Transcript Highlights:

• We also have equity.
• So what does it take for the General Assembly to maintain equity?
• So what does it take for the General Assembly to maintain equity?
• I think it is easy to look at adequacy and equity as a pie.
• So equity is something that is measurable. It is comparable.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then shifted to an update from Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith on early childhood education, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. They said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ABC as a large state program with about 23,800 funded slots and roughly $114 million in annual appropriations. Department officials said they are reviewing slot allocations because about 1,000 seats are funded but unfilled, while more than 2,000 families are on waiting lists, and they plan to reduce or reallocate slots from providers that have not filled them over several years. They also said they are examining whether income thresholds, curriculum expectations, daily rates, and summer programming should be updated, and members raised concerns about access, local control, transportation, and whether the program should better align with K-12 choice and school readiness goals. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical data and other information for future discussion. The committee then received a legal presentation from BLR attorney Taylor Lloyd on the constitutional and statutory framework for education adequacy in Arkansas. She reviewed the Dupree and Lake View cases, explaining that the state must maintain a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools, and that adequacy and equity are distinct but related concepts. She emphasized that the General Assembly is responsible for defining adequacy, studying whether the system meets that standard, and reacting to the evidence, while the courts ultimately decide constitutional compliance. Lloyd also explained the current adequacy definition, the role of the matrix as a funding tool rather than a spending mandate, and the distinction between unrestricted foundation funding and restricted categorical funding. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum followed with a historical overview of how Arkansas responded to the court cases and developed the current adequacy process. She traced major legislative actions from the 1980s through the Lake View litigation, including the creation of funding formulas, categorical aid, isolated funding, declining enrollment funding, and the 2003-2004 adequacy study that led to the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act and the matrix used to set foundation funding. She also described later changes to the adequacy statute, the financial reporting requirements for districts, and the ongoing use of surveys, stakeholder testimony, and consultant studies in the biennial adequacy process. Members asked questions about whether private or homeschool programs could use public funds for expenses like utilities, whether stakeholders should include those groups, the difference between average daily membership and attendance, and whether school board members are surveyed; staff said those issues would need further research or were outside the scope of the presenters’ role.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be hedge funds, private equity, or foreign entities.
• Private equity acquisitions are a particular concern because the ...has become untenable.
• I think the goal is capturing private equity, but it's not clear that it does that.
• We've found increased private equity involvement in Washington's health care system.
• So if a private equity firm comes in, Thank you, Madam Chair.

Bills: HB2255 , HB2320 , HB2548

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: litigation finance, legal funding, lawsuit, financial services, access to justice, firearm regulation, manufacturing, safety standards, background checks, license requirements, health care market standards, hospital consolidation, merger review, health care transaction notice, attorney general review, antitrust, provider organizations, hospital systems, contracting affiliation, material change

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item is adds funding for salary equity increases.
• Starting back at the funding for the commissioner salary equity. Yeah.
• when it's not salary equity for the commissioner?
• It is—the request is— Additional equity.
• In equity, let's go to the rest of the increases, that salary equity increase that the Senate didn't

Committee: House Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2025, the Veterans Home/Veterans Affairs budget, and worked through the long sheet line by line. Members discussed base payroll, salary and health insurance increases, FTE pool adjustments, IT rate increases, operating expenses, transportation grants, the PTSD service dog program, salary equity requests, temporary help/intern funding, a Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, accrued leave, and several one-time or carryover items including the Fisher House, document scanning, and veterans medical transportation. The committee also reviewed proposed policy language that would shift governance authority for the Veterans Home and Department of Veterans Affairs from the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs to the governor, and would remove board authority over salary-setting and related hiring powers. A major portion of the meeting focused on clarifying the commissioner salary equity line and how the agency had shifted operating dollars to fund the commissioner’s current salary increase. After discussion with agency staff and Lonnie, the committee voted to remove the separate commissioner salary equity increase line and instead restore operating funding, ultimately setting the operating line at $50,000 above the prior amount rather than fully funding the executive request. The committee also approved funding for the Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, approved a carryforward/exemption for accrued leave, approved authority to accept $200,000 in federal transportation grant funds, approved the $500,000 transfers related to veterans homelessness, and approved the exemption language for certain federal/state fiscal recovery funds after discussing whether the funds were properly obligated. On the governance amendment, members expressed concern about making a major policy change in an appropriations bill, but also frustration over the board’s salary actions. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment transferring governance authority to the governor by a 7-1 vote. The committee also approved a smaller amount for veteran service officer salary equity than requested, and rejected funding for temporary salaries and an intern. The chair then directed staff to prepare the amended bill for further action, with the committee planning to revisit it once the revised version was ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• the importance of ensuring infrastructure into the future that is equipped to meet Texas's evolving energy
• the importance of ensuring infrastructure into the future that is equipped to meet Texas's evolving energy
• So in most cases, even if you have a bad loss, you're going to, and somebody's got at least 20% equity
• Just as Texas has historically embraced innovation in energy, financial services, and state payments,
• In late 2021, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, or simply BEAD, was created as part

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be hedge funds, private equity, or foreign entity. outside funds can be hedge funds, private equity
• Private equity acquisitions are a particular concern because the...
• I think the goal is capturing private equity, but it's not clear that it does that.
• We've found increased private equity involvement in Washington's health care system.
• So if a private equity firm comes in, I don't think private equity is going to do anything to help staffing

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2255, House Bill 2548, and House Bill 2320. HB 2255 would regulate third-party litigation funding by requiring disclosure of funders and agreements, prohibiting funder control over litigation, capping funder recovery at 25%, and creating enforcement remedies. Supporters, including the sponsor, insurance groups, and liability reform advocates, described it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure that could improve court efficiency and reduce costs. Opponents, including the Washington State Association for Justice and the commercial litigation funding industry, argued it would burden plaintiffs, reveal protected work product, chill access to justice, and create satellite litigation. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and asked testifiers to submit written comments. HB 2548 would expand state oversight of health care market transactions by broadening the types of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and ownership/control changes that trigger notice to the Attorney General, pausing transactions until information requests are substantially complied with, expanding interagency data sharing, and revoking nonprofit status in certain transactions. Supporters, including patient advocates, nurses, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General’s office, physicians, and individual health care workers, said private equity and consolidation are driving higher costs, reduced access, and lower quality. Opponents from the Washington State Hospital Association and MultiCare said the bill is unclear, may contain drafting errors, does not adequately target private equity structures, and could create problems around nonprofit status and charitable assets. The hearing ended with the committee moving on to the next bill. HB 2320 would update Washington’s ghost gun laws to address 3D-printed firearms, CNC manufacturing, digital firearm manufacturing code, and the sale of machines marketed for firearm production, and would make certain violations per se Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor and supporters, including school officials, gun violence prevention advocates, a trauma survivor, a 3D-printing industry representative, and others, said the bill closes a public safety loophole and responds to the growing availability of untraceable weapons. Opponents, including the NRA, makerspace representatives, and some industry witnesses, argued the bill is overbroad, may sweep in lawful 3D-printing and CNC activity, raises First, Second, and Fifth Amendment concerns, and could create uncertainty through rebuttable presumptions and the CPA provisions. The transcript ends during the HB 2320 hearing, with additional testimony panels still to come and no final committee action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And private<00:15:19.400><c> equity</c><00:15:19.760><c> is</c><00:15:20.160><c> right</c><00:15:20.400
• </c> private equity is right behind. private equity is right behind.
• However, I wanted to add that I oversaw the state Office of Health Equity for 10 years.
• I wanted to add that I oversaw the state Office of Health Equity for 10 years.
• the state refugee program, which formerly resided in the Office of the Governor, in the Office of Energy

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We, um, had some meetings on the energy bill, so we're still in negotiations.
• ><00:29:25.560><c> their</c><00:29:25.720><c> own</c><00:29:25.919><c> sweat</c><00:29:26.280><c> equity
• </c><00:29:27.200><c> and</c> poor, putting their own sweat equity and poor, putting their own sweat
• equity and earnings<00:29:27.840><c> into</c><00:29:28.159><c> these</c><00:29:28.400><c> properties.
• Uh, on behalf of the Energy Subcommittee chair, the Energy Subcommittee will be meeting tentatively at

Transcript Highlights:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• ,</c><00:10:49.120><c> and</c> classrooms. diversity, equity, and classrooms. diversity, equity, and
• </c> for educational equity. for educational equity.
• ,</c> commitment to diversity, racial equity, commitment to diversity, racial equity, and<00:15:29.199
• ,</c><00:15:42.959><c> and</c> publicly states diversity, equity, and publicly states diversity, equity

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and did not approve minutes, but heard testimony on budget line items for Data Seam and Teach for America. Andrew McNeel of Kentucky Free and representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center argued that both programs rely heavily on recurring taxpayer support and should be re-evaluated. McNeel cited a 2020 Office of Policy and Audit examination of Data Seam, saying the program had received more than $30 million in state support since 2006, including $3.5 million in the current budget, and that the audit raised concerns about administrative overhead, alleged threats to districts, and the use of line-item language to justify sole-source contracting. He recommended suspending Data Seam funding this biennium, directing a new special audit, and requiring reimbursement of audit costs. The witnesses also urged the committee to withhold funding for Teach for America, saying the organization’s materials and history showed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that they opposed. They pointed to past statements, leadership titles, and program language as evidence that DEI concepts remained embedded in the organization, and suggested any funding should be redirected directly to school districts instead. Mike Harmon and Richard Nelson echoed those concerns, while also saying long-running programs should be periodically reviewed for efficiency. Teach for America Appalachia representatives then testified in support of the program. Executive director C.D. Morton described the organization as a teacher-preparation and leadership-development program serving rural eastern Kentucky, saying it had recruited and supported more than 325 teachers since 2011, with about 30 current core members in several counties and roughly 2,800 students impacted daily. He said the program helps fill hard-to-staff vacancies, that about 80% of teachers stay for a third year, and that many alumni remain in education. In response to questions from Representative Bojanowski about retention and cost, Morton said more than 60% of alumni are still in education, but he could not give a precise classroom-teacher retention number beyond the program’s broader alumni data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, that's a huge barrier for these limited equity cooperatives.
• out of it if that equity is built up.
• But the other part of that equity goes back into the community for things like you. ...if that equity
• This gives them just ...equity so they don't have a whole lot of money to create these.
• Instead, they own an equity stake in the cooperative corporation that owns the property.

Bills: HB2304 , SGA9280 , SGA9281

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a focus on energy dominance, energy security.
• So, we’re going to continue to fight for Wyoming energy and Americans and American energy.
• Energy and natural resources.
• Energy and specifically for the west. Energy and natural<00:31:08.320><c> resources.
• We've had this<02:25:09.439><c> energy</c> this energy this energy that<02:25:11.439><c> has</c><02:25

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why we don't see the same private equity companies coming into Texas at the same rate that
• Anytime you see private equity move into something, I know there's something wrong. >> Dental service
• And when you have a lot of money out there and private equity will go get it right.
• called LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
• Which is usually private equity chasing money.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sick and tired of these attacks on black and brown with this anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion
• That we deserve fairness, equity, and a voice in our process.
• There are choices being made that are Not leading towards that energy.
• Criteria that may give people some energy to run and maybe some areas they can do better.
• They are about equity. They are about whether Texas will be a true state that belongs to us all.

Bills: HB4 , HB4

Transcript Highlights:

• section of the Office of Health Equity.
• We are strongly opposed to the cuts with the Office of Health Equity, primarily the gender health equity
• Justice Fund and the LGBTQ Health Equity Initiative.
• We are strongly opposed to the cuts with the Office of Health Equity, primarily the gender health equity
• Justice Fund and the LGBTQ Health Equity Initiative.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis. For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken. EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem that took place with the social equity program was there were 26 social equity licenses that
• One of my questions is: are there now only two social equity licenses working?
• been heavily highlighted how the social equity program had immense failures built into it.
• to return the social equity program to the people that it was intended for.
• They turned to equity partners.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Public Safety Committee first considered SB 1071, which would repeal statutory protections for the Arizona Rangers. The sponsor argued the change was needed for accountability and transparency, while Rangers and several supporters said the organization provides substantial volunteer service and that the bill would undermine their work. Sheriffs from Yavapai and Navajo counties supported the bill, citing lack of access to background and training records and saying they could not fully trust or use the Rangers without clearer standards. The committee adopted a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote, with members noting they expected further amendment work. The committee then heard SB 1315 on interoperable communications for schools and law enforcement, followed by SB 1317 on reentry planning grants for counties. SB 1315 was supported by school safety officials and law enforcement representatives who described the need for common communication platforms during emergencies; concerns were raised about cost and information security, but the bill passed unanimously. SB 1317 would appropriate opioid settlement funds for county reentry programs; sheriffs and the Arizona Sheriffs Association supported it, citing reduced recidivism and improved jail outcomes, and it also passed unanimously. Members next took up SB 1416 and SB 1740, both related to missing and endangered children and the Turquoise Alert system. SB 1416, as amended, would strengthen reporting, photo-sharing, training, and public notification requirements for missing children cases; advocates, family members, and law enforcement all supported the compromise language, and it passed 7-0. SB 1740 would require training on the Turquoise Alert system and was discussed alongside concerns about statewide versus geographically targeted alerts; the sponsor said an amendment was being worked on, and the bill also received a do pass recommendation. Later, the committee considered SB 1493, which would require employers to pay fees and costs when a law enforcement officer wins a termination appeal and the employer refuses reinstatement. Police and sheriffs’ representatives supported the measure as a fairness issue, while chiefs’ representatives opposed it; the bill passed as amended on a 5-2 vote. The committee also passed SB 1537, renaming the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund, and SB 1542, which would conditionally authorize MDMA-based PTSD treatment for first responders and create related research and reimbursement provisions, after testimony about its potential therapeutic value.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to start looking into how to replace private equity or what to do when we replace private equity-controlled
• What do we do about the private equity that is here?
• How do we stop future private equity from coming in?
• Another concern that I think is even more pressing is the private equity.
• On the comments related to private equity control of health care.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2590 exempts limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership
• definition specifies one of the conditions that a cooperative must meet to be considered a limited equity
• The bill exempts a limited equity cooperative from the WAC.
• I am not sure I fully understand the question, but the bill exempts a limited equity cooperative from
• It's a general exemption unless the limited equity cooperative specifically elects to be subject to the

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2640, which would create procedures for dealing with unauthorized UCC financing statement filings. The bill would allow the Department of Licensing to refuse certain filings believed to be intended to harass or defraud, create an affidavit-based process for debtors to seek termination of wrongfully filed records, permit administrative review and court challenges by secured parties, and establish criminal penalties for intentional unauthorized filings. Department of Licensing testimony supported the bill as a narrow remedy for harmful filings that can affect credit, housing, banking, and reputation, while members questioned whether the department should be making legitimacy determinations and whether existing court remedies were sufficient. No vote was taken on HB 2640 during the hearing. The committee then moved to executive action on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2161, authorizing the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands in certain civil rights and labor-related investigations, was reported out on a 7-5 vote after debate over due process concerns and the need for stronger enforcement tools. House Bill 2304, extending condominium warranty coverage to four-story buildings, passed unanimously. House Bill 2445, revising probate law and related protections, passed 10-2, with some members supporting the anti-fraud reforms and others worried about added complexity. House Bill 2590, exempting limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, was amended with a technical change to the definition of limited equity cooperative and then reported out 8-4. Members described the bill as expanding affordable homeownership opportunities, though some raised broader policy concerns about the model. Finally, House Bill 2412, increasing the number of Superior Court judges in Yakima County from 8 to 9, passed unanimously after members cited access-to-justice needs and support from local funding and space resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• lenses. the social Equity Provisions um that the social Equity Provisions um that we're<00:26:17.919
• </c> haian uh to truly achieve social equity haian uh to truly achieve social equity in<00:27:38.120>
• </c> particular native Hawaiian and Equity particular native Hawaiian and Equity entrepreneurs<00:29:
• </c> for a lot of these social Equity for a lot of these social Equity entrepreneurs<00:29:54.120><c>
• There's also licenses that can be reserved for social equity applicants, and social equity grants can

Transcript Highlights:

• It's to private equity, as you're saying that hospitals have the highest number of private equity hospitals
• Private equity is really evil and bad and so forth.
• I want to go really quickly to the private equity issue.
• Oh, one more thing: private equity.
• I don't think anyone's saying we should get rid of private equity or that private equity should get out

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a public health force that takes a look at health equity issues to see if we have any cultures
• </c><04:02:15.199><c> issues</c> that takes look at Health Equity issues that takes look at Health Equity
• Also signed up to speak is Anthony Losquadro, representing the Health Equity Campaign.
• Also signed up to speak is Anthony Losquadro, representing the Health Equity Campaign.
• </c> losquadro representing the Health Equity losquadro representing the Health Equity excuse<05:15:16.840

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:41:06.880><c> company</c> notice to a private equity company notice to a private equity company
• </c> private equity-owned private equity-owned homes<01:47:53.360><c> in</c><01:47:53.600><c> certain
• </c> issue of uh these uh private equity issue of uh these uh private equity companies<02:03:40.360><
• </c> my understanding of a private equity my understanding of a private equity company<02:09:59.640><
• </c> private equity private equity funds,<02:23:04.640><c> private</c><02:23:04.880><c> equity</c><02

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety