Transcript Highlights:

• But when you turn to vulnerabilities.
• . vulnerabilities. vulnerabilities.
• ,</c> know uh what what the vulnerabilities, know uh what what the vulnerabilities, what<00:59:08.160
• </c> address responsibil or vulnerabilities address responsibil or vulnerabilities like<01:02:54.720>
• vulnerabilities vulnerabilities um<01:03:16.880><c> related</c><01:03:17.359><c> to</c><01:03:17.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> supporting vulnerable adults. supporting vulnerable adults.
• 56.679><c> know,</c><00:23:56.840><c> services</c> vulnerable adult, you know, services vulnerable adult
• </c> conflict of protecting vulnerable conflict of protecting vulnerable adults. adults. adults.
• </c> make sure we don't have vulnerable make sure we don't have vulnerable adults<00:26:52.840><c> in
• </c> vulnerable adults need help. vulnerable adults need help.

Bills: HF4110, HF4101, HF4144, HF3546

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, medical assistance, data matching, eligibility, reporting, human services, assisted living, health regulations, inspection authority, vulnerable adults, local government, program integrity, high-risk providers, enrollment requirements, fraud prevention, compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• These two incidents dramatically illustrate the same core vulnerability.
• We know where our vulnerabilities are.
• They're most vulnerable. Okay. Okay.
• They're most vulnerable. Okay. Okay.
• They're most vulnerable. Okay. Okay.

Bills: HB241, HB267, HB467, HB673, HB744, HB798, HB1026, HB1027, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1212, HB1230

Keywords: financial records, consumer protection, banking law, disclosure, service of process, home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board, residential roof, coastal zone, fortified roof, building standards, construction code, insurance, hurricane resilience, safety, security cameras, abandoned property

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> addressed the needs of vulnerable addressed the needs of vulnerable individuals<00:10:08.959><c>
• And for our uh most vulnerable motans.
• group literally has a law about vulnerable adults or vulnerable children.
• group literally has a law about vulnerable adults or vulnerable children.
• group literally has a law about vulnerable adults or vulnerable children.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:00.079><c> And</c><01:02:00.240><c> again,</c><01:02:00.480><c> vulnerable</c> vulnerable
• And again, vulnerable vulnerable adult.
• You have a the vulnerable adult.
• </c> needs of whether it's the vulnerable needs of whether it's the vulnerable adult<01:39:59.520><c>
• </c> Wyoming law truly protects vulnerable Wyoming law truly protects vulnerable adults.<02:09:19.760

Bills: HB0101, HB0062, HB0109

Keywords: guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, property tax, tax exemption, homeowner, armed forces, residency requirement, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a win for consumers because these products have some really serious vulnerabilities.
• And these cameras oftentimes have undisclosed back doors or security vulnerabilities that then can be
• Have undisclosed back doors or security vulnerabilities that then can be abused.
• So there's no disclosure that these cameras have these serious vulnerabilities, or that Hikvision has
• They probably wouldn't otherwise buy because of these security vulnerabilities.

Summary: The Science and Technology Committee considered Senate Bill 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office within the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud cases involving technology produced by foreign adversaries. The bill also establishes a Foreign Adversary Fraud Fund, includes a $500,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27, and directs any fund balance above $10 million at year-end to the Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund. Staff explained that the office would support investigations and litigation, with delayed repeal dates included in the measure. A representative of State Armor and a local attorney testified in support, arguing the bill would protect consumers and state systems from products with undisclosed security vulnerabilities, citing examples involving cameras and routers allegedly linked to foreign adversary entities. They said the initial appropriation would serve as seed money for enforcement actions that could generate settlements or judgments, and that the resulting proceeds could help replace vulnerable technology in critical infrastructure. Committee members asked about how the rip-and-replace fund would be used, who would identify critical infrastructure, and the effects on government purchasing; the witness said the Department of Homeland Security would identify critical infrastructure and administer the funds. After discussion, a member moved Senate Bill 1308 be returned with a due pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion on an 8-0 vote, with one member absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also defines what vulnerable road users are, which is most— About vulnerable road users.
• I'm coming to you as one of those vulnerable road users.
• We lead the nation in pedestrian and vulnerable road user deaths.
• Mexico, a safer place for all of us vulnerable road users.
• I'm also on the board of Vulnerable Road Users.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Included in those redactions were areas with the general titles of general vulnerabilities and policy
• We can't fix vulnerabilities we're not allowed to see.
• 07:50.960><c> not</c> can't fix vulnerabilities we're not can't fix vulnerabilities we're not allowed
• .<00:08:18.720><c> That's</c><00:08:18.960><c> not</c> vulnerabilities.
• That's not vulnerabilities.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't rightsize government on those who are the most vulnerable.
• We don't rightsize government on those who are the most vulnerable.
• We don't rightsize government on those who are the most vulnerable.
• We don't rightsize government on those who are the most vulnerable.
• We don't rightsize government on those who are the most vulnerable.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So House Bill 2095 concerns vulnerable users. proposal rather than something that creates new policy
• So House Bill 2095 concerns vulnerable users. Sure.
• So House Bill 2095 concerns vulnerable users of a public way.
• Lastly, the proposed substitute excludes motorcycles from the definition of vulnerable user of a public
• If so, the specific type of vulnerable user must also be listed.

Bills: HB2548, HB2453, HB2640, HB2095, HB2386, HB2239

Keywords: health care market standards, hospital consolidation, merger review, health care transaction notice, attorney general review, antitrust, provider organizations, hospital systems, contracting affiliation, material change, nonprofit conversion, for-profit conversion, health care acquisition, asset sale, Washington RCW, health care competition, price transparency, market oversight, premerger notification, antitrust revolving fund

Transcript Highlights:

• I think especially vulnerable populations is not a racial determination.
• may cause environmental harms or provide environmental benefits to overburdened communities and vulnerable
• ensure that regulatory decisions protect environmental quality and human health, especially in vulnerable
• Overburdened communities and vulnerable populations typically have some of the highest risk and may be
• For fiscal year 2025, a total of $130 million was invested in overburdened communities and vulnerable

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on HEAL Act implementation, beginning with an orientation from Environmental Justice Council member David Mendoza. He described the law’s purpose as integrating environmental justice into agency decision-making, community engagement, tribal consultation, strategic planning, and environmental justice assessments, with the goal of reducing environmental health disparities and improving accountability to communities and tribes. He also discussed the council’s role, the interagency work group, challenges with limited volunteer and agency capacity, and concerns about inconsistent assessment formats and future funding pressures. Committee members asked about council composition, including the balance of tribal, community, business, and other representation, whether the HEAL Act increases permitting time or costs, how “overburdened” and “vulnerable” populations are defined, and whether the council should be refreshed or audited. Mendoza said the statute is not limited to racial categories and can include rural and low-income communities, that the council has not quantified permitting delays, and that there is no formal audit requirement, though the council is discussing how to improve its work. Members also raised questions about the relationship between the Environmental Justice Council and the Office of Equity, with Mendoza saying the bodies are complementary but should coordinate more closely. The Department of Agriculture then reported on its HEAL Act work. Director of Equity and Environmental Justice Nicole Johnson said WSDA conducts environmental justice assessments for significant actions, applies an equity lens to licensing, funding, rulemaking, and strategic planning, and has completed 11 EJ assessments to date. She highlighted pesticide regulation, animal health, and weights-and-measures work as examples of environmental and economic justice, and said the department recently hired a full-time tribal consultant and has only 1.5 FTE supporting HEAL implementation. Members asked whether WSDA’s assessments apply to its role on boards such as the Forest Practices Board; Johnson said the department’s current understanding is that assessments are conducted on agency work. The Department of Natural Resources then presented on its HEAL Act implementation, focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, tribal consultation, environmental justice assessments, and equitable funding. DNR officials said environmental justice is being embedded in the agency’s 2025-2029 strategic plan, in its Community Access and Impact Plan, and in its advisory committee and board representation efforts. They reported conducting EJ assessments for sustainable harvest calculations, agency request legislation, and a prescribed burn manager certificate program, and said DNR has invested about $130 million in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in fiscal year 2025 through wildfire resilience, youth education, and urban forestry programs. Committee members pressed DNR on how it identifies impacted communities, why landowners were not more visible in the process, how agency-request legislation is being assessed, and whether assessments are required for actions taken through other boards and commissions. DNR said its current interpretation is that assessments apply to internal agency actions, that some notices may appear on OFM’s notices page rather than the completed-assessments dashboard, and that it would follow up on specific questions about its posted assessments and process.

Transcript Highlights:

• These two incidents dramatically illustrate the same core vulnerability.
• We know where our vulnerabilities are.
• I'm sure they have some idea of where the vulnerabilities are.
• I'm sure they have some idea of where the vulnerabilities are.
• They're most vulnerable. Okay.

Summary: The committee began by deferring six bills en bloc, then took up House Bill 1103, which would exempt certain industrial facility construction or improvement projects—especially aerospace-related facilities—from some local permitting requirements. Supporters said the goal was to reduce red tape and help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace investment, while members raised concerns about safety, home rule authority, and whether fewer permits could reduce oversight. The bill was reported favorably. Members then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 1212, which would require utilities to assess large electric transformers for vulnerability to electromagnetic threats and report findings to GOSEP, with a public version of the report. The sponsor and a retired Marine officer argued the bill was a limited “scoping” measure to identify vulnerabilities to solar storms or EMP attacks and estimate hardening costs; they said the current federal standard is too low and that protection technology exists. Committee members and utility representatives questioned whether the bill duplicated existing federal/NERC requirements, whether the information could create security risks if disclosed, whether the PSC had already studied the issue, and whether the costs would be passed to ratepayers. The PSC said it had previously opened a docket and studied EMP/physical security issues but never issued a final recommendation. After discussion, the sponsor agreed to defer the bill, and the committee deferred HB 1212. The committee then reported several technical or narrower bills favorably: House Bill 241 updated bank records disclosure citations and replaced a reference to the defunct Office of Thrift Supervision with the CFPB; House Bill 1091 shifted local fire departments to direct reporting into the federal emergency response system; and House Bill 1027 extended existing liability protection for real estate agents to licensed appraisers regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance in one- and two-family homes. Finally, House Bill 1096, dealing with electrical cooperative bylaws and board authority versus member approval, was introduced with testimony from cooperative representatives explaining it was intended to restore member control or allow cooperatives to opt out of the 2012 change that had expanded board authority. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1096.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Direct Care and treatment vulnerable Direct Care and treatment vulnerable adult<00:03:53.959><c>
• </c> services for vulnerable services for vulnerable adults<00:54:30.720><c> um</c><00:54:30.920><c>
• </c> suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult adult adult
• </c> of children or vulnerable of children or vulnerable adults<01:09:26.560><c> served</c><01:09:27.120
• </c> Mal treatment reports are for vulnerable Mal treatment reports are for vulnerable adult<01:09:37.239

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think especially vulnerable populations is not a racial determination.
• may cause environmental harms or provide environmental benefits to overburdened communities and vulnerable
• ensure that regulatory decisions protect environmental quality and human health, especially in vulnerable
• Overburdened communities and vulnerable populations typically have some of the highest risk and may be
• For fiscal year 2025, a total of $130 million was invested in overburdened communities and vulnerable

