Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, additionally, The bill seeks, uh, to allow the district to perform utility relocation to seek reimbursement
• Currently, housing projects designed for elderly residents do not receive additional priority points awarded
• bill amends the scoring system, allowing the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to award
• Additionally, it instructs the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to administer an award
• These awards must be given under a contract.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the bill seeks to allow the district to perform utility relocation to seek reimbursement
• Designed for elderly residents do not receive additional priority points awarded through the state.
• bill amends the scoring system allowing the Texas Department of Housing and Community of America to award
• Additionally, it instructs the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to administer and award
• These awards must be given under a contract in which the provision will give the department sufficient

Bills: HB769, HB2132, HB3383, HB3792, HB5431, HB5682, HB5677, HB5678, HB5680, HB5681, HB5683, HB5684, HB5685, HB5686, HB4078

Keywords: environmental regulation, sustainability, business compliance, state oversight, local control, pollution, renewable resources, grant program, neighborhood organization, pedestrian infrastructure, Texas Department of Housing, financial assistance, neighborhood organizations, grants, urban development, safety, public safety, housing development, low income housing, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• it's about 56% of the federal awards it's about 56% of the federal awards that<00:30:06.640>
• perform work or have community service. perform work or have community service.
• there were substantially fewer awards there were substantially fewer awards that<00:53:00.880>
• And so awards that have been disrupted.
• that you talked about to state awards that you talked about to state awards already<00:59:31.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• high level, thus far, there’s been three cohorts with approximately $35.4 million in total grant awards
• Additionally, the consultant reviewed the current contract for the health facility maintenance performed
• It was a very, very dismal performance. And I don't know who to denounce.
• Yeah, I think there were many voices speaking into this analysis that we were performing, and not all
• If they don't go well, prompt rollbacks can be done, and problems are Can be performed.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We call it a risk-informed, performance-based framework for advanced reactors.
• And there were five awards there, four of which were on this. So it was Curio.
• Four of which were on this, so it was Curio, Oklo, Alphanur, Shine, are all the awards there, and all
• We do a lot of data integration, data science work, model-based systems engineering, high-performance
• Critical and strategic materials are keys to performance.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We call it a risk-informed, performance-based framework for advanced reactors.
• And there were five awards there, four of which were on this, so that it was Curio...
• And that's really like, I know for me, contributing to that is part of my performance goals that I am
• It's also critical and strategic materials are keys to performance.
• Enabling activities include validation of technical performance, techno-economic analysis to evaluate

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will transition from a single assessment tool, which we currently use, the Optum contractor, to perform
• Right now we're using a CENTRA, but a new RFP has been out on the street and it's going to be awarded
• And in that, we're... ...new RFP has been out on the street and it's going to be awarded.
• are for...” “...doing what we anticipated it doing, and again trying to align it with how we are performing
• Would it be reasonable to think that it’s going to cost them as much as it does the state to perform

Summary: The committee approved the December 8 minutes and referred items C1 and C2 to the labor and environment subcommittees, adopting the chair’s recommendations. The main substantive item was a DHS rule package revising the State Plan Personal Care Manual and the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) Manual. DHS said the revisions would repeal and replace the current manuals with streamlined versions, remove overlapping language, implement Act 853 by shifting licensure/certification for personal care agencies to the Department of Health, lengthen personal care prior authorizations from six months to one year, and keep the 64-hour monthly cap. For ARIA, DHS said it would remove references to state plan personal care, clarify telehealth and in-person assessments, and add/update sections for PASS, AR Choices, Living Choices, and PACE. DHS argued the current independent assessment process is costly and not controlling utilization, citing a 95% approval rate, annual spending of more than $212 million on personal care for about 17,000 people, and an estimated $6.173 million in savings from eliminating the Optum assessment and reducing prior-authorization frequency. Agency witnesses said the new process would reinsert primary care practitioner involvement, use standardized evaluation and prescription forms, and rely on personal care provider nurses for the assessment step, with training already available through an AFMC contract. Several members questioned whether PCPs should be used as gatekeepers, whether the change would delay services, and whether the savings estimate accounted for training or provider burden. Some members also raised concerns about conflicts of interest, the workload on physicians, and whether the agency had adequately worked with the existing vendor to improve the current system. The discussion became contentious, with Senator Irvin and others strongly opposing the proposal as inconsistent with the earlier independent-assessment approach and urging DHS to slow down and work with legislators. Other members asked for clarification on how the new process would work for new applicants and whether it would affect waiver or PASS participants; DHS said the rule would not apply to PASS and should not delay services. At the end of the hearing, the chair offered DHS the option to pull the rule down and work off-record with legislators on a revised proposal, and DHS agreed. The meeting then adjourned without further business or a final vote on the rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and numerous other sports awards, and numerous other spots on the podium for male runners.
• , and numerous other sports awards, and numerous other spots on the podium for male runners.
• <00:39:46.800> because<00:39:47.160> of athletic performance because of athletic performance
• Before puberty, boys and girls are relatively similar in athletic performance.
• in athletic performance. in athletic performance.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• discretionary grants uh that are awarded discretionary grants uh that are awarded based<00:09:32.519
• We also have a number of performance measures where we have to show academic student performance for
• > for show um academic student performance for show um academic student performance for students
• And as you can see, the award in fiscal '24 was just over $16 million.
• And as you can see, the award in fiscal '24 was just over $16 million.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a Minnesota Department of Education presentation on federal education funding and the potential effects of federal actions on those dollars. Chair Kunesh framed the discussion around concerns about threats to the U.S. Department of Education and noted that federal funds make up about 10% of Minnesota’s education budget, or roughly $1.4 billion. Senator Lang pushed back, emphasizing that 90% of school funding comes from state and local sources and urging the committee to focus on state mandates and how to pay for them. New member Senator Clark introduced himself and said he would teach ethics or running if he were a teacher. Department staff explained that federal education dollars are divided between entitlement/formula funds and competitive/discretionary grants. They said Minnesota receives federal money through established systems and that the department is seeking clarity about how federal changes might affect the flow of funds, oversight, and program administration. They also outlined Minnesota’s legislative review process for federal funds, which includes several pathways such as the governor’s biennial budget, supplemental budget submissions, legislative advisory committee review, and expedited review processes when needed. The presentation then focused on ESEA Title funding, especially Title I. Staff said Title I is one of the largest federal education programs in Minnesota, with about $200 million in current funding, and supports 476 local education agencies. They described how funds are allocated through Minnesota’s North Star accountability system and Compass support structure, based on measures such as poverty, graduation rates, and state assessment performance. Examples of allowable supports included professional development, attendance initiatives, reading curriculum, training, and peer coaching. Senators asked whether executive action could affect these funds and whether the money flows directly to districts or through the state; staff responded that they would avoid speculation and would continue explaining the different funding streams and oversight structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• As one example, in the early 2000s, a contractor was performing pavement repairs on I-29 under a MoDOT
• Well, we were awarded a multi-county ADA project for MoDOT.
• So I had to defend their bad design, their changing design, and this lady ended up getting awarded quite
• Do you think that you should share some of the responsibility with the contractor performing the work

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So far this year, EHS students have performed nearly 11,000 searches in this database.
• With the introduction of the Awards.
• evaluation of staff performance. evaluation of staff performance.
• Traditionally, the American Indian aid has been awarded without being tied to funding.
• <01:13:11.199> uh has been awarded uh has been awarded uh and<01:13:14.000> without

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Honey Mahogany is a San Francisco-born performer, activist, and small business owner.
• Caring Award and Points of Life.
• Presidential Service Award. From Assembly District 65 is Dr.
• She is a published author and an award winning change maker who drives equity. leadership and economic
• And in 1999, she received Theater LA's James A Doolittle Ovation Award for leadership in Los Angeles

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This award recognizes a Federation.
• <00:14:06.880> and Mary Joe, on this prestigious award and Mary Joe, on this prestigious award
• And as we pause to remember awards.
• Not only does she travel across the United States for her performances, but she also performed at the
• Not only does she travel across the United States for her performances, but she also performed at the

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have awarded three construction contracts in a week.
• The Orange County project. is pushing forward towards its first construction award next year and that
• We have awarded all of that money that first time.
• in this instance is when they want to award. a contract.
• But we do not award points or select the contract.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to acknowledge the well-deserved recognition you received last week at the Roosevelt Awards
• reception and being the winner of the Senator Kennedy Lyon of Labor Award.
• I just want to acknowledge the well-deserved recognition you received last week at the Roosevelt Awards
• reception and being the winner of the Senator Kennedy Lyon of Labor Award.
• It requires that a portion of project hours, starting at 5% and growing to 15% over two years, be performed

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development heard testimony on several workforce-related bills, with most of the hearing focused on ESOL and apprenticeship legislation, followed by testimony on a four-day workweek pilot and paid prenatal leave. On ESOL, witnesses including the Boston Foundation, Skillworks, MassINC, MIRA, JVS Boston, Eastern Bank, immigrant advocates, employers, and legislators supported H.2080/S.1326, arguing that Massachusetts has a large backlog of limited-English-proficiency residents waiting for classes, that ESOL is essential to economic mobility and immigrant integration, and that the state needs a coordinated, statewide strategy with more vocational and workplace-focused English instruction. Testifiers cited long waitlists, fragmented delivery across agencies, labor shortages, and examples of workplace English programs helping immigrants gain jobs, advance careers, and support businesses. Committee members asked questions about how vocational ESOL differs from standard classes, and witnesses explained that it focuses on job-specific language and workplace scenarios. The committee also heard strong support for H.2085/S.1303, which would require more use of registered apprentices on public construction projects over $1 million. Labor leaders from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and Massachusetts Building Trades, along with electricians and apprentices, said the bill would help apprentices complete training by ensuring enough job-site hours, expand access to good union careers, and strengthen the construction workforce for housing, infrastructure, and clean energy work. Several witnesses defended existing apprenticeship ratios and electrical licensing standards, warning against deregulation and emphasizing safety. Committee members asked about project thresholds and apprenticeship ratios, and witnesses said the bill’s phased apprentice-hour requirement was intended to cover most public projects under current cost conditions. The committee then heard testimony on S.1330, a four-day workweek pilot program. Senator Dillon Fernandez and Representative Shirley Arriaga described the proposal as a response to burnout, affordability pressures, and changing workplace norms, arguing that a pilot would let Massachusetts study whether shorter workweeks improve productivity, retention, and worker well-being. Witnesses said the model could help families balance caregiving and commuting while maintaining or improving output. Finally, the committee took testimony on S.1361, establishing paid prenatal leave. Parents, health advocates, March of Dimes, and others said paid leave would help pregnant workers attend critical prenatal appointments, reduce missed care, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Several speakers shared personal stories about high-risk pregnancies, pregnancy loss, and the financial strain of taking unpaid time off. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked a limited number of questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a grant from the USDA Forest Service to make an award to Central Arkansas Water to acquire
• And that's two other divisions to support activities performed by those divisions on behalf of DCFS clients
• They have a grant from the USDA Forest Service to make an award to Central Arkansas Water to acquire
• first request is to provide for administrative expenses in order to establish the program, which will award
• It will also be a $7 million federal award.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the second phase is the commission will come forward and perform an evaluation of those, and we
• again perform the research analysis in partnership with the Department of Revenue on those evaluations
• review and Performing literature review and providing<00:06:36.560> that<00:06:36.639> to<
• <00:06:43.560> an come forward and and perform an come forward and and perform an evaluation
• evaluation of those and we again perform evaluation of those and we again perform the<00:06:46.080

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director. Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff. Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The short-term goal of the initiative shall be to stabilize performance of the facilities by identifying
• Every single one of those studies had to be ordered, protocoled, performed, interpreted, and reported
• These are licensed imaging professionals who perform X-rays, CT scans, fluoroscopy, and other diagnostic
• These are licensed imaging professionals who perform x-rays, CT scans, fluoroscopy, and other diagnostic
• There are some out freestanding clinics and imaging clinics, but most of those don't perform procedures

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present. After adopting the April 28 minutes, the committee heard a brief presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, which is intended to bring together health care, business, policy, and education leaders to study Louisiana health challenges and build a network for action. Members expressed support for the program and its potential value to health policy work. The committee then advanced several bills, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 57, a nutrition-labeling bill, was amended to push its effective date to December 31, 2028 and reported as amended. HB 62 increased the membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to 27 members and was reported as amended. HB 193 updated membership rules for the sickle cell commission foundations so long-serving executive directors would not have to reapply repeatedly, and it was reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help families manage accounts after a death; it was reported favorably after a question about state-licensed banks. SB 405 was substantially revised to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing-facility quality initiative, including statewide quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, reporting requirements, and tools such as dashboards and surveys; after reconsidering prior action and adopting the new amendment, the bill was reported as amended. The committee also approved HB 222, which provides Medicaid dental coverage when needed for another covered medical procedure, and HB 420, which requires background checks for all DCFS employees with access to sensitive information. HB 475 requires verbal consent when AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit and was reported favorably after a technical question. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council on grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police superintendent or designee. HB 486 would enter Louisiana into the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact to expand access to mental health care, and HB 574 updated outdated board names on the Mental Health Advisory Services Board; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 949, which creates a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address imaging workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, and HB 584, which requires foster children to be provided luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings and restores “rights” language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The committee also reported HB 1214, restructuring certain LDH facilities into a single system under the secretary’s office; HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill; and HB 203, which adds members to the uterine fibroids commission. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses emphasized access to care, workforce shortages, child welfare, and quality improvement, and the committee repeatedly adopted amendments and reported the bills favorably or as amended before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The short-term goal of the initiative shall be to stabilize performance of the facilities by identifying
• Every single one of those studies had to be ordered, protocoled, performed, interpreted, and reported
• These are licensed imaging professionals who perform x-rays, CT scans, fluoroscopy, and other diagnostic
• These are licensed imaging professionals who perform x-rays, CT scans, fluoroscopy, and other diagnostic
• There are some freestanding clinics, imaging clinics, but most of those don't perform procedures that

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee first heard a presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, a leadership and networking initiative focused on Louisiana health care challenges such as workforce shortages, rural access, chronic disease, and the economic impact of health care. Speakers described it as a cross-sector program intended to build informed leaders and support collaboration with health systems, insurers, providers, LDH, and the Louisiana Hospital Association. The committee then moved through a series of bills, generally adopting amendments and reporting measures favorably. SB 57, a nutrition/labeling bill, was amended to delay the effective date for the labeling provision until December 31, 2028, and was reported as amended. HB 62 increased membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission and was reported as amended, and HB 193 adjusted membership rules for the Sickle Cell Commission foundations and was also reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help close accounts and avoid problems with automatic payments and federal benefit clawbacks; it was reported favorably. SB 405, which had been heard earlier, was reworked to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing home quality initiative, including short- and long-term quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, internal expertise, and reporting requirements; after reconsidering prior amendments, the committee adopted the new amendment and reported the bill as amended. The committee also advanced several health and human services bills. HB 222 would allow Medicaid dental coverage when needed to clear a patient for another covered medical procedure, and it was reported as amended after LDH said the cost could be absorbed. HB 420 expanded DCFS background-check requirements to cover staff with access to sensitive records, and HB 475 required verbal consent before AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit; both were reported favorably. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council for grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police, and was reported as amended. HB 486 joined Louisiana to the psychology interjurisdictional compact to expand access to psychologists through telepsychology and temporary practice across state lines, and HB 574 updated outdated board names in the Mental Health Advisory Services Board statute; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee heard HB 949, which would create a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address radiologist shortages and improve imaging access, especially in rural areas. Testimony emphasized that RAs work under radiologist supervision and would extend capacity without replacing physicians; the bill was reported favorably. HB 584 required foster children to be provided luggage or similar items instead of trash bags when moving placements, and also corrected language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights from “privileges” back to “rights” while extending the bill’s applicability to children from birth to age 18; it was reported as amended. The committee also reported HB 1214, which restructures certain LDH state facilities into a more unified system, and HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill, both favorably. Finally, HB 203 added members from Christus Health System and Xavier University’s College of Medicine to the uterine fibroids commission and was reported favorably before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counselors typically serve a broad swath of the student body and perform tasks including academic and
• Teacher Loan Repayment Act, allowing these professionals to receive eligibility for loan repayment awards
• We have been using coaching in some of our lowest performing schools.
• We've seen a significant shift in school performance.
• Coaching is the tool that drives the systems we have to improve our student performance.

Keywords: 996, all