Transcript Highlights:

• Services finishes their committee hearing.
• the conclusion of the Human Services Committee, but no sooner than that.
• We'll plan on 3:30 p.m. if the Human Services Committee is still going on; we'll convene as soon as possible
• We're going to recess until 3:30 p.m., back into this room at 3:30, or when Human Services finishes,
• And if we can call all members of the Judiciary Committee back to committee, we only have committee bills

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 483, introduced by the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services, provides for the
• Assembly Bill 483, introduced to the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services, provides for the
• human services.
• Senate Bill 495, introduced by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, revises provisions
• Senate Bill 495, introduced by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, revises provisions

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the report. >> Senator Wicklund from the Committee on Health and Human Services
• as follows, and when so amended, the bill do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Human Services
• from the Committee on Health<00:09:24.520><c> and</c><00:09:24.600><c> Human</c><00:09:24.839><c> Services
• </c> Committee on Human Services. Committee on Human Services.
• It has been referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:01.680><c> services</c> understands how critical human services understands how critical human
• </c> Human Services. Human Services.
• But the Department of Human Services.
• </c> from the Department of Human Services. from the Department of Human Services.
• > policy</c><01:14:55.360><c> analyst</c> I'm the human services policy analyst I'm the human services

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill was referred to the committee on human services, which recommends that the bill be amended as
• on human services which to the committee on human services which recommends<00:21:20.240><c> that</c
• The Committee on Human Services voted 10-0-1 and believes that these changes support the essential work
• The Committee on Human Services<00:25:24.240><c> voted</c><00:25:24.720><c> 1001</c> Services voted 1001
• </c> on human services? on human services?

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Committee on Human Services.
• Services and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.
• This is the committee on human services.
• and referred to the Committee on Human Services.
• to the Committee on Human Services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:45.360><c> uh</c> chair of the Public Safety Committee uh chair of the Public Safety Committee
• </c> and resources and other services and resources and other services including<00:04:34.199><c> those
• We need lawmakers to take immediate action to ensure that services for all crime victim service providers
• </c> about how it's impacting Direct Services about how it's impacting Direct Services organizations<
• </c> Services provided by us as service Services provided by us as service providers<00:26:12.919><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lincoln Day Service Committee will now come to order.
• This, ladies and gentlemen, concludes the 2026 Lincoln Day service. The committee is dissolved.
• This, ladies and gentlemen, concludes the 2026 Lincoln Day service. The committee is dissolved.
• February 10, 2006, the Commerce and Human Resources Committee reports it has had under consideration
• , and we both currently participate as members of the Commerce and Human Resources Committee.

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present and approved the previous day’s journal. After prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, the body received committee reports on several measures, including Senate Joint Memorial 109, Senate Resolution 115, and multiple Senate bills that were referred to the appropriate committees or advanced to second reading. The Senate also received House Bills 540 and 541, both sent to the Judiciary and Rules Committee, and moved House Bill 514, House Bill 515, Senate Bill 1244, and Senate Bill 1232 to third reading. The chamber then paused for its Lincoln Day Service, featuring remarks on Abraham Lincoln and the American experiment by Secretary of State Phil McGrane. Following the service, the Senate took up several gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. The Senate adopted committee reports confirming Dr. Karen Cabell, Robert Cuyo, and Kevin Settles, with members speaking in support of each nominee’s health care, business, and public service experience. The Senate also adopted the committee report confirming Senator Todd Lakey to the State Insurance Fund Board. In miscellaneous business, senators made introductions and announcements, including notice of a noon Capital Clarity session on weather modification and mosquito abatement and comments about a recent go-kart event. The Senate adjourned until 11 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• and operating costs for the human service districts.
• The human service districts and authorities are local governing entities that provide community-based
• There are 10 different human service authorities throughout the state.
• Then there's also an increase at the Calcasieu Human Service Authority to replace a building damaged
• ESF-6 was Mass Care, Temporary Housing, and Human Services.

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation on LSU Health Care Services Division and Lallie Kemp Medical Center. Staff reviewed HCSD’s roughly $74.7 million budget, much of it tied to legacy obligations for former LSU hospital systems and support for Lallie Kemp. Committee members asked about prisoner care, risk management costs, declining admissions and emergency visits, and the hospital’s 340B drug program. Lallie Kemp officials explained that prisoner care serves multiple state and local facilities, that lower admissions largely reflect more patients being placed in observation status, and that the in-house 340B program provides major savings to patients and the prison system. Members also asked about care for unhoused patients and the hospital’s discharge practices, and the hospital said social services works to find placement when possible. The committee then moved to the Louisiana Department of Health budget, which was presented as just under $23.5 billion, with Medicaid making up more than 90 percent of the total. The presentation covered the Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Medicaid. Major items included the new Rural Health Transformation Program, the transfer of several functions from DCFS to LDH under the One Door initiative, changes to SNAP administration, and large Medicaid adjustments driven by enrollment, utilization, and federal policy changes. Testimony also highlighted the statewide crisis hub and 988, the commodity food program for seniors, women’s health and maternal outcomes, and the department’s efforts to modernize technology and reorganize services. Members questioned LDH officials on a wide range of budget and policy issues, including the rural health grant, crisis services, Medicaid redeterminations, provider taxes, physician and hospital supplemental payments, nursing home rates, HCBS funding, and the impact of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. LDH said the rural health grant would support workforce, technology, and care-delivery improvements; that the crisis hub and mobile crisis units are being expanded to improve access and reduce emergency room use; and that the department is working to keep the SNAP error rate below 6 percent to avoid a projected state cost increase. Officials also said they expect to return next year with additional funding requests for HCBS and other programs, while emphasizing that current budget changes are largely meant to realign funding with actual expenditures and new federal requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2178, agency chief committee officer license. Health and human services.
• I move the following amendment to Senate Bill 1120, reference to Health and Human Services committee
• Members, the question before you is the adoption of the Health and Human Services Committee amendment
• Senate Bill 1461 was drawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services. Thank you.
• From the Committee on Health and Human Services. All righty.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The changes should be based on input from the Department of Human Services, from Legislative Council,
• I'm the chief financial officer with the Department of Health and Human Services.
• and Human Services.
• The human services, human resources people will stay here to talk about the policy bills.
• The human services, human resources, people will stay here to talk about the policy bills.

Keywords: 908, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on Health and Human Services will come to order. The clerk will please call the roll.
• I'd like to recruit you to the Health and Human Services Committee. Come on. Nobody wants it.
• I'm Raymond Winter, members of the committee. are the Inspector General for Health and Human Services
• Texas Health and Human Services programs.
• Thank you. of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. My name is Emiliano Romero.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will allow no more than 40 minutes of testimony.
• With that, we'll bring it back to committee.
• As amended AB complicit in the human trafficking industry.
• We will bring it back to committee. committee, are there, yes, Madam Vice Chair, yes, questions and comments
• 1516 committee on revenue and taxation 1528 committee on human services and 1529 committee on housing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, this has a fiscal note prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services.
• committee.
• a conference committee.
• Secretary of Health and Human Services.
• Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Erke, and welcome to the committee.
• However, committee members typically will present their bills after non-committee members.
• Chair, committee members, and staff.
• Last August, our committee partnered with the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Affairs.
• Members, last August, our committee partnered with the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Affairs to review

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on student access, equity, and campus support services. AB 2660 would codify the CalBridge and ENLACE STEM pipeline programs to help underrepresented students move from high school through Ph.D. and faculty or industry careers; AB 2121 would let community colleges temporarily exclude certain local backfill dollars from the 50% instructional spending law so they can replace lost federal funding for MSI and TRIO programs; and AB 1920 would clarify that students do not lose California College Promise eligibility if they earn a certificate as part of a stackable pathway to an associate degree. AB 1636 would authorize Cerritos College to use voluntary data-sharing agreements with K-12 districts to create ready-to-enroll student records, AB 1845 would add human trafficking training and reporting requirements to campus Title IX-related processes, AB 1784 would extend pregnancy and parenting protections to undergraduate students, AB 2229 would create a CSU reentry support program for stopped-out students, AB 1852 would create a conditional pathway for a Kern County medical school if UC does not act, AB 1928 would allow both an advisor and a support person in campus sexual misconduct proceedings, and AB 2392 would require training before AI tools are deployed to students, faculty, or staff. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, with authors and witnesses emphasizing student success, equity, and removing administrative barriers. Supporters included community college and university officials, student leaders, advocacy groups, and survivors. AB 2121 drew the most mixed testimony: community college leaders and students supported it as a temporary response to federal cuts, while faculty groups opposed it or raised concerns about weakening the 50% law and the need for the proposal. AB 1852 also drew opposition from the CSU Chancellor’s Office, which argued the proposal could have broader operational and governance implications, though supporters said Kern County’s doctor shortage justified a local solution. AB 1784, AB 1845, and AB 1928 were framed as protections for vulnerable students in pregnancy, trafficking, and sexual misconduct proceedings, respectively, while AB 2392 was presented as a modest training and transparency requirement to accompany AI adoption. The committee took action on the bills after testimony. Most measures were approved on bipartisan roll calls and re-referred to the appropriate committees, including AB 1636, AB 1784, AB 1845, AB 1920, AB 1928, AB 2229, AB 2392, and AB 2660. AB 2121 and AB 1852 also advanced, though AB 1852 had several members not voting and AB 2121 drew one no vote. The committee also approved a consent calendar that included AB 1591, AB 2203, and AB 2572, and members were invited to add on to bills after the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Human Services Agency.
• But the programs are administered locally by county health and human services agencies.
• Roar from the San Francisco Human Services Agency. Thank you.
• I'm Trent Roar, the executive director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency, which is a position
• To accomplish this, we must ensure that county human services eligibility staff can effectively screen

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee, Chris Blake, staff to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.
• long-term care services.
• The Department of Health and Human Services only audited 200 of the 60,000-plus covered entities.
• Nurses are human beings caring for other human beings.
• Chair, members of the committee. I'm Kim Whedner, staff to the committee.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2437, which would put the Department of Health’s authority to accredit opioid treatment programs into statute and allow the department to set a fee to cover the cost of those services. The prime sponsor and DOH said the bill would preserve a service that is especially important to tribal and rural providers and would be self-sustaining rather than supported by the general fund. Members asked about the relationship between DOH and HCA and whether the bill would duplicate existing authority; staff and the department said DOH already performs the accrediting role and the bill mainly formalizes that authority and fee-setting power. Public testimony on the bill was then closed. The committee then held an extensive work session on the federal 340B drug pricing program and later opened public testimony on House Bill 2145, which would prohibit manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers from restricting 340B drug acquisition or delivery and from requiring claims or utilization data as a condition of access. Committee staff and NCSL gave background on how 340B works, recent growth in the program, contract pharmacy issues, and state efforts in other jurisdictions. Testimony on HB 2145 was sharply divided: hospitals, community health centers, tribal representatives, contract pharmacies, and labor groups said the bill would protect safety-net providers, rural access, HIV and behavioral health services, and tribal programs from manufacturer restrictions; business groups, pharmaceutical companies, and employer coalitions argued the program has expanded beyond its original intent, lacks transparency, shifts costs to employers and taxpayers, and should be addressed through federal reform instead. No vote was taken in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2155, which would bar non-human entities from using nursing titles such as RN, APRN, or LPN or otherwise implying they are licensed nurses. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients from being misled by AI systems and to preserve transparency and public safety as health care technology expands. The Washington State Nurses Association testified in support, saying AI can be useful but should not replace nurses or be presented as a licensed professional. A member asked about enforcement and liability, and staff said they would follow up on those details.

Transcript Highlights:

• By Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, and
• By Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, and
• By Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, and
• By Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Health Policy, and Senator Massullo, CS for
• By Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services and Senator Jones, CS for Senate Bill 844, a

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities. The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support. Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2. The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2178, agency chief committee officer license. Health and human services.
• HB 2178, agency chief committee officer license. Health and Human Services.
• The Committee on Health and Human Services, having had under consideration Senate Bill 1120 relating
• Members, the question before you is the adoption of the Health and Human Services Committee amendment
• Senate Bill 1461 was drawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate met in several Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of bills, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations and several being amended before advancing. Early action included bills on fentanyl penalties (SB 1061), firearm suppressors/prohibited weapons (SB 1069), DCS attorney appearance and hotline/case-history access (SB 1081 and SB 1174), mandatory reporting and scrap metal theft (SB 1127 and SB 1128), and a narcotic-drug-to-minor offense bill (SB 1170). Senators Ortiz, Kuby, and others argued against the drug bills as harmful mandatory-minimum policies that would reduce judicial discretion and worsen addiction and incarceration outcomes, while supporters framed them as public-safety measures. SB 1170 ultimately failed on third reading; SB 1061, SB 1069, SB 1127, SB 1128, SB 1171, SB 1174, and SB 1188 passed, while SB 1021 later failed after concerns were raised about possible federal anti-kickback conflicts. The chamber also advanced health-care and regulatory measures, including chiropractic board compliance training (SB 1021), radiation protection and health-care institution requirements (SB 1120 and SB 1121), health care cost containment system changes (SB 1171), and pharmacy scheduling/prescription authority (SB 1188). Several of these bills were amended with technical changes or rulemaking authority, and most passed on third reading. SB 1243 and SB 1244 on court-ordered treatment also moved forward after amendments; supporters said the changes would improve notice and allow guardians or agencies to act more effectively, while opponents warned about due-process concerns and expanded coercive treatment authority. In later calendars, the Senate considered local planning and permitting (SB 1241), school access and GED preparation (SB 1166 and SB 1370), water and groundwater issues (SB 1202 and SB 1287), tax and finance measures (SB 1180, SB 1221, SB 1293, SB 1294, and SB 1429), and a constitutional resolution on legislative boundaries (SCR 1031). SB 1166 was amended to limit GED preparation to grades 11 and 12, SB 1241 and SB 1287 received technical amendments, and SB 1180 was clarified to align tax forms with federal conformity. SB 1075 on foreign entities and land sales drew the most debate: an Ortiz amendment would have shifted it toward corporate homebuyer restrictions and housing affordability, but that amendment was defeated on a roll call vote before the bill advanced as amended. Most remaining measures passed their third readings, with the Senate adopting Committee of the Whole reports and transmitting the approved bills to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to start by accepting the committee amendments and thank the committee staff for their work
• We've been talking with the committee.
• The intent is to capture all non-humans interacting with us, so that we know that they're non-humans,
• They disclose they are human?
• My understanding is that you are accepting the suggested amendments from committee, the committee or?

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.