Transcript Highlights:

• That carries; the bill is reported.
• The bill is reported. Next, S-32-61.
• The bill's reported. Next, S-52-77.
• One nay, the bills reported. Next, S-55.
• The bill's reported. Next, S-82-76.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee met with a light attendance and acknowledged committee members, clerk Joyce Andrea, and central staff from IGO and finance. The chair noted an 18-bill agenda, with 17 repasses and one new bill, S.8555, described as a local tax extender for Suffolk County that had been overlooked the prior year. Once three members were present, the committee proceeded with normal motions and seconds. The agenda included a range of measures on alcohol and cannabis regulation, public officers law, executive law, tax law, state law, and highway naming. Bills reported included S.315 on a temporary New York craft beverage permit, S.349 on expanding the definition of agency, S.566 on Address Confidentiality Program eligibility for election officials, S.1130 on renter protections tied to housing subsidies or public assistance, S.1787 on a veteran suicide awareness flag, S.2640 on including veterans in the definition of military status for discrimination purposes, and several cannabis-related bills including S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.6283. S.1418A, concerning attorney’s fees in certain proceedings, was referred to finance. Most bills were reported unanimously, though several had one nay or one without recommendation, including S.2271, S.234, S.2447, S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.8555. The committee also reported S.2364 designating the Honor and Remember flag as an official state flag, S.55 renaming a highway in New York City, and S.8276 regarding qualifications for an assistant county attorney in Rockland County. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and noting the committee would meet again in a few weeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um the report that we got back recommended the provisions in the bill, the report I mentioned yesterday
• is a part of this report. is a part of this report.
• report? report?
• in the lobbying report.
• reports tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. reports tomorrow. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is basically the reporting entity of who a parent or adult reports an absence to within the schools
• entity of who a parent or the reporting entity of who a parent or adult<00:02:04.039> reports
• leads to my next crucial change reports leads to my next crucial change reports to<00:22:42.320>
• change will require districts to report change will require districts to report non-compliant<00
• on is being of what schools report on is being reported<00:31:03.840> for<00:31:03.960> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Printing report. The chief clerk report will be printed in the journal.
• . report. report.
• finance committee report. finance committee report.
• >> To the committee report. >> To the committee report.
• report. All those in favor say I. report. All those in favor say I.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this report could have been five times as large.
• give us a standing report on the usage statistics.
• not filing your report in a timely fashion.
• not filing your report in a timely fashion.
• We're mandatory reporters for that.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive updates on implementation of House Bill 1349, which created guardianship transparency measures, and on the Department of Elder Affairs’ Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG). The Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation described the statewide guardianship database for judges and a public-facing website, noting the system went live in March 2025 after a soft launch in 2024. Officials said the database now includes information from all 67 clerks, with 388 users, about 6,400 wards, and 518 professional guardians. Members asked about unique identifiers, data duplication, training, and how the system is being used; CCOC said it is working to use registration numbers as identifiers, improve search functions, expand training, and seek continued funding. Secretary Michelle Branham then outlined OPPG’s implementation of HB 1349 and its broader oversight role. She said the department has doubled education requirements, expanded transparency through the Sentry system, and brought investigations fully in-house in August 2024. She described the complaint and investigation process, including legal sufficiency review, regional investigators, mandatory in-person interviews, and possible outcomes ranging from corrective training and fines to suspension or revocation. Members asked about complaint categories, disciplinary actions, whether guardians can be suspended during investigations, and how older cases are handled; the secretary said most complaints are administrative/technical, serious allegations are referred to law enforcement, and one older case discussed remained ongoing. The Auditor General’s office presented its operational audit of OPPG, covering July 2022 through January 2024 and follow-up on prior findings. The audit identified problems with monitoring private professional guardians and public guardian offices, complaint processing timeliness, incomplete public profile information, late registration renewals, failure to assess contract penalties, weak collection safeguards, missing follow-up on required public guardian reports, lack of needed rules, and Sentry system access/security controls. In response, Secretary Branham said the department does not dispute the findings and has already taken corrective steps, including launching Sentry, hiring additional monitors, moving investigations in-house, adding automated renewal reminders, updating forms, and drafting new rules. She also said the department plans to seek subpoena power and stronger fines in the next legislative session. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after members’ questions were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I apologize for the reporter of the appropriation report.
• I thank the reporter. President. I thank the reporter.
• Uh, if I may clarify, do you mean who is it being reported to? Who's the recipient of the report?
• adopted the committee conference report adopted the committee conference report on<01:31:57.440>
• report on H952. report on H952.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For other reports of committees, reported by the Committee on Commerce: House Bill 259 reported with
• ; House Bill 848 reported favorably; House Bill 917 reported favorably; House Bill 921 reported with
• Report of the Committee on Finance: House Bill 27 reported favorably; House Bill 143 reported favorably
• Report of the Committee on Insurance: House Bill 909 reported with amendments; House Bill 938 reported
• House Bill 557 reported favorably; House Bill 657 reported favorably; House Bill 740 reported favorably

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The last time I remember looking at a report, receiving a report in committee on foster homes at CYFD
• Of that reporting.
• I was alarmed to learn that our special care setting reports were daily reports of children sleeping
• The current reports, so you probably need to stay here. What are the current reports?
• The current reports, so you probably need to stay here. What are the current reports?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here to present the final report on the Department of Health's oversight of hospital data reporting
• Our full report can be found online.
• More information on these reporting requirements is available in Part 5 and Appendix B of the report.
• We didn't review that during our report.
• Reporting requirements are met.

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:

• Uh, members, uh, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family Protective Services reported over 83,000 cases
• of elder abuse in Texas, up from 60,000 cases reported in 2022.
• And I'm pleased to report, um, that there will be, uh, 2 floor amendments today. I passed down 1.
• Senate Bill 942 failed to be reported favorably from the committee members.
• As substitute to be reported to the full House with the recommendation that passed be printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair moves that Senate Bill 314 without amendment be reported favorably to the full House with a
• The chair moves that House Bill 1178 without amendment be reported favorably to the full House with a
• The chair moves that House Bill 1290 as substituted be reported favorably to the full House with the
• The chair moves that House Bill 1368 without amendment be reported favorably to the full House with a
• The chair moves that House Bill 1441 without amendment be reported favorably to the full House with a

Bills: HB178

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees and divisions.
• If there is no objection, the reports will be adopted.
• Reports of standing committees and divisions.
• Reports of standing committees and divisions.
• > and Reports of standing committees and Reports of standing committees and divisions.<00:05:29.880

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum after remote roll call. The journal of the previous day was approved, comparison reports and standing committee/division reports were adopted without objection, and several bills were advanced to second reading, including House Files 4074 and 4598 and Senate Files 2373, 4476, and 4282. The House also received first reading of House Files 5128 through 5133. A report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration designated House Files 1597, 4017, and 4138 for the calendar on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and imposed a pre-filing requirement for amendments to those bills. No substantive debate on bill content occurred during the floor session; the transcript mainly reflects procedural business and announcements. Under motions and resolutions, Representative Olsen moved to suspend the rules to recall House File 4987 from the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee for immediate second and third readings, but discussion shifted to scheduling and caucus announcements. Representative Niska then moved that the House recess to the call of the Speaker, and the motion prevailed, sending the House into recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. statements we didn't report on it as statements we didn't report on it as part<00:01:25.439
• <00:12:53.160> to balance that they've reported to balance that they've reported to Minnesota
• <00:15:59.199> was understands how that Report was understands how that Report was generated
• <00:42:14.560> um<00:42:14.839> and different reports um and different reports um and
• <00:42:52.800> but response in the back of the report but response in the back of the report

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the January 16, 2024 minutes without objection. Members then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its December 2024 performance audit of the Department of Human Services’ outstanding provider debt in Minnesota’s Medicaid fee-for-service program. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall said the audit was launched after the office noticed a large accounts receivable balance during the state financial statement audit and became concerned that DHS did not understand the extent of the overpayments, had poor data, and planned to forgo recovery of some recoverable balances. Deputy Legislative Auditor Lori Lyson explained that DHS had reported $51.7 million in provider debt across about 2,500 providers in fiscal year 2023, with testing focused on long-term care facilities and the largest balances. The audit concluded DHS did not comply with legal requirements and lacked adequate internal controls. Findings included that DHS had not attempted to recover more than $40 million since collection notices were last sent in 2015 and 2019; that the department planned to write off some balances under $1,000 and some older than six years despite the auditors’ view that at least some of that debt may still be recoverable; that DHS overstated accounts receivable in its financial reporting because it had not updated its allowance calculation since 2019; and that MMIS data were insufficient to verify balances, with 20 of 59 sampled providers not reconciling and many dates inaccurate. In response to member questions, the auditors said the overpayments appeared to be routine program adjustments rather than fraud, but the department could not explain many of them because detailed data are only retained for about three years. They also said they did not know which specific DHS leader approved not collecting the debt, and that responsibility for recovery appeared split between program and finance staff, with each pointing to the other. The auditors recommended DHS recover the debt where possible, improve internal controls, retain better documentation, ensure accurate financial reporting, and work with the legislature if needed to clarify recovery authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee rise and report. committee rise and report.
• I move the report. The motion is the adoption of the committee of the whole report.
• committee reports.
• I move the report. >> The motion is the adoption of the committee of the whole report.
• 2025 sunset report. 2025 sunset report. >> Senator<01:23:47.120> Kulk.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and House messages. Committee reports advanced a number of bills and appointments, including Senate Bill 163, House Bill 1320, Senate Bill 160, House Bill 1210, and several board and commission appointments recommended for the consent calendar. The chamber also received House action on multiple bills, including concurrence in Senate amendments to House Bills 1239, 1262, and 1110, a request for a conference committee on House Bill 1084, and transmission of several other measures to the Revisor of Statutes. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 22, designating July 12-18, 2026, as Plastic Pollution Awareness Week. Senator Cutter spoke in support, arguing that plastic pollution harms environmental and human health, disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, and cannot be solved by recycling alone. The resolution was adopted on a 25-9 vote, with several senators recorded in opposition, and co-sponsors were noted. The chamber also recognized guests from the Colorado Society of Enrolled Agents and the National Association of Tax Professionals, as well as visitors from the Colorado School of Mines and former Senator John Evans. Later, the Senate considered special orders on the consent calendar, including House Bills 103, 1026, and 1051, and adopted the committee reports and the bills. House Bill 1026 was amended and House Bill 1051 was advanced to third reading and final passage. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 117, concerning permissible methods for the sale of lottery tickets. Senator Bridges explained that the bill was intended to respond to lottery rules allowing online sales and credit card purchases, but said the measure had been narrowed in committee and then raised constitutional concerns under Colorado’s prohibition on slot machines outside limited gaming areas. The transcript ends during that debate, before final action on Senate Bill 117 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it is my pleasure to present this bill to you, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting.
• <00:02:07.079> and have ignored Common Sense reports and have ignored Common Sense reports
• says the employee must report says the employee must report immediately<00:05:12.560> to<
• Yes, they must report a state employee who discovers a violation, they must report it to the supervisor
• that they have a method for reporting that they have a method for reporting fraud<00:12:18.480> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording. The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 506 will be reported favorably to the full Senate. No. Okay. Well, well, well.
• Senator Hall moves that Senate Bill 2753 as substituted be reported.
• This subject will be reported February to the full Senate.
• Committee substitutes Senate Bill 2217 will be reported favorably to the whole Senate.
• Committee substitute Senate Bill 2514 will be reported favorably to the whole Senate.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the report. Mr.
• Read the report. Mr.
• Read the report. Mr.
• Read the report. Mr.
• Reader, read the report. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reported in aggregate.
• That'll be reported favorable. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. That will be reported favorably.
• Hearing none, it will be reported favorable.
• Relative to online training requirements pertaining to reporting child abuse and to submit a report of
• Hearing none, it will be reported favorable.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Requires annual fiscal and performance reporting to the Legislature and provides a transition framework
• and variance reporting.
• <00:18:27.440> and budgetary you know uh reporting and budgetary you know uh reporting and
• variance<00:18:28.160> reporting<00:18:28.960> does<00:18:29.200> provide<00:18
• :29.520> I<00:18:29.919> higher variance reporting does provide I higher variance reporting

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next report is a report of the Committee on Economic Matters. It is report number 19.
• report of the The next report is a report of the Committee<00:09:41.160> on<00:09:41.320>
• The next report is the report of the Committee on Government, Labor, and Elections.
• This is the report of the Committee on Economic Matters. It is report number 21.
• Report of the Committee on Government, Labor, and Elections, Report number 27.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House took up the Appropriations Committee’s report on the fiscal 2027 budget, including Senate Bill 282, the budget bill, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act. The floor leader described a balanced budget with a $282 million cash surplus, $2 billion in rainy day reserves, and no new fees or taxes, while highlighting funding for child care scholarships and credentials, behavioral health services in schools, Medicaid and SNAP-related outreach, DDA services, domestic violence and rape crisis services, energy assistance, local government disparity grants, and private-sector investment. Both budget measures were special ordered until Wednesday, March 25, and the House adopted the committee’s motion in each case without objection. The chamber also considered several committee reports from Economic Matters, Government, Labor, and Elections, and Health. Among the measures advanced were House Bill 1529 on a Baltimore County local commission on common ownership communities; House Bills 571, 892, 893, 994, 1120, 1166, 1351, 1362, and 883; and health-related bills including House Bills 446, 658, 698, 1015, and 1048. Most bills were amended and then given favorable reports, with the House adopting the amendments and ordering the bills printed for third reading. Several bills drew brief floor questions. House Bill 994 would create a $300 annual registration fee for travel services providers, but the sponsor said it would not add new penalties beyond existing consumer protection laws. House Bill 1166 on front license plate display clarified that a signed statement can shift responsibility to the driver when a front plate cannot be installed, while the existing $500 fine for noncompliance remained current law. House Bill 1351, dealing with disaster mitigation services and MHIC licensing, was explained as bringing those providers under home improvement licensing rules after a transition period, and was special ordered until the end of the session at a delegate’s request. House Bill 1048 on sodium and added sugar warning icons was amended to include a QR code and remove some reporting and education provisions; members also clarified that the bill still uses a 25-gram threshold and that restaurant groups did not support the bill, though it had been worked through with them.