Transcript Highlights:

• It is officially White Coat Day in the Capitol, and I want to welcome you to committee.
• So we are not—the Cicero Institute calls us the homeless industrial complex.
• It has some complexity to it, and this bill, the letter that they submitted to you is longer than the

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, we've done the Grow the Good process here when you have your day at the Capitol.
• actively preparing for implementing major federal changes under HR1, which are already increasing complexity
• The Baton Rouge Women's Program and my apartment complex is 37 units.

Bills: HCR41, HB11, HB227, HB243, HB278, HB335, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB492, HB623, HB641, HB660, HB708, HB719, HB940, HB1029, HB1053, HB1069, HB1077

Keywords: coupons, rebates, alcohol regulation, malt beverages, Louisiana Department of Revenue, remembrance, Charlie Kirk, state recognition, October 14, memorial day, court filings, electronic filing, letter size paper, privacy, legal procedure, recusal, district attorney, substitute attorney, appointment process, legal proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• join today in person, but hopefully for the next opportunity, we'll fill up your table. there in the Capitol
• Complex when we're talking about building new facilities in other countries and just especially when
• And I'm making this very simple for a very complex process, but we have researchers. that study that

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional funding for this initiative is necessary as it is a very complex endeavor.
• education, I must say I've been received with extraordinary warmth and kindness by everyone here in the Capitol
• based on excellence in mission accomplishment. accomplishment built over three decades of leading complex

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, well, this is Psychology Day at the Capitol, and I think there may be some members of the Kentucky
• Medicaid is a very complex program, and I’ve been working in it 20 years, and I learned something new
• Medicaid is a very complex program, and I’ve been working in it 20 years, and I learned something new

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services held its first meeting and received an overview from the Department for Medicaid Services on Medicaid’s behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal said Kentucky Medicaid serves about 1.4 million members, including over half of Kentucky children, with 485,000 expansion members, more than 69,000 enrolled providers, and total fiscal year 2024 expenditures of $18.5 billion. They said Kentucky covers a broad range of behavioral health services, and behavioral health provider enrollment has grown from a little over 4,500 in 2019 to nearly 8,000 in 2024. They also described how Medicaid spending and utilization are tracked through claims and encounter data, with most members served through managed care organizations. Members focused on sharp increases in certain behavioral health billing codes, especially peer-to-peer services, and asked about reimbursement, utilization review, and whether the growth reflected increased need or expanded coverage. DMS said the rise was partly tied to combining facility and nonfacility behavioral health fee schedules in 2023, choosing the higher reimbursement rate to avoid cuts, and that the department has seen an uptick in peer-to-peer services. In response to concerns about overutilization, DMS said it mailed a letter to behavioral health providers, is considering limits and prior authorizations for some services, and plans to create a standardized monthly behavioral health report to monitor trends consistently and identify when controls may be needed. Lawmakers also asked whether the provider network is sufficient and whether access is adequate, especially for children. DMS said provider enrollment has expanded because behavioral health services were added to Medicaid in 2014 and because demand increased after COVID, but acknowledged studies showing children have less access than adults and said that would be an area of focus. The department said managed care organizations are required to ensure access to needed services and that current trends indicate access is available, though one member disagreed and said workforce shortages remain a major concern. Another member asked about non-emergency medical transportation spending, and DMS explained that it is handled through a capitated arrangement administered by the Transportation Cabinet rather than directly by the managed care organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Florida to be affixed to this proclamation convening the Legislature in special session at the Capitol
• of Florida to be affixed to this proclamation convening the legislature in special session at the Capitol
• serve in the House, and I think you would all agree that if you had to pick between that part of the Capitol
• or this part of the Capitol, that clearly this is the better opportunity for a lot of reasons.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also highlights the complexity of this issue.
• of this issue highlights the complexity of this issue DCF<01:09:50.440> used<01:09:50.759>
• We appreciate the legislator's attention to these concerns and your willingness to dig into this complex
• She said the report shows how complex the issue is, even though it is relatively small, and that it is
• an issue this um this just how complex an issue this um this relatively<01:42:14.719> small<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025. A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone. The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Survival, took our visitors on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, highlighting the complex
• Survival, took our visitors on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, highlighting the complex
• Survival, took our visitors on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, highlighting the complex
• Survival, took our visitors on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, highlighting the complex
• And plants, highlighting the complex relationship between monarchs and milkweed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and members, please join me in warmly welcoming Sheriff Wu and Undersheriff Wright to the State Capitol
• winners of our 24th Assembly District's third annual youth art contest and their families to the State Capitol
• Their pieces will be proudly displayed in my Capitol office throughout the year, and I encourage you
• Their visit to the Capitol is a culmination of months of learning and discussion about public policy,
• very own DGS brothers and sisters with dignity and diligently who care for and maintain our state Capitol

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then handled several procedural motions, including a successful roll-call vote to suspend rules so the Public Safety Committee could set SB 73 for hearing; the motion passed 41-14. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including Placer County Sheriff’s Office leaders for its 175th anniversary, John Muir Charter Schools students, youth art contest winners from the 24th District, Oak Ridge High School’s national champion cheer team, and Casa Grande High School seniors visiting for civic education. On the floor, the Assembly adopted ACR 176 by Assemblymember Elhawary, recognizing April as Second Chance Month. Supporters emphasized rehabilitation, reentry barriers, and the importance of trauma-informed services, housing, education, and employment for formerly incarcerated people; the resolution received 55 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also adopted HR 109 by Assemblymember Schiavo, honoring California’s janitorial and cleaning workforce, with members speaking about the essential, often unseen work of janitors and state building staff; it received 58 coauthors and passed by voice vote. Members then adopted ACR 119 by Assemblymember Ta, marking the 51st anniversary of Black April and honoring Vietnamese refugees, the fall of Saigon, and the sacrifices of Vietnamese and American service members. Speakers reflected on the trauma of displacement and the contributions of Vietnamese Americans in California; the resolution received 63 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly passed and retained numerous other file items, continued some measures, and adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate resolution 168 by Paxton, recognizing February. 26th and 27th 2025 as Allen days at the state capitol
• Thank you all for taking time to be with us at the Capitol today.
• February 26th and 27th, 2025 as Grand Prairie Days at the State Capitol.
• Members please welcome the City of Grand Prairie to our Capitol. Is there an objection?
• recognizing February 27th, 2025 as Texas Majority. to End Gun Violence Advocacy Day at the State Capitol

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28, SB28, SR131, SR168, SR174, SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• you by word or deed, especially when stretched and stressed within the walls of this magnificent Capitol
• Senator [Menendez](link from function call): But my request today is that each person enters this Capitol
• the troopers, the parking attendants, the support staff, the legislative staffs, the sergeants, the Capitol
• probably anything but possible to me as a young college student in the 90s, working the halls of this Capitol
• They are the best team in the Capitol.

Bills: SCR7

Keywords: legislature, adjournment, permissions, Texas Constitution, session, legislative authority, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, doors open at 5:30 at Capitol Ridge.
• doors open<00:09:39.200> at<00:09:39.600> 5:30<00:09:40.240> at<00:09:40.480> Capitol
• <00:09:41.360> Hope<00:09:41.519> to open at 5:30 at Capitol Ridge.
• Hope to open at 5:30 at Capitol Ridge. Hope to see<00:09:41.839> you<00:09:42.000> there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Capitol on that day. when he posted social media, and I quote, like Mardi Gras in D.C. today, love, faith
• And basically what this all means is if you You come to the Capitol and you engage in violence, you'll
• If you come to the Capitol and you want to vandalize the Capitol building, any of the Senate offices,

Keywords: nomination, Patrick Davis, Assistant Attorney General, Ed Martin, January 6th, public testimony

Summary: This meeting focused primarily on the nomination of Patrick Davis to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs. Members discussed Mr. Davis's qualifications and experience, emphasizing his commitment to effectively serving the American public and working collaboratively with Congress. The committee also briefly revisited the nominations of John Eisenberg and Brett Shumate but decided to hold them over until the next meeting. Additionally, concerns regarding the nomination of Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia were raised, particularly regarding his past statements and conduct related to the January 6th insurrection and its aftermath. The discussion highlighted the importance of reviewing Mr. Martin's responses to various questions before proceeding with a vote on his nomination.

Transcript Highlights:

• Capitol.
• building for hours, threatening Capitol building for hours, threatening the<00:24:39.120> lives
• , was among those who received a Capitol, was among those who received a commutation<00:26:03.760>
• Capitol.
• The resolution before us is not about the attack on the Capitol in D.C.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County Day at the State Capitol. none the rules are suspended the following resolution the clerk will
• Today, women are meeting with lawmakers across. the Capitol to make their voices heard.
• Capitol.
• Members, join me in celebrating the Texas Women in Blue Ribbon Day 2025. at the State Capitol.
• most robust day for women to come in all across this. state from 254 counties to be at your state capitol

Bills: HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB2143, HJR2, HB147, HJR6, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• Just the lowly deputy at that time back in 2003, but that was one memory I had of my week at the Capitol
• my<00:01:25.280> week<00:01:25.760> at<00:01:25.880> the<00:01:26.000> Capitol
• c><00:01:27.080> The<00:01:27.200> other<00:01:27.320> one of my week at the Capitol
• The other one of my week at the Capitol.
• The Capitol renovation was the other piece that I noted during my time here, just how disruptive that

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Schomacker delivered a lengthy farewell-style floor speech reflecting on his path into public service, from growing up around news and debate, to starting a teenage Republican group, serving as a page, and eventually being unexpectedly recruited to run for office. He described being elected despite early polling that had him far behind, and said the experience taught him to hold competing viewpoints at once and to focus on getting work done rather than ideological tests. He then reviewed major policy accomplishments from his legislative career, especially in health and human services. He highlighted work on the Lewis and Clark water project for Luverne, the competitive workforce factor in disability waiver rates, expansion of bed capacity at Regions Hospital, and, most prominently, the overhaul of long-term care nursing home funding to a value-based reimbursement system. He emphasized that these efforts required extensive research, negotiation, and input from stakeholders, and said they helped support local care, businesses, and communities. Schomacker also spoke about the importance of long-term care in his district, the aging population, and the role nursing homes play in emergencies. He thanked family, staff, colleagues, mentors, and friends for their support over 16 years in the Legislature, sharing several personal anecdotes and expressing gratitude for the relationships built across party and committee lines. The speech ended with applause and well-wishes; no formal vote or bill action occurred in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• To proclaim April 21, 2006, as Arkansas Line Worker Appreciation Day at the State Capitol, and to commend
• To proclaim April 21, 2006, as Arkansas Line Worker Appreciation Day at the State Capitol, and to commend
• accomplishments, and to observe Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts Day at the Capitol
• accomplishments, and to observe Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts Day at the Capitol
• And Representative Keith Brooks on the other end of the Capitol, but a lot of people worked on it.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Capitol was used as a church for almost 70 years.
• Capitol. Jefferson attended as vice president, later as president.
• <00:27:42.280> was first official act, the US Capitol was first official act, the US Capitol
• Jefferson<00:27:53.960> attended<00:27:54.360> as<00:27:54.520> vice Capitol
• Jefferson attended as vice Capitol.

Bills: SB271, HB511

Keywords: SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax, license tax, privilege tax, Public Service Commission, PSC, utility regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single dollar that gets spent here at the Capitol has come from somebody's wallet.
• love to make a good, solid working relationship with the House DFL if they choose to return to the Capitol
• love to make a good, solid working relationship with the House DFL if they choose to return to the Capitol
• love to make a good, solid working relationship with the House DFL if they choose to return to the Capitol
• love to make a good, solid working relationship with the House DFL if they choose to return to the Capitol

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting focused on a package of anti-fraud bills and oversight reforms. House File 3 would direct the Office of Legislative Auditor to compile existing audit and recommendation data into a matrix or numeric score showing how well agencies have implemented past recommendations over a five-year look-back period, with the goal of giving legislators a clearer, more usable accountability tool. Supporters said it would not create new data, only aggregate what already exists, and estimated the bill’s cost at about $240,000. They argued it would help lawmakers identify agencies that repeatedly fail to address waste, fraud, and abuse. House File 2 would require state employees and agencies to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and to legislative committee leaders, require unannounced in-person site visits for grant recipients, and add criminal penalties for failing to carry out those duties. House File 1 would create an independent state Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud in state government, with subpoena power, authority to stop payments, and the ability to share information with other agencies. Speakers said the new office should be independent and nonpartisan, separate from existing agency inspector general functions, and more focused on investigations than the Legislative Auditor. Members also discussed the new fraud and oversight committee, which will meet on Mondays and plans to invite DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to testify. The committee said it will work alongside standing committees, create a whistleblower reporting website, and investigate issues as they arise. In response to questions, Robbins said HF 3 already had a fiscal note and HF 2’s fiscal note was still pending. She also said the committee is considering AI tools to flag irregularities in state programs, and that such tools might have detected problems like those seen in Feeding Our Future.

Transcript Highlights:

• ULC's presence at the Capitol today reflects its commitment to preparing leaders not just to participate
• Through its own On the Hill Summit and the Day at the Capitol, the organization provides essential civic
• On request of Senator James Coleman, given this sixth day of March 2026, at the State Capitol, Denver
• America Foundation. and Jill of America America Day at the and Jill of America America Day at the Capitol
• Founded in 1938, Jack and Jill Capitol.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the March 5, 2026 journal as corrected, and received several committee reports and Senate Services notices. Health and Human Services recommended Senate Bill 41 be postponed indefinitely and reported confirmations for James Vandenberg to the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board and multiple nominees to the Air Quality Control Commission. State, Veterans, and Military Affairs reported Senate Bills 47, 106, and 107, with SB 47 amended and sent to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, while SBs 106 and 107 were postponed indefinitely. Local Government and Housing reported Senate Bills 109 and 92, both amended and sent to the Committee of the Whole, with SB 92 also recommended for the consent calendar. On the floor, Senate Joint Memorial 003 was read and then laid over until March 17, 2026. The Senate passed House Bill 1020, concerning calorimetric field drug tests in drug possession cases, and Senate Bill 95, concerning support for victim survivors of certain crimes, both on third reading and final passage by unanimous 33-0 votes. The Senate then went into Committee of the Whole on consent-calendar and general-order bills, where House Bill 1115 was advanced on second reading, and House Bill 1068, concerning remote participation policies for certain legislative committee meetings, was amended and advanced on second reading. Senate Bills 40 and 87 were laid over until March 9, 2026. The Senate also laid over Senate Resolution 004, recognizing October 26, 2026 as Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado, until March 9, 2026. The chamber confirmed appointments on the consent calendar to the Board of Commissioners of Veterans Community Living Centers, the State Personnel Board, and the Colorado Racing Commission by a 34-0 vote with one excused. During announcements and personal privilege remarks, senators recognized HIV and Harm Reduction Advocacy Day, the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado, Jack and Jill of America, and the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. The Senate later recessed until 11 a.m. that day.