Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:05:39.280><c> like</c> resources with volatile prices like resources with volatile prices like
• There is no price signal market signal.
• ," and you would pay the price that your provider would be charging is the way I would see it.
• </c><01:15:26.560><c> And</c> lifeline service for this price."
• And lifeline service for this price."

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times what's happening here, these are transactions that start online.
• A lot of times what's happening here, these are transactions that start online.
• A lot of times what's happening here, these are transactions that start online.
• A lot of times what's happening here, these are transactions that start online.
• They go to online. They can't get done.

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law does not allow these non-profits to sell raffle tickets online, restricting them to in-person
• Sales are only permitting online promotion and advertisement.
• Websites to sell tickets online for a statewide raffle.
• Doing so gives these organizations the ability to accept online payments, provide transparency, and conduct
• Thirty-five other states currently allow charitable raffles to be sold online.

Bills: SB82 , SB1807 , SB2254 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB581 , HJR98 , SB1988 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• One quick question: the 988 helpline— Since it was launched in 2022, how many calls, texts, and online
• And so how, so the things that was launched in 2022, how many calls, text, online chat have you received
• A cornerstone of this effort is our health care cost growth benchmark, which is not a price cap, but
• , we've held 10 culturally responsive events, including two mental health forums in Worcester and online
• We've held listening sessions, And online in partnership with the U.S.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• We created California Nature, an online platform that really helps everybody plan out 30 by 30 in their
• We've done things like bring fishing and hunting licenses online, so you don't have to carry a heavy
• So we've just rolled out an online tool, a geospatial tool, that actually enables... ...an online tool
• We have regained a bit of that price momentum in the last quarter of 2025 and the beginning of 2026,
• It's online. It's required as part of the California Open and Transparent Water Data Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't know what they're doing just because they want to keep their price low.
• As a result, it can change over time and be able to control to be able to ensure that, as prices go up
• I'm sure, just like any other product, the amounts are the list price for This has gone up.
• It should be flexible and its as the price fluctuates.
• That the tax should be based on price, wouldn't you agree? No, not necessarily. Follow up, senator.

Bills: HB2933 , HB3041 , HB3048 , HB3081 , HB3297 , HB3338 , HB3673 , HB3790 , HB3983 , HB4105 , HB4139 , HB4203 , HJR1023

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, Oklahoma, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, towing services

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Gavan, Senator Jones, Senator Kelly, Senator Livingston, Senator Or, Senator Price, Senator Shellnut
• Senator Elliott, Senator Gavan, Senator Jones, Senator Kelly, Senator Livingston, Senator Or, Senator Price
• Senator Price, Senator Shut, Senator Stewart, Senator Stuts, Senator Weaver.
• Yeah, people may be able to go online and do it or whatever, but a lot of people don't know that you
• Senator Gavan, Senator Jones, Senator Kelly, Senator Livingston, Senator Price, Senator Stewart.

Bills: SB163 , SB173 , SB155 , HB93 , SB163 , SB173 , SB155 , HB93

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: State Auditor, property investigations, negligence, loss report, civil actions, Alabama Retirement Savings Program, state-facilitated retirement savings, auto-IRA, automatic enrollment, payroll deduction IRA, retirement savings access gap, private sector workers, small business retirement plan, portable retirement account, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, life-cycle fund, capital preservation fund, financial literacy, Department of Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• minimum price that domestic producers can receive.
• You heard from Zach that sugar beet prices are down dramatically.
• Domestic sugar beet prices are trading at or below these floor levels, ...beet prices are trading at
• Things have doubled and tripled in price.
• And ultimately, it's going to lead to higher prices.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Victoria Price, Florida Public Utilities Company, waiving in support.
• Victoria Price, Florida Public Utilities Company, waiving in support, and Drew Love, Florida Electric
• Senators. waiving in support, Victoria Price, Florida Public Utilities Company, waiving in support, and
• The Federal Sexual Offender Registration Notification Act prohibits online reporting of out-of-state
• supervision with DOC or DJJ must report changes to vehicles owned to the sheriff's office rather than online

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, and civil justice bills. Among the measures reported favorably were SB 984, which adds aggravating factors for capital sentencing when a murder occurs during religious, school, or public government gatherings; SB 1140, creating a Hillsborough County pilot program to address substance abuse among offenders on probation; SB 1180, expanding child pornography laws to cover lewd altered or filtered images and solicitation; SB 10, providing compensation to Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction; SB 500, creating a Spectrum Alert system and training for missing children with autism; SB 1054, increasing penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; SB 1072, establishing an expedited DNA testing grant program; and SB 240, the Haven Act, which aligns domestic and dating violence protections and creates a feasibility study for a discreet emergency contact system for victims. Several bills were amended before passage, including funding for the Spectrum Alert program and technical changes to the DNA, juvenile justice, and other proposals. Members also advanced SB 494, creating a statewide FDLE animal abuse database and increasing sentencing consequences for aggravated animal cruelty, with strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials. SB 1422 was reported favorably to strengthen penalties for unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones, though members raised concerns about the bill’s “reasonable force” language. SB 1268 updated FDLE statutes and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. SB 1252 was amended into a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, and SB 1386 increased penalties for assaults and batteries on utility workers, drawing support from utility and industry groups. The committee also approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, which criminalizes dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, and SB 1654, which revises sexual offender and predator registration rules, including online reporting for certain in-state travel residences. SB 1650 expanded the vexatious litigant law, and SB 1652 created a public records exemption for stricken non-criminal court filings. Finally, SB 1284, expanding Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony both for and against; supporters called it a life-affirming measure, while opponents warned it could increase litigation, affect abortion-related care, and discourage physicians from practicing in Florida. The bill was heard with multiple public comments, but the transcript excerpt does not show a final vote on SB 1284.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you know you you'll see various prices you know you you'll see various prices on<00:29:51.480><c
• So if natural gas prices are high, the coal unit's going to win.
• for the price setting, because remember it's the intersection of supply and demand that sets the price
• So as the cost of supply walks up that curve, price goes up.
• <01:26:54.760><c> goes</c> price goes price goes up<01:26:56.880><c> just</c><01:26:57.239><c> just</

Bills: HF75

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and of course being an coming online.
• So um you'll see in this prices are.
• I think he's on from Rapid City online.
• Anybody else online? >> Mr.
• </c> anybody online like to testify? anybody online like to testify?

Bills: SF0102 , SF0113

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• So prices are increasing, the poverty threshold to qualify is decreasing.
• So prices are increasing, the poverty threshold to qualify is decreasing.
• And my demographic, with the high utility prices, high fuel prices, where transportation's our number
• </c> prices, high fuel prices, where prices, high fuel prices, where transportation's<00:50:19.600><c
• Um and meeting that are that are online.

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody online, can you just respond that you can hear us or not?
• Those of you that are online, how do we know?
• It’s a higher price. It’s a higher price.
• Senator May online? Yes.
• Senator May online? Yes.

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Summary: The task force meeting opened with a brief organizational update, including new leadership, roll call, and an explanation of the task force’s statutory duties: to study current and future drug and substance use in Missouri, explore solutions, draft or modify legislation, and report recommendations on prevention and treatment. The chair outlined the summer hearing plan, which would feature field experts, with future sessions expected to cover alternative therapies such as psilocybin and ibogaine and testimony from the Department of Mental Health. Members were encouraged to think about legislative ideas and policy recommendations for the upcoming session. The first major testimony came from Dr. Rachel Winograd, who described Missouri’s overdose crisis as evolving into a “fourth wave” marked by fentanyl mixed with animal tranquilizers such as xylazine and medetomidine, along with methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs. She said overdose deaths have declined for a third straight year, with preliminary 2025 data around 1,200 deaths, but emphasized that the crisis remains severe. Her main recommendations were to focus on demand reduction rather than repeated supply crackdowns, expand evidence-based treatment—especially methadone and buprenorphine—broaden naloxone access, and improve practical supports like housing, transportation, and case management. She also said peer services are valuable but should not be used as a substitute for clinical care, and noted that Missouri Medicaid generally covers evidence-based treatment but reimbursement for peer recovery services remains a gap. Dr. Heidi Miller, the state medical director at the Department of Health and Senior Services, reinforced the call for integrating substance use disorder care into whole-person health care. She highlighted the state naloxone standing order, which supports more than 11,000 Medicaid naloxone prescriptions annually, and urged five best practices: integrating SUD treatment into primary care, maternal health, general medical training, EMS initiation of buprenorphine after overdose, and expanded methadone access. She also argued for team-based reimbursement, stronger parity enforcement between behavioral health/SUD and physical health, and caution in regulating emerging substances so policy does not outrun the science. Dr. Doug Burgess of University Health in Kansas City echoed the integration theme, arguing that Missouri’s system is too fragmented and that patients are often stabilized and then left to coordinate their own next steps. He compared ideal SUD care to the coordinated response used for heart attacks, with seamless transitions from emergency care to inpatient treatment, rehab, and outpatient follow-up. He said treatment courts can be effective when they are well coordinated and informed by addiction science, and he stressed the importance of discharge planning, peer recovery coaches, information-sharing, and maintaining Medicaid coverage during justice involvement. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the one where you fill out online, save it, and it saves the barcode so we can scan it and it
• That's the one where you fill out online, save it, and it saves the barcode so we can scan it and it
• two of the business journal articles that I have, not with me, but two of those show that the prices
• of business journal articles that I have, not with me, but two of those shows that the prices of...
• And the result of that is that the prices have appreciated.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the same time, this online sales tax was on that bill.
• So at the same time, this online sales tax was on that bill.
• So at the same time, this online sales tax was on that bill.
• but we did not guarantee that they could get it because they have to go to the voters to pass the online
• I filled mine out online, so it's already been submitted. Perfect. Look at that. Head of the game.

Committee: House Rules - Legislative

Summary: The Missouri House Legislative Rules Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2243, sponsored by Rep. Bryant-Wolfen, which would repeal a 2021 provision that exempted certain manufacturing and mining-related industries from local sales tax. The sponsor argued the change unintentionally stripped counties of revenue they had already approved through local votes, shifting the burden onto ordinary Missourians and leaving local governments without a replacement source of funding. Committee members questioned whether the bill would amount to a tax increase, whether a referendum or local voter approval should be required, and whether the measure could discourage investment or job growth. The sponsor said the bill simply restores local taxing authority and noted the fiscal note showed roughly $35 million in local revenue at stake statewide. Testimony in support came from local officials from Iron County, Adair County, and St. Genevieve County, including commissioners, a sheriff, and a 911 board official. They said the exemption reduced revenue for roads, ambulance service, law enforcement, and 911 operations, forcing service cuts and higher local levies. Iron County witnesses said the loss hit a county dependent on mining and reduced ambulance coverage and sheriff funding; Adair County officials said the exemption affected expected revenue from a large solar project and other energy infrastructure; St. Genevieve County officials cited sharp monthly declines in sales tax receipts and said inflation made the loss even more severe. Supporters emphasized that these were locally approved taxes and that the affected companies still benefit from county services. Opposition came from Associated Industries of Missouri, which argued the original exemption was part of Missouri’s effort to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision and keep tax rules uniform for out-of-state sellers. The group warned that removing the exemption could make Missouri’s tax system less simple and potentially jeopardize local use-tax collections statewide, with a much larger possible revenue loss if the law were challenged. The committee chair said the hearing would continue with a hard stop for floor business, and at the end of testimony he indicated he planned to take executive action on the bill later in the week. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to an online database and online upgrades to be able to do true e-permitting.
• We're going to an online can submit.
• We're going to an online database<00:14:07.279><c> and</c><00:14:07.760><c> online</c><00:14:08.160><
• Right would be a pretty large price tag.
• And that's why we're going to more online systems and online databases that can do this.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 74, which would require agencies issuing certain real-property-related permits to track and report how many permits they issue and how long the process takes. Representative Carol McGuire introduced the bill and said the goal is to gather data on permit timing and fees, especially for DES and DOT permits involving wetlands, alteration of terrain, driveway permits, and similar approvals. Supporters argued the state needs better visibility into permitting delays and whether statutory deadlines are realistic; they also noted the bill had passed the House on a voice vote with no debate. Adam Crapo of the Department of Environmental Services said DES is generally supportive of the reporting concept but warned that the agency’s data are spread across many separate, partly manual databases. He said DES can already do this for some land resources permits through its new system, but not across all of its more than 90 permit types without additional help. DES estimated it would need two part-time positions to compile the reports, especially for waste management and water programs, and said otherwise existing permitting staff would have to do the work, potentially slowing permit processing. He also said the agency is already working to simplify rules and move more permits onto a new online platform, but could not meet the bill’s 2026 reporting deadline with current staffing and systems. Committee members questioned whether delays are often caused by incomplete applications rather than agency inaction, and Crapo said that is frequently the case. He said DES already tracks timelines to some extent for management and statutory compliance, but not at the individual-permit detail the bill would require. He also said some letters and records are captured in One Stop, but not all are. Members expressed support for the bill’s transparency goals while also worrying about added workload and possible slowdowns. The discussion then moved to DOT, where Susan Clawson said DOT is neutral on the bill because it recently implemented Salesforce and now has good data for reporting; DOT’s fiscal note reflects software-related costs, but the agency can already track the required information in its system.

Transcript Highlights:

• A recent piece by CNN highlighted an international online community of husbands who helped one another
• Many of the assaults were recorded on video and posted online for the entertainment of users within that
• ... ...assaults were recorded on video and posted online for the entertainment of users within that discussing
• The bill would remove price as the primary consideration when schools evaluate procurement bids for child
• and she'll be deeply missed by her community and by the thousands who followed Jackie and Shadow online

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through privileges of the floor recognizing visitors, including Fresno State Ag Leadership students and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The body also approved the Senate journals and took up several gubernatorial appointments, confirming Heather Lynn Gonzalez to the Court Reporters Board and reappointing Anacubas to the California Law Revision Commission and David Hübner to the same commission, each by 26-10 votes. The chamber then considered SCR 136, commemorating the 50th anniversaries of the California Coastal Act, Coastal Commission, and Coastal Conservancy. Supporters emphasized coastal access, environmental protection, habitat restoration, public trails, and climate resilience, while opponents argued the commission can override local control and hinder development and infrastructure. The resolution passed 27-4. The Senate also adopted SR 68 on Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Denim Day unanimously, with members discussing survivor support, consent, and the need for stronger protections and accountability. Additional resolutions and bills were approved, including SCR 130 recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month, SB 1058 on school nutrition procurement flexibility, SB 930 requiring end-to-end encryption for certain school exam proctoring services, SB 917 expanding farmers’ market sales opportunities for wineries, SB 1002 on continuity of telehealth care for eligible patients, SB 1036 clarifying mitigation fee credits for redevelopment, SCR 131 calling for urgent action on unsheltered homelessness, SB 1285 on juvenile record dismissal, SB 969 on remote developmental services, and SCR 157 honoring School Bus Driver’s Day. Most of these items passed unanimously, while SCR 131 passed 34-0 after debate over housing-first approaches, self-sufficiency, interim shelter, and coordination among state and local governments. The consent calendar was then approved, committee announcements were made, and the Senate adjourned in memory of Sandy Steers, with the next floor session scheduled for April 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that language, sorry, this is the capital bill, but you can find the actual bill online.
• Anybody online for support? Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
• But They now have a new statewide pricing agreement, Mr.
• They know we know there's a need and we know there's a statewide pricing agreement, so We kind of get
• I believe a few of them are online wanting to make public comment.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• Last but not least, we'll have some funding left over there for increased engagement with our online
• One of the concerns is that vacation homes have been bidding up the price of housing, and it's kind of
• One of the concerns is that vacation homes have been bidding up the price of housing, and it's kind of
• What this bill does, it requires the Department of Licensing, or DOL, to establish an accessible online
• We do a mix of mail-in, online, and in-person renewals all across the state.

Bills: SB5839 , SB5824 , SB5864 , SB6032

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: county authority, transportation, ferry district, infrastructure, government powers, fifth-wheel, travel trailers, vehicle regulation, state law, motor vehicle, insurance verification, automobile regulation, state compliance, traffic safety, highway safety, load limits

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a step-by-step online guide and ensures that when providers work with the local permitting
• And when all these pieces don't connect, learners pay the price.
• First-generation students and working adults, they bear the price of a system that isn't coordinated.
• Panel, and now we'll go online. Thank you. Thank you very much.
• And now we'll go online to Karina Cruz. Karina, are you there? Yes, I'm here.

Bills: SB6078 , SB6089 , SB5859 , SB5861 , SB6065 , SB5956 , SB5901

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: SB 6078, child care, childcare, daycare, licensed child care provider, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, prelicensing, licensing support, resource guide, child care center, family home child care, family home provider, outdoor nature-based child care, school-age child care, early learning, provider application, local permit notice, city permit, county permit