Transcript Highlights:

• Ben frequently appears on national television and radio programs to discuss these and other matters.
• At the University of Michigan, James Park marketed the schools program and noted that it could do what
• The National Science Foundation fueled such programs with tens of millions of dollars.
• support... direct and indirect, deter those who would violate needed laws with crippling penalties, prohibit
• I believe that the First Amendment prohibits the president and other state officials for punishing...

Keywords: censorship, First Amendment, social media, misinformation, free speech, government regulation, Big Tech, public discourse

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the implications of government involvement in censorship, particularly regarding social media platforms and compliance with misinformation standards. senators and witnesses discussed growing concerns over the influence of large tech companies, like Facebook and Google, in shaping public discourse and suppressing dissenting views. A significant part of the meeting included testimonies from various experts emphasizing the dangers of the 'censorship industrial complex'—a term used to describe the collaborative efforts between government entities and private organizations to control information flow. This collaboration is viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights, with calls for urgent legislative action to restore free speech protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't prohibit towns from doing anything in particular.
• Again, we're not prohibiting towns from doing anything.
• There's no consistency or programs.
• prohibit uh wildlife killing contests. prohibit uh wildlife killing contests.
• <04:54:36.320> is historical highway marker program is historical highway marker program is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge the committee to reject this new attempt at prohibiting free speech and oppose House File 3419
• We urge the committee to reject this new attempt at prohibiting free speech and oppose House File 3419
• We urge the committee to reject this new attempt at prohibiting free speech and oppose House File 3419
• We urge the committee to reject this new attempt at prohibiting free speech and oppose House File 3419
• We urge the committee to reject this new attempt at prohibiting free speech and oppose House File 3419

Bills: HF4133, HF3419

Keywords: homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative

Transcript Highlights:

• Alicia Hall, Chavon Alcott, and Debbie Burrell Butler, the executive director, and Emily Infante, the program
• in relation to certain cost-sharing fees for outpatient treatment and a substance abuse treatment program
• An act to amend the insurance law in relation to prohibiting the retrospective denial of payment for

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance held its first meeting of the year on February 3, 2026, chaired by Senator Jamaal Bailey. The chair opened with introductions of committee members, staff, and guests from the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Youth and Community Advisory Council, emphasizing the importance of bringing young people into the legislative process. Senator Pamela Helming, the ranking member, also offered opening remarks focused on affordability in insurance, especially health care premiums and property/casualty costs, and said she would be advancing a bill requiring fiscal notes for health care premium legislation. The committee then acted on five bills. Senate Print 1763A (Fernandez), concerning certain cost-sharing fees for outpatient and substance abuse treatment, was moved and referred to the Finance Committee. Senate Print 2644 (Addabbo), prohibiting retrospective denial of payment for substance use disorder treatment services, was reported to the floor without recommendation. Senate Print 3820B (Rivera), requiring health insurance coverage for anesthesia for the full duration of a medical procedure, was reported to the floor. Senate Print 4964 (Bailey), relating to excess line coverage for certain medical malpractice insurance, was reported. Senate Print 5052 (Payne), allowing insurers in certain circumstances to rescind or retroactively cancel a policy, was also reported. Throughout the meeting, members stressed that insurance affordability is a major concern for New Yorkers and that the committee would be addressing related issues during the session. The meeting concluded after the bill actions and brief closing remarks, with no recorded opposition on the measures beyond the noted without-recommendation report on Senate Print 2644.

Transcript Highlights:

• the State Finance Law, the General Municipal Law, and the Economic Development Law in relation to prohibiting
• would enact a New York State Digital Equity Plan that establishes the ConnectAll Digital Equity Grant Program
• would enact a New York State Digital Equity Plan that establishes the ConnectAll Digital Equity Grant Program

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions met for its first convening of the 2026 session and confirmed quorum. The chair emphasized transparency in state agencies and utilities, particularly the Public Service Commission, and referenced prior work on utility affordability, nominations, and chaptered bills from the previous session. The committee considered eight bills. It advanced S.373, which would bar confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions in certain state and municipal contracts; S.1336, creating a New York State Digital Equity Plan and ConnectAll Digital Equity Grant Program; and S.2324, requiring Attorney General and Comptroller review of certain state or public authority real property sales over $250,000. It also moved S.2459 to restore earlier Public Authorities Control Board oversight provisions, and S.3736 to increase information provided to PACB members before project funding votes. Additional bills reported to the floor included S.4071A, clarifying that stormwater is included in the definition of sewage for certain water and sewer authorities; S.4576A, establishing a procedure for appointing a president or chairperson upon vacancy and correcting gendered language; and S.5551, requiring recording and public posting of certain Empire State Development public hearings. The bills were moved, seconded, and reported out, with several passing unanimously and at least one receiving a negative vote or abstention noted in the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• district programs. district programs.
• . program. program.
• I'm very familiar with that program, those kinds of programs.
• prohibiting you from generating it. prohibiting you from generating it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Get them programmed. Yes, yeah, just get them reprogrammed.
• Are y'all part of the TCHAT program? We are not. You are not. Do you know about the TCHAT program?
• Yes, this is a voluntary and free program provided by TASV.
• Like the National Mesonet Program, of which Texas Mesonet is a member, we have designed our program to
• We have created a behavioral health certification program.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill recognizes medical health and fitness facilities and establishes a pilot program that proves
• As a Vietnamese American doula and a graduate of our workforce development program, she...
• As a Vietnamese American doula and a graduate of our workforce development program, she...
• On outreach, CHWs connect people to detox programs and distribute Narcan that saves lives.
• I know what it's like to be helping and praying they get into an inpatient program in time.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas. Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs. Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:12.560> vaccine US Constitution prohibits vaccine US Constitution prohibits vaccine
• <02:20:44.000> actually<02:20:44.439> prohibits<02:20:45.439> all that prohibits
• actually prohibits all that prohibits actually prohibits all vaccine<02:20:46.240> requirements
• Before rulemaking even starts, the program adopts... if they were to adopt a The program adopts.
• because they also had a school program because they also had a school program and<04:27:46.800><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, this is the most popular program we have.
• Under the current statutes, that would be prohibited. This is a 1941.
• Under the current statutes, that would be prohibited. This is a 1941.
• Under the current statutes, that would<00:58:42.559> be<00:58:42.720> prohibited.
• would be prohibited. This is a 1941. would be prohibited. This is a 1941.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:53.920> um,<00:02:54.720> receiving which prohibits um, receiving which prohibits
• <00:03:20.400> for<00:03:21.680> um bill prohibits the compensation for um bill prohibits
• crisis intervention team program crisis intervention team program training<00:38:20.160> that
• <01:02:24.079> Uh therapeutic cannabis program. Uh therapeutic cannabis program.
• <05:12:42.160> This outpatient treatment programs. This outpatient treatment programs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is precisely what proportional cost-of-service law prohibits.
• This section of the bill just create bird... ...programs to reduce demand.
• This does not prohibit, as was mentioned, the $40 electrical engineer coming on and getting a higher
• But we do have major concerns with prohibiting public input and as well as ensuring that local Public
• Programs like the Youth Opportunity Pass, which currently allows youth 18 and under to ride at no cost

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• history of undermining environmental protections, Indigenous rights, and they want to gut safety net programs
• history of undermining environmental protections, Indigenous rights, and they want to gut safety net programs
• for amendment only once, for the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, establishing prohibition
• Amendment which repealed the 18th Amendment<00:32:41.000> establishing<00:32:41.720> prohibition
• <00:32:42.720> thank Amendment establishing prohibition thank Amendment establishing prohibition

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1295 HD2, relating to clean energy, and then on Senate Concurrent Resolution 140 and Senate Resolution 158, which seek an Article V Convention of States application. HB 1295 drew brief supportive testimony from listed supporters and one witness who said the bill would help future generations and address pollution, runoff, watershed planning, and cleaner energy alternatives. No committee action or vote was taken on the clean energy bill during the portion provided. Most of the hearing focused on SCR 140 and SR 158. Supporters argued the resolutions would let states, including Hawaii, propose constitutional amendments to address federal overreach, fiscal responsibility, deficit spending, term limits, and the balance of power between Washington and the states. Several supporters said state legislators are closer to the people and that Article V gives states a legitimate role in proposing amendments; some also cited debt, executive orders, and the need for long-term reforms. One witness from Convention of States Action said the movement is active nationwide and that the convention process would still require ratification by 38 states. Opponents, including representatives of Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Common Cause, Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii, and individual testifiers, warned there are no real guardrails on a convention and that it could open the door to broader constitutional changes. They said the effort is unnecessary, risky, and potentially harmful to environmental protections, social safety net programs, and civil rights, and argued that federal action is sometimes needed during recessions and emergencies. Committee members asked questions about whether the proposal was merely procedural and whether the states should act without Congress; the discussion ended with continued questioning, and no vote or final committee action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about non-government but nonprofit hospitals whose net earnings are prohibited from benefiting
• don't want predatory practices that rely on unstable debt financing, that rely on hospital leaseback programs
• House Bill 49 does not impact lawful gun owners, does not expand who is prohibited from possessing firearms
• It was access to people, programs, and opportunities that helped me rebuild a sense of belonging and
• If we truly want safer communities, we should be invested in youth programs, mentorship, trauma-informed

Bills: HB99, HB49, HB164, SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• It's a new program.
• of the SR Plus program.
• We run the TEACH program.
• We use Teach in our programs. It is an amazing program.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and while very supportive of the Campus for Hope, we had concerns about what would happen to those programs
• It prohibits certain collection activities, The first is in Section 15.
• It prohibits certain collection activities on medical debt during a federal, state, or local state of
• Moreover, the prohibition on certain collection activities applies if a state of emergency, declaration
• colleague at Nevada Hospital Association, particularly for the rural critical access hospitals, the prohibition

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both both programs. >> correct? Both both programs.
• companies will bring to this program. companies will bring to this program.
• managing the program. managing the program.
• . program. program.
• with a Medicaid program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee to study long-term managed care met to approve the prior meeting minutes, with a clarification that “OB3” referred to the “one big beautiful bill.” The minutes were then approved. Chair Jim Kofalt outlined the day’s agenda, which included testimony from the Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, the New Hampshire Association of Counties, and later DHHS. He also noted that future meetings were expected soon and that the meetings were being livestreamed on YouTube. Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, represented by Kellyanne Totten and Amy Moore, urged inclusive planning and a cautious, phased approach if managed care is considered. They emphasized that home care providers are not uniform, with different licensing and service models, and said any pilot should include varied provider types, rural and southern regions, and agencies of different sizes. They warned that workforce shortages, inflation, and a possible 9% CMS cut to Medicare home health payments could force agencies to reduce service areas or service types. They also said the 2023 Medicaid CFI rate increase has begun to lose its effect. In response to questions, they said the rural health transformation fund may help with planning and telehealth but likely cannot be used directly for rates or recruitment/retention. They also described the New England Home Care Nurse Residency Program, a Department of Labor grant, as a way to bring new registered nurses into home care with added training and school partnerships. The New Hampshire Association of Counties, through county nursing home administrators Craig Labore and David Ross, revisited the earlier Step Two managed care discussions from 2016-2018. They said prior consultants found the long-term services and supports system was underfunded and needed investment to stabilize providers and expand community-based care. They argued the same concerns remain today and said a managed model would jeopardize the Medicaid quality incentive payment program and, for county nursing homes, the proportionate share payment program. Their testimony was generally opposed to moving forward with managed long-term services and supports without significant additional funding and safeguards.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill clarifies the existing law prohibiting unauthorized access to voting system and copying and
• State programs and federal tax credits help, but they are bolstered significantly by the presence of
• governments millions of dollars, resources that would be better spent supporting local public safety programs
• The California Voting Rights Act prohibits at-large elections systems from impairing the ability of protected

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It deals with motor vehicle kill switches, prohibiting the use of devices that allow someone other than
• likelihood of a favorable outcome by identifying the inmate's vocational education and self-betterment programs
• The bill also considers the inmate's participation in vocational education and self-betterment programs
• It prohibits tampering or harassment of court officials with the intent to influence or retaliate against

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are these new discount programs that are called state-sponsored discount programs, and they would
• of any kind of discount program.
• , know, you see a lot of these programs, know, you see a lot of these programs, you<00:10:03.360>
• fortunate to have this program continue. fortunate to have this program continue.
• technology act program. technology act program.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all