Transcript Highlights:

• I, for example, could file a bill banning Bigfoot in the state of Texas.
• with a rising rate.
• Um, this is obviously untrue, as Death rates, hospitalization rates, and severity of adverse effects
• I'd like to see you lower the rates of uninsured Texans.
• Possess an increasing rate of maternal mortality.

Bills: HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll need a motion to file as reviewed. Motion. Second. Any discussion?
• We'll need a motion to file as reviewed. We have a motion and second. Any discussion?
• Item 4B will also need a motion to file as reviewed. We have a motion and second. We have a second.
• We need a motion to file as reviewed. A motion. Second. Any discussion?
• motion to file as reviewed.

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seminole gaming had a 47% rate, and Sands Casino Gaming had only a 37% rate.
• A 25% had a 68% validity rate. The recreational marijuana had a 64% rate.
• Semino gaming had a 47% rate, and Sands Casino Gaming had only a 37% rate.
• So you're saying the suit has not been filed; would that equate to the claim not being filed?
• And I know we heard lots about the rates Medical malpractice rates in this state.

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. After routine business, the Senate took up several special-order bills. The first major bill, transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses. An amendment added penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing and required law enforcement to notify suspects of those penalties. The bill passed 37-0. The Senate then passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours and holiday access to care and setting network standards for Medicaid managed care plans, also by a 37-0 vote. The chamber next considered a major condominium and cooperative associations bill responding to post-Surfside safety and financial concerns. Senators described the measure as balancing building safety with financial relief, extending reserve-study deadlines, allowing temporary reserve relief after inspections, tightening oversight of managers and inspectors, and adjusting voting, resale, and reserve rules. After extensive debate and praise from members for the bill’s sponsors and staff, the bill passed 37-0. The longest discussion centered on a constitutional amendments/petition process bill aimed at curbing fraud in citizen initiative petitions. Sponsors argued that the 2024 petition process was plagued by fraud and identity theft and proposed tighter rules for circulators, faster submission deadlines, voter notification, penalties, and limits on petition handling. Senators offered and adopted multiple amendments, including changes to petition-circulator definitions, invalid-signature thresholds, and voter notification procedures. After a substitute amendment was withdrawn, the Senate continued debating the underlying amended bill, with members split between concerns about election integrity and worries that the bill would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizen initiatives to qualify.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a later lower rate.
• that they can come in at a higher rate that they can come in at a higher rate and<00:23:15.919><
• get recovery on a premium interest rate get recovery on a premium interest rate um<00:23:20.679>
• <00:25:21.919> and interest rate and interest rate and then<00:25:23.799> 18<00:25:
• allowance for premium interest rate allowance for premium interest rate where<00:25:56.120> we

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy and environmental bills. On HB 974, which would authorize state step-in agreements for certain power purchase agreements and create a trust fund/reserve mechanism, the Attorney General’s office raised concern that the state should not incur liability beyond the trust fund. The Division of Consumer Advocacy said it had comments but did not take a position, while the Public Utilities Commission, Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, and other industry groups supported the measure, saying it would help developers secure financing for renewable projects and improve reliability. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would not use state funds and that its proposed reserve account would be held in trust and returned to customers if unused. Committee members questioned whether the reserve would raise customer costs; Hawaiian Electric said the amount would be small and would be offset by avoiding higher financing costs, while Consumer Advocacy suggested the language should be strengthened to ensure unused funds are fully returned. The committee then heard HB 338, which would clarify that premium interest-rate adjustments for non-fossil fuel generation are just and reasonable and allow the PUC to include them in rates. DCCA and the State Energy Office supported the bill, and the PUC also supported it. Hawaiian Electric opposed unless amended, arguing the PUC already has discretion and warning the bill could weaken competitive procurement by encouraging higher bids tied to the utility’s credit rating. DCCA said the concern was that developers might not seek the best financing if premium rates are recoverable, but said Hawaiian Electric’s suggested amendment requiring clear and convincing evidence of unavoidable financing-cost increases would help. Members also asked about refinancing and whether developers could later lower debt costs after locking in a premium rate; DCCA said that ability exists and suggested a time limit or review mechanism. For HB 337, which would direct the PUC to establish standards requiring utilities to remove certain fossil-fuel costs from the rate base when adding renewable resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and the State Energy Office supported the measure. Hawaiian Electric opposed it, saying it misunderstood utility cost recovery and could threaten grid reliability because fossil plants provide ancillary services such as voltage regulation and balancing, not just energy. Hawaiian Electric pointed to its integrated grid plan and recent fossil-unit retirements as evidence of ongoing transition, and asked the committee to defer the bill and leave oversight to the PUC. The committee also heard HB 879 on cesspool conversions, which would raise the maximum grant from $20,000 to $30,000 and add DOH positions; DHHL, DOH, environmental groups, Hawaii Realtors, and others supported it, while DOH discussed staffing needs and the practical effect of the higher grant cap. The committee also began HB 379 on requiring denitrification capacity for certain wastewater systems near shorelines or groundwater, with DLNR testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up on the agenda is Senate File 558.
• would like to move uh Senate file would like to move uh Senate file [Music] [Music] [Music] 222<
• <00:59:09.119> 222 is adopted we now have Senate file 222 is adopted we now have Senate file
• Senate file Senate file 222<01:11:15.440> I<01:11:15.520> would<01:11:15.679> like
• uh Senate file uh Senate file 536<01:32:08.840> uh<01:32:08.920> Senator<01:32:09.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 558, a bill to create a formal process for removing unauthorized occupants from real property, often described as a “squatters bill.” The author presented an A2 amendment, which was adopted, and explained that the bill would give sheriffs a structured complaint and verification process, allow fees, provide immunity when the process is followed, and impose civil remedies for wrongful removal and criminal penalties for false complaints. The bill also includes a provision on holdover situations, clarifying that certain unauthorized guests of tenants are unlawful occupants rather than tenants, and a use-of-excess-force provision was mentioned. Supporters said the measure is intended to give property owners and law enforcement a clearer, faster, and more consistent way to handle situations where people occupy property without a lawful basis, especially in rural or seasonal properties and in some landlord-tenant disputes. Senator Uty read a letter from Hubbard County Sheriff Corey Oas describing recurring problems with rental issues, couch hopping, and subletting without landlord knowledge, and a testifier from Pine Island described several local examples of prolonged and costly occupancy disputes, including a restaurant tenant who stopped paying rent and a rural property trespass incident. Committee members in support emphasized the need to balance tenant rights with property rights and to avoid leaving sheriffs to make ad hoc decisions. Michael D. from Homeline opposed the bill, arguing that existing trespass and harassment restraining order laws already address unlawful occupants and that the proposal creates due process concerns by allowing removal without a court hearing. He also warned that the bill’s definition of unlawful occupant could jeopardize oral leases, which are allowed under Minnesota law. In response, supporters said the bill is meant to distinguish true landlord-tenant relationships from trespass situations and to provide a workable process consistent with Minnesota law. At the end of the discussion, the chair announced that Senate File 558 would be laid over for possible inclusion. He also said Senate File 222 would be laid over, Senate File 559 would be moved with a recommendation to pass to the Judiciary Committee, and the fourth bill on the agenda was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 16. Second reading of the Senate file. Senate File 16.
• Senate File 24. Second reading of the Senate file. Senate File 24.
• Senate File 7, do pass. Senate File 8, do pass. Senate File 18, do pass.
• Senate File 10, do pass amended. File 8, do pass. Senate File 18, do File 8, do pass.
• Senate File 45, Local Approval of files.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 973.
• House File 973.
• support file support file 973<00:08:28.960> uh<00:08:29.120> we're<00:08:29.520>
• provided in house files provided in house files 973<00:10:49.639> thank<00:10:49.839>
• Is there anyone else who wishes to testify on House File 973?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate file Senate file 2393<00:10:51.519> and<00:10:51.760> makes<00:10:52.240>
• This article contains language from Senator Jean’s Senate File 999.
• Uh, this establishes a Senate File 999.
• And we've got basically... finding some rate relief um in this this finding some rate relief um in this
• I think there’s very different approaches to rate relief.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• His did not have a prevalence rate; that's the rate of infection.
• , that's the rate of infection.
• It changes the prevalence rate threshold from 1.5% to 2.5%.
• rate is right now.
• Their prevalence rate continues to drive up.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of natural resources and environmental measures, mostly local property transfers and Wildlife and Fisheries bills. It reported favorable on Senate Bills 229 and 71, which authorize property transfers in Bossier and Lafayette parishes, and on several department bills dealing with fishing and boating rules: SB 203 on possession of catch during multi-day trips, SB 429 on registration of lapsed or “orphan” boats, SB 204 on commercial fishing gear licenses for nonresidents, SB 205 reducing duplicate registration for federally documented boats, SB 213 on titling certain vessels and outboard motors, SB 257 removing Social Security number requirements from certain tags, and HB 662, a substitute bill setting a hierarchy for handling seized sick, injured, or orphan wildlife. The committee also adopted amendments and reported favorable SB 379, a technical cleanup bill tied to the Department of Conservation and Energy reorganization, though an opposition witness warned it could reduce minimum oil and gas royalties and asked for a fiscal note. Members also advanced several measures aimed at coastal and flood-related concerns. HCR 62, by Rep. Domangue, urges FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects; members broadly supported it and discussed the burden of flood insurance in coastal parishes. SB 214 would give the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District authority to stop pumping during immediate flood risk events identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, and it was reported favorable. SB 274, as amended, requires lead hazard risk assessments and remediation for certain child care and pre-kindergarten facilities, with DEQ and LDH testimony supporting the update. HCR 78 memorializes Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, which supporters said would help Louisiana’s seafood industry and access federal loans and grants. The committee also debated broader policy resolutions. HCR 216, by Rep. Owen, sought to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, but after extensive discussion about its purpose, possible effects on existing projects, and whether the legislature should instead hold a hearing, the resolution was voluntarily deferred. Finally, the committee took up SCR 24 on chronic wasting disease rules, adopted amendments raising the prevalence threshold from 1.5% to 2.5% and adjusting zone and baiting provisions, and continued discussion of the bill’s reset of management rules for deer disease control.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be laying over House File 1901, and I will move to lay over House File 1901.
• I renew my motion and lay over House File 2124, and now we're going to move to House File 2099, Representative
• I renew my motion and lay over House File 2099.
• File 134.
• House File 104, as amended, from any members.

Bills: HF1354, HF1901, HF2124, HF2130, HF2260, HF2099, HF104, HF134, HF1769

Keywords: public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senate File 5155 Uh, Senate File 5155 is before you.
• Uh, Senate File 3879.
• That's his Senate File.
• Is the Senate File number. Yeah. Is the Senate File number. Yeah.
• That's his Senate File. File. File. Senator<01:38:08.880> Hayden<01:38:09.120> Senyeger.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• file number 1082 its second reading. file number 1082 its second reading.
• >> House file number 1082. >> House file number 1082.
• This is uh Senate File 4476. President. This is uh Senate File 4476.
• Members will now go to House File 4151. Members will now go to House File 4151.
• role for final passage of House File role for final passage of House File 3769.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, that's my motion: that House File 2995 be re-referred to the Ways and Means. Mr.
• Is there anyone in the public who wishes to testify on House File 2995?
• The motion is approved, and House File 2995 is re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
• Next, House File 2434. I will move that House File 2434 be laid over for possible inclusion.
• With that, I will renew that House File 2434 as amended be laid over. We are adjourned. You

Transcript Highlights:

• I move, before you is House File 4198.
• But not cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure,<00:15
• <00:19:50.919> Thank in support of House File 4198. Thank in support of House File 4198.
• <01:20:05.640> in had it has a strong response rate in had it has a strong response rate in
• <01:27:34.640> 3585 express my support for House File 3585 express my support for House File

Bills: HF4213, HF4198, HF3930, HF3585, HF3451

Keywords: education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have one bill today: House File 4, and I will move that House File 4 be recommended to be re-referred
• One was increase rates to taxpayers or increase rates to everyone served by this facility.
• One was increase rates to taxpayers or increase rates to everyone served by this facility.
• One was increase rates to taxpayers or increase rates to everyone served by this facility.
• One was increase rates to taxpayers or increase rates to everyone served by this facility.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate file 1312 as amended. Senate file 1312 as amended.
• Senate File 1312 as amended. Senate File 1312 as amended.
• , higher than average um housing rates, higher than average um housing rates, and<01:11:50.240>
• tax bill Senate file tax bill Senate file 5052. 5052. 5052.
• some of the highest rates in the nation. some of the highest rates in the nation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please take up late-filed Amendment 219-938 by Senator Gruters.
• I have a client, for example, whose passage rate is 33%.
• I have a client, for example, whose passage rate is 33%.
• About the medical school passage rate? No.
• The RN pass rates for the private schools have increased over 30 percent; so have the PN pass rates.

Summary: The committee took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with CS/SB 1602, which would require emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric care protocols, training, appropriate child-sized equipment and medications, a designated care coordinator, and participation in a pediatric readiness assessment. It was reported favorably. CS/SB 1224 followed, aligning Florida law with federal requirements so paramedics may administer controlled substances in the field under physician or nurse practitioner protocols; it also passed favorably after supportive testimony from fire chiefs. The committee then adopted a strike-all for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which addresses venous thromboembolism by creating a statewide registry, requiring screening and training in hospitals and long-term care settings, and adding assisted living facility response requirements. Assisted living representatives objected to the ALF provisions as unrealistic and potentially harmful, while supporters argued the bill would save lives; the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1182, requiring continuous glucose monitors to be covered as both durable medical equipment and a pharmacy benefit, also passed favorably with support from AARP. The committee next considered CS/SB 12, a claim bill for a child severely injured after a DCF home visit allegedly failed to meet standards, and it was reported favorably without opposition. CS/CS/SB 954, dealing with substance abuse treatment centers and recovery residences, drew substantial debate. The bill would limit local zoning restrictions on treatment facilities and allow larger recovery residences if staffing ratios are increased; a late-filed amendment reduced the maximum active patients from 500 to 300. Municipal and county representatives warned that the bill could override local reasonable-accommodation efforts and create institutional-scale facilities, while supporters said housing is essential to recovery and that clustering concerns are overstated. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. CS/SB 1050, expanding the developmental disabilities pilot program statewide and creating a statewide family care council, also passed after extensive testimony from families and advocates. Supporters emphasized the long waitlist and the need for more services, while some speakers opposed managed care and warned about provider shortages and loss of individualized supports. Later, CS/SB 614, requiring a public educational webpage about background screening clearinghouse and level two screening requirements, was reported favorably. CS/SB 1578, which would require coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening in certain circumstances, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 1060 created a joint legislative oversight committee to review Medicaid operations and financing; members discussed the need for stronger oversight of large midyear spending adjustments, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1240, a Department of Children and Families substance abuse and mental health bill, was amended to clarify Baker Act transfer timing and notification requirements after debate over whether facilities could hold patients too long; it was then reported favorably. Finally, Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 526, a major nursing education bill aimed at Florida’s low NCLEX passage rates. The bill would require nursing programs to use exit exams, remediation, reporting, and stricter oversight, and the strike-all would add graduate preceptorships for low-performing programs and temporary provisional licenses for graduates pending NCLEX passage. The transcript ended while that bill was still being explained, before final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• and we have two of them, both the standard reimbursement rate and the regional market rate, and the
• This report included full joint recommendations on how rates under a single-rate structure would vary
• under the single-rate structure.
• under the single rate structure.
• rate.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget and policy discussion on child care, child welfare, and related early education issues, beginning with child care funding and slot utilization. Department of Social Services officials outlined the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 child care budget, including $6.8 billion for child care programs, an $11.5 million Prop. 64-funded disaster repair mini-grant program for licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters, and projected reductions tied to federal CCDF formula changes and lower Prop. 64 revenues. DSS said the reductions could mean about 4,176 CCTR slots, but emphasized they were assessing how to absorb the cuts without disrupting children currently in care. The LAO supported aligning funding to lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Senators pressed the department on why so many slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, why unspent funds revert to the General Fund, and whether more flexibility could move dollars from contracts to vouchers; DSS said delays are largely due to infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment ramp-up, and that it is working on readiness reviews, technical assistance, and possible reallocation of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed Emergency Child Care Bridge reallocations among counties and confirmed that no currently enrolled children would be disenrolled under the proposed slot reductions. A second panel focused on the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and reform reimbursement rates. DSS said California has nearly doubled child care funding in five years and increased monthly children served from about 294,100 in 2019-20 to more than 366,700 currently, while also advancing the single rate structure process through the alternative methodology and a joint labor-management committee report. Stanislaus County Office of Education described local shortages, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that rate disparities between programs make it harder to sustain mixed delivery systems. Parent Voices California testified that the current system is confusing, unstable, and inequitable, with one speaker describing repeated paperwork burdens, waiting lists, and periods of homelessness while trying to maintain child care. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, that Universal TK has drawn major resources into school-based care, and that providers remain paid far below the cost of care; it urged more revenue, faster rate reform, and expansion across the mixed delivery system. The LAO estimated that aligning CCTR adjustment factors for three-year-olds and children with disabilities with CSPP would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Senators and staff also discussed the need for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single rate structure, with DSS and CDE noting that policy decisions, system changes, and collective bargaining issues are still being worked through. The committee then reviewed several child care trailer bill proposals. DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 COLA as an increase to cost-of-care-plus payments rather than as a traditional COLA, with $87.8 million General Fund initially proposed; DSS later acknowledged it had omitted CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the calculation and said the amount would be revised upward. The LAO recommended making the COLA treatment uniform across child care and state preschool programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology survey on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences for licensed family child care homes to 20% of care hours in a month, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a 12-month period, and aligning family fee collection so contractors collect the fee without reducing the voucher value. The department said these changes are intended to bring state law into compliance with federal requirements and to better reflect current practice. Finally, the committee discussed the Early Childhood Policy Council, including a reappropriation of previously unused funds and a new reporting requirement under AB 563; members questioned staffing needs and whether existing contractor support could absorb the work, while DSS said the funds are used for stipends, facilitation, translation, and contract oversight and may still be needed as participation patterns change.

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE IS A LATE FILED AMENDMENT.
• THAT'S AN 85 PERCENT FAILURE RATE.
• I HAVE A PASSAGE RATE 33 PERCENT. PART OF THE YEARS AGO.
• ABOUT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL PASSAGE RATE, NO.
• I'M CONCERNED THIS IS THE ONLY THE PAST RATES ON THE WEBSITE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• having each individual person file a complaint.
• received $55 cents from every single one of those filings.
• That's the annual Rate to hold them.
• Particular file or particular case. Is that kept in the file at the pardon parole board?
• Is that objection kept on file? Yes, representative, that is kept in the inmate's permanent file.

Keywords: 914, all