Transcript Highlights:

• If, in your case, or in the case it was a consent bill, it's only if something gets pulled, and as far
• what it isn't so there are many cases what it isn't so there are many cases where<00:06:38.759><
• Excuse me, recovering from the cold.
• Excuse me, recovering from the cold.
• Excuse me, recovering from the cold.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 493, a proposal to require physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to complete child abuse and neglect training as part of licensure and continuing education. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the measure addresses a gap in provider training, especially because abuse can be difficult to recognize and voluntary training has had low participation. They described a free Dartmouth online course and argued that mandatory, repeated education would help providers identify signs of abuse, know when to involve specialists or DCYF, and improve child safety. Supporters also noted the bill was amended to clarify coverage for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nursing hours, and to address language concerns raised by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Committee members and OPLC counsel raised implementation questions, including whether the bill would apply to all physicians regardless of specialty, whether it created a new licensure condition rather than only a continuing education requirement, how often the training would need to be repeated, and whether the accreditation language fit nursing rules. OPLC also noted that psychiatrists would be covered as physicians, while psychologists would not. A child abuse pediatrician testified that in his experience, children were sometimes seen by providers who missed early signs of abuse, leading to worse outcomes, and that mandatory education was needed because voluntary programs had poor uptake. The New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed the bill, saying health care professionals already have reporting duties and that the legislature should not single out one training mandate when similar requirements are generally left to licensing boards. The Office of the Child Advocate supported the bill, citing cases from 2023 involving non-ambulatory infants with fractures, conflicting medical testimony in court, and a low completion rate for the existing free online course. The Child Advocate said the bill should be mandatory and recurring so providers stay current on evolving science and law. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So these units have done total rebuild.
• In this country, in the United States.
• in Ukraine, I know that the United in Ukraine, I know that the United States<00:45:40.640> of
• :46.480> divested, United States put sanctions, divested, United States put sanctions, divested
• gets warm, right, it's kind of cold gets warm, right, it's kind of cold right<01:05:51.039> now

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I told the couple to initiate an outside appeal so another specialist can review their case, and I
• In my case, my jaw is too damaged to allow implants.
• And cold is heinous. The air conditioning is horrible, and cold is heinous.
• Hanger Clinic is the largest provider of prosthetics and orthotics in the United States.
• And while it works in my case, most people aren't that fortunate.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, the president of the United States is the county judge of Kerr County. Yes, sir.
• They work on violent crimes and try to identify bodies in cold cases.
• The cold case ask that we had last time was partially funded, but a big portion of that.
• This allows them to work on cold cases, and then when there's a mass casualty event, they can be diverted
• They can work on cold cases 24/7, and then when there's a mass casualty event, we can divert all those

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We went by the Civil Defense Agency back then after the Cold War era, or go into the Cold War era, and
• We take these cases very important, uh, very seriously. We can't fail in this arena.
• Um, but like with every other criminal case, I realize this criminal case is unique and it's not like
• Sheriff Lauterbach, in case y'all didn't know, he's a gun guy.
• They're not going to prosecute local clock switch cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:56:26.559> just rights in every case just rights in every case just like<00:56:28.400>
• We are better than letting babies die on a table, on a cold, cold table.
• <01:08:38.640> cold table on a cold cold table on a cold cold table<01:08:41.359> that's
• <01:08:50.600> of born if it's in the case of born if it's in the case of Representative<01
• billion doll industry in the United billion doll industry in the United States<02:25:21.680>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Treatment and healing teams, or units, which streamline emergency department assessment of the health
• The unit administers abortion.ca.gov, a website that is a critical resource to cut through the noise
• This unit supports reproductive health initiatives. ...grants that the Planned Parenthood affiliates
• I can add to that: **Matt Schulert**, Borna Finance, Catholic Unit.
• That’s how much is built into each case general fund budget? Yeah, okay. That’s a big match.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case. The president of the United States is the county judge of Kerr County. Yes, sir.
• That's really unheard of, but... identifying bodies on cold cases.
• The cold case funding we had last time was partially funded, but a big portion of that has to do with
• the crime labs and DNA dealing with cold cases.
• Cold cases 24/7, and then when there's a mass casualty event, we can divert all those resources to do

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I participated in that case.
• And so I participated in that case.
• , but it did apply to A's case.
• , but it did apply to A's case.
• And so that's why I say it's rare in those really egregious cases to even have a CPS case.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I had a constituent ask me about Camp Cold Water spring, camp cold water spring, at the confluence
• Camp Cold Water uh spring, camp cold Camp Cold Water uh spring, camp cold water<00:08:41.519>
• Uh, by the way, it's cold out. So, thank you.
• Um, and then typically we would be looking, in any event, on a case-by-case analysis of this.
• case-bycase case-bycase um<01:10:17.760> analysis<01:10:18.480> of<01:10:18.800> this

Bills: HF1531, HF4017, HF3399, HF4146, HF4019, HF3677

Keywords: crossbow, crossbow hunting, archery season, deer hunting, bear hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, common carp, rough fish, game and fish, wildlife management, hunting license, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, sunset clause, expiration removal, archery equipment, outdoor recreation, infectious waste, pathological waste

Transcript Highlights:

• to ensure that when unforeseen things happen with our utilities, several years ago we had a large cold
• several years ago we had a large<00:03:39.360> um<00:03:40.000> uh<00:03:40.560> cold
• > that<00:03:41.360> went<00:03:41.519> all<00:03:41.599> the large um uh cold
• In in Minnesota, well, in the United In in Minnesota, well, in the United States,<00:22:48.559><
• States is a shift United States is a shift from<00:23:31.600> coal<00:23:32.559> to<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, the president of the United States is the county judge. Edge of court counting.
• They try to identify bodies on cold cases.
• The cold case request that we had last time was partially funded, but a big portion of that has to do
• with the crime labs and DNA, dealing with cold cases.
• There's always a backlog; they can work cold cases 24/7.

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:59.840> if current law that is not the case if current law that is not the case if
• <00:05:58.319> called um there's a there was a case called um there's a there was a case called
• Your imaginary case study here?
• Your imaginary case study here?
• about what are you your imaginary case about what are you your imaginary case study<00:45:04.839

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last summer, she interned in D.C. with the United States Senate.
• But in these cases, these are landowners doing it themselves.
• These costs are then reviewed in the next rate case.
• The largest port now in the United States is Laredo, Texas.
• Leadership, and hopefully, I know the cold is what really zaps them.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the case of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company v.
• Will you please, if possible, attach copies of the salient cases?
• And more specifically, in this case, the cost of pollution in cases where the polluter had foreknowledge
• Supreme Court case, that comes into play as well.
• And I'll send over the other cases where, in the climate change cases that have been heard by the Second

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.
• grounds for removal from the hearing without the ability to continue. decision- making only in that case
• an decision- making only in that case an appropriate<00:08:57.600> notice<00:08:58.000> will
• We've really been investing to try to get more cold storage out into our agencies, so if you work during
• But the CASes do have a lot already on their plate, and we're not...

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in our case, on a case of beer, you're talking about an almost 10% increase.
• Uh, in our case, on a case of beer, you're talking about an almost 10% increase.
• are made up of condominium unit owners. are made up of condominium unit owners.
• time on the other end after the case time on the other end after the case concludes<01:23:26.239
• manufacturers in these types of cases manufacturers in these types of cases will<01:31:19.840>

Bills: HB1991, HB1776, HB1897, HB1900

Keywords: liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We got cold, we got hot, we got wet. But we're not going to do that anymore.
• So it is a group that are acting as a unit, as a group.
• There's a case that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Well, it's not always the case. Well, Ledge Council wrote it. How's that?
• The implication of the article, and I believe this to be the case.

Bills: HB18, SB 54, SB 10, HR 76, HR 77, HR 78, HR 82, HR 83, HR 88, HR 89, HR 93, HR 94, HR 95, HR 98, HR 101, HR 102, HR 104, HR 105, HR 107, HR 108, HR 109, HR 110, HR 111, HR 112, HR 113, HR 123, HR 125, HR 79, HR 80, HR 81, HR 84, HR 85, HR 86, HR 87, HR 90, HR 91, HR 92, HR 96, HR 97, HR 100, HR 103, HR 106, HR 114, HR 115, HR 116, HR 117, HR 118, HR 119, HR 120, HR 121, HR 122, HR 124, HB 18, SB 54, SB 10, HB 8

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• We give that flexibility to the department to define in case there is the new gadget or gizmo that comes
• So in that case, they'd be able to carry their phone. They could keep it with them.
• But once everyone went cold turkey, bell-to-bell, no phones, then that anxiety of fearing what they were
• But once everyone went cold turkey, bell-to-bell, no phones, then that anxiety of fearing what they were
• And we're about to take the most monumental step in the history of the United States and bring something

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and took up seven bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, HB 1367 on school attendance was presented as a response to rising chronic absenteeism; it would standardize attendance definitions and reporting statewide, and it passed 18-0 after supportive testimony from education and business groups. HB 949 would prohibit student use of wireless devices during the school day, while allowing district policies for designated use areas and existing medical/disability exceptions; members discussed classroom disruption, bullying, public safety, and accommodations, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved PCS for CS for HB 1135, requiring ECGs for student athletes in grades 9-12, with exemptions for religious objections and provisions on cost, liability, and medical clearance; the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates who described children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and was reported favorably after unanimous support. Members then approved CS for CS for HB 597 on diabetes management in schools, which would allow schools to keep glucagon pens and authorize trained personnel to administer them in emergencies; an amendment clarified charter schools are included as public schools. HB 1309 on reading interventions and instruction would expand reading support and training for grades 4-12 and require district reading plans to include evidence-based interventions; it also passed without opposition. CS for HB 981 on athlete representation and compensation would cap certain NIL agent fees, allow some high school athletes to earn NIL compensation, and create a framework for registered advisors; members raised concerns about predatory practices and coach involvement, but the bill passed favorably after amendment. Finally, HB 1111 would eliminate the certificate of completion option for students who do not meet graduation requirements, with the sponsor arguing it would better motivate students to earn a standard diploma and improve postsecondary and workforce opportunities. Members discussed the need for stronger supports to help students meet graduation standards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after completing all agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• monthly benefit during those cold monthly benefit during those cold months,<00:24:35.440> but
• And so I had mixed per rate case.
• or having to have five rate rate case or having to have five rate cases,<00:36:14.320> you<00
• >> Well, almost all of our cases have >> Well, almost all of our cases have statute<00:39
• But, we are always mindful of case.

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all