Bills: HB 842, HB 1907, HB 2844, HB 2892, HB 3439, HB 4211, HB 4536, HB 5111, HB 5138, HB 5182, HB 5247, HB 5269, HB 5323, HB 5435, HJR 201, SB 871, HB 3896, SJR 40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• could be over whether somebody is being paid the right wage, whether they're being paid the defined rate
• They need to have the tools for very complex rate cases, but especially ERCOT protocol. call changes,
• I'm curious, do you think this would help lower utility rates for your constituents?
• Do you think it will lower utility rates for your constituents? That's the goal.
• So you think consistent market data will lead to lower... utility rates. I do.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• Maintaining reasonable rates for local exchange service is essential.
• Cities support reliable electric service and affordable electric rates.
• Does it create any new rate recovery tools, or does it simply use existing ones?
• will go a long way toward helping us maintain our current credit rating.
• Those things can be considered in rate cases, but this is very targeted.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the next 10 years, with a 33% projected growth rate
• an opportunity to speak to this committee about a month ago, but underscoring that the legislature rated

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• So doing so with artificially lower Medicaid reimbursement rates to unsustainable levels of pharmacy,
• However, uh, many Texans, uh, Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
• Increasing these rates could encourage more providers to participate, improving access to care.
• HB 2402 seeks to address these issues by ensuring Medicaid reimbursement rates reflect the usual and
• Pharmacy's usual and customary calculations would effectively set $0 as the Medicaid reimbursement rate

Bills: HB 741, HB 1199, HB 2070, HB 2402, HB 2542, HB 2665, HB 2789, HB 3096, HB 3396, HB 3595, HB 3747, HB 4116, HB 4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• expected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations over the next 10 years, with a 33% projected growth rate
• Uh but underscoring that the legislature<01:24:29.360><c> rated</c><01:24:29.760><c> NRI,</c><01:24:30.480
• c> placed</c><01:24:30.719><c> us</c><01:24:30.880><c> in</c><01:24:31.040><c> the</c> legislature rated
• NRI, placed us in the legislature rated NRI, placed us in the University<01:24:31.440><c> of</c><01:

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• Next to the number of times Netflix, Hulu, and Disney have increased their rates over the past five years
• permit fees statewide, ignoring the reality that inspection costs vary significantly based on labor rates
• We're seeing closures at a much more rapid rate, almost back to the pandemic levels, which Thursday is
• paying, your interest rate, how much you're actually financed, the cost of your financing before they
• They can show people clearly they have to sign. when you're borrowing X at this rate your monthly payment

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to improve access, we really need to improve rates.
• If you want to improve access, we really need to improve rates.
• If you want to improve access, we really need to improve rates.
• If you truly want to address access, address the rates, then worry about who's paying them.
• The emphasis of the plan was to focus on the rates in time for this session so that we could get them

Bills: HF4712, HF4801, HF3756, HF4860, HF4931, HF4289, HF4460

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Summary: The committee met at 1:00 p.m., confirmed a quorum, and approved the April 8, 2026 minutes. The first bill heard was House File 4712, which was laid over after the committee adopted a DE2 amendment. Representative Schultz said the bill would create a narrow additional exception to public pool limitations so highly certified swimming instructors could use certain pools for specialized infant, youth, and developmental-disability swim instruction. The only testifier, Tessa Seppelt, described ISR instruction as water-safety and drowning-prevention training for very young children and children with developmental delays, and said access to appropriate facilities is the main barrier. Members raised questions about emergency egress, public safety, and insurance coverage, and the author said he would follow up on those concerns. The committee then took up House File 4801, a bill by Representative Nadeau aimed at health care program integrity. He said it would align commercial and Medicaid partners to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse by changing prior authorization and retrospective review processes, improving data sharing on suspected fraud, addressing conflicting or duplicative services, allowing managed care organizations to verify provider credentials, and making risk corridors in MCO contracts permanent. The Minnesota Council of Health Plans supported the bill, saying it would help detect fraud and improve coordination, while the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics opposed it, arguing that expanded prior authorization would delay care, increase physician burden, and harm children with chronic conditions. Members debated patient safety, fraud detection, and whether the bill would undermine recent prior-authorization reforms. The bill was laid over. House File 3756, a technical update to the insulin safety net program, was also laid over. Representative Backer said the bill clarifies that a hospital-use intravenous insulin product is not part of the program because it is sold only to health care institutions and infused by practitioners, not dispensed to patients for self-use. The Board of Pharmacy testified that the language was drafted to avoid affecting future legitimate uses, and members asked whether the definition could limit new uses if treatments change. The committee then began House File 4860, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s presentation is completed.

Bills: SB1684, SB1443, SB1447, SB378, SB1920

Keywords: SB1684, Oklahoma Highway Remediation and Cleanup Services Act, highway cleanup, roadway remediation, tow truck, wrecker service, liability insurance, DEQ, Department of Environmental Quality, motor vehicles, licensing, public safety, cleanup operators, roadside services, commercial towing, insurance requirement, license fee, revocation, suspension, Turnpike Authority

Summary: The committee considered several bills and moved each one forward without opposition. Senate Bill 1684, presented by Representative Bayshore, would require highway remediation companies to carry at least $3 million in liability insurance before entering roadways to protect the public; it passed 6-0 and was recommended to the next committee. Senate Bill 378, also presented by Bayshore, would modernize the multi-county bail bonds statute by adding flexibility in writing capacity and strengthening financial oversight and transparency; it passed 6-0 and was recommended for the floor. Senate Bill 1447, presented by Representative Marti, would change requirements for the RFP for the state employee prescription drug plan. Marti used the presentation to sharply criticize the State Chamber and outside messaging about the bill, arguing the legislation would not raise drug costs and that similar laws in other states have produced savings; the bill passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1920, presented by Representative Tedford, would raise the salvage title threshold for autos from 60% to 70% to align more closely with neighboring states and avoid prematurely totaling vehicles; it passed 6-0 and was sent to the next committee. After a brief suspension, the committee took up Senate Bill 1443, presented by Representative Sneed on behalf of Chairman Chad Caldwell, which concerns anesthesia services. No questions or debate were raised, and the bill passed 6-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the sponsor, does he want the rate to be lower or higher, because the bill makes the rate higher?
• My quibble clearly is with the interest rate.
• rates?
• What is the need for increased interest rates?
• So with this plan, it's one rate for your first $3,000, another rate for your next up to $10,000, another

Bills: SB1165, SB1206, SB1212, SB1291, SB1347, SB1516, SB1554, SB1649, SB1689, SB1812

Keywords: breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also modeled off the federal government, where the FCC E-Rate program and the Children's Internet
• federal government mandates that each school that receives support from the federal government through E-rate
• I don't want to see another news article that shows New Mexico to have the highest rate of pedestrian
• Chairman, Senator, will this help with insurance rates? Mr.
• If our drivers are better educated, they should have lower insurance rates because they're having less

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, Vantage scores versus FICO scores; there are two different types. of credit ratings, and
• . ...rate, meaning that 2 out of every 10 calls, texts, or chats went unanswered, falling short of the
• Medigap plans at fair and consistent rates.
• And how many people, I mean how many rates have to be filed each year?
• However, many Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• Vantage scores versus FICO scores, as there are two different types of credit ratings.
• However, many Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
• Increasing these rates could encourage more providers to participate, improving access to care.
• However, many Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
• Increasing these rates could encourage more providers to participate, improving access to care.

Bills: HB 107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, monetary assistance may not exceed 50% of DFPS daily basic foster care reimbursement rate
• Increased assistance amounts match the Department's minimum daily foster care reimbursement rate, which
• There is a current push to raise the rate to $17.50. and raising this rate will hopefully assist in filling
• Most assisted living rates start at $3,500 a month. $1,200 a month.
• Texans can continue to reduce the uninsured rate and increase access to health care coverage, and HB

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• So doing so with artificially lower Medicaid reimbursement rates to unsustainable levels of pharmacy.
• Increasing these rates could encourage more providers to participate in improving access to care.
• HB 2402 seeks to address these issues by ensuring Medicaid reimbursement reimbursement rates reflect
• And typically, the consumer who we represent is the one paying the higher rate.
• Our interest in this bill is particularly about Medicaid rates, which are chronically underfunded and

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• passed on to residential, industrial, agriculture, and commercial ratepayers through higher utility rates

Bills: HB2992, HB3183, HB3464, HB4170, HB4338

Keywords: HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining, large load customer, electric rates, utility tariffs, cost causation, rate design, public power utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative, investor-owned utility, load growth, interconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• on page 1, line 24, by inserting after the word customer and before the word protection, the word rate
• It will prevent the cost from being passed on to residential, industrial, agriculture, commercial rate
• payers through higher utility rates.

Bills: HB2992, HB3183, HB3464, HB4170, HB4338

Keywords: HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining, large load customer, electric rates, utility tariffs, cost causation, rate design, public power utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative, investor-owned utility, load growth, interconnection

Summary: The committee first handled several executive nominations. It unanimously advanced Richard Allier to the Environmental Quality Board, Kevin Foreman to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board, Gary Keel to the Air Quality Advisory Board, Megan Langley to the Oklahoma-Arkansas River Compact Commission, Jacob Bull to the Air Quality Advisory Council, and Tommy Colwell to the Oklahoma Mining Commission. In each case, the nominating senator described the appointee’s background and qualifications, and the committee voted to send the nomination to the full Senate without opposition. The committee then considered House Bill 2992, with Senator Green offering a technical amendment to correct drafting errors. The amendment passed 8-0, and the bill itself passed 9-0. Green said the measure would require large-load data centers and crypto mining facilities to pay their share of electric infrastructure costs so those costs would not be shifted to other ratepayers. Senator Boren asked whether municipal utilities and co-ops would be affected, and Green responded that the bill was aimed at the corporate shareholder utility model. House Bill 4338 was also heard and passed, though the roll call showed one no vote. Green explained that the bill concerns produced water and would create a framework for extracting elements from it, with House changes clarifying that it is not retroactive, adjusting flexibility for the produced water unit size, and allowing processing of brine before corporation approval. The committee also advanced House Bill 417, which addresses theft of copper fittings on oil rigs and related cleanup damage by making certain conduct a misdemeanor; it passed 10-0. The meeting ended after the committee approved the remaining nominations and adjourned.

Bills: SB1684, SB1443, SB1447, SB378, SB1920

Keywords: SB1684, Oklahoma Highway Remediation and Cleanup Services Act, highway cleanup, roadway remediation, tow truck, wrecker service, liability insurance, DEQ, Department of Environmental Quality, motor vehicles, licensing, public safety, cleanup operators, roadside services, commercial towing, insurance requirement, license fee, revocation, suspension, Turnpike Authority

Transcript Highlights:

• Just in the last six years, the client support rate has increased almost 60%.
• This rate increase must be passed on to staff for wages and benefits.
• Unlike home care, which has a transparent labor rate, ...which has a transparent labor rate that has
• the administrative costs are covered by this current established rate.
• This rate disparity has continued into 2026.

Bills: HB1873, HB2600, SB5957

Keywords: child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care

Summary: The House Early Learning & Human Services Committee held public hearings on House Bill 1873, which would expand Working Connections Child Care eligibility to full-time graduate and professional students with household income at or below 85% of state median income. Staff explained the bill and its copay rules, and Rep. Janice Zahn said the measure would help student parents avoid choosing between graduate school and child care. Student advocates from the University of Washington and Washington State University testified in strong support, describing high child care costs, stipend limitations, and the impact of child care on degree completion and workforce entry. Some members raised questions about likely uptake, cost, and return on investment, and the sponsor said she hoped to gather more data for future versions of the bill. The committee also heard House Bill 2600, which would require DSHS to update the supported living cost report template and convene a work group to develop Medicaid rate recommendations aimed at improving direct support professional wages. Supporters, including SEIU 775 and several direct support professionals, said the bill would add transparency and help ensure state funding reaches frontline workers, citing low wages and high turnover. Opponents from provider organizations argued the current cost report is already detailed and transparent, and warned the bill would add administrative burden and costs without addressing the underlying funding gap. No vote was taken on either House bill during the hearing. In executive session, the committee advanced three Senate bills. It adopted a striking amendment and passed Substitute Senate Bill 5911, which limits DCYF’s use of extended foster care funds and raises the threshold for conserving client funds, by a 9-1 vote. It then passed Senate Bill 5957, expanding the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee, by a 10-0 vote, and passed Substitute Senate Bill 6184, updating Office of Homeless Youth programs and language, by a 7-3 vote. The meeting ended with an interim planning discussion in which members raised priorities including critical incidents and imminent risk definitions, juvenile justice and rehabilitation, homelessness, developmental disabilities, child care funding, and possible committee tours and stakeholder roundtables during the interim.