Transcript Highlights:

• Becca Kramer-Modder, on behalf of Kaiser Advocacy, representing the Electronic Frontier Foundation, in
• Becca Kramer-Mauter with Kaiser Advocacy on behalf of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, one of the
• But by creating a different new provision for law enforcement to access electronic information without
• The Act prohibits states from imposing taxes that discriminate against electronic commerce or that tax
• The Act prohibits states from imposing taxes that discriminate against electronic commerce or that tax

Summary: The committee first heard AB 56, which would require social media platforms to display a warning label about potential mental health harms from prolonged use, with amendments shortening the initial warning and allowing immediate access to the platform. The author and supporters, including a parent who lost a daughter to suicide and a therapist, argued that social media contributes to teen anxiety, self-harm, and other harms and that families need clearer public health information. Opponents from tech and civil liberties groups argued the bill would be ineffective, burdensome, and likely unconstitutional, saying it would create warning fatigue and should be replaced by more targeted tools and digital literacy measures. Several members discussed emergency access concerns, language access, and whether the warning should be more actionable; the bill was moved on a 9-0 vote to the Judiciary Committee. The committee then took up AB 358, which would amend CalECPA to allow law enforcement, with the victim’s consent, to inspect certain abandoned tracking or surveillance devices found in a victim’s home, vehicle, or personal property without first obtaining a warrant. The author and a San Diego prosecutor said the bill is narrowly tailored to devices used solely for spying and is intended to help stalking and domestic violence survivors act quickly before evidence is lost. Opponents from EFF and the ACLU warned the bill would weaken warrant protections, create a loophole around CalECPA, and reduce transparency and accountability. Members debated Fourth Amendment issues, abandonment, and the practical need for rapid access; the bill passed the committee on a 9-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1137, which builds on last year’s CSAM reporting law by allowing any user to report child sexual abuse material, requiring clearer reporting mechanisms, adding human review in some cases, and mandating third-party audits and public reporting. Supporters, including survivor advocates and a parent of a child victim, said the bill would reduce the burden on survivors and improve removal of abusive content. Tech industry opponents said they support the goal but objected to the human-review mandate, public audit disclosures, and enforcement provisions, arguing they could create security risks and compliance burdens. Members generally supported the bill’s intent but raised questions about audit frequency and human review; the bill was moved on call with seven votes at the time of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Northeastern graduate and a retired engineering executive in the military electronics industry.
• I'm a Northeastern graduate and a retired engineering executive in the military electronics industry.
• executive in the military electronics executive in the military electronics Industry<00:13:45.320
• Electronic devices: Please have your phones turned off.
• printed format um in an electronic printed format um in an electronic computer<00:42:50.720>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If this information is not integrated into the state's electronic medical record, which we provide across
• If this information is not integrated into the state's electronic medical record, which we provide across
• c><00:33:01.039> state's not integrated into the state's not integrated into the state's electronic
• medical record, which we electronic medical record, which we provide<00:33:03.760> across<00:
• EPCR systems is is the EMS electronic EPCR systems is is that<00:43:09.760> um<00:43:10.000><

Bills: HB1751, HB1752, HB1531, HB1577

Keywords: Hawaii National Guard, tuition assistance, graduate degrees, education, military personnel, funding, school districts, state budget, performance metrics, emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, Smart911, 911, 911 Board, emergency response, public safety answering point, PSAP

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held its first hearing and began with House Bill 1531, which would require the governor or county mayor to provide an ASL interpreter during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and require news outlets to show the interpreter in a picture-in-picture window. Testimony was strongly supportive from disability advocates, who said live captions can be inaccurate and that ASL access is critical during emergencies, but broadcasters raised practical concerns that the bill as drafted could require extra camera crews and reduce coverage. Members discussed possible alternatives such as government-provided pool feeds and interpreter placement, and the chair recommended deferring decision-making on the bill to the following Wednesday to allow time for amendment language. The committee then heard House Bill 1751, which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel. The Hawaii Army National Guard, the Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii representatives supported the measure as a recruiting, retention, and professionalization tool. A member asked about funding, and the response was that the program is funded through a state appropriation currently set at $250,000 and was described as sufficient at present. The bill drew no opposition in the hearing. Next, House Bill 1752 was taken up. This measure would remove the Adjutant General as a nonvoting ex officio member of the HAIMA advisory committee and add the HAIMA administrator as a nonvoting ex officio member of the MSAC. The Department of Defense and Department of Health supported the bill, with the Department of Health asking that it be aligned with other EMS modernization provisions in the governor’s package so the related measures remain consistent. No objections were raised. The committee also heard House Bill 1577 on 911 services, which would require the 911 Board to establish a statewide emergency safety profile system for residents to voluntarily store emergency-relevant personal information. The Department of Health, disability advocates, the 911 Board, and others supported the concept, saying it could improve emergency response for people with disabilities, kūpuna, families, and others with functional needs. Testimony also raised concerns about funding, system integration, confidentiality, advanced directives, and liability protections if information does not reach responders in time. Members discussed statewide coordination and existing county systems, and the hearing continued with those issues unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation also requires both written and electronic notification of provider disenrollment no
• Currently, providers only receive electronic notification. ...both written and electronic notification
• Currently, providers only receive electronic notification. Mr.
• It does not eliminate county-wide voting or electronic poll books.
• Five: evidence of communication, whether in person, in writing, or electronically, with a known member

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tenants will now be recorded by electronic roll call. Thank you.
• hours, and they have resolved the issue by specifying that veterinarian prescriptions based on electronic
• It clarifies that a prescription for antimicrobial drugs based on electronic examination may be issued
• veterinarian prescriptions for flea and tick drugs to be initially issued and renewed one time through electronic
• HB 2914, electronic monitoring health care facilities. RAGE.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized guests including the doctor of the day, visiting family members, and representatives from the Arizona Chapter of the American College of Surgeons demonstrating Stop the Bleed techniques. Members also acknowledged a St. Patrick’s Day visit by the Speaker of the Irish Parliament and adopted a proclamation honoring Irish heritage and the Arizona-Ireland relationship. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered and advanced several bills. SB 1046, relating to information technology, was amended and given a do-pass recommendation. SB 1066, concerning civil liability and fraudulent scientific research, was amended with a floor amendment limiting liability for certain researchers, universities, and registered drug manufacturers, then advanced. SB 1332, relating to light rail expansion participation, was amended after debate over transit policy and state versus local control, and also received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1286, on veterinary prescriptions, was amended to adjust electronic prescribing timeframes for flea/tick and antimicrobial drugs and then advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1009 on school curriculum and AED training, SB 1086 on the Arizona health care cost and payment system, SB 1317 appropriating money to the Attorney General for a coordinated jail reentry program, SB 1580 appropriating money to the Department of Administration, SB 1582 funding school safety, SB 1709 on probation for dangerous crimes against children, SB 1550 appropriating money to the state treasurer, SB 1761 appropriating money to the University of Arizona, SB 1046, and SB 1286. Several members explained votes, including support for reentry programming and school safety, and opposition based on concerns about funding sources, judicial discretion, or program effectiveness. The House requested reconsideration of HB 4027 and HB 2444, and the Senate then recessed, received a list of bills for first reading and committee referral, announced committee meetings for the next day, and adjourned until March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency rules to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to provide for a system for the electronic
• Child Care Services shall submit any and all supporting documents for the department's review electronically
• emergency rules to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to provide for a system for the electronic
• Child Care Services shall submit any and all supporting documents for the department's review electronically
• The bill would add new language requiring the Tax Commissioner to design and implement an electronic

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes of the previous meeting. It then took up House Bill 5438, which revises parts of the school aid formula and limits certain uses of instructional program, technology, and induction funds; the committee adopted an Education Committee amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate. The committee also reported House Bill 4087, creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance for higher education partnerships and grants, after brief explanation and no opposition. Members then considered House Bill 4191, which expands the child care tax credit to employer-sponsored child care facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based, with electronic filing requirements by 2026. Senators spoke in strong support, describing it as a workforce and economic development measure, and the bill was reported. House Bill 5074, which redirects medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues to general revenue and several specified purposes including the Supreme Court, universities, law enforcement, and health programs, was amended to increase the court allocation and remove the direct university research earmarks; it was reported over concerns that accumulated fund money would be diverted to general revenue. The committee also advanced House Bill 5353, bringing virtual currency kiosks under money transmission licensure and adding consumer disclosures, transaction limits, support requirements, and anti-fraud protections; a strike-and-insert amendment clarified kiosk rules and added law-enforcement contact requirements. House Bill 5527, regulating licensure of wellness reimbursement program administrators and related broker duties, was amended to clarify the definition and protect proprietary licensing information from public disclosure, then reported. House Bill 5687, as amended, phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and incorporates a separate oil-and-gas tax reduction for new wells while adjusting county and municipal distributions, and it was reported. The committee also approved a large revenue rules bundle, House Bill 4245, with amendments to a lottery rule and a pre-need burial company rule, and reported House Bill 4418 to create an electronic municipal B&O tax filing system once enough municipalities participate. Finally, the committee reported House Bill 5168, which creates a permanent $12 million lottery-funded EMS support structure, including mental health treatment funding, county EMS funds, and an all-county EMS fund; members emphasized the need for stable EMS funding, especially in rural areas, and clarified how counties with and without levies would benefit. The committee then announced several Senate bills would not be taken up that day and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• specific definition in front of me, but it is, I Marcus Adams: believe, an entity that operates an electronic
• really quickly in terms of, in Texas Finance Code, the definition of a digital asset provider is an electronic
• Currently, the law prohibits an electronic payment option for creditors to offer their customers for
• The intent of this bill is to allow customers to pay with a credit card or electronically as a one-time
• party whose fees are currently not regulated for processing a motor vehicle borrower's one-time electronic

Transcript Highlights:

• [Unintelligible / applause or electronic vote sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic vote sound
• ] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic vote sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic vote
• sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic vote sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic
• vote sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic vote sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic
• vote sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic vote sound] [Unintelligible / applause or electronic

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

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1041 now was subject to a strike-everything amendment, now titled Health Care Facilities, Electronic
• It allows a resident to use electronic monitoring in their room and outlines guidelines on notice and
• consent forms, roommate consent agreements, facility signage, electronic monitoring devices, and how
• They believe it would be a mandate, but it is up to the resident to select whether they would like electronic

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate and House bills, many of them on consent or with strike-everything amendments. Topics included advanced air mobility for border security (SB 1457), raising the off-highway vehicle weight limit to 3,500 pounds while striking a proposed law enforcement fund (SB 1519), school property leases and a trampoline court safety citation change (HB 2383), electronic monitoring in health care facilities (SB 1041), dental school complaint handling and board jurisdiction limits (SB 1168), pharmacist-authorized testing and HIV prevention guidance (SB 1713), school district insurance/self-insurance requirements (SB 1497), reporting-requirement cleanup for education statutes (HB 2203), historic neighborhood housing zoning (SB 1118), construction contract payment protections in revitalization districts (SB 1189), timeshare salesperson licensing (SB 1274), workers’ compensation notice and recordkeeping (SB 1428), property tax disability exemption clarifications (HB 2120), insurance modeling/data organization requirements (HB 2174), HOA rules on chickens and pet breed restrictions (SB 1582), first responder death benefits for law enforcement pilots (SB 1503), and changes to virtual veterinary prescribing periods (SB 1286). Members generally asked clarifying questions, and several sponsors were said to intend to concur or refuse amendments, with HB 2010 headed to conference because the sponsor would not accept the Senate’s five-year refund window. On the second calendar, the committee heard HB 2176 on health facility complaint investigations, allowing DHS to investigate older complaints involving alleged abuse; HB 2050 on radiologic technologists and radiologist assistants, restoring direct supervision requirements with limited general-supervision exceptions; HB 2010 on digital goods, where the Senate reduced a refund window from 10 years to five and the sponsor planned to refuse; HB 2875 on unmanned aircraft, expanding airport drone-delivery buffer rules from one mile to two and a half miles and requiring airport consultation; HB 2428 on county certification of emission reduction credits, clarifying participation is voluntary and limiting new credits if fleet participation becomes mandatory; and HB 2877, which was struck and replaced with a veterinary technician certification pathway requiring 4,000 supervised work hours and allowing nonprofit curriculum evidence. Several members noted support or opposition based on prior votes or policy concerns, but no roll-call votes were taken in the caucus itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1183 by Creighton, relating to electronic benefits transfer cards used by and for recipients
• Senate Bill 1188 by Kolkhorst, relating to electronic health record requirements, to Health and Human
• Senate Bill 1334 by Hughes, relating to the approval, selection, and use of an alternative electronic
• Senate Bill 1334 by Hughes relaying to the approval selection and use of an alternative electronic visit

Summary: The Senate met briefly to receive first-reading referrals of a large number of bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public education, health care, criminal justice, business regulation, transportation, water and natural resources, local government, taxation, elections, and public information. Many of the filings were by Senators Hughes, Perry, Alvarado, Creighton, Hancock, Parker, Zaffirini, Blanco, and others, and included proposals on school safety, health records and billing, election procedures, water planning, housing and rent issues, energy and environmental regulation, and criminal penalties. The chamber also read several concurrent and joint resolutions, including measures designating state symbols and local honors, a proposed constitutional amendment related to gaming by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, a proposal concerning special-session subjects, and resolutions on fiscal restraints and retirement obligations. No debate, testimony, or substantive action on the merits of the measures occurred in this portion of the transcript; the items were simply read and referred to committees. At the close of the proceedings, the Senate adjourned pursuant to a previously adopted motion and announced it would reconvene at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• To help staff in verifying these eligibility elements, we utilize electronic data sources.
• To help staff in verifying these eligibility elements, we utilize electronic data sources.
• **Speaker**: We would receive electronic data.
• Another tool that we're working with is EBV services, electronic visit verification.
• We are the leading EVV, or Electronic Visit Verification, provider in the United States.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will now be recorded by electronic roll call. Thank you.
• The Senate will now be recorded by electronic roll call. Thank you. Thank you, Don.
• The Senate will now be recorded by electronic roll call. Thank you. Well, gladly.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:17.960> product<00:31:18.320> stewardship the electronic product stewardship
• Uh, when we were first here with you last, it also included electronic waste.
• Uh when we were in the electronic waste.
• I'm here with Clean Water Action and Recycling Electronics for Climate Action.
• We are a business association for electronics recyclers here in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't have any electronic devices to read. Machine codes.
• I cannot read a barcode without some sort of electronic assistance, which is not allowed.
• And they took a scan electron mic uh microscope and they looked at an actual ballot that has been mailed
• If you look at this underneath the scannon electron microscope, you see breaks in the fiber.
• Readable by an electronic device that already exists.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some items, as mentioned, some gaskets and electronics, and that we don't see alternatives
• And so that's why the report that MPCA put together is about internal and electronic components, and
• and<00:21:19.240> that<00:21:19.400> that<00:21:19.520> we gaskets and electronics
• and that that we gaskets and electronics and that that we don't<00:21:19.840> see<00:21:20.120
• <00:21:28.080> components about internal and electronic components about internal and electronic

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• way that we handled preauthorization and work with the business office on how we would send the electronic
• business office on how we would send the business office on how we would send the<00:09:26.600> electronic
• c><00:09:27.079> communications<00:09:28.040> around<00:09:28.279> the the electronic
• communications around the the electronic communications around the preo<00:09:29.200> and<00:
• uh on a regular basis so electronically uh on a regular basis so that<00:20:06.600> we<00:20:

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:13 HB423 Discussion: 01:38 HB423 Vote: 12:30 HB415 Discussion: 13:50 HB415 Vote: 15:13 HB390 Discussion: 16:30 HB390 Vote: 21:48 HB3 For Discussion Only: 23:15, 958, all

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:

• resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the use of electronic
• This would task the LBFC with conducting a comprehensive study of the electronic monitoring system as
• House Resolution 547 would authorize the LBFC to analyze all facets of electronic monitoring, including
• Across the nation, programs that incorporate electronic monitoring have shown the potential to maintain
• highlighting disparities in the report, the report would provide a roadmap for scaling successful electronic

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and a quorum call before moving into committee reports and floor action. Committees reported a number of bills and resolutions, including measures from Local Government, Energy, Health, Judiciary, Appropriations, Rules, and Finance. The chamber also announced caucus and committee meetings, then recessed and later reconvened for final consideration of legislation. Several bills passed the House finally, including House Bill 2299 on body cameras for county probation officers, House Bill 167 designating a scenic byway along Allegheny River Boulevard, House Bill 95 requiring disclosure when content or advertising is generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence, House Bill 1944 expanding medical amnesty and Good Samaritan protections on campuses, House Bill 2443 creating a child victim recovery fund, House Bill 246 updating references from the Public Welfare Code to the Human Services Code, and House Bill 2586 establishing title protection for music therapists. The House also adopted House Resolution 463 recognizing Korean-American Citizenship Day, House Resolution 499 recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day, and House Resolution 547 directing a study of electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration. The House spent significant time on amendments to House Bill 133, which concerns reinstatement of parental rights, and House Bill 138, which addresses parental incarceration and termination of parental rights. Both bills received bipartisan amendments adding guardrails and exceptions, and the amendments were adopted unanimously. The chamber also debated House Bill 2224, the Fair Act, with multiple amendments on utility rates, return on equity, and scope; some amendments were adopted, several tied votes failed, and the bill was left amended for reprinting. House Bill 2544, dealing with school administrators’ rights and negotiations, saw an amendment to allow individual bargaining, but that amendment failed and the bill was agreed to. The session ended with a correction to the record on House Bill 1944, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until June 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• second requirement focuses on data; the bill directed the department to develop a standardized electronic
• system for managing entities. ...data, the bill directed the department to develop a standardized electronic
• Since the inception of our electronic system, we use what's called other cost accumulators to describe
• It's input at the consumer takes the survey electronically; it's directly into our system, so we already
• which are completed either by the department or by case management staff and uploaded into our electronic

Summary: The subcommittee heard two Department of Children and Families implementation updates on measures passed in prior sessions. First, DCF reviewed House Bill 633, which increased oversight of behavioral health managing entities through biennial independent audits, standardized claims-based reporting, and new monthly outcome dashboards. The department said it had awarded the inaugural audit to Ernst & Young, found no significant waste, fraud, or abuse, but identified process risks involving financial controls, claims validation, data access, and system access controls. DCF also described its transition to standardized behavioral health coding and said the new public dashboard of 11 measures is posted on its website, though members asked for easier access and for hard copies of the audit report. Members asked about how the department distinguishes Medicaid-covered services from department-funded services, how duplicate payment risks are being addressed, and whether the new reporting and audit requirements would improve oversight without disrupting services. DCF said it is the payer of last resort for uninsured or underinsured individuals, that some overlap with Medicaid is expected because Medicaid does not cover all behavioral health services, and that new claims edits and cross-checks are being built into the system. The department also said it had not found significant negative feedback from providers and that the new requirements are intended to improve transparency and accountability. DCF then updated the committee on Senate Bill 7012, covering human trafficking data collection, domestic violence center certification, limited background-screening exemptions, expanded recruitment for child welfare staff, subcontractor liability protections, a four-year treatment foster care pilot, case management efficiency recommendations, and a statewide study of residential bed capacity for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The department said several items are already complete or underway, including limited exemptions in the screening clearinghouse, while others are in procurement or rulemaking. It identified Circuits 4 and 12 as the treatment foster care pilot sites and said the pilot will launch in January 2026. Members questioned recruitment metrics, pilot timing, and report deadlines; the department said final reports are expected by January and that some dates were flexible because of procurement and implementation timelines. The meeting ended after the presentations and questions, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's going to erode my access to care in terms of the electronic prescribing and I people need.
• It's electronically prescribed.
• If it's only electronic prescribing and the and the pharmacy is closed and you would have to wait hours
• Referrals are are managed to an 8.37, process, which is all electronic systematic.
• Respect discussion where I needed the prescription right away for my dog because it was sent electronically

Transcript Highlights:

• report has been filed only pertains to forms that are received physically and do not provide for electronic
• inspection reforms and other relevant documents to be considered filed by TDLR based on the date of electronic
• By granting this flexibility and creating a mechanism for the electronic submission of these important
• It also limits TDLR ability to deliver correspondence electronically and contains outdated or unclear
• , uh, modernize the delivery of agency communications by allowing the agency to adopt rules for electronic