Transcript Highlights:

• The traumatic brain injury isn't even in the workers' comp guidelines, so that's not used, but in the
• Workers' comp, the fee guidelines are is 120% to 235% of Medicare.
• Um, and it, it has a sentence in here, I think it's very helpful.
• Jim, and then wrap up I will because I just want to read this sentence because it was suggested that
• That the sentence would be, it is reversible error for a court.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item two is the completion of guidelines and tools.
• And you can see there from the bullets, some of those guidelines that were adopted by the board.
• These included adoption of new investment policy statement guidelines, guidance, and tools to assist
• So if you look at the paragraph below the graph, the last sentence, the pharmacy cost trend is actually
• If it's one sentence, you could say it in one sentence? Absolutely. Do it.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, finish your sentence. Your time is up. >> Oh, okay.
• I mean, finish your sentence. >> I'm sorry. I mean, finish your sentence.
• In our experience, seclusion rooms are utilized with strict guidelines and clear documentation.
• <00:57:34.079> The guidelines and clear documentation.
• The guidelines and clear documentation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do think that the sentence should meet the crime.
• A 25-year sentence for a violent sex offender is different than a 100-year sentence for a violent sex
• Your sentence for a violent sex offender is different than a 100-year sentence for a violent sex offender
• hearing, knowing that the defendant's been sentenced to 100 years, Going to a sentencing hearing knowing
• We were told that sentencing meant something.

Summary: The committee heard AB 82, which would expand privacy and safety protections for patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care. The author and supporters said the bill is needed because of rising harassment, doxing, and threats, and because sensitive health data could be used by hostile actors; opponents argued it would create constitutional problems, enable abuse of safe-at-home protections, and improperly shield providers and records from scrutiny. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many advocates in support and many privacy, civil liberties, and anti-trafficking or sex-based policy groups in opposition. The bill was moved on a due pass recommendation and remained on call. The committee then heard AB 331, which would clarify that county election certification is a ministerial duty, prohibit misleading ballot return envelopes, and require voter information guides to be delivered to jails in an acceptable format. The Department of Justice and several good-government groups supported the measure, the Secretary of State had no position after amendments, and a committee member noted ongoing concerns but supported it after the changes. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1178 followed, proposing to protect undercover peace officers’ names, images, and likenesses in public records while preserving disclosure of sustained misconduct records. Law enforcement and public safety groups supported the bill as a needed safety measure, while journalists, transparency advocates, and civil liberties groups opposed it, saying existing law already protects officers and the new language could lead to overbroad withholding. After discussion about the scope of undercover status and the need for judicial discretion, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar. Later, AB 981 was heard, creating a five-county pilot program requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for certain reckless driving convictions. Supporters, including traffic safety advocates and crash victims, said the bill could reduce repeat speeding and save lives; opponents raised concerns about cost, installer oversight, liability for automakers, and the breadth of the pilot. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 22, which would repeal Proposition 57 and restrict release of sexually violent predators and certain sex offenders, drew strong opposition from youth justice, public defender, and civil liberties groups who said it would be unconstitutional and harmful; the chair recommended no, no motion was made, and the bill was held. Finally, AB 897, a squatter-removal bill, was presented with the author arguing it would protect property owners through a faster due-process process; the transcript cuts off during early support testimony and does not show a final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• or they received indeterminate sentencing.
• All of them were indeterminate sentenced youth.
• So the indeterminate sentences, there are no.
• He was not a determined sentence defender. He was an indeterminate sentence defender.
• It can become a determined sentence offense.

Bills: HB31, HB3360

Keywords: juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, delinquency, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• having worked in other states on energy grid, you know, I'm just trying to kind of help bring some guidelines
• having worked in other states on energy grid, you know, I'm just trying to kind of help bring some guidelines
• He was sentenced basically to monthly water testing, and then when he said, okay, let's take it over
• basically to monthly he was sentenced basically to monthly water<01:09:22.159> uh<01:09:22.319
• , and I'm going to skip ahead a sentence, and I'm going to skip ahead a sentence, the<01:10:36.640

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the guidelines that have come through from the...
• I'll just have a cemetery that there were actually some guidelines...
• And now, after the studies came out, these are some guidelines that we're actually working with to proceed
• Equity Advisory and Leadership Council, and strikes some confusing and unnecessary sentences in Subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm sure it's all you know, the I think this. revamp and change the guidelines at the federal level
• We appreciate the sponsor's intent, but our concerns are specific to the last sentence of what would
• In fact, because of that, CMS balanced model guidelines were recently released, and Medicaid coverage
• In fact, because of that, CMS balanced model guidelines were recently released, and Medicaid coverage
• He served half of his three-year sentence and promptly left the state. I had no idea where he went.

Bills: SB1052, SB1115, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1124, SB1171, SB1172, SB1174, SB1175, SB1214, SB1233, SB1235, SB1316, SB1345, SB1372, SB1399, SB1458, SB1494, SB1496, SB1564, SB1602, SB1621, SB1628, SB1630, SB1631, SB1668, SB1672, SB1814, SB1821

Keywords: assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, radiation protection

Transcript Highlights:

• I think at the end of that, um, the last sentence there where it ends with data collected, if we added
• I think at the end of that, um, the last sentence there where it ends with data collected, if we added
• <00:15:05.279> about separate sentence that talked about separate sentence that talked about
• /c><01:26:28.480> scope<01:26:28.880> that's guidelines and within a scope that's guidelines
• <03:38:13.279> in<03:38:13.600> that the following sentence in that the following sentence

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ADIM is an enforcement arm guidelines.
• guidelines are in place.
• throughout the country, those guidelines throughout the country, those guidelines are<01:31:02.320
• related<01:31:08.400> to<01:31:08.639> a guidelines or rules related to a guidelines
• goes through all of the guidelines goes through all of the guidelines related<01:41:31.360> to

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is the substitute bill that came from my colleague, Representative Gorman, and establishes clear guidelines
• establishes a hardship waiver process, and the courts must advise defendants of that waiver at sentencing

Bills: HJR11, HB59, HB418, HB342, HB408, HB409, HB133, HB134, HB414, HB355

Keywords: HOPE Court, homeless court, housing instability, homelessness, poverty elimination, problem-solving court, community court, diversion program, criminal justice reform, reentry, warrants, fines and fees, low-level offenses, housing access, public safety, recidivism, Delaware Judiciary, DSHA, DHSS, DELJIS

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and heard presentations on several bills. House Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute 1 for House Bill 145 would restrict government use of reverse keyword searches, generally prohibiting reverse keyword court orders and voluntary requests, with a narrow exception for Class A violent felony investigations and rules on notice, deletion, and inadmissibility of unlawfully obtained evidence. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, with House Amendment 1, would limit Delaware law enforcement and the Department of Correction’s participation in federal civil immigration enforcement, especially regarding civil immigration warrants and detainers, while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and valid judicial processes; the Department of Correction said it had no operational or fiscal impact and supported the exclusions, and an ACLU-affiliated witness testified in support. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 427 would allow certain 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in hunting and target practice without direct adult supervision if they have parental permission, hunter education, and a valid Delaware hunting license. House Bill 355, the “Speak Your Truth Act,” would expand anti-SLAPP-style protections for survivors of sexual assault, discrimination, and harassment by raising the burden in defamation suits and allowing attorney’s fees and damages; advocates from the National Women’s Defense League and the Speak Your Truth movement supported it. House Bill 134 would increase penalties for repeat animal cruelty offenders and lengthen animal ownership bans. The committee also heard House Bill 133, as amended, which would create a hardship waiver process allowing courts to waive fines and fees for defendants who cannot afford them, while preserving restitution and exempting certain traffic-related penalties and victim compensation assessments. The administration said the bill is intended to address uncollectable debt and noted millions in outstanding fines and fees, while local government and police representatives raised concerns about lost revenue, administrative burden, and consistency; the Fines and Fees Justice Center supported the measure. Committee members asked about how the waiver funding would affect local governments, volunteer fire companies, and related fees, and the administration said the $5 million budgeted this year would cover the waiver costs and be treated as an annual expense going forward. No committee votes were taken during the excerpted discussion, but the chair indicated that bills ready for action would be circulated for signature or moved to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• consult with new facilities, share knowledge, and develop proof of concept designs, and to draft a guideline
• The offenses there are individuals who have been sentenced for major crimes and there's because of their
• <00:31:26.240> for<00:31:26.400> major have been sentenced for major have been sentenced
• <00:43:01.840> And<00:43:02.080> so, done with the sentence.
• And so, done with the sentence.

Bills: SR185, HB2452, HB2329, HB2272, HB2273, HB2335, HB1656, HB2207, HB2289, HB1854, HB2581, HB20, HB2296, HB1707, HB2297, HB1890, HB2241, HB2474, HB1688, HB2546, HB1574, HB1546, HB2218, HB1163, HB1514, HB1749, HB2385, HB1576, HB1974, HB2022, HB1973, HB2005, HB1894, HB1515, HB1718, HB1591, HB2475, HB1721, HB1864, HB1946, HB1920

Keywords: Department of Education, capital improvement program, performance audit, infrastructure, transparency, state bonds, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, bond authorization, state debt limit, constitutional debt limit, Article VII Section 13, Hawaii bonds, state borrowing, public finance, capital improvement projects, supplemental appropriations, judiciary appropriations, refunding bonds, reimbursable bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the outline, the guideline that we use is 50%.
• day, you know, what the federal kind of requirements are in terms of whether there is a federal guideline
• , or are we making our own guidelines too?
• What does this last sentence mean, though, between 12 million and 36 million. this last sentence mean

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the outline, the guideline that we use is 50%.
• at the end, you know, what the federal kind of requirements are in terms of, is there a federal guideline
• , or are we making our own guidelines too?
• What does this last sentence mean, though, between 12 million and 36 million?
• What does this last sentence mean, though, between 12 million and 36 million.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on major health-related projects and programs. CHI St. Alexius representatives reported progress on behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks, including demolition and construction milestones, staffing plans, and timelines. The Bismarck project remains on track for completion in June 2027 with about $346,500 spent to date. Williston reported construction underway, a $750,000 unbudgeted air handler replacement, active recruitment for psychiatrists and other staff, and a projected substantial completion in early 2027. Grand Forks reported about 30% completion, weather-tight status expected in August, and continued staffing ramp-up as the facility expands from its current 24-bed operation. The Department of Health and Human Services then reviewed a set of technical line-item transfers, emphasizing that they were administrative corrections with no net change in funding. The department also walked through the Salaries and Wages Block Grant and FTE counts, noting overall staffing remained within appropriated limits and that behavioral health staffing had increased. Members asked about vacancies, consultant use, and the mix of in-state versus out-of-state expertise for the Rural Health Transformation Program. HHS said it had posted 12 funding opportunities, received 422 applications, obligated $8.4 million so far, hired 26 people, and was preparing additional grant rounds and a CMS budget submission. The department said the program is structured around workforce, prevention/healthy living, care closer to home, and technology/data, with ongoing stakeholder engagement and community forums. The committee also heard on the certified community behavioral health clinic implementation plan, SNAP payment error rates, and the state laboratory project. HHS said CCBHC certification is being implemented in four regions—Williston, Minot/North Central, Fargo/Southeast, and Dickinson/Badlands—with care coordination expanding and baseline data still being collected. On SNAP, the department reported a 2025 payment error rate of 9.89%, acknowledged cost impacts under HR1, and said it is using training, system changes, and pre-authorization quality checks to reduce errors toward a 6% target over the next 6 to 12 months. Finally, Public Health reported the state laboratory reached substantial completion on June 12, with total costs at $69.95 million of the $70 million budget, though a service elevator issue will require a new lift to be added using contingency funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• that It could very well be that somebody spends their whole life in prison, but if you receive that sentence
• But there are a lot of people who do not get out of prison on the life sentences. Sure, Mr.
• Given guidelines from LFC's budget guidelines to fund 5, we could have found a way to do that.
• We don't have standard underwriting guidelines between our three agencies. I don't believe we do.

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm wondering how you think that a committee who's legislated and has specific rules and guidelines
• the standards for CMS are: Med-Surg is one to three or four, ICUs is one to two, and that is CMS guidelines
• He talked about CMS guidelines. Sorry, there were a lot of notes. Oh, Edith, I believe you.
• How does that change somebody's length of stay, you know, sentence, etcetera, if they simply just refuse
• It's a sentencing enhancement, so let's say I charged him with aggravated DWI.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all for joining us, and I do appreciate trying to compound a lot into a few short sentences
• Thank you all for for joining us, and I do appreciate trying to compound a lot into a few short sentences
• are not authorized by the chapter that you will roll in because it looks like when you read the sentence
• This new tier in Section 29, does this work with federal law and guidelines in terms of that funding
• The expedited process kind of gives us some broad guidelines, but does not have a lot of specificity.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He had been speaking in sentences. He no longer spoke until he was about five again.
• He no longer been speaking in sentences.
• , those outdated guidelines, and refusing to follow the new alternative CDC guidelines which allow for
• ,<01:51:02.159> those<01:51:02.719> outdated<01:51:03.280> guidelines guidelines
• , those outdated guidelines guidelines, those outdated guidelines and<01:51:04.320> refusing<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that was creating another barrier that was keeping families together despite a person's sentence.
• The bill before us person's sentence.
• Um, but the Federal Communications Commission has put out new guidelines about the caps for a lot of
• Um, but the Federal Communications Commission has put out new guidelines about the caps for a lot of
• And again, not all folks that are confined or sentenced are there for the same reasons.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• one, lines 9 to 11, we will allow the loan-to-value ratio to be the maximum permitted by federal guidelines
• We'll also take the Attorney General's amendment to amend the sentence beginning on page two, line 11
• Attorney General's amendment to amend Attorney General's amendment to amend the<00:49:07.520> sentence
• beginning on page two, line the sentence beginning on page two, line 11<00:49:09.720> to<00:49
• two, line one, to add the words "in a manner prescribed by the department" to the ending of that sentence

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.