Transcript Highlights:

• FOFA also adopts litigation reforms used by past Republican and Democratic administrations in statute
• like about the Fix Our Forest Act, but we see it largely as focused on two challenges, permitting reform
• Let me start with permitting reform.
• Bim, I have long supported permitting reform, as long as it is done in the right way.
• I agree that there's opportunities for reform. I think that this bill has the seeds of that.

Bills: HB471

Keywords: forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stacey Weeks with our Medicaid Division, as she has all of the financial information relative to this
• Stacey Weeks with our Medicaid Division, as she has all of the financial information relative to this
• It looks like more of a cost for Medicaid. It looks like more of a cost for Medicaid.
• It requires Medicaid to request federal authority to provide certain reimbursement rates.
• Assembly Bill 514 requires Medicaid to cover rehabilitative residential mental health care, excluding

Bills: AB49, AB93, AB108, AB169, AB188, AB212, AB221, AB224, AB251, AB282, AB284, AB296, AB304, AB331, AB356, AB366, AB375, AB409, AB467, AB475, AB476, AB479, AB494, AB514, AB515, AB533, AB542, AB550, AB558, AB567, AB568, AB571, AB581, AB583, AB584, AB585, AB595, AB596, AB597, SB170, SB427, SB460, SB508

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, health insurance, speech-language pathology

Bills: SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3, SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• use information from applications for SNAP and other public assistance programs to keep people on Medicaid
• The committee substitute to Senate Bill 921 helps protect the Medicaid program and ensures that the state
• does what it has traditionally done. done, which is using verified information to renew a person's Medicaid
• To clarify, current and former Medicaid enrollees may be informed of coverage options.
• As we've discussed over the years of the excellent reforms that this committee has led on CPS, many of

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't see that one coming, because they already have access to billions of dollars from Medicaid,
• If eligible, we assist with Medicaid and CHIP applications, provide rent assistance, and offer ongoing
• To me, it just looks like a little bit of disguised lawsuit reform.
• This bill does not impose additional liability on the state or Medicaid managed care organizations but
• And I can tell you that if I had access to go outside of the very few Medicaid providers, it would have

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• States Supreme Court has found that a prompt hearing is necessary and that the limitations of any bail reform
• :20:13.840><c> bail</c> and that the limitations of any bail and that the limitations of any bail reform

Bills: SB118, SB203, HB420, HB414, HB363, HB405, HB261, HB263, HB327, HB348, HB228, HB282, SB273, HB7, SB296, SB199, SB47, SB204, HB80, HB11, HB192

Keywords: bail, offenses, constitutional amendment, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, dental insurance, medical loss ratio, premium regulation, insurance commissioner, rebate, consumer protection, Baldwin County, local bill, education funding, school tax, privilege license tax, county tax revenue, municipal school board, Baldwin County Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas families with medically fragile children currently qualify for private duty nursing through Medicaid
• attending physician, so the physician has to sign off on them, but they're also approved by the child's Medicaid
• They've reported a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and a 30 to 50% savings per Medicaid hour compared
• federal law we have something called EPSDT, and that means that if a child under the age of 21 on Medicaid

Bills: HB 660, HB 4845, HB 3902, HB 5396, HB 4615, HB 1825, HB 1403, HB 4336, HB 4585, HB 4371, HB 863, SB 1589, HB 5223, HB 3195, HB 2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Duty nursing through Medicaid, but as you all know, we have a nursing shortage in this state.
• But they're also approved by the child's Medicaid managed care organization and the Texas Board of Nursing
• about seven so far, have reported a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and a 30 to 50% savings per Medicaid
• federal law, we have something called EPS. ... that means that if a child under the age of 21 on Medicaid

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• They're enrolled in Medicaid and, if required, Medicare.
• of the seller as it relates to Medicaid rates.
• Most of the patients—around 60%—are Medicaid patients.
• Medicaid funding. Think about it in terms of three buckets.
• Medicaid itself has just very specific timelines and requirements that are very specialized for the Medicaid

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Tax data for the purpose of auditing Medicaid eligibility.
• And then when you look at Medicaid, the bulk of Medicaid fraud is the providers.
• For anybody that's on Medicaid, that's right.
• They added that when Medicaid cuts come at the end of the year, a lot of people will not be on Medicaid
• “So, you believe that people who are getting Medicaid should not be getting Medicaid forcibly?

Bills: HB88, HB181, HB210, HB250, HB486, HB529, HB544, HB639, HB996, HB1036, HB1071, HB1113

Keywords: local law, special bill, legislative process, transparency, election amendment, Medicaid, SNAP, fraud detection, income tax, legislative auditor, data sharing, state revenue, lobbying, public service, ethics, statewide officials, compensation, disclosure requirements, government employment, financial disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• About a year ago, I heard about all the problems that we were having in our Medicaid or AHCCCS agency
• understand that we wanted to make sure that the bad actors that did participate in the $2.8 to $8 billion Medicaid
• From a state perspective, certainly Medicaid doesn't really have these types of cost sharing, so it's
• not an impact on Medicaid.

Bills: SB1113, SB1115, SB1122, SB1123, SB1125, SB1165, SB1188, SB1193, SB1243, SB1318, SB1477

Keywords: mental health, involuntary evaluation, service of process, court-ordered treatment, evaluation agencies, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, healthcare, behavioral health, prior authorization, American Indian health program, medicaid, medical examiner, death investigation, body disposal, autopsy, veteran burial

Transcript Highlights:

• If the natural disaster reform bill passes and is enacted, that negative would go away and it would boost
• Then we came back and took money from HASC on Medicaid that wasn't being used and backfilled the special

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB2, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Summary: The committee reviewed drafting instructions and spending sheets for House Bill 2, focusing on both recurring and nonrecurring appropriations, reserve levels, and several late changes. Staff explained that the package would leave reserves around 28% under the current scenario, with the possibility of rising to about 30% if a separate natural disaster reform bill is enacted. Members discussed how disaster funding would be handled through a replacement Section 8 and the appropriation contingency fund, and whether the operating reserve could be tapped with explicit authorization. There was also clarification on fund types, including other state funds and interagency transfers, and on how line items were reflected in the spreadsheets. A major point of debate was how to offset additions by reducing funding elsewhere. Members discussed shifting money from the state fair/multipurpose arena request, the Office of Natural Resources Trustee, and other capital items to accommodate changes. Several senators raised concerns about cutting the Office of Natural Resources Trustee too deeply and about the purpose of those funds, including possible land purchases and floodplain mitigation in Ruidoso. The committee also discussed whether the state fair money should be reduced, with some members supporting a $25 million restoration and others preferring to leave the executive’s request intact. Staff noted that some reductions were not true cuts but swaps or offsets, such as moving local road money and using excess capital outlay reserves. Other corrections and policy items were addressed, including an increase for UNM and NMSU stadium funding, a correction to a project distribution on line 105, and funding for the Health Council. Members also noted that the public employee 1% raise was no longer funded because recurring capacity was used elsewhere, and that no COLA was included. After discussion, Senator Woods moved to adopt the drafting instructions, Senator Gonzalez seconded, and the motion passed without objection. The committee then directed staff to prepare a catch-up cleanup version of House Bill 2 for later review and said House Bill 8 would be taken up the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Coordinated Care is one of Washington's five Medicaid managed care plans, and we also offer qualified
• We are statewide for Medicaid.
• He said he does not qualify for tax credits or Medicaid due to income.

Bills: HB2564, HB2599, HB1809, HB2242, HB2261, HB2384, HB2505

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, certification, state regulation, health plan, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, behavioral health, mental health crisis, crisis response, co-response, co-responder, first responder, EMS, emergency medical services, paramedic, EMT

Summary: The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2564, concerning the health benefit exchange, and House Bill 2599, concerning the use of AI in therapy services. HB 2564 would let the exchange adopt annual market-factor certification criteria to address access and affordability issues, including requiring more meaningful plan differences, broader county participation, and availability of lower-premium options. Supporters, including the exchange, former Sen. Karen Kaiser, consumer advocates, rural and tribal representatives, and some brokers, said the bill could help prevent bare counties, improve affordability, and reduce confusing plan duplication. Opponents, including carrier groups, insurers, the hospital association, and insurance producers, warned it could reduce carrier participation, create uncertainty, overlap with OIC authority, and raise provider costs. HB 2599 would restrict licensed therapy providers from using AI to make independent therapeutic decisions, directly interact with clients, generate treatment plans without review, or advertise AI as therapy; supporters said it was needed to prevent deceptive or dangerous chatbot therapy, while several professional groups and Teladoc supported the intent but asked for narrower definitions and clearer carveouts for routine clinician-supervised tools. The committee also heard testimony on the bills’ details and possible amendments, but took no public-hearing votes on either bill. In executive session, the committee considered five bills. HB 1784, on certified medical assistants entering and activating orders, passed with a proposed substitute that added standing written protocols, annual review requirements, and a 24-hour countersignature deadline; it was reported out 18-0. HB 2242, on preventive services and immunization recommendations, had three amendments considered: two were rejected and one JLARC study amendment was adopted, after which the substitute bill passed 11-7. HB 2384, on actuarial reviews for continuing care retirement communities, passed as a substitute after technical changes and was reported out 16-2. HB 2505, creating an exemption from adult family home licensure for certain foster family situations, adopted an amendment adding disqualifying conditions and then passed 18-0. The committee deferred action on HB 1809 and HB 2261, and adjourned after completing its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• As they are public programs, this drives Medicaid reimbursement rates down to unsustainable levels for
• Older Texans rely on Medicaid for essential health care services like long-term care, prescription drug
• For many low-income seniors, Medicaid is a lifeline, allowing them to stay healthy and independent.
• However, many Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
• House Bill 2402 seeks to address these issues by ensuring that Medicaid reimbursement rates reflect the

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• For many low-income seniors, Medicaid is a lifeline, allowing them to stay healthy and independent.
• However, many Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
• For many low-income seniors, Medicaid is a lifeline, allowing them to stay healthy and independent.
• However, many Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
• HB 2402 seeks to address these issues by ensuring Medicaid reimbursement rates reflect the usual and

Bills: HB 107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal funds are returned to eligible hospitals supporting care for Medicaid and uninsured patients
• Importantly, this legislation does not require state approval, does not expand Medicaid, and does not
• program to help offset the cost of uncompensated care and help close the gap of the Medicaid shortfall
• These workers earn too much for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance on their own.
• I have, because I was working on bail reform, visited with Senator Huffman.

Bills: HB1320, HB2012, HB2293, HB2655, HB3174, HB4108, HB4661, HB4799, HB5534, HB5580

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• working as an organizer and advocate for my community, particularly around issues of criminal justice reform

Bills: HB1320, HB2012, HB2293, HB2655, HB3174, HB4108, HB4661, HB4799, HB5534, HB5580

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• for which the child, caregiver, or family may qualify. family counseling services not covered by Medicaid
• This bill allows foster parents to seek medical and mental health services out of the Medicaid network
• Under current law, foster care children receive benefits. that's under Medicaid.
• And it's important to note that this option... supplements the Medicaid coverage that these children
• It goes through Medicaid. They're not at all. So people can just suffer even if someone wants to?

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard previously that would add lactation consultation to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement.
• It's a program to provide Medicaid coverage to doula services by Vice Chair Emanuel.
• Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
• Who in the hell want to be on Medicaid? Who want to be on TANF? Who want to be on SNAP? Nobody!
• People do not have access to Medicaid. I mean, medical services. And this is the problem.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• 15:11.959><c> next</c> The next recommendations serve to increase community capacity, increasing Medicaid
• facility to AMRTC and the staff to be able to provide the care needed for that service, to increase the Medicaid
• increase</c><00:37:39.119><c> the</c> for that service to increase the for that service to increase the Medicaid
• c> reimbursement</c><00:37:40.160><c> rates</c><00:37:40.359><c> to</c><00:37:40.520><c> our</c> Medicaid
• reimbursement rates to our Medicaid reimbursement rates to our community<00:37:41.319><c> and</c><00

Bills: HF2196, HF2586, HF2187, HF2037

Keywords: mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board