Transcript Highlights:

• It could be services that temporary agency staffing services at New Hampshire Hospital or Glen Cliff,
• Um, they truly play a vital role in our whole service delivery system for developmental services.
• delivery system for whole service delivery system for developmental<00:16:42.320><c> services.
• services.
• So um I haven't developmental services.

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Human Services Committee will come to order. Good afternoon.
• Today I’m presenting AB 308, which directs the Department of Developmental Services to conduct a statewide
• In an emergency, preventive services should be accessible to all.
• In an emergency, preventive services should be accessible to all.
• They are automatically denied any reunification services.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The other piece that's part of this legislation, which is critical, is flexibility around the service
• I work for the Developmental Disabilities Council as a family advocate.
• I worked for the Developmental Disabilities Council as a family advocate.
• I was an educator for 25 years and have offered advocacy services to families at no cost across the state
• I'm the former Executive Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council.

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306 , HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committees: Senate Senate Education , Senate House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we call it different things, such as developmentally delayed or disability.
• A small part of what we have to do and the funding for behavioral health services.
• It's not just funding for adult services; it's funding for juvenile services too.
• There is a gap of services for these kids that are found in.
• And my understanding is protective services is foster care.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Does this include IHS employees, the Indian Health Service?
• We do also bill Medicaid for certain services, Medicare for some services.
• The new detox facility is a new service line.
• Do you have ancillary services?
• , our housing services, our medical services, all of our services.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It oversees jobs for veterans and service grants.
• People need a place to go with the support of services.
• Term services and supports component of Medicaid.
• have access to the services they need.
• Health and Human Services and Health Resources and Services Administration because HRSA, Health Resources

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Developmental Disabilities in person. Developmental Disabilities in person.
• Um we are on Developmental Disabilities.
• </c> HD1, which relates to disaster services HD1, which relates to disaster services for<00:10:23.720
• </c> intellectual and developmental intellectual and developmental disabilities,<00:10:32.320><c> where
• public service servants, especially public service servants, especially backed<00:52:25.720><c> by</

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1976, relating to dementia training for law enforcement, and HB 2443, relating to disaster services for people with disabilities and access or functional needs. For HB 1976, the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board opposed the bill’s process and cost, arguing there was no documented training gap because existing CALEA accreditation already includes mental illness response training that covers dementia. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, disability advocates, caregivers, and several individuals, said dementia-specific training would help first responders better handle real-world encounters and avoid harmful misunderstandings. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including changing mandatory language to permissive language in several places and removing a deadline for the first annual training cycle; the recommendation was adopted unanimously. For HB 2443, testimony was strongly supportive. The Disability Communication Access Board, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and individual testifiers said the bill would strengthen emergency planning and response by adding a Disability Integration Specialist and better integrating people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into disaster preparedness, sheltering, and FEMA coordination. Several speakers emphasized recent storms and rescues as evidence of the need. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including changes based on Attorney General comments and adding specialized communications and comprehensive communications planning provisions previously contained in another bill; that recommendation was also adopted unanimously. The transcript then moved to a separate mini hearing on HB 1768, relating to immigration enforcement. Supporters, including the ACLU of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would prevent local law enforcement from entering 287(g)-type agreements or otherwise participating in federal immigration enforcement, citing civil rights concerns, community trust, and the need for police to focus on local public safety. One testifier raised concerns that local cooperation could help avoid mistakes in enforcement, while supporters responded that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that local agencies should not be deputized for civil immigration arrests. The excerpt ends amid extended member questions and discussion, without showing a final vote on HB 1768.

Transcript Highlights:

• Service Oklahoma is supportive of this bill. They sent me an email stating such.
• a lot of the complaints that we have is through the United States Postal Service?
• Chair, overseeing Service Oklahoma might have the answer.
• I think that's a question for the election board rather than Service Oklahoma.
• Students are not getting a lot of the services that they deserve and need following the law.

Bills: HB4028 , HB4075 , HB4077 , HB4074 , HB4076 , SB1221 , SB1921 , SB2118 , SB1932 , SB2134 , HCR1025 , SB1432 , HCR1024 , HCR1022 , SB1122 , HB4029 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4078 , SB1936 , SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB1360 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB2143 , SB1428 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB1427

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• honor to recognize today's nurse, Marla, who served as the Director of Nursing and Patient Care Services
• Her experience also includes service in emergency departments, burn care, medical surgical units, and
• And whereas the dedication and service of the Oklahoma linemen warrant recognition for their essential
• Thank you for your service to our country and to our state.
• Thank you for joining me in my last year of service, and I am sorry I didn't quite warn you just how

Bills: HB4028 , HB4075 , HB4077 , HB4074 , HB4076 , SB1221 , SB1921 , SB2118 , SB1932 , SB2134 , HCR1025 , SB1432 , HCR1024 , HCR1022 , SB1122 , HB4029 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4078 , SB1936 , SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB1360 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB2143 , SB1428 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB1427

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> okay for um Health and Human Services okay for um Health and Human Services same<00:11:04.680><c
• </c> 105 calendar for Health Human Services 105 calendar for Health Human Services and<00:14:17.160><
• </c> lmy providing comments Barbara service lmy providing comments Barbara service and<00:21:14.080><
• </c> disability for an Esa or or service disability for an Esa or or service animal<00:27:32.279><c>
• </c><00:36:55.480><c> joint</c> Health and Human Services joint Health and Human Services joint committee

