Transcript Highlights:

• exemption for the need to live stream regular board meetings and maintain video of basically a video database
• exemption for the need to live stream regular board meetings and maintain video of basically a video database
• The largest single general fund expenditure in the Arizona budget is public education.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate met with 28 members present and approved the journal, then took up several motions to recall or reconsider previously passed House bills, including HB 2035, HB 2249, and HB 2192. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider a series of bills and memorials. Major floor action centered on HB 2248, a public health bill restricting medical intervention requirements; HB 2313, relating to teacher strikes and remote instruction; HB 2379 and HB 2380, both dealing with school district governing boards; HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessment and the anti-trafficking fund; HB 2873, concerning local government referendum petitions; and several memorials and resolutions on foreign policy, education, water, and energy. HB 2248 drew the most debate, with supporters arguing for parental and individual choice and opponents warning it would undermine public health protections, especially for children, immunocompromised people, and patients in schools and medical settings. Amendments were adopted in committee, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 also prompted extended debate over school board training and livestreaming requirements, with opponents calling them unfunded mandates or attacks on democracy and supporters emphasizing transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2873 was heavily discussed as a Marana-specific referendum measure tied to a local data center dispute; supporters said stakeholders agreed to the language, while opponents said it was an end run around voters and pending court proceedings. In third reading, the Senate passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated service areas with assured water supply, HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy, and HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380. The chamber also passed HCM 2001 and HCM 2002 urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047 recognizing Judea and Samaria. These memorials and resolutions drew strong opposition from senators who said they targeted Muslims, promoted religious or ideological messaging, or were not based on adequate evidence. The Senate also adopted a House request to adjourn after April 22 and then adjourned until April 21, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is to create a statewide centralized voter database, which New Hampshire did.
• We just replaced our voter registration database last year.
• and I think we do an excellent database and I think we do an excellent job<00:26:44.279> of<00
• database<00:28:34.240> uh<00:28:34.519> last<00:28:34.960> year<00:28:35.960>
• database uh last year uh we're probably on<00:28:36.720> our<00:28:36.960> third<00:28

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and I may misinterpret you budgeted and I may misinterpret you budgeted about<00:26:27.279> $180
• We've tightened our budgets.
• We're in the tightened our budgets.
• <00:47:48.640> of person, but um an online database of person, but um an online database of
• been received for the NE next budget been received for the NE next budget cycle.<01:06:50.880>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• comparison is completed for budget comparison is completed for budget neutrality.<00:10:19.360><
• that go into um budget neutrality. that go into um budget neutrality.
• advocacy going into the 2024 budget advocacy going into the 2024 budget session<00:26:49.320>
• Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
• understanding the budget. understanding the budget.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027. The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year. A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• be effective for the officers on the road, they commonly use social security numbers in various databases
• They also said they have other identifiers in the proposed database, such as driver's license, non-driver
• <00:15:08.560> that um we commonly in various databases that um we commonly in various databases
• such<00:15:34.160> as<00:15:34.480> driver's<00:15:34.959> license, database
• such as driver's license, database such as driver's license, non-driver<00:15:36.160> ID,<00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the consent calendar and the minutes. It then took up a Department of Employment Security rule, 24193, where the only issue was that a form had not been incorporated by reference. The department submitted an oral conditional approval request with revised language, and the committee approved the rule conditionally. A second Employment Security rule, 195, raised concerns that the notice language was too broad and vague and could amount to oral rulemaking; because the agency had not yet finalized revised language, the committee granted a one-month waiver so the rule could return next month with a conditional approval proposal. The Department of Safety’s contact person notification program rule, 24237, drew comments about Social Security number collection, unclear drafting on one section, and ambiguity about which application needed a signature. The agency agreed to remove Social Security number references from the rules and forms and to adopt the suggested clarifying language with minor edits. After discussion about why the identifiers were needed, the committee approved the rule conditionally with the oral changes. The committee then moved a previously consent-calendar item, OPLC rule 2547, off consent after Representative Maguire objected that the renewal application form was too health-care-focused and user-unfriendly for other professions; the agency said it would revisit the form, and the committee postponed action until next month without needing a waiver. The final major item was Fish and Game’s HB 2548, which changes licensing and permit rules for taking deer, bear, moose, turkey, and furbearing animals. Staff noted extensive public testimony, including a coalition submission, and said the main dispute was over what data the agency should rely on in setting seasons and take limits. Fish and Game explained that declining trapper participation made capture-per-unit-effort data less reliable, so it also uses hunter surveys and UNH research projects funded in part by federal money; the agency said current trapping removals are very low and do not appear to threaten populations. Committee members and public witnesses questioned whether the agency’s responses to comments were sufficiently specific under the new public-comment law, but no final vote on the Fish and Game rule was taken in the portion provided.

Bills: SB667, SB904, SB1344, SB1380, SB1423, SB1425, SB1484, SB1500, SB1502, SB1503, SB1555, SB1561, SB1562, SB1565, SB1572, SB1644, SB1749, SB1833, SB2007, SB2044, SB2074

Keywords: chiropractic, licensure, animal chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, licensing requirements, gender transition, gender-affirming care, transgender, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, hormone therapy, sex reassignment, transition surgery, Medicaid, public funds, state facilities, state hospital, Oklahoma, intersex, DSD

Transcript Highlights:

• for special education data database for special education data management.<00:40:50.000> Um,<
• When you start looking at the data, and if this data is in the Nessus database, then maybe the state
• folks, but we're answering to a budget folks, but we're answering to a budget committee,<01:46:06.400
• Uh, one out of every four dollars in our education budget is special ed now.
• <01:52:37.599> is dollars in our education budget is dollars in our education budget is special

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its second meeting on House Bill 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and discussed whether to also examine differentiated aid within the adequacy formula. The chair said the committee had previously heard from HHS/Medicaid officials and now wanted to hear from local special education directors about how the aid system works in practice, including billing, training, data collection, and whether districts handle claims consistently. Members also referenced Arkansas as a possible comparison state and said they hoped to develop ideas by November to address the current funding process. Committee members focused on the current special education aid thresholds and the impact of proration. The chair described the existing formula as requiring districts to absorb costs up to 3.5 times the state average per student, with the state paying 80% from 3.5 times through 10 times and paying above that, and said FY25 appropriated about $34 million while actual claims were about $50.1 million, leaving roughly a $16 million shortfall that caused proration. Members also raised the possibility of lowering the threshold to 2.5 times and asked how that would affect the number of eligible students and costs. Another member asked about how districts decide whether services are education-related or medical-related and how Medicaid or private insurance reimbursement affects later state aid claims. District representatives from Boothby Therapy Services, Bedford, and Guilford introduced themselves and described their roles. Guilford’s director said the district tracks students with paraprofessional support, nurses, transportation, or specialized programming, uses a data system to log every service touchpoint, and tries to maximize both Medicaid and special education aid; she said a lower threshold would likely capture all students with paras or nurses and that rising staffing and service costs would increase the number of students over the cap. Bedford’s assistant director said the district uses a different system, tracks roughly 60 to 80 students a year, and pursues Medicaid and special education aid simultaneously but does not pursue private insurance if it would affect FAPE; she said reducing the threshold to 2.5 times would likely double the number of qualifying students. Members asked follow-up questions about software, data entry, and how districts decide whether to bill Medicaid or seek state catastrophic aid, and the directors explained that their systems log services by staff type and student, with some districts using the same data for both Medicaid and state reimbursement claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 111 is the budget bill junior to the 2026 Budget Act.
• This budget provides changes to AB 109, the Legislature's budget adopted earlier this month.
• And I am grateful for this budget.
• Well, we're viewing the budget.
• And this budget and the sustainability of this budget confirms that.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget total is $114.5 billion. The budget totals $114.5 billion.
• Members, the Criminal and Civil Justice Budget, and steady guidance throughout the budget process.
• in the budget.
• funding in the budget.
• The budget was examined. Certainly balance sheets were examined. The budget was examined.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget total is $114.5 billion. The budget totals $114.5 billion.
• Some highlights of our budget: our budget totals $49.2 billion, representing an increase of more than
• Members, the Criminal and Civil Justice Budget, and steady guidance throughout the budget process.
• funding in the budget.
• The budget was examined. Certainly balance sheets were examined. The budget was examined.

Summary: The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects. Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation. Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• What percentage of those will be pretty much cut in your budget on what you get from Medicaid?
• What they do, though, is they tend to manage with global budgets, so they have more control.
• And when they purchase and deliver pharmaceuticals, they're doing that within that global budget.
• within that global budget.
• Maryland, which you talked about in that last hearing when you talked about Global Budgeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Chair Tuck: Next up, HB 1515, Public Records Exemption for Research Database, by Representative
• HB 1515, Public Records Exemption for Research Database, by Representative Dunkley.
• to present HB 1515 related to the public records exemption for HB 327, Uterine Fibroid Research Database
• 1515 RELATED TO THE PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION FOR HB 327   656 UTERINE FIBROID RESEARCH DATABASE
• nbsp; 658 Members, this is a public records exemption connected to HB 327, Uterine Fibroid Research Database

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of health care-related bills, with Chair Tuck emphasizing respectful debate and noting that all bills on the agenda would be voted on that day. The first measure, HB 743, would give the Attorney General authority to investigate and bring civil actions against health care practitioners who violate Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and would make aiding or abetting such conduct a third-degree felony. Supporters said it closed loopholes and protected minors and parental rights, while opponents argued it was vague, overbroad, and could chill lawful care and professional judgment. The bill passed 13-4 and was reported favorably. The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 567, which narrows a continuing-education requirement for podiatrists so only those who prescribe controlled substances must take the related two-hour course. It also unanimously approved HB 439, allowing chiropractors, under specified training and certification requirements, to inject vitamins and nutrients while continuing to prohibit intravenous injections. The committee also passed HB 1235 to enter Florida into the respiratory care interstate compact, and HB 1237, a linked public-records/public-meetings exemption needed to implement that compact; both measures were supported as workforce and access-to-care bills and passed without opposition. Later, the committee approved PCS for HB 809, which addresses temporary physician certificates in areas of need and aims to prevent doctors from losing the ability to practice when area designations change. Members asked about licensure pathways and the effect of federal or board designation changes, and supporters framed the bill as protecting continuity of care in underserved communities. The committee also unanimously passed HB 1347 to align clinical laboratory personnel licensing with federal CLIA standards amid staffing shortages, and HB 1515, a public-records exemption tied to a uterine fibroid research database. Finally, the committee approved HB 169 updating acupuncture statutes, including terminology changes and limits on injection therapy, and HB 1021, Representative Young’s first bill, allowing qualified hospital pharmacists in Level I and II trauma centers to administer emergency medications at a physician’s direction during life-threatening situations. HB 1021 drew the most questions, mainly about scope, definitions, and who could authorize the pharmacist, but after a technical amendment it passed unanimously. All remaining bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• at that time we were prohibited or restricted from being able to run our state criminal history database
• uh with only limited uh database uh with only limited uh exceptions<00:16:07.680> which<00:16
• Would this be funded out of the elections budget?
• we're working on, the Tails budget and the budget after that, uh, it would make it for a very complex
• we're working on the impact this budget we're working on the Tails<01:20:05.520> budget<01:20

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How come you really, why can't we cut your budget by, you know, something?
• So if you look at never plus database.
• <03:42:34.880> which electronically into our database which electronically into our database
• So, all entered into the same database.
• c> to<03:49:26.160> which<03:49:26.319> you database to which you database to which

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 146, which would remove the requirement that a medical examiner physically view a body before issuing a cremation certificate. The prime sponsor, Sen. Suprentice, and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jenny Duval explained that the bill would not change the death certificate process or the existing waiting period before cremation; it would only eliminate the in-person viewing step. They said the current review of death certificates already catches the vast majority of cases that should be reported to the medical examiner, and that the physical view changes outcomes in less than 1% of cremation cases. The witnesses emphasized that the bill is intended to improve efficiency and reduce delays for families and funeral homes, while freeing deputy medical examiners to focus on homicides, suicides, accidents, and unexpected natural deaths. Dr. Duval cited an example where review of a death certificate, not the body, uncovered a long-ago strangulation-related homicide, arguing that the key safeguard is review of records and cause of death, not the physical view. She also said the change would save travel time and some costs for the department. Committee members asked about how death certificates list primary and contributing causes of death, whether the low percentage of findings means the current process has a deterrent effect, why cremation is treated differently from burial, and whether identification concerns are adequately addressed. The sponsors responded that identification is handled earlier by hospitals, families, and funeral directors, and that any questionable identification would already fall under medical examiner jurisdiction. They also said the bill would not alter the two-day cremation delay or other existing safeguards. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is currently $12.3 million over budget.
• currently $12.3 million over budget. currently $12.3 million over budget.
• Their budget development is public. Their budgets are public. Their curricula is public.
• Their budget development is public. Their budgets are public. Their curricula is public.
• Their budget development is public. Their budgets are public. Their curricula is public.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We allpayer claims database, the CHIZ.
• do a lot of work using that um, database do a lot of work using that um, database to<01:15:16.080
• marketing budgets. marketing budgets.
• item in a budget, just behind salaries.
• <05:09:02.240> health for municipal budgets as health for municipal budgets as health insurance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2 allows TDEM to waive the requirements of registration and volunteer databases necessary to facilitate
• But what they'd like to do is expand that database, and particularly when we talk about what you and
• through a future appropriations bill, or once the grant program exists, it could be done through budget
• of the council, but the money will be held at the Comptroller's office, so we're not inflating the budget

Bills: HB1, HB2, HB3, HB5, HB20, HB22

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Summary: The House convened in special session with a gubernatorial proclamation adding subjects related to penalties for legislators who absent themselves, ivermectin access, and groundwater study authority. The chamber also handled routine motions, committee scheduling, and first-reading referrals before moving to the main floor calendar focused largely on disaster response and public safety legislation. The central theme throughout the day was the July 4 flooding and related tragedies, with repeated references to families of victims and the need for stronger preparedness and prevention measures. House Bill 1, on youth camp emergency plans and preparedness, was the most emotional and heavily amended measure. Members adopted changes requiring annual emergency plans for resident youth camps, staff training, parent notification, evacuation maps, floodplain-related disclosures, restrictions on sleeping quarters in flood-prone areas, and funding for enforcement. One proposed amendment to require air conditioning or heat in sleeping quarters failed, while another amendment on floodplain restrictions passed after debate over floodplain versus floodway language. HB 1 ultimately passed the House 136-1 on second reading and later 135-1 on final passage. Senate Bill 2 / House Bill 2 on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery also advanced after extensive discussion. The bill creates training for justices of the peace in mass-fatality events, establishes an emergency manager licensing system, sets local succession procedures, creates a statewide volunteer management system, authorizes drone interdiction in disaster zones, expands disaster loan eligibility, and adds review and planning provisions for certain infrastructure and weather-related issues. Members debated the scope of the training, drone impacts on press coverage, volunteer registration, and infrastructure-related amendments; some proposals were adopted and others tabled or withdrawn. SB 2 passed the House 130-4 on third reading and later 132-4 on final passage. The House also passed House Bill 3 creating the Texas Interoperability Council and a grant program for emergency communications equipment, House Bill 20 addressing disaster-related scams and fraudulent charitable solicitations, House Bill 22 expanding allowable uses of the broadband infrastructure fund for emergency communications, and Senate Bill 5 providing supplemental appropriations for disaster relief, including funds for local warning systems and weather monitoring. Each of these bills passed overwhelmingly, with only one or a few dissenting votes, and members repeatedly emphasized the need to improve coordination, communications, funding, and fraud prevention in the wake of recent disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• At least at the Joint Budget Committee. At least at the Joint Budget Committee.
• It's to balance the budget.
• balance the budget? balance the budget?
• to balance the budget. to balance the budget.
• uh the state budget. uh the state budget.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate was in session with a quorum present, approved the journal, and received several committee and House messages before moving through a long third-reading calendar. The chamber also paused for multiple personal privilege recognitions, including welcoming community guests and students, and a lighthearted update that Senator Sullivan’s missing stuffed “Chip” had been found. The majority leader later moved to lay over the remaining third-reading bills until later in the day, and the Senate also laid over special-order second reading bills until after third reading. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 185 and a series of House bills, including HB 1342 on bear-luring behavior, HB 1269 on transit access, HB 1225 on distributed energy resources, HB 1233 on property tax procedures for nonresidential property, HB 1414 on medical records held by certain health care entities, HB 1256 on release procedures from the Department of Corrections, HB 1004 on a child care income tax credit, HB 1014 extending the Colorado Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit, HB 1111 creating a pesticide product disposal and container recycling program, and HB 1287 continuing certain Division of Real Estate regulatory functions. HB 1206 was laid over to Monday, and SB 193 was laid over to the bottom of the calendar. Several of these bills passed with notable no votes from minority members, while others passed with broad support. The Committee of the Whole then took up House Bill 1276, a bill concerning protections for immigrants in Colorado and related appropriations. Senator Weisman explained and the committee adopted two amendments: one extending the deadline for peace officer training from July 1 to December 31, 2027, and another clarifying that a certification requirement would not apply to the judicial branch’s e-filing system but would continue to apply to other judicial data systems. Senator Judah spoke strongly in support of the bill, arguing it was about government accountability, privacy, and conditions in detention facilities. The committee adopted both amendments and then adopted HB 1276. The committee also considered House Bill 1419, dealing with the overall refund amount for state revenues above the TABOR spending limit. Senator Bridges presented the committee report, and Senator Kirkmeyer spoke in opposition, arguing the bill was an unnecessary maneuver to retroactively alter accounting and TABOR refund calculations despite prior compliance and a clean audit opinion. After debate, the committee report was adopted and the bill was taken up for further discussion, with the transcript ending amid that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We combed over 50 agencies in crafting the budget.
• Our budget strategies here in just a few moments.
• , so there has to be flexibility in the budget.
• I am proud to vote for this budget at this time.
• , the Senate's budget.

