust in our health care system. system.
• </c> they're not going to to take the care. they're not going to to take the care.

Transcript Highlights:

• where care is too often out of reach.
• I don't care about your race, your creed, your color, your gender. I don't care.
• I don't care about your race, your creed, your color, your gender. I don't care.
• I don't care about your race, your creed, your color, your gender. I don't care.
• I don't care what color your skin was. I don't care what religion you were.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including remarks from the new Democratic caucus leader, Senator Berman, who emphasized bipartisan work on education, health care, the environment, and family issues. The chamber also recognized military leaders, an intern, and guests connected to later bills. No committee reports or executive messages were on the desk at the start of the session. The Senate then took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion substitutions and technical amendments. Major measures included the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which passed 36-0; a local government land regulation bill that was amended after questions about quasi-judicial hearings, impact fees, and county costs, then passed 26-8; a vessels/boating bill that incorporated related legislation and passed 35-0; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which passed 36-0; a fleeing or eluding law enforcement bill, amended to remove vehicle impoundment in the House version, which passed 36-0; a concealed carry/firearms bill for certain law enforcement and military personnel, which passed 33-3; and a timeshare management bill, which passed 36-0. The chamber also passed a disability history and awareness instruction bill, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, after extensive debate about language and the meaning of disability versus “unique abilities”; it received 35 co-sponsors and passed 35-0. Other bills passed included manufacturing and related fee legislation, public education on background screening requirements, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, Medicaid oversight, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, mammogram coverage, Parkinson’s disease, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to rise in support and thank the author for working on a bill for gender-affirming care.
• , if we are serious about improving health outcomes and lowering health care costs, we must continue
• Our health care system faces... ...districts are already working to recruit and retain teachers.
• Our health care system faces similar challenges.
• A $7.3 billion tax deserves careful and transparent review, especially... $1.3 billion tax deserves careful

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends an existing contract to fund assessment of children with special health care needs.
• Care Solace is not going to be—does not provide the services.
• Number two is the State Insurance Department with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care.
• Number 19, DHS with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, is an original contract.
• DHS with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care. This is an original contract.

Committee: All JBC-PEER REVIEW

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of appropriation, transfer, contract, and other review items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests in Sections B through F, including funding for prosecuting attorneys, education-related adjustments, school operating needs, labor licensing divisions, ARPA fund returns from Workforce Services, IIJA grants for state police CDL implementation and a forestry-related county grant, reserve fund transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic development, and a Commerce reallocation tied to organizational realignment. Cash fund requests in Section G and budget classification transfers in Section H were also reviewed, along with pay plan requests in Section I, overtime requests in Section J, and multiple methods of finance in Section K. The committee also reviewed discretionary grants in Section L, including agriculture promotion board grants and DHS aging/adult behavioral health grants, plus RFQs, construction contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and out-of-state contracts in Sections M1 through M5. Several items drew questions from members. Workforce Services explained that $225,000 in TANF-related funds would be returned to the federal government because the two-year hold period for uncashed or moved checks had expired. Commerce officials described the $25 million site infrastructure grant program, saying it supports site development, due diligence, and infrastructure build-out at eligible sites of 30 acres or more, including rural communities, with grant agreements and matching requirements providing accountability. DHS and Education officials answered questions about the Care Solace mental health referral contract, saying it is a statewide concierge/referral service that helps schools connect students to Arkansas providers and follow up so students do not fall through the cracks; members asked for more information on provider selection, school-day scheduling, and Arkansas vendor participation. The committee held one item over: the DHS discretionary grant item for the RSVP retired senior volunteer program in L2, after concerns were raised about whether state general revenue was being used effectively and how much administrative overhead the providers retain. Members also questioned several contracts, including a DHS sole-source contract with EMSLink for document management software and a DHS bridge contract with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care for Medicaid inspections of care reviews; in both cases, agency staff explained the need to avoid service disruption and said follow-up information would be provided. A Department of Corrections reentry center contract was discussed for its recidivism results, and ARDOT retirement-system investment contracts were briefly explained. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion of the Medicaid Trust Fund balance, with DFA and DHS officials saying the state is expected to finish the fiscal year without exhausting the fund, that a restricted reserve of $100 million is available as a backstop, and that the larger question is what minimum balance should be maintained going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are incredibly careful with our finances. As Dr.
• We are incredibly careful with our finances. As Dr.
• We have navigating a child care crisis.
• ><c> are</c> These child care providers are These child care providers are navigating<00:12:12.200><c
• You have their child care centers.

