Transcript Highlights:

• been changed in 30 years. 38 years prior to that, we had a complete overhaul of how we fund public education
• As a public health nurse, I'm always going to advocate for thinking about prevention and saving money
• learned, and it's been such a joy to be on this committee and to learn about all these things, as a nurse
• And we can educate people around tax rates as much as we educate them around appraisals.
• Obviously, the state has a constitutional obligation to provide a public education. To our kids.

Bills: SB9 , SB 9

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and then lastly, helping to set continuing education requirements.
• Uh, and then lastly, helping to set continuing education requirements.
• Uh, and then lastly, helping to set continuing education requirements.
• bill allows data that is directly related to the worker's ability to complete the task, including education
• ,</c><01:28:02.880><c> training,</c> complete the task, education, training, complete the task, education

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements of proprietary education.
• So, this change removes education.
• </c> of operating EMS education programs. of operating EMS education programs.
• . education. education.
• </c> education that you are homeschooling. education that you are homeschooling.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• To put it in the context of education, half of all California children live in immigrant families.
• To put it in the context of education, half of all California children live in immigrant families.
• Chapman with the California Nurses Association in support. Thank you.
• Good afternoon, Chair Members, Chapman, with the California Nurses Association in support.
• California's early care and education system.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctors and nurses are often mandated reporters, but these kids often aren't going to a doctor or a nurse
• My name is Ashley Stanley, and I am the Director of Community Education and Outreach at Wayside Waifs
• Additionally, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Association of Professional Humane Educators,
• My name is Ashley Stanley, and I am the Director of Community Education and Outreach at Wayside Waves
• For the past 10 years, I’ve worked in the field of humane education, and the ethos of humane education

Committee: House Special Committee on Urban Issues

Summary: The Special Committee on Urban Issues held a public hearing on House Bill 2292, sponsored by Rep. Holly Jones, which would require cross-reporting and training between child/elder abuse systems and animal welfare personnel. Jones said the bill is intended to help identify abuse earlier by training investigators to recognize signs of abuse in both people and companion animals, and she announced planned amendments to narrow the definition of animal to dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds and to extend training time from one hour to one and a half hours. She emphasized the bill is focused on companion animals, not livestock, and said it would use existing agencies rather than create a new department. The committee heard questions about the definition of companion animal and the scope of the bill. Supporters included Humane World for Animals, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the Missouri Animal Control Association, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Wayside Waifs, and the St. Louis County Police Association. They argued that animal abuse is closely linked to child, elder, and domestic abuse, that animal control officers and humane investigators often see warning signs first, and that cross-reporting would improve early intervention and save lives. Several witnesses described cases where animal abuse coincided with child abuse or other violence, and some said current reporting systems are inconsistent or delayed. One witness also said the training could be provided at low cost through existing mechanisms. Opponents, including the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, Missouri Cattleman’s Association, Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, and Missouri Animal Husbandry Association, raised concerns about the bill’s wording, possible inclusion of commercial breeders or livestock-related issues, and the role of humane investigators. They argued that animal abuse is already reported to law enforcement, that the bill could create confusion about authority or access to private property, and that it could impose costs and training burdens on agencies already stretched thin. Some rural witnesses said they wanted any investigations to remain with law enforcement and the Department of Agriculture, not animal welfare groups. The hearing ended without a vote or other action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, House Bill 2020 changes the classification of an interference with or disruption of an educational
• It also revises the definition of interference with or disruption of an educational institution.
• This minor was then the subject of felony charges for disrupting an educational institution, which is
• Conversely, I found someone that was a protester against ICE but holds a professional license as a nurse
• I would dare say, and his wife is an educator, which means she's been a part of the system for welfare

