Transcript Highlights:

• Studies consistently programs.
• </c> school program the state and the county? school program the state and the county?
• </c> it does create um disparate treatment it does create um disparate treatment concerns and<01:34:14.000
• </c><01:34:20.639><c> the</c> clear link between the program the clear link between the program the benefits
• And for generated to fund that program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute House Bill 2323 deals with establishing a blue envelope program.
• The blue envelope program must contain the following printed information on the envelope: information
• DOL must maintain accessible information and resources regarding the blue envelope program on the web
• They miss treatment.
• They miss treatment.

Bills: HB2604 , HB2436 , SB6354 , SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment

Transcript Highlights:

• projects that are eligible for this bonus law, which would create more housing, are not using the program
• We know what the cost-ineffective programs are. A lot of this work's already been done.
• AB 2146 creates no new program and appropriates no new funds.
• , No Place Like Home, Homekey, and the tax credit programs.
• We see that there's about a $10 million cost just to set up the database and the program and that.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You should get somebody else to take care of the baby while you get treatment.’
• And so we have 11 Moms Do Care programs across the state, and we have six First Steps Together programs
• And these are programs that specifically support parents that are in recovery or using substances.
• And if we're really going to tackle this, we need more than 11 programs that are subject to specific
• Programs that are subject to specific eligibility by substances to be able to support people.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The meeting was an organizational and planning session of the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression. After roll call and housekeeping, the co-chairs thanked Senator Liz Miranda for her service and announced Senator Adam Gomez as the new Senate co-chair. Senator Miranda explained her transition off the leadership role due to other responsibilities and personal losses, while Senator Gomez said he was honored to join, would listen and learn, and would bring a Western Massachusetts perspective to the statewide commission. Members discussed current maternal health developments, including a new Department of Public Health regulation implementing the 2024 midwifery law and allowing temporary licenses for licensed certified professional midwives. The commission also reviewed open seats and possible future appointees, with an emphasis on adding regional, clinical, and lived-experience diversity. Several commissioners raised concerns about birthing hospital and inpatient obstetric unit closures, workforce shortages in OB-GYN and midwifery, reimbursement changes, and the need to expand training slots and funding for perinatal care. A major theme was how the commission should focus its work in the coming year. Members suggested more attention to parent-child relational health, pediatric screening for postpartum mood disorders, coordination across OB-GYN, pediatrics, infant mental health, and home visiting systems, and stronger involvement from clinicians and organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The Division of Public Health and the Division of Insurance shared updates on community midwifery reimbursement, a payer learning community, insurance coverage for mental health examinations, and the need for better education about birthing centers and doulas. Commissioners also discussed substance use and maternal mental health supports, noting that current funding for community-based organizations is limited compared with demand. The group reviewed upcoming maternal health events in April, including Black Maternal Health Week activities, and agreed there was not enough time to plan a new commission event for May. Instead, members favored using the commission’s communication channels to share relevant events and information. The commission approved a motion to create a biweekly digest for information sharing, with urgent items still able to be sent directly to commissioners, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• hospital every night while she<01:52:36.560><c> was</c><01:52:36.679><c> in</c><01:52:37.280><c> treatment
• and</c><01:52:38.480><c> he</c><01:52:38.560><c> would</c><01:52:38.719><c> sleep</c> she was in treatment
• and he would sleep she was in treatment and he would sleep there<01:52:39.480><c> and</c><01:52:39.599
• Be it further resolved that the House encourages all Minnesotans to participate in activities and programs
• </c> participate in activities and programs participate in activities and programs that<02:14:25.040>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, program.
• And while that's an important program and a vital program and a necessary program, and it's a program
• a</c><02:43:54.319><c> vital</c><02:43:54.640><c> program</c> important program and a vital program important
• program and it's a and a necessary program and it's a program<02:43:57.200><c> that</c><02:43:57.439
• . programs. programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mentioned is in a last dollarin program mentioned is in a last dollarin program available<00:21:
• Happy to answer any questions about the grants program or for programs and services generally.
• </c><00:32:19.880><c> two</c> so it's one program two so it's one program two sites<00:32:22.639><c>
• We have volunteer programs, significant volunteer programs, where we track the number of hours by our
• The SOAR program is another one.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DIMENSION THE SIZE OF THE PROGRAM IS OKAY.
• IN THEORY ALREADY ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM AND WHATNOT IS IN THEORY HAVE A LARGER PROGRAM IN FLORIDA
• ONE OTHER THING IS I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS THE PILOT PROGRAM, THE MANAGED-CARE PILOT PROGRAM AND I WOULD
• THE I CONNECT PROGRAM.
• THEN OF COURSE YOU HAVE THE OTHER PROGRAMS, THE MEDICAID PROGRAM PROVIDING SERVICES TO. >> Chair Andrade

