Transcript Highlights:

• I practiced for a number of years. While I don't currently practice, I do remain licensed.
• So I don't think we need to try to produce 10 to 15 pieces of legislation.
• It is an evidence-based practice.
• I've seen differentials for evidence-based practices versus non-evidence-based practices.
• Because they're not able, they've got more overhead than a private practice.

Summary: The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to behavioral health as the main topic. Representatives Woodridge and Vaught described the work of the behavioral health working group, saying Arkansas needs a more proactive system that improves access, reduces red tape, and focuses on a few achievable policy changes for the 2027 session rather than many bills. Members discussed barriers such as low reimbursement, workforce shortages, licensing and credentialing hurdles, rural access problems, and the need to better use community providers, compacts, and step-down services. Director Paula Stone of DHS’s Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health gave a detailed overview of the behavioral health system. She said Medicaid pays for more than 75% of behavioral health services in Arkansas and explained that when people are jailed or admitted to the state hospital, Medicaid generally stops, leaving state general revenue to cover care. She described current efforts including family-centered treatment for children, community reintegration group homes, a new adolescent substance use disorder residential unit, expanded community mental health center contracts, a secured restoration unit to reduce state hospital backlogs, and an IMD waiver to allow Medicaid payment for certain residential services. She also said DHS is working on crisis services, forensic evaluations, and provider rebidding in areas previously served by ERISA. Members asked about reimbursement for jail services, the lack of a statewide behavioral health dashboard, civil commitment options, crisis stabilization units, and whether Arkansas should expand step-down or long-term facilities for people who cannot safely return to the community. Stone said the state hospital backlog remains significant, average stays are still about 14 months, and crisis stabilization units have had mixed success, with Fort Smith and Jonesboro performing better than Fayetteville and Little Rock. The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the work, with more substantive discussion planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• standards of practice of school nursing. standards of practice of school nursing.
• And so um the goal of this legislation And so um the goal of this legislation would<00:03:14.959
• <00:07:37.280> Lear, practice. So you can call me Dr. Lear, practice.
• Additionally, this statute is directly referenced in legislative legislation for our statewide health
• ,<01:38:48.960> people's data privacy, data practices, people's data privacy, data practices

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what Legislative Audit Committee what Legislative Audit Committee hearing,<00:43:22.160> I
• > Act Although the Data Practices Act Although the Data Practices Act restricts<00:45:43.400><
• <00:54:41.200> to and it was not a common practice to and it was not a common practice to
• We can bring the legislative auditor up. We can bring the legislative auditor up.
• I'm one of the deputy legislative auditors at the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and I oversee our

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:19.959> study a a a study group a legislative study a a a study group a legislative
• practices practices Statewide<00:39:09.720> unfortunately<00:39:10.520> a<00:39:10.640
• states with the same type of legislation states with the same type of legislation blue<01:43:23.520
• however someone could conduct a practice however someone could conduct a practice non-medically<
• while likely uncommon these practice while likely uncommon these practice exams<01:44:56.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The gist here is to add to existing legislative policy.
• The gist here is to add to existing legislative policy.
• Having reciprocal services from both sides of the state line, as enabled by legislative policy from the
• As a practical matter, CBP cannot deny entry to U.S. citizens when they return from across the border
• Um, so again, as a practical matter, when you show your Real ID, they're going to say, OK, hey, come

Summary: The Committee on State-Federal Relations heard testimony on HB 3484, which would formalize agreements between border municipalities and treat certain infrastructure, services, and facilities as Texas assets for funding eligibility if they are within 30 miles of the border. Representative Van Deaver and a witness from Texarkana described how the bill would help Texarkana, Texas, secure state funding for jointly used facilities such as wastewater, water treatment, and airport assets that are physically located in Arkansas but serve Texas residents. Members asked about whether Arkansas benefits from the facilities and whether the bill would apply only to U.S. border cities; testimony clarified that it applies to Texas municipalities bordering another U.S. state, and the bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also heard HCR 112, by Representative Perez, which urges Congress to allow state-issued Real ID cards, including Texas driver’s licenses, to be accepted as identification for U.S. citizens re-entering the country at land and sea ports of entry. Perez argued that Texas already verifies citizenship and lawful presence for Real ID issuance, that most Texans already have Real ID-compliant licenses, and that acceptance at the border would reduce costs and delays for routine cross-border travel without weakening security. Members asked about the security features of Real ID, implementation timing, passport delays, and how border crossings currently work; Perez said the resolution would not replace passports for international air travel and would apply only to U.S. citizens returning at land and sea ports. HCR 112 was also left pending, and the committee adjourned after HDR 125 was withdrawn from the schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the legislative liaison for the Department of Public Instruction.
• It is also the subject of an audit currently being conducted by the Legislative Audit Bureau.
• And as you know,... ...for attorneys who were practicing in that.
• I think I'd point you to RG's testimony in the Legislative Audit Bureau's hearing.
• That is a common practice.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this and co-sponsoring this legislation.
• this and co-sponsoring this legislation.
• Seeing none, this is my piece of legislation.
• Justin Wilmeth, Legislative District 2, that is North Phoenix.
• Like I said before, this is kind of accidentally given my career to being a legislator and legislative

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . legislation. legislation.
• I see this every day when I read the comments about proposed legislation, this legislation and legislation
• I see this every day when I read the comments about proposed legislation, this legislation and legislation
• I see this every day when I read the comments about proposed legislation, this legislation and legislation
• I see this every day when I read the comments about proposed legislation, this legislation and legislation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• regarding privacy that we legislation regarding privacy that we made<00:03:32.799> made<00:03
• And that was a point we raised this morning, and all of the legislators there was forgotten six legislators
• legislators there was forgotten<00:18:54.240> six<00:18:54.640> legislators<00:18:55.280
• I was just going to point out that there are actual legislators on the Concord City Council.
• . practices. practices.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway. Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot. The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• gets mandated into legislative purview. gets mandated into legislative purview.
• <00:14:02.880> to that it should be up to the legisle to that it should be up to the legisle
• within our existing new legislative within our existing new legislative process<00:23:57.679>
• legislation like this.
• Hampshire resident and a practicing Hampshire resident and a practicing doctor<03:06:27.200>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And during this legislative session, we had a special edition.
• This legislative session, she has also served as an intern in our office.
• And now our poll workers on election day at the site, it's not practical. It's not practical.
• Because we must be honest about what that means in practice.
• This legislation is needed because without concurrent legislative jurisdiction, juvenile misconduct is

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• moving forward with this legislation moving forward with this legislation that<00:17:42.160>
• Minnesota a powerful and practical Minnesota a powerful and practical pathway<00:25:39.440> forward
• if this proposed piece of legislation if this proposed piece of legislation were<00:30:01.559>
• free subject practice questions online and<00:31:57.080> paper<00:31:57.480> practice<
• would discontinue the current practice would discontinue the current practice of<01:05:23.720>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a statewide practice. My practice usually actually...
• my practice usually a Statewide practice my practice usually actually<00:28:12.919> I<00:28:13.039
• to talk about this, and there needed to be some amount of legislative oversight of the practice.
• to talk about this, and there needed to be some amount of legislative oversight of the practice.
• <01:02:57.440> for it the intention of the legislation for it the intention of the legislation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to support this legislation and help ensure that all Texans can access the right level of
• This legislation enhances efficiency, accountability, and equity across the state.
• So y’all do maintain those outside acquired practices, their infrastructure.
• And I'm not talking about just facility fee, but really the corporate practice of medicine.
• I was able to pursue that dream by obtaining a BS degree in nursing and practicing for 33 years.

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• So truly, the practical impact of further penalizing it and making it more challenging for people to
• Vice Chair, for testimony, Office of Information Practices with comments.
• <00:37:19.480> on opposes any uniform State legislation on opposes any uniform State legislation
• E-bikes can extend the practical commuting range while reducing physical fatigue.
• <00:50:06.200> practical can extend the Practical practical can extend the Practical practical

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 667 would require DOT or county departments to scan deceased cats or dogs found on public roadways for microchips, record information, and report it to county animal services. DOT said it supported the bill, and the Hawaiʻi Humane Society and others strongly backed it, describing it as important for grieving pet owners. A private citizen also testified in support, saying the measure could help families learn what happened to missing pets. The chair noted there were nine supporters. The committee then heard HB 230 on sending a carbon copy of traffic citations to vehicle owners, followed by HB 77, which would make civil identification cards free to issue or renew. The Attorney General’s office said it had already submitted comments on HB 77, DOT opposed it, and a private citizen supported it as a way to reduce barriers to basic services. HB 668, which would make license suspension mandatory for operating a vehicle without insurance, drew opposition from the Office of the Public Defender and DOT. The Public Defender argued current law already allows suspension and that a mandatory rule would discourage people from obtaining insurance, increase court burdens, and disproportionately affect indigent drivers; the chair emphasized that driving is a privilege and raised concerns about uninsured driving in rural areas. The Public Defender also said it would look into whether state insurance options could help people who cannot get traditional coverage. The committee also took up HB 12, which would bar inspection certificates for mopeds or vehicles modified to increase NOx emissions. DOT offered comments, Citizens Against Noise supported it, and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it; the chair noted six additional supporters and ten opponents. HB 169 would raise the minimum age for moped operators from 15 to 16 and increase the helmet requirement age from 18 to 21; DOT supported it, while Moped Doctors, Moped’s Direct, and seven individuals opposed it. HB 220 would require moped operators to carry insurance under motorcycle/motor scooter insurance laws; DCCA offered comments, DOT supported it, and Moped Doctors and ten individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard HB 277, which would establish a statewide vehicle pursuit policy for law enforcement agencies. The Policing Project at NYU and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi supported the bill, citing national data on deaths and injuries from pursuits and arguing for a baseline limit on pursuits for minor offenses; the Hawaii Police Department and Maui Police Department opposed it. The committee also heard HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture. DOT supported it, while the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill was overly harsh, internally inconsistent, and likely to strain courts, law enforcement, and probation systems by turning a traffic offense into a felony with prison exposure and jury-trial rights. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, there would be no reimbursement for today; that we would either get our legislative per diem
• If you're creating legislation and you're creating a new commission, typically it's all batched into
• That's actually a practice that's been going on for a while.
• We've just got quite a few of these funds out there before that practice started.
• Referenced, but maybe the enabling legislation or the actual substantive legislation has been expired

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and administrative practices that his committee does not know as well.
• <01:01:12.559> and the knowledge of State practices and the knowledge of State practices and
• :15.720> our administrative practices that um our administrative practices that um our committee
• Representative Leone moved that it be inexpedient to legislate.
• <04:22:23.840> fiscal before The Joint legislative fiscal before The Joint legislative fiscal

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• For each of the measures being presented today, Orderly conduct of legislative proceedings.
• It also sets standards for AI use in therapeutic settings and practice by requiring informed consent
• Practicing therapy without a license is already illegal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• homeschoolers and that's not practical homeschoolers and that's not practical for<02:11:31.119><
• legisl legisl had<02:37:50.240> to<02:37:50.520> pass<02:37:50.920> statute<02:
• They are all reviewed by the lawyers of the Office of Legislative Services, and then the legislators
• They are all reviewed by the lawyers of the Office of Legislative Services, and then the legislators
• > legislative The Joint Committee legislative The Joint Committee legislative administrative<02

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't live here to practice.
• <00:11:02.320> So, don't all practice in Hawaii. So, don't all practice in Hawaii.
• They don't live here to practice.
• them practice. adopting this would allow them to<00:11:11.760> practice<00:11:12.320> in
• <00:34:48.000> uh the requ the unfair trade practice uh the requ the unfair trade practice

Bills: HB1853, HB1591, HB1961, HB1854, HB1965, HB1962, HB1959, HB2505, HB2576, HB1801, HB1804, HB1864, HB2319, HB2314, HB2115

Keywords: HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions. The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system. Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.