Transcript Highlights:

• WITH THE REPORTING AND OPERATING PROCESSES AS WE WANTED BUT PART DOES BECOME PART OF IMLC WE HELD COLLABORATION
• MQA DOES COLLABORATE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.
• CERTIFIED PHARMACISTS TO ORDER AND DISPENSE HIV POSTEXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS DRUGS UNDER THE WRITTEN COLLABORATIVE
• THE BOARD OF PHARMACY IS REQUIRED TO COLLABORATE WITH THE OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR COURSE CONTENT.
• MILLION ALLOCATION THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR AND INCLUDES RATIFYING IN STATUTE THE CANCER CONNECT COLLABORATIVE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, we want to maintain that collaborative, productive relationship and to avoid or mitigate
• We continuously collaborate with other local governments and communities on public safety and infrastructure
• our appreciation to the administration, the Attorney General's office, and others for a really collaborative
• As part of that collaborative spirit, the tribal government has offered that same promise not to sue

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we got to a point in early 2024 of launching our collaborative research initiative called
• We've worked collaboratively with the Mass ILC, I know, more recently as well, to try and dig into some
• But one of the purposes of the commission is to convene and collaborate and communicate.
• But one of the purposes of the commission is to convene and collaborate and communicate.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with a presentation from Housing Navigator Massachusetts. Staff described the nonprofit’s mission to improve access to affordable housing through a free, 24/7 search tool and public data dashboards. They explained how the site distinguishes between rent-based-on-income units and fixed below-market rent units, how mobile vouchers such as AHVP and Section 8 interact with those listings, and what types of housing are included or excluded from the database. They also reviewed accessibility filters, supportive housing resources, and related state programs such as EOHLC resources and RAFT. Committee members asked about the organization’s funding, the availability of voucher programs, and whether the site tracks demand for accessible units or wait lists over time. Housing Navigator said it is primarily supported through the state, works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and does not collect personal application data because it is not part of the application process. Staff said accessible units appear to be in high demand, but they do not have direct data on how many people are waiting or how many applications result from site visits. They also said they are working to improve data sharing, more frequent updates, and future research tools. Members discussed ways to increase public awareness of Housing Navigator, including sharing a one-page fact sheet or infographic through disability organizations, local disability commissions, independent living centers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The subcommittee also briefly discussed future goals, including inviting MassHealth to a January meeting, seeking regular updates on federal Medicare and Medicaid developments, reviewing the annual report’s recommendations, and possibly planning a future health equity event. The meeting ended with the introduction of new commission member Victoria Gill and a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it came from years of thoughtful advocacy, collaboration, and persistence.
• And it came from years of thoughtful advocacy, collaboration, and persistence.
• So I guess I'm just giving voice early on in our process here to offer up as much collaboration as we
• So I guess I'm just giving voice early on in our process here to offer up as much collaboration as we

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression met to reopen its work for the year, confirm attendance, and note several membership transitions, including the departure of Beth Buxton, Nekah Hall, and Dr. Lisa Scarfo. Senator Miranda stepped down as co-chair, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Both outgoing and incoming leaders spoke about the importance of the commission’s work, the need for continued advocacy on maternal mental health, and personal losses that have shaped their commitment to the issue. Members discussed priorities for the coming year, including implementation of the maternal health omnibus law, publicizing upcoming maternal health events, and improving information-sharing through a biweekly digest. Several commissioners raised concerns about the closure of birthing centers and inpatient obstetric units, workforce shortages in obstetrics and midwifery, and the need to preserve or expand training slots and federal matching opportunities. Others emphasized the need to strengthen community-based perinatal mental health supports, including Moms Do Care and First Steps Together, and to increase funding beyond the $220,000 appropriated for community organizations. The commission also heard updates from the Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health about regulatory and reimbursement issues, including a new community of learning for payers, mental health exam reimbursement guidance, and concerns about sustainability of birth centers and midwifery reimbursement. Commissioners stressed the importance of better coordination among OB-GYN, pediatric, infant mental health, home visiting, and clinical providers, with some suggesting a stronger role for clinicians and perinatal mental health organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The meeting ended with a motion and vote to create a biweekly information digest, with urgent items to be shared by email, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wraparound services prioritize delivery in the home and community, school, promote interagency collaboration
• Wraparound services prioritize delivery in the home and community, school, promote interagency collaboration
• Wraparound services prioritize delivery in the home and community, school, promote interagency collaboration
• Promote interagency collaboration and are designed to improve functioning and stability while reducing

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FISCA supports the school counseling profession through advocacy, collaboration, and professional growth
• Representative McFarlane worked in collaboration with Representative Hunchowski on an amendment to this
• Fisca supports the school counseling profession through advocacy, collaboration, and professional growth
• Representative McFarlane worked in collaboration with Representative Hunchowski on an amendment to this

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee heard and voted on several education-related bills. HB 129 on Florida Virtual School was presented as a cleanup bill responding to audit-related statutory updates; it would remove priority language, allow all Florida students and eligible overseas military dependents access, clarify teacher employment/retirement status, permit local schools to administer required exams, and authorize direct support organizations. The bill drew support from Seminole State College and Florida Virtual School and was reported favorably 15-0. HB 423 on student elopement, sponsored by Reps. Eskamani and Tramont, would require schools to establish safety teams and procedures to prevent and respond to elopement by students with autism or similar needs. Testimony from the Autism Society of Greater Orlando and a student advocate emphasized safety risks and the need for clear school protocols. Members spoke strongly in support, and the bill passed unanimously 16-0. CS for CS for HB 753 on school counselors removed two certification barriers, kept the master’s degree requirement, and aligned evaluations with Florida school counseling standards; school counselor groups and several members argued it would help address counselor shortages and workload issues. It also passed unanimously 16-0. The committee also approved CS for CS for HB 1253, which would let school-employed coaches use up to $15,000 per team per year of personal funds to support student-athletes with items like food, transportation, therapy, and rehabilitation, with an amendment requiring written parental consent. Several members raised concerns about liability, fairness, and guardrails, but the bill passed 17-0. PCS for CS for HB 833 on private school facilities would allow small private schools of 150 students or fewer to locate in commercial or mixed-use zoning without rezoning and to use certain existing buildings if fire and life-safety standards are met; members discussed traffic, school zones, and proximity to dispensaries, and it passed 15-0. PCS for CS for HB 1325 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund clarified matching contributions, allowed use of funds for expansion or modernization of existing space, and permitted two-year awards; it passed 16-0. Finally, CS for HB 1437 on conversion charter schools created dispute-resolution options over facility maintenance and, via amendment, allowed capital outlay funding if the charter assumes full maintenance responsibility; despite some opposition, it passed 13-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of the collaboration. Those folks are teachers.
• That's part of the collaboration.<00:10:03.360><c> Those</c><00:10:03.680><c> folks</c><00:10:04.000>
• </c> collaboration. Those folks are teachers. collaboration. Those folks are teachers.

Bills: HB130 , HB190 , HB123 , HB250 , HB130 , HB190 , HB123 , HB250

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB130, Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists, Sunset Law, sunset review, licensure board, professional geologists, geology, geologist licensing, board appointments, congressional district representation, gubernatorial appointments, state boards and commissions, professional licensing, regulatory board, Alabama Code 34-41-4, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, mining industry, petroleum industry, geological sciences

Transcript Highlights:

• She said they appreciated Representative Scott’s work and were collaborating on new language because
• So appreciate you taking the time and willingness to collaborate with us on this, and happy to take any
• Under the bill, the Department of Revenue and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must collaborate
• The solution was developed through extensive collaboration among counties, assessors, clean energy developers

Summary: House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding. Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Superintendent of Public Instruction, or OSPI, and the Educational Service Districts, or ESDs, to collaborate
• It requires OSPI and the ESDs to consult and collaborate with specified entities in developing and implementing
• And in fact, the proposed substitute is specifically around developing and working and collaborating
• community partners, our higher ed institutions, and directing OSPI and our ESDs to be part of that collaboration

Bills: HB1795 , HB1634 , HB1662 , HB1683

Committee: House Education

Keywords: restraint, isolation, public schools, educational programs, student rights, mental health, behavioral support, education, school districts, student assistance, education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• Superintendent of Public Instruction, or OSPI, and the Educational Service Districts, or ESDs, to collaborate
• It requires OSPI and the ESDs to consult and collaborate with specified entities in developing and implementing
• developing, And in fact, the proposed substitute is specifically around developing and working and collaborating
• community partners, our higher ed institutions, and directing OSPI and our ESDs to be part of that collaboration

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on several bills, beginning with House Bill 1795 on restraint and isolation in schools. Staff described the proposed substitute as prohibiting mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints, limiting planned use of restraint to cases with written medical necessity and parental consent, and revising the definition of serious harm. Members debated amendments clarifying that serious harm can include harm to another person, barring construction of rooms designed primarily for student isolation, and adding a null-and-void clause. The committee adopted the first two amendments but rejected the null-and-void amendment, then advanced the bill as amended. The final roll call on HB 1795 was 10 ayes, 7 nays, and 2 excused, and it was reported do pass as amended. The committee then considered Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would create a statewide technical assistance and training framework for student behavioral health, coordinated by OSPI and ESDs with behavioral health agencies and community partners. A second proposed substitute removed some implementation requirements, narrowed the bill to coordination and access to services, added family-focused consultation and planning language, and removed certain reporting and needs-assessment provisions. A null-and-void amendment was offered but failed. Supporters said the bill would provide schools with flexible technical assistance rather than mandates, while opponents raised concerns about fiscal impact and unfunded obligations. The committee approved the bill on a 12-5 vote with 2 excused and reported it do pass. The committee also received staff briefings on House Bill 1662, which would require several education-related agencies and entities to transition to separate administrative services and operational independence on a delayed timeline, and House Bill 1683, which would adjust school board director-district election requirements and thresholds. No amendments were noted on HB 1683, and the committee did not reach final action on either of those bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY COLLABORATING WITH AI DEVELOPERS TO UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS AND CLAIMS PROCESSES TO
• ARE TRYING TO DO ACROSS THE BOARD WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF NURSES AND DOCTORS AS WELL, USING NOT TO COLLABORATE
• FOR YOUR RESPONSE AND SERVICE AS WELL WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE RATE AND SENDING INFORMATION TO COLLABORATE
• HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE RATE AND SENDING INFORMATION TO COLLABORATE WITH YOU.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PROGRAM RELIES ON COLLABORATION WITH OUR SISTER AGENCIES AS YOU CAN SEE HERE.
• WITH ALL OUR SISTER AGENCIES PICK THE AGENCY, ARC OF FLORIDA AND FLORIDA ANF TO GET BY IN THE COLLABORATION
• PREENROLLMENT CATEGORIES OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY WERE IN IMPROVE ENROLLMENT CATEGORIES WHERE WE COLLABORATED
• SYSTEMS AND DAYS OF TRAINING AND THAT WAS THE CASE BOTH INSIDE THE PLAN AND INSIDE THE AGENCY AND IN COLLABORATION

Transcript Highlights:

• health access, innovative care models, expenditures and infrastructure, and then also fostering collaboration
• And we do intend to collaborate with all of our regional partners throughout this process.
• One of the things that the agency is kind of concerning looking for, it is really kind of a collaborative
• that some of them when there's only one provider that we in bring more strength around them with collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• This enhances our collaboration and our partnership with these entities.
• This enhances our collaboration and our partnership with the This enhances our collaboration and our
• Section 295.23 is our marketing statute, which creates a collaborative effort between Visit Florida and

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no. The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported. Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, just very appreciative of that collaboration.
• separate process may unintentionally promote more punitive and litigious responses rather than collaborative
• We think it's great to incentivize parents to be a collaborative part of creating discipline agreements
• ISD where actually my grandfather was from, very dear and near to my heart, but two small ISDs collaborating

Bills: HB6 , HB120 , HB210

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

Transcript Highlights:

• We collaborate with community partners, including our veterans and the military.
• We collaborate with colleges and universities like Austin Community College, Texas State Technical College
• We have collaborated with the Higher Education Coordinating Board to secure the smooth and effective
• and campus life, along with faculty and staff roles that... ...include advising, instruction, collaboration

Bills: SB1998 , SB646 , SB2786 , SB2076 , SB2615 , SB1961 , SB1418 , SB2647 , SB1322 , SB2788

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to make a comment and say that I have really appreciated their collaboration and partnership
• /c><00:10:22.360><c> their</c> really really appreciated their really really appreciated their collaboration
• c> and</c><00:10:23.399><c> their</c><00:10:23.560><c> partnership</c><00:10:24.160><c> my</c> collaboration
• and their partnership my collaboration and their partnership my um<00:10:24.600><c> first</c><00:10:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1501, which would fund the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council and make the current fiscal year 2025 budget its permanent base. Representative Murphy said the bill would provide about $342,000 in general fund money for the 2026-27 cycle and argued that the council helps shorten diagnosis times, support research, and keep Minnesota a leader in rare disease work. Erica Barnes, the council’s executive director, testified in support and explained that the council was established in 2022 to improve care for the estimated one in 10 Minnesotans living with a rare disease. She said the council needs the full $668,000 level it operated with this year to maintain its statutory duties, noting that the current ongoing base is about $326,000 and that the extra funding was previously one-time money. Barnes described the barriers faced by rare disease patients, including long diagnostic delays, limited provider knowledge, and the fact that only a small share of rare diseases have FDA-approved treatments. She said rare disease care is costly to the health system and that the council has used prior funding to convene the community more regularly and carry out its work. Representative Leing questioned why the budget should be doubled and asked what additional work the council would do with the higher amount; Barnes responded that without the larger ongoing appropriation the council would fall back to 1.8 FTE and would have to stop some programs. Representative Hingson Jger spoke in support, saying the council’s collaboration has been valuable for policy work in the genetic and rare disease space. In closing, Murphy emphasized Minnesota’s leadership in rare disease and shared a personal story about how diagnosis and treatment changed his family’s life. No public testimony was offered. The chair then laid House File 1501 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're now building strategic collaboration with industry leaders, government and investors to accelerate
• reach 50,000 users on our platform, emphasizing a shared experience, the fosters community and collaboration
• Ensley, proud Kennedy Space Center, the work we've done to collaborate with the state of Florida to develop
• And this symbiotic re partnership makes way for collaborative research opportunities and increased exposure

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill you see before you is the result of years of collaborative work based on the same fundamental
• report highlighting the leadership needs in New Mexico, and this eventually snowballed into a collaborative
• We believe that this should be a collaborative effort.
• Chair, that if there would be collaboration. I wanted to respond. Thank you, Mr.

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Have there been collaborations between other small states? Uh, like New Hampshire?
• Have there been collaborations between other small states? Uh, like New Hampshire?
• Have there been collaborations between other small states? Uh, like New Hampshire?
• </c> Have there been are there collaborations Have there been are there collaborations between<01:04:
• </c><01:21:51.280><c> with</c> groups that you were collaborating with groups that you were collaborating

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.