Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:59.800><c> the</c> investigative data section covers the investigative data section covers
• </c><00:14:17.040><c> the</c> by the Attorney General also covers the by the Attorney General also covers
• </c><00:16:02.360><c> everything</c> broad interpretation covers everything broad interpretation covers
• </c><00:47:37.240><c> like</c> persons or whether it should cover like persons or whether it should cover
• </c><00:48:34.000><c> things</c> definition broadened uh to cover things definition broadened uh to cover

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• HRSA certifies which health care facilities can qualify as covered entities under the 340B program.
• So you had more covered entities able to distribute the drugs.
• You had more covered entities able to distribute the drugs.
• So even while they are seeing an expansion in covered entities, which means an expansion in covered eligible
• So if you are a covered entity, if your clinic is a covered entity, even if you are not necessarily a

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• to cover.
• It covers about six.
• So the covered entities, which are the businesses that are required to participate, can choose their
• First, EITEs are covered entities and they're subject to the program cap.
• But they have a longer lead time than other covered entities because of their special situation and their

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then held a work session on emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Ecology staff reviewed how cap-and-invest works, explained EITE no-cost allowance allocations, and summarized a new report to the Legislature on policy options for 2035-2050. Ecology recommended continuing no-cost allocations but adjusting them to fit the cap, considering a consignment approach that would require EITEs to invest part of the value of free allowances in decarbonization, and studying additional benchmarking and leakage-mitigation refinements. Quebec officials described their cap-and-trade system, including a consignment model that withholds part of free allocations, holds the value in trust for facilities, and requires technical studies and investment in mitigation projects; they said it has encouraged industrial investment and no business closures. Members asked about facility closures, compliance costs, eligible uses of consigned funds, and adaptation spending. The work session then closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2296, which would expand distributed energy resources by allowing portable plug-in solar devices and meter-mounted devices. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to lower barriers and startup costs for renters and homeowners who want to electrify or add solar. Supporters, including a nonprofit promoting plug-in solar and a physician group, said the devices could broaden access to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas and health harms. Utilities, labor, and industry groups opposed the bill as written, citing safety concerns, lack of national electrical code standards, possible backfeeding and fire risks, utility-worker hazards, unclear interconnection rules, and concerns about multifamily housing and small-utility review burdens. Some witnesses said they were open to continued work on the proposal. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2285, which would allow natural gas generation paired with carbon capture, utilization, storage, or mineralization to count toward Clean Energy Transformation Act compliance. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would provide a “bridge” for firm power, help address reliability and transmission constraints, and support jobs while reducing emissions compared with conventional gas. Opponents said the bill would weaken CETA’s 100% clean electricity target by allowing resources that still emit carbon to qualify, and they questioned whether 75% capture is sufficient. Other testimony raised cost concerns and warned that carbon capture could increase ratepayer costs. The hearing on HB 2285 was later suspended and reopened briefly for additional testimony from Ecology, which said the bill would permanently weaken CETA standards and likely reduce emissions reductions. The committee also briefly received a staff briefing on House Bill 2272, a ski-area terminology bill, and then suspended that hearing to take it up later.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am joined by Sunny Liu, who covers public school finance for LFC.
• Option three could be to fully or partially cover just...
• Your fourth option could be just to cover the at-risk unit losses.
• , covering a wider range of alternative expenses.
• While SEAs are most common across states, some states have specific entities that are different. entities

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have the ability to look by market and by entity at what the factors were if there were entities
• You covered that really well.
• You covered that really well.
• We've covered that really well.
• The requested funding will cover...

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:15.040><c> that</c> act to to understand the entities that act to to understand the entities
• And in my entities that are buying.
• </c> choose to at will uh to cover expenses. choose to at will uh to cover expenses.
• There are often entities to do so.
• for these publicly funded funded entity for these publicly funded entities,<00:56:23.640><c> rather,

Bills: HF4456, HF4544, HF3698

Keywords: data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• I cover District 58B.
• </c> nickl County which is 18a which covers nickl County which is 18a which covers North<00:03:16.640
• A tax base can be broad if it covers a big proportion of the total activity or narrow if it covers a
• </c> tax uh Mr Clay would you mind covering tax uh Mr Clay would you mind covering next<00:15:06.800>
• </c> essentially um pay a tax at the entity essentially um pay a tax at the entity level<00:30:19.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the $2 million is to that single supervising entity. Is that correct? That's correct.
• Is to this one single supervising entity for one year. Is that correct? That's correct.
• But aren't some of those entities, and certainly the coordinating entity, receiving funding this year
• So this supplemental would cover fiscal year '26 contractual obligations. Is that right?
• So the entity, the contract that's being covered through this supplemental, is to an entity that may

Summary: The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget met and considered two supplemental appropriation bills. House Bill 2786, the FY25 supplemental for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, was explained by Senator Rosino as covering Title 19, ETPS, and MMIS needs totaling $19,660,770. There was no debate, and the committee advanced the bill on an 18-0 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2787, a FY26 supplemental for the State Department of Health to cover legacy contracts tied to the Choosing Childbirth program. Senators asked detailed questions about the “legacy” supervising entity, the three-year contract cycle, why the supplemental was needed after the 2024 program reset, and whether the entity might already be receiving funding under the new program. Supporters said the money would finish the final year of the old contract, that the entity could not double-dip, and that the request had already been reduced from $4 million to $2 million with additional philanthropic and revolving funds expected to fill the gap. The Minority Leader opposed the bill, arguing the committee was prioritizing one outside entity while other contractual obligations, including in mental health, were not being fully funded. Senator Hall closed by citing program outputs such as service to nearly 8,000 mothers and babies, parenting education, referrals, food and diaper distributions, mentoring support, and ultrasounds. HB 2787 passed on a 20-4 vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ecology maintains a public roster of all the program's covered entities, opt-in entities, and general
• Finally, it requires Ecology's public roster to specify additional information regarding covered entities
• Under current law, the compliance threshold for covered entities under the CCA is those responsible for
• under the CCA, which I think has a benefit to covered entities as well.
• entity is responsible for.

Bills: HB2426, HB2606

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As cited by previous pregnancy center directors, they are not covered entities by HIPAA.
• </c><00:59:33.359><c> As</c> issue of covered entities with HIPPA.
• As issue of covered entities with HIPPA.
• </c><00:59:43.760><c> And</c><00:59:44.000><c> that</c> covered entities by HIPPA.
• And that covered entities by HIPPA.

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each entity will get a report.
• Each entity will get a report.
• And if there's any questions, we can cover that a little toward the end.
• PSAP contract, which was 17%, covered the contracts the counties have executed with other entities for
• Because we're covering everywhere and obviously rural areas as well.

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to weak oversight, the program has expanded in a way that has allowed covered entities to divert
• With whom covered entities can work to make medications available to their patients of record.
• The definition of covered entities does include a variety of non-profit organizations.
• drug. by delivery of a 340B drug to a covered entity unless the sharing of claims or utilization data
• So there are many oversight mechanisms for 340B organizations and covered entities.

Transcript Highlights:

• They would not get credit if they moved into a covered entity.
• they are working for at the time is a covered entity.
• Then does that entity have the financial support necessary to cover those particular claims?
• entity.
• But if we cannot cover these costs as a multibillion-dollar entity, forcing them on entities that only

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:31.760><c> in</c> other statute are already covered in other statute are already covered in
• And state on public entities right now.
• </c> specifically adding small a small entity specifically adding small a small entity to<00:15:22.560
• </c><00:37:37.760><c> in</c> a extreme diversity of entities in a extreme diversity of entities in greater
• </c><00:54:31.200><c> what</c> actually does pretty well cover what actually does pretty well cover what

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, well, they're covered entities, they are currently given free allowances for all of the emissions
• not be covered by CETA.
• It also ensures ports are covered under the law.
• not be covered by CETA.
• It also ensures ports are covered under the law.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took testimony on each. SB 6013 would update ski lift terminology in State Parks law to include aerial tramways, tows, and conveyors; the sponsor and Washington State Parks said it is a simple technical update and a companion to a House bill previously passed by the committee. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the time a non-certified on-site wastewater inspector may work under supervision before becoming certified; the sponsor and local public health witnesses said the change would help retain staff because the certification exam is difficult, offered only twice a year, and often results in turnover if the deadline is missed. The committee also heard ESB 6246, which would change policy for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act. The bill would require Ecology to produce a new report on post-2034 allowance reductions and leakage risk, and would require EITEs to submit periodic assessments of technically and economically feasible emissions-reduction options, reviewed by a licensed engineer. Supporters said the bill is a necessary first step to plan for decarbonization while keeping industry in Washington; environmental groups urged stronger third-party verification and clearer reporting, while industry groups supported the general framework but asked for changes on leakage analysis, confidentiality, and penalties. Ecology supported the overall direction but raised concerns about implementation language and resource needs. Finally, SSB 5982 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to include port districts that distribute electricity and certain large self-generating or affected market customers, while preserving some exemptions for pre-existing cogeneration and certain PUDs. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes so all new generation is subject to clean electricity standards, especially as ports and data centers explore behind-the-meter or fossil generation. Opponents from industrial and business groups argued the bill could sweep in facilities that were not intended to be covered and could create additional costs during a period of tight power supply. Ecology and Commerce testified that the bill would clarify CETA but noted possible effects on no-cost allowance allocations under the Climate Commitment Act. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• under the control of a hostile foreign entity.
• Uh, and if you look at section 3 lines 96 through 210, that covers that.
• under the control of a hostile foreign entity.
• Uh, and if you look at section 3 lines 96 through 210, that covers that.
• control of a hostile foreign entity.

Bills: HB358, HB358

Keywords: juvenile justice, detention, age of majority, jurisdiction, child welfare, foreign influence, political activity, transparency, registration, civil penalties, hostile foreign principals, state ethics, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, well, they're covered entities, they are currently given free allowances for all of the emissions
• There's a bunch of reasons why they're not necessarily covered.
• not be covered by CETA.
• It also ensures ports are covered under the law.
• receive no-cost allowances. supports are covered under the law.

Bills: SB6013, SB6291

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology, recreation, economic development, SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Each entity will get a report.
• Each entity will get a report.
• And if there's any questions, we can cover that a little toward the end.
• PSAP contract, which was 17%, covered the contracts the counties have executed with other entities for
• Because we're covering everywhere and obviously rural areas as well.

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• covered under MA.
• those Services um Minnesota for covering those Services um Minnesota covers<00:14:24.959><c> most</c
• ><c> hmos</c> Care um so they are covered under hmos Care um so they are covered under hmos or<00:15:
• MinnesotaCare covers most of the same services that MA covers.
• ><c> it</c> the same services that Ma covers um it the same services that Ma covers um it covers<00:18

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to cover.
• It covers about six.
• So the covered entities, which are the businesses that are required to participate, can choose their
• First, EITEs are covered entities and they're subject to the program cap.
• But they have a longer lead time than other covered entities because of their special situation and their

Bills: HB2272, HB2285, HB2296

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes, carbon capture, clean energy, environmental regulation, sustainability, green technology, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, energy policy, 904, all