Transcript Highlights:

• authorized representative can act on behalf of a patient, ensuring that those decisions are made appropriately
• little over 20 years, as it moves forward, like all of the available evidence, I would suggest that the VA
• The VA— it's a 2023 study. I'd be happy to send it to you.

Bills: SB274 , SB301 , SB249

Committee: House Health & Human Development

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.

Transcript Highlights:

• BROUGHT BY A CONSTITUENT WHO IS A 100% DISABLED VETERAN WHO HAD TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO GO TO A VA

Transcript Highlights:

• body for review on or before February 1, 2027, in anticipation of our next session so that the appropriate
• them, when that gentleman in the back speaks, when he says, bonjour, come on so, joe, so do we, s'a va
• bien, so vae so va mal.
• They don't have to wait until the end of the year, November or December, or whatever the appropriate
• And you made a decision to reduce the judges in whatever division it appeared to be appropriate.

Bills: SCR59 , SCR70 , HR275 , HR279 , HR282 , HR289 , HR307 , HCR112 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB121 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HCR117 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , SCR30 , SCR40 , SCR65 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB54 , HB137 , HB321 , HB368 , HB386 , HB414 , HB431 , HB552 , HB555 , HB578 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB638 , HB670 , HB692 , HB707 , HB708 , HB715 , HB718 , HB732 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB796 , HB807 , HB822 , HB848 , HB856 , HB887 , HB888 , HB917 , HB921 , HB1082 , HB1243 , HB1246 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB159 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1126 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1235 , HB1249 , SB259 , SB295 , SB312 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB441 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB463 , HB998 , SB197 , SB268 , SB123 , SB276 , SB326 , SB80 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB479 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB42 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB449 , SB487

Summary: The House convened with a quorum and opened with prayer by Archbishop Checchio, the pledge, and the national anthem. Members also used personal privilege to recognize visiting officials, university leaders, grocers, Governor’s Fellows, and several special guests and honorees, including Grambling State University for its 125th anniversary, Tiger Athletics, and the Tiger Marching Band, as well as CASA volunteers and advocates. The chamber adopted a number of ceremonial resolutions and made several conference committee appointments and committee discharge motions. The floor then took up a series of Senate and House resolutions, many of which were adopted without objection or after brief debate. These included resolutions creating or studying task forces on topics such as homeowner catastrophe claims and insurance-related litigation, the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, informed consent laws, fiscal note procedures, K-12 student success pathways, and military funding alignment. Members also adopted resolutions on domestic violence protective-order access, flood risk mapping, seismic activity in North Louisiana, illegal dumping enforcement, toll signage and customer service, and other local or commemorative matters. Several Senate resolutions were temporarily returned to the calendar, while others were adopted by recorded vote, including SCR 29, SCR 33, SCR 37, SCR 63, SCR 30, SCR 65, and SCR 40. The House then considered Senate Bill 259, which authorizes an online application process for civil protection orders and restraining orders for domestic violence victims; it passed 93-0. Senate Bill 312, dealing with public-sector labor organizations and dues/withdrawal procedures, prompted extended debate focused on whether the bill unfairly singled out teachers’ unions and whether teachers already have the ability to opt out; the bill ultimately passed 60-38. Senate Bill 348, allowing the City of St. George to contract for administrative assistance in motor-vehicle crash response, passed 84-9 after questions about citations, reports, and the role of third parties. Senate Bill 485, concerning St. George’s municipal fiscal authority and insurance premium taxes, passed 91-0 after an amendment removed new public facility charge authority. The House also debated Senate Bill 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal from 12 to 10 based on a workload and population study by the National Center for State Courts. Supporters cited the circuit’s smaller population and lower per-judge workload, while questions focused on the study’s publication and whether it actually recommended a reduction. The transcript ends during that debate, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last chance for questions for VA. Seeing none.
• Last chance for questions for VA. Seeing none.
• Last chance for questions for VA. Seeing none. >> Thank you, chair.
• There's a couple those appropriations.
• </c> funded by the appropriation. funded by the appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Broder on state planning and budgeting by appropriations Senator Brodeur.
• I know we'll have some speakers today, but this bill takes to me and appropriate stance, if you will,
• So it it's inappropriate to have milligrams and the definition of hat that the appropriate place is in
• We've got government employees, municipal people look to, you know, that's going to have the VA hospital
• Let's have the right products and the appropriate products with the guardrails that should apply on the

Transcript Highlights:

• determination that they have a disability rather than having to go through the state level, the current VA
• That's the appropriate way to do it, because most people can take $100,000, figure, multiply it by however
• Students deserve accurate, timely, and appropriate information, not compelled speech. I vote no.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a light April Fools proclamation directing the sergeant-at-arms to wear a silk top hat for the day. The chamber then agreed to the House request to adjourn from April 2 to April 7, and messages from the House were received, including transmission of some bills to the Governor. The body also briefly recognized visitors from the Arizona Psychiatric Society and the nominee to lead the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered several bills. On the first calendar, it advanced HB 2120 on property tax exemptions and disability determinations, HB 2174 on insurance business and modeling data, HB 2289 on truth-in-taxation bond notices, HB 2861 on marital/postnuptial agreements, and HB 2903 on banks and financial institutions. On the second calendar, it advanced HB 208 on school libraries, HB 2040 on public educational institutions and adoption information, HB 2075 on school employee contracts, HB 2203 on public school reporting requirements, HB 2255 on school employee training, HB 2383 on school property leases and housing development, and HB 2903 again as amended. Several floor amendments were debated, including a successful hostile amendment to HB 2075 that was later rejected, and committee amendments to other bills were adopted. The Senate then took third-reading votes on multiple bills. HB 257, HB 2131, HB 2223, HB 2264, HB 2857, HB 2120, HB 2174, HB 2289, HB 2861, HB 2903, HB 2008, HB 2040, HB 2075, HB 2203, HB 2255, and HB 2383 all passed, with recorded roll-call votes and several members explaining their opposition or support. HB 2255 passed with the required three-quarters vote. The chamber also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and transmitted the bills as appropriate. Before adjournment, Senator Miranda read a proclamation recognizing Farm Workers Day, and Senator Tothley offered a statement and moment of silence in memory of Passion Swartz, urging review of turquoise alert practices. The Senate then voted to adjourn until Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• complexity in our patients showing up on our doorstep after being told it would be months before the VA
• I'm proud to present for your consideration House File 3145, which appropriates two million dollars for
• I'm proud to present for your consideration House File 3145, which appropriates two million dollars for

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the legislature appropriates funds for the proper operation of the old governor's mansion
• to the Secretary of State, and this bill codifies this appropriation.
• At the appropriate time, I would just like for her to provide information. Certainly.
• Benefits by the VA or Social Security.
• Would like to move favorably on HB 551 at the appropriate time. Did we have amendments to this?

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The Committee on House and Governmental Affairs met on March 18 and first adopted the minutes from its February 21 meeting. The committee then took up HB 250, which would have narrowed financial disclosure requirements for appointed, unpaid board and commission members by exempting immediate family information. Supporters said the bill would reduce burdens and help recruit volunteers, while opponents argued it would weaken ethics enforcement and create opportunities for undisclosed conflicts of interest. After debate and a roll call, the committee deadlocked and HB 250 failed to advance on a 6-6 vote with one abstention. The committee next considered HB 576, which transfers ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Old Governor’s Mansion to the Department of State and codifies its current operational role. Secretary of State Nancy Landry and mansion staff testified in support, describing expanded programming, increased visitors, and the need to align the statute with current practice. The committee adopted technical amendments and then reported HB 576 favorably without objection. The committee also heard HB 117, which recreates the Department of State and its statutory entities through July 1, 2033, and reported it favorably without objection. The major remaining item was HB 842, the annual omnibus elections bill, which makes numerous technical and substantive changes to election law, including voter assistance for people with disabilities, absentee ballot and petition procedures, inactive voter updates, and election contest deadlines. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns about disability documentation, absentee ballot curing, witness requirements, constitutional amendment challenge deadlines, and the scope of authority given to the Secretary of State, while others said the bill clarified existing practice and improved election administration. After adopting amendments and rejecting a motion to defer, the committee reported HB 842 favorably by an 8-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• space where veterans and their families receive clinical care, peer support, and help navigating both VA
• Our partnerships with Fort Bliss, the VA, and the 1st Armored Division continue to expand access to care

Bills: SB623 , SB1266 , SB1310 , SB1373 , SB1580 , SB1952 , SB2032 , SB2269 , SB2544 , SB2653 , SB2796

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I am service connected for young-onset Parkinson's with the VA.
• Uh some onset Parkinson's with the VA.
• That's an existing appropriation to the waste pesticide collection program.
• </c><00:35:50.560><c> picide</c> appropriation to the waste picide appropriation to the waste picide
• </c><00:35:54.720><c> this</c> require an additional appropriation this require an additional appropriation

Bills: HF3965 , HF3704 , HF3260 , HF3718

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: pesticide, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, chemical safety, local agriculture, insecticides, pollinators, seeds, environmental health, neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides, civil penalties, pest management, land trends, report, appropriation, farmers, veterinary medicine, veterinary technology

Transcript Highlights:

• the delegation of parental rights, 15-5-128, testimony appointment, guardians, minors' compromise, VA
• The added language, even with appropriate supportive services, technological assistance, or supported
• When used appropriately, they can protect vulnerable individuals.
• Oversight while still ensuring appropriate protections are in place when individuals are unable to fully
• On which method, I guess, may be the most appropriate.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• increasing costs, and it reduces funding for nearly every federal program that America relies on, like VA
• America<00:29:20.919><c> relies</c><00:29:21.320><c> on</c><00:29:21.919><c> like</c><00:29:22.200><c> VA
• </c><00:29:22.559><c> medical</c><00:29:22.960><c> care</c> America relies on like VA medical care America
• relies on like VA medical care and<00:29:23.640><c> food</c><00:29:23.960><c> assistance</c> and food
• homes and I further urge my appropriate homes and I further urge my colleagues<04:18:35.640><c> to</

Bills: HR919 , HR579 , HR177

Keywords: HIV, AIDS, public health, World AIDS Day, bipartisan support, uterine fibroids, fibroids, leiomyoma, women's health, reproductive health, pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, miscarriage, hysterectomy, Black women, Hispanic women, health disparities, awareness month, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote at the appropriate time.
• At the appropriate time, I just request an aye vote, and thank you very much.
• In appropriations, we intend to take amendments to ensure medical staff have the appropriate and practical
• I was a patient advocate here at the VA for eight years.
• On AB 2697 Pellerin, the motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• for the metro additional Appropriations for the metro additional Appropriations for the metro area crime
• for the metro area crime Appropriations for the metro area crime Appropriations for the metro area crime
• come from um and the Appropriations come from um and the Appropriations come from um and the reason
• for supporting additional Appropriations for supporting additional Appropriations for the Metro are
• time but I I can share about appropriate time but I I can share about appropriate time but I I think

Transcript Highlights:

• House No. 4249, being the text of section 29 of the general appropriation bill, C.
• pathway, juveniles are often tried as adults for their misconduct and do not have access to the appropriate
• More than sufficient having risen, the yeas and nays will be ordered at the appropriate time.
• America, and that's according to a 2024 report from the National Veteran Suicide Prevention out of the VA

Summary: The Senate began with routine formalities, then took up several final-passage and engrossment matters. It adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Iwanek, and House Bill 1024, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to provide sewer service to a parcel in Sharon. The Senate also passed to be enacted Senate Bill 2528, allowing Marblehead to establish fines related to parking violations, and adopted a pair of congratulatory resolutions. Later, it ordered several House bills to third reading, including measures for an additional off-premises alcohol license in Somerset and sick leave banks for David A. Russell and Jean McCarran, and concurred in a gubernatorial amendment to a vital statistics bill. The chamber then considered major committee reports and amendments on military and veterans issues. It advanced a Ways and Means substitute for a bill on free expression and a substitute for a bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, placing both on the Orders of the Day. The Senate also debated and amended Senate Bill 2503, the EASE Act for military-connected families, with remarks emphasizing school stability for military children, special education continuity, juvenile justice transfers, and use of military protective orders in domestic violence cases. Several proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected, including tax relief proposals for 100% disabled veterans, while an amendment requiring tracking of veteran suicides was adopted. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed by roll call, 39-0. Another major item was Senate Bill 2501, clarifying the duties of the adjutant general. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means substitute and considered multiple amendments, including one withdrawn proposal on entry by non-federalized armed forces from other jurisdictions and another adopted amendment requiring recruit training on lawful orders; other amendments were withdrawn. The bill was then ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed House Bill 3388, designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Throughout the session, members also offered and adopted several adjournment motions honoring the lives and service of Judge Leslie E. Harris, former Newton Mayor Seyi Warren, and Anthony P. Dwingnan, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• She currently serves as a hospitality physician at the VA Medical Center, providing comprehensive care
• companies then still provide dignified transportation, providing, I hate to use the word medically appropriate
• permits a suitable alternative of two fire extinguishers in lieu of a fire suppression system, with appropriate
• “In lieu of a fire suppression system and with appropriate safety training, I move for passage and yield

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Major General (ret.) Tony L. Wright, Doctor of the Day Dr. Jeanette Kelly, Capitol Day students, Girl Scouts, and family members of legislators. Members also adopted House Resolution 1038 honoring the Oklahoma Youth Expo and its agricultural education and scholarship impact, including recognition of top ag mechanics exhibitors. The chamber then considered and passed several bills, including HB 3263 designating the morel mushroom as the state mushroom; HB 315 setting qualifications and a term limit for the Department of Corrections director; HB 2123 revising authorization for an Arkansas River bridge project near Bigsby; HB 3587 allowing court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment; HB 3028 allowing career techs in public schools to pass along credit card surcharges; HB 2035 clarifying transportation protection agreements related to funeral services; HB 3369 allowing food trucks to use two fire extinguishers and training in lieu of an automatic suppression system; and a series of census-related bills creating a census count committee, reestablishing a state data center function, and updating Commerce technology for census address work. The House also passed HB 3624 to standardize county boundary mapping, HB 3175 creating an Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 3173 allowing repurposing of orphaned and abandoned wells for geothermal or energy storage uses, and HB 4476 creating a revolving-fund rebate program to help smaller communities compete for music events and tourism. Two measures failed on final passage: HB 3178, which would have created a standard depreciation table for county assessors to value farm equipment, and HB 1979, which would have created an Early Childhood Task Force. In both cases, members later served notice of intent to reconsider the failed votes. The House also reconsidered and passed previously failed motions on HB 3127 and HB 2997. Most bills that reached final passage were approved by recorded vote, with HB 3178 failing 43-45 and HB 1979 failing 46-43. The House adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rather it's learning was an appropriate governance structure.
• Should Florida make the decision that AI is appropriate for how we do our government agency work in order
• We recognize that when used appropriately I can be a powerful tool for productivity.
• And so how do you all determine with agency functions are delegated are are given to appropriate for
• Every VA shuns your workflows. But all that's your custom IP that we deliver to you.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think she had just left prior to our last meeting, and Sandra has taken another position with the VA

Summary: The meeting opened with routine business: confirmation of Open Meetings Act compliance, roll call, approval of the prior minutes, and no public comment. The main presentation was a detailed update on OK WIRE and a new workforce-gap validation model. Staff described moving from a simple job-posting approach to a four-factor method using wage growth, time-to-fill, occupation growth relative to the state average, and the ratio of postings to existing jobs. Examples were given for registered nurses, industrial occupations, software developers, and accountants to show how the model would identify validated workforce shortages or areas needing only monitoring. The team said the new dashboard would be added to the existing OK WIRE system, include links to training programs, and be completed by the end of August without additional cost under the current vendor contract. An agency report followed, covering the work of 929 Strategies on a 30-60-90 day plan, office relocation, contract terminations, grant administration, and budget cleanup. Staff said they had moved out of Film Row, were temporarily in Denver Davidson, and would move into permanent space in the Jim Thorpe building in October. They also discussed the rapid response grant, ARPA grant spending, and a planned data tool to support layoffs response and rural health workforce planning, including work with the Healthcare Workforce Training Commission and health partners. The board then voted to enter executive session under the cited Oklahoma statutes to discuss employee evaluations, possible salary increases, and confidential legal/operational matters. After returning, the board thanked staff for their budget work, decided not to hold the July 9 meeting, and adjourned, planning to resume discussion at the August meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they file a claim with the VA or they choose to go with an outside company, same outcome will come

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 5 by Huffman, relating to making supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and giving direction
• and adjustment authority regarding those appropriations.
• Regarding those appropriations for the Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding.
• Provide that a call in the house is appropriate to maintain a quorum. Mr.
• No lo vas a encontrar, it's not there.

Bills: HB4 , HB4