Transcript Highlights:

• Item D2 are the discretionary grants presented by the Department of Human Services.
• This is for psychiatric services with the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center.
• This is for dental services with the Arkadelphia Human Development Center.
• This is for psychology services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center.
• This is physician services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center.

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• always</c><00:07:25.320><c> a</c><00:07:25.360><c> big</c> human service systems are always a big human
• Jeremiah Winkstead came in to Health and Human Services when he was first here.
• he</c><00:18:47.760><c> was</c> Health and Human Services when uh he was Health and Human Services when
• whole</c><00:20:05.440><c> on</c> and Human Services as the whole on and Human Services as the whole
• and Human Service Policy, she was Health and Human Service Policy, she was the<00:20:10.560><c> one<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Choi, Senator Choi, to this committee.
• Large cuts to the Forest Service and National Park Service also impact land management, slowing down
• It's an incredible act of service.
• So that was our service-based budgeting numbers.
• Fish and Wildlife Service.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, calling the 1 p.m. calendar for Health and Human Services.
• ><c> Hawaii</c> of Human Services and support Hawaii of Human Services and support Hawaii State<00:14
• </c><00:25:33.159><c> Service</c> where uh Department of Human Service where uh Department of Human Service
• First up, Department of Human Services in support.
• Human Services and support Department of Human Services and support director<00:26:51.159><c> Yan</c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a long calendar of health-related measures, beginning with SB 297, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. Supporters included medical, labor, and advocacy groups, while opponents, including Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Christian Coalition, argued the term “reproductive freedom” was too vague and could be misunderstood. Testimony on SB 350, a similar constitutional amendment protecting contraception, also drew strong support from medical and advocacy groups and opposition from religious organizations; one witness said the measure was especially important to protect reproductive care and contraception. Several bills focused on health system administration and public health. SB 1438 on home care agencies, SB 1439 on nuisances, SB 1441 on transferring the AAHU regional health care system to the Department of Health, SB 1442 on children’s mental health services, SB 1443 on the Department of Health, SB 1444 on general excise tax, and SB 1445 on youth mental health all received mostly supportive testimony from state agencies and community organizations. On SB 1445, the Hawaii State LGBTQ Commission asked that LGBTQI+ and Native Hawaiian youth be specifically considered in mental health services. SB 1450, creating an intensive mobile team pilot for houseless individuals with serious brain disorders, drew support from state agencies and providers; a street medicine advocate said the pilot could help address sustainability, insurance, and service delivery on the streets. The committee also heard testimony on access and workforce measures, including SB 1596 on nursing, SB 1565 on acupuncture, SB 1564 on Medicaid, SB 1418 for an emergency DHS appropriation, SB 1417 on crimes against protective services workers, SB 1411 on Medicaid third-party liability, SB 1399 on a family resilience pilot program, SB 1398 on trauma-informed care, SB 1281 on telehealth, and SB 1279 on telepharmacy. Most of these measures drew broad support from agencies, provider groups, and advocacy organizations. On SB 1281, HMSA opposed the bill as written, warning about audio-only telehealth and federal rule changes, while other health groups supported it as important for rural, kupuna, and disabled residents. On SB 1417, a Honolulu Police Department captain supported stronger protections for DHS workers but could not provide complaint data and said he would follow up later. The hearing ended with the chair noting quorum and asking whether the committee was ready for decision making; no votes or final actions were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I stand with gratitude for the work that the Human Services Policy Conference Committee did.
• </c><00:12:20.000><c> services,</c><00:12:20.480><c> modifying</c> relating to human services, modifying
• </c> Human Services Office of Inspector Human Services Office of Inspector General.<00:12:30.399><c>
• Policy Conference Human Services Policy Conference Committee<00:12:43.120><c> did.
• </c><00:12:52.880><c> services</c> motans who rely on our human services motans who rely on our human

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs,
• By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs,
• By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs,
• By Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Health Policy, and Senator Massullo, CS for
• By Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Health Policy, and Senator Massullo, CS for

