Video & Transcript : 'emission standards' :
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WA
Transcript Highlights:
- So how do you compare, and that was because of the WTO ruling, so if we're back to a standard manufacturing
- So how do you compare, and that was because of the WTO ruling, so if we're back to a standard manufacturing
- tax preferences, or series of taxes, are grounded in measurable, clear, consistent, and objective standards
- tax preferences, or series of taxes, are grounded in measurable, clear, consistent, and objective standards
- It creates clearer standards for reviewing whether these incentives are delivering measurable value and
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Specifically, the bill directs the Health Care Authority to adopt network adequacy standards for nursing
- In establishing these standards, the Health Care Authority must consider several factors such as keeping
- as hospitals, nursing homes, and managed care organizations when developing the network adequacy standards
- The standards must be adopted by the Health Care Authority by January 1, 2028, and the MCOs must meet
- And the standards must be adopted by the health care authority by January 1st of 2028.
Summary:
The Health Care and Wellness Committee met on February 10 at 8:30 a.m. and heard two bills. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5594, staff explained that the bill would expand state policy on biosimilars by allowing health carriers to require patients to try a biosimilar before covering the equivalent brand drug starting in 2027, directing exchange plans to increase biosimilar utilization, and changing pharmacist substitution rules so substitution is generally allowed unless the prescriber says not to substitute. The prime sponsor, Sen. Harris, said the bill would lower costs and noted many other states already allow similar substitution. Supporters from health plans and generic/biosimilar manufacturers said biosimilars are safe, effective, and can save consumers and the system money, while a patient advocate raised concerns that the bill may not guarantee lower out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter and suggested preferred formulary placement as a fix. AAM supported the bill with a technical amendment to place biosimilars in the same section as generics and interchangeable products, and the hearing on the bill was closed with no vote taken.
The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5142 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care. Staff said the bill would require the Health Care Authority to adopt network adequacy standards for nursing homes and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, considering community access, regional availability, timeliness, and federal Medicaid rules, with standards due by January 1, 2028 and implementation by July 1, 2028. Sen. Muzzall described it as a follow-up to last year’s bill that would create a pre-approved pathway for patients who are difficult to discharge because continuing care is hard to secure. Testimony from hospital and health system representatives strongly supported the bill, saying patients often remain in hospitals longer than medically necessary because of delays in finding skilled nursing or rehab placements and because single-case agreements are time-consuming and unpredictable, especially in rural areas. Public testimony on SB 5142 was then closed, and the meeting adjourned without any recorded votes or other action.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits Sep 17th, 2025
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits
Transcript Highlights:
- It also points out that as technology and the threat landscape changes, updated policies, standards,
- leading practices such as the Center for Internet Security Controls and the National Institute of Standards
- technology and threats, as the technology and threats threat landscape changes, updated policies, standards
- practices such as the Center for Internet Security Controls, National Institute of Technology and Standards
- Controls, National Institute of Technology and Standards and Technology, Cybersecurity Framework, and
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025, covering both state agencies and local governments. SAO staff explained that the audits are conducted independently under Initiative 900 and are kept confidential at the entity level, with detailed findings shared directly with the audited organizations. They reported that state agency audits found nearly one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and 227 vulnerabilities across seven agencies, including three critical and 21 high-severity issues. For seven local government cybersecurity audits, nearly a quarter of safeguards were fully implemented on all systems, and auditors identified nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including nine critical and 47 high-severity issues.
SAO also summarized its ransomware resiliency audits and critical infrastructure audits for local governments. In six ransomware audits, a little over 35% of assessed safeguards were not in place, while about 60% were at least partially in place. In 39 critical infrastructure audits, focused largely on water and sewer providers, auditors found over 260 vulnerabilities and said more than 10% were critical or high. Staff highlighted that these audits have led to improvements, including one vendor making security changes after SAO testing that were later echoed in a federal advisory. They also described related services such as cybersecurity checkups, policy guidance, and other cyber-related work by the office.
Washington Technology Solutions’ state chief information security officer, Ralph Johnson, praised the audits and said they help protect essential public services. He cited a sharp national rise in ransomware incidents against governments and said Washington has used more than $11 million in federal and state cybersecurity grant funds for over 200 projects. In response to questions from Representative Scott, SAO and WOTEC discussed options for addressing urgent vulnerabilities, including compensating controls, grant funding, and low-cost mitigation steps. The committee also discussed how Washington’s program compares nationally, with Johnson saying Initiative 900 is unusually comprehensive and that local governments often seek audits voluntarily. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony was offered but none was given.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Our audit tested 40 expenditures totaling over $39 million. ...standards.
- Is this just kind of a standard operation within the Racing Commission?
- And it just doesn't live up to the standard. So we'll be working on that.
- And it just doesn't live up to the standard. So we'll be working on that.
- , security standards, and there’s multiple levels of NIST standards.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- To achieve that, SB 995... ...standards for safety, dignity, and human rights.
- I'm wondering as conversations continue, if we can align some of the standards.
- Standards. That was it.
- So that's not a clinical standard, and it's not a public safety standard.
- We can provide the same standard of care we already give every other patient.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time.
The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call.
Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That is a standard of care used in all medical cases.
- I cannot imagine a scenario where a physician based on a high ethical and moral standard standards, would
- Good faith is somewhat of a subjective standard, so we're adding the objective. with standard all through
- standard in tort law, it's the standard by which the standard of care is judged all over. medicine well
- It's changing the standard and the current standard under Texas law according to Zyrowski is a woman
Keywords:
HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (09/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 219 proposes to make the following changes to the renewable portfolio standard.
- We think these changes will not impact the value of the renewable portfolio standard.
- </c><00:27:44.080><c> just</c> everybody up to a certain standard just everybody up to a certain standard
- </c> of the renewable portfolio standard of the renewable portfolio standard whenever<00:50:13.119><c
- So the way the portfolio standard.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard by changing several class definitions, eliminating Class 2, lowering the utility obligation for Class 1 thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjusting alternative compliance payments. Representative Vose said the bill would save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, arguing that Class 2 is already saturated and that the changes would not materially affect renewable energy development. Members questioned the fiscal impact, with an amended fiscal note cited as showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue, and some members raised concerns that the bill could weaken one of the remaining incentives for renewable investment. The committee also reviewed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and then removed in conference committee. No vote was taken in the work session.
The committee then heard House Bill 164, concerning local records retention and the creation of a local records manager position. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the position has existed in statute for years but has never been funded, and said the need has grown as records management has become more digital and ADA accessibility has become more important. He described the bill as a way to help towns preserve and digitize records, especially for smaller communities with limited resources, while keeping records locally when possible. Members asked about the fiscal note, the potential cost of a public website and storage system, and whether the state could start by funding the position alone; the secretary said the staffing cost estimate remained accurate but that storage costs could rise over time. Several members expressed support and suggested further discussion with the Department of Information or other agencies. The work session was then closed without action.
Finally, the committee opened House Bill 365, which would provide proof of U.S. citizenship assistance for indigent voters. Secretary Scanlan said the bill is intended to help voters comply with the new voter registration documentation requirements by allowing the state to verify eligibility through federal, private, and other state databases, and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to the earlier voter ID law, which he said was successfully implemented with accommodations for voters lacking acceptable ID. Members asked how “indigent” would be defined and how the process would work for out-of-state-born applicants; the secretary said indigency would likely be based on a voter’s statement of inability to pay and that the state would help identify where to obtain records and, if necessary, verify them through outside databases. The discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no vote recorded.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/19/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- We do envision two expedited grant rounds per year and one standard round.
- grants up to $750,000. be allowed under the standard grant be allowed under the standard grant round
- </c> grant rounds per year and one standard grant rounds per year and one standard round.<00:41:30.240
- </c><00:46:51.280><c> grant</c> know that your standard grant know that your standard grant applications
- </c><00:47:50.000><c> or</c> not something that would be standard or not something that would be standard
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The bottom line is we already have the standard.
- This bill is not about closing a gap, it's about lowering a standard.
- So will all schools who receive public funding be held at this standard?
- It is a standard book.
- It is a standard book.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine organizational actions including approval of the journal and adoption of a special order report. The chamber then took up House Bill 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors, which the sponsor described as a measure to clarify and strengthen standards for removing obscene or pornographic content from public school classrooms and libraries while preserving educational uses and not targeting classical literature, LGBTQ content, or other protected viewpoints. Members questioned the bill’s use of terms such as “predominantly,” its relationship to existing local review processes, the impact on AP/IB and college-level materials, the applicability to voucher-funded schools, and the risk of additional First Amendment litigation and costs. The sponsor responded that the bill was needed because current standards were being bypassed and that the legislation was aimed at material harmful to minors, not general literary value.
The House considered numerous amendments, most of which were defeated. Amendments offered by Representatives Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris sought, among other things, to preserve parental choice during review periods, restore a whole-work constitutional standard, limit repeated objections, protect educational and abuse-prevention materials, prevent LGBTQ-inclusive books from being labeled harmful solely on that basis, shield school districts from funding penalties, and delay enforcement in districts already under litigation. Supporters of the amendments argued that the bill would encourage censorship, remove books with clear literary or educational value, burden districts with costs and lawsuits, and harm students who rely on school libraries for access to reading material and representation. Opponents of the amendments argued the bill was necessary to protect minors from explicit content and that the proposed changes would weaken that protection. All of the amendments described in the transcript failed.
After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. In closing debate, opponents repeated concerns about constitutional vulnerability, overbroad book removals, and the educational harm of limiting access to literature, while supporters framed the bill as a child-protection measure and a clarification of existing law. The transcript ends during the structured debate on final passage, before the final vote on the bill is shown.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The bottom line is we already have the standard.
- The bottom line is we already have the standard.
- We talked about community standards, and the question was: who defines community standards?
- This bill is not about closing a gap; it's about lowering a standard.
- It is a standard book.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes.
The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed.
After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The standard for acute care hospital nurses is national certification, which is a much more rigorous
- And I ask a follow-up: I certainly appreciate wanting to have some minimum standards, especially some
- I guess my argument would be they are filling it with the current standards. just working exclusively
- </c><02:09:03.159><c> I</c> filling it with the current standards I filling it with the current standards
- We want an RN with an associate degree, which is a minimum standard.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><02:33:51.359><c> his</c> are built to life safety standards, his are built to life safety standards
- , and this bill does not weaken building standards.
- </c> dominant because it was standardized dominant because it was standardized early<02:44:33.680><c>
- international standards, we have multi-state<02:53:24.160><c> standards</c><02:53:24.560><c> that</c
- So, it's not a standards will be used.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> establishes requirements and standards establishes requirements and standards for<00:01:53.280><
- So I understand your testimony that there is no standard.
- Do you know of any state that has determined a disability accessible standard? Standard? Yes.
- The report from the Act 172 group adopts a similar type of standard.
- actual standards in the ETS statute so actual standards in the ETS statute so they're<00:56:28.319><c
Summary:
The committee met on February 4, 2025, for decision making on previously heard measures, then later held hearings on additional bills. Early action focused on several measures that were amended and advanced, including SB 161 on state project exemptions from county permitting, which was heavily revised to allow programmatic or project-specific agreements with counties, require public reporting of exempted projects, and create a working group to study broader permitting and construction coordination issues. The committee also advanced SB 635 on energy efficiency with changes shifting survey leadership to the Hawaii State Energy Office, SB 700 on resilience hubs after narrowing it to focus on emergency-service-capable hubs and removing distributed energy language, SB 869 on community outreach boards with a technical amendment, SB 1081 on a legislative budget office by converting it to a feasibility study, SB 711 on gubernatorial appointments with a salary threshold change, SB 405 on neighborhood board agendas with a committee-report note about OIP concerns, SB 381 with privacy issues deferred to Judiciary, SB 2 as a two-year pilot for fruit tree planting in selected districts, SB 239 on disaster preparedness with sheltering revisions, and SB 998 as introduced with a cost estimate for site selection work. Several measures were deferred or not advanced, including SB 615, which was deferred indefinitely, SB 1132, which the chair said would be set aside in favor of another childcare bill, and SB 111, which was not taken up further because of confusion during an earlier hearing.
During the later hearing portion, SB 1175 on procurement drew testimony from the State Procurement Office, which supported the bill but corrected its estimated database revision cost from $7,500 to $30,000; the Department of Transportation also appeared, while the General Contractors Association submitted opposition. Committee members questioned whether the past-performance database should include more detailed quality information and whether a one-year post-completion review would be useful, but no amendment was adopted at that time. SB 1587 on retainage received written support from the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and no opposition in the room. SB 1543 on government accountability, which would require justification for outside consultants and cap consultant spending, drew opposition from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii, which argued it could slow procurement, reduce flexibility, and worsen delays given existing vacancies and limited in-house expertise. The Public First Law Center supported the related transparency bill discussed in the hearing, arguing it would close a loophole by making contractor-created records used in government functions subject to disclosure under UIPA, while the Attorney General’s office opposed it. The transcript ends with that testimony still underway, and no final vote is shown for the later hearing bills.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- We strive to make sure, especially with the subject matter of this committee, to make it the gold standard
- Although equity concerns are a valid concern, eliminating standards is not the solution.
