Transcript Highlights:

• Cnh and other yams have distribution models designed to operate through a qualified dealer network manufacturers
• single-family neighborhoods specifies that home base, businesses and cars, food operations do not qualify
• transfer density units or development units from other properties and specifies that would tells qualifies
• The bill designates independent sanctioning authorities as qualified entities for participation in the
• , Madam Chair, for instances when a 3rd party purchases medical debt from a licensed health care facility

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The difference, and to clarify that, is the only way that you would qualify for that is if it was a marijuana
• discuss the implementation process for providing cannabis products to patients within medical care facilities
• and assess... ...the process for providing cannabis products to patients within medical care facilities
• about dispensing those products and allowing the pharmaceutical processor or the cannabis dispensing facility
• to dispense or deliver by either an employee of that facility or having a marijuana delivery operator

Keywords: Cannabis Retail Market, Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will authorize qualified providers to offer these therapies under strict guardrails.
• reimbursement will apply only if the municipality requires the telecommunication utility to relocate its facility
• , or if it is in any circumstance in which the telecommunication facility has to relocate its facility
• If a facility is required to relocate because of a municipality, I think it's entirely appropriate that
• whether in the circumstance in which the telecommunication utility decides on its own to relocate a facility

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'd have to have two facilities, two rooftops, two separate addresses in order to reap the benefit
• My shop averages about $44 an hour right now, and mechanical work at my facility through the insurance
• AASPMA represents hundreds of professional collision repair facilities across the Commonwealth, employing
• House Bill 1260 and House Bill 1285 propose a data-driven approach allowing repairer facilities to present
• This reflects what consumers willingly pay out-of-pocket for qualified repairs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Financial Services Committee heard testimony on several insurance, transportation, and labor-related bills. Senator Edwards supported bills addressing app-based delivery workers, arguing that food-delivery drivers should be treated as employees with protections and mileage reimbursement, and that a small surcharge on app-based deliveries could raise revenue for the Commonwealth and localities. Kevin Brousseau of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO also backed the delivery-worker bill, saying it would preserve employee status, add data transparency, and create a process for challenging deactivations. MAPC supported a bill to change transportation network company fees from a flat per-ride charge to a percentage-based assessment, saying the current fee is outdated and that a higher fee could raise more transportation revenue and help address congestion and emissions. A large portion of the hearing focused on auto insurance and collision repair issues. Insurance industry witnesses supported a bill to limit attorney’s fees in PIP cases by giving insurers 30 days after a complaint is served to pay amounts due without fee exposure, arguing that PIP litigation has surged, is clogging courts, and is being driven by out-of-state firms. They also opposed auto body labor-rate bills, saying the market is already adjusting and that a statutory floor is unnecessary. In contrast, auto body shop representatives and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts urged favorable action on bills to raise and regularly update collision repair labor rates, saying current reimbursement levels are far below market, have not kept pace with inflation or vehicle technology, and are making it hard to retain workers and keep small shops open. One witness also supported a bill to limit insurance surcharge points for low-damage accidents or minor moving violations. Committee members asked questions about deactivation rights for delivery workers, the mechanics of the PIP litigation issue, and the gap between body-shop and mechanical labor rates. Testimony emphasized that current auto body reimbursement rates are around the mid-$40s per hour, while mechanical work can be reimbursed at much higher rates, and that advisory-board discussions have produced only limited progress. At the end of the hearing, the chairs asked if anyone else wished to testify, then moved to close the hearing; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Healthcare facilities, Midland alone put $100 million of local dollars last year for a behavioral health
• Adding things of needs out there, but you know, so healthcare facilities, public education, we are, we're
• These areas, even in the small areas, are passing bond issues and stuff to build facilities.
• Yes ma'am, at least qualified. All right.
• Roads, schools, healthcare facilities, it would really help the communities continue to be an engine

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Health Center at Maui um I qualified Health Center at Maui um I submitted<00:25:55.360> written
• So this is funding that the hospitals and federally qualified health centers used to get.
• <00:46:58.680> Health Revenue the federally qualified Health Revenue the federally qualified
• We recognize that this is going to make that facility much more viable and improve healthcare access
• like gold carding for qualifying like gold carding for qualifying providers<01:21:25.520> and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 553 on biomarker testing coverage, HB 556 on colorectal cancer screening access, and later HB 712 on 340B drug pricing. For HB 553, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, patient advocates Natalie Heyman and Susan Hirano, a surgical oncologist, and the American Lung Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that biomarker testing should be covered when ordered by a doctor and guided by current evidence. DHS and several insurers offered comments and requested amendments, with DHS saying it appreciated the intent but wanted changes. The committees then voted to pass HB 553 with amendments, including a House draft and a defective date of July 1, 3000; both the House Health and Human Services and Homelessness committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. For HB 556, testimony focused on closing gaps in colorectal cancer screening, especially for uninsured and underinsured patients who can get stool-based screening but then cannot access follow-up colonoscopies. Community Clinic of Maui, ACS CAN, and the American Cancer Society supported the bill, with ACS CAN urging a program similar to the breast and cervical cancer control program and offering amendments. DHS requested that the program and appropriation not conflict with executive budget priorities, and the committees noted technical amendments, a defective date, a blank appropriation amount, and corrections changing Medicare references to Medicaid. HB 556 was also passed with amendments by both committees. The hearing then moved to HB 712 on 340B drug pricing and contract pharmacies. The Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office expressed concern that the bill would require the state to regulate private commercial activity and said the department lacked the expertise and resources to implement it as written, suggesting it might belong in a different statutory section. In contrast, PhRMA opposed the bill, while Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Island Community Health Center supported it, saying 340B savings are important for hospital services and patient access to low-cost medications, especially where manufacturers have restricted shipments to contract pharmacies. No vote on HB 712 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• VPK providers must meet quality standards, such as employing qualified instructors.
• They also qualify for certain tax incentives and qualify to provide the VPK program out of the gate.
• They do not qualify for the program because they make too much money.
• Which is still not a lot, by the way, but it will allow more families to qualify.
• So how we work with the ELC to see if they qualify? Yeah.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• at midpoint, it's really hard to continue going forward to say that we are going to protect This facility
• detailed, but you know, some a sentence or two about why You believe this person may be exceptionally qualified
• still am also very concerned about just because you have a Ph.D. does not mean that you're more qualified
• There was also a legislative finance committee remodel that was approved by the Facilities Review Subcommittee
• But, of course, any construction such projects need to be approved by Facilities Review.

Transcript Highlights:

• prior authorization criteria, in other words, what are the things that you need to do in order to qualify
• You're saying that as a... ...able to even qualify for this medication, you're going to be participating
• last chance to try a program. ...is multisystemic therapy or MST before placing him in a juvenile facility
• Since 2011, Texas has required mammography facilities to... to inform patients with dense breast tissue
• In 2023, the FDA issued a ruling amending the Mammography Quality Standards Act that requires facilities

