Transcript Highlights:

• So looking into this program and just realizing what was going on and even their board is supposed to
• And things have changed so much since the inception of this program.
• the program a chance to offer transparency and accountability going forward.
• efficiencies in the program and to eliminate...
• and to eliminate we're really trying to create efficiencies in the program and to eliminate the inappropriate

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and recovery programming.
• and what the timeline is to get them off the waiting list and into actual programs and services.
• They asked how much of the budget is going toward preventive care, early diagnosis, and prevention, starting
• They asked how much of the budget goes toward preventive care, prevention for early diagnosis, and preventive
• They said there are many programs dedicated to prevention, and that because so many seniors have comorbidities

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 5 amends the confidential substitute address program, and I’m so sorry, let me hold that up.
• Section 5 amends the confidential substitute address program, and I’m so sorry, let me hold that up.
• Another study is not going to prevent children dying and being abused.
• co-insurance for preventive services, and facility fees fall outside of that.
• and telehealth... ...care benefits, as they can offer early symptom relief, home and telehealth visits

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have developed AI training programs, and I have built AI-powered models.
• But is there a registered program, and there's a licensed home program, and then from there you go...
• Then there's a licensed home program, and then from there you go into the center program.
• And I know for the fire department it requires any employer that they have provisions that prevent and
• And I know for the fire department requires any employer that they have provisions that prevent and say

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization measure aimed at exempting certain medications and treatments for seriously mentally ill adults from repeat insurance prior authorization, while also extending prior authorization approvals to three years for chronic maintenance drugs. The sponsor described the bill as the latest in a series of bipartisan prior-authorization reforms and accepted an amendment from the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance to apply the bill to adults only and to cover PBMs in the interagency purchasing collaborative. Supporters, including NAMI New Mexico and state health officials, argued the bill would reduce barriers to needed care, especially for mental health treatment. Opponents from health plans, PBMs, and insurers warned the bill was too broad, lacked clear definitions for serious mental illness and chronic conditions, created patient-safety concerns, and should have a shorter reauthorization period and later implementation date. After committee discussion, the sponsor agreed to work on a committee substitute, and the bill was rolled over for a later meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 53, the Chispa data privacy bill, which would impose broad limits on the collection, sale, and use of personal data, require opt-in consent for many uses, strengthen rights to access, correct, and delete data, and create enforcement mechanisms including a private right of action. Supporters from advocacy, women’s, behavioral health, reproductive health, and civil rights groups said the bill was needed to protect sensitive health and location data, prevent surveillance and criminalization, and give New Mexicans real control over their information. Business, technology, insurance, and hospital representatives opposed the bill, arguing it was more restrictive than other states’ privacy laws, would burden small businesses and health-related services, create compliance uncertainty, and risk limiting digital services and innovation. After extensive questioning about data breaches, opt-in consent, nonprofit exemptions, and the bill’s impact on businesses and health care access, a motion to table failed 5-4, and the committee then passed SB 53 on a 5-4 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 86, which updates the state’s harassment-by-telephone law to cover electronic communications such as social media, messaging apps, and email. The sponsor and a Las Cruces police chief said the change would modernize an outdated 1967 statute and help law enforcement address harassment and domestic violence through current technology. The bill drew support from the governor’s public safety advisor and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and members asked a few clarifying questions about the wording. The committee approved SB 86 unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 96, on regulated childcare zoning requirements, using a committee substitute. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill would reduce confusing zoning and fire-code barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers, helping address a statewide shortage of child care slots and supporting working families. The discussion began with the committee substitute and an explanation that the measure is intended to streamline local requirements and expand child care supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it should be part of really the early planning stages of a piece of property and what an owner
• And if it fits the the the allowance of of the of the program, then you may, you may know killed an animal
• And created 3, 27, 4, 1, 1, 1, Providing officers with new tools to help prevent they're like vessels
• , these changes will give us even more tools to remove that risk vessels and prevent derelict vessels
• , and supports environmentally responsible marine operations through incentives and program recognition

