Video & Transcript : 'abortion laws' :
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1936 adds the crime of falsely impersonating oneself as a law enforcement personnel to the
- President, I'd like to know if the definition of peace officers includes federal law enforcement.
- It includes federal law enforcement agents as well as state troopers.
Bills:
SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102 , SB1772 , SB1958 , SB2010 , SB1595 , SB1687 , SB1684 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1989 , SB1191 , SB1258 , SB1920 , SB1936 , SB2143 , SB2122 , SB330 , SB2071 , SB2169 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB2157 , SB1806 , SB1430 , SB206 , SB1547 , SB1849 , SB1428 , SB1653 , SB1984 , SB1644 , SB1561 , SB1813 , SB1570 , SB1796
Keywords:
education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 23rd, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1936 adds the crime of falsely impersonating oneself as a law enforcement personnel to the
- Includes federal law enforcement. Thank you very much for the question, Mr. President.
- It includes federal law enforcement agents as well as state troopers.
Bills:
SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102 , SB1772 , SB1958 , SB2010 , SB1595 , SB1687 , SB1684 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1989 , SB1191 , SB1258 , SB1920 , SB1936 , SB2143 , SB2122 , SB330 , SB2071 , SB2169 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB2157 , SB1806 , SB1430 , SB206 , SB1547 , SB1849 , SB1428 , SB1653 , SB1984 , SB1644 , SB1561 , SB1813 , SB1570 , SB1796
Keywords:
education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles
Summary:
The Senate convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including introductions of the psychologist and nurse of the day, a citation for Diesel Fritz’s All-State Choir achievement, and a gallery introduction highlighting fine arts advocates from Norman Public Schools. Members also marked birthdays and read excerpts from George Washington’s first inaugural address in honor of the first president.
On floor business, the Senate laid over item number three and then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1191 repealed the unused Oklahoma Energy Initiative Low Carbon Initiative Board and passed 48-0. Senate Bill 1258 clarified open-carry law to expressly allow firearms on boats and vessels on Oklahoma waters and passed 41-7. Senate Bill 1920 raised the salvaged title threshold from 60% to 70% to reflect repair costs and align more closely with neighboring states; it passed 48-0 after brief questioning about consumer benefits.
Senate Bill 1936 added falsely impersonating a law enforcement officer, including federal officers, to the list of Class D1 felonies and passed 48-0. Senate Bill 2143, after an amendment restoring the title, authorized assessors to use state-funded aerial images to inspect property changes and included language intended to ensure fair treatment of builders and consistency with assessing standards; it passed 34-13. The chamber then heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Current law is silent on this topic.
- Current law is silent on this topic. There is no law today that prevents Yes.
- Current law is silent on this topic.
- I also practiced law. I got a law degree in 2013.
- But the rules are limited by common law and case law from 75 years of history to preventing nuisance
Bills:
SB1041 , SB1088 , SB1118 , SB1128 , SB1168 , SB1176 , SB1189 , SB1207 , SB1250 , SB1272 , SB1274 , SB1286 , SB1428 , SB1457 , SB1461 , SB1503 , SB1519 , SB1537 , SB1582 , SB1618 , SB1654 , SB1713 , SB1827 , SCR1012 , SCR1020
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 54 May 7th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- but an issue with compliance with the law.
- , at least you know that you're going into the court of law on the right side of the law when somebody
- It's in the law already.
- , further clarifying what that law says and what the intent of that law is.
- Bank draft is in the law.
Bills:
SB1090 , SJR49 , SB633 , HR1059 , SB650 , SB2063 , SB122 , SB1614 , SB1884 , SJR52 , SJR53 , HJR1101 , SJR50 , HB3021 , HR1058 , SB514 , SB382 , HB3320 , SB740 , SB833 , SB2143 , SB1209 , SB244
Keywords:
SB1090, Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act, home repair, home solicitation contract, cooling-off period, right to cancel, consumer protection, contract rescission, certified mail cancellation, home solicitation sales, contractor regulation, home improvement scams, public finance, State Treasurer, Invest In Oklahoma, OCAST, venture capital, private equity, growth funds, direct investment
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Apr 7th, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- The gentleman talks about the family law system.
- Access to a child should always be limited again under the Law of Unintended Consequences in Family Law
- I am a family law attorney in Houston.
- This is our family law case.
- The law currently allows when that first marriage.
Bills:
HB168 , HB 1044 , HB1534 , HB1914 , HB2240 , HB2530 , HB3284 , HB3395 , HB3515 , HB3783 , HB4034 , HB4213 , HB168
Keywords:
marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- are a common theme, sadly, in the last few years where folks who cannot get their ideas passed into law
- If this law passes, they will be able to say, "I cannot do that; that violates the law," and that will
- Defined as a serious violation of law within the jurisdiction of the Commission.
- I work with Fusion Law, and I'm here on behalf of Heritage Action for America.
- Again, current law requires local district attorneys.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Mar 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- for failing to follow those laws.
- to pay certain expenses now under current law.
- their ever-loving minds about... ...date of this becoming law.
- Now, we aren't changing the law; the law is the same around knowingly signing a second petition, so we're
- Yes, maybe the laws are working. We have found fraud.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections heard SPB 7016, a bill revising Florida’s citizen initiative petition process to address fraud, voter information, and ballot integrity. The bill and its amendments would add sponsor bonds and deposit requirements, require more identifying information from signers and circulators, bar certain felons and non-citizens from circulating petitions, require circulator training, shorten the time to submit signed petitions, require notices to voters whose signatures are verified, and change how financial impact statements are handled. Several amendments were adopted, including a $1 million bond framework, 10-point font and page limits for petition forms, a ban on incentive-based pay tied to petition counts or speed, removal of a requirement that fraud be proven by criminal conviction before administrative fines, county deposit and payment procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, training requirements within 30 days, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.
Committee discussion focused heavily on implementation and fairness. Supporters, including the sponsor and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, argued the bill was needed to deter fraud, protect voter information, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear the costs of the initiative process. Supervisors of elections testified that county taxpayers should not subsidize petition verification, but also warned that some provisions would be difficult to implement quickly because of software and operational constraints. Senators raised questions about the bond cost, the 10-day submission deadline, notice to voters whose petitions are invalidated, the effect on returning citizens, and whether the bill could disenfranchise voters who sign petitions in good faith.
Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed. Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, NAACP Florida, Florida Rising, Equality Florida, All Voting Is Local, and other advocates said the bill would suppress grassroots participation, criminalize volunteers, create costly barriers, and favor wealthy or corporate interests. They objected especially to the bond, the new signer identification requirements, the shorter submission window, and the lack of notice when a petition is invalidated. A few supporters, including the Florida Chamber, backed the measure as a safeguard against fraud and outside influence. After debate, the committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, but the bill remained before the committee as amended.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- for failing to follow those laws.
- They have to pay certain expenses now under current law.
- pay certain expenses now under current law.
- Date of this becoming law.
- Now, we aren't changing the law; the law is the same around knowingly signing a second petition, so we're
Committee:
Senate Ethics and Elections
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider SPB 7016, a major bill revising Florida’s constitutional initiative petition process. Senator Grall presented it as a fraud-prevention and ballot-integrity measure that would add sponsor training, stricter circulator rules, more voter identification information, faster submission deadlines, notice to voters whose signatures are verified, and additional civil and criminal penalties. The committee also considered several amendments, including a $1 million bond requirement, font and page limits for petition forms, restrictions on incentive-based circulator pay, removal of a criminal-conviction prerequisite for certain fines, deposit and reimbursement procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, mandatory circulator training, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments. All of the amendments were adopted, with some roll-call votes recorded and most passing on party-line or near party-line splits.
The bill drew extensive questioning from senators, especially about the practical effects of the new requirements. Senator Polsky and Senator Rouson raised concerns about disenfranchising voters, burdening grassroots volunteers, the cost of bonds and deposits, the 10-day return deadline, and whether voters would be notified if a petition they signed was later invalidated. Grall said the measures were intended to protect the constitutionally significant initiative process, reduce fraud, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear administrative costs. Dave Ramba, speaking for supervisors of elections, supported the deposit and reimbursement concepts but warned that the bill’s implementation would be operationally difficult and that software vendors might not be ready for the changes by the effective date. He also said the process should avoid subsidizing petition drives with county taxpayer money.
Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers from Common Cause Florida, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP Florida State Conference, Florida Rising, Equal Ground, Voices of Florida, and other civic groups arguing the bill would suppress direct democracy, criminalize volunteer activity, impose excessive costs, and create confusion and litigation risk. One speaker from the Florida Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, saying the initiative process should be protected from fraud and outside interests. During debate, Senator Polsky argued the Legislature has steadily made the initiative process harder after recent citizen-led amendments succeeded, while supporters framed the bill as a necessary integrity measure. The committee had not yet taken final action on the bill itself by the end of the transcript.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- We need a law that addresses this gap.
- This law increases other protections we already have in place by filling a gap in the law that bad actors
- SB 6081 closes a critical gap in our state laws.
- or to refer laws to the voters."
- or to refer laws to the voters.
Keywords:
SB 6081, Washington privacy, sex designation, gender marker, nonbinary, transgender, vital records, birth certificate, death certificate, fetal death, stillbirth, driver license, ID card, Department of Licensing, public records exemption, confidential records, record sealing, data sharing, government records, privacy
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Nov 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- during their due diligence, doing our homework to make sure that we didn't run further afoul of the law
- . ...our homework to make sure that we didn't run further afoul of the law.
- So first, the plan is always comply with the law. The law offers two choices.
- Finding four: related organizations contrary to state law.
- The sheriff already does your law enforcement.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee first heard a long-running audit finding involving Daytona Beach’s unexpended building permit funds, which have exceeded the statutory limit for several years and were reported at $10.8 million in the most recent audit. Mayor Derek Henry and city staff said the city has analyzed the fund, adopted a corrective action plan, waived more than $5.5 million in permit and inspection fees over several periods, and used some excess funds for a training facility rehabilitation and a proposed City Hall expansion. Committee members repeatedly questioned whether the city was simply trying to spend down the money, raised concerns about the legality and necessity of proposed expenditures, and asked about interest earnings, truck purchases, and the lack of detailed tracking for training-facility use. The city said an Attorney General opinion allows construction of a new building for building-code functions but not purchase of an existing building, and that if the city cannot comply through permissible construction it would have to return the funds. No vote was taken, but members expressed strong frustration and urged the city to resolve the issue quickly and lawfully.
The committee then received the Auditor General’s presentation on the Town of Greenville, which found 31 findings and described pervasive control failures, possible fraud, waste, and abuse. The findings covered elections and quorum issues, conflicts of interest, late or missing financial disclosure forms, related-party transactions, poor meeting notices and minutes, council involvement in day-to-day operations, missing ethics training, budget and accounting deficiencies, weak bank reconciliations, improper utility billing and rates, grant compliance problems tied to a grocery store project, personnel and compensation issues involving the town manager, late vendor payments, weak procurement and P-card controls, vehicle-use and property-control problems, public records issues, and IT/fraud-policy weaknesses. The auditor said the review focused mainly on October 2022 through February 2024 but went back further for some grant-related matters.
Greenville’s mayor and staff said the audit reflected actions of a previous administration and that the current council and staff have already adopted seven new policies to improve procurement, financial controls, inventory management, grant oversight, and ethics. They said the town has a new manager and clerk, that the former manager was terminated, and that the town referred matters to FDLE, which is investigating. Committee members asked about the manager’s salary increase, severance, P-card use, and whether the town should consider consolidation or dissolution. The mayor said the town is on a better path, that most of the prior leadership has been voted out, and that the town is working with auditors and an outside accounting firm to correct the problems.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> charge Turning Point USA and Upper charge Turning Point USA and Upper Midwest<01:07:01.160><c> Law
- Center do you also please Midwest Law Center do you also please take<01:07:04.480><c> information</c
- What they count is a lot of things like abortion access, which are just kind of measures of how liberal
- <01:32:00.000><c> like</c> they count is a lot of things like they count is a lot of things like abortion
- access which are just kind of abortion access which are just kind of measures<01:32:02.760><c> of</c
Committee:
House Ways and Means
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 2/4/26
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> was protected by the Trans Refuge law, was protected by the Trans Refuge law, to<00:08:20.879><
- We have seen the revocation of our federal recognition across all law.
- We have seen the revocation of our federal recognition across all law.
- We have the Trans Refuge Law.
- We have the Trans Refuge Law.
Summary:
State lawmakers, the attorney general, advocates, and parents held a press event responding to Children’s Minnesota’s announcement that it would pause some gender-affirming care for minors. Speakers, including Rep. Lee Finke, Hannah Edwards of Transforming Families Minnesota, and Jess Braverman of Gender Justice, said the pause was driven by federal pressure and threats from the Trump administration and HHS, not by medical best practice. They emphasized that gender-affirming care remains legal in Minnesota under the state’s Human Rights Act, Trans Refuge law, and insurance protections, and argued that interrupting care harms trans youth and families, especially those who moved to Minnesota for protection.
Testimony focused on the emotional and practical impact on families: loss of trust in providers, delays in treatment, travel and intake wait times, and the stress of having to scramble for continuity of care. Speakers described the care as evidence-based, medically necessary, and life-saving, and said the federal government was using coercion and misinformation to intimidate hospitals and doctors. The attorney general said his office and coalition partners are litigating related federal threats, including a separate RFK Jr. declaration and proposed federal rules, and that Minnesota officials are working to preserve access and enforce state protections.
In response to questions, speakers said the state’s legal tools are strong but limited against federal action, so they are relying on court challenges and enforcement of existing state law. They said Children’s Minnesota had been specifically targeted by federal officials and that the hospital’s pause was tied to that pressure. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for continued public and institutional support for trans youth and for Children’s to resume care as soon as possible.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Rebecca Gonzalez with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, and strong support. Thank you.
- Rebecca Gonzalez with a Western Center on Law and Poverty and Strong Support. Thank you.
- Under current law, individuals can claim their excess proceeds for free.
- These provisions are modeled after existing safeguards in state unclaimed property law.
- And also asked to register our position on behalf of Downey Brand, LLP, James Law Group, Dyer Law Firm
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills dealing with tax policy, local revenue authority, consumer protections, and incentives for development. AB 1726 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for disaster mitigation and recovery costs; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, while the California Teachers Association opposed it because of the General Fund and Prop. 98 impact. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to ask voters to approve local transaction and use taxes to offset projected federal funding cuts affecting health care and safety-net services; it received broad support from health providers and county representatives, opposition from one member and a resident, and passed the committee 5-2 to the Assembly Local Government Committee.
The committee also considered AB 1790, which would repeal the Waters Edge corporate tax election and require worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations. The author and supporters argued it would close a loophole, raise several billion dollars annually, and help fund schools, Medi-Cal, and other programs; opponents warned of double taxation, compliance burdens, retaliation from foreign governments, and job losses. After extensive testimony and member debate, the bill was referred to suspense. AB 2020 would provide a full property tax exemption for the primary residence of 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and AB 2069 would create a targeted sales and use tax exemption to spur development projects at fairgrounds; both measures had support from sponsors and related organizations, no opposition, and were referred to suspense.
Finally, AB 2705 would regulate third-party “asset finders” who help claim excess proceeds from tax sales by requiring written agreements, disclosure that claims can be filed free with the county, and a cap on fees at 10%. County officials and local government groups supported the bill as a consumer protection measure, while recovery companies and related firms opposed it, arguing the work is complex and the cap would reduce access to services. The committee moved AB 2705 to the Assembly floor on a 4-0 vote.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (03/12/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Recovery must be done consistent with the federal law, the state law, as well as probate law.
- </c><02:13:32.199><c> well</c><02:13:32.360><c> as</c> the federal law the state law as well as the federal
- law the state law as well as probate probate probate law<02:13:35.559><c> if</c><02:13:35.800><c> the
- make it to the hospital adding that information would be against the law.
- , and there would not be additional information added that is outside of state and federal laws.
Summary:
The House Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs heard testimony on House Bill 606, as amended, a bill aimed at preventing physicians from denying medically necessary sterilizing or fertility-affecting treatment based on a patient’s age, number of children, marital status, or a doctor’s speculation about future reproductive intentions. Representative Ellen Reed, the sponsor, described the bill as a response to her own long experience with PCOS, heavy bleeding, and repeated refusals by doctors to perform a hysterectomy despite her clear wishes. She said the amendment narrows the bill to medically necessary care, adds definitions for “medical condition” and “appropriate reproductive care,” and removes earlier provisions about voluntary sterilization referrals. She also said the bill does not target religious objections, and that doctors could still refuse for medical, payment, or existing religious reasons not addressed by the bill.
Committee members asked about religious freedom, informed consent versus waivers, and the scope of the new definitions. Reed responded that religion was not added to the list of prohibited reasons for denial, and that the amendment is intended to protect doctors when patients sign informed consent or waivers. She explained that “appropriate reproductive care” includes procedures such as hysterectomy, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, salpingectomy, and endometrial ablation, and that the bill now focuses on medically necessary treatment rather than elective sterilization. She said the change was intended to make the proposal narrower and more tailored after earlier concerns.
Several witnesses supported the bill with personal accounts of being denied hysterectomies or other procedures despite serious symptoms. Representative Lauren Selig described a decade-long effort to obtain a hysterectomy after years of cycle problems and migraines, saying doctors dismissed her concerns and treated her symptoms as normal. Jade Flad also testified in support, saying she had long been told to simply endure her cycle problems and noted that her husband was offered a vasectomy without similar barriers. The sponsor said online support was strong and that there was little or no written opposition testimony. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/12/2026 - House Floor Session - Opening Day Ceremony
Arizona House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I don’t know how I’m going to survive when I get home, but my father-in-law, Frank Espino.
- My father-in-law is an Air Force veteran, and I’m so grateful—a great man.
- In addition, we have two act. who wrote some of the legislation that became law last year.
- To her left is my beautiful mother-in-law, Alice Cantu. She will be 85 this Sunday.
- The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement is not meeting this week.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 25th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They're kind of the president's official way of declaring law.
- Um, not many of these actually have any effect in law right now.
- Mhm, because right now it's kind of like abortion.
- She also has a law degree. Um, uh, both her, uh, psychology degree and law degree are for UNM.
- This law will have on the AOCs.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- on July 4th and H.R. 5371 that was just signed was signed into law on July 4th and H.R. 5371 that was
- just signed into law on November 12th, impact or could potentially impact our state budget, and more
- These would be requirements in state law, but the legislature can change that with a simple majority.
- Programs that are a creation of the state budget and not required elsewhere in state law, federal law
- , constitution, or case law.
Summary:
The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later.
The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services.
A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods.
Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So there are already a bunch of laws that only apply to St. Charles or St.
- So part of our organization is we help to take and translate school law into policy.
- community decisions in the context of those state laws.
- This is the Henderson, Bentley, and Mason's law that we heard last week. Any discussion?
- This is the Henderson, Bentley, and Mason's law that we heard last week. Any discussion?
Committee:
House Children and Families
Summary:
The Committee on Children and Families heard public testimony on Senate Bill 1002, which would move St. Charles County school board elections and related levy/bond questions from April to the November general election, extend terms to four years, and allow candidates to voluntarily list party affiliation. The sponsor argued the bill would increase voter participation, broaden community input, and potentially save money, while several supporters said April turnout is too low and that November elections would better reflect the county’s voters. Supporters also said the change could help candidates campaign more effectively and bring more attention to school issues.
Opponents, including school board members, parents, and the Missouri NEA and Missouri School Boards Association, argued the bill would politicize school board races, crowd out local issues on November ballots, and reduce the value of staggered terms and institutional continuity. Several witnesses objected to carving out only St. Charles County rather than making any change statewide, and some warned that limiting levy and bond elections could delay urgent district needs. One witness also said the bill would burden regular parents and community members who run for school board, while others emphasized that school boards should remain focused on governance, budgeting, and student needs rather than partisan labels.
After testimony, the committee voted on Senate substitute for Senate Bill 1002 and advanced it by a vote of 10 aye, 5 no, and 1 present. The committee then took up Senate substitute for Senate Bill 1135, described as the Henderson, Bentley, and Mason’s law, and voted it do pass by 16 aye and 9 no. The committee then adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill shouldn't become law. I oppose this bill because it singles out St. Charles County.
- So there are already a bunch of laws that only apply to St. Charles or St.
- So part of our organization is we help to take and translate school law into policy.
- community decisions in the context of those state laws.
- This is the Henderson, Bentley, and Mason's law that we heard last week. Any discussion?
Committee:
House Children and Families
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/07/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- I had started out as a state law. It became a very local law.
- It became a very local as a state law. It became a very local uh<02:08:55.080><c> law.
- </c><02:09:23.240><c> on</c> first ones who's ever put this law on first ones who's ever put this law
- </c> by um, Minnesota state law. by um, Minnesota state law.
- </c> passed into law. passed into law.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy