Transcript Highlights:

• So it has to be under a sales contract of some sort.
• And how did you discover ultimately that they had contracted this syndrome?
• Currently in the state of Missouri, the Office of Administration and the award of contracts includes
• preference points for service-disabled veteran enterprises. in the award of contracts includes preference
• military veterans by giving veteran-owned businesses a small advantage when competing for state contracts

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The lottery's vendors, the companies that contract with the lottery to run games, they get a percentage
• The contractors have 10-year contracts. I mean, obviously, contracts do go up.
• The contractors have 10-year contracts. I mean, obviously, contracts do go up.
• So, but we do have a locked-in contract. We think it's a very fair contract.

Bills: SB246 , SB146 , SB300 , SB301 , SB309 , SM17

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services

Transcript Highlights:

• The lottery's vendors, the companies that contract with the lottery to run games, get a percentage of
• The contractors have 10-year contracts. I mean, obviously, contracts do go up.
• The contractors have 10-year contracts. I mean, obviously, contracts do go up.
• So, but we do have a locked-in contract. We think it's a very fair contract.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 246, which would require licensure and inspections for massage therapy establishments. The sponsor and Regulation and Licensing Department said the bill is intended to close a gap in oversight, improve sanitation and public safety, and help address human trafficking and prostitution concerns. Supporters from the massage therapy profession and industry groups said establishment licensing would create accountability and protect legitimate practitioners, while AMTA took a neutral position but supported the rulemaking process. Several senators raised concerns about privacy, home-based businesses, and whether mobile or traveling therapists would be affected; the department said the bill would apply to establishments, not individual therapists, and that home inspections would be governed by rules. The committee voted 8-0 to give SB 246 a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 300, an appropriation for CYFD computer hardware and software to improve compatibility with the national child welfare management system. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce delays and improve data sharing, especially in child welfare and ICWA-related cases. Members asked about the current system and how the funding would help, and the sponsor said the bill was aimed at better interoperability. The committee voted 8-0 to send SB 300 forward with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 146, which would amend the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. The bill and committee substitute would align the legal standard more closely with federal deliberate indifference language, reduce damages caps, shorten the statute of limitations, require 90 days’ notice, and bar double recovery under both the Civil Rights Act and Tort Claims Act. Supporters, including county and city representatives, law enforcement, AFSCME, and risk management officials, argued the changes were needed to control rapidly rising claims costs and protect public budgets. Opponents from the ACLU, civil rights, poverty, immigrant, and LGBTQ advocacy groups said the bill would weaken accountability, reintroduce qualified immunity-like protections, and make it harder for people harmed by government actors to seek justice. After a failed motion to table and a 5-5 vote on the committee substitute, the bill remained in committee and did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• school in Idaho, so if they're a WAMI student, they're doing medical school in Idaho, they sign a contract
• but we do think it's going to have an effect on helping those doctors stay here by signing that contract
• They also contract for some of the provider eligibility reviews, the ongoing ones, and those were completed
• Next, you see contract inflation, for any inflation built into contracts, statewide cost allocation,
• different components to the base builder: the maintenance, which is just the SWI, cap, CEC costs, contract

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The meeting focused first on a legislative working group report created under House Bill 368 from the prior session on medical education in Idaho. The presenter described Idaho’s physician shortage, noting the state ranks 50th per capita in physicians and would need roughly 1,400 additional physicians to reach the national average. The group’s unanimous recommendations included maintaining current state-supported medical school seats, adding 10 new non-WAMI seats this year, expanding graduate medical education by 15 seats, prioritizing in-state training, and creating a dedicated health education coordination role to manage undergraduate and graduate placements, clinical sites, and data. Members discussed whether WAMI should also expand, the quality of WAMI graduates, the need for more clinical preceptors and residency sites, rural recruitment incentives, and whether the plan should include other health professions such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The presenter said the plan includes benchmarks and timelines, and estimated costs of about $350,000 for coordination, $350,000 to $485,000 for 10 new UME seats depending on placement, and $900,000 for the GME request. The committee then heard from Legislative Audit Division Manager April Renfro on the state’s 2024 single audit and related accountability work. She reported $5.4 billion in federal assistance audited, 21 major federal programs across 15 agencies, 45 findings, seven repeat findings, $2.4 million in known questioned costs, and $2 million in projected questioned costs. Major issues were concentrated at the Department of Health and Welfare, including Medicaid findings involving delayed health and safety surveys, managed care provider eligibility and roster controls, and capitation payments tied to ineligible members; Child Care and Development Fund reporting and cost-allocation errors; and repeat issues in vocational rehabilitation and low-income home energy programs. She also noted Department of Environmental Quality problems with indirect cost proposals and a duplicate grant draw, while Transportation had no findings. Members asked about accountability for repeat findings, the role of Luma in reporting errors, fraud detection, and how to prioritize corrective action; Renfro said agencies, federal management decisions, and legislative oversight all play a role, and she planned to send a prioritized list of key findings to the co-chairs. A later presentation by budget analyst Brooke Dupree introduced front-end reports in the legislative budget book, explaining state government structure, the constitutional limit of 20 executive departments, and how the Legislature uses decision units to build appropriations. She walked through the original appropriation, reappropriations, supplemental appropriations, and how those pieces roll into the current-year total appropriation, with members asking brief questions about departmental divisions and the budget model.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're all contract employees with the state, all at will.
• Um, is the contract set? When do you expect the results of that? >> Yeah. Uh, Mr.
• Um, is the contract set? When do you expect the results of that? >> Yeah. Uh, Mr.
• Um, is the contract set? When do you expect the results of that? >> Yeah. Uh, Mr.
• Um, is the contract set? When do you expect the results of that? >> Yeah. Uh, Mr.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to utilize that water that's underneath them for their own purpose or uses, or they don't want to contract
• to utilize that water that's underneath them for their own purpose or uses, or they don't want to contract
• to utilize that water that's underneath them for their own purpose or uses, or they don't want to contract
• to utilize that water that's underneath them for their own purpose or uses, or they don't want to contract
• to utilize that water that's underneath them for their own purpose or uses, or they don't want to contract

Bills: HB24 , HB27

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bills 27 and 24 on groundwater issues in East Texas, with members and witnesses focusing on a proposed large-volume groundwater export project and the need for more science before major permitting decisions are made. HB 27, which was within the special session call, would direct the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a hydrogeologic study of the aquifers in the affected area and temporarily pause new export permits while the study is underway. HB 24, a separate bill that would limit certain production and export permits to 5% of modeled available groundwater, was laid out but the chair said it would not be moved out of committee. Testimony on HB 27 was largely supportive, though some witnesses were neutral. Supporters, including representatives from a water supply corporation, the Trinity River Authority, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the region lacks enough hydrologic data, that the proposed pumping could affect private wells, surface water, and local economies, and that the state needs better information on sustainable yield and groundwater-surface water interaction. Several witnesses emphasized that groundwater conservation districts need clearer tools and better data, while also noting concerns about property rights and the rule of capture. Committee members discussed the scale of the proposed project, the absence of a groundwater conservation district in Houston County, and the possibility that the study should examine desired future conditions and maximum sustainable pumping rather than only modeled available groundwater. The committee adopted the committee substitute for HB 27 and voted it out favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Calendars. The roll call was unanimous, 11 ayes and 0 nays. After the vote, members briefly reflected on the complexity of the issue and the need to continue working on broader groundwater policy in the interim and next session. HB 24 was discussed later in the meeting, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 10%, and I think that's a very important number because by doing that we didn't break any of the contracts
• 10%, and I think that's a very important number because by doing that we didn't break any of the contracts
• 10%, and I think that's a very important number because by doing that we didn't break any of the contracts
• 10%, and I think that's a very important number because by doing that we didn't break any of the contracts
• that we had break any of the contracts that we had with<00:03:00.080><c> the</c><00:03:00.319><c> land

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And just because we've had other issues before this committee related to technology and the state contracting
• There's been multiple times when we've been unable to send money to Southern California for the contracted
• And finally, we ask that you support existing bargaining units appropriately with their existing contract
• commitments, as well as pending contract negotiations as... ...existing contract commitments as well
• as pending contract negotiations as well, so we just appreciate you know you all working with us to

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to review CSU and State Library budget issues, enrollment trends, the Capital Fellows program, and a Title IX update. Chair David Alvarez opened by stressing that CSU faces serious financial pressure, including a systemwide deficit and proposed cuts that he and several members said were too large and likely to harm access, course offerings, and student services. Public comment focused heavily on the Braille Institute Library, with patrons, staff, veterans, and advocates urging restoration of funding and warning that the proposed cut would severely affect blind and visually impaired Californians across Southern California. Several CSU faculty, staff, and union representatives also opposed the proposed reductions and warned of larger class sizes, fewer sections, and layoffs. On the CSU core operations item, the Department of Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to reduce ongoing General Fund support by about $375 million and defer a 5% base increase, while the LAO said CSU core funding would be roughly flat once tuition and targeted augmentations were considered, but warned that rising costs and prior shortfalls would still force campuses to cut spending. CSU’s Chancellor’s Office said the proposed cut would deepen existing problems, citing prior-year budget gaps, job losses, reduced course sections, and student-service reductions. Members pressed Finance and the LAO on whether cuts could be made more surgically, especially at the Chancellor’s Office or in institutional support rather than in instruction, and the LAO said the Legislature has flexibility to target cuts more specifically. CSU also described ongoing consolidation efforts, including shared services among campuses and the planned Cal Maritime/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo integration, while cautioning that savings are not yet fully known. The committee then discussed CSU enrollment. The LAO recommended holding enrollment targets flat because the budget does not add new funding, while CSU reported strong recent growth, including more California residents, record first-year enrollment, and expanded direct admissions and transfer pathways. Members questioned why some campuses with high demand turn away many applicants while others continue to lose enrollment, and CSU said it is shifting resources from campuses with sustained declines to those with demand, using a 10% below-target threshold. The committee also discussed whether enrollment declines mirror local population trends, how to improve marketing and program alignment, and whether lessons from Cal Poly Humboldt’s conversion could inform other campuses such as Sonoma State. The Capital Fellows item drew a Finance proposal for a salary increase and an LAO counterproposal for a smaller raise plus future COLA language; the committee kept the item open. Finally, CSU reported progress on Title IX compliance, saying it has completed most State Auditor recommendations, expanded civil rights staffing, and increased training, prevention, and case-management efforts, though members asked how proposed budget cuts might affect those services.

Transcript Highlights:

• how you're fulfilling to make sure that local businesses are going to participate either from a contract
• We need to know how many contracts are you going to have?
• And now we're getting within the window that you should know what contracts are available.
• actually started two years ago by having summits for small businesses so that we could get them contract
• I don't think any of us had thought about this, but they had contracts with people and lease arrangements

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There might be, um, uh, they have to do some kind of contract with the tech industry as I understand
• be um uh they have to do some<00:19:27.360><c> kind</c><00:19:27.520><c> of</c><00:19:27.760><c> contract
• </c><00:19:28.240><c> with</c><00:19:28.480><c> the</c><00:19:28.720><c> tech</c> some kind of contract
• with the tech some kind of contract with the tech industry<00:19:29.520><c> as</c><00:19:29.760><c>
• some kind of contract with the platform<00:21:09.360><c> that's</c><00:21:09.679><c> going</c><00:21

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to make available to the public certain information about people working for contractors under a contract
• to make available to the public certain information about people working for contractors under a contract
• to make available to the public certain information about people working for contractors under a contract
• So, to have this go right in the dead smack middle of the prime contracting time seems unusual to me.
• </c> smack middle of the prime contracting smack middle of the prime contracting time, time, time, seems

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They contract for specific time.
• There's several good examples today where rural hospitals are participating in value-based contracting
• There's a lot of consultants that, indeed, work with various hospitals and affiliated and contracted
• So say the hospital system gets them to sign a contract.
• Yeah, so this year, starting in January, we took the MCO contracts and included a 3% withhold program

