Transcript Highlights:

• We also have operational funds through Medicaid.
• </c><00:32:29.799><c> funds</c> funds we also have operational funds funds we also have operational funds
• </c><00:33:38.679><c> work</c> use Medicaid for operational work use Medicaid for operational work sometimes
• </c><01:27:55.800><c> model</c> think about what the operational model think about what the operational
• </c> system knowing that that launching system knowing that that launching period<01:52:30.040><c> is

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was proud to serve for four years as a California Volunteers Commissioner, where we helped launch that
• He helped us launch the College Corps program, which seeks to help students pay for school while also
• I’m very excited to return to DSH in the capacity of Chief Deputy Director for Operations, and I look
• But the two key initiatives that we’ve really launched is one called rapid hiring events.
• But that's something as Chief Deputy Director for Operations that I'm really passionate about.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Dorka Keene to the California Arts Council, Luciana Profaca to the Commission on Disabilities, Sarah Han Shapiro to the Commission on Disability Access, Robin Umberg and Veronica Zoror to the California Veterans Board, and Daniel Curtin to the California Water Commission. Two appointments to the State Park and Recreation Commission, Phil Ginsburg and Francesca Viter, were approved on split votes of 3-2. The committee also unanimously approved a motion to refer bills to committees. The committee then heard testimony from three appointees to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors: Jesse Melgar, Tom Epstein, and Joseph Williams. They emphasized student success, affordability, workforce alignment, dual enrollment, basic needs support, housing, and adapting to AI. Members questioned them about financial aid and ghost-student fraud, regional career technical education needs, enrollment declines, standardized testing and AB 705, community college baccalaureate degrees, and the new career passport initiative. Public commenters strongly supported the nominees, and the committee voted 5-0 to send all three appointments to the full Senate for confirmation. Finally, the committee heard from Mark Beckley, nominated as Chief Deputy Director for Operations at the Department of State Hospitals. He described his background in state operations and said his priorities would include recruitment and retention, improving treatment through a new electronic health record system, maintaining aging facilities, and supporting community providers. Senators asked about high vacancy rates at state hospitals, especially Atascadero and Patton, and about coordination with law enforcement oversight on patient deaths and safety trends. The committee voted 5-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you all operate—CHP operates inspection facilities and weigh stations across our state.
• And so you all operate, CHP operates inspection facilities and way stations across our state.
• We also partner with tow operators in all the places where we operate.
• This launch was the... This launch was the result of a careful and thoughtful process.
• We represent bus operators and school bus operators.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:40.079><c> going</c> decisions and get operations going decisions and get operations going
• </c> uh Marsh is picking up full operational uh Marsh is picking up full operational administration<00
• </c> that's that was set up and operational that's that was set up and operational as<00:58:45.920><c
• </c> questions about the operational setup? questions about the operational setup?
• </c><02:06:37.360><c> on</c> HPIA and HHRF were jointly operating on HPIA and HHRF were jointly operating