Summary: Representative Cedric Frazier opened the meeting by describing the ongoing harms from Operation Metro Surge, saying the state was still dealing with family separation, school disruption, workforce damage, and economic instability. He framed the issue as a statewide crisis and called on Republican colleagues to acknowledge the harm and work with DFL members on accountability and relief. He said the current budget work was urgent but could not fully backfill the damage, and later noted that the issue had been a top priority since the surge began. Testimony from school and business leaders focused on concrete impacts. Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis said her district, which serves a large Black, Hispanic, and East and West African student population, was targeted during the surge and saw major enrollment losses, including students moving out of state or country or being held in Texas facilities. She said the district lost over $1 million in revenue and that the loss could equal about 40 teachers or an entire elementary school. Columbia Heights School Board Chair Mary Granlund said her district, with a limited tax base, was also heavily affected and warned that business closures and unfunded mandates would shift costs to homeowners and force cuts to classes, teachers, and programs. Lee Ann Rasiejka of Women Venture and the CDFI coalition said small businesses across Minnesota were facing compounded disruption from federal law enforcement activity, tariffs, rising costs, and fear, with more than $213 million in lost revenue reported across Twin Cities corridors and many businesses cutting hours, delaying hiring, or pausing growth. In response to questions, Frazier and other speakers said the proposed aid would be statewide rather than focused only on the Twin Cities, and that the bill currently had no set dollar amount but they hoped for around $100 million. They said CDFIs and local community groups would help distribute resources. Frazier said some Republican members had acknowledged harm in their own communities and suggested compromise was possible, though he criticized leadership for dismissing some testimony as hearsay. He also said ongoing law enforcement investigations into alleged crimes by federal agents would not be necessary to establish the harm, pointing instead to direct testimony from affected residents and school officials. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the core review for the PA board, they performed, I think, comparatively worse to the other health care
• When we scrub these records, we violate the trust patients place in the state to vet their health care
• The complaint was not filed by a patient or an employer and had nothing to do with my nursing care.
• care, safety, teaching, protecting nurses.
• I believe the amendment takes care of that, but if it doesn't, we can fix it.

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation, employment services, developmental disabilities, Arizona Revised Statutes, occupational therapy, board regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• has been under for over a year, gutting our public health departments, withholding funding for child care
• in our public schools, child care in our public schools, removing<00:03:11.680><c> children's</c><00
• If an elected official cares about their local economy, they should care about this.
• for, and sustain our build, care for, and sustain our communities.<00:12:25.360><c> Caring</c><00:12
• Caring about Cottage Grove communities.

Summary: Witnesses and lawmakers discussed the impact of “Operation Metro Surge” and related federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, describing it as a severe constitutional and humanitarian crisis. John Beler of the ACLU of Minnesota said the organization had received more than 700 reports of constitutional violations and argued the state should protect sensitive spaces, create legal remedies, and limit state involvement in federal surveillance and enforcement. Sen. Erin Maye Quade and other speakers said the operation was still ongoing, caused family separations, economic harm, and trauma in communities, and called on Minnesota Republicans to break with the Trump administration and support accountability. Several business owners testified about direct effects on restaurants and construction workforces. Hano JD Delgado, a restaurant owner, said ICE activity had frightened workers, led to closures and lost business, and recounted alleged mistreatment of employees and himself, including detentions and an incident involving a 15-year-old U.S. citizen. Sarah Lawitch, a Cottage Grove contractor, said her crews and projects were disrupted because workers feared leaving home and that lawmakers should protect constitutional rights and local businesses. Speakers repeatedly framed the issue as racial profiling and an attack on legal residents and citizens, not just undocumented immigrants. Rep. Lee Fininky said she is carrying two bills aimed at federal and local law enforcement practices: one would prohibit officers from wearing masks on duty except for limited safety or health exceptions, and another would require vehicles used to detain people to be clearly marked and equipped with safety features. She and other DFL speakers also discussed a broader package of bills, including a proposal to let Minnesotans hold the federal government accountable and a bill requiring the BCA to investigate shootings. In response to questions, they said they were seeking Republican support but expected the measures to face legal challenges; no votes or formal committee action were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked on a study about grad workers' salary, health care, and tuition throughout the state of New
• Health care has been a priority of ours since our first contract in December of '22.
• Our members care deeply about student safety and well-being.
• I've been sent to the urgent care twice myself in my 20-year career as an administrator.
• They'll be able to take care of their children, whatever happens at school. I too am concerned.

