Transcript Highlights:

• When they removed the It was adult congregate living facilities.
• family care homes and adult daycare centers, out of Chapter 400 and created it.
• Homes and adult daycare centers out of Chapter 400 and created its own statute, Chapter 400.
• daycare, adult family care homes, homes for the disabled, foster home.
• The adult pathways waiver known as the, we actually, I'm sorry, the adult pathways waiver that is in

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with CS/SB 1602, which would require hospital emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric care protocols, staff training, child-sized equipment and medications, a pediatric care coordinator, and participation in a national pediatric readiness assessment. The bill was reported favorably after no public opposition. CS/SB 1224, aligning Florida law with federal requirements for paramedics to administer controlled substances under physician or nurse practitioner direction, also drew supportive testimony from the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1182, requiring coverage of continuous glucose monitors under both pharmacy and durable medical equipment benefits, was likewise reported favorably after brief support from AARP. The committee then considered CS/SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which addresses venous thromboembolism by defining certain conditions as chronic diseases, creating a statewide registry, and requiring screening and training in hospitals, surgical centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Family members and blood clot advocates strongly supported the bill, but assisted living representatives objected to being included, arguing the bill would impose unrealistic medical expectations and liability on residential care facilities. Senators also raised concerns about the assisted living provisions, but the bill was reported favorably after the sponsor said more changes were likely later. CS/CS/SB 954, dealing with recovery residences and treatment centers, was amended to reduce the number of active patients from 500 to 300 and then reported favorably after extensive debate over zoning, clustering, neighborhood impacts, and access to recovery housing. CS/SB 1050, which expands the developmental disabilities pilot program and creates an adult pathways waiver option, generated the most extensive testimony. Supporters said it would help reduce the long APD waitlist and expand services, while many families and advocates warned against managed care, citing provider shortages, weak oversight, and the importance of consumer-directed care. Committee members emphasized that participation is voluntary and that people can disenroll, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 614, requiring a public educational webpage about background screening and level-two screening requirements, and CS/SB 1578, expanding breast cancer screening coverage, were both reported favorably with little opposition. CS/SB 1060 created a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid financing and operations; after an amendment expanding the committee from three to five members, it was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1240, updating DCF substance abuse and mental health procedures including 988, methadone assessment, forensic evaluators, and Baker Act transfer timing, was amended and reported favorably after debate over transfer deadlines and facility responsibilities. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 526, a major nursing education bill aimed at improving Florida’s low NCLEX passage rates by tightening program standards, requiring exit exams and remediation, mandating reporting and inspections, and limiting accreditation extensions. A strike-all amendment was introduced that would also require certain low-performing programs to offer a three-month graduate preceptorship. The transcript cuts off before the bill’s full debate and final action are completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will help root out fraud, protect vulnerable Americans, and help return stolen funds to the states
• Everyone was vulnerable. Hardworking Americans lost their jobs, homes, and loved ones overnight.
• It's shameful that these benefits were stolen from vulnerable Americans in the first place.
• Big tech is using reckless practices to surveil our kids and teens, exploit vulnerabilities to turn a
• And it is much harder for parents or And it is much harder for parents or other trusted adults today

Bills: HCR108 , HB3300 , HB7128 , HB7757 , HB7305 , HB7266 , HB7258 , HB7257 , HB3350 , HB4662 , HB5347 , HB8873

Keywords: HCR108, H. Con. Res. 108, War Powers Resolution, Lebanon, Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, military withdrawal, troop removal, concurrent resolution, Congressional war powers, executive war powers, foreign policy, Middle East, diplomatic facilities, security cooperation, cease hostilities, military engagement, war authorization, non-authorization of force

Transcript Highlights:

• A growing body of research shows that children under 16 are uniquely vulnerable to compulsive digital
• And let's be honest, we're on this stuff too much too, as adults.
• This is an issue that is affecting the most vulnerable people in all of California.
• These are some of the most vulnerable kids.
• These are some of the most vulnerable kids.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, institutions of higher education, health care facilities, and adult family homes must develop
• learning providers, school districts, institutions of higher education, health care facilities, and adult
• For the record, Mina Thiori, contract lobbyist with the Adult Family Home Council, representing over
• 5,000 adult family homes across Washington State.
• However, we are requesting a clarifying amendment in Section 3, subsection 1 to state that for adult

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. On SB 5906, the SAFE Act, staff and Sen. Hansen described protections limiting immigration enforcement access to non-public areas in schools, early learning settings, higher education, health care facilities, adult family homes, and ballot-processing areas, and restricting collection of immigration-status information. Supporters said the bill would clarify and strengthen existing Keep Washington Working policies, while some witnesses requested amendments to better define health care facilities, clarify adult family home and election-related provisions, and keep Section 6 on ballot security. Some members questioned the factual basis for reported ICE activity near schools and daycares and the distinction between judicial and administrative warrants. The committee also heard SB 5886 on personality rights and forged digital likenesses. Staff explained that the bill would add digitally created or modified likenesses to the Personality Rights Act, raise civil penalties, and allow recovery of actual and non-economic damages in forged-digital-likeness cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address AI deepfakes and identity misuse while preserving satire and fair use; student and advocacy witnesses supported the measure as a way to protect students and victims of digital impersonation. The committee then heard SB 5169, which expands child hearsay and closed-circuit testimony rules to older children and additional offenses. Prosecutors and forensic interviewers supported the bill as necessary in trafficking and child abuse cases, while defense advocates opposed it as an overbroad expansion that could raise confrontation-clause issues and create legal challenges. Additional hearings included SB 5865, which would move garnishment form updates from statute to the Washington Pattern Forms Committee; judges supported it as a way to fix a wage-withholding calculation error and allow future updates without legislation. SB 5912 would reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force to study statewide public defense delivery and recommend sustainable reforms; counties, the Office of Public Defense, and defense groups supported it. SB 6009 would make permanent the current process for direct review of administrative decisions by the Court of Appeals and retain land-use transfer provisions; a Court of Appeals judge supported the bill. SB 6087 would extend limited liability for donations of children’s items to religious organizations and add strollers and car seats, with support from Zero Waste Washington. The committee did not take final votes on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, particularly adult education.
• Um, particularly adult development.
• Um, and then perhaps lastly, my work in adult education.
• and how to different vulnerabilities and how to support<00:25:39.520><c> different</c><00:25:39.840>
• We've been strong supporters of Maui Adult Day Care Center. I serve on their board.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard a series of gubernatorial nominations, primarily to the State Rehabilitation Council, the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs (PABEA), the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and the Center for Nursing Advisory Board. Nominees included Patrick Gartside, Judith Daniels, James Montgomery (not present), Christine Park, Tammy Napoleon, Scott Spelina, Roy Katsuda, and Dr. Sylvia Rom. Each nominee described their background and why they wanted to serve, with recurring themes of disability advocacy, vocational rehabilitation, nursing workforce development, elder issues, and LGBTQ+ health and community support. Department of Human Services and Executive Office on Aging representatives generally testified in strong support of the nominees and emphasized their qualifications and relevance to the boards’ missions. Members and agency witnesses also discussed substantive policy issues during the nominations. For PABEA nominee Scott Spelina, the committee asked about a bill involving strict liability and elder abuse-related criminal penalties; Spelina supported the approach, saying it would be easier to enforce and better protect seniors. For other nominees, testimony highlighted the need for stronger rehabilitation services, qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors, adult education partnerships, and nursing recruitment and retention, especially on Kauaʻi. Dr. Sylvia Rom’s nomination drew broad support from commission members and community supporters, with testimony focusing on LGBTQ+ health, gender-expansive youth, and intersectional advocacy. No final votes were taken during the hearing. The chair repeatedly stated that decision-making would be deferred until later in the calendar, and in some cases until the nominee was present or quorum was available. One nomination, James Montgomery, was skipped because he was not present on Zoom, and Kevin Nakamura’s nomination was also deferred to a later date. The committee accepted written and oral testimony and generally moved through the nominations without questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• The objective here is to protect the most vulnerable in places.
• The objective here is to protect the most vulnerable in places where they are the most vulnerable, and
• And also, when you go to a grade school, they have signs that no adults are allowed in the restrooms,
• are not vulnerable in the most vulnerable place they can be in, and that they don't have to deal with
• It's very simple: in one scenario, let's keep these people safe, those most vulnerable people safe in

Transcript Highlights:

• We actively support many underpaid and vulnerable workers throughout the state of Washington, and I'm
• Under current law, officers must often infer a person's level of vulnerability.
• The endangerment of a vulnerable person should be that point. Thank you. Thank you so much.
• The messages we heard made it clear that she was in a vulnerable situation and being exploited.
• We need to make sure that the risks associated with leaving these vulnerabilities in place.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on four bills. SB 5925 would expand the Attorney General’s civil investigative demand authority to investigate possible violations of the U.S. and Washington constitutions, certain labor and civil rights laws, law enforcement use-of-force issues, and jail-related statutes. Supporters, including the Attorney General’s office, Teamsters 117, and Working Washington, said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases. Opponents, including police, sheriffs, cities, counties, and retail and business groups, argued it would give the AG broad investigative power without enough threshold showing, could burden local governments and employers, and raised constitutional concerns about speech and search protections. No vote was taken. SB 5906 would codify and expand protections for non-public spaces in schools, child care facilities, health care facilities, higher education institutions, and county auditor election areas by limiting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant or court order and restricting collection of immigration-related information about students and families. Supporters said the bill would reduce fear, protect privacy, and make existing Keep Washington Working policies clearer and more durable, with testimony from immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, students, PTA, and health advocates. Some organizations, including health care and child care stakeholders, supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify definitions, create model policies, add training and enforcement provisions, and adjust warrant/subpoena language. The committee also heard strong opposition concerns about federal immigration enforcement, but no action was taken. SB 6070 would expand missing-person tools by allowing certain digital investigative tools to be used in missing endangered person cases, creating new Abney and Purple Alerts for missing Black people and people with disabilities, and broadening the definition of missing endangered person. Supporters included prosecutors, law enforcement, tribal and disability advocates, families of missing persons, and students who argued that faster alerts and better digital tools save lives and address racial and disability disparities in missing-person responses. Testimony described delays in prior cases and the need for more urgent, targeted alerts. The committee then heard SB 6002, which would regulate automated license plate reader systems, set registration, use, retention, audit, and disclosure rules, and prohibit certain uses such as immigration enforcement and surveillance near protected locations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create statewide guardrails for a technology already in use, and testimony was expected to continue after the excerpt ended; no vote or final action was recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply, this bill is about protecting people, particularly vulnerable groups of people, the surviving
• There's a lot of aging parents who just do not have the resources to put their child in adult family
• And they do appear to be the most vulnerable to these types of schemes.
• It's highly specialized, evidence-based, and centered on some of the most vulnerable patients.
• And so it really disrupts continuity of care for these really vulnerable folks, because they have to

Bills: HB2453 , HB2590 , HB2445 , HB2386 , HB2585

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: psychiatric pharmacists, mental health, pharmacy regulations, healthcare, pharmacological treatments, limited equity cooperatives, common interest ownership, housing, exemption, community ownership, probate, estate administration, inheritance, heir finder, heir locator, beneficiary interest, transfer of inheritance rights, probate for profit, personal representative, executor

Transcript Highlights:

• regards to sentencing, AB 379 as amended authorizes felony punishment for solicitation of a minor by an adult
• We work with both adult consensual sex workers and people who have been trafficked.
• We work with both adult consensual sex workers and people who have been trafficked.
• landed, I think, a very strong, thoughtful bill aimed at protecting some of our society's most vulnerable
• number one thing that we do as lawmakers is is to keep our community safe, particularly our most vulnerable

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 7, 2025, considering a large number of bills, with several measures heard in detail before the committee moved through consent and suspense items. Early in the hearing, AB 876 by Assemblymember Flora was heard on CRNA scope of practice and anesthesia access. Supporters said it would clarify that certified registered nurse anesthetists may provide anesthesia services independently, while opponents from physician and medical groups argued that anesthesiologists and CRNAs are not interchangeable and that physician-led care is needed for patient safety. The bill was ultimately voted out, with a later vote change recorded for Mr. Tangipa from not voting to aye. The committee also heard AB 379, a major human trafficking and child exploitation bill, which would expand penalties for solicitation of a minor, create a misdemeanor for loitering with intent to purchase commercial sex, increase fines on businesses that fail to post trafficking notices or knowingly allow trafficking, create a survivor support grant program, and establish a vertical prosecution grant program. The bill drew strong support from the author and some members who emphasized tougher enforcement and victim services, but also significant opposition from sex worker and civil liberties advocates who argued the bill would worsen criminalization, disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities, and fail to address housing and other root causes. After extensive discussion, the committee voted the bill out, with one member later changing from not voting to aye. Other bills heard included AB 435 on child passenger safety, which would adopt a five-step test and update booster-seat and front-seat rules; AB 1415, which would give the Office of Health Care Affordability more access to information from health systems and private equity-related entities; AB 539, the Timely Care Act, which would extend the duration of approved prior authorizations for treatment; AB 1466, relating to groundwater adjudication and sustainability disputes; AB 127, which would tie the cap-and-trade price ceiling to the social cost of carbon; and AB 672, which would require public employers to notify PERB of certain court actions and allow intervention to protect labor rights. The committee also approved a large consent calendar and then deemed the suspense calendar approved, sending many bills onward. The hearing concluded with several bills reported out, some on call, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and yet under this bill they would lack the same benefits and protections as full-time workers and adult
• </c><00:05:12.400><c> workers</c><00:05:13.400><c> they</c> full-time workers and adult workers they
• disability by striking through 'adult child' and 'legal ward.'
• Vulnerable workers who are working seasonal jobs can get fired for being sick.
• Vulnerable workers who are working seasonal jobs can get fired for being sick.

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And adult and family literacy sits at the heart of meaningful social change. Thank you so much.
• Our library is one of hundreds of libraries statewide offering adult literacy services.
• Our library is one of hundreds of libraries statewide offering adult literacy services.
• State funding supports adult literacy and economic opportunity for thousands of Californians.
• The cuts directly affect the vulnerable communities that we serve.

Transcript Highlights:

• , introduced by the Senate Committee on Finance, revises provisions relating to the extended young adult
• Senate Bill 504 clarifies the eligibility of participants in the extended young adult support services
• Senate Bill 504 clarifies the eligibility of participants in the extended young adult support services
• for individuals and entities who are compliant with state and local laws concerning the supervised adult
• Supervised adult use of psychedelic compounds. Any further remarks on the motion?

Transcript Highlights:

• to uh, fraud in Integrated Community Supports, Housing Stabilization, sober homes, autism centers, adult
• to uh, fraud in Integrated Community Supports, Housing Stabilization, sober homes, autism centers, adult
• to uh, fraud in Integrated Community Supports, Housing Stabilization, sober homes, autism centers, adult
• to uh, fraud in Integrated Community Supports, Housing Stabilization, sober homes, autism centers, adult
• to uh, fraud in Integrated Community Supports, Housing Stabilization, sober homes, autism centers, adult

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened the meeting by explaining that the committee’s majority report had been released after the minority declined to file a minority report, though the minority later issued a statement. She said the report reflects two years of work aimed at exposing fraud, strengthening internal controls, and creating a whistleblower portal, mnfraud.com, which will remain open during the interim to receive and review tips. Robbins and several Republican members described the report as documenting how fraud in Minnesota began with earlier CCAP-related schemes and then expanded into Feeding Our Future and other programs, including housing stabilization, autism services, sober homes, adult day care, assisted living, non-emergency medical transportation, and interpretive services. They argued that fraud was enabled by weak oversight, a culture of inaction, and retaliation against whistleblowers, and said the report includes findings and recommendations for future reforms. Members also highlighted bipartisan bills already passed to strengthen whistleblower protections, internal controls, and fraud reporting. Representative Pam Altendorf and others praised the report and said it exposed widespread misuse of public funds, citing housing stabilization and autism services as examples of programs with rapidly growing costs and weak oversight. Representative Isaac Schultz said the committee had uncovered “industrial-scale” fraud and that the state had failed to hold agencies accountable. He and Robbins said the new Office of Inspector General, created by legislation passed this session and set to begin in January, will have broad authority to investigate public dollars and, later, police powers; they also noted a salary-setting provision for the office would be added to a state government bill. The members said the next governor will need to change the culture of state agencies and enforce accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the children are the most vulnerable, the most precious citizens in our society, and we want
• supported by research—we know that children who offend sexually do so for different reasons than adults
• the story that Kim has shared with us, is there any potential to have carve-outs for children or adults
• the story that Kim has shared with us is is there any potential to have carve-outs for children or adults
• You know, I've been down here for almost six years now, and my goal since I was a young adult is to make

Bills: HB2047 , HB2136 , HB2198 , HB2411 , HB2662 , HB2966 , HB2970

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, coerced abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, felony, pregnancy rights, consent, parenting time, domestic violence, expert testimony

Transcript Highlights:

• There are children in our schools right now who are living through the same vulnerabilities, the same
• Um, I interact with children and adults on a daily basis who are experiencing suicide ideation.
• on a daily basis who are and adults on a daily basis who are experiencing<00:09:23.800><c> suicide</
• People who knowingly target our most innocent and vulnerable populations need to face consequences that
• innocent and vulnerable populations need to<00:14:34.600><c> face</c><00:14:34.839><c> consequences<

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• With regional centers and adult day programs to serve more students and individuals with IDD.
• COLA, $1.7 billion for the Discretionary Block Grant, $2.1 billion for UTK to lower the student to adult
• An ongoing increase of $1.2 billion to support further lowering average student to adult ratio from 12
• We removed concurrently funded adults from the community college allocation.
• The big one is the adult education program and the high school strong work force program.

Transcript Highlights:

• While medical advancements have led to 87% of young adult cancer patients surviving their diagnosis,
• And those adults have been subject to criminal prosecution.
• And those adults have been subject to criminal prosecution.
• The evil adult that takes advantage of that kid and exploits that kid because they're vulnerable and
• We understand that would create some vulnerability, so we changed it.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar. A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields. Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• homelessness. the entire state The entire state investment specific to supporting youth and young adults
• pennies compared to what is spent annually by service providers, helping some of the state's most vulnerable
• youth and young adults.
• Track contracted with the city of Fort Worth was able to serve 200 youth and young adults experiencing
• through a street outreach program with reallocated funds specifically dedicated for youth and young adults

Summary: The hearing began with the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, which described major improvements since the 88th Legislature’s investments, including a new licensing and enforcement system, faster case resolution, and lower investigator caseloads. Executive Director Brittany Sharkey said the agency is now seeking targeted exceptional items to support upcoming veterinary facility registration under SB 2155, add systems administration and communications staff, digitize microfiche records, and provide compensation adjustments to retain staff. Members asked about the agency’s administrative attachment to TDLR and a planned 3% reduction; Sharkey said the TDLR partnership has been highly beneficial and that the cut could be absorbed through underspending without affecting operations. Public testimony from the Texas Public Employees Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association supported the requests, especially pay and staffing needs. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners then presented its request, emphasizing growth in licenses, a move to a larger building, and the need to keep expanding exam capacity and customer service. Executive Director Lisa Hill requested funding for facility improvements, staff retention, five additional FTEs, a higher exempt salary level for succession planning, website and digital licensing upgrades, complaint investigation resources, and vehicle replacements. She also said the agency would meet the 3% reduction through careful trimming and underspending, with no expected impact on core operations. In response to questions, Hill said the new facility has improved customer access and complaint handling, but additional space is still needed for examinations and med gas testing; she also said the agency is reevaluating Harlingen renovations and a mobile testing approach to better match demand. No public comments were offered. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs presented a largely flat or reduced budget request, reflecting the winding down of large federal COVID-era programs such as rent relief and homeowner assistance. Executive Director Bobby Wilkinson said the agency continues to administer major housing, homelessness, weatherization, and manufactured housing programs, and requested funding for technology modernization, hardware refreshes, shared IT services, and PeopleSoft maintenance, but no exceptional items. He also described a new chief of fraud role and said the agency’s federal funds and staffing will continue to decline as temporary programs end. Public witnesses from the Sierra Club and Texas Network of Youth Services supported the budget, urged continued support for LIHEAP, weatherization, and youth homelessness funding, and asked for better reporting and more direct support for youth-serving providers. Finally, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation outlined a much larger and growing agency, now administering 41 programs and more than 1.05 million licenses. Executive Director Courtney Arbore reviewed the integration of the Texas Lottery and charitable bingo, the agency’s anti-human trafficking and Financial Crimes Intelligence Center work, and the core licensing modernization project. TDLR’s base request is about $804.6 million for the biennium, with six exceptional items including additional funding for charitable bingo, cybersecurity and cost allocation needs, the solar retailer program, FCIC expansion, and authority for a new lottery game. Arbore said the agency would meet the 3% reduction by eliminating duplicated leadership positions and reducing IT contracting, travel, and training. She also reported that most licenses are turned around within about 10 days and that the agency is working through technical integration issues from the lottery merger, especially Microsoft tenant consolidation. No final votes were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Service coordinators work with some of the most vulnerable people in the Commonwealth, including Roland
• We take custody of human beings, and it's often in folks' most vulnerable moments that we are doing this
• Thank you. to these most vulnerable children of the Commonwealth.
• threatened, insulted, and verbally abused by parents, foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, young adults
• Social work is a calling, one rooted in service, compassion, and the protection of the most vulnerable

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several retirement and workforce-related bills. House Bill 2980 would place county correctional nurses and certain medical staff into Group 4 retirement. Representative Trino, Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, and nurse manager Leanne Cameron argued that correctional nurses work in dangerous, high-stress settings with frequent contact with incarcerated people, high rates of mental illness and substance use in the jail population, and significant workplace violence, and that the change would help recruitment and retention with limited statewide fiscal impact. The committee also heard Senate Bill 210, which would create a commission to study additional regular compensation and annual expenses for members of the General Court. Senator John Keenan said Massachusetts has high leadership stipends compared with other states and argued the current structure can affect independence and public trust. Representative O'Day testified on House Bill 2928 to extend Group 2 retirement to additional Department of Children and Families social workers, and SEIU 509 witnesses described frequent transport of children, crisis response, threats, assaults, and other high-risk duties that they said match Group 2 work. Additional testimony supported House Bill 2943 for DDS service coordinators and supervisors, with witnesses describing home visits in unsafe conditions, transport of vulnerable individuals, direct care during staffing crises, and exposure to violence. House Bill 2899 drew support from the Association of Social Work Boards for social work field placement grants, incentives for supervisors, and expanded retirement benefits for DCF social workers. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2613, a local retirement bill for Salem police officer Kathleen Roachville, who described a severe line-of-duty injury during an arrest involving a combative person in a mental health crisis. Finally, Susan Smith Campbell testified for reclassifying certain DYS administrative officers into Group 2 because of their direct involvement in restraints, assaults, and crisis management. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• resources for the truly vulnerable.
• Despite these strengths, Texas faces several vulnerabilities.
• We support parents, children, and adults with significant disabilities and health conditions.
• However, we also must protect the most vulnerable amongst us as well.
• But we are concerned about providing identifiable information for these vulnerable women.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.