Transcript Highlights:

• and general election ballot.
• The Civil Rights Department is the state's primary civil rights enforcement agency.
• Motion: Do pass to the Elections Committee. Kalra: Aye.
• Motion: Do pass to the Elections Committee. Kalra: Aye.
• Scott Jalewick is the primary witness, with support from Ms.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• For this hearing, we will be limiting substantive testimony to two primary witnesses on each side of
• As a reminder, primary witnesses in support must be those accompanied by the author or who have registered
• The primary witnesses in support must be those accompanied by the author or who have registered a support
• And the primary witness in opposition must have their opposition registered with the committee.
• Our public servants are not asking for special treatment.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor and retirement bills. AB 1582 by Assembly Member Ortega would make it an unfair labor practice for a higher education employer to disregard or delay arbitration decisions involving contracting out, with make-whole relief including attorney fees and costs. Supporters from AFSCME and other labor groups said UC has repeatedly ignored arbitration outcomes on outsourcing disputes, while UC opposed the bill as an overbroad change that could create systemwide operational and financial risk. The committee passed the bill on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. AB 1818 by Assembly Member Ortega would repeal an outdated HEERA provision that CSU has used to reopen bargaining when it claims state funding is insufficient. Teamsters and other labor supporters argued CSU has used the provision to avoid honoring negotiated raises, while CSU said the bill would limit its ability to manage compensation responsibly when state funding is uncertain. The committee also passed AB 1818 to Appropriations. AB 1564 by Assembly Member Arreguín would make communications between an employee and union representative confidential in public employment matters. Labor supporters said the measure would protect trust in the representational relationship and codify existing PERB case law, while school, local government, county, city, and business groups warned it could hinder workplace investigations, including those involving student safety and harassment. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 1844 by Assembly Member Pacheco, placed on the consent calendar, would update Judges’ Retirement System 2 to allow non-spouse beneficiaries for survivor benefits and to extend access to survivor options for vested judges; it was approved unanimously, 7-0. After all items were taken up, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For this hearing, we will be limiting subsidence testimony to two primary witnesses on each side of the
• As a reminder, primary witnesses in support must be those accompanied by the author or who has registered
• The primary witnesses in support must be those accompanied by the author or who have registered a support
• And the primary witness in opposition must have their opposition registered with the committee.
• Our public servants are not asking for special treatment.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Made Special Order No. 5 for April 16.
• Made Special Order No. 6 for April 16.
• scheduled primary elections.
• Made Special Order No. 9 for April 16.
• Knox provides relative to special education, provides for special education due process hearings, and

Bills: HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR143 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , HR119 , HR120 , HR121 , HR122 , HR123 , HR125 , HR126 , HR127 , HR128 , HR129 , HR130 , HR131 , HR132 , HCR53 , HCR54 , HCR55 , HCR56 , SCR3 , SCR22 , SB4 , SB18 , SB66 , SB106 , SB201 , SB256 , SB274 , SB292 , SB326 , SB386 , SB406 , SB422 , SB423 , SB456 , SB475 , HCR3 , HB1 , HB3 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB312 , HB313 , HB314 , HB345 , HB366 , HB383 , HB446 , HB473 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB836 , HB983 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1126 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB76 , HB132 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB265 , HB275 , HB291 , HB322 , HB342 , HB475 , HB486 , HB616 , HB635 , HB639 , HB690 , HB740 , HB757 , HB761 , HB774 , HB808 , HB855 , HB872 , HB883 , HB886 , HB903 , HB949 , HB962 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1036 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1076 , HB1078 , HB1113 , HB1132 , HB1146 , HB1232 , HB1233 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB961 , HB399 , HB868 , HB905 , HB180 , HB192 , HB284 , HB476 , HB915 , HB952 , HB1006 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB750 , HB911 , HB977 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB151 , HB193 , HB310 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773

Summary: The House met with a quorum and spent much of the day on personal privileges, recognizing visiting groups and designating several commemorative days, including Sigma Gamma Rho Day, Alpha Kappa Alpha Day, Italian Festival royalty, Acadiana’s Red and White Day, and Louisiana Automobile Dealer Day. Members also welcomed students, civic leaders, former legislators, a state pageant titleholder, and a visiting African law enforcement delegation focused on combating human trafficking. The chamber received Senate bills and committee reports, and several resolutions were adopted without objection, including condolences resolutions and commendations for schools, festivals, and public service organizations. The House then took up a long series of bills, with many passing on final passage after brief debate or technical amendments. Measures addressed topics such as notification of inmate releases from parish jails and DOC facilities (HB 76), ethics and financial disclosure, video voyeurism involving deceased persons (HB 265, renamed the Jacob Carter Dignity and Death Act), health insurance claim practices (HB 291), victim access to parole testimony without fees (HB 32), special education due process burden of proof (HB 342), AI disclosure in medical settings (HB 475), the psychology interjurisdictional compact (HB 486), homelessness provider oversight (HB 616), AI disclosure in campaign calls (HB 639), Medicaid managed care claim review (HB 740), menhaden fishing restrictions (HB 757 and HB 855), HIV exposure law modernization (HB 808), and rare cancer treatment advisory board changes (HB 761). Most of these bills passed with strong support; HB 342 passed 98-3, HB 639 passed 86-9, HB 808 passed 99-0, and HB 855 drew the most extended debate, with supporters citing science-based conservation and opponents warning about harm to the menhaden industry and coastal jobs. The House also adopted committee amendments and set several major fiscal measures as special orders for April 16, including HB 1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 313, HB 383, HB 983, and HB 1126. Additional bills were advanced to third reading from committee reports, and the chamber returned some measures to the calendar for later consideration. Overall, the meeting was marked by ceremonial recognitions, a heavy legislative agenda, and multiple substantive policy votes across education, health, criminal justice, transportation, ethics, and natural resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them are elected by a board that's elected and appointed. And all kinds of other models.
• The governor, 15 elected from around the state.
• The election for governor in November will bring a new administration.
• Elected members and modifications.
• The fact that we have a PRC been an elected PRC.

Bills: SB194 , SB200 , SB203 , SB204 , SJR3 , SB194 , SB200 , SB203 , SB204 , SJR3

Committees: Senate Senate Education , Senate House Education

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Transcript Highlights:

• Revised provisions relating to special needs trusts, fingerprints for the new workforce, changes to the
• As a scheduler, I was careful to avoid putting anything on the calendar when it was his special golf
• This bill amends statutes related to elections, including election procedures, county canvassing boards
• procedures, including judges, village boards, trustee elections, election-related notices, court photographs
• For two years, this body elects its leadership, and four years ago, Two years, this body elects its leadership

Bills: LB764 , LB815A , LB839 , LB888 , LB955 , LB972A , LB1029 , LB1087 , LB1091 , LB1126A , LB1181A , LB1237A , LB1261A , LB304A , LB762 , LB889 , LB929 , LB966 , LB1022 , LB1187 , LR508

Transcript Highlights:

• to solve the problem, but it's going to be a step forward to really help the public that you were elected
• to serve, that I am licensed to serve, and I appreciate your... ...that you were elected to serve, that
• included dental services for children living in the foster care program, adults and children with special
• When you bring Medicaid reimbursement rates into a broader policy argument, it often dilutes the primary
• Some extractions can be done without making any incision or using special techniques.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:17.640><c> or</c> policies of our duly elected or policies of our duly elected or appointed
• /c><00:56:28.480><c> no</c> used for the election that that no used for the election that that no trespass
• </c> service in terms when it's um an elected service in terms when it's um an elected or<01:37:50.920
• ,</c> to do with partisan municipal elections, to do with partisan municipal elections, that<01:44:40.920
• But, the town can change that elected.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. care that is not specially trained to care that is not specially trained to care<01:14:24.000
• And these are specialized staff. And these are specialized staff.
• He's a rock to Special Olympics.
• </c> homeless specialized homeless specialized care<01:40:31.520><c> for</c><01:40:31.840><c> them.
• care for you are all special.

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions. On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year. Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available. Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're on Medicaid now, or if you have Tricare for service to your country, the hospitals could elect
• Many of your insurance companies are going to look at the specials and they're going to look at the specials
• ... ...is there anybody that has primary responsibility on who can subrogate to go after their loss with
• In the same bill, authorizing special investigators.
• He's not an elected official. He's hired; he can be fired.

Bills: SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307 , SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, terrorist threat, terroristic threat

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate, and a very special welcome to my home county, Pinal County.
• So you get the extra special welcome today. All right, is that it? Let's move along.
• election boards voter registration; SB 1570, diversity, equity, inclusion training prohibition; SB 1571
• SB 1633, income tax subtraction, primary residence.
• SB 1654, appropriations and point monitoring elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's anyone in the audience who would like to speak as a primary lead in opposition, this is your
• When we set up the program, for example, we gave OES primary responsibility...
• When we set up the program, for example, we gave OES primary responsibility over the fee, which at the
• More than 5,500 members across 23 participating employers have elected to enroll in this pilot.
• My name is Carly Clemens, and I specialize in children's environmental health at Children Now.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Going on to slide two, the primary functions of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice are adult probation
• These are what we call special conditions of parole. Now, as Mr.
• At this time, we're going to call up our third panel from the Special Prosecution Unit.
• With the Special Prosecution Unit as Jack Choke, and you're registered as neutral on that?
• of treatment for these guys and a special type of supervision.

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• special needs.
• </c><00:35:17.640><c> Care</c> business community and Primary Care business community and Primary Care
• It’s not the Democrats’ elected official agenda, nor the Republicans’—it’s not these elected officials
• It’s not the Democrats’ elected official agenda, nor the Republicans’—it’s not these elected officials
• </c> and how the actions of one local elected and how the actions of one local elected official<07:58

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:44.720><c> more</c> which means more vibrant primaries, more which means more vibrant primaries
• Um, because we know that obviously special interests that have for whatever reason a special interest
• Um, because we know that obviously special interests that have for whatever reason a special interest
• /c><00:47:04.720><c> interests</c> know that obviously special interests know that obviously special
• </c> favoring frequent elections instead. favoring frequent elections instead.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The committee first continued its hearing on HB 1287, which concerns the definition of “veteran.” Representative Manion explained that the amendment would adopt the federal-style definition by including a general discharge under honorable conditions, while restoring documentation requirements such as a DD214 and removing a problematic reference to World War II allied veterans. The chair said the committee would close the hearing and take the bill up later in executive session. The committee then moved to HCR 13, a resolution calling for an Article V convention limited to proposing a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. Representative Joe Alexander, the prime sponsor, said the measure is narrowly focused on congressional term limits, that 12 states have already passed similar resolutions, and that broad public support in New Hampshire justifies action. Members asked whether the effort would prompt Congress to act on its own, whether the resolution should also cover Supreme Court justices, and how many states are needed; Alexander said the goal is to pressure Congress, that the Constitution already treats Supreme Court justices differently, and that 34 states are required. Testimony in support came from former Representative Linda Masamela, who gave a history-based argument for Article V conventions as a constitutional check, and from Deborah Childs and Aaron Ducet of U.S. Term Limits. Childs said New Hampshire voters strongly support term limits and argued they would open seats to younger, more diverse candidates. Ducet said the application is single-topic and would allow only one amendment, described Article V applications as historically common, and argued that state pressure can force Congress to act. No vote was taken in the portion provided; the chair continued hearing testimony on HCR 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, I'm not in this business to posture for future elections.
• And, you know, I'm not in this business to posture for future elections.
• But I do think this lifts potential special legislation problems.
• They're not carrying specialized food or spices or any kind of merchandise.
• There are many, many families in Nebraska who do not have a primary health care provider.

Bills: LB815A , LB838A , LB912A , LB972A , LB1126A , LB962A , LB1114 , LB921 , LB937 , LB803 , LB803A , LB1032 , LB1032A , LB1075 , LB1075A , LB889 , LB878 , LB933 , LB304 , LB304A , LB1096 , LB1096A , LB1165 , LB1165A , LB958 , LB958A , LB762 , LB1187 , LB966 , LB929 , LB962 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today I rise to honor a special young woman. who left us far too soon.
• , very special to me.
• She was elected coordinator of the Southern Region Power in 1981.
• HB 1406 by Meza related to preferential voting in primary election.
• penalty referred to the committee on elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for those who have been elected and are now serving.
• Was appointed to the Special Committees on Grid Reliability Legislative Oversight and on Hurricane and
• Special education isn't a one-size-fits-all. approach.
• Those of you who are in elected public service, who do public service in appointed or volunteer ways,
• of states. and local elections and to the related practices of procedures, referred to the Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Special education is one of them.
• Special education is one of them.
• , our special, and they have special gifts like us up here and like you down there.
• So I hope that we can address that issue between regional transportation, special education, and special
• Buses are monopolized, and then transportation for homeless children or special ed children is for special

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 budget for education and local aid. Opening remarks from Senator Pavel Payano, Representative Pat Duffy, and local leaders emphasized the importance of education funding for Lawrence and other Gateway Cities, with Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero highlighting the city’s high-need student population, Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, early college and career pathways, and the need for sustained support to close achievement gaps. The Education Secretariat testified in support of the budget, with Acting Secretary Amy Kershaw outlining investments in early literacy, universal pre-K, student mental health, school meals, high school redesign, higher education affordability, and early childhood systems. Commissioner Noi Ortega described higher education proposals including expanded free community college, continued free tuition at public four-year institutions, student success funding, early college and dual enrollment investments, and the Bright Act and Drive Act. Commissioner Pedro Martinez detailed K-12 proposals such as full Student Opportunity Act funding, increased Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, transportation aid, literacy initiatives, and a new Accelerating Achievement Initiative aimed at schools with the greatest needs. Commissioner Kershaw also described early education proposals including funding for C3, child care financial assistance, CPPI, workforce supports, and administrative funding restoration. Committee members questioned the administration about the pending local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to address health care and other cost drivers in school funding. Officials said the local contribution report is expected by the end of June and that a draft will be shared for public comment after data analysis is complete. Members also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities between districts and urged a broader review of the formula. In response, the commissioners said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but further work is needed, and they pointed to the new achievement initiative, literacy efforts, and early college expansion as ways to improve outcomes. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the primary reason I believe this would be a very good move...
• Our primary need is for CCBHCs to allow, to be able to allow their licensed clinicians, those licenses
• People are being certified in these specialized areas.
• People that specialize in these areas that are. people that specialize in these areas that are coming
• That is something that I think the people's elected officials need to contemplate.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Administrative Rules