Transcript Highlights:

• accountability role, aiming to ensure the integrity, objectivity, and credibility of these oversight entities
• It also allows any Dallas resident or entity who does business in Dallas to sue the city and require
• provide damages; it simply ensures accountability by providing. providing injunctive relief and covering
• Thank you for covering up a loophole.

Bills: SB250 , SB375 , SB536 , SB845 , SB1633 , SB1944 , SB1957 , SB2081 , SB2137 , SB2262 , SB2299 , SB2419 , SB2452 , SB2522 , SB2549 , SB2594 , SB2605 , SB2631 , SB2639 , SB2675 , SB3029 , SJR60 , HB22 , HB1392 , HB2525 , HB22

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, SB 1633, Texas Tax Code

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS ENSURES THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS STANDARD FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS
• WHILE WORKERS COMPENSATION WILL COVER HIS INJURIES RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE NARROW TAILORING
• IF AN ENTITY PROVIDES TRAINING OR CONSULTING WILL THEY BE ABLE TO USE THAT MONEY TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES
• MANUFACTURING AS A WHOLE IN THE STATE SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE THE LEGISLATURE IS PUSHING ON ANY ONE ENTITY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's still an unknown entity. So it's still an unknown entity where our funding will come from.
• Our children’s services unit is covered under social rehabilitation.
• We're trying to make sure that we have enough funding to cover staff and cover the funding we need for
• Our request for $2.17 million covers increases in personnel, technology, and lease costs.
• We looked at our current statutory responsibilities as a connecting entity.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held an FY27 Health and Human Services budget hearing in Mattapan, hosted at the Boston Public Library branch. Chairs Lydia Edwards and Russell Holmes, along with Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing ever in Mattapan and highlighted the importance of bringing state budget deliberations into a majority-Black neighborhood. Several legislators introduced themselves as they joined, and the committee noted that public testimony was not part of the format, though agencies were invited to discuss priorities and challenges. MassAbility opened the agency testimony. Leadership described the agency’s mission to support people with disabilities through employment, training, home and community life services, and disability determination. They said Governor Healey’s FY27 budget funds MassAbility at $93.3 million, a 1% reduction from FY26, and explained that the agency is responding to federal funding uncertainty and shifting program needs by redesigning services internally. Members questioned a proposed $1.3 million reduction to the Home Care Program, staffing changes, and whether services could be maintained with fewer resources. MassAbility said it was reviewing data on who uses the program, that it does not provide nursing or personal care, and that it is working with a transition plan and a working group. The agency also discussed federal uncertainty around vocational rehabilitation funding and said it had received delayed federal awards but remained in contact with national associations and federal partners. The testimony included a personal story from a participant, Joshua Corcoran, to illustrate the impact of services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing testified next, requesting $11.27 million, about a 6% increase over FY26. The commission said it serves about 1.4 million residents and focuses on communication access in health care, courts, public safety, and other public systems. It highlighted interpreter and captioner workforce shortages, a mentorship program to expand the provider pool, and a modernized referral platform funded through capital contingency money. Members asked about interpreter availability, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL access for students and families, and training for police and emergency responders. The commission said staffing remains limited, especially for after-hours services, but that it is expanding training, school outreach, and partnerships with DCF and other agencies. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind then presented its FY27 budget request of $30.8 million. The commissioner said the agency serves nearly 9,000 legally blind residents, provides training and peer support, and placed 190 consumers in competitive integrated employment this year. It also described services for older adults, vocational rehabilitation, and the Turning 22 program for young adults with additional disabilities. Members raised concerns about a 7% cut from the prior year and asked how the agency could maintain services; the commissioner said the agency had no waiting list, had trimmed overhead, and could manage the budget through internal efficiencies and strong partnerships. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the session, describing expanded legal and support services for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, citizenship and financial literacy programs, and the Family Welcome Center in Mattapan. Members asked about federal funding losses and the structure of the new legal services program; ORI said FY26 funding is stable but FY27 federal cuts remain uncertain, and that the legal program uses a centralized intake system with priority for emergencies and first-come, first-served access.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it’s still an unknown entity. ...alerts and current information as much as possible.
• So it’s still an unknown entity where our funding will come from.
• And obviously, our children’s services unit is covered under the social rehabilitation.
• We're trying to make sure that we have enough funding to cover staff and cover the funding we need for
• We looked at our current statutory responsibilities as a connecting entity.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> academics and private sector entities academics and private sector entities from<00:38:25.280><c
• House Bill 248 by Representative Faulkner regarding the Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code
• ><c> the</c><00:53:54.160><c> internal</c> entities and clarify the internal entities and clarify the
• </c><02:35:08.080><c> that</c> conversations with some entities that conversations with some entities
• The exception does not apply to entities operating for profit or on a 24-hour basis.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.

Transcript Highlights:

• our daily operations and cover payroll and other expenses.
• So what percent roughly are in risk assets, not government entities? Yeah.
• </c><00:18:07.360><c> So</c> assets not government entities? Yeah.
• So assets not government entities? Yeah.
• ,</c><01:41:53.040><c> the</c> One negotiation with one entity, the One negotiation with one entity,

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on HB 302, which would add precious metals and digital assets as potential investment options. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli said she took no position on the bill and did not see an immediate fiscal impact or operational problem, but explained that the state’s operating funds and rainy day fund require liquidity and stability, so they would not be suitable for volatile assets like precious metals or digital assets. She said the only funds that might potentially use such investments would be certain trust funds held in perpetuity, which are managed by an outside investment advisor under a contract and investment policy. Members asked about the treasurer’s current investment practices, including the types of funds managed, the role and discretion of the investment advisor, the state’s risk profile, and whether the bill would affect existing authority. Misipelli said the office follows RSA 11 and related statutes, with different objectives ranging from conservative to aggressive depending on the fund, and that the advisor meets with the office regularly, with formal performance reviews on a quarterly basis. She also said the office recently centralized management of about 40 trust accounts totaling roughly $60 million into five combined portfolios under a five-year contract with an RFP-selected vendor. When asked whether precious metals or digital assets are already indirectly available through mutual funds, she said that was possible for some mutual funds, but she was not certain about digital assets. Representative Ammon, the bill’s sponsor, said similar legislation had passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House and Senate, and had advanced in Arizona. He argued the bill was intended to give the treasurer more tools to help balance portfolios and hedge inflation, noting concerns about federal debt and inflation. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair ended the questioning after thanking the treasurer and asking her to remain available in case further questions arose.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $5,000 at this point would cover the tuition for all the institutions, all the public institutions,
• Representative Allen: But the entity ultimately responsible for determining how the state funds are distributed
• needs than we have funding available. more legitimate needs than we have funding available, and the entity

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what the RFP will be looking for: managed care entities to help us manage that amount of money
• So there's a lot of information that we're going to have to cover between now and October.
• I will tell you it's been hard to find a consultant because there are so many entities across the United

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard House Bill 777, which updates Idaho’s Controlled Substances Act. Testimony from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses explained that the bill adds several substances to Schedule I and two opioids to Schedule II, makes clarifying and cleanup changes, updates registration to biennial registration, and expands limited prescription drug monitoring program access for certain federal and tribal investigators. The bill was described as having no expected fiscal impact and no public opposition was reported. The committee voted to send HB 777 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also approved the minutes from February 11, 2026. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 30, which seeks legislative authorization to hire an independent consultant to assist the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel as Idaho moves toward comprehensive managed care under House Bill 345. Senator Van Orden said the panel is facing a large volume of contract and RFP material tied to a roughly $5.5 billion Medicaid budget and needs help meeting an October deadline. Supporters argued an independent consultant would provide needed oversight on a complex contract, while opponents questioned whether the work would duplicate the Department of Health and Welfare’s consultant and raised concerns about added spending and the broader direction of Medicaid managed care. After debate, the committee voted by roll call 6-3 to send HCR 30 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day on additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what the RFP will be looking for: managed care entities to help us manage that amount of money
• So there's a lot of information that we're going to have to cover between now and October.
• I will tell you it's been hard to find a consultant because there are so many entities across the United

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• entities.
• entities.
• entities.
• entities.
• entities.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• 17:26.240><c> was</c><00:17:26.959><c> um</c> For the U.S. government, and it was under classified cover
• </c> several slides I'm going to cover several slides I'm going to cover several<00:41:34.839><c> critical
• well uh we have some uh key covered well uh we have some uh key leadership<00:52:28.160><c> around</
• </c> also as a university or as an entity also as a university or as an entity responsible<01:16:10.400
• </c> regional basis where we have entities regional basis where we have entities like<01:16:20.719><c

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mostly, we collaborate with other entities, other groups, and organizations that have similar visions
• Mostly we collaborate<00:42:14.880><c> with</c><00:42:15.200><c> other</c><00:42:15.440><c> entities,
• </c><00:42:16.079><c> other</c> collaborate with other entities, other collaborate with other entities
• I know I can cover expenses and we might be able to provide some scholarships.
• I know I can cover expenses and we might be able to provide some scholarships.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and work closely with other entities and work closely with other entities tasked<00:04:15.519><c
• And we work closely with other entities tasked with investigating potential fraud if we see anything
• And if the service is more than four and a half hours a day, adult day will cover a meal as well.
• </c><00:40:15.760><c> Um</c> adult day will cover a meal as well.
• Um adult day will cover a meal as well.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um any TRP requests, we've covered those with ETSs, so you don't need to cover those today.
• Um any TRP requests, we've covered those with ETSs, so you don't need to cover those today.
• Um any TRP requests, we've covered those with ETSs, so you don't need to cover those today.
• Is there more that you'd like to cover since we've covered that exception request? No, sir.
• cover those costs.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the underlying provisions, do they not apply to those entities?
• The current law, all of those provisions do not apply to all of those entities, no. Okay.
• All of the entities, whether we are talking about our public schools operated by our school districts
• Does not the underlying provisions, do they not apply to those entities?
• provisions do not apply to all of those entities, no.

Summary: The House Education Committee first heard House Bill 2246, which would update school discipline rules for firearm-related violations. Committee staff explained that the bill extends existing firearm expulsion and readmission provisions to charter schools, state tribal education compact schools, the School for the Blind, the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth, and educational service districts, and would allow governing boards to deny readmission or limit participation in activities after a firearm-related incident. Representative Lowe said the bill was prompted by a local incident and was intended to give districts more flexibility and clarity while still ensuring students continue receiving educational services. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with constitutional rights to public education, whether it applies to imitation firearms or social media threats, and whether the school board or administration should make the initial discipline decision. OSPI testified “other,” noting concern about limiting appeals to one reconsideration and citing 48 firearm-related expulsions and 198 suspensions in 2023-24. Team Child testified in opposition, arguing the bill would make reentry harder and could unnecessarily exclude students from extracurriculars after they had served their discipline period. The public hearing on HB 2246 closed with 246 pro, 7 con, and 1 other signed in. The committee then heard House Bill 2360, which would allow public and private schools to maintain stock albuterol under a statewide standing order for use in asthma or other respiratory emergencies. Staff described the bill as authorizing trained school personnel or nurses to administer school-supplied albuterol in certain circumstances, including on school property, buses, and sanctioned excursions, with limited liability protections and a refusal option for employees not wishing to administer it. Representative Donaghy said the bill was meant to address life-threatening asthma attacks, especially when a student’s own inhaler is unavailable or when emergency response times are long. OSPI and the Washington State Nurses Association/School Nurse Organization of Washington testified in support, emphasizing the prevalence of asthma, the bill’s permissive nature, and the need for a standing order. The Department of Health had sent a letter asking to strike one section, and some witnesses raised concerns about administering albuterol to students without a prior prescription or diagnosis. Opponents, including a school nurse, argued the bill should wait until the state has clearer protocols, more training, and better staffing, and said nurses should not be asked to diagnose or medicate without physician orders. Supporters, including a pediatric pulmonologist and school nurses, said stock albuterol is safe, can prevent emergency room visits and deaths, and should be paired with parent notification and follow-up care. The public hearing on HB 2360 closed with 113 pro, 2 con, and 1 other signed in.

Transcript Highlights:

• all of those, but essentially covered all of those, but there<00:27:24.960><c> are</c><00:27:25.120>
• </c><00:40:44.160><c> Um</c> entities to do this kind of research.
• Um entities to do this kind of research.
• Frankly, we feel that's primarily covered in number six and number seven.
• Frankly, we feel that's primarily covered in number six and number seven.

Bills: HF2312

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• Diagnosed with early onset dementia or Alzheimer's, and I want to make sure that those folks are covered
• So we added those in up to age 60, where they otherwise wouldn't have been covered by that Silver Alert
• to cover.
• Do we want to put in some language so that it does cover that?
• Do we want to put in some language so that it does cover that?

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, it was celebrated. ...governance of lawmaking to that entity, or the ability to set fees.
• </c><01:24:31.440><c> operated</c> the BCA both of our entities operated the BCA both of our entities
• I'll be covering investments and enhancements we are proposing for fraud, waste, and abuse prevention
• </c><01:38:16.599><c> Investments</c><01:38:17.040><c> and</c> I'll be covering Investments and I'll
• who have not previously prevent entities who have not previously received<01:42:21.560><c> State</c>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, in your packet there is a page that has a number of other smaller entities that are covered
• </c><00:20:23.440><c> that</c><00:20:23.559><c> are</c><00:20:23.840><c> covered</c> other smaller entities
• that are covered other smaller entities that are covered by<00:20:24.320><c> the</c><00:20:24.440><c
• We work with local partners, including local governments, as well as NGOs and other entities, and of
• </c> as well as uh Nos and and other entities as well as uh Nos and and other entities and<01:20:05.600

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She later volunteered to stay three hours past her shift to help cover a short overnight crew, showing
• If you cover the entire county, then you get the census estimate.
• This exercise will cover the rural and metro areas.
• They'll cover the dates, times, locations, and there.
• And I think Rissy covered a lot of the other stuff.

Keywords: 914, all