Transcript Highlights:

• So let's talk future meetings and visits that we're doing.
• But visit. Visits. We have a schedule of visits that's yawning before us.
• So we're not going to do the Duke's visit on Friday.
• Carrie, the sheriff would like to still do the Duke's visit on Friday.
• And so, but everybody's always welcome on those visits.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 and heard a presentation from Department of Correction officials and UMass Chan researchers on DOC’s objective point-based classification system. DOC described how the system, in place since 2007, uses standardized criteria to assign custody levels and is intended to balance public safety with reintegration. Officials reviewed the system’s initial and reclassification tools, the role of trained classification staff, and the use of non-discretionary restrictions and discretionary overrides. They said the current population is about 16% maximum security, 74% medium, and 10% minimum/pre-release, and that discretionary overrides remain within national guidance levels. UMass Chan presented findings from a multi-year NIJ-funded study using historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on male reclassification cases. Researchers said the scored custody level predicted institutional misconduct well, with stronger separation between minimum, medium, and maximum groups. They reported violent misconduct in the sample was under 5% over the follow-up period, while general misconduct ranged from about 30% to 45%. When DOC’s override-informed final custody levels were analyzed, predictive accuracy declined somewhat, and researchers said the reduction was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They noted that removing the non-discretionary restrictions, especially Code C civil-commitment-related restrictions, improved the model’s performance. Commission members and guests questioned whether the system overclassifies people into medium security, whether the low minimum-security rate reflects infrastructure and risk tolerance differences from other states, and how much historical practice and subjective judgment still affect placement. DOC officials said the restrictions are designed around safety concerns such as flight risk, serious legal issues, and medical needs, and that the system has been revised over time through revalidation. UMass researchers said there is no compelling evidence that release from minimum security is necessary for successful community outcomes once risk level is accounted for, and they emphasized that comparisons with other states are difficult because Massachusetts’ correctional structure is different. The commission asked members to submit follow-up questions for additional data, and a public commenter argued that the data suggest overclassification to medium security harms incarcerated people.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's talk future meetings and visits that we're doing.
• But visit. Visits. We have a schedule of visits that's yawning before us.
• So we're not going to do the Duke's visit on Friday.
• The sheriff would like to still do the Duke's visit on Friday.
• And so, but everybody's always welcome on those visits.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met with DOC leadership and UMass Chan researchers to discuss Massachusetts DOC’s objective point-based classification system, with a focus on whether inmates are overclassified and how discretionary and non-discretionary overrides affect placement decisions. DOC explained the system’s history, its goals of public safety and reintegration, the initial and reclassification tools, and the use of overrides and restrictions. Staff described several non-discretionary restrictions for minimum and medium security, the limited use of discretionary overrides, and current population breakdowns showing most classified in medium security, with smaller shares in maximum and lower security. UMass Chan presented preliminary findings from a NIJ-funded study using historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, primarily on male reclassification cases. They said the scored custody level predicted institutional misconduct well, with stronger separation among minimum, medium, and maximum groups. They also said predictive accuracy declined after applying override-informed custody levels, and that the decline appeared to be driven mainly by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. The researchers noted that violent misconduct in the sample was relatively rare and that the study was based on group-level statistics, not individual cases. Commission members and guests raised concerns about whether the data captured the effects of facility conditions, historical bias, step-down and step-up decisions, and the role of civil commitment restrictions, especially Code C. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study did not show evidence that discretionary overrides reduced accuracy, that the non-discretionary restrictions were the main factor affecting results, and that Massachusetts’ system should not be directly compared with other states because of differences in facility structure and population. The commission asked members to send follow-up data questions to staff for transmission to DOC and the researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• SUBMIT TO OUR FEDERAL CMS ANNUALLY AND DOES INCLUDE SCREENING AND PARTICIPATION RATIOS FOR CHILD VISITS
• SO THIS FIRST MEASURES THE PERCENTAGE OF DELIVERIES THAT RECEIVED PRENATAL CARE VISIT ON OR BEFORE THE
• THE THIRD MEASURE MEASURES THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WHO RECEIVED SIX OR MORE CHILD VISITS IN THEIR
• MEMBERS TO COMPLETE HEALTHY BEHAVIOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS STOPPING TOBACCO USE, ATTENDING PRENATAL VISITS
• HOW WE ARE IMPACTING THE OUTCOMES OR FOR PRENATAL CARE AND CHILDCARE VISITS.

Transcript Highlights:

• So one of the things that we have done is there have been visits to each of the House of Correction.
• you know, to include the remaining Department of Correction facilities that we’ve not visited.
• We’ve visited all of the county corrections facilities.
• We’ve visited some of the DOC facilities, but I think we’d be well advised to finish that process.
• Well, for me, I think you touched on the visits. I think the visits make sense in the fall.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on June 15 with co-chairs Senator Will Brownsberger and Representative Dan Hunt. After deciding not to approve prior meeting summary notes at this session, the commission heard testimony from the Massachusetts Parole Officers Association (Brian Lucier and Shauna Hawksley). They described parole officers’ work in both institutions and the community, including housing, mental health, substance use, employment, education, and benefits referrals, and argued that parole officers often know local service providers best. They also said the former reentry navigator positions were lost in 2025 and that regional reentry centers used in the past helped reduce duplication and improve information sharing; they urged more funding, staffing, and training, and said parole should be better integrated with MPTC/POST training and with community-based reentry resources. Commission members asked about the relationship between parole and Community Justice Support Centers, training and arrest authority, revocation practices, and coordination with sheriffs and the Department of Correction. The witnesses said CJSC access is limited by location, transportation, and scheduling, while parole’s older reentry centers were referral-based and did not require regular attendance. They also said parole officers are special state police officers with arrest authority, receive a parole-specific academy plus firearms/defensive tactics/first responder training, and would benefit from more formal reentry training. On revocations, they said they lacked data but believed parole now returns fewer people for mental health or first-time substance use issues and focuses more on public safety threats. They also said collaboration with sheriffs and DOC reentry staff is generally good but still suffers from duplicative referrals and last-minute changes that can undo work done inside facilities. After testimony, the commission discussed next steps, including extending its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30 through the pending budget, finishing remaining DOC facility visits in the fall, and holding additional meetings on mental health and other unresolved issues. Members also discussed whether to seek more input from the judiciary and district attorneys, with agreement to continue outreach and document responses. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, and the commission indicated it would reconvene in the fall.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, last year we saw about 9 million visits to food shelves statewide.
• That is 2 and a half times the visit numbers that we were seeing in 2020.
• </c><00:00:20.400><c> to</c><00:00:20.720><c> food</c> saw about 9 million visits to food saw about 9
• million visits to food shelves<00:00:21.439><c> statewide.
• that we were times the visit numbers that we were seeing<00:00:28.160><c> uh</c><00:00:28.400><c> in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, this is the removal of physician visit limits.
• So currently, we have a hard limit of four visits a month and two visits a month in nursing facilities
• We want someone who's at a nursing facility to have access to doctors and not be capped at two visits
• reasons that I had heard for this little change also is to take and that the cost of the physician visits
• will actually end up reducing the cost to the agency overall because it should reduce emergency room visits

Bills: SJR50, SJR51, SJR52, SJR53, SJR54, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1094, HJR1095, SJR49

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for accepting our invitations to visit our various courts across the state.
• Since I last addressed you, we have been pleased to facilitate the visits of at least 15 senators and
• 22 assembly members who have visited 15 local trial courts.
• Some of you have visited more than once, some of you in more than one jurisdiction in your district,
• and some of you have worked directly with your local courts to schedule these visits.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for accepting our invitations to visit our various courts across the state.
• Since I last addressed you, we have been pleased to facilitate the visits of at least 15 senators and
• 22 assembly members who have visited 15 local trial courts.
• and some of you have worked directly with your local courts to schedule these visits.
• We hope that through these visits, you can see what I know to be true.

Summary: The Legislature convened in joint convention for the 2026 State of the Judiciary, escorting Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the Associate Justices to the rostrum and recognizing statewide constitutional officers in attendance. Legislative leaders welcomed the court and framed the address around the importance of judicial independence, equal justice, and the judiciary’s role in California’s democracy. Chief Justice Guerrero reported on several major judicial branch priorities. She emphasized rising threats to judges and court security, the need to extend authority for remote proceedings beyond its current sunset, and the ongoing implementation of the CARE Act in all 58 counties, including data on petitions, agreements, and plans. She also discussed trial court funding and persistent judgeship shortages, especially in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where congested calendars have led to case dismissals and heavy use of temporary assigned judges. The Chief Justice also addressed the judiciary’s response to artificial intelligence, including guidance on generative AI, deepfakes, and evidence issues, as well as concerns about federal immigration enforcement at courthouses and its effect on access to justice. She reviewed corrective actions after the February 2025 bar exam problems, including scoring adjustments, a return to in-person testing, and rule changes for attorney admissions. She closed by noting judicial salary concerns, the 100th anniversary of the Judicial Council, and the need for continued collaboration with the Governor and Legislature. No votes were taken. The joint convention ordered the State of the Judiciary address printed in the Journal as a separate appendix and then adjourned, with an invitation extended to a reception with the Chief Justice later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for accepting our invitations to visit our various courts across the state.
• Since I last addressed you, we have been pleased to facilitate the visits of at least 15 senators and
• 22 assembly members who have visited 15 local trial courts.
• and some of you have worked directly with your local courts to schedule these visits.
• We hope that through these visits, you can see what I know to be true.

Summary: The Legislature recessed into a joint convention for the 2026 State of the Judiciary, escorted the California Supreme Court justices to the rostrum, and heard remarks from legislative leaders and Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The speakers emphasized judicial independence, the rule of law, and the importance of the courts as a co-equal branch of government. The Chief Justice framed her address as a calm report on the judiciary’s work and major challenges, while thanking legislative and executive partners for collaboration. Chief Justice Guerrero highlighted several policy and operational issues facing the courts. She urged continued support for remote proceedings, noting more than 6 million remote hearings since 2022 and strong user satisfaction, and discussed the CARE Act’s statewide implementation, including petition and agreement numbers and the recent expansion to cover certain bipolar disorders. She also raised concerns about judicial security and privacy, threats and negative rhetoric toward judges, courthouse access issues tied to federal immigration enforcement, and the need for more judgeships and funding in high-need counties such as Riverside and San Bernardino. She also discussed the judiciary’s response to artificial intelligence, including guidance on generative AI, deepfakes, and evidence admissibility, and reported corrective actions after the troubled February 2025 bar exam, including scoring adjustments, expanded provisional licensing, and a return to in-person testing. Additional points included proposed ongoing funding for trial courts, long-standing judicial salary disparities, and the Judicial Council’s 100th anniversary. No votes were taken; the joint convention concluded with the address ordered printed in the Journal and an invitation to a reception for members and guests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alan Hodges: Since that original study was published, overall visitation has gradually declined in the
• of the Rodman Reservoir, which simulate restored river conditions, produced clear increases in visitation
• Drawing on survey data and visitation patterns during drawdowns, we conservatively estimate there would
• Some of this growth would come from renewed access to the lost springs and some would come from visitation
• We projected that visitation increased after restoration would generate about $20 million annually in

Transcript Highlights:

• Child custody and visitation decisions are among the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to
• Right now, parties can include binding arbitration clauses in custody or visitation agreements.
• First, arbitration of child custody and visitation—the statute amends and reenacts R.S. 9:4216—to state
• clearly and unambiguously that arbitration of child custody or visitation is against public policy of
• It focuses solely on child custody and visitation, which is exactly where the state's responsibility

Summary: The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure met and reported a series of measures, many of them asking the Louisiana State Law Institute to study legal issues. HCR 31 was reported favorably to study the use of the term “foreign” as applied to juridical persons. HCR 61 was reported favorably after discussion about expropriation and carbon capture, with the author agreeing to broaden the study beyond carbon capture alone. HCR 96 was also reported favorably to study civil bench warrants and notice procedures in judgment debtor proceedings. The committee likewise advanced HCR 160, which asks the Law Institute to study property transfer issues and the public records doctrine in light of a recent case. Several bills dealing with court procedure and family law were heard and advanced. SB 68, a constitutional amendment to give the Louisiana Supreme Court authority to discipline out-of-state attorneys in certain circumstances, was amended and reported favorably. SB 76, concerning modification of child custody judgments, was reported with amendments after testimony that it would codify existing standards and add a five-year rule for applying the lower best-interest standard. HB 1198, which prohibits arbitration of child custody and visitation disputes and limits recognition of foreign custody laws contrary to Louisiana public policy, was reported favorably. SB 66, which prioritizes testimony from medical experts in child custody and child-in-need-of-care cases, was also reported favorably after testimony from advocates and medical groups. The committee also advanced measures involving civil litigation and state legal procedures. HCR 38, urging Congress to reform FISA and the FISA court to protect privacy rights, was reported favorably. SCR 19, asking the Law Institute to study long-duration trusts and possible revisions to the Trust Code, was reported favorably. SB 336, allowing civil investigative demands in Medicaid fraud/False Claims Act investigations, was reported favorably after explanation that it would let the Attorney General gather information without filing suit first. SB 139, adjusting interest on personal injury and wrongful death claims against the state or political subdivisions, was reported favorably. Finally, SB 475, dealing with fees for service of process, was reported favorably. HB 668 was voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past weekend, a dear friend came to visit us.
• So, thank you for that respect, because a few of them, this is their first time visiting the Capitol.
• Now, a few of them have not visited the Capitol, and I'm going to ask my colleagues to help be A few
• He was born in the NICU, and they called my mother because nobody would come to visit him.
• And so she would visit with Evan. His name was Dennis at birth.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a largely ceremonial and procedural floor session. Speaker Revis delivered remarks condemning the sexual abuse allegations involving Cesar Chavez and said he would work with Senate leadership on legislation to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Worker Day. The body also handled several procedural motions, including re-referrals of bills to committees and guest introductions for visiting students, advocacy groups, and university representatives. The main substantive actions were on a series of resolutions. H.R. 83, recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, drew extensive personal testimony from Assemblymembers about family members and constituents with disabilities, the need for inclusion, and the importance of state funding and direct support services; it was adopted by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added. ACR 154, recognizing California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and Day, was similarly supported with personal stories about family members with Down syndrome and the need for continued awareness and services; it was adopted after 67 co-authors were added. ACR 148, designating Family Physician Week, highlighted the shortage of primary care doctors and the importance of investment in family medicine; it was adopted after 60 co-authors were added. ACR 156, recognizing National Day of Play, emphasized social connection, reduced screen time, and community engagement; it also passed with 60 co-authors added. The Assembly also adopted the consent calendar, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 125 related to Ramadan, by a 60-0 vote. Later, members gave an adjournment in memory for Raymond Martin Melgoza, a union laborer and community member from the Central Valley. The session ended with announcements about the schedule, including no floor session on March 20 and a mandatory joint convention on March 23 for the State of the Judiciary address, followed by adjournment until March 23 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , ER visits, and medical costs.
• ,</c><01:15:11.840><c> ER</c><01:15:12.239><c> visits,</c> reducing impatient visits, ER visits, reducing
• impatient visits, ER visits, and<01:15:12.800><c> medical</c><01:15:13.120><c> costs.
• </c> by extension fewer and less NICU visits. by extension fewer and less NICU visits.
• </c> youth um, have had wellchild visits youth um, have had wellchild visits annually.<01:57:29.360><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• My mom and my dad, and then my two aunts who came in from Austin, Texas, to visit today.
• Maybe I got to visit with you and encourage you when you were down.
• I urge you to visit with the Speaker, visit with Nick Archer, and see about getting appointed to the
• I urge you to visit with the Speaker, visit with Nick Archer, and see about getting appointed to the
• To visit with you in your office or to ask you a question on the floor.

Bills: HR1052, SB2184, SB171

Keywords: 4-H, youth development, community service, education, volunteering, Oklahoma, statutory revision, consolidation, law amendment, emergency legislation, legal clarity, SB171, state government, Capitol security, peace officer commission, legislative security, Department of Public Safety, Commissioner of Public Safety, President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and members proceeded through prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine floor business. The chamber recognized a number of guests and groups, including family members of members, Horizon Bankers from the Oklahoma Community Bankers Association, the Edmond Democratic Women’s Group, the Red Oak basketball team, the Union wrestling teams, the Doctor of the Day, and a Peruvian consul general and guest commemorating U.S.-Peru diplomatic relations. The House also announced Earth Day-related activities and 4-H Day at the Capitol. A major focus of the day was 4-H. House Resolution 1052 was presented and adopted without objection, proclaiming April 22, 2026, as the 27th annual Oklahoma 4-H Day at the Capitol. Two 4-H members, Cian Tarafet and Kate Sherrill, addressed the chamber about the program’s impact on leadership, citizenship, workforce readiness, and community engagement. Members and program leaders also recognized the contributions of extension agents, land-grant universities, and 4-H participants across the state. The House also held several special presentations honoring student achievements and public service. Kane Lee of Sand Springs was cited for calling 911 and helping calm students during a school bus medical emergency. The Red Oak basketball team and the Ponca City High Steppers were recognized for state and national championships, and the Union girls wrestling program was honored for multiple state titles. Representative Ken LaTrell delivered a farewell address reflecting on his legislative service, veterans’ issues, tribal policy, energy work, and family, with members offering remarks in response. No substantive legislation beyond the 4-H resolution was debated in the transcript, and the only formal action recorded was unanimous adoption of H.R. 1052. The House then adjourned until Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• safe space where not only infants, children, teens, and elderly could be able to thrive there and visit
• But I visited one in Hillsboro that's tied to a hospital, and it's phenomenal to see that they're doing
• In terms of K through 12, typically teachers are getting tour slips in order for youth to come visit
• Typically, teachers are getting tour slips in order for youth to come visit the farm.
• I said, let's go visit farms. Let's see what you actually like.

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously recommended confirmation of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. It then took up SPB 7020, a Department of Agriculture bill to reenact an expiring public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the department. The department supported the measure, and the committee adopted a motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, which would create a Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Bernard explained that the program would target campuses with high percentages of Pell-eligible students, require a survey and SNAP-related assistance, provide at least one food pantry on participating campuses, and direct a report to the Governor and House Speaker by December 1, 2028. A supporter waived in, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors from the St. Pete Youth Farm. They described the farm as a youth-led response to local food access problems after grocery store closures, and outlined programs in leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness, composting, aquaponics, community education, and food production. Members praised the program and asked about expansion, including a culinary kitchen or food truck, partnerships with schools and colleges, and how the initiative began. Bristol said the farm is funded mainly through local redevelopment dollars and that future plans include a food truck, more youth opportunities, and a possible culinary kitchen. The committee concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:04.000><c> and</c><00:32:04.640><c> uh</c> visits and uh visits and uh this<00:32:05.720><c> in
• </c><00:47:15.800><c> and</c><00:47:16.720><c> um</c> the annual visits and um the annual visits and
• And I like you mentioned the unannounced visits.
• That's mentioned the unannounced visits.
• I think we can move forward in a visits.

Bills: HF4525, HF3002, HF3665, HF4420

Keywords: human services, background studies, NETStudy 2.0, licensing, license suspension, license revocation, provider enrollment, program integrity, fraud, medical assistance fraud, Medicaid, payment withholding, credible allegation of fraud, background check, disqualification, variance, set-aside, foster care, family foster setting, adult foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> one issue during a particular visit. one issue during a particular visit.
• We can only talk about previous visit.
• Let's say a patient goes in for their annual wellness visit.
• Who wants to come back for two visits if you can take care of the same issue in one visit?
• So I um I same issue in in one visit?

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:20 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:13:13 - Discussion of 26RS SB 201 00:27:45 - Discussion of 26RS HB 583 00:46:37 - Discussion of 26RS HB 488 00:48:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 2 01:14:34 - Discussion of Kentucky State Plan Amendment (SPA) 26:0001: School-based Medicaid Services Program 01:18:24 - Public Comment, 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board met on March 9 with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. The chair reordered the agenda to hear House Bill 689 first. Representative Amy Neighbors presented HB 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek CMS approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning January 1, 2026, with retroactive payments for that year. She said the bill is intended to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas, support workforce retention, and generate about $29 million annually in federal Medicaid funds without using general fund dollars. Representatives from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare testified in support, describing staffing and subsidy pressures, lower Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, and the importance of the program for maintaining access and quality in rural and safety-net settings. Committee members noted the bill had already passed the House Health Services Committee unanimously and discussed broader concerns about Kentucky’s low reimbursement rates and the need to consider other systems not covered by the proposal. The board then heard Senate Bill 2011 from Senator Donald Douglas and Cody Hunt of the Kentucky Medical Association. The bill would address a Medicaid coding issue by ensuring that coverage limits do not reduce payment to fewer than two evaluation and management service units per provider, per patient, per day. Douglas argued the current one-visit, one-issue limitation forces multiple visits, increases no-shows, and prevents providers from treating the whole patient. Hunt explained that the bill is meant to correct a longstanding regulation that limited E&M services to one per physician per recipient per date of service, which can prevent providers from coding additional medically necessary work during the same visit. He said DMS has already filed a regulatory amendment to fix the problem, but a statutory change is still needed to prevent the issue from returning. He also said the bill is not intended to change reimbursement policy, only coding rules, and that MCO payment practices vary. Members generally supported the concept. Senator Berg asked about fiscal impact and private-payer billing; Hunt said there should be no fiscal impact because the bill does not change payment policy, only coding. Representative Moore said the proposal could reduce costs and improve convenience by avoiding extra visits. Chairman Meredith said the bill illustrated problems with fee-for-service care and supported moving toward a more holistic delivery model. Dr. Schuster raised a drafting concern about the bill summary language, and Hunt responded that the regulatory amendment should address the issue generally for providers. No votes were taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single one of those visits is fulfilling a sacred promise that the government has made to show
• And we visited Cox Farms for their delicious cider donuts.
• I visit some of the afflicted areas, including Paradise, California, where the devastating Camp Fire
• I visit some of the afflicted life.
• I visit some of the afflicted areas,<01:19:30.000><c> including</c><01:19:30.400><c> Paradise,</c><01

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I myself have personally visited many rural communities, hospitals, and providers in the last year
• They have more health care visits. They receive early screenings for health conditions.
• By 2021, home visiting and peer support were bringing services directly into family homes.
• , which is often the last time that you have a visit that's specifically focused on the pregnant person
• I think I would like to add, too, just advocating for home visiting and the opportunity to kind of get

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee met on July 30, 2026, to hear two main briefings. The first, from the Health Care Authority, focused on implementation of federal H.R. 1 Medicaid changes and Washington’s rural health transformation funding. HCA said the state is preparing for major eligibility changes, including the October 1 loss of Medicaid coverage for about 14,000 lawfully present non-citizens and January 1, 2027 work requirements, six-month renewals, and reduced retroactive coverage for roughly 600,000 Medicaid expansion adults. Officials described outreach efforts, new automated verification systems, a verification hub, and plans to use available data sources to reduce manual paperwork, while noting that about one-third of the affected population may still need manual processing. They also said H.R. 1 will limit state-directed payments over time, with an estimated long-term impact of up to $1.5 billion in hospital reimbursements. On rural health transformation, HCA said it is moving quickly to obligate its $181 million federal award through contracts and competitive grants for rural hospitals, workforce, behavioral health, technology, and tribal and community partners. Committee members asked about the impact on rural providers, community service as a work-requirement pathway, emergency Medicaid, tribal and federal reimbursement issues, and whether the state would submit comments on the federal work-requirement rule. HCA said it would file comments, that emergency Medicaid coverage for certain services remains available, and that it is working with tribes and other agencies to avoid erroneous terminations and to move eligible people into other coverage where possible. Members also raised concerns about the administrative burden on families and providers and the need for congressional attention on issues such as TRICARE reimbursement. The second briefing addressed maternal health and the Department of Health’s Maternal Mortality Review Panel report. DOH said maternal mortality in Washington increased for the first time in the report series, but most pregnancy-related deaths remain preventable. Nearly half were linked to behavioral health conditions, especially overdose deaths, with suicide, cardiovascular disease, and COVID-19 also significant causes; most deaths occurred postpartum rather than during delivery. The report found higher mortality rates among American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, multiracial, rural, and Medicaid-covered populations, and identified lack of access to care, financial hardship, housing instability, discrimination, bias, and systemic inequities as major contributors. DOH highlighted existing state actions such as one-year postpartum coverage, doula reimbursement, inpatient substance use treatment coverage for birthing people, and vaccine coverage requirements, and offered 12 legislative recommendations focused on affordable and high-quality care, basic needs and community supports, and equitable, culturally responsive services. Presenters from the Suquamish Tribe and Kitsap OBGYN described how the tribe acquired and stabilized a threatened OB-GYN practice to preserve regional access amid provider shortages and hospital service losses. They said rural obstetric care is difficult to sustain because of thin margins, workforce shortages, long travel distances, and higher-risk patients, and emphasized that tribal health systems can offer stronger reimbursement and integrated family-centered care. The Foundation for Healthcare Quality and the Bree Collaborative then outlined statewide maternity-care quality efforts, including work on perinatal behavioral health, care coordination, postpartum screening, doula support, and better-aligned payment models. They said Washington has strengths in innovation but still needs more OB-GYN capacity, better transitions of care, and more culturally responsive, trauma-informed maternal and Native health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the interim, I had a chance to visit Oklahoma City as part of an NCSL conference, and while I was
• there, I visited their Capitol.
• I like visiting state capitals. And they have an interesting story in Oklahoma City.
• Senator Elias, for coming and visiting us.
• I think this is already an icon that people like to visit.

Bills: SB6313

Keywords: Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, 904, all