Transcript Highlights:

• The division had to update the rate table in EFS Mod, conduct testing to make sure the rates were correct
• Do you think similarly that the test at the end of the CDA course, which is currently only offered in
• I think not just the CDA side of it, but also with our licensing side of it, those in-person tests have
• field and be specialized I think it would transform our field do you think similarly that the the test
• I think not just the CDA side of it, but also with our licensing side of it, those in-person tests have

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and focused on School Readiness, specifically the new provider reimbursement rates and the School Readiness Plus program. The chair gave an overview of how School Readiness is funded and administered, noting that the Legislature now sets county-based reimbursement rates using market and cost data, and that School Readiness Plus was created to help families who would otherwise fall off the subsidy “cliff” at 85% of state median income by extending assistance up to 100% of state median income. Panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and the Division of Early Learning described the programs as major workforce and family-support tools that help parents stay employed and help providers recruit and retain qualified staff. Testimony emphasized that higher reimbursement rates increase parental choice, help providers cover rising child care costs, and support better staffing and lower turnover. The panel also said School Readiness Plus is easing the pressure on families to turn down raises or promotions for fear of losing child care assistance, though uptake is still early because the program only began in late 2024 and is only available to current School Readiness families at redetermination. The Division of Early Learning reported about 275 children enrolled in School Readiness Plus as of March 10, with expenditures of about $161,420 through January 2025, and said participation is increasing. Members asked about the federal-state funding split, wait lists, reverted funds, coalition accountability, county-based rate differences, and whether the entrance eligibility threshold should be raised or shifted to state median income. The panel said roughly 70% of School Readiness funding is federal, about 4% has typically reverted in recent years, and the wait list is around 12,000 children, with reasons including income ineligibility, lack of available seats, and funding limits. They argued that raising the entrance threshold would expand access but would require additional funding, and they also discussed the need to reduce workforce barriers such as in-person testing and training requirements. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond the presentation and member discussion, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• with an ultimate budget of about half a million dollars. thousand dollars of non-recurring funds to test
• When we talk about suicides and certain issues, I'm like, well, you know, that’s because those tests
• Testing one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen
• Two, three, four, test, test, testing, testing, testing one, testing. Cool day, bro. Test.
• Test one, two, three. Test. One, two, three. That's good. Thank you. Okay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have equipment that tests the. Any radiation and mittens coming out of the trucks?
• , New Mexico is the second most irradiated state in the country during our testing.
• It extends through 1962 when they did the last above-ground test at Nevada.
• There are talks of starting up testing again.
• There are no safe ways to test nuclear devices, and we have an 80-year history of that.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with test strips, we reduce... ...that we reduce overdose.
• And with test strips, we reduce overdose.
• I'm told by the state, cannot test for all chemicals that are in there.
• The fentanyl strips, the testing strips, the Narcan, the drug testing equipment, the syringes have all
• It's the perfect bill to make a pilot to try it and test that.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and read several committee reports and communications into the record. Members also observed moments of silence for two young people who had recently died, and the prayer and pledge were offered before the chamber moved into business. Consent calendar number 28, consisting of several resolutions, passed by voice vote. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and retirement remarks for Representative Jeff Holowski, who was praised by colleagues for his work on financial literacy, veterans’ issues, health care, diabetes policy, and constituent service, as well as for his military service and community involvement. Holowski thanked staff, colleagues, and his family, and said he was retiring to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The chamber also recognized former Representative Harvey Kenton as a guest. The House then acted on several measures. Senate Bill 286, as amended by House Amendment 1, passed 40-0 and extends consumer protections and dealer equity standards to ATVs, side-by-sides, and vessels. Senate Bill 179, which updates the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission and its bench book/data analysis process, passed 27-14. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 23, the housing supply and affordability bill, was presented with extensive explanation and questions about local control, zoning, and implementation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and directing flags at half-staff, was also discussed in emotional remarks about overdose losses and the state’s ongoing response. The House later recessed for party caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I will tell you is, NMED is still testing as many wells as possible.
• So, testing their wells—not people, sorry—testing their wells and testing as many wells as possible.
• But initial test results are showing that the initial test results that were completed by the private
• So I will tell you, they're taking those test results. They're really interpreting them.
• But initial test results are showing that the initial test results that were completed by the private

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can actually even get a specimen from the eye if you need to, and you can do pregnancy testing on
• , because they, if a specimen is obtained by the funeral home, the coroner still has to order that test
• , which they do with toxicology and alcohol, the coroner still has to order that test, which they do
• Matt, I'm curious: of the testing you do on the brands that are sold in the state are probably under
• Do you, are you able to test them for that ASTM standards?

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, House Bill 2726 requires access to cover mild sleep apnea testing and treatment.
• There is no clinical test involved.
• Is there any kind of clinical exam where they have to take a test to prove it?
• There's no clinical testing.
• Jameson replied that the blood test costs maybe $30 to $50.

Bills: HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several health care bills. HB 2726 would require Access contractors to cover diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a new prescription tongue-stimulation device; supporters said it offers an effective, less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and outcomes, while Access was neutral and raised concerns about cost and bypassing its normal clinical review. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then approved HB 2726 as amended on an 8-4 due-pass vote. HB 2435 would create a pathway for internationally trained physicians to receive a provisional Arizona medical license, with a later amendment adding a four-year supervised rural practice requirement and automatic conversion to a full license if criteria are met. Supporters argued it would help address severe physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, especially for cardiology and other specialties, and several doctors testified about their experience and the need for more access. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said the state already has a case-by-case licensure process for foreign-trained physicians and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and allow insufficiently vetted applicants. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 as amended on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2958 would require Access to cover comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 pilot program and reporting requirements. The sponsor and public health advocates said preventive dental care during pregnancy can reduce infections and improve maternal and infant outcomes, and the bill drew broad support from health and advocacy groups. The committee passed HB 2958 on an 11-1 due-pass vote. The committee also approved HB 2176, which changes criteria and timelines for health care institution licensing complaints and informal dispute resolution, with supporters saying it would improve transparency and predictability for hospitals while preserving enforcement authority. Finally, the committee heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from paying certified registered nurse anesthetists less than physicians for the same anesthesia service; opponents argued it would interfere with contract negotiations and raise costs, while supporters said insurer reimbursement cuts are harming rural access and shifting costs to hospitals. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or being free-speeched out of their ability to learn or get to class or take a test?
• test yes sir we have many ways for students to raise their concern and we try to have as many ways as
• That was the sort of key. test at the time that created that sort of balancing test in that sort of scenario
• But it's a three-part test. We've taken it from. case law.
• In my view, I wasn't testing anybody, and I wasn't testing anybody here either.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item I'll talk about is electric vehicle supply equipment testing.
• The next I'll talk about is electric vehicle supply equipment testing.
• So as more supply equipment testing.
• This testing capacity often results because it is an onerous burden to become a licensed testing facility
• There's a one-time testing facility.

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• By adding the verbiage “not less than,” add means testing if so desired by using the household amount
• Washington offers this with a means test of $40,000 per household, not including veterans benefits.
• <00:38:13.920> if<00:38:14.160> so less than add means testing if so less than add
• means testing if so desired<00:38:14.800> by<00:38:14.960> using<00:38:15.200> the
• put in a different means test. put in a different means test.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it time for us to look at star testing?
• We're not going to apply that. if a ESA recipient chooses to take the STAAR test, they can.
• You've been talking about Florida tremendous rebound on their score testing.
• Members, while the annual norm reference test is a effort to measure outcomes.
• Some public schools do, either one test or the other. the state out of state funding?

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's tested.
• What this bill is doing is allowing them for alternative methods for the testing.
• What this bill is mandatory CWD testing.
• Uh you're methods to for the testing.
• Uh what this does is removes the tested.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 February, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and heard an invocation and pledge. The early portion of the meeting focused on recognizing recipients of the 2026 Governor’s Arts Awards. The Senate adopted resolutions honoring Greg Harkins for excellence in traditional craft, Jesse Robinson for lifetime achievement in blues music, Heather Christian for excellence in music composition, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for excellence in performing arts, and Dorothy “Dottie” Armstrong for excellence in art education. The executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission briefly thanked the senators and invited them to the evening awards ceremony. The chamber also received several announcements and introductions, including recognition of the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists’ Capitol Day and visiting students from several radiologic science programs. There was also mention of an out-of-order resolution commemorating the 155th anniversary of Alcorn State University, though no action on it was detailed in the excerpt. On the calendar, the Senate took up Senate Bill 2915, which concerns alcoholic beverages, native wine retail permits, and festival permits. The bill was explained as a measure to support Mississippi’s native wineries by allowing free-standing tasting rooms in different parts of the state while maintaining tax collection; a committee substitute and a friendly amendment were adopted, and the bill passed by use of the morning roll call. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2828, the Money Transmission Modernization Act, which would impose transaction fees, create a Law Enforcement 287G Program Fund, provide an income tax credit for fees paid, and revise licensing and control definitions. After objections to the usual motion, the bill was read at length, but the excerpt ends before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• what we've got with Laboratory Testing what we've got with Laboratory Testing is<00:02:27.959>
• <00:04:42.960> of laboratory service fees for testing of laboratory service fees for testing
• So in 2024, the water lab conducted tests on 16,590 water samples that included 2,560 tests on samples
• except the water testing except the water testing fees<00:07:38.160> so<00:07:38.479>
• the only independent third-party testing the only independent third-party testing is<02:12:16.520

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our labs ran. thousands of tests, ruling out all the usual diseases.
• We test samples for them. I think we've had some of their folks over for... Together, yes.
• We have the only FAA drone test site in Texas, and only one of seven in the nation.
• I understand you're one of seven test site operators in the nation who can test aircraft systems.
• We kind of shut down downtown Corpus Christi for those tests.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're going to commit to looking at infusing that here, the soils, the testing facility?
• challenges I've had with uh was testing challenges I've had with uh was testing yeah<00:20:18.280
• proposing to restart the soil testing proposing to restart the soil testing lab<00:20:35.600>
• And then my understanding is that the test is a 10-question test online, so you don't know how much they
• that the test is a 10 question test that the test is a 10 question test online<01:04:51.640>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Committee on Higher Education and Agriculture heard Senate Bill 1158, which would authorize general obligation bonds and appropriations for a controlled environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon Research and Teaching Site in Manoa. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the University of Hawaiʻi, Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Maui County, MetroGrow Hawaiʻi, and other agricultural groups, who said the project would strengthen food resilience, support year-round production, create clean jobs, and provide a demonstration site for urban vertical farming. University representatives said the project would include demolition of an existing condemned building, a research and lab component, and a multistory vertical farm, with an estimated cost of $6 million and a projected two-year build time. Members questioned whether Manoa was the best location, whether the project fit the university’s broader strategy, and whether the request would displace other priorities. The University said the site is tied to SEAR activities, close to students and faculty, and intended to support hands-on training and commercial-scale production. In response to concerns about soil testing and stakeholder needs, the University said it would restart the soil testing lab using internal funds, though not as part of this bill, and would request additional staff for efficiency. The committee then recessed and later reconvened in decision-making, where the chairs recommended and the committee adopted amendments to SB 1158, including a name correction and deferral to July 31, 2050, and the bill passed with amendments. The committee then took up Senate Bill 663, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and SEAR research and experiment stations. The University testified that the stations are important for locally relevant agricultural research but are short staffed, with 34 positions down since 2005, and that the bill requests eight new positions, including agricultural technicians and four county community coordinator positions, to improve station operations, community engagement, and workforce development. The Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying the positions are needed to revamp extension services and that Manoa is an appropriate urban location for the vertical farming component. Members questioned why vacant or existing positions could not be used instead of new ones, and the University explained that some listed vacancies reflected old federally funded positions or inaccurate counts, promised a written update, and said it was working to fill current openings. No final vote on SB 663 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the course of the spring, we tested the system.
• We tested the system, running different test sets of data through the system to make determinations on
• What independent penetration testing was actually performed?
• Did literacy tests preserve the purity of the ballot?
• You know, we do test the equipment. We do certify the equipment.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requires food manufacturers to test requires food manufacturers to test their<01:46:06.400> baby
• We add a new subchapter three, testing and labeling of certain products.
• Subsection C requires testing at least once a month.
• And the QR code has to link to the test And the QR code has to link to the test results<01:52:21.920
• They've lost a lot of positions. authority to test. They still would like authority to test.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , details of the moped license testing, details of the moped license testing, but<03:38:48.880>
• >> It's an operator's knowledge test. >> It's an operator's knowledge test.
• On the moped, it's only a knowledge test.
• On the moped, it's only a knowledge test.
• On the moped, it's only a knowledge test.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We tested grant payments, grant monitoring activities, and grant closeout evaluations.
• > which<00:05:00.760> included We tested multiple areas, which included We tested multiple
• We tested grant payments, amendments.
• We found that BHA did not comply with single-grant requirements for 15 out of 24 grants we tested.
• of the 10 that were tested of the 10 that were tested all<01:43:55.080> of<01:43:55.200><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This gap has already been tested in practice.
• This gap has already been tested in practice.
• <01:19:17.360> that SLI, the independent lab testing that SLI, the independent lab testing
• After that logic and accuracy test in the field, it's mandated by law to be performed.
• > it's<01:33:31.360> locked test each database before it's locked test each database before

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.