Video & Transcript : 'disclosure statement' :
Page 405 of 500
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- They assumed $300,000 on the surplus statement for the sale of that.
- There's assumption of $5 million on the surplus statement for the sale of that.
- They assumed $300,000 on the surplus statement for the sale of that.
- </c><01:20:00.560><c> for</c> $300,000 on the surplus statement for $300,000 on the surplus statement
- </c> surplus statement for the sale of that. surplus statement for the sale of that.
Committee:
Senate Finance
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Does that sound like kind of an accurate concept of a statement or not?
- So I guess it goes back to my original statement.
- Is there back to my original statement.
- And this is sort of an amended statement to our testimony.
- The rules statement to our testimony.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2046, which would establish and fund an Olo Hawaii Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives supporting the use of Olo Hawaii. The Attorney General suggested adding an end date because the bill creates a temporary commission, and several supporters from the University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the commission could improve coordination, funding decisions, and consistency across agencies. Members discussed whether the commission should include broader representation, including expertise on Niihau dialect speakers and other stakeholders, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next measure.
The committee next considered House Bill 2438, creating the Hawaii Cultural Trust within DBEDT, authorizing an income tax credit for contributions to the trust and qualified cultural organizations, and creating a special license plate to support the trust. DBEDT said it would need additional resources, including staff, to administer the program. The Department of Taxation recommended changing the effective date to 2026 to allow time for implementation and adding a requirement that credits be claimed within one year. OHA supported the bill but objected to language that would require it to maintain a prequalified list of organizations, saying that could limit applicants and conflict with its grant process. The Tax Foundation said it supported cultural funding but preferred direct appropriations and grants over a trust fund and tax credit structure.
The final measure discussed was House Bill 2584, which would temporarily increase public land trust revenues transferred to OHA while reaffirming the state’s obligation to the 20% pro rata share, with a repeal date of June 30, 2028. The Attorney General recommended deleting the bill’s requirement that OHA receive a minimum amount equal to the 20% share, arguing the constitution and Admission Act do not specify a precise dollar amount and that the legislature must determine allocation. OHA strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently pays only about 5% and that historical records show much higher amounts are owed; OHA also pointed to a carry-forward account it said held about $55 million. DLNR opposed the bill because the fiscal impact was unspecified and could affect land management and special fund budgets. Several OHA trustees and supporters urged the committee to pass the bill, and one testifier criticized the state for underfunding Native Hawaiian obligations. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued hearing testimony on HB 2584.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- in</c><00:47:15.440><c> a</c><00:47:15.520><c> clear</c><00:47:16.040><c> and</c> must provide a statement
- in a clear and must provide a statement in a clear and conspicuous<00:47:16.920><c> manner</c><00:47
- It makes a statement of intent by adding basic neurological rights in statute as a starting place.
- It<01:31:49.360><c> makes</c><01:31:49.720><c> a</c><01:31:49.800><c> statement</c><01:31:50.280><c>
- of</c><01:31:50.400><c> intent</c> It makes a statement of intent It makes a statement of intent by<01
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 23rd, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- Not a question, just a statement, kind of a little bit of a follow-up.
- So I just wanted to say that statement.
- I don't know if Senator Kennedy, you want to say that statement.
- So I just wanted to say that statement.
- I don't know if Senator Kennedy, you want to say that statement. Thank you so much.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 budget for education and local aid. Opening remarks from Senator Pavel Payano, Representative Pat Duffy, and local leaders emphasized the importance of education funding for Lawrence and other Gateway Cities, with Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero highlighting the city’s high-need student population, Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, early college and career pathways, and the need for sustained support to close achievement gaps.