Summary: The joint committees held an informational briefing on efforts to expand insurance capacity in Hawaii’s property market, especially for condominium and homeowners coverage. The Insurance Commissioner reviewed the background: a legislative task force, the governor’s emergency proclamation in August 2024, and Senate Bill 1044 in May 2025 led to new condo insurance products. He said the work over the past two and a half years was producing positive results and introduced representatives from HPIA and HHRF/HHR to provide updates. HPIA’s board chair and its administrator described the organization’s history, structure, and current products. HPIA said it was created in 1991 as a residual market for homeowners insurance, now writing four residential products: HO2 homeowners, renters, HO6 condo unit owners, and dwelling fire. They reported policy counts have grown again as admitted-market carriers tightened underwriting, and they discussed financial pressure from reinsurance costs, though those costs had declined in 2025 after different purchasing decisions. They also said the market has become more favorable overall, with some capacity returning and deductibles beginning to ease. Members focused much of their questioning on HPIA’s proposed higher dwelling limits. HPIA explained that the current $450,000 limit for homeowners and dwelling fire was set in 2023, but agents are now asking for a higher limit in the $650,000 to $750,000 range because construction costs have risen and many policies are not being submitted when the limit is too low. HPIA said it has the authority to raise the limit through a filing with the Insurance Division and expects more submissions if the cap increases. They also discussed the shift in the book of business from roughly 70% lava-zone coverage to closer to a 50/50 split between lava and non-lava risks. HPIA outlined strategic initiatives: a new policy administration system that went live October 1 and now allows online payments, online claims reporting, and electronic notices; a filed request to raise the homeowners and dwelling fire limit to $650,000 effective March 1 for new business and April 1 for renewals; an increase in the HO6 condo unit owners limit from $5,000 to $100,000; and a planned commercial property all-other-perils-excluding-hurricane condo product targeted for filing by January 31. No votes were taken, and the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• they need to ease this transition to a completely new place and give students a better chance to launch
• need to ease this transition to a completely new place and give students a better chance to just launch
• adds intent language that the legislature recognizes the importance of and intends to have tribes operate
• Senate Bill 5918 increases allocations for materials, supplies, and operating costs by $100 per student
• We have Senate Bill 5918, School Operating Costs, before us.

Bills: SB6277 , SB5992 , SB6078 , SB6089 , SB5918 , SB5861 , SB6118 , SB6065 , SB6052

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: military families, military children, school enrollment, residency requirements, public schools, school districts, educational stability, student mobility, interstate compact, military relocation, active duty, military orders, special education, IEP, Section 504, records transfer, conditional enrollment, Washington schools, RCW 28A.225.215, military installation

Transcript Highlights:

• a digital marketing going to launch a digital marketing campaign.
• And then, finally, establishing the right operational infrastructure.
• In Florida, the approach was to launch a statewide campaign, but also to launch eight regional campaigns
• </c><00:58:57.280><c> in</c> results they've seen they launched in results they've seen they launched
• So, we launched this program about a year ago at the SOAR Summit. Uh, it was a big deal.

Summary: The subcommittee met with leaders of the First Frontier Appalachian Trail System for an update on trail development, economic impact, and funding needs. Speakers said the system has expanded from 18 to 21 counties over the past year, with interest from additional counties, about 450 miles of trails currently open, and a goal of surpassing 1,000 miles within two years. They described the project as primarily an economic development effort that is already drawing public and private investment, supporting lodging and campground businesses, and creating new enterprises such as guide services, repairs, and recovery services for ATVs. The presentation highlighted permit sales, which began on a soft-launch basis earlier in the year and are now available both physically and online. Permits cost $25 per year for in-state residents and allow riding on First Frontier trails. Officials also discussed landowner agreements, saying the standard license agreement is modeled on Hatfield-McCoy, is favorable to landowners, and can be ended with 60 days’ notice. They said the agreements, along with patrols and cleanup efforts, help address trespassing and illegal dumping while encouraging property owners to participate. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Captain Jason Sloan reported 638 hours of patrols under the memorandum of agreement since January 1 and said the partnership has focused on safety, enforcement of existing laws, emergency planning, and cleanup support. The group also cited partnerships with the National Forest, Onyx Off-Road, ARC, and Yamaha, and said a Jeep Jamboree in Lee County drew 237 registered participants, mostly from out of state. They said a GNCC race in Knox County is being pursued for spring. The authority requested $3.5 million for the next two-year budget cycle and said it needs additional staffing, including two full-time trail development coordinators and part-time office help, to keep up with growth. Members praised the project’s progress and its potential to boost tourism and regional economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you have a boat launch somewhere else, you could still launch your boat or kayak, whatever that
• That is the only boat launch that we're... So when... ...the boat launch that we're...
• So when the boat launch was open and active, did voters have to pay a fee to use that launch?
• on any will feed and said we will monitor the launch. ...feed and said we will monitor the launch for
• I have launched a boat there for many, many years in the woods. It was a makeshift boat launch...