Bills: HB231, HB231, HB475, HB488, HB632, HB821, HB1786, HB1955, HB2036, HB2060, HB2659, HB2677

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• About 60% of charter school students qualify for free and reduced lunch, versus 42% statewide, and 22%
• Section five prohibits a contractor providing facilities, goods, or services from serving on their building
• Section five prohibits a contractor providing facilities, goods, or services from serving on their building
• streamed um section five prohibits a contractor<01:30:31.600> providing<01:30:32.360> facilities
• providing facilities goods or services<01:30:34.320> from<01:30:34.600> serving<01:30:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:18:35.639> permitting issues energy facilities permitting issues energy facilities permitting
• energy facility which handles energy facility applications<01:18:39.120> and<01:18:39.280>
• There were 54 public hearings for these facilities dockets.
• hearings for these facilities hearings for these facilities dockets<01:20:43.520> the<01:
• We issued a solicitation in the fall and did not have any qualified bidders.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Roslifan facility is the world's largest LNG facility, producing approximately 20% of the world's
• facility in Louisiana is roughly the same.
• We need to be able to site and construct pipelines, compressor stations, processing facilities, LNG facilities
• In addition, our facilities operations provide a $5 to $7 billion annual net positive impact Facilities
• systems, and supporting facilities. unit, carbon dioxide removal systems, and supporting facilities.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What would we do at the rural health care facility?
• The health care facilities are a giant part of that, but so is the whole community.
• So we don't want to have health care facilities that thrive.
• And these health care facilities could have the best.
• operated IHS facilities may not.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an extensive briefing from the Department of Health and Human Services on North Dakota’s federal Rural Health Transformation award. HHS leaders Pat Traynor, Donna Auckland, Jonathan Ollum, and Krista Freming described the $198.9 million award, the tight federal timelines for obligating and liquidating funds, and the need for rapid procurement, CMS approval, and technical assistance. They outlined broad funding priorities including connect tech/data, care closer to home, workforce recruitment and retention, and a “Make North Dakota Healthy Again” prevention initiative focused on chronic disease, movement, nutrition, behavioral health, and community connection. They also emphasized that the program cannot fund new buildings or supplant existing funding, and that sustainability will be a key requirement for all projects. The department previewed likely first-round grant opportunities, including recruitment and retention incentives, technical assistance and equipment grants for rural providers, financial analysis support for rural hospitals, and exploration of a unified electronic health record option. Freming also reviewed four policy bills tied to the award: a presidential fitness test, nutrition continuing medical education, the Physician Assistant Compact, and pharmacist scope-of-practice changes, explaining that these policy actions affect future scoring and funding. HHS said it will work with tribes, local public health, hospitals, medical and pharmacy associations, and other partners, and will use a website, listserv, listening sessions, and committee updates to communicate opportunities. Committee members raised concerns about how the money will reach rural residents, whether newspapers and existing local communication networks will be used, how “rural” and “frontier” will be defined, how faith communities might participate in behavioral health efforts, and how HHS will avoid CMS delays and supplanting issues. HHS responded that the focus will be on where the patient lives and on rural community need, that local public health units and existing structures will be part of outreach, and that technical assistance and template applications will help speed approvals. The committee approved the December 4, 2025 minutes, then recessed into divisions for further work on the appropriations bill and the four policy bills, with the full committee set to reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our center currently operates a 55-bed secure facility and a 25-bed non-secure care facility.
• Our center currently operates a 55-bed secure facility and a 25-bed non-secure care facility.
• Currently, we operate the facility that's being proposed to be remodeled and become the new facility.
• facility.
• /c><01:04:22.200> as<01:04:22.359> James facility the 55 bed facility as James facility

Bills: HF2148, HF2693, HF2542, HF1141, HF1770, HF1489, HF1709, HF244, HF1266, HF807, HF2619, HF1340

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• We manage two secure facilities within our Juvenile Justice Division, one at John Paul Taylor in Dona
• And facilities are required to report these in two ways.
• And we have a 71% graduation rate in our juvenile justice facilities, which is much higher than the national
• So those that Didn't qualify before that are qualifying now. It was 800, is that right, Mr. Chair?
• They may want an Escalade and be on SNAP benefits and do that, and then qualify and push out people that

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:42.599> to bedroom to use an existing facility to bedroom to use an existing facility
• We have not had any qualified applicants to this point in time.
• There are headhunters reaching out every day to multiple people that are qualified.
• We have not had any qualified applicants to this point in time.
• executive director office facility executive director office facility development<01:12:03.159><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires roads, It requires roads, water systems, wastewater treatment, drainage facilities, parks
• So a few MUDs have a meeting facility in their district, but most don't.
• So a few muds have a meeting facility in their district, but most don't.
• While we are blessed to have significant jobs. working at those facilities.
• The real difference is in the timing of the financing of those facilities.

