Transcript Highlights:

• What is the program? What is the name of that program?
• City Representative: ...jobs program.
• That's the McKinney-Vento program.
• When we brought all these programs together, there's capacity issues in these programs.
• That's our childcare assistance. That's the funding that goes out to our pre-K programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:06.000> I'll programs that are not in use. I'll programs that are not in use.
• <00:01:45.480> in the Office of Justice Programs in the Office of Justice Programs in Department
• and in enacting a program such as this. and in enacting a program such as this.
• That if you cannot repeal a program, a massive statewide program that has nothing to do with anything
• "We're going to destabilize the program. "We're going to destabilize the program.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3732, the Department of Employment and Economic Development appropriations bill, was presented as a package of budget and policy changes from the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee. The author described it as a set of practical fixes, including changes to reporting requirements, repealing unused programs, recommendations from a Governor’s Workforce Development Board subcommittee on direct appropriations, and creation of an Office of Community Investment within DEED. Members also noted the bill had been revised after earlier floor debate and included a modified version of a previously contentious proposal. The first major floor debate centered on Amendment A12, offered by Representative Zeleznikar, which would create an exemption from meal and break requirements for certain 24-hour care settings such as disability group homes and home care. Supporters argued the current break law does not fit the realities of one-on-one or overnight care and could force providers into unsafe or impractical staffing models. Opponents, including Representatives Johnson and Pinto, said the amendment would weaken or repeal worker break protections and remove clear standards and remedies. After debate, the House took a roll call and the amendment failed on a 67-67 tie. A second amendment, A13 by Representative Tabke, proposed a $150,000 state aviation fund-backed loan fund to help TSA and other airport workers who had gone without pay during a federal shutdown, by backstopping bank loans for affected families. Tabke framed it as worker relief tied to the aviation system, while Representative Niska argued it was not a serious proposal, had not been vetted, and unfairly used state money to address a federal dispute. Debate on the amendment became highly partisan and included a point of order over personalities in debate before the Speaker ruled the point well taken and returned discussion to the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was able to bring that program to accreditation, so I understand what goes into having a program accredited
• The updated program will require 68 hours over the course of seven semesters.
• the Masters of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology, which is a 30-hour program.
• You just heard from a couple of people. people that have programs in other states.
• It's up to the vet whether they want to have this program in their practice or not.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our medication assistance program, which is established to help those individuals who have fallen in
• And then we established the medication access assistance program.
• And then we established the medication access assistance program.
• <00:20:51.000> opportunity assistance program it is an opportunity assistance program it is an
• <00:21:33.760> program<00:21:34.760> is medication assistance program is medication

Keywords: 00:00 Introductions 02:46 Roll Call 03:35 Discussion on SB 14 46:13 Vote on SB 14 48:07 Discussion on SB 17 50:38 Vote on SB 17, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services opened with the chair welcoming several new members and outlining session rules: hearings would start and end on time, the committee would limit the number of bills heard each meeting, prioritize bills heard during the interim, and generally avoid using the consent calendar except in extreme circumstances. The committee then briefly considered administrative regulations, which were treated as approved if members had no questions. The main item was Senate Bill 14, a measure addressing the 340B drug discount program. The chair said the bill had already passed the Senate in a prior session and had been heard in interim, so he did not present it again. He described the bill as prohibiting drug manufacturers from discriminating against 340B covered entities by refusing 340B pricing when the same drug is offered at that price in the state. He also said the committee would not debate the federal 340B program itself, but would hear testimony on the bill. Hospital leaders and Kentucky Hospital Association representatives testified in support, arguing that 340B savings are essential to rural hospitals, oncology services, transportation support, chronic care, addiction recovery, and new service lines such as chemotherapy and hepatitis treatment. They said the program helps keep care close to home and that manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies have reduced access and cost hospitals millions. Opponents from BIO Kentucky and the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions argued the bill would expand federal law beyond Congress’s intent, create administrative burdens, and not lower patient out-of-pocket costs. The chair repeatedly pressed opponents to address why Kentucky should be denied the same 340B pricing available in other states. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a program manager and has been operating this program for 12 or 13 years.
• Programs have been lumped together in this instance.
• The water, the colonias program, and the tribal infrastructure fund, which are very similar programs
• All three of those programs operate under NMFA; they're three of our, I'd say, 15 active programs.
• To create the necessary assistance in terms of technical assistance, grant writing, all of planning and

Transcript Highlights:

• program to start with? program to start with?
• how would you sustain this program? how would you sustain this program?
• And so I think this is nothing against the program. I think the program is great.
• And so I think this is nothing against the program. I think the program is great.
• And so I think this is nothing against the program. I think the program is great.

Bills: HF3738, HF2295, HF3520, HF3666

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

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is related to the Civic Media Program.
• It's not government-run necessarily; the governor's office administers the program, but the program will
• program up and running.
• We're supporting SB 155, the Civic Media Program.
• On CalWORKs, we support. the CalWORKs Housing and Homelessness Assistance Program changes.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering, please see McKenzie Larson, our assistant clerk, uh, who is
• LIRAP is an air quality improvement program overseen by TCQ.
• And for many years it was a successful program.
• So it's a very successful program.
• All it does is create a grant program in TCEQ.

Bills: HB205

Keywords: disaster recovery, economic development, grants, loans, infrastructure support

Transcript Highlights:

• that assist them in maintaining their lives in their homes and communities.
• One such program that CFILC is a holder on is the Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program, which
• SB 971 establishes the Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program.
• For example, a local program might offer technology assistance, social engagement, activities, caregiver
• This bill does not create a new program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• <00:19:58.160> I'll state's medical assistance program.
• I'll state's medical assistance program.
• program.
• program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and technical assistance. and technical assistance.
• of the federal voucher program. of the federal voucher program.
• Next slide, please. pre-kindergarten program. And this is an pre-kindergarten program.
• The educator tuition assistance program is a technical change to ensure grantees... entitlement resulting
• 09.680> program The educator tuition assistance program The educator tuition assistance program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not crazy about that program either.
• There are two programs.
• And that's really a great attribute and part of that program.
• We're talking about over $500 million for this program all in. Guys.
• We're talking about over $500 million for this program all in.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee took up SB 2B, a major immigration bill by Senator Gruters, described by supporters as a Trump-aligned package to strengthen Florida’s role in immigration enforcement. The bill would create a grant program for local law enforcement, expand jail-ICE agreements beyond sheriff-operated jails, establish a chief immigration officer and a state immigration enforcement council, require more coordination on E-Verify and detention-bed reporting, allow immigration status to be considered in bail decisions, increase penalties for certain offenses tied to illegal reentry and voting, and repeal in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Much of the sponsor’s presentation and debate emphasized focusing on criminal offenders, improving coordination with federal authorities, and using state resources to support detention and enforcement. Committee questioning focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, reimbursement for jail costs, E-Verify coverage, and whether the bill could lead to street-level immigration enforcement in schools or churches. Senator Smith, Senator Pizzo, Senator Polsky, Senator Sharief, and others challenged the tuition repeal as unfair to students who were brought to Florida as children and argued for grandfathering current students or studying the fiscal impact first. Senator Fine defended the repeal as ending a state subsidy for people who are not lawfully present and argued the change would save tens of millions of dollars. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified that the bill was limited to jail-based enforcement, said there was no current street-level 287(g) program in Florida, and stated he did not believe the bill raised concerns for law enforcement or schools/churches. A representative of the Florida Supervisors of Elections supported the voting-related section, while a Florida Highway Patrol representative said state agencies would need additional funding if they were expected to take on more enforcement duties. The committee adopted Senator Gruters’ late-filed amendment correcting a drafting error. Senator Smith’s amendment to require an OPAGA study on the tuition-waiver policy was withdrawn after discussion, and his handwritten amendment to delete the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented students failed on a roll-call vote. The bill then advanced as amended, with several members speaking in debate both for and against it. Supporters framed it as a focused public-safety and enforcement measure; opponents criticized the special-session process, the cost, and the tuition repeal’s impact on students already enrolled.

Transcript Highlights:

• IHSS is a very large program.
• IHSS is a vital program. It's not an optional program for those who use it.
• residual program.
• This is a growing program. This is a growing program.
• Part C programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and then took public testimony from the administration, LAO, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and an aging/disability advocacy group. The administration described IHSS as a large Medi-Cal long-term services program serving more than 900,000 recipients and proposed three changes: shifting some growth costs tied to authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the statewide backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The administration also discussed the earlier CFCO reassessment penalty change for counties and said overdue reassessments had dropped significantly. LAO said the governor’s overall IHSS cost estimates appeared reasonable, but raised concerns about the hours-per-case cost shift, including unclear root causes for growth, limited county control over statewide averages, and uncertainty about the eventual savings. County Welfare Directors Association, SEIU, and consumer/advocacy witnesses opposed the hours cost shift, arguing counties use state tools, the proposal would pressure counties to cut services, and it could harm older adults and people with disabilities by increasing institutionalization and shifting costs elsewhere. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the rationale for the proposal, the lack of a defined baseline, and whether the current assessment tools or MOE structure should instead be revisited. On the backup provider system, the administration said the program is underused and costly to administer relative to service spending, while LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced instead of eliminating it. County, labor, and consumer witnesses opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical emergency safety net even if utilization is low, especially for rural areas and people with complex needs. Members also asked about data quality, county backup systems, and whether consumers know the program exists. On the Medi-Cal/IHSS alignment proposal, the administration said automation would stop General Fund-only spending when recipients lose Medi-Cal and restore IHSS automatically when Medi-Cal is regained; LAO and others noted the proposal had been rejected before and urged better notices and safeguards. Witnesses warned that automatic termination could create gaps in care and unpaid work for providers, while the department said counties already manually terminate in some cases and that automation is ready if approved. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair indicated the committee would continue with public comment and later items before a hard adjournment time.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• and put them into the administratively set ADI program, which tends to have higher rates.
• It establishes abandoned mine reclamation programs and funding in the DOT and DEP.
• programs.
• It expands certain requirements concerning automatic enrollment for utility bill payment assistance programs

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Health Professions and program subcommittee will come to order a NOLA please call the Roll Chair
• Want to welcome each of you to the health Professions and program subcommittee looking forward to continuing
• Nurse assistants, medical doctors, Mental Health Counselors LP ends clinical social Workers Apr ends
• Chair Tuck Vice chair bracket ranking member admins and members of the Health Professions and program
• The program received an initial appropriation of fiscal year. 24 25 $500,000.

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 1645, an act to amend the Correction Law in relation to increasing access to substance abuse programming
• in relation to screening incarcerated individuals for eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
• Program prior to release.
• Program prior to release.
• Program prior to release.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, chaired by Senator Salazar, met with Senators Harckham, Murray, and Bailey present, and considered 10 bills related to correctional policy, reentry, victim services, and public health in facilities. Measures discussed included educational access for incarcerated individuals, a phone call before transfer, expanded substance abuse programming for non-English speakers, commissary/canteen issues, a reentry pilot program, SNAP screening before release, discharge planning for wrongfully convicted individuals, public water testing transparency in correctional facilities, evidentiary standards in disciplinary hearings, and notification to victims about the address confidentiality program. The committee also corrected the record on one bill title during the meeting, clarifying that S. 1645 was actually a human trafficking assistance priority bill. Members generally expressed support for the bills, with brief comments highlighting the importance of reentry services, public health, and victim protections. Senator Harckham spoke in support of the water testing bill, citing PFAS and other contaminants, and Senator Murray praised the address confidentiality program bill. Most bills were moved by motion and seconded without substantive debate. All bills were reported out of committee, with several specifically reported to Finance. Senator Murray cast negative votes on some measures, while the rest were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also wanted to take this moment to spotlight our state premium assistance program, Cascade Care Savings
• program more important than ever.
• One is Cascade Care Savings, your state premium assistance program, is really helpful. thanks to our
• One is Cascade Care Savings, your state premium assistance program, is really helpful.
• One is Cascade Care Savings, your state premium assistance program, is really helping and buffering this

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state standards, did not consistently require proof of those inspections, did not review adverse health event corrective plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. JLARC also raised a possible language-access barrier in the complaint system. Members asked about complaint filing by staff, the meaning of adverse health events, inspection outcomes, and whether the audit compared DOH to other agencies. JLARC said it had not reviewed inspection results or cross-agency comparisons, but noted inspectors were dedicated and working long hours. DOH later said it concurred with the recommendations and outlined a strategic plan with target dates for improving timeliness, verifying accreditation standards, expanding language access, reviewing adverse event laws, and improving public data access, with annual reporting to the Legislature expected. The committee then heard a Department of Health presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current certificate of need process, which reviews need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility changes and new services, and said the program has not been modernized since the 1980s. DOH proposed 10 statutory modernization recommendations, including clarifying the program’s purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, updating access-to-care standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, strengthening long-term funding, and using better data systems. Members asked about oversight of freestanding urgent care and EDs, funding sources, and whether the process could be streamlined or made more responsive to complaints or other triggers. A third panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care. Lucy O’Rourke of the Coalition for Health AI described CHAI’s work on responsible AI principles, technical standards, model cards or “nutrition labels,” testing and governance tools, and educational resources for providers. She said the group is focused on trust, transparency, fairness, safety, security, and privacy, and noted Washington’s AI-related policy work as among the more progressive in the country. No questions were asked. The final portion focused on the financial impact of federal and state health care policy changes. The Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals are facing low or negative operating margins, service reductions, layoffs, and closures, and that state cuts and taxes enacted in 2025, combined with federal HR1 changes, will significantly worsen finances. Providence Swedish leaders described staffing reductions, service cuts, delayed capital investments, and pressure from denials, tariffs, and reimbursement changes, while emphasizing that frontline staffing cuts are tied to service reductions rather than nurse-to-patient ratio changes. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange then began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits, state Cascade Care Savings assistance, and eligibility changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens, with examples showing large premium increases for customers if federal subsidies expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• surplus within this program.
• That was the closure of one particular program, and the children that were served in that program were
• transitioned to other existing... ...particular program, and the children that were served in that program
• There was a closure of one of the programs.
• to that program.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee approved the minutes from its May 14, 2026 meeting and then considered four fiscal transfers. FAC 2026-9 for the Office of the State Controller transferred $4.345 million among fringe benefit accounts in the General Fund and Special Transportation Fund. Members questioned several employee benefit accounts, including active and retiree health care, Social Security, higher education alternative retirement, and OPEB; agency staff explained the transfers were based on updated year-end projections, with some accounts showing surpluses and others needing additional funds. The item was approved, with two no votes noted. FAC 2026-10 for the Military Department transferred $150,000 from the Honor Guards account to personal services and Governor’s Guard accounts to cover operational needs, and it was approved without opposition. FAC 2026-11 for the Department of Social Services transferred $3.3 million among accounts. Most of the discussion focused on a surplus in the substance use disorder waiver/reinvestment account, lower-than-expected TANF/TFA caseloads, federal family planning backfill requirements, and staffing challenges in eligibility operations. DSS said some funds remained unused because a residential care vendor did not enter into a contract, some reserves were intended for future multi-year investments, and eligibility staff require 12 to 18 months of training; the item was approved. FAC 2026-12 for the Department of Children and Families transferred $3.05 million among accounts for year-end operational needs. Members asked about closures of day treatment and community-based prevention programs, and DCF said children were transitioned to other providers without service interruption, with closures driven by provider decisions and financial viability. DCF also explained that some prior funding had been used as gap funding and that ongoing support had been built into the budget. The committee approved the transfer and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator and have any federal assistance?
• And I believe every state has some sort of program.
• Madam Chair and Senator, no, there is a loan repayment program.
• We oversee the health professional loan repayment program as it exists now.
• The current program doesn't have...

Bills: SB20, SB111, SB211, SB218, SB14

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• <00:42:58.960> was the program was facing, the program was the program was facing, the program
• like training, technical pillar programs like training, technical assistant,<01:28:56.239> lending
• The third pillar of our program of our services is business services or technical assistance, which is
• The third pillar of our program of our services is business services or technical assistance, which is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all