Transcript Highlights:

• Chloe Powers and Andrew Overmyer with the Legislative Budget Board to give us an overview. of the following
• I'm Chloe powers with the legislative budget board there are four higher education funds with their own
• Power the economy and drive the competitiveness of the North Texas region. little bit of background on
• professionals for the western half of the state, an area which fuels the engine of commerce. that powers
• Texas Tech has a long history of doing work in post-powered innovation. energetics, and with that we

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the governor wanted us to be sensitive to that situation if people were treating such.
• I believe the governor vetoed that.
• I believe the governor vetoed that.
• </c><05:35:34.400><c> And</c><05:35:34.638><c> so</c> believe the governor vetoed that.
• And so believe the governor vetoed that.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Soroy. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
• And the way that happens is through power generation of fossil fuels, nuclear, a diversified portfolio
• Appropriate power license to issue, right?
• When you have a person in a position of power that can tell you if you can't call your children, that
• But I also think it is an issue of just corporate power.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims. Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about power over people.
• I do know that the bill was initially vetoed by the governor, the one that you're referring to in Kansas
• But, you know, that's debatable, because you all have the power so you can legislate how you want.
• But considering this scope of power, we're going to exempt those organizations and groups.
• What is the power dynamic between a coach and athletes on a team? Coach has the power. Yeah.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I I'll yield to uh others the governor I I'll yield to uh others who<00:30:07.279><c> may</c><00:30:
• The legislature and Governor Ayotte have made addressing New Hampshire's housing shortage a top priority
• The Coalition strongly believes in the power of prevention and that shelter beds, while not a permanent
• The Coalition strongly believes in the power of prevention and that shelter beds, while not a permanent
• AA underscored her commitment Governor AA underscored her commitment to<01:14:09.560><c> prioritizing

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor is withdrawing almost 400 million in spending proposals.
• And so I want to thank the Governor for recognizing the importance.
• We want to thank the Governor... Star Academies at the UC campuses.
• We want to think the governor, Good afternoon.
• It might be a different governor when the repayments come due.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• There also is this very powerful ability to convene members, and it's not one agency's responsibility
• There also is this very powerful ability to convene members, and it's not one agency's responsibility
• There also is this very powerful ability to convene members, and it's not one agency's responsibility
• There also is this very powerful ability to convene members, and it's not one agency's responsibility
• educate kids so that they really can get those jobs in finance because we think, gee, that's a high power

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a wide variety of mountings and types and how they're powered, and that is not our business to
• </c><01:10:40.560><c> hasn't</c><01:10:41.080><c> submitted</c> realize the governor hasn't submitted
• realize the governor hasn't submitted her<01:10:41.679><c> budget</c><01:10:42.040><c> yet</c><01:10
• Last year, under House Bill 1468, we delivered the report to the governor and Council and members of
• </c> we delivered the report to the governor we delivered the report to the governor and<01:26:33.360

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I use a power wheelchair to move around.
• You are in the power to do something for us.
• Because regional centers exercise so much power over us, oversight cannot be symbolic.
• power over us.
• So the state council is an independent state department that's led by a council of governor-appointed

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Something about a governor or somebody in our way with that one. But anyway, Mr.
• Something about a governor or somebody in our way with that one. But anyway, so Mr.
• These regulations have made it possible for power plants to move to low-carbon sources such as wind,
• It was intended and still is to protect the viability of our long-term coal generating fire plant power
• plants and to be resistant of the power plants and to be resistant of the utilities<01:56:35.360><c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also think that this is an incredibly powerful program, Street Medicine.
• I'm not a powerful lobbyist. I'm just a mom. And what we do in this life echoes into eternity.
• I believe it was Kingston 11 in Oakland when the governor signed the original version of this bill.
• I think whenever we have somebody who's directly impacted by our policies, it's an incredibly powerful
• Last year, the bill, unfortunately, was vetoed by the governor given tight timeline constraints.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the comptroller obviously has... has the power to promulgate a form on his own to direct that
• I can't speak about power of attorneys or how that works, but.
• units or power take-off equipment.
• The bill actually passed both houses last session and was vetoed by the governor during the property
• So, in these areas are areas that the governor or president has.

Bills: HB19 , HB30 , HB851 , HB1663 , HB1681 , HB1769 , HB1937 , HB1979 , HB2428 , HB2433 , HB2825 , HB3159 , HB3424 , HB3486 , HB3487 , HB3504 , HB3605 , HB3879 , HB3994 , HB4382 , HB4752 , HB5444 , HB5446 , HB5447 , HB3199 , HB4847 , HB19

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• More power to them, so I would support it. already happening across the state and already happening across
• else wants to do it I don't have an OB else wants to do it I don't have an OB more<00:14:18.959><c> power
• to them so I would support it more power to them so I would support it okay<00:14:21.720><c> all</c>
• </c><01:01:47.240><c> granted</c> in its exercise of the powers granted in its exercise of the powers
• They can immediately concur and get the bill to the governor, possibly as early as Thursday.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Remember that there are numerous quotes where the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis
• First of all, all, all, you<00:45:22.640><c> had</c><00:45:22.800><c> a</c><00:45:23.040><c> governor
• of the state of you had a governor of the state of Minnesota<00:45:25.599><c> and</c><00:45:25.839><
• </c> by the governor by the governor or<01:54:08.880><c> by</c><01:54:09.040><c> the</c><01:54:09.280
• The governor has to set a date for those.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consolidate when power is sought, you consolidate that<00:37:08.800><c> power</c><00:37:08.960><c> and
• and you want to extend that that power and you want to extend that power<00:37:10.079><c> because</c
• The the problem is that powerful.
• the power of incumbency?
• They were deeply centralized power.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first continued its hearing on HB 1287, which concerns the definition of “veteran.” Representative Manion explained that the amendment would adopt the federal-style definition by including a general discharge under honorable conditions, while restoring documentation requirements such as a DD214 and removing a problematic reference to World War II allied veterans. The chair said the committee would close the hearing and take the bill up later in executive session. The committee then moved to HCR 13, a resolution calling for an Article V convention limited to proposing a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. Representative Joe Alexander, the prime sponsor, said the measure is narrowly focused on congressional term limits, that 12 states have already passed similar resolutions, and that broad public support in New Hampshire justifies action. Members asked whether the effort would prompt Congress to act on its own, whether the resolution should also cover Supreme Court justices, and how many states are needed; Alexander said the goal is to pressure Congress, that the Constitution already treats Supreme Court justices differently, and that 34 states are required. Testimony in support came from former Representative Linda Masamela, who gave a history-based argument for Article V conventions as a constitutional check, and from Deborah Childs and Aaron Ducet of U.S. Term Limits. Childs said New Hampshire voters strongly support term limits and argued they would open seats to younger, more diverse candidates. Ducet said the application is single-topic and would allow only one amendment, described Article V applications as historically common, and argued that state pressure can force Congress to act. No vote was taken in the portion provided; the chair continued hearing testimony on HCR 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and if you don't mind, uh, Governor, if you go ahead and come to the table. governor uh Ernie Fletcher
• Dave, thank you, Governor.
• &gt;&gt; thank you, Governor. And u I I will say &gt;&gt; thank you, Governor.
• Johnson, the Governor.
• </c><00:31:23.440><c> and</c> Governor, for this presentation. and Governor, for this presentation. and

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps a question for counsel: Does this particular proposal expand the powers of the Attorney General
• Chair and members, it does not affect the powers of the Attorney General.
• Chair and members, it does not affect the powers of the Attorney General.
• He said that may be something the governor could do, but not the Attorney General.
• :53.800><c> the</c><00:17:53.920><c> Attorney</c> governor could, but not the Attorney governor could

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I think that the public has the power to refuse vaccinations if they want to.
• for the individual who is skeptical is not a good power balance, is what I would say.
• you want to give the power balance to the providers who are protecting the public?
• I think that the public has the power to refuse vaccinations if they want to.
• So, as a parent, there’s a whole bureaucracy above you, which is powerful.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, the view of our good governor and I diverge on this topic.
• </c> good governor good governor uh<01:20:52.720><c> and</c><01:20:53.160><c> I</c><01:20:53.360><c>
• </c><02:11:59.480><c> in</c><02:11:59.600><c> this</c> governor and who is the governor in this governor
• </c> have is at a time when we have Governor have is at a time when we have Governor Walz<02:52:49.440
• Like with a capital C, powerful veteran majority chairman. Like never mind.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so he took his throne down to powerful so he took his throne down to the<00:55:52.160><c> shore</c><
• And I applaud the governor in trying to solve this problem we've been wrestling with for the last few
• So, the governor is no longer at 45%.
• The other governor is no longer at 45%.
• </c><04:41:58.160><c> to</c> executive orders from the governor to executive orders from the governor

Keywords: 1191, senate, all