Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, so the worker really doesn't have a choice if their employer tells them... to
• I think when we're... retreating on safety for the workers by removing the training requirements.
• I mean, it sounds like this is an inconvenience versus protection for the worker, and by walking back
• , we're removing those worker protections.
• I didn't know that you were remote. Thank you. Please state your name and begin your testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proclamation on Social Workers will be read by the clerk.
• State of Arizona Legislative Proclamation, 2026 Social Worker Month Proclamation for Social Workers.
• For more than a century, social workers have worked to improve human well-being, advocate for justice
• Social workers select this profession out of a deep commitment to help uplift, defend, and transform
• Social workers follow a code of ethics that calls on them to stand for equality in every Social workers

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed judicial branch guests for Judges Day, and recognized several visitors and proclamations, including 2026 Social Work Month. Members also received routine announcements and committee substitutions before moving into Committee of the Whole on multiple calendars. In Committee of the Whole, the House considered and advanced a large number of bills, often after committee and floor amendments. Notable measures included HB 2035 on kinship placement in child welfare; HB 2041 on keeping children from being removed from parents solely due to poverty; HB 2251 on licensed midwifery standards; HB 2429 on short-term rental regulation; HB 2444 on pharmacist-provided testing/treatment, which drew strong opposition from several members over safety, oversight, and cost concerns but still advanced; HB 2615 on court-appointed supervisors; HB 2726 on a sleep apnea device for AHCCCS/Access coverage, which drew concerns about vendor specificity and process; HB 2914 on protecting vulnerable adults in long-term care; HB 4018 on public safety; HB 2127 on an omnibus transportation/license plate measure; HB 2240 on tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans; HB 2344 and HB 2403 on appropriations-related matters; HB 2991 on social media and youth safety; HB 4070 on trafficking-related corporate penalties; and HB 4136 on unlawful entry involving vulnerable adults. Several sponsors described stakeholder negotiations and policy goals, while opponents raised concerns about safety, scope, costs, or process. The House then adopted Committee of the Whole reports and sent many bills to engrossing. In third reading, HB 2123 failed on a 24-28 vote after debate over gold and silver legal tender; HB 2270, HB 2324, HB 2404, HB 2557, HB 2574, HB 2594, HB 2611, HB 2681, HB 2697, and HB 2800 were among the bills voted on, with most passing. Members explained votes on several measures, including support for county authority changes, mental health services, patient records access, domestic violence address confidentiality, child welfare rights, and a bill tied to impaired-driving-related tragedy. The session ended with additional votes still underway on later third-reading bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• That does not mean that their opinions given remotely are of lesser value or salience.
• <01:45:05.280> public Arizona, and Alabama, all remote public Arizona, and Alabama, all remote
• hearings, and via the state's remote hearings, and via the state's remote sign-in<01:45:35.840><
• Fortunately, New Hampshire provides an alternative remote method.
• worker worker >> um<04:22:58.000> and<04:22:58.159> and<04:22:58.720> their

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and those are our case case workers and those are our case workers<00:11:09.399> that<00:11:10.079
• <00:40:49.280> are our case managers our case workers are our case managers our case workers
• <02:15:52.960> yes they already have a social worker yes they already have a social worker
• <02:15:55.800> how they already have a social worker how they already have a social worker
• correct that falls to the social worker correct that falls to the social worker at<02:18:35.719>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 House Finance Committee opened a work session and announced scheduling updates, including a second Medicaid work session on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. and a reminder that recommendations or budget amendments must be moved to the full finance committee by the end of March. Members were told no motions, roll calls, or votes would be taken, and the chair also reviewed upcoming meeting dates and weather-related cancellation procedures. The day’s presentation was a budget work session on the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), with officials Marie Nunan and Nathan White introducing the agency’s budget materials and mission. DCYF’s presentation focused on its core mandates and recent operational changes. Officials described child protective services, juvenile justice services, and the Sununu Youth Services Center, then highlighted workforce improvements, including reduced vacancy rates for assessment caseworkers, juvenile justice officers, and youth counselors. They attributed the staffing gains to legislative pay raises, mass recruitment posting changes, a more stable and trauma-informed model at SYC, and broader flexibility after prior budget cuts and hiring freezes. Members asked about full-time versus part-time staffing, and DCYF said most positions discussed were full-time, with some harder-to-fill part-time youth counselor roles at SYC. The committee also discussed DCYF’s emphasis on serving families earlier through its Community Navigator hotline referrals and community-based voluntary services, which are intended to connect families to supports before abuse or neglect escalates. Officials said the Community Navigator program had received 807 referrals since August 2023. On juvenile justice, DCYF described its assessment and diversion process and said it had reduced juvenile probation involvement by 30% from 2019 to 2023; members were directed to slide 17 for 2024 data, and officials said the trend continued toward fewer in-home juvenile justice cases. The agency also reported progress in kinship care, saying initial out-of-home placements with kin now occur 74% of the time and that kinship placements are associated with more reunification. Officials said kinship caregivers are being licensed and paid similarly to foster parents, and that the legislature’s kinship law has helped. Finally, DCYF outlined transition-age youth supports, including the HOPE program, Youth Villages LifeSet, and housing vouchers. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• to our 200-acre nature preserve, workers to our 200-acre nature preserve, workers biking<00:35:19.720
• We have a remote testifier on Senate File 404, so Senator Draheim, Senate File 404.
• The bridge was built in 1939 by the Workers Progress Administration and is on a historic registry and
• My name is Kevin Scheiber, mayor of North Branch, and I am participating remotely today from my home
• I believe you have some remote I believe you have some remote testifiers. testifiers. testifiers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rain fell in remote areas with limited gauge data.
• Cell phone reception, especially in the upper Guadalupe and in other remote areas of the state, is a
• I work in that industry, so I know the challenges of remote-area reliability.
• These are remote. They can tell the flow, early flood warning systems, automatic activation.
• We have licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers that are available.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so right now, it's all remote. Okay. So right now, it's all remote.
• Most people don't understand that not only you, but thousands and thousands of workers are on workers
• You can be an oil field worker, or you can be a police officer.
• I'm constantly waiting on workers' comp to approve basic scans.
• If the injured worker wins their case, it's not at the negotiated rate that workers' comp negotiates,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement officers has contributed to a 54% higher suicide rate among officers than among other American workers
• enforcement officers has contributed to a 54% higher suicide rate among officers than among other American workers
• SB 1115, access remote work prohibition. HHS. SB 1116, access claim reviews, behavioral health.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and routine journal and guest items, then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. The main substantive item was SB 1106, a tax conformity bill tied to federal tax changes. Senators debated it extensively, with supporters arguing it would provide tax relief, certainty for taxpayers filing returns, and pro-growth benefits for workers and businesses, while opponents said it would reduce state revenue, favor wealthier taxpayers and corporations, and should be handled in broader budget negotiations. Several senators also objected to provisions they said were added late, including child care, senior deductions, and education-related tax credit language. The bill was ultimately passed in open session by a vote of 17 ayes, 12 nays, and 1 not voting, and was transmitted to the governor. After SB 1106, the chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole report and then heard a proclamation in support of law enforcement, read by Senator Bolick and signed by Senate leadership. The proclamation cited officer safety, assaults, fatalities, and mental health concerns, and called for continued support, equipment, training, and resources for law enforcement. Senators spoke in favor of honoring police and “backing the blue.” The Senate also handled routine floor business, including a message from the House, transmission of SB 1106 to the governor, and a long list of first-reading bill introductions and committee references covering topics such as public safety, health and human services, education, finance, elections, immigration, border issues, and appropriations. The meeting concluded with committee announcements and adjournment until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no remote work or out-of-state funding for any of that.
• We have counsel as Guardian ad Litem that's assigned, and a case worker is also assigned.
• is a retired nurse from a correctional facility, and with my mental health background as a social worker

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please be quiet so we can hear the names of members being called remotely.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.
• The chief clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's easier on our staff and workers when things, you know, 30 for one, 60 for the other.
• One of the things that, um, I think we had talked to some of the case workers down in Scott County on
• I think that's the answer for workers.
• We have a remote testifier now: Carrie Sheldon. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
• We have another remote testifier, Sebastian Mesa.

Bills: HF1918, HF2305, HF897, HF2191, HF2617, HF2551, HF2137

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll conclude that MAC wants to ensure our workers, both general and subcontractors, are receiving prompt
• <00:38:01.040> both<00:38:01.240> General<00:38:01.599> and ensure our workers
• Representative Myers, am I correct that you've got folks watching from some remote location?
• 01:19:20.800> watching<01:19:21.280> from<01:19:21.639> some<01:19:21.920> remote
• got folks watching from some remote got folks watching from some remote location<01:19:24.199>

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• reductions in one-time spending in the fiscal year 2024-2025 biennium for programs such as hourly workers
• uh the react and other Grant workers uh the react and other Grant programming<00:49:02.599> growth
• year 21, this was our pandemic year, so we did not have as much transportation expenditure due to remote
• due<01:16:48.639> to<01:16:49.400> um<01:16:50.000> uh<01:16:50.120> remote
• <01:16:50.719> and expenditure um due to um uh remote and expenditure um due to um uh remote

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 21 with a quorum present for the first meeting of the 2025 biennium. The co-chairs described the temporary power-sharing arrangement in the tied Senate, introduced committee staff and pages, and had members briefly introduce themselves and share what subject they would teach. After the introductions, the committee moved to a presentation from State Demographer Susan Brower. Brower reviewed Minnesota’s school-age population trends and projections, noting that the state had just under 1 million children ages 5 to 17 in 2023 and that, for the first time, the older adult population exceeded the school-age population. She said the school-age population is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro and other regional centers, and projected an overall decline of about 5% over the next 15 to 20 years, driven mainly by declining birth rates and long-running net outmigration of young adults. She also explained that growth is expected in some areas, especially along the I-94 corridor north of the metro, while northern regions are projected to see the largest declines. She clarified for members that her figures measure resident children, not school enrollment, and that boundary changes are not reflected in the district-level data. The presentation also covered demographic change among students. Brower said about 35% of Minnesota children ages 5 to 17 are children of color, with growing multiracial populations and increasing linguistic diversity. She reported that about 20% of school-age children have at least one foreign-born parent, and about 18% of enrolled students speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Somali, and Hmong the largest home languages. She also discussed child poverty, saying Minnesota’s rate is just under 10%, below the national rate of about 15%, and that poverty is concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, some first-ring suburbs, and parts of northern Minnesota, including districts with larger Native populations. Members asked questions about whether the projections accounted for migration and whether open enrollment affected the figures; Brower said the data reflect where children live, not where they attend school, and that the projections are based on recent migration and birth patterns, with future changes more likely to come from international immigration than from domestic migration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the program should treat child care workers equally because I think every child care worker is
• every childare worker is valuable almost every childare worker is valuable almost every<01:09:56.080
• designed that these childcare workers designed that these childcare workers are<01:10:06.800>
• uh these early care and learning workers uh these early care and learning workers are<01:13:04.960
• <01:25:38.159> being child care and childcare workers being child care and childcare workers

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The schools are responsible to teach, not be social workers. The test states that it is anonymous.
• . schools responsible to teach not be schools responsible to teach not be social<04:20:24.319> workers
• <04:20:25.279> also<04:20:25.600> the social workers also the social workers also the
• Forefront of providing remote Forefront of providing remote instruction<06:41:40.120> School<
• <06:41:57.280> instruction situation in terms of remote instruction situation in terms of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first noted that House Bill 398, concerning Holocaust and genocide studies, and House Bill 131 had already been handled previously and were off the schedule. It then took up House Bill 740, which would require the Department of Education to maintain permanent records for closed charter schools. After brief discussion about overlap with another charter-school bill that already addressed closure and records, Representative Freeman moved to table the bill. The committee voted 16-0 to table/ITL the bill, and it was placed on the consent calendar. The main discussion centered on House Bill 557, which would require additional information on school budget ballots, including average cost per pupil, enrollment history, and teacher-to-administrator ratios. Members raised concerns that the bill was duplicative of existing law, overly detailed, costly to towns, and potentially electioneering or cumbersome on ballots. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help voters who do not attend deliberative sessions or use online resources. The committee did not vote on the bill during the discussion; instead, members moved into caucus and later indicated they would hold the bill until Monday for further review. Later, the committee turned to House Bill 699 on special education definitions and considered Amendment 0606H. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed with the Department of Education after hearing testimony and was intended to align state definitions with federal law and incorporate recommendations from a prior audit, including changing “functionally blind pupils” to “students with visual impairments.” Some members supported the changes as responsive to the hearing and audit, while others objected that the amendment was still confusing, had not fully addressed stakeholder concerns, and should wait for a more comprehensive special education audit. The discussion also referenced House Bill 754 and another amendment, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 699 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is one of Those longevity workers. I asked for a vote. Further debate on the bill.

Bills: SB1627, SB227, SB366, SB1193, SB1433, SB1450, SB1481, SB1749, SB1810, SB1812, SB1921, SB1948, SB2044, SB2178, SB169, SB1877, HB1409, SB1266, SB1432

Keywords: criminal code cleanup, duplicate statutes, statutory consolidation, repealer bill, emergency clause, Title 21 crimes, Title 47 DUI, child abuse reporting, child neglect, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, sex offenses, rape, stalking, domestic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, sex trafficking, gang-related offense, eluding police

Keywords: HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRXoF8fbBI, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Scheduled for February 4, 2020 Ka ‘Aha Kenekoa THE SENATE Ka ‘Aha ‘Ōlelo Kanakolu THE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE ‘Aha Kau Kānāwai 2020 REGULAR SESSION OF 2020 Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Ke Kōmike Ikehu, Ho‘omohala Waiwai, a me ka ‘Oihana Ho‘okipa Malihini COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM Kenekoa/Senator Glenn Wakai, Luna Ho’omalu/Chair Senator Brian T. Taniguchi, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Hola / TIME: 2:45 p.m. Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414 Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street Papa Kumuhana A G E N D A SB 2527 RELATING TO BROADBAND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE. Establishes the broadband service infrastructure grant program to award grants to applicants to extend deployment of facilities used to provide broadband service to unserved and underserved areas of the State. Makes an appropriation. TEC/EET, WAM Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Peleluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Hola / TIME: 2:50 p.m. Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414 Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street Papa Kumuhana A G E N D A SB 2837 RELATING TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STEERING COMMITTEE. Preserves the continuity of the Information Technology Steering Committee to properly administer 27-43, Hawaii Revised Statutes, while redefining the composition of the committee. TEC, JDC SB 2243 RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY. Requires the house and senate to permit remote testimony, via telephone, at public hearings. TEC, WAM SB 2432 RELATING TO CABLE TELEVISION. Amends the factors the director of commerce and consumer affairs must consider when determining whether cable service should be made available upon a new application of a cable franchise. Requires that the director require cable operators to provide cable service to residences in their service area where there is a minimum density of at least twenty-five homes per linear mile, with certain exceptions. TEC, CPH Ke Kōmike ‘Enehana COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY Kenekoa/Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Luna Ho‘omalu/Chair Kenekoa/Senator J. Kalani English, Hope Luna Ho‘omalu/Vice Chair Ua Ho‘opane‘e ‘ia nā Pila a i ka Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020 MEASURES DEFERRED TO Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Lā / DATE: Pō‘alua, Pepeluali 4, 2020/ Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Hola / TIME: 2:55 p.m. Wahi / PLACE: Lumi ‘Aha Kūkā 414 / Conference Room 414 Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street Ka Ho‘oholo Mana‘o ‘ana ma nā Pila i Helu ‘ia ma Lalo Nei: DECISION MAKING ON THE FOLLOWING MEASURE(S): SB 2307 RELATING TO STATE PROCUREMENT OF WIFI AND INTERNET SERVICES. Requires that all state and state funded facilities have internet computer and wireless access filters to block access to pornography sites. GVO/TEC, WAM SB 2836 RELATING TO THE ACCESS HAWAII COMMITTEE. Gives agencies more flexibility and online options to provide enhanced digital services to the public in order to better serve the public and businesses TEC/GVO, JDC No Ka ‘Ike ‘Ē A‘e, E Kelepona Aku I Ke Kākau ‘Ōlelo Kōmike Ma (808) 587-7217. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT (808) 587-7217., 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• transmitted electronically to the supervisor of elections and not in person so that a student who's remote
• , whose birth certificate is probably with mom and dad, or maybe they don't ...student who's remote,
• Citizens overwhelmingly support it, and as a poll worker, we need this bill. Please support it.
• August 21, 2025, removal of the Pulse nightclub rainbow crosswalk in Senate District 17, saying state workers

Bills: S0174, S1342, S1334, S1362, S1602, S1604

Keywords: transportation, memorial, honorary designation, Miami-Dade, Charlie Kirk, transit-oriented development, housing affordability, mixed-use zoning, urban development, traffic congestion, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud, vertiports, aviation, airport infrastructure, economic development, veterans

Summary: The committee first heard CS for SB 1342 on transit-oriented development by Senator Rouson, which seeks to expand housing near fixed transit corridors by updating TOD definitions and applying Live Local-style land-use principles to those areas. An amendment narrowed definitions, limited the bill to land-use and development regulations, removed a private cause of action, and added exclusions for environmentally sensitive areas, historic properties, and military installations. Supporters said the bill would increase housing supply near existing infrastructure and maximize the state’s transit investments, while local government groups and city leagues opposed it as a sweeping preemption of local zoning authority that could force high-density development without public hearings or adequate infrastructure planning. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up CS for SB 1334 on elections by Senator Grall, which would require documentary proof of citizenship in voter registration and related election processes, update how citizenship is verified through REAL ID and the SAVE database, clarify that paper ballots are the primary voting method, and add other election-related changes such as candidate eligibility rules and timelines. Two technical amendments were adopted. During extended questioning, senators raised concerns about how documents would be submitted and stored, whether voters without Florida IDs or REAL IDs—especially students, disabled voters, seniors, and homeless Floridians—could be flagged or burdened, and what fiscal and workload impacts the bill would have on supervisors of elections and state agencies. Supporters argued the bill would streamline verification and reduce duplicate paperwork, while many public speakers and some senators said it would create barriers to voting, increase costs, and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. The transcript ends during debate on the bill, before a final vote is shown. Later, the committee considered CS for SB 1362 on advanced air mobility by Senator Harrell. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House version and added vertiports and charging systems as eligible projects for public-private partnership funding, with FDOT authorized to fund certain vertiport costs within available resources. The bill drew support from industry and local representatives, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 174, which designates a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and directs FDOT to install markers at an estimated cost of $2,400. The bill prompted significant debate over whether Kirk’s legacy warranted a state road designation, with opponents citing his controversial statements and arguing the honor was political and divisive, while supporters said the designation recognizes civic engagement near FIU and is symbolic rather than regulatory. The transcript ends during debate on SB 174, before any final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• '<00:04:58.000> compensation due to uh workers' compensation due to uh workers' compensation
• Or these buildings are not even remotely close to code. We need to update that.
• Or these buildings are not even remotely close to code. We need to update that.
• Or these buildings are not even remotely close to code. We need to update that.
• Or these buildings are not even remotely close to code. We need to update that.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Budget Process 00:02:28 Allotment Process 00:10:30 School Facilities Construction Commission 00:29:10 Role of KDE in School Facilities Funding 00:47:00 Kentucky School Boards Association 01:13:25 Elementary and Secondary School Construction 01:20:40 Perkins V Funding 01:35:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thank the good folks at LIS who are ensuring that this hearing is live streamed and available for remote
• I'm a psychologist, a social worker.
• Good afternoon, my name is Aletia Casimir, and I'm an independently licensed clinical social worker with
• I'm Steph Trilling, a social worker and the director of implementation and special projects at the Brookline

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.