Transcript Highlights:

• to put an AP in, who signs the checks, who makes deposits, who has different levels.
• We are that detail level.
• We are that who has different levels. We are that detail<00:23:46.720> level.
• I think the town should detail level.
• also be looking at that same level also be looking at that same level because<00:23:50.720> we

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Different programs have different levels, either set in statute or they are lending programs.
• It just gives the park residents a chance and helps to level the playing field just a little bit.
• It just gives the park residents a chance and helps to level the playing field just a little bit.
• It just gives the park residents a chance and helps to level the playing field just a little bit.
• So this again is trying to give residents a little bit more level playing field. Sen. Draheim.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Here, a huge spike in auto theft that is coming back down, but not back down to pre-pandemic levels.
• So we're talking about a dramatic decline in murder, not just from 2020 levels, but even relative to
• the pre-pandemic levels, to some of the lowest levels ever seen.
• And after this, normal levels of enforcement can maintain safety.
• That's data that's not collected or easily available at the state or national level.

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we, of course, need to accelerate production at all levels.
• We have tried for reforms at the federal level to unlock some of those dollars in a better way.
• We're not to the A plus level.
• We are going to be providing a high-level overview today.
• down to the regional and local levels.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This shows the level of demand for our financing in the coming years.
• That financing is tax-exempt federally and at the state level.
• Board, we operate the only level two trauma service in South County.
• Our most popular level of coverage is silver plans.
• to their pre-2021 levels, which are laid out in the Affordable Care Act.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These cities generally... up to a baseline level of cyber security up to a baseline level of cyber security
• because they have more federal level because they have more sophisticated<00:10:26.760> networks<
• And this is great, but the small cities that I mentioned, without even a baseline level of IT maturity
• And this is great, but the small cities that I mentioned, without even a baseline level of IT maturity
• Israel. baseline level so uh yes we do serve as baseline level so uh yes we do serve as an<00:23:20.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a level one trauma its operation.
• required to do at the state level. required to do at the state level.
• , at a state level.
• , at a state level.
• for your level one trauma? for your level one trauma? Dr.<01:56:06.960> Scott. Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe slightly less hubris on the individual species level.
• Maybe slightly less hubris on the individual species level.
• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service at the federal level...
• So not only at the state commission level, ma'am, but also at the federal level.
• We also have projects underway to address coastal sea level rise and flooding.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of care that might be the level of care that might be provided.<00:07:52.160> It's<00:07:52.560
• In certain counties, we have agreements for Title 7 diversion for very low-level misdemeanors who the
• uh after a certain time uh certain level uh after a certain time uh similar<00:15:30.880> to<
• I'll give you just some high-level numbers.
• <00:37:43.280> that other treatment on a local level that other treatment on a local level

Bills: SF0010, SF0005

Keywords: mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, bankruptcy, hospital, county, healthcare, financial stability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:56.640> of on the level of on the level of right<00:42:58.319> um<00:42:59.319
• ended um I think I think at a 2% level ended um I think I think at a 2% level in<01:34:26.080>
• or the 50% claimed at the 65% level or the 50% level<01:43:53.400> um<01:43:54.400> we
• limit to which gets them into that level limit to which gets them into that level I<02:04:55.719
• <02:09:16.599> at the fifth highest eligibility level at the fifth highest eligibility level

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• closely some bills at the state level closely some bills at the state level dealing<00:24:46.320
• with states and um on the federal level with states and um on the federal level on<00:25:50.559>
• <00:42:42.720> between institutional settlement level between institutional settlement level
• <00:48:02.960> uh<00:48:03.119> what level um and and the state level uh what level
• federal level as it pertains to clarity. federal level as it pertains to clarity.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review stable tokens, real-world asset tokenization, and blockchain-based trust, approved the agenda and December 12 minutes, and heard a presentation from Anchorage Digital after postponing a planned Bitco presentation because of its IPO quiet period. Anchorage’s Melinda Delos, Joe Mioli, and Kevin Wasaki introduced the firm, describing it as a global digital assets platform and the first crypto-native institution in the U.S. to receive a federal banking charter. They said their approach emphasizes security, regulated custody and trading services, and responsible innovation for institutional clients, banks, states, and sovereigns. The presentation focused on post-Genius Act momentum in the stablecoin market. Anchorage said the law provided regulatory clarity and helped spur activity with major clients, including Athena, Tether, and Western Union. The speakers highlighted Western Union’s planned stablecoin as especially significant because it reflects adoption by a long-established traditional payments company, and they said the project illustrates how stablecoins can support programmable, real-time, interoperable payments. They also noted that Anchorage is providing issuance infrastructure for the Western Union project. The commission and presenters also discussed government uses of tokenized assets, including reserve legislation, digital assets for tax collection and fees, and a Marshall Islands initiative to use a tokenized sovereign bond for direct citizen payments. In response to a question, Anchorage said it would follow up on which states are using digital assets for revenue collection, mentioning Louisiana and Pennsylvania as examples. The banking discussion centered on remittances, instant payments, and interbank settlement, with Anchorage arguing that stablecoins can reduce settlement time, fees, and foreign exchange risk while improving traceability and auditability.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is happening at the federal level will either reinforce or undermine these system challenges.
• So when we talk about fragmentation and invisibility, those are not just state-level issues.
• It's a state-level failure of protection.
• Just a couple of high-level statistics about the facilities we license.
• Just a couple of high-level statistics about the facilities we license.

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on the health care and support landscape for older LGBTQ Californians, including people aging with HIV and transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the long history of discrimination faced by older LGBTQ adults, the growth of the aging LGBTQ population, and the need to translate existing state commitments into concrete services. Senators highlighted concerns about nursing home vulnerability, the aging of people living with HIV, and the impact of federal actions and Medicaid cuts on California’s safety net. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony described widespread inequities, including discrimination, social isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in culturally competent care. State officials outlined the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide survey of LGBTQIA older adults, gender-affirming care protections in Medi-Cal, and efforts to improve coordination across departments. Advocates argued the state has been too slow to respond to federal threats and that services are often hard to find or fragmented. Committee members pressed the departments on how survey findings are being turned into action, how rural and underserved communities are being reached, and whether more formal stakeholder coordination or “no wrong door” access systems are needed. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor gave emotional testimony about the “survivorship penalty,” loss of benefits, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, housing assistance, and protection from outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need for area agencies on aging; it said 20 of 33 area plans now identify HIV as a target population and many include specific strategies, such as LGBTQIA mental health connections programs. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and rely on whole-person case management. Case management testimony underscored persistent needs for medication subsidies, transportation, food, and housing. Committee members questioned how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how SB 258 is enforced across local agencies, and how to reduce administrative barriers and auto-connect eligible people to benefits. The final panel began with the Department of Social Services outlining protections for TGI seniors in licensed care facilities, including SB 219’s nondiscrimination requirements and related provider notices and resident rights materials. The hearing remained focused on identifying service gaps, improving coordination across aging, health, and social service systems, and ensuring state programs better reflect the lived experience of older LGBTQ Californians.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:30.760> and regulating strictly on decel levels and regulating strictly on decel levels
• <00:35:32.280> and could address the the decel level and could address the the decel level
• like is there a way to say you level like is there a way to say you can't<00:38:20.119> do<00
• In many places, it's dealt with at the county level because of the differences between an urban and a
• In many places, it's dealt with at the county level because of the differences between an urban and a

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 205 HD1 and HB 480 HD1 on workers’ compensation. Testifiers from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Human Resources Development supported the bills, with DLIR saying HB 205 would codify and regulate nonprescription over-the-counter drugs at a reasonable rate, and DHRD saying HB 480 would encourage timely and accurate assessments of injured workers’ physical abilities. No opposition was raised on those measures, and the committee moved on without votes or amendments noted. On HB 331 HD1 relating to permits, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii School Facilities Authority supported the bill, while the Board of Water Supply and Greg Mikan opposed it. Supporters did not elaborate much beyond standing on written testimony, but the School Facilities Authority asked that renovations be added to the definition of repeatable projects. Opponents argued the Department of Planning and Permitting is understaffed and that bypassing or speeding the permitting review process could create problems, especially for projects requiring proper engineering review. No action was taken beyond hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 72 HD1 on pharmacy technician regulation, with the Board of Pharmacy offering comments and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, Walgreens, and Mōʻiliʻili Drugs supporting the measure. Supporters said pharmacy technicians already perform essential duties such as vaccinations, compounding, inventory, and dispensing, and argued Hawaiʻi is the only state without an active managed list of practicing pharmacy technicians. On HB 139 HD1 regarding insurance, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and the Hawaii Society for Clinical Oncologists supported the bill, arguing fertility preservation coverage should not conflict with federal law or the prepaid health care system. On HB 32 HD1 relating to cannabis, the Attorney General and Department of Health raised concerns about allowing purchase before certification is approved, while the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association supported the bill and suggested lowering the purchase limit from 2 ounces to 1 ounce; the Department of Health said its average turnaround is two to three business days, with about 20% of applications returned for incompleteness and an internal expedited process for certain cases. Later, the committee heard HB 470 HD1 on noise, with the Department of Health supporting the goal of reducing noise pollution but cautioning that regulating intermittent noise like string trimmers is complicated, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill as a hardship for small businesses and questioned the practicality of battery-powered equipment. Ted Bolan supported the measure, saying it would not ban gas leaf blowers but would require quieter models over time. The committee then heard HB 534 HD1 on labeling requirements, where DLNR and the Department of Agriculture offered comments and several fishing and consumer groups supported the bill. Testimony focused on seafood origin labeling, especially raw tuna used in poke and sushi, with DLNR explaining the bill was being narrowed to avoid federal preemption and to avoid unintentionally covering canned tuna or other processed products. Finally, the committee heard H47 HD1 on aquaculture, with the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation supporting the measure; no votes were taken on any bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what the cap level is set based on what they have spent over the last five years.
• And in 2019, at that level, they were maintaining system reliability. Okay.
• And so this would create controls based on their current level...
• It is setting this at a level.
• This level of spending is that level of spending, or they were spending less to achieve those improvements

Bills: SB287

Keywords: solid waste, recycling, universal recycling, single-stream recycling, multifamily housing, apartment recycling, commercial recycling, waste diversion, recycling grants, low-interest loans, Delaware Recycling Fund, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, DNREC, waste hauler, curbside recycling, yard waste, source-separated recycling, pay-as-you-throw, extended producer responsibility, waste bans

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and considered three Senate bills. SB 287 with Senate Amendment 2, a DNREC cleanup bill on recycling, would tighten recycling collection rules for haulers and commercial generators, require multifamily recycling education, repurpose the Delaware Recycling Fund, and add annual reporting; after brief questions and no public comment, the committee motion to release did not initially receive enough votes, so the bill was circulated for signatures. SB 346, which would speed Environmental Appeals Board hearing and decision timelines so DNREC secretary decisions become final if deadlines are missed, drew support from the Nature Conservancy and also failed to get enough votes at the meeting, so it too was circulated for signatures. The committee then took up SB 326, a major utility-regulation bill sponsored by Senator Hanson and Representative Heffernan that would cap certain non-mandatory utility spending, limit interim rates, increase oversight and transparency, and streamline rate-setting. SB 326 generated extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the Public Advocate, Sierra Club, PSC staff, and some legislators, argued that Delmarva Power’s spending on non-mandatory infrastructure has risen far faster than inflation, that the company is a regulated monopoly, and that the bill would help restrain future delivery-rate increases without harming reliability because mandatory reliability, storm response, and vegetation management spending would remain allowed. Opponents, including Delmarva Power, business groups, contractors, labor representatives, and the Delaware Contractors Association, argued the cap would delay needed reliability and capacity projects, hurt economic development, reduce jobs, and interfere with utility planning; they also said supply costs, not distribution spending, are the main driver of recent bill increases. After public comment and additional questioning, the committee voted to release SB 326 on a split roll call, but because several members were absent the bill was also walked for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that supervisory level can assign approved delegates.
• So that supervisory level can assign approved delegates.
• So this secondary level, this delegate level, is those individuals that, again, will be working under
• Again, the delegate level—thank you.
• So the education level of the people in the office is irrelevant.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met to consider a Missouri Prescription Drug Monitoring Program rule proposal after the Department of Natural Resources withdrew its items. The hearing focused on 1 CSR 60-1.010, which would expand delegate-level PDMP access to additional licensed behavioral health professionals, including licensed clinical social workers, licensed master social workers, marital and family therapists, professional counselors, and psychologists, while also correcting prior rule language involving medical assistants and clinical nurse specialists. Testimony from the PDMP executive director and supporters from Compass Health and the Department of Mental Health argued the change would improve care coordination, medication reconciliation, and safety in multidisciplinary behavioral health settings, especially CCBHCs. They said access would remain limited to licensed professionals working under a prescriber/dispenser relationship, with individual logins and penalties for misuse. Opponents and some committee members raised concerns that the rule would expand access beyond the original statutory framework without legislative change, could be used beyond treatment purposes, and should instead be addressed through statute rather than rulemaking. After public testimony, the committee debated whether the proposal exceeded statutory authority and whether the expansion was too substantive for rulemaking alone. A motion was made to disapprove the rule on grounds including lack of statutory authority, conflict with state law, and arbitrariness. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 7-1, and the committee disapproved Rule 1 CSR 60-1.010 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• After it is signed off at that level, it will then move over to a manager's approval level and then up
• So those levels happen, and that's exactly where...
• That was at the grantee level. And so, Mr.
• Yet their problem has, you know, skyrocketed into crisis levels, right?
• Yet their problem has, you know, skyrocketed into crisis levels, right?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what the SEPA process looks like from a really high level.
• There are even higher flexible exemption levels available in urban growth areas.
• Higher exemption levels, or flexible thresholds, are a local option.
• So this is a level-setting conversation.
• It has been implemented at the local level.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in work session and heard a series of presentations on SEPA, permitting reforms, and building code implementation. Department of Ecology staff gave an overview of the State Environmental Policy Act, explaining its role in state and local decision-making, common exemptions, planned actions, and recent housing-related statutory changes such as transit-oriented development exemptions and SEPA appeals protections for certain local ordinances. Committee members asked about repeated SEPA reviews, cultural and historic resource review, and how SEPA relates to NEPA; Ecology responded that repeated reviews usually occur when proposals change and that programmatic EISs can help front-load analysis. Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections described how recent SEPA exemptions reduced residential review volume and supported more housing permits, and said the city is considering raising thresholds further. The State Building Code Council provided an update on code adoption timelines and legislative tasks tied to the 2024 codes, including single-stair housing, multiplex housing, dwelling unit size, and temporary emergency shelter standards. Council staff said the content of the codes is largely set, but administrative timelines have been delayed, prompting a motion to postpone final adoption while pursuing ways to preserve the planned implementation schedule. Members asked about the timing of code changes and the impact on housing costs, and staff said the legislative topics remain on track for inclusion in the 2024 code package. Committee staff then reviewed recent permitting legislation, including SB 5290’s permit decision deadlines and fee-refund provisions, later bills limiting pre-application meetings and clarifying that building permits are excluded from those timelines, and project-specific changes affecting middle housing, ADUs, lot splits, passive house projects, self-certification, transit-oriented development, and parking requirements. Commerce’s Dave Anderson reported on SB 5290 implementation, including guidance on permit fees, studies on staffing and statewide permitting systems, grants to local governments, and the first annual performance report, which showed mixed results and highlighted the importance of digital tools, clear checklists, staff training, and coordination across departments. Local officials from Issaquah and Kitsap County described their own process improvements, including code updates, optional pre-application meetings, new staffing, reporting systems, and a phased “Two by Six” review model in Kitsap, while also noting challenges from staffing shortages, agency coordination, and the burden of implementing multiple new mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the most part, at a population level, they're getting out of the way.
• We still have some communication issues at the emergency response level.
• Local level. These three supplements to that plan are really focused on disaster recovery.
• or that level of information.
• When the water reaches a certain level, I want that thing loud.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to get out of the way for the most part at a population level.
• We, we still have some communication issues, uh, in an emergency response level.
• So there's a different level of the camps out there.
• At that point, you click to another level of awareness.
• or that level of information gathering.

Transcript Highlights:

• Long-term care is not covered by Medicare, so each state has to authorize Medicaid eligibility levels
• and funding levels for the long-term care program to exist.
• and funding levels for the long-term care program to exist.
• I'm going to take a quick step back and just do a high-level overview of the program.
• So I think workforce is the number one thing, both at the provider level.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion focused on how Florida health care organizations are working to improve access, quality, and affordability. Panelists from Florida Community Care/Independent Living Systems, Sunshine Health, AdventHealth, UF Health, and Nemours described their approaches, including Medicaid managed care, value-based contracting, community partnerships, mobile screening units, smart-room technology, telehealth, and specialized programs for maternal health, children, and complex chronic conditions. Several speakers emphasized that managed care and coordinated care can improve outcomes while reducing unnecessary utilization and costs. Members asked about the impact of Medicare’s V28 changes, mobile cancer screening, urgent care versus emergency room billing, pediatric specialty access, complaint resolution, Black maternal mortality, provider shortages, network adequacy, and the use of AI in prior authorization. Witnesses said V28 has affected providers and revenue, UF Health’s mobile screening program is expanding beyond a few cancer types, and its urgent care model bills patients at the appropriate level rather than both urgent care and ER rates. Nemours said it reduced specialty wait times through scheduling changes, telemedicine, and registry tools, while AdventHealth described postpartum coordination and maternal heart programs to reduce maternal complications and mortality. On complaints and access problems, panelists said their organizations use patient/member advocates, care managers, call centers, and escalation processes to resolve issues, and Sunshine Health specifically discussed a transportation complaint that was addressed with its vendor and the family. Sunshine Health also said it is not using AI for prior authorization, though it is exploring responsible uses elsewhere, and Florida Community Care said it is not using AI in utilization management. In closing, panelists identified workforce shortages, provider burnout, and high-cost drugs as the biggest ongoing challenges. The meeting ended with thanks to the panel and adjournment after Representative Brackett moved to rise, without objection.