Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a question about the educational program. I always think of DARE.
• She went to nursing school. She was a great person in the community.
• And so this education program, I think, is so, so important.
• I mean, there has to be a program where, you know, she can turn to.
• And I'm trying to visualize a program.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for House Bill 5438, to modify the foundation allowance to improve instructional programs
• This bill defines a wellness reimbursement program.
• It also requires a wellness reimbursement program...
• This bill defines a wellness reimbursement program.
• Current law ends the program on December 31st of this year.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• No town has to adopt this program at all. They can choose not to participate.
• </c><01:01:56.319><c> at</c> town has to adopt this um program at town has to adopt this um program at
• Um, the program already exists, so it's not new. It's just raising the floor on those levels.
• Um, the program already exists, so &gt;&gt; Okay.
• Um, the program already exists, so it's<01:02:55.440><c> not</c><01:02:55.680><c> new.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns for our young learners, parents, as teachers, early birds, all of those evidence-based programs
• I really hope that we'll revisit some of those meaningful programs and opportunities to help our families
• I have one of those children is currently in the nursing program there.
• , so Hopefully I'm granted the opportunity to serve with Doctor Harp and continue to build those programs
• So hopefully I can help grow those two programs there, and I I look forward to this opportunity.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe it allows latitude to the department to implement this program.
• It has to be conveyed through this program so people can look at that.
• It has to be conveyed through this program so people can look at that and have a comparison of how we're
• Well, you know, our doctors, our nurses,... obtain documentation potentially.
• Well, you know, our doctors, our nurses, so many in health care are already a part of this system.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that are providing these people—anesthesia providers, internists and hospitalists, neonatologists, nurses
• don't want predatory practices that rely on unstable debt financing, that rely on hospital leaseback programs
• Many of the anesthesia providers are contractors, nurse practitioners, ER doctors.
• It was access to people, programs, and opportunities that helped me rebuild a sense of belonging and
• If we truly want safer communities, we should be invested in youth programs, mentorship, trauma-informed

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

Committee: House House Judiciary

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

Transcript Highlights:

• 38.960><c> empower</c> program will financially empower program will financially empower families,<00
• 18.080><c> incentivize</c> supporting programs that incentivize supporting programs that incentivize
• This is not a voucher program.
• This is not a voucher program.
• </c> cap and what this program looks like. cap and what this program looks like.

Bills: HF3490 , HF4040

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, scholarship-granting organizations, charitable purposes, student scholarships, nonpublic schools, K-12 education, tax credit, advance payment, Minnesota tax law, child education expenses, taxpayer assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That early resolution program has disintegrated from my perspective.
• I do want to echo and reiterate what the previous speakers spoke about the early resolution program.
• And the key case, and this was Garner, which was several years old now, involved four nurses who were
• And the key case, and this was Garner, which was several years old now, involved four nurses who were
• It's our desire to help individuals is laudable, but implementing a new program like parole should not

Summary: The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims. Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes. The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.

Transcript Highlights:

• and public school performance ratings under the public school accountability system, and a grant program
• Thank you, Senator King, and I appreciate all your work on this wonderful program.
• A nursing mother eats approximately 4,500 insects every night.
• I think it's important that we have a program and it continues.
• We don’t want good programs to go under.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you please recognize Senator Pugugh, who introduced the nurse of the day?
• Senator Pugugh, you're recognized to introduce the nurse of the day. Thank you, Mr. President.

Bills: SB540 , HB1085 , HB1484

Keywords: dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry, dental hygiene, licensure compact, interstate compact, professional licensing, license portability, health workforce, workforce shortage, mobility, compact privilege, state licensing board, public health, public safety, military spouse, telehealth dentistry, reciprocity, Title 59, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• The programs will be put into place when this session ends.
• Our internal folks say that this was a great program.
• Whatever the program may be, I was just worried about the communication.
• This program is called that we have just entered into, called Restore.
• Maybe that could help programs like football programs. Go ahead.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very important program.
• That meant when I began my nursing program, I could focus more on my nursing core classes instead of
• You can run a program.
• or our state programs.
• So, I mean, Head Start programs are intended to do Head Start programs.

Committee: Joint Education Committee

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:

• </c><00:13:47.040><c> could</c> cuts in the state grant program could cuts in the state grant program
• . program. program.
• ,</c> population of the state grant program, population of the state grant program, but<00:37:15.599>
• Programs like the Northstar debt.
• </c> participate in the state grant program. participate in the state grant program.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then it's my turn for people in nursing homes.
• Many of the towns visit the nursing homes and complete both the request and the identity stuff at the
• nursing home, and I believe that there's another bill in the legislature right now to actually make
• People in nursing homes.
• Many of the towns visit the nursing homes and complete both the request and the identity stuff at the

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> travelers in the hospital and nursing travelers in the hospital and nursing home<01:56:58.960><c
• For every year of the program. >> I think that 2500 makes sense.
• </c> annual for three years of the program. annual for three years of the program.
• </c> every every year of the program. Yeah. every every year of the program. Yeah.
• So in programs where there is an &gt;&gt; right?

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this program in effect since 2006. this program in effect since 2006.
• Is that allowable nurse practitioners?
• </c> um for a vet loan repayment program um for a vet loan repayment program which<01:59:55.280><c> and
• </c><02:00:14.560><c> grant</c> uh vet loan repayment program grant uh vet loan repayment program grant
• Only downside is they're in program.

Committee: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He became a leader in his program.
• People in those programs.
• program.
• And as you stated, we transferred our programs over. Do we have any ongoing programs?
• So we can say that step program...

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Chair care pool payment program.
• </c><00:24:55.440><c> for</c> assessment and monitoring program for assessment and monitoring program
• </c> program. And now I'll move to Miss Mock. program. And now I'll move to Miss Mock.
• </c> uncompensated care pool payment program uncompensated care pool payment program at<00:30:55.679>
• </c> when because they're on our program. when because they're on our program.

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation would enhance CBP's support K-9 program by creating a pilot program to adopt dogs from
• This legislation would enhance CBP's support K-9 program by creating a pilot program to adopt dogs from
• I yield myself the balance of my time. homeland security program grants are homeland security program
• ,</c> and addiction recovery programs, and addiction recovery programs, investing<04:20:35.840><c> in
• </c> crisis, to recruit and train more nurses crisis, to recruit and train more nurses and<04:21:58.720

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Massasoit actually got $38 million from the state to do the life science programming on campus.
• We cannot lose all the programming that Catholic Charities offers to our city.
• This is the way I see it: we really need these programs. My city is a low-income city.
• My people need these programs.
• Catholic Charities is provided funding by DESE for ESOL programs in which we have 142 slots.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining new attendance and public-testimony procedures, including that testimony would be recorded, livestreamed, and generally made public, with possible redactions for sensitive material. The chairs also noted that no committee rules were being formally adopted yet and that no votes would be taken during the hearing. Senator Collins briefly emphasized the committee’s oversight role on land takings and Article 97 issues, including concerns about proposed regulatory changes and the legislature’s constitutional role. The first major bill discussed was H. 3324, concerning the former Christos site on Crescent Street in Brockton and a proposed transfer of state-owned land from DCAM. Representative Michelle DuBois, Representative Rita Mendes, Mayor Sullivan, the Metro South Chamber’s Chris Cooney, Catholic Charities’ Larry Mayne, and Brockton planning director Rob May all supported the bill, describing the parcel as long vacant and arguing it should be reused for a mixed-use project with Catholic Charities, including affordable/workforce housing, an early education center, food pantry, workforce development, and language classes. Several speakers said the project would help retain Catholic Charities in Brockton and bring tax revenue and community services. DuBois outlined expected amendments, including moving one parcel into a municipal sale partnership and changing a “shall” to “may” regarding a right-turn lane. Some members raised questions about whether a deed transfer to a nonprofit was preferable to a long-term lease and about affordability definitions, but the bill was generally supported. Representative Connolly then testified on two Cambridge bills: H. 3308, relating to the Riverside Boat Club and a reconfigured DCR parcel boundary to support a lease with no loss of public space, and H. 3309, which would facilitate access to justice by preserving consideration of a vacant former probate court site for future court use. Senator DiDomenico supported the Riverside Boat Club measure and the broader goal of restoring court access in Cambridge. Members discussed accessibility, possible future court configurations, and the site’s prior use as an emergency shelter. The committee then heard testimony on S. 2217/H. 2108 concerning Columbia Point and access around the UMass/Bayside area. Harbor Point residents, including Orlando Perrella, Michael Corcoran, Richard Fulham, and Miles Byrne, described severe traffic congestion, emergency-access concerns, and frustration with the UMass Building Authority’s handling of the site and prior community commitments. Senator Collins said the committee should consider seeking an SJC opinion, and possibly an Attorney General opinion, on Article 97 and public-access rights. After the in-person testimony concluded, the committee attempted to reach remaining virtual witnesses on S. 2217 but did not receive testimony. With no further witnesses, the committee adjourned without taking any votes.