Transcript Highlights:

• It gives young people the chance to step into the heart of the legislative process.
• Make a difference in his community by contributing to the legislative process.
• Be eligible for consideration tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, members.
• It codifies the administrative Medicaid eligibility process on the agency side in regard to the verification
• Actually, the model creates a clear, as you noted, two-step process.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eligible applicants include cities, counties, and regional public library systems.
• And there are two types of projects that are eligible for the program.
• <00:01:43.119> Eligible the Department of Education.
• Eligible the Department of Education.
• The first one eligible for the program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• smooth process.
• clearance, is there an appeals process process process so<01:26:31.600> that<01:26:31.840>
• We know who's eligible.
• Why do we care about eligibility? >> Okay. Why do we care about eligibility?
• They're eligible. program. They're eligible.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1957 updates the eligible bidder and eligible property provisions in Civil Code Section 2924m and
• Make sure the process is working as intended.
• , but neglected to provide a process to appeal a board decision or order.
• In order to streamline the process to fix signature issues and get ballots processed faster, ...AB 2604
• In order to streamline the process to fix signature issues and get ballots processed faster, ...I rise

Keywords: 988, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Representative, yes, they would be eligible to apply, and the criteria would apply to them.
• are eligible to enroll in the exchange or they're eligible for Medicaid.
• So if we pass this expansion, it sounds like all New Mexico residents will be eligible.
• Would they be eligible for that? Mr. Chair and Mr.
• And it's part of what gets built into the annual re-enrollment process, where you can...

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• or maybe not yet eligible, um, as you may know, such as a school psychologist. with uh eligibility for
• or maybe not yet who are not eligible or maybe not yet eligible<00:35:12.839> um<00:35:13.119
• work with students who are not eligible work with students who are not eligible for<00:35:29.560
• <00:35:44.680> what whether or not they are eligible what whether or not they are eligible
• them in a group with just other eligible them in a group with just other eligible special<00:46:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and tighten up our licensing process.
• <00:09:58.080> to in this specialized interview process to in this specialized interview process
• shared information through this process shared information through this process um<00:12:00.440>
• > involves<00:29:02.960> making of course, the process involves making of course, the process
• using it to determine eligibility using it to determine eligibility going<00:42:51.200> forward

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh and finally, the staff process again.
• <00:36:30.079> of state will take over the process of state will take over the process of
• to that the DHS commissioner is eligible to award<00:48:24.079> out<00:48:24.720> that
• in the medical assistance eligibility in the medical assistance and<00:50:04.160> they're<00:
• eligible for the paratransit programs. eligible for the paratransit programs.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House began with a point of personal privilege honoring Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer of White Bear Lake, including a House resolution recognizing her military service and sacrifice and a moment of silence. Members then took up House File 4987, which would rename a highway in White Bear Lake as the Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer Memorial Highway. The motion to suspend rules and advance the bill prevailed, and the bill later passed 126-0 after supportive remarks from Representatives Olsen and Curran about honoring Amimer and her family. The chamber then considered Senate File 476, the human services policy bill. Representative Noor described it as a broad package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, vulnerable adult maltreatment, continuity of care, and miscellaneous policy changes. Representative Schumacher said the bill reflected stakeholder work and added guardrails, especially around fraud and provider processes. Several amendments were offered and adopted, including a technical A13 amendment; an A8 amendment was withdrawn; and an A1 amendment on individualized home supports was also withdrawn. The bill passed 93-39. Finally, the House took up House File 4546, the forecast adjustment bill for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Representative Noor said it was a routine biennial adjustment to align spending with the February forecast. Representative Johnson W offered an amendment on foster family information-sharing but withdrew it after concluding it was not germane. Debate focused heavily on the size of the forecast increases, especially in medical assistance and housing supports, with Representative Schultz arguing the bill reflected large cost growth and urging a no vote. Noor responded that the increases were driven by forecasted utilization, eligibility, rate changes, and program integrity changes. The bill passed as amended 93-39.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it really restricts our youth who are eligible to vote in their first election.
• So it really restricts our youth who are eligible to vote in their first election.
• Whereas in the primary process, you actually have a very competitive race where sometimes the nominee
• It really restricts our youth who are eligible to vote in their first election.
• Whereas in the primary process, you actually have a very competitive race where sometimes the nominee

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House Committee on Election Laws, chaired by Dan Hunt and co-chaired by Senator Keenan, held a hearing on 27 bills with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker. The main policy theme was expanding youth participation in elections. Senator O'Connor testified in support of Senate Bill 526 and House Bill 854, which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they turn 18 before the general election. Lawan Allen of Vote 16 USA also supported bills to lower the voting age, arguing that youth voting becomes habitual, can increase turnout more broadly, and is already in place in several cities and states. Robin Chen, the lead petitioner for S. 508 and H. 814, gave extended testimony in favor of children's right to vote, saying children are affected by government decisions and should have a voice. Representative Sousa raised concerns about misinformation and the vulnerability of younger voters, but Chen responded that misinformation affects adults too and pointed to historical civil rights activism by children. Several local election-law measures were also discussed. Cynthia Hogan, Brockton’s elections director, supported a bill requiring candidates for local office to have lived in the city for a year, saying people have sometimes used business addresses or other questionable claims of residency to run for office. Representative Suzy testified in favor of H. 872, a Pembroke home-rule petition to reduce the signature threshold for a recall petition from 20% to 10% of registered voters, describing the change as a response to low-turnout local elections and not aimed at any current official. Representative Gallagher supported two Bridgewater home-rule petitions: one establishing a recall process for elected officials and another creating term limits for town councilors, both of which had been approved by the town council and would still require voter ratification in Bridgewater if adopted by the legislature. The hearing concluded without any bill votes or committee actions beyond accepting testimony. The chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until action is taken on the bills, and the committee adjourned after no further witnesses came forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• A QUESTION BASED ON THE I9 PROCESS VERSUS THE E-VERIFY PROCESS.
• IS A VERIFICATION PROCESS INSTANTLY WHEREAS IT CAN BE IN A FILE CABINET.
• THOSE WHO VERY E-VERIFY PROCESS AND DON'T FEEL YOU ARE GETTING A JOB UNLESS YOU ARE A CITIZEN.
• IT'S A 45 MINUTE PROCESS. IT'S AN EASIER PROCESS.
• MEMBERS, WE WILL HAVE VERIFICATION OF BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY BY REPRESENTATIVE ABBOTT.

Transcript Highlights:

• the community eligibility provision the community eligibility<00:06:14.199> provision<00:06:14.800
• > or eligibility provision or eligibility provision or C<00:06:16.520> is<00:06:16.639>
• Right now, there are 103 schools in New Hampshire that are eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision
• There are 103 schools in New Hampshire that are eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision, but
• the out ofate students the eligible the out ofate students the eligible population<00:49:35.440>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:07.839> to term they're otherwise eligible to term they're otherwise eligible to continue
• state complaint process.
• The question they are asked is, did you follow the process? And right now we don't have one.
• The proposed language gives us a plan, but not a process.
• We really think we need a process to kind of move us in the right direction here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:55.679> Uh, eligibility and weekly benefits. Uh, eligibility and weekly benefits.
• That is a slow process. That is curse. That is a slow process.
• in order to um be considered eligible in order to um be considered eligible and<01:48:45.440>
• meeting the monetary eligibility meeting the monetary eligibility requirements.<01:49:38.639>
• The other piece for being found initially eligible, in addition to being monetarily eligible, is that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:44.239> is If necessary and if a waiver process is If necessary and if a waiver process
• the money would um expand eligibility the money would um expand eligibility uh<00:09:08.800>
• Tannif funds must benefit TANF eligible Tannif funds must benefit TANF eligible families<00:17:33.440
• Um, and we also procurement process.
• process until a determination is made. process until a determination is made.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of organizations that are eligible to participate in the Medicaid, as a Medicaid health plan in the
• People in the long-term care program must be eligible for Medicaid and maintain Medicaid eligibility
• Can you highlight a little bit about how that was resolved or where that is in the process?
• So my lawyer brain processes it.
• So my lawyer brain processes it.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion focused on how Florida health care organizations are working to improve access, quality, and affordability. Panelists from Florida Community Care/Independent Living Systems, Sunshine Health, AdventHealth, UF Health, and Nemours described their approaches, including Medicaid managed care, value-based contracting, community partnerships, mobile screening units, smart-room technology, telehealth, and specialized programs for maternal health, children, and complex chronic conditions. Several speakers emphasized that managed care and coordinated care can improve outcomes while reducing unnecessary utilization and costs. Members asked about the impact of Medicare’s V28 changes, mobile cancer screening, urgent care versus emergency room billing, pediatric specialty access, complaint resolution, Black maternal mortality, provider shortages, network adequacy, and the use of AI in prior authorization. Witnesses said V28 has affected providers and revenue, UF Health’s mobile screening program is expanding beyond a few cancer types, and its urgent care model bills patients at the appropriate level rather than both urgent care and ER rates. Nemours said it reduced specialty wait times through scheduling changes, telemedicine, and registry tools, while AdventHealth described postpartum coordination and maternal heart programs to reduce maternal complications and mortality. On complaints and access problems, panelists said their organizations use patient/member advocates, care managers, call centers, and escalation processes to resolve issues, and Sunshine Health specifically discussed a transportation complaint that was addressed with its vendor and the family. Sunshine Health also said it is not using AI for prior authorization, though it is exploring responsible uses elsewhere, and Florida Community Care said it is not using AI in utilization management. In closing, panelists identified workforce shortages, provider burnout, and high-cost drugs as the biggest ongoing challenges. The meeting ended with thanks to the panel and adjournment after Representative Brackett moved to rise, without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:26:22.680> pathway,<01:26:23.680> payment eligibility pathway, payment eligibility
• So while that family may not be eligible So while that family may not be eligible um<01:27:16.240
• lose your eligibility for the waiver. lose your eligibility for the waiver.
• then lose their waiver eligibility. then lose their waiver eligibility.
• Are you eligible for services contacts.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• started the process of healing. started the process of healing.
• process process as<00:15:31.600> opposed<00:15:31.960> to<00:15:32.160> a<00:15
• <00:29:07.360> for<00:29:07.760> automatic offense is eligible for automatic offense
• The more substantive changes are to give notice to a victim when an offense is eligible for automatic
• of the offense for the the eligibility of the offense for the expungement.<00:30:42.120> There's<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is just to allow us to move forward with the regent process.
• This is about a fair process.
• So you would be eligible if you paid in income tax.
• Would I be eligible for a refund under your proposal?
• Would they be eligible if they have no income tax liability in Minnesota?

