Transcript Highlights:

• know what that means, what that involves, and that they will pursue additional federal funding as available
• Section 27 is a moratorium on additional ICF beds, and some of the ICF providers feel some discomfort
• Legislative Management regarding the award of grant funding to increase the number of behavioral health beds

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration. The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight. Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those people got out of bed and did the work that needed to be done because they care for their community
• I know some districts, office space is relatively available; other districts are not.
• quickly, on the legislative information services, IT area, does that address dollars and funding available
• It's had a lot of bills and stuff, but I, so are they available?
• Was the language not available for last year? Maybe that was the issue. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it does free up beds, correct?
• <00:22:47.279> correct<00:22:47.679> correct and it does free up beds correct correct
• and it does free up beds correct correct all<00:22:48.320> right<00:22:48.679> yes<00:
• She added that palliative and hospice care is a service available throughout the state.
• yet too many people still available yet too many people still suffer suffer suffer unnecessarily<01:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when you do your research for every bed, traditionally for an assisted living center, you have the
• But when you do your research for every bed, traditionally for an assisted living center, you have the
• This set has been made public and available to members. The set is purely technical.
• This amendment set is available online. It's been distributed to members.
• This amendment set is online and available to members. There are 19 amendments in this set.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 145, which would require adult residential care providers, especially assisted living centers, to have generators or other backup power arrangements and to submit preparedness plans to LDH. After technical amendments and testimony from the sponsor, LDH, and the assisted living industry clarifying the bill’s scope and cost concerns, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. It then took up SB 433, which would require Medicaid coverage of medically necessary FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, subject to appropriations and fiscally sustainable coverage criteria; the bill was reported favorably after discussion of current Medicaid coverage and costs. The committee also approved SB 52, which requires better coordination between DCFS and LDH so SNAP and Medicaid benefits can follow children more quickly when they are removed from or returned to a home. Technical amendments changed reporting deadlines and required written notice, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 4 on public water fluoridation was amended to allow local governments or voters to opt out through a petition and election process, with support from the Louisiana Dental Association and others after compromise language was adopted; it was reported favorably with amendments. SB 152, which would prohibit the sale of cultured or lab-grown food products for human consumption, was also reported favorably with amendments after brief testimony in support and opposition. The committee next approved SCR 37, which asks the Surgeon General to review Louisiana’s informed consent laws and report back on any gaps, after discussion that the existing medical disclosure panel had not met since 2018. It then considered SB 194, a public assistance bill aligning Louisiana Medicaid and SNAP rules with recent federal changes on non-citizen eligibility and tightening Medicaid’s reasonable opportunity period for citizenship verification. After extensive debate over immigration, emergency care, and whether the bill could harm eligible applicants or rural hospitals, the committee adopted an amendment allowing LDH discretion for emergency health care services and reported the bill favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, HCR 113 created a task force to study gestational carrier agreements and assisted reproductive regulation; after debate over surrogacy, ethics, and referral to Civil Law, the committee rejected the referral motion and then reported the resolution favorably, and the meeting moved on to SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and legal representation funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medigap is available statewide, the same policy.
• I tried looking at available neurologists under all the plans.
• And with that, I'm available for any questions.
• available.
• And with that, I'm available for questions.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The prosecutor may, because the witness isn't available or doesn't want to testify, the prosecutor may
• But there's 140 available beds in our largest county's detention center.
• But there's 140 available beds in our largest county's detention center.
• In our biggest county, the ratio between 4,700 and 140 beds is a really good example of the saturation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will allow county agencies to negotiate a supplementary services rate for up to 53 beds across
• in our area the impact not available in our area the impact this<00:05:03.440> programming<00
• of both federal and state availability of both federal and state funds<00:09:40.839> with<00:
• We do use insurance rides when they are available.
• So this was phase one of Waiver Reimagine. may be available to them what we've seen may be available

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they available? Are they in the warehouse? Yes, two of them are; they'll be here in an hour.
• For study space, we need about 2,500 more dormitory beds.
• A decrease in funding would result in a significant decrease in course availability to our students.
• The faculty can... not otherwise be supported and would result in a significant decrease in available
• This would be probably a hundred beds or so plus or minus 20 beds in a community hospital that. that

