Transcript Highlights:

• supporters of the Vietnam War but we did supporters of the Vietnam War but we did understand<00:04:45.360
• </c> so I do believe that while I support so I do believe that while I support that<00:41:49.440><c>
• </c> this than I am but I am in full support this than I am but I am in full support I<02:06:09.159><
• So, um, I muster a lot of support last year.
• </c><03:36:24.560><c> last</c> um I muster a lot of uh support last um I muster a lot of uh support last

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232, which would protect health care workers’ conscience rights in connection with certain procedures, especially abortion and sterilization, and also referenced contraception. The prime sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, said the bill is meant to prevent medical professionals from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their beliefs, while still prohibiting discrimination against patients based on protected characteristics. He said the measure was intended to help retain health care workers in New Hampshire and noted he had added an amendment to address concerns about people taking jobs only to later refuse duties, as well as emergency situations where a provider is the only one available. Committee members raised concerns about how broadly the bill and amendment were written. Questions focused on whether the protections could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers, receptionists, or pharmacy employees; whether a provider could refuse to schedule, refer, or otherwise assist with services; and how “emergency” would be determined in practice. Several members also questioned whether the bill could affect access to contraception, including pharmacy sales and procedures such as tubal ligation, and whether the language was clear enough to prevent confusion or unintended refusals of care. Pearson said the bill was not intended to allow refusal of emergency care or general patient discrimination, and he acknowledged some language could be tweaked. Rep. Paige Boerman, a maternal-child health nurse, testified in opposition, saying she had seen pharmacists question prescriptions related to miscarriage care and that the bill could create barriers to contraception and other reproductive health services. She warned that the lack of a disclosure requirement and the broad definitions could create risks, especially in rural areas with limited providers. She also pointed to problems she said had occurred in other states, arguing the bill could lead to delayed care in emergencies. The hearing ended after questions and discussion; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:02.039><c> legislation</c><00:27:02.799><c> or</c><00:27:03.080><c> legal</c> the supporting
• legislation or legal the supporting legislation or legal cases<00:27:04.240><c> and</c><00:27:04.760
• </c><00:45:06.559><c> on</c><00:45:06.960><c> on</c> there would be bipartisan support on on there would
• be bipartisan support on on not<00:45:07.319><c> doing</c><00:45:08.040><c> that</c><00:45:09.040><c
• </c><01:24:09.080><c> that</c> to assist them in demonstrating that to assist them in demonstrating that

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support moving the author's amendment. support moving the author's amendment.
• </c> McLean Brown, and I'm here to support McLean Brown, and I'm here to support House<00:45:24.840><
• </c> I ask you to support HF 3119 as amended. I ask you to support HF 3119 as amended.
• </c> support House File 1319. support House File 1319. Thank<00:53:33.680><c> you.</c> Thank you.
• </c> support, increased student behaviors. support, increased student behaviors.

Bills: HF3119

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> packets um there are letters of support packets um there are letters of support from<00:23:27.120
• </c> share our support. Thank you, Miss Her. share our support. Thank you, Miss Her.
• Whether support through public policy.
• </c> but I'm going to support your bill. but I'm going to support your bill.
• Uh I've heard from a does support it.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you'll look on your blue handout, the summary of the survey responses, it is just a snapshot that demonstrates
• I'm here in support of AOC, the Office of Administrative Courts, and the Oklahoma Court Reporters Association
• We are very grateful for the state's support of the Mezzonette system.
• Since FY10 and supporting the Oklahoma Mezzonette system, that's why we've kind of evolved from being
• These functions directly support public health protection and consumer safety.

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hennepin County fully supports government transparency.
• Henipin<00:08:07.440><c> County</c><00:08:07.919><c> fully</c><00:08:08.400><c> supports</c><00:08:08.879
• ><c> government</c> Henipin County fully supports government Henipin County fully supports government
• I've helped many people all the way from folks who are demonstrating in the Wall Street and Black Lives
• The League does provide a number of resources and support for cities when it comes to data practices,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I cannot support this, Madam Chair and Senator, because my clerks don't support this.
• My law enforcement doesn't support this. My district doesn't support this.
• I can't support. I yield. Senator, thanks for the bill. I can't support it. I yield.
• We support our law enforcement.
• I was pleased to support this.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and agreed by unanimous consent to allow cameras on the floor and gallery, excuse several senators, and move to announcements and miscellaneous business. The chamber then adopted a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales for his years of service as Senate president and lieutenant governor, followed by extensive remarks from senators and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham praising his leadership, fairness, education advocacy, and personal kindness. Morales briefly responded, thanking members, the governor, and his family, and noting he would offer fuller remarks on his final day. After messages from the House were read, the Senate adopted several committee reports. These included favorable action on Senate Memorial 31; House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70; House Bill 124, referred to Finance; Senate Joint Resolution 6, referred to Judiciary; Senate Joint Resolution 7; House Bills 103, 154, 165, and 285 as amended; and the Finance Committee’s amended report on House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for House Bills 2 and 3. The Judiciary Committee also reported Senate Bill 104 as duly enrolled and engrossed, and the body noted that SB 104 had been signed in open session. During personal privilege, Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth discussed a State Ethics Commission advisory opinion on whether legislators who are attorneys may vote on medical malpractice cap legislation, arguing the issue is governed by Senate rules rather than the Governmental Conduct Act. He said he would continue to disclose his interests and vote under Rule 7-5, and also rejected a newspaper suggestion that he had a conflict in sponsoring a judgeship bill for the First Judicial District Court. The Senate then moved into third reading, beginning with Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 264, which Senator Duhigg explained as an election-security measure responding to concerns about federal interference, intimidation, and emergency election disruptions; Senator Nava then spoke in support as a co-sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're all in support.
• They're all in support.
• They're all in support.
• They're all in support.
• They're all in support.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would note that the inside shoulder will support the continuation of bus on shoulder that already exists
• So it will support those reliability benefits for the buses operating in that space.
• They support the toll-setting process, as I mentioned, and they support the adoption of formal toll policy
• advisor, estimates the amount of capital funding that may be leveraged from the net toll revenue to support
• It's a pretty painless process, and we have a lot of support services available to them to help them

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legacy of resilience and adaptability, evolving from frontier days to modern times while continuing to support
• waiting years for equipment; dedicating annual funding ensures these volunteers receive consistent support
• The volunteer fire departments in high-risk areas receive consistent support. With that, Mr.
• Members, this bill is a common-sense measure to protect Texas consumers and support American catfish
• And I’m hoping that you support it.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with. The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers. One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testifying in support of H.B. 2777, the bishops support criminal justice reform that provides for fair
• This demonstrates the broad bipartisan support for this measure.
• This demonstrates the broad bipartisan support for this measure.
• We support the concept. You may proceed. Thank you, Chairman, members. We support the concept.
• We would love to find support. It's all about supporting victims and protecting victims.

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:36.280><c> the</c> uh who is assigned to support the uh who is assigned to support the member
• :18.440><c> of</c><00:39:18.520><c> the</c> ask for members' support of the ask for members' support
• 00:57:47.960><c> while</c> funding supports additional FTEs while funding supports additional FTEs while
• </c> coverage and fewer resources to support coverage and fewer resources to support it. it. it.
• </c><01:38:16.000><c> media</c> Minnesota Daily um supporting media Minnesota Daily um supporting media

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm writing in support of this bill.
• A good supporter listens and helps me understand my options and supports me with pros and cons.
• I’m here today in strong support of the supported decision-making bill.
• But just because I have lower support needs doesn't mean I don't need any support at all.
• I was supported by my SDM team.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing focused largely on DDS-related bills, with chairs Kennedy and Livingstone outlining strict time limits, accessibility procedures, and a 5 p.m. stop to preserve ASL and CART services. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a bill from Sen. Mike Moore to create a centralized electronic education records system for students in out-of-home placements, which supporters said would improve communication, preserve IEP continuity, and reduce missed services. Paul DePaulo also testified in support, describing the educational and justice-system harms that can follow when foster youth do not receive coordinated records and supports. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 242/S. 149, a bill to enhance standards of care for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rep. Garballey and many advocates, parents, clinicians, and disability leaders supported the bill, saying it would require provider training, statewide standards, and better emergency department practices to reduce misdiagnosis, trauma, and unnecessary ER boarding. Testimony described sensory and communication barriers in medical settings, lack of provider training, and the need for continuing education and license-related requirements. Related testimony also supported H. 213/S. 111, which would improve access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies by requiring better discharge planning, coordination with hospitals and agencies, and more appropriate post-hospital placements. The committee also heard strong support for H. 256/S. 102, requiring universal changing stations in public buildings, from parents, advocates, and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. Witnesses said current restroom accommodations often force unsafe or undignified changes on floors, in cars, or in inaccessible spaces, and argued the cost of adding changing stations to new or renovated buildings would be modest compared with the benefits to dignity, safety, and community access. Another major topic was H. 261/S. 155 on supported decision-making agreements for certain adults, which supporters described as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship that preserves autonomy while providing trusted support. Finally, testimony on Tommy’s bill (S. 168/H. 282) described a preventable death after a hospital discharge and urged clearer communication and training requirements for residential staff handling life-sustaining equipment; the bill was presented as a safeguard for people with disabilities relying on such equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> future, so we can help better support future, so we can help better support them<00:05:07.960><c
• Those are our biggest supporters.
• And one of our supporters.
• </c> we have a large number of supporters. we have a large number of supporters.
• </c> things that get supported. things that get supported.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I'm here to support Senate File 1481 and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you.
• And so I'm here to support Senate File 1481 and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you.
• And so I'm here to support Senate File 1481 and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you.
• And so I'm here to support Senate File 1481 and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you.
• I'm here to support Senate File 1481 and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:08:31.799><c> votes</c> and give them our supportive votes and give them our supportive votes
• I just wanted to express my support for the A4 amendment.
• I just wanted to express my support for the A4 amendment.
• </c><01:15:06.159><c> the</c> entities that can afford to support the entities that can afford to support
• </c> you uh chair Klein for this I I support you uh chair Klein for this I I support the<01:15:48.600

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wen, in support. Cecilia Wang in support. Marilyn Matsunaga in support.
• Lauren Zerbal in support. support. Lauren Zerbal in support.
• Yes, we are in support of SB 2271, allowing hospitals to demonstrate compliance through any CMS-recognized
• Frink, Department of Health in support. support. support.
• </c> Casier in support. Elento in support. Casier in support. Elento in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several health-related measures. SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance drew support from the Department of Health, healthcare organizations, and others, with DOH explaining the bill would formalize a surveillance program that has helped with real-time flu tracking and response to events like the Maui fires. A member raised privacy concerns from opponents, and DOH responded that the data are deidentified and do not include Social Security numbers or dates of birth. No votes were taken on the bill in the portion provided. SB 3134 on emergency medical systems of care received broad support from SHIPA, DOH, military and EMS representatives, and others, who said it would modernize the EMS system. SB 3136 on lead materials and water infrastructure was also supported by DOH and SHIPA; members asked whether the bill would allow Hawaii to keep stronger standards if federal drinking water rules were weakened, and DOH said the state would not have to follow weaker federal standards as long as Hawaii remained as stringent or more stringent. SB 3138 on independent audits of deposit beverage distribution drew support from DOH and several industry groups, but with amendments to reduce burdens on small businesses, raise the audit threshold, and modernize reporting; opponents also testified. DOH later clarified that the measure would affect a limited number of distributors and said it is working on an electronic submission system, though not yet for audit filings. SB 3139 concerning SHIPA was supported by SHIPA and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, while HMSA suggested one provision should remain under the insurance commissioner’s purview. SHIPA said the bill is about collaboration and a broader health vision, not regulation, and members indicated they were comfortable with removing the disputed portion. SB 3207 on background checks drew support from healthcare providers but opposition from the Attorney General and DOH. Supporters argued the FBI fingerprinting requirement is costly, duplicative, and difficult to schedule, while opponents said the bill would improperly shift fingerprint collection authority to hospitals and other facilities and could conflict with federal law. The committee engaged in extended questioning about costs, federal requirements, and whether the mandate would be passed on to patients; no final action is reflected in the excerpt. The committee then began SB 2271 on hospital licensing, with support from SHIPA, the Developmental Disabilities council, healthcare groups, Kaiser Permanente, and DOH, and commenters said the bill would allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance through CMS-recognized accreditation, with a suggested wording change to “approved” accrediting organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• that will be coming in the budget year within the statewide system of support, that this support will
• be able to... ...support that this support will be able to help facilitate schools that are just starting
• the statewide system of support, including the county offices of education, to support a community schools
• for your support.
• for your support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those supports include assistive technology and personal care assistance, social and emotional support
• Supporting parents and their child's diagnosis of hearing loss is supporting them after that diagnosis
• And so we do what we can to support them and ensure that we are continuing to provide support in our
• now supported over 630 staff.
• Second, I urge your support.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• that will be coming in the budget year within the statewide system of support, that this support will
• that will be coming in the budget year within the statewide system of support, that this support will
• be able to... ...support that this support will be able to help facilitate schools that are just starting
• for your support.
• for your support.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing on the Governor’s proposal to convert the California Community Schools Partnership Program from a one-time grant model into an ongoing $1 billion Proposition 98 program. Finance and CDE described the expansion as a way to sustain existing community schools and add thousands more, with county offices, regional/state technical assistance centers, annual self-certification, and a future accreditation process intended to support fidelity to the state framework. The LAO opposed shifting to an ongoing categorical program and recommended continuing one-time grants, while suggesting longer-term funding for technical assistance and, if ongoing funding is adopted, stronger planning, reporting, phased expansion, and clearer accreditation timelines. Committee members pressed the administration on how the new proposal could fund far more schools with less money than the original $4.1 billion program, how much of the funding would go to existing cohorts versus new schools, and whether the proposal sufficiently requires planning and implementation before funds are received. Testimony from practitioners and advocates largely supported ongoing funding but emphasized that money alone is not enough. Speakers from LPI, CTA, San Diego Unified, Fresno County, the Partnership for the Future of Learning, and Sacramento County urged stronger requirements for shared governance, explicit commitment to the community schools framework, annual reporting beginning in year one, and continued or expanded support for coordinators and technical assistance. Several witnesses said the proposal should better protect county office coordination roles, maintain preferences for partnerships in the technical assistance structure, and ensure the system can support more than 6,000 schools. Others highlighted the need for specialized supports for middle and high schools, better integration with other state programs such as ELOP, universal meals, TK, and the LCFF equity multiplier, and more detailed accountability and accreditation processes. No formal vote was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript. The chair indicated that the committee wanted additional information on the funding breakdown, the use of reverted funds, and the proposed support structure before taking action, and administration witnesses said a more detailed proposal would be brought forward in the May Revise.