Video & Transcript Research : 'care improvements'
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TX
Bills:
SB 397, SB 481, SB 596, SB 760, SB 855, SB 1195, SB 1196, SB 1233, SB 1257, SB 1318, SB 1368, SB 1388, SB 1398, SB 1524, SB 1558, SB 1589, SB 1677, SB 1792, SB 2034
Keywords:
data privacy, consumer rights, technology, business regulation, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, nursing facilities, assisted living, resident safety, power outage, voting by mail, legal guardian, electoral process, foster care, medical consent, out-of-network, healthcare access, Medicaid, child protection, expungement
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> hospitals to their homes through care hospitals to their homes through care coordination<00:01:25.439
- and home care nursing coordination and home care nursing services.<00:01:27.840><c> The</c><00:01:28.080
- to take care of a person's need.
- </c> their needs, take care of their needs. their needs, take care of their needs.
- money on improving a facility to<01:20:15.199><c> take</c><01:20:15.360><c> care</c><01:20:15.600><c
Keywords:
pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I just think we need to be very careful with that.
- I just think we need to be very careful with that.
- The requirement for health care providers to determine...
- I had a conversation with my primary care doctor.
- And health care doesn't happen in isolation.
Keywords:
provider disputes, health plan, dispute resolution, Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare regulation, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions, ambulatory surgical centers, patient safety, licensure
Summary:
The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health & Human Development Committee Meeting Jun 18th, 2026
Health & Human Development
Transcript Highlights:
- $47 million in charity care.
- State versus private long-term care facilities are held to a different standard of care.
- care, pay less in co-pays than families who require full-day care.
- income, rather than the 7% for full-day care.”
- Providing quality care for school-age children means opportunities for summer camps and before- and after-care
Keywords:
Delaware Health Fund, healthcare access, preventive care, tobacco settlement, public health initiatives, grant program
Summary:
The House Health and Human Development Committee met and considered a series of health, human services, and related bills. The committee heard and advanced House Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 13, which standardizes hospital charity care and financial assistance statewide, and Senate Bill 296 with Senate Amendment 1, which restructures the Delaware Health Fund grant process with a more formal, transparent competitive rubric. Both measures received supportive testimony from DHSS, the Delaware Healthcare Association, and the Delaware Nurses Association, and both were released by committee on roll-call votes.
The committee also released Senate Bill 313 with Senate Amendment 1, which places a temporary moratorium on acquisitions of nonprofit acute care hospitals by for-profit entities and expands notice/review requirements for sales of hospital real estate; Senate Bill 340 with Senate Amendment 1, which requires long-term care facilities to carry specified liability insurance, with questions raised about the exemption for state-owned facilities; Senate Joint Resolution 20, which directs DHSS to study independent assessment tools for Medicaid home- and community-based services; and Senate Bill 341, which updates Delaware Health Information Network law and formally recognizes DIN as the state’s health data utility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some discussion on constitutional concerns, insurance coverage, and the rationale for the state exemption in SB 340.
Later, the committee advanced Senate Bill 257, which requires new animal shelters to be licensed and inspected before operating and removes a prior exception for certain rescue organizations; and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 278 with House Amendment 1, which allows earlier pre-authorization for summer child care enrollment and lowers copays for half-day care. Public testimony on these measures came from animal welfare advocates, YMCA representatives, and other stakeholders, all largely in support. Each bill was released by committee, with several votes walked for absent members, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , for all of health care.
- to specialty care.
- In the rural areas, getting everything from primary care to specialty care.
- care or through an emergency, they are getting the care that they need at every point.
- Mobile care units reaching patients before they need emergency care.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm seeing unnecessary medical care. You can't call it medical care.
- It can help provide services for attendant care, medical needs, and lifestyle improvements to get through
- I see medical care—chiropractic care—for which there's no indication.
- Lifetime medical care and lifetime care exceed lifetime income.
- The reason is that it relies on past health care expenses to determine future health care.
Bills:
HB4806
Keywords:
civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- you've got a quadriplegic. going to need differing levels of care and different types of care.
- I do, more than I care to.
- Life care planners that are charged with trying to bring up evidence of future medical care.
- You care.
- Care for your patients.
Bills:
HB4806
Keywords:
civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He's known for his compassionate patient-centered approach to care. Dr.
- He completed his internal medicine residency at OU and went on to complete a pulmonary care fellowship
- He has received many honors for excellence in research and clinical care, including a Martin H.
- Research and clinical care, including a Martin H.
Bills:
SB1423, SB1426, SB1502, SB1377, SB1983, SB1466, SB1645, SB1647, SB1847, SB1565, SB1562, SB1329, SB1383, SB1833, SB1555, SB1344, SB1839, SB1280, SB1832, SB2001, SB1405, SB2143, SB1989, SB1393, SB1392, SB1395, SB1400, SB1220, SB1516, SB1239, SB1531, SB1349, SB1221, SB1538, SB1309, SB1434, SB2108, SB2121, SB2171, SB2061, SB2112, SB2138
Keywords:
Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 9th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He's known for his compassionate patient-centered approach to care. Dr.
- Pakistan, completed his internal medicine residencies at OU, and went on to complete a pulmonary critical care
- He has received many honors for excellence in research and clinical care, including the Martin H.
Bills:
SB1423, SB1426, SB1502, SB1377, SB1983, SB1466, SB1645, SB1647, SB1847, SB1565, SB1562, SB1329, SB1383, SB1833, SB1555, SB1344, SB1839, SB1280, SB1832, SB2001, SB1405, SB2143, SB1989, SB1393, SB1392, SB1395, SB1400, SB1220, SB1516, SB1239, SB1531, SB1349, SB1221, SB1538, SB1309, SB1434, SB2108, SB2121, SB2171, SB2061, SB2112, SB2138
Keywords:
Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators
Summary:
The Senate convened, the roll was called, and a quorum was declared. The chamber opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to a series of floor introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Sameed Faruqi, and psychologist of the day, Dr. Jeffrey Martindale, along with several interns and guests on the floor and in the gallery.
A major ceremonial item was the introduction of the Oakdale/Oktaha Lady Tigers fast-pitch softball team, which was recognized for winning the 2025 OSSAA Class 2A state championship. Senator Fricks presented a citation honoring the team’s resilience, sportsmanship, and community pride, and the coach briefly thanked the Senate and described the long-term connection between the players and the school program.
The Senate also recognized the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association in the gallery. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript; the only formal action was a motion adopted to adjourn when the clerk’s desk was clear. Committee announcements noted that HHS would meet at 1:00 and Revenue and Taxation would meet later in the afternoon, and the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 10th at 1:30 p.m.
WY
Keywords:
K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Uh, Representative Riggins, would you care to opine on this bill? >> Yeah.
- </c><00:30:20.080><c> So,</c> taken care of at our high school.
- So, taken care of at our high school.
- can take care of these stakes. stakes. stakes.
- So I would just ask that you take a little bit of care and attention to that.
Keywords:
K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit
Keywords:
district attorneys, prosecutorial function, law enforcement, criminal procedure, legal advice, paternity, putative father registry, adoption, legal rights, parental rights, HB181, Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority, bond authorization, state bonds, capital improvements, public buildings, State Capitol, renovation finance, public office facilities, infrastructure financing
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 19th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I voted for every park, every library, all the school improvements, for light rail, for anything that
Keywords:
bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- So calling it child care programs works?
- Infant and toddler care provider support, $13.5 million.
- That was part of, I think, supporting early childhood child care.
- Section 38, child care assistance. Care assistance?
- Is that where we provide child care to child care workers?
Bills:
SB2015
Keywords:
corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration.
The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight.
Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 11th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- I think, well, Senator Mathern, you offered an amendment for the study of basic care, which is in 2271
- And I guess if long-term care is what they're looking for, I mean, that's, yeah, well, it's identical
- On page 7, I think we discussed that yesterday, but I'll just point out the infant and toddler care provider
- Below that is where we transferred the basic care daily rate, that $5 per day rate.
- And then reduce the CARES Act COVID funds.
Bills:
SB2015
Keywords:
corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met to finalize changes to the human services budget bill and related amendments. Members discussed several items, including a proposed $5 million appropriation for the Altru Hospital project to address inflationary costs, with the rest of the funding question left for conference committee. They also agreed to keep the 10-year operating requirement language for the project and remove a matching-funds provision that was no longer needed.
The committee spent considerable time on the OASIS child welfare IT system. Donna Auckland explained that the project is still in the RFP stage, with vendor selection and contract negotiation likely taking months, and that the system will require 50-50 federal matching authority. Based on that testimony, the committee agreed to reduce the general fund amount from $14 million to $6 million and use a line of credit for the remaining authority, while preserving the federal match authority so the contract can be signed and the project can proceed.
Members also approved a technical fix to add governor’s designee language for the Children’s Cabinet, which had been missed in another bill already on the governor’s desk. Keith reviewed updated long sheets showing additional budget adjustments, including provider inflation changes, a $50,000 Family Voices grant, reductions to CARES Act COVID funds, and moving the $5-per-day basic care rate increase from ongoing to one-time funding. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the committee adjourned with plans to reconvene Monday if the final bill version was ready.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 10th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- We have basic care, $5 a day, to discuss. We have the medical homes.
- No. 16-19 is the long-term care association.
- Basic care nurses. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mr. Chairman, I'm ready for the four-plex amendment.
- Oh, well, I didn't want to—we wanted, didn't want to include basic care.
- We wanted, didn't want to include basic care in that. I can't cherry-pick.
Bills:
SB2015
Keywords:
corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras
Summary:
The committee first discussed a wastewater infrastructure bill, centered on whether state support should be provided as a grant or through the existing Clean Water State Revolving Fund as a low-interest loan program. Department of Environmental Quality official David Brushwine explained that the SRF already finances wastewater projects, can leverage federal funds with state bond proceeds, and could accommodate the Washburn, Lincoln, and Peasant projects if they are ready to proceed. Members noted that losing federal grant support would make projects harder for local residents to afford because costs would be recovered through utility rates or special assessments, but the projects would still be eligible for loans. Senator Magrum indicated he would likely concur with the budget after this discussion, and the bill was set aside for later consideration.
The committee then turned to a proposed amendment for a four-plex housing project for people with disabilities or other special needs. Senator Mathern described Sections 7 and 8 as creating a design consultation appropriation and a revolving loan fund modeled on existing hospital and nursing home loan programs, while Section 9 would transfer $3.3 million from the state infrastructure fund. Members debated ownership, rent subsidies, repayment terms, and whether the state should finance the project directly or leave it to a private developer with Department of Human Services oversight. Concerns were raised that the state should not own the housing and that the proposal needed more work to be workable, but the committee ultimately reached consensus to adopt Sections 7 and 8 and leave out Section 9 for further conference committee discussion.
The committee also reviewed provider inflation and long-term care rate issues, with members discussing whether to support a 2% and 1.5% inflation adjustment and how to handle the $5-per-day basic care rate. Staff explained that the $5 payment was already in the base budget, but members debated whether it should remain ongoing or be treated as one-time funding and paired with a study of rate rebasing. The committee agreed to have draft language prepared to remove the $5 from the base budget and add study language, then moved the bill forward for drafting.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the Eval E-Care. And we had asked for subsection 10 to go down to $1 million.
- That's the Eval E-Care.
Bills:
SB2015
Keywords:
corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras
Summary:
The committee met to review revised long sheets and section-by-section language for a human services/health budget bill, with much of the discussion focused on how to present block grant funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for behavioral health clinics and CCBHCs. Members debated whether to keep FTE counts in the budget at all, ultimately leaning toward removing or zeroing out the FTE references while keeping the dollar authority, and reducing the salaries-and-wages block grant by about $4.75 million. They also discussed public health federal authority, agreeing to remove about $60 million in unused federal spending authority tied to COVID-era funds, and clarified that if federal money later becomes available it could be requested through the Emergency Commission.
A major topic was the provider inflation increase. The House version had 2% and 2%, while members debated alternatives and appeared to settle, at least for further work, on 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second year, with staff asked to recalculate the fiscal impact. The committee also reviewed FMAP changes, noting a revised 2027 FMAP estimate and its effect on general fund and other funds, and discussed whether to adjust public health and other line items accordingly. Several members emphasized that many of these numbers are still tentative and will be refined before final action.
The committee also touched on several policy items and capital-related provisions, including behavioral health services, Medicaid expansion, the moratorium on new ICF beds, and a proposed amendment for a medical homes/fourplex-related item that would show a $400,000 legislative investment with repayment from a developer. There was extended discussion of the All True hospital/facility proposal, with some members favoring leaving it in with a smaller initial commitment and others preferring to remove it and revisit later in conference committee. The meeting ended with staff asked to continue updating the bill language and members instructed to review remaining sections before the next meeting; no final votes were taken in the portion provided.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 7th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- We've worked on intermediate care facilities.
- Intermediate care facilities.
- Intermediate care facilities are a little bit different...” “Correct, yes.
- I tell you providers always want to Provide care to individuals.
- The other amendment is actually regarding basic care and nursing home care.
Bills:
SB2015
Keywords:
corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members.
The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration.
A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism REVISED Feb 17th, 2026
Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- It actually touched three entities: commerce, education, and health care.
- We have checked in with everybody. ...and education and health care.
- The responsibility for health care workforce is now housed with the Department of Commerce, which is
- Minority Leader Kirt, would you care to vote? Nine ayes and zero nays.
- Minority Leader Kirt, would you care to vote? Nine ayes and zero nays.
Keywords:
Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Arts Council, J.M. Davis Memorial Commission, historical preservation, arts funding, museum, gun collection, state agency contracts, 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, public funds, sectarian, religious funding restriction, appropriations, fiscal oversight, cultural institutions, historical artifacts, SB1425, health care, healthcare workforce
Summary:
The Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee heard a presentation from Tourism Director Amy Blackburn on the Oklahoma Tourism spring 2026 marketing campaign. She described the agency’s new advertising contractor, spending plans split between in-state and out-of-state markets, and campaign themes centered on Route 66, state parks, fishing, Western heritage, and spring travel. She said the campaign’s goal is to increase visitation, bookings, park revenue, and traffic to TravelOK.com, and noted the use of data tools to track marketing performance.
The committee then considered several Senate bills. SB 1307, by Sen. Daniels, would remove language that could bar religious organizations from receiving neutral public benefits or grants; it passed 7-1 after questions about church-state concerns. SB 1425, also by Sen. Daniels, repealed an obsolete healthcare workforce assistance board/program and passed 9-0. SB 1826, by Sen. Reinhart, removed the sunset on the Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act; members discussed reporting and oversight, and it passed 7-1.
SB 1365, by Sen. Fricks, was amended to add an emergency clause and to raise from $25,000 to $75,000 the threshold for Tourism Department retail purchases exempt from the Central Purchasing Act, with testimony that it would help stock gift shops and support local vendors; it passed 8-0. SB 1696, by Sen. Coleman, created a Commerce Department grant program to help cities and counties recruit new residents through local incentives advertised on MakeMyMove.com; members raised concerns about sunsets, audits, and overlap with other incentives, and the bill passed 5-3.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Mar 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Aloha Care in support on Zoom. Care? I'm not present.
- Care? I'm not present.
- </c> access specialty care. access specialty care.
- </c> supervising the care. supervising the care.
- </c> care and means of trying to improve care and means of trying to improve population<01:42:51.360>
Bills:
HB2323, HB2324, HB1509, HB2164, HB2165, HB2367, HB2619, HB1765, HB2187, HB1864, HB1452, HB2314, HB1898, HB2558, HB2319, HB1643, HB2121
Keywords:
workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity
Summary:
The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment.
The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date.
Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.