Transcript Highlights:

• behavioral health services, including research, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders and disabilities
• For seniors and the disabled, another $60,000, making it $200,000.
• And a decline in support for students with disabilities.
• It eliminates DEI programs that protect Black and brown kids, LGBTQ plus kids, immigrant kids, disabled
• , it eliminates DEI programs that protect black and brown kids, LGBTQ plus kids, immigrant kids, disabled

Summary: The House met in a late-session floor session that began with prayer, pledges, quorum, and a series of excused absences and Senate messages reporting action on numerous bills, conference committee appointments, and conference reports. Members also adopted a memorial resolution honoring Mark James Hanna, a Capitol lobbyist and advocate for nurses, and a congratulatory resolution for Rishi Tarumalasetti, an eighth-grade civics bee winner from Katy. The chamber also received and recorded a parliamentary colloquy about an unusual Senate request on SB 293, with the Chair stating the House could not recede from only part of its amendments and could not suspend the rules because the bill had not been returned from the Senate. The bulk of the session was devoted to taking up conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions, especially the state budget. The House adopted a resolution allowing the SB 1 conferees to go outside the normal bounds, then adopted the SB 1 conference report on a 107-21 vote. Debate on the budget centered on public education funding, tax relief, health care, corrections pay, and judicial compensation, with supporters calling it a responsible compromise and opponents arguing it was overly expansive and insufficient on property tax relief. The House also adopted a technical correction resolution tying judicial pay increases in SB 1 to the House version of SB 293, and members discussed at length the relationship between judicial salaries and legislative pensions. The chamber then adopted a long series of conference reports on measures covering topics such as school library review and book challenges (SB 13), SNAP restrictions on sweetened drinks and candy (SB 379), hospital price transparency (SB 331), nursing home accountability (SB 457), school district personnel compensation conflicts (HB 3372), property notice rules (HB 2011), research and development tax credits (SB 2018), and several other bills affecting elections, permits, education, and criminal justice. Most reports passed by wide margins, though some drew significant opposition, especially SB 13 and SB 379. The House also granted several Senate requests for conference committees and introduced additional resolutions to suspend conferee limits on various bills as the session moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we don't even know if that child would be born without physical or mental disabilities.
• if there were any challenges that the child may have had or we knew about in terms of potential disability
• If you disable the end to end encryption, dennett actually leaves a big gaping hole in the hull safety
• Who is liable if the baby box malfunctions and the child is injured or permanently disabled?
• And then the you know, there's potential for permanent injury, disablement, big, disabled.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that codify certain federal protections for English language learners and all ELL students with disabilities
• It codifies federal protection for English learners, immigrant students, and students with disabilities
• It will affirm the right to a public education regardless of whether you are an immigrant or a disabled
• It will protect students with disabilities from discriminatory school discipline practices.
• safeguard the educational rights of immigrant students, English language learners, and students with disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first debated and advanced Senate Bill 2561, an act to promote student learning and mental health, centered on a statewide bell-to-bell restriction on student cell phone use in schools. Supporters argued the bill would reduce distraction, improve academic performance and mental health, and encourage social interaction, while preserving flexibility for districts and exceptions for emergencies, special education, health needs, and instructional uses. Several senators emphasized local control and the need for public input, and a number of amendments were considered: some were withdrawn, some were rejected, and others were adopted, including an amendment requiring consistent and necessary exceptions and another requiring public hearings and local public input. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 38-2. The Senate also took up a conference committee report on a $259 million FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The report funded EMS costs, home care, the Healthy Incentives Program, DTA chip card technology, veterans benefits, the state police crime lab, the SSI state supplement, the Fair Housing Fund, and the National Guard, and included major indigent defense provisions: $40 million for 320 new CPCS staff attorneys, rate increases for private bar advocates, guardrails to reduce future work stoppages, and an independent review of the indigent defense system. Senators questioned the timing of the report, the inclusion of items not previously voted on by either branch, and the funding sources, including use of the transitional escrow fund and excess revenues. The report was accepted, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the supplemental budget was enacted. In addition, the Senate passed other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District and a municipal roads and bridges financing bill, both by roll call vote. The chamber also enacted a health care protections bill, and it concurred in referrals on a governor’s municipal empowerment legislation. The session included a brief memorial tribute and adjournment in memory of Harry C. Christensen.

Transcript Highlights:

• dual-eligible, that would be through SCO plan senior care options plans, and for 64 and under with disabilities
• For 64 and under with disabilities, that would be through One Care plans.
• represent every region of the state, and we provide expertise on long-term care, life insurance, disability
• represent every region of the state, and we provide expertise on long-term care, life insurance, disability
• if someone is 59 years old and being held in prison and is abused or neglected because of that disability

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Aging and Independence/Elder Affairs Committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on H.769/S.468, an act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Legislators and advocates described the bill’s provisions, including expanded dementia training for first responders, a dementia services coordinator/director in state government, improved hospital discharge and caregiver access protections, dementia care coordination benefits for certain MassHealth members, public awareness and data collection requirements, and expanded support for geriatric workforce recruitment. Representative Danielle Gregoire and Senator Gomez framed the measure as a zero-cost, bipartisan continuation of the 2018 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Act, while the Alzheimer’s Association, Boston Public Health Commission, police representatives, clinicians, and family caregivers all testified in support, emphasizing public health needs, early diagnosis, caregiver involvement, and safer emergency and hospital care. The committee also heard testimony on H.796/S.476, which would establish an Office of Older Adult Advocate and a special commission on a statewide long-term services and supports benefit program. Representative Steve Ultrino supported an independent older adult advocate to help navigate fragmented state services and improve constituent services, while committee members asked about funding and the office’s relationship to existing secretariats. On the long-term care commission bill, NAFA Massachusetts and LeadingAge Massachusetts supported creating a stakeholder commission to review actuarial findings and explore public-private financing options for long-term care, stressing that neither public nor private coverage alone is sufficient and that middle-income families need more planning tools and options. The committee also took testimony on H.786/S.466, a bill to protect vulnerable elders by expanding the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ authority to investigate abuse or neglect in non-traditional custodial settings such as prisons, jails, shelters, group homes, and certain treatment facilities. Prisoners Legal Services said the bill would close a jurisdictional gap that leaves some older adults without an investigative agency once they age out of DPPC coverage. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill consults with the District Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, which is a component
• also inspired by my wife, who is a former school board member who always fought for students with disabilities
• Where we are from, to ensure that students with disabilities could be taught in their classrooms and
• We have Amanda Gray from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, who is a proponent of the bill
• I THINK IT WAS CALLED DISABILITIES  AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WHO   605 has done some

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two PCS bills. PCS for HB 1059, by Rep. Booth, would designate the first week of November as Florida Speech and Debate Week to recognize speech and debate programs and the educators, coaches, judges, and school districts that support them. Supporters, including students and advocates, testified that speech and debate builds critical thinking, civics knowledge, confidence, and respectful civil discourse, and several members praised the students’ testimony and the program’s value. The bill was reported favorably by a 14-0 vote. The committee then heard PCS for HB 851, by Rep. Long, which requires each school district’s professional learning system to include at least one annual autism-specific training opportunity for teachers and school-based administrators, developed with the Center for Autism and grounded in evidence-based practices. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give educators practical tools to support students with autism, while members asked questions about scope, virtual training, charter schools, and the relationship to existing law. Public testimony and member debate largely supported the bill, with speakers emphasizing the need for better educator preparation and inclusion for students with autism. The bill also passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members and the chair offered brief closing remarks thanking colleagues and staff and reflecting on the committee’s work, with the chair noting it may have been the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also a veteran that's 100% disabled, and so therefore he saw the benefit in this.
• So this bill is to provide access to financial aid for veterans and family members that are 100% disabled
• Like Representative Carney says, I am a 100% disabled American veteran.
• I need your support like the other veterans, and as a 100% disabled veteran, I'd like to...
• I don't think that a 42-year-old should be taking advantage of educational benefits from their disabled

Transcript Highlights:

• Cut this and pay caregivers that are trying to take care of their disabled children.
• trying to take care of their disabled trying to take care of their disabled children.<01:52:44.880
• How about to our disabled communities? How about that? So, for me, I'm a definite yes on this.
• <02:01:56.320> uh How about to our disabled uh How about to our disabled uh communities?
• million to help the disabled. million to help the disabled.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, led the pledge of allegiance, and established a quorum before approving the corrected journal. The Majority Leader then moved a long list of bills—House Bills 1150 through 1179—to be made special orders for February 11, 2026 at 9:15 a.m., and the chamber agreed without objection. The committee then took up House Bill 1150, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Agriculture. Representative Serna explained it included technical adjustments tied to other agencies, plus a pilot program to test a biocontrol strategy for the mountain pine beetle infestation in Colorado’s ponderosa pine forests. After brief opposition from a member who said he would vote no on spending measures generally, the bill passed. House Bill 1151, the supplemental appropriation for the Department of Corrections, generated extensive debate. Supporters said the bill was necessary to cover major costs such as medical case loads, outside medical and mental health contracts, local jail payments, prison case load, private prison utilization, and food services, while also addressing staffing and parole/community corrections coordination. Opponents argued the state keeps funding more beds instead of investing in services that reduce incarceration, criticized DOC management and delays, and said the legislature should demand better accountability and efficiency. Supporters countered that DOC does not control the parole board or community corrections, that the prison population is aging, and that the state must pay for required custody and care. The transcript ends amid continued debate over the corrections supplemental, with no final vote on House Bill 1151 shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, just like the chairman said, uh, I hear a lot when I talk to people with disabilities, they say,
• , they say, "What about that disabilities, they say, "What about that child?
• Uh and so look, of their disability.
• Kids that you know had disabilities. They didn't know what they were doing.
• They didn't know what they disabilities. They didn't know what they were<00:41:41.240> doing.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Office of Inspector General and one for rulemaking for special education specific learning disabilities
• the Office of Inspector General and one for rulemaking for special education specific learning disabilities
• the Office of Inspector General and one for rulemaking for special education specific learning disabilities
• the Office of Inspector General and one for rulemaking for special education specific learning disabilities
• the Office of Inspector General and one for rulemaking for special education specific learning disabilities

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:29.920> communication individual with communication individual with communication disability
• Having<00:33:32.000> considered<00:33:32.440> the<00:33:32.520> same, disability
• Having considered the same, disability.
• to use their preferred disabilities to use their preferred method<00:33:50.520> of<00:33:50.640
• This is intended to further include individuals with disabilities in our communities by enabling them

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and developmental disabilities.
• What we really strive to be is a one-stop shop for Oklahoma families who have a kiddo with a disability
• These therapeutic screenings are really critical for early identification of disabilities.
• So if I have a 100% service-connected disabled person, that's about 500 to 550 Dollars per day.
• Who don't have that service-connected disability rating.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs have begun to serve more three-year-old children, children with disabilities, and most recently
• State preschool is also serving more children with disabilities.
• , the number of children with disabilities in state preschool has more than doubled from just under 4,000
• Imagine you are at a grocery store and it's your job to help support an adult with disabilities, and
• It's heartbreaking for me to see that, especially for our children with disabilities, especially for

Summary: The joint hearing focused on California’s child care, preschool, and transitional kindergarten oversight, with chairs emphasizing the state’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and the need to break down silos between programs. CDSS and CDE reported progress toward the plan’s goals, including universal access to TK for all four-year-olds next school year, expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, and more children with disabilities being served in state preschool. They also noted ongoing work on quality rating/review reform, funding structure changes, and the need to address rates, workforce shortages, and federal uncertainty around Head Start. Testimony from advocacy groups and providers largely supported expanding access while simplifying the system. Children Now, Every Child California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that California still has uneven access, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and urged investments in mixed delivery, inclusion, full-day options, and a cost-of-care rate methodology. Every Child California recommended consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, streamlining eligibility priorities, making the two-year-old option permanent, and funding staffing incentives. Parent testimony highlighted how child care gaps and county-to-county transfer delays can disrupt work, safety, and children’s stability, and providers described low reimbursement rates, the need for health and retirement benefits, and support for delinking subsidy rates from private pay. The second panel addressed universal transitional kindergarten. The Learning Policy Institute reported rapid TK expansion, with most districts now offering TK, but said access still depends on facilities, staffing, and whether programs are available at all school sites. The Department of Finance said the governor’s budget would fully implement TK by adding funding for all eligible four-year-olds and lowering the adult-to-child ratio from 12:1 to 10:1. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the administration’s enrollment and cost assumptions were optimistic and estimated lower TK enrollment growth and lower costs for the ratio change. CDE supported the expansion and urged continued funding for UPK coordinators, teacher development, and mixed-delivery planning grants. Members questioned facilities shortages, staffing competition, and how to ensure TK expansion does not displace CSPP or Head Start classrooms. No formal votes or actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I unofficially represent twice-exceptional people with print disabilities.
• If it better explains it, Minnesota Statutes, section 203B.29, subdivision 2, expresses print disability
• is if they're willing to apply rules to this process as they roll out on the people with print disabilities
• <00:48:37.440> and the people with print disabilities and the people with print disabilities
• <00:48:58.559> whoever people with reading disabilities whoever people with reading disabilities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My son, Xavier, has a genetic disorder, an intellectual disability, and he's on the autism spectrum.
• On a personal note, my sister is disabled and uses Medicaid.
• On a personal note, my sister is disabled and uses Medicaid.
• On a personal note, my sister is disabled and uses Medicaid.
• to a, you know, an elder or a disabled to a, you know, an elder or a disabled person<00:36:34.880

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2591, the “Support Medicaid Not Millionaires Act,” laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Chair Gomez said the bill would create a fifth individual income tax tier on very high earners to offset any future federal Medicaid cuts, arguing that proposed federal budget changes would likely reduce Medicaid funding and create a large state budget hole. Gomez and other supporters framed Medicaid as essential for children, long-term care, mental health, substance use treatment, rural hospitals, and families across Minnesota, and criticized federal tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals. Several testifiers supported the bill. A SEIU Healthcare worker described how Medicaid supports her care for a disabled son and her own health needs, warning that cuts would threaten home care, hospitals, and nursing homes. A public health employee from the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said recent state and federal layoffs had already weakened public health capacity and urged additional revenue to backfill losses. Other supporters, including community and faith leaders, said the wealthy and corporations should pay more to protect public services, youth programs, and Medicaid-funded care. A mental health provider testified that most of the people served by her clinic rely on Medicaid and that cuts would harm clinics, rural access, and the broader behavioral health system. Representative Anderson questioned whether the bill would affect Medicaid spending tied to undocumented immigrants and asked for data on MinnesotaCare and federal-state funding shares. Department of Human Services staff clarified that he was referring to MinnesotaCare, not Medicaid, and said Medicaid is generally matched by the federal government while MinnesotaCare does not have the same match. The exchange became contentious when Gomez objected to Anderson’s use of the term “illegal immigrants” and redirected the discussion back to the bill. Anderson also raised concerns about Medicaid fraud and whether the proposal would backfill any federal changes related to fraud enforcement. No vote was taken; the bill was simply laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as this is my first time ever testifying, I proudly serve this country as a disabled veteran for
• We have you registered as Chase Bearden, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.
• We do hire more people with disabilities. I think chronic health issues are higher across...
• Roughly 10 million Americans are disabled due to their brain injuries.
• In the United States, approximately 10 million individuals are disabled due to their brain injuries.

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• who live in our buildings are elderly, with over 78% of the residents in that building having a disability
• who live in our buildings are elderly, with over 78% of the residents in that building having a disability
• <00:10:04.399> residents<00:10:04.959> and<00:10:05.160> fight evacuate disabled
• residents and fight evacuate disabled residents and fight the<00:10:05.600> fire<00:10:06.320
• <00:10:17.760> creates physically and mentally disabled creates physically and mentally disabled

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I know seniors and people with disabilities will be at the top of being directly impacted.
• Everyday Americans with disabilities will be devastated. Seniors will be devastated.
• <02:20:40.640> has Virginia an adult with a disability has Virginia an adult with a disability
• <02:21:46.520> folks of seniors veterans disabled folks of seniors veterans disabled folks
• <07:27:27.200> and Care individuals with disabilities and Care individuals with disabilities

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to park in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities.
• I'm a disabled Gulf War Army veteran.
• Disabled veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices in service to our nation.
• Many disabled veterans live with permanent injuries or disabilities that affect their mobility, health
• As the proud daughter of a disabled Vietnam veteran, absolutely yes. Chair Swain. Yes.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "Behaviorally complex needs, including individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Senator Marchman. >> In education, we added a reasonable accommodation to parents with disabilities seeking
• <02:12:15.360> rights<02:12:15.679> provisions<02:12:16.079> for and disability
• rights provisions for and disability rights provisions for schools.<02:12:17.119> Uh,<02:12:17.440
• <02:13:06.079> to or refer students with disabilities to or refer students with disabilities

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received a series of engrossing/revising/enrolling notices and committee reports. Committee reports advanced several measures, including House Bills 1139 and 1263 from Business, Labor, and Technology; House Bills 1206, 1111, and 1014 from Finance; and later Appropriations reports on House Bills 1423, 1419, 1276, 1256, 1015, and Senate Bills 189, 188, 187, 180, and 125. The chamber also granted a brief recess for guests and later granted leave for the Joint Budget Committee to meet while the Senate was in session. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and personal privilege remarks. Senators recognized the University of Denver men’s hockey team for winning the 2026 NCAA championship and adopted a joint Senate-House tribute honoring the team’s 11th national title. Senator Kolker also marked Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Day/Week, describing the condition, the need for screening and treatment, and honoring a guest advocate living with TD. The Senate then moved through third-reading consent and final-passage votes on multiple bills. Measures passed included SB 181, HB 1338, HB 1344, HB 1336, HB 1227, HB 1314, HB 1282, HB 1317, HB 1078, SB 167, HB 1069, HB 1132, HB 1347, HB 1210, HB 1196, HB 1224, and HB 1028; HB 1028 was first removed from the consent calendar, amended with a conforming amendment, and then passed. Several bills drew notable opposition, including HB 1132 and HB 1210, while HB 1069 passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over the general order second-reading calendar to Friday, May 8, 2026, and took up special-order second-reading bills in committee of the whole, adopting the special-order consent calendar and reporting those bills back favorably for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the Florida Nurses Association, the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Disability
• , as well as emotional and behavioral disabilities.
• This bill extends the same flexibility to students with disabilities by allowing them to participate
• in the Special Olympics as a course... ...students with disabilities by allowing them to participate
• She said a lot of kids with disabilities try and fit in.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.