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that's in our packet here from MMB, on the last page it says to establish permanent bans on state contracts
• he looks forward to having some policy that bans people convicted of fraud from continuing to get contracts
• he looks forward to having some policy that bans people convicted of fraud from continuing to get contracts
• he looks forward to having some policy that bans people convicted of fraud from continuing to get contracts
• he looks forward to having some policy that bans people convicted of fraud from continuing to get contracts

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're asking for it to go up to $1,200, that's consistent with what we are paying uh contract pathologists
• c><00:21:26.400><c> pathologists</c><00:21:26.960><c> to</c><00:21:27.120><c> come</c> paying uh contract
• pathologists to come paying uh contract pathologists to come in<00:21:27.360><c> and</c><00:21:27.600
• The Mississippi Highway Patrol, at all our driver service stations, has people there usually on contract
• The Mississippi Highway Patrol, at all our driver service stations, has people there usually on contract

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation, added sales tax on contracted services, and more than 100 unfunded mandates since 2017 continue
• And they've been working without a contract since last July.
• So we are glad to see... ...tech support and tax specialists, and they've been working without a contract
• Our request is primarily maintenance-related, accounting for labor contracts and COLAs.
• Our request is primarily maintenance-related, accounting for labor contracts and COLAs.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a simple explanation, the way family leave works in New Hampshire is the state of New Hampshire contracts
• </c> the state of New Hampshire contracts the state of New Hampshire contracts with<00:05:58.240><c>
• Um, MetLife has this contract. They're making money on it.
• </c><00:50:06.880><c> They're</c> Um MetLife has this contract.
• They're Um MetLife has this contract.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hiring contracted labor at three times the cost it would be to employ somebody, and you just don't
• So, you know, for students, if you're a contract labor, you're going to make quite frankly a little bit
• So, you know, for students, if you're a contract labor, you're going to make quite frankly a little bit
• The same amount for someone who's a contract employee versus a regular employee where we're offering
• So, you know, for students, if you're a contract labor, you're going to make quite frankly a little bit

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 00:05 HB 566 Discussion 01:34 HB 566 Vote 16:42 HB 39 Discussion 19:15 HB 39 Vote 23:10 HB 70 Discussion 24:48 HB 70 Vote 27:36 HB 72 Discussion 28:58 HB 72 Vote 39:45 HB 79 Discussion 41:45 HB 79 Vote 42:58 HB 223 Discussion 45:34 HB 223 Vote 46:24 Adjournment 47:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 566, which would implement the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation created last year. Chairman Cook described major provisions affecting charitable gaming, horse racing, sports wagering, and quarter horse racing, including locking charitable gaming fees in statute at a slightly lower rate, expanding charitable gaming board representation, preserving existing gaming technology, allowing school districts to hold charitable gaming licenses, and setting up self-funding for the new corporation through administrative set-asides from gaming-related funds. The bill also addresses uncashed vouchers, cross-training of investigators, ethics and employment provisions, and a three-year quarter horse breeding incentive intended to grow the industry. A committee substitute made two technical changes: clarifying voucher money stays with the track facility and making the school district itself the license holder. The substitute and then the bill both passed favorably, with several members noting concerns from last year but supporting the revised structure. The committee then heard House Bill 70, an interstate compact for dietitians. Sponsor Representative Vanessa Grossl and witnesses said the measure would allow reciprocity with other compact states, improve workforce mobility, help military families, expand patient access and telehealth, and reduce administrative burden on the licensing board. The committee substitute created a third license category for educational interpreters, but that language actually belonged to the next bill; for HB 70, the committee voted the bill favorably without reported amendments. The bill passed unanimously or near-unanimously and was sent to the House floor. Next, House Bill 72 was presented by Representative DJ Johnson to amend the law governing limited x-ray machine operators. The sponsor explained that current law effectively prevents limited x-ray operators from working in the same facility as other imaging equipment, which he said creates compliance problems, disrupts training, and can force practices to move equipment or lose employees. The bill would allow limited x-ray technicians to operate in the same facility as other imaging equipment. During discussion, some members noted opposition from students and others in the field, and the sponsor invited industry witnesses to explain their concerns. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 72 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• unemployment insurance to help cover them during the time period when they’ve been unable to get a fair contract
• to</c><00:11:32.560><c> get</c><00:11:32.720><c> a</c><00:11:32.839><c> fair</c><00:11:33.120><c> contract
• </c><00:11:33.480><c> from</c><00:11:33.680><c> their</c> unable to get a fair contract from their unable
• to get a fair contract from their employer<00:11:34.360><c> so</c><00:11:34.480><c> we</c><00:11:34.600
• </c><00:47:38.520><c> even</c> likely to lean on these contracts even likely to lean on these contracts

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• difficult to make health care affordable for anybody, and our carriers are having difficulty negotiating contracts
• with providers, especially the larger provider groups with a lot of clout in terms of contracting.
• just going to go through that list in full: a representative of a managed care organization that contracts
• I oversee contracts for a lot of individuals who are doing direct care work in the community. ...around

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission for Postpartum Depression held its spring meeting with a large turnout, beginning with roll call and a review of the agenda. Co-chairs Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid and Senator Liz Miranda highlighted progress from the recently enacted maternal health omnibus law and the Moms Matter Act, including creation of a midwifery board, expansion of out-of-hospital birth options, doula services, lactation support, MassHealth coverage changes, and a trust fund for community-based behavioral health and substance use grants. Members also discussed implementation of the new law, the commission’s annual report, and the need to continue supporting birth centers and perinatal mental health services. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on commission membership and vacancies. Commissioners discussed whether to remain on the body, the need to fill several open seats, and whether the commission’s statutory composition should be updated to better reflect current practice and expertise. Members suggested adding more clinicians working directly with perinatal families, infant mental health experts, and a representative from PSI of Massachusetts, while also noting the value of having regulators and professional society representatives at the table. Several participants said any changes to membership would likely require legislation, and the co-chairs said they would explore options and possibly circulate a flyer or other invitation process for nominations. The commission also discussed meeting structure and future planning. Members generally supported moving to quarterly virtual meetings, with a preference for a 4 p.m. start time, and some suggested one annual in-person gathering. The group agreed to postpone the usual May Advocacy Day because the Great Hall was unavailable and instead aim for a fall event, with volunteers stepping forward to help plan it. Commissioners raised top-of-mind issues including postpartum depression screening reimbursement, care for people after miscarriage or abortion, access for undocumented pregnant people, and the impact of federal cuts. The meeting ended with agreement to crowdsource legislative priorities for the next quarter, consider future presentations from outside organizations, and send updates between meetings, followed by a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Division of Insurance to develop a regulatory methodology to look at the lowest cost for contracted
• health care services, primary health care services, ...for contracted health care services, primary
• They're going to enter into a contract, usually with a monthly fee for the services of that physician
• addition, Madam President, so that those protections are clear, this amendment would mandate written contracts

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a primary care health care bill and also took up a separate literacy bill. Several amendments were withdrawn, including one on artificial intelligence in health care and others related to cost controls, direct primary care, and provider studies. The Senate adopted amendments on preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness, modernizing the definition of primary care, clarifying payment rates for community health centers, excluding pharmaceutical spending from primary care expenditure calculations, and strengthening health equity reporting. Other amendments on rate bands, alternative payment systems, private equity reporting, scope of practice, and ownership disclosure were rejected. The Senate then approved the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the primary care bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up final passage of An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy, with senators describing it as a long-awaited compromise focused on improving early reading outcomes. Supporters said the bill requires evidence-based K-3 literacy curricula, regular student screening and family notification, dyslexia screening protocols, professional development for teachers, and a free state-developed curriculum option. Senators emphasized the need to address declining third-grade reading proficiency and equity gaps. The bill passed to be enacted by a unanimous roll call and was sent to the Governor. After the literacy bill, the Senate returned to the primary care bill, where senators again debated cost containment, innovation, and access. The final version included the adopted amendments and was passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed, adjourning in memory of Henry Thomas III, former Representative Ben Swan, and Mr. Dennis Frane.