Transcript Highlights:

• The Health and Human Services Committee will come to order. Sabrina, please call the roll.
• And then my And then my next question goes in terms of duplication of services.
• These other organizations have stepped up and have increased the services there.
• This legacy of service for the next generation beyond. With that, I close. Thank you.
• Thank you for your public service, and thank you for listening to my testimony today.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard and passed several bills. HB 293 would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor, create a liaison and advisory council, and was supported by faith-based and nonprofit groups; some members questioned possible duplication with existing services and the source of any future funding, but the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 547 would create an exception to the 30-day notice requirement before hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers sell medical debt when the debt buyer agrees not to use interest, fees, or extraordinary collection actions and must return charity-care-eligible debt; it passed unanimously after brief support testimony. CS/HB 1553 would require reporting of uterine fibroid data to the Department of Health to create a de-identified public database and reauthorize funding for implementation; it also passed 24-0, with members noting the earlier database mandate had not been carried out. The committee then took up CS/HB 1195, “Gage’s Law,” which would require hospitals and hospital-based emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine drug screens for suspected overdose or poisoning cases. The bill was presented as a response to overdose deaths and the need to better detect fentanyl, and emotional testimony from a parent described a son’s death after a hospital did not test for fentanyl. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing stigma, the need for better treatment and data, and the potential to save lives; the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47 on child care and early learning providers would streamline inspections, speed background screening, offer free online training/testing, update definitions, protect certain family child care homes from insurance issues, and create a license-exempt category for employer-provided child care; after questions about parent notice, database listing, background checks, and insurance, an amendment was adopted and the bill passed 24-0 as amended. Finally, CS/HB 647 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to sign death certificates in hospice settings, addressing delays that can leave families waiting to complete burial arrangements. Support testimony came from advocacy and hospice groups, and members cited the bill’s importance for families and religious burial timelines. The bill passed 23-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh in our committee later today. uh in our committee later today.
• </c> service did matter to this state. service did matter to this state.
• </c> their service and struggles. their service and struggles.
• </c> die from service-related cancers. die from service-related cancers.
• </c> the committee? Senator Pappas. the committee? Senator Pappas.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then during special session, the Health and Human Services in House Bill 1623, Section 7, also received
• So can you give another example in regards to data sets outside of human services? Mr.
• Is it the IT Committee or is it the DOGE Committee? Where does that land?
• Is it the IT Committee or is it the DOGE Committee? Where does that land?
• very closely with the emergency service interim committee—because if legislation passes out of that

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• committees and the full Legislative Joint Audit Committee this month.
• The committee granted permission to the Arkansas Department of Administrative Services, Office of Property
• The committee granted permission to the Arkansas Department of Administrative Services, Office of Property
• The Department of Human Services reported instances of improper benefit payments to employees from the
• Staff from the Department of Human Services, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties are not going to provide the human services that they're mandated by law to provide.
• Counties are not going to provide the human services that they're mandated by law to provide.
• Counties are not going to provide the human services that they're mandated by law to provide.
• Counties are not going to provide the human services that they're mandated by law to provide.
• Counties are not going to provide the human services that they're mandated by law to provide.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• committee.
• On any special committee? You're referring to what page? Well, let's see, special committees.
• committee, those issues, whatever they are, would be resolved if everybody's on the committee.
• So if you do want to have a special committee, essentially it's going to become a board committee.
• If everybody's on the committee, then it's not really a committee anymore. Right.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the agenda. Public comment was dominated by district defenders and other public defense leaders praising State Public Defender Remy Starns for improving communication, collaboration, and overall system performance. Speakers from multiple districts said the system is more unified, better supported, and more stable than in prior years, and several credited Starns with helping resolve long-standing tensions and improve coordination across capital, district, and appellate work. One speaker also paid tribute to the late Mike Ginnard, describing him as instrumental to earlier public defense reforms. In his report, Starns said the system has improved over the last seven years but still needs a sustainable funding source. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, elimination of filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee requests in light of recent court rulings. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and appellate work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and continue post-conviction work under new statutory rules. Starns emphasized recruitment and retention, including the need for affordable health insurance and retirement benefits, and again honored Mike Ginnard for his leadership and service. The board then adopted proposed bylaws, after some discussion about special committees and public meeting requirements. Members agreed to create a committee to review and refine the bylaws later, and they also elected a vice chairman and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff support, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely an update to the prior version with terminology changes, new accessibility-related goals, and added performance measures for training, compliance, and communications. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee into order.
• And I know that everybody on this committee feels this way.
• Good afternoon, Chair Bauer-Kahan and members of the committee.
• We then have teams of human experts doing human moderation for more complex cases.
• And we've open-sourced many of our services. ...as of January.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Transportation will come to order. This forum was established at the last meeting.
• Thank you, Chairman Nichols and members of the Committee.
• We'll open it up for public testimony on Senate Bill 1351 and the committee substitute.
• There is a committee substitute, so we'll go ahead and ask Senator West to send up a committee substitute
• And it's proposed committee substitute.

Bills: SB215 , SB1104 , SB1351 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB1423 , SB1568

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: education, funding, school districts, local control, equity, digital identification, identity verification, Department of Public Safety, Texas legislature, wireless communication, Texas, technology, identification program, fee structure, wireless devices, public safety, hunting license, handgun license, fingerprinting, dealer license

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the committee.
• Phase two will involve human resources and payroll.
• Good morning, Chair Perez and committee members.
• The remaining funds support counseling, academic services, and basic needs supports.
• Good morning, Chair Perez and committee staff.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard updates on higher education issues, beginning with California State University’s turnaround plans for seven campuses with enrollment declines. CSU said overall enrollment is growing systemwide, but some campuses, especially in Northern California, face structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. The plans focus on reengaging stopped-out and adult learners, expanding partnerships and guaranteed admissions, improving retention and student support, and reducing costs through program suspensions, hiring freezes, shared services, and procurement consolidation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the strategies were reasonable but urged regular legislative updates, and the Department of Finance had no additional comments. Committee members emphasized the need for implementation oversight, written updates, and attention to student outreach, financial aid, and privacy concerns around AI tools used in recruitment. The committee then reviewed the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s request for a $10 million General Fund appropriation to repay litigation-related borrowing. Department of Consumer Affairs and bureau staff said the bureau has a long-standing structural deficit, has already cut positions and shifted some costs, and that the General Fund backfill would reduce future fee increases on institutions. The LAO opposed the request, arguing the bureau can cover near-term costs with its existing loan and that litigation costs should remain the responsibility of the regulated entities through fees. Finance supported the one-time backfill as a unique situation that would lower fee increases and avoid passing litigation costs on to schools and students. Members asked about preventing a repeat of the problem, and bureau staff said they are pursuing fee increases through the sunset review and have strengthened internal policies and disability accommodation practices. The subcommittee also heard a broad update on Cal Grant funding and student aid. The California Student Aid Commission, UC, CSU, and the community colleges described Cal Grant as essential to affordability, but the LAO noted spending has grown faster than historical averages and said the state likely lacks capacity for major expansion in the near term. The segments highlighted the importance of state aid in covering tuition and living costs, and raised concerns about federal changes to student loans and Pell Grants, especially the elimination of Grad PLUS for some graduate students and limits on part-time borrowing. Committee members pressed for data on students who are eligible but not served by current Cal Grant rules, including adult learners and students affected by age and merit restrictions, and asked for analysis of phased-in implementation of the Cal Grant Equity Framework. Finance said full implementation would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and that affordability remains part of the state’s multi-year compact with the segments. Finally, the committee began discussion of the Middle Class Scholarship Program. CSAC and the UC and CSU said the program is a key part of affordability and debt reduction, especially after the 2022 reforms that expanded awards to total cost of attendance and improved administration. They warned that cutting funding by more than half would reduce award coverage from 35% to 17.5% of cost of attendance and could affect enrollment and persistence, particularly for middle-income students who do not qualify for other need-based aid. The segments also noted that recent administrative changes have reduced award revisions and campus workload, but that data exchange and award volatility remain challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chairman and members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Any questions from the committee?
• Any questions from committee? Representative Veet. Any questions from the committee?
• And with no other business before this committee, this committee is now dismissed.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
• Good morning, Madam Chairman and members of the committee.
• for Humanity.
• Habitat for Humanity.
• Thank you, Chair, members of the committee. Thank you, Chair, members of the committee.

Summary: The committee devoted much of the meeting to presentations highlighting tribal communities in rural Arizona. Representative Peshlakai opened with a video and remarks about Legislative District 6, describing it as the state’s largest district and emphasizing its many tribal nations, scenic landmarks, and her personal Navajo background. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis then presented on the Gila River Indian Community, discussing its Akimel O’odham and Piipaash heritage, water rights history, the MAR-5 aquifer recharge project, cultural traditions, and the community’s role in regional water and infrastructure issues. A presentation on the Pasqua Yaqui tribe followed, focusing on cultural resilience, ceremonial traditions, and the history of displacement and freeway construction in Tucson. Representative Sosei later outlined barriers to tribal economic development, including trust land financing limits, federal and tribal review delays, infrastructure gaps, dual taxation, and the need for broadband, water, and road investment, while proposing reforms such as tax changes, state match funds, and annual tribal field hearings. The committee then considered SB 1016, a strike-everything amendment that would move the property-owner petition requirement earlier in the municipal improvement district process and allow waivers of certain notice and protest procedures. Supporters, including mayors from Camp Verde and Clarkdale, said the change would improve transparency, reduce financial risk for small towns, and help rural communities build wastewater and other infrastructure. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1016 on a 5-0 vote, with one member present and one absent. Next, the committee heard SB 1401, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, which would let municipalities create expedited plan review and permitting processes for qualified workforce housing projects and exempt project proceeds from the state portion of the prime contracting sales tax. Supporters from Habitat for Humanity said the measure would reduce carrying costs, speed approvals, and help build more affordable homes for working families. One member noted the bill would reduce general fund revenue but supported it as a targeted tradeoff to address housing affordability. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1401 on a 5-1 vote, with one member absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army Major General and Vermont Adjutant and Inspector General Gregory Knight on his exemplary service
• Whereas the military and civilian careers of Gregory Knight represent the best attributes of public service
• We've shared many meals over the seven years of our shared service.
• , I want to thank you for being a good human, an honorable commander, and a dear friend.
• , I want to thank you for being a good human, an honorable commander, and a dear friend.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee, what is it now? Committee. No, this is a federal organization.
• The committee, what is it now? Committee.
• The committee, what is it now? Committee.
• Uh, however, Secret Service, correct? Uh, however, Secret Service, correct?
• </c> Okay, any questions to the committee Okay, any questions to the committee members?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up an amended bill, sponsored by Rep. Lily Walsh, aimed at requiring certain foreign principals involved in New Hampshire real estate transactions to file an affidavit electronically with the Department of Justice. Walsh explained that she revised the proposal after the first hearing by limiting it to leases longer than 14 days, removing notarization, allowing electronic filing, shortening notification timelines, and clarifying that lessors or agents would not have to verify the affidavit’s truthfulness. She asked the committee to recommend the bill ought to pass with amendment and also noted a technical correction to use “real estate licensee” rather than “realtor.” The main opposition came from a real estate practitioner on the committee, who argued the bill was burdensome, could create discrimination concerns, and would place real estate professionals in an improper enforcement role. He also questioned the bill’s practical effect and pointed to existing federal CFIUS procedures as a better mechanism for handling foreign investment concerns. Several members echoed concerns about whether the state had authority to regulate in this area, whether the bill would actually stop bad actors, and whether it could be enforced without discriminatory impacts. Representatives from New Boston Space Force Station testified in support, saying the legislation was critical to national security because proximity to the installation could allow adversaries to observe operations or interfere with radio frequency communications. They argued federal processes were too slow or ineffective and that state action could better push hostile actors away from the base. Committee members questioned the technical basis for the 10-mile buffer, whether it would really help, and why federal agencies were not handling the issue. No vote was taken during the exchange shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services Committee and the entire Senate unanimously.
• One, it came over from the Health and Human Services, uh, uh, Committee in the Senate passed 9-0.
• to administrate the program from the comptroller's office to Health and Human Services Commission.
• Um, the feedback we got is that, um, the Health and Human Services Commission is, um, would be more able
• Chairman, committee members.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair offers a committee substitute.
• Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute?
• , anesthesia, preoperative services, prescription drugs, and pharmacy services.
• The chair offers up a committee substitute.
• Chairman and committee members.

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service and thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your service, sir. Okay, thank you. Thank you for your service, sir. Okay, thank you.
• We're finding it in breast milk, in human blood.
• Everyone here on this committee to vote no on this.
• Members, this concludes our committee agenda.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met and heard several bills on boating, anchoring, plastics, coastal resilience, and permitting. HB 735, expanding the Boating Improvement Program to fund boat-trailer parking at public ramps and offering a submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best practices, drew no opposition and was reported favorably. HB 371, a nature-based coastal resilience bill, was amended with a strike-all and then reported favorably with committee substitute. HB 287, allowing building or plumbing permits to move forward while septic system permits are still under review, also passed favorably after testimony from the onsite wastewater industry and a brief debate about construction delays and final occupancy certification. The committee also took up HB 565 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of items like bags, cups, and bottles and maintain statewide uniformity. The sponsor argued it protects consumer choice and business consistency, while environmental groups, PTA representatives, and others warned it would worsen plastic pollution, microplastics, and local cleanup burdens. Despite opposition and a 13-5 vote with several members opposed, the bill was reported favorably. Members also discussed HB 565’s policy background, including prior DEP studies and the tension between state preemption and local environmental regulation. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 565 in the transcript’s boating context, actually HB 565 on anchoring limitations in Biscayne Bay and other heavily impacted areas. Supporters from Miami Beach and North Bay Village said derelict and anchored vessels are harming waterways, seagrass, public safety, and enforcement efforts, while cruisers and boating groups argued the bill would displace responsible boaters and fail to solve derelict-vessel problems. The committee adopted an amendment, then reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by an 18-0 vote. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were completed and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House committee. There we go.
• to a committee, the legislative committee before? Yes, sir.
• As you all know, I I've been Chair of Health and Human Services, honored to serve in that role, and we
• Not just against an individual, those are crimes against humanity. humanity.
• The committee are gonna have another meeting. Yes, sir. The committee stands adjourned.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ask the committee to consider the A6. ask the committee to consider the A6.
• Committee. Committee.
• </c> of our other committees. of our other committees.
• </c> from the Department of Health and Human from the Department of Health and Human Services<01:22:35.640
• Now, as has been mentioned, our budget is set by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and committee members.
• Chair and members of the committee, I'm Holden Weissman from Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco
• a first committee you're in—but it's the first or second committee.
• a first committee you're in—but it's the first or second committee.
• that services that area.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee reports are not amendable, and after questions from committee members on a subcommittee report
• Members, as you're aware, the Health and Human Services agencies have a critical mission including protecting
• I think we can all be proud of this significant investment in health and human services.
• I will hold it up this time, and I'm going to read it for the committee: "The Committee on House Administration
• Under Rule 4, Section 45, the same principle applies to points of order made in committee. committee

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 1184, house, all