The Education Secretariat testified in support of the budget, with Acting Secretary Amy Kershaw outlining investments in early literacy, universal pre-K, student mental health, school meals, high school redesign, higher education affordability, and early childhood systems. Commissioner Noi Ortega described higher education proposals including expanded free community college, continued free tuition at public four-year institutions, student success funding, early college and dual enrollment investments, and the Bright Act and Drive Act. Commissioner Pedro Martinez detailed K-12 proposals such as full Student Opportunity Act funding, increased Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, transportation aid, literacy initiatives, and a new Accelerating Achievement Initiative aimed at schools with the greatest needs. Commissioner Kershaw also described early education proposals including funding for C3, child care financial assistance, CPPI, workforce supports, and administrative funding restoration.
Committee members questioned the administration about the pending local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to address health care and other cost drivers in school funding. Officials said the local contribution report is expected by the end of June and that a draft will be shared for public comment after data analysis is complete. Members also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities between districts and urged a broader review of the formula. In response, the commissioners said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but further work is needed, and they pointed to the new achievement initiative, literacy efforts, and early college expansion as ways to improve outcomes. No votes were taken at the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/12/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- At least it's a statement.
- In our committee statement advocating for safe and equitable obstetric and gynecologic care for immigrants
- </c> As stated in the committee statement As stated in the committee statement Healthcare<01:50:22.920
- In<01:50:49.080><c> our</c><01:50:49.160><c> committee</c><01:50:49.520><c> statement</c><01:50:50.000
- ><c> advocating</c> In our committee statement advocating In our committee statement advocating for<01
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and a lot of this has been kind of a statement to kind of get us to think a little bit, but I think
- to kind of get us to think a statement to kind of get us to think a little<00:37:49.359><c> bit,</c>
- So, it's just kind of a statement, I guess, and it would be just nice to have more clarity on that before
- And I guess I'm still frustrated to the AG's office over a statement I made in this committee last year
- I made in this committee a statement I made in this committee last<01:32:01.199><c> year.
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 003 Jan 17th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And that statement is important to recognize two things.
- And<01:15:10.480><c> that</c><01:15:11.199><c> statement</c><01:15:11.679><c> is</c><01:15:12.000><c>
- important</c><01:15:12.400><c> to</c> And that statement is important to And that statement is important
- joined the Colorado Springs Fire Department, a few months after that, a white firefighter made a statement
- </c> bitterness that I had for statements bitterness that I had for statements that<01:42:18.800><c>
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Information Technology Oversight Committee (7-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- It is essential for us to rebut the baseless statements made by KCA not only today but over the past.
- made by KCA not only today statements made by KCA not only today but<01:02:28.319><c> over</c><01:02
- Now, I listened to a couple of pretty<01:13:30.239><c> extraordinary</c><01:13:30.960><c> statements<
- extraordinary statements today as someone<01:13:31.920><c> who's</c><01:13:32.159><c> been</c><01:13
- Um, I'm going to make a little statement, then I'm going to ask a question to see if this one of the
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:15
Kentucky Department of Education 00:01:20
Kentucky Communications Network Authority 00:36:45
Accelecom 01:01:22
Auditor of Public Accounts 01:29:50, 958, all
Summary:
The Information Technology Oversight Committee met to hear a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education officials David Couch and Mike Lingham on the history and current status of Kentucky’s K-12 internet network, including its relationship to KentuckyWired. They described the original KETS design from 1995, when KDE established district internet hubs and left local districts to connect to them, and said that model helped Kentucky become a national leader in school connectivity and cloud-based services. They also emphasized the importance of E-rate eligibility, saying it has saved the state substantial money and remains central to KDE’s network contracting.
Couch and Lingham said the current “next generation Kentucky K-12 internet” contract with Education Networks of America is more reliable, offers more functionality, and costs less than the prior system, including lower bandwidth and firewall costs. They explained that the transition was complicated by build-out and provisioning issues, especially the need for more “type two” connections through local providers, which pushed some implementation past the June 30, 2024 E-rate deadline. As a result, 39 sites remain on type two connections, and KDE absorbed the loss of federal discount dollars for the portion of the transition that extended into July.
