Video & Transcript Research : 'coverage mandates'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the House proceedings for political or commercial purposes
- PICKING -- KICKING 15 MILLION PEOPLE OFF THEIR COVERAGE ALTOGETHER.
- Any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the House proceedings for political or commercial purposes
- Any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the House proceedings for political or commercial purposes
- Any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the House proceedings for political or commercial purposes
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 12th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 21 is about giving older adults a fair shot at affordable, reliable health coverage.
- The lack of flexibility pushes older adults on fixed income into tough choices: dropping coverage or
- Senate Bill 21 is about giving older adults a fair shot at affordable, reliable health coverage.
- Senator Woods: You know, we've got a lot of coverage across the state now.
- You know, we've got a lot of coverage across the state now.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Right, I think for the state and for our budget, you know, health care costs and providing coverage for
- Right, I think for the state and for our budget, you know, health care costs and providing coverage for
- Right, I think for the state and for our budget, you know, health care costs and providing coverage for
- Right, I think for the state and for our budget, you know, health care costs and providing coverage for
- You know, health care costs and providing coverage for that is probably one of the biggest line items
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- to require coverage for behavioral health crisis services.
- House Bill 909 by Representative Spell is an act on Title 22 relative to health insurance coverage to
- require coverage for behavioral health crisis services referred to insurance.
- House Bill 1231 by Representative Baraltz is an act to amend Title 46 relative to Medicaid coverage for
- pregnant women, providing Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitoring devices.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Best practices on this, when I would tell consumers, is be cognizant of your coverage, confirm what coverage
- Best practices on this, when I would tell consumers, is be cognizant of your coverage, confirm what the
- Many of them are $50,000, $60,000, $100,000, and they pay cash for them, and they bind the coverage,
- Well, they don't have a policy, or they only have liability coverage.
- They went on the Progressive website, they bound the coverage, took cash, never forwarded the money,
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Jul 2nd, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- know, if you figure for the last 15 years, as a matter of public policy, we said we want to expand coverage
- Loss if you don't easily move to another health care coverage.
- The question is, is that coverage inducing people to only work 25 hours a week because they don't want
- Nobody's given them a clear off-ramp to affordable health care coverage that's not Medicaid, but might
- paid, a disproportionate negative impact at the very lowest levels because of changes to medical coverage
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Planning for Aging and Disability Issues Jun 18th, 2025
Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Planning for Aging and Disability Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- It provided near-universal coverage to Washington workers.
- What this means is that private insurers will now be able to market and price coverage in Washington
- State that takes WAC Cares as the deductible and seamlessly extends benefits to a higher coverage amount
- improvement that leverages the model of WAC Cares to give Washington workers options for additional coverage
- Security for everyone, and private options are available for those who want more coverage.
Summary:
The committee met for what was described as its final meeting, with members and staff reflecting on the work of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care and noting that future work would likely shift to standing health and wellness committees. The meeting began with introductions and then moved into updates on major initiatives that originated from the committee, including Washington Cares, the Dementia Action Collaborative, and Medicaid long-term care programs. Presenters emphasized that these efforts were developed through long-term legislative-executive collaboration and were intended to help Washington prepare for the state’s aging population.
On Washington Cares, DSHS described the program’s development from a 2014 research effort to its 2019 enactment, premium collection beginning in 2023, portability improvements in 2024, and 2025 changes including a grandfathered opt-out fix and a framework for supplemental private long-term care insurance. The agency said benefits are expected to go fully live next summer, with a pilot of up to 400 applicants planned for next January. On dementia policy, the Dementia Action Collaborative reported on the state dementia plan, Project ECHO training for providers, and pilot dementia-capable community programs at area agencies on aging, citing preliminary results that about 85% of family caregivers said services helped people remain at home. DSHS also reviewed Medicaid Transformation Project initiatives, including Medicaid Alternative Care, Tailored Supports for Older Adults, presumptive eligibility, and health-related social needs benefits such as rental assistance, nutrition support, and home modifications.
The committee then heard an emerging issues panel from ombuds and disability advocates. Patricia Hunter of the long-term care ombuds program raised concerns about staffing shortages, resident rights, surveillance technology, private equity ownership of facilities, and illegal discharges or evictions. Betty Sweeterman of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds discussed people stuck in hospitals without medical need, gaps in behavioral health services for people with developmental disabilities, and the need for better workforce training. Todd Carlyle of Disability Rights Washington urged expansion and bundling of community supports such as PACT, GOSH, and peer bridgers to reduce repeated institutionalization and support discharge from inpatient psychiatric settings. Provider and labor panels followed, with nursing home, assisted living, supported living, and union representatives all emphasizing workforce shortages, low wages, Medicaid rate inadequacy, case management bottlenecks, behavioral health complexity, and the need for more flexible care models and stronger accountability for rate increases. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with public comment on manufactured housing and closing remarks thanking staff and participants for the committee’s work.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, H611 would delay implementation on Medicaid coverage for doula services for one year.
- In addition, H611 would delay implementation of Medicaid coverage for doula services for one year.
- In addition, H611 would delay implementation of Medicaid coverage for doula services for one year.
- In addition, H611 would delay implementation of Medicaid coverage for doula services for one year.
- In addition, H611 would delay implementation of Medicaid coverage for doula services for one year.
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional by Reverend Kemp Randolph, who reflected on the idea that simpler solutions often require letting go of existing assumptions and urged lawmakers to consider what they may need to give up to achieve the greatest good. After the prayer, the chamber introduced House Bill 889, exempting disability-related income on candidate disclosure forms, and House Bill 890, aimed at reducing barriers for nonprofit religious organizations providing preventive health care services. Both bills were read the first time and referred to committee. The House also referred three bills to money committees under House Rule 35A: H.548 to Appropriations, and H.557 and H.567 to Ways and Means.
Members then offered several announcements, including welcoming the guest pastor Kemp Randolph and visiting European Parliament member Maria Walsh, along with her mother and aunt. There were also notices about caucus meetings and a correction to a prior vote explanation regarding H.70. The House then took up H.611, a technical and housekeeping bill affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access. Committee testimony and floor remarks described provisions to reduce administrative burdens, update advisory committee membership, remove outdated references tied to the individual/small group market split, adjust the VARMM prescription drug assistance program, increase the allowable amount in Medicaid-related prepaid funeral arrangements, and delay Medicaid coverage for doula services by one year while federal approval is sought. The Health Care and Appropriations committees both recommended the bill, with Appropriations noting no fiscal impact and correcting a prior vote tally.
The House adopted the Health Care Committee amendment to H.611 and ordered the bill to third reading. It then passed H.540, relating to recommendations of the post-adjudication reparative program working group. Finally, the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment with further amendment on H.50, concerning identification of underutilized state buildings and land; the committee explained changes restoring annual reporting, removing leased buildings from the inventory, and directing annual reports to the Department of Housing and Community Development through 2030. The chamber concluded with announcements about a Joint Fiscal Committee meeting on a rural health transformation grant and then adjourned until February 10, 2026.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And what's been happening is there are individuals out there that have full health care coverage, but
- This was an attempt to make sure that the insurance, if they have full insurance coverage, that it's
- have full co full health care coverage have full co full health care coverage but<00:13:47.600><
- So we will just go page by page and you will vote on each request that's in each agency. coverage that
- it's covered by coverage that it's covered by wraparound.<00:14:13.360>
They <00:14:13.680>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF 3472: Extending health care premium reinsurance program - 03/28/33
Transcript Highlights:
- passed last year that was fixing the family glitch so employees who have affordable health care coverage
- passed last year that was fixing the family glitch so employees who have affordable health care coverage
- It also requires coverage for any provider-recommended visits in between those two points of time.
- <00:21:14.799>
for <00:21:15.039>any it also requires coverage for any it also requires - coverage for any provider<00:21:15.919>
recommended <00:21:16.480>visits <00:21:16.880>
Summary:
The committee reviewed a side-by-side comparison and fiscal analysis of Senate File 3472, a reinsurance-related bill affecting the premium security plan account, MinnesotaCare, and related health care funding. Staff explained the Senate and House versions of the bill, including how the Senate proposal extends reinsurance for five years and uses a projected $1.087 billion general fund transfer to fully fund claims and administrative costs through fiscal year 2028, while the House version conditions continuation of the program on federal approval of the state innovation waiver. The fiscal presentation also covered appropriations for MNsure, a mental health parity and substance abuse office, and House provisions for delivery reform and a public option study, along with a House transfer of $110.674 million to the health care access fund.
Members debated the budget horizon and whether costs should be forecast beyond fiscal year 2025. Representative Schultz argued that the spreadsheet understated the broader fiscal impact of reinsurance and warned about future funding cliffs for MinnesotaCare and other health programs, while other members and staff noted that the state’s standard forecast ends in fiscal year 2025 and that the fiscal note only estimated reinsurance costs through the five-year extension. Supporters said reinsurance was the best available option to reduce premium increases, especially in rural areas, and some pointed to a public option as a longer-term alternative. Opponents argued reinsurance does not address underlying health care costs or deductibles and urged consideration of other reforms.
House Research then walked through the policy differences. House-only provisions would change Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association board membership, require platinum plans in certain markets, expand postnatal coverage, require a prescription drug benefit in some plans, set a minimum actuarial value for MinnesotaCare, create an Office of Mental Health Parity and Substance Abuse Accountability, and direct reports on delivery reform and a public option. The shared provisions would extend the premium security program to 2027 and delay the transfer of remaining premium security plan funds to the health care access fund until 2029, with the House language again contingent on federal waiver approval. No formal vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair closed discussion after hearing no further questions and indicated members would be contacted about next steps.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 91, an act relating to health insurance coverage by out-of-state insurers.
- House Bill 164, an act related to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
- House Bill 164, an act related to coverage for hearing aids and related services.
- House Bill 169, an act relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.
- House Bill 169, an act relating to coverage for feeding or eating disorders.
Keywords:
Video Starts 00:00
Convene 01:02
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 07:51
Stand at Ease 11:46
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 26:33
Adjournment 46:41, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 98 members present. The chamber approved the journal from January 6, excused absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. No committee reports, second readings, or orders of the day were needed.
During announcements, a member invited colleagues to a Welcome Back to Frankfurt reception and the House adopted a citation honoring Michael Dean Hilton, with remarks noting his long career in Kentucky politics and lobbying. The House also adopted a citation recognizing Hank Parker. The clerk reported a large number of new filings, including House Bills 35 through 230 and several resolutions and constitutional amendments covering topics such as education, taxes, health care, firearms, housing, labor, elections, agriculture, public safety, and retirement systems.
Among the measures introduced were bills on scholarship eligibility, respiratory care, retirement benefits, alcohol licensure, public notices, school curriculum, privacy protection, medical billing, housing, firearms-related issues, Medicaid expansion, cannabis, wage transparency, and healthcare price transparency. Resolutions included one recognizing election principles in Kentucky, one honoring victims of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 and responders, and others on political violence, memorial highways, law enforcement support, and ALS awareness. No substantive votes on legislation occurred beyond the citation adoptions and routine procedural approvals, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, under tab 7, we'll take up CS for CS for SB 924, Coverage for Fertility Preservation Services
- Senator, SB 924, Coverage for Fertility Preservation Services. Senator Collateau, good morning.
- of the narrow tailoring of the current law, Deputy Lahara, along with his family, is left without coverage
- Senate Bill 1160 expands the circumstances in which eligibility for such coverage is provided, where
- the officer suffers a catastrophic injury or death during ...for such coverage is provided, where the
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and took up a long agenda of House and Senate bills, many of them conforming or “orphan” measures that were amended with delete-all or strike-all amendments to place them in conference posture. Among those reported favorably were HB 5015 on the State Group Insurance Program, HB 5009 creating the Florida Accountability Office, HB 5013 on state-funded property reinsurance, HB 5201 on state financial accounting, HB 5203 on the Capitol Center, and HB 5501 on documentary stamp tax distributions. The committee also approved SB 1292 on public records exemptions for certain email addresses, SB 1290 on highway safety and motor vehicle agency changes, SB 26 on an uncontested claims settlement, SB 176 and SJR 174 on homestead property assessment for flood-mitigation improvements, and SB 1122 on Florida Virtual School procedures.
Several substantive bills drew discussion. SB 924, covering fertility preservation services for cancer patients under the state health plan, received supportive comments from members and was reported favorably. SB 1160 expanded health insurance premium coverage for law enforcement officers and their families when catastrophic injury or death occurs in the line of duty or during official training, and it also passed. HB 1662, the Department of Transportation package, established or revised programs involving the Florida Transportation Academy, transportation research, rural transit, airport and seaport accountability, advanced air mobility, landscaping, and HOV lane changes; it was amended after testimony from the Florida Airports Council about landing-fee language and questions from members about AAM and HOV lane implementation, then reported favorably.
The committee also heard and approved SB 600, which codifies a statewide manufacturing office and creates a Florida manufacturing promotional campaign and grant framework, and SB 602, the fee bill tied to that campaign. That pair prompted the most extensive debate, with members asking about grant structure, eligibility, oversight, and whether the program could become a “slush fund”; the sponsor and Florida Makes said the program is aimed at small manufacturers, would be subject to rulemaking, and is intended to support training and modernization. SB 602 passed on a mostly party-line vote with Senator Pizzo voting no. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned without further business.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, we're going to start on tab 3, and that would be Senate Bill 158, coverage for diagnostic and
- And just several months ago, nearly two million mothers post-birth were dropped from Medicaid coverage
- , and nobody can get a straight answer. ...were dropped from Medicaid coverage, and nobody can get a
- then we have several hundred thousand Florida mothers right after giving birth being dropped from coverage
- Being dropped from coverage because of a computer glitch.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably.
Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health & Human Development Committee Meeting Jun 18th, 2026
Health & Human Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Covered facilities must carry at least $1 million per claim and $3 million in total coverage for both
- The policies must also include coverage for abuse and molestation claims.
- when they apply for or renew their license, and insurance companies must notify the department if coverage
- families should know that facilities entrusted with providing long-term care have adequate insurance coverage
- The bill helps ensure that coverage is maintained and that the department is informed if it is not.
Keywords:
Delaware Health Fund, healthcare access, preventive care, tobacco settlement, public health initiatives, grant program
Summary:
The House Health and Human Development Committee met and considered a series of health, human services, and related bills. The committee heard and advanced House Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 13, which standardizes hospital charity care and financial assistance statewide, and Senate Bill 296 with Senate Amendment 1, which restructures the Delaware Health Fund grant process with a more formal, transparent competitive rubric. Both measures received supportive testimony from DHSS, the Delaware Healthcare Association, and the Delaware Nurses Association, and both were released by committee on roll-call votes.
The committee also released Senate Bill 313 with Senate Amendment 1, which places a temporary moratorium on acquisitions of nonprofit acute care hospitals by for-profit entities and expands notice/review requirements for sales of hospital real estate; Senate Bill 340 with Senate Amendment 1, which requires long-term care facilities to carry specified liability insurance, with questions raised about the exemption for state-owned facilities; Senate Joint Resolution 20, which directs DHSS to study independent assessment tools for Medicaid home- and community-based services; and Senate Bill 341, which updates Delaware Health Information Network law and formally recognizes DIN as the state’s health data utility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some discussion on constitutional concerns, insurance coverage, and the rationale for the state exemption in SB 340.
Later, the committee advanced Senate Bill 257, which requires new animal shelters to be licensed and inspected before operating and removes a prior exception for certain rescue organizations; and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 278 with House Amendment 1, which allows earlier pre-authorization for summer child care enrollment and lowers copays for half-day care. Public testimony on these measures came from animal welfare advocates, YMCA representatives, and other stakeholders, all largely in support. Each bill was released by committee, with several votes walked for absent members, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Carriers are leaving the state, reducing coverage, raising deductibles, and declining coverage in parts
- This bill does not mandate any specific project or move any project to the top of the stack.
- They ignored their mandate and wrote a whole new constitution.
Bills:
HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246
Keywords:
federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This is authorizes the payment of allowances for TRICARE, dental program, and vision coverage to all
- :02:58.640>
program <00:02:59.280>and <00:02:59.519>vision <00:02:59.840>coverage - <00:03:00.160>
to dental program and vision coverage to dental program and vision coverage
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It adds the equivalent of 1,000 troopers, giving us more coverage and fixing our secondary employment
- It adds the equivalent of 1,000 troopers, giving us more coverage, but it fixed our secondary employment
- And at the end of the day, we didn't have coverage. The 10-hour workday has really eliminated that.
- We're working on expanding this coverage to enhance monitoring capabilities.
- However, due to the continued growth of the Texas Fire Service, we're struggling to meet our mandated
Bills:
SB 1
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Wed Jan 8, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that this budget request is essential for OCS to comply with and fulfill one of the key statutory mandates
- ><00:25:25.120>
and <00:25:25.320>goals <00:25:25.720>that key statutory uh mandates - I think one of the big barriers is that most of the carriers, in order to issue this type of coverage
- But there are also opportunities to improve neurosurgical coverage, collaborating with Hawaii Pacific
- In California, where they have mandated ratios, they can go into diversion and go to the next hospital
Summary:
The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025.
The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions.
Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Anthem won the bid for both medical coverage and pharmacy coverage.
- > and<01:08:39.040>
I coverage and Pharmacy coverage and I coverage and Pharmacy coverage - coverage or they want to buy up coverage coverage or they want to buy up coverage and<01:49:29.239
- It’s 2.07% of coverage.
- coverage for their workers.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns.
Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program.
A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- which the 58 counties would like to have some authority over their processes, versus a state top-down mandate
- And with regards to the comment on the impacts this bill would have on commercial coverage, we have reached
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary.
The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs.
Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.