Transcript Highlights:

• Those categories are ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and
• Or maybe, excuse me, they are living tissue drugs. They are drugs made of living tissue.
• Living tissue drugs. They are drugs made of living tissue.
• The operative language is coverage of services or payment for specified providers of services.
• dental or oral health service.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your public service.
• I've learned it myself here where I live with all the snow.
• I think human services is one of those areas.
• and disability services especially, right?
• and disability services especially, right?

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the January minutes and then heard an update from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler on apprenticeship expansion in the Healey-Driscoll administration. Cutler described apprenticeship as a key workforce tool, especially for sectors with labor shortages, and highlighted growth in early education, health care, banking, bio, and human services. He noted the administration’s milestones and supports, including reaching 10,000 registered apprenticeships, expanding the registered apprenticeship tax credit (RATSY), lowering program fees, adding apprenticeship liaisons, and issuing Grow grants to help employers start programs. Members focused on how apprenticeship could better serve people with disabilities and human services employers. They raised examples such as sterile processing, radiology, PCA services, developmental disability supports, and community college partnerships, and asked how smaller or lower-paid providers could afford to participate. Cutler explained that apprentices are W-2 employees, programs must include on-the-job learning, related instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages, and employers largely design their own programs. He said the state can support through tax credits, grants, and intermediaries such as trade associations or disability organizations that help employers navigate the process. The discussion also covered employer outreach, the role of intermediaries, and possible collaboration with community colleges and organizations like Commonwealth Corporation. Cutler said Eastern Bank did not currently have a program but could be a potential partner, and he confirmed that the RATSY credit is $4,800 per apprentice, with a cap and online application process, and that it can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit. The subcommittee agreed to follow up with Cutler’s team, identify a few priority occupations, and consider a targeted panel or information session to help expand apprenticeship opportunities for people with disabilities and in human services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army Medical Service Corps.
• </c> veterans vet cop here living in Hawaii. veterans vet cop here living in Hawaii.
• experience informed supportive lived experience informed supportive services<02:32:18.640><c> for</c>
• </c> mentorship, meals, supportive services. mentorship, meals, supportive services.
• Services. Services.

Bills: HB1531

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is supervised independent living services for specified populations.
• This is for in-home services and transitional support for young adults.
• DCFS with Timothy Hill Children's Ranch this is supervised independent living services for specified
• This is for in-home services and transitional support for young adults. 49 is with Gainwell Technologies
• Contract 58, with DWS Sources for Community Independent Living, is for benefit planning services.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have our Metro Bus, our public transit.
• </c> Minnesota in the town back where I live Minnesota in the town back where I live in<01:08:02.200>
• </c> this Mission cost for basic services this Mission cost for basic services like<01:19:06.960><c>
• </c> upward pressure on goods and services upward pressure on goods and services across<01:19:18.080>
• </c> government than we get back in services government than we get back in services and<01:34:36.960

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• continues to inspire my commitment to public service.
• Public service is not something that I have ever taken lightly.
• But DEIA has been embedded within our services before it was called DEIA.
• She lives with me day in and day out in my heart.
• the services.”

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met with quorum and first approved several non-appearance items, including the appointments of Armin Meyer to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and Uca Danka to the California State Lottery Commission. The committee also approved references to bills, a request to suspend Senate Rule 55 for guest access on the Senate floor, and floor acknowledgments, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard the appointment of Arania Ortega to the Public Employment Relations Board. Members questioned her about her background at CalHR and Finance, PERB’s case backlog, implementation of AB 288, recusal rules tied to her prior work, the ride-share caseload, and the board’s role in legislative employee unionization. Ortega said PERB currently has no backlog, is prepared to implement AB 288 if litigation changes, and has strong recusal procedures; she also said the state employee cases affected by her recusal would be a small share of PERB’s workload. Public testimony supported the nominee, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard Monica Erickson’s appointment as Director of the Department of Human Resources. Questions focused on labor negotiations, CalPERS fiduciary responsibilities, recruitment and retention, telework, discipline and accountability, DEIA efforts, hard-to-fill classifications, degree requirements, return-to-office implementation, and the gender pay gap. Erickson said CalHR is working on recruitment tools, class consolidations, apprenticeship pathways, policy forums, and a skills-matching pilot to help applicants, while also addressing pay equity and reducing barriers such as unnecessary degree requirements. Public witnesses spoke in support, and the committee approved her appointment 5-0 to advance to the Senate floor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, those of you that lived through the 1980s or had somebody that lived through the 1980s realize that
• Uh, those of you that lived through the 1980s or had somebody that lived through the 1980s realize that
• </c><01:30:39.440><c> They</c> Uh maybe they don't live here. They Uh maybe they don't live here.
• I live in that area.
• I kind of live in the northern section of that, but I've lived in that area for 69 years of my life,

