Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, this legislation is a work product of discussions between the Department of Children and Families
• To ensure better continuity of service for survivors of domestic violence, this bill allows the department
• have to carry higher coverage, to the tune of $100,000/$300,000 on their insurance.
• It requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to maintain a list of certified school security
• This bill is based on a National Association of Insurance Commissioners model act for pet insurance.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee first heard CS for CS for SB 344, which would modernize the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 based on Public Service Commission recommendations. The bill drew no opposition and was reported favorably. Members then took up several Senator Burton measures: CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, which was amended to create a Department of Health website access point for a voluntary form allowing patients to notify providers they do not want opioid medications; CS for SB 738 on child care and early learning providers, which streamlines and updates child care regulation and was supported by industry and business groups; CS for SB 756 on health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, which removes the age-8 diagnosis limit and age cap for mandated autism-related coverage; and CS for CS for SB 1356, creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot, later amended to add FIU and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to the board and remove specific appropriations. All of these bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 1624 on higher education, a broad bill affecting tuition policies, workforce programs, institutional governance, and naming changes. The bill generated extended discussion over replacing references to “minority” with “underrepresented,” with the sponsor explaining the intent was to focus on low-income access and student support, while members raised concerns about impacts on majority-minority institutions and preeminence pathways. An amendment added guardrails for private religious postsecondary institutions by requiring public review of affidavits of compliance and giving the Commission for Independent Education enforcement authority. After debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then passed CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, which addresses military-family investigations, emergency shelter certification, children’s services council appointments, criminal-background exemptions, group-home rates, licensing extensions, small residential group homes, missing-children procedures, and psychotropic medication refills; it was amended to adjust council board composition and then reported favorably. Additional bills approved included SB 178, directing Florida A&M University to conduct an agronomic study on emerging crops for land taken out of production; SB 1162, expanding boating improvement funding for trailer parking and offering lease incentives for clean marine manufacturers; CS for CS for SB 958, creating a type 1 diabetes early detection information program for parents and schools; CS for CS for CS for SB 1070, requiring ECGs for student athletes with phased implementation and exemptions, after extensive testimony from parents and advocates about sudden cardiac arrest; CS for SB 774, requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders to sheriffs within six hours; SB 1516, creating an International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida; SB 994, revising driver education requirements and prompting a commitment to add distracted-driving instruction; and CS for CS for SB 1402, expanding eligibility for dropout retrieval programs. The committee also took up SB 810 on stormwater management systems, amending it to focus annual inspections on vulnerable MS4 infrastructure. That bill drew significant opposition from the Florida League of Cities, counties, and stormwater groups, who argued the mandate would duplicate existing permit requirements and impose major costs, but supporters said it was a basic flood-prevention measure. The transcript ends during debate on SB 810, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need to look at the same for the Department of Public Health, who has the oversight of these
• population, 85% of the Department of Corrections, or 85% of the population in the houses of corrections
• They need to be sent to facilities that are part of DPH or part of the Department of Mental Health.
• of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health, because of the worry that sheriffs do come and go
• insurance isn't part of it and push that back out into the insurance world.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session on bills dealing with involuntary commitment and access to addiction treatment, especially proposals to move Section 35 civil commitments away from jails and prisons and into facilities licensed or approved by DPH or DMH. Chairs Velis and Domb framed the hearing as a discussion of how to support people in crisis with compassion, while also warning against using involuntary commitment as a way to remove unhoused people from public view. The hearing also touched on related concerns about discharge practices, treatment capacity, and the need for a broader continuum of care. Testimony split largely along two themes. Addiction researcher Keith Humphreys argued that many people enter treatment under pressure, that involuntary treatment can be ethically justified in the face of overdose risk, but that it should not be mandated unless high-quality services exist first; he emphasized the need for inpatient care when someone is a grave danger, followed by case management and outpatient support. MAMH’s Kate Alicante supported the bill, saying Massachusetts is the only state that commits people with substance use conditions to jails or prisons and that carceral settings add trauma and stigma; she pointed to prior legislative steps, including the Section 35 commission and the planned closure of DOC’s MESAC facility, as evidence that the Commonwealth is moving toward health-based settings. A major portion of the hearing focused on Stony Brook, a sheriff-run stabilization and treatment center in Hampden County. Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, several committee members, and multiple people in recovery described the facility as humane, well-run, and effective, with longer stays, medical monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and warm handoffs to aftercare. Several witnesses said Stony Brook saved their lives or helped family members recover, and they argued that the sheriff’s office model should be expanded rather than eliminated. Others, including family members and advocates, countered that even a well-run correctional setting remains stigmatizing and that people should not be treated in facilities run by sheriffs or corrections when they have committed no crime. No vote was taken. The hearing concluded with continued testimony, including Senator Friedman’s support for Section 35 as a civil commitment tool but not in a criminal justice setting, and her separate support for a bill to speed inpatient mental health treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Kristen Sakamoto for the Department of Taxation.
• </c><00:16:33.720><c> of</c><00:16:33.920><c> C</c> necessary um I think the department of C necessary
• um I think the department of C the<00:16:34.519><c> Department</c><00:16:34.880><c> of</c><00:16:35.000
• ><c> Taxation</c><00:16:35.639><c> calculation</c> the Department of Taxation calculation the Department
• </c><00:24:28.039><c> of</c> improve the overall insurability of improve the overall insurability of

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of tax, budget, and policy bills. On SB 325 and SB 326, the Tax Foundation testified and the committee later recommended passage with amendments. SB 721, SB 1278, and SB 1465 also drew Tax Foundation testimony focused on technical corrections and effective-date issues; SB 1278 was strongly supported by the Hawaii Restaurant Association and other restaurant and business groups, who argued the bill should extend tax relief to the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund because it served the same purpose as earlier COVID relief programs. A bar owner also testified in support, describing severe pandemic-related losses and lack of government assistance. The Department of Taxation asked about the estimated fiscal impact of SB 1278, which was stated to be about $16.8 million and not including interest. The committee also considered SB 1464 through SB 1470, with the Tax Foundation supporting most of the conformity and tax measures and opposing SB 1465 as unnecessary. SB 1464 was recommended for passage unamended, SB 1465 with amendments, and SB 1466, SB 1467, and SB 1470 unamended. SB 1362 and SB 1363 were deferred so the administration could explore moving funds within the existing budget instead of using emergency appropriations. SB 1044 was amended to create a condominium loan program and special fund to finance essential repairs and improve insurability of condominium properties, with loans repaid over 20 years and the fund eventually sunsetted. The committee also acted on several other measures: SB 533 was amended to remove an appropriation and require a local investor-owned utility to support schools affected by a planned public safety power shutoff program; SB 1117 was amended to define electric motorcycles and prohibit operation by those under 18; SB 1186 was amended to move a food-production working group to the Agribusiness Development Corporation and remove an appropriation; SB 1391 was amended to require a one-to-one match of state funds with private donations; and SB 1669 was amended with committee-report language noting concerns about jurisdictional definitions and board qualifications. Later, the committee recommitted SB 933 and SB 938 to Ways and Means after adopting proposed SD1 versions. Most measures were adopted unanimously, often with members voting no with reservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Commerce, with CareerSource Florida, with the Department of Children and Families. ...working with
• of Commerce and the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Healthcare Administration
• This bill requires each unit of local government and each department, sub-agency, and...
• This bill requires each unit of local government and each department, sub-agency, and division of such
• Senate Bill 7034, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ratification of rules on the Department of

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day in Florida. Later, the Senate adopted a memorial-style recognition of the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on health care coverage, veterinary licensure, and affordable housing. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a public assistance/Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described five major changes: stronger anti-fraud authority, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes to reduce costs, and a SNAP fraud-reduction plan with photo ID and work requirements. Democrats offered amendments to condition the work requirement on Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP photo ID use by caregivers, seniors, disabled people, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators then questioned implementation details, exemptions, and eligibility impacts. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed CS/HB 7031 on taxation, substituting it for the Senate bill and adopting a technical amendment, by a vote of 34-0. The chamber passed a series of other bills, generally after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. These included a computer science education bill adding digital literacy and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry bill and related public records exemption, a bill designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, a local government electronic payments bill, a legal tender bill repealing a sunset on gold and silver recognition, public records exemptions for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a stablecoin pilot program, local government spending transparency requirements, a digital voyeurism bill expanding privacy protections to private fenced yards, an insurance licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework, and a medical freedom bill addressing vaccine information, conscience exemptions, ivermectin access, and the mRNA mandate sunset. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with recorded votes ranging from 31-3 to 34-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> position created within the Department position created within the Department of<00:21:38.960><c
• of data collected by the insurance<00:25:48.320><c> company.
• </c> purview of MDE, DGS, and the Department purview of MDE, DGS, and the Department of<00:31:35.039>
• Maryland Department of Health or members Maryland Department of Health or members of<01:12:42.719><c>
• :17.440><c> Police</c> safety Department of State Police safety Department of State Police initiated<

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the Department of Human Services, on the Department of Human Services, and,<00:03:30.959><c> uh,<
• ><c> is</c><00:10:17.520><c> housed</c> sort of insurance policy that is housed sort of insurance policy
• Uh the Department of Human &gt;&gt; Okay.
• </c><01:19:44.800><c> of</c><01:19:45.320><c> Education,</c> the US Department of Education, the US Department
• c> Services</c><01:21:24.520><c> has</c> The Department of Human Services has The Department of Human

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now going to the Department of Finance. Any added comments? Thank you. J.T.
• Creeden, Department of Finance.
• Creeden from the Department of Finance.
• In the last 35 years of my experience, I've lost my health insurance, and so has many of my brothers
• I lost my health insurance as of January of this year, and 20 days later I lost my 17-week pregnancy.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Department of Administration's bill to bolster state contracting.
• I'm an assistant commissioner with the Department of Administration.
• Uh, Senate File 2089 is the Department of Administration's bill to improve the data challenge appeal
• of Administration's data the Department of Administration's data practices<01:38:31.119><c> office</
• 44.080><c> department</c><01:38:44.320><c> of</c> office at the department of office at the department

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of spoliation, so that's one of the reasons why it seems to me why if the insurance has been paid, it's
• departments and make sure all of those issues have been addressed.
• Chief of the village of Tickfaw, you actually have to live in the village of Tickfaw.
• HB 66, I'll forget the end of the end of the end of the Witt. H.B. 66 by Rep. DeWitt.
• I don't think of the issue of it. Yeah, I got to believe I made it out of the House.

Committee: Senate Local & Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Health and Human Services CalRx through H-Kai through the Department of Health and Human Services
• Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
• It requires the Department of Health Care Services to publish the names of large employers with workers
• of Finance to essentially enact ...which directs the Department of Finance to essentially enact some
• It was language to state that if there is any sort of duplicative language, the State Department of Public

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill directs the Department of Health Care Services to develop a standardized referral form
• Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
• Matt Aiken, with the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.
• It requires the Department of Health Care Services to publish the names of large employers with workers
• of Finance to essentially enact... ...which directs the Department of Finance to essentially enact some

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I trust the Department of Health.
• It's just the Board of Pharmacy nor the Department of Health has received reports.
• So LDH, other states, departments of health, have...
• When you say y'all, the Louisiana Department of Health, the Office of Public Health is one of the offices
• This is to urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Department of Education,

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to summarize the two department totals on line 26, the Department of Human Services, all of the
• Just to summarize the two department totals on line 26, the Department of Human Services, all of the
• Just to summarize the two department totals on line 26, the Department of Human Services, all of the
• > human</c> on line 26 um the department of human on line 26 um the department of human services<00:02
• MDH or department of health provisions MDH or department of health provisions that<00:02:49.040><c> are

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several of our members are here today to share how the high cost of insurance premiums is impacting their
• And 2, increasing the affordability of health insurance for state employees.
• So The more you reflect on it, the more you realize that the current structure of insurance premiums
• it is, well, it's not fair for all of the state employees if we pay for educators' insurance.
• Uh, overall, they are proposing a $12 billion reduction to the Department of Education, or 15%.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Commerce, with CareerSource Florida, with the Department of Children and Families, ...with the Department
• of Commerce, with CareerSource Florida, with the Department of Children and Families, with ACCA, working
• of Commerce, the Department of Children and Families, and the Agency for Health Care Administration
• This bill requires each unit of local government and each department, sub-agency, and division of such
• Senate Bill 7034, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ratification of rules on the Department of

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our private insurance denied any kind of coverage for this.
• We have very good insurance. Okay. So, you did not have to give up custody of your child.
• And so, some of those people are paying private pay or partial private pay or sometimes their insurance
• </c><01:20:12.120><c> those</c> their insurance will cover some of those their insurance will cover some
• but the Office of Autism that was created in 2016 is a department of one, or an office of one.

Keywords: Roll Call - 00:10 Discussion on SCR 61 – 01:46 Vote on SCR 61 – 11:33 Discussion on SR 18 – 12:30 Vote on SR 18 - 30:01 Discussion on Ky Residential Autism Services – 32:34 Questions & Comments – 56:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Representative Matt Lockett. The resolution, as amended by committee substitute, would create a legislative task force tied to the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) framework to study Kentucky health policy, including Medicaid drug approvals, preventive and alternative therapies, holistic health education, oversight and transparency in health care, and research into integrative approaches. Supporters said the goal was to address chronic disease and reduce over-medication, while emphasizing the effort was not intended as an attack on agriculture or the pharmaceutical industry. The resolution received favorable expression and passed the committee 9-0. The committee then heard Senate Resolution 18 from Senator Neal, urging Kentucky to maximize participation in the federal SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program. Testimony from Jessica Klein of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and Secretary Eric Friedlander explained that SNAP E&T provides job training, education, and support services for SNAP participants, and that the program is federally matched and does not require additional General Assembly funding in the normal course. Members discussed how the program works, whether it could create new state costs, and how it fits with efforts to connect food assistance, workforce development, and local agriculture. Questions also focused on whether SNAP spending can be steered toward healthier foods and farmers markets, including Kentucky’s Double Dollars program, which was described as helping participants buy produce, meat, and dairy at participating markets and some retailers. Several members expressed support for the workforce goals but asked for more information on fiscal impacts and purchasing data. Secretary Friedlander said the SNAP E&T funds are separate from nutrition benefits, and that the state match generally comes from employer, university, or workforce partner contributions rather than new state appropriations. Senator Herron explained her vote in favor by saying the program could help people gain education and employment and reduce reliance on SNAP over time. Senate Resolution 18 was then adopted by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• This modification would require the Department of Health to follow up on reported cases of Alpha-Gal
• of Health—okay, not the CDC, the Department of Health initially—it would be basic patient demographics
• The Department of Veterans Affairs is actively exploring the use of psilocybin and other psychedelic
• This also allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to contract with Missouri affiliates of
• It does insurance coverage of some of our anesthetic services.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and welcomed special guests, including the Freedom of the Road motorcycle riders and students from Warsaw High School. It then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on Alpha-Gal syndrome. The bill sponsor described the condition as a serious tick-borne allergy that has affected his family and many Missourians, arguing that Missouri needs mandatory reporting and surveillance data to identify hotspots, guide public health outreach, and support research and funding. Supporters from both parties said the bill would improve awareness and data collection, while one member raised concerns about the fiscal note and whether the state would get useful information for the cost. The chamber adopted Amendment 1 to HB 1855, changing the follow-up language from “may” to “shall,” but rejected Amendment 2, which would have required patient consent before lab results were reported into the surveillance system. Opponents of the consent amendment said it would undermine disease surveillance and set a bad precedent for other reportable conditions; supporters argued for privacy and individual choice. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2230 and 2978, a K-5 education measure addressing screen time, cursive, and handwriting. The sponsor said the bill responds to research and parent/teacher concerns about excessive screen use, poor literacy outcomes, and mental health effects, and would create a state focus group to review evidence and make recommendations while leaving districts flexibility. Members discussed carve-outs for special education, English language learners, and virtual school, and adopted an amendment excluding the virtual school program. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2355, the “Food is Medicine” initiative, which would allow Missouri to use federal funds through 1115 waivers for pilot programs such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and related supports. Supporters said the program could improve health outcomes, reduce Medicaid spending, and help address food deserts. An amendment adding vitamin therapies and updating a date drew discussion over supplement safety and regulation, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that amendment or the bill itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• it looks like for farmers in terms of insuring their animals and kind of how that process pays out in
• </c> department of a investigates and department of a investigates and estimates<00:12:32.000><c> the
• of Egg that the el carryover Department of Egg that the el carryover number<00:13:00.800><c> right</
• </c> like for uh farmers um in terms of like for uh farmers um in terms of insuring<00:13:42.320><c>
• ><00:15:06.880><c> some</c> know Department of A has made some know Department of A has made some recommendations

Bills: HF601

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:35.680><c> of</c> then she worked for the department of then she worked for the department
• </c> Commissioner, Department of Revenue. Commissioner, Department of Revenue.
• So just so you know that the Department of Insurance came in and said, you know, we collected more than
• </c><03:55:54.000><c> and</c><03:55:54.319><c> said</c> department of insurance came in and said department
• </c><03:56:37.680><c> of</c> then overall the uh Department of then overall the uh Department of Administrative

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the Department of Education.
• Kathy Erickson, all from the Minnesota Department of Revenue and Department of Education. school finance
• Kathy Erickson, all from the Minnesota Department of Revenue and Department of Education.
• Madam Chair, again, Adil Ooney, Director of Government Relations to the Minister of the Department of
• Department of Education.

Bills: HF2430 , HF2433

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation