Transcript Highlights:

• When those building blocks are in place, Wyoming wins.
• In previous testimony, I spoke about the building blocks of economic development as framed by WEDA, and
• The building blocks—stable infrastructure, housing, workforce, and community capacity—are that cake.
• What we are proposing is a consensus block grant funding model, a baseline What we are proposing is a
• consensus block grant funding model, a baseline of funding distributed by county that brings communities

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, our foster care program has been blocked by a long-time provider of insurance, even though
• But too many are being blocked by a systemic policy failure. Thank you.
• The too many are being blocked by a systemic policy failure: landlord resistance.
• have completed training, earned credentials, and demonstrated deep commitment, yet they are being blocked
• repeated denials before finally launching her program, and Wilmarie, though she owns her condo, was blocked

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services. Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.

Transcript Highlights:

• So about $7 million for the Community Development Block Grant, $6.7 million for the Community Services
• Block Grant, $7 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
• For federal funds, for example, that LIHEAP program, Community Development Block Grant, Community Services
• Block Grant—those are listed, with a short description of what those programs do.
• Two of those programs you'd highlight are the Community Development Block Grant program, which helps

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• Interesting that Albuquerque-San Language Academy would be on the chopping block.
• And that would have taken 11 workforce programs, collapsed them into one block grant, and then cut the
• And that would have taken 11 workforce programs, collapsed them into one block grant, and then cut the
• Seas and Farm Worker Program, vets employment, things that you wouldn't think are on the chopping block
• or on the chopping block.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block is excused. Senator Brantley, Senator Guy. Yes, ma'am. Senator Lopez is excused.
• Senator Block is excused. Senator Brantley. Yes. Senator Gallegos. Yes. Thank you very much, ma'am.
• Senator Block is not here, and it's not that he is busy; he's preparing himself for the floor, so beware
• Senator Block is excused. Senator Brantley. Senator Gallegos. Senator Lopez is excused.
• Senator Block is excused. Senator Brantley: Yes. Senator Gallegos: Yes, ma'am.

Transcript Highlights:

• Center block Thank you, Mr. President. I don't need the sponsor to yield.
• Thank you, Senator Block. We do have further debate. We have Senator Tobiasson. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator Block, Senator Block votes no. Senator Boone, Senator Boone votes no. Senator Brand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeffries for supporting Texans and supporting our state legislators who are doing incredible work to block
• 2003, a freshman state legislator when we left the state to go to Ardmore, Oklahoma, for four days to block
• And so, we—” “...to block also illegal mid-decade redistricting.

Keywords: redistricting, gerrymandering, Texas Democrats, voter suppression, Hakeem Jeffries, equitable representation, minority communities, legislative session, political motivations

Summary: Texas Democratic leaders and members of Congress held a press event in Austin with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to denounce the Republican-led special session and proposed congressional redistricting map. Speakers, including Lizzie Fletcher, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Joaquin Castro, Sylvia Garcia, and Greg Casar, argued that the session should instead focus on flood recovery after the Hill Country Independence Day floods, affordability, health care, the energy grid, and other state priorities. They said the new map was a partisan and racially discriminatory gerrymander designed to help Donald Trump and Texas Republicans gain seats, weaken minority voting power, and undermine free and fair elections. Several speakers said the current Texas map is already under legal challenge and claimed the proposed changes would further reduce the ability of Black and Latino communities to elect candidates of choice. They also tied the redistricting fight to broader national issues such as Medicaid, Social Security, tariffs, housing costs, and corruption. Jeffries said Texas Democrats would not “bend the knee” and pledged support for their efforts, while emphasizing that the fight would continue politically, in court, and through public organizing. In the question-and-answer portion, Jeffries said all options should be on the table to protect Texans, but that Texas Democrats would decide their own strategy. Fletcher said the immediate priority was informing the public about the rushed process, noting that many Texans testified before seeing a map and that the hearings were moving quickly. No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the excellent, balanced committee analysis, there is a question raised about how this bill could block
• Timberlake was touring in Sacramento earlier this year, days before the event, Live Nation decided to block
• Days before the event, Live Nation decided to block transfer of consumer tickets. So what happened?

Summary: The California Assembly Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then heard AB 1349, a consumer-protection bill aimed at stopping speculative ticketing. The author said the bill would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them, require disclosure of seat locations, maintain records and refund capability on secondary platforms, and ban fake websites that mimic official event pages. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, the San Francisco Symphony, the American Conservatory Theater, and several sports teams, who argued the bill would protect fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts organizations from fraud and price gouging. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeekGeek/TickPick, and Vivid Seats. They said they supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing but argued the bill’s language could create implementation problems, interfere with legitimate ticket transfers, and overlap with issues already being addressed in federal legislation and litigation involving the ticketing industry. They also raised concerns about terms-and-conditions restrictions and the potential effect on consumers’ ability to resell or transfer tickets they already purchased. Committee members largely expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while noting the need to continue working on amendments and unresolved issues. The author said he was committed to working with the opposition. The committee then approved AB 1349, as amended, on a do-pass motion to Appropriations by unanimous roll call vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund, CCDF, you might hear us talk about this interchangeably as CCDBG, the Child Care Development Block
• grant act uh childcare development block grant act uh in<00:59:12.280> 2014<00:59:13.200>
• So with the background check components under the Child Care Development Block Grant, they are probably
• So with the background check components under the Child Care Development Block Grant, they are probably
• <01:00:37.000> grant<01:00:37.400> they<01:00:37.520> are development block

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But his Speaker of the House just blocked critical IVF expansion for military families.
• Unfortunately, the amendment was blocked by the House majority.
• Unfortunately, the amendment was blocked Unfortunately, the amendment was blocked by<00:47:34.480
• Florida's ability to is now blocking Florida's ability to issue<01:29:28.080> necessary<01:29
• <01:44:45.360> or using it as a tool to block or using it as a tool to block or indefinitely

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:47:17.680> the SNAP Act, which would block the SNAP Act, which would block the Republican
• <03:06:52.080> It<03:06:52.319> blocks underway. Nine, it blocks AI.
• It blocks underway. Nine, it blocks AI.
• They've also proposed gutting the mental health block grant, the substance abuse block grant, and the
• health and substance use block grants. health and substance use block grants.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what do you say to the possibility that we're going to be putting school districts on the chopping block
• ...that we're going to be putting school districts on the chopping block here?
• So are we going to create a condition where we have large blocks of urban voters settling the fate of

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also blocks sheriffs from coordinating with federal law enforcement to deport people that are
• This bill blocks law enforcement, and we'll talk about it in a little bit.
• This bill blocks law enforcement, and we'll talk about it in a little bit.
• "Bans the sale of 3D printers that have not been equipped with technology that blocks the printing of
• State printers that are capable, or do not have the blocking technology for printing of 3D guns, would

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care. The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies. The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• we get in in in Social uh service block we get in in in Social uh service block grants<00:27:21.159
• <00:46:25.760> grant<00:46:26.760> um service block grant um service block grant um
• They're in the social service block grants.
• <01:06:46.319> grant<01:06:46.799> or<01:06:47.160> older through the block
• grant or older through the block grant or older Americans<01:06:48.240> act<01:06:49.240> um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't effectively do that if they're blocked from access to information that they need to vote on
• And so we get narratives and categories of spending, but they are blocked together.
• asked for how much we had spent in our legal fees, they couldn't break it out because it had been blocked
• They couldn't break it out because it had been blocked in with other professional services.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee heard and advanced six bills. The first, PCS/HB 1073 by Rep. Koster, would give individual school board members timely, free access to district documents and budget information, require agendas and supporting materials to be kept as public records, and prohibit school districts from requiring or incentivizing nondisclosure agreements. Testimony from a Volusia County school board member and a former educator described difficulty obtaining records and concerns about NDAs; some members raised chain-of-command concerns, while others argued the bill was needed for transparency. The bill passed 15-3. The committee then approved HB 4049, a local bill for Jacksonville/Duval County that changes how the Duval County School Board’s attorney is selected, and OGSR/HB 7021, which extends and clarifies the public-records exemption for education examination and assessment instruments through 2031. HB 4049 passed 17-1 after debate over whether the board should use the city’s general counsel process; HB 7021 passed unanimously with no debate. Members also approved CS/HB 753 on school counselors, which removes certain certification barriers while keeping degree and counseling requirements in place and allows districts to choose whether to require the removed certificates. Supporters said the bill could help address counselor shortages and free counselors to focus on students; it passed 18-0. Finally, HB 157 created a School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program for D- and F-rated schools, using high-performing current or retired teachers as mentors with stipends funded from an existing allocation. Members discussed mentor limits, funding, and oversight, but the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The meeting adjourned after committee members recognized visiting officials and students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or simply block them if it wasn't worth the anxiety or stress.
• actually an adage in, you know, online spaces that, you know, I existed in that sort of, like, the block
• specific improvements at that point without the need for an age eligibility, an age ban, or an age block
• An age ban, an age block. That is very much a place we are concerned about.
• And so I am constantly blocking, reporting comments, you know, that kind of thing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block, thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Madam Chair, Representative Block, thank you so much for the question.
• Madam Chair and Representative Block, no, that doesn't affect us.
• Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you both for the presentation.
• Block, really appreciate that.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is funded out of primarily federal funds, and it's Child Care Development Block Grant that we get
• This is funded out of primarily federal funds, and it's Child Care Development Block Grant that we get
• This is funded out of primarily federal funds, and it's Child Care Development Block Grant that we get
• This is funded out of primarily federally funded, and it's Child Care Development Block Grant that we
• There was some Child Care Development Block Grant funds one year during COVID that we were able to use

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and received an overview of the Pre-K-12 education appropriations jurisdiction and base budget. Staff explained that education funding is driven largely by enrollment and per-student formulas, with most money coming from state and local sources. The presentation highlighted the major budget areas: early learning, the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), non-FEFP K-12 programs, federal programs, and the State Board of Education. Members asked about instructional materials funding and how scholarship students who return to public schools are counted and funded; staff explained that instructional materials remain in the base and that funding depends on survey timing, with districts ultimately funded through the enrollment count process. The committee then reviewed federal IDEA funding for students with disabilities. Department of Education officials explained how IDEA Part B funds are split between state set-asides and local educational agencies, and noted that Florida ranked fourth nationally in total IDEA Part B funding and received a 95% state determination for meeting IDEA requirements. They also described the bureau’s responsibilities, including monitoring, dispute resolution, instructional support, and the Hope Florida unit for ages 3 to 5. Members asked for more information on student performance outcomes and how the state measures success beyond compliance, and the department agreed to provide follow-up data. The final major topic was the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), including associate centers, multidisciplinary centers, and specialized centers for deaf/hard of hearing and visually impaired students. Presenters described services such as child find, family support, assessments, professional learning, accessible instructional materials, and technical assistance. Committee members focused on whether families and schools have equal access to services across the state, how IEP disputes and reevaluations are handled, and whether more support is needed for parents, teachers, and rural districts. FDLRS representatives said they do not write IEPs but help connect families to districts, provide training and assessments, and support compliance and data collection; they also emphasized staffing and resource needs, especially for low-incidence disabilities and multilingual family outreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Garry relative to the penalties for protests intentionally blocking or preventing access to public roadways
• Garry relative to the penalties for protests intentionally blocking or preventing access to public roadways

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a report from the Committee on Rules. The committee recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 for two petitions filed by Rep. Colleen M. Garry: one concerning credit card surcharges, referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, and another concerning penalties for protests that intentionally block or prevent access to public roadways or highways, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The House approved the suspension of the rules and then approved the suspension of Joint Rule 12 for both petitions. The House also adopted an order, offered by Rep. Mariano, to adjourn and reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. In addition, Rep. Murray moved that the House adjourn in memory of Lou P. Burton-Aze, noting his service in the House from 1969 to 1978 and in the Senate from 1978 to 1995. That special adjournment was adopted. Finally, Rep. Merrian moved that the House adjourn, and the motion carried. The House adjourned to meet Tuesday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do not block the aisle. Do not block the aisle. We're going to do a 30 count? Hello.

Summary: The Senate received several messages from the House transmitting enrolled measures and actions on legislation, including Senate Bill 5161, Senate Bill 5194, Senate Bill 5195, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, and House Concurrent Resolution 4404. The President reported signing open session substitute Senate Bill 5194, substitute Senate Bill 5195, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, and House Concurrent Resolution 4404, and later the House reported the Speaker had signed Senate Bill 5194, Senate Bill 5195, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404. The chamber also approved the Senate Journal for the 105th day of the 2025 session and then, on motion, returned all measures on the floor calendar and those held at the desk to the Committee on Rules. No objections were raised to these procedural motions. At the close of the session, Senator Rochelle moved that the 2025 session of the 69th Legislature adjourn sine die. The motion was adopted without objection, and the Senate adjourned sine die.