Transcript Highlights:

• agency, be 18 years of age or older, be a family caregiver of an eligible relative, demonstrate a minimum
• And typically a family's earned income includes wages, salaries, commissions, self-employment—all of
• that's listed there, we really tried to emphasize what I just went over: that earned income includes wages

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our annual goal is 70%; that's our minimum that we shoot for.
• They said one of their dreams is to implement a wage scale for employees.
• that you're trying to invest the wages that you're trying to invest in<01:05:52.400> your<01:
• So one of the things that you know, the first thing that I did before we move forward with wage scale
• Montgomery said they have a way to stop the wage scale or make sure they are meeting students’ needs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• God, we know that the wages of sin is death.
• God, we know that the wages of sin us. God, we know that the wages of sin is<00:08:13.039> death.
• I yield for any questions. someone would have to invest a minimum someone would have to invest a minimum
• <01:25:06.400> of starts with violations at a minimum of starts with violations at a minimum
• And they are making higher wages if they go straight from high school to a job.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the invocation from Dr. Keith Grubs, and approved routine procedural motions dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber then spent a significant portion of the meeting recognizing visiting groups, including the Madison County Executive Leadership Class, members of The Links and related chapters, Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team and coaches, Miss Rodeo Canada/Miss Rodeo Mississippi/Miss Rodeo America, Delta State University student leaders, Jackson State University NAACP political action chair Hannah Robertson, and other guests in the galleries. Several resolutions and commendations were read and presented, including Senate Resolution 40 honoring The Links, Senate Resolution 37 recognizing Abby Hardy as Miss Rodeo Canada 2026, Senate Resolution 38 recognizing Brinkley Boswell as Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2026, and Senate Resolution 39 recognizing Olivia Fero as Miss Rodeo America 2026. The Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team was formally congratulated for winning its fourth consecutive 1A state championship, and Coach Stemier addressed the Senate on the program’s faith-based emphasis, discipline, and support from families and school leadership. Olivia Fero also spoke about the Dixie National Rodeo and the role of rodeo as an agricultural and community-oriented lifestyle. The Senate then took up several bills. Senate Bill 2471, the State Treasury Efficiency and Transparency Act, was explained as a measure to identify and close idle agency accounts, require interest-bearing features on agency accounts, and mandate regular reporting to DFA, the Treasury, ELBO, and the Legislature; it passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2843, revising definitions in the Mississippi Development Grant Fund to expand eligible site-development expenses, including utility and energy infrastructure improvements, also passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2865, creating an income tax credit tied to added tax revenue from certain non-gaming capital investment projects at casinos, was described as a repeat of a bill passed the prior year and likewise passed by morning roll call with three no votes. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 2848, revising notice procedures for towing and sale of motor vehicles. The bill would require notices to owners and lienholders to be sent through a third-party vendor by certified mail, shorten notice deadlines, and preserve public notice requirements; it was supported by bankers, towing interests, recyclers, and the Department of Revenue. After questions about notice procedures and concerns about access to personal property in towed vehicles, an amendment adding a reverse repealer was adopted, and the bill passed by morning roll call. Later, the chamber moved to Senate Bill 2202, concerning economic development incentives and employee freedom/privacy regarding unionization decisions, but the motion to table reconsideration prevailed after a division vote, leaving the bill unresolved at that point. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2259, the People’s Access Act, with an amendment narrowing its live-streaming requirements to state agencies only and limiting retention to two years, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• :51.119> candidates<00:41:51.520> from<00:41:51.760> placing<00:41:52.079> wages
• prohibit candidates from placing wages prohibit candidates from placing wages on<00:41:52.720>
• You know, I mean, not a nanosecond, but as long as it's there somewhere, then that's the minimum requirement