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:18 University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics Presentation 00:02:18 Farm Credit Mid-America Presentation 01:12:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't just decide that, you know, our local service provider, FDOT cannot decide that the local service
• provider will no longer be the local service provider.
• I've lived these issues on many such projects.
• I've lived these issues on many such projects.
• Sir, thank you for your service.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee heard several transportation and infrastructure bills. HB 1239, Energy Infrastructure Investment, would let the Public Service Commission create a mechanism for utilities to recover costs for renewable natural gas infrastructure; supporters said it could diversify energy supply and help agriculture, while members raised concerns about consumer rates and asked whether savings from RIN credits should be passed to customers. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably after debate, with members noting the PSC would set costs and that the sponsor was open to further discussion on consumer protections. The committee then took up HB 313, which exempts Purple Heart recipients from paying Florida tolls. With no questions or opposition, it passed unanimously. The committee also considered HB 567, a broad transportation omnibus/strike-all bill covering EV tax revenue for roads, airport and MPO changes, workforce funding, traffic signal modernization, speed limits, and a pilot to streamline airport permitting. A major amendment added utility right-of-way notice, response, and incentive/penalty provisions, and another amendment authorized local governments to set age and ID rules for e-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices after testimony about a fatal crash. The bill was reported favorably after extensive debate and public testimony from transportation and utility stakeholders. HB 112, dealing with municipal sewer collection systems, would allow cities to use sewer revenues to expand wastewater infrastructure. Sponsors said it was aimed at helping cities like Hollywood reduce septic use and improve water quality; testimony supported the measure as a way to unlock funding for sewer expansion, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also approved HB 7009, preserving public records and meeting exemptions for 911 and public safety radio communications systems and expanding them to next-generation 911. Finally, PCS for HB 1397, a large transportation package addressing airport, seaport, spaceport, and workforce issues, was amended and passed 14-1 after questions about federal testing notifications, removal of certain business preference language, and a provision redirecting some transit funds to highway projects if not timely used.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or home and community-based services or home and community-based services based<00:40:48.520><c>
• </c> requiring the continuation of services requiring the continuation of services until<00:41:24.400
• Washington, Emergency Medical Services Vehicles — Ambulances Required Services.
• </c> sale price in multiple listing service. sale price in multiple listing service.
• </c> services and implementation dates. services and implementation dates.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Marcel Smith, and I live in Woodland, California.
• I'm from Sacramento, California, currently living in Fairfield.
• I've also lived with complex regional pain syndrome.
• Even though I'm limited, I've lived also with complex regional pain syndrome for 25 years.
• I'm a member, I live in central California, Placerville. I live in central California, Placerville.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Naming the community solar program in her honor is a fitting tribute to her lifetime of service.
• In their income or where they live has a chance to benefit from the clean energy boom.
• </c><00:59:18.720><c> Recognizing</c> clean energy transition. Recognizing clean energy transition.
• </c> transition to cleaner, healthier fuels. transition to cleaner, healthier fuels.
• But I don't going to have to live in.

Bills: HF3556

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: community solar, energy, solar power, renewable energy, Melissa Hortman, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And the work they can do throughout our state with that information and service.
• This bill requires the Department of Human Services using electronic communication to provide the West
• and services for students with current or former foster care experience.
• programs and services.
• You know, high school sports play a huge part in our kids' lives. They really do.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> College of Health and Human Services College of Health and Human Services thank<00:38:07.880><c>
• </c> pre-engagement um to increase service pre-engagement um to increase service uptake<01:03:53.440>
• </c> preservation and reunification services preservation and reunification services so<01:05:29.960>
• </c> 90% of those funds on Direct Services 90% of those funds on Direct Services for<01:22:44.639><c>
• :42.040><c> might</c> areas where service Services might areas where service Services might otherwise

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the time were appropriate, and I'm proud of my service in our profession.
• Services for these vacations based on the exercise of treaty Indian rights.
• We also know that years of Native Americans' lives have been impacted.
• Does the proposal permit only the electronic service of warrants, or would personal physical service
• service.

Summary: The committee opened with a work session on effective interrogation techniques, hearing from two remote experts, retired homicide detective Matt Jones and former federal agent Mark Fallon. Both argued for science-based, information-gathering interviewing over confrontational or deception-based tactics, emphasizing rapport, open-ended questioning, corroboration, and avoiding coercion, especially with vulnerable interviewees. They said these methods improve reliability, reduce false confessions and wrongful convictions, and better withstand court scrutiny. Members asked for source materials and raised concerns about how friendly or minimization-style questioning could affect victims; the witnesses said they would provide research and noted that some common tactics can be problematic in sexual assault cases. No votes were taken in the work session. The committee then held a hearing on House Bill 1982, which would expand Washington’s existing process for vacating convictions tied to treaty rights. Staff explained that current law mainly covers pre-1975 fishing convictions, while the bill would extend relief to convictions involving treaty fishing, hunting, gathering, and pasturing rights, remove the date limit, include local ordinances, authorize the Office of Public Defense to provide direct representation and consultation, and create a tribal liaison position. The prime sponsor and tribal leaders testified in support, describing the bill as a way to correct historical wrongs and remove barriers to jobs, housing, and other opportunities. The Office of Public Defense said it supports the bill but needs statutory authority and a hub to identify and process cases; an Attorney General’s Office tribal liaison also supported the concept and suggested clarifying amendments. Some members questioned the scope of the affected population, costs, and whether the legislature could vacate the convictions directly, while others raised concerns about competing resource demands and the need for judicial action case by case. No final action was taken. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 2156, which would expand the Attorney General’s Office investigators’ authority in limited circumstances. Staff said the bill would let AGO investigators exercise only the authority of the entity granting concurrent jurisdiction, allow them to serve business search warrants only when authorized by a judicial officer, and clarify that they cannot detain, arrest, or carry weapons. The bill sponsor said it would reduce delays in economic-crime cases by allowing investigators to serve electronic warrants themselves instead of relying on local officers. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association and a retired veteran argued the bill blurs the line between investigation and prosecution, lacks sufficient oversight, and could create constitutional and training concerns. AGO representatives responded that the bill is narrowly focused, that most investigators are retired law enforcement, and that it would mainly streamline service of electronic warrants in cases such as organized retail theft and wage theft. The hearing was still in progress when the transcript ended, and no vote was recorded on this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• HE THEN BECAME ONE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE, COUNTY ENGINEER THE NEXT 25 YEARS.
• I'VE LIVED IN HERNANDO COUNTY SINCE 2000.
• LIKE YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY CONTINUED SERVICE.
• FROM 2019 THROUGH 21 I SERVED AS SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
• FOR EXAMPLE DISABILITY IS AN ACCESS CHALLENGE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH A DISABILITY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all for being here and for your years of service.
• Yeah, remember, this is live stream. So just be careful.
• typically if you see a child in need of services there’s a family in need of services, right?
• This is including the transitional funding for districts that are receiving that transitional funding
• Managing service consulting is professional services provided in order to assist management in board

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forest Service, to maintain and manage fuel breaks on federally owned land up to one mile on either side
• You know, we are now in the part of the state I live in reaching the place where our urban growth area
• We provide services to all county residents, regardless of whether they live in or outside of incorporated
• Forest Service-owned lands. We appreciate that point being reinforced in this bill.
• And I was shocked that the Forest Service hadn't hired anybody yet. So why?

Bills: SB6211 , SB6234 , SB6242

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: real estate, excise tax, growth management, uniformity, local government, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, shared stewardship, counties authority, land management, environmental agreements, local governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Andrew Teterra and a petition relative to assault and battery by means of bodily substances on a transit
• Andrew Teterra and a petition relative to assault and battery by means of bodily substances on a transit
• Well, they're just trying to perform the public service.
• Paul was the youngest and the last living of 15 children.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and recognized NCSL liaisons Mark Quiner and Colleen Becker, who had been meeting with legislators and staff. Several ceremonial resolutions were also read, including commendations for All Care Medical Supply, congratulations to Eagle Scout Owen Michael Odessa, recognition of Black Maternal Health Care Week, and a resolution for World IBS Day. Senator Ryan Fattman and Representative David DeCoste then honored Molly Gann of Northbridge for scoring 1,000 career basketball points, breaking the town girls’ scoring record with 1,125 points, and becoming the fifth all-time leading scorer in Northbridge basketball history. The Senate also took up a rules matter involving a sick leave bank for Andrew Teterra and a petition concerning assault and battery by means of bodily substances on a transit worker. Senator Collins said the measure was important because transit workers, like public safety employees, cannot strike and need workplace protections amid increasing violence. The Senate suspended the rules and referred the matters to the Committee on the Judiciary. Finally, Senators Collins and O’Connor moved that the Senate adjourn in memory of Paul F. Gannon of South Boston, and they offered a tribute to his life, family, work as a Teamsters member and longshoreman, and athletic and community ties. The motion prevailed, the chamber observed a moment of silence, and the Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if there's anything that you see in your service here, then feel free to reach out to us.
• Thank you so much for your service and your desire to continue to serve. I appreciate you for that.
• So LexisNexis is who we use now for all our legal service.
• Thanks for your endurance and all the transitioning and so forth. I have two questions.
• And so, obviously we live in a nation that is very diverse.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we feel that reference to that additional service, which is generally paid by local government, could
• Mike Moore, Guardian Fleet Services. Wave and support. Thank you very much.
• The bill also requires DHSMV to remit the tax collector service fee for all online transactions related
• So just a comment about the rapid transit compact.
• For instance, the rapid transit compact that you spoke about, in speaking with stakeholders, we found

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 999, senate, all