- This will not lower standards, but will actually use the right standards, most importantly, and that's
- This will not lower standards, but will actually use the right standards, most importantly, and that's
- This DYS has for years used the community standard of care.
Summary:
The committee held a hybrid hearing on a range of bills affecting children, families, disability rights, homelessness, and social services. Early testimony focused on H.215, which would support children experiencing homelessness by speeding access to child care vouchers and early intervention screenings. Boston officials, Horizons for Homeless Children, Head Start, pediatric and early education advocates, and families described delays in child care and early intervention, the developmental risks of homelessness, and the need for automatic referrals and faster access to services. Testimony also supported H.216, which would improve emergency housing assistance by restoring presumptive eligibility, reducing documentation barriers, extending shelter stays from six to nine months, and creating an ombudsperson; providers and legal advocates said current rules leave families sleeping in cars or outside and create unnecessary administrative hurdles.
The committee also heard strong support for H.210, which would repeal the “Learn Fair” school attendance sanction that cuts cash assistance to families when children miss school. Advocates from legal aid, education, and anti-poverty organizations argued the policy is punitive, burdensome, and ineffective, disproportionately affecting low-income, disabled, and Hispanic/Latino families. Several speakers said chronic absenteeism should be addressed through supports such as family outreach, wraparound services, and school engagement rather than benefit cuts. Legislators and school officials from Salem also testified that their districts reduced absenteeism through supportive strategies, not sanctions.
Additional testimony addressed children’s vision bills H.202 and H.166, with optometrists and researchers urging better screening, data systems, and treatment access to close achievement gaps caused by untreated vision problems. Senator Lovely also presented S.2714, proposing a study of discrimination in public accommodations for people with service animals. Later, testimony on H.279 supported changing social work licensure rules to remove exam requirements that speakers said disproportionately exclude multilingual candidates and candidates of color. The hearing also included testimony on bills related to the Judge Rotenberg Center and electric shock devices, with disability rights advocates opposing continued use of the devices and urging the committee to reject licensing or authorization for them. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to address this minimum wage standard directly and clearly.
- This bill raises wages where no meaningful standard exists today.
- Now, AB 1751 is being used to carve out an exception to that long standard.
- This is stronger than what standard prevailing wage requires.
- We're hearing from supporters that, Standards that we adhere to.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 078 Apr 2nd, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'd rather see it simply be a standard that we always have a minimal standard for drinking water in
- </c><01:23:18.080><c> for</c> water meets the regulatory standards for water meets the regulatory standards
- </c> because while there's a good standard because while there's a good standard being<01:24:57.160><
- that we always have a be a standard that we always have a standard<01:25:18.640><c> a</c><01:25:18.680
- standard a minimal standard for drinking standard a minimal standard for drinking water<01:25:21.080
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- But they're going to be measured by the same standard as these people who got the apples.
- And to to put them on a standard that we And to to put them on a standard that we going<00:17:07.319>
- If we're going to have equal standards, they got to have equal money. Can I respond?
- Those schools are facing the same standards.
- </c> those standards. those standards.
Bills:
HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272, HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272
Keywords:
fire chaplains, distinctive license plate, firefighter, volunteer service, criminal penalties, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-20 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe we have 45 standards that are general standards of policy.
- </c> little bit more than just the standards. little bit more than just the standards.
- </c> that are general standards of policy. that are general standards of policy.
- </c><00:48:41.200><c> And</c> comply with the PREA standards. And comply with the PREA standards.
- There are a number of general standards. So, those are general standards.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Business, Professions and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 928 will expand law enforcement's ability to issue civil penalties with the lesser standard of proof
- For grocers operating on thin margins but high transaction volume, standardization is critical.
- For grocers operating on thin margins but high transaction volume, standardization is critical.
- The bill maintains high standards.
- National standards already exist, and more than 20 states have adopted similar pathways.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- In the standard of care, is there any mismatch on that with this bill?
- But for new construction after the posting, you would have to follow the new standards.
- for the ability for you to be able to convert to the new standards.
- The reason is because right now there is no standard in Louisiana.
- We have a standardized fee schedule.
Summary:
The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction.
The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future.
The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.