Transcript Highlights:

• As the title indicates, the proposal would require commercial insurance plans to cover mental health
• As the title indicates, the proposal would require commercial insurance plans to cover mental health
• Frequently, treatment decisions were not based on what was clinically indicated, but simply on what insurance
• This has resulted in hospitals being required to perform behavioral health evaluations but not being
• Thank you. hospitals being required to perform behavioral health evaluations but not being reimbursed

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on a large group of behavioral health and insurance-related bills. Topics included expanding access to mental health services by allowing physician assistants to authorize Section 12 emergency holds and be recognized as licensed mental health professionals (H. 1131/S. 773); improving coverage for community behavioral health centers so commercial insurance matches MassHealth’s bundled outpatient and crisis services (H. 1276/S. 703); eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services (S. 718); extending detox and clinical stabilization coverage from 14 to 30 days and adding transitional support services (H. 1319/S. 772); requiring coverage for dual-diagnosis treatment in psychiatric facilities (H. 1277/S. 771); and preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness through coverage of coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment (H. 1135/S. 709). The committee also heard bills on preventive behavioral health services for children (H. 1228/S. 802) and post-pregnancy mental health care, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss-related care (H. 1314/S. 823).

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill, as Adrian also indicated, Includes significant non-recurring items as well as multi-year pilot
• So in other words, it's not to go ahead and become alarmed to indicate to people that these institutions
• Okay, and can you give me an indication, Mr. Chair, of what type of adult program?
• Charles, your focus over the last few years on performance-based investing, your work, Adrian, on Behavioral
• Chairman, Senator Steinborn, for a vehicle that... ...performs at 22 MPG on average and drives 15,000

Transcript Highlights:

• open the hearing on HB 1808, FNA, establishing the position of academic research and improvement performance
• Now we're going to say that that person does this have to do with it indicates this.
• You seem to me an indicator to talk about content versus other high school dimensions.
• performance? performance?
• <04:54:15.520> the superintendent is capably performing the superintendent is capably performing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The diversity of this coalition indicates how important it is to get SAF policy right in Minnesota.
• how important it is to get SAF indicates how important it is to get SAF policy<00:19:23.280> right
• The constant work they perform on a daily basis can be taken for granted and go unrecognized.
• <00:41:02.600> on<00:41:02.720> a The constant work they perform on a The constant
• just want the opportunity to perform just want the opportunity to perform their<00:41:36.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While there are many indications that can make us optimistic about Florida's educational performance,
• educator compensation statute in section 1012.22 was rewritten more than a decade ago to emphasize performance
• It was rewritten more than a decade ago to emphasize performance pay and limit the role of cost-of-living
• It does not replace performance pay. It strengthens it. That is the bill.
• It is such a challenge when you're on the school board and you're caught between pay for performance

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K through 12 Committee met with a quorum and considered several education-related bills. SB 1036 on school counselors was amended with a technical clarification and reported favorably. SB 1136 on dental screenings for K-12 students was converted by delete-all amendment to place the screening definition in the School Health Services Act and align notice and parent-exemption procedures; it also passed favorably, with support noted from PTA and other witnesses. SB 920 on mathematics education was reported favorably after discussion of applied algebra courses tied to career pathways, while preserving Algebra I standards, the end-of-course exam, graduation requirements, and university admission eligibility. SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation, which would give districts more flexibility on pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and advanced degrees, also passed favorably with broad support from educators and former school board members. The committee then approved SPB 7022, which reenacts and extends a public records exemption for classroom examination and assessment instruments through 2031 and expands coverage to district school boards and public schools. SB 464 on observance of Veterans Day in K-12 schools was reported favorably after extensive debate about whether schools should be closed or could instead hold Veterans Day programs; supporters emphasized statewide consistency and honoring veterans, while some members raised scheduling and instructional-day concerns. SB 538 on physical education and extracurricular participation was amended to establish standardized eligibility rules for public, private, virtual, and home education students, limit duplicate participation across schools, require annual participation in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, and leave coach compensation to district discretion; it was then reported favorably. SB 178 on athletics and public K-12 schools was amended to add a $15,000 annual cap on coach personal spending per team and was reported favorably after discussion about good-faith support for student-athletes, recruiting concerns, and the need for guardrails. A temporary postponement was announced for SB 430 on the oath of school personnel. At the end of the meeting, Senator Osgood recorded a favorable vote on SB 1036, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• indicator, what is an academic standard.
• and find out what is a per performance and find out what is a per performance indicator,<00:06:08.639
• indicator, what is an academic standard. indicator, what is an academic standard.
• > when<00:16:43.040> they're He indicated there's times when they're He indicated there's
• <00:22:54.640> So, I don't object to what you indicated it would mean.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2017, the legislature asked HHS to study past performance.
• We scheduled and have already performed additional trainings.
• In 2024 review, we were far exceeding the national performance.
• And we also perform background checks for many of the provider types.
• We don't know yet what our federal fiscal year 26 performance is.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• At a only serve to weaken performance.
• literacy, improve student performance literacy, improve student performance and<00:59:56.000>
• It supports teacher mentorship, teacher performance pay, performance increments, professional learning
• teacher mentorship, teacher performance pay,<01:24:36.159> performance<01:24:36.639> increments
• , pay, performance increments, pay, performance increments, professional<01:24:37.760> learning

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:26.000> quite Hampshire's economy is performing quite Hampshire's economy is performing
• <01:30:09.639> that presenters already have indicated that presenters already have indicated
• Revenue projections mhm uh you indicated Revenue projections mhm uh you indicated that<01:58:01.079
• So that's a better indicator of where mortgage rates are going to go.
• So that's a better indicator of where mortgage rates are going to go.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market. Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded. The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of those I represent: performers in entertainment and media. I'm an actor.
• in '86 to reflect the rising costs of living performers face while doing business.
• So, you know, performing arts organizations after the pandemic were particularly hard hit, right?
• SB 1116, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, was going to address this problem.
• This is exactly what Assemblymember Zabour was asking about in terms of performing arts.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• IPNY indicated the average New York household will pay approximately $5,000 a year in utility charges
• Was such a study performed?
• As I indicated, NUMC has 85 percent safety-net hospital to treat whoever comes in the door.
• They jealously guard their high-performing schools.
• You're right, it does not indicate fraud; it indicates that there were instances where people had to

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's possible because we found other ways to fertilize our soil, get better crop yields, higher-performing
• So this is a figure that was generated, which indicates 40% of the biosolids generated for...
• This is a truck which indicates how sometimes that liquid is injected into the land, and you can see
• So this is a tiered approach where measurements on each site might indicate a concentration of PFAS.
• talked about, um, the burning of trash and while yes, it's true that the biochar could actually indicate

Summary: The meeting focused on the use of biosolids on farm and ranch land, with testimony from Oklahoma State University experts, a conservation official, and an engineering representative about the benefits, risks, and regulatory implications. Dr. Lusk described OSU’s long history of soil fertility research and said biosolids can provide nutrients and organic matter, but also may carry contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and pathogens. He emphasized that many questions remain unanswered, especially about contaminant uptake into soil, crops, livestock, and humans, and said existing EPA and Oklahoma DEQ regulations address some treatment and application standards but may not fully cover PFAS. Dr. Arnell expanded on nutrient management, explaining that biosolids can function similarly to manure as a fertilizer source, especially for nitrogen and phosphorus, but should be tested, incorporated into soil, and applied under permit conditions to reduce runoff and other losses. He said PFAS testing methods are not yet standardized and that more research is needed to determine sampling protocols, movement in soil, and long-term effects. Committee members asked whether farmers and ranchers should be notified of risks, whether PFAS is currently tested, how many counties use biosolids, and what research would be needed for a dissertation-level study. The witnesses generally agreed that landowners should be informed of known risks and uncertainties, but said the science is still developing. Dr. Arnell said a unified testing method is needed before reliable PFAS monitoring can be done, and suggested that a multi-year study would be required to understand soil movement, crop uptake, and livestock impacts. Greg Scott of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission framed the issue as a waste-management problem, noting that human waste streams contain contaminants and that soil type affects how pollutants move; he said sandy soils pose greater movement risks than clay soils and that current best practice is incorporation, careful timing, and avoiding steep or sensitive sites. He also said PFAS are widespread and not naturally occurring in the way some other compounds are, and that liability and cleanup costs are major concerns. Mary Elizabeth Mock of Garver Engineering focused on the practical and financial consequences of a possible moratorium on land application, saying most of Oklahoma’s biosolids are currently land applied and would otherwise have to go to landfills. She warned that many landfills are nearing capacity, tipping fees could rise sharply, and cities such as Tulsa and Norman could face large increases in disposal costs, which would ultimately be borne by ratepayers and taxpayers. She also said septic system maintenance costs could rise if land application options shrink, potentially leading to deferred maintenance and system failures. Mock urged a tiered, data-driven approach to PFAS regulation and said advanced treatment technologies may help in the future, but they are still emerging and expensive. No votes were taken; the session consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• through 367, uh and page 15, lines 357 through 367, uh and page 15, lines 357 through 367, uh which indicates
• discretionary authority which indicates discretionary authority which indicates discretionary authority
• within liability for conduct performed within liability for conduct performed within the officer discretionary
• sexual abuse cases go under sexual abuse cases go under sexual abuse cases go under reportported, indicating
• a significant reportported, indicating a significant reportported, indicating a significant gap in detention

Bills: HB265, HB146, SB254, HB202, HB3, HB42, SB18

Keywords: resisting arrest, penalties, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, youthful offender, capital murder, victims' rights, SB254, Alabama, statute of limitations, civil procedure, civil action, sex offense, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, survivor rights, tolling, disability, minor plaintiff

Transcript Highlights:

• who knows much better than I do if that's accurate, and he said he's not aware of anything that indicates
• However, if you're a poor-performing provider, we have to keep in mind that we're not that far removed
• Well, as you indicate, I think as you are representing Spiller, there are some bad players in the market
• As an indicator, we come up quite short.
• There have been situations where I've had individuals come to me after the fact just indicating that

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• Have varied along the way in those performance reviews. He has not done that.
• bit—can you kind of walk us through a process of whether there were meetings, review meetings, performance
• So can I quickly ask: were those performance reviews—I'll call them performance reviews, maybe there
• But you had indicated that there was a clear evaluation. Dismissed.
• But you had indicated that there was a clear evaluation with President Rothman relative to his performance

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand your, um, what you've indicated is your concern about, in particular, subsections H and
• I understand your, um, what you've indicated is your concern about, in particular, subsections H and
• And I think there's, as Representative Smith has indicated, there are problems whether it's just the
• <01:32:12.880> her<01:32:13.120> duties uh performing her duties uh performing her
• So, uh, my watch indicates that it's now 1:30. So I'm going to open the hearing on HP 1769.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Y'all talk it out. item six, Senate Bill 3230, indicate by item six, Senate Bill 3230, indicate by saying
• If you favor the motion to table, indicate by saying I. Oppose, no. The eyes have it.
• to table, indicate by saying I. to table, indicate by saying I. Oppose,<00:13:21.520> no.
• the strike all, indicate by saying I.
• indicate by saying I. indicate by saying I. Oppose<00:16:04.720> no. Oppose no.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 6 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, found a quorum, dispensed with reading the journal, and moved through routine calendar business. Members tabled motions on several Senate bills, including Senate Bill 3230 and Senate Bill 2699, and there was discussion about a member’s right to hold a bill even after immediate release had been granted the prior day. The chamber also handled a hold request on Senate Bill 2838 and later tabled a motion related to it. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 2103, which was called up and amended with a strike-all amendment. The bill was described as a broad education and retirement package focused on teacher pay, assistant teacher pay, PERS changes, school attendance officers, and support for struggling school districts. The sponsor said it would provide a $5,000 across-the-board teacher pay raise, a $3,000 increase for special education teachers, a $3,000 increase for assistant teachers, and an approximately $5,000 increase for school attendance officers. It also would reduce retirement service requirements for some state employees and first responders, allow retired teachers to return to work while drawing retirement, and create a district-of-innovation provision for D and F districts to help address teacher shortages and other needs. Several members questioned the scope of the bill, asking whether it included school choice, vouchers, portability, or other contentious provisions; the sponsor said it did not. Questions also focused on the superintendent salary cap language, the effect on PERS contributions for returning retirees, and whether the bill still contained the counselor ethics language that had been discussed earlier; the sponsor said that language had been struck out. After debate, the House adopted the strike-all amendment and then passed Senate Bill 2103 by a vote of 122-0. After passage, members made announcements and vote-change requests on prior calendar items, including Senate Bill 2432 and Senate Bill 3111. The Speaker also announced a press conference after adjournment to discuss the teacher pay raise. The House then adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• as adults and for our children, what do we do to wrap our arms around our schools to improve the performance
• . of our lowest performing schools.
• And so for the last two years, no one has. had any sort of public accountability for performance and
• It's it indicates that you want to edit the writer to to require the reporting, but to remove, quote,
• Nobody outside of school administrators would have... summit performance of their public schools for

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At that time, project sponsors indicated that they needed help for $27 billion in projects.
• I'm not asking for, like, I get that there is analysis, but I'm not asking for performance metrics of
• We have asked our members to indicate if they did, and we have several members that indicated that they
• And they're pulling these stats off of wells that are going to be performance load.
• That in itself indicates how dire the current water-level emergency.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just wanted to, on behalf of the Nucleon team, thank the Advanced Committee for selecting Nucleon to perform
• It also required the state to perform a study that will inform rules for regulating SMRs, which will
• And it also required the state to perform a study that will inform rules for regulating SMRs, which will
• As I indicated, there are several state agencies that will be presenting today, and we asked them to
• As I indicated, there are several state agencies that will be presenting today.

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.