Transcript Highlights:

• folks are not getting the resources that are needed, and we're trying to ensure that we create a system
• Our notion was we didn't want them to become anonymous because in the system, when they get anonymity
• Remember that we are providing a statewide system they call it student information system.
• I'm sorry we don't have somebody here from PE that is an expert in their system.
• or you've worked in the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:29.919><c> and</c> United States immigration system and United States immigration system and
• as well as the civil system.
• </c> justice system. justice system.
• . system. system.
• </c> humane immigration system. I do. humane immigration system. I do.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clair, in which she states, and I quote, 'This mess is what happens when we build a regulatory system
• The system should help that out.
• That issue was not that significant of an issue, but the system worked.
• And it's unfortunate that they had one slipup, but I suppose the system worked and caught it.
• The system worked and caught it. Thank you. Any other questions? Seeing none. Thank you very much.

Summary: The committee met to hear Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described a constituent’s experience with contamination near an old landfill in Franklin County and said the bill was intended to give the Department of Natural Resources clearer authority to investigate and remediate such sites, create a funding stream by redirecting 10% of solid waste tipping fees, establish an interim committee for further study, and tighten seller disclosure requirements for properties with abandoned landfills. He argued the state has 29 such sites, that the issue has been ignored for decades, and that environmental studies are the necessary first step before cleanup and possible grant applications. Support came from University of Missouri engineering dean Marisa Grosoccoe, who said the bill would provide the regulatory framework and stable funding needed to move forward, noting that even about $1 million annually would likely fund only a few studies per year but would reduce uncertainty and help identify cleanup costs and future land use options. She emphasized that studies can unlock additional funding and eventual redevelopment benefits. In opposition, Solid Waste Advisory Board chair Chris Bussin and Mark Solid Waste District program manager Diana Bryant argued the districts already perform important recycling and household hazardous waste work, that the proposed diversion of tipping fees would significantly reduce local program funding, and that DNR already has authority to address landfill issues. They also questioned the accuracy of the abandoned landfill list and warned that cuts could harm existing services. A county commissioner testifying for information purposes echoed concerns about impacts on small communities and local grant-funded recycling programs. No vote was taken, and the hearing was closed after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Big Beautiful Bill was probably one of the most significant bills to kind of clean up our welfare system
• ... ...bill was probably one of the most significant bills to kind of clean up our welfare system, to
• It is actually a tiered system for how much the state would be penalized based on what our error rate
• It is actually a tiered system for how much the state would be penalized based on what our error rate
• No charitable system can replace that scale. For these reasons, we urge you to vote no on HB 730.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When our solar buildout is complete, CSGs will only be a small part of Minnesota’s electric system, but
• When our solar buildout is complete, CSGs will only be a small part of Minnesota’s electric system, but
• When our solar buildout is complete, CSGs will only be a small part of Minnesota’s electric system, but
• Years ago, we had PVC piping in heating oil systems.
• WE PCV PIPING AND HEATING OIL SYSTEMS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For these amended offenses, qualifying elements are manually verified in the system by my staff to ensure
• Department requests $10 million and 2627 to implement the last two video surveillance systems.
• It was recommended by the State Fire Marshal, given our systems were failing.
• We all know that our state prison system has a lot of institutions that are aging in place.
• failing roof affect the fire alarm system.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a priority system that we are essentially removing because every student gets access.
• School system? WHERE I KNOW THIS BILL AND HOW IT&nbsp; CAME ABOUT BECAUSE I AM IN MIAMI.
• SCHOOL SYSTEM?&nbsp; 311 Rep. Robinson: How and who is responsible? Is the school responsible?
• The school system? I see you put parent consent. Does parent consent then waive responsibility?
• Mary Summers, representing BayCare HealthCare System, waives in support.

Summary: The House Education Employment Committee heard seven bills and reported each favorably. HB 129 on Florida Virtual School would remove a priority system, confirm access for all Florida students and eligible military dependents overseas, clarify teacher retirement status, allow local schools to administer required exams, and authorize direct-support organizations; it passed unanimously after brief questions about audit-related updates and waitlists. HB 423 on student elopement, sponsored by Rep. Eskamani and Rep. Tramont, would require schools to establish safety teams and prevention plans for students who may leave supervised areas; testimony from autism advocates emphasized drowning and other safety risks, and the bill passed 16-0 with strong bipartisan support. The committee also approved CS for CS HB 753 on school counselors, which removes certain certification barriers while keeping the master’s degree requirement and sets evaluation criteria based on state counseling standards. Supporters said the bill would help address counselor shortages and align evaluations with the profession’s actual duties. CS HB 1253 on coach support for student-athletes, as amended, allows coaches to use personal funds up to a capped amount for student needs with written parental consent; members raised concerns about liability, fairness, and the need for clear guardrails, but the bill passed 15-0. CS HB 833 on private school facilities would make small private schools of 100 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and allow use of existing buildings if fire and code standards are met; supporters said it would reduce local barriers while preserving safety, and it passed 15-0. PCS for CS HB 1325 would update the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund by clarifying matching contributions, allowing expansion or modernization of existing space but not new construction, and streamlining awards; it passed unanimously with broad college and health system support. Finally, CS HB 1437 on conversion charter schools would create clearer dispute-resolution options for facility maintenance issues and, via amendment, allow capital outlay funds for repairs if the charter assumes full responsibility; after debate over whether the amendment was premature, the bill passed 13-3. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So RS 32-89 is looking at old code that pertains to the regional library systems that haven't existed
• Think of ways if the current system we have was not designed to handle what's being placed on it now,
• help us know what that system could look like so that we can work with you and fund that if that's what
• Here with our current system.
• help us, I can tell you from a legislative point of view, when we talk about adding money to the system

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21, 2026 minutes and then heard two print requests from Senator Carrie Semmelroth tied to code cleanup work that originated from House Bill 14 last session. RS 32-89 would remove obsolete references to regional library systems that no longer exist, and RS 32-91 would clean up Title 33 by removing redundancies and non-applicable provisions. Both RSs were moved to print and approved without opposition. The committee then held a special presentation on spelling to communicate (S2C) from Kara Sanders, followed by testimony from Jennifer Ruiz on behalf of her daughter Ray Ruiz. Sanders described S2C as a communication method for non-speaking people who can point to letters to spell their thoughts, emphasizing presuming competence, the role of a communication regulation partner, and the need for training and safeguards. Ray Ruiz testified that S2C opened communication and educational opportunities for her, including sharing her interests, languages, and goals in psychology and advocacy; committee members asked about when she began spelling, learning languages, and her education plans. Jennifer Ruiz said S2C allowed her to truly get to know her daughter after years of uncertainty. The final presentation was from Dr. Brooke Blevins on behalf of the Idaho Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. She outlined educator preparation efforts across Idaho’s colleges and universities, including work on student behavior, educator ethics, career and technical education, rural teacher preparation, early literacy, and generative AI. In response to committee questions, she said schools need more support personnel and tiered interventions to address behavior, stressed that education is a right, and said clear expectations, stable environments, and teacher retention are important. Members raised concerns that student behavior is becoming a crisis and urged the group to help develop new solutions; the presentation ended with the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So RS 32-89 is looking at old code that pertains to the regional library systems that haven't existed
• Think of ways if the current system we have was not designed to handle what's being placed on it now,
• help us know what that system could look like so that we can work with you and fund that if that's what
• And we respect everything you're doing. here with our current system.
• help us, I can tell you from a legislative point of view, when we talk about adding money to the system

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows nonadversarial trusts to be discharged without having to go through the court system
• Salzman: How can we help state university and college systems across Florida to be safer?
• We worked with Ray Rodriguez of the Board of Governors, we worked with the university systems. Rep.
• We will require public institutions to have campus-wide alerting systems that clearly Rep.
• The fact there is no standard for state college and university systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1016 will hopefully fix some of these systemic barriers by allowing DCF to have a better
• It'll allow the system to know who is enrolled for us to know that we are enrolled and also provide the
• We're looking at our client data management system. How can we have a better system at that?
• All these things we're looking to improve because if we can improve our systems, we could take away a
• . and optimism for what you bring and what you and the hope for bringing better systems that make it

