Video & Transcript : 'business' :

Page 141 of 500
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Administrative Rules Apr 27th, 2026

Administrative Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're in a legitimate legal business that the people of Oklahoma voted for.
  • , because that's my concern, the business owners.
  • Businesses, because that's my concern, the business owners.
  • You know, because we say we want to support small business, we say as Oklahomans we want our businesses
  • to thrive, but are we only concentrating on certain businesses?
Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54
Summary: The Senate Committee on Administrative Rules met with a quorum and considered five Oklahoma Health Care Authority and OMMA rules resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 50 was presented as a federal-law conformity change allowing licensed professional counselors, LBHPs, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors to work as eligible providers in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics; despite questions about the fiscal estimate, it passed 9-0. SJR 51 was amended to correct rule citations related to human genome sequencing, then failed on a 4-5 vote after members noted an estimated $860,000 fiscal impact tied to legislation. SJR 52, removing physician visit limits in Medicaid, was described as an access-to-care and rural health measure that could reduce ER use; it passed 8-1. The committee then took up SJR 53 from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, which would align rules with statutes requiring prepackaging of medical marijuana products and other provisions. Members questioned OMMA extensively about the economic impact, the discrepancy between the agency’s estimate and Loft’s much larger estimate, and whether the rules were already being implemented under emergency authority. OMMA said the rules mirrored existing statutes and that the cost would fall on the industry and ultimately consumers, not the agency. After debate about regulatory fairness and the effect on the industry, the resolution passed 5-4. Finally, SJR 54, a non-major OMMA rule change renaming the adjudicator from administrative law judge to hearing examiner to match the Administrative Procedures Act, drew concerns about independence and whether OMMA should be required to contract for outside adjudicators. The director said the change was only a terminology alignment and would not alter current practice, and Senator Bergstrom said he would pursue legislation next year to require outside contracting. An amendment changed the committee’s position from disapprove to approve, but the underlying resolution still failed 4-5. The committee then adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Labor & Workplace Standards Feb 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • there are repeat violations, and those repeat violations are not treated as just the cost of doing business
  • And I think it's been endorsed by both... ...by the advisory committee, both on the business side and
  • James Crandall, Association of Washington Business, for the record, again also in support, also on the
  • James Crandall, the Association of Washington Business, for the record, largely here to say ditto, and
  • We are done with our business for today.
Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several labor-related bills. SB 6197 would change plumbing license suspension rules from three infractions in three years to five infractions in five years, remove the advisory board recommendation requirement, and require L&I enforcement updates; the sponsor said the bill was narrowed after stakeholder talks, though one transition-timing issue remained unresolved. SB 6134 would require the Employment Security Department to notify striking workers applying for unemployment benefits that they may later owe overpayments if they receive retroactive wages; the sponsor and a testifier said the bill would prevent workers from being paid twice. SB 5292 would replace the PFML program’s statutory look-back premium formula with a forward-looking actuarial method while keeping the 1.2% cap and adding a four-month reserve requirement; labor, business, and policy witnesses offered support or concerns about the reserve. SB 6106 would exempt tribes and tribally owned businesses from the state WARN-style notice law and protect affected workers’ names and addresses from public disclosure; ESD and business groups supported it, while agricultural witnesses asked for a future fix for seasonal agriculture. The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. It adopted amendments to ESSB 5847, which expands access to medical care in workers’ compensation, including allowing certain outside-network providers and authorizing additional claims managers; the bill was reported out 7-2 as amended. SSB 6014, a cleanup bill correcting a date typo and protecting sensitive L&I records from public disclosure, passed unanimously. SSB 6039, allowing L&I to use electronic communications while offering a non-electronic option first, also passed unanimously. ESSB 6058, giving L&I discretion to prioritize wage complaints, was amended to align with the House companion and then passed unanimously. SB 6136, requiring publication of actuarially indicated workers’ compensation rates and disclosure when rates are set below them, passed unanimously. On SB 6188, which would expand L&I’s asbestos-certification rulemaking authority, the committee rejected an amendment that would have restored current-law limits and instead passed the bill without amendment. Members supporting the bill said it would let Washington strengthen asbestos protections if federal standards weaken, while opponents argued it could create conflicting requirements and unnecessary regulatory expansion. The bill was reported out 6-3. The committee adjourned after announcing the votes and noting it would reconvene the next day.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Commerce Feb 11th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • We represent small businesses and injured people across the state.
  • I do a lot of work with and against businesses, represent a significant number of small businesses, and
  • I'm in the business of settling claims.
  • I'm in the business of settling claims.
  • So I appreciate you supporting small businesses with this bill. So thank you.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 10, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • You need a business cases and back of it.
  • We do a business analysis. they come up within the agency. We do a business analysis. Okay.
  • >> If if you have a workflow system that is run by 8 business rule, that is a strict business rule.
  • We have very uniquely qualified folks who run this business enterprise.
  • Is there any further business of the subcommittee hearing? None seeing none.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Special Session - Senate Floor Session - Part 3 - 06/09/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll proceed to the next order of business, which is the fourth order of business: first reading of
  • </c> business is data, it is dangerous. business is data, it is dangerous.
  • ><c> is</c> their business.
  • Their whole business is their business.
  • </c> local businesses. So that's one example. local businesses. So that's one example.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Part 2)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill increases the small business deduction, helping Iowa's small businesses invest in their workers
  • Noncompetitive businesses. We said that's not fair.
  • You've destabilized the business environment; small businesses... ACTUALLY GOING UP.
  • YOU'VE DESTABILIZED THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, SMALL BUSINESSES Are at risk of closing.
  • Businesses can't invest. People are not hiring.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:14:58.160><c> of</c> the state should be in the business of the state should be in the business
  • I can’t advertise that I am that business or I represent that business.
  • </c><00:44:51.240><c> So,</c><00:44:52.240><c> all</c> contract business to business.
  • So, all contract business to business.
  • Like the business people will deal with small business owners, they all are victims.
Summary: The committee first discussed a budget-related issue involving liquor commission enforcement staff and tobacco enforcement funding. A member explained that proposed cuts to “group two” enforcement positions at the liquor commission could jeopardize the tobacco enforcement money that flows to Health and Human Services, and expressed confidence that the enforcement division would ultimately be preserved. The main hearing was on Senate Bill 19, which would modernize hotel and motel statutes by repealing outdated requirements. The sponsor and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association said the bill would remove obsolete rules such as the old guest book/card system and antiquated posting requirements for room rates and motel signs. Members questioned whether the bill would eliminate the requirement to record guest departure dates or affect inspection rights, and the witnesses said the intent was only to remove the book-and-card reference while leaving the rest of the recordkeeping requirement in place. Supporters argued the rate-posting rules are widely ignored, hard to enforce, and outdated in an era of digital reservations and variable pricing; the committee also discussed whether any consumer-protection purpose remained. The public hearing on SB 19 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 280FN, which would require food delivery services to have an agreement with a restaurant or food retail store before offering delivery from that business. The sponsor said the bill restores a prior law that had sunset and was intended to prevent third-party platforms from listing restaurants without consent. Restaurant industry testimony strongly supported the bill, describing problems with unauthorized listings, delayed deliveries, and reimbursement disputes, and saying the agreement requirement protects restaurant brands and consumer expectations. Members shared examples of delivery problems and voiced support for reinstating the safeguard.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (02/27/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> staff that's focused on Business staff that's focused on Business Development<00:21:02.000><c> so
  • </c> hamstrung I think on the business hamstrung I think on the business recruitment<00:21:15.520><c>
  • </c><00:30:51.399><c> they're</c> to do and how many businesses they're to do and how many businesses
  • SCORE is volunteers—retired people who used to work in business, not necessarily small businesses.
  • They all have experience owning a business, running a business. They all have MBAs.
Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 15th, 2026

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • But we know that we have regional business councils that are scattered throughout the state.
  • It was added that they engage with businesses regularly and that those businesses will be part of the
  • regional business councils.
  • Some of our other states are doing to reduce their business climate, we're trying to improve our business
  • We had over 64 businesses come together at one high school.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Today, the order of business is as follows. Today, the order of business is as follows.
  • I'm Chanin Dolgato, Assistant Chief of the Business Programs Division of the California Secretary of
  • Arts funding held by a cultural bearer is different than when it's held by a business organization.
  • Business resources into this arts and culture economy, because absolutely right, business plans look
  • They also support local economies by stabilizing businesses and creating jobs in the care sector.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 16th, 2026

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd ask the guests to please quietly so that we may begin today's order of business.
  • Unanimous consent: we go without our business announcements and miscellaneous.
  • Unanimous consent that we go out of business confirmations.
  • We know that our business announcements and miscellaneous.
  • We're on that order of business. House Energy, Environment. order of business.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayers and pledges, and several procedural announcements, including permission for cameras, a relaxed dress code for guests, and excusing a few senators. Members also recognized numerous guests and honorary lieutenant governors, and discussed a planned bolo tie contest tied to New Mexico tradition and state history. The chamber then moved to business, including the confirmation of Anna Silva as Secretary of the General Services Department. The confirmation drew broad support from senators on both sides, who praised Silva’s long career in state government, her management experience, and her work on major projects such as the executive office building, procurement reforms, and facilities management. After debate, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm her appointment. Silva’s family and guests were recognized from the floor after the vote. The Senate then took up House Bill 2 and 3, the state budget. Senator Muñoz presented the Senate Finance version as a balanced budget with about $11.1 billion in spending, 27% reserves, recurring investments in health care, early childhood, public safety, education, roads, housing, and economic development, and targeted nonrecurring spending for items such as water, universities, and innovation sectors. Supporters emphasized affordability, teacher health insurance parity, medical residency funding, rural and community investments, and public safety funding. Critics raised concerns about the size of the budget, the late availability and complexity of the bill, the removal of a proposed 1% pay raise for state employees, and whether spending priorities and education dollars were being allocated effectively. No final vote on the budget was shown in the transcript excerpt.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • , ...whether it's starting a business, buying a house, having a child or another child.
  • And so it becomes a very, very meandering process to build up a successful business.
  • They provide a vital function for small businesses, homeowners, and families alike.
  • So we work with micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, and folks that...
  • Specifically around small business owners and street vendors... ...specifically around small business
Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Committee 4/7/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we do not nature of our business.
  • What would be the cost to an a business that wanted to sponsor the Representative.
  • Is that your understanding of what the state will charge every business for doing this?
  • And I believe that concludes our business for today.
  • </c><00:31:56.080><c> for</c> believe that concludes our business for believe that concludes our business
Bills: HF3006 , HF2130 , HF1290
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-29 - 10:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's better for businesses to have regulations that are similar in nearby states.
  • And this aligns with that so that businesses have more predictability.
  • Policy and it would be understandable to residents and to businesses.
  • We had two plus years or more to think about how this impacts the business community.
  • And that's actually my wife's birthday, and I got to say it's been a busy week.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 8th, 2026

Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • The reform is designed to protect Missouri consumers, businesses, and taxpayers from costly litigation
  • The business was negligent. They didn't warn based on that.
  • You are a business invitee or guest in that restaurant because you were there for a lawful purpose.
  • I've spoken with business owners. is not a dramatic rewrite of the law.
  • I've spoken with business owners.
Summary: The committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 3443, relating to court costs. Members adopted House Committee Amendment 1, which changed a January reference to July, updated language regarding the Department of Labor or its successors, and removed round-up numbers. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee substitute and voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes and 1 no. House Bill 3304, concerning the offense of keeping a dangerous dog, was then amended to restore prior-bite language and narrow the injury definition to serious physical injury; the committee adopted the amendment, adopted a substitute, and voted the bill do pass 11-1. House Bill 2865, dealing with attorney’s fees and expenses in civil actions and agency proceedings, was approved do pass 12-0. House Bill 2255 was announced as not being taken up that day. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2777, the Public Nuisance Reform Act, was presented as a measure to narrow public nuisance claims, limit suits involving lawful products and regulated activities, strengthen causation requirements, and restrict who may sue and what damages may be recovered. Supporters from consumer reform, insurance, and civil justice groups said it would curb abusive litigation while preserving traditional nuisance claims; no opposition testimony was offered. House Bill 2667, the Eliminate Criminal Profiteering Act, would bar negligence claims arising from a person’s own wrongful conduct, limit negligent security liability, require apportionment of fault in some cases, and restrict certain recoveries by unauthorized aliens in auto cases. The sponsor and supporters said it would prevent criminals from profiting from their wrongdoing and protect businesses, while committee members raised questions about scope, premises liability, and sovereign immunity. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2666, an anti-SLAPP bill intended to provide a faster dismissal process for lawsuits that are meant to chill speech or petitioning activity. The sponsor and supporters said it would protect free expression and align Missouri with other states, while still preserving claims for genuinely harmed parties. No opposition testimony was presented on either House Bill 2667 or House Bill 2666, and the hearing concluded without any votes on the public hearing bills.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 81 Apr 2nd, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The House now advanced to the third order of business, approval of the journal. Mr.
  • The people that sent us here to do the business at hand should work.
  • The House will now advance to the fifth order of business.
  • House, third order of business. The House, on consideration of Senate Bill 1254.
  • House in the 11th order of business.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 40 Feb 20th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • First order of business: roll call. Clerk, unlock the machine and record the members present.
  • House Bills 729 and 738 were referred to the Business Committee.
  • The House will now advance to the 15th order of business, announcements.
  • Hearing on the House now advanced 16th order of business adjournment.
  • The House at 16th order of business. Gentleman, 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixteen - Thursday, February 5

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Staying on that same order of business, I ask you recognize the gentleman from St.
  • Next to our business will be first reading of House Bills and House Joint Resolutions.
  • The next order of business will be House Bills for third reading. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • The next order of business will be House Bills for third reading.
  • Most of the businesses that had to settle still have not had their website fixed.
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 4, 2026 by roll call vote, 123-1. Members spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing special guests and recognizing birthdays, including visitors from Missouri Technology Corporation, educators, pediatricians, a longtime legislative photographer, and several family members and constituents. A member also delivered a lengthy personal-privilege tribute for Black History Month honoring his father’s military service, postal career, ministry, and mentorship work, and another member paid tribute to the late Donna Kramer Scott. The chamber then took up first reading of House Bills 3218, 3219, and 3220. On third reading, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294 was debated as a “born alive”/abortion-related measure; supporters argued it protects infants born alive and clarifies provider duties, while opponents said the issue is already covered in statute and that the House should focus on other priorities. The bill passed 103-40. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a package centered on the Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation and related accessibility/ADA litigation concerns. Supporters described it as curbing settlement-driven lawsuits and helping businesses, while opponents and some supporters emphasized the need for real accessibility improvements. That package passed unanimously, 149-0. During announcements, members highlighted an American Idol contestant from a district, an upcoming rural health care funding informational session, a property tax reform committee executive session, a St. Charles festival, an American Heart Month photo opportunity, and several committee meetings. The House was told to be prepared to consider additional bills upon return, and it adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2026.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 12th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And if you're going to get in the business, invest in them.
  • And if you're going to get in the business, invest in them.
  • House Bill 685, Chair lays out as a matter of pending business.
  • Chair lays out as a matter of pending business House Bill 1633.
  • Is there any other business to come before the committee?
Bills: HB630 , HB685 , HB1318 , HB2692
Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 26, 2025 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Parents are busy trying to work.
  • As a business owner, you know, owning four businesses, it was something I always wanted to do is offer
  • And I don't want to have another business, you know, that's inside my business.
  • The business owner is not going to put those kids in harm's way.
  • Members, this concludes our business today.
Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee began with a roll call confirming a quorum, then heard a presentation of the proposed health care budget. The chair said the overall health care budget would total $46.7 billion, a 2.1% decrease in total spending and a 3% increase in general revenue, while reducing 3,585 state FTE. He highlighted funding for Medicaid, KidCare, developmental disabilities services, opioid settlement spending, mental health facilities, senior services, school health nurses, veterans’ dental care, and veterans nursing home improvements. The chair also presented PCB HCB 25-01, a conforming bill that eliminates the Health Care Innovation Program, the Health Care Innovation Council, and the revolving loan program; makes changes to cancer research and graduate medical education provisions; and adjusts Medicaid rebate-related language. The conforming bill passed favorably after no questions, public testimony, or debate. The committee then considered CS/HB 47 on child care. The bill, as explained by Rep. McFarland, would reduce regulation for child care providers in good standing, speed background screening for child care workers, allow provisional hiring status in some cases, create license-exempt status for certain employer-provided child care facilities and DOD child care facilities, and remove outdated paperwork requirements such as the flu brochure. An amendment restored language protecting large family child care homes from being dropped by residential insurers and cleaned up statutory language; it was adopted. Members debated the bill at length, with supporters emphasizing common-sense deregulation and helping working parents, while some members raised concerns about safety, early learning quality, and the loss of informational reminders to parents. The bill was reported favorably. The subcommittee also heard HB 1553 on a uterine fibroid research database. Rep. Dunkley explained that the bill would require health care providers to submit identified fibroid data to DOH so it can be de-identified for a research database, after the department had been unable to use prior de-identified submissions reliably. An amendment removed the current appropriation and was adopted. Members spoke in strong support, noting the prevalence of fibroids and the value of better diagnosis and treatment data. The bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 1529, which addresses the home health aide program for medically fragile children. Rep. Tremont said the bill would direct AHCA to seek a federal waiver so parents’ earnings from caring for their children would not count against Medicaid eligibility, and would revise training requirements and remove mandated annual program assessments. The bill drew supportive public testimony from home care stakeholders, had no debate, and was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.