Transcript Highlights:

• to U I guess preferential treatment to U I guess incentivize<00:15:57.839><c> installation</c><00:15
• </c><00:31:44.440><c> though</c> create some pilot programs though create some pilot programs though
• I'm sure many of you have heard of things like the letters program.
• I'm sure many of you have heard of things like the Letters program.
• I'm sure many of you have heard of things like the Letters program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first took up House Bill 14, which would establish Alyssa’s Law in Kentucky public schools. The bill, as amended by committee substitute, would allow districts to implement wearable panic alert systems for school staff beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Sponsor Rep. Kevin Jackson and supporters described the system as a silent badge/button that can alert school offices, 911, first responders, and other personnel, with different button sequences for different emergencies. Testimony from Lori Alade, Alyssa’s mother and founder of Make Our Schools Safe, emphasized that “time equals life” and said the technology can help in active threats, medical emergencies, weather events, and other urgent situations. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s Kentucky Youth Assembly also supported the bill, citing the Georgia school shooting response as an example of how such systems can save lives. Members asked about vendor neutrality, costs, training, and whether the system could be used off campus; sponsors said the bill is intended to be vendor neutral, estimated statewide costs ranged from about $2 million to $6 million, training would be provided before the school year, and they would follow up on the off-campus question. The committee approved HB 14 with the committee substitute attached. The committee then reconsidered and approved House Bill 48, a cleanup measure related to school reporting requirements. The substitute was described as addressing department concerns about eliminating certain reporting forms while preserving district flexibility and reducing burdensome reporting. It would allow schools to maintain or use alternative reporting methods, provide KDE a timeline and guidelines for reporting on Cognia software used for CPS and C-dips, and require a written report to the LRC describing reporting requirements imposed on public schools and districts, with items not reapproved by the legislature sunsetting in 2026. The bill passed the committee with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 190, as amended by committee substitute, which would shift the measure from a planning-and-action bill to a planning-only bill for advanced coursework and codify some gifted-student regulations. Rep. Duvall and Dr. Julia Link Roberts of WKU said the bill is intended to expand opportunities for high-potential students by requiring districts to set policies on advanced coursework or accelerated learning options for grades 4 through 12. The substitute changes the standard from “proficient” to “distinguished,” allows districts flexibility in how they implement the policies, and may require automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished, with opt-out provisions and a principal exception if coursework conflicts with career pathways or CTE access. Members discussed how the proposal differs from current advanced programs, the broader inclusion of students, and district variation in available opportunities. No final vote on HB 190 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So such offenders have been and will be set free without any form of treatment or supervision if we don't
• without any been and will be set free uh without any form<00:04:59.280><c> of</c><00:04:59.360><c> treatment
• or</c><00:04:59.919><c> supervision</c><00:05:00.639><c> if</c><00:05:00.960><c> we</c> form of treatment
• or supervision if we form of treatment or supervision if we don't<00:05:01.360><c> act.
• And those are the people that really need treatment as much as anybody so that we can protect the individuals

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the department's division of program the department's division of program quality<00:43:47.839><
• </c> different types of child care programs different types of child care programs and<00:58:44.559><
• In New Hampshire, it's programs.
• </c><01:00:37.119><c> the</c> a childare program can sink it. the a childare program can sink it. the
• Um, is there a program for that?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't do that with just transit and active transportation programs.
• AB 1754 requires succinct tracking and reporting on bond-funded programs after the programs are completed
• AB 1754 requires succinct tracking and reporting on bond-funded programs after the programs are completed
• Reporting on whether bond-funded programs achieve their intended goals.
• We can demonstrate the results of those investments and also improve future programs.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely in support and some opposition on a few measures. AB 458 would direct the Department of General Services, in consultation with the Department of Justice, to develop model procurement guidelines for state purchases of firearms, ammunition, and accessories so agencies avoid vendors that violate gun laws; law enforcement and San Francisco representatives supported it, and members discussed adding oversight and vetting. AB 1729 would update state telework policy by requiring written telework plans for return-to-office decisions and restoring public reporting on telework savings; supporters cited cost savings, productivity, climate benefits, and worker flexibility, while the author clarified it would not alter collective bargaining under the Dills Act. AB 1754 would require post-completion reporting on bond-funded programs’ goals and outcomes; supporters framed it as a transparency and accountability measure, while counties and water agencies opposed it unless amended, warning of added bureaucracy, delays, and litigation risk. AB 1841 would create a paid state holiday recognizing California Native American Day, and AB 2115 would issue a formal legislative apology to California’s first peoples and install a commemorative plaque at the Capitol; both drew strong tribal and labor support and broad committee praise, with members emphasizing education, historical acknowledgment, and healing. AB 2211 would allow craft distillers to operate a satellite room and use certain alcohol modifiers on premises, and AB 1991 would authorize wineries, breweries, and craft distilleries to conduct sensory tastings for research with guardrails; both had industry support, with AB 1991 drawing one opposition voice from Alcohol Justice. AB 1578 would require elected officials to take anti-hate speech training as part of existing sexual harassment training; it drew sharp First Amendment objections from opponents and mixed committee views, but the motion to send it to Appropriations passed on a recorded vote. The committee also heard AB 1807, which would bar state-owned property from being used for federal immigration enforcement operations; the author and supporters argued it would protect communities and prevent state complicity in federal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• and outline infrastructure for the program.
• Currently, our child care programs are at capacity.
• We serve 53 kids in our preschool program and 126 kids in our after-school and out-of-school programs
• My dear friend is a participant in the Arizona Address Confidentiality Program.
• This program exists because the state has recognized credible threats to safety.

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2793, which would let cities and towns expedite annexations when 100% of the affected property owners request it, and would modernize notice requirements by allowing electronic newspaper publication and a single on-site notice for small single-parcel annexations. Buckeye supported the bill as a way to streamline uncontested annexations and reduce delay and cost, while a senator raised concerns based on a recent contentious Tucson annexation and the speed of public notice. The committee voted 4-3 to give HB 2793 a do pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2041, which would prohibit a parent, guardian, or custodian from being found to have abused or neglected a child solely because poverty prevented them from providing supervision, clothing, food, shelter, or medical care. Child welfare advocates supported the bill as a step toward decriminalizing poverty, while another witness argued it did not go far enough because it still allowed investigations based on poverty. Several members said they supported the concept but wanted further changes, and the bill passed 4-3. The committee also approved HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund at DES to expand access in underserved areas; testimony from child care providers and parents emphasized shortages, workforce challenges, and the need for facilities, and the committee adopted an amendment adding tax credit language and eligible applicants before passing the bill 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2321, requiring DCS to place a credit freeze on a child’s credit report when the child enters care, passed 7-0 without testimony. HB 2371, allowing consenting divorcing parties without minor children to use AI-assisted arbitration and adding an amendment on therapeutic interventions and expert testimony in parenting cases, drew concerns about using AI for binding family-law decisions and about the amendment’s relevance; it passed 4-3. HB 2594, strengthening protections for participants in the address confidentiality program in family-law matters and sealing related voter records, received strong support from a witness describing repeated attempts by an ex-partner to obtain a protected address and passed 7-0 after amendment. HB 2661, requiring DCS to inform parents under investigation that they may delegate temporary guardianship and, as amended, limiting additional documentation requirements, passed 4-3 despite concerns that it gave too much discretion to parents accused of abuse or neglect.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is a program that is working. It's working well.
• Chair, this is not a debate about the program and the underlying program.
• We have so many programs where we exempt poor people. We have so many programs.
• We have so many programs where we exempt poor people. We have so many programs.
• We have so many programs where we exempt poor people. We have so many programs.

Bills: HB2159 , HB2251 , HB2521

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: preK, education funding, childcare, youth development, state budget, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent, and I am the board counsel for ICRMP, the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program.
• It doesn't weaken any of those youth access programs at all, and we think it's a smart update to allow
• It doesn't weaken any of those youth access programs at all, and we think it's a smart update to allow
• The legislature has deliberately taken steps to clarify Idaho's commitment to equal treatment, merit-based
• By emphasizing measurable performance, professional standards, and equal treatment under the law, we

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11 minutes, then unanimously sent House Bill 721 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HB 721, sponsored by Representative Crane, expands an existing 30-day initial plan review timeline from public school projects to all public works projects. Crane and supporters from the Idaho Associated General Contractors said the bill would improve efficiency, reduce regulatory burden, and let projects go to bid sooner; no opposition testified. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 618, a wildfire insurance transparency bill sponsored by Representatives Sauter and Church. The bill would require insurers using wildfire or catastrophe models to disclose certain risk-model information and mitigation-related details to policyholders and to the Department of Insurance, with annual data collection and website posting. Sponsors and several homeowners and fire-related witnesses said the measure would help consumers understand nonrenewals, appeal ratings, and learn what mitigation steps matter; opponents, including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and some committee members, argued it could expose proprietary information, increase compliance costs, and raise premiums. After debate, the committee rejected a motion to send the bill forward and instead voted to hold HB 618 in committee. House Bill 817, sponsored by Representative Petsky, was then advanced to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The bill would allow mobile cigar-event businesses and related “cigar garden” operations under tobacco permitting rules, with age restrictions and compliance checks still in place. Supporters described it as a small-business and entrepreneurship update, while opponents worried mobile retail would make tobacco compliance enforcement harder; the sponsor said the Department of Health and Welfare believed enforcement could still work. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 801 from Representative Redman, which would ease land-use barriers for faith-based organizations to develop housing and related uses on religious land. Redman said the bill is intended to help churches use underutilized land for attainable housing and services, while preserving guardrails such as setbacks from heavy industrial uses, airports, and military zones. Members raised concerns about parking, building height, setbacks, and airport rules, and Redman said he was open to amendments; the transcript ends during that discussion before any final action on HB 801.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent, and I am the board counsel for ICRMP, the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program.
• It doesn't weaken any of those youth access programs at all, and we think it's a smart update to allow
• It doesn't weaken any of those youth access programs at all, and we think it's a smart update to allow
• By emphasizing measurable performance, professional standards, and equal treatment under the law, we
• population in Idaho, and we need to encourage doctors from diverse backgrounds to enter residency programs

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is another relatively new program.
• a self-sustaining program.
• This is a new program.
• I heard you say new program, but on here it says program expansion.
• I heard you say new program, but on here it says program expansion.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates no new programs, no new regulatory bureaucracies, and poses no cost to the Commonwealth.
• Programs like the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program and the rental assistance for families in transition
• In the midst of reckless federal cuts to food assistance initiatives, this budget will fund such programs
• as the Emergency Food Assistance Program and Healthy Incentive Programs at high levels of $56 million
• as the Emergency Food Assistance Program and Healthy Incentive Programs at high levels of $56 million

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Minnesota Nice Homeshare Pilot Program, and that's been called a sensible idea and a very interesting
• It was just a pilot program for a few counties across the state, but I am hoping to get it into next
• Sounds like a really nice program. rent a room from you. So, you can uh rent a room from you.
• Sounds like a really<00:04:54.320><c> nice</c><00:04:54.680><c> program.
• Um you mentioned really nice program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund, to provide oversight and to carry out the needs of that program.
• into the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program if they so needed.
• This is something their other programs into the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program if they so needed
• This was recognized as... ...through the school's bridge program.
• I think it is a valuable program.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered the Department of Environmental Quality budget. Janet Jessup outlined enhancements for Triumph Mine monitoring and maintenance, a transfer for the Cordilleran Basin Superfund cleanup, and a fund shift to move two positions from federal support to the IPDES Program Fund. Members also discussed language to consolidate air permitting and drinking water permitting fee funds, and a separate cash transfer related to the new solid waste regulatory fund created by House Bill 555. The budget motion and the related language both passed, and the committee issued do-pass recommendations. The committee then took up the Department of Lands budget, focusing on Forest and Range Fire Protection funding. Members debated a one-time General Fund restoration for fire preparedness in FY 2026 and a similar request for FY 2027, with concerns raised about prior reversions and whether dedicated funds could be used instead. Director Dustin Miller explained that the other funds cited were restricted to forest practices enforcement and equipment replacement, and that the preparedness money supports standby crews, including seasonal firefighters in eastern Idaho and other regions. The FY 2026 request passed, the initial FY 2027 request failed, reconsideration was later allowed under parliamentary ruling, and the FY 2027 request then passed. The committee also adopted language limiting General Fund firefighter bonus appropriations to firefighters, after some discussion about whether the wording was too narrow. Next, the committee considered Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. The agency’s request included career ladder adjustments, a van for student transport, staffing for a new 18-bed residential building in Gooding, replacement items, and an endowment fund adjustment. A substitute motion to add the cottage staff funding failed, but the original motion passed, providing funding for the career ladder, replacement items, and the endowment adjustment, with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the State Department of Education budget was reviewed. The agency requested additional spending authority for school bus camera grants, an extended USDA farm-to-school grant, and ongoing technology grants for the child nutrition program. A substitute motion to increase the farm-to-school authority to cover the anticipated extension failed, but the original motion passed, approving the school bus camera fund increase, the farm-to-school grant authority, and the child nutrition technology funding, with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then announced the next day’s agenda and adjourned.