Transcript Highlights:

• The bill referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment.
• The bill referred to the committee on energy and environment.
• The bill was referred to the Committee on Housing and Human Services.
• Madam Chair, I move the committee do now rise. Senator Singh moves the committee do now rise.
• Without objection, the committee will rise. The committee will rise. The Senate will be in order.

Summary: The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees. In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1. Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon to you in the committee. Happy New Year.
• is in need of services.
• that's court-ordered services or official formal case management services.
• That's court-ordered services or official formal case management services.
• Would that be a committee bill that we would see coming out of this committee within the next week or

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the committee.
• Welcome to the committee.
• Welcome to the committee.
• You know, I think I'm probably the only member that sits in both Human Services and our Housing Committee
• our</c><00:37:34.800><c> Housing</c> both Human Services and um our Housing both Human Services and um

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Budget Committee.
• With that, we will bring it back to the committee.
• We're talking about human beings here, and we want as many human beings to make sure that they're as
• Included in Medi-Cal are hospital services.
• I couldn't speak to any service-specific...

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on SB 100/AB 100, the early action budget bills, with a focus on Medi-Cal funding, wildfire recovery, and several smaller budget adjustments. The Department of Finance explained that the bill would add $2.8 billion General Fund and $8.3 billion federal funds for Medi-Cal, along with other items including wildfire-related local assistance for Los Angeles County, property tax backfills for fire-damaged local agencies, Cal OES wildfire monitoring authority, nonprofit security grants, the Property Tax Postponement Fund, FARMER and Clean Cars for All funding, foster family home insurance claims, Proposition 98 technical assistance for LA wildfire-impacted schools, teacher credentialing authority, and Proposition 4 climate bond appropriations for wildfire and forest resilience projects. Much of the member discussion centered on rising Medi-Cal costs, the recent $3.4 billion cash-flow loan, and whether the new appropriation would cover payments through June. Finance said the new funds were for program costs and cash flow, not repayment of the loan, and that no additional loan authority remained. Members also debated the causes of higher Medi-Cal spending, including expanded eligibility, higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, and federal policy changes. The LAO noted that forecasting errors are not unusual but that current revisions are somewhat higher than typical, though not unprecedented. Several members emphasized that Medi-Cal supports access to care and hospital stability, while others raised concerns about sustainability and future federal cuts. Public commenters largely supported the bill, especially the Medi-Cal funding and wildfire-related provisions. Health and labor advocates argued that the program is functioning as intended by covering more low-income Californians and preventing uncompensated care. Representatives of special districts and the Altadena Library District supported the property tax backfill provisions tied to the Eaton fire. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting that the committee would adjourn for floor session and that the Assembly would vote on one of the early action bills later that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing by the Committee on Aging and Independence.
• And are there questions from the committee?
• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program does not represent the Executive Office of Health and Human Services
• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program does not represent the Executive Office of Health and Human Services
• The committee is adjourned.

Bills: H5243 , H5376 , S3056 , S3057

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Aging and Independence

Keywords: rest home, rest homes, medication administration, medication management, assisted living, long-term care, elder care, older adults, senior care, nursing home, resident care, self-administration, licensed facility, Chapter 111, section 71, Responsible Person, caregiver, direct care staff, care facilities, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• What I love about this committee, and what is so important about this committee, is it sits at the center
• I sit on the Children and Families Committee.
• The bonding bill, but $20 million is in the human services bill along with the operating adjustment starting
• For those that aren't familiar or don't serve on the Human Services Committee, people that are civilly
• It's a process that sign-off, including the chairs of both committees, and the chairs of the committee

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the Natural Resources Committee is called to order.
• All of these are extremely toxic to the human brain and the human central nervous system.
• Chair, committee. Hi, my name is Jody Brackett.
• Hearing the bill, committee members, this bill, you may remember, passed out of a committee. Mr.
• Chair, committee members, this bill, you may remember, passed out of a committee.

Bills: SB1005 , SB1202 , SB1278 , SB1279 , SB1280 , SB1287

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: cosmetics, animal testing, prohibition, manufacturers, sales regulation, state preemption, groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, solar radiation management, environment, regulation, Arizona Revised Statutes, weather modification, licensing, environmental impact, public safety, cloud seeding

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank you and your excellent committee team, and the committee members
• I have a committee substitute. Is there any objection to the adoption of the committee substitute?
• Chair, how about I explain the committee substitute? She also sends out the committee.
• This is a unique program because it bridges both health services and special education services to students
• The committee substitute, yes, thank you. Yeah, we did get the committee; it's adopted.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians continue receiving timely services.
• Californians continue receiving timely services.
• We're elected officials, and we're human beings.
• Good afternoon, committee. My name is Vlad Carrasco.
• And then finally, switching hats very quickly, on behalf of Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to move on to Human Services, and Vice Chair Stanford is going to take over.
• Nick Federici representing Pioneer Human Services, which provides the recovery navigator program services
• Services.
• These are services.
• I believe that concludes all the testimony for the human services portion of the evening.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to move on to Human Services, and Vice Chair Stanford is going to take over.
• Nick Federici representing Pioneer Human Services, which provides the recovery navigator program services
• Services.
• These are services.
• I believe that concludes all the testimony for the human services portion of the evening.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on the Senate operating budget proposal, beginning with a staff briefing from James Kettle. He described the budget as built on relatively flat revenue after multiple forecast updates, with substantial mandatory cost growth, especially in Health Care Authority, DSHS, and DCYF. He highlighted major policy-level additions and savings, including large tort liability costs, continued support for long-term services, reductions tied to child care and K-12 items, several assumed revenue bills, and major transfers from reserves and other accounts. Kettle also noted the four-year outlook remained positive overall, with about $1 billion ending fund balance in the final year and roughly $3 billion in total reserves. A committee member asked about a diagram showing the loss of federal funds, and staff said they would follow up. Public testimony then focused first on K-12 education, where school leaders, teachers, OSPI, PTA, and rural district representatives largely opposed the proposed cuts to local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, bus depreciation, and related school funding items. Many argued the reductions would disproportionately harm rural and property-poor districts and weaken early learning access, while several students and educators spoke in favor of career and technical education and IT Academy funding. The committee also heard support for wildfire prevention funding from the Commissioner of Public Lands, who thanked the Senate for restoring those dollars but raised concerns about recreation program reductions. Higher education testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the Senate proposal compared with the governor’s budget. Community and technical college leaders warned that the budget still shifts compensation costs to tuition and reduces Running Start funding, while university representatives from Western, Eastern, Central, WSU, and UW thanked the committee for avoiding deeper cuts. Private vocational college students and administrators urged extension of Washington College Grant eligibility for students already enrolled, and others asked to preserve IT Academy and related certification funding. In early learning, child care and advocacy groups praised the decision not to cap Working Connections Child Care but warned that child care and transition to kindergarten still bear a disproportionate share of cuts; they also requested continued support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pierce County early childhood programs, including Family Connects. The hearing continued with testimony on employee compensation, mental health, and human services. State employee and retiree groups supported the budget’s COLA and wildfire funding but objected to cuts in retiree health benefits. Behavioral health and public safety advocates supported mentoring, Trueblood-related funding, crisis stabilization, and the Recovery Navigator Program, while others opposed reductions to those programs and to community-based recovery services. In human services, witnesses thanked the committee for funding victim services, child welfare supports, health homes, adult day care, community health centers, energy assistance, and disability services, while urging the committee to avoid further reductions to skilled nursing, case management, and recovery navigation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the uh committee. of the uh committee.
• Um, I also want to let you know the Department of Health and Human Services will be taking out gender
• </c><02:49:23.840><c> Services</c><02:49:24.240><c> will</c><02:49:24.479><c> be</c> of Health and Human
• Services will be of Health and Human Services will be taking<02:49:24.800><c> out</c><02:49:25.040><
• </c><04:32:32.720><c> Um</c> Judiciary Committee. Um Judiciary Committee.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 141, which would create a narrow exception to New Hampshire’s three-year deadline for motions for a new trial when a petitioner has newly discovered evidence, new forensic testing, or new scientific understanding. The prime sponsor’s representative and advocates from the Innocence Project and New England Innocence Project argued the bill is needed to help wrongfully convicted people access the courts, noting that exonerations often take many years and that outdated forensic science has contributed to wrongful convictions. The chair also said he had drafted a proposed amendment for committee review, but it had not yet been formally submitted. Witnesses supporting the bill emphasized that the measure would not guarantee relief, only allow a petition to be filed and reviewed under existing standards. They discussed examples such as arson science, explaining that some convictions were based on forensic methods later shown to be unreliable. Committee members asked about the scope of habeas corpus, whether the bill would create a new cause of action, and whether additional screening or pleading requirements should be added. The supporters said they would be open to requiring a petitioner to plead innocence, but opposed adding more burdensome preliminary procedures or counsel requirements at the filing stage. Thomas Farardi, from the Attorney General’s Office, testified in opposition or with caution, saying the bill was a “solution looking for a problem” because existing habeas corpus and coram nobis procedures already provide avenues for relief, and prosecutors can act when credible new evidence arises. He argued the current draft could invite additional litigation and create a new cause of action, and said he favored more screening before cases proceed. The discussion also touched on whether the statute applies in criminal cases, the current three-year limitation in RSA 526:4, and questions about posthumous petitions and petitions by deported individuals. No vote or executive action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I'll bring it up to the committee. Any questions or comments from the committee members?
• Questions from the committee? Okay, seeing none, questions from the committee.
• Okay, bringing you back up to the committee. Any questions from committee members?
• Members of the committee, any questions? Thanks. Members of the committee, any questions?
• with committee staff.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the legislative director for Health and Human Services, and I brought with me somebody who will be
• However, the two here are Health and Human Services, naturally the Commissioner's Office, Behavioral
• 33.920><c> Services</c><00:46:34.400><c> naturally</c><00:46:34.720><c> the</c> Human Services naturally
• Nathan White, Chief Financial Officer with the Department of Health and Human Services.
• </c> there the Department of Health and Human there the Department of Health and Human Services<01:46

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Division 3 work session on HB 71, but much of the early discussion focused on whether a previously discussed non-germane amendment could be considered or voted on that day. Members and the chair debated process and notice requirements, and the clerk’s guidance was that the amendment needed a separate public hearing before the full Finance Committee. The amendment was described as requiring DHHS contracts and addenda to include compliance with the Patient Bill of Rights, with a repeal date so the requirement would expire on November 30, 2026. The motion to move OTP on HB 71 with the amendment was withdrawn, and the committee agreed the amendment would be scheduled for a future full Finance hearing instead. The committee then turned to HB 71 itself and heard testimony from DHHS representatives John Williams and Jenny O’Higgins on the fiscal note and policy implications. Members questioned the estimate that the bill could put $12 million to $18 million per year in federal funding at risk, including HUD and Office of Refugee Resettlement funds. DHHS explained that the estimate was based on a broad reading of the bill’s term “specified alien,” which they said was not clearly defined in the bill, so they analyzed it using the federal definition of “alien” and assumed the bill could affect lawfully present non-citizens as well as undocumented individuals. They said the figure represented a worst-case scenario and that they were not claiming the loss was certain. Members also pressed DHHS on whether the bill could affect emergency sheltering in schools, public academies, or institutions of higher learning during disasters. DHHS said the language could create conflicts with federal funding conditions because emergency shelter programs generally cannot impose barriers on who may be sheltered, and they warned that excluding certain people could affect refugee-related and HUD funding. Questions were raised about whether the bill’s language would apply to private institutions as well as public ones, and whether the state could still use schools in short-term emergencies. DHHS said the language was broad, that they could not answer every legal question definitively, and that they would need input from public health and legal staff. No final vote on HB 71 was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/work session mode after the amendment motion was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• government service.
• government service.
• government service.
• the committee itself.
• on Ways and Means and Health and Human Services will hear from the Department of Human Services, who

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your position will be included in the committee meeting records. Welcome back, committee members.
• Good morning, Chair Martin, and members of the committee.
• who needs extra services, it provides them access.
• We can only process them with the human Seriously.
• Any other business before the committee?

Summary: The committee met with Senators Garcia and Simon excused and heard a presentation from FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard on homicide and violent-crime investigations, focusing on access to blood evidence, toxicology, medical records, mental health records, and the legal limits imposed by Florida law, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2. He explained that autopsy evidence collected by medical examiners is generally available to law enforcement, while hospital records and mental health/substance abuse records usually require subpoenas, court orders, or consent, which can delay investigations. He also discussed the difference between DNA testing and toxicology testing, the role of warrants and probable cause for living suspects, and the special rules that apply when a suspect is deceased. Members asked detailed questions about what toxicology panels include, whether medications can be tested for, how medical examiners review prior medical history, and whether FDLE tracks data linking violent crime to mental health issues or follow up with regulators after incidents. Pollard said the agency follows investigative leads where relevant, but regulatory follow-up depends on the circumstances. He also discussed behavioral threat assessment and management, and said risk protection orders have been used effectively to prevent violence and can lead to court-ordered evaluations and services. The committee then shifted to crime lab capacity and turnaround times. Pollard said the average DNA turnaround time was 208 days for some evidence, with anything over 30 days considered backlog, but that sexual assault kits are prioritized and generally handled much faster, with rush cases sometimes completed within 24 hours. Members expressed concern about delays in unsolved violent and sexual assault cases and asked what resources would help reduce backlog; Pollard said additional analysts would improve turnaround times. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenter and adjournment after Senator Bernard moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
• Welcome back to the Senate and welcome to the committee. Great to have you here.
• A more humane way of actually taking animals by being more selective.
• Just before we start, we're going to go ahead and do a committee witness oath.
• Good afternoon, Chair and members of the committee. Can you guys hear me?

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute is adopted.
• We do not charge for any daycare services or childcare. support services again when we know about it.
• Paxton moves that we accept the committee substitute. We adopt the committee substitute percentage.
• Building just a bit off of what Terry just mentioned, I chair our human resources committee.
• I chair the human resources committee for our association, which has over 6,000 members, and I work as

Bills: SB1798 , SB1835 , SB1319 , SB2942 , SB2928 , SB784 , SB1049

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: higher education, tuition rates, financial support, immigration status, Texas law, SB 1835, resident tuition, nonresident students, scholarship students, public higher education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Education Code Section 54.213, tuition waiver, in-state tuition, out-of-state students, higher education finance, enrollment cap, capacity limit, workforce development area, nonimmigrant visa

Transcript Highlights:

• It is my great service in healthcare.
• Mahalo, Trevor, for your service.
• Members, please join me in service.
• Standing committee report Okay. Standing committee report 169<01:11:06.360><c> 1610.
• Beginning with standing committee report number 1655. Standing committee report number 1655.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and 23% receive residential services.
• The available services for seniors in Arkansas are really the same as the services I mentioned earlier
• Well, not children's services, but these services are available to everybody, including individuals with
• We represent 80 service providers in Arkansas.
• So I've always understood that to be a function of the services, the diagnostic services that kind of

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Keywords: 1204, all