Transcript Highlights:

• <c> program</c> program eligibility and enhance program program eligibility and enhance program eligibility
• Um, many researcher, it is not anecdotes, a preschool and early childhood program estimate that either
• In fact, many researcher, it is not anecdotes, a preschool and early childhood program estimate that
• Um, many researcher, it is not anecdotes, a preschool and early childhood program estimate that either
• Um, many researcher, it is not anecdotes, a preschool and early childhood program estimate that either

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing that we're doing is what we call early start programs, and I could really talk about
• And at Fullerton, we had a donor who graciously gave us enough money to have an early start program and
• with Cal State L.A. and try that as a pilot program?
• communities, culturally responsive student success programs, early alerts, and basic needs to support
• And we are seeing that those programs are having an impact, that the students who are in Early Summer

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Enhancement three would provide a program transfer of one FTP and funding from Purchasing to Management
• Enhancement four would provide a program transfer of one FTP and associated funding from Document Services
• funds for enhancement number two for Medicaid procurement staff; and include requested program transfers
• For Medicaid procurement staff, include requested program transfers for enhancements three and four for
• We have IDOC connection and intervention station canceled.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of JFAC budget items, beginning with health education programs. Members approved an FY 2027 increase of $900,000 and 2.5 FTP for psychiatry, family medicine, OB fellowship, child psychiatry, and veterinary education slots. They then adopted language to shift funding for the family medicine OB fellowship to the rural health transformation program if those funds become available before July 1, 2026, with the general fund then redirected to undergraduate medical education seats under H 368. The language drew debate about whether rural health money should be reserved for rural facilities and whether the provision would preempt a future committee’s role, but it ultimately passed. The committee next approved the Office of the State Board of Education budget, including Canvas LMS renewal, transfer of risk managers to institutions, and a federal post-secondary improvement grant, with a net increase of $4,487,900 and a reduction of four FTP. For colleges and universities, a substitute motion to add general fund support for an additional rescission restoration and other items failed, and the original motion passed instead, providing a smaller increase. Community colleges received a one-time general fund increase of $1,123,200 after the committee rejected a substitute that would have only reduced Canvas costs. Career Technical Education was addressed twice: first, the committee approved $957,600 one-time from the Career Ready Students Fund to restore a prior rescission in secondary programs; later, it approved $1,877,300 one-time from the same fund for secondary CTE programs after rejecting a substitute that would have used ongoing general fund support. The Department of Administration budget included utilities, Medicaid procurement staffing, training, document services, IT hardware, and a rescission correction. The committee rejected the main motion after concerns were raised about staffing for a large Medicaid managed care contract, but then approved the Permanent Building Fund budget, including $890,100 for design of a National Guard Readiness Center in Bonneville County and $71.6 million for replacement items and maintenance projects. Standard language and reporting language for that fund were adopted by unanimous consent. Finally, the State Lottery received approval for $25,800 in dedicated funds for replacement computers used in scratch-game design. The committee adjourned after announcing future work group meetings and upcoming budget agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunter's disability, though significant, has not prevented him from living his best life and achieving
• Hunter's disability, though significant, has not prevented him from living his best life and achieving
• It does nothing to help the senior citizens who are homebound and hungry because our community programs
• Please prioritize the funding of our health care system and food assistance programs.
• Voters prefer to maintain the current income tax rates in order to invest in programs and services.

Committee: All REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also appreciate the farm to school and early care grants and the livestock grant program, particularly
• And I also appreciate the farm to school and early care grants and the livestock grant program, particularly
• And I also appreciate the farm to school and early care grants and the livestock grant program, particularly
• And I also appreciate the farm to school and early care grants and the livestock grant program, particularly
• And I also appreciate the farm to school and early care grants and the livestock grant program, particularly

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those tend to be small business owners, early retirees, gig workers, and similar individuals.
• <00:57:16.319><c> everything</c><00:57:16.480><c> you</c> programs in the state and everything you programs
• prevents additional cost the program prevents additional cost shifting<01:02:17.599><c> onto</c><01:
• ><c> reporting</c> Quarterly program audits and reporting Quarterly program audits and reporting consistently
• I don't have to talk about the program and my thoughts on it as a whole.

Bills: HF3388 , HF400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Transcript Highlights:

• Without state intervention, these veterans face real risks of unemployment, housing instability, and
• Chair, and members of the committee and staff.
• And your dad, and I'm sure you have others in your family and friends that also served.
• and yell and support our veterans as you have done, and I appreciate that.
• and yell and support our veterans as you have done, and I appreciate that.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we protect student privacy and prevent bias in AI-driven systems?
• So we've been going to Maui, Molokaʻi, and beyond, wherever they have their programs, and I've been doing
• > schools and they really saw very early schools and they really saw very early on<00:19:12.720><c> that
• programs and wherever they have their programs and I've<00:19:21.400><c> been</c><00:19:21.520><c> doing
• ><c> misuses</c> of AI and prevent plagiarism or misuses of AI and prevent plagiarism or misuses of<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Lands Protection program. 75 million for the agriculture and aquaculture natural disaster loan
• program and 119 million dollars to complete the condo complex within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
• and the Silk Coat Culture Disaster Recovery Grant program.
• prevent cavities in children and adults.
• And that's really the intent of water for nations to try to prevent these and a widespread public health

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what was happening in the early 1900s and in the 1800s, and who was doing it.
• And this will come close to making that program whole.
• treatment, and preventative health care. ...care, cancer screening, STI testing, and treatment, and
• healthy, care, cancer screening, STI testing, and treatment, and preventative health care.
• preventative care such as mammograms, Pap smears, birth control, STI screening, and early pregnancy

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several floor recognitions, including St. Mary’s High School football team for its first state championship and Black-owned businesses honored by the Legislative Black Caucus and Black Chamber of Commerce. The Rules Committee also reported Senate Resolution 77 to third reading. The chamber then confirmed Tyler Sadwith as Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services and State Medicaid Director by a 33-0 vote. The main floor debate centered on SR 77, a resolution condemning racist and dehumanizing imagery posted by President Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Supporters from multiple caucuses, including the Black, Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ, and API caucuses, described the post as racist, harmful, and part of a broader pattern of dehumanization and urged a public apology. A few Republicans objected to the resolution’s language and process, saying it was overly partisan or not collaborative, but the resolution was adopted on a 28-0 vote. The Senate also took up SB 106, a budget bill to provide $90 million in state funding for family planning providers, especially Planned Parenthood, after federal cuts under H.R. 1. Supporters argued the bill would preserve essential reproductive and preventive health services, especially in rural and underserved communities, and backfill lost reimbursements. Opponents criticized the bill’s transparency, no-bid contracting structure, and priorities compared with other needs such as distressed hospitals and developmental disability services. After debate, the Senate concurred in the Assembly amendments to SB 106 by a 26-9 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I think in whatever program.
• These patients at the time had exhausted other treatments, and the program was controlled and established
• </c> program was controlled and established program was controlled and established to<01:36:45.040><c
• That's all I program and it safeguards.
• It prevents strikes and you're out.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for certain children for the subcommittee on disease prevention and women and children's health.
• conditions, or for the Subcommittee on Disease Prevention and Women and Children's Health.
• HB 1576 by Oliverson. to grant program for Hurricane Windsor and loss mitigations and single loss residential
• , dual language immersion programs, and special language programs are for the committee on public education
• to Study Suicide Prevention and Peer Support.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, and Mr. Chairman, thank you for the early hearing on this bill.
• stability, and prevent families from the opportunity of economic mobility.
• Early people Veterans after they go and defend our country, it's how we pay them.
• , expand access to legal aid and mental health services, support job training and placement programs,
• As part of our team's work, we run an eviction outreach and education program where we call, text, and

