Transcript Highlights:

• Conversely, we believe that the Rural Commission and state fire marshal or the appropriate entities to
• And I believe this approach better reflects the responsibilities of of each of the entities. Mr.
• It's built on principles that entities that should be held accountable when their actions entities should
• We serve entities such as cities, counties, electric utilities, volunteer. fire departments and other
• public safety entities.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• entities? entities?
• In addition, um, we have an entity called Fairview Frontiers.
• </c> a lot of different entities involved. a lot of different entities involved.
• The university has to be open and transparent, but also any entity negotiating with a public entity must
• </c> entity negotiating with a public entity entity negotiating with a public entity must<01:33:32.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:16.079><c> in</c><00:15:16.320><c> the</c> serves as an independent entity in the serves as
• an independent entity in the executive<00:15:17.120><c> branch</c><00:15:17.600><c> responsible</c><
• ,</c><00:45:14.400><c> corporations,</c> lot of large entities, corporations, lot of large entities,
• This is in here a separate entity to investigate and enforce because there is that lack of trust.
• This is in here a separate entity to investigate and enforce because there is that lack of trust.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The intended program is to allow covered entities, and a covered entity is one that serves a disproportionate
• The intended program is to allow covered entities, and a covered entity is one that serves a disproportionate
• The intended program is to allow covered entities, and a covered entity is one that serves a disproportionate
• I'm all for transparency, but you collect all this information in 340B entities, and these folks back
• I'm all for transparency, but you collect all this information in 340B entities, and these folks back

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:19 Discussion of 25RS HB 785 00:30:25 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 785 00:32:15 Discussion of 25RS HB 61 00:36:42 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 61 00:38:07 Discussion of 25RS HB 788 00:51:01 Discussion of 25RS SB 14 01:11:09 Discussion of 25RS HB 685 01:44:57 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He concluded that having an entity or department where these efforts can live is critically important
• </c><01:27:40.960><c> that</c><01:27:41.440><c> uh</c><01:27:41.760><c> I</c> force and other entities
• that uh I force and other entities that uh I believe<01:27:42.400><c> much</c><01:27:42.560><c> of</
• We want to take Hawaii Farmers Union recommendations to add food hubs as eligible entities and we do
• </c><01:50:21.920><c> and</c> add food hubs as eligible entities and add food hubs as eligible entities

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> non-individual entities. non-individual entities.
• All individual entities are made up of groups of individuals.
• All individual entities are made up of groups of individuals.
• All individual entities are made up of groups of individuals.
• All individual entities are made up of groups of individuals.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we have 11 administrative entities.
• This would reduce that down to one administrative entity. Currently, we have 10 planning regions.
• So other questions, the 11 administrative entities, do we have names of those?
• Did legislative audit ever audit any of those administrative entities that you're eliminating?
• I mean, the 11 administrative entities under your waiver package.

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs. Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• to licensed entities, in particular in connection with consumer litigation funding companies.
• </c><00:09:47.360><c> to</c> terminology from registered entities to terminology from registered entities
• to licensed<00:09:48.399><c> entities</c><00:09:49.519><c> in</c><00:09:49.760><c> particular</c><00
• :09:50.160><c> in</c> licensed entities in particular in licensed entities in particular in connection
• </c> individual working at a licensed entity individual working at a licensed entity that<00:36:53.200

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:05.120><c> then</c><00:07:05.360><c> that</c><00:07:05.760><c> an</c> uh there's an entity
• then that an uh there's an entity then that an analyzes analyzes analyzes all<00:07:07.960><c> the</
• 59.280><c> the</c><00:09:59.560><c> analysis</c><00:10:00.640><c> and</c><00:10:01.520><c> at</c> entity
• </c><00:10:08.560><c> would</c><00:10:08.720><c> also</c> make sure that other entities would also make
• sure that other entities would also be<00:10:09.200><c> able</c><00:10:09.400><c> to</c><00:10:09.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , including nonprofit, nongovernmental, and government entities.
• So who, what entities would be actually bringing these lawsuits?
• So who, what entities would be actually bringing these lawsuits?
• , a public or private, including nonprofit, governmental, non-governmental entities.
• Ten removes the section of law currently in the bill regarding eligible entities for the fund.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you were a member of a given public entity risk pool in, let’s pick a year, 1995, and you were
• that agreed to a dollar-for-dollar California Fund was also to support qualified local entities that
• It was that there needed to be a state entity that worked with them to administer the program.
• Do you not think the State Librarian is a state entity?
• Do you not think the State Librarian is a state entity?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the exempt entities and the entities that may qualify as a payment stablecoin issuer under
• Additionally, the exempt entities approval processes that are provided in the Genius Act.
• Additionally, the exempt entities and the entities that may qualify as a payment, stable-point issue
• The bill before you expands representation on the commission for those entities to include those entities
• Natalie Kelly, Florida Association of Managing Entities, waves in support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• broadcasters and entities such as our two flagship research universities.
• organizations to include any Indian health care provider or any independent practitioner or other entity
• organizations to include any Indian health care provider or any independent practitioner or other entity
• It places all reporting requirements for covered entities and manufacturers under the prescription drug
• It limits the covered entity reporting to FQHCs and hospitals as they are defined in the federal 340B

Bills: SB6147, SB6082, SB5862, SB5882, SB6323, SB6346, SB6162, SB6256, SB6220, SB5650, SB6343, SB6113, SB6211, SB6114, SB5898, SB6347, SB6244, SB5868, SB5762, SB5988, SB6194, SB6246, SB6223, SB6052, SB5828, SB5954, SB5963, SB5909, SGA9306

Keywords: grocery establishments, closure notice, consumer rights, local businesses, student financial aid, financial aid fraud, higher education, college enrollment fraud, fictitious students, ghost students, enrollment fraud, aid integrity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, AI fraud, fraud prevention, Washington State, legislative audit, JLARC, full-time equivalent