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:25.160> It there is a buyer that is available?
• It there is a buyer that is available?
• Federal funds are available to help the counties comply.
• Federal funds are available to help the counties<03:00:39.080> comply.
• <03:47:31.400> tax to be exempt from paying that bed tax to be exempt from paying that bed

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then heard several guest introductions, including a minister for the day, visiting school groups, forestry and farm organizations, and members of the Divine Nine. Members also recognized the East Webster Wolverines football team, the East Webster non-tumbling cheer champions, and the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars softball team for state championships. The chamber then moved to the calendar after dispensing with the journal reading. On the concurrence calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1758 by a vote of 120-0 after members noted the Senate had made only grammatical changes. On the general calendar, the House passed Senate Bill 2126, with a strike-all amendment clarifying that sex-offender registry restrictions on name changes still allow changes for marriage or divorce with notice; the bill passed 118-0. The House also passed Senate Bill 2230, expanding authority for electronic hearings, notices, and certain electronic orders and warrants for justice, circuit, and county court judges on misdemeanors, by 116-0. Senate Bill 2631, creating a Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to help grain producers recover losses if a buyer goes bankrupt, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2637, giving the Northeast District livestock shows flexibility to move locations if facilities are inadequate, passed 121-0 after questions about the Verona site and possible improvements. Senate Bill 2648, allowing MSU Extension Service assistance with poultry litter plans and amended to include Alcorn State University in developing comprehensive nutrient management plans, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2809, concerning ag theft officers’ firearm rights in the event of death or retirement, passed 116-2. Senate Bill 2638, removing a reverse repealer from a meat-labeling bill, passed 119-0. The House also began consideration of Senate Bill 2399, which would authorize DPS security personnel at certain Mississippi Department of Agriculture facilities to respond to security alarms because those facilities were omitted from the Capitol complex security arrangement. The transcript ends during the explanation of that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, that will be available to the county for HCMC. They can practically use it for anything.
• <00:38:47.160> to fact, it that will that's available to fact, it that will that's available
• to anyone who many services available to anyone who comes<00:51:16.160> to<00:51:16.360> it
• <01:21:47.880> and critical condition on a bed and critical condition on a bed and connected
• are available.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• available and then just leaving them.
• available and then just leaving them.
• > waiting<02:07:03.760> for<02:07:03.920> this a bed was available and waiting for
• this a bed was available and waiting for this person<02:07:04.239> that<02:07:04.480> they're
• <03:02:28.160> at confirm that a placement is available at confirm that a placement is available

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• minus numbers, it's going to be pretty hard just to say that, because now we're going from a 120, 126-bed
• facility to a 304-bed facility.
• That's going to have SAU, a full Facility to a 304-bed facility that's going to have SAU, a full infirmary

