Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Gorsak? Here, by video. Senator Starr? Oh, he's excused. Thank you. Senator...
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you. Senator Cleveland, did you have your hand up?

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Berman? Senator Calatayud? Here. Senator Davis? Senator Gaetz? Senator Leek?
• Senator… Senator Passidomo, Senator Trumbull, Senator Harrell, Chair Burton.
• The biggest part, though, and we've talked to the senator's staff and senator about this issue, and that
• Following further discussion by the health law section of the Florida Bar and Senate professional staff
• Senator Rodriguez, if you'd like, Kelly, who's our staff member who's up here working on the bill with

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably. The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternating Chair Senator Bradley: Here. Senators Arrington is excused. Burgess...
• Chair, Senator Bradley. Senators Arrington is excused. Burgess is excused. I'm sorry.
• They're so small that staff jumps in there at great personal time and expense of commission staff, and
• This was something that was provided... ...staff, as in a hearing.
• Okay, yeah, thank you, Senator. And, okay, members, that concludes... Thank you, Senator.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met to receive an overview from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of his office. He described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate and service cases, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters, storm cost recovery, fuel clauses, storm protection plans, and specialized dockets. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service-hearing testimony to challenge unsupported utility costs and seek “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable” outcomes for customers. Trierweiler highlighted several current issues, including affordability, data centers, and the growing use of AI in reviewing large utility filings. He said the office has begun using affordability experts and data center witnesses, and that data center-related utility proposals raise concerns about energy demand, water use, and community impacts. He also expressed caution about AI and machine learning because of confidential utility information, while acknowledging that utilities, regulators, and his office are increasingly using such tools. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how profit is evaluated in rate cases, the role of settlement agreements, and whether the office is considering water consumption impacts from data centers. Trierweiler said customer feedback largely comes in through hearings, correspondence, and direct calls rather than office-led canvassing, and that his office seeks to limit imprudent costs while allowing utilities a fair return. He also explained that the office may file motions for reconsideration and appeals after PSC orders, and that it sometimes submits alternative settlement proposals even when approval is unlikely, to present a different option for the commission’s consideration. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So another complication in my discipline is that we have very few support staff, administrative staff
• We had one administrative staff member who was a volunteer at the time.
• We're training staff... ...we're training staff, we're having policies; those things are not occurring
• What I hear even from staff, as you guys talk about the past.
• Senator Connerly moves we rise. Without objection, we are adjourned.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 8, 2025, and first took up several local bills that were presented briefly and then approved without public opposition. HB 4035 would merge the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District and the Lee County Mosquito Control District, contingent on approval by voters in both districts at the 2026 election; it passed 15-0. HB 307 would extend to county property appraisers the same authority tax collectors already have to use salary savings for employee bonuses or incentives, and it passed 17-0 after testimony from property appraisers and their associations in support. HB 4047 and HB 4049 would adjust assessment caps for the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District and the North St. Lucie River Water Control District, respectively, with inflation indexing, annual increase limits, and referendum approval requirements; both passed unanimously. The committee also adopted an amendment to the committee substitute for HB 1169, a broader water management district bill covering quorum and meeting rules, lobbying restrictions, ad valorem taxing authority for certain capital projects by referendum, budget reporting, bidding preferences, and additional oversight and funding information; the amended bill passed 16-0 and was reported favorably with committee substitute. The final and most heavily debated item was HB 4079, which would dissolve the Town of White Springs and return it to unincorporated Hamilton County. The sponsor argued the town had a pattern of mismanagement, including financial problems, audit findings, canceled elections, and public safety concerns, and said dissolution would lower taxes and preserve services through the county. Committee members asked about the town’s finances, audits, law enforcement, fire protection, debt, and whether the county could absorb services and liabilities. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters of dissolution cited audit findings, alleged illegal gambling operations, double taxation for law enforcement, high administrative costs, and intimidation at meetings. Opponents, including current and former town officials and residents, said the town had made progress, had corrected audit issues, maintained reserves, and was working to restore services and governance; they asked for more time and pointed to an upcoming election. No vote was taken on HB 4079 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is really complex and requires a large number of Senate counsel staff, fiscal analysts, and
• And also I want to thank my staff and all of those in the Senate DFL staff who have helped out with this
• And also I want to thank my staff and all of those in the Senate DFL staff who have helped out with this
• And also I want to thank my staff and all of those in the Senate DFL staff who have helped out with this
• And also I want to thank my staff and all of those in the Senate DFL staff who have helped out with this

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm chair of the Senate I'm Eric.
• <00:01:51.759><c> Military</c><00:01:52.000><c> and</c> the Senate Committee on Military and the Senate
• Tom Watson, Senate Counsel. And Andrew Ericson, Senate Fiscal Analysis.
• Uh, and that's Senator Gustafson and Senator Anderson.
• staff right now.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Bzel.
• Thank you, Senator.
• <c> Gilmore</c><01:59:58.880><c> I</c> Senator oh Senator P Peggy Gilmore I Senator oh Senator P Peggy
• Senator Rochford, you have been here in the House, but Senator Long, you're new to this.
• Pearl Senator Pearl good afternoon Pearl Senator Pearl good afternoon Senator<04:05:59.319><c> Pearl<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, please explain the bill. Mr.
• Staff, please explain. Mr.
• It originated in the Senate.
• Last year, very similar language was sponsored by Senator Gowan and Senate Bill 1151.
• Staff, is that not correct?

Bills: HB2424 , HB2608 , HB2775 , HB2805 , HB2908

Committees: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections , House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Keywords: Arizona political parties, precinct committeeman, precinct committeemen, proxy voting, party bylaws, county committee, state committee, qualified elector, election administration, political party rules, precinct representation, adjoining precinct, county party meeting, proxy attestation, notary public, witnesses, transitional housing, military veterans, grant program, housing services

Transcript Highlights:

• Yenna Baker, staff to the committee.
• Matt Sterling, again, staff to the committee.
• All right, with that, staff will call the vote. Staff will announce the vote.
• That staff will announce the vote.
• That staff will announce the vote.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee met on February 4th and took executive action on five bills. Staff summarized House Bill 2255 on litigation finance, House Bill 2354 on Waukiawa and small common interest communities, House Bill 2595 on extending the time to bring post-conviction collateral attacks, House Bill 2320 on restricting certain 3D-printed and CNC-manufactured firearms and related code, and House Bill 2597 on civil remedies for constitutional violations during immigration enforcement. Members discussed each bill’s purpose and, in several cases, the committee heard support for transparency, reduced regulation for smaller communities, expanded access to justice, public safety concerns about untraceable firearms, and the need for remedies when constitutional rights are violated. The committee adopted an amendment to the proposed substitute for House Bill 2320, removing rebuttable presumption language related to intent to unlawfully distribute digital firearm manufacturing code or manufacture a firearm. Members also discussed the substitute versions of House Bills 2354 and 2597, which narrowed or clarified the original bills in various ways, including changes to audit thresholds, immunity language, attorney fee provisions, and the statute of limitations. No amendments were offered to House Bills 2255, 2354, or 2595. All four bills that reached final action were reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation: House Bill 2255 passed 12-1, House Bill 2354 passed 13-0, House Bill 2595 passed 8-5, House Bill 2320 passed 8-5 after the amendment was adopted, and House Bill 2597 passed 8-5. The chair then adjourned the meeting and thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Edwards, Senator Oliveira, Senator Mark, Senator Brady, Senator Cronin, Senator Duffy, Senator Rush,
• We were joined by two other senators, Senator Payano and Senator Fattman.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Brady. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Duna. Hi, Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator Duna. Hi, Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 44 is a bill that you have seen in this committee before.
• Senate 1400 is another IC recommendation.
• Staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Staff, please open the queue. I'm sorry. Do we have a motion?
• Having a second, staff, please open the queue for a vote.

Bills: SB44 , SB134 , SB1378 , SB1400 , SB1403 , SB1832 , SB2018 , SB2143

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, Olympics, funding, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, local businesses, revolving fund, event hosting, sales tax, tax exemption, tax refund, Oklahoma Sales Tax Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to this morning's joint convening of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and the Senate
• Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• Before we begin with today's sunset review agenda, I will turn it over to Senator Ashby for any remarks
• Thank you, Senator Ashby. Thank you for the question.
• And for that, we're extremely grateful to these committees and to the board and its staff.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate business committees held a sunset review hearing on the California State Board of Pharmacy, with board leadership describing the board’s consumer-protection role and its priorities around access, enforcement, and updating pharmacy law. The board emphasized a proposed shift toward a standard-of-care model for pharmacists, arguing it would reduce rigid protocol requirements and improve access to services such as HIV PrEP/PEP, contraception, and naloxone. Board representatives also discussed pharmacy deserts, possible fee waivers for pharmacies in underserved areas, concerns about payer practices contributing to closures, continuing education audits, and a request to restore more flexibility in licensure decisions and probationary monitoring for applicants with certain criminal histories. A major focus of the hearing was the board’s ongoing compounding regulations, especially the treatment of sterile versus nonsterile compounding and substances such as glutathione and methylcobalamin. The board said the proposal was not a ban on those substances and described the rulemaking as grounded in federal law, USP standards, and public comment, noting the process had gone through multiple modified texts and hearings. Testimony from stakeholders was sharply divided: pharmacists, veterinarians, firefighters, naturopathic doctors, and patient advocates warned the rules were restricting access to compounded medications and harming patients and first responders, while the California Medical Association, psychiatric physicians, and PhRMA raised concerns that the board’s proposals could expand pharmacist authority beyond training, affect physician practice, or create safety risks. Other public comments addressed pharmacy technician ratios, remote processing, flavoring medications, hospital-specific regulation, budget and enforcement transparency, and whether the board should add members with community compounding or pharmacy technician expertise. Committee members also asked about the board’s oversight priorities and the rationale for its standard-of-care proposal. Board staff explained that consumer protection includes education, licensing, policy, and enforcement, with the highest-priority enforcement cases being those posing imminent public harm. After public testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and adjourned the sunset review hearing, announcing an immediate transition to the joint informational hearing on the Department of Cannabis Control.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hoping Senator Campos is able to add to it in the Senate. I know he's working on that.
• We’ll be taking that up, but after the Senate still has to act on their Senate floor, so we’ll be taking
• That person is also in charge of hiring any staff, or to provide staff, rather, for the commission.
• Line 2 provides staff for the commission.
• Line two provides staff for the commission.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 97, which would appropriate funding to the Department of Health for updated shaken baby syndrome, now called abusive head trauma, prevention training and educational materials, including baby models used in demonstrations. Testimony from the sponsor and the New Mexico Injury and Violence Prevention Coalition supported the bill and emphasized that the materials had not been updated since 2016. Members noted the budget already included about $167,000 for this purpose, and the bill was tabled without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 280, creating a Youth Internship Pilot Project to support paid internships for youth as a workforce development tool. Supporters from New Mexico Voices for Children said the bill would provide mentorship and relevant work-based learning, while members questioned what occupations would qualify, whether the program would focus on trades and high-demand jobs, and how schools, employers, and Workforce Solutions would participate. The bill was tabled, with Representatives Duncan and Pettigrew recorded in opposition. The main item of the meeting was House Bill 151, as substituted by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. The bill would create a compensation fund and commission for survivors of childhood sexual abuse involving public entities, while also allowing a three-year lookback window for claims and preserving private civil claims for private entities. The sponsor explained that the substitute removed a forward-looking statute-of-limitations change, set a $700,000 cap tied to the Tort Claims Act, used an administrative eligibility process with a "more likely than not" standard, and included reporting, confidentiality, and referral provisions. Supporters described the measure as a survivor-centered way to provide compensation while limiting state exposure, but members raised concerns about attorney fees, fund solvency, private versus public liability, rural impacts, and whether the state should pay for claims involving public institutions. After public testimony in support, the committee adopted the substitute but then voted on the bill itself and ended in an 8-8 tie, so the measure remained in committee and was not advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Senators.
• Chair and Senators.
• Good afternoon, Senators and staff. My name is Lisblum Guterres.
• Thank you, Senator. I want to thank the committee staff for their work on the bill.
• Thank you, staff. With that, the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety is now adjourned.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Shamp? Senator Sonderation? No. Senator Dunn? Aye. Senator Schell? Aye.
• Senator Shamp? Senator Sonderation? No. Senator Dunn? Aye. Senator Schell? Aye.
• Senator John? Aye. Senator John? No. Senator Shannon? No. Senator Senator Sermination? No.
• Senator Galba-Bone. No. Senator Gallen? Senator Hattel? No. Senator Hattley? No. Senator Schamp?
• Senator Gallon: No. Senator Shamp: Aye. Senator No: Senator John: No. Senator John: No.

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2787, which would bar the state and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce or cooperate with the federal Mexican wolf reintroduction program, while exempting the Livestock Loss Board’s livestock loss program. Sierra Club and animal welfare advocates opposed the bill as harmful to wolf recovery and unnecessary given the livestock loss reimbursement data. The committee approved HB 2787 on a 4-3 vote. Members then considered House Bill 255, which would create a Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund and authorize the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to administer projects using long-term water augmentation funds. Opponents argued brackish groundwater is still groundwater and pumping it could cause localized impacts and land subsidence, while supporters framed it as a water-supply solution. The bill failed on a 2-4 vote. The committee next advanced House Bill 2782, requiring disclosure rules for regulatory assets included in utility rates, and House Bill 2781, which would impose financial assurance, insurance, decommissioning, and site-restoration requirements on solar energy power plants. HB 2781 drew stakeholder testimony from solar industry, utilities, and local-government interests; an amendment to revise financial assurance and remove a remediation fund was adopted, but the bill itself then failed on a 4-4 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2975, which would suspend State Land Department solar scoring maps and require new mining and housing resource maps, despite opposition that it would reduce transparency and favor certain land uses over solar. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2696, as amended, directing the Arizona Commerce Authority to prioritize fuel and gas price reduction and create a fuel resiliency task force, after debate over whether the bill should focus more broadly on energy resilience and whether the ACA was the right agency. The committee also passed HCM 2009, urging Congress to streamline mining access, compensate states for subsurface mineral rights, and require legislative approval for new national monuments, and HB 2889, which would fund ADEQ monitoring of uranium contamination and create a statewide registry and tribal-partnered monitoring program. Finally, the committee heard HB 2763, which would require a legislative joint resolution before the Game and Fish Commission could close a shooting range; Game and Fish said it would add another step to the closure process and mainly affect the Ben Avery facility, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 932 by Senator Hurtado, relating to civil proceedings.
• Senate Bill 1154 by Senator Reyes, relating to public contracts.
• I rise to present Senate Bill 925 on behalf of Senator McNerney.
• The clerk will read: Senate Bill 296 by Senator Arceletta.
• The Senate Bill 479 by Senator Adiqeen and act later homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• here, the Chief Sergeant-at-Arms and their staff, and that it funds the staff that supports you every
• Senate File 856 be recalled.
• The bill in the Senate was authored by Senators Gustafson, Draheim, Cruen, Putnam, and Latz.
• In the Senate.
• So, Senate File 856, as passed, was 60-7. In the Senate, it was generally agreed to by parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair, members, staff.
• Senator Addis, item 3, AB 1159. Senator Addis, item 3, AB 1159.
• Senator Merzerberg. I'll make my run.
• Senator Johnson, thank you. I want to thank the author.
• Senator Bauer-Kahan, thank you.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been moved and seconded that Senate Bill 6046... Recommendation.
• And with that, staff will announce the vote. Staff will announce the vote.
• And so if staff will bring up the roll call, please.
• With your vote, Substitute Senate Bill 6149 is reported...
• It has been moved and seconded that Substitute Senate Bill 6289 be...

Bills: SB6046

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the staff attorney for Kentucky's rape crisis centers.
• > Department</c> just so that our emergency um Department just so that our emergency um Department staff
• have the information that they staff have the information that they need<00:05:04.400><c> that's</c>
• </c><00:19:53.440><c> health</c> came back before the Senate health came back before the Senate health
• Bill 65 situation where uh some a Senate Bill 65 situation where uh some of<00:20:05.720><c> the</c>

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 219, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Raymer. The bill requires emergency services to provide mandatory training for emergency medical staff on sexual assault emergency response requirements, with the training developed in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Team advisory committee. Testimony from Jenna Cassidy of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and WN Stevens of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky explained that the training would help emergency department staff properly respond to sexual assault patients, preserve evidence, and connect patients to needed resources; the committee also clarified that the bill is training-focused and not a certification requirement. HB 219 received favorable expression and was reported to the House floor. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 20, also from Representative Raymer, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to study gaps in sexual assault nurse examiner coverage, why those gaps exist, and what hospitals do when no SANE nurse is available. Raymer said the study was intended to gather data for future legislation, and members noted the importance of documenting current practices and supporting efforts to expand SANE coverage. The resolution was adopted with 16 favorable votes and recommended for passage on the House floor. Next, the committee took up House Bill 303, sponsored by Representative Steve Bratcher, which creates a pathway for military medical personnel to translate their training into civilian Kentucky credentials through colleges and universities. The committee substitute broadened participation beyond KCTCS to any Kentucky institution with accredited programs, and Bratcher explained that schools would evaluate military experience, award applicable credit, identify gaps, and still require the relevant licensure exam. Members asked about university participation, credentialing standards, and how prior military radiology training would transfer; Bratcher said the program is voluntary for institutions and works with existing SkillBridge and veterans’ programs. HB 303, as amended by committee substitute, passed unanimously and was recommended for passage. At the end of the meeting, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulations. Representative Fleming asked about a behavioral regulation that had previously been found sufficient, and staff indicated it had been deferred, later found deficient again in the Senate Health Services Committee, and may be addressed through Senate Bill 65. The chair then allowed members to record additional votes before adjourning and announced the next Health Services meeting would be February 20 at noon in Room 149.