Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not suggesting any vendor. This is vendor agnostic. Follow-up.
• Yes, we have a vendor that already provides MyCare, and that vendor is willing to work with us to get
• this at a lower rate.
• Yes, we have a vendor that already provides MyCare, and that vendor is willing to work with us to get
• this at a lower rate.

Bills: SB1290, SB1332, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1386, SB1390, SB1428, SB1584, SB1696, SB175, SB1778, SB1794, SB1806, SB1836, SB201

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a long series of Senate bills covering criminal justice, courts, education, health, water infrastructure, economic development, and social services. Early measures included SB 1584, which shortens the timeline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing, and SB 1386, a courtroom transparency bill creating a pilot program for audio/video recording in certain courtrooms; SB 1386 drew the most extended debate, with concerns raised about privacy, selective editing, political use of footage, and impacts on victims, witnesses, jurors, and attorneys. The author said the bill was intended to improve the accuracy and context of the record, not to add live streaming or AI transcripts, and both bills advanced. Several education and justice-related bills also moved forward. SB 1381 would require arrested persons to be brought before a judge within 48 to 72 hours and establishes a pilot in Oklahoma County; SB 201 raises each step of the minimum teacher salary schedule by $2,500; and SB 1778 revises the Strong Readers Act by directing a single state-paid screening instrument, adding early intervention and transitional/pull-out reading support, and phasing in changes beginning in 2027. SB 1836, requiring a board-approved mental health screener in routine primary care visits, passed after debate over its costs and implementation. SB 1806, allowing some young adults to remain in or re-enter DHS care until age 21, and SB 1428, creating an Alzheimer’s and dementia coordination office at the Health Department with private funding, also advanced. The committee approved multiple public health and human services funding and coordination measures, including SB 1369 creating a revolving fund for the 988 crisis line, SB 1290 creating a 2-1-1 hotline revolving fund, SB 1794 establishing a statewide real-time behavioral health bed/capacity registry, and SB 1379 creating a two-year private grant program for certified human trafficking service providers. Members questioned fiscal impacts, administrative overhead, and service continuity, but the bills moved on. Other bills passed included SB 1696 to fund local recruitment incentives for new residents in rural and mid-sized communities, SB 1332 creating zero-interest water infrastructure loans for housing-related projects, SB 175 creating a reimbursement fund for abandoned uninsured commercial vehicles, and SB 1390 extending the gross production tax sunset to July 1, 2032.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think it's equal across each rate. Is that correct? That's correct.
• I don't think it's equal across each rate. Is that correct? That's correct.
• for authorized certified registered nurse anesthetist services that differs from the reimbursement rate
• Is this a vendor bill or? Madam Whip, Mr. Blackman, I do not know the answer to that question.
• Is this a vendor bill or? Madam Whip, Mr. Blackman, I do not know the answer to that question.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across elections, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, public safety, transportation, rural development, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent or third-read consent items, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data for media, adjuster/contractor conduct during emergencies, Industrial Commission changes, association meeting closures, banking and remittance rules, central bank digital currency, public safety parity funding, barbering and cosmetology board continuation, digital asset reserve management, contractor licensing, gaming and racing commission continuation, school AED instruction, classroom removal procedures, school safety reporting, special education complaint transparency, foreign influence and land ownership restrictions, DCS and DES process changes, health care licensing and reimbursement rules, EMS compact adoption, and multiple tax, housing, and transportation measures. Staff repeatedly summarized each bill and answered questions, with several bills noted as mirror or identical to House measures or as strike-everything amendments from committees. A few bills drew discussion. On SB 2874, staff explained that the Senate amendment would limit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports when a committee certifies it received no contributions and made no expenditures, but the sponsor did not concur. SB 1074 prompted questions about whether parental notification changed; staff said it did not and that the bill was aimed at improving communication between teachers and principals about discipline. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction in abuse or neglect cases, drew concern about the scope of the photos, while supporters said it would improve continuity and documentation. SB 1180 also drew comment because the sponsor and committee chair disagreed over an amendment, though the bill was advanced for further work. The most extended debate came on SB 1751, which would allow death-row inmates to choose firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas if voters approve the related constitutional measure. One member strongly opposed the bill on moral and personal grounds, another argued it could be a more humane option if the state is going to carry out executions, and a third raised concern that it could be used against Second Amendment rights. The bill remained on the third-read consent calendar despite the objections. The caucus concluded after moving through the remaining agenda items, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript beyond committee status and consent-calendar placement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um they have no third party vendors.
• I can tell you since the vendors.
• ><c> are</c><01:39:11.600><c> not</c> these third party vendors are not these third party vendors are
• </c> party vendor that's dealing with it. party vendor that's dealing with it.
• </c> with respect to participation rates with respect to participation rates that's<04:09:05.520><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with the new vendor to begin in in 2027. with the new vendor to begin in in 2027.
• to a wide range of vendors.
• </c> great foundation to hold our vendors great foundation to hold our vendors accountable<00:13:07.279
• </c> error rate. error rate. Senator<00:45:02.480><c> Adi.</c> Senator Adi. Senator Adi.
• those rates um through training.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, aren't those rates locked in for a 20-year period, and why would the interest rate be increased
• Well, aren't those rates locked in for a 20-year period, and why would the interest rate be increased
• </c> work for that person but at any rate work for that person but at any rate there<00:57:32.760><c>
• There's a number of different vendors that provide that capability.
• </c> there's a number of different vendors there's a number of different vendors that<01:08:56.480><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a rating. But I don't have it with me.
• Vega here might have the best rate at about 6% vacancy rate.
• Regarding NBIS, our condition ratings, and our national bridge elements, NMDOT rates bridges using NBIS
• ratings from 0 to 9.
• NBE ratings, or National Bridge Element ratings, refer to our ability to rate each individual bridge

Transcript Highlights:

• We had issues with that manager, or with that vendor.
• So when you use the term vendor, is the vendor a project manager, or are they a contractor?
• Think of our vendor as the boots on the ground.
• Think of our vendor as the boots on the ground.
• It is part of the vendor relationship.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you just explain to me how do you determine if a vendor is an agent of a foreign adversary?
• Can you just explain to me how do you determine if a vendor is an agent of a foreign adversary?
• We're a B-rated district.
• We're a B-rated district.
• But unfortunately, as Representative Freeman mentioned, birth rates have declined.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 690 by Rep. Amedee, which would prohibit education agencies and vendors from contracting with foreign adversaries, foreign terrorist organizations, or their agents, and would apply to education service providers, vendors of educational products, and some schools. Supporters argued the bill would protect school tax dollars and prevent foreign influence, especially from the Chinese Communist Party, citing similar actions in Florida and Texas. Some members raised questions about due process, how ineligibility would be determined, and whether payments would stop before appeals were resolved. A technical amendment changing “terrorists” to “terrorist” was adopted, and HB 690 was reported as amended without objection. The committee then took up HB 1078 by Rep. Freiberg, which would allow higher education institutions to offer standalone online courses, not just online programs tied to a degree, and to offer online programs even when there is no equivalent on-campus program. LSU officials said the bill would give flexibility for professional and workforce-related courses and certificates. Members asked about tuition-setting, prerequisites, and whether non-degree students could enroll. The bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 113 by Rep. Phelps, which sought retroactive application of the uniform 10-point grading scale to students who were ninth graders in 2023-2024, drew significant concern. Members questioned fairness, inconsistency if only some districts could recalculate grades, and the fiscal impact of retroactivity. Phelps said he had intended to capture that cohort and was willing to work with the Department of Education, but after debate the committee voted 2-9 against reporting the bill, so the motion failed. The committee also heard HB 632 by Rep. Spell on LA FIRST data sharing. The bill would streamline how student data is shared for the state’s longitudinal data system, and amendments were adopted to remove a five-year look-back and clarify data matching and de-identification. Members debated privacy, opt-out rights, and whether the bill should require or merely allow districts to participate; concerns were raised about sharing personally identifying information and the lack of clear opt-out protections. Rep. Carlson offered an amendment to change “shall” to “may,” but later withdrew it so the bill could be deferred for further discussion. Finally, HB 1132 by Rep. Carver, carried by Rep. Carlson, was introduced to expand lab school authorization within the University of Louisiana system; an amendment was offered to limit the change to new schools established after August 1, and discussion began on that amendment as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, stolen property has been coming into California, and these vendors are not following
• Again, out-of-state vendors are not obeying our requirements. They're misinterpreting the law.
• We want these out-of-state vendors to not take advantage of the law and to follow the law.
• Again, out-of-state vendors are not obeying our requirements.
• We want these out-of-state vendors to not take advantage of the law and follow the law.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In developing the rate study, our contracted vendor in partnership with DHS met with numerous community
• rate add-ons and rate cutbacks different rate add-ons and rate cutbacks which<00:07:01.599><c> again
• that are not under RBRVS, we used what, um, our vendor coined a market-based rate-setting methodology
• were</c> but um these rates these sud rates were but um these rates these sud rates were mostly<00:19
• </c><00:40:11.040><c> and</c> mental health rates and sud rates um and mental health rates and sud rates

Bills: HF1005

Keywords: health insurance, medical assistance, behavioral health, reimbursement rates, primary care services, physician fee schedule, managed care, residential services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the vendors have any more or less, will the inspection of that be any more or less strict?
• And the vendor won't have to drive to Jeff City, right?
• And we don't have vendors traversing all the way...
• And kind of protect that local control, and we don't have vendors traversing all the way to Jeff City
• page eight, down there line two, the department or local authority may investigate a mobile food vendor

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have also included recidivism rates as determined. by the Legislative Budget Board, and this rate
• We are currently at around 40%. approval rate.
• And we generally have between. in, I would say, 30% to 70% grant rate.
• The recidivism rates specifically?
• The response was, we're talking to the vendor.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> experience higher employment rates, experience higher employment rates, increased<01:13:28.800>
• </c><02:42:07.600><c> of</c> the high schools, it's a flat rate of the high schools, it's a flat rate
• rate at the rate institutions a lower rate at the rate that<03:50:47.920><c> we're</c><03:50:48.160><
• The state has requirements that any resulting vendor must be a United States-based vendor, and no data
• vendor vendor to<04:55:08.798><c> to</c><04:55:09.680><c> explain.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last couple of years, even though we had this big rate increase since the pandemic, rate increases
• We would say this year we looked at the rates, and you can look at the rate filings.
• So they had a 2.6 experience rate, and I can't recall the surcharge rate, but we charge them for the
• In response to your question, broadly speaking, the rates we've seen—the theft rates have gone down nationwide
• And when you started talking about experience ratings, ratings, all the lights flashed all over in my

Transcript Highlights:

• , we also work with many delivered fuel vendors who have been increasing prices as well.
• for 2025 and as a increase in rates for 2025 and as a previous<00:10:20.880><c> testifier</c><00:10:
• </c> work with many delivered fuel vendors work with many delivered fuel vendors who<00:10:24.760><c>
• At the municipal level, our rates are basically passed through what our costs are become the bills for
• At the municipal level, our rates are basically passed through what our costs are become the bills for

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:21:56.640><c> of</c><03:21:56.760><c> almost</c> and a vacancy rate of almost and a vacancy rate
• There were 30 vendors on site every day.
• </c><03:29:46.920><c> support</c> not solely relying in on vendor support not solely relying in on vendor
• We had a vendor who was incompetent.
• The vendor was incompetent.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from Charlotte Harding of the Conservation Land Stewardship Program, who explained that the office protects the state’s interests in conservation lands by monitoring conservation easements and related stewardship obligations. She described the program’s funding sources: a land conservation endowment held at the State Treasury and administered by the Council on Resources and Development, plus transfers from Fish and Game for easements not covered by the endowment. Members discussed how the endowment is funded when new easements are created, the program’s staffing, the loss of a state vehicle, and the need to increase in-state travel so staff can use personal vehicles for field monitoring. Harding said the office has two full-time positions and a seasonal employee, that the work is mostly monitoring rather than hands-on land management, and that enforcement issues are referred to the grantee agencies or, if needed, to the Council on Resources and Development. She also noted that the office works directly with landowners to resolve smaller issues and that stewardship has become a greater focus in the conservation community because ongoing oversight requires funding. Members asked about examples of properties under the program, including LCIP lands such as Musquash Headwaters, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and Nash Stream, and the committee did not take a motion before moving on. The committee then heard from Paul Breen and Susie Anzelone of the Pease Development Authority regarding the Division of Ports and Harbors operating budget. They explained that the authority provides finance, legal, environmental, and engineering support to the division, which operates New Hampshire’s only deep-water berth at Market Street, as well as facilities in Hampton, Rye, the Portsmouth Fish Pier, and navigational waters in the Piscataqua and Great Bay. They described the authority’s history after the closure of Pease Air Force Base, the transfer of roughly 2,400 acres, and the creation of a self-sustaining enterprise fund tied to airport and port operations. They emphasized that the division does not draw on the general fund because revenues from wharfage, dockage, parking, registration, and mooring fees cover operating costs, with any surplus retained for capital improvements and replacement. Members questioned several budget lines, including a sharp increase in overtime and workers’ compensation. Breen said overtime is driven largely by security needs at the deep-water port and fluctuates with vessel traffic, such as salt shipments, while workers’ comp is a DAS-set cost and not something the division controls. He said the budget is conservative and that if revenues fall short, capital projects would be the first items scaled back. The discussion also covered fee-setting, with Breen saying rates are reviewed against the local market and infrastructure constraints, and that some smaller facility fees had recently been increased after being stagnant for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• A large rate increase.
• We have increased our FTE and lowered our vacancy rate.
• And the vendor has not come forward in disclosing that to us.
• In order to do that, we can sometimes work with a vendor.
• We can scan, for example, the school vendor.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> with high infant mortality rates, with high infant mortality rates, counties<00:27:39.160><c> with
• </c><00:32:52.360><c> to</c> and we've already uh secured vendors to and we've already uh secured vendors
• </c> when vendors when vendors and<00:35:08.160><c> RFPs</c><00:35:08.800><c> and</c><00:35:08.920><c
• It correlates rates for it. It requires rates to apply for 90 days after that point.
• It correlates rates for it. It requires rates to apply for 90 days after that point.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 March, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rizek, approximately how many vendors or companies produce or create these devices?
• We simply cannot do that with our current reimbursement rates.
• We have not had reimbursement rates that cover costs since 2004.
• Arizona just experienced its highest whooping cough rates in over a decade.
• Arizona just experienced its highest whooping cough rates in over a decade.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and public testimony, beginning with introductions and then taking up several health and human services measures. A major focus was SB 1120 and SB 1121, which address radiation protection in cardiac catheterization and other ionizing-radiation procedure rooms. SB 1120 would require health care facilities to equip at least 50% of procedure rooms with radiation protection systems by July 1, 2027, while SB 1121 would prohibit requiring lead aprons in rooms with such systems and instead require real-time dosimeters for staff who opt out of lead aprons. Physicians, nurses, and a hospital executive testified that enhanced radiation protection systems can dramatically reduce occupational exposure, lower cancer and orthopedic risks, and help with workforce recruitment and retention; a hospital alliance remained neutral pending further stakeholder discussions. Both bills were amended and passed out of committee on 7-0 votes, and SB 1118, which appropriates state funds for a rural hospital grant program to install radiation protection systems, also passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1001, which appropriates $1 million to the Department of Economic Security for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, after testimony from blind and low-vision Arizonans and advocates describing long waitlists, the need for independent living training, and the program’s role in preventing unnecessary dependence. SB 1072, a major funding bill for home- and community-based services and room-and-board rate increases for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, drew testimony from providers about severe staffing shortages, overtime, turnover, and underfunding; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1125, requiring DCS to pursue MOUs with tribes and improve tribal communication and access to licensing and enforcement information, also passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then considered SB 1123, which removes a board-certification requirement so trained forensic pathologists can supervise autopsy training for residents and fellows; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and training fix, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. SB 1052, allowing mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living facilities under physician order and DHS rules, generated mixed testimony: supporters argued it could improve health and independence for residents, while opponents raised concerns about off-label treatment in nonmedical settings. The bill passed 5-2. SB 1112, which reduces the number of acquaintance witnesses required in court-ordered treatment proceedings from two to one and allows the court to waive the witness requirement under certain conditions, drew strong testimony from families and mental health advocates on both sides; it passed 5-2. The committee also began hearing SB 1113, which would allow certain service of process in court-ordered evaluation and treatment cases by evaluation-agency employees or other court-authorized persons, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And each county can pay for a different vendor, so there's a multitude of vendors out there.
• There's no one set vendor that every county has.
• I would have to go back and have our vendor take a look at the impact of what that might be.
• So our 2025 report certified 4,867 rates across 2,871 taxing jurisdictions.
• The number of tax rates could dramatically go up... ...of taxing jurisdictions.

Summary: The committee first took up House Joint Resolution 169, which would cap spending growth and was described by supporters as a taxpayer protection measure. Representative Taylor opposed it, arguing the legislature was already considering too many tax-related measures at once and lacked a broader strategy. The sponsor said the resolution was about limiting spending, not taxes, and offered a committee substitute that added fees and surcharges into the baseline and addressed tax credits. After discussion, the substitute was adopted and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HJR 169 do pass, with Taylor and Strickler voting no. The committee then heard House Bill 2819, which would allow rounding of cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being produced. The sponsor explained a committee substitute added safe-harbor language to protect merchants from lawsuits over rounding errors. Members asked about the rounding rules and confirmed the bill remained permissive rather than mandatory. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2819 do pass unanimously. House Bill 2746, sponsored by Representative Williams, would create a property tax map feature on the Department of Revenue website showing current levies and assessed values to improve transparency. Supporters said it would help homeowners compare assessments and understand property tax differences, while opponents and agency witnesses raised concerns about the large startup cost, estimated at about $7 million, the need to gather data from many counties, and the fact that some counties already provide similar information. The Department of Revenue and State Tax Commission witnesses said the data would be difficult to compile statewide and that local participation and data standards vary widely. The bill was heard, but no vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2329, which would gradually reduce the assessment ratio for personal property from about 33 1/3% to 18% over three years. The sponsor argued the tax is burdensome, especially for working families and businesses, and said it would encourage a broader shift away from personal property taxation. Supporters echoed that it is a highly visible and unpopular tax. Opponents, including a county assessor, warned the bill would sharply reduce local tax bases, especially in rural counties, and likely force levy increases on real property or cuts to schools and other districts. The hearing ended without a committee vote on HB 2329.