The witnesses also discussed home internet access for students. They said KDE has tracked home access for about 20 years and estimates about 4.5% of students still lack adequate internet at home, with roughly 3% able to reach access nearby and 1.5% having no access. They said the biggest barrier is usually cost rather than lack of available lines, and noted that temporary hotspot support during COVID helped students continue schoolwork. Senator Williams asked about the costs of the transition, the current type two sites, and the potential cost of any future transition, but the transcript cuts off before a full answer was given.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (03/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, not really a question, a couple of statements.
- The recommendations are the preventability is just a statement that we make, and we're announcing that
- The recommendations are the preventability is just a statement that we make, and we're announcing that
- So I'm happy to help any further questions, any further statements? Let's see...
- </c><01:40:17.119><c> let's</c> questions any further statements let's questions any further statements
Summary:
The committee met on March 28 for a Health and Human Services Oversight Committee meeting, approved the draft minutes from February 21, and then received updates from DHHS on the sudden termination of about $80 million in federal COVID-era funding. Commissioner Lori Weaver and Trisha Tilly said the funding had been expected to continue through September 2026, but an email ending it immediately created a 15-month budget gap. They explained that most of the money supported public health work, especially epidemiology, laboratory capacity, data systems, community health workers, outbreak response, and some behavioral health supports. DHHS said it had notified contractors, was reassessing which activities could continue, and had managed to avoid layoffs for its 20 affected staff by shifting funding sources, though some contract lab staff had to leave and some work would stop or be put on hold. Senators and representatives asked about impacts on labs, staffing, and the state budget lapse, and DHHS said the water lab and testing supplies would be affected and that the department was trying to backfill where possible with other federal funds.
The committee then heard a maternal mortality report from the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Alison Power and Caroline Naami explained that the MMRC reviews maternal deaths to identify contributing factors and make recommendations, and that it had completed one CDC grant and received another five years of funding. For 2023, the state recorded five pregnancy-associated deaths, including three from overdose, two from cardiovascular causes, and one homicide; the share of deaths related to substance use fell from 62.5% in 2022 to 40% in 2023. Over the 2019–2023 period, half of pregnancy-related deaths were due to overdose, most occurred postpartum, and many involved Medicaid recipients, transportation or financial barriers, and deaths at home. The committee said mental health and substance use remained the main drivers of maternal mortality, but that 79% of pregnancy-related deaths in the five-year aggregate were considered preventable.
Presenters highlighted recommendations and ongoing interventions, including expanding Medicaid coverage through one year postpartum, strengthening behavioral health access, partnering with the Department of Corrections on care for pregnant and postpartum women, and continuing clinical education through the Northern New England Perinatal Quality Improvement Network. Members asked why the maternal mortality rate had declined in recent years; staff said the 2021 spike was tied to the pandemic and that recent declines likely reflected both that spike and the impact of interventions, though the small number of cases makes trends hard to interpret. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 12, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- public funding of campaigns, but she does not see this bill making a difference beyond making a statement
- um</c><00:23:39.600><c> this</c><00:23:40.320><c> bill</c><00:23:41.320><c> really</c> making a statement
- um this bill really making a statement um this bill really making<00:23:42.120><c> a</c><00:23:42.360
- Would that be a fair statement for some people? I'm glad we can agree on that.
- </c><01:50:09.320><c> okay</c> if you want to make any statements okay if you want to make any statements
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted.
The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input.
The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Vice Chair Hansen's statement that this only comes into play in those situations is accurate. Mr.
- So that's my statement off my soapbox again. Representative Hemingson, thank you, Chair.
- off my Soap Box statement off my Soap Box again<01:04:47.799><c> representative</c><01:04:48.480><c>
- In your opening statement, you had mentioned that nothing in this bill is necessarily new or that parents
- In your opening statement, you had mentioned that nothing in this bill is necessarily new or that parents
Keywords:
parent's bill of rights, parental rights, minor consent, minors, parents, guardians, education rights, school records, home schooling, charter school, private school, health care consent, medical privacy, patient records, exam room access, biometric data, DNA samples, blood samples, mental health, physical health
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- So to say that that promise has not been kept, I think, is a very false statement.
- Providers can choose what I think is a very false statement.
- And I first would want to acknowledge the opposition’s statement.
- I would want to acknowledge the opposition’s statement.
- Can you finish that statement so I can understand or explain to me?
Committee:
Senate Health
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-11 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So I just heard two statements. And it's been a while, but you all know this is what I did.
- That was his original statement when we came to the SAVE Act. So why are we targeting?
- ...original statement when we came to the SAVE Act.
- Is that a factual statement? Senator Avila: Thank you, Mr. President.
- So I just don't understand what you could say a broad statement like Europe hasn't... ...So I just don't
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public safety officials, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up several bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others substituted with House companions before final passage. No committee reports, governor messages, or House messages were on the desk at the start of the regular order of business.
The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric emergency care policies, training, pediatric equipment, a designated pediatric emergency care coordinator, and participation in the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senators also passed CS/CS/HB 1113 on public records, clarifying confidentiality protections for victims and for law enforcement officers who become victims in the course of duty, though that bill drew questions about access to information in misconduct cases and received four no votes. The Senate then passed CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a Florida Digital Service-administered program to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and grants, with amendments shifting the grant-award deadline and rejecting House differences such as locating the program at USF and adding a sunset date.
The chamber also passed CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above Article V projections and revising related fee distributions, despite concerns from some senators and municipalities about revenue shifts. Additional bills passed included CS/CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration, and CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, which addresses long permit delays and clarifies liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. Several other bills were taken up, including elections legislation (SB 1334/HB 991) that generated extensive debate and multiple failed amendments on voter ID, citizenship verification, student and senior IDs, and implementation timing; the transcript ends while that bill is still under consideration, after the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected several others.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Any last statements by the sponsor? Further comments?
- I don't come from a place where, because my life experience is different, where I can make that statement
- embezzlement from the Public Employee Relations Commission in legally required annual financial statement
- embezzlement from the Public Employee Relations Commission in legally required annual financial statement
- But there were such big statements that were made during debate.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day in Florida. Later, the Senate adopted a memorial-style recognition of the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on health care coverage, veterinary licensure, and affordable housing.
The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a public assistance/Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described five major changes: stronger anti-fraud authority, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes to reduce costs, and a SNAP fraud-reduction plan with photo ID and work requirements. Democrats offered amendments to condition the work requirement on Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP photo ID use by caregivers, seniors, disabled people, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators then questioned implementation details, exemptions, and eligibility impacts. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed CS/HB 7031 on taxation, substituting it for the Senate bill and adopting a technical amendment, by a vote of 34-0.
The chamber passed a series of other bills, generally after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. These included a computer science education bill adding digital literacy and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry bill and related public records exemption, a bill designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, a local government electronic payments bill, a legal tender bill repealing a sunset on gold and silver recognition, public records exemptions for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a stablecoin pilot program, local government spending transparency requirements, a digital voyeurism bill expanding privacy protections to private fenced yards, an insurance licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework, and a medical freedom bill addressing vaccine information, conscience exemptions, ivermectin access, and the mRNA mandate sunset. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with recorded votes ranging from 31-3 to 34-0.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-06 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , both to the parents who would choose to opt in or opt out, has to include vaccine information statements
- , which are put out by the CDC. ...has to include vaccine information statements, which are put out by
- Any last statement?
- I don't come from a place where, because my life experience is different, where I can make that statement
- But there were such big statements that were made during debate.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/23/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Certainly, we can agree with the initial statement in the bill in line number 1.9, quote, 'All persons
- And we also may have some amendments. >> A follow-up statement, not a question. >> Thank you, Mr.
- And we also may have some amendments. >> A follow-up statement, not a question. >> Thank you, Mr.
- This amendment is a shield for the vulnerable and a statement of our state's character.
- </c><01:50:01.520><c> of</c><01:50:01.640><c> our</c><01:50:01.760><c> state's</c> and a statement of
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (3-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- nonoperating expenses for three months, as calculated from the prior fiscal year's audited financial statement
- nonoperating expenses for three months, as calculated from the prior fiscal year's audited financial statement
- ><00:07:07.280><c> financial</c> fiscal year's audited financial fiscal year's audited financial statement
- .<00:07:08.639><c> There's</c><00:07:08.880><c> some</c><00:07:09.039><c> additional</c> statement.
- There's some additional statement.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 77, which would allow comprehensive universities to pursue doctoral programs under a new approval process and, in the original bill, would also change who may serve on the EPSB board for small colleges and universities. The sponsor and Council on Postsecondary Education representative explained that the committee substitute removed the current statutory prohibition on comprehensive universities offering certain doctoral degrees, but added eligibility guardrails: a 77% first-to-second-year retention rate, a 56% six-year graduation rate, and three months of unrestricted cash reserves. They said the thresholds were based on national data placing institutions in roughly the top quartile, and that CPE would still review proposals for mission fit, workforce need, fiscal impact, and, where applicable, programmatic accreditation and legislative appropriations. EKU President David McFaden supported creating a pathway for comprehensive universities, said Kentucky is unusual in having an explicit statutory prohibition, and urged the committee to keep the standards attainable and durable. The committee approved the bill and adopted a title amendment, with the motion passing unanimously.
The committee then heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, which addresses antisemitism on postsecondary campuses. Senator Tichenor said the resolution responds to a rise in antisemitic incidents after October 7, 2023, and would require campuses to notify students each semester of Title VI rights, complaint procedures, existing harassment policies, and available Jewish student resources. It would also direct campuses to disband student organizations found to provide material support to known terrorist organizations, report such matters to law enforcement, and collect and report antisemitism data to CPE for posting on its website. A guest speaker from the Kentucky Jewish Council described a sharp increase in reported incidents, including harassment, threats, vandalism, and hostile campus activity, and argued that schools have often done too little to respond. He said the resolution was amended to protect free speech while ensuring Jewish students receive the same protections as other protected groups. The transcript ends while testimony on the resolution was still underway, before any committee vote on SJR 55.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/10/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Any other questions or comments before we allow Senator Hawj to give us a closing statement before we
- </c> give us closing um a closing statement give us closing um a closing statement before<00:13:36.639
- Chair, I am prepared to answer any questions that the committee has before I give my closing statement
- Chair, I am prepared to answer any questions that the committee has before I give my closing statement
- Chair, I am prepared to answer any questions that the committee has before I give my closing statement
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force Jun 24th, 2026
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- My closing statement: if Missouri wants better access to care and improved outcomes, we have to stop
- It's just irritability, you know, rob and Peter to pay Paul, grabbing the credit card statement before
- It's just irritability, you know, rob and Peter to pay Paul, grabbing the credit card statement before
- I'll try to stay away from the political statements. It would keep me from going on forever.
- Thanks for all your statements and comments. I appreciate it. Thanks. Next up is Mark Dahl.
Summary:
The task force meeting opened with a brief organizational update, including new leadership, roll call, and an explanation of the task force’s statutory duties: to study current and future drug and substance use in Missouri, explore solutions, draft or modify legislation, and report recommendations on prevention and treatment. The chair outlined the summer hearing plan, which would feature field experts, with future sessions expected to cover alternative therapies such as psilocybin and ibogaine and testimony from the Department of Mental Health. Members were encouraged to think about legislative ideas and policy recommendations for the upcoming session.
The first major testimony came from Dr. Rachel Winograd, who described Missouri’s overdose crisis as evolving into a “fourth wave” marked by fentanyl mixed with animal tranquilizers such as xylazine and medetomidine, along with methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs. She said overdose deaths have declined for a third straight year, with preliminary 2025 data around 1,200 deaths, but emphasized that the crisis remains severe. Her main recommendations were to focus on demand reduction rather than repeated supply crackdowns, expand evidence-based treatment—especially methadone and buprenorphine—broaden naloxone access, and improve practical supports like housing, transportation, and case management. She also said peer services are valuable but should not be used as a substitute for clinical care, and noted that Missouri Medicaid generally covers evidence-based treatment but reimbursement for peer recovery services remains a gap.
Dr. Heidi Miller, the state medical director at the Department of Health and Senior Services, reinforced the call for integrating substance use disorder care into whole-person health care. She highlighted the state naloxone standing order, which supports more than 11,000 Medicaid naloxone prescriptions annually, and urged five best practices: integrating SUD treatment into primary care, maternal health, general medical training, EMS initiation of buprenorphine after overdose, and expanded methadone access. She also argued for team-based reimbursement, stronger parity enforcement between behavioral health/SUD and physical health, and caution in regulating emerging substances so policy does not outrun the science.
Dr. Doug Burgess of University Health in Kansas City echoed the integration theme, arguing that Missouri’s system is too fragmented and that patients are often stabilized and then left to coordinate their own next steps. He compared ideal SUD care to the coordinated response used for heart attacks, with seamless transitions from emergency care to inpatient treatment, rehab, and outpatient follow-up. He said treatment courts can be effective when they are well coordinated and informed by addiction science, and he stressed the importance of discharge planning, peer recovery coaches, information-sharing, and maintaining Medicaid coverage during justice involvement. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on the Census Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:30 am
Senate Committee on the Census
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, in my initial statement, it was good morning.
- Gladys Vega said that flashy media companies often write statements that community members need a lawyer
- Sometimes we get these flashy media companies that write these statements that I feel like our community
- So I urge you, and I, by the way, I put my statement in writing.
- It's just that so many things were said that I had in my statement, but if anything, just focus on trends
Committee:
Senate Senate Committee on the Census
Summary:
The Senate Committee on the Census held an early planning hearing on how Massachusetts can maximize participation in the 2030 census, with Chair Will Brownsberger and Vice Chair Rebecca Rausch emphasizing the need to start well in advance. The first panel, made up of leaders from the Massachusetts Voter Table, MassVOTE, MIRA, and MESA, stressed that grassroots community organizations are trusted messengers and should be funded early to do multilingual outreach, training, and direct assistance in hard-to-count communities. They described lessons from 2020, including the shift to internet response, reduced federal census infrastructure, the importance of coordinated statewide networks, and the need to begin messaging several years before Census Day because building trust and staffing outreach takes time.
Panelists repeatedly warned that immigrant communities are facing heightened fear because of federal immigration enforcement and the possibility of a citizenship question or other federal changes, making census participation more difficult. They said 2020 funding arrived too late to fully staff and train outreach teams before the pandemic, and argued that future resources should be deployed earlier and more flexibly. In response to committee questions, they estimated Massachusetts should invest roughly $8 million to $10 million or more in state census outreach, with one proposed model of about $3 million to $5 million at the start, additional funding in the middle years, and a larger final push closer to 2030. They also suggested that funding should support communications infrastructure, translation, social media and ethnic media outreach, and possibly a permanent complete count structure or trust fund to preserve institutional knowledge.
A second panel from Common Cause Massachusetts and the ACLU of Massachusetts echoed the call for stronger, earlier investment and stronger privacy protections. They urged the legislature to expand existing census line items, consider a trust fund or other dedicated funding stream, and coordinate census outreach with other state programs that already work through trusted community messengers. The ACLU testimony focused on racial inequities in census counts and warned that federal efforts to exclude non-citizens or add a citizenship question would deepen distrust and undercount immigrant communities. Committee members asked about the 2020 overcount/undercount results, funding levels, timing of grant distribution, and whether census outreach should be routed through the Secretary of the Commonwealth or other state mechanisms; no votes were taken, and the hearing moved on to a later panel on immigrant-community outreach.