Video & Transcript Research : 'identification program'

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KY
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services (3-1-23)

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uauknZmkgWg, 2026-06-21T07:17:03+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, MEETING START 00:00 ROLL CALL 00:16 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 00:39 DISCUSSION WITH KY PUBLIC HEALTH, ELIZABETH GOODE, PQI DIRECTOR, AND JENNIFER NAA, KPAP PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 01:36 ON PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, KPAP’S MISSION, PROGRAM PROVIDERS, PRESCRIPTION INITIATIVES, ELIGIBILITY, VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES, AND 2022 RETURN ON INVESTMENT. DISCUSSION WITH CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE SPOKESPERSON, MICHELLE SANBORN AND KELLI MCCORMICK, CTO RAMEY-ESTEP/RE-GROUP 11:57 ON MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS, UPDATE ON KY MEDICAID FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES, KY SURVEY FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN, WORKFORCE CRISIS, AND THE NEEDS OF KY’S CHILDREN. DISCUSSION WITH PATTI CLARK, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH WITH DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL, 36:33 AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ON MOBILE HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES, INITIATIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH, AND LOAN FUND REPORT UPDATE., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Juvenile Justice Oversight Council (11-7-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • I um participate in a countrywide<01:25:47.440> program<01:25:47.920> for<01:25:48.560>
  • um<01:25:48.720> young<01:25:48.960> public countrywide program for um young public
  • countrywide program for um young public defenders<01:25:49.800> and<01:25:50.400> I<01
Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:09 State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33 The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44 Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all
Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met with a quorum, approved the October 8, 2025 minutes, and welcomed guests including Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall. The main topic was juvenile interrogation, with a presentation from Kentucky Youth Advocates by Courtney Downs and Shannon Moody. They said their organization is supporting a 2026 Blueprint priority requiring children to consult with an attorney before waiving Miranda rights, and they emphasized research on adolescent brain development, susceptibility to peer pressure and impulsive decision-making, and the risk of false confessions. They cited National Registry of Exonerations data showing high rates of false confessions among exonerated youth, especially younger children, and described approaches in other states such as Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act, Indiana’s statute allowing certain adults to waive rights in some circumstances, and laws in other states requiring recording of interrogations or limiting deceptive tactics. Members asked about trauma and adverse childhood experiences, whether the proposal would require attorney consultation in every juvenile interview, whether parents could instead be the ones consulted, and how such a rule would affect law enforcement investigations and juvenile accountability. Senator Carroll and others raised concerns about feasibility, delays, and whether juveniles might avoid accountability if attorneys are required before questioning. The presenters responded that they were focused on ensuring children understand their legal rights, that some states use age- or offense-based limits, and that parent consultation is another model used elsewhere, though they said a lawyer is best suited to explain legal rights and process. Members also discussed the role of the Department of Public Advocacy and whether legislative action or court decisions should address the issue. The council did not take final action on the policy, but requested additional materials, including the text of laws from Maryland, Indiana, and North Carolina, for further review.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (11-6-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Inmates who apply and are program.
  • social benefits programs. social benefits programs.
  • appreciate the mission of this program. appreciate the mission of this program.
  • past, uh, three years of the program. past, uh, three years of the program.
  • into this program. into this program. >> Thank<01:51:02.560> you.
Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:09 State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33 The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44 Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all
Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs. Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them. A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C. During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (11-5-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • senior meal program here in Kentucky. senior meal program here in Kentucky.
  • > the program, the federal program, the program, the federal program, the congregate<00:41:28.319
  • If you get a couple hours, ride with your program and see what some of this program is about because
  • program program but<00:48:02.240> how<00:48:02.480> did<00:48:02.640> we<00:48:
  • This program continued like I we showed This program continued like I we showed that<00:52:04.880>
Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 State Health Insurance Plans 00:00:03 Executive Branch Salary Schedule Adjustments 00:29:15 Nutrition Program for the Elderly 00:34:52 Update on DORIS 01:05:38, 958, all
Summary: The committee met on November 5, 2025, and first approved the minutes after a moment of silence for the UPS airport tragedy. The main presentation was from the Personnel Cabinet on the state health insurance plans and executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Officials said the health plan covers roughly 265,000 active members and up to about 300,000 across all benefit offerings, including school board employees, retirees, and other eligible groups. They described rising claims and expenditures, especially from high-cost claimants and pharmacy spending, and said recent premium and benefit changes were intended to balance costs while preserving recruitment and retention efforts. They also explained that employee premiums had not increased for several years, while employer contributions rose sharply in recent years, and projected a 10% employer increase and 3% employee increase going forward based on actuarial analysis. Committee members asked about deductibles, GLP-1 drug costs, claims validation, and the causes of cost growth; officials said the plan uses multiple payment-integrity vendors and that the increases reflect utilization, drug trends, and high-cost cases rather than a change in coverage. The committee also discussed executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Personnel and budget officials explained that when the legislature approves annual pay increases, the salary schedule is adjusted by the same percentage through executive order so the minimum and midpoint stay aligned with approved compensation levels. They said the 2025 adjustment was a 3% match effective September 16 and that the change was costless because salaries had already been increased. Members raised concerns about salary compression, noting that new hires can sometimes be paid near the level of long-serving employees. Officials said the adjustment helps prevent compression from worsening but does not solve it, and they acknowledged prior RFP efforts to address the issue were unsuccessful because no qualified bidder met the requirements. After the health plan and salary discussions, the committee began a presentation from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on Kentucky’s senior meal program. Secretary Stack explained that the program is a federal-state-local partnership under the Older Americans Act, with area development districts helping deliver services. He outlined eligibility rules, noting that congregate meals at senior centers are available to people age 60 and older, with a spouse of any age allowed to join, and that home-delivered meals have additional homebound and assistance requirements. Members asked whether there was any means test for congregate meals, and the secretary said there is not; the only threshold is age for the center-based meals, while the home-delivered program has additional criteria.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:32.240> that screenshot of the MAXA program that screenshot of the MAXA program that
  • . programs. programs.
  • program from the proposed state budget. program from the proposed state budget.
  • appropriation to our food shelf program. appropriation to our food shelf program.
  • program in a very short period of time. program in a very short period of time.
Bills: HF45, HF1148, HF3624, HF3586, HF777
Keywords: HF45, Lake Benton, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Public Facilities Authority, public infrastructure, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, utility replacement, U.S. Highway 75, road reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, local government grant, Minnesota bonding, capital appropriation, food insecurity, prepared meals
ND
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 15th, 2025 at 09:00 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because one of the concerns is starting a grant program, you know, starting a grant program because we
Bills: HB1012
Keywords: health and human services, DHHS, appropriations, biennial budget, behavioral health, substance use disorder, opioid settlement, medical assistance expansion, Medicaid, basic care, long-term care, child care assistance, early childhood care, child care provider payments, guardianship, conservatorship, housing loan fund, disability services, extraordinary medical needs, community health trust fund
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Services Division met to consider House Bill 1012, the Department of Human Services budget, and reviewed three previously made amendments: correcting a reference to $30 million underfunding, changing “human service centers” to “behavioral health clinics,” and revising section 31 language so the department would review medical assistance services and report findings and recommendations rather than directly implement adjustments. The committee also discussed whether to include funding related to two other bills with fiscal impacts, House Bill 1485 (personal needs allowance) and House Bill 2399 (PRTF reimbursement), noting those measures may go to conference committee and that appropriations could be added there instead of in HB 1012. The committee agreed to proceed with HB 1012 and members noted provider inflation questions would be raised later in full committee. The division then approved a due pass recommendation on the amendments to HB 1012 and, after a roll call vote, approved HB 1012 as amended on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Mathern voting no. Senator Davison was named as carrier. Members also discussed House Bill 1577, involving wastewater project financing and possible amendments related to a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota for specific projects, and House Bill 1619, for which additional amendments were expected before full committee action. The meeting ended with general thanks and adjournment.
NV
NV

Nevada 2025 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Finance May 29th, 2025 at 08:30 am

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Samantha Heimie, health program manager with the Autism Treatment Assistance Program, and
  • Assistance Program.
  • And so we would have to, you know, establish the program, find the funding, and create the program.
  • This would be a small program.
  • It's the value of their program and the effectiveness of their program.
Bills: AB6, AB102, AB131, AB212, AB213, AB220, AB259, AB282, AB376, AB396, AB479, AB503, AB570, AB572, AB574, AB576, AB593, SB185, SB207, SB507, AB6
Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Transportation (6-3-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, it's going to close on October 1st. projects program that goes along with projects program that goes
  • Um the local program. All right.
  • Um, one of local access road program.
  • So, very popular program.
  • So, very popular program.”
Keywords: 00:00:39 Roll Call 00:02:57 Severe Weather Damage 00:39:00 Work Zone Safety 00:47:12 Local Assistance Road Program 01:10:18 Admin. Regs 01:15:37 Aviation Impact Study, 958, all
Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call, a quorum, and a briefing from Transportation Cabinet officials on the Cabinet’s response to severe weather and tornadoes in Kentucky, especially the May 16–17 storms that caused deaths and widespread damage in Pulaski and Laurel counties, with an additional tornado noted in Washington County. Secretary Jim Gray, State Highway Engineer James Ballinger, and District 11 engineer Chris Jones described how crews in all 120 counties were placed on alert, how roads were cleared of debris, and how KYTC coordinated with emergency management, law enforcement, local governments, and utilities to restore access and power. They reported major impacts on roads, signals, and other infrastructure, including the EF4 tornado path through Pulaski and Laurel counties, and said KYTC also helped with debris hauling, airport cleanup, and delivery of water and meals. The officials gave specific recovery figures for Laurel County, including 1,800 loads of construction and demolition debris hauled, about 11,000 tons and 22,000 cubic yards removed, with roughly 50% of vegetative debris cleared at that point. They said all state roadways in Laurel County were reopened, the London-Corbin Airport was returned to flight operations by Sunday, and a transition plan was underway for Laurel County Fiscal Court’s contractor to take over debris operations. Gray also noted that KYTC had helped issue replacement IDs, licenses, registrations, and titles at no cost in disaster areas, and said the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund had raised nearly $1.5 million from more than 6,000 donors. Members praised KYTC staff as first responders and thanked them for their quick response and coordination. Several legislators recounted local impacts in Washington, Pulaski, and Laurel counties, including blocked roads, rescue challenges, looting concerns, and the scale of property damage. One member asked how KYTC inspects bridges and infrastructure after disasters to check for hidden damage, and officials said the process depends on the event and can include bridge inspections and checks of tall infrastructure such as light poles. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the discussion.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-03-25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • House File 3825 is a DPS Office of Justice Programs policy bill.
  • I am executive director of the Office of Justice Programs.
  • I'll provide Office of Justice Programs.
  • programs, but we do all types of fraud. programs, but we do all types of fraud.
  • <00:37:37.200> eligibility it does is clarifies program eligibility it does is clarifies program
Bills: HF4075, HF3826, HF3825, HF3827, HF3459, HF3711, HF4200, HF3908, HF3712
Keywords: firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Feb 24th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a Crime Stoppers, one of the oldest Crime Stoppers programs, worked very well.
  • The administrative costs for this program are the assistant commander works on staff as a bridge, is
  • But there are some costs associated with a member who is hired. by the board to administer the program
  • And only three is going actually to the program.
  • Licensing or two other programs that receive donations.
Bills: SB 384, SB 503, SB 565, SB 616, SB 740
Keywords: hunting license, fishing license, donation, operation game thief fund, wildlife conservation, livestock, electronic registry, marks and brands, Texas Animal Health Commission, animal identification, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer
Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Agriculture and Rural Affairs convened under the leadership of Chairman Kelly Hancock, who opened the meeting with a prayer in remembrance of Chairman Perry, who was absent due to a personal loss. The session focused on the discussions surrounding SB384, which aims to support the longstanding initiative known as Operation Game Thief. Senator Flores presented the bill, emphasizing its essential role in the fight against poaching through public support. The operation has a successful track record of convictions but is currently dependent on donations and merchandise sales for funding. The committee aimed to vote on multiple bills during this session, contingent on achieving a quorum. Notably, discussions also revolved around fiscal notes on two bills that were set aside for later consideration, indicating the committee's intention to carefully manage their legislative decisions. The meeting showcased a productive atmosphere, with committee members actively engaged in the review and potential advancement of key legislative measures.
AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 18th, 2025

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • driver's license, that's perfectly fine, but that can't be used for providing a valid photo ID identification
  • This just simply says you cannot... ...that this just simply says you cannot use that form of identification
Bills: SB5, SB142, SB158, SB171, SB5
Keywords: archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, SB142, Alabama, voting, voter registration, election law, Secretary of State, board of registrars, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, National Change of Address, NCOA, voter roll maintenance, address change, voter list cleanup, inactive voter
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 5th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy 2ND REVISED Feb 5th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • They have $10 million for the REAP grant program.
  • This is a REAP water program.
  • Both of those say deploying as if these are new programs.
  • like outreach programs.
  • that $100,000 dollars is for the overall program.
Bills: SB1191, SB1314, SB1319, SB1333, SB1346, SB1439, SB1509, SB1510, SB1613
Keywords: SB1191, Oklahoma Energy Initiative Act, Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative Board, low carbon energy, clean energy, energy policy, renewable energy, board repeal, statutory repeal, administrative board, energy committee, natural resources, Oklahoma statutes, 17 O.S. 802.3, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention, regulatory compliance, SB1319
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 28th, 2025

S/C on County & Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, county jailers are required to complete a preparatory training program, including a minimum
  • However, while these programs may mention veterans, there is no dedicated requirement focused specifically
  • ensuring that individuals within the criminal justice system are provided with the essential identification
  • Many individuals leaving juvenile facilities or jails in Texas lack basic identity. ...identification
  • Clinical or there's some few programs that are due just in anatomical pathology, which is what I did.
Bills: HB2814, HB4477, HB5084, HB5108, HB5127, HB5383, HB5611, HB5663, HB5664, SB1563, HB2668, HB3841, HB4114
Keywords: juvenile justice, release documents, children, identification, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, civil service, staffing requirements, local government, positions exemption, Texas legislation, fireworks, Lunar New Year, retail permits, public safety, Texas law, holiday sales, HB 5108, deaths in custody, custodial death, jail death
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 28th, 2025

S/C on County & Regional Government

WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 24, 2026

Appropriations

WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Committee, February 24, 2026

Appropriations

KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (9-25-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • your questions about the program. your questions about the program.
  • highlight the innovation hubs program. highlight the innovation hubs program.
  • Um, the SSBCI program that is a U.S. Department of Treasury program that was relaunched in 2021.
  • as venture capital programs.
  • The SBIR STR matching funds program. The SBIR STR matching funds program.
Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13 Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50 Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16 State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all
Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session. The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021. Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Veteran Affairs (Part II)Audio only. May 15th, 2025

Veteran Affairs

TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Veteran Affairs (Part I) May 15th, 2025

Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Generally, the bill would transfer administration of the state's veterans' mental health programs from
  • It would establish a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, and it would direct
  • crash course program in peer support.
  • And so we're grateful for our friends at the Texas Veterans Commission as well for this program.
  • The VA spends $571 million on its veteran suicide program. Where does that money go?
Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513
Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits
Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.