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriation for the Department of Administration includes five budgeted programs and is drawn largely
• The Division of Purchasing houses procurement and the Federal Surplus Property Program.
• scope and scale that go into the eventual contract and program.
• benchmarks, and the scope and scale going into the eventual contract and program.
• and the balance... $444 million in what we call our Deferred Maintenance Program, and the balance of

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Department of Administration and the Permanent Building Fund. For the Department of Administration, analysts reviewed the agency’s dedicated-fund-heavy budget, recent staffing and utility adjustments, and FY 2027 requests including three new Medicaid procurement positions, a utilities shift from general fund to dedicated funds, and IT replacement items. Members questioned rising utility costs, office-space utilization, vacant buildings at the Chinden campus and 954 Jefferson, and whether the department was holding vacancies or reducing services. Director Steve Bailey said the department is trying to reduce general fund reliance, consolidate space, repurpose positions, and improve efficiency through digital tools; he also said the department is not intentionally holding vacancies and is actively filling needed positions. A major discussion focused on Medicaid procurement and the transition to managed care. Bailey said the requested procurement staff are needed to handle a large, complex solicitation and ongoing contract management, with legal and federal requirements and an Attorney General attorney assigned to assist. Senators asked about Deloitte’s role, other states’ procurement practices, and why the Department of Administration rather than Medicaid would run the process. Bailey explained that Medicaid provides program expertise while Purchasing runs the procurement. The committee also discussed the MMIS procurement, where Bailey said a court stay is delaying implementation after a second-place vendor challenged the process; he said that delay will also push back the broader MCO rollout. Another topic was the Office of Group Insurance’s decision to drop GLP-1 coverage for weight loss, which Bailey said was driven by rapid cost growth from an initial estimate of about $10,000 annually to roughly $15 million in 2025 and more than $30 million over three years. The committee then heard the Permanent Building Fund budget. Analysts explained the fund’s revenue sources, the multi-year nature of capital projects, and the large deferred maintenance program funded in prior years. They noted a proposed FY 2027 transfer of $33.7 million in canceled project balances to the general fund and a possible one-time redirection of interest earnings to the general fund. The Division of Public Works reported 595 active projects, with most FY 2025 projects under construction, in design, or complete, and said 91% of the $544 million deferred maintenance program is active. Members asked about specific canceled projects, including the North Idaho reentry center, the Carnegie Library purchase, the ISU/INL pedestrian crossing, and the Idaho State Police facility in Lewiston; staff said some are unlikely to return soon, while others may come back once land or a site is secured. The committee also discussed inspection practices, with Public Works saying field representatives and third-party testing serve different oversight functions. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next day’s agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the time we call it the ABD program, the aged, blind, and disabled.
• the fraud, waste, and abuse that was going on in this program.
• program integrity, and to protect... ...to eliminate corruption, to restore program integrity, and to
• How many providers are approximately participating in each program, 1.0 and 2.0?
• The prepayment review program has and the denials and the percentage of denials that occur across the

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's the whole reason when you look at me and think about early education; it's his fault.
• President, and others to create the Early Childhood and Care Department.
• He's just been a phenomenal leader where early education is concerned, and I'll ask the body to please
• * and...
• Dixon** (member_13502), an act relating to the grid modernization roadmap and grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would direct the Department of State Health Services to conduct a study on the prevention and
• childhood literacy, child and adult education programs, and multicultural family programming.
• and early 20s.
• navigate available tools and programs to support their workforce.
• This bill requires early voting clerks to alert the Health and Human Services Commission.

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is an outcome the legislature said it wanted to avoid in the cap-and-trade program.
• And this is an outcome the legislature said it wanted to avoid the cap-and-trade program.
• It’s a major focus of the report, and so we’re... ...and ways to prevent leakage.
• And a lot of that revolves around understanding what are the barriers and gaps that are preventing investment
• And cap-and-invest program revenues.

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers. Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget. Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and others, and private companies with net-zero commitments willing to fund early-stage projects.
• sales, and leasing program.
• Some of these programs have been operating for years, and others are still in early phases of implementation
• Mercury is toxic, and this program helps prevent mercury-containing lights from causing human and environmental
• status of current collection sites and the program costs and material flows.

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would members and guests be on the rail and in the gallery, please rise?
• of its people and its birds will be health and wisdom and indwelling light.
• Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs are critical pathways that help women enter and succeed
• and prayers, and we join you in mourning the loss and offer our...
• We hold you close in our thoughts and prayers, and we join you in mourning the loss and offer our most

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , treatment, and prevention with a focus on overall skin health.
• She is committed to a team-based, patient-centered approach that emphasizes early detection, prevention
• Well, coming to early morning, April 2nd, he fooled us all, and my nephew, Andres, was born, and he has
• Well, coming to early morning, April 2nd, he fooled us all, and my name.
• Well, coming to early morning, April 2nd, he fooled us all, and my nephew, Andres, was born, and he has

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and introductions of the Doctor of the Day, guests, and visiting student groups. Members also made several personal privilege remarks, including birthday recognitions and comments about Easter and Arizona’s role in the Artemis moon program. The chamber then took up several Senate bills on third reading. SB 1126, relating to educational records, passed 31-17. SB 1252, relating to assignment for benefit of creditors, passed 48-1. SB 1479, relating to real property and photo ID for official acts, passed 49-0, with one member explaining support for photo identification. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole for additional measures. In Committee of the Whole, members considered and advanced SB 1099 on defamation and online publication, SB 1107 on public safety and law enforcement, SB 1148 on judiciary matters, SB 1294 on property tax treatment of destroyed property, and SB 1366 on transportation and infrastructure. The committee also considered SB 1237 on election procedures manuals, SB 1243 on notice to guardians in court-ordered treatment releases, SB 1281 on notice of federal land acquisitions, SB 1586 on government matters, and SB 1741 on school release time for religious instruction and academic credit. Several bills drew debate over free speech, election administration, guardianship rights, federal land transactions, and religious accommodation in schools, but all were ultimately recommended do pass. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, placing SBs 1237, 1243, 1281, 1586, and 1741 on third reading and engrossing or advancing the other measures as required. The House then adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet in my profession, we know movement prevents disease, improves mental health, and extends lives.
• helping athletes move better, stay healthy, and prevent injuries through physical activity.”
• It also prevents insurers from using specialty tiers, formulary placement, co-insurance structures, and
• And to allow plans to go around this process through these policies are what we are seeking to prevent
• And many states use NADAC-based reimbursement structures in their Medicaid programs.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and preventing overcrowding of the area and preventing overcrowding of large<02:16:02.000><c> families
• 02:23:20.920><c> can</c> restriction program um and if I can restriction program um and if I can briefly
• we fully support this program and its intent.
• </c><03:10:14.520><c> and</c> debed to implement this program and debed to implement this program and
• 560</c><05:09:56.920><c> is</c><05:09:57.040><c> a</c> and Justice programs HP 560 is a and Justice programs

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• even the Department of Children and Families, all of the different workforce programs.
• And then we did layer on additional technologies to modernize the system to prevent fraud and to make
• , whether it's welfare, transition programs, and things like that.
• That would require Salesforce licensing and then any other fraud prevention layering of software, FTE
• for the agency to manage the program, and then again developers that keep that system up-to-date.

Transcript Highlights:

• and journeymen and journeywomen to be graduates of California state-approved apprenticeship programs
• There are union and non-union state-approved apprenticeship programs in California.
• These tools allow individuals to detect risk early, pursue preventative care, and make informed medical
• These tools allow individuals to detect risk early, pursue preventative care, and make informed medical
• It protects privacy, promotes early detection, and reinforces trust in both our health care and insurance

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy insurance-focused agenda, including special-order bills on wildfire mitigation, Fair Plan accountability, aerial imagery, genetic testing, and wildfire moratoriums. AB 1888 would require California Safe Homes Grant Program work to be performed by a skilled and trained workforce at prevailing wage; it drew support from the author, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and labor representatives, with no opposition heard. AB 1680, the “Make-It-Fair Act,” would impose accountability and consumer-protection reforms on the California FAIR Plan in response to Department of Insurance examination findings; it passed out on a do-pass motion to Appropriations, though the FAIR Plan Association remained opposed unless amended. AB 1559 would require notice and access rights when insurers use aerial images of homes and allow in-person inspection requests; it passed on a do-pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with broad support and one “concern” witness. The committee also took up AB 1798, which would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer genetic testing, for underwriting below a $1.5 million coverage threshold. Supporters, including the author, the Insurance Commissioner, the ALS Association, and several consumer and biotech groups, argued the bill would reduce fear of genetic discrimination and encourage testing and research. Opponents from life insurance and financial advisor groups argued the bill could impair risk-based underwriting and raise premiums, especially in the middle market. After extensive back-and-forth on the distinction between predictive genetic data and doctor-assessed medical risk, the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection on a do-pass vote, with several members voting no. AB 2038 would extend wildfire-related nonrenewal moratoriums from two to three years for total-loss homes and from one to two years for homes in and around fire zones. Supporters said the change better matches the real rebuilding timeline after major fires and protects displaced homeowners from losing coverage while rebuilding. Insurers and trade groups opposed the measure, warning that longer moratoriums could force carriers to reduce exposure elsewhere and worsen the broader availability crisis. The bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote. The committee also approved AB 1800, which adds eyewear to portable electronics insurance coverage, and moved a consent calendar of additional bills, including AB 1554, AB 1683, AB 1781, and AB 2471. Later, AB 2198 was introduced to clarify title-rate filing responsibilities between title insurers and underwritten title companies and to require rate schedules to be posted publicly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their input confirmed that this is a real and growing problem that requires early coordinated action.
• rats through early detection, public reporting, and coordinated government response.
• Today, the assessment program is longstanding and overseen through the regular commission governance
• Today, the assessment program is longstanding and overseen through the regular commission governance
• And I do like the preventative approach to make sure that we're drawing a line in the sand and that we're

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a student in Monterey; we did an internship with Panetta, and one of the students in my early career
• removal, as well as proof that removal is necessary to prevent serious emotional and physical harm to
• own role in the early wars and massacres waged against California Native American people.
• are amongst them and are incredibly talented on many occasions early in my career.
• education supports that prevent homelessness and long-term harm.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was a part of the Facebook Brass, and they have gone scorched earth to prevent her from telling what
• And like Big Tobacco, they fight to prevent any regulation that might make make them pay for the cost
• They began offering products and services in China as early as 2014. That hasn't stopped.
• and early on in your time at the company, but do you remember roughly any of the terms of that FTC consent
• They were intended to prevent MEDA from deceiving. people about the extent to which they collect and

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee

Keywords: Meta, Facebook, whistleblower, regulation, China, user data, artificial intelligence, testimony, Congress

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism focused on oversight of Meta's foreign relations and representations to Congress. An essential witness, Sarah Wynne-Williams, a former executive at Facebook, provided testimony outlining significant concerns about the company's practices and its complicity in aiding oppressive regimes. The atmosphere was charged, with ongoing debates about the regulation of big tech companies and the ethical implications of their policies. The committee explored topics such as user data management, whistleblower retaliation, and the need for legislative measures to protect users and enhance accountability in the tech sector. A notable point of contention was Facebook's alleged cooperation with the Chinese government regarding the dissemination of user data and AI tools, leading to serious ethical implications.