Transcript Highlights:

• to appropriate supports and services, but foundationally on access to affordable and accessible housing
• Um, I'd like to spend my time talking with you about access to justice and forum selection.
• The whole point of a justice of the Peace Court is to provide access to a court or reasonable access
• Um, as written, this bill does not amend any codes to make justice accessible for tenants.
• Fair, safe, accessible housing.

Bills: HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: flood risk, campground, safety regulations, civil penalty, guest safety, Harris County, flood control, governance, expansion, public health, local governance, environmental management

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that minutes matter, and this will provide better access to districts across the state.
• I'm here to talk about House File 2489, which modifies the access to epinephrine in schools.
• <00:08:11.440> to 2489 which modifies the access to 2489 which modifies the access to epinephrine
• Direct admissions has the potential to transform college access across the state.
• potential to trans form College access potential to trans form College access across<01:02:27.279

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:43.280> to uh guaranteed uh access to uh guaranteed uh access to [clears throat]<00
• So how do that they wish um to access.
• This investment allowed CHSI to expand access to dental care, or is allowing us to expand access to dental
• This investment allowed CHSI to expand access to dental care, or is allowing us to expand access to dental
• This investment allowed CHSI to expand access to dental care, or is allowing us to expand access to dental

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:

• <00:05:54.240> to With that, this bill protects access to With that, this bill protects access
• granted stator's ability to access granted stator's ability to access healthc<00:41:52.960> care
• health, financial stability, and access health, financial stability, and access to<00:47:48.079>
• know that I will have access to care. know that I will have access to care.
• going to their local uh critical access going to their local uh critical access care<02:05:17.840

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But now there's But now there's consideration for whether it's a critical access hospital, whether it's
• And what we can do here is not to to ensure that people have access to the care that they need at an
• Vermont Department of Health Access enrollment tells the story.
• hospital, assuming that, well, if it were not designated a critical access hospital.
• for the fact that they are a critical access hospital.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about ensuring patient access to care at affordable, accessible, and trained health care
• This bill is about ensuring patient access to care at affordable, accessible, and trained health care
• Chairman, in addition to this being an access-to-care issue for veterans, it's also access to care for
• It's access to care for whether you're insured or uninsured.
• So let's say if you again run on the platform of access to care, this is a bill about access to care.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, rebuilding efforts are often delayed due to high costs of construction and limited access to
• The reality is, without accurate, accessible maps, that's nearly impossible.
• These maps are designed to be accessible to all.
• I think as the lead witness said this technology is incredibly important and we want access to it.
• It's just, again, a tool and a resource that everyone can utilize, that everyone has access to.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pediatric care in hospital emergency departments, including, at minimum, availability and immediate access
• So if you're in an urban area that has access to a children's hospital that might be 10 miles away versus
• With that being said, there are plenty of communities in this state that don't have access to pediatric
• And so that is where the purpose of this bill is expanding the access so that if a child is taken to
• This access to affordable health care for all of our citizenry is important.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five bills. The first, CS/HB 1119 on pediatric readiness in hospital emergency departments, would require hospitals with ERs to adopt evidence-based pediatric care policies, train staff, designate a pediatric emergency care coordinator, complete the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment, and meet minimum equipment and planning standards. Members discussed transport to the closest appropriate facility and implementation concerns, but the bill passed 16-0. The committee then approved HB 677, which would add standard fertility preservation services to the state group insurance program for employees undergoing chemotherapy, and CSHB 497, which would authorize nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans for Florida Farm Bureau members, aimed at improving affordable coverage for farmers and ranchers. HB 677 passed 16-0, and CSHB 497 passed 18-0 after questions about membership, regulation, disclosures, and how the plan would compare with ACA coverage. The subcommittee also approved PCS/HB 791 on surrendered newborn infants, allowing infant safety devices at hospitals, EMS stations, and fire stations as an alternative safe-haven option. Members discussed alarms, unmanned stations, and whether churches should be included; the bill passed 18-0. Finally, HB 1529 on home health aides for medically fragile children was amended and passed 18-0. The bill seeks a federal waiver so compensation for parents serving as home health aides does not count against Medicaid eligibility, and the amendments added reporting of adverse incidents, set work-hour limits, and protected certain other benefits. The chair closed by emphasizing the committee’s role in implementation oversight and fixing problems after enactment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I was access to a protective order.
• <00:42:23.920> some they still may want to access some they still may want to access some
• <00:51:23.839> The defendants's access to the kit. The defendants's access to the kit.
• access to services, which may and access access to services, which may and access to<02:15:51.360
• <03:05:19.920> to<03:05:20.160> finances, or not access to finances, or not access

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1651, which would create a civil sexual assault protective order for survivors who do not have a domestic violence or stalking relationship with the offender, and would also update the sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights regarding evidence kit retention and tracking. Representative Jennifer Rhodes, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to fill gaps for survivors assaulted by strangers, acquaintances, or others outside existing protective-order categories, and to ensure evidence is preserved for the longer of the statute of limitations or the retention period. Committee members asked whether the new order could be misused and how the bill would prevent frivolous petitions; the sponsor said the same legal process would apply and a victim would still have to prove they were actually assaulted. Representative Eileen Kelly and Lynn Shallet of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence testified in support, saying current law leaves many sexual assault survivors without a meaningful civil remedy unless they qualify for domestic violence or stalking relief. Shallet said the gap has existed for decades and noted that other states already have standalone sexual assault protective orders. She also said the bill would clarify survivors’ rights to know the status and location of their evidence kits. Shauna Foster of New Beginnings Without Violence and Abuse described local cases where survivors were denied protective orders because they lacked the required relationship with the offender, including a co-worker assault and an assault involving an unhoused survivor. Lisa Curtis, a survivor and founder of Safe Haven Ballet, gave emotional testimony in support, describing her own sexual assault and the difficulty of seeking protection and justice. She said survivors need safety to recover and that the bill would better align the justice system with trauma-informed support. Janet Carroll, a sexual assault nurse examiner and advisory board co-chair, testified that the bill’s evidence-kit provisions reflect federal changes and existing tracking practices. She explained that New Hampshire uses a kit tracking system that lets patients and professionals follow kits through the process, and said the bill would codify the right to be informed of a kit’s status and location. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're ensuring that people have access we're ensuring that people have access to<00:19:12.159>
• to food access. to food access.
• > foods<00:21:33.560> has Consistent access to healthy foods has Consistent access to healthy
• <01:46:59.840> Across improving access of care. Across improving access of care.
• This bill also increases access receive.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• feature and reduces disparities in access.
• feature and reduces disparities in access.
• policy team examines barriers to access policy team examines barriers to access and<00:46:07.960
• 4.27 million in the healthcare access 4.27 million in the healthcare access fund<00:52:52.880>
• <01:23:05.120> fund<01:23:05.440> for healthcare access fund for healthcare access

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:27.920> to that improves public access to that improves public access to life-saving
• Our goal is to accomplish this by implementing a public access defibrillation program of awareness, access
• for Health is to bring public access for Health is to bring public access defibrillation<00:05:06.639
• uh that are accessible to the public<00:05:15.560> 247.
• program of access defibrillation program of awareness,<00:05:36.560> access,<00:05:37.440>

Bills: HF1532, HF1290, HF2231, HF2013

Keywords: eminent domain, reimbursement, property acquisition, appraisal, landowner rights, HF1290, AED, automatic external defibrillator, defibrillator signage, wayfinding signs, roadside signs, directional signage, public access AED, emergency medical response, cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac arrest, public safety, Minnesota Department of Transportation, road authority, transportation law

Transcript Highlights:

• And because they cannot access a Tier 2 license, their pathway to the classroom is less accessible than
• And because they cannot access a Tier 2 license, their pathway to the classroom is less accessible than
• And because they cannot access a Tier 2 license, their pathway to the classroom is less accessible than
• And because they cannot access a Tier 2 license, their pathway to the classroom is less accessible than
• access to qualified licensed teachers. access to qualified licensed teachers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• never accessed things before.
• > never<00:52:46.000> accessed<00:52:46.480> things that they've never accessed things
• They have access to all the same access that college students have: the health center, all the different
• <01:04:28.079> that<01:04:28.880> uh access to all the same access that uh access to
• <01:27:59.520> to state because they don't have access to state because they don't have access

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do sit 11th nationally in health care access, quality, and outcomes.
• <00:30:12.760> the If people could have accessed the If people could have accessed the particular
• on are eligible uh who could not access on are eligible uh who could not access because<00:31:17.120
• have some significant Dental uh access have some significant Dental uh access issues<01:08:16.719
• as an agency is to increase that access as an agency is to increase that access uh<01:41:22.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their brains are still developing, and easily retail-accessed nitrous oxide sends the wrong message that
• It preserves access for legitimate culinary, medical, dental, and industrial uses while addressing the
• For example, in a life science class of mine, we access the tests online.
• For forensic psych, all of the slides and notes by the professor were from an access code.
• For a STEM seminar, ...notes by the professor were from an access code.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills and home rule petitions, with both in-person and remote testimony. Committee chairs reviewed logistics for public testimony and then heard a series of bill presentations on topics including nitrous oxide sales, liquor license extensions and alcohol license density, cosmetology licensure compacts, electronic textbooks, HVAC supervisor licensing, and automotive warranty reimbursement rates. Several members asked questions about the public health, consumer protection, economic mobility, and regulatory impacts of the proposals. Representative John Barrett testified in support of H. 4907, which would regulate the sale of nitrous oxide, arguing it is a public health measure aimed at reducing recreational misuse by young people while preserving legitimate culinary, medical, dental, and industrial uses. Southbridge officials Peg Dean and David Adams supported a local liquor license extension bill, saying delayed revitalization and staffing disruptions from the pandemic-era “Great Resignation” had slowed development and postponed demand for the licenses. MassPack supported H. 4597 to limit new alcohol retail licenses near existing stores after 2026, citing oversaturation and public health concerns, while the committee also heard testimony on a cosmetology compact bill from industry and state-government representatives who said it would improve workforce mobility, especially for military spouses, though members questioned its fee structure and interaction with existing reciprocity rules. Representative Mindy Domb testified for H. 559, which would create a commission to study electronic textbooks and automatic textbook billing, arguing that digital course materials can limit consumer choice, raise costs, and reduce students’ ability to share or resell materials. Student testimony echoed those concerns. The committee also heard strong support for H. 4719, a bill to create HVAC construction supervisor licensing, from industry witnesses who said it would improve consumer protection, accountability, and clean-energy implementation; and opposition testimony on H. 4019, which would change how auto dealers are reimbursed for warranty work, with dealers supporting a fix to manufacturer reimbursement practices and manufacturers warning the bill would raise costs and allow overpayment. At the end of the hearing, the chairs read the agenda items and the committee adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• this credit in Minnesota, and it usually necessitates an audit because the records are not very accessible
• this credit in Minnesota, and it usually necessitates an audit because the records are not very accessible
• this credit in Minnesota, and it usually necessitates an audit because the records are not very accessible
• this credit in Minnesota, and it usually necessitates an audit because the records are not very accessible
• this credit in Minnesota, and it usually necessitates an audit because the records are not very accessible

Keywords: 919, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to Special Olympics programming as well, getting them access to it sooner.
• Finally, it requires a review of gaps in access to services geographically throughout Florida.
• We've had a lot of criticism of ACCESS and SNAP, and a whole variety of issues there.
• To interoperability and access, having systems that talk to each other.
• And I know I'm very concerned about access and where we are there.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's factoring in if we have access to all of these parking facilities.
• We do not plan to access... ...of credit in April of 2027.
• We do not plan to access this until it is necessary to support the project needs.
• And you heard the update on when that is expected to be accessed.
• For most of those, they have not been accessed, and most agencies are not sure if they'll access their

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Accessing a driver-ed class online may be the best and only option for students.
• It requires public hearings before new bike lanes are planned and constructed, ensures accessibility
• And this legislation sets out to do a few things that are aimed at providing affordable access to our
• There are situations in the city where the lanes were not made accessible.
• By offering online, more people are, it's accessible for people. They can get to class.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on several bills related to driver’s license suspensions, junior operator training, online driver education, and regulation of e-bikes/scooters. A major focus was the Road to Opportunity Act (H. 3662/S. 2368), which would end license suspensions and registration holds for unpaid fines and fees unrelated to road safety, create hardship waivers and payment options, and replace suspension with nonrenewal in some cases. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, ACLU, CPCS, Greater Boston Legal Services, transportation and anti-poverty advocates, and several affected residents who described job loss, housing instability, and difficulty paying toll and fee debts. They argued the current system punishes poverty, disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents, and is costly to enforce. Some testimony also noted that the bill would preserve suspensions for dangerous driving offenses. District Attorney Marion Ryan testified in favor of two bills: one allowing partial payment plans for certain RMV penalties and another closing a loophole that makes the penalty for violating a hardship license less severe than driving after a full suspension. Senator Sear and Representative Reed also spoke for the Road to Opportunity Act, while the AAG said the Attorney General supports it. Committee members asked about RMV implementation and whether the agency supports payment plans; Ryan said the RMV has been cooperative but believes legislation is needed. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting young drivers. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a bill to create a junior operator license training fund, expand access for low- and moderate-income families, require refunds in some cases, and allow earlier passenger privileges. Another bill would make virtual instructor-led driver education permanent; AAA and several driving school owners supported it as an access and convenience measure, while other instructors opposed it, arguing in-person instruction is safer and more effective. Finally, Senator Collins and others testified for a transportation safety bill regulating motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds, increasing fines, requiring insurance for commercial use, and requiring public hearings and accessibility review for new bike lanes. Advocates for blind and disabled pedestrians supported that bill, while some transportation and business voices backed it as a safety and planning measure.