Transcript Highlights:

• , but it's for $170,000 for the sex offender assessment.
• So a program assessment and oversight area that we added to that.
• Beyond that, we implemented the Ohio Risk Assessment Tool, which is an assessment tool that helps us
• We're working through getting those assessed.
• We're working through getting those assessed.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first considered revisions to the JBC rules, which staff said were all prompted by acts passed in the 2025 legislative session. The rules were adopted without objection. Members then received a balanced budget presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s FY27 proposal, which he said was built around three priorities: limiting state government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income tax cuts. He highlighted major additions for education funding, EFA growth, pay plan costs, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, corrections medical costs, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction, and Medicaid sustainability, while also explaining a new A/B funding category structure intended to prioritize recurring costs and preserve room for tax cuts. Members questioned Hudson about the cost of income tax reductions, the constitutional balanced-budget requirement, education funding, the Educational Adequacy Fund, Medicaid trust fund balances, and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and SNAP. Hudson said each tenth of a percent income tax cut would cost about $58 million, the budget remained balanced, public education would still receive historic increases, and the Medicaid trust fund would be monitored closely with additional set-asides proposed. He also said the FY27 SNAP administrative cost increase would be about $18 million. The committee then heard from the Division of Higher Education, which reported institutions were 2.61% more productive overall and that the budget recommendation followed the statutory productivity formula. Questions focused on why some institutions were receiving decreases or large increases, how the formula works, and how the new return-on-investment metric and committee composition would affect future funding. The committee approved several higher education-related actions, including personnel changes for nine institutions and special language for North Arkansas College’s move into the University of Arkansas system. Staff then walked members through the higher education appropriation summary, explaining large percentage increases at several institutions were tied to federal funds or corrected carry-forward issues, including the U of A School of Mathematical, Sciences and the Arts, South Arkansas College, SAU Tech, ASU Mountain Home, and ASU Newport. Members also discussed UAPB’s 1890 extension program and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s land-grant matching funds; officials said UAPB’s recommendation was being aligned with actual spending and that the Division of Agriculture’s Smith-Lever and Hatch matches were included within its overall appropriation. The committee ultimately adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions and then moved on to the Department of Corrections section, with the chair outlining how the committee would proceed through those appropriations by section.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have done a flood risk assessment, Senator, that proves that all cabins are out of the 500-year
• I would love each of your assessments.
• All three of you had very powerful stories and very productive, practical advice and guidance, and we
• work with National EMR to develop any additional needed templates or guidance and identify best practices
• So, as a practical matter, and maybe we were talking past each other earlier, we talked about the Administrative

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2002, New Mexico certified registered nurse anesthetists have been able to practice without the
• So this is a practice, just to clarify for the body, these qualifications would be extended for law enforcement
• background checks including polygraph testing, they do criminal background checks, they do of course assessments
• , psychological assessments, and otherwise, Mr.
• So this program is currently in practice and being utilized.

Transcript Highlights:

• We couldn't do some sort of a pre-assessment and then a post-assessment for this particular population
• We couldn't do some sort of a pre-assessment and then a post-assessment for this particular population
• </c> nurses who are committed to practicing nurses who are committed to practicing in<01:31:57.440><c
• practice going forward.
• practice going forward.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• assessments as separate units.
• and stormwater non-ad valorem assessments as separate units.
• for fire or sewer or anything else so long as they aren't assessing solely because it's an ADU.
• In other words, if that piece of property, let's say it's a quarter of an acre, has been assessed and
• Has been assessed and has to pay $1,000 for fire services.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs heard three measures. First, SB 184 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas, with exceptions for planned unit developments and master-planned communities. The bill and its amendments were discussed at length, including parking restrictions, homestead exemption treatment, short-term rental concerns, impact and mobility fees, pre-approved designs, manufactured ADUs, and an OPPAGA study on mezzanine financing and tiny homes. Testimony from the Florida League of Cities raised concerns about parking, short-term rentals, and fee parity, while several senators supported the concept but asked for further refinement. The committee adopted the amendments and reported CS for SB 184 favorably. The committee then took up SB 118 by Senator Brodeur, which preempts regulation of presidential libraries to the state and defers regulation to the federal government, with the stated purpose of preventing local governments from imposing obstacles to a future presidential library in Florida. There was no debate or public testimony, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7704, a proposed committee bill to repeal the sunset date on a public records exemption for property photographs and personal identifying information of applicants or participants in disaster-related housing assistance programs held by state and local housing entities. With no questions, debate, or public testimony, the committee approved the motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you talking about the citizens' assessment? Yeah, that was statewide.
• Talking about the citizens' assessment? Yeah, that was statewide, and we are one state.
• The structure of those bonds had to collect that assessment, but then you got that price of that assessment
• You got a credit for that assessment that was paid on your homeowner's insurance.
• That assessment is done, and those bonds are being paid off. This assessment, how much is that?

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation for the Department of State. House Fiscal Division said the FY27 recommended budget is $128.6 million and 367 positions, with elections making up the largest share. Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the office is implementing Louisiana’s first closed party primary, continuing voter education efforts, and moving toward procurement of a new voting system that would produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot and support risk-limiting audits. Members asked about polling place confusion, machine replacement costs, election commissioner pay, and the cost of educating voters about the new primary system. Landry said polling places are not changing because of the new primary law, the new system is expected to cost about $100 million total, and a bill this session would raise election commissioner pay by $100 per day. Fiscal staff also estimated the closed primary law will add about $31.5 million in costs over five years, mostly from converting local elections to statewide elections and voter outreach. The committee then reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs budget, which was presented at about $105.2 million with a mix of federal, state, self-generated, and interagency funds. The department said most costs are tied to personnel and veterans’ homes, and that the homes are funded largely by federal dollars plus self-generated revenue. Members focused heavily on delays in processing National Guard disability claims and payments to veterans. Representatives said constituents had waited about a year for claims to be resolved, while the department said it had increased staffing and was processing a backlog of more than 400 claims, but still had about $950,000 in approved claims awaiting funding. The department said the payout program is governed by statute and that additional supplemental funding has been requested. Members also discussed veterans’ home care, including how service-connected disability status affects eligibility and costs, and whether chronic wound care and related complications could increase long-term costs. The department said veterans with higher service-connected ratings receive care with federal support, while others pay fees. Several members urged the department to provide clearer timelines and better communication to claimants, and one member suggested a separate oversight hearing to address the disability claim process and any needed statutory changes. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you talking about the citizens' assessment? Yeah. That was statewide.
• Talking about the citizens' assessment? Yeah. That was statewide, and we are one state.
• The structure of those bonds had to collect that assessment, but then you got that price of that assessment
• You got a credit for that assessment that was paid on your homeowner's insurance.
• That assessment is done and those bonds are being paid off.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Only 15% returned to Texas to actually practice medicine.
• Cliff Porter: Yet they're not allowed to practice in medicine in any particular way.
• Cliff Porter: Now these people can actually start practicing and contributing.
• Yet they're not allowed to practice in medicine in any particular way.
• Now these people can actually start practicing and contributing.

Bills: HB163 , HB216 , HB721 , HB2035 , HB2038 , HB3057 , HB3153 , HB3233 , HB3595 , HB3801 , HB3812 , HB4076 , HB4129 , HB4377 , HB4535 , HB4666 , HB4730 , HB4743 , HB4903 , HB5149 , HB5155 , HB1534

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• For our individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those assessments are conducted
• It's a requirement to have an annual assessment to assess level of need and appropriate services, and
• that assessment drives a budget.
• The goal for these assessments, I'd say, addresses a few things.
• We'd have to train those staff and those assessments. So the cost benefit really doesn't play out.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, the lack of certified midwife licensure creates a barrier to midwifery practice for those who are
• our efficiency in auditing so and assess our efficiency in auditing so we<00:46:46.319><c> can</c><00
• </c><01:25:29.600><c> and</c> got to think about it practically and got to think about it practically
• in a practical common sense ways<01:27:07.840><c> could</c><01:27:08.080><c> be</c><01:27:08.239><c>
• It's practical, it's responsive, and it reflects the priorities of the institutions Minnesotans rely

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• JLARC was directed as part of its reviews to assess changes in aerospace industry employment in Washington
• that, beginning with its review of the aerospace tax incentives due in 2019, JLARC must specifically assess
• was because of the WTO ruling, so if we're back to a standard manufacturing rate, how does JLARC assess
• ...rate, how does JLARC assess whether or not?
• rate, how does JLARC assess whether or not, how does J.LARC assess this because it's no longer the same

Bills: HB2730 , HB2713

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: aerospace, tax preferences, effectiveness, economic impact, state revenue, private detention facilities, business tax, occupation tax, financial impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll open the executive session on HP 1194 relative to credits for assessments paid by insurers.
• We are voting on House Bill 194 relative to credits for assessments paid by insurance.
• We are voting on House Bill 194 relative to credits for assessments paid by insurance.
• We are voting on House Bill 194 relative to credits for assessments paid by insurance.
• </c><01:44:20.239><c> paid</c> relative to credits for assessments paid relative to credits for assessments

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I'll talk about fish passage barriers in general, the different types, how they're assessed.
• So the state has been assessing fish passage barriers since the 40s.
• protocols that the state uses to assess a barrier.
• So we have to assess every crossing that we own in the case area every 10 years, forever.
• We do an assessment and go upstream and determine where's the end of fish use.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a work session on fish passage and barrier prioritization. Tom Jameson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife briefed members on the state salmon recovery framework, the types and prevalence of fish passage barriers, and the many existing barrier-removal programs. He explained that culverts are the most common barrier, but levees, tidegates, dams, and other structures also affect salmon and steelhead. He also described the state’s fish passage database, the assessment criteria used to determine whether a structure is a barrier, and the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board’s role in funding projects. Jameson reviewed the history of the board and its grant pathways, noting that the Legislature has funded 199 projects totaling nearly $225 million over five biennia, including significant federal support in the last biennium. He then focused on the new statewide prioritization strategy directed by the Legislature in 2020. A science panel recommended using an optimization model and then scoring and ranking barriers, but Jameson said the model depends on better stream mapping and ongoing “snapping” of stream layers to known barrier locations. He said the strategy is intended to produce watershed-based priority lists rather than a single statewide ranking. Members asked about how barriers are assessed during fish migration periods, how private land access affects inventory work, how local governments can report completed corrections, and how the prioritization criteria weight Chinook salmon and southern resident orca recovery. Jameson said urban areas with downstream barriers or heavily altered streams may be less recoverable, while rural watersheds may offer greater benefit. He also explained the federal culvert injunction, including ongoing obligations for state agencies and DOT’s 2030 target, and said the injunction never fully ends because new barriers are continually discovered and must be addressed over time. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the things that we've been trying to do is how do we partner, how do we think about policy and practice
• The definition of salary and wage in the law reflects modern compensation practices.
• Not just best practices, but also rights and responsibilities. Thank you.
• I am also an immigration lawyer and I've practiced for almost 30 years, and we've never seen anything
• They need to assess the risk for themselves and their families.

Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.

Transcript Highlights:

• child licensed as a to practice child psychiatry<00:46:01.520><c> in</c><00:46:01.839><c> this</c><00
• </c> which is frankly an inhumane practice. which is frankly an inhumane practice.
• I do not know what it's assessed at or if it's been assessed or anything about that transaction.
• </c> safety codes and education practices safety codes and education practices failed<01:38:16.159><c
• They're pretty unforgiving in terms of assessing penalties and fines for late payments.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rate is 5% on the assessed value of timber when it is harvested.
• remaining funds are distributed to each taxing district in the county in proportion to the timber assessed
• When assessors see what levies they're going to be dealing with, and the assessed value in... orcut and
• When assessors see what levies they're going to be dealing with, adamant the assessed value in. ...what
• levies they're going to be dealing with, add them in, the assessed value in, and then they come up with

Bills: SB5994

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assessments, and we're extending simulcasting from December 25, 2025, to December 15, 2027.
• In addition to the $50 million increase in hospital assessments, the Commonwealth will contribute an
• Some notable features of this amendment include increasing the hospital assessment by $50 million in
• fiscal year 2026, modifying the hospital assessment rates applied to the fiscal year 2023 assessment
• High public payer hospitals, assessment changes, and new spending that will require CMS approval.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several routine and ceremonial matters first, including a resolution honoring the Solomon Northup Committee and commemorating the arrival of the Solomon Northup sculpture in Boston, which was adopted. Members also adopted an order extending the Revenue Committee’s reporting deadline on House No. 4606, concurred in a Senate sick leave bank petition for Jeffrey Yatson, and suspended Joint Rule 12 for a similar sick leave bank petition for Jean McCarran. The House then advanced House No. 4413, a bill on the terms of certain Commonwealth bonds, to third reading and later passed it to be engrossed. The main floor debate centered on House No. 4601, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The bill was described as a $2.25 billion supplemental budget with a net Commonwealth cost of about $750 million, covering MassHealth, snow and ice deficiencies, Home Base, universal school meals, reproductive health care supports, a sports and entertainment fund, and other items. The bill also included outside sections on public health and finance, and it ratified seven collective bargaining agreements. The House adopted Amendment 70, which added Health Safety Net funding measures, including higher hospital assessments and a $50 million transfer from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, after supporters said it would help avert a projected shortfall and generate federal Medicaid revenue. A separate amendment on Home Base eligibility was rejected. The House also adopted a consolidated amendment that included provisions affecting western and central Massachusetts municipal health insurance costs and changes to violent injury benefit language for first responders, including clarifying the definition of a weapon and tightening the standard for covered injuries. Another consolidated amendment was adopted by roll call, and the bill itself was then passed to be engrossed by a recorded vote. The session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and a motion to adjourn in memory of former House members Thomas and George, which was agreed to before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• One girl chose to go home after band practice to shower and change.
• But it does so without evidence that current practices are causing harm.
• It was a practical safeguard of privacy. Privacy and modesty.
• Today it's used against a practice you oppose.
• HB 7 causes a chilling effect on the practice of medicine.

Bills: SB 8 , HB7 , HB15 , HB 265 , HCR 13 , SB 8 , HB 7 , HB 15 , HB 265 , HCR 13

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• we really—our goal is to find out, have a good pulse on what the community needs are, do those assessments
• So we help our members really, especially when new directors come in, to what is best practice to provide
• </c><00:36:36.000><c> for</c><00:36:36.240><c> Effective</c> best practices for Effective best practices
• We have strong professional development, and we prioritize evidence-based instructional practices.
• Mental health was assessed and aided through our embedded therapist.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, according to the 2023 annual homelessness assessment report from the U.S.
• The bill in question today, HB 410, would establish a new framework for assessing property rights by
• The bill in question today, HB 410, would establish a new framework for assessing property rights by
• The bill in question today, HB 410, would establish a new framework for assessing property rights by
• The bill in question today, HB 410, would establish a new framework for assessing property rights by

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all