Transcript Highlights:

• </c> medical care. medical care.
• Our health care dollar health care.
• We didn't care exam room, I didn't care.
• , reassignment care, or affirming care?
• </c> care, or affirming care. care, or affirming care.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, less than six days. Six days? Less than six days. And then what about do you have?
• care services.
• Health care needs.
• We won't know the cost, because we pay a flat per-offender, per-day rate for a comprehensive health care
• The command center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Missouri National Guard’s FY 2027 budget request in House Bill 2008. Brigadier General Bob Payne outlined the Guard’s dual state and federal mission, recent deployments and state activations, counter-drug work, and the need to maintain readiness and aging armory infrastructure. Members questioned several items, including a proposed internal auditor position required by statute, a World Cup-related NDI, the use of general revenue versus other funds, and a federal match for base operations support at Rosecrans Airport. The presentation then shifted into executive session, where the committee reviewed a House committee substitute and several amendments. One amendment to fund the Missouri State Fair’s Great American State Fair participation with ag and tourism funds was rejected, while an amendment reducing $50,000 in House and Senate legal contingency funding was adopted. Another amendment directing budget information to all committee members rather than only chairs was rejected. The committee then adopted the substitute and voted House Bill 2014 do pass by a 24-0-1 vote. The committee next took up the Department of Corrections FY 2027 budget in House Bill 2009. DOC described a new CERT stipend increase, a reduction in the Office of Director’s Staff, and several core items including professional standards, federal funds, community treatment programming, education grants, population growth pool, restitution payments, human services staff, telecommunications, general services, fuel and utilities, food purchases, food service, staff training, employee health and safety, overtime, adult institution staff, institution E&E, wage and discharge, and individual institutions. Members asked about the CERT stipend, PREA allegations, education funding, restitution payments, the population growth pool, the working capital revolving fund, food service costs, overtime, retention, warden turnover, the prison nursery, and the use of inmate canteen funds. DOC said CERT members are full-time employees who volunteer for additional duty, that staffing has improved but remains a challenge, that the food service increase reflects the end of inventory credits and inflation, and that the department generally spends non-GR funds first when possible. Discussion also turned to whether DOC facilities could be repurposed for pretrial or mental health populations; DOC said it is legally limited to post-sentence inmates and that staffing and labor-market constraints make reopening closed facilities difficult.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> three, we still land in the acute care three, we still land in the acute care setting,<00:03:32.879
• </c><00:15:54.480><c> of</c> is around the postpatient care aspect of is around the postpatient care
• and they have the wherewithal to work a 12-hour shift and care for very, very sick patients all day
• </c> youth, but adults take care of youth. youth, but adults take care of youth.
• </c> talk all day and all night, we won't. talk all day and all night, we won't.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” efforts. Chair Funky Fromm opened by describing a recent foot injury from a road hazard and used it to emphasize the importance of infrastructure, nutrition, sleep, and activity as part of a broader wellness culture. The main witnesses were Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, Holly Harris of Appalachian Regional Health Care (ARH), and Jim Muser of the Kentucky Hospital Association. Shell and Harris described a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and hospitals such as ARH to connect local farmers with hospital cafeterias, farmers markets, CSA-style subscription food boxes, and medically tailored meals. Harris said ARH serves a large region with 14 hospitals, more than 95 clinics, about 6,700 employees, and 1,300 medical staff, and that the system began by improving employee food options because hospital workers often have limited access to healthy meals during shifts. They reported examples such as a local-protein burger, parking-lot farmers markets, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and plans for container gardens at some hospitals. The witnesses said the program is intended to improve health outcomes, reduce readmissions, support chronic disease management, and also increase rural prosperity by expanding demand for Kentucky farm products. Shell said more than 40 hospitals had already been onboarded into the food-is-medicine program, with measurable outcomes being studied through pilots such as one at Russell County Hospital. He also noted that some systems, including CHI St. Joseph Health, Taylor Regional, and UK King’s Daughters, have formally embedded food-as-medicine goals into strategic plans. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers, especially the lack of reimbursement, fragmented short-term funding, and regulatory or purchasing hurdles that make it difficult for small farmers to participate. Shell said the goal is to make the model scalable and easier for hospitals and farmers to navigate, while Harris emphasized that ARH has been funding its efforts without reimbursement because of its mission. No votes or formal policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• throughout the day my students are safe and taken care of.
• the day my students are safe and taken care of.
• sure that my students are safe and taken care of. throughout the day, my students are safe and taken
• care of.
• It will be a long day.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those include secure units to support memory care needs.
• But even with that, we're only running about a 10-day timeline.
• Even if they just need little words of encouragement for the day.
• And they're able to take care of that resident.
• And then the day before, you have that committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott is looking to see which day she was excused from.
• Our residents deliver babies, care for the elderly, treat chronic disease, and manage complex acute care
• We went through the video quickly of those two days, and I think you were sick those two days.
• I don't know if you recall being sick those two days. Okay.
• It's a fun day in the Higher Ed Committee.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean literally dozens a<00:40:28.079><c> day.</c> a day. a day.
• </c> a facility with a higher level of care. a facility with a higher level of care.
• Do some people care? No.
• </c> two shifts a day. two shifts a day.
• Do some people care? No. But, Um, yeah. Do some people care? No.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• system and to contribute to the greater health care environment.
• And to contribute to the greater health care environment. Thank you all for being here.
• Every unnecessary administrative requirement diverts staff from patient care.
• Every unnecessary administrative requirement diverts staff from patient care.
• That's where their babies are, and they will be taken care of best.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met and first recognized Physical Therapy Day at the Capitol, welcoming Arizona physical therapy leaders and students. The committee then took up several bills related to SNAP, health care regulation, child welfare, dementia services, and safe haven newborn surrender. SB 1334 would bar DES from seeking or renewing SNAP work-requirement waivers for able-bodied adults without dependents unless required by federal or state law; supporters said it would curb administrative expansion and opponents argued it would reduce flexibility during high unemployment and harm food-insecure Arizonans. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-1 vote. SB 1333 would require DES to reduce the SNAP payment error rate to 3% by 2030, with annual reporting, corrective action plans, Auditor General oversight, and possible funding penalties if targets are missed. After adopting a committee amendment changing reporting to quarterly updates and replacing a forensic audit with a special audit, the committee approved the bill as amended on a 4-1 vote. SB 1331 would require able-bodied adults under 60 receiving SNAP to participate in mandatory employment and training unless exempt; proponents said it would strengthen work expectations, while opponents and DES raised concerns about administrative burden and food bank impacts. The bill passed 4-2, with members explaining no votes due to child care, rural access, and food insecurity concerns. The committee also advanced SB 1162, which clarifies DHS’s role in licensing and monitoring health care institutions and, as amended, requires DHS and AHCCCS/Access to coordinate to reduce duplicative oversight and report periodically to the legislature; it passed 6-0. SB 1017, requiring additional signatures and witness verification on emergency informed consent forms for surgical procedures, passed 4-2. SB 1149, which adds reporting and procedural requirements for DCS periodic review hearings, passed as amended 5-1. SB 1249, designating DHS as the lead agency on Alzheimer’s and dementia and creating a state plan and services program funded through lottery monies rather than the general fund after amendment, passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1253 clarified that a parent may surrender a newborn at the hospital of birth without leaving and returning, and requires updated safe-haven reporting; it passed 5-0, after testimony from hospital and safe-haven advocates in support. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I need 60 days. Do you agree to that? You agree to it? I'm going to do 10 days.
• Unsatisfied with the VA care, veterans go to private health care facilities.
• and a day, on the abandonment.
• and a day, on the abandonment.
• Y'all have a good day. Thank you. I know. Have a good day. Thank you. Thank you. I know.

Bills: HB135 , HB142 , HB170 , HB194 , HB215 , HB216 , HB226 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB609

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: exemption, motor vehicles, health savings accounts, debt relief, bankruptcy, civil procedure, abandonment, default judgment, court costs, notice requirements, construction contracts, jurisdiction, dispute resolution, public policy, Louisiana law, professional engineer, peremptive periods, construction, architect, real estate developer

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the families do it day in and day out.
• So you think about the cost of that every single day for 20 working days. That quickly adds up.
• Um, the families do it day in and day out.
• </c> took care of my dying mother. took care of my dying mother.
• </c> need child care in order to uh take care need child care in order to uh take care of<01:23:27.120

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: disability, communication access, deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, healthcare, sign language interpreters, auxiliary aids, weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, obesity, Medicaid, healthcare costs, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• M gigani day. I'm Buju, good morning. M gigani day.
• I've seen up close the great care that they give to patients, taking care of so many people day in and
• to patients, taking care of so many<01:51:29.840><c> people</c><01:51:30.080><c> day</c><01:51:30.320
• c> is</c> many people day in and day out is many people day in and day out is incredible.<01:51:32.719
• </c><02:06:37.280><c> they'd</c><02:06:37.599><c> love</c> day you know the free care they'd love day

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Health<00:02:49.280><c> care.</c> Health care. Health care.
• </c><00:02:52.720><c> Notice</c> Here's what health care. What? Notice Here's what health care.
• </c> every day. I don't know. every day. I don't know.
• </c> So again, healthc care is not a right. So again, healthc care is not a right.
• Of $77.16 per inmate per day.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> journal from the previous day. journal from the previous day.
• </c> cents every day. They go on sale for 47. cents every day. They go on sale for 47.
• </c> anyone care to change their vote? anyone care to change their vote?
• Does anyone<02:00:28.560><c> care?
• Anyone care to change their anyone care? Anyone care to change their vote?

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Child Care Incentive Pilot Program. Child Care Incentive Pilot Program.
• </c><00:18:53.919><c> center</c> violations against a child care center violations against a child care
• </c> of the day. of the day.
• President, I guess we could call that the Senator from Clay's day being that the President's Day.
• So, I hope you do have a good day off that day, Mr.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> teachers, first responders, health care teachers, first responders, health care workers,<00:01:27.520
• </c> of our communities each day. of our communities each day.
• </c> care for one another. care for one another.
• , 2026, 74th legislative day, St.
• </c> I'm wondering if today is that day. I'm wondering if today is that day.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative Day, St.
• days.
• I don't care how people vote. are heard. I don't care how people vote.
• </c> before we take care of anybody else. before we take care of anybody else.
• </c> all day long. all day long.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• No one had to die that day.
• I wrote to her on days when I was struggling, hoping that one day they could be a source of comfort and
• Lars, we met the other day.
• the other day.
• We love and live camp day in and day out all of our lives.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would just say, be careful where you step.
• cards to be given at a our local senior centers and long-term care agencies.
• Is having enough workforce: care professional shortages in primary care, behavioral health, and dental
• Therefore, anything we can do in compacts to expand that care.
• Thank you also for the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you know it's Realtor Day, right?
• I'd like for neighbors to come to a friendly agreement, maybe on one day decide what days they can smoke
• and what day they will not.
• They allow voters flexibility to vote during the day, any time during the day, any location in the county
• There was mass confusion on election day.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a series of personal privilege introductions recognizing guests including the Doctor of the Day, realtors visiting for Realtor Day, and the family of former Senator Barbara Leff. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 264 honoring Barbara Leff, followed by a moment of silence in her memory. The Senate then moved through a large number of bill introductions and first readings, as well as Committee of the Whole consideration of several measures. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered and advanced multiple bills, often with technical or negotiated floor amendments. Among those reported out as do pass or do pass as amended were SB 1494, SB 1497, SB 1503, SB 1535, SB 1544, SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1584, SB 1585, SB 1602, SB 1632, SB 1723, and SB 1798. The amendments addressed topics such as technical corrections to mining and pension language, classical learning tests, sex trafficking record sealing, probation reporting, school safety funding, kinship foster care stipends, DES credentialing, domestic violence release conditions, and a school safety/threat identification pilot program that was revised into a FAFSA awareness recognition program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 4115, SB 1012, SB 1213, SB 1416, SB 1474, SB 1511, SB 1549, SB 1573, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1649, SB 1664, and SB 1725 were considered, with most passing on party-line or near-party-line votes; SB 1416 and SB 1664 passed unanimously, while SB 1549 passed with broader support. Several members explained votes on immigration enforcement, concealed carry in establishments serving alcohol, commercial driver licensing, campaign finance, and a digital asset reserve fund. HB 2993, dealing with DPS legal representation funding, passed 16-13 after debate over constitutional concerns, funding sources, and the use of the Attorney General’s consumer fraud fund. The session ended with the Senate adopting the Committee of the Whole report and transmitting the passed bills to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have, I was just looking the other day at the And we have, I was just looking the other day at
• These amendments are as follows: changing judicial streamlining from 365 days to 270 days to align with
• As California faces health care demands and uncertainty surrounding federal health care funding, it is
• At the end of the day, these are essential investments and needed health care services, and timing really
• He hasn't had much sleep in the last 30 days.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all