Summary: The committee heard testimony first from the Texas General Land Office and School Land Board. GLO officials described the agency’s role in managing more than 13 million acres of state lands and mineral interests for the Permanent School Fund, overseeing the Alamo, coastal programs, veterans’ services, and federal disaster recovery. They said the agency has generated about $6 billion for the Permanent School Fund since Commissioner Buckingham took office, and that its disaster recovery portfolio is about $14 billion across multiple events, with more than 22,000 housing units rebuilt or reconstructed since Hurricane Harvey. Members asked about land purchases such as Brewster Ranch, rare earth mineral leasing, SpaceX-related beach access, and whether the lands are public access lands; GLO staff said the holdings are managed to maximize revenue for education, that most land is leased rather than open to public access, and that they are coordinating on coastal access and compliance. On the School Land Board, members sought clarification on the difference between GLO-managed lands and the Permanent School Fund Corporation’s investment role, and staff explained that GLO generates the revenue while the separate corporation invests it. No votes or formal actions were taken. The Board for Lease of University Lands then testified. University Lands officials explained that they steward 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral interests in West Texas for the Permanent University Fund, which supports UT and Texas A&M institutions. They said a 2025 lease sale produced about $50 million in bonus revenue from 28,000 acres, and described the Board for Lease’s role in approving lease forms, lease sales, and development agreements. Members asked about the size and use of the PUF, how distributions work through UTIMCO, whether PUF money can be used for athletics, and how the land is managed; the witness said the fund is a constitutional endowment, the land is largely leased rather than sold, and distributions are generally used for buildings, labs, and other permanent structures, with some institutions also using a portion for operations. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then took up municipal utility districts. Testimony from a law firm, the Texas Municipal League, Fort Bend County Commissioner Vincent Morales, and Johnson Development largely supported MUDs as a financing tool for infrastructure tied to growth. Witnesses said MUDs help fund water, sewer, drainage, roads, parks, and related infrastructure, allowing development to proceed without shifting costs to existing taxpayers and helping keep housing affordable. They emphasized that MUDs are created with disclosure to homebuyers, are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, and are overseen by TCEQ for bond issuance and related financial stress tests. Members questioned whether MUDs are taxing entities, whether they can be created inside city limits or ETJs, how much control cities and counties retain, and whether MUDs are becoming permanent local governments; witnesses acknowledged they levy taxes and debt, can exist within city limits with city consent, and often function as long-term local entities. The committee did not take any formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• No more getting charged again and again just to prove you're qualified.
• I'm not for opening up these facilities right next to your house and all of that.
• CS for Senate Bill 68, a bill to be entitled an act relating to health facilities.
• It defines wastewater treatment facilities. And water treatment facilities.
• This amendment designates the following transportation facility.

Bills: HB 24, HB 45, HB 15, HB 35, HB 38, HB 47, HB 318, HB 349, HB 554, HB 1359, HB 1373, HB 1647, HB 2254, HB 2259, HB 2853, HB 3073, HB 3088, HB 353, HB 355, HB 786, HB 762, HB 705, HB 932, HB 849, HB 1160, HB 1119, HB 1612, HB 3041, HB 713, HB 3104, HB 3970, HB 3962, HB 5061, HB 4042, HB 4115, HB 4490, HB 1731, HB 1705, HB 2607, HB 3556, HB 138, HB 3689, HB 1788, HB 1887, HB 1914, HB 2402, HB 2306, HB 1809, HB 2350, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 3211, HB 1056, HB 2081, HB 2187, HB 3092, HB 3308, HB 3526, HB 3750, HB 3527, HB 4219, HB 4230, HB 4290, HB 5238, HB 4804, HB 4749, HCR 6, HCR 12, HCR 34, HCR 50, HCR 55, HCR 58, HCR 70, HCR 71, HCR 72, HCR 74, HCR 75, HCR 78, HCR 80, HCR 93, HCR 100, HCR 107, HCR 116, HCR 117, HCR 90, SB 1806, SB 783, SB 1271, SB 326, SB 1637, SB 769, SB 897, SB 1035, SB 1706, SB 1185, SB 1194, SB 384, SB 1426, SB 1468, SB 1215, SB 1066, SB 599, SB 1930, SB 2065, SB 767, SB 1619, SB 1738, HB 1500, HB 718, HB 23, HB 34, HB 119, HB 128, HB 130, HB 132, HB 2756, HB 166, HB 406, HB 186, HB 331, HB 380, HB 1583, HB 1584, HB 621, HB 303, HB 552, HB 366, HB 463, HB 1211, HB 1327, HB 1461, HB 923, HB 1760, HB 2467, HB 5333, HB 1592, HB 1576, HB 1552, HB 2018, HB 3511, HB 1781, HB 2013, HB 2340, HB 2508, HB 2970, HB 865, HB 2851, HB 3385, HB 3336, HB 3309, HB 1127, HB 1232, HB 1397, HB 4236, HB 4041, HB 1965, HB 2730, HB 3698, HB 3699, HB 163, HB 201, HB 272, HB 405, HB 519, HB 654, HB 694, HB 791, HB 1136, HB 1240, HB 1266, HB 1275, HB 1437, HB 1532, HB 1675, HB 1842, HB 1868, HB 1894, HB 1943, HB 1990, HB 2029, HB 2061, HB 2286, HB 2523, HB 2622, HB 2652, HB 2692, HB 2842, HB 2885, HB 3016, HB 3096, HB 3248, HB 3255, HB 3479, HB 3611, HB 3623, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 3810, HB 3816, HB 4129, HB 4163, HB 4187, HB 4238, HB 4454, HB 4588, HB 4643, HB 4738, HB 4739, HB 4945, HB 5015, HB 5616, HB 1749, HB 1775, HB 118, HB 1762, HB 2520, HB 24, HB 45, HB 15, HB 35, HB 38, HB 47, HB 318, HB 349, HB 554, HB 1359, HB 1373, HB 1647, HB 2254, HB 2259, HB 2853, HB 3073, HB 3088, HB 353, HB 355, HB 786, HB 762, HB 705, HB 932, HB 849, HB 1160, HB 1119, HB 1612, HB 3041, HB 713, HB 3104, HB 3970, HB 3962, HB 5061, HB 4042, HB 4115, HB 4490, HB 1731, HB 1705, HB 2607, HB 3556, HB 138, HB 3689, HB 1788, HB 1887, HB 1914, HB 2402, HB 2306, HB 1809, HB 2350, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 3211, HB 1056, HB 2081, HB 2187, HB 3092, HB 3308, HB 3526, HB 3750, HB 3527, HB 4219, HB 4230, HB 4290, HB 5238, HB 4804, HB 4749, HCR 6, HCR 12, HCR 34, HCR 50, HCR 55, HCR 58, HCR 70, HCR 71, HCR 72, HCR 74, HCR 75, HCR 78, HCR 80, HCR 93, HCR 100, HCR 107, HCR 116, HCR 117, HCR 90

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, information network, health services, client referral, data privacy, disaster preparedness, accreditation, community services, sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination

Summary: The Florida House conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included land development and wetlands mitigation (SB 492), renewable natural gas infrastructure investment (SB 1574), local government regulation (SB 1080), housing and accessory dwelling units (SB 184), recovery residences (SB 954), and various health, education, and criminal justice measures. The session also addressed returning messages from the Senate with amendments, transportation facility designations, and claims bills for wrongfully convicted individuals. Several bills passed unanimously while others faced structured debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know there was a lot of conversation on the nursing, on the assisted living facilities.
• to have to give training and be responsible for... ...of assisted living facilities to have to give
• training and be responsible for the residents of assisted living facilities when it comes to, say, a
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 68, a bill to be entitled, An act relating to health facilities
• In Latin America, Consultants offer legal services they are not qualified to provide.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including remarks from the new Democratic caucus leader, Senator Berman, who emphasized bipartisan work on education, health care, the environment, and family issues. The chamber also recognized military leaders, an intern, and guests connected to later bills. No committee reports or executive messages were on the desk at the start of the session. The Senate then took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion substitutions and technical amendments. Major measures included the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which passed 36-0; a local government land regulation bill that was amended after questions about quasi-judicial hearings, impact fees, and county costs, then passed 26-8; a vessels/boating bill that incorporated related legislation and passed 35-0; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which passed 36-0; a fleeing or eluding law enforcement bill, amended to remove vehicle impoundment in the House version, which passed 36-0; a concealed carry/firearms bill for certain law enforcement and military personnel, which passed 33-3; and a timeshare management bill, which passed 36-0. The chamber also passed a disability history and awareness instruction bill, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, after extensive debate about language and the meaning of disability versus “unique abilities”; it received 35 co-sponsors and passed 35-0. Other bills passed included manufacturing and related fee legislation, public education on background screening requirements, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, Medicaid oversight, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, mammogram coverage, Parkinson’s disease, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• Review those facilities and make sure that the people are being treated appropriately and our money is
• And so my qualified in order to do that.
• as a disability, people that qualified as a disability, people that were<00:52:50.000> in<00:
• <01:25:43.679> Um,<01:25:44.159> and qualify to get in or pregnant.
• Um, and qualify to get in or pregnant.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.