Transcript Highlights:

• Some programs now function solely as premium assistance. subsidizing commercial insurance costs instead
• that offer district healthcare services or benefits and those that operate premium assistance-only programs
• allows community-based non-profit organizations to establish or participate in regional health care programs
• Three Share is a good program, not often used, but. I think that this is a really good bill.
• Do most professionals, doctors, and nurses say we're... ...We're going to test for these diseases and

Bills: HB50

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• establish uniform grant and contract management standards for certain Texas Water Development Board programs
• HB 4162 by Reynolds, relating to the creation of an anonymous reporting program for employees of certain
• HB 4220 by Turner relating to the creation of a committee to review education and training programs on
• HB 4249 by Reynolds, relating to the establishment of a grant program to provide training for public
• HB 4250 by Reynolds, relating to emergency generators or other power sources for nursing facilities,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program would place aspiring health care professionals in paid clinical positions in health care
• Federal Rural Health Transformation Program Award and implemented through, or in coordination with,
• the program complements rather than duplicates the state's ongoing workforce initiatives.
• The program would place aspiring health care professionals in paid clinical positions in health care
• , so the program complements rather than duplicates the state's ongoing workforce initiatives.

Committee: Senate Executive

Summary: The committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 24 and June 25, 2026 minutes, and then heard several bills and a joint resolution. On House Bill 382 with House Amendment 2, Senator Hoffer explained the measure as a technical correction to prior rental-car and peer-to-peer car-sharing law that would clarify when loss-of-use damages may be recovered while preserving recovery for intentional, willful, or criminal conduct. Avis Budget Group and Enterprise Mobility supported the bill, saying it resolved ambiguity and restored limited common-law recovery, while Allstate and Toro opposed it, arguing the bill could reintroduce unfair and unpredictable fees and leave too much discretion to rental companies. No vote was taken in the transcript, and Senator Townsend said he still had questions about how the bill would operate. The committee then considered House Bill 476, a Frederica charter change that would reduce town council meetings from twice monthly to monthly and make ordinances effective immediately unless otherwise stated. Representative Postles presented it as a simple, noncontroversial change, though members noted Senator Buckson, the Senate sponsor, was not present at the time. No public comment was offered on that bill. The committee also heard House Joint Resolution 13, which directs the Department of Labor to study a Delaware health care apprenticeship degree program and report recommendations; the Delaware Health Care Association supported the resolution and urged coordination with existing workforce efforts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 458 with House Amendment 1 on backflow devices in low-hazard buildings. Senator Pardee said the bill would exempt residences and office-type buildings from costly backflow retrofits until regulations are updated, and DHSS said the current regulations do not clearly define low hazard but that the bill’s list of exempted buildings would not raise immediate public health concerns. The Delaware Association of Realtors supported the bill, arguing the regulations were overbroad and costly, while the Delaware Rural Water Association opposed it, warning that weakening backflow protections could threaten drinking water and aquifers. The committee then adjourned without any recorded votes on the substantive bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Roswell is home to a high-performing early childhood program.
• We have a 4-wide program embedded in our elementary schools as well.
• Uh, currently we have 311 students enrolled in that program.
• In my building we have a very robust grads program.
• Um, I see a, a nice little SEL program in your future.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state-funded energy assistance program state-funded energy assistance program with<00:40:47.440>
• </c> The uh federal energy assistance program The uh federal energy assistance program is<00:42:35.840
• Um, and adds flexibility if the federal program guidance is delayed.
• </c> the federal program guidance is delayed. the federal program guidance is delayed.
• </c> the energy assistance program. the energy assistance program.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, for allowing me to interrupt the regular schedule of the program.
• And Global Studies and the Plan II Honors Program.
• The Attorney General can even design the program for a school district.
• ... increase in assessment on certain insurers that fund the program.
• So for many people, the compassionate use program might as well not exist.

