Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid rate increase EMS services: an act relating to medical assistance and services. Mr.
• Respect the report same back services.
• Speaker, your committee services. Mr.
• </c> the health care professional. the health care professional.
• ,</c><01:59:07.920><c> this</c> is a step in the right direction, this is a step in the right direction

Transcript Highlights:

• And these services that you and your neighbors agree, we want to finance these.
• I appreciate your caring about those folks that are at risk of that.
• We want to take care of them.
• So I do think that you're heading in the right direction there.
• Our social service organization in 2025 served over 15,000 households.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 994, which would extend taxpayer protection from penalties and interest when a taxpayer claims a tax credit that has reached its cap and then receives a Department of Revenue notice for underpayment. Senator Henderson said the bill mirrors existing language for the Champion for Children tax credit, would require payment within 60 days to avoid penalties and interest, and includes technical fixes for the beginning farmer tax credit and school-district reporting. The bill drew support from Missouri Soybean, Feeding Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Missouri Corn Growers, while the State Public Advocate initially objected to tax credits generally but said he would support the bill once he understood it did not create a new credit. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 1743, which would bar courts from depriving individuals of property for failure to pay property taxes, with the sponsor arguing that tax sales disproportionately harm low-income and elderly homeowners. Members raised concerns about weakening tax collection and the impact on local taxing districts, while the sponsor said liens and wage garnishment would still be available and that the bill was aimed at protecting homeownership. The Missouri County Collector’s Association opposed the bill, saying tax sales are rare, payment plans are common, and redemption periods already provide protection. The bill was left at hearing with no action. House Bill 2461, presented with nearly identical companion language from another member, would extend and expand Missouri’s donated food tax credit through 2032, raise the cap for food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters, and create a separate bucket for food banks. Sponsors and Feeding Missouri said the credit is expiring, demand for food assistance is high, and food banks need access to the program to leverage corporate donations; they also discussed a possible amendment to preserve eligibility if the individual income tax is eliminated. The State Public Advocate opposed the bill as another tax credit cost, but the Department of Revenue said the bill would streamline administration and had no fiscal impact. The committee also heard House Bill 3405, which would reclassify the SALT parity pass-through entity provision as a deduction rather than a tax credit for reporting purposes; the sponsor and Department of Revenue said this would improve clarity and reduce administrative burden without changing revenue, and business groups supported it. No votes were taken on any of the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> spent about 40 years in the health care spent about 40 years in the health care business.<00:02:
• The airports in Owensboro and Paducah do have commercial service, and they all are commercial service
• </c> they all are commercial service they all are commercial service airports,<00:03:41.880><c> but</
• </c> health care. health care.
• </c> and our air carriers are taken care of? and our air carriers are taken care of?

Summary: The task force was called to order with a quorum present, and Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation gave the first presentation. He outlined the state’s airport system, noting 58 public-use airports, the department’s small staff, and its funding structure through a jet fuel tax that generates about $23 million annually, leaving roughly $15 million for airport investment after required deductions. Carter highlighted recent projects at airports including Bardstown, Madisonville, Central Kentucky Regional, Paducah, Sparta, Danville, and Henderson, and said the department has also expanded data collection on airport activity, hangars, schools, and training programs. He emphasized that the department recently completed the first statewide economic impact study of general aviation airports and is developing a five-year airport needs plan. Carter said several things are working well, including stronger communication with airports, the public, the legislature, and especially the FAA’s Memphis district office, which now involves the state more in project selection. He said the department is reasonably staffed overall, but identified workforce development and advanced air mobility as major gaps. In response to questions from Senator Nunn and Representative York, he said he did not have specific workforce shortage numbers on hand, but cited Boeing reports showing large national and global shortages of pilots and mechanics, and explained that instructor shortages and low wages limit training capacity. He also said air traffic control is an FAA function, though EKU has shown interest in developing a training program. Carter identified several needs for improvement: more workforce investment, more aviation education in high schools, more scholarships for pilot and mechanic training, more attention to advanced air mobility, and more frequent, institutionalized data collection. He also pointed to major pending capital needs at airports such as Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Harlan, Leitchfield-Grayson County, and Whitesburg-Letcher County, all of which would require FAA and state support. He urged airports to do a better job marketing their economic value and said the state should continue updating aviation studies so lawmakers have current information for policy decisions. The task force then heard from Lexington Blue Grass Airport Director Eric Frankl, who welcomed the new CVG director and thanked the legislature for creating the task force and supporting aviation infrastructure. Frankl said Blue Grass Airport has rebounded from the pandemic and now exceeds pre-pandemic passenger levels, while serving a mix of private aviation, pilot training, corporate aviation, and commercial airline activity. He described ongoing terminal-area planning, parking technology upgrades, and a major parking lot expansion expected to finish by early spring 2026, and said the airport is planning for future technologies such as vertiports and electric aerial vehicles. Frankl estimated that a broader terminal modernization program will cost roughly $500 million to $700 million over the next 5 to 10 years and said the airport needs continued state support to close funding gaps and remain competitive with other states investing in aviation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this reflects the addition of the human services finance bill that was heard.
• And this reflects the addition of the And this reflects the addition of the human<00:02:20.480><c> services
• > finance</c><00:02:21.360><c> bill</c><00:02:21.520><c> that</c><00:02:21.760><c> was</c> human services
• finance bill that was human services finance bill that was heard.<00:02:22.319><c> Um</c><00:02:22.640
• We also see it in the service industry and the live events industry.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to focus on basic infrastructure, fund our schools, take care of some healthcare, and address
• The National Weather Service indicates that you immediately have no other decision to make but to go
• We set standards of care that should be observed by anyone in the state of Texas that's operating at
• In the direction and the mandate that they will have that plan reviewed on an annual basis.
• That's why I'm so proud of the fact that, as Texans, we take care of Texans.

Bills: SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 1 , HB4 , HB4 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB5

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it that it it it takes care of that. it that it it it takes care of that.
• </c> that that we have to be careful of here. that that we have to be careful of here.
• </c> would otherwise take default service would otherwise take default service supply.<01:06:54.720><
• How much do you have service price.
• </c> different in every utility service different in every utility service territory,<05:41:34.958><c

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• It directs the department to begin planning and design for one 4,800 bed correctional institution and
• They provide essential services such as enhancing safety and access to justice, including serving as
• Domestic violence is not just another call for service.
• >>Chair Maney: Last up today we have CS for HB 913, Inmate Services by Representative Johnson.
• AND CARE, PREVIOUSLY IT...

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for his life and his influence on our state and his care for our state.
• His influence on our state and his care for our state. Lord, please be with them.
• Idaho Service Challenge.
• We are looking to get 250,000 acts of service by the end of the year.
• , you can actually log in there and track those things of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• And... ...engagement services that we knew they needed and the ability to try to get those services outside
• We are going in the right direction.
• And this question is going to be directed towards you, Judge Braswell.
• We don't have the wraparound services.
• We brought to you a few months ago a contract with Care Solace, a care coordination company.

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth approved the December 10 minutes and confirmed Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee. The committee then heard the annual Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review report, which said the state reviewed 148 of 170 non-natural child deaths in 2023; the reviewed deaths included 69 accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined causes. Members asked about how the report’s recommendations could be used, grant opportunities tied to prevention work, and whether the data could be broken down by age; presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies and nonprofits and that some age detail is available in later pages of the report. The committee next took up HCR 1010 and then a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Senator Missy Irvin, judges, and Administrative Office of the Courts staff described Arkansas’s use of validated risk assessments, including SAVRY, the Ohio Youth Assessment Tool, MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening, as part of a long-running effort to reduce juvenile incarceration and tailor services to individual youth and families. They said the reforms have contributed to fewer delinquency filings, fewer DYS commitments, and more diversions, while also emphasizing that mental health, substance abuse, school issues, and trauma often drive juvenile court involvement. Several members raised concerns about data gaps, school collaboration, and whether community-based services are sufficient, and presenters said more shared data and stronger school use of safety dashboards could help intervene earlier. Division of Youth Services Director Michael Crump then presented custody, education, recidivism, and cost data. He said DYS commitments rose after the pandemic, secure residential populations remain high, and detention-center use increased when intake beds filled; he also noted that DYS pays about $320 per day for secure custody and that detention beds cost roughly $90 to $100 per day. Crump said most youth in custody are older teens, about 80 percent are male, and many have behavioral-health needs or educational deficits; he reported 222 GEDs and 102 high school diplomas over six years. He also said about 15 to 19 percent of youth return to DYS within three years and that a larger share later enter the Department of Corrections, while members pressed him on how assessments relate to commitments, how low-risk cases are handled, and how to improve mental health and substance-abuse services statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• That services from safety planning to case management, to medical care, to education support, really
• And they try not to delay some of that care, especially like the OBGYN care.
• Hands or another home-based care service, along with care coordination and case management on the health
• care side for the care of the child and the mother.
• But the issue around poverty also affects access to health care and access to services like cancer as

Summary: The committee held its inaugural meeting on March 5, 2026, with opening remarks from Chair Freiberg and Vice Chair Marcelle describing the panel’s purpose as studying issues affecting women and children, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the chair noted the meeting was informational only and not requiring a quorum. The committee then heard presentations and asked questions on human trafficking and child exploitation, followed by an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated women. Mary Kate Andrepont of the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention presented 2025 data showing 2,963 victims identified, 15,437 service instances, and 33% of victims remaining in services at least nine months. She said 93% of reported victims were sex trafficking victims, most were under 18, and 62 of 64 parishes had trafficking reports. She explained familial trafficking, described screening and coordinated response procedures, and highlighted new tools and outreach campaigns. She also discussed two priority bills: HB 321 by Rep. LaFleur, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child trafficking victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, data trends, service gaps, and the reach of the screening tools. Chris Masters of the Attorney General’s office then presented on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material through the Louisiana ICAC Task Force. He reported 31,203 tips in 2025, 545 arrests, more than 80 children identified or rescued, over 1,500 search warrants, and more than 100 community presentations. He said the task force is expanding statewide, including an Orleans Metro unit, and asked for more analysts and outreach personnel to handle a projected rise in cyber tips. Members asked about community presentations, the scope of the investigations, sex offender social media restrictions, interstate cases, sentencing, and how online enticement and live abuse are prosecuted. The discussion emphasized parental monitoring, school outreach, and coordination with federal partners. The final item introduced an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated females. Legislative Auditor staff said the review, requested by a 2023 resolution, found that Louisiana’s jails and guidance documents had not fully addressed the key laws and standards governing women’s incarceration, including restraint use during pregnancy and childbirth, health care, hygiene, dignity, and reentry. They noted that local jails still house a majority of incarcerated women despite the opening of a new state facility, and that several facilities had confirmed prohibited restraint use or failed to provide required written advisements. The staff said the report included legislative considerations for improving compliance and care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the health care providers have rejected this numerous times.
• So we need to be very, very careful with how we approach this bill.
• On its face, it is in direct contravention of the law.
• This is not about limiting care.
• You talk about access to care and... Delays, the denials, and the access to care.