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard and advanced several bills and confirmations. SB 1016, on medical assistance eligibility for working persons with disabilities, was amended to remove automatic enrollment and to improve information sharing between AHCA and DCF; supporters said the bill codifies an existing program that helps developmentally disabled adults work without losing Medicaid coverage, and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 1002, on temporary custody of minor children, was amended to focus on substance abuse as a pathway for court intervention when parental drug abuse creates ongoing risk to a child, and it was also reported favorably. SB 1594, on veteran benefit payments for minor clients in foster care, would ensure military benefits accessed for foster youth are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare rather than used as reimbursement to agencies; it passed favorably without amendment. The committee also considered SB 1630 on aging and disability services, a broad modernization bill covering long-term care screening, emergency continuity of care, area agency oversight, Alzheimer’s services, home care, and guardianship reforms. Two amendments were adopted, including one on competitive procurement and another allowing area agencies on aging to directly provide core services during emergencies with department approval. Supporters emphasized caregiver navigation, dementia training, and service continuity, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1030 on substance abuse services/recovery residences was taken up with a substitute amendment that narrowed transfer definitions, required faster licensure action for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident medical records; stakeholders said further work was needed, but the committee still reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard the nomination of Robert Astellos to lead the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. He outlined priorities including reducing the pre-enrollment list, improving transparency and family involvement, strengthening customer service, and streamlining agency processes. Several disability and provider organizations appeared in support, and the committee voted to recommend his confirmation. The committee then recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10 by a single favorable vote, and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• million in contingency funding for the new capital endowment for the Texas State Technical College System
• So please do not forget about the funding strategies that may be needed for the Teacher Retirement System
• My wife retired from the Teacher Retirement System in 2001 with 22 years of service. 25 years with 21
• this immediate impact. loss of funding will result in a return to waitlists in the mental health system
• HHSC to take any steps they can to mitigate the immediate negative impacts of these cuts to our system

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• occasionally, the department has to step in and work on some interventions. ...intervention within systems
• They can release those systems, but this bill would allow that provisionally they could be called back
• the only other changes, which is trying to create oversight so that you can turn it back to that system
• When a school system, a public school, in those three grades, it's 15% ELL.
• So, some of these school systems that may be chosen...

Bills: HB298, HB342, HB332, HB344

Keywords: athletic classification, public high schools, English language learners, state education policy, athletic associations, religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just had a couple of questions that have been relayed to me from my local school system.
• And second... ...local school systems for that.
• And how the local school systems are dealing with that?
• ...school systems are dealing with that currently.
• For instance, Albertville City school systems is 33%. You know, our teachers are desperate...

Bills: HB61, HB327, HB253, HB297

Keywords: home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, parental leave, state employees, adoption, employee benefits, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, lease tax, rental tax, commercial aircraft, air carrier, airline, aircraft parts, maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• minimal technology, lack minimal hardware and software capabilities, including basic data backup systems
• ><c> backup</c> capabilities including basic data backup capabilities including basic data backup systems
• and data security which are systems and data security which are critical<00:08:25.520><c> for</c><00
• Given the way the world is working and the increased pressure of online-only reporting systems, we would
• we would expect more reporting systems we would expect more townships<00:10:37.079><c> to</c><00:10:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But what you just described to me is an inequity that we have within our system.
• That helps water, restores watershed function so we can build some resilience into the system.
• And we're not going to build resilience into the system. Statewide level.
• But in the meantime, while the river's high enough, the pump system that they put in place does deliver
• When the river dropped so low in that area, there's not enough head on the intake of the pump system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and it's owned by a system and that system is now losing money on the hospital buildings or is determined
• owned by a system and that system<01:12:21.520><c> is</c><01:12:21.760><c> now</c><01:12:22.000><c> losing
• Why make a change why hurt the system?
• has been added current system has been added to and now it is very unresponsive.
• They have responsibility for the SSIS system.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there is other gouging in the system, that should be addressed.
• It's the foundation of a safe maternity care system.
• Derek Boutte also supports this bill, Alameda Health System, Highland Hospital.
• system.
• They are the heart of this system.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be using a three-minute light system. When you begin, the light on the table will be green.
• For example, there have been reports that the water system is in need of repairs.
• We would be providing the education to youth regardless of where they are through our system.
• Transferring credit for kids in any HHS education program is the same system, yeah, the same system,
• The juvenile system as a whole is stretched very, very thin.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be using a three-minute light system. When you begin, the light on the table will be green.
• For example, there have been reports that the water system is in need of repairs.
• I, as a clinician, do not want to have a system where we are disrupting youth, the transition of youth
• We would be providing the education to youth regardless of where they are through our system, so that
• Transferring credit for kids in any HHS education program is the same system, yeah, the same system,

Keywords: 956, all