Bills: SCR8, SCR25, SB1, SB14, SB24, SB213, SB251, SB315, SB371, SB378, SB379, SB406, SB413, SB472, SB487, SB502, SB502, SB509, SB513, SB513, SB565, SB565, SB583, SB608, SB621, SB650, SB686, SB686, SB707, SB710, SB710, SB761, SB761, SB810, SB815, SB840, SB856, SB875, SB875, SB896, SB896, SB916, SB925, SB958, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB965, SB973, SB973, SB987, SB990, SB995, SB1018, SB1019, SB1146, SB1146, SB1198, SB1252, SB1252, SB1253, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1499, SB1499, SB1532, SB1532, SB1547, SB1547, SB1555, SB1596, SB1596, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SCR25, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB925, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB815, SB1379, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB502, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1555, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB24, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB213, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB1343, SB608, SB487, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB958, SB761, SB1, SB541, SB315, SB379, SB1018, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB896, SB1352, SB973, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB1547, SB961, SB1038, SB513, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1198, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB1, SB1555, SR233, SR307, SR310, SR318, SR319, SCR25, SJR72, SJR73, SJR75, SJR77, SJR79, SJR80, SJR81, SJR82, SB2198, SB2201, SB2202, SB2203, SB2204, SB2205, SB2206, SB2207, SB2208, SB2209, SB2210, SB2211, SB2213, SB2214, SB2215, SB2216, SB2217, SB2218, SB2219, SB2220, SB2221, SB2222, SB2223, SB2224, SB2225, SB2226, SB2227, SB2228, SB2229, SB2231, SB2232, SB2233, SB2234, SB2235, SB2236, SB2237, SB2238, SB2239, SB2240, SB2241, SB2242, SB2243, SB2244, SB2245, SB2246, SB2247, SB2248, SB2249, SB2250, SB2251, SB2252, SB2253, SB2254, SB2255, SB2256, SB2257, SB2258, SB2259, SB2260, SB2261, SB2262, SB2263, SB2264, SB2265, SB2266, SB2267, SB2268, SB2269, SB2270, SB2271, SB2272, SB2273, SB2274, SB2275, SB2276, SB2277, SB2278, SB2279, SB2280, SB2281, SB2282, SB2283, SB2284, SB2285, SB2286, SB2287, SB2288, SB2289, SB2290, SB2291, SB2292, SB2293, SB2294, SB2295, SB2296, SB2297, SB2298, SB2299, SB2300, SB2301, SB2302, SB2303, SB2304, SB2305, SB2306, SB2307, SB2308, SB2309, SB2310, SB2311, SB2313, SB2314, SB2315, SB2316, SB2317, SB2318, SB2319, SB2320, SB2321, SB2322, SB2323, SB2324, SB2325, SB2326, SB2327, SB2328, SB2329, SB2330, SB2331, SB2333, SB2334, SB2335, SB2336, SB2337, SB2338, SB2339, SB2340, SB2341, SB2342, SB2343, SB2344, SB2346, SB2347, SB2348, SB2349, SB2350, SB2351, SB2352, SB2353, SB2354, SB2355, SB2356, SB2357, SB2358, SB2359, SB2360, SB2361, SB2362, SB2363, SB2364, SB2365, SB2366, SB2367, SB2368, SB2369, SB2370, SB2371, SB2372, SB2373, SB2374, SB2375, SB2376, SB2377, SB2378, SB2379, SB2380, SB2381, SB2382, SB2383, SB2384, SB2385, SB2386, SB2387, SB2388, SB2389, SB2390, SB2391, SB2393, SB2394, SB2395, SB2396, SB2397, SB2398, SB2399, SB2400, SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404, SB2405, SB2406, SB2410, SB2411, SB2412, SB2413, SB2414, SB2415, SB2416, SB2417, SB2418, SB2419, SB2420, SB2421, SB2422, SB2423, SB2424, SB2426, SB2427, SB2428, SB2429, SB2430, SB2431, SB2432, SB2433, SB2434, SB2435, SB2436, SB2437, SB2438, SB2439, SB2440, SB2441, SB2442, SB2443, SB2444, SB2445, SB2446, SB2447, SB2448, SB2449, SB2450, SB2451, SB2452, SB2453, SB2454, SB2455, SB2456, SB2457, SB2458, SB2459, SB2460, SJR72, SJR73, SJR75, SJR77, SJR79, SJR80, SJR81, SJR82, SB2198, SB2201, SB2202, SB2203, SB2204, SB2205, SB2206, SB2207, SB2208, SB2209, SB2210, SB2211, SB2213, SB2214, SB2215, SB2216, SB2217, SB2218, SB2219, SB2220, SB2221, SB2222, SB2223, SB2224, SB2225, SB2226, SB2227, SB2228, SB2229, SB2231, SB2232, SB2233, SB2234, SB2235, SB2236, SB2237, SB2238, SB2239, SB2240, SB2241, SB2242, SB2243, SB2244, SB2245, SB2246, SB2247, SB2248, SB2249, SB2250, SB2251, SB2252, SB2253, SB2254, SB2255, SB2256, SB2257, SB2258, SB2259, SB2260, SB2261, SB2262, SB2263, SB2264, SB2265, SB2266, SB2267, SB2268, SB2269, SB2270, SB2271, SB2272, SB2273, SB2274, SB2275, SB2276, SB2277, SB2278, SB2279, SB2280, SB2281, SB2282, SB2283, SB2284, SB2285, SB2286, SB2287, SB2288, SB2289, SB2290, SB2291, SB2292, SB2293, SB2294, SB2295, SB2296, SB2297, SB2298, SB2299, SB2300, SB2301, SB2302, SB2303, SB2304, SB2305, SB2306, SB2307, SB2308, SB2309, SB2310, SB2311, SB2313, SB2314, SB2315, SB2316, SB2317, SB2318, SB2319, SB2320, SB2321, SB2322, SB2323, SB2324, SB2325, SB2326, SB2327, SB2328, SB2329, SB2330, SB2331, SB2333, SB2334, SB2335, SB2336, SB2337, SB2338, SB2339, SB2340, SB2341, SB2342, SB2343, SB2344, SB2346, SB2347, SB2348, SB2349, SB2350, SB2351, SB2352, SB2353, SB2354, SB2355, SB2356, SB2357, SB2358, SB2359, SB2360, SB2361, SB2362, SB2363, SB2364, SB2365, SB2366, SB2367, SB2368, SB2369, SB2370, SB2371, SB2372, SB2373, SB2374, SB2375, SB2376, SB2377, SB2378, SB2379, SB2380, SB2381, SB2382, SB2383, SB2384, SB2385, SB2386, SB2387, SB2388, SB2389, SB2390, SB2391, SB2393, SB2394, SB2395, SB2396, SB2397, SB2398, SB2399, SB2400, SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404, SB2405, SB2406, SB2410, SB2411, SB2412, SB2413, SB2414, SB2415, SB2416, SB2417, SB2418, SB2419, SB2420, SB2421, SB2422, SB2423, SB2424, SB2426, SB2427, SB2428, SB2429, SB2430, SB2431, SB2432, SB2433, SB2434, SB2435, SB2436, SB2437, SB2438, SB2439, SB2440, SB2441, SB2442, SB2443, SB2444, SB2445, SB2446, SB2447, SB2448, SB2449, SB2450, SB2451, SB2452, SB2453, SB2454, SB2455, SB2456, SB2457, SB2458, SB2459, SB2460

Keywords: central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy, payments system, commercial banks, Texas Legislature, concurrent resolution, federal reserve digital currency

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Ramos and others, an act relating to the missing persons DNA database program.
• AB 2018 provides essential clarification and updates to the missing persons DNA database program to help
• the context of the MMI crisis, knowing that tribal communities can utilize the missing persons DNA database
• I've submitted a pending budget request to establish separate funding for this credit.
• But I also want to remind my colleagues that as we vote on this next budget that we really see that we

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened in session, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a very large third-reading file while urging members to be at their desks for their bills. The day featured many support measures on housing, health care, public safety, local government, labor, education, and consumer protection, with repeated reminders that absent authors would have their bills skipped. Several bills were passed temporarily or retained on file, but the chamber spent most of the time taking up individual measures and voting on them. Among the bills discussed were measures on land surveying, nurse midwifery access, historic-district transit zoning, EV charging infrastructure, foreclosure equity protections, tribal inclusion in interstate cannabis commerce, outdoor advertising permitting delays, commercial building permit timelines, DUI penalties, farmworker disadvantaged-community designation, restaurant reservation bots, open-space tax exemptions, pop-up business permits, anti-hate training for officials, sideshows and street takeovers, utility rate transparency, CalWORKs eligibility, dynamic electricity rates, interior designer licensure, compost contamination, modular housing standards, small claims limits for businesses, Native American Day as a paid state holiday, rural maternity care funding, protective orders tied to defendant release, immigrant service provider privacy under Safe at Home, mentally disordered offender evaluations, compounded weight-loss drug regulation, plasma donation center rules, missing persons DNA database updates, AI chatbot safeguards for children, an official state apology to California Native peoples, foster youth housing navigation, CTE teacher credentialing, Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, CalFresh protections, public hospital physician employment authority, child care, and film tax credit changes for post-production work. Testimony was generally supportive from authors, who framed the bills as cleanup, modernization, consumer protection, or targeted equity measures. A few measures drew notable opposition or debate, especially AB 2624 on Safe at Home privacy protections for immigrant service providers, where opponents argued it could chill journalism and transparency while supporters said it was needed to protect people facing doxing and threats. AB 2208 and AB 2299 were presented as responses to federal HR 1 impacts on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and AB 2023 on AI chatbots drew emotional support centered on child safety and a reported suicide case. The chamber also heard strong advocacy for Native American recognition bills, rural health access, and housing affordability. Most bills passed with little or no opposition, often unanimously. Recorded votes included AB 1933 (48-0), AB 1696 (49-0), AB 2415 (54-0), AB 1820 (50-0), AB 1957 (53-0), AB 2506 (60-0), AB 2024 (58-0), AB 2418 (61-0), AB 1578 (44-17), AB 1600 (46-9), AB 1661 (44-10), AB 1715 (46-7), AB 1755 (66-0), AB 1787 (43-5), AB 1796 (45-6), AB 1812 (47-1), AB 1815 (57-0), AB 1827 (59-0), AB 1841 (64-0), AB 1868 (61-0), AB 1882 (64-0), AB 1889 (69-0), AB 2624 (49-19), AB 1897 (57-1), AB 1990 (52-0), AB 2009 (65-0), AB 2018 (60-0), AB 2023 (58-8), AB 2115 (65-0), AB 2162 (60-0), AB 2206 (62-0), AB 2208 (42-17), AB 2237 (54-0), AB 2241 (62-0), AB 2246 (56-1), AB 2249 (51-0), AB 2299 (51-1), AB 2311 (65-0), and AB 2314 (68-0). The session ended with the Assembly still working through the file, including the opening of AB 2319 on film tax credits.