Bills: HB471 , HB473

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing a COLA for apportionments helps districts cover increases in their core operating costs, while
• The first courses launched in fall 2025, and in just one term more than 550,000 students enrolled in
• So it means we're also operating in a system right now that's incredibly and deeply inefficient.
• Our partnerships with SEIU-HW and Allied Health launching a community health worker program combine a
• As you may recall, the Common Cloud data platform was launched by the Chancellor's Office a few years

Transcript Highlights:

• like the Senator was talking about earlier, we have an amazing and astronomical amount of space operations
• Within those three years, we're going to be launching commercial space satellites from Yuma, the stuff
• I love the idea of this bill because I think it gets us up the launching pad to making this something
• Space Marshal certificate for you whenever you... ...make the appropriate time, whenever the Mars launch
• watching season four of For All Mankind again, getting ready for season five, so I'm all about the Mars launch

Committee: House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1020, which would create Arizona Space Commission special license plates. Staff explained that by December 31, 2026, an applicant would pay a $32,000 implementation fee to ADOT, with $8 going to an administrative fee and $17 from each plate donation going to the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund. Senator Shamp and Arizona Space Commission representatives spoke in support, describing the bill as a way to raise awareness for Arizona’s space economy and support future aerospace and research efforts. A commission chair also noted that the commission has no dedicated funding stream and that the bill would help generate revenue for its aerospace and innovation work. After discussion, members asked about the bill’s timing and a likely floor amendment to extend the implementation deadline from 2026 to 2027. The committee then voted 5-0, with two members absent, to return SB 1020 with a do-pass recommendation. The chair and members made several supportive remarks about Arizona’s space industry, including Yuma’s future role and the state’s broader competitiveness in aerospace. The committee then received a Deloitte presentation on artificial intelligence in government. Deloitte described how AI and large public data sets can be used to improve state services, but emphasized questions of accountability, privacy, workforce impacts, and responsible use. In response to member questions, the presenters explained their data sources, how they handle minors through household-level records, and how they use predictive models to identify likely needs such as veteran benefits or rural health outreach, while stressing that the models are not used to make final eligibility decisions. A final presentation from Pano AI focused on wildfire detection technology. The presenter explained that the system uses high-definition cameras, AI, and human review to detect smoke early, provide location data to responders, and improve initial attack on fires. Members asked about coverage, weather limitations, funding, and future improvements. The presenter said the system is already deployed across Arizona through public and private partners, including utilities and fire agencies, and that it has helped identify fires early and support faster containment. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The school is set to launch in the fall of 2027, and this four-year BSN program reflects Whitworth's
• I commend Whitworth University for launching its new nursing program, a launching its new nursing program
• And maybe it's the entrepreneur who would launch the next entrepreneur who would launch the next great
• They also operate a feeder calf operation They also operate a feeder calf operation where they feed over
• How does it operate? It starves the baby to death.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, moving to item B2, Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations.
• I'm Mary Franklin, the Director of the Division of County Operations for the Department of Human Services
• You know, this is my second launch with electronic licensing, and it was the largest launch for our agency
• as a reminder, in those instances where an agency believes that a rule is not necessary for the operation
• requesting that the rule be excluded from the agency's monthly updates on rulemaking. ...for the operation

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture moved to repeal rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify that pregnant women may still be referred to child support enforcement but will not be sanctioned during pregnancy and the 60-day postpartum period, removed the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminated a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B when group health coverage ends. DHS also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model for sickle cell disease and a technical Medicaid medication-assisted treatment update that does not change coverage. The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules. One created procedures for the department to issue interpretations in local construction plan disputes under Act 591 of 2025. The Contractors Licensing Board and Residential Contractors Committee amended rules to raise the restricted commercial license threshold and light building project limit from $750,000 to $1.5 million, and to allow deferral of owner-complaint investigations while related civil litigation is pending. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader cleanup and policy changes under Act 746 of 2025, including eliminating the Class C license by moving those holders into Class B, expanding work limits for Class A and B licensees, changing continuing education to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and keeping annual license renewal. Members asked detailed questions about impacts on businesses, training, youth working with parents, and whether any unintended burdens were created; the board said it had notified licensees and had received little pushback. The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting for Act 473 of 2025, concluding that the statute was sufficiently detailed and did not require additional rules. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report was accepted, with the Department of Education stating that the library’s three existing rules should remain in effect. During the update on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained that many delayed rules were held back because they were likely to be amended again in 2025, and members expressed concern about the length of time some rules have remained unfinished. The meeting ended after written 2025 rulemaking updates were noted, with no further action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The operations committee has been working on a recruitment campaign to help fill the vacant positions
• Stacy's managing this portion of it in conjunction with the operations committee.
• Yeah, a QR code will basically launch them straight to this website.
• I got to take a look at just the operations and see the technology for myself.
• Item is the operations committee, Chrissy, so...

Transcript Highlights:

• Because that may not be someplace you operate.
• So TSA is ultimately operating all of those checks.
• These operations. Clear operates under a nationwide memorandum of understanding with the TSA.
• We also lease Clear office space to operate.
• This goes into our general operating fund to operate it. them to operate, which we've done.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee held an interim study on airport security vendors, prompted by Representative Hayes’s earlier House Bill 1271, which would have restricted Oklahoma airports from contracting with third-party identity verification companies such as Clear. Hayes explained the bill stemmed from concerns raised after a December 2022 TSA letter and broader questions about whether these vendors create security risks or bypass TSA screening. The committee heard first from Clear, then Idemia, and then Tulsa International Airport, with members focusing on how identity verification works, whether it differs from TSA screening, and whether the state should regulate these services. Clear’s representative said the company provides an opt-in biometric identity verification service at airports, not physical screening, and that every passenger still goes through TSA screening. He said Clear operates in about 60 airports in roughly 40 states, has about 40,000 members in Oklahoma, and has paid more than $1.1 million to Oklahoma airports since launching in the state. Members questioned how Clear verifies IDs, whether Real ID is required, whether the company can manually override biometric checks, whether it shares data, and whether it has had security issues. Clear said it uses source corroboration with state DMV systems, does not sell data, has no manual override, and has worked with TSA on security upgrades after earlier concerns. Idemia’s representative described the company’s broader biometrics work for Oklahoma and the federal government, including fingerprint systems for the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, civilian background-check enrollment, TSA checkpoint credential authentication technology, and TSA PreCheck enrollment. She said Idemia’s role stops at identity verification and that TSA retains responsibility for screening and for decisions about who enters trusted traveler programs. Tulsa International’s COO said Clear does not replace TSA, that TSA retains exclusive authority over screening, and that the airport leases space to Clear and receives revenue from the arrangement. No vote was taken, and the meeting ended after questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The role will provide day-to-day operational support as well as key leadership.
• It will ensure consistent standards, align program operations, and coordinate with external partnerships
• Of the total allocation, 5% has already been shown as state operations.
• So it is we want the unfettered ability to launch any program with no clue or history.
• We want the unfettered ability to launch any program with no clue or hint about what it might be.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've launched a new campaign, and this is, I don't know if you want to watch the video.
• They have been operating in Arizona and they're a support for foster families.
• When the program first launched, it targeted students with one or more risk factors.
• 3 operate only two pre-K classrooms.
• They also connect to the Common Core, which we know is how our K-12 system operates.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, we are launching in our fifth year. ...settings.
• As you know, we are launching in our fifth year, and we have a lot of lessons learned.
• And last December, we did launch the administration launched the Public Health Network Information Exchange
• State operations funds are the resources to administer this fund. B 1487.
• To state operations expenditures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission operates, but we do think that having people that do have some expertise in that field and
• At the association level, we just launched a national campaign, Skip the Bin, Turn Them In, which will
• c><00:22:02.320><c> just</c> At the association level, we just At the association level, we just launched
• > national</c><00:22:03.560><c> campaign,</c><00:22:04.440><c> skip</c><00:22:04.720><c> the</c> launched
• a national campaign, skip the launched a national campaign, skip the bin<00:22:05.080><c> turn</c><00

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• We know they're operating in Massachusetts.
• H2 was created with all of our operational needs in mind, and so I... ...all of our operational needs
• It's just to fund core operations.
• The sheriffs are operating on a deficit budget, so that 3% doesn't even get us to an operational number
• But we are committed to operating fiscally.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you walk us through the decision-making process at DCF regarding the launch of this anti-marijuana
• Can you walk us through the decision-making process at DCF regarding the launch of this anti-marijuana
• That committee will be responsible for reviewing and monitoring both the operations and financing of
• Today, we have approximately 70 PBMs that operate in our marketplace with a variety of business models
• I'm Lucille Aceta, Senior Vice President and Head of Specialty Pharmacy Operations for CVS Health.

Bills: S0688 , S1414 , S0186 , S0902 , S0196 , S1574 , S0878 , S1092 , S1032 , S1684 , S1686 , S1760

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills and confirmations. It first heard SB 1414 on congenital cytomegalovirus education, which would require the Department of Health to develop and distribute educational materials to expectant and new parents through maternity, prenatal, newborn, and OB-GYN settings; an amendment removed a section on required instruction for medical professionals, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved a block of appointees on tabs 2 through 7 and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after her testimony on Medicaid accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, rural health, behavioral health, and the state’s technology modernization efforts. Senators asked Harris about Hope Florida, Medicaid redeterminations, the CORE project, an anti-marijuana ad campaign at DCF, and compliance with a federal Medicaid-related court order; she said she would follow up on some issues. The confirmation was recommended favorably, with Senator Berman voting no. The committee next passed SB 186 on student health and safety, which expands epilepsy and seizure-disorder training requirements to more school personnel, including bus drivers and charter school staff, and requires seizure-first-aid posters and updated Department of Health education efforts. It also approved SB 902 on Department of Health issues after amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and added provisions on medical marijuana regulation, early childhood intervention, practitioner accountability, and autism workforce development; one speaker raised concerns about marijuana dispensary location restrictions and low-THC ratios. SB 196 creating a uterine fibroid research database was also reported favorably after an amendment protecting patient privacy; the bill drew emotional testimony from a patient describing severe symptoms and the need for more research. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine was approved after committee discussion about scope of practice, referral obligations, and whether naturopathic care should be adjunctive to conventional medicine; supporters described complementary care and access issues, while opponents worried about delayed treatment for serious disease. Later, the committee passed SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” to add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening using the same blood specimen already collected at birth and to launch an education campaign; parents of a child affected by the disease testified that earlier screening could have prevented severe harm. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel was reported favorably to address staffing shortages by allowing Florida to rely more directly on federal CLIA standards for qualified lab workers. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine was approved after an amendment narrowed it to cellular/tissue-based products and podiatrists’ use of certain therapies; the bill also addresses continuing education, informed consent, and advertising disclosures. SB 1032 on medical marijuana was amended and passed, aligning physician certification and card renewal timelines, setting 70-day and 35-day supply limits, and reducing the fee for honorably discharged veterans while preserving funding for FAMU; Senator Harrell opposed it, saying the longer timeframes were too much of an expansion. The committee also heard SB 1760 on Medicaid coverage transparency from Senator Brodeur, who said the bill focuses on accountability and fiscal responsibility, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's primarily used as a biofuel to generate steam for sugar cane milling operations.
• And it's been a great product for him and his operation.
• This is infrastructure funding to launch and get started. To launch, to get started.
• Infrastructure funding to launch and get started.
• They launched the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which is very similar situated to the Healthy Food

Bills: HCR65 , HB512 , HB1194 , SCR23 , SB502

Committees: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments