Transcript Highlights:

• received numerous honors... ...for clinical excellence, leadership, and teaching, including the Common Health
• 2979, credit unions 2980, home community health services and appropriations 2991, social commerce 2994
• , health services 2995, judiciary 2996, IAFI 2997, animal affairs; HB 4001, commerce, alternative nicotine
• Second reading of bills: HB 2960, behavioral health; HB 2196, the appropriation clapout chapter; HB 2983
• And as we know, protein is so essential for health and vitality.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll hear from the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, Santa Clara County's Behavioral Health
• We've strengthened mental health and behavioral health services.
• Health Policy Division with the Department of Health Care Services; Steve Yarbrough, Deputy Director
• health services by establishing a sustainable reimbursement through health insurance.
• So I think because 988 is operated by our county behavioral health department, they transfer calls to

Summary: The hearing focused on California’s 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and the broader crisis response system, with members and witnesses emphasizing both the system’s life-saving role and the risks posed by funding gaps, rising demand, and uneven local implementation. Opening remarks highlighted the personal impact of suicide and the need to strengthen crisis response so calls are answered quickly and linked to appropriate care rather than defaulting to 911, emergency rooms, or law enforcement. State officials described the AB 988 five-year implementation plan, which sets goals around public awareness, equitable access, high-quality call/chat/text response, and better integration with ongoing behavioral health services. State agencies reported progress on infrastructure, coordination, and related behavioral health investments. CalHHS said California has expanded mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization units, and youth behavioral health supports, and is preparing additional public awareness and grant programs tied to Proposition 1. DHCS explained that 988 is funded through a federal SAMHSA grant and the AB 988 surcharge, while Medi-Cal separately funds mobile crisis services; officials said the mobile crisis benefit is active in 53 counties and that statewide expansion remains a work in progress. Cal OES described the statewide technical buildout, including network infrastructure in all 11 crisis centers, interoperability with 911, and a pilot of next-generation routing and call-handling tools. The 988 California Consortium said call volume continues to rise sharply, missed calls remain a major concern, text/chat capacity is limited, and centers need more stable funding, better reimbursement, and stronger feedback loops with the state. County and community witnesses stressed that local systems need more flexible, sustained support to match the demand. Lake County described a peer-led rural mobile crisis model that has reduced law enforcement holds and increased housing placements, but said county-run mobile crisis teams still cannot reliably access 988 surcharge dollars and face reimbursement problems from Medi-Cal and commercial plans. Santa Clara County reported strong performance metrics, rapid call answer times, and a broad continuum of mobile crisis services, but said staffing and funding are strained and commercial reimbursement remains slow. The Mental Health Association of San Francisco said the peer-run warm line complements 988 by offering non-emergency support and warm handoffs, but recent budget changes forced cuts to Spanish-language service, federation support, and hours. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; members mainly asked questions about surcharge levels, budget timing, coordination among agencies, data collection, and how to improve collaboration with frontline crisis centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you go from a 10.0 operating system to an 11.0 operating system, everything on your computer works
• It's truly a different way of operating. And that's actually the big breakthrough with Barr.
• It still operates under the same core principles, and that's been critical for us.
• So it is more of just a general operating guidance program, Barr.
• It explains how the brain learns to read.

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on dual credit programming across North Dakota, with presentations from Valley City State University, Lake Region State College, Fargo Public Schools, and teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose. Speakers described dual credit as a way to give high school students college-level rigor, reduce future tuition costs, and help students explore academic and career pathways. Several presenters emphasized that strong local relationships between colleges and school districts are central to program quality, especially in rural areas where access to advanced coursework can be limited. Valley City State University outlined its quality-control model, including annual teacher trainings, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty evaluations, qualification standards, school visits, and a goal of building 24-credit College Studies Certificates. The university reported about 504 students in the fall and 559 in the spring, with roughly 5,539 projected credit hours and about 130 students expected to earn the 24-credit certificate. Members asked about faculty qualifications, online versus in-person delivery, student retention, revenue, and whether a more centralized statewide model might be more efficient; the presenter said centralization could reduce duplication but might weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College described a broader regional model, with about 913 dual credit students last fall across 44 school districts, roughly half of them taking online college courses and half taking face-to-face courses taught by qualified high school teachers serving as adjuncts. The college said it has paid for graduate credits to help teachers meet credentialing requirements and reimburses districts for teacher support and materials. Fargo Public Schools reported 50 dual credit courses through multiple higher-ed partners, 1,571 enrollments, and a 12.61% increase in participation, while also raising concerns about inconsistent registration systems, credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity across institutions. Teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose reinforced the value of dual credit, while noting concerns about retention in foundational science courses and the importance of maintaining rigor and support for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Cremens, on behalf of the California, Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers, in strong support
• The loss of the grizzlies also severed enduring relationships between the species and many California
• But we all operate on predominantly the same land in California.
• But we all operate on predominantly the same land in California.
• We see this with Go Green, which is the program that's operated by the California Alternative Energy

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provides the Department of Health provides the Department of Health ability<01:12:34.040><c> to<
• Yes, this is an operating request. Yes, this is an operating request. Okay, all right.
• of Health.
• It is expected to reduce costs for health care providers and health plans.
• The health department, big red flag. We should just get rid of the Health Department.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bill 551 Senator Charles health. bill 551 Senator Charles health.
• So, the secretary of health would make the recommendations based upon the operations of this panel entity
• </c> ultimately from the secretary of health. ultimately from the secretary of health.
• Health. after floor for voting session. Health.
• </c> chair of health. chair of health.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Trucks, they all operate on diesel.
• In state operations or specifically to pro rata? State operations. State operations.
• I also think clarifying state operations is important.
• Brain and Merritt, Department of Finance.
• The state operations, yeah. Yeah, state operations. Very good. CARB. Yes. Very good.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We think about mental health in our community. Brains do not function if they're malnourished.
• We think about mental health in our community. Brains do not function if they're malnourished.
• We think about mental health in our community. Brains do not function if they're malnourished.
• We think about mental health in our community. Brains do not function if they're malnourished.
• We think about mental health in our community. Brains do not function if they're malnourished.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public health, including respiratory issues like a lot of those complaints.
• I think it's going to be left up to our scientists and the Department of Health.
• You kind of going back and forth to Department of Health and the NDP.
• What our potential public health risks around that.
• The protocol for our co-operatives fish and cooperate.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this does allow school bus operators to be immediate family members of a superintendent or a school
• I'm pretty familiar with how things operate. And I didn't request it. Right.
• Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with how things operate. Things operate. And I didn't request it. Right.
• Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with how things operate around here.
• A very, very, I would say, an endurance contest for just about everybody: legislators, lobbyists, and

Summary: The committee took up several House bills dealing mainly with ethics, elections, and legislative procedure. HB 858 by Rep. Riser, creating a public records exception for GPS data on wildlife and aquatic life held by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, was reported favorably without objection. HB 661, which expands existing nepotism exceptions to allow school board members and superintendents to hire immediate family members as paraprofessionals and janitors, drew support from members concerned about staffing shortages in schools; the Ethics Administrator noted the board’s concern that repeated exceptions erode the nepotism rules, but the bill was still reported favorably without objection. HB 359, a cleanup bill on the death of a non-major-party primary candidate, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 258, which clarifies that volunteer firefighters are not subject to dual office-holding restrictions and allows retired judges to serve on certain boards while still being available for ad hoc judicial service, passed on an 8-4 roll call vote. Rep. Newell’s HB 705, which would strengthen contempt of the legislature penalties and add provisions addressing disorderly conduct and interference with legislative proceedings, generated the most debate. Members raised concerns about the proposed jump in fines from $1,000 to $50,000, due process, and the breadth of language that could be read to cover ordinary advocacy or passionate testimony. After discussion, the author agreed the bill needed more work, and it was voluntarily deferred in committee. The committee also heard HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to return on a contractual basis to address shortages, which was amended and then reported favorably without objection. HB 238, which would remove a waiting period and population-based restriction for former school board members or certified psychologists to return to work in school districts, prompted a lengthy debate about the judiciary and per diem rules because of related ethics concerns raised in the discussion; the author ultimately asked to voluntarily defer the bill, and the committee agreed. Finally, HB 398, which would cap lodging, meal, and incidental expense reimbursements for state officials and employees at GSA rates and limit emergency exceptions, drew sharp opposition from several members and a retired judge who argued the current judicial per diem is reasonable and tied to safety and travel needs. The author said he would work on amendments and voluntarily deferred HB 398. The committee then began discussion of HB 752, which would move the timing of regular legislative sessions into joint rule and change the session start/end dates, with the author explaining it was intended to give the Legislature more flexibility without needing constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair lays out SB 1307 by Cook as pending business relating to the biennial health coverage reference
• Chair lays out SB 527 by Schwertner as pending business relating to health coverage, specifically health
• health insurance right now, and it's one of the main drivers behind why health insurance rates...
• And it's one of the main drivers behind why health insurance rates.
• I know, I got 43 on my brain. OK. Chair lays out Senate Bill 1642.

Summary: The committee first took up several bills and voted them out favorably without amendment: SB 2857, relating to prescription drug purchasing proof for certain health benefit plan issuers and employers; SB 1307, relating to the biennial health coverage reference guide; and SB 527, relating to health benefit coverage for general anesthesia for certain pediatric dental services. Each of those motions passed on a 7-0 roll call. The main discussion centered on SB 1643, which would require prior approval from the Texas Department of Insurance for property and casualty rate changes above 10% from a previously filed rate. The chair framed it as a response to rate volatility and rising homeowners and auto premiums, while several members questioned whether it would slow a market that is already stabilizing and could encourage insurers to file repeated increases just under the threshold. Witnesses from consumer groups supported tighter oversight and argued for a lower threshold, while insurance industry representatives opposed the bill, saying Texas’s file-and-use system and competitive market work better and that the proposal could increase costs or create uncertainty. After testimony, SB 1643 was left pending. The committee then heard SB 1642, which would replace the single Texas Department of Insurance commissioner with a three-commissioner structure and an executive director. Supporters said it could improve accountability and transparency, while opponents argued the current single-commissioner model is more efficient and avoids confusion and added cost. Witnesses also raised concerns about open meetings issues, administrative expense, and the lack of a clear model from other states. SB 1642 was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2530, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association omnibus bill. The bill would make a number of changes to TWIA’s governance and finances, including exempting TWIA from certain taxes, moving its headquarters to a coastal county, changing board composition and voting rules, and lowering the probable maximum loss standard from 1-in-100 to 1-in-50. Supporters said the bill would strengthen TWIA’s reserve funding and improve local relevance, while opponents warned it could increase assessments, reduce reinsurance protection, and create operational risks by relocating the headquarters to the coast. The bill was left pending, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado families living with serious mental and brain illnesses often find themselves navigating systems
• Their advocacy highlights the urgent need for person-centered, evidence-based behavioral health care,
• Carissa suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and multiple life-altering injuries, and today remains
• Um, just to have good dental health.
• I'm working on some partnerships health.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as physical health.
• It's been ordered to operate.
• It's been ordered to operate.
• It's been ordered to operate.
• It's been ordered to operate.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resolution to affirmatively declare its intention to provide documents related to its financial operations
• resolution to affirmatively declare its intention to provide documents related to its financial operations
• We also know that the people of Massachusetts have every right to expect that public institutions operate
• Bill was awarded the American Red Cross Enduring Hero Award for his public service to his community.

Summary: The Senate took up several local and special bills on third reading and final passage. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate 1831, a Rutland bill providing killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for Joanne Saundi as the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy, and also passed to be engrossed two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for police officer appointments. The chamber then enacted bills concerning police age requirements in Newton and Stonem, sending them to the Governor. It also adopted two congratulatory resolutions, including one for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and another recognizing the Italian Consulate in Boston and Italian National Day. The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition from Rep. Carol Fiola to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, proposing a temporary pilot to let municipalities extend liquor-license hours and allow public consumption in designated districts during summer 2026. The chamber also addressed House 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in a Senate amendment; the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee, naming Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. A major floor debate centered on Senate 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide documents in four clarified categories—budgets, audits, balance-forward transactions, and monetary settlement agreements—while preserving constitutional separation-of-powers objections to broader requests. Opponents argued the Senate should have sought the court’s guidance earlier and that the documents should be produced without further delay. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, 33-6. The Senate then adjourned in memory of William F. Howard of Beverly and set its next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and development institutions, including national labs and universities, to the companies already operating
• institution in the country because of their deep partnership with Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs, who operate
• process; I was a base commander on Ascension Island, and we had a big desalination plant for not just operations
• So, folks aren't standing, so that it's not a physical endurance test to have debates in the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Total appropriations to the Department of Health and Social Services, $32,8609. $309.
• Is this what Gulf Tainer was operating before?
• operators for some amount of time.
• How is it currently being operated now?
• How is it currently being operated now?

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I-Connect system that is operated by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
• I'm just going off my brain, which is sometimes faulty. But is that correct? Mr. Ms.
• When we went out, we did a competitive procurement for operations and maintenance.
• We also spoke with one of the large vendors of the electronic health record system.
• There's a business operations aspect of it, right?

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy presentation on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ I-Connect system, based on an ILAB assessment of the platform’s performance and requirements. ILAB said the system provides useful centralized records, reporting, compliance support, and audit trails, but users described it as cumbersome, outdated, and inefficient, with excessive manual entry, weak navigation, limited notifications, no mobile app, poor printing/export options, and performance issues. ILAB also said the original 2013-era requirements were too high-level and that only a portion of the requirements could be verified, with some features de-scoped or never implemented. Their recommendations included better integration with electronic health record systems, improved performance monitoring, electronic signatures, OCR, and more modern export and verification tools. Public testimony from providers and advocates echoed those concerns. A support coordination provider said the system is nicknamed “I Disconnect,” described problems with EVV/GPS sign-ins, lengthy support plans, lack of a phone app, and possible HIPAA concerns. Another advocate said the system should have preserved family access to records and criticized the need for providers to use workarounds and additional software. APD staff said the agency has spent about $19.7 million through FY 2023-24, has regular build updates under the current contract with WellSky, and uses an internal help desk and vendor ticketing process to triage bugs versus enhancement requests. They said some issues are handled case-by-case, critical tickets have SLAs, and the agency is working on interoperability and other requested improvements. Members questioned whether the system should be fixed or replaced, whether the original contract and SaaS arrangement were sufficient, and whether the state received value for the money spent. APD said the system went live in phases and that all functionality was in place by June 2024, while ILAB and members noted significant technical debt and unresolved gaps. The committee also discussed record retention, provider access to records after a consumer changes providers, and whether federal funding or compliance could be affected. The meeting ended with broader budget remarks emphasizing completion over expansion, stronger upfront planning for technology projects, and more accountability before funding new systems or major enhancements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:47:48.800><c> insurance</c> concerning changes to health insurance concerning changes to health
• </c><02:09:36.480><c> ins</c> electronic access to your health ins electronic access to your health ins
• health<02:09:37.199><c> information.
• </c> health information. health information.
• I move Senate Bill 146 and the Health and Human Services Committee report to the Health and Human Services

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some have already enacted them, and this is an opportunity for Missouri to lead on fiscal health.
• Missouri to lead on the fiscal health. I look forward to answering any questions folks may have.
• We spend money, Department of Mental Health spends money, the Department of Education spends money.
• And I'm racking our brain here, if I remember correctly, an objection I had to the qualification-based
• And I'm racking our brain here, if I remember correctly, an objection I had to the qualification-based

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both are incredibly necessary for the health of the Delta and the community, but also the whole state
• Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, irreversible neurological condition that damages brain cells and
• The California Health Benefits Review Program, also known as CHBRP, analysis estimates a premium impact
• The Department of Managed Health Care anticipates minor and absorbable costs, and the Department of Insurance
• The Department of Managed Health Care anticipates minor and absorbable costs, and the Department of Insurance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start of the meeting. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and rescheduled for the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures were taken up with waived presentations, brief public testimony, and then moved to suspense without objection. Several bills received author presentations and discussion. SB 872 by Senator McNerney proposed a long-term funding mechanism for Delta levee and State Water Project canal repairs, with strong support from water agencies, environmental groups, and regional coalitions emphasizing flood risk, water reliability, and protection of state assets; the bill was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize, but not require, blue emergency lights on parole vehicles; supporters from the parole officers’ union cited officer safety and the death of parole agent Joshua Bird, and it too was moved to suspense. SB 950 by Senator Richardson would require coverage of FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; the committee noted the estimated premium impact was minimal and voted 7-0 for due pass to the Senate floor, while asking the author to consider a sunset amendment. The committee also heard testimony on SB 1123, where the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association opposed the measure on policy grounds, but it was still sent to suspense. SB 1069 and SB 1138 drew support from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and Silicon Valley Clean Energy, respectively. The remaining suspense-file bills on the agenda were largely taken up in sequence with no opposition or committee questions and were moved to suspense without objection, and the meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed.