Transcript Highlights:

• That's a situation where we want to make sure that we have fair and just access to our civil justice
• We bring the motor fuels to your neighborhood service station.
• They've directed me to stop using any company services.
• But she will need help to be able to access this care.
• Services are needed to adjust to the disability and address role disruption in the family.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , ensuring access to the courts by persons who are injured by the negligence of others while guaranteeing
• It will give jurors the information they need to determine the reasonable value of the medical services
• of economic damage that may be awarded to a claimant for healthcare services, supplies, or devices.
• So the intent is to have all of the value of the service, right?
• To care or really need access to the courthouse?

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have access to all of this through the voter rolls.
• You have access to all of this through the voter rolls.
• I believe they get it from Access and Services Arizona, because we can prove that Service Arizona will
• If you have access to ClassDojo or previous access to ClassDojo, please contact your school and see the
• If you have access to ClassDojo or previous access to ClassDojo, please contact your school and see the

Bills: SB1037, SB1040, SB1259, SB1281

Keywords: elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway, tabulation equipment, secretary of state, certification, decertification, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, ballot images, audit logs

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will come to order pursuant to a motion previously adopted.
• to push it back to the Senate to try to get a lot of the things that we did on the House floor added
• HB 18 by Shaheen, relating to the making to...
• I just described it to you. They can go to the members' home. Compel them to come.
• to live up to the promise of America.

Bills: HB18, SB 54, SB 10, HR 76, HR 77, HR 78, HR 82, HR 83, HR 88, HR 89, HR 93, HR 94, HR 95, HR 98, HR 101, HR 102, HR 104, HR 105, HR 107, HR 108, HR 109, HR 110, HR 111, HR 112, HR 113, HR 123, HR 125, HR 79, HR 80, HR 81, HR 84, HR 85, HR 86, HR 87, HR 90, HR 91, HR 92, HR 96, HR 97, HR 100, HR 103, HR 106, HR 114, HR 115, HR 116, HR 117, HR 118, HR 119, HR 120, HR 121, HR 122, HR 124, HB 18, SB 54, SB 10, HB 8

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.520><c> bonding</c><00:02:01.840><c> and</c> will unlock access to bonding and will unlock access
• In the energy committee, we have also passed planning grants for cities to be able to access to look
• In the energy committee, we have also passed planning grants for cities to be able to access to look
• to be able<00:08:20.879><c> to</c><00:08:21.039><c> access</c><00:08:21.520><c> to</c><00:08:21.840>
• access to look at geothermal to able to access to look at geothermal to see<00:08:23.599><c> if</c><00

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• Cher, welcome to Senate Health and Human Services again to the people in the room.
• So in order to make their services available to women in Oklahoma, particularly I believe in Oklahoma
• County, we want to amend this statute to Allow for them to be registered and providing services, including
• So, but for this one thing, they met the requirements of the RFP to provide services.
• the service to be a part of this waiver plan.

Bills: SB1421, SB1427, SB1484, SB1503, SB1553, SB1557, SB1564, SB1566, SB1567, SB1591, SB1642, SB1794, SB1837, SB2044

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Senate Health and Human Services.
• So in order to make their services available to women in Oklahoma, particularly I believe in Oklahoma
• County, we want to amend this statute to allow for them to be registered and providing services, including
• Preventive Health Services Task Force, I would like to see us continue to work on this, but I do feel
• needs a service to be a part of this waiver plan.

Bills: SB1421, SB1427, SB1484, SB1503, SB1553, SB1557, SB1564, SB1566, SB1567, SB1591, SB1642, SB1794, SB1837, SB2044

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced a series of health-related bills. Senate Bill 1503 would allow a digital abortion-related service provider to participate in the Choosing Childbirth grant program without requiring a brick-and-mortar Oklahoma presence; it passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1553, dealing with appeals reviewed by psychologists, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1427, as amended, would add antibody screening for type 1 diabetes with parental consent and Medicaid reimbursement for the Medicaid population; it passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1642, allowing physicians to prescribe opioids in divided quantities during the initial seven-day period, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1421, requiring non-physical intervention training for direct-care staff and volunteers in certain mental health facilities, also passed unanimously. The committee also approved several behavioral health and rural care measures. Senate Bill 1837 would ask the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek a federal exemption so rural providers of home- and community-based services can also provide case management and person-centered planning; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1566, aimed at expanding access to autism diagnosis and ABA therapy by broadening who may diagnose ASD and allowing telemedical supervision of behavioral techs, passed 9-3 with title off due to fiscal concerns. Senate Bill 1567, a cleanup bill for APRN prescriptive authority and medical board fee language, passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1794 would create a statewide behavioral health vacancy registry to help place people in crisis more quickly; it passed 11-1 with title off after fiscal concerns were raised. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1484, requiring medical examiner investigations of SIDS and sudden unexpected infant deaths to include review of immunization and medical records and adding parental notification/consent provisions unless a crime is suspected; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1557, transferring ABA therapist licensing duties from DHS to a licensing board, passed after an amendment shifting the board involved. Senate Bill 1564, requiring a standardized billing code and reimbursement rate for certain dental surgeries under general anesthesia, passed 11-1 with title off because of a $1.9 million fiscal note. Finally, Senate Bill 1591, as amended, would cap THC in medical marijuana edibles at 10 mg per edible and 100 mg per package to reduce child poisonings; it passed 10-2. Several bills were amended during discussion, and multiple members noted fiscal concerns, parental consent, and access-to-care issues throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has devoted more than 25 years to public service.
• But you deserve to be acknowledged for your years of service, two decades of service to the people of
• Hawaii. of service to the people of Hawaii.
• sincere gratitude for her service to the people... ...gratitude for her service to the people of Hawaii
• I would rise today to recognize and extend our heartfelt mahalo to Janine Jones for her dedicated service

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• Good place to be today. Good place to be today. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes.
• Welcome to the Senate Chamber of the Hawaii State Capitol for the service of remembrance for the late
• As a council member from Kauai, afraid to come to the from Kauai, afraid to come to the Judiciary Committee
• I'm going to read the lyrics to a song that mean a lot to me.
• The second part of the song to me The second part of the song to me speaks to what John was to Colleen

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Bills: HB145, SB37, HB279, HB292, SB35, SB48, SB20, SJR1, SB38, SB41, SB73, SB100, SB111, SB132, SB152, SJR7, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM30, HM52, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB2, HB70, HB180, SB151, SB240, SB273, HB95, HB247, HB332, HB8, HB253, HB4, HB96

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two companion bills, and really what they do is they just allow DQ to be able to reach out to
• get to bring in other private parties to do those.
• I am certainly committed to striking the title to continue to work on this. Thank you, Mr.
• to wages.
• Weeks prior to where it has been over the past few years, moved to adopt. Yield to questions.

Bills: HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464

Keywords: HB4246, water rights, rural water, wastewater, drinking water, environmental quality, DEQ, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, technical assistance, water infrastructure, small systems, utility operators, emergency water response, nonprofit contractors, vendor qualification, competitive bidding, best value procurement, central purchasing act, rural utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're just going to work through this as long as we have to to get this completed, so that we don't
• have to come back at 3 o'clock to recess.
• continue to work through this. ...sides of the issue to continue to work through this.
• So I'm going to ask one last question, and I'm going to go back to core values.
• I'm going to ask one last question, and I'm going to go back to core values.

Bills: HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464

Keywords: HB4246, water rights, rural water, wastewater, drinking water, environmental quality, DEQ, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, technical assistance, water infrastructure, small systems, utility operators, emergency water response, nonprofit contractors, vendor qualification, competitive bidding, best value procurement, central purchasing act, rural utilities

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of energy, agriculture, wildlife, water, and utility bills, adopting PCS drafts and amendments on several measures before voting them out. Early bills, including HB 4246 and HB 423, would let DEQ obtain technical assistance and instruction from outside suppliers, and both passed with 11-1 votes. HB 3617, the agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill, drew the most extended debate; supporters said it would help farmers and ranchers keep equipment operating and preserve access to parts, tools, and diagnostics, while opponents raised concerns about private contracts, intellectual property, and government mandates. The author agreed to continue working on the language and to strike the title later, and the bill passed 13-9-2. HB 3657, updating agricultural wage reporting and adding the Workforce Commission to employment-data recipients, passed 15-0. HB 2976, directing DEQ to set water-quality criteria for aluminum using EPA guidance as a tool, passed 14-1. HB 3391, requiring licensed commercial pet breeders to display their ODAF license number in advertisements, passed 15-0. The committee also advanced several natural resources and land-use measures. HB 4459 created a voluntary five-year averaging option for permitted water users, with metering required only for participants; members emphasized that nonparticipants could continue current practices unchanged, and the bill passed 12-1-3. HB 4128, as amended, moved Oklahoma’s bear season earlier by two weeks; the author said it was intended to address nuisance bears in southeast Oklahoma and protect hunters and landowners, while members raised concerns about population impacts and whether the Wildlife Department could manage harvest levels. The bill passed 13-1-2. HB 3989, described as a cleanup bill from the earlier “one megawatt fight,” passed 15-1 after the author said a compromise had been reached. HB 2989, as amended, authorized electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans and created a revolving fund, with the amendment limiting recovery to reasonable and prudent mitigation costs; the author said it was not a liability shield, and the bill passed 14-1. Later, the committee considered utility and renewable-energy regulation. HB 4060, the Plug-in Solar Act, addressed interconnection agreements and behind-the-meter solar for residents; it passed 14-1. HB 3145 cleaned up language affecting the commercial hunt industry and passed 14-1. HB 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require new large-load customers such as data centers, crypto mining, and AI facilities above 75 MW to cover their own infrastructure and provide collateral so costs are not shifted to ratepayers; members discussed protections for existing contracts and utility oversight, and it passed 14-1. Finally, HB 3464 imposed common-sense regulations on wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including surety bonds for land restoration, permit fees to support local fire departments, and a 30-day Fire Marshal response timeline; the author said more amendments were likely, and the bill passed 14-0. The meeting then recessed and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Smolvin pointed out, really the goal here is to keep that authorization for the districts to access monies
• be able to continue accessing that money through 2030, because the whole point of doing this was to
• Federal agencies now recognize copper as a critical mineral, yet access to known and proven reserves
• to punt to someone else if you'd like to so again to punt to someone else if you'd like to so again
• To that point, to that point, to that point, to that point, to that point.

Bills: HB2026, HB2027, HB2028, HB2031, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2101, HB2102, HB2103, HB2260, HB2278, HB2827, HB2932, HB2933, HB2934, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2038

Keywords: assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply, written commitment of water service, groundwater savings credits, gray water reuse, replenishment district, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• not to engage in this direct appeal access here is the inadmissible in court.
• We want them to be able to work with their dentists, their doctors, to have a way of paying for the services
• We're starting to get a little bit concerned about how many additional folks have access to very private
• We're starting to get a little bit concerned about how many additional folks have access to very private
• We're starting to get a little bit concerned about how many additional folks have access to very private

Bills: SB5837, SB6011, SB6009, SB5868, SB5974, SB5720, SB5833, SB5936, SB5993, SB6070, SB6002, SJM8014, SB6086

Keywords: guardianship, conservatorship, protective arrangement, protective arrangements, supported decision-making, supported decision making, court visitor, adult guardianship, limited guardianship, full guardianship, adult conservatorship, less restrictive alternative, capacity, legal capacity, respondent rights, due process, vulnerable adults, disability rights, elder abuse, estate management

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, access to grocery stores and stuff has actually gone backwards.
• And they have urban services available to them as well that can be extended.
• And they can have access, if needed, to mediation.
• We also wanted to expand it to HOA and condo owners, which never had access to the mediation.
• marginalized and who face limited access to homeownership.

Bills: SB5884, SB5885, SB5937, SB5938

Keywords: sales tax, redevelopment, economic incentive, underutilized property, infrastructure, affordable housing, religious organizations, zoning laws, land use, community development, smart access system, smart lock, residential landlord-tenant act, tenant privacy, biometric data, fingerprint, face scan, iris scan, key fob, key card

Transcript Highlights:

• This access can later be used to suppress the adversary.
• This is the incredible service that you are providing to the people of Texas by passing this legislation
• Exactly what it gives these organizations access to and how far down the line somebody has to be considered
• have to go through to be able to present their evidence.
• And you said there are no caps, but if we're limiting it to 300% of Medicare, it is a cap of services

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753, HB45

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• the freedoms of all Texans to access their communities safely.
• and transparency, and ultimately having the grassroots be able to access some of these numbers and to
• , not just information, to community-based services.
• homelessness. ...to homelessness services.
• So, the bill is pointing to, I'm going to go here, and now I'm going to be connected to services, permanent

Bills: HB45, SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to vote no on both of these bills, protecting the rights and freedoms of all Texans to access
• brought to a crisis service center.
• . ...services so that we can stop this repetitive cycle of calls to emergency services, which sometimes
• So the bill is pointing to, I'm going to go here, and now I'm going to be connected to services, permanent
• applies exclusively to these crisis service centers.

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• strengthen yourself, developing relationships and intelligence and access that you can later use to
• This is the incredible service that you are providing to the people of Texas by passing this legislation
• to ...down, tripled down, and quadrupled down in trying to influence state and local governments to
• That's what I'm trying to get to.
• , as opposed to trying to figure out some way to.

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard Senate Bill 3031, which would expand aggravated assault to cover certain road-rage shootings involving a person in or traveling to or from a motor vehicle, when a firearm is discharged and causes injury, property damage, or fear of serious bodily injury. Senator Schwertner laid out the bill for the author, described it as closing a gap in the law, and there was no public testimony; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2514, a measure by Chairman Hughes aimed at creating a DPS unit to identify, investigate, and monitor hostile foreign influence operations and to require ethics training for state employees. Supportive invited testimony from Dr. Jacqueline Deal, Ambassador Kelly Curry, and Michael Lucci emphasized threats from the Chinese Communist Party, transnational repression, cyber intrusion, and state-level influence efforts, and argued Texas should take a leading role. Public testimony included opposition from speakers who raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and potential overbreadth. The bill was left pending after testimony closed. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 30 as pending business and discussed a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner explained that the substitute would limit admissible medical expense evidence to amounts paid or up to 300% of Medicare, clarify treatment of provider testimony and attorney-referred providers, remove a requirement that plaintiffs use available health insurance to mitigate damages, strike a unanimous-verdict requirement for non-economic damages, and delete a remittitur provision. Senators questioned the impact on sexual assault and child abuse survivors, the use of Medicare as a benchmark, and whether the bill would still allow fair compensation. After discussion, SB 30 was left pending and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• DHA is pleased to support Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 13 to increase access to financial assistance
• This is an important measure to ensure patients have access to the necessary resources to support their
• Accessing the necessary resources to alleviate financial burdens due to health care costs is an important
• I consider myself fortunate because I have access to a car. I live here in Delaware.
• The annual services assessment process is often the gateway to the supports that allow them to remain

Bills: SB313, SB296

Keywords: Delaware Health Fund, healthcare access, preventive care, tobacco settlement, public health initiatives, grant program

Summary: The House Health and Human Development Committee met and considered a series of health, human services, and related bills. The committee heard and advanced House Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 13, which standardizes hospital charity care and financial assistance statewide, and Senate Bill 296 with Senate Amendment 1, which restructures the Delaware Health Fund grant process with a more formal, transparent competitive rubric. Both measures received supportive testimony from DHSS, the Delaware Healthcare Association, and the Delaware Nurses Association, and both were released by committee on roll-call votes. The committee also released Senate Bill 313 with Senate Amendment 1, which places a temporary moratorium on acquisitions of nonprofit acute care hospitals by for-profit entities and expands notice/review requirements for sales of hospital real estate; Senate Bill 340 with Senate Amendment 1, which requires long-term care facilities to carry specified liability insurance, with questions raised about the exemption for state-owned facilities; Senate Joint Resolution 20, which directs DHSS to study independent assessment tools for Medicaid home- and community-based services; and Senate Bill 341, which updates Delaware Health Information Network law and formally recognizes DIN as the state’s health data utility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some discussion on constitutional concerns, insurance coverage, and the rationale for the state exemption in SB 340. Later, the committee advanced Senate Bill 257, which requires new animal shelters to be licensed and inspected before operating and removes a prior exception for certain rescue organizations; and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 278 with House Amendment 1, which allows earlier pre-authorization for summer child care enrollment and lowers copays for half-day care. Public testimony on these measures came from animal welfare advocates, YMCA representatives, and other stakeholders, all largely in support. Each bill was released by committee, with several votes walked for absent members, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.