Transcript Highlights:

• recognize the good folks at LIS who are ensuring that this hearing is live streamed and available for remote
• But if not, maybe they'll call a friend, a family member, or a co-worker to get help.
• I am a I am a clinical social worker and psychotherapist here in the Boston area.
• I've worked as a clinical social worker in Massachusetts for 35 years, including service as co-director
• Over the past four years, we've seen over 1,000 guests—veterans, healthcare workers, parents, business

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy, who outlined procedures for the hybrid public hearing, noted the committee would hear testimony on 15 bills related to treatment settings, and recognized members present. The first major bill discussed was H. 4200, authorizing a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted treatment in licensed facilities. Representative Jim O’Day and witnesses from Control Z supported the bill, describing it as a tightly controlled, medically supervised pilot with DPH oversight, limited sites, and screening requirements. Committee members asked about the number of sites and whether Column Health still existed; witnesses said the bill contemplated three separate pilot programs and that Column Health no longer existed after being purchased by another company. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1405 to make the drug stewardship program permanent by removing its 2026 sunset date. Senator John Keenan and others said the program helps collect and safely dispose of unused medications, reduces diversion, and should remain in place because manufacturers should bear disposal costs. A member from Boston added support based on local concerns about people searching through bags for drugs, and Keenan explained the original sunset reflected pilot status and industry pushback. A large portion of the hearing focused on S. 1394 and H. 2193, which would strengthen implementation of the 2023 Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and Elliott Community Human Services testified that the roadmap’s helpline, community behavioral health centers, and crisis services are important but unevenly implemented. They urged a single point of accountability within EOHHS, regular strategic planning, a public data dashboard, and financial analysis of the behavioral health system and the access and crisis intervention trust fund. Witnesses said commercial insurance often does not fully reimburse community behavioral health center services, making sustainability difficult, and asked for better coordination across agencies and crisis response systems. Committee members asked whether the roadmap includes substance use disorder; witnesses said it is intended to cover behavioral health broadly, including mental health and substance use. The committee also heard testimony on bills to ban aversives and on suicide prevention signage. Lisa Jean Graff testified in support of S. 1394 by urging a statewide ban on aversive practices, including electric shock, withholding food or bathroom access, and other painful interventions, arguing disabled people deserve the same protections from harm as others. Fonda Bryant and Carol McLean supported a bill requiring suicide prevention signs on tall parking garages, describing personal experiences and saying the signs could create a brief pause and connect people to 988 or other help. McLean said her son died by suicide from a parking garage and that signage might have made a difference. The committee also heard strong testimony in support of creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within DMH facilities (S. 1398/H. 2204), with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a DMH nurse arguing that highly assaultive patients need specialized, more secure units to protect staff and other patients and to improve care. Additional testimony supported creating a dedicated board for licensed mental health counselors (H. 4696/S. 1382), with Rep. John Badger, the Mass Mental Health Counselors Association, and others saying LMHCs are a large and growing workforce that needs its own licensing board, clearer standards, and faster implementation of existing licensure reforms. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 2223 regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Survivors and advocates described severe withdrawal, lack of informed consent, cognitive harms, and long-term disability, while a physician supported the bill as a way to improve disclosure of risks. Finally, the committee heard multiple witnesses in favor of H. 2231/S. 1383 to establish peer-run respite centers statewide. Advocates and people with lived experience said peer respites provide non-coercive, home-like alternatives to hospitalization, can reduce trauma and repeated admissions, and may be especially important for marginalized communities; they also cited cost savings and existing positive outcomes from current respite programs. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing portion reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see a state that has disempowered workers with right-to-work laws.
• Everyone surrounding her—the judge, a GAL, CASA, attorneys, case workers, and therapists—all of them.
• We tried to lock down and only whitelist certain sites, but because she was in remote school through
• As social workers, we adhere to our code of ethics and moral values to uphold support and protect the
• A question for our social workers on the panel. I've worked a lot in homelessness.

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• I've continued for the longest time I went to the polls, but then I started becoming a poll worker and
• And what the greatest thing is, is a lot of my constituents live in remote rural areas.
• Anybody who registered by mail has already proven their citizenship remotely by putting those simple
• All workers should be... Everybody should be concerned in the state.
• She's the hardest worker I know. Morning, noon, and night, never stops.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• remote location pursuant to rule 40.7. remote location pursuant to rule 40.7.
• workers payment for workers whose jobs put them at risk?
• How about in 20 2022 frontline workers How about in 20 2022 frontline workers payments<03:53:48.080
• > for For frontline workers payment for For frontline workers payment for workers<03:53:56.200
• complaining for lack of workers. complaining for lack of workers.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate was called to order, a quorum was established, and remote voting was authorized for several members. The body adopted committee reports except those related to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, gave Senate File 4067 a second reading, and referred newly introduced bills as listed on the agenda. It also adopted a motion to strike and re-refer House File 3379 to the Committee on Finance, and then moved into special orders and floor debate. The main floor action was on House File 2358, a public safety bill providing enhanced criminal penalties for certain coercion offenses. Senator Lang described it as creating a Minnesota crime targeting sexual extortion of children, including online extortion. Senator Maye Quade supported the bill and spoke about the tragic constituent story behind it. The Senate took a roll call and passed the bill 67-0, with its title agreed to. The Senate then began debate on Senate File 4511, which would clarify Minnesota gambling law to prohibit prediction-market style betting disguised as futures contracts. Senator Marty argued the bill was needed to stop companies such as Kalshi and Polymarket from using futures-contract language to evade state gambling restrictions and to protect existing regulated gambling businesses. Senator Johnson initially offered the A10 amendment to delay action until federal jurisdiction issues are resolved, but withdrew it after debate. He then offered the A8 amendment to preserve longer-term weather-related hedging contracts, which Senator Marty supported as a distinction from short-term, manipulable bets; the A8 amendment was adopted. Debate continued with questions about the bill’s scope, including whether it would reach election-related or financial contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• the member voting remotely. the member voting remotely.
• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley, I.
• member voting remotely. Momani Hensley. member voting remotely. Momani Hensley.
• the member voting remotely. the member voting remotely.
• the members voting remotely. the members voting remotely. Momany<01:51:18.400> Hilstly.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He and his team helped develop remote voting, which was a phenomenal undertaking.
• develop the remote develop the remote voting<00:09:56.160> which<00:09:56.519> was
• that for us to all go back to remote that for us to all go back to remote places<00:10:12.959>
• So during the COVID time, we started off remote voting, and the very difficult task that Pat Murphy had
• So during the COVID time, we started off remote voting, and the very difficult task that Pat Murphy had

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, then approved the prior day’s journal and confirmed a quorum. The main business was organizing the chamber for the 2025–26 session, beginning with the election of Pat Murphy as chief clerk. Members from both parties praised Murphy’s long service, parliamentary knowledge, work on remote voting during COVID, and commitment to youth programs and the integrity of the House. After nominations closed, Murphy was elected by a 67-0 vote and took the oath of office. The House then adopted a resolution allowing the remaining front-desk officers and assistant sergeant at arms to be elected on a single roll call unless there was more than one nominee for an office. Representative Niska nominated Stephanie Miller, Kathy Carlson, Erica Brinson, Andrew Olen, and Carl Hamry, and the slate was approved by voice vote. The House also elected Lori Hadap as chief sergeant at arms by a 67-0 vote after nominations and supportive remarks about her law-enforcement background, security work, and responsiveness to members; she then took the oath of office. After the chamber was organized, the House adopted resolutions directing the chief clerk to notify the Senate that the House was duly organized and appointing a four-member committee to notify the governor. The appointed committee consisted of Representatives Paul Anderson, John Koznick, Ben Bakeberg, and Max Rymer, who reported back that the governor had been notified. Members also observed a moment of silence honoring former Representative Mary Murphy for her long service. The House then set its next meeting for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 228, an act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for
• S. 228, an act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for
• collective S 228, an act relating to collective bargaining<00:07:37.199> over<00:07:37.680> remote
• ,<00:07:38.080> in-person,<00:07:38.720> and bargaining over remote, in-person, and
• bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid<00:07:39.520> work<00:07:39.840> standards

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some remote practice rules.
• in a registration agreement for so many hours or years before your PA is allowed to practice at a remote
• So if I want some remote practice rules.
• <00:21:38.799> Collaboration practice at a remote site.
• Collaboration practice at a remote site.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the members voting remotely the members voting remotely Gander<00:16:13.560> go<00:16:13.680
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• remotely remotely Gander<01:10:04.040> Gander<01:10:04.440> votes<01:10:05.040> nay
• members participating remotely members participating remotely Gander<02:17:58.519> go<02:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• outside of the voting station is unnecessary and proves difficult and time-consuming for election workers
• But we would have election workers who could be texting and playing video games and making phone calls
• It was mainly about electioneering and also allowing the election workers to be doing things that they
• Poll workers can check the face, check the name, and check the voter in.
• If poll workers need to start checking addresses, we could see added time and longer lines.

Transcript Highlights:

• and to the reciprocal workers and to the reciprocal collaboration<00:25:45.640> we<00:25:45.760
• related classroom instruction, and on-the-job learning under the support of a mentor or a journey worker
• of a mentor or a journey worker apprentices<00:29:25.279> are<00:29:25.480> paid<00:29
• We do have two remote testifiers, and so I'll have you two step aside, and the first one will be Chris
• for that classroom, immediate feedback, and so it is a collaborative event with both the journey worker

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also conduct public hearings, including workers' compensation premium rates, as well as our annual
• in workers' compensation rates.
• including workers compensation premium rates<00:43:17.319> as<00:43:17.440> well<00:43
• 13th consecutive reduction in workers 13th consecutive reduction in workers compensation<00:43:33.440
• 65% reduction in our workers 65% reduction in our workers compensation<00:43:48.000> rates

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• of the The clerk will call the names of the members<00:02:35.599> voting<00:02:35.920> remotely
• members voting remotely. members voting remotely. Angen. Angen. >> Hudson.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 5074, the claims bill, which addresses claims against the state in three categories: exoneration claims, personal injury claims, and property claims. Representative Frederick explained that this year’s bill includes the largest exoneration payment in the bill’s history, with $4.5 million for Marvin Haynes, who was incarcerated as a teenager and later found innocent after about 20 years. He noted there are also two other exoneration claims and one personal injury claim. During discussion, Frederick thanked Representative Wam for help on the claims committee and praised nonpartisan staff for preparing the bill materials. He urged support for the measure. No amendments were offered. The House then took a roll call vote, including remote votes, and passed House File 5074 by a vote of 134 yeas and 0 nays. The bill’s title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint committees may receive testimony remotely, and committee members may participate remotely if
• the committee member receives approval for remote participation from either the Senate Majority Leader
• Those individuals were selected because they are the ones who approve remote participation for floor
• Could you go over the remote testimony participation section again?
• would be the individuals who were chosen to determine whether or not somebody could participate remotely

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: Legislative Management met with a quorum, approved the July 11, 2025 minutes, and then considered recommendations from the Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee. Beth Dittes explained proposed special session rule changes, which largely mirror prior special session rules and are intended to speed floor action. The changes would allow faster second readings and transmission between chambers, replace regular standing committees with two joint committees for the special session—Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy—and limit bill introduction methods. The package also included delayed-effective-date changes for the next regular session, such as moving the agency and Supreme Court prefile deadline earlier and advancing several resolution deadlines. Liz Fordall then reviewed revisions to the legislative workplace harassment policy, including clarified definitions, longer intake and review deadlines, an option for informal resolution before a review panel, and clearer disclosure rules. The committee adopted the report and forwarded the rules and policy changes. The committee also approved tentative first-day special session agendas for both chambers, with a Speaker-requested revision to allow time to swear in new House members. Megan Gordon outlined the schedule: early Rules Committee meetings, morning floor sessions, a joint session for the governor’s State of the State, then meetings of the joint appropriations and policy committees, with optional later floor and committee time. Members discussed how the joint committees would handle bills and confirmed the process would mirror the prior special session. The agendas were adopted. Chairman Bekkedahl then reported for the Rural Health Transformation Committee, which had completed its work and recommended five bill drafts for the special session: a Presidential Physical Fitness Test requirement for schools, a nutrition component for physician continuing education, joining a physician assistant licensure compact, expanding pharmacist scope for lab testing and prescribing, and a two-year appropriations bill to cover the program through the next regular session. He explained the federal rural health transformation grant, the state’s application, funding restrictions, and the need to keep the bills aligned with CMS requirements to avoid funding reductions or clawbacks. DHS officials said the department would measure outcomes through required metrics, use templates for awards, and set up an Office of Health Transformation to track long-term impacts. The committee adopted the rural health report and forwarded the bills. Finally, members discussed special-session logistics. Legislative staff said employment committees would approve a limited number of staff, Legislative Management would serve as the delayed-bills committee, and a letter would be sent to legislators explaining the process and a suggested Friday noon drafting deadline for bills to be considered at the January 20 meeting. The committee also discussed how many bills might be introduced and how to assign the rural health bills to the House or Senate for origin. No formal vote was taken on those logistics, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene on January 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
• desktop remotely.
• So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
• desktop remotely.
• And so that's one of those mission critical type things that, that, remotely.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have the ability to do remote patient monitoring when needed, and we have a command center that
• The other game changer here is remote patient monitoring, right?
• I don't know if I can add one thing with the remote patient monitoring, as Dr.
• I don't know if I can add one thing with the remote patient monitoring as Dr.
• Cleveland, Add one thing, with a remote patient monitoring, as Dr.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s cancer research and funding programs, including the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, the Bankhead-Coley Research Program, and Live Like Bella. Dr. Ladapo and leaders from Moffitt, Sylvester/University of Miami, UF Health, and Mayo Clinic described how state funding has helped Florida’s four NCI-designated cancer centers expand research, recruit faculty, increase clinical trials, and build collaborations. They emphasized that the programs are intended to improve cancer care statewide, support innovation, and encourage more institutions to pursue NCI designation. The Governor’s budget recommendation was noted as including additional funding, and members asked about the cost and requirements of becoming NCI-designated and eventually comprehensive. Panelists said NCI designation requires major infrastructure, compliance, research, and training investments, with de novo development estimated at about $1 billion. They described Florida’s collaborative model as unusual nationally, with annual symposia, shared pilot funding, and joint projects across the four centers. Members also asked about rural access, home-based care, and recruitment/retention. Mayo described its “Cancer Care Beyond Walls” home-treatment model and said it could expand to rural counties within months; Moffitt and UF discussed mobile screening, satellite sites, and affiliations with local hospitals and practices. Several members raised concerns about workforce shortages, licensure delays, and the need to reach underserved areas. The discussion also covered outcomes, data reporting, and the broader economic impact of the cancer centers. Panelists cited growth in jobs, federal research funding, and clinical trial enrollment, and highlighted advances in immunotherapy, CAR-T, TIL therapy, carbon ion therapy, AI-driven screening, and the firefighter cancer initiative. They said the Florida Cancer Data System is being expanded to track recurrence and quality-of-life measures. Members also asked about philanthropy, medical tourism, and federal funding risks, including possible indirect cost reductions that could affect research budgets. The meeting ended with general support for continued investment, while some members noted an ongoing policy debate over whether future cancer research dollars should be concentrated in the four NCI centers or spread more broadly across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some reasonable considerations... but again, anything even remotely having the word THC on it is an issue
• Counselors and social workers?

Bills: HB1022, HB2856, HB3114, HJR5, HB6, HB120, HB210, HB1458, HB1188, HB3126

Keywords: HB 1022, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Texas State University System, Education Code, higher education, course levels, upper-level college, lower-division courses, community college-style courses, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Board of Regents, academic programs, university expansion, HB 2856, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, clinical training placements, clinical rotations

Transcript Highlights:

• Coordinated mutual aid plans, these essential workers face operational challenges that slow disaster
• We do it out of survival, because we're so rural and remote.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe she is remote, so Councilmember White, if you can hear us, please unmute and proceed with your
• Growth came from foreign-born workers, which helped to mitigate historic workforce shortages in the post-pandemic

Transcript Highlights:

• our remote testify. We have two. our remote testify. We have two.
• She's on remote right now. from Ojibwe. She's on remote right now.
• Next on remote is Gretchen Maymel?
• Next<01:26:17.360> on<01:26:17.480> remote<01:26:18.240> remote<01:26:18.640>
• is Next on remote remote is Next on remote remote is Gretchen Gretchen Gretchen uh<01:26:21.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all