Transcript Highlights:

• are taking a serious toll on students' ability to focus in the classroom and their overall mental health
• are taking a serious toll on students' ability to focus in the classroom and their overall mental health
• </c> Adolescence social and emotional Health Adolescence social and emotional Health as<00:10:30.880>
• </c> think about the age and their brain think about the age and their brain development<00:12:26.519
• </c> and a growing demand for mental health and a growing demand for mental health support<01:01:19.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SB1265, SB1198, SB2046, SB1415, SB1714, SB1962, SB26, SB172, SB260, SB264, SB1525, SB1332, SB1998, SB1378, SB1771, SB1919, SB2018, SB1936, SB1612, SB1543, SB1260, SB1988, SB1859, SB2041, SB1257, SB1726, SB1236, SB1633, SB1413, SB1317, SB1360, SB1342, SB1477, SB1189, SB1546, SB1524, SB1338, SB1193, SB1812, SB1617, SB1638, SB504, SB2072, SB1283, SB1216, SB1655, SB2011, SB1643, SB1446, SB1256, SB1258, SB1441, SB1224, SB1448, SB1496, SB1597, SB1621, SB1827, SB2066, SB2104

Keywords: municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, healthcare authority, property lien, county treasury, Oklahoma, municipalities

Bills: SB1265, SB1198, SB2046, SB1415, SB1714, SB1962, SB26, SB172, SB260, SB264, SB1525, SB1332, SB1998, SB1378, SB1771, SB1919, SB2018, SB1936, SB1612, SB1543, SB1260, SB1988, SB1859, SB2041, SB1257, SB1726, SB1236, SB1633, SB1413, SB1317, SB1360, SB1342, SB1477, SB1189, SB1546, SB1524, SB1338, SB1193, SB1812, SB1617, SB1638, SB504, SB2072, SB1283, SB1216, SB1655, SB2011, SB1643, SB1446, SB1256, SB1258, SB1441, SB1224, SB1448, SB1496, SB1597, SB1621, SB1827, SB2066, SB2104

Keywords: municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, healthcare authority, property lien, county treasury, Oklahoma, municipalities

Summary: The Senate convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared present. The chamber opened with a prayer offered by Senator Peterson, followed by recognitions of the Nurse of the Day, Amanda Fisher, and the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Lee Schaffler, both introduced with brief biographical remarks and applause from members. The Senate also recognized the week’s pages, who introduced themselves and described their schools, assignments, and future plans. Several announcements were then made about upcoming committee and caucus meetings, including Local and County Government, Economic Development, Workforce, and Tourism, Judiciary, the first meeting of the Disability Caucus, and the start of devotion time the next morning. No legislation was debated or voted on during the session. The only formal action was adoption of a motion to adjourn, and the Senate stood adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> operated mental health facilities. operated mental health facilities.
• House Bill 385, an act relating to state operated mental health facilities. Representative Proctor.
• mental health facilities.
• mental health facilities.
• </c> relating to health services for youths. relating to health services for youths.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:05:34 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:06:28 Orders of the Day 00:08:10 HB 542 00:08:34 HB 565 00:23:06 HB 611 00:25:32 HB 657 00:28:39 HB 762 00:31:07 HB 108 00:34:54 HB 67 00:39:02 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:46:48 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 00:58:42 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 00:59:12 ConC/Rules Report 01:02:18 Floor Amendments 01:03:42 Adjournment 01:04:02, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ask, with your permission, to introduce Suzanne Pridgen, our Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Operations
• The regional education consortia were created to help support the efficient and effective operations
• And the consortium is the thread through those districts because we have enduring relationships.
• Here's some examples of operational support.
• He also reviews the health insurance issues that we have from a county level.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first heard a Department of Education program review on three district support programs: assistance to low-performing schools, the Florida Partnership program, and regional literacy teams (RAISE). Dr. Paul Burns described how the Bureau of School Improvement supports schools with D/F grades through regional teams, classroom observations, professional learning, and targeted funding, noting that 104 of 168 low-performing schools improved after 2022-23 and that the share of failing schools fell from 6% to 4%. He also outlined the Florida Partnership’s $4 million annual appropriation for advanced-course teacher training and student access, and the RAISE literacy program’s $5 million funding, universal/targeted/intensive supports, and progress monitoring results. Senators asked about rural participation, post-COVID reading data, parent support, and how long schools remain under monitoring after improving; Burns said rural districts can participate statewide, parents can access school and department support, and schools continue to receive monitoring after exiting low-performing status to prevent recidivism. The committee then received a presentation on the school district education foundation matching grants program from Suzanne Pridgen, who explained that the Consortium of the Florida Education Foundations administers the grants, which require private matching funds and support tutoring, literacy, STEM, career education, professional learning, books, and supplies. She said the program leverages about $1.44 in private support for every state dollar. The committee then moved to the regional education consortia, where representatives from PAEC, NEFEC, and Heartland, along with several rural superintendents, described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide economies of scale, professional learning, HR, risk management, purchasing, legal and operational support, crisis assistance, and leadership development for small and fiscally constrained districts. Superintendents from Lafayette, Holmes, Calhoun, Union, DeSoto, and Hendry counties testified that the consortia are essential because rural districts often have very small staffs, multiple-duty administrators, and limited in-house expertise. They cited support with insurance and hurricane recovery, training for new finance and HR staff, instructional coaching, CTE and leadership programs, and help with turnaround schools. Members emphasized that these districts can be high-performing despite limited resources, and several senators praised the consortia’s value. Senator Gaetz asked about additional back-office collaboration, possible regulatory relief, and FEFP issues tied to scholarship-related enrollment swings; rural superintendents responded that more local control would help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Health and Human Services.
• The family planning clinic at Coos County Family Health Services also operates the domestic violence
• </c> in Kowas County Family Health Services. in Kowas County Family Health Services.
• But that’s an operational thing.
• </c> total health care system. total health care system.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 work session focused largely on amendment 1176 to HB 2, which would have incorporated the substance of HB 548FN, a House-passed bill creating a direct-pay or membership-based model for health care facilities. Representative Mlan described the proposal as a way to increase competition in health care by extending the direct-care model used in primary care to facilities, arguing it could encourage innovation and that concerns about widespread harm to critical access hospitals were overstated. He pointed to Oklahoma’s long-standing Surgical Center model as evidence that the approach had not spread broadly or displaced hospitals there. Several members and witnesses raised concerns. Representative Stringham questioned whether the model would shift profitable services and patients away from existing hospitals, potentially worsening their finances and affecting Medicaid-related funding. David Ross, speaking for county nursing homes, opposed the language because it also removed moratoriums on nursing home, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and self-pay beds, warning that it could increase pressure on Medicaid rates and undermine community-based care. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said the proposal appeared to create a separate regulatory framework for direct-pay facilities and raised concerns about patient safety, CMS participation rules, and a separate patient bill of rights. The chair concluded that, because HB 548 was already moving through the Senate, the HB 2 process was not the best vehicle for the policy and that the issue should be left to the Senate’s more deliberative committee process. Representative Ferski moved to not accept or remove amendment 1176 from the agenda, and the committee approved the motion by roll call, 9-0, withdrawing the item from HB 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a public defender, I'm deeply invested in the health and safety of all people.
• AB 256 does not contribute to the health and safety of community members.
• there's any common link I see here today, I think we could do much more in building a robust mental health
• in state prison to possess a specified controlled substance while in possession of a loaded and operable
• in state prison to possess a specified controlled substance while in possession of a loaded and operable

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• out a form to voluntarily download and fill out a form to voluntarily let physicians know and other health
• CS for SB 756 on health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities by Senator
• CS for SB 756 on health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities by Senator
• While these private religious institutions operate without licensure, they should operate under some
• It is an absolutely important issue to protect property and address public health and safety.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• and mental health needs.
• You voted yes on health care authority receiving additional funds.
• And you're going to be able to use some of that $2.5 million for operations reasons.
• I'm a family physician and the chief medical officer for the Department of Health.
• They are an international organization dedicated to improving public health outcomes.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We give you thanks, for you are the one who keeps us on a path that endures, and as this prayer comes
• They're operational. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Their operational and economic footprint extends through multiple districts.
• Mental health... ...that this bill would be impacting, they are suffering from anxiety, mental health
• helps them know what businesses are operating in their communities.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Joseph Di Alessandro, the Pledge of Allegiance, and announcements confirming a quorum. Members also adopted the special order report and recognized several guests in the gallery, including former Speaker Dan Webster and law enforcement and civic visitors. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar of bills, mostly on third reading, with several measures passing unanimously or by wide margins. Among the bills considered were measures on civil procedure and estates, including C.S. HB 1407 on commencement of civil actions, HB 895 on trustee settlement and discharge, C.S. HB 1337 on estates, HB 131 on curators of estates, and C.S. HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations. The House also passed C.S. HB 441 on conservation lands, which would lengthen notice and increase transparency for land swaps involving conservation property, and C.S. CS HB 919 on commercial service airports, which created a statutory definition for major airports and preempted local naming authority for several airports. HB 919 drew extensive debate over the proposed naming of Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald J. Trump, with amendments to delay or alter the naming failing before the bill passed. Other bills approved included HB 409 requiring K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, CS HB 461 allowing certain students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, CS HB 1115 creating grants for genetic counseling education, HB 569 revising forensic client services, CS HB 505 regulating virtual currency kiosks to address fraud, and HB 271 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers. The House also passed HB 191 on re-employment assistance eligibility verification after extended questioning about its effects on benefits, appeals, and suitable work standards. One bill, CS HB 243 on electric bicycles, was temporarily postponed, and CS HB 1073 on school districts was also postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> get it to where everybody's operating get it to where everybody's operating legally<00:35:31.119
• of our businesses that are the health of our businesses that are currently<00:38:09.680><c> operating
• And I just feel currently operating.
• </c> facility benefit for most health plans. facility benefit for most health plans.
• Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public Health, 902 KAR 1:30.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a federally funded program that operates on a 7-year grant cycle.
• This is a federally funded program that operates on a 7-year grant cycle.
• This is a federally funded program that operates on a 7-year grant cycle.
• This is a federally funded program that operates on a 7-year grant cycle.
• This is a federally funded program that operates on a 7-year grant cycle.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WILL COME TO ORDER.
• THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL HAVE A PROBLEM. THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.
• BEFORE THE HEALTH POLICY COMMITTEE. AND PARTICULARLY IN ADDRESSING THE DEFINITION OF BLOOD CLOTS.
• JJ JUST ESCAPED THE MANAGED HEALTH CARE PLAN FOR CHILDREN WITH HEALTH CARE NEEDS LIKE THE WAIVER YOUR
• FOR A MANAGED CARE PLAN FOR CHILDREN'S SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES 85 PERCENT FAILURE IS NOT GOOD.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please, Lord, be with us when we're serving and have your hand in our brains and our thought processes
• Paula Stone, Director, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Department of Human Services.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please, Lord, be with us when we're serving and have your hand in our brains and our thought processes
• Paula Stone, Director, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Department of Human Services.

Summary: The committee opened with prayer, approved the January 7 meeting minutes, and then reviewed several Department of Human Services rules. One rule would allow rehabilitative hospitals to open psychiatric units, provide acute psychiatric services, and receive Medicaid reimbursement, addressing a service gap, especially in Jefferson County. Another rule would let DHS participate in a CMS cell and gene therapy model to support value-based payment agreements for treating sickle cell disorder with CGT therapy. A third DHS rule would exempt the state from the CMS recovery audit contractor requirement. DHS explained that recovery audit contractors typically work on contingency to identify fraud, waste, abuse, or overpayments, but Arkansas law prohibits contingency arrangements of that kind. DHS said the state already has multiple other program integrity layers, including internal reviews, an external payment integrity office, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Members asked for clarification on the role of recovery audit contractors, and DHS responded that they perform post-payment audits and recoveries. All three DHS rules were reviewed without objection. Near the end of the meeting, Representative Pilkington asked about a reported increase in uninsured individuals in a DHS postpartum report, but DHS said it was not prepared to answer and would follow up offline. Representative Johnson also asked about a handout related to program integrity and Arkansas Medicaid. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please, Lord, be with us when we're serving and have your hand in our brains and our thought processes
• Paula Stone, Director, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Department of Human Services.

Summary: The committee met with prayer and approved the January 7 meeting minutes. It then reviewed several Department of Human Services rules. One rule would allow rehabilitative hospitals to open psychiatric units and receive Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric acute services, addressing a service gap in places such as Jefferson County. Another would let DHS participate in a CMS cell and gene therapy model to support value-based payment agreements for treating sickle cell disorder with CGT therapy. A third DHS rule would exempt the state from the CMS recovery audit contractor requirement. DHS explained that recovery audit contractors typically work on contingency to identify fraud, waste, abuse, or overpayments, but Arkansas law prevents contingency arrangements, so the state relies instead on internal retrospective reviews, a payment integrity office, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Members asked for clarification on how those audits work, and DHS described the existing oversight layers. During new business, Representative Pilkington asked about a reported increase in uninsured individuals in a quarterly postpartum report, but DHS said it was not prepared to answer and would follow up offline. Representative Johnson also asked about a handout related to program integrity and Arkansas Medicaid. With no further business, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our remote services include wellness and fitness activities such as Zumba and personal health.
• Instead, it creates a central coordinating hub so state departments can operate...
• Last year, I experienced a serious health episode.
• challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder or brain injuries.
• Once a new partner is in place, full joint operation of the ADRC will be reestablished.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lowell operates under an agreement with both federal and state authorities.
• Many affected neighborhoods have historically ...and create health hazards during storms.
• Are you guys operating under the proposed Regulations out there now?
• Are you guys operating under the proposed new regulations or the current existing ones, which, as in
• I can't imagine enduring the pain without the answers you deserve.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Representative David Linsky supported HB 3383, which would designate the song “Roadrunner” as the official rock song of Massachusetts, describing its Boston roots and cultural significance. Representative Sean Garberle supported HB 3335 on public access to historical records, arguing that records from state institutions should be released after 75 years and that families and researchers should be able to identify people buried in unmarked graves at former state institutions. Representative Rodney Elliott and Lowell officials supported HB 4138, authorizing easements for a Lowell sewer separation project; they said the project is needed for Clean Water Act compliance, will reduce combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River, and must proceed quickly to meet SRF and consent-decree timelines. Committee members asked about Article 97, the location and scope of the easement, environmental justice impacts, and minority/small business participation in construction. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate 2183 and its House companion, which would elevate the Massachusetts National Guard to a cabinet-level position reporting directly to the Governor. Senators Mike Moore and John Velis, along with the National Guard Association’s Matthew McKenna, argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve communication and readiness, and reflect the Guard’s broad domestic and military missions. Velis cited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragedy as an example of a breakdown in communication, while committee members said they wanted more information, including input from the Governor’s office and Guard leadership, before acting. The committee noted the distinction between state-controlled and federalized Guard missions and said it would continue reviewing the issue. Senator Liz Miranda and a large panel of survivors, advocates, and Northeastern law students testified in support of S. 2174 and S. 2177, which would create an office and task force on unsolved homicides, allow families to petition for case review after three years, require written responses, and establish a tip line, database, and dedicated funding. Witnesses described long-standing lack of communication, low clearance rates, and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Senator Becca Rausch also testified on S. 2210, extending public records law to the governor and Legislature, and S. 2207, creating stronger information-governance and records-retention standards; she said both would improve transparency and reduce waste. The transcript does not reflect any votes taken during the hearing, though chairs repeatedly indicated support for moving some bills favorably and said the committee would continue reviewing the National Guard proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> financial and operational challenges. financial and operational challenges.
• The purple level, 201 to 300, health alert, the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
• The purple level, 201 to 300, health alert, the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
• alert the risk of health effects health alert the risk of health effects is<01:29:54.400><c> increased
• And then for mental health, we have significant funding in there for health and well-being.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one more acquisition by the largest health care conglomerate in the world, United Health Group,
• In some cases, the state is, you know, one of the factors is operating a practice, a health care practice
• A body of national research suggests that private equity investment in health care generally causes health
• In health care generally causes health care prices to rise.
• This is a public health crisis.

Keywords: 904, all