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This service delivers nutritious meals from a varied menu to almost 200 vulnerable veterans on a daily
• biennium from the veterans budget so that we can continue providing this critical service to our vulnerable
• veterans on a daily basis 200 vulnerable veterans on a daily basis uh<00:01:01.359><c> furthermore</
• With over 90% of the appropriated funds going directly to meals provided to our vulnerable veterans,
• </c> ly two meals provided to our vulnerable ly two meals provided to our vulnerable veteran<00:02:33.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go to Tab 2, SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults by Senator Martin.
• SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults by Senator Martin.
• Pause before the funds are returned to the vulnerable adult.
• I mean, it's preying on the most vulnerable.
• People don't realize how vulnerable you are on those instruments.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met with a quorum and first took up SB 398, which would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Senator Burgess said the campaign would focus on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. The committee heard supportive testimony from a caregiver, AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and others, with members discussing the need for culturally responsive outreach and continued funding. SB 398 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 106, which would strengthen Florida’s exploitation injunction law for vulnerable adults by allowing service of an unascertainable exploiter through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp. Senator Martin explained the bill as a way to close a loophole that lets scammers evade traditional service, and witnesses from the Florida Bankers Association and the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section supported it, describing how the bill could stop ongoing thefts more quickly while preserving due process. Members asked about gift card scams, clerk workload, and the definition of an unascertainable respondent. SB 106 was reported favorably. The Department of Children and Families then presented an update on the Adoption Benefits for Qualifying Adoptive Employees Program, describing its expansion over time and the current one-time lump-sum benefit structure for eligible adoptive parents. The presentation covered eligibility rules, open enrollment, funding history, and the program’s impact on adoption placements, with members asking why tax collectors were included but other constitutional offices were not, and whether foster relatives could qualify. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7012, a committee bill addressing child welfare workforce shortages, treatment foster care for high-acuity children, and improved data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill would direct DCF to recruit former public safety workers for CPI and case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and require more detailed, analyzable data and capacity studies. The bill drew support from child welfare advocates, with some members urging DCF to return with a more developed framework; it was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> having a vulnerability disclosure having a vulnerability disclosure program<01:19:13.600><c> is<
• </c><01:23:36.480><c> uh</c> recommended uh vulnerability uh recommended uh vulnerability uh disclosure
• </c> system should and and vulnerabilities system should and and vulnerabilities that<01:24:30.000><c
• vulnerabilities vulnerabilities uh<01:27:11.840><c> we</c><01:27:12.000><c> would</c><01:27:12.159><
• vulnerability the public that the vulnerability happened.<01:29:47.840><c> You</c><01:29:48.000><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because they're very vulnerable. And so I was just curious if that does apply.
• Because they're very vulnerable. And so I was just curious if that does apply.
• We'll see. ...and strengthens protection for some of our most vulnerable citizens.
• And if he wanders, he is completely vulnerable.
• Thank you for your time and for protecting Missouri's most vulnerable children.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2022, we have conducted almost 800 risk and vulnerability assessments.
• If you want to get a grant, you’ve got to have a current risk and vulnerability assessment, so we try
• And there’s all kinds of things we do, and once we complete the risk and vulnerability assessment, if
• When they go through the SRO academy, they can come out and do a risk and vulnerability...
• Functional threat and vulnerability assessment.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Oklahoma school safety from Commissioner Tipton, OSSI director Mike Fike, OACTIC director Alan Young, OSBI lieutenant Isiles Keene, and Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton. The main focus was a statewide school-safety framework built around response, prevention, and recovery. Witnesses described training law enforcement in the LASER active-shooter response model, adding A-TURK training for coordinated law enforcement/fire/EMS response, expanding run-hide-fight and Stop the Bleed instruction for educators and staff, conducting risk and vulnerability assessments, and using the Rave panic-button system and the ProtectOK tip app to speed reporting and dispatch. They also emphasized behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) teams as a prevention tool to identify and support at-risk students before violence occurs. Members asked about administrator and teacher training, school counselor involvement, how apps are deployed on personal versus school devices, and whether schools are actually using the programs. Witnesses said administrators, counselors, and SROs should be part of BTAM, that training is most effective when it is realistic and repeated, and that Rave is geofenced and typically invited onto devices by schools. Several members stressed that school leaders must buy in for safety plans to work, and one member raised concerns about traumatic training and the need for mental-health support as part of prevention. Witnesses said mental-health referral and monitoring are part of BTAM, but the school and local partners must manage the process. OSBI’s lieutenant added broader context, comparing school safety to fire safety and noting that Oklahoma still lacks some statutory requirements for intruder drills and stronger penalties for school threats. He also discussed possible future tools such as surveillance analytics, gunshot detection, ballistic-rated doors and walls, and better access controls, while warning that technology should supplement, not replace, basic safety systems and training. Sheriff Walton closed by describing rural response challenges and his foundation’s effort to place ballistic shields in schools and police cars, arguing that human resources and rapid communication remain the biggest gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are important for moving the conversation forward for taking care of our community's most vulnerable
• It's a failure to protect our vulnerable neighbors.
• It's a failure to care for our vulnerable family members.
• And when I say most vulnerable, these are the most vulnerable people in our state, the ones that can't
• And when I say most vulnerable, these are the most vulnerable people in our state, the ones that can't

Summary: The House considered Substitute Senate Bill 5393, relating to closing Rainier School by June 30, 2027. After many withdrawn amendments, the House adopted striking Amendment 1455, which changed the bill to allow current residents to remain at Rainier School as long as they choose and can live there, while also creating opportunities for community care transitions, return to Rainier if needed, and regular reporting from DHS on transition outcomes, mortality, and related data. Members speaking in favor emphasized the need to move away from institutional care, protect vulnerable residents, and improve accountability; some noted the emotional and personal significance of the issue. The bill then passed the House 76-22 and was immediately transmitted to the Senate. The House also took up several Senate-amended bills and concurred in the Senate changes before final passage. Second Substitute House Bill 1207 passed 54-44 after debate over a fee increase and whether the revenue would benefit local jurisdictions enough. Substitute House Bill 1498 passed 70-28 after a modest Senate adjustment giving more first-year flexibility. House Bill 2003 passed 53-45 despite concerns that it would reduce fishing opportunities. Substitute House Bill 2047 passed 58-40; supporters praised the Senate changes, while opponents argued it still ended a valuable employee ownership program and remained subject to appropriations. House Bill 2050 passed 56-42 after the Senate removed an apportionment shift from the bill, though some members still objected to the remaining ALE enrollment cap. The House also received messages from the Senate indicating passage of a gross substitute House Bill 249 and that the President had signed gross substitute Senate Bill 5041. The chamber then adjourned until 10 a.m. Sunday, April 27.