Summary: The committee heard HB 2842, a deed-fraud prevention bill that would create an early alert system for property owners when escrow is opened on their property. The sponsor and several witnesses, including a victim, an Attorney General investigator, and the Department of Real Estate commissioner, described widespread deed fraud and said the bill would provide proactive notice before a fraudulent transfer is completed. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment shifting the reporting entity from DIFI to the State Real Estate Department, then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. Members then considered HB 2667, which would require recipients of state first-time homebuyer or down payment assistance programs to be Arizona residents for two years and to occupy the home as a primary residence for two years, while barring out-of-state investors from using the homes as rentals. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help younger Arizonans and keep assistance focused on residents invested in the state. Opponents and other members raised concerns that the bill could conflict with existing federal and lender requirements and could reduce participation in local down payment programs; after discussion, the committee passed the bill 4-3. HB 2020 was heard next and would reduce certain school-disruption offenses to a class 1 misdemeanor for minors and narrow the definition of interference with an educational institution. The sponsor and a parent described a case in which a student was charged too harshly after a school altercation, while a public commenter urged case-by-case discretion and warned against saddling children with felonies. The committee passed the bill 4-3. The committee also advanced HB 2793, which streamlines annexation procedures for single-owner annexations and updates notice rules, including electronic newspaper publication. After adopting two amendments, members passed it 4-3. HB 2327, which allows eligible individuals to restrict public access to certain identifying information held by county recorders, assessors, and treasurers, passed unanimously. HB 2858, creating a 1% Arizona-bidder preference in certain state procurement ties, also passed unanimously after amendment. HB 2660, which adds procedural protections and oversight for health profession licensing board actions, passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor and a physician who said board actions had chilled speech and due process. Finally, HB 2063, appropriating $1.5 million for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office, passed unanimously after strong support from oversight advocates and former corrections stakeholders, and HB 2681, extending civil-service appeal deadlines from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed HB 2812, which would raise the sick-leave payout cap for retiring state employees from $30,000 to $57,000; witnesses supported the increase and members began discussing a possible amendment to allow retirees to transfer the payout into a health savings arrangement, but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we look even at education, Minnesota had long prided ourselves as being an education state,
• And when we look even at education, Minnesota had long prided ourselves as being an education state,
• And when we look even at education, Minnesota had long prided ourselves as being an education state,
• All the to finance their education.
• </c> they're considered educational products. they're considered educational products.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:01.760><c> Uh,</c><00:14:02.000><c> let's</c> >> Senate Bill 56, Chair, Education, Energy
• Senator Kagan, Open Meetings Act, county board of education enhanced requirements.
• </c> meetings act, county board of education meetings act, county board of education enhanced<00:15:13.680
• </c> meetings act, county board of education meetings act, county board of education enhance<00:31:44.240
• Uh, Chair of Education, Energy, and the Environment. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President.

Transcript Highlights:

• Training and education of developers, certification of crane operators. You get a great question.
• Training and education of developers, certification of crane operators.
• And I think one of the biggest challenges for the industry is honestly education.
• And I think one of the biggest challenges for the industry is honestly education.
• The fourth major area identified for state action is education and research.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's relief for your teachers, nurses, truck drivers, factory workers, small business owners, police
• Early childhood education and pre-K.
• In order to merely catch up to our peer states in public education spending, we need to be spending at
• early childhood education in Arkansas.
• Health care, K-12 education, reducing childhood hunger, and reducing poverty.

Committee: All REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1001, sponsored by Representative Les Eaves, which would lower the individual income tax rate to 3.7% retroactive to the current year and reduce the corporate rate to 4.1% beginning in 2027. Eaves argued the bill continues Arkansas’s recent tax-cut strategy, would provide broad relief to working families, and would keep the state competitive while preserving future surpluses rather than cutting existing services. He and Representative Bray emphasized that prior tax cuts have benefited taxpayers and supported economic growth. Several opponents testified against the bill, including representatives from Arkansas Appleseed, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a pastor, and individuals speaking about disability services and food insecurity. They argued Arkansas cannot afford further revenue reductions given needs in public education, early childhood care, Medicaid and food assistance, rural hospitals, and supported living services. Witnesses said the tax cut would disproportionately benefit higher earners while providing little or no relief to lower- and middle-income families, and urged the committee to prioritize public investments over tax cuts. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to limit witness testimony to five minutes each. Representative Eaves closed on the bill and moved to pass it. Following discussion, the committee voted to pass HB 1001, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today as a member of the Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment, and as a nurse who's
• Many nurses who work in pediatric oncology see immeasurable losses as a child undergoes chemotherapy,
• For nurses, support or prayer group isn't enough, as many are depressed and overwhelmed at the slow,
• I'm here today as a member of the Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment, and as a nurse who's
• I'm here today as a member of the Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment, and as a nurse who's

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• and reenact Section 43-17-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to physician continuing education
• and reenact Section 43-17-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to physician continuing education
• you see on page one, the board shall require physicians to complete a minimum one-hour continuing education
• I guess I'm missing it, but where, how is educational preparedness being measured, and how do we know
• The education is standard across the United States for pharmacists, and so once they set those standards

Bills: SB2401 , SB2402 , SB2403 , SB2404

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage. Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced. Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you mentioned many health care issues and nothing having to do with education.
• I'm a nationally certified nurse midwife and an advanced practice registered nurse licensed by the state
• She's always been very open and honest when it comes to sexual education.
• But despite the fact that she always wanted to make sure I had, like, safe sexual education...
• I'm also a registered nurse, and I've worked for over a decade as a pregnancy center nurse sonographer

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice to family or other named persons about major events such as a ward’s death or medical relocation. Senator Jones said the bill was intended to curb abuse by bad actors while not affecting good-faith guardians. Fortuna Smuggler and Phyllis Smith spoke in support, describing the need for family notification and closure. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0, and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 1284 on wrongful death for an unborn child. Senator Graal explained that the bill would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover economic and non-economic damages for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize a wrongful death action against the mother or a health care provider acting within the applicable standard of care. The amendment drew questions about abortion, medical emergencies, and whether fathers could sue; the sponsor said the bill was not intended to create claims against mothers or lawful medical care. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters arguing it gives families parity and accountability, and opponents warning it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice pressure, and worsen physician shortages. The committee approved the bill as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard a strike-all amendment to SB 1288 on parental rights. The amendment would strengthen parental consent requirements for minors’ medical care, with exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal categories of minors, and other existing statutory exceptions. It also would require parental consent for treatment related to STD screening, give parents more control over school or health surveys, and address use of biofeedback devices. Supporters said the measure restores parents’ authority and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment, while opponents argued it could block needed care for minors in unsafe homes, reduce access to STI treatment and mental health services, and create unintended consequences. The amendment was adopted, and the committee continued hearing testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the January 13th meeting of the Post-Secondary Education and Workforce Committee.
• Caitlin Bison with the Council of State Governments, and my testimony is meant to provide some educational
• compact and then must also pass a background check and meet other eligibility requirements related to education
• not because I was fired, my wife, a part-time Air National Guard officer and a full-time civilian nurse
• With this, we will conclude the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee meeting.

Bills: HB2088

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the January 13th meeting of the Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee.
• Caitlin Bison with the Council of State Governments, and my testimony is meant to provide some educational
• compact and then must also pass a background check and meet other eligibility requirements related to education
• not because I was fired, my wife, a part-time Air National Guard officer and a full-time civilian nurse
• With that, this will conclude the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee meeting.

Summary: The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee met on January 13, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair reviewing committee procedures for the session, including amendment deadlines and the plan to hold most executive sessions on Tuesdays. The committee had only one bill for public hearing, House Bill 2088, which would enact the Dietitian Licensure Compact. Staff explained that the compact would let licensed dietitians practice across state lines under a compact privilege, while member states retain licensing, investigative, and disciplinary authority. Representative Mari Leavitt, the bill sponsor, said the measure follows Washington’s prior work on interstate licensure compacts and is intended to improve access to care, especially in rural areas, and help military spouses quickly reenter the workforce when they move. Testimony was uniformly supportive. Witnesses from the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, military and veterans groups, the Council of State Governments, and individual dietitians described the compact as a way to reduce licensing delays, support telehealth, improve continuity of care, and ease burdens on military families. One witness also used the hearing to advocate more broadly for universal licensure recognition, though still in support of the compact. According to the committee, 107 people signed in in support and none opposed the bill. After public testimony closed, the committee made a brief announcement about an upcoming dinner with Washington Students Association student lobbyists, and members then broke into caucuses. No vote on HB 2088 occurred during this meeting, and the session adjourned after the hearing and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:34.480><c> getting</c><00:28:34.720><c> cornered</c> a nurse getting cornered a nurse getting
• Nurses Association, and they had no Nurses Association, and they had no problem<00:32:13.880><c> with
• Well, my daughter is a nurse, a registered nurse down in Nashua, and we've talked about this, these type
• Well, my daughter is a nurse, a registered<00:35:01.520><c> nurse</c><00:35:01.760><c> down</c><00:35
• A lot of nurses, emergency room nurses actually, and a physician have reached out to me, and they actually

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• execute one bill, which is SB 197, relative to the medical supervision of the licensed registered nurse
• </c> something happening here and a nurse something happening here and a nurse being<00:32:26.080><c>
• I'm not sure, as I understand it, this isn't dealing with the nurse in liability.
• I would think the nurse would be, I mean, it is saying here that the nurse will be acting... where can
• and and chairman state house nurse?

Summary: The Legislative Administration Committee met to consider SB 197, which concerns medical supervision for the licensed registered nurse employed by the Legislative Facilities Committee. The main discussion focused on an amendment, 2025188H, that adds language about the chief medical officer’s authority to issue standing orders and includes immunity language for civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith and with reasonable care. John Williams of Health and Human Services explained that the language was modeled on similar provisions used for standing orders such as Narcan and epinephrine, and that it was vetted with the Attorney General’s office. Members raised questions about whether the immunity could shield mistakes or apply beyond the State House nurse; the chair clarified that the provision applies to the chief medical officer’s issuance of standing orders under this section, while the nurse’s practice remains governed by RSA 326. Representative Wade moved the amendment, which was seconded and adopted on a roll call vote of 10-0. The committee then voted on SB 197 as amended and recommended it ought to pass as amended, again by a 10-0 roll call vote. The bill was placed on consent, and the chair noted that a written committee report would be prepared. After the vote, the chair briefly updated members on other upcoming matters, including a Senate message on the Gold Star flag bill, the status of an enroll bills issue, and a Senate amendment to HB 248 on ethics. The committee also discussed scheduling for a joint historic committee meeting and a proposed Wentworth Cheswell portrait item, and members offered closing thanks to the chair, clerk, and staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Miller, an advanced practice registered nurse, has to have a supervising physician to practice.
• Texas Nurse Partners, and herself. Well, thanks for being here today, Holly.
• We show you registered as Holly Jeffries. on behalf of Texas Nurse Practitioners and yourself.
• I'm a board-certified family nurse practitioner as well as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
• And the ones who suffer are really the nurse practitioner owners, like myself.

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• For us, you have to have independent living and skilled nursing.
• A lot of the CCRCs that are being developed now, they don't have skilled nursing.
• For us, you have to have independent living and skilled nursing.
• They closed the skilled nursing and terminated the life care contract.
• They closed the skilled nursing and terminated the life care contract.

Summary: The commission met at Brookhaven at Lexington to continue discussing continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with a focus on financial viability, entrance fees, refund policies, and how the industry is evolving. Speakers explained that nonprofit CCRCs have shifted away from building entirely new campuses since the 2008 financial crisis, and now more often grow through expansions, affiliations, mergers, or added home- and community-based services. They also noted that many newer CCRCs, especially nationwide, are being built without on-campus skilled nursing, relying instead on assisted living, memory care, or off-site arrangements, and that zoning and local approval can affect expansion plans. A substantial portion of the discussion centered on financial health and consumer protection. Panelists said the most important indicators of a strong CCRC are high occupancy, strong liquidity, and reinvestment in the property, with low occupancy and declining days cash on hand cited as warning signs. They described how actuarial reviews are used to estimate health care utilization and set pricing, and said staffing shortages are often a bigger financial pressure than resident care utilization itself. On refunds, speakers said entrance-fee refunds are generally paid when a unit is resold and the new entrance fee is received, and that resident refunds are usually protected even in bankruptcy, though residents are unsecured creditors. Massachusetts examples such as Reed’s Landing and the Groves were cited as cases where residents remained in place and refunds were ultimately protected. The group also discussed a pending disclosure bill on Beacon Hill related to entrance fees and refund transparency. LeadingAge Massachusetts said it supports clearer disclosure so residents understand refund provisions, and reported that among surveyed member CCRCs, the average time to provide an entrance-fee refund over the past two years was about 117 days. Participants emphasized the need to balance consumer protection with preserving the financial stability of the communities. The commission also reviewed upcoming dates: a virtual public hearing/listening session on June 16, the next commission meeting on June 23, and a later discussion planned on consumer rights, protections, and advertising practices. The meeting concluded with introductions of commission members and an invitation for attendees to tour the Brookhaven campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• I go now to Senator French. nursing services. And I would agree with nursing services.
• Not nursing home care, home care. There we go. Insurance.
• Not nursing home care, home care. There we go. Insurance.
• </c> short-term, long-term nursing home care. short-term, long-term nursing home care.
• </c><00:07:35.960><c> There</c> Not nursing home care, home care.

Summary: The committee took up a series of amendments to the bill. Representative Keagle’s A21 amendment, which would have prohibited online sweepstakes games, raised the paddle wheel prize value, and added Hessian pepper as a social skill game, was discussed with support cited from a broad coalition of organizations, but it failed on a roll call vote. The A27 amendment, directing the Department of Commerce to perform a 62J evaluation of home care nursing services, was then adopted after members described it as a temporary step toward a longer-term solution for disability home care issues. Senator French’s A11 amendment, which raises the cap on deposits into the consumer protection restitution account and changes how those funds are distributed to eligible consumers, was also adopted. Representative O’Driscoll then offered the H.F. 4188 A22 amendment, described by counsel as incorporating language from House File 4333 on short-term and long-term home care insurance; members supported it as a way to expand private insurance options, and it was adopted. Finally, Representative Keagle moved Article 3, Section 11, a provision to reimburse clinical trainees providing mental health services at full rates, and that motion was adopted as well. Afterward, the committee authorized nonpartisan staff to make technical or necessary corrections to the bill, noted that the bill would not be wrapped up that day, and then adjourned.