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• And then moving into the support for our seniors, both the home and community-based care...
• I want to shift gears to the health care budget and health care appropriations.
• And I know that there's a health care committee later today.
• number of Affordable Care Act plans, and those were the only ones they would participate in.
• HIV/AIDS has never been a partisan issue since the enactment of the Ryan White Care Act.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize post-tax Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, instead of limiting them to pre-tax contributions. After a brief presentation and one waived appearance in support, the bill was rolled and reported favorably. Later, members also recorded affirmative votes on SB 7010 before adjournment. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the Governor’s proposed “Floridians First” budget, presented by Lita Kelly of the Office of Policy and Budget. She outlined a $117.4 billion spending plan with $53.2 billion in general revenue, emphasizing reserves, debt reduction, trust fund sweeps, and targeted reductions in agency positions. Major priorities included K-12 and higher education funding, teacher salary support, school hardening, Everglades and water-quality projects, cancer and behavioral health initiatives, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, corrections staffing and facilities, cybersecurity, transportation, affordable housing, and economic development. Members asked extensive questions about teacher pay, corrections staffing, emergency response reserves, the proposed federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facility, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, the animal abuse hotline, and the absence of a specific Hope Florida line item. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV/AIDS drug assistance program, with public testimony warning that the changes could cut off access to medications for thousands of Floridians and alleging misuse of federal funds. Kelly said she would follow up on several details, including litigation costs, teacher pay comparisons, and ADAP funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> solve uh the Republican health care solve uh the Republican health care crisis<00:24:17.120><c>
• </c> care for their children. care for their children.
• about: lowering food and health care prices and cutting child care costs.
• </c> They promised free universal health care They promised free universal health care and<01:13:59.600
• They raised a caring, devotion and joy.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the Executive recommendation for Managed Care Rates.
• care rate increases.
• On line 289, $48 million to pilot a child care assistance affordability pilot to subsidize child care
• The 400 is a cutoff to get care at all, right?
• by growing the child care workforce.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• That balance between uninterrupted care.
• </c> going to repeat the continuity of care going to repeat the continuity of care because<00:08:59.120
• </c> access to care are not competing values. access to care are not competing values.
• </c> stronger and so we have to be careful stronger and so we have to be careful not<01:02:46.319><c>
• </c> implemented without destabilizing care. implemented without destabilizing care.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes ICE out of sensitive spaces like schools, child care centers, courthouses, hospitals.
• Operation Metro Surge has emptied emergency departments, pediatric clinics, primary care offices, and
• People in pain are delaying care because they no longer trust the health care spaces are safe from immigration
• </c> it, and will receive care it, and will receive care unconditionally, unconditionally, unconditionally
• </c> We must ensure that every Minnesotan can access health care safely, freely, and with dignity.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a strong proponent of a team approach to Alzheimer's and dementia care, which includes training
• HB 2035, DCS kin care requirement. HB 2047, red avertis criminal trespass.
• HB 2914, electronic monitoring health care facilities. HB 2923. HB 2437, EMS specificity compact.
• HB 2914, electronic monitoring health care facilities.
• H. 3.29-14, electronic monitoring health care facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also defines basic medical care needs.
• It also removes the definition of basic medical care needs.
• That is Allison, Senate Bill 5911, strengthening the financial stability of persons in the care of the
• The next bill before you is Senate Bill 5940, the extended foster care pilot program, which you also
