Transcript Highlights:

• The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation and the Department of Management Services, Division of State Group
• My name is Brian Meyer on the deputy secretary for Medicaid at the age of Health Care Administration
• So currently in Florida, we allow pregnant women and children under 21 years of age to have 3 months
• will abbreviate as small are capital Wgs as a cover service for Medicaid recipients to 20 years of age
• successfully outside of the drg who can receive rapid whole genome sequencing enrollees that are 20 years of age

Transcript Highlights:

• . healthy. healthy.
• God of the ages, we recall the words of St. Patrick's breastplate.
• No money to help kids get healthy breakfast in school.
• </c><02:27:37.600><c> No</c> kids get healthy breakfast in school.
• No kids get healthy breakfast in school.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2025-2026 influenza season, the ACIP recommended routine annual influenza vaccination for all people age
• The first is inpatients who are 65 years of age or older.
• The first is inpatients who are 65 years of age or older.
• We recommend annual influenza vaccinations for all individuals six months of age and older with diabetes
• Seventy-eight percent of those were people over age 65.

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2152 would allow terminally ill qualifying patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities under facility policies that prohibit smoking/vaping, require patient self-administration and secure storage, and allow facilities to suspend compliance if federal enforcement arises. The prime sponsor and supporters, including family members, cannabis advocates, nurses, and hospital-related groups, described the bill as a compassionate end-of-life measure based on California’s Ryan’s Law; the Washington State Hospital Association asked for clarifying amendments to limit the bill to inpatient beds and to bar staff from retrieving cannabis as well as administering it. HB 2122 would require hospitals, starting in 2027 and during flu season, to offer influenza vaccines to inpatients age 65 and older and to inpatients with chronic health conditions when not contraindicated. The sponsor and supporters from diabetes, infectious disease, AARP, and public health emphasized rising flu deaths, the benefits for high-risk patients, and the chance to reduce severe illness and costs. The Washington State Hospital Association supported the goal but said the bill would create an unfunded mandate and requested amendments related to vaccine availability, emergency declarations, and operational flexibility. One witness from Informed Choice Washington opposed the bill but suggested adding vaccine information statements to strengthen informed consent. HB 2110 would change staffing rules for inter-facility specialty care ambulance transports so a registered nurse without EMT certification could satisfy the personnel requirement when no paramedic or EMT-certified nurse is available, provided an EMT-certified EMS provider is in the ambulance and the nurse has appropriate competencies. Rural hospitals and ambulance providers said the current rule delays transfers and can force long waits or air transport, while the Washington State Nurses Association supported the concept but raised concerns about standardized training, medical oversight, and staffing impacts on hospitals. HB 2113 would update radiologic technologist supervision rules for IV contrast and other procedures, allowing virtual direct supervision for contrast procedures and supervision by physicians, APRNs, or PAs in some cases; supporters said it aligns with current practice and improves rural access, while radiology groups asked for a distance/proximity requirement for virtual physician supervision. HB 2168 would require the Department of Health to rapidly share overdose data from the state EMS information system to ODMAP within 24 hours, with privacy protections and limits on law-enforcement use. Supporters from Yakima County, public health, and the poison center said near-real-time overdose mapping would improve spike alerts, prevention, and response, and could save lives; the Washington Poison Center asked that its data be included and that the bill clarify language around opioid versus other overdoses. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing; the meeting ended after public testimony on HB 2168.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of studies financed by the National Institute on Aging, researchers now have an array of bio-
• But they are all, all, healthy, happy, and cancer-free. Some for more than a decade.
• But the terminal age really doesn't capture what these costs are for.
• But the major. risk factor, the major number one risk factor for cancer is age.
• have killed citizens in this country before they got cancer, they're now living with to much older age

Committee: Senate Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibits surviving spouses to maintain certain benefits from VA and DOD if they remarry before the age
• Additionally, like every eight years, we will provide for a survivor who's under age 55, we will provide
• The average age of a surviving spouse in this era is between 25 and 35 years old, forcing them to wait
• 500,000 surviving spouses receive benefits through the VA, but barely 35,000 of them are under the age
• Accredited agents and attorneys can make a healthy living operating within the ethical confines of the

Bills: SB124 , SB201 , SB275 , SB410 , SB478 , SB607 , SB610 , SB611 , SB654 , SB702 , SB787 , SB831 , SB892

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Department of Veterans Affairs, disciplinary procedures, accountability, personnel actions, whistleblower protection, cancer, military, aircrew, veterans, health study, toxins, morbidity, mortality, service members, mental health, community care, accessibility, treatment programs, substance abuse, appointments

Summary: During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> understanding that we have an aging understanding that we have an aging Minnesota<00:20:12.400><
• Um, and so people like that, he's out of the workforce now because of age and retirement, but people
• </c><00:57:46.640><c> development</c> essential for kids healthy development essential for kids healthy
• We know, on the ag committee, we don't think about the ag committee dealing with mental health, but we
• Finally, I want to underscore the fact that many of you already know: farmers are aging out.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then 10% is on ag literacy. Then 10% is on ag literacy.
• Interesting questions about the reach of ag and ag education. Great question.
• Two years ago, we started our own ag education center. It's called Little Ag Ventures.
• Two years ago, we started our own ag education center. It's called Little Ag Ventures.
• Two years ago, we started our own ag education center. It's called Little Ag Ventures.

Bills: HF711 , HF653

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, water security for California communities and a healthy environment.
• CalWORKs, individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income, income-eligible Californians over the age
• quarantine period where we bring those animals into captivity so that we can ensure that they're healthy
• quarantine period where we bring those animals into captivity so that we can ensure that they're healthy
• long-term investment in the preservation of keystone species, like we talked about today, in encouraging healthy

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• probably right after education or right up there as one of the most important ones, keeping our folks healthy
• probably right after education or right up there as one of the most important ones, keeping our folks healthy
• And I think it's healthy to stop and take a look and examine systems in the way we've been doing things
• And if we want it to last forever, then we need to make sure that it's healthy and it's producing the
• But many of these people have been here for ages, 10, 15 years, and they are not documented.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Healthy, happy—a calm and healthy baby not needing expensive postnatal care or social service.
• And with that comes a healthy fear of unfairly exorbitant medical bills. Every dollar is hard-won.
• The individual claimed that her mother was in perfect health other than her advanced age, but she was
• This patient empowerment encourages healthy competition, lowers costs, and provides greater access to

Bills: HB712 , HB722 , HB946 , HB1687 , HB1809 , HB1899 , HB2528 , HB2583 , HB2741 , HB2750 , HB3021 , HB3150 , HB3265 , HB3658 , HB3812 , HB3960 , HB4392 , HB4432

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:53.919><c> white</c> are not a generic uh middle-aged white are not a generic uh middle-aged
• The AG to resolve legal vital records.
• So age 88 and my brain is still working.
• We're advertising what helps people stay healthy. Thank you.
• , and a strong and healthy community is good for the economy.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the exemptions in the bill, Leader, is foster youth who have aged out up to the age of 22.
• Do you know how many of these would be age 22 to 26 who have aged out of foster care?
• To 26 who have aged out of foster care. Can we get that information?
• I just want to welcome you all to the age of the Jetsons.
• Our committee is now part of the age of the Jetsons in hearing this bill.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the most recent data from the Healthy Kids Colorado survey shows that 12.3% of high schoolers
• </c><00:40:10.480><c> Kids</c> recent data from the Healthy Kids recent data from the Healthy Kids Colorado
• and adolescents quietly providing care for parents, grandparents, siblings, and loved ones who are aging
• ,</c><00:43:24.079><c> chronically</c><00:43:24.800><c> ill,</c> who are aging, chronically ill, who
• are aging, chronically ill, disabled,<00:43:25.680><c> or</c><00:43:25.920><c> facing</c><00:43:26.319

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:49.200><c> children</c><00:25:49.520><c> under</c><00:25:49.760><c> the</c><00:25:49.919><c> age
• 00:25:50.080><c> of</c><00:25:50.320><c> five,</c><00:25:51.039><c> and</c> with children under the age
• guests of all ages for family events<01:05:23.839><c> such</c><01:05:24.000><c> as</c><01:05:24.319>
• Paul, and if you don't have a vibrant, strong, healthy downtown, then your entire city is in trouble.
• downtown, then you're entire healthy downtown, then you're entire city<01:37:31.119><c> is</c><01:37

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and I'm just wondering, since you know my grandkids now, when they go to daycare, they're now school age
• c><01:01:45.160><c> now</c><01:01:45.960><c> young</c><01:01:46.319><c> school</c><01:01:46.640><c> age
• </c><01:01:47.359><c> but</c> daycare they're now young school age but daycare they're now young school
• Ninety-four percent of students believe others their age would benefit from the program.
• </c><01:40:29.560><c> way</c> um move forward in a more healthy way um move forward in a more healthy

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the next generation of health care workers through hosting work experiences for students of all ages
• of the next generation of health care workers through hosting work experiences for students of all ages
• of the next generation of health care workers through hosting work experiences for students of all ages
• </c> Health Care Professionals because aging Health Care Professionals because aging populations<01:07
• depends on a healthy thriving population and<01:14:56.239><c> a</c><01:14:56.400><c> Health</c><01:14

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, half of Hawaii families are reporting difficulty maintaining consistent access to healthy and
• </c> maintaining consistent access to healthy maintaining consistent access to healthy and<00:12:08.160
• I think so many of our families that have school-aged kids have additional burdens on their household
• This is a way to target those families with school-aged kids, up-and-coming families, families who are
• I think so many of our families that have school-aged kids have additional burdens on their household

Bills: HB2117 , HB2155 , HB1832 , HB1601 , HB2297 , HB2397 , HB1893 , HB2533 , HB1890 , HB2004 , HB1810 , HB2323 , HB1691 , HB1671 , HB2619 , HB1481 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2214 , HB2488 , HB2009 , HB2007 , HB1964 , HB2218 , HB1535 , HB1977 , HB2054 , HB2046 , HB146 , HB2094 , HB2181 , HB2515 , HB2444 , HB2385 , HB1724 , HB1733 , HB2416 , HB2001 , HB1603 , HB1753 , HB2140 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB2096 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB2293 , HB2288 , HB1752 , HB1573 , HB469 , HB2091 , HB1851 , HB1688 , HB1696 , HB2417 , HB2375 , HB2333 , HB2152 , HB1881 , HB2395 , HB1721 , HB1921 , HB1730 , HB1697 , HB1824 , HB2282 , HB2078 , HB2321 , HB2279 , HB1522 , HB2097 , HB2433 , HB2106 , HB2274 , HB2452 , HB1764 , HB2438 , HB1860 , HB2604 , HB2118 , HB2017 , HB2216 , HB1934 , HB2454 , HB2427 , HB2207 , HB1840 , HB1644 , HB1645 , HB1946 , HB1648 , HB2324 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2283 , HB2386

Keywords: arts education, data mapping, task force, creative economy, cultural preservation, workforce development, geographic information systems, agriculture, data collection, statistical program, sustainable practices, Hawaii, aquaculture, biosecurity, food security, sustainable seafood, regulatory framework, interagency coordination, environmental stewardship, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• We, along with the healthy eating and active living statewide coalition, support this measure and stand
• We along with<00:48:30.960><c> the</c><00:48:31.280><c> healthy</c><00:48:31.599><c> eating</c><00:48
• :31.839><c> and</c><00:48:32.000><c> active</c> with the healthy eating and active with the healthy eating
• It's not just for our children, but also for people of all ages, including the kūpuna who walk their
• , including the capuna who walk ages, including the capuna who walk their<00:58:06.000><c> children,<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to emphasize that due process of law and fair access to justice are essential to a healthy and
• </c><00:26:40.080><c> and</c><00:26:40.200><c> functioning</c> essential to a healthy and functioning
• essential to a healthy and functioning justice<00:26:41.080><c> system</c><00:26:41.760><c> and</c><
• and took um three of these Elementary and took um three of these Elementary School<00:35:00.760><c> age
• students and their mom now we School age students and their mom now we were<00:35:04.000><c> not</c>

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s a level of a good, healthy level of scrutiny and criticism, and I think that’s good.
• level of scrutiny and of a good healthy level of scrutiny and criticism<00:22:56.039><c> and</c><00:
• tables with summaries on new license applications on each license level, and they are subdivided by age
• <00:47:38.440><c> and</c><00:47:38.599><c> state</c><00:47:38.839><c> of</c> they are subdivided by age
• and state of they are subdivided by age and state of res residency<00:47:42.760><c> finally</c><00:47

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all