Transcript Highlights:

• When we only have 30 to process, that's going to be quicker than when we have 300 to process.
• When we only have 30 to process, that's going to be quicker than when we have 300 to process.
• When we only have 30 to process, that's going to be quicker than when we have 300 to process.
• you know, our process. you know, our process. Thank<00:21:21.600> you.
• they're eligible. they're eligible.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we did start that process while she was in the hospital.
• So again, we will share this very detailed testimony, which does outline the whole process, but I just
• The expanded program would allow eligible older adults from across panel.
• or Medicare only, and who are nursing home eligible, to age in their communities.
• I urge you to consider this as you move forward in your decision-making process.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several aging-related bills, with most speakers focusing on housing stability, home-based services, and care transitions. Representative Badger and a commissioner testified in support of H4039, which would create a universal breakfast and lunch program at senior centers funded through a new Senior Breakfast and Lunch Fund, arguing it would reduce food insecurity and social isolation among older adults. Representative Lipper-Garabedian and multiple providers then supported H780/S495, the hospital-to-home partnership program, describing how embedded aging-services liaisons help older patients transition safely from hospitals to home, reduce readmissions, and avoid nursing facility placement; witnesses from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Mass Aging Access cited pilot results, including hundreds of patients served and examples of substantial cost savings and successful discharge planning. The committee also took testimony on S478, which would require continuing care retirement communities to disclose entrance-fee refund policies more clearly at enrollment. Senator Lovely and LeadingAge Massachusetts said the bill would improve transparency for residents and families, while a consumer witness said her family experienced delays and confusion in getting a refund after her mother left a CCRC. Members noted the issue is also being examined by a special commission on CCRCs. A large portion of the hearing focused on S475, a statewide bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability. Advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Western Massachusetts, Somerville, Northampton, East Hampton, Old Colony Elder Services, and Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability described rising senior homelessness, long waitlists for subsidized housing, and cases where short-term rental assistance kept older adults housed while they waited for permanent housing. Somerville witnesses said the pilot program helped nine households remain housed and that some participants have since moved into permanent housing. Members asked about wait times, program design, and how to prioritize applicants; witnesses emphasized flexibility, emergency risk, and the need for a statewide expansion. The hearing also included testimony on S465, an ALS bill that would expand home care access regardless of age and bar the use of quality-adjusted life-year metrics in coverage decisions, with the sponsor and ALS Association arguing the measure would reduce discriminatory treatment and better center patient care. No votes were taken during the hearing.