• for 50 youth who are enrolled in extended foster care and are homeless.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in executive session to review several bills, with one bill on the DCYF Oversight Board (SB 5942) held until the following week so additional stakeholder input could be incorporated. Staff briefed bills on escorted leaves for incarcerated individuals (SB 5873), extraordinary medical placements (SB 5895), financial stability for youth in DCYF care receiving Social Security benefits (SB 5911), an extended foster care housing pilot (SB 5940), changes to the persistent offender definition and resentencing (SB 5945), adding positions to the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee (SB 5957), and medically tailored meals for Apple Health enrollees (SB 5966). Several of these bills had multiple proposed amendments, many offered by Senator Christian, addressing eligibility limits, monitoring, location restrictions, time limits, liability, victim notification, and funding contingencies. In executive action, the committee adopted only the chair’s technical amendment to SB 5873 and rejected the other proposed amendments, then advanced the bill as a proposed substitute to the Rules Committee. SB 5895 also moved forward as a proposed substitute after most amendments were rejected and one was withdrawn; the committee sent it to Ways and Means. SB 5911’s amendment clarifying protected accounts for youth benefits was adopted, and the bill was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5940 was also advanced to Ways and Means after adoption of the substitute. SB 5945’s proposed substitute was adopted and the bill was sent forward, while SB 5957 and SB 5966 were briefly discussed in briefing but not acted on during the portion of the meeting captured here. The chair noted that any remaining executive bills not completed would be taken up at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• About 72% of Medicaid is now in managed care.
• for their children and caring for the seniors.
• So it's that part of And caring for the seniors.
• Agency for Health Care Administration.
• It's a pleasure to appear on behalf of the Agency for Health Care Administration.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present to hear the constitutionally required Long-Range Financial Outlook and consider a series of budget amendments. Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research presented the outlook, describing Florida’s continued population growth, strong wage growth, an aging population, housing-market softening, and low consumer sentiment. She said the general revenue forecast was largely unchanged from March, but the state’s funds available had improved because of legislative actions in 2025 that increased the balance forward. She also noted strong reserves, a projected current-year Medicaid deficit of about $125 million, and a three-year outlook that remains positive in the first year but turns negative in years two and three. She highlighted the risk of co-occurring catastrophic events, using a normalized Great Miami Hurricane scenario to illustrate potential state losses. The outlook was adopted after brief comments from House and Senate members emphasizing fiscal restraint and efficiency. The commission then approved multiple budget amendments, mostly without objection. The Agency for Health Care Administration received amendments to realign funding for Florida KidCare based on estimating conference results, to provide $85 million in budget authority for disproportionate share hospital payments, and to adjust Medicaid and long-term care appropriations, including placing surplus funds into reserve. The Department of Health received $6.3 million in additional authority for newborn screening. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Management Services each received $2.2 million in Private Inmate Welfare Trust Fund authority for repair invoices and pending projects. The Department of State was authorized to release $2.5 million in nonrecurring general revenue for cultural and museum grants and America 250 commemorative grants. The Department of Transportation received approval for a project roll-forward and for work program changes, including advancing I-95 widening in Duval County and the I-4 corridor in Polk and Osceola counties. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Bill 6, an act relating to child care Bill 6, an act relating to child care and<00:07:05.640><c>
• </c> further the kinship care program? further the kinship care program?
• Where I'm coming from is that you have a program here of taking care and raising their of taking care
• We have a foster care system that is inadequate.
• </c> for those of us that want to take care for those of us that want to take care of<00:42:25.360><c

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to kick people off the health care rolls.
• We need to fund education and health care. We need to take care of our roads and bridges.
• I care about the kids and families of our community.
• And we do it because we care. We do it because we care about our communities.
• We care about Arizona. We do it because we care. We do it because we care about our communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> care, and economic opportunities. care, and economic opportunities.
• We have to be careful not to giveaway.
• </c> Policy Foundation, Hawaii Primary Care Policy Foundation, Hawaii Primary Care Association,<00:36
• HP 2498 HD1 is relating to care homes.
• This is for HD1 relating to care homes.

Bills: HB2116 , HB1879 , HB2214 , HB2310 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB1596 , HB2197 , HB2498 , HB2167

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:10.960><c> provider</c> of action for any health care provider of action for any health care
• </c> provide medical care. provide medical care.
• So, I welcome any questions. receive care. receive care.
• </c> jobs, and expand patient care. jobs, and expand patient care.
• </c> health care access. health care access.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services