Transcript Highlights:

• It is our intent to get to the bottom of this in a way that, as Senator Perry said, statutory authority
• I think it's incumbent upon the state to take statutory action regarding this issue as well.
• I'm hoping that the committee might consider a friendly amendment on the floor to look at the causes
• I look forward to any friendly amendments that could expand on this study if you want to do that.
• It's the Second Amendment; you have that right. Would you agree? Yes. Yep. Yep.

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• All requirements were amended into the lead agency contracts.
• The department has verified compliance through attestations and contract amendments restricting the use
• The department has verified compliance through attestations and contract amendments restricting the use
• As a provider agency, providers have to fulfill all of the same statutory requirements through their
• The witness continued that providers must meet the same statutory requirements through their contracts

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee held its first meeting of the term and heard introductory remarks from the chair, vice chair, ranking member, and members, who broadly described their interest in child welfare, mental health, aging services, homelessness, and agency accountability. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction, including child welfare, mental health and substance abuse safety net services, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, elder services, and child support, and introduced the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as the first agency panel for the term. DCF presented an implementation update on HB 7089, a 2024 law aimed at increasing accountability and transparency for community-based care (CBC) lead agencies that deliver most child welfare services under contract. The department said the bill was prompted by forensic examinations that found problems such as noncompetitive procurement, related-party transactions, excessive executive compensation, and weak financial oversight. DCF described new contract requirements and monitoring tools covering board governance and annual training, conflict-of-interest disclosures, financial penalties for noncompliance, fidelity bond requirements, limits on direct service provision by lead agencies, related-party procurement rules, procurement thresholds, real-property approvals, compensation caps, expanded public reporting, and a new Future of Child Protection and Funding Work Group. DCF reported that some lead agencies had completed required board training, others were still on schedule, and two agencies exceeding the direct-service threshold had been referred to the Auditor General. Members asked DCF about the reasons for the bill, the impact on children, the work group’s regional representation, aging-out youth, the Embrace Families transition, board training requirements, and whether enforcement actions had been taken. DCF said the bill was intended to protect funds for children and families and improve oversight, and clarified that the Central Florida lead agency contract was awarded through competitive procurement rather than an absorption. DCF also said the board training was designed to be meaningful but not overly burdensome, with timing left partly to lead agencies as they implement the new requirements. The committee then heard from two CBC leaders, who generally supported the accountability goals of HB 7089 and said their agencies had already addressed most of the new governance and disclosure requirements. They reported that board training had been completed or was being scheduled, but both agencies said the fidelity bond requirement has been difficult or impossible to obtain in the market as written, though they were able to secure the separate performance bond. The CBC witnesses also warned that recruiting providers is increasingly difficult, especially for higher-acuity children and group-home placements, due to limited provider supply, regulatory burden, insurance costs, and rising risk. They said these pressures are contributing to budget deficits in some areas and urged lawmakers to consider the funding model, insurance and indemnification issues, and the risk of overregulation reducing provider participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this an amendment one? Yeah. Do we have your amendment? We have your amendment somewhere.
• May I now introduce the amendment, 2026-0167H. >> Can you move OTP?
• This amendment here doesn't change any portion of recertification in law.
• Representative Belcher, would you like to discuss the amendment again?
• >> Any other discussion on the amendment?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Question of what were the types of issues that that specific amendment was intended to address.
• They are able to get through their statutory obligation under 138.100 to complete the BOE...
• These amendments would allow them to do that if they do a physical inspection.
• The way that there are multiple statutory sections that are proposed to be amended by this bill, and
• And so one of the amendments, which is on page five of the bill, deals with amending, I believe, Section

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the 1925 law is dead, then don't amend it. Don't amend it. Just leave it alone.
• Because they did not make it a statutory amendment, and that does not render the decision in.
• So essentially, what the court is getting at is that by making a statutory amendment to the 1925 law,
• Could we see the amendment?
• , we would not support amendments unless everybody agreed. to those amendments.

Bills: HB44, HB2200, HB1612, HB2747, HB2038, HB3717, HB1431, HB3800, HB3801, HB3560, HB3246, HB44

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Department of Finance said, we do have the statutory process for ensuring the state meets the
• The state amended that to try to be more transparent and orderly.
• There are statutory restrictions on lowering the guarantee, so I think, you know, of course that was
• So when the COLA, the statutory COLA, and the state is clearly committed to funding the statutory COLA
• to funding the statutory COLA but when the statutory COLA is below that level while at the state we

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I move that I move the A1 amendment.
• Chair, I move that I move the A1 amendment. I move the A1 amendment.
• Chair, I move that I move the A1 amendment. I move the A1 amendment.
• Chair, I move that I move the A1 amendment. I move the A1 amendment.
• I move the A1 amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor of adding the amendment signify by saying aye. Aye. The bill is amended.
• Roll call on HF 3 as amended will have the roll call on HF 3 as amended to be placed on the general register
• . amended we'll have the roll call on hf3 amended we'll have the roll call on hf3 as<00:18:07.000>
• placed<00:18:09.520> on<00:18:09.640> the as amended uh to be placed on the as amended
• in 2023 the legislature amended in 2023 the legislature amended Minnesota<00:30:01.760> statutes

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there questions on the amendment? Are there appearance cards on the amendment?
• Is there a debate on the amendment? But singing.
• Amendment adopted. We're back on the bill as amended. Are there questions on the bill as amended?
• Are there appearance cards on the bill as amended? Is there debate on the bill as amended?
• But many times in the rate case process, they meet the statutory requirements or a statutory framework

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The committee first heard Senate Bill 1416 by Senator DeSigley, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new election schedule takes effect. Members asked about runoff elections, with the sponsor saying runoffs would likely shift to the August primary and that he was open to further discussion, including possibly eliminating runoffs. The bill drew support from a senator citing potential taxpayer savings, while the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed. SB 1416 was reported favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 766 by Senator Burgess, as amended by a strike-all that refocused the bill on agents of “countries of concern” and narrowed disclosure requirements. The sponsor said the measure was intended to increase transparency around foreign-backed political activity and align with federal Foreign Agents Registration Act concepts. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. LaRosa described the PSC’s role regulating investor-owned utilities and emphasized transparency, consumer protection, workforce development, and adapting to new energy technologies such as small modular reactors. Senators questioned him closely about recent Florida Supreme Court criticism of PSC orders as insufficiently reasoned and overly reliant on utility assertions. LaRosa acknowledged the criticism, said PSC procedures and orders had become more detailed, and committed to continued improvement. Despite concerns, his nomination was advanced favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of nominations in tabs 4 through 27 without objection and without separate hearings. At the end of the meeting, Senator Grall asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 1416 and SB 766, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was amended last session by House Bill 1248.
• or the meeting minutes were being done one way by one clerk, one way by another clerk, or certain statutory
• or the meeting minutes were being done one way by one clerk, one way by another clerk, or certain statutory
• or the meeting minutes were being done one way by one clerk, one way by another clerk, or certain statutory
• So they'd have a mock committee hearing where maybe they could amend a bill, recommend the bill as a

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutory fences to protect property rights are what's needed.
• However, this language was ultimately rendered useless in the statute by amendments.
• That's something to consider from a statutory perspective.
• So what they do is they have the statutory authority to impose a disincentive.
• The driller himself has a statutory duty to do that too.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• raise concerns around Fourth Amendment raise concerns around Fourth Amendment protections<00:09:
• , that a statewide OIG is not really going to solve those problems because we need to give statutory
• Authority that um a Statewide statutory Authority that um a Statewide oig<00:20:29.480> is<00
• Authority for agencies to talk statutory Authority for agencies to talk and<00:20:34.480> that's<
• authority to talk back and statutory authority to talk back and forth<00:20:40.480> and<00:20

Bills: HF1, HF1384

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an opposed-unless-amended position, but actually with the committee amendments we're moving to
• But anyway, I do appreciate the author's willingness to take the amendments.
• I'm excited about the amendments.
• We'll see if that threshold is different with the amendments that were mentioned.
• But we appreciate the committee and the author for the amendments taken today.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have the substitute amendment.
• Thank you for explaining the amendment. Any questions on the substitute amendment? Any questions?
• By your action, the substitute amendment is adopted. We're now back on the bill as amended.
• amendment barcode 34370, and you are recognized to explain the amendment.
• By your action, the amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amended.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain genetic or medical conditions that can mimic signs of abuse. Senator Sharif and several family members and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially misread as abuse, and argued the bill would give parents more opportunity to obtain qualified medical opinions. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language imposing analysis duties on certain medical professionals, then passed the bill favorably after testimony in support from the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several affected families. The committee then considered SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 96 on relief for Jacob Rogers, SB 382 on affordable housing rent agreements, SB 4 and SB 6 on claims bills for Patricia Armini and Jose Correa, SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, SB 658 on waiver or release of liens, SB 28 and SB 30 on claims involving South Broward Hospital District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 24 on relief for Mandy Penny Lemon, SB 72 on campaign funds for child care expenses, and SB 1622 on recreational customary use of beaches. Most of these bills were explained by their sponsors as narrow relief or technical measures, and the committee heard a mix of support and opposition from claimants, local governments, industry groups, and advocacy organizations. Several bills drew substantive debate. On SB 382, members discussed rent stability and whether the bill should better address lease language and future rent increases; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably. On SB 1142, members raised concerns about environmental and drainage impacts and whether releases of conservation easements should be mandatory or discretionary, but the bill still passed favorably. On SB 72, members questioned the scope of allowable campaign child care expenses and the need for stronger guardrails against abuse; the bill nevertheless passed favorably. On SB 1622, testimony sharply divided between supporters of restoring public beach access and opponents defending private property rights; debate continued when the transcript ended, so no final vote on that bill is reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:04.960> the secondly MSA is looking to amend the secondly MSA is looking to amend the
• So in response to that, they went to the House and asked for an amendment to the Data Practices Act,
• And after some discussion in the House, that amendment was not adopted.
• > and<01:23:57.040> that<01:23:57.199> Amendment<01:23:57.679> essentially
• > Act okay and that Amendment essentially Act okay and that Amendment essentially would<01:23:58.280>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those separate reports were our attempts to fulfill these specific items, as they've been amended
• This act amended the 1983 act, which required the State Board to develop comprehensive rules, criteria
• The standards for accreditation generally reinforce the state's expectations, and beyond the statutory
• The standards for accreditation generally reinforce the state's expectations and beyond the statutory
• Arkansas's plan was most recently approved, as amended, in 2022.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee received a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability, and achievement as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act, the 2003 Quality Education Act, and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required course offerings, graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and recent additions such as success-ready pathways, Arkansas history, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a comparative chart showing how the laws and requirements changed over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained the state’s long-term goals for 2030, including 80% proficiency in ELA and math, 52% of English learners on track to English proficiency, and 94%/97% four- and five-year graduation rates. They reviewed 2025 assessment results showing proficiency rates generally in the 30s, with English learners and students with disabilities performing lowest and white students highest. They also discussed school support and improvement categories, equitable access to educators, and report card/public reporting requirements, noting that some ESSA-related measures such as the school index, equity labs, and certain 2024 report card data were not currently available or not being calculated. Members questioned whether those ESSA commitments were being met and asked staff to follow up with DESE, including whether the legislature can revise the ESSA plan. The committee also reviewed the Arkansas Accountability Act and related assessment data. Staff described the Atlas assessment system, alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ELPA 21 for English learners, ACT results, and NAEP comparisons. They reported that no student group met the 80% proficiency goal in 2025, Arkansas’s ACT composite score declined slightly over time, and Arkansas generally trailed national and SREB averages on NAEP. Members asked for additional data, including historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. The meeting ended with agreement to invite the Department of Education to a future meeting to answer questions about missing data, equity labs, report cards, and ESSA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee amendment. committee amendment.
• Discussion. >> And um I'd like to move an amendment. >> Committee amendment. >> Committee amendment.
• All in favor of the amendments.<02:17:15.920> I amendments. I amendments.
• All in favor of the amendment amendment. All in favor of the amendment >> I. >> I.
• . amended. amended.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But over 15 years is started in 2010 basically after the amendment was passed for 15 years.
• We also get a lot of requests for contract amendments.
• amendments to the contract.
• We also get a lot of requests for contract amendments are time lines are long.
• written amendments to the contractor.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When I looked around, the program seemed to just be checking statutory boxes, just say, all right, yeah
• Be checking statutory boxes, just say, all right, yeah, we're doing this, yeah, this got done, the statute
• And so people, we ask them to both look to statutory language. ...on native species.
• And so people, we ask them to both look to statutory language on where they can handle or discharge a
• So people, we ask them to both look to statutory language on where they can handle or discharge a firearm

Summary: The committee meeting began with quorum, member introductions, and an overview of the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government budget process. The chair emphasized using the committee resource book and performance metrics to review the base budget and invited members to identify areas of interest for later discussion. Members were also reminded about appearance forms and speaking procedures. Wes Gregory of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on agricultural best management practices and water policy. He said the office had updated all nine commodity BMP manuals and added a manual for small farms and livestock, expanded enrollment by 742 producers covering 677,000 acres, and used GIS and data analysis to target areas such as the Indian River Lagoon. He also described cost-share projects, a new field application for enrollment and inspections, cross-training staff, and a request for $20 million for regional water quality projects. Members asked about BMP enrollment, compliance, and enforcement; Gregory said noncompliance is uncommon and cases can be referred to DEP. Adam Blaylock of DEP reviewed environmental grant programs, saying the state has appropriated $2.9 billion since 2018 for water quality projects, with about 1,100 projects reducing nitrogen and phosphorus statewide. He described the Water Quality Improvement Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay, Springs, Alternative Water Supply, and Resilient Florida programs, including a planned public dashboard and a water-quality monitoring portal. Senators asked about the application window, award timing, and the high cost of septic-to-sewer conversions, with Blaylock estimating a blended average of about $35,000 per home. Chief Conservation Officer George Worthing of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission then presented on invasive animal control. He discussed prevention, risk screening, law enforcement at ports, public outreach programs such as the Python Challenge, Lionfish Challenge, and Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and early detection tools like the Ive Got One reporting system. He also described control efforts for Burmese pythons, tegus, and lionfish, along with research and partner coordination. Members asked about the most harmful invasive species and whether iguanas may be taken; Worthing said iguanas are open for take, subject to other laws. The meeting ended after members briefly identified priorities such as water quality, recreation water quality, sustainability, sea level rise, and septic-to-sewer infrastructure, and the committee adjourned without any formal votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• . amendment. amendment.
• That amendment does carry. Are there any other amendments? >> Yes.
• amendment for the sunset date? amendment for the sunset date?
• Any other amendments? that's withdrawn. Any other amendments?
• on House Bill 144 as amended. on House Bill 144 as amended.

Bills: SF0082

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all