Bills: HB15 , HB171 , HB204

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: flood risk, campground, safety regulations, civil penalty, guest safety, Harris County, flood control, governance, expansion, public health, local governance, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, this is just to show the breadth and the reach of the program throughout the state.
• the impact of that the determination by CMS on what is happening and on all our gm. programs and if
• you can kind of give us an update And on all our GME programs.
• I just wanted to come and reaffirm and reassure you that the TEACH program is fantastic.
• And back to the question I started two presentations ago, the dental program and the FRAM program.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed members back for the first committee weeks, and heard brief personal updates from several senators before moving into agency implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws. The Agency for Health Care Administration reported on Senate Bill 64 creating rural emergency hospitals, explaining that AHCA adopted the required rules effective June 1, 2025, but that no hospitals have yet been designated. Members asked about possible hospital conversions, accreditation and survey responsibilities, and whether Florida would apply for federal rural health transformation funding; AHCA said it intends to apply and has already been working on the issue with federal officials. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement under Senate Bill 7016. The agency said hospitals with emergency departments must submit plans that help redirect non-emergent patients to appropriate care settings while complying with EMTALA, and that 83 plans had been received and 63 approved as of September 30. Members asked about data collection, managed care coordination, and the state’s health information exchange; AHCA said it has moved to a new HIE vendor and will continue monitoring implementation and possible care gaps. AHCA then updated the committee on the TEACH program, saying $6.8 million was spent in 2024-25 across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed. The agency said rulemaking is nearly complete, a new nursing student category and expanded facility eligibility were added, and a federal 1115 workforce waiver remains stalled after CMS signaled it will not approve new workforce demonstrations. AHCA also reviewed House Bill 121 on KidCare eligibility, explaining that implementation of the 300% poverty-level expansion remains blocked by federal litigation and waiver issues tied to premium nonpayment rules; members and public speakers urged action to close the coverage gap. Public testimony on AHCA’s presentation came from representatives of health centers and advocacy groups, who said the non-emergent care access plan has improved hospital-health center coordination and reduced repeat emergency use, and who urged implementation of KidCare expansion for children in the coverage gap. The Department of Health then presented updates on FRAM, the Sanadi screening grant program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, telehealth maternity care, swimming lesson vouchers, and House Bill 159 on pharmacist dispensing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH reported strong participation in FRAM and the telehealth maternity program, 24 Sanadi grant awards in 42 counties, 4,945 swimming lesson vouchers issued last year and 2,371 so far this year, and three approved certification courses with five pharmacist certifications issued under HB 159. Committee members asked about recruitment of dentists and other providers, telehealth maternity outcomes, and why participation in the maternity program remains below expected levels; DOH said outreach and regional referral networks are expanding and more detailed outcome data will be included in the upcoming legislative report.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director of Conservation Law Foundation's Farm and Food Program and a staff attorney.
• These deaths are preventable and unnecessary.
• to these poisons that continue to cause widespread and preventable harm in the state are available and
• We work with communities and grassroots causes around the country to develop programs and policies on
• Please pass H. 965 and S. 644 and prevent poison from impacting our natural communities and posing a

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Veterans Home, and the early childhood providers and TRC.
• And that will allow us to have more boots on the ground to thin and to do recovery and to prevent catastrophic
• And so I'll let you introduce yourself and the program, Mr. Chairman and representatives.
• It's part of the program, and so forth.
• Preventative maintenance and rehabilitation programs are in place, as are bridge inspection programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they have to have achieved minimum security classification and other risk-and-needs program readiness
• This program is both a federal program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and also our state-funded
• And then there are several UW-specific programs.
• So a good example of a state-created entitlement is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program
• And it continues the cost of continuing current programs.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later. The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services. A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods. Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so simply talking about it, simply asking the question, what's my blood clot prevention plan?
• And it's not just older Floridians, older Americans that are dying. Emily was 23. So preventable.
• so that we identify people early and they can get the appropriate treatment.
• to prevent transmission among animals and humans.
• And then they simply are, you know, the restrictive covenant prevents them from going out and setting

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy considered several health-related measures. SB 890 on improving screening and treatment for blood clots was presented as a work-in-progress based on a prior working group. The bill would define certain clot-related conditions as chronic diseases, create a DOH registry, require screening and training in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, and several senators raised concerns about definitions, training requirements, facility responsibilities, and public records impacts. Survivors and family members testified in strong support, describing blood clots as a preventable public health crisis. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. SB 668 on storage and disposal of prescription drugs and sharps would direct a study of medical sharps collection and address conflicts between state and federal law on disposal of certain prescription drugs. Senators discussed whether the study should include both individual and commercial disposal and whether newer injectable medications increase sharps waste. The bill received supportive testimony from waste and recycling stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 762 on preventing the spread of avian influenza would create a DOH task force to develop a statewide response strategy, monitor outbreaks, study wastewater monitoring, and recommend cost-effective testing and prevention measures. An amendment extended the task force deadline, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 182, which creates the Home Away From Home tax credit for businesses donating to charities that house families of critically ill children, with supporters saying it would help expand lodging for families in need. SB 942, the chair’s bill on restrictive covenants in health care, would limit non-compete clauses for physicians under a salary threshold, with debate focused on patient access, workforce retention, and concerns about small practices and contract enforcement. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted SPB 7018 to preserve a public records exemption for minors seeking judicial bypass of parental consent requirements for abortion, and then reported it favorably. Several members later recorded votes on earlier bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was early released on February 3, 26. And to present that is...
• dated February 2 and early released on February 3.
• Okay, next one is 189 through 191, and that's dealing with the CHIP program.
• And that's dealing with the CHIP program.
• I guess the next one is page 194 and 195 with the medical assistance program.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted prior minutes and several committee reports. The executive committee report noted adoption of its minutes, staff updates on scheduled audits, approval of an annual financial audit for the City of Horseshoe Bend, and an update on the intern program. The Counties and Municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance follow-up with towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Omer, Fargo, Jericho, and Haynes, and review of current and deferred reports; the committee filed most current reports but deferred several and referred some matters to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The Educational Institutions report said 103 education audits were reviewed, most with no findings, while several school districts had findings and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The State Agencies report included findings at the Department of Finance and Administration and a deferred Department of Health report, and the committee filed 13 reports. The committee then received lengthy presentations on the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and the state single audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Legislative Audit issued unmodified opinions on the state financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and improper methodology changes and documentation issues at the Division of Workforce Services affecting year-end estimates for unemployment-related accounts. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed. Auditors reported 33 findings overall, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Committee members questioned DHS, the broadband office, OST, DFA, Education, and Workforce Services about the findings, corrective actions, cyber protections, federal drawdowns, child care reporting, and accounting methodology changes. Several agencies described corrective steps. DHS said it had changed how it draws Summer EBT funds, addressed provider revalidation and incarceration-related Medicaid issues, and updated internal processes and staffing. The broadband office said the questioned costs reflected invoice documentation disputes rather than missing payments and expected Treasury review to resolve the issue. OST said it was expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described broader cybersecurity investments, training, and a roadmap. DFA and Workforce Services addressed the workers’ compensation and unemployment accounting issues, with Workforce Services saying it had updated its policy and submitted the methodology to DFA. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the two statewide audit reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance so only needed agencies would return. The final item was a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority for January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The audit reviewed compliance with laws, board procedures, bidding, payroll, permits, inspections, and cash handling. It noted prior private audit findings on segregation of duties, that recent private audit reports had not been obtained for 2023 through 2025, and that the current administrator said prior office staff and bookkeeping contractors resigned when he was hired. The authority’s operations and revenue sources were described, and the report was presented for committee review.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:21.000><c> it</c> what this program is and exactly how it what this program is and exactly
• and what we administering this program and what we foresee<00:35:09.320><c> and</c><00:35:10.079><c>
• program from 297 and consider it within the larger context of House Bill 2 and everything else that
• </c><00:47:21.559><c> it</c><00:47:22.000><c> within</c> program from 297 and consider it within program
• Program plays and the the State Medicaid Program plays and the unregulated<01:31:51.440><c> plan</c><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process. Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund. Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.