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Goodwill program actually allows free child care.
• That's such a valuable service that we get.
• That's such a valuable service that we get.
• And our COCs are continuum of care networks who are providing services to those individuals that are
• We need to start supporting the organizations that are providing services and permanent support services

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by roll call vote. Members then spent much of the morning introducing guests, including FFA groups from multiple counties, school officials, chamber leaders, veterans advocates, and other visitors. Several members also used personal privilege remarks to congratulate election workers and candidates following the previous day’s election. The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3239, dealing with the workforce diploma program for adults seeking a high school diploma, was reconsidered after debate over its cost, eligibility, and relationship to other adult education programs. Supporters argued it offers a second chance and better outcomes than a GED, while opponents raised concerns about cost and diversion of K-12 funds. After motions for the previous question and reconsideration, the House ultimately passed HCS HB 3239. House Bill 1772, aimed at easing and encouraging adoptions and foster care permanency by helping cover legal costs and reduce delays, also passed with broad support. The House then passed House Bill 2096, which increases state matching funds for regional planning commissions and updates the statewide commission list, and later perfected House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to track research, outcomes, and funding with annual reports and a sunset in 2030. Members emphasized the bill’s accountability and its personal importance to the sponsor and others affected by pediatric illness. House Bill 2422, which raises a recording fee from $4 to $5 to support the Department of Agriculture’s land survey program and adds rulemaking authority for related records and maps, was also perfected and printed after debate; an amendment to redirect the fee increase to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund was offered, discussed, and then withdrawn. The House then recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Legislative Counsel with the Division of Legislative Services.
• I'm also with the Division of Legislative Services, Summer Research Associate.
• I'm Legislative Council with the Division of Legislative Services.
• I'm also with the Division of Legislative Services, Summer Research Associate.
• I'm also with the Division of Legislative Services Summer Research Associate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I originally had a bill that sort of directed it toward scholarships.
• I have a couple of bills, but I assume your staff will take care of those, right? Yes, sir.
• I have a couple of bills, but I assume your staff take care of those, right? Yes, sir. Thank you.
• This is the Virginia Health Care Protection Act.
• Any investigation involving protected health care activity. Move to report the bill.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• support, education, health care services, and pregnancy support.
• The question is there, but, you know, similarly, child care, you know, there are some public child care
• services out there.
• Abortion is health care and deserves to be treated by health care professionals when needed.
• Denying support services like transportation, lodging, or child care is not just cruel; it is a calculated

Bills: SB6 , SB11 , SB33

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• Then he shifted his gifts toward public service.
• The language of your resolution, ...any goods and services.
• , funds services for individuals with disabilities.
• I just needed to make sure that my family was cared for.
• We are fine without that service. We are fine not spending on that.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those primary services will stay in place and the secondary services that counties and cities provide
• We can't not take care of them.
• Those other services that you talk about - elder services and arts and these things - that's where it's
• , fire services, EMS and animal services.
• If they can't go 2 years, they're not providing good service.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Dave Berto comes to us from the Professional Services Council.
• In recent National Defense Authorization Acts, Congress has directed the Department of Defense to stress
• DoD also does not like to direct sourcing because it shifts liability from industry to government if
• Acquisition program managers and even service acquisition executives have told me they can't afford to
• So, you know, at the time of the Cold War, we really only had one set of scenarios that we cared about

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin our presentation, I'd like to take care of some logistical housekeeping.
• It works in conjunction with the local bus service.
• And to be clear, these costs are a direct pass-through.
• Which aims to address the affordability of rideshare services by adjusting uninsured and underinsured
• My telephone bill dropped by 63% for what I was paying into the Universal Service Funds Bank.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:06:14.319><c> Account</c> Colorado Drives Vehicle Services Account Colorado Drives Vehicle Services
• So, let's just continue of child care.
• I will argue that a fee is a tax because ultimately you have to pay for that service, whatever that service
• </c><01:38:01.119><c> service</c><01:38:01.440><c> was</c> say your military service service was say
• your military service service was actually<01:38:02.480><c> not</c><01:38:02.880><c> in</c><01:38:03.119