Transcript Highlights:

• He added that the good Samaritan language does not involve direction, and often there is no one directing
• He added that the good Samaritan language does not involve direction, and often there is no one directing
• </c><00:41:04.960><c> of</c> good Samaritan under the direction of good Samaritan under the direction
• ><c> of</c> there is no direction of there is no direction of and<00:41:09.520><c> often</c><00:41:09.920
• ...the definition under the direction of, or that a lot of them are directed as being, you know, employees

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We should be focused on ensuring comprehensive medical care for every woman, everywhere, not directing
• Because if you cared about women's health care services, you wouldn't be backfilling $90 million that
• , contraception, parental care, and gender-affirming care.
• preventative care.
• health care services.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> by taking care of your mouth. by taking care of your mouth.
• </c> of care. of care.
• </c> under the standard of care. under the standard of care.
• It's medical care.
• </c> with safe, evidence-based care. with safe, evidence-based care.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We sure don't want to go in the opposite direction either, right? Move it back to the middle.
• But it was directed toward the Board of Governors, which is a strong branch in the...
• It's the right direction.
• And he did feel like he had to be careful, very careful.
• But certainly different to say that these professors don't care about what happens to them.

Bills: SB37, SB1489, SB452, SB724, SB1067, SB1741, SB1273

Keywords: higher education, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council, ombudsman, faculty governance, decision-making, transparency, public meetings, department head, employment approval, public institutions, institutional oversight, education, funding, accountability, state budget, school performance, employment, Texas legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be consequences if there is a direct disruption.
• program for uh occur in the healthc care program for uh veterans<00:07:58.599><c> affairs.
• The direct general fund appropriations are an increase of $4.98 million.
• The direct uh general fund on line 33.
• </c> committee, nonpartisan staff is directed committee, nonpartisan staff is directed to<00:48:58.720

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we are directing our local tax.
• </c><00:26:24.880><c> towards</c> to move in the right direction towards to move in the right direction
• The highway don't care.
• </c> care. The highway don't care. care. The highway don't care.
• </c> more strongly in a different direction. more strongly in a different direction.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And folks are concerned about little access to care, but also the quality of care once these mergers
• Patients deserve to know who controls their care.
• care prices to rise.
• In health care generally causes health care prices to rise.
• entities in our health care system.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for five House bills, then held public hearings on several measures. On Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, the committee heard staff and sponsor testimony on expanding health care merger notice requirements to the Attorney General, adding transactions involving majority ownership/control and asset sales, requiring public posting of notices, pausing closings until information requests are substantially complied with, and adding filing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, nurses, and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and oversight of consolidation and private equity in health care; the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Hospital Association were neutral after compromise language, though the hospital association raised concern about the added fees. The hearing closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 2333, which would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or surplus funds to reimburse personal security expenses related to threats tied to their public roles. The sponsor and several prosecutors described personal threats and argued the bill is needed to protect public servants, while public disclosure officials said current PDC processes and the state Address Confidentiality Program already provide some protections and cautioned against over-codifying agency discretion. Some testimony urged restoring earlier address-protection provisions, while county auditors said the revised bill removed operationally unworkable redaction language and was acceptable as amended. The bill had broad signed-in support and opposition, but no vote was taken. For Engrossed House Bill 1574, staff explained the bill would expand Good Samaritan-style protections for people seeking overdose help, bar arrest or conviction for possession in those circumstances, limit related penalties and forfeiture, and allow hospitals and other health facilities to distribute public health supplies without committing paraphernalia infractions. Supporters said it would save lives and improve access to drug checking and harm reduction services, while prosecutors and law enforcement groups said the bill was too broad, especially regarding arrest limits, protection-order violations, probation/parole, warrants, and civil forfeiture. The sponsor said the bill was intended to keep people alive and encourage calls for help. The committee also heard Engrossed House Bill 2156, which would let Attorney General investigators be designated limited authority peace officers to electronically serve search warrants in economic and financial crime cases; the AGO and retailers supported it as a tool against organized retail theft and wage theft, while sheriffs and police chiefs opposed it and urged added guardrails and deconfliction with local law enforcement. Finally, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320, the committee heard a bill to regulate 3D-printed and digitally manufactured firearms and digital firearm manufacturing code. The sponsor and supporters, including students, pediatricians, and a gun-violence survivor’s family member, said it was needed to address untraceable ghost guns and keep pace with technology, while opponents argued the bill was overbroad, raised constitutional concerns, and targeted files and speech rather than criminal conduct. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, we are allocating $50 million to support workforce limits for direct support professionals
• for the elderly in home care programs.
• If you have a question, please identify which silo you wish to question to be directed.
• a lot about raising the standard of care in our nursing homes, as we all do.
• I think this is a wonderful step in the right direction.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Co-Chairs, I'll direct that, I think, to Southern Oregon University.
• But I just want to be careful.
• Direct that question to our LFO.
• Direct that question to our LFO analyst that is in front of us.
• Because they're going to bring it in in a different direction?

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 57 is a direct... ...wrongs by implementing policies that advance equity.
• The deep disparities in home ownership today are direct results of those policies.
• AB 57 is the direct and corrective response to that. ...today's call for equity.
• Needs are treated with the dignity and care that we all deserve.
• All right, take care. Thank you. All right. One more minute. I have a meeting.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• direct selling industries.
• I think if this is a continuation of... ...care prior to May 2023 or if it is new care.
• Again, it is about continuation of care.
• assisting young people with prohibited care.
• The care is what this bill is about is not about that care or abolishing that care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Bernt, for taking care of the rules this year.
• So I feel like we're moving in the right direction.
• Honestly, I do understand that this is potentially a step in the right direction.
• I am an Idaho native and I care deeply about our state. I live in Garden City.
• All of a sudden, you care? With all due respect.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and advanced the gubernatorial appointment of Ryan Lanham as State Athletic Commissioner to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee also sent RS 33249 to print, a resolution approving a package of temporary and permanent rules covering several state agencies, and RS 33252 to print, a joint memorial urging Idaho’s congressional delegation to support greater state autonomy over election laws and campaign finance matters. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1247, an E-Verify bill requiring state and local governments and certain larger contractors to use the federal verification system. Sponsor Senator Harris said the bill was intended to protect taxpayer dollars and encourage compliance, while opponents from Secure Idaho argued it was too narrow, largely codified existing practice, and left major loopholes in subcontracting and enforcement. Committee members raised concerns about effectiveness, identity theft, burdens on small businesses, and whether the bill should apply more broadly. Despite mixed views, the committee voted 6-3 to send SB 1247 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1236, which would remove the Idaho Women’s Commission from code as obsolete because it has been defunded for years. Supporters called it code cleanup and argued women are already well represented in state government, while opponents said eliminating the commission would send the wrong message and that there is still a need to reactivate it to address issues affecting women. After testimony from both sides, the committee voted to send SB 1236 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, with Senators Ruchti and Bernt voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• reform that will ultimately lower costs at the Pharmacy counter and deliver a more affordable health care
• PEOPLE ENTRUSTED WITH THE CARE OF THIS NATION AND OF ONE ANOTHER.
• The submariner was experiencing An acute medical problem that required immediate hospital care. Mr.
• THE LOCATION, SPEED AND DIRECTION OF AIRCRAFT OVER UNENCRYPTED OPEN CHANNELS WEBSITES.
• That recommendation reflects years of accident investigation and careful analysis.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Affordable Care Marketplace was affected by about $1 trillion over 10 years.
• Moving on to the next page, there are some other direct impacts to the department.
• And Child Care Cooperative for PED and the Early Child Care Department over a three-year period.
• Based off the direct certification, Title I schools don't need to use that.
• Madam Chair, my second question is directed to Ms. Flores-Severs, please.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as a direct the United States.
• </c> programs um as far as quality of care programs um as far as quality of care that<01:14:45.840><c
• </c> establishing a new hospice care center. establishing a new hospice care center.
• </c> currently have our inpatient care currently have our inpatient care facility<01:17:54.239><c> located
• </c> either a situation where their um care either a situation where their um care pain<01:19:28.400>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh agents are sort of directed<00:12:36.800><c> incentivized</c><00:12:37.519><c> to</c><00:12:37.760
• ><c> steer</c><00:12:38.079><c> people</c> directed incentivized to steer people directed incentivized
• Again, it's not directed at you, Senator Klein. You've got a target you're working within.
• </c> money, money that's sort of directed money, money that's sort of directed towards towards towards
• And so this amendment would care.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems to me that we should be moving in the opposite direction.
• It seems to me that we should be moving in the opposite direction. SB 1367.
• This bill represents a common-sense shift toward restorative justice in the health care sector.
• And that is daycare facilities, homes, schools, hospitals, and elderly care facilities.
• And what is habitat for protected species and why do we care about it?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved prior journals, and moved through confirmations and floor items. Doreen DiAmico was confirmed to the State Water Resources Control Board by a 34-1 vote, Dr. Anne Maria de Mars was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0, and Ronald Fiore was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0. The body then took up SB 73 on election security, with supporters arguing it would protect ballot chain of custody and prevent intimidation or unauthorized access to voting materials, while opponents raised concerns about transparency, federal preemption, and the bill’s impact on investigations. SB 73 passed on concurrence and urgency with 29 ayes and 8 noes on both the urgency clause and the measure. The Senate also approved SB 929 on annual Energy Commission oversight (37-0), SB 1370 on wildfire-related testimony/oversight (28-5), SB 983 authorizing Port of San Diego job order contracting (28-8), SB 1367 restricting local approval of new or converted private detention facilities (28-8), SB 1257 requiring annual reporting on immigration enforcement incidents (28-8), and SB 1103 requiring large home improvement retailers to report immigration enforcement activity and related records (23-8). SB 1399, which removes the sunset on DOJ reviews of immigration detention facilities, passed 28-7, and SB 873, “ICE Out of Courts,” passed 28-7 to limit arrests near courthouses without a judicial warrant. Later, the Senate passed SB 1292 creating a pilot for camera- or sensor-based curb management with human review and privacy safeguards, despite opposition over privacy and automation concerns, by 28-7. SB 878 strengthened prompt-payment insurance penalties for delayed claims after disasters and passed 29-6. SB 958, a CEQA clarification related to housing and building height impacts, passed unanimously 37-0. SB 924 modernized low-income energy assistance services and passed 35-1. SB 1057 on certification for nurse assistants and home health aides passed, as did SB 1092 giving mobile home residents a chance to bid on park sales (29-7), SB 1123 requiring agencies to consider consumer and other benefits in rulemaking (26-8), SB 1233 increasing utility rate transparency (29-8), SB 1237 strengthening pay data reporting enforcement (28-6), SB 886 shifting data center infrastructure costs away from existing ratepayers (28-6), SB 905 reforming utility incentives and performance metrics (28-8), and SB 909 strengthening public works wage enforcement (28-7). The final item shown, SB 925 on fusion energy roadmap development, passed unanimously 37-0, while SB 954 on CEQA and advanced manufacturing drew extensive debate over environmental guardrails versus economic competitiveness; the transcript cuts off during closing remarks before the vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We should be focused on taking care of our communities.
• Do we just not care because they're just out of sight, out of mind?
• We don't care about them anymore?
• So, Madam Chair, Representative, it's not necessarily that we care.
• It's not part of the bill and directed to this or anything any of us can.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At 13 years old, I was adopted out of foster care.
• And now I help advocate for improvements to foster care.
• When I was a child, traditional mental health care therapy did not work.
• I'm a pediatric critical care physician in Spokane, Washington.
• receiving care as they first start to struggle with their mental health.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held an evening hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 6249, sponsored by Sen. Torres, would require all people convicted of stalking to be supervised by the Department of Corrections. Staff explained current community custody rules and said the bill would make stalking convictions subject to DOC supervision; the fiscal note had been requested but not yet received. The sponsor and several survivors and advocates testified in support, saying stalking is dangerous, victims need ongoing monitoring, and supervision could help prevent future harm. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6255, sponsored by Sen. Lovelett, which renames and updates the Legislative Executive Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force (LuPRO) as the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force, expands membership, and revises duties to monitor and update the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff said the bill has a partial fiscal note showing a $4,000 OSPI cost for a report, with no additional cost beyond that this biennium. Testimony from DSHS and a constituent supported the bill as a way to improve coordination and accountability in poverty reduction efforts. Senate Bill 6286, sponsored by Sen. Orwall, would authorize the Department of Health to fine private detention facilities that deny inspectors entry, with escalating daily fines and a new account to support people harmed by wrongful detention or ICE-related abuse. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a human rights and public health measure, citing complaints about food, sanitation, medical care, and mental health conditions in private detention facilities. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6224, sponsored by Chair Wilson, which would create a Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council to implement the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and extend the existing work group. Supporters from state agencies, providers, parents, and advocates emphasized early intervention, cross-system coordination, and youth mental health needs; one witness opposed the bill, arguing it should focus more on non-psychiatric causes of distress. The hearing ended with no recorded votes or final action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I did want to be very careful.
• Part of the direction that that university has gone was that a state directive to be the liberal Mecca
• Part of the direction that that university has gone was that a state directive to be the liberal Mecca
• Don't care. The market has changed because employers have changed.
• Don't care. The market has changed because employers have changed.

Keywords: 959, house, all