Transcript Highlights:

• So I thank you for your service.
• Okay, we have the Department of Human Services director. I'll be brief, Senator.
• Okay, we have the Department of Human Services director. I'll be brief, Senator.
• </c> and again we appreciate your service and again we appreciate your service thank<00:30:00.840><c>
• Okay, also in support, Department of Human Services director—he's not here. Yes, oh, he left.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of Governor’s messages for confirmation to several boards and councils, with the chair noting the meeting would continue on Monday and that testimony would be limited due to the large volume of submissions. For Governor’s Message 660, Kelly Oka was nominated to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Oka described her work in workforce development and technology, emphasizing equitable access to tech jobs for local residents, keeping young talent in Hawaii, and using HTDC to attract major technology firms and support cybersecurity and startup growth. Testimony from multiple individuals and organizations was strongly supportive, and members asked about HTDC’s challenges, federal funding, and how to attract more tech investment; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 529, nominating Fono Cafi Mei to the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board. Mei said he had 20 years of crane-operating experience, including work on rail projects, and union representatives and labor organizations testified in support. Next, Governor’s Message 502 nominated Ken Louie to the Workforce Development Council. Louie highlighted his four years on the council, including two as chair, his family business, and his goal of expanding opportunities for younger and adult workers. DBEDT, council members, and labor representatives supported him, and members questioned him about the council’s priorities, staffing, federal funding uncertainty, apprenticeships, and military-to-private-sector transition programs. The committee also took up Governor’s Messages 581 and 690 together, both relating to Jared Gashi’s nomination to the Workforce Development Council for different terms. Gashi, from the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, said he would bring the tourism industry’s perspective to workforce development, citing workforce shortages, internships, scholarships, and the need for a broader tourism voice on the council. Support testimony came from state officials and community members, who praised his reliability and leadership; a member asked how he would broaden the council beyond tourism, and Gashi said HLTA represents a wide range of tourism-related sectors and partners. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 571 for Eric Noi to the Deferred Compensation Plan Board, with Noi citing his fiscal and budgeting background; DHS, the board chair, and others supported him. Finally, Governor’s Message 667 nominated Ty Noara to the same board, and Keith Regan testified in strong support, citing her public service, intelligence, and ability to handle difficult situations. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Governor’s Message 560, nominating David Louie to the Employees’ Retirement System Board, with Louie, the ERS executive director, the finance director, and former Governor Abercrombie offering strong support.

Transcript Highlights:

• on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• ><c> committee</c><03:47:13.040><c> on</c> armed services and the committee on armed services and the
• the Committee on Armed Affairs and on the Committee on Armed Services.
• </c><03:57:30.800><c> the</c> committee on armed services in the committee on armed services in the committee

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of the Division of County Operations for the Department of Human Services.
• Good morning, Elizabeth Pittman, Division of Medical Services.
• services associated with substance use disorder treatment drugs.
• Services, obviously.
• I think this has been the best public health committee yet. Thank you, Ms. Eva.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee approved the February 4 meeting minutes and then reviewed two DHS rules. The first, presented by Mary Franklin of the Division of County Operations, would remove the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarify child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women by delaying any sanction until after the 60-day postpartum period, and revise the good-cause language from “forcible rape” to “rape or incest.” Members asked for clarification on the child support process, and the rule was reviewed without objection. The second rule, presented by Elizabeth Pittman of the Division of Medical Services, updates the Medicaid state plan for medication-assisted treatment by removing an expired federal end date and adopting a new CMS template; officials said the coverage itself does not change, there were no public comments, and the rule was also reviewed without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Jenna Goldman of UAMS about a culinary medicine experience for legislators, scheduled for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. She explained that the program teaches residents how to use food as medicine and how to tailor advice to patients with limited food access, and members were encouraged to attend as part of broader health and rural health transformation efforts. The discussion noted that the event would include hands-on kitchen work and dinner, with parking available on campus. The meeting also included a special recognition of the Monticello sixth grade class visiting the Capitol for a scavenger hunt. Several legislators answered the students’ questions about the Capitol building, including its stone exterior, architectural style, doors, and columns, in a lighthearted exchange before the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> human failure. human failure.
• </c> members of my education policy committee members of my education policy committee for<00:17:46.320
• ,</c> current staffing levels or services, current staffing levels or services, would<01:31:39.920><c
• </c> endowment for human development ehd.org. endowment for human development ehd.org.
• </c> him through my public service. him through my public service.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To honor constituents for their exemplary service, this bill seeks to honor two outstanding service members
• Thank you, sir, for your service.
• Currently, veteran mental health programs are administered by the Health and Human Services Commission
• Services.
• I'm the Director of Veterans Mental Health Services for the Health and Human Services Commission, and

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• rare to provide for private insurance to cover the same services.
• rare to provide for private insurance to cover the same services.
• </c> these critical cost saving Services these critical cost saving Services provided<00:10:46.800><c
• But, you know, we also, in the context of Human Services spending and all of the things that that entails
• Human Services spending and context of Human Services spending and uh<00:21:10.400><c> all</c><00:21:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It comes from the Committee on Finance with committee amendments.
• It comes from the Committee on Finance with committee amendments.
• It comes from the Committee on Education with committee amendments.
• It comes from the Committee on Education with Committee amendments.
• It comes from the Committee on Education with committee amendments.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Goldwater services to a population of 2.1 million Texans the saw service area covers 228 square miles
• We stand ready to work with this committee.
• Martinez, fellow committee members. My name is Perry Fowler.
• . service, and conservation of resources.
• And esteemed committee members, my name is Julie Nargong.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
• It is referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.
• It comes from the House with a set of House Committee amendments. Thank you.
• It comes from the House with a set of House Committee amendments. Senator Fesi.
• Everybody can be able to grab some lunch and then go to your committee meetings.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nathan White, chief financial officer with the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Um, so I can Health and Human Services.
• I'm the administrator of the Department of Health and Human Services Therapeutic Cannabis Program.
• </c><00:39:53.040><c> Services</c><00:39:53.599><c> Therapeutic</c> Health and Human Services Therapeutic
• Health and Human Services Therapeutic Cannabis<00:39:54.560><c> Program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 118, as amended, which contains several unrelated provisions with a modest fiscal note. Nathan White of the Department of Health and Human Services explained that section 1 would change the personal needs allowance for Medicaid-eligible residents of private and county nursing homes from an adjustment every five years to an annual adjustment, increasing the state cost by about $50,000 per year. He also described section 2, a one-time appropriation of about $160,000 to make certain Hampstead employees whole for missed bonuses and lost leave during the state’s transition of the facility to Dartmouth management. White then outlined sections 3 through 5, which would create a dedicated fund for Hampstead lease revenue to cover the state’s contractual obligation to match Dartmouth capital improvements dollar-for-dollar up to $3 million. He said the state receives about $1.141 million in lease revenue in the first year, with a 3% annual escalator, and that the fund would hold lease revenue until needed for reimbursement. Members questioned how the matching arrangement would work, what happens if Dartmouth spends before the fund has enough money, and whether the state could refuse to match certain improvements. White said Dartmouth has final determination under the agreement if disputes arise, and that if the bill does not pass the state could face difficulty meeting the obligation without cutting services or finding other general funds. Several members also raised policy concerns about the personal needs allowance becoming an automatic cost driver. Brian Clark, attorney for the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, clarified that current law requires the allowance to be updated at least every five years, but the legislature could change it in an off year if it chose. He also explained that the allowance is money residents retain from their own income, such as Social Security, as part of Medicaid cost-of-care calculations, and that the department does not regulate how residents keep those funds. No vote was taken during the discussion, and the committee paused to correct the bill copy before continuing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:22.000><c> Services</c> of the Senate Health and Human Services of the Senate Health and Human
• c> and</c> and Human Services to update and and Human Services to update and incorporate<01:08:26.960
• Department of Health and Human Services or CMS.
• Department of Health and Human Services or CMS.
• ><c> case</c> Human Services, providing enough case Human Services, providing enough case workers<04:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and committee members.
• covers a prescribed service for one patient population, that they also cover the same service for all
• Bring it back to committee. The committee has no questions or comments.
• Committee Civil Omnibus Bill.
• Good work by staff and committee. Oh, oh, oh, oh. At 9:30 a.m. Good work by staff and committee.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee and announced a large agenda, including a consent calendar and several bills pulled for separate hearing. Early in the hearing, the committee heard AB 1876, which would codify federal nondiscrimination protections in state health care law. The author and supporters said it would protect access to coverage and services for all protected classes, including transgender people, while opponents argued it would force coverage of disputed gender-affirming treatments and impose penalties on providers and insurers. No vote was taken during the informational-style presentation, and the author requested an aye vote when a quorum was present. The committee then heard AB 1650 on requiring rental vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly marked, with supporters describing it as a transparency and public-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement activity and opponents later withdrawing opposition after discussions with the author. AB 635, dealing with the Mobile Home Residency Law Protection Program, would extend and revise a resident-funded legal assistance program for mobile home owners; supporters said it improves access to justice and enforcement, and there was no opposition. AB 1697 would extend the date for enforceability of certain employment contract provisions under AB 692 and add an urgency clause; the NFL supported it, SIFMA was support-if-amended, and the chair noted sympathy for some workers while expressing concern about high-paid executives. The committee also heard AB 2784, the annual State Bar fee bill, which held fees flat while making governance and reporting changes; it drew support from the State Bar and no opposition. AB 2782, the Assembly Judiciary Committee civil omnibus bill, made minor clarifying code changes and also drew no opposition. Other measures heard included AB 2662 on monitoring and reporting federal immigration enforcement impacts, AB 2235 on allowing judges to use alternate mailing addresses for safety, AB 1544 on courthouse access and transparency, AB 2624 expanding Safe at Home protections to immigrant service providers, AB 1857 to block grocery restrictive covenants that prevent new grocery stores in underserved areas, AB 1892 clarifying HOA duties and election notice rules, AB 634 banning products containing tianeptine, AB 1684 limiting HOA restrictions on home cooling systems, AB 1752 increasing appraisal reimbursement in eminent domain cases, AB 1660 improving compliance by financial institutions with public guardian requests, AB 782 narrowing a prior housing redevelopment law for certain charter cities, and AB 2195 limiting occupational license suspensions for low-income parents owing child support. Across these bills, testimony was largely supportive, with several measures drawing “support if amended” or no opposition after negotiations; the transcript does not reflect final votes on the bills discussed here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the Committee on Community Health and Human Services has had consideration of HB 2697 and respectfully
• I move that the amendment of the Health and Human Services Committee be adopted.
• Chairman, your Committee on Health and Human Services has had consideration of HB 2940 and respectfully
• Chairman, your Committee on Health and Human Services has had consideration of HB 4010 and respectfully
• Speaker, with your permission, the Health and Human Services Committee will be starting in five minutes

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a journal approval, and recognitions including the Doctor of the Day and guests. Members also adopted a proclamation honoring National School Social Work Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school social workers in student mental health, crisis intervention, and family support. The chamber then moved through first readings and multiple Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first calendar, the House considered HB 2123, HB 2140, and HB 2144, all dealing with gold and silver or child support beginning at pregnancy. HB 2123 and HB 2140 were amended and recommended do pass; HB 2144 drew debate over paternity, genetic testing, rape-related pregnancies, and whether support should begin before birth, but it also received a do-pass recommendation as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and engrossed those bills. On a later calendar, the House advanced HB 2492 on urban growth boundaries, HB 2875 with clarifying amendments, HB 2946 on housing affordability and construction costs, and HB 4115 and HCR 2051 on ballot initiative petition rules and disclosure. Supporters said those measures would improve transparency and ensure Arizona initiatives are driven by residents, while opponents argued they would make it harder for citizens to qualify measures and would burden direct democracy. The House also considered HB 2175 on hate-crime law, HB 2270, HB 2416, HB 2495, HB 2557, HB 2697, HB 2940, and HB 4010. HB 2175 prompted a failed attempt to add a Garcia amendment that would have included gender identity and removed political affiliation from the hate-crime statute; the House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report without that amendment. HB 2557 was described as a medical-records bill changing timing from calendar days to business days, and HB 2697 was explained as a Good Samaritan-style measure extending protections for expired opioid antagonists such as Narcan. HB 2940 drew substantial opposition from Democrats and health advocates who said it would cut people off SNAP and Medicaid/Access and could violate pension protections, while the sponsor argued it would reduce ineligible enrollment and save money; it still advanced as amended. HB 4010 also advanced as amended. In the final portion, the House took up HB 2324, HB 2573, HB 2601, HB 2876, and HCR 2004. HCR 2004, on photo enforcement, was amended to allow cities with photo radar to put the issue to local voters; supporters framed it as a compromise and a local-choice measure, while opponents argued photo enforcement saves lives and reduces speeding-related crashes. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, then reconsidered earlier failed bills HB 2055, HB 2150, HB 2426, and HB 2755. The chamber also passed several third-reading bills, including HB 2264 and HB 2373, while HB 2413 failed. The transcript ends amid debate and voting on HB 2862, a sentencing bill involving crimes committed while wearing a mask.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would allow the Department of Human Services to make sure that if you owe child support from money
• Uh, and uh, I'll be happy to answer any questions from any members of the committee about Senate Bill
• It would allow the Department of Human Services to make sure that if you owe child support from money
• Uh, and uh, I'll be happy to answer any questions from any members of the committee about Senate Bill
• Uh, and uh, I'll be happy to answer any questions from any members of the committee about Senate Bill

Committee: Joint Gaming

Keywords: Gaming - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Will the clerk call the roll?
• I will also be laying out the committee substitute.
• In another context in this committee, Mr.
• My senator is Senator Schwertner. this committee.
• Thank you, committee. Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB34 , HB128 , HB621 , HB748 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB3113 , HB4749 , SB835 , HB128

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy, local government, state agency, political subdivision, foreign adversary, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Taiwan, major non-NATO ally, cultural exchange, educational exchange, tourism, bilateral cooperation, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the Committee on Community Health and Human Services has had under consideration HB 2697 and
• I move that the amendment of the Health and Human Services Committee be adopted.
• Chairman, your Committee on Health and Human Services has had under consideration HB 2940 and respectfully
• Chairman, your Committee on Health and Human Services has had under consideration HB 4010 and respectfully
• Speaker, with your permission, the Health and Human Services Committee will be starting in five minutes

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services to Children agencies providing services to Children and<00:05:14.360><c> Families</c><00:05
• I'm the director of legislative affairs for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
• not</c> of Health and Human Services we are not of Health and Human Services we are not taking<00:17:
• John Williams, Director of Legislative Affairs for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
• community-based services.

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's great to see everyone on the committee today.
• Chairman and the committee.
• And I would hope that the committee will look favorably and move this out of committee and take it to
• It should be a right for every human being.
• Thank you, committee.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein and CMS Medicaid Director Dan Brillman, who discussed ongoing federal-state collaboration and praised Louisiana’s work on Medicaid and health system reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 1214 by Chairman Miller, which would create an Office of State Healthcare Facilities within LDH to centralize oversight of five state-operated inpatient facilities. LDH said the bill would streamline administration, combine shared services, add no new FTEs, and improve care and outcomes for vulnerable residents. Members asked about capacity and waiting lists at the facilities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee next considered House Bill 1041 by Representative Ghali, a medical-freedom bill aimed at prohibiting denial of access or discrimination based on “medical intervention status.” After amendments were adopted, the bill was narrowed to exclude K-12 schools, colleges, hospitals, health care facilities, and tuberculosis-related actions, while keeping existing school outbreak exclusion law in place. Supporters, including patients, nurses, physicians, and advocacy groups, testified that mandates during COVID caused coercion, job loss, and harm, and argued for bodily autonomy and informed consent. Opponents, including the Louisiana Hospital Association, American Lung Association, and Louisiana Families for Vaccines, said the amendments addressed some concerns but warned the bill could weaken outbreak protections for children; after debate, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 414 by Representative Chenevere, which closes a loophole in background-check law by barring hiring of certain direct-care workers with substantially similar out-of-state convictions that would disqualify them in Louisiana. Amendments clarified the definition of covered workers, removed licensed ambulance personnel, and addressed documentation and third-party screening. The Attorney General’s office said the bill is intended to protect vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries from people with serious criminal histories, and supporters from disability and EMS communities backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 786 by Representative Egan, which would prohibit managed care organizations from using extrapolation to determine provider audit overpayments or recoupments, requiring decisions to be based on actual claims. Members discussed a proposed amendment preserving the Department of Health and Department of Justice’s ability to use extrapolation in fraud investigations under existing law, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• services committee it would save him about $2,660 a year if he could just drop down and he wants to
• services committee it would save him about $2,660 a year if he could just drop down and he wants to
• services committee it would save him about $2,660 a year if he could just drop down and he wants to
• We're going to lay it over and then I think I may turn up in the human services budget.
• We're going to lay it over and then I think I may turn up in the human services budget.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CJ Larson, uh committee legislative assistant for the Senate Housing Committee.
• CJ Larson, uh committee legislative assistant for the Senate Housing Committee.
• CJ Larson, uh committee legislative assistant for the Senate Housing Committee.
• </c> Housing Committee. Housing Committee.
• Courtney Shaw, committee Committee.

Keywords: 1183, house