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• successfully completed major milestones in transitioning the current unemployment insurance computer programs
• away Major milestones in transitioning the current unemployment insurance computer programs away from
• requesting approval of their plan to provide special compensation and recruiting bonuses to certified nursing
• However, DSB did not take steps necessary to continue to operate the programs in accordance with the
• However, DSB did not take steps necessary to continue to operate the programs in accordance with the

Committee: All ALC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee first took up several personnel and compensation requests. It approved a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reclassification that would trade three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager. It also approved one-time bonus and recruitment plans for the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs, including up to $5,000 bonuses tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project and $2,000 bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the state veterans homes. A Department of Health request to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board was also approved; members were told the position was already authorized and would not increase total positions. The committee then reviewed a Department of Commerce reduction in force affecting the Division of Workforce Services for the Blind and Employment and Training divisions. Secretary Hugh McDonald and Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits explained that the cuts were driven by over-obligated federal funds, a prior realignment, and what they described as long-standing fiscal mismanagement in the Division of Services for the Blind. They said 56 employees remained furloughed, five employees in a separate grant group were still working, and 17 positions were on the permanent RIF list. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the independent board, and whether the layoffs were being handled fairly, including a request for racial composition data on the workforce and the RIF group. Members also discussed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Staff explained that the reports cover average staffing levels over each quarter, and members focused on overtime spending, especially in DHS, the Department of Correction, and the Department of Transportation. OPM said overtime is being reviewed, direct care positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze, and agencies have been hiring more staff since the new pay plan took effect. The committee asked for additional reporting on overtime trends, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice, each professional licensing board, which is a Board of Healing Arts, Board of Nursing, Board
• by the Administrative Hearing Commission, including physicians and surgeons, physical assistants, nurses
• , advanced practice nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, athletic
• Missouri that have been passed through professional registration boards, which includes physicians, nurses

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute House Bill 1390 relates to repealing the Community Protection Program.
• It eliminates the Community Protection Program and removes references to the Community Protection Program
• to other services or programs.
• All the individuals that are currently in the CPP program are to be transitioned to other services or
• programs by December 31, 2026.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The health ed programs, which had a great deal of discussion, and that's the one where we...
• The health ed programs, which had a great deal of discussion, and that's the one where we do all the
• Nursing at ISU is not going to be able to be built out at a time when we desperately need nurses.
• fee, amending Section 49-454, Idaho Code, to revise a provision regarding the Project Choice Program
• fee, amending Section 49-454, Idaho Code, to revise a provision regarding the Project Choice Program

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is wrong to strip funding away from something like that over Drag Queen Storytime, a program Now,
• Programs are being threatened by the federal funding freeze.
• And well-being of children, you might recognize me as the nurse whistleblower who came forward last year
• They list among their partners Star Health Management, a Medicaid managed care program for children,
• One of them is it says These dues go to assist and support our legislative program, so that's lobbying

Bills: SB 18 , SB 19 , SB18 , SB19 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, Ben Balio from the Minnesota Nurses Association.
• </c><00:16:11.279><c> Welcome</c> the Minnesota Nurse Association.
• Welcome the Minnesota Nurse Association.
• </c> behalf of the Minnesota Nurses behalf of the Minnesota Nurses Association.<00:16:20.560><c> M&amp
• midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to ensure that we are not cutting critical programs and services to accommodate those tax
• It's scaling back academic and enrichment programs.
• Again, the background is that less than 25 employees, you don't contribute to the program...
• Again, the background is that less than 25 employees, you don't contribute to the program, Right?
• ...of this program.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3) on Massachusetts tax law and state revenues. Administration officials, led by Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz, said OB3 would otherwise reduce FY26 revenue by about $442 million and argued for a phased-in conformity approach that would preserve the current-year budget while still adopting selected federal business tax provisions over time. The proposal would phase in the research and experimental expenditure deduction first, delay other major corporate provisions for two years, extend the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, add a one-year delay mechanism for future federal tax changes over $20 million, limit opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, and make smaller technical changes to DFML contributions and casino reporting thresholds. Committee members questioned the rationale for phasing in rather than fully decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill did not pass, and the treatment of opportunity zones, the surtax, and future federal tax changes. Public testimony was split. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and several labor and public-sector groups urged the committee to permanently decouple from the federal corporate tax changes rather than delay them, arguing that the bill would still send state revenue to corporate tax breaks, often for investments outside Massachusetts, and that the state should protect funding for schools, health care, human services, and other public services. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s timing and the research-and-development provisions, citing filing deadlines and the importance of certainty for businesses and startups. Business and tax experts also testified that rushed conformity can create revenue losses and that the governor’s review-and-delay framework was a prudent improvement, though some said decoupling should be the default if the Legislature does not act. Unite Here Local 26 testified against sections 3 and 4, which would raise the slot-machine jackpot reporting threshold from $1,200 to $2,000, arguing the current threshold helps with problem-gambling intervention, preserves slot attendant jobs, and generates revenue. Several union leaders, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts Building Trades, the AFL-CIO, and 1199 SEIU, urged permanent decoupling, warning that OB3’s federal tax cuts and related spending reductions would worsen budget pressures, harm public services, and shift costs onto workers, patients, and schools. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• UNIVERSITY HAS ITS OWN SUPERPOWER WHETHER IT'S MEDICAL RESEARCH, WHETHER IT'S ENGINEERING AND AI, NURSING
• PROVIDERS, THE ROLE OF EACH PARTY AND RELATIONSHIP PROGRAM COSTS AND BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURES BY THE
• LET ME BREAK THAT DOWN, WE WANT TO HAVE MORE TRANSPARENCY WRITTEN WITH GREAT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
• I AM OPEN FOR THEM TO HAVE OVERSIGHT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THESE PROGRAMS
• I PLAN TO USE THE FOSTER DEPENDENCE HOUSING VOUCHER A FEDERAL PROGRAM ACCESSIBLE TO FLORIDA, HOWEVER

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program... ...in part of an instructional program, and I can see a logic to make that argument in many
• So to go back to the way it was with that old formula, it's a program that was already in place, program
• STEM elementary labs, elementary computer programs.
• This town comes together for the theater program.
• Discussion yesterday on food service programs.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Special Focus Facility Program.
• This was the nursing home bill. They had an amendment. It was a slight amendment.
• House Bill 776 revises the Louisiana Port Construction Development Priority Program.
• HB 1000 is an administrative bill for the Highway Priority Program. It reforms the program.
• I think it leads back... ...priority for the Highway Priority Program. It reforms the program.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> infants and the babies we have a program infants and the babies we have a program called<00:03:40.159
• </c> choir and then we have another program choir and then we have another program called<00:04:53.919
• </c><00:42:02.440><c> and</c> um associated with our programs and um associated with our programs and
• And this program sounds great.
• This program sounds great.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is with the utmost compassion and the experience of a nurse, not even a doctor, a nurse, somebody
• It is as a nurse that listens closely and cares about people that I respectfully expressed concern with

Bills: HB25

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yes, there's a lot of especially experiential learning programs, hands-on learning programs that really
• </c><00:20:13.200><c> for</c> are having some sort of program for are having some sort of program for
• </c> on an IEP program? on an IEP program?
• </c><00:21:55.039><c> for</c> that like is is an amazing program for that like is is an amazing program
• It is more of the how it works. of our schools do have nurses but we are of our schools do have nurses

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the October 15 minutes and a brief discussion of the committee’s report process, including the likelihood of a minority report and a deadline of November 1 for any separate report. Members then heard from Jod Adams of the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools, who gave an overview of charter schools in the state: there are 37 charter schools, with 6,034 students last year, and schools are formed by certified teachers, parents, or nonprofit organizations. She said charter schools receive about $9,180 per pupil in adequacy aid and charter school grant funding, must fundraise for additional money, and are governed by their own boards under their charters and bylaws. Members asked about admissions, governance, transportation, and special education. Adams said charter schools are open enrollment, not geographically based, and may use lotteries when applications exceed available seats. She explained that districts and charter schools coordinate on special education and busing, with the sending district responsible for special education coordination and certain transportation obligations depending on where the student lives and attends. She also said charter schools are public schools, not selective, and that each school’s board operates independently of the local district school board, though some schools may have special arrangements. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on funding and statutory obligations. Adams and members discussed how special education aid follows the student, while charter schools do not receive some district-level aid such as catastrophic aid; free and reduced lunch funding and Title funds can go to charter schools. Members also raised concerns that some state laws and administrative rules do not clearly specify whether they apply to charter schools, creating confusion and, in some cases, causing districts to perform services such as dyslexia screening for charter students without additional funding. Adams agreed that clearer statutory language would help and noted that charter schools are subject to many state requirements, including testing and reporting, even though not every public-school rule applies to them.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:13.840><c> so</c> administer the application program so administer the application program
• </c><00:42:10.119><c> is</c> the workforce quickly the program is the workforce quickly the program is
• </c><00:42:26.640><c> at</c><00:42:26.839><c> High</c> their programs at High their programs at High
• </c> moment to highlight what this program moment to highlight what this program truly<00:42:58.559><
• </c> and other um financial aid programs and other um financial aid programs through<00:52:54.400><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.