Transcript Highlights:

• In person, Angela Buehler. Angela Buehler. In person, Cynthia. Dr.
• In-person, Angela Buehler. Angela Buehler. In person, Cynthia. Dr.
• It is personal.
• I am not a religious person.
• It's my personal opinion. She is insane. It's my personal opinion.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Miss Brady.
• Chair: Thank you, Miss Wilin.
• Chair: Thank you, Miss Wilin.
• Chair: Thank you, Miss Wilin.
• Thank you very much, Miss Weberg.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There'll be a counter on the screen at home and in person here.
• Welcome, members in person and online.
• And if we forget or if we miss it, then it'll be a problem.
• And if we forget or if we miss it, then we'll be a problem.
• I have personally faced situations where access to insulin was suddenly cut off.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access. Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts. One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lady from DeSoto, Miss Remac. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• In the north side gallery, we have Miss Bree Brooke Bell Brooks.
• She is Jones County's Miss Hospitality, and she is here today.
• There's not a person in this room that doesn't love teachers more than me.
• Lady from Pontotoc, Miss Point of personal order. Yes, ma'am. You're recognized.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for uh Coopek and Dr. and Miss Johnson for uh Coopek and Dr. and Miss Johnson for your<00:40:52.160
• I apologize for Miss Burnhard. Members, do we have any questions or comments for Miss Burnhard?
• questions or comments for Miss Burnhard? questions or comments for Miss Burnhard?
• <00:48:48.720> Person. Minnesota Farm Bureau. Uh Mr. Person. Minnesota Farm Bureau.
• Person.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:38.000> the really are sponges and we missed the really are sponges and we missed the
• Every single person in the school understands our journey as parents.
• <01:04:33.559> learning centered learning personalized learning centered learning personalized
• Okay, now we're moving to the in-person testifiers.
• Okay, now we're moving to the in-person testifiers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was the person testifying.
• <00:47:26.960> who overarching term for any person who overarching term for any person who
• I saw medical person. I saw client. I saw medical person.
• That may be important, and normally the person who is under the order of protection, the person being
• That may be important, and normally the person who is under the order of protection, the person being

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems. Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session. Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• or personally identifiable information. or personally identifiable information.
• <00:58:05.720> some many years ago, so we're missing some many years ago, so we're missing
• So that person and Human Services.
• >> Also, what is missing in here is me. >> Also, what is missing in here is me.
• person.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can be virtual appointments and certainly in person as well. Certainly in person as well.
• that um M Miss that um M Miss mock<00:40:19.240> I<00:40:19.319> think<00:40:19.480
• that um our next on Deck is uh Miss that um our next on Deck is uh Miss Suzanne<00:48:36.680>
• We have Miss Ronnie, hopefully I'm doing that right, and then after that will be Miss Wagner and then
• Miss Hasted.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Verdell for calling me personally.
• missing fire chief.
• And he's been missing since then. Ms. Truck has been found, but not him. He's still missing.
• I believe that there are more missing persons.
• That is the missing link right now.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you a cat person or a dog person? I'm an inside dog person and an outside cat person.
• It doesn't just go after the person.
• And I kind of missed this already.
• Fortunately, he did not miss Francisco Villegas.
• I would personally say yes, the number is accurate.

Bills: HB341, HB791, HB1564, HB1695, HB1722, HB1729, HB1772, HB2003, HB2954, HB2989, HB3084, HB3134, HB3135, HB3309, HB3611, HB3679, HB3727, HB3832

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm one of those persons.
• we're missing.
• Who has a personal injury, whether someone is at fault or not, this person is still harmed.
• They feel that a person who is personally injured deserves to have some level of compensation.
• Okay, so we do have one person in person who would like to make public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the missing persons are accounted for, and the communities have been cleaned up and are on the
• Am I missing that? Senator, you're not missing anything.
• And we were just bombarded with calls of missing persons. We set up a reunification center.
• Then they showed up the next day, and nobody bothered to call back to the missing person hotline.
• A few days later, many of the deceased were still on the missing person list, so that number stayed at

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if if they're missing work or not.
• <01:18:39.240> your weekends, holidays, you're missing your weekends, holidays, you're missing
• they're calling for help, and the person they're calling for help, and the person who<01:37:21.040
• >> Mm, Miss George, yes. Thank you. >> Mm, Miss George, yes. Thank you.
• <02:10:21.920> time they, you know, they're missing time they, you know, they're missing time

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have experienced this personally.
• Grab the person.
• We'll let them know, hey, this person is going so you can...
• They leave; that person is deported. The case remains open.
• Thank you. missed or they were getting lunch when we called them.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses. Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role. Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• To our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the gallery from interfering.
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• We will miss his honesty and his trusted voice, and I will miss his grace. and understanding at times
• But he also developed a personal relationship with us.
• We are a community here at this capitol and this community will miss Paul Gladfelty tremendously.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is, you know, think about a lay person patient, and you now have to miss a week of therapy or a
• This is, you know, think about a lay person patient, and you now have to miss a week of therapy or a
• This is, you know, think about a lay person patient, and you now have to miss a week of therapy or a
• This is, you know, think about a lay person patient, and you now have to miss a week of therapy or a
• This is, you know, think about a lay person patient, and you now have to miss a week of therapy or a

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got one person, uh, to testify. We show, uh, Chair calls Morgan Miles.
• That's the only person showing to testify on this bill.
• We, we had recipients' mothers like Miss Rita Littlefield.
• And I, I just have one other person, uh, Nakina Wilson showing to testify.
• So if I said something that implied that I'm blaming that person.

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't see anything that's missing. I I don't see anything that's missing.
• Um, I personally don't have much of that in my county.
• Um, I personally don't have much of that in my county.
• Um, I personally don't have much of that in my county.
• Um, I personally don't for agricultural.

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you gone through and looked at the counties that are missing?
• The state is behind and has already missed the March 31, 2026, deadline.
• However, ...and has already missed the March 31, 2026, deadline.
• ...expenses missing documentation, and I believe that's it.
• can have a second person to open the mail, an additional person to reconcile credit card statements,

Keywords: 1182, all