Transcript Highlights:

• I am going to keep it fairly high level.
• I am going to keep it fairly high level.
• I'm going to keep it fairly high level.
• If it falls on the county level or the state level, it's still the taxpayer that pays for them.
• If it falls on the county level or the state level, it's still the taxpayer that pays for it.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the committee legislative assistants, and we have Allie Winter here.
• benefits, and at a state level we've said we want to provide for free.
• That's just the way the VA wrote the law, probably at the federal level.
• This will provide some level of support and comfort at the statewide level.
• Speaker, this is a high-level overview of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that level of policymaking at the MCO level, the state really, the financial risk really falls on
• :51.800> um<00:47:51.840> the the MCO level, the state really um the the MCO level, the
• Next we'll go to Paul Lafferty. about the level of training leading more about the level of training
• This is not a levels of training.
• education, training, and authority level education, training, and authority level of<01:30:54.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's, of course, also no litigation risk when you don't have to do CEQA.
• And there are different laws that apply, of course, at different levels.
• We need to look at the data at the employer level and understand the trends.
• or a site level.
• And this bill would significantly company level or a site level, and this bill would significantly, over

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:09.320> 4,000 these Lakes have have P at levels 4,000 these Lakes have have P at levels
• I imagine maybe the people behind you will bring that up. level uh they want people in the level uh they
• <01:41:22.360> really level really level really okay<01:41:25.280> so<01:41:25.840>
• > that<03:51:28.560> course<03:51:29.560> that employees take that course that employees
• <05:09:47.040> and having pain at a super high level and having pain at a super high level

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• During my time as a faculty member, I taught courses at the bachelor's and master's levels.
• of what our board has been able to accomplish with our president and his administration over the course
• the, And reform, firsthand experience in higher education governance, public service at the federal level
• I have, of course, been very involved, like my colleagues, in our strategic plan, so I'm pretty clear
• Of course, we want to continue to build on our unique water school, as my good friend, Bob Ramo, already

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise. The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in our case, they're repair-owned, so we have a higher level there. They require repairs.
• But, you know, the compensation level is definitely an equity issue.
• It is the greatest risk for cashiers, who have significantly higher levels of exposure.
• or at the project level.
• Again, these are still parts that would still need to get approved at the EPA level.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at the local level regardless<00:26:15.480> of<00:26:15.679> political<00:26:16.080>
• of the idea this could vision of course of the idea this could be<00:26:20.600> a<00:26:20.760
• Environmental action levels are an important threshold, a basic tool to identify goals and limits that
• Environmental action levels are an important threshold, a basic tool to identify goals and limits that
• let me give you an example we've levels let me give you an example we've got<00:38:19.880> dioxins

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee reconvened for decision-making on measures previously heard on February 6, 2025. Senate Bill 1513 was deferred indefinitely based on the testimony and issues raised. Senate Bill 786 was also deferred indefinitely and set aside for interim work on a proposed SD1 that could address the concerns discussed and incorporate ongoing federal changes. Senate Bill 1031 was amended and advanced as a Senate WAP 1; the amended version would allow the legislature to adopt non-binding advisory referendum questions only for general obligation bond proposals, require 30 days’ notice, require the legislature to consider the results, and require a written explanation if the final legislative action opposes the majority vote. The committee also set a far-future effective date and noted that any further review should examine opposition concerns and the fiscal, administrative, and legal implications of the proposal. The measure passed on a yes vote from the vice chair and supporting members, with one member excused. In the joint Government Operations and Water and Land hearing, Senate Bill 411, relating to capital improvement projects for boating and ocean recreation, drew support from the Department of Boating and Ocean Recreation and several written supporters, while Budget and Finance opposed it and the Deputy Attorney General warned it could be challenged because it implied funding without an appropriation. The chair recommended moving the bill with amendments and a defective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation to pass SB 411 with amendments. Senate Bill 1103, relating to community districts, generated substantial discussion and was ultimately recommended for deferral. Testimony raised constitutional and special fund concerns, while the Hawaii Community Development Authority supported the concept but suggested major changes, including clearer governance language, a dedicated staff position, and funding. Members debated whether elected boards would undermine county planning authority and whether the concept was more suitable for Oahu or the Neighbor Islands. Senate Bill 1308, relating to plans, was presented as an administration bill and supported by DAGS. The bill would remove outdated filing requirements, update fee schedules, give DAGS more discretion over plan format, and update drawing scales. A member asked whether it could help replace survey monuments lost in the Lahaina wildfire cleanup; DAGS said it would not directly replace monuments but could help with future mapping and surveying. The chair indicated the committee would note the monument issue in the report and work on technical cleanup language, with the measure moving forward subject to those amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's one amendment, 871-556 by Senator Bradley, timely filed, of course. Senator Bradley.
• There's one amendment, 871-556 by Senator Bradley, timely filed, of course. Senator Bradley.
• That also requires educational courses and testing in order to achieve that designation.
• In many communities, especially under Chapter 720, owners have no state-level enforcement mechanism.
• It's about restoring a level of consumer protection and deterrence.

Bills: S0468, S0822, S1234, S1260, S1580, S1706

Keywords: animal cruelty, reporting, veterinary, protection, liability, regulation, community association, management certification, Florida Statutes, certified manager, association governance, building permits, inspections, offsite construction, local government, housing, property regulation, construction standards, state of emergency, emergency response

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. SB 468 would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control and allow release of patient records in good faith; it was reported favorably with support from animal welfare groups. SB 1706 narrows eligibility for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to buildings with at least 80% owner-occupied units and residents at or below 80% of area median income, and it also passed favorably. SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was amended extensively to clarify permit exemptions, private-provider rules, and timelines, then reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1260, dealing with building inspections after emergencies, was amended to require state-term contracts for inspection vendors and then passed. SB 822 would require professionally managed community associations above a budget threshold; an amendment raised the threshold to $750,000, added a parcel-count trigger, and allowed direct-hire credentialed managers, after which the bill was reported favorably. SB 1580 would increase penalties for illegal gaming operations, add enforcement tools, and clarify procedures for veterans organizations; after removing a fantasy sports provision, it also passed favorably. The committee also heard from several appointees and reappointees to the Public Service Commission and Florida Gaming Control Commission. Public Service Commission nominees Anna Ortega and Robert Payne were questioned closely about utility hardening projects, ratepayer costs, and the role of the Office of Public Counsel. Gaming Commission reappointee Julie Brown and appointees William Spacola, John DeQuilla, Peter Cutterman, and Tina Rep discussed illegal gaming enforcement, audits, agency operations, and their backgrounds in law, regulation, law enforcement, and public service. Several members raised concerns about contract timing and evidence handling at the Gaming Commission, while others praised the nominees’ experience and service. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 1 through 7. Members then requested favorable placement on the record for specific bills, including SB 468, SB 1234, SB 1260, SB 1580, and SB 1706, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, of course, a legislative employee cannot pursue private interests on state time.
• , and I'm hoping that it starts with The local level, because our school districts, especially in the
• So we have people at these levels reviewing this HR and others.
• But, of course, any construction such projects need to be approved by Facilities Review.
• Of course, DFA may disagree.

Transcript Highlights:

• highest level of care for severely injured adults and children.
• highest level of care for severely injured adults and children.
• highest level of care for severely injured adults and children.
• So, you determine your level of care.
• Um this will at the federal level.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program focused on two major Senate efforts: emergency support for Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and modernization of the state’s human services software systems. On HCMC, Senator Rich Draheim said the hospital is a critical level-one trauma center and a key part of Minnesota’s safety net, warning that its closure would overwhelm the rest of the system. He argued the state should prioritize stabilizing HCMC and other hospitals rather than expanding programs that he считает are not adequately fixed, and he opposed raising taxes such as Hennepin County’s sales tax to fund the hospital, saying property-tax and cost-of-living pressures are already too high. The Senate’s Health and Human Services Supplemental Budget Bill includes a one-time $150 million appropriation to stabilize HCMC, with accountability and reporting requirements. The segment also noted DFL Senator Ann Rest’s bipartisan Senate File 4986, which would direct Hennepin County sales tax revenues to HCMC after certain county obligations are met. Draheim and others emphasized that HCMC’s finances are strained by uncompensated care and low reimbursement rates, and that rural and metro hospitals alike are under pressure. The second half of the program highlighted Senate File 4719, sponsored by Senator Melissa Wicklund, to create a Human Services Systems Steering Committee. Wicklund said outdated, siloed Department of Human Services systems slow access to SNAP, medical assistance, and other basic-needs programs, create errors and inefficiencies, and make fraud harder to detect. She said the committee would bring counties, state agencies, and IT officials together to prioritize modernization. She also said the upgrades would be expensive, citing a child welfare system replacement estimated at nearly $80 million, but noted federal matching funds are available and that failing to modernize could lead to penalties. Wicklund also discussed a longer-term bill, Senate File 5020, to create an IT funding account and planning process for future system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course...
• And, of course, this would always be based upon their training.
• And of course, this would always be based upon their training. or justified and of course this would
• Of course, that's going to happen. It happens in the profession.
• Well, of course, they're performing their duties. They're out there.

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills focused on victim protections, law enforcement tools, notary/deed fraud, sexually violent predators, veterans in jail, tribal policing authority, and peace officer records. Several bills were laid out, heard, and left pending because the committee lacked a quorum for final action on those items. Testimony was generally supportive on bills addressing interpreter appointments, fuel theft investigations, deed fraud, survivor privacy, veteran jailer training, tribal peace officer authority, and officer-record confidentiality, though some bills drew concerns about due process, scope, or drafting. Senate Bill 1537 would clean up criminal procedure language on appointing interpreters and align it with Government Code standards requiring licensed or certified interpreters; it received no public opposition and was left pending. Senate Bill 993 would let Comptroller Criminal Investigative Division officers directly seek warrants for mobile tracking devices in fuel-theft and tax-fraud investigations; it also drew support and was left pending. Senate Bill 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notarizing documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add notary continuing education; a Dallas County prosecutor testified that notary fraud is a major driver of deed theft, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1610, as substituted, would address safety, registration, and criminal penalties at the Texas Civil Commitment Office for sexually violent predators, including assaults on staff and sex-offender registration issues; agency witnesses described increased assaults and operational problems, while a public witness urged waiting for Sunset review and raised due-process concerns. Senate Bill 836 would add privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of trials, expanding pseudonym use, and protecting forensic exam and invasive-recording evidence; survivors and advocates strongly supported it, and defense lawyers said they had no opposition to the substitute. Senate Bill 1563 would require county jailer training on interacting with veterans, with testimony from the Texas Veterans Commission and veterans’ advocates emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 906, which would authorize the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribal police to be commissioned as Texas peace officers like two other federally recognized tribes in Texas; tribal leaders said the change would improve response times and coordination, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 781, as substituted, would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officer personnel and departmental files statewide, mirroring Chapter 143 civil-service practices; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a way to protect personal information and create uniform records practices, but several senators raised concerns that the bill could blur existing disclosure rules or bury misconduct complaints, and public testimony included an opposition witness describing a police shooting involving her brother.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the course of that work uh in people.
• Uh we know of course the vast state.
• And so the idea was to regulate at the state level because if we could shut them down at the city level
• And so the idea was to regulate at the state level because if we could shut them down at the city level
• And so the idea was to regulate at the state level because if we could shut them down at the city level

Bills: HF362, HF2590, HF2760, HF3444

Keywords: massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, massage therapist, Asian bodywork therapist, licensure, professional licensing, health occupations, Department of Health, commissioner of health, advisory council, protected title, unlicensed practice, scope of practice, consumer protection, background check, professional liability insurance, continuing education, credentialing examination, state preemption, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, when you're trying to...
• Bills that are passed on the federal level are directly impacting us.
• Representation is so important at every level.
• Of course, we had no say in the way that the maps were drawn.
• Virtual testimony helps, but it does not level the playing field.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or causational level? Mr.
• Now we know, just like we do in K-12, how much do you make at this level, at that level, at this level
• And then, of course, our home visiting.
• Under 5 million is kind of the level.
• Well, across the board, of course, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They ended up having to put PA[s] on it and they've had it closed, leveling the whole area.
• They ended up having to put PA[s] on it and they've had it closed, leveling the whole area.
• <00:02:23.599> They<00:02:23.840> got leveling the whole area.
• They got leveling the whole area.
• So, we're eager to have Haima do level.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard testimony on several resolutions focused on community safety, emergency preparedness, and commemorative actions. STR 16 and SR 30 sought permission for the City and County of Honolulu to use restricted vacant land on the Pearl City Peninsula for youth ball programs; Pearl City Neighborhood Board chair Larry Vere testified in support, describing a shortage of youth sports space and the availability of the former Navy fuel farm area. STR 22 asked Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to work with other agencies on outreach to help kūpuna prepare for emergencies; testimony from AARP Hawaii, neighborhood boards, and others emphasized lessons from the Lahaina wildfires and the need for statewide, community-based preparedness efforts. Testifiers also urged that disabled seniors be included, and committee members discussed coordination with neighborhood boards, area agencies on aging, and nonprofits. STR 112 and SR 93 proposed lighting City Hall purple on August 7 for National Purple Heart Day, and STR 84 and SR 67 addressed disaster preparedness and drills in Maui after the wildfires. STR 184 and SR 146 would direct county police to enforce registration rules for out-of-state vehicles, and STR 229 and SR 205 would call for explosion-detection technology to respond to illegal fireworks and gunfire; Larry Vere supported the latter as a way to speed law enforcement response, while one senator said she would vote no on the vehicle-registration measure pending more information about possible effects on the Nation/Kingdom of Hawaii community. In decision-making, both committees adopted recommendations to pass STR 16, STR 22, STR 84/SR 67, and STR 184/SR 146, with STR 112/SR 93 and STR 229/SR 205 passed with technical, nonsubstantive amendments. The committee report for STR 22 was also noted to include disabled seniors and to engage neighborhood boards and community groups already working on preparedness. For STR 184/SR 146, one senator recorded a no vote because of concerns about impacts on Native Hawaiian sovereignty-related communities. The meeting concluded after all listed measures were acted on and the joint committee hearings were adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can also apply, of course, to adults.
• Most bachelor's-level jobs in community mental health pay just $40,000 per year.
• needing to access higher levels of care like long-term therapy or the emergency room.
• It's proven to save money, and it uses trained bachelor's-level care managers instead of master's-level
• But it did not specify the levels at which they should be covered.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal is to help people before they get to that level of self-harm or, God forbid, harming others.
• The goal is to help people before they get to that level of self-harm or, God forbid, harming others.
• competitors have... ...level of competition, right?
• Every case is different, of course.
• Of course. Thank you. Thank you. Any further questions from the committee?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Mental Health met with a quorum and first voted in executive session to give House Bills 2370, 3278, and 1638 due pass, with recorded votes of 13-9, 15-0, and 17-0 respectively. The committee then moved to public testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would create a court process for assisted outpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness who cannot voluntarily engage in care and are at risk of deterioration, hospitalization, or harm. Senator Maggie Nuremberg and supporters from the Missouri Behavioral Health Council and the Missouri Association of Public Administrators said the bill would help people stay stable in the community, reduce hospitalization and incarceration, and save costs; there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard a presentation on the STARS program from SSM Health, which was described as a Missouri-based emergency planning system for medically complex children. Witnesses explained that STARS provides physician-approved, electronic emergency care plans for EMS and emergency departments, with education and quality improvement components, and that it is funded by participating children’s hospitals rather than families or EMS agencies. Members asked about costs, access, and how the program differs from the bill previously discussed by Representative Burns; the witness emphasized that STARS is an EMS program and not the same as the proposed hospital-flagging requirement. House Bill 2903, sponsored by Representative Don Mayhew, would change rules for county and district hospitals to make them more competitive with private hospitals by narrowing Sunshine Law exposure for sensitive business information, adjusting board qualifications, and aligning financial reporting deadlines. Supporters from Phelps Health said the bill would reduce administrative burdens and protect proprietary information, while still preserving public transparency for core financial information. Finally, House Bill 3379, sponsored by Representative David Dolan, would expand and strengthen the employee disqualification list and mandated reporting rules for abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, including adding certain bank personnel and first responders as reporters and creating penalties for failure to report. DHSS supported the bill, while the Missouri Bankers Association supported the goal but raised concerns about mandatory reporting obligations for bank staff when customer participation in adult day programs may be unknown; the committee took no final action on the public testimony bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal is to help people before they get to that level of self-harm or, God forbid, harming others.
• I know this bill is trying to balance the difference between some level of competition.
• To level the playing field. Yes. Can we go through those one more time? Sure.
• Every case is different, of course.
• Of course. Thank you. Thank you. Any further questions from the committee?

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on three bills: House Bill 2370, House Bill 3278, and House Bill 1638. HB 2370 passed 13-9, HB 3278 passed 15-0, and HB 1638 passed 17-0. The committee then moved to public testimony. Senate Bill 1015, sponsored by Sen. Maggie Nuremberg, was presented as a measure creating a legal process for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness who are unable to voluntarily engage in treatment and are at risk of deterioration, hospitalization, or harm. Supporters said it would help people remain stable in the community, reduce hospitalization and incarceration, and save state costs. The bill also includes a provision modifying notarization requirements for detention applications. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Behavioral Health Council and the Missouri Association of Public Administrators, and no opposition was offered. The committee also heard a presentation from SSM Health on the STARS program, which provides electronic emergency care plans for children with complex medical needs. Witnesses explained that the program is an EMS-based, physician-reviewed system used to improve information sharing and emergency response, with access free to EMS agencies and emergency providers, while hospitals that write plans pay implementation and subscription fees. Members used the presentation to clarify that the program is distinct from the bill discussed previously in committee. House Bill 2903, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew, would change rules for county and district hospitals by limiting certain Sunshine Law disclosures, adjusting board qualifications, and aligning financial reporting deadlines with other political subdivisions. Supporters from Phelps Health said the bill would help publicly owned hospitals compete more fairly with private systems and reduce administrative burden; no opposition testified. House Bill 3379, sponsored by Rep. David Dolan, would expand the employee disqualification list and mandated reporting requirements for abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, including adding bank personnel and other first responders as reporters and creating penalties for failure to report. Supporters from DHSS and the Missouri Bankers Association said the bill addresses financial exploitation concerns, but bankers raised concerns about mandatory reporting for situations they may not know about and asked to continue working on the language. The committee took no final action on the public hearing bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• district office as well as of course district office as well as of course with<00:23:12.240>
• But on the FDA level, it would be at a claim level.
• But on the FDA level, it would be at a claim level.
• level degree. level degree.
• You know, something that that runs its<03:07:27.600> course. its course. its course.

Keywords: 1189, house, all