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened under call, received a prayer and pledge, and then proceeded through routine business including roll call, quorum, and messages from the House. The chamber concurred in House amendments to Senate File 3210, a human rights bill concerning disability accommodations, and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 42-22. The Senate also received several House messages on conference committees and returned bills, including SF 4476, SF 4612, and SF 4760, and agreed to conference committees on House File 3426 (Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations) and House File 4252 (higher education student aid reporting). The Senate adopted committee reports and moved several bills through second reading and introduction stages. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which governs Senate business during the interim between sessions; the sponsor explained that most changes were cleanup and modernization, with one substantive change allowing the Secretary of the Senate to appoint someone to fill a vacancy in an elected officer position for the remainder of the interim. The resolution passed 57-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 87, commemorating deceased senators Bruce Anderson, Carrie Dietick, Alice Johnson, Bob Kurlin, Don Samuelson, James Yuland, and Ray Vander, followed by a moment of silence. The Senate then took up confirmations of three Minnesota Tax Court judges: Jane Bowman, Bradford Deopena, and Beverly Luther Quest. Supporters cited their combined public- and private-sector tax law experience, and the appointments were confirmed. Later, the chamber designated special orders and debated Senate File 3891, which would allow eggs to be donated up to 30 days past their quality assurance date to food shelves; supporters emphasized food insecurity, food waste reduction, and the bill’s support from food shelves and retailers. The bill passed 65-0. The Senate also considered House File 4240 on election administration, adopting an amendment that replaced House language with Senate language, including polling-place requirements for certain school district elections, a ban on candidates betting on their own elections, and an effective date for Three Rivers Park District reporting; the bill then passed 36-28. The chamber then began consideration of House File 4239, another elections-related bill, taking it from the table and offering an A5 amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• My wage and hour side might have a little concern about people not receiving pay for their own work.
• So I think probably having wages, those need to go to the person providing the work, at least if that's
• what we're calling for. them if we're calling them wages.
• And is there a minimum salary that would be paid to them? Mr.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The PRB also reviewed most of its rules, resulting in a major overhaul of the minimum education training
• Madam Chair, I know we gave the 5% and 5% increase in wages last year.
• Our performance measure is a minimum of two departments every three years. Thank you.
• To retire from our benefit, the member must attain the age of 55 with a minimum of 10 years of qualified
• result in general obligation bond funding moving from the grants object of expense into the salary and wages

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• the time for this legislation's benchmarks to become law, providing appropriate protections as the minimum
• This bill would also require... ...and not being spent funding a system that is doing the bare minimum
• half before five o'clock in the morning, work until 8 p.m., to make sure that we can do the bare minimum
• The court visits for these families resulted in lost time at work, lost wages, getting in trouble at
• It raises the minimum age for CRA involvement from 6 to 12, protecting young children from unnecessary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death. Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements. On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• You do the bare minimum, you're going to get, you know, the minimum.
• But it requires that as an average minimum.
• British Columbia has imposed zoning minimums. in the coming years.
• British Columbia has imposed zoning minimums of five FAR and 20 stories within an eighth mile of the
• That could be a minimum requirement of something of that sort to be introduced in Washington State as

Summary: The meeting began with introductions from members of the Joint Transportation Committee and a presentation from the Association of Washington Cities and the public works directors of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland. The cities described the Quad Cities region as one of the fastest-growing in the state and outlined shared transportation priorities that align with the committee’s focus on safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They emphasized Vision Zero efforts, complete streets, ADA accessibility, regional trail and bike/pedestrian planning, and coordinated long-range transportation and land-use planning to manage growth. The city officials also discussed major funding and delivery challenges, including rising construction costs, project phasing, pavement preservation, right-of-way acquisition, and delays caused by state and federal permitting and review processes. They highlighted regional cooperation through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Good Roads, and local funding tools such as impact fees, transportation benefit districts, REET, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants. Specific projects discussed included Richland’s SR 240/Aaron Drive complete streets project and downtown connectivity work, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard improvements and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street corridor, I-182 bridge/interchange work, and a new north-south bridge study, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain corridor project, which officials said was awarded under budget and is scheduled to begin construction. Committee members asked questions about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens to pavement preservation projects. The city officials said new development is generally meeting sidewalk standards, but older infill areas remain a gap; that state right-of-way transactions can take much longer than expected; that apprenticeship requirements are common but harder for smaller contractors and local labor markets; and that low-bid contracting leaves little room to screen for performance history. They also said complete streets requirements are usually manageable on major projects but can be difficult to absorb in smaller preservation work. The committee then shifted to a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development, presented by Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark. The study examined TOD conditions in 33 cities in Snohomish, King, Pierce, Clark, and Spokane counties near rail and bus rapid transit stations. Freemark said Washington’s housing affordability crisis is severe, especially near transit, and found that high-cost cities have seen more development near stations but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and worsening affordability relative to income. He identified barriers including high debt costs, land costs, infrastructure costs, zoning and parking rules, and limited subsidies for affordable housing. He recommended more neighborhood infrastructure funding near stations, stronger affordable housing investment, and better use of public land, noting that HB 1491 and related legislation are already changing some local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rents have skyrocketed while wages have remained relatively stagnant.
• And if the tenant has to find two apartments in 12 months, that's easily $8,000 minimum between twice
• $8,000 minimum between twice having<01:48:55.199> to<01:48:55.360> pay<01:48:55.600>
• House Bill 280, an act relative to wage payments. Do I have a motion, Senator Murphy?
• My amendment just minimum lot size.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:10:19.599> This low-wage haven in the world. This low-wage haven in the world.
• broken system be created by wage broken system be created by wage controls<03:24:23.279> post
• The state also squandered $32 billion at a minimum on unemployment fraud.
• wage.
• In order to make it financially viable to have them work, they have to work for under minimum wage.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, December 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be for the non-economic or... ...be lost wages, any quantifiable cost.
• the minimum mandatory.
• I personally have a problem with the minimum mandatory overall.
• For up to a minimum, maximum, again, to the maximum extent practicable.
• Minimum number of employees or personnel to qualify as a facility in the state of Florida?

Summary: The Florida Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness for sexual assault survivors, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a memorial proclamation for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special-order bills, with senators also briefly discussing the session’s pace and thanking staff and colleagues for their work. The first major bill, on driving and boating offenses, was amended and passed 37-0. As amended, it increases penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide/vessel homicide offenses, and adds notice requirements and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. Senators also passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers 37-0, requiring Medicaid managed care plans to offer more after-hours and holiday access and ensuring more primary care appointment availability outside regular business hours. The Senate then passed a major condominium and cooperative associations bill, also 37-0, after extensive debate and multiple amendments. The measure extends deadlines for structural integrity reserve studies, adds flexibility for reserve funding and budgeting, tightens rules for managers and inspectors, limits certain requirements to buildings of three or more habitable stories, and extends the rescission period for condo purchases. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s sponsors for years of work responding to post-Surfside safety and affordability concerns. The longest and most contentious item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendment petition procedures. Sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse in the citizen initiative process by tightening circulator rules, requiring faster submission of signed petitions, adding voter notification, increasing penalties, and shifting costs to sponsors. Opponents argued it would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives. The chamber adopted a series of amendments, including changes to the petition-circulator threshold, volunteer protections, submission timing, invalid-signature investigation thresholds, and notice/cure provisions, while debate continued over whether the overall package would protect election integrity or suppress citizen-led amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• 33:18.480> subject<00:33:18.760> to<00:33:18.919> prevailing<00:33:19.360> wage
• Programs are subject to prevailing wage, but we feel that this carve-out for the affordable home
• that our local wages aren’t keeping up with.
• that our local wages aren’t keeping up with.
• that um our outside demand and wages that um our local<02:15:11.440> wages<02:15:12.000> aren't

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so again, that's what happens is they'll come in with their pay wage scale study.
• And so again, that's what happens is they'll come in with their pay wage scale study.
• And so again, that's what happens is they'll come in with their pay wage scale study.
• And so again, that's what happens: they'll come in with their pay wage scale study.
• Come in with their pay wage scale study.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have a post-secondary education, studies show that you only have a 12% chance of earning a living wage
• Right now, we are facing, because of a very long 30 years of wage depression.
• HB4 also takes our testing standards down to the federally required minimums.
• I think We should keep these tests to a minimum as they should be mandated for accountability purposes
• Students are being made aware of and properly prepared for high-wage, high-demand careers like those.

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24, HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've adjusted the standard number; the minimum number per certification period is really 10 per year
• So we've adjusted the standard number; the minimum number per certification period is really 10 per year
• This amendment requires a minimum of two months.
• So, in the event that an injured worker is a higher wage earner and 208 weeks for the injury at their
• that an injured worker is a higher wage that an injured worker is a higher wage earner<01:03:44.960

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process in Maple Grove and does not require a public hearing or other formal approval process if minimum
• process in Maple Grove and does not require a public hearing or other formal approval process if minimum
• A rental license is provided once minimum standards are achieved and an inspection is passed.
• During the Vietnam War, the U.S. dropped more than 2 million tons of bombs and waged illegal warfare
• :20:03.880> and more than 2 million tons of bombs and more than 2 million tons of bombs and wage

Bills: HF1051, HF16

Keywords: sacred communities, micro units, religious institutions, housing regulations, homelessness, conditional use permits, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, sanctuary city, noncooperation ordinance, ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration authorities, deportation, undocumented immigrant, undocumented person, immigration status data, data sharing, preemption, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if there's bills out there, but this, at a minimum, is something that we can do to try to
• I don't know if there's bills out there, but this, at a minimum, is something that we can do to try to
• And if you know anything about Wisconsin laws, where I grew up, if you are a wage worker, you are a waitress
• , which she was for my father in our restaurant, you do not get paid minimum wage.
• time she was getting paid, it was like two bucks an hour, and her tips counted towards her hourly wages

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephanie Libby: ...a major overhaul of the minimum education training requirements for pension system
• Madam Chair, I know we gave the 5% and 5% increase in wages last year.
• blessed we are to have the state and the taxpayers pick up 100% of the premium. and 5% increase in wages
• Our performance measure aims for a minimum of two departments every three years.
• They're looking at whether there's a person able to come back for their transfer or if there's a wage

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:

• been people who come to my office or constituents that actually work, but because they work with a minimum
• Wage they're still eligible to receive SNAP.
• Either way, this is exactly why we need a bare minimum of transparency.
• But again, there's requirements in minimum standards and things like that for all the adults around them
• That is the minimum. Amount of time we obviously we encourage women to take as long as they want.

Bills: HB 2510, HB 3589, HB 4611, HB 4655, HB 4665, HB 4666, HB 4670, HB 4700, HB 4730, HB 4798, HB 4838, HB 5136, HB 5243, HB 5302, HB 5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy