Transcript Highlights:

• Second, eligibility verification is currently the responsibility of counties and DHS, and they perform
• Representative Bakker: Yes, there would be that type of verification.
• I've been talking to the plans the last couple of days and other ideas on that verification.
• There is a system for verification.
• I will be very upfront: I think the idea of verification is an admirable one to make sure that our dollars

Transcript Highlights:

• , eligibility verification is Second, eligibility verification is currently<00:26:54.480> the<
• Representative Becker: Yes, there would be that type of verification.
• Representative Becker: Yes, there would be that type of verification.
• There is a system for verification. It's done by the county and DHS, not the health plans.
• There is a system for verification. It's done by the county and DHS, not the health plans.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Through SAVE, which is Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, but it's a federal system that
• I think this is just citizenship verification. >> I will look for a shake of the head from the Secretary
• 14:58.480> and<00:14:58.880> do<00:14:59.440> additional<00:14:59.839> verification
• <00:15:00.959> um<00:15:01.040> to go and do additional verification um to go and do
• additional verification um to do<00:15:01.360> verify<00:15:01.760> DPS<00:15:02.320><

Keywords: Elections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 250, which would require disclosures for political advertisements that are generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence. Senator Blackman explained that the bill applies to video, image, and audio ads, with specific disclaimer requirements and exemptions for bona fide news coverage, documentaries, and certain distributors that require AI disclosure from submitters. Members asked about the bill’s scope, including that it would not cover written mailers. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2386, which would prohibit political candidates from using grand jury or jury proceedings as a captive audience for campaign activity. Senator Tate said the measure had been passed before and was intended to prevent politicizing trials. With no questions, the committee again voted title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2096 from the Secretary of State’s office, a technical elections bill establishing minimum cybersecurity standards for access to SIMS by election officials and clerks; counties would have to pass an assessment or use election support funds to fix deficiencies. That bill was likewise reported out on a title sufficient, do pass motion. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 2588, the Shield Act, which would require citizenship verification through the federal SAVE system for certain driver’s license or ID applicants who identify as noncitizens or do not provide verifiable information, and would also run the voter rolls through SAVE annually. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity and add confidence that voters are citizens, while Senator Blunt argued the bill could lead to unnecessary purges based on database mismatches and that existing systems already address the issue. The Secretary of State’s office said SAVE is used with safeguards, does not automatically remove voters, and that voters flagged in error can provide proof and remain eligible. Despite the debate, the committee voted title sufficient and do pass committee substitute, and the bill was reported out. Finally, the chairman began explaining Senate Bill 2558, a comprehensive campaign finance reform bill. He described provisions requiring candidates and committees to file statements of organization before accepting contributions or making expenditures, defining corporate contributions and coordinated expenditures, separating candidate committees from PACs, requiring more detailed reporting and electronic filing, setting rules for termination reports and anonymous contributions, and imposing tiered fines for violations. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its discussion or took final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• For signature, thank you. We'll open this for a signature.
• Then, for signatures, any further business?

Bills: HB2115, HB2115

Keywords: public assistance, Department of Human Services, federal funds, community services, energy conservation, poverty reduction, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another was the Department of Health's redundant verification of FBI background checks.
• streamline certification, state law could be amended to eliminate DOH's redundant FBI background check verification
• DOH is verifying at the time of application, or when are they doing their verification?
• That verification occurs at the very end of the process when DOH issues the certification.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states. The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> the Over the past 25 years, Minnesota has adopted several statutes that allow electronic signatures
• They include things like health care directives and powers of attorney, and those also require signatures
• ,<00:13:38.400> including<00:13:38.960> remote electronic signatures, including remote
• electronic signatures, including remote online<00:13:39.800> notarization,<00:13:41.040> the
• of attorney, and those<00:13:58.160> also<00:13:58.560> require<00:13:59.080> signatures

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The people come in here and they don't have a signature.
• They just put an X, and X is their signature."
• It really, now, I ate crow, but I also started thinking our signature is really as unique as our fingerprints
• The people come in here and they don't have a signature.
• They just put an X, and X is their signature."

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and considered four measures. HB 409, which would require K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, was presented briefly with no public testimony or debate and passed 18-0. The committee then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to codify religious liberty and expression in schools. Supporters argued it would strengthen existing protections and give voters the final say, while opponents from parent, atheist, interfaith, and church groups warned it could privilege dominant faiths, create coercion or confusion in schools, and reduce flexibility for districts. After extended debate, the resolution passed 18-1, with Rep. Harris voting no. The committee next heard CS/HB 453, which would allow students to substitute participation in Special Olympics for a PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit under certain conditions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill recognizes the physical demands of these activities and would benefit students with disabilities and band students; school district and PTA representatives waived in support. The bill passed unanimously, 19-0. Finally, HB 127, requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2 through 5, was presented as a literacy and heritage measure. Supporters said it would help students read historical documents and strengthen handwriting skills, while questions focused on grading, retention, and applicability to charter schools. It passed 17-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> They do the verification. >> They do the verification.
• >> They do the verification. >> They do the verification.
• We do ID verification. Each company can use its own third party. We use a company called Verif.
• It would probably be verification.
• saying that because of the verification saying that because of the verification system<02:10:34.639

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee focused primarily on a bill concerning long-term care insurance rate increases and consumer notice. Members and staff discussed replacing or supplementing a proposed public hearing requirement with annual reporting, website updates, and consumer-facing disclosures about approved rate increases, carriers writing the products, and how the products work. Several participants emphasized that long-term care policies are long-term products, that rate increases can be spread over many years for actuarial reasons, and that consumers need better information about trends and the impact of increases. A major point of disagreement was whether the bill should try to cap premium increases. One member argued the real problem is unexpected increases of 15% to 20% and urged a statutory cap to protect consumers. Insurance department representatives and others responded that hard caps had been struck down in prior case law, that the department’s core responsibility is solvency, and that carriers need sufficient premium to pay future claims. They also said the market is struggling because many carriers stopped selling the product, leaving in-force policies to bear the cost, and that overly restrictive caps could cause insurers to withdraw from the state. The discussion then shifted toward a compromise requiring carriers to notify policyholders before a rate increase is approved and allowing a 60-day comment period. Participants debated whether the notice should come from the carrier, how confidentiality rules would apply before approval, and what the department should do with public comments. The department said it already reviews filings carefully and that submitted rates are often adjusted before approval; lawmakers noted that prior commissioners had pushed back on increases in some cases, including a seven-year moratorium. No final vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly tried to move the subcommittee along to other bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, um, the signatures: John Hancock.
• And then um the signatures, king.
• And then um the signatures, John<00:02:19.840> Hancock,<00:02:20.640> I<00:02:20.879>
• signatures are also a cursive style rather than a printed style.
• <00:20:31.120> and other than signing your signature and other than signing your signature

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the enrollment committee has met and finds the following bills are in order and ready for your signature
• The enrollment committee has met and finds the following bills are in order and ready for your signature
• I understand the enrollment committee is on the board. order and ready for your signature, Mr. order
• and ready for your signature, Mr.
• order and ready for your signature. order and ready for your signature.

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, thank you, Chairman Ganon, and I'm here to introduce Senate Bill 648, aid verification, to allow
• So, it basically mandates that you have government ID-based age verification.
• government ID based age verification. government ID based age verification.
• <01:14:54.880> And<01:14:55.440> uh<01:14:55.600> my verification laws.
• And uh my verification laws.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Verification has been requested. Verification is granted. Members, take your seats, please.
• The verification reflects 61 nays; the motion to table prevails. Mr.
• Verification has been requested. Verification is granted.
• After the verification, if your machine malfunctions.
• The verification reflects there being 87 ayes and 44 nays.

Bills: HB17, HB16, SB 10, HB27, HB23, SB 15, SB 18, HB 17, HB 16, SB 10, HB 27, HB 23, SB 15, SB 18

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support

Transcript Highlights:

• What House Bill 390 does is it seeks to create a real-time insurance verification system for motor vehicle
• One of the pieces that was left in the old system, though, was the insurance verification system, and
• c> system<00:18:42.480> for<00:18:42.760> Motor<00:18:43.120> Vehicle verification
• system for Motor Vehicle verification system for Motor Vehicle Insurance<00:18:44.440> in<00:
• though was the insurance verification though was the insurance verification system<00:19:21.240>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:13 HB423 Discussion: 01:38 HB423 Vote: 12:30 HB415 Discussion: 13:50 HB415 Vote: 15:13 HB390 Discussion: 16:30 HB390 Vote: 21:48 HB3 For Discussion Only: 23:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 423, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by Representative Kim Moser. A committee substitute was adopted to clarify that the bill’s prior authorization exemption program does not apply to Medicaid. Supporters, including the Kentucky Medical Association, said the bill would reduce red tape, improve transparency, and let providers spend more time on patient care. The bill would create a framework for insurers to establish a gold carding or waiver program for certain health services, exclude prescription drugs, prohibit retrospective reviews based solely on an exemption, and require annual reporting by the Department of Insurance and the Department for Medicaid Services. After questions about how exemptions would work and whether the bill addressed repeat prior authorizations, the committee voted to pass HB 423 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 415, sponsored by Representative Pollock and supported by AFLAC representatives. The bill was described as clarifying that health insurance coverage mandates are generally intended to apply only to primary major medical policies. With no substantive opposition or questions, the committee voted to pass HB 415 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 390 from Chair Meredith, presented with support from multiple insurance industry representatives and the Department of Insurance. The bill would move motor vehicle insurance verification data from the old system to the CAVIS database and shorten the reporting turnaround from 30 days to a ceiling of seven days, with the possibility of a shorter period by regulation. After brief discussion and no objections, the committee voted to pass HB 390 with favorable expression. The committee also heard House Bill 3 for discussion only, sponsored by Representative Neighbors and supported by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. The bill would require Kentucky Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for covered clinical services they already provide, aligning Medicaid with existing commercial insurance policy. Supporters argued it would improve access, especially in underserved areas, and could reduce emergency room use and improve outcomes; the bill was not voted on during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be offering the bill for signatures to the committee members not present.
• If it receives enough signatures for release from committee, it will be reported out on the legislative
• note that any votes that will be taken will be by roll call vote, we'll be offering the bill for signatures
• to the committee members not present if it receives enough signatures, to the committee members not
• present, if it receives enough signatures for release from committee, it will be reported out on the

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• this state who is required by federal law to complete or maintain federal employment eligibility verification
• That addresses the concerns... ...employment eligibility verification forms or documents.
• 37 and 38: 'is required by federal law to complete or maintain federal employment eligibility verification
• or certain intermittent personal basis employment, you are not required to go through the I-9 verification
• provision of this code to the contrary," an employer that does not utilize E-Verify employment verification

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee considered several bills and amendments, beginning with House Bill 4995 on video cameras in special education classrooms. Counsel explained that the bill would require parents to be notified of recording interruptions, provide written notice of the camera law to parents and school employees, allow recordings to be used for discipline of school personnel, shorten required random review intervals from 90 days to 30 days, and clarify that local boards still must independently investigate abuse allegations. The committee then moved to report HB 4995 to the full Senate with a do pass recommendation, and the motion was adopted. House Bill 5214, dealing with child abuse and neglect cases, was amended to allow courts to require drug testing of parents in certain cases, require laboratory confirmation of positive results, require the department to pay testing costs, and notify the court and guardian ad litem of positive results. The committee adopted the amendment, reported the bill as amended, and adopted a title amendment. The committee also considered House Bill 4025 and House Bill 5441, both restructuring civil service and grievance procedures for certain state agencies. HB 4025 would exempt employees of Health, health facilities, and Human Services from classified civil service and grievance procedures beginning July 1, 2026, while HB 5441 would do the same for Transportation, Revenue, and the Bureau for Social Services and transfer personnel functions to the Division of Personnel. After discussion, the committee adopted the amendments and reported both bills as amended. For House Bill 4602, a revived child welfare privatization proposal, the committee heard testimony from the Bureau for Social Services about caseloads, provider access to the PATH system, oversight responsibilities, and concerns about costs and outcomes in other states. The chair amended the bill to remove one of the two pilot regions, leaving only the Berkeley/Jefferson County pilot. Despite opposition from the senator from Marion, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill as amended. House Bill 4106, which would remove the provisional concealed handgun license requirement for 18- to 20-year-olds, drew testimony from a pediatric physician opposing the change and from a gun rights advocate supporting it. An amendment requiring under-21 individuals to complete firearms training was offered but defeated by roll call vote, and the bill was then reported as amended. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 4198, an E-Verify bill. A subcommittee report and strike-and-insert amendment revised definitions, exemptions, notice requirements, record retention, and penalties, and the committee invoked the previous question to end debate. The strike-and-insert amendment was adopted, and HB 4198 was reported to the full Senate as amended. House Bill 5319 was removed from the agenda, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• provide for a way for individuals or employers to report violations that include details of its verification
• My question is in regards to the every 2 weeks verification and require checking to make sure that someone
• Chair Senator just looking at. >> The I think Bill summary it talked about with the weekly verifications
• 4 million and they give a cost 10 million 27 13 million and some change in 28 with the weekly verifications
• better use of dollars and cents that they're going to incur these expenditures to do these weekly verifications

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :14.360> laws<01:18:15.080> with passed age verification laws with passed age verification
• support age verification.
• They say that age verification is an important aspect of what they're trying to get done.
• support age verification.
• :55.600> an<01:23:55.680> important that age verification is an important that age verification

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem, then established a quorum and approved the previous day’s journal. Members handled routine business including second readings of several Senate files, first readings of House files 5067 through 5073, and messages from the Senate transmitting bills and requesting concurrence on House File 3437 and House File 1410. The House concurred in Senate amendments to HF 3437, a commerce bill with a technical cross-reference correction, and passed it 133-0. It also concurred in Senate amendments to HF 1410, a public safety bill on correctional officer procedures, and passed it 132-2 after members described the changes as clarifying and balanced for labor and management. The chamber then took up House File 3404, which increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The bill would raise the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, create aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, law-enforcement-style vehicles, or possession of a firearm, and add a duty for officers to identify themselves while protecting undercover work. Supporters, including the author and several members, tied the bill to the June 14, 2025 killings and said it was needed to restore public trust and protect both the public and legitimate law enforcement. The House passed HF 3404 134-0 after a moment of silence. The House also passed House File 3155, which closes a loophole in gift card fraud law by allowing prosecution based on the value stored on the card rather than just the plastic card itself. Supporters described organized retail crime schemes in which stolen gift cards are drained after activation and said the bill would help retailers, consumers, and law enforcement. The bill passed 134-0. Senate File 3958, which changes the deadline for a disaster assistance contingency account report from January 15 to January 31, also passed 134-0. Finally, the House considered House File 3875, the judiciary policy bill. An author’s amendment removed a section that had been unintentionally left in the bill, and members then discussed provisions allowing courts more flexibility in publishing notices, streamlining some notification requirements in dissolution cases, and making restitution orders permanent unless rescinded by court order. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're presenting a rule for electronic visit verification for in-home personal care and attendant
• You have already approved our rule overall for electronic visit verification.
• This will allow us to do some automatic verifications with the IRS because they will no longer have to

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard an emergency rule from the Department of Human Services on hospital-based residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorder. Paula Stone explained that the rule would allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in a general hospital unit for ages 12 and up, with Unity Hospital in CERC expected to open the first such unit. Members asked about length of stay, cost, and capacity; Stone said stays would be determined by ASAM criteria with no fixed cap, the proposed Medicaid rate is $850 per day pending CMS approval, and the unit would have 24 beds split between boys and girls with on-site schooling. The committee then considered a rule on electronic visit verification for in-home personal care, attendant care, respite care, and home health services. Elizabeth Pittman said the update is intended to keep the state compliant with federal EVV requirements under the 21st Century Cures Act, improve auditing and corrective action plans for providers with too many manual claims, and remove the W-9 submission requirement in favor of IRS verification. Members confirmed that federal law requires an EVV system, and Pittman noted Arkansas uses an open system that allows providers to use the state option or their own vendor. No objections were raised to the EVV rule, which was reported as reviewed. The meeting then concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senate File 4400 is vehicle for electronic visit verification language.
• This legislation, the electronic visit verification, is simple, but its effect will be wide reaching.
• This law will require and provide for electronic visit verification, often shortened to EVV, to create

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That will mean enhanced training, quality assurance, and data verification within the agency.
• That will mean enhanced training, quality assurance, and data verification within the agency.
• and I worked on together, that he allowed me to put my name on, although he assigned it with his signature

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.