Transcript Highlights:

• Voc Rehab and Blind Services are two different budget entities.
• It is not a degree-granting entity; rather, it's a certificate-granting entity.
• Over half also, over half of the entities that we surveyed don't keep their patches up to date.
• Over half of the entities that we surveyed don't keep their patches up to date.
• And so we found entities across Florida that are four, five, or six series of patches behind.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• The care management entities are unable to bill for these services.
• So, um, it is public funds being utilized by public entities.
• the receiving entity of the funds were the receiving entity of the funds were to<05:05:46.360><c> disburse
• So, um, it is public funds being utilized by public entities.
• So, um, it is public funds being utilized by public entities.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have heard initial inquiries from public entities on both sides of the Cascades.
• Ecology encourages tribes and public entities to reach out early to brainstorm potential projects.
• I acknowledge the match requirement can become a barrier for small public entities.
• I also acknowledge the time it takes for small public entities to access relief.
• And that is a need we've heard articulated from entities across the state, as the emergency response

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have heard initial inquiries from public entities on both sides of the Cascades.
• Ecology encourages tribes and public entities to reach out early to brainstorm potential projects.
• I acknowledge the match requirement can become a barrier for small public entities.
• I also acknowledge the time it takes for small public entities to access relief.
• And that is a need we've heard articulated from entities across the state, as the emergency response

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year, with the vote appearing unanimous. After a brief discussion about who would chair the rest of the meeting, the committee proceeded to its regular agenda focused on the 2026 drought situation in Washington. The Washington state climatologist, Karen Mbacca, and Department of Ecology drought staff presented data showing a statewide drought declaration issued April 8 due to very low snowpack, warm winter temperatures, and resulting water supply concerns. They described the state’s statutory drought criteria, current reservoir and streamflow conditions, Yakima Basin water supply forecasts, likely summer temperature and precipitation outlooks, and the possibility of an El Niño developing later in the year. Ecology said the declaration makes $3 million in drought response grants available and allows expedited water transfer processing, and staff said they are already hearing concerns about impacts to agriculture, fish, and drinking water systems. Committee members discussed the need for longer-term drought preparedness, possible legislative tools, and whether additional funding or reservoir/storage strategies should be considered. Rep. Dent and others asked about available grant money and future mitigation planning, while Ecology said it is open to working with the legislature and stakeholders on resilience measures. The committee then heard a contrasting presentation from Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington, who argued there is no current drought emergency because reservoirs are full, precipitation and soil moisture are near or above normal in many areas, and agriculture is performing well; he said the state’s drought declaration is not justified by current conditions. Members questioned him about reservoir capacity, drought definitions, and forecasts, and the meeting ended with several members thanking departing legislators and noting the importance of continued water planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• local government has completed its work but is waiting on necessary action by another government entity
• The bill establishes that any government entity other than a local government special purpose district
• And if the review is not completed by the deadline, then the government entity must refund 20% of the
• applicant may agree in writing to waive the permitting review deadlines applicable to a government entity
• guardrails around it, lacked sufficient notice requirements, and lacked cooperation between the entities

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• families to have more options in homeownership opportunities while working along with a nonprofit entity
• families to have more options in homeownership opportunities while working along with a nonprofit entity
• families to have more options in homeownership opportunities while working along with a nonprofit entity
• But now we're introducing another entity to come in and buy homes as well when we can't build fast enough
• But now we're introducing another entity to come in positioning.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development met first as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then later established quorum and heard five housing-related bills. AB 748 would require local governments to create preapproved housing plan programs for single-family and small multifamily projects under 10 units, expanding a model already used for ADUs; the author and Habitat for Humanity argued it would save time and money, and there was no opposition. The committee later passed AB 748 unanimously to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. AB 739 would require managing agents for common interest developments to provide HOAs a summary of fees charged and paid to management companies. Realtors and community managers supported the bill as a transparency measure, while the California Association of Community Managers initially opposed it but said it would remove opposition if committee amendments were adopted to avoid blanket mailings and cost increases. The committee adopted the amendments and passed AB 739 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 939 would remove the 180-day resale restriction for certain income-restricted for-sale units when a developer is under contract with a qualified nonprofit affordable housing organization, allowing units to be sold sooner to low-income buyers. Habitat for Humanity, the California Building Industry Association, and several housing groups supported the measure as a no-cost fix to reduce vacancy and carrying costs, while the California Association of Realtors opposed it, warning it could create a right of first refusal and set a precedent affecting property rights and competition. After discussion about the narrow scope and committee amendments, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. AB 1070 would direct the state to study and potentially modernize building code treatment for small, middle-housing projects so that low-rise buildings with three to ten units could be regulated more like residential structures rather than commercial ones. Supporters said the current code makes small multifamily projects unnecessarily expensive and that other states have adopted similar approaches; there was no opposition. The committee passed AB 1070 unanimously to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1184, by the vice chair, would increase HOA transparency and resident access to records, including recordings of HOA meetings; it had no witnesses in opposition and passed 8-0 as amended to Appropriations. After the meeting, absent members later added votes, and the final recorded votes were 10-1 for AB 939, 11-0 for AB 1070 and AB 1184, and unanimous support for AB 739 and AB 748.

Transcript Highlights:

• through the Community Services Block Grant and its network of local CSBG agencies defined as eligible entities
• California Community Action and CSBG-eligible entities have long been leaders in this national community
• Knight, could you talk about how CalCAPA has supported CSBG entities with the implementation of CalAIM
• And NCIDC also contracts directly with each tribal government or their designated tribal entity.
• I'll speak maybe on behalf of counties and public entities.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.