Transcript Highlights:

• For example, chiropractic care is not covered under medical assistance or Minnesota Care.
• For example, chiropractic care is not covered under medical assistance or Minnesota Care.
• For example, chiropractic care is not covered under medical assistance or Minnesota Care.
• We've got Minnesota Care, assistance.
• So 45% of our spending on medical assistance is through managed care.

Bills: HF4609 , HF4401

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: infertility, fertility treatment, fertility preservation, IVF, assisted reproductive technology, ART, oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, egg freezing, sperm freezing, reproductive health, maternity coverage, health insurance mandate, health plan benefits, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, family planning, oncology fertility preservation, chemotherapy

Transcript Highlights:

• It actually touched three entities: commerce, education, and health care.
• We have checked in with everybody. ...and education and health care.
• I don't know anything about what the assistance program was or if any assistance was ever actually provided
• Minority Leader Kirt, would you care to vote? Nine ayes and zero nays.
• Minority Leader Kirt, would you care to vote? Nine ayes and zero nays.

Bills: SB1307 , SB1425 , SB1826 , SB1365 , SB1696

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Keywords: Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Arts Council, J.M. Davis Memorial Commission, historical preservation, arts funding, museum, gun collection, state agency contracts, 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, public funds, sectarian, religious funding restriction, appropriations, fiscal oversight, cultural institutions, historical artifacts, SB1425, health care, healthcare workforce

Summary: The Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee heard a presentation from Tourism Director Amy Blackburn on the Oklahoma Tourism spring 2026 marketing campaign. She described the agency’s new advertising contractor, spending plans split between in-state and out-of-state markets, and campaign themes centered on Route 66, state parks, fishing, Western heritage, and spring travel. She said the campaign’s goal is to increase visitation, bookings, park revenue, and traffic to TravelOK.com, and noted the use of data tools to track marketing performance. The committee then considered several Senate bills. SB 1307, by Sen. Daniels, would remove language that could bar religious organizations from receiving neutral public benefits or grants; it passed 7-1 after questions about church-state concerns. SB 1425, also by Sen. Daniels, repealed an obsolete healthcare workforce assistance board/program and passed 9-0. SB 1826, by Sen. Reinhart, removed the sunset on the Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act; members discussed reporting and oversight, and it passed 7-1. SB 1365, by Sen. Fricks, was amended to add an emergency clause and to raise from $25,000 to $75,000 the threshold for Tourism Department retail purchases exempt from the Central Purchasing Act, with testimony that it would help stock gift shops and support local vendors; it passed 8-0. SB 1696, by Sen. Coleman, created a Commerce Department grant program to help cities and counties recruit new residents through local incentives advertised on MakeMyMove.com; members raised concerns about sunsets, audits, and overlap with other incentives, and the bill passed 5-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• Walk out here and pass by being taken care of.
• Uh, so this deals with the GI dependent scholarship. Just a little bit of background.
• the dependents of those who are only minimally disabled.
• There's just no justification for giving scholarships to dependents of minimally scholarships to dependents
• Let's stay in the eye care realm here. HB176.

Bills: HB86 , HB273 , HB379 , HB386 , HB387 , HB388 , HB389 , HB487 , HB600 , SB120 , HB176

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, tax credits, qualified donations, Alabama Department of Revenue, HB273, Hunger-Free Campus Act, hunger free campus, food insecurity, college hunger, student hunger, campus pantry, food pantry, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, basic needs, student food assistance, meal vouchers, meal credits, food vouchers

Bills: HB 35 , HB 138 , HB 754 , HB 1314 , HB 1612 , HB 2254 , HB 2510 , HB 2789 , HB 3560 , HB 3597 , HB 4224 , HB 4273 , HB 4643 , HB 4783

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, healthcare, price estimates, billing requirements, consumer protection, nonemergency services, assisted living, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of committee, Senate Bill 241 sets up the Child Care Assistance Act program.
• What it will do is codify the child care assistance program, and it will create stability.
• Child care assistance does help get these students, these children, ready for higher education.
• We use the McKinney-Vento definition when we do our enrollment for child care assistance.
• Chair, Senator Zell, Early Head Start are the ones I'm thinking of, child care assistance.

Bills: SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need to be very careful about the guardrails.
• We need to take care of those rural schools, and we need to take care of people who have been very thoughtful
• Instead, I'm sorry, I'll let you go because I don't care about anyone but my salary. Sorry.
• And in closing, I'm so thankful that people care about kids.
• The parents care about them, and I truly believe you care in them, Secretary.

Bills: HB2 , SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 253, as substituted, which would create a framework for full-time virtual/distance learning programs in New Mexico. Sponsors and agency witnesses said the bill is intended to preserve virtual options while adding approval, reporting, and compliance requirements, including definitions for distance learning programs, annual reporting, renewal every three to five years, and a pause on new programs while existing ones are grandfathered for a period. They also said the bill addresses budget concerns by limiting enrollment growth units and excluding distance-learning students from certain funding calculations, including rural population units, to prevent unexpected losses in the state equalization guarantee. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters included district superintendents and education officials who said the bill is needed to protect school funding, improve accountability, and gather basic data that the state currently lacks. Opponents included parents, students, teachers, charter-school representatives, and business and advocacy voices who argued virtual education has been lifesaving for medically fragile, bullied, rural, neurodivergent, and working students, and that the bill’s caps, geographic limits, and approval authority would reduce school choice and could eliminate some programs. Several witnesses stressed that virtual charter schools such as Pecos Cyber Academy and New Mexico Connections would not be affected, while others said the bill still reaches too broadly. Committee members raised extensive questions about the 10% enrollment cap, the adjacent-district requirement, the denial-and-appeal process, the treatment of charter schools versus district programs, and the effect on rural or small districts. Witnesses explained that the bill is meant to be temporary, with an interim study in 2026 to develop longer-term policy, but some members said they remained concerned about overreach and unintended consequences. No final vote or action on the bill was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our kids on medical assistance are not getting care.
• And our kids on medical assistance are not getting care.
• And our kids on medical assistance are not getting care.
• </c><01:12:52.600><c> So,</c><01:12:52.960><c> I</c> assistance are not getting care.
• So, I assistance are not getting care.

Bills: HF4712 , HF4801 , HF3756 , HF4860 , HF4931 , HF4289 , HF4460

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• I will do that because I care. out. I will do that because I care.
• </c> important is cuz I care. important is cuz I care.
• </c> child care is very fragile. child care is very fragile.
• </c> communities without care. communities without care.
• </c> assistant teachers. assistant teachers.

Bills: HF4407 , HF4382

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would not cover long-term care.
• Working in home care with our members, I know firsthand that shared care services are a vital program
• Working in home care with our members, I know firsthand that shared care services are a vital program
• </c> people who actually provide shared care. people who actually provide shared care.
• It replaced Consumer Support Grant and personal care assistant, PCA, services.

Bills: HF3797 , HF3780 , HF4068 , HF3935

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: long-term care, insurance policy, healthcare, partnership policy, Minnesota, human services, wage increase, support workers, shared services, community first services, medical assistance, sanctions, healthcare services, monetary recovery, government accountability, assisted living, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it ranges, depending on the vehicle.
• and the child care assistance program.
• It depends on who is doing the research.
• When you have a college research assistant, they're being paid at a lower rate.
• So there is a range depending on the expertise, and there's a range depending on the outputs associated

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

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> eligible for 10,000 and empg assistance eligible for 10,000 and empg assistance for<00:50:54.799
• and the child care assistance program.
• </c> medical assistance and the child care medical assistance and the child care assistance<01:01:43.920
• So there is a range depending on the expertise and there's a range depending on the outputs associated
• So there is a range depending on the expertise and there's a range depending on the outputs associated

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

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

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

Transcript Highlights:

• care.
• , environmental care, and community care.
• We rely on our MSO to assist with the administrative tasks so that we can take care of patients.
• Our rural communities depend on access to this care. Thank you again for allowing me to testify.
• Our rural communities depend on access to this care. Thank you again for allowing me to testify.

Bills: SB6294 , SB6211 , SB5650 , SB6033 , SB6297 , SB6343 , SB6067 , SB6082 , SB6323 , SB6324 , SB5862 , SB5923 , SB6151

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Bills: HB816 , HB1535 , HB1537 , HB1541 , HB1562 , HB1574 , HB1591 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1871 , HB1965 , HB1966 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2315 , HB2343 , HB2501 , HB2505 , HB1577 , HB2443 , HB2498 , HB2581 , HB2622

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB816, Hawaii, opioid overdose, opioid crisis, buprenorphine, naloxone, Narcan, paramedics, emergency medical services, EMS, first responders, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, withdrawal management, overdose reversal, pilot program, Department of Health, DOH, county population under 100,000, rural health

Transcript Highlights:

• By offering emotional support, birth planning, assistance, and care coordination, doulas help improve
• care.
• “Make sure that when a patient is receiving care, that they know who’s caring for them.
• An ALF must obtain a memory care services license if the ALF serves one or more memory care residents
• We like that it defines memory care resident and memory care services.

Bills: S0036 , S0864 , S0268 , S0844 , S0514 , S1404 , S0914 , S1758

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, uterine fibroids, public records, health privacy, epidemiology, medical information, emergency department, physicians, privacy, personal information, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, pain management, controlled substances, prescribing education, continuing medical education

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records exemption for emergency physicians. Senator Rodriguez’s strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and testimony from an emergency physician described threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. Members then heard SB 514, creating the Dula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women affected by substance use disorder. Senator Osgood explained the pilot would provide non-medical doula support and data collection, and an amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and complement medical providers. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 36 on use of professional nursing titles after extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be allowed to use “doctor” in clinical settings, with concerns raised about patient confusion and the need for clearer identification. The bill was amended to align with the House version and then reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee next approved SB 864, a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data, after a technical amendment setting a July 1, 2026 effective date; Senator Sharif said the exemption is needed so the Department of Health can collect sensitive data for the related research bill. SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain licensed physicians and nurses, was also reported favorably after emotional testimony from patients and advocates describing delayed care and bias. Later, the committee approved SB 1404 on memory care, after a strike-all amendment creating a new memory care specialty license for assisted living facilities that advertise or provide specialized memory care services, while allowing optional supportive services without the new license. Supporters from the senior living industry backed the clarification. The committee then passed SB 914, which clarifies that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling, after an amendment adjusting supervision and continuing education language. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad Medicaid and SNAP reform bill that would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose Medicaid work requirements for certain able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services, modernize drug purchasing and prior authorization, and require SNAP fraud-reduction measures. Several amendments were adopted, and members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, EBT card photo identification, and due process concerns; debate continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4422 strengthens the immigration status verification process for public assistance.
• House Bill 4422 strengthens the immigration status verification process for public assistance.
• So I don't see any harm in us verifying that those requesting assistance are, in fact, eligible.
• Do we know what the fiscal could possibly be to the health care authority?
• Now, depending on if you're at OMMA or you're at OBN, OBN's current licensing last committee meeting

Bills: HB2947 , HB2964 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3519 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3834 , HB4300 , HB4422 , HB4423

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, medical records, patient rights, privacy, fees, healthcare access, legal claims, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need to be very careful about the guardrails.
• We need to take care of those rural schools.
• In closing, I'm so thankful that people care about kids.
• The parents care about them, and I truly believe you care about them.
• The parents care about them, and I truly believe you care about them, Secretary.

Bills: HB2 , SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess I'll recognize Representative Kain to explain Senate Bill 1983 on foster care.
• Long as we're on foster care, we Might as well go to Senate Bill 1796.
• It does that's part of what the definitions are there, whether it's informal care or respite care or
• Members, Senate Bill 1806 extends foster care through the age of 21.
• You know, they're wards of the state and dependent on the state.

Bills: SB1558 , SB1983 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1426 , SB633

Committee: House Children, Youth and Family Services

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Transcript Highlights:

• But it'll be things like where are the shortages of foster care families?
• And so it's giving them information to better manage our foster cares.
• And so it's giving them information to better manage our foster cares.
• , respite care, or alternative caregiver.
• Members, Senate Bill 1806 extends foster care through the age of 21.

Bills: SB1558 , SB1983 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1426 , SB633

Committee: House Children, Youth and Family Services

Keywords: child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention

Summary: The committee first announced that Senate Bills 1426 and 633 would not be heard and then took up several foster-care-related measures. Senate Bill 1983, presented by Representative Kane, would require the Department of Human Services to provide aggregated foster care data to private child-placing agencies under contract with DHS so they can better identify shortages, placement needs, and sibling separation issues. Members discussed how the information would be used and emphasized that no private information would be shared. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to oversight. Majority Leader Lawson then presented Senate Bill 1796, which largely codifies existing foster care administrative rules and adds a 72-hour cap for informal care. Members asked about screening and background checks for temporary caregivers, and Lawson explained that caregivers must be screened and that DHS must verify placements are safe. The bill passed 6-0 and moved on. Lawson also presented Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for certain youth who are aging out or who achieved permanency after age 16, with education, training, or work requirements. Members discussed the need for post-21 services, possible future review of additional supports, and the bill’s potential to draw federal matching funds. It passed 6-0 and was reported out. Representative Geis presented Senate Bill 1558, which clarifies the definition of a child for licensing level E group homes so a youth can remain in a judge-ordered placement until age 19 to receive rehabilitation services. The committee had no questions or debate, and the bill passed unanimously 6-0. In closing, the chair thanked members for their attendance and work on children and family issues, noted the committee’s accomplishments during the year, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• underlying bill here modifies some licensure requirements for receiving children for supervision or care
• and lawyers to be licensed, allowing the termination of licenses for inactivity, exempting kinship care
• and lawyers to be licensed, allowing the termination of licenses for inactivity, exempting kinship care
• And our child care providers are stretched.
• Just briefly, this gives some flexibility to our small child care providers. Please vote yes.

Bills: HB1544 , HB2099 , HB2185 , HB2219 , HB2253 , HB2317 , HB2318 , HB2319 , HB2350

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, risk assessment, investigation, child abuse, neglect, military families, early childhood education, access, assistance program, education equity, homelessness, youth programs, advisory committee, prevention, protection, HB 2219, child care licensing, early learning, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Healthcare Workers Resources Act and the assistance program and board that went along with
• I don't know anything about what the assistance program was or if any assistance was ever actually provided
• Thompson, it minority leader Kurt, would you care to vote?
• Senator Fricks, would you like to Carrier, excuse me, care to explain your amendment?
• Bill 1696 will assist communities in recruiting new out-of-state residents and strengthen Oklahoma's

Bills: SB1307 , SB1425 , SB1826 , SB1365 , SB1696

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Keywords: Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Arts Council, J.M. Davis Memorial Commission, historical preservation, arts funding, museum, gun collection, state agency contracts, 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, public funds, sectarian, religious funding restriction, appropriations, fiscal oversight, cultural institutions, historical artifacts, SB1425, health care, healthcare workforce