Transcript Highlights:

• When you drop your children off with us, you're putting them in our care.
• And just keeping our family together and taking care of what's right in front of us.
• I do wish that I do think it can be improved on.
• They said, “Please be careful. No one's been up there yet.” This was around 8 a.m.
• There is such a thing in a lot of regulatory structures—health care and various child care.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's fake news to care that they care about the Palestinian people.
• </c> feed the hungry and care for the sick. feed the hungry and care for the sick.
• And yet, DOGE didn't care.
• And yet, DOGE didn't care.
• to improve lives by mobilizing<07:33:56.718><c> the</c><07:33:57.040><c> caring</c><07:33:57.360><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• The children I care for are often the most medically complex patients in our health care system.
• Many have special health care needs, undiagnosed conditions, and limited access to care.
• There are solutions to improve access to care, and as a policy advocate for the Florida Academy of Pediatric
• &nbsp; 1375 THERE ARE SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE&nbsp; ACCESS TO CARE AND AS A POLICY&nbsp; 1376 ADVOCATE FOR
• The Florida Dental Association shares this call of improving access to dental care.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 245, which would replace references in Florida law to “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material.” The sponsor said the change was overdue and more accurately reflects the criminal nature of the material. There was brief supportive public testimony, no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then took up HB 237 on the use of professional nursing titles. The sponsor said advanced practice registered nurses should be able to use earned academic titles such as DNP or PhD. Supporters testified in favor, there was no opposition or debate, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The longest discussion centered on HB 173, which would expand parental consent and access requirements for minors’ medical care, medical records, certain school surveys, and biomedical devices. Supporters argued it restores parental rights and keeps parents involved in children’s health decisions, while opponents—many from medical, mental health, LGBTQ, and youth advocacy groups—warned it could block access to STI treatment, mental health care, crisis hotlines, and confidential services for vulnerable youth, including those in abusive homes. After extensive testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably on a 19-7 vote. Finally, the committee began HB 327 on uterine fibroid research. The sponsor explained the bill would require health care providers to submit identified data so the Department of Health can build a usable de-identified research database, after prior implementation problems with duplicate or unverified data. A supportive local official testified, and members indicated support as the meeting moved toward a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the same way as they are for federally defined continuums of care.
• . ...is a 9% reduction in 30 continuums of care in the state.
• of, and our members are taken care of.
• Are you talking about a sole recuperative care housing program? Yes.
• So, yeah, that was a CalAIM-provided recuperative care program.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 met to hear an information-only agenda focused on homelessness. The chair and vice chair opened with remarks about affordability, accountability, and the need for flexible but effective state responses. The committee then heard an update from Dr. Ryan Finnegan of UC Berkeley’s Turner Center on homelessness trends, data limitations, and program impacts. He said homelessness remains high, with 2024 point-in-time counts showing about 187,000 people experiencing homelessness statewide, though unsheltered homelessness has declined somewhat as shelter capacity expanded. He emphasized that California’s high housing costs and shortage of affordable housing are the main drivers, while also noting persistent racial disparities, high chronic homelessness, and the importance of coordinated housing, health, and social services. He also warned that cuts or changes to federal programs and state funding streams like HAP could threaten progress. Members questioned Dr. Finnegan about the 9% decline in unsheltered homelessness, the timing and methodology of point-in-time counts, how to interpret trends over time, and the role of policy changes such as Housing First, Proposition 47, and Martin v. Boise. He explained that the 9% figure came from 30 continuums of care that had completed 2025 counts, and that HUD’s eventual statewide number would likely differ because not all regions counted that year. He also discussed how different funding sources are layered in local programs, including HAP, local funds, philanthropic support, federal funds, and CalAIM reimbursements. Several members stressed the need for clearer, more comparable measures of effectiveness and outcomes, including whether programs reduce long-term homelessness and move people toward self-sufficiency. The committee then heard from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness on statewide data systems, especially the Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS). Staff described HDIS as the first state-level integrated homelessness data system, built from local HMIS data and used to track demographics, services, outcomes, and program performance across all 44 continuums of care. They said HDIS has enabled statewide dashboards, system performance measures, and new accountability tools under AB 977 and AB 799. Cal ICH also said HAP Round 4 was highly cost-effective under the State Auditor’s methodology, estimating a cost of about $9,172 per person permanently housed, and that new AB 799 dashboards are intended to provide clearer public reporting on outcomes, fiscal data, and progress toward statewide goals. Members asked about measuring self-sufficiency, identifying the best local partners, detecting fraud, and whether the new dashboards will allow better comparisons among program types and funding uses. No votes were taken, and the one scheduled vote was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the data showed us that the staff vacancy trends are improving, but vacancies are still more than
• The direct support professional vacancy rate of 15% is much improved from 2024... ...vacancy rate of
• A fourth finding: vacancy rates improve for day programs, but programs remain constrained.
• So there could have been other increases in health care.
• You added one question about health care, but the training issue, the turnover within an organization

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Status of Persons with Disabilities met, approved the prior November minutes, and heard a presentation from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) on its 2025 workforce metrics survey. ADDP described its membership and the survey’s scope, noting 102 of 132 members responded. The report showed continued improvement in staffing: overall vacancy rates fell from 19% in 2024 to 15% in 2025, with declines across programs such as adult long-term residential, community-based day supports, supported employment, and day rehabilitation. However, vacancies remain high, especially for licensed practical nurses and clinicians, and nearly 4,000 positions were still unfilled. Providers also reported that almost 1,800 people remain waiting for day services. A major new focus in the survey was health insurance costs. Nearly 90% of respondents reported premium increases averaging 11%, and providers said those increases make it harder to offer competitive wages and benefits and hurt recruitment and retention. ADDP said the survey will be repeated in the fall and emphasized that while Chapter 257 investments appear to have helped reduce vacancies, rising insurance costs, immigration-related workforce pressures, and other affordability issues could threaten progress. Commissioners and presenters discussed the need to maintain gains, the importance of keeping the survey manageable while preserving historical comparisons, and the role of immigration and workforce policy in staffing stability. The subcommittee then elected new co-chairs, unanimously approving Rachel Caprillion and Leo Sarkisian. Members discussed possible topics and speakers for the next meeting, including training and turnover, direct support professional pipelines, apprenticeships, PCA training, and workforce models from other states. Several names and organizations were suggested for outreach, including Josh Cutler, Juan Vega, JVS, HSRI, and NASDDDS. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I agree with that; those improvements are needed to help these entities.
• But those improvements should be considered separately from the statewide single audit.
• A big focus was our health care. And of course, Mr.
• We direct $80 million to universal child care, including allocating federal money for child care assistance
• , increasing funding for pre-K to bring down the cost of child care.

Bills: SB145 , SB143

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I have before you the Health Care Consolidation Oversight Act.
• we are reviewing for and what the healthcare authority would be looking for is whether patient, uh, care
• This is engagement with community for the care of community.
• we know that these partnerships and consolidations often reduce or significantly change access to care
• those, those community members will be directly impacted by the cost, cost, quality and access to care

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure that there are things that we could dwell on that need improvement.
• access to health care and education in the region.
• A few years ago because my mother required 24-7 care.
• There's an extra two hands to lend to help with my mother's care.
• It has significantly improved accessibility to things like education and health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• care.
• care.
• First, Senate Bill 1 improves. ...care and reducing the growth of health care costs.
• First, Senate Bill 1 improves Delaware's health care system by ensuring greater investment in primary
• health care spending to primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• And hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans will lose health care and food support because of HR1.
• All of the improvement we saw in ever.
• All of the improvement we saw in the<00:05:29.759><c> forecast</c><00:05:30.160><c> today.
• And I think we need to take care of people in that same form this year. >> I don't know.
• of people in that same form this care of people in that same form this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't care what the impacts are.
• They generally didn't care. They generally didn't care.
• So we talked about improving orientation for new legislators.
• Second is improving succession, planning of legislative.
• They have been surveying parents of children in child care and also surveying child care providers.

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• 04:40.479><c> not</c><00:04:40.720><c> just</c> trust improves public safety, not just trust improves
• This will improve the efficiencies of the BCA in preparing that video.
• This will improve the efficiencies of the BCA in preparing that video.
• This will improve the efficiencies of the BCA in preparing that video.
• </c><00:44:05.359><c> and</c> Mandot for capital improvements and Mandot for capital improvements and

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen improvements since implementing Barr.
• We're still improving, and we're still adjusting.
• Why do you care?' Well, we were just talking about it. I'm concerned about it. I care about you.
• And we have an improvement science, continuous improvement approach that we work with all of our intervention
• TSI is targeted support and improvement.

Committee: Joint Education Committee

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on dual credit programming across North Dakota, with presentations from Valley City State University, Lake Region State College, Fargo Public Schools, and teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose. Speakers described dual credit as a way to give high school students college-level rigor, reduce future tuition costs, and help students explore academic and career pathways. Several presenters emphasized that strong local relationships between colleges and school districts are central to program quality, especially in rural areas where access to advanced coursework can be limited. Valley City State University outlined its quality-control model, including annual teacher trainings, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty evaluations, qualification standards, school visits, and a goal of building 24-credit College Studies Certificates. The university reported about 504 students in the fall and 559 in the spring, with roughly 5,539 projected credit hours and about 130 students expected to earn the 24-credit certificate. Members asked about faculty qualifications, online versus in-person delivery, student retention, revenue, and whether a more centralized statewide model might be more efficient; the presenter said centralization could reduce duplication but might weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College described a broader regional model, with about 913 dual credit students last fall across 44 school districts, roughly half of them taking online college courses and half taking face-to-face courses taught by qualified high school teachers serving as adjuncts. The college said it has paid for graduate credits to help teachers meet credentialing requirements and reimburses districts for teacher support and materials. Fargo Public Schools reported 50 dual credit courses through multiple higher-ed partners, 1,571 enrollments, and a 12.61% increase in participation, while also raising concerns about inconsistent registration systems, credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity across institutions. Teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose reinforced the value of dual credit, while noting concerns about retention in foundational science courses and the importance of maintaining rigor and support for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• While CHP's expanded duties have greatly improved public safety, CHP union members continue to report
• They ask questions such as, do you provide health care? Have you ever been debarred?
• Tenant improvements need to be excluded.
• And I do appreciate your careful consideration of policy.
• And I do appreciate your careful consideration of policy.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard two bills. AB 1054 by Assemblymember Gibson would create a Deferred Retirement Option Program for eligible CHP officers and CAL FIRE firefighters, allowing them to work up to five additional years while their retirement benefits accrue in an interest-bearing account. Supporters, including representatives of CHP and CAL FIRE, said the bill would help retain experienced public safety personnel, address staffing strain, and remain cost-neutral to the state. Members generally supported the measure, and the committee passed it 7-0 and referred it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1439 by Assemblymember Garcia, sponsored by the State Building and Construction Trades Council. The bill would require public pension and retirement systems to apply stronger labor standards when investing in California development projects, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce, and labor neutrality provisions. Supporters argued that public pension investments should not back projects with wage theft, unsafe conditions, or poor labor practices, and that stronger standards improve project quality and returns. Opponents, including county retirement systems, builders, housing groups, and local government associations, warned the bill could interfere with fiduciary duties, increase costs, create litigation risk, and reduce housing and development activity. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, definitions, and possible impacts on housing and pension stability, but several said they were willing to give the author a chance to continue working on amendments. The author committed to further revisions and said the bill was still in early stages. The committee approved AB 1439 5-0, with one member not voting, and sent it to Appropriations. The meeting ended with brief farewell remarks for a committee consultant who is leaving for the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I care a lot about the future of our state.
• It's not that they don't care.
• It's not that they don't care.
• And part of what we loved so much and still do about our hometown is the care, the great care, And deliberation
• I do not have a problem with improving life safety codes.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• and supported allegations of abuse and neglect for children in foster care by placement type.
• Now we know that we have a tremendous system of foster care.
• We know that there are many, many dedicated... ...that we have a tremendous system of foster care.
• , and taking into account what they have to say about what that care has been like.
• President, again, this amendment touched... ...that care has been like. So, taken together, Mr.

Summary: The Senate took up House No. 4646, an act enhancing child welfare protections, and considered a series of amendments focused on child welfare, school discipline, truancy, foster care transparency, and related services. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Senator DiDomenico’s proposal to create a Massachusetts children’s cabinet and Senator Tarr’s amendments on timeout and isolation standards, the best-interest-of-the-child standard, and mandated reporter definitions. Other amendments were adopted, including Senator Rauch’s amendments on student transfers and reasonableness, Senator Tarr’s amendment on information management integrity and youth engagement in the Office of the Child Advocate, and the Senate Ways and Means amendment. Amendments on school compliance before CRA filings, probation certification before accepting a child requiring assistance petition, and statewide truancy and engagement standards were rejected. After the amendments were resolved, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in the affirmative and none in the negative. The chamber also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, with moments of silence held for each. Later, the Senate also adjourned in memory of former U.S. Representative Barney Frank, with remarks highlighting his civil rights work, his role in financial reform, and his historic service as the first openly gay member of Congress. Before adjournment, the Senate took up a House amendment to the Senate bill establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference. The chair appointed Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor to the conference committee. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and dispense with printing a calendar, and finally adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You look at our direct care staffing levels, just direct care, it's roughly running about 63% agency,
• You look at our direct care staffing levels, just direct care, it's roughly running about 63% agency,
• So we're seeking that $2 million at the— —level of care.
• One care navigator per county? Mr. Chair, Representative… One care navigator per county? Mr.
• And they get what's called improvement value credit.

Bills: HB1

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• an organizer with our union because unionized care is quality care.
• of care.
• of care.
• They were trying to form a union because they wanted to improve their jobs and so they could take care
• care.

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 5808, a proposal to require nonprofit health carriers with “excess surplus” to pay 10% of that surplus into the state health care affordability account for Cascade Care Savings. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $330 million one time in 2027, while the Office of Insurance Commissioner would have implementation costs. Supporters argued the bill would redirect consumer premium dollars to help people afford coverage, while opponents from health plans said reserves are needed for solvency, claims, and capital needs and warned the bill would destabilize nonprofit insurers. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2254, which would let the Partnership Access Line assessment cover administrative costs; HCA and Seattle Children’s supported it as a technical fix that saves general fund dollars, and a child psychiatrist asked that savings be reinvested in behavioral health services. House Bill 2385, which extends deadlines for the Medicaid Access Program because of federal restrictions on new provider taxes, also drew support from provider groups seeking future Medicaid rate increases. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 6286, which would increase fines on private detention facilities that deny Department of Health inspections and dedicate the fines to an account for community repair and assistance to harmed individuals and families. Supporters, including Tacoma’s mayor and family members affected by detention, framed the bill as an accountability measure; fiscal staff estimated Department of Health costs of about $395,000 in the 2025-27 biennium. Senate Bill 6006 would exempt food banks from sales tax on certain services enacted last session, with food bank and tribal representatives saying the savings would go directly to food and operations. Senate Bill 6351 would create exemptions from the new sales tax on live presentations for before- and after-school care, arts and cultural nonprofit classes, and K-12 school purchases; school districts, arts groups, and PTA representatives supported it, while asking for clarifying language and broader nonprofit exemptions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 would let cities and counties create local sales tax remittance programs for affordable housing projects, and housing builders, Habitat affiliates, counties, and city officials supported it as a local tool to lower development costs. In executive session, the committee received briefings on several tax and spending bills and then voted to advance multiple measures. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5949, which narrows a B&O tax exemption related to insurance premiums; a proposed retroactivity-removing amendment failed. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6129 on cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes after rejecting several amendments, including proposals to study the tax policy or replace the bill with illicit-market enforcement language. The committee also passed Senate Bill 6228 repealing a preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers, Senate Bill 6231 repealing data center sales tax exemptions, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5965, which retained a bag-fee approach rather than a full ban after adopting an amendment. The committee then returned to public hearing and began testimony on Senate Bill 6353, a major Working Connections Child Care bill that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, lower the provider rate target from the 85th to the 75th percentile, and make other program changes; the briefing was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you said, an unfortunate club that people are a part of, but they take care of one another.
• We have done some infrastructure improvements in particular.
• Hopefully, people have some insurance coverage for the code upgrades for those improvements.
• Hopefully, people have some insurance coverage for the code upgrades for those improvements.
• That is one of the Facilities, mobile limited occupancies, care facilities.

Summary: The hearing focused on lessons from the 2017 Tubbs Fire and how Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and local partners have changed wildfire prevention, recovery, and rebuilding practices since then. Assemblymembers emphasized that the region has become a model for the state, with a shift from suppression to prevention, and panelists described improvements in defensible space, home hardening, vegetation management, alerting, and community coordination. The discussion also highlighted the continuing importance of sharing Sonoma County’s experience with other wildfire-impacted communities across California and beyond. Fire officials and local leaders described specific prevention measures now in place, including Santa Rosa’s vegetation management ordinance, ignition-free/Zone Zero requirements in rebuilding, restrictions on certain mulches, removal of dead and dying trees near roads and defensible space zones, and expanded prescribed burning authority. They also stressed the importance of community organization through block captains, Firewise/COPE-style networks, and the Mark West Area Community Fund. Speakers said these networks helped residents navigate recovery, avoid fraud and bad contractors, coordinate with local agencies, and support neighbors, but they argued that such efforts need more formal structure and stable funding. Water and permitting officials discussed how the fires changed their work. Santa Rosa Water described new regional coordination, generator and backup power upgrades, emergency training, and lessons learned about wildfire-related contamination in water systems, including the need to restore pressure, flush, and test quickly after a fire. Permit Sonoma said rebuilding was balanced by streamlining permits while still requiring safer, more resilient construction, and noted that reduced fees and one-stop permitting helped speed recovery. United Policyholders described helping residents maximize insurance proceeds, organize information, and avoid scams, while warning that insurance availability and affordability remain major barriers and that insurers are increasingly rewarding risk-reduction measures. Across the panels, the main policy requests were for faster and more flexible grant processes, more stable long-term funding for prevention and community programs, stronger support for home hardening and defensible space, better training and tools for local governments and legislative staff, and continued attention to insurance and utility-related resilience. No formal votes or actions were taken in the transcript excerpt; the hearing was informational and ended with a transition toward public comment and further discussion of remaining statewide wildfire policy needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of areas where we could improve upon it. of areas where we could improve upon it.
• </c><00:51:49.680><c> is</c> provider that delivered the care is provider that delivered the care is
• , preventive medicine, disregarding other more effective health care methods to help improve our god-given
• </c><01:06:48.640><c> um</c> care, preventive medicine. um care, preventive medicine. um disregarding
• </c><01:24:02.800><c> and</c> strengthen the continuity of care and strengthen the continuity of care

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

Committee: House 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.