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> supports</c><00:09:23.920><c> to</c> employment services and supports to employment services and
• 09:33.440><c> also</c><00:09:33.680><c> paid</c> wraparound service and it's also paid wraparound service
• A lot of the work that I do in the county deals with day support services, employment support services
• A lot of the work that I do in the county deals with day support services, employment support services
• </c><00:35:14.960><c> are</c> spend in Health and Human Services are spend in Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Those<02:51:12.680><c> services</c><02:51:13.240><c> are</c> Those services are Those services are
• And where are the services? And where are the services?
• If somebody has a developmental disability and it's already found and they're going to need services
• It will save in Medicaid services down the road, IEP services down the road, social services, all kinds
• </c> Um not using any EI services. Um not using any EI services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then lines 2.22 through 2.27, a amendment to the developmental delay working group, adds a representation
• delay working group and it developmental delay working group and it adds<00:07:52.280><c> uh</c><00:
• In the READ Act, you will see a change from Regional Literacy Network to Minnesota Service Cooperative
• </c><00:20:04.000><c> Cooperative</c> Network to Minnesota service Cooperative Network to Minnesota service
• Senator Abeler, what money are you referencing that could be used for counselor services?

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• authority to order the state and National Guards of Washington, or any part thereof, into active service
• The Guard ordered into active service must be trained.
• want to make sure that the folks that I do trust in our state government, I do trust our citizen service
• Seeing none, thank you for your time and thank you for your service. Thank you so much.
• Saying none, thank you for your time and thank you for your service. Thank you so much.

Bills: HB2198 , HB2401 , HB2462 , HB2419 , HB2210 , HB2205 , HB2249

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: regulatory efficiency, permitting, licensing, executive order, state government, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, unpiloted aircraft, drones, regulation, airspace safety, privacy, address confidentiality, administrative law judges, privacy protection, staff employment

Transcript Highlights:

• are contrary to the religious or institutional values or practices of an educational provider or service
• HB 2310 directs the Texas Education Agency, or TEA, in partnership with the Health and Human Services
• In partnership with the Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, and the Texas Workforce Commission
• HB 2310 would require the Texas Education Agency, in collaboration with the Health and Human Services
• HB 2310 would require the Texas Education Agency in collaboration with the Health and Human Services

Bills: HB322 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB1481 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB 121 , HB2243 , HB3627 , HB 1178 , HB367 , HB5515 , HB126 , HB121

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day. Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly. HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The court is not a service provider, and the experiences children have in court do not magically scare
• Focusing on measures that are restorative and developmentally appropriate to address the needs of students
• The court is not a service provider and the experiences children have in court do not magically scare
• Focusing on measures that are restorative and developmentally appropriate to address the needs of students
• You need a real service provider, so a lot of this stuff is just kind of beating a dead horse anyway.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on H.5171, an act relative to safer schools, and H.3895, which would expand career and technical education opportunities for Lynn students. The chair outlined short testimony limits and noted the hearing was livestreamed. Most of the discussion centered on H.5171 and the role of school resource officers (SROs) in schools. Witnesses from the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and the CPCS Education Law Project supported H.5171, arguing it would limit SRO involvement to serious criminal conduct, reduce school-to-prison-pipeline harms, and encourage restorative justice, de-escalation, and anti-bias practices. They described examples of students with disabilities being arrested or disciplined in ways they said reflected misunderstandings of disability-related behavior. Committee members asked about real-world school safety concerns, including gang activity and weapons in schools, and the witnesses responded that the bill would not eliminate SROs but would better define their role and improve training. A parent advocate, Joey Ford, testified neutrally on H.5171, saying over-criminalization in schools often stems from district discipline practices, restraint and seclusion, and inconsistent DESE oversight, not only from SROs. On H.3895, Ford spoke in favor of expanding CTE, saying such programs helped him succeed and stay engaged in school. After testimony concluded, the committee closed testimony on both bills and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Melo: Human Services Subcommittee will come to order. Sabrina, call the roll.
• Eligible folks must have a developmental disability, be enrolled Rep.
• I am a self-advocate who is a lifelong recipient of AP waiver services.
• I am allowed to keep those services and keep my full-time job.
• I am very thankful for the services I receive.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:02.160><c> optimistic</c><00:05:03.160><c> that</c> Service Services uh I am optimistic that Service
• This is about client services, the right service at the right time for the right individual.
• </c> residential Behavioral Health Services residential Behavioral Health Services so<00:23:05.799><c
• We'll also spend a significant amount of time on our developmental services system and how we're strengthening
• </c><00:54:21.799><c> and</c> developmental Services System um and and developmental Services System

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does that apply to these services, too, so parents and service providers know what they're dealing with
• Does that apply to these services, too, so parents and service providers know what they're dealing with
• Does that apply to these services, too, so parents and service providers know what they're dealing with
• Chairman, Jack or Richard, do you have a sense of the length of the debt service?
• Chairman, they do not believe have stated the length of the debt service.

Bills: HB2053 , HB2116 , HB2148

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation, A.R.S. 45-119, natural resources, water policy, river management

Transcript Highlights:

• contract And service.
• Number two is Arkansas Rehab Services with Guy Fenter Education Service.
• Francis Community Services, is for intensive in-home services for DCFS clients in service areas.
• Services Spin.
• Services.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.