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget items, with Representative Steeman asking for clarification on FTE counts and dollar amounts in several line items. DOCR officials explained that the Hart River Correctional Center request was reduced from 26 new FTEs to 7, focused on pre-opening staffing such as security leadership, HR, staff development, warehouse support, and a dentist and dental assistant to address a long dental waiting list. The MRCC temporary housing unit line was adjusted from 7 FTEs to 12.5 FTEs to add case management, treatment, nursing, and maintenance staff, while pretrial, corrections temporary positions, education services, and maintenance items remained unchanged. The Grand Forks line was reduced from 31.5 FTEs to 4, with the remaining staffing tied to case management and treatment rather than full facility operations, and officials estimated that personnel cost at about $670,000. Members also discussed how the staffing changes would be viewed against the closure or transition of Dakota Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation Center in New England. DOCR said the comparison would not be apples-to-apples because Hart River will expand from a 126-bed to a 304-bed facility with more services, and because Dakota Women's staff are not state employees and therefore not counted as state FTEs. Officials noted anticipated efficiencies through shared services such as warehousing, commissary, laundry, kitchen, medical, and dental support across facilities, but acknowledged those savings would be difficult to quantify. The chair thanked the witnesses, noted the committee would return later to address amendments and the bill, and then recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if there's a couple kids in an apartment, one tied to the bed, they're all filthy, there's
• Thank you. of living with five years of bed bugs, of living with five years of bed bugs, four<00:54:08.800
• level may not always be available. level may not always be available. totally<01:22:35.280> appropriate
• She said there are many such clinicians available.
• The teacher did not was coming into his bed every single was coming into his bed every single night.<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 22-FN, which would expand child care licensing background checks so the Department of Health and Human Services can receive fuller criminal history information, including pending charges and other non-conviction records, similar to the system already used for school staff. Grant Bossi, for Senator Pearl, and DHHS officials Melissa Clement and Christine Sheay testified in support, saying the bill closes a gap that can allow people with disqualifying charges to work with children. They explained that the FBI record is a snapshot in time, that juvenile records are not included, and that the bill would apply to child care programs including residential group homes. Questions focused on what “confidential criminal history” means and how often checks are repeated; DHHS said checks are done every five years or sooner if new charge information is received. The hearing on SB 22 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 23-FN, which would expand the child endangerment statute and remove the word “purposely” from part of the language. Senator Pat Long said the bill is intended to strengthen protection for children and allow more serious conduct to be charged appropriately. Testimony from law enforcement, including Executive Counselor Dave Wheeler, Sergeant Ryan Rooney of Nashua Police, and Nicholas Georgulis of Manchester Police, supported the bill as a way to distinguish routine misdemeanor cases from the most egregious abuse and neglect cases, such as children living in squalor or being exposed to severe danger. Wheeler and some members raised concerns that the language could be vague or overbroad and cited a prior Manchester firearm-in-a-car arrest as an example of possible unintended consequences; supporters responded that the bill still requires knowingly violating a duty of care and that the serious bodily injury or death standard limits its reach. Rooney also described a fentanyl overdose case involving an 11-year-old and said the current misdemeanor charge did not fully reflect the seriousness of the conduct. The committee recessed SB 23 briefly to open and close SB 161, then returned to SB 23, which remained under hearing with no final vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because any established person is already booking every available slot that there is.
• I mean, one of my concerns is that, for example, let's talk about a bed and breakfast or a small hotel
• is that for example let's talk about<00:34:51.440> a<00:34:51.839> a<00:34:52.159> bed
• > breakfast<00:34:52.879> or<00:34:53.119> a<00:34:53.359> small about a a bed
• and breakfast or a small about a a bed and breakfast or a small hotel<00:34:54.480> right<00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on retained House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. The discussion centered on the bill’s conflict with federal law and whether any state action could help small farmers process and sell cuts of meat locally. Representative Comtois argued the current federal system unfairly burdens New Hampshire farmers and consumers, while committee members and witnesses repeatedly noted that federal action would likely be required. Mr. Johnson explained that the committee’s prior resolution asked USDA to allow small and very small slaughter plants to use custom-exempt criteria with a third-party inspector, and said discussions had been held with federal offices, but no change had been secured. Members and witnesses described the practical limits facing small producers, including the scarcity of USDA-inspected facilities in New Hampshire, long booking lead times, and the cost of shipping animals out of state. Representative German and others noted that slaughter schedules and seasonal grazing patterns make compliance difficult for smaller farms. Farm Bureau representatives said they were continuing to educate federal officials, but that the USDA secretary’s visit to a local operation had been rejected. They also explained that one local operation can process USDA-inspected meat, but that still involves federal inspection. Several members asked about possible exemptions, workarounds, or whether a state bill would be needed if federal relief were granted; the response was that a federal exemption or rule change would be sufficient and no state action would then be required. The committee also heard broader policy views. Senator Dan Innis said there was strong Senate support for helping small farms and that the issue is mainly federal overreach and economics, not food safety, while acknowledging the risk of federal enforcement against farmers. He compared the issue to other federal-state conflicts and said the current law reflects outdated concerns from the early meatpacking era. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to include limits on the number of animals processed, similar to poultry rules, to make it more politically viable. No vote was taken during the work session, and the bill remained under discussion for possible amendment before the retained-bill deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• available for any questions. available for any questions.
• They're going to get the mud and they'll just go to bed.
• to bed. Thank you very much, Alo. to bed. Thank you very much, Alo.
• So, thank you very much, and I'll be available for questions. >> Okay, thank you very much.
• So, thank you very much, and I'll be available for questions. >> Okay, thank you very much.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions. The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll stand on our written comments, but we're available for any questions.
• We're available to respond to any questions you might have. Thank you.
• We're available to respond to any questions you might have. Thank you.
• offering comments uh will be available offering comments uh will be available for<00:22:57.799><
• <00:36:51.079> but day he just couldn't get out of bed but day he just couldn't get out of

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• documentation that their record has been cleared, but there's no standardized court certificate available
• documentation that their record has been cleared, but there's no standardized court certificate available
• These gaps are preventing other court certificate available for them to request.
• First, clarify that the bill applies to those applications publicly available to consumers which are
• It adds money for court steps, none for housing... ...instead of finding community beds.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with testimony split between supporters who framed the measures as targeted fixes and opponents who warned about overcriminalization and unintended consequences. SB 701, by Senator Wahab, drew support from law enforcement and local government groups, who said state law lacks a tool to address the conduct at issue; the ACLU opposed it as duplicative of existing law, while public defenders said they may withdraw opposition after amendments. Because there was no quorum at that point, the bill was held open without a vote. SB 834, by Senator DeRazzo, was presented as a technical cleanup bill to improve California’s automatic record clearance system by preventing outdated “pending” charges from blocking relief, requiring local court records to match DOJ records, and creating a way for people to obtain proof of relief. It received broad support from criminal justice reform and defense organizations, with no opposition, and the chair indicated support, but no final action was taken during the hearing. SB 248, by Senator Rubio, would require DOJ to send new gun purchasers educational materials during the waiting period about safe storage, suicide prevention, domestic violence, and related resources; supporters called it common-sense education, while one opponent argued the information is already available. The committee voted the bill out on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, but it remained on call pending one additional vote. Senator Rubio’s SB 19, the Safe Schools and Places of Worship Act, would create a new offense for credible threats against schools or houses of worship even when no specific individual is named. Supporters, including law enforcement and Jewish community advocates, said current law leaves a loophole and that the bill would help prevent panic and resource-draining lockdowns; opponents from civil liberties and youth justice groups argued existing law already covers threats and that the bill would worsen the school-to-prison pipeline. After a motion and second, the committee voted due pass to Appropriations, with the measure also left on call. Later, SB 759 by Senator Archuleta, prompted by the killing of Whittier Officer Keith Boyer, would require a court hearing after a third supervision violation or new offense for people on post-release community supervision; supporters said it adds accountability, while opponents said it removes probation discretion and could increase jail and court burdens. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was reported as passing. The committee also heard SB 6 by Senator Ashby, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance while preserving veterinary use. Supporters, including veterinarians, law enforcement, and a parent who lost a son to a drug-related death, said the drug is increasingly present in fentanyl mixtures and needs to be controlled; opponents from drug policy and civil liberties groups argued scheduling would criminalize users, hinder research, and repeat failed drug-war policies. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out due pass to Appropriations, and it passed. Finally, SB 11, the AI Abuse Protection Act, was introduced to regulate AI-generated voice, image, and video replicas, with supporters emphasizing protection against deepfakes and nonconsensual images; the California Chamber of Commerce opposed unless amended, seeking narrower definitions and limits on consumer warnings. The hearing ended while SB 11 was still under discussion, with no final vote reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The, the summary disposition in JP court that's available now, um, you file a motion for summary dis
• I'm available to answer any questions you might have. OK, thank you.
• Uh, to go retrieve property that they have not had made available to them by landlords.
• , who never had a right to be in that bed, that would be extremely unsettling.
• Johnson, can you provide us that information that you have available in writing to us so that we can

Bills: HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: flood risk, campground, safety regulations, civil penalty, guest safety, Harris County, flood control, governance, expansion, public health, local governance, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to get the people in the beds, we need to have the staffing.
• and in order to prevent any the beds and in order to prevent any sort<00:07:56.240> of<00:07:
• <00:08:02.319> In<00:08:02.560> order we need the people in the beds.
• In order we need the people in the beds.
• ,<00:08:04.160> we<00:08:04.319> need to get the people in the beds, we need to get

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• morning, so adding on a couple hours to that, you might run into issues too with the schools, the availability
• Hillsborough County has a 300-bed facility.
• :21:33.679> uh facility Hillsboro County has a 300 uh facility Hillsboro County has a 300 uh bed
• 01:21:35.639> at<01:21:35.840> about<01:21:36.120> an<01:21:36.360> 80% bed
• facility they are at about an 80% bed facility they are at about an 80% occupancy<01:21:38.040> rate

Keywords: 1191, senate, all