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement guests, a Spina Bifida Week presentation, and a salute to the 2025 IPSC Handgun World Shoot team. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to floor consideration of Senate bills. Members passed several bills unanimously or near-unanimously after brief debate and, in some cases, floor amendments. CS/SB 590 clarified that changes to the statute of limitations for mandatory reporters of child abuse apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 required law enforcement autism-interaction training and allowed the blue-envelope program to be offered in electronic or physical form; it passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 addressed NICA’s actuarial soundness and passed 112-0. CS/SB 1246 expanded the Linking Industry to Nursing Education fund to broader health science programs and passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 1404 set baseline standards for memory care providers and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1030 revised recovery residence rules, including MAT-related provisions, and passed 168-0. CS/CS/SB 178 changed FHSAA rules so school coaches may use limited personal funds for student welfare with parent consent and passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 422 barred use of ADS-B data for airport billing and passed 108-2. CS/CS/SB 598 modernized funeral, cemetery, and consumer services licensing and passed 111-0. The House also considered CS/CS/SB 1134, a controversial bill restricting county and municipal DEI-related official actions and contracting. Sponsor Rep. Black described broad prohibitions with numerous exceptions, while members asked about effects on observances, special events, parade participation, and local economic-vitality offices. Rep. Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition by removing vague prongs, arguing the language was ambiguous and could chill local government action; debate on that amendment was underway when the transcript ended. The chamber then moved into farewell remarks, including an extended address from Rep. Eskamani reflecting on her service, family, staff, constituents, and policy priorities, followed by remarks from the Speaker praising her energy and preparation. Rep. Overdorf also delivered farewell remarks highlighting his work on environmental policy, human trafficking, development regulation, property rights, and property taxes, with the Speaker commending his contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is some of it in health and human services and some of it is standalone?
• Um, primarily taxes and health and human services.
• </c><00:03:58.480><c> services</c> you might take taxes or human services you might take taxes or human
• ><c> been</c><00:04:54.479><c> an</c> and human services there hasn't been an and human services there
• Will that be part of health and human services?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Human trafficking is a crime involving exploitation of persons for labor, services, or commercial sex
• I'm going to bring it back to the committee.
• And we hear human trafficking.
• I'd actually like to thank the members of this committee, the members of the budget committee, who have
• Californians deserve... ...services are dispatched, but no aid or services rendered.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call to order the meeting of the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.
• </c> Minnesota Department of Human Services. Minnesota Department of Human Services.
• Um, I remember in the past in human services committee that DHS requested uh funding for uh more FTEs
• committee uh that uh in human services committee uh that uh<01:05:25.039><c> DHS</c><01:05:25.599><c
• And, Senator Liski, you know, I know this is a topic of interest for the Human Services Committee and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, by the way, just looking around, speaking of the Judiciary Committee, I have committee hearing room
• Services as my vice chair.
• It is the use of artificial intelligence where there is not a connection to a human, where the human
• who make their living with their real human faces and human voices.
• And anyone can make those very real-looking humans... ...persuasive a human face can be.

Summary: The committee convened for its first hearing, took roll, and heard several privacy- and AI-related bills. SB 1106 by Senator Cabaldon would shorten the Delete Act data broker deletion deadline from 45 days to 30 days; it drew support from a technology and democracy group, no opposition testimony, and was moved out on a due pass to Appropriations vote. SB 923 by Senator Becker would expand the CCPA deletion right to cover all personal information held by a business and require online-only businesses to offer a web form or similar method for privacy requests; supporters included the California Privacy Protection Agency and privacy advocates, while business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance, and the email/web-form requirement. The bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations, with some members noting they were laying off or wanted further amendments. The committee also heard SB 1142, the Digital Dignity Act, which would regulate digital replicas and deepfakes on large online platforms, including takedown and revocation procedures and penalties. Supporters said it would protect Californians from fraud, harassment, and nonconsensual synthetic likeness use; opponents, including the Motion Picture Association, CCIA, TechNet, and others, raised First Amendment, due process, Section 230, and overbreadth concerns, especially around deceased persons and the 48-hour takedown process. Members said they supported the bill but wanted further work before Judiciary, and it passed 6-0 as amended to Judiciary. The committee also adopted its rules without objection. Later, SB 867 by Senator Padilla would impose a four-year moratorium on the sale and manufacture of AI chatbot-powered toys for children, citing research showing unsafe, sexually explicit, or privacy-invasive behavior; child advocacy and consumer groups supported it, while retailers and civil justice groups sought narrower definitions and liability protections. It passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1247 would give child influencers, once adults, a right to request deletion or modification of images and likenesses used in monetized social media content; it drew no support testimony but was opposed by a civil justice group over the creation of a new private right of action, and it passed 7-0 to Judiciary. SB 930, the consent-calendar item, was approved 7-0. The committee then heard SB 1114, which would restrict sharing of state-collected data related to LGBTQ Californians absent an enforceable order, with supporters arguing it would protect sensitive data from misuse by federal agencies and preserve trust in state programs. It passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 1159 would let local governments treat AI bots and agents differently from people for Brown Act, public records, and related civic participation laws, in response to AI-generated comment floods; supporters from environmental, local government, and nonprofit groups said it was needed to preserve human participation, while opponents argued the bill should focus on fraud rather than AI and warned about overreach. The bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1050 would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements; labor and consumer advocates supported it as a truth-in-advertising measure, while media and industry groups objected that it was overbroad and should be narrowed to misleading ads and aligned with existing law. Members signaled support for the bill’s goal but also raised concerns about scope and consistency with current false-advertising rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:58.560><c> services</c> the desire of the human services the desire of the human services
• </c> Madam Speaker, your House Committee on Human Services thanks the members from Judiciary, as well
• S. 210 was referred to the House Committee on Human Services after the passing of the Senate.
• </c> Madame Speaker, your House human Madame Speaker, your House human services<00:42:42.640><c> committee
• on Human Services?

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 20 Amendment 2 Rider 40, Health and Human Services Commission Partnership is adopted.
• director for Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Maureen Metoyer for her dedication and, and
• If you'll turn with me to page 27, we'll begin with the Health and Human Services Commission.
• That concludes the Health and Human Services Commission Agency.
• Universities that had Health and Human Service, health related issues. OK.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first order of business today is that we are hearing from the Department of Human Services on the
• services expertise in the committee.
• the temporary head of the Minnesota Department of Human Services in February 2025.
• My name is James Clark, and I am the Inspector General at the Department of Human Services.
• I'm really glad that we've got there been, and even the tightening through the Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to mention that we invited members of the Human Services and the Health and Human Services committees
• And that goes for the Human Services and Health and Human Services members who join us.
• And that goes for the Human Services and Health and Human Services members who join us.
• </c> Human Services space and in Human Services space and in education<00:05:05.160><c> and</c><00:05
• Chair, and thank you for the invitation to join as a member of the Health and Human Services Committee

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• White, welcome to the committee. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, members of the committee.
• Human fetal development is a core part of human development as a whole, teaching students how a human
• Chairman, committee members.
• Chair and committee.
• Thank you, committee. Mr.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2076, which would create a program and fund within ADE, in consultation with AZPOST, to reimburse eligible schools and employees for approved training, certification, and school safety equipment, and would allow schools to adopt policies permitting certain employees to carry concealed firearms on campus if they meet training, notification, and confidentiality requirements. The sponsor, Rep. Bliss, framed the bill as an optional, fiscally responsible medical-response measure focused on bleeding control and emergency preparedness, not a mandate to arm schools. Supporters said the bill adds guardrails, expands access to training, and could help staff respond in emergencies. Opponents, including Giffords, Arizona for Gun Safety, and the Arizona Education Association, argued it would normalize firearms in classrooms, create confidentiality and law-enforcement concerns, expose students and staff to new risks, and divert attention from prevention, mental health, and other school safety investments. After debate, the committee voted 6-5-1 to give HB 2076 a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2830, which directs the State Board of Education to adopt science standards requiring instruction on fetal and prenatal development and specifies that the content is not sex education. Supporters, including the sponsor, a school board president, and a biology teacher, said the bill is about age-appropriate, medically accurate science, parental rights, and clear statewide guidance. Opponents, including the AEA and Reproductive Freedom for All, said it fragments science instruction, politicizes the curriculum, and omits the broader reproductive and public health context students need. Members debated whether fetal development can be taught without discussing reproduction, and whether the bill is an education measure or an anti-abortion effort. The committee approved HB 2830 on an 8-4 vote. The transcript also included discussion of House Bill 2093, which would repeal required mental health instruction and social-emotional learning in schools; supporters argued it restores parental control and refocuses schools on academics, while opponents said school-based mental health education saves lives and helps students who may not have support at home.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee.
• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee.
• , a shared dream of humanity, a shared dream of humanity, a share...” “...another, a shared dream of
• You’re losing your own humanity as you claim to fight for others’ humanity.
• It is about our humanity.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members of the committee, as SB 1144 is considered, it is important that the committee
• Kelsey: I was at Papago, so EZ Humane.
• I think that it was to the committee.
• Are you saying human? Because I'm from, you know, we're humans. We have our own...
• Again, this is why this should be in the health committee. I'm not on the health committee.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 28, 2026 minutes and held Senate Bill 1241 for a later hearing because a witness was unavailable. It then took up Senate Bill 1144, which would create an alternative pathway for veterinary technician certification through supervised on-the-job training and board-approved skills standards. Supporters, including the Arizona Humane Society, a high school student in a veterinary program, and other advocates, said the bill would help address workforce shortages, reduce student debt, and improve access to care, especially in rural and low-income areas. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and several veterinarians, argued the bill could weaken training standards, increase liability, and create safety risks; the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association ultimately moved to neutral after amendments added supervision and affidavit requirements. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1144 as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee next passed Senate Bill 1247 unanimously. That bill would allow a person who does not receive care services to live with a resident in an assisted living center, and would bar the Department of Health Services from imposing requirements on that person that the resident would not face. Supporters said the bill was needed to fix a recent agency interpretation that could force spouses or other companions to separate or pay for services they do not use, and noted a possible floor amendment to extend the same treatment to assisted living homes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1286, which would extend from 14 days to 60 days the period for veterinary prescriptions and renewals issued through telemedicine. Supporters said the change would improve access in underserved and rural areas and reflect how telemedicine is already used in human medicine, while opponents warned that longer telemedicine prescriptions could delay necessary exams and diagnostics, increase the risk of misdiagnosis, and create animal welfare and liability concerns. After testimony, the sponsor asked that the bill be held for a possible amendment next week, so no vote was taken. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1164, which would allow Medicaid claims to continue under a prior owner’s billing number during a skilled nursing or assisted living facility change of ownership until new enrollment is complete; supporters said this would prevent long reimbursement delays, while Access raised concerns about federal-law conflicts and said it needed advance notice to process ownership changes. The bill passed 6-0 with one member not voting. Finally, the committee passed Senate Bill 1181, which expands CPA licensure pathways by allowing combinations of degree and work experience and updates reciprocity and rulemaking provisions, and Senate Bill 1415, which creates a licensing path for salaried insurance adjusters with out-of-state credentials, subject to an amendment clarifying exam and employment requirements. Both bills were supported as workforce and mobility measures, and both were reported out of committee on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and replacement of humans and human workers with artificial intelligence.
• We are seeing the mass elimination and replacement of humans and human workers. the mass elimination
• and replacement of humans and human workers with artificial intelligence.
• You all know you're on the labor committee, on the labor committee.
• When human lives are at risk, human health care professionals should be the ultimate decision makers,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number 11, it is order printed and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee, thence
• , then the House Health and Human Services Committee.
• Senate Bill 1 has been addressed by title and is referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee
• , ordered printed, and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee, then the House Judiciary
• House Health and Human Services Committee, then the House Judiciary Committee.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:57.880><c> services</c> the bottom line but in human services the bottom line but in human
• Division at the Department of Human Services.
• Division at the Department of Human Services.
• Division at the Department of Human Services.
• Human Services on uh Public Safety and Human Services on uh what<00:30:08.080><c> language</c><00:30:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all