Transcript Highlights:

• approved payment plan.
• with the payment plan.
• making your payments.
• making your payments.
• I have also made the payment for June already, and going forward, we should have those payments made.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• officer and firefighter recruitment bonus payment program, thereby expanding the program to include
• The bill appears to restrict payments to parents that stay with a hospitalized... payments to families
• payments to parents that stay with a hospitalized child while that child has other care.
• Next, we'll take up Senate Bill 570 on task force on payment scams by Senator Polsky.
• to tackle the growing problem of payment-related fraud.

Bills: S0198 , S0570 , S0772 , S0808 , S1038 , S1040 , S1286 , S1440 , S1504 , S1668

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286 by Senator Wright. That bill expands the law enforcement recruitment bonus program to include firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel for fire-related grants, and establishes an institute for PTSD and first-responder behavioral health. Testimony from fire chiefs and others supported the measure, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee then considered several insurance and financial regulation bills. CS/SB 198 by Senator Rousan, as amended, regulates virtual currency kiosks with transaction limits, notice and receipt requirements, and OFR enforcement authority; witnesses described it as a needed anti-fraud measure, especially for seniors, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 772 by Senator Burgess, as amended, allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and CS/SB 1504 by Senator Claudio, as amended, creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved two cryptocurrency reserve bills by Senator Gruters: CS/SB 1038 creates the Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve framework, and CS/SB 1040 creates the related trust fund; both received technical amendments and favorable reports. CS/SB 1440 by Senator Martin, as amended, creates public records exemptions and cybersecurity reporting provisions for financial institutions and related entities, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1668 by Senator Burton, which updates the NICA program’s funding and benefit structure, and CS/SB 570 by Senator Polsky, which creates a task force on payment scams, were both heard with supportive testimony and reported favorably. Senators later recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• officer and firefighter recruitment bonus payment program, thereby expanding the program to include
• The bill appears to restrict payments to parents that stay with a hospitalized... payments to families
• payments to parents that stay with a hospitalized child while that child has other care.
• Next, we'll take up tab to Senate Bill 570 on task force on payment scams by Senator Polsky.
• to tackle the growing problem of payment-related fraud.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286, which expands Florida’s first responder recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel, and establishes a PTSD institute within DFS. Supporters from the fire service and local government spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks. After adopting a substitute amendment, members heard testimony from consumer advocates, industry representatives, and credit unions about scam prevention, elder financial exploitation, and the need for regulatory certainty. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Members also approved SB 772, which allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and SB 1504, which creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure through insurance and personal finance coursework. Later, the committee approved SB 1038 and SB 1040, which together create a Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and the related trust fund, both with technical amendments. SB 1440, dealing with public records exemptions tied to cybersecurity events and financial regulation, was also reported favorably after amendment. The committee then heard SB 1668 on the NICA program, with testimony both supporting solvency reforms and raising concerns about benefits and retroactivity; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 570 created a task force on payment scams under DFS, was amended to reduce FDLE staffing requirements, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended after senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:39.399><c> pharmacists</c><00:24:40.000><c> for</c> does not reimburse pharmacists for does
• not reimburse pharmacists for delivering<00:24:40.799><c> the</c><00:24:41.000><c> exact</c><00:24:41.480
• pharmacists at the insurers to reimburse pharmacists at the same<00:25:26.960><c> rate</c><00:25:27.240
• 00:30:03.200><c> Medicaid</c> implemented some sort of Medicaid implemented some sort of Medicaid payment
• <00:30:04.519><c> for</c><00:30:04.720><c> pharmacy</c> payment for pharmacy payment for pharmacy Services

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 423, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by Representative Kim Moser. A committee substitute was adopted to clarify that the bill’s prior authorization exemption program does not apply to Medicaid. Supporters, including the Kentucky Medical Association, said the bill would reduce red tape, improve transparency, and let providers spend more time on patient care. The bill would create a framework for insurers to establish a gold carding or waiver program for certain health services, exclude prescription drugs, prohibit retrospective reviews based solely on an exemption, and require annual reporting by the Department of Insurance and the Department for Medicaid Services. After questions about how exemptions would work and whether the bill addressed repeat prior authorizations, the committee voted to pass HB 423 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 415, sponsored by Representative Pollock and supported by AFLAC representatives. The bill was described as clarifying that health insurance coverage mandates are generally intended to apply only to primary major medical policies. With no substantive opposition or questions, the committee voted to pass HB 415 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 390 from Chair Meredith, presented with support from multiple insurance industry representatives and the Department of Insurance. The bill would move motor vehicle insurance verification data from the old system to the CAVIS database and shorten the reporting turnaround from 30 days to a ceiling of seven days, with the possibility of a shorter period by regulation. After brief discussion and no objections, the committee voted to pass HB 390 with favorable expression. The committee also heard House Bill 3 for discussion only, sponsored by Representative Neighbors and supported by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. The bill would require Kentucky Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for covered clinical services they already provide, aligning Medicaid with existing commercial insurance policy. Supporters argued it would improve access, especially in underserved areas, and could reduce emergency room use and improve outcomes; the bill was not voted on during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The contract is anticipated to be cost reimbursement only.
• The contract is anticipated to be cost reimbursement only.
• The contract is anticipated to be cost reimbursement only.
• </c> anticipated to be cost reimbursement anticipated to be cost reimbursement only.<00:26:02.080><c>
• </c><00:27:36.960><c> They</c> would get reimbursement for it. They would get reimbursement for it.

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met with replacement members noted at the start and took up one emergency item from the Department of Health and Human Services: approval to accept and expend $2 million to support SNAP recipients during the federal shutdown. Commissioner Lori Weaver and CFO Nathan White explained that USDA/FNS had notified the state it would not receive November SNAP funds, affecting about 74,000 recipients. The department said it activated a contingency plan to contract with the New Hampshire Food Bank to expand mobile food pantries, targeting SNAP households and prioritizing locations based on need, with evening and daytime access and outreach through mail, text, email, social media, partner organizations, and a shutdown webpage. Committee members asked about timing, locations, reimbursement, and whether the state would be repaid by the federal government. Department staff said the food bank would likely need about a week to mobilize once the contract was approved, and that the contract would be cost-reimbursement based, with faster turnaround than usual but not advance payment. White explained the money would come from excess Medicaid Enhancement Tax revenue from state fiscal year 2025, which can be used only for Medicaid purposes under state law and SB 249, allowing general funds to be shifted to the food bank contract. Members also asked about other affected programs; the department said WIC had funding through November 10, energy assistance was expected to continue through December, and school breakfast/free and reduced lunch were not impacted. Members discussed broader public outreach, including a possible PSA and use of the New Hampshire Food Bank’s network of 417 partners, and one member suggested religious leaders or the governor might be better positioned to make donation appeals. The committee then voted unanimously to adopt the item (motion by Senator Gray, second by Senator Waters). The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting on November 21 at 11:00 and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anything over that $53,000 is when the state reimburses roughly 75%. That's not sustainable.
• This amendment does not change the 75% reimbursement rate. This is not a structural overhaul.
• or an alternative avenue of payment.
• This amendment would increase our reimbursement rate from 75% to 80%.
• But there's a catch: the reimbursement is subject to appropriation.

Summary: The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty. The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms. The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• into an interagency agreement with the Department of Emergency Management to cover the first-year payment
• using one-time FEMA reimbursement funds.
• into an interagency agreement with the Department of Emergency Management to cover the first-year payment
• using one-time FEMA reimbursement funds.
• The Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program reimburses eligible costs associated with

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 993, Hadwick, rural CUPA reimbursement, do pass as amended.
• Strike the higher cap on reimbursement, that's out on an A roll call.
• AB 1039, Hart. payments do pass out on an A-roll call. AB 1108 Hart.
• AB 1329 Ortega, subsequent injury payments do pass out with Republicans not voting.
• AB 1180 Valencia, DFPI payments do pass out on an A roll call.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And the union can reimburse the districts if they want to send these employees off.
• I’ve talked with a lot of school districts about this bill and that they reimburse—the union reimburses
• Do you realize that districts reimburse for the sub, the unions reimburse the district for your substitute
• I mean, that is part of the bill that says they do reimburse.
• Does the union then reimburse the school district if it wasn't an official union activity?

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurer then reimburses the covered entity, typically at a higher rate than what they paid for the
• Under fee for service, the state only reimburses the facility for the acquisition cost, so there are
• But the patient, if they are insured, their insurer would be paying, reimbursing the same amount that
• they reimburse for any other patient, regardless of whether it's a 340B drug.
• A 340B medication is reimbursed at the same rate as a non-340B medication.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2437, which would put the Department of Health’s authority to accredit opioid treatment programs into statute and allow the department to set a fee to cover the cost of those services. The prime sponsor and DOH said the bill would preserve a service that is especially important to tribal and rural providers and would be self-sustaining rather than supported by the general fund. Members asked about the relationship between DOH and HCA and whether the bill would duplicate existing authority; staff and the department said DOH already performs the accrediting role and the bill mainly formalizes that authority and fee-setting power. Public testimony on the bill was then closed. The committee then held an extensive work session on the federal 340B drug pricing program and later opened public testimony on House Bill 2145, which would prohibit manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers from restricting 340B drug acquisition or delivery and from requiring claims or utilization data as a condition of access. Committee staff and NCSL gave background on how 340B works, recent growth in the program, contract pharmacy issues, and state efforts in other jurisdictions. Testimony on HB 2145 was sharply divided: hospitals, community health centers, tribal representatives, contract pharmacies, and labor groups said the bill would protect safety-net providers, rural access, HIV and behavioral health services, and tribal programs from manufacturer restrictions; business groups, pharmaceutical companies, and employer coalitions argued the program has expanded beyond its original intent, lacks transparency, shifts costs to employers and taxpayers, and should be addressed through federal reform instead. No vote was taken in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2155, which would bar non-human entities from using nursing titles such as RN, APRN, or LPN or otherwise implying they are licensed nurses. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients from being misled by AI systems and to preserve transparency and public safety as health care technology expands. The Washington State Nurses Association testified in support, saying AI can be useful but should not replace nurses or be presented as a licensed professional. A member asked about enforcement and liability, and staff said they would follow up on those details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe we could put a study on this, that they should reimburse dollar for dollar for the women... ...
• that they should reimburse dollar for the women that stay home with—oh, it doesn't have to be women.
• Again, you can ask for a deficiency payment though, right?
• It's just we're going to give it to them on the backside if we're wrong on a deficiency payment.
• And if they're short, you're going to have to make a deficiency payment next session, right?

Bills: SB2399

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The committee reconvened and first reconsidered House Bill 1612, the aerospace medical and mental health support center bill. Senator Cleary offered an amendment to reduce the general fund appropriation from $500,000 to $250,000 and require the university or project sponsors to find the remaining funding from other sources. The amendment passed, and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended, with members citing concerns about university funding, but others supporting the project as a one-time seed investment. The committee also discussed a possible future FMAP increase beginning October 1, 2026, which could reduce general fund costs by roughly $9 million, though members noted the figures were still preliminary and could be addressed later if needed. The committee then returned to Human Services budget items, including early childhood and child care funding, a community cultural center grant, and several other adjustments. Members discussed reducing the “best in class” amount, changes to child care grants and quality/infrastructure funding, and clarifying that prior child care assistance appropriations were in fact being spent. They also agreed to reduce the 1915(i) Medicaid waiver line by $2 million, with the understanding that the entitlement would still be funded as needed. The committee also considered taking guardianship funding out of House Bill 1012 because a separate bill, Senate Bill 2029, would move that funding elsewhere; members agreed that removing it from the budget could help the overall bill and could be restored if the separate bill failed. Several study amendments were discussed. Senator Cleary proposed adding a maternal health study related to prenatal services, doulas, midwives, and Medicaid, and members expressed support. The committee also discussed a software/case-management study proposal, but the department said it had not requested it and would not support it as presented, so members leaned against advancing it unless the department first evaluated it. Another amendment would authorize the department to work with the city of Grafton on a long-term plan for the LSTC campus and require a report back to the legislature; members supported that as legislative intent. The committee also agreed to remove a truancy study section for later conference discussion, and it reviewed other possible study ideas, including assistive technology, before adjourning to await updated long sheets and bill text.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you have a rehired retiree under the 2008 legislation, the employer is required to reimburse the
• monthly payment um whether it's<00:20:09.840><c> $40</c><00:20:10.840><c> uh</c><00:20:10.960><c> per
• the systems for the cost of to reimburse the systems for the cost of the<00:21:01.360><c> of</c><00:
• to continue on to death for the payment to continue on to if<00:28:56.440><c> you</c><00:28:56.640><
• The nine point something percent that comes out of that final payment doesn't pay the full bill, so the

Summary: The committee first approved the prior month’s minutes after a roll call established a quorum. It then heard testimony on a draft proposal from Senator Robbie Mills to increase CERS retiree health subsidies for members retiring on or after July 1, 2003. The bill would raise the non-hazardous subsidy from $14.63 to $40 per month per year of service and the hazardous-duty subsidy from $21.94 to $50, with employee contribution rates adjusted based on the health trust’s funded status. Supporters from sheriffs, firefighters, police chiefs, and the Kentucky League of Cities said the change would improve recruitment and retention, better align the subsidy with the cost of a single health plan, and preserve the system’s financial footing through shared employer-employee costs and funding triggers. Committee members asked about the fiscal impact, the effect of funding levels above 150%, and how the subsidy would work for rehired retirees or employees who later take private-sector jobs. Mills and other witnesses said preliminary actuarial work was still forthcoming, that the bill was intended to be revenue-neutral or close to it, and that the subsidy would continue to be paid monthly; they also noted existing 2008 rules for rehired retirees and said the benefit would still be available even if a retiree later had other insurance. One member suggested looking at stable accounts as an additional option for special-needs planning in a later bill. The committee then heard Senate Bill 58 from Senator Robin Webb, which would allow state employees to designate a Special Needs Trust as a beneficiary for retirement benefits. Webb said the measure would help employees provide for disabled dependents without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid eligibility, and that the bill follows federal special-needs trust rules. He said the proposal could be revenue neutral, but actuarial analysis was still pending and KPPA had asked for electronic rather than paper transfer provisions. Members questioned whether the authority already exists, how the trust would work, and whether stable accounts should also be considered; Webb said he would follow up with additional information.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> wave and had to complete payments. wave and had to complete payments.
• ><c> a</c><01:40:11.360><c> critical</c> directed payments which is a critical directed payments which
• </c> didn't do some of the directed payments didn't do some of the directed payments that<01:43:00.960
• </c><01:43:11.520><c> methodology</c> the current directed payment methodology the current directed payment
• </c><01:43:15.920><c> committee</c> changes to directed payments committee changes to directed payments

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The first tier provides reimbursement grants to defray upfront costs such as technology development,
• The second tier provides reimbursement grants associated with the construction of an advanced nuclear
• This measure is essentially direct payments to a type of generation that is currently unproven.
• the program to seek reimbursement, and this could allow early investors in these projects to be reimbursed
• So basically you can, you can be reimbursed for work in progress.

Bills: HB14 , HB 106 , HB146 , HB267 , HB274 , HB 1127 , HB1359 , HB1393 , HB1584 , HB1640 , HB1710 , HB2152 , HCR101 , HJR8 , HR51 , HB106 , HB146 , HB267 , HB274 , HJR8 , HR51

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the most impactful bills in this omnibus is the directed payment program for hospitals.
• One of the most impactful bills in this omnibus is the directed payment program for hospitals.
• Chair Berman replied that the directed pharmacy payment will not need federal approval.
• ,</c> directed pharmacy dispensing payment, directed pharmacy dispensing payment, how<00:14:14.240><c
• So, anything above that will not receive this direct payment.

Bills: HF2436 , HF2435

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard previously that would add lactation consultation to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement.
• HHSC then uses UNC or a said reimbursement formula based on UNC to determine the amount it will reimburse
• So doing so with artificially lower Medicaid reimbursement rates to unsustainable levels of pharmacy.
• HB 2402 seeks to address these issues by ensuring Medicaid reimbursement reimbursement rates reflect
• , the bill will improve payment accuracy. for providers, incentivizing them to accept Medicaid patients

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• the award on provider payments.
• So they’re classified as provider payments.
• They're classified as provider payments.
• And the interpretation was that's a provider payment, and provider payments are capped at 15%.
• So they allow for provider payments, but they can only be— Provider payments are capped at 15%.

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the cost of reimbursable?
• I think the hardest challenges we have is that it's cost reimbursable, and they can't find the cash to
• A few months before it was due for a grand opening, the contractor asked for a final payment.
• That final payment was never delivered, so the contractor put a fence around it.
• These resources are for the services and then reimbursed by the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently reimburse based on the claims paid for that benefit in the prior year.
• </c> only currently making defrayal payments only currently making defrayal payments on<00:18:40.280>
• </c> changes perhaps Market rules or payment changes perhaps Market rules or payment policies<00:31:49.440
• </c> teleah health expansion and payment teleah health expansion and payment parity<00:46:30.079><c>
• </c><00:47:24.359><c> um</c> report on non- claims based payments um report on non- claims based payments

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• the legacy payment.
• That was going to be an extra payment like we did last session.
• That was going to be an extra payment like we did last session.
• It was just a long-term investment for future payments into the fund. That's what it was.
• Texas, to reimburse us for state funds we spend on border security.

Bills: SB27 , SB1494 , SB2121 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB40 , HB46 , HB 119 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2011 , HB2017 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2885 , HB2963 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB3642 , HB3909 , HB5138 , HB5246 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB 1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB 111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB 123 , HB5606 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SR634 , SR687 , SR703 , SR709 , SR715 , SB1494 , SB2121 , SB2373 , SB2431 , HB46 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB37 , SB260 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB763 , SB1405 , SB1540 , SB1566 , SB2018 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2878 , SB3059 , HB705 , HB2017 , HB2067 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB3909 , HB5246

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.