Transcript Highlights:

• It preserves DHS and DCYF's primary responsibilities as required by federal law and only grants concurrent
• Those are for those agencies that we have not classified as having primary investigative authority.
• </c><00:09:42.880><c> Um</c><00:09:43.519><c> and</c> primary investigative authority.
• Um and primary investigative authority.
• </c> categorized as having primary categorized as having primary investigative<00:10:11.360><c> authority

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're recognized to close. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• We just closed seven schools in Orange County.
• could close?
• You're recognized to close, Representative Barrero. Closed, Mr. Speaker.
• You're recognized to close. Representative Griffiths. Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum calls, and several recognitions before taking up a series of Senate messages and House motions. Members also recognized House Sergeant at Arms staff, visitors in the gallery, and family members. The chamber approved the journal and then moved into message lists and concurrence motions on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1668, relating to the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), the House concurred in a Senate amendment that clarified that if the NICA plan lacks adequate cash flow, the Office of Insurance Regulation may authorize a cumulative transfer of up to $20 million over the life of the plan and removed a proposed time limit on provider assessments. The bill then passed 96-2. The House also concurred in a Senate amendment to CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the foreign influence bill, after debate over a proposed strike-all amendment that would have removed surrogacy-related language; that amendment failed. Supporters said the bill still retained key foreign-influence restrictions, while opponents objected to the surrogacy provisions and other remaining restrictions. The bill passed 83-17. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1279 on education. The Senate amendment added provisions on tuition residency for certain military and State Department families, a one-year deferral option for Benacquisto Scholarship recipients, virtual school notifications, educational emergency authority for persistently low-performing schools, epinephrine flexibility, VPK and New Worlds Reading changes, math pathways, dance credit, IEP service notifications, charter school safety officer options, and FEFP adjustments for Florida advanced courses, while removing several House provisions including the 95% Florida resident requirement for preeminent universities, the 5% cap on undergraduate international enrollment, and DEI-related provisions. Debate focused heavily on the educational emergency and collective bargaining language for persistently low-performing schools, with supporters saying it would help districts improve student performance and opponents warning it would weaken unions and affect schools that are not truly failing. The bill passed 81-16. Finally, the House considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. An amendment to repeal portions of last year’s SB 180 was ruled not germane. The House then took up a Senate amendment on compost facilities that would bar local governments from conditioning compost-facility approval on the purchase of additional property to expand a privately owned road and would limit local revocation of permits when facilities comply with state or regional environmental regulation; debate began on that motion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are so close to losing the American farm.
• In closing, Mr.
• In closing, as Congress writes a new...
• And the primary tool we have to look at is vaccination.
• Right now, we're close to 30% domestic, 70% domestic. imports.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2022, Go-Biz and our partners at the labor agency have worked very closely on this to make sure
• And this cultural district is in very close proximity to the venues for the Olympics.
• That is a big part of why we work so closely with the labor agency, right?
• It's the state's strongest deal-closing measure.
• So many small arts organizations are closing, and in December we were literally on the verge.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New sequences trading off $19,682 in new funds from other current expenses to personal services for primary
• New sequences trading off $19,682 in new funds from other current expenses to personal services for primary
• new sequences trading off $19,682 in new funds from other current expenses to personal services for primary
• 22:36.200><c> personal</c><00:22:36.560><c> services</c><00:22:37.000><c> for</c><00:22:37.120><c> primary
• </c> to personal services for primary to personal services for primary prevention. prevention. prevention

Bills: HB389 , HB469 , HB1510 , HB1573 , HB1705 , HB1858 , HB1875 , HB1946 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB2001 , HB2093 , HB2096 , HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you like to close?
• We're not close-minded.
• I'm not close by.
• Bryan, would you like to close?
• Haney, would you like to close?

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 1650, AB 2014, AB 1886, AB 2126, AB 2624, and AB 2257. AB 1650 would require clearer identification on privately owned vehicles rented or leased to government agencies for enforcement operations; supporters framed it as a transparency and safety measure in response to ICE activity, while no opposition testified. AB 2014 would allow post-conviction habeas relief where gender bias or stereotypes were used at trial and may have affected the outcome; supporters described cases involving sexist and anti-LGBTQ stereotypes, while the California District Attorneys Association opposed the bill as overbroad and likely to restrict relevant evidence, though the author said recent amendments removed the evidence-code provisions and left only the habeas remedy. AB 1886 would extend a 12-month probation presumption to youth in out-of-home placements and those discharged from secure youth treatment facilities; youth advocates supported it as a fairness and rehabilitation measure, while judges, probation officials, and district attorneys opposed it as undoing a recent compromise and limiting individualized decisions. AB 2126 would speed hiring of peer partners in child welfare by creating a narrow exemption process for certain foster-youth-related offenses; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters cited threats, doxing, and harassment, while one journalist opposed it over possible effects on reporting, and the author and committee members said the bill preserves press protections and is narrowly aimed at threats and harassment. AB 2257 would restore county authority to create a separate corrections department to run jails instead of the sheriff; supporters argued it would improve accountability and address jail deaths and fiscal problems, while sheriffs opposed it as unnecessary and said sheriffs are already subject to oversight. The committee also noted several bills pulled by their authors and adopted a consent calendar of unrelated measures. Votes were not always taken immediately because the committee was waiting for a quorum, but AB 2624 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and left on call, and the chair indicated support or favorable recommendations on several of the other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you like to close?
• We’re not close-minded.
• Bryan, would you like to close?
• No, no, that's a close one. I'm going to give that. If not, is there a motion? That's a close one.
• Haney, would you like to close?

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Close the machine, Madam Clerk. Close the machine, Madam Clerk.
• </c> Close the machine, Madam Clerk. Close the machine, Madam Clerk.
• </c> Close the machine, Madam Clerk. Close the machine, Madam Clerk.
• primary one of the primary So, isn't the primary one of the primary functions<02:55:44.400><c> of</c>
• </c> Close machine, Madam Clerk. Close machine, Madam Clerk.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair thanked Representative Joy and said Representative Nash and the Chair had worked closely to
• One of those, so with that backdrop, the primary purpose, as I said, of the presentation today is to
• And before I close, I will say this.
• And before I close, I will say this.
• And before I close, I will say Cleary.

Bills: HF1338

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• The primary role of parents in supervising the activities of their children.
• Facebook's policy, their own policy, reminds users to close Instagram every day from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m
• So that's the primary purpose of that. Thank you. The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
• So I'm going to close just by saying, I hope we will not...
• So I'm going to close and say today I'm going to vote yes because I think that we're doing the best we

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so kind of the combination of two primary reasons make up two chunks of what you might be looking
• And so the combination of two primary reasons make up two chunks of what you might be looking at for
• That is about $100,000 of this funding, and that project is getting close to completion.
• because we like to park, because of our winters and this timing of the session, we like to park as close
• because we like to park, because of our winters and this timing of the session, we like to park as close

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, Ryan will close us out with a discussion of teacher salaries that will include analysis of salary
• Finally, Ryan will close us out with a discussion of teacher salaries that will include analysis of salary
• Finally, Ryan will close us out with a discussion of teacher salaries that will include analysis of salary
• Finally, Ryan will close us out with a discussion of teacher salaries that will include analysis of salary
• It may be difficult to distinguish the lines for statewide and district because they track so closely

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that there's a very close correlation between age, aging into disability, and the need for assistance
• We're really happy to see the department on this panel, and we hope to work closely with B.
• You are going to close this panel out, so go right ahead. Thank you. Good morning, Chair Cleveland.
• You are going to close this panel out, so go right ahead. Thank you. Good morning, Chair Cleveland.
• This closes the resource gap that drives avoidable prolonged acute stays, reduces difficult-to-discharge

Summary: The committee began with an extended work session on the long-term care workforce. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector described the new Home and Community Living Administration and outlined major workforce pressures: Washington had about 126,000 long-term care workers in 2022, with demand expected to outpace supply as the 85-plus population and dementia prevalence rise sharply. She emphasized that direct care workers are largely women, people of color, and immigrants, and that family caregivers are also a major part of the system. She highlighted recruitment and retention efforts funded through federal Money Follows the Person dollars, including high school training partnerships, a retention toolkit, transportation support, caregiver newsletters, tribal workforce navigators, and a remote caregiving pilot. Committee members asked about career pathways, technology use, and turnover drivers; Rector said wages, benefits, unstable hours, and workplace support are key issues and promised follow-up data. Aidan Swain of the Washington Health Care Association said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities face acute RN vacancies, wage pressures, and Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover costs, and urged modernization of training, better reimbursement, and continued support for facility-based care. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775, representing about 55,000 caregivers, said low wages, weak benefits, lack of voice, and certification delays are driving turnover and shortages, and argued for higher compensation, better worker protections, and more transparent reimbursement. Catherine Smith of Behavioral Health Solutions described growing behavioral health needs in nursing homes, the role of expanded behavioral supports programs, and credentialing delays that slow hiring. No votes were taken; the panel was informational only. The second agenda item was an overview of the palliative care benefit work group report required by 2024 legislation. Nico Jansen of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner explained that the work group, convened with the Health Care Authority, studied a potential palliative care benefit for fully insured commercial plans and also Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. He said palliative care is a philosophy of care focused on symptom management, coordination, and support for serious illness, and is distinct from hospice because it can be provided alongside curative treatment. The actuarial analysis concluded that creating a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about a 28-cent per member per month increase overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. Jansen said the consultants did not find sufficient evidence to assume savings from avoided hospitalizations or long-term care, though several work group members disagreed and submitted response letters. Senators asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said some states, including Hawaii, are moving ahead with Medicaid palliative care benefits, Medicare covers some related services but not in the same way, and further evidence may emerge over time. OIC did not take a position on whether the Legislature should create the benefit. The final presentation covered health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Evan Klein and HCA Chief Data Officer Vishal Chaudry reviewed federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, prescription drug price transparency, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and other reporting systems. They explained that the APCD contains claims from fully insured commercial plans, Medicaid, and public employee programs, but not self-insured employer data except for limited voluntary submissions. They also described how machine-readable files, consumer price tools, and aggregated dashboards are used, and noted that data limitations, delays, and complexity remain significant. Senators asked about voluntary self-insured participation, the role of AI in making data more usable, and whether transparency can really help consumers given access barriers and medical debt. HCA said AI is increasingly used by private entities to mine large transparency datasets, but state agencies still face limits in data access and analytic capacity. The committee did not take action; the session was informational and ended with a discussion of how transparency data might better inform policy and purchasing decisions in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked with them closely to understand what the impact was back to 2010 and wanted to be sure it was
• It is our primary activity. And we have been doing that for a very long time.
• We make close to 1,000 grants here all throughout the state of Minnesota.
• So we work very closely together, and we really consider ourselves partners, not just a grantor-current
• In closing, I will turn it over to our amazing co-chair. Lindsey, they're really the message.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and so I'm prepared to<03:08:01.920><c> close.</c> to close. to close.
• </c> just closed their way or the highway. just closed their way or the highway.
• Close quote.
• Close quote. After being shunned, it." Close quote.
• </c><05:38:45.200><c> There</c> closely at it. And you know what? There closely at it.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to make sure that... happening behind closed doors but nobody happening behind closed doors but
• </c> uh like Meg shared earlier our primary uh like Meg shared earlier our primary goal<02:31:09.279>
• The issue is proving what's actually going on behind closed doors.
• Seeing none, I hereby close the public hearing on House Bill 405.
• </c> out a card seeing none I hereby close out a card seeing none I hereby close the<04:09:18.319><c>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gress, closing comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Any closing comments? Yeah, thank you.
• Well, I guess we're closing comments. Is there any discussion before closing comments?
• Well, I guess we're closing comments. Is there any discussion before closing comments?
• Seeing none, is there any closing comments?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Close the queue to clear the vote.
• Close the queue. Declare the vote.
• Close the queue, declare the vote.
• Close the queue. Declare the vote.
• Close the queue. Declare the vote: 5 yeas, 1 nay.

Bills: SB667 , SB904 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1484 , SB1500 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1555 , SB1561 , SB1562 , SB1565 , SB1572 , SB1644 , SB1749 , SB1833 , SB2007 , SB2044 , SB2074

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: chiropractic, licensure, animal chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, licensing requirements, gender transition, gender-affirming care, transgender, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, hormone therapy, sex reassignment, transition surgery, Medicaid, public funds, state facilities, state hospital, Oklahoma, intersex, DSD

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large number of health-related bills, with much of the agenda focused on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation, Medicaid administration, and health-system cleanup measures. Bills passed included HB 1344 on insulin affordability and state support for low-cost biosimilar insulin manufacturing; HB 1380 requiring the Health Care Authority to check death records to disenroll deceased Medicaid recipients; SB 2007 and SB 2074, both PBM-related measures addressing pharmacist reimbursement, dispensing fees, appeals, and penalties; SB 1572 creating a feasibility study on reorganizing the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and temporarily allowing the Health Commissioner to serve in a dual role; and SB 1555 updating the definition of intellectual disability to match the federal definition. Members also approved several bills eliminating or repealing outdated councils and programs, including SB 1423 ending the Hospital Advisory Council, SB 1425 repealing the Health Care Workers and Educators’ Assistance Program and Health Care Workforce Resources Center, and SB 1502 eliminating the Alzheimer Dementia Disclosure Act Advisory Council. Other measures passed included SB 1561 changing EMS discipline to a progressive system, SB 244 and SB 667 making chiropractic language and training cleanup changes, SB 1749 on LP gas inspections for food trailers, SB 1484 requiring more detailed medical information for infant and child death investigations, SB 1562 clarifying hospice patient protections, and SB 1644 creating reporting related to alpha-gal to support possible research funding. The most debated bill was SB 1503, which would expand the Choosing Childbirth Act so nonprofits without an Oklahoma physical address could receive grants to connect women seeking abortions with pregnancy resources. Members questioned whether grant dollars and salaries would stay in Oklahoma, whether reporting and accountability would be sufficient, and whether Oklahoma-based providers could do the work instead. The bill passed 5-2 after the sponsor said he was open to amendments and oversight. SB 1833, codifying a SNAP waiver restricting candy and soft drink purchases, and SB 904, modifying the use of certain state funds and facilities for medical procedures, also drew questions and passed on divided votes. The meeting ended after all listed bills were heard and voted on, with most measures passing unanimously or by wide margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll close public testimony. Senator King, let's see, you have another one.
• We'll close public testimony.
• All right, now we'll close public testimony on Senate Bill 524.
• If not, public testimony is closed. If not, public testimony is closed. You all voted out?
• Courageous, we're close. Go ahead, sir. My name is David Courageous.

Bills: HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any closing comments to either of the representatives or authors? Mr.
• Any closing comments to either of the representatives or authors? Mr.
• Any closing comments to either of the representatives or authors? Mr.
• Any closing comments to either of the representatives or authors? Mr.
• Those are the primary drivers. It has been somewhat offset, though, by the increases in VMT.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house