Transcript Highlights:

• It's a registered apprenticeship through the Department of Labor.
• It's a registered apprenticeship through the Department of Labor.
• </c> registered with the Department of Labor registered with the Department of Labor and<00:08:30.560
• </c><00:09:05.440><c> Uh</c> education and labor cabinet. Uh education and labor cabinet.
• Cabinet and Education and Labor Cabinet, to set up that teacher apprenticeship program.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:55 26RS SB 22 – 04:52 26RS SB 46 – 0:34:36, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Joint Resolution 13, which is Senator Sturgeon and Representative Barry, directing the Department of Labor
• Directing the Department of Labor to study the creation of a small of a Delaware health care apprenticeship
• report findings and recommendations to the governor House Joint Resolution 13 directs the Department of Labor
• House Joint Resolution 13 directs the Department of Labor to study the creation of a Delaware Health
• House Joint Resolution 13 directs the Department of Labor to study the creation of a Delaware Health

Summary: The committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 24 and June 25, 2026 minutes, and then heard several bills and a joint resolution. On House Bill 382 with House Amendment 2, Senator Hoffer explained the measure as a technical correction to prior rental-car and peer-to-peer car-sharing law that would clarify when loss-of-use damages may be recovered while preserving recovery for intentional, willful, or criminal conduct. Avis Budget Group and Enterprise Mobility supported the bill, saying it resolved ambiguity and restored limited common-law recovery, while Allstate and Toro opposed it, arguing the bill could reintroduce unfair and unpredictable fees and leave too much discretion to rental companies. No vote was taken in the transcript, and Senator Townsend said he still had questions about how the bill would operate. The committee then considered House Bill 476, a Frederica charter change that would reduce town council meetings from twice monthly to monthly and make ordinances effective immediately unless otherwise stated. Representative Postles presented it as a simple, noncontroversial change, though members noted Senator Buckson, the Senate sponsor, was not present at the time. No public comment was offered on that bill. The committee also heard House Joint Resolution 13, which directs the Department of Labor to study a Delaware health care apprenticeship degree program and report recommendations; the Delaware Health Care Association supported the resolution and urged coordination with existing workforce efforts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 458 with House Amendment 1 on backflow devices in low-hazard buildings. Senator Pardee said the bill would exempt residences and office-type buildings from costly backflow retrofits until regulations are updated, and DHSS said the current regulations do not clearly define low hazard but that the bill’s list of exempted buildings would not raise immediate public health concerns. The Delaware Association of Realtors supported the bill, arguing the regulations were overbroad and costly, while the Delaware Rural Water Association opposed it, warning that weakening backflow protections could threaten drinking water and aquifers. The committee then adjourned without any recorded votes on the substantive bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Committees has met and referred these bills to the Economic Development, Tourism and Labor
• </c> Development, Tourism and Labor Development, Tourism and Labor Committee, Committee, Committee, House
• returned to the Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, Labor. >> Without objection, Mr.
• , given its second reading, and returned to the Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee. >
• , given its second reading, and returned to the Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee. >

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll now move on to economic housing or labor services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Beginning on page 5, line 53, begins the category for economic housing or labor services.
• So the total proposed allocation on line 50 for economic housing or labor services is $4,493,097.
• We are currently looking at economic housing or labor services.
• I make a motion to adopt Section 2, Economic Housing, or Labor Services. Can I have a second?

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll now move on to Economic Housing or Labor Services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Beginning on page 5, line 53, begins the category for Economic Housing or Labor Services.
• We're currently looking at Economic Housing or Labor Services.
• I make a motion to adopt Section 2, Economic Housing, or Labor.
• I make a motion to adopt Section 2, Economic Housing or Labor Services. Can I have a second?

Summary: The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category. The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted. Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, S. 230 is a miscellaneous labor bill. It came over from the Senate.
• Kresnoff South Burlington, Kresnoff South Burlington, >> Labor of Morgan, >> Labor of Morgan, >> Lalia
• Madam Speaker, I voted no because the Senate proposal of amendment allows for unfair labor practices
• practices</c><00:30:53.840><c> on</c><00:30:54.159><c> Department</c><00:30:54.559><c> of</c> unfair labor
• practices on Department of unfair labor practices on Department of Corrections<00:30:55.279><c> property

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez, on behalf of the California Labor Federation, and support. All right. Thank you.
• Our strong preference is that Labor Code Section 132A remain unchanged.
• It's been widely interpreted to apply to any provision of benefits under the Labor Code, so there's no
• Our strong preference is that Labor Code Section 132A remain unchanged.
• It's been widely interpreted to apply to any provision of benefits under the Labor Code, so there's no

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a 1:00 agenda joint with the Committee on Labor and Technology.
• That's the order that we'll be taking the three agendas in: first the joint with Labor and Technology
• The meeting will proceed in this order: first the joint agenda with Labor and Technology, followed by
• Okay, Labor and Technology committee, same recommendations. Any questions or concerns?
• The Labor and Technology committee has the same recommendations. Any questions or concerns?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 6, 2025, first in a joint session with the Committee on Labor and Technology. The joint committees heard SB 1235, which would create a Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation program for government employee housing, including a revolving fund and a leasehold rent-to-own program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, the Department of Budget and Finance, and UPW, with one testifier opposing the bill because it was limited to state workers and should be broader. The committees recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes, $450,000 for two positions, removal of an income restriction, and clarification that leasehold and day-one projects are eligible; both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously, and the joint meeting adjourned. The Housing Committee then took up SB 67, SB 1133, and SB 1333. SB 67 would bar inclusionary zoning requirements on certain housing offered for sale or rent to qualifying residents, and it received support from HHFDC, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others; the committee recommended passage with technical amendments and adopted it. SB 1133 would allow counties to set rent increase limits tied to CPI and create a long-term residential lease tax credit; testimony included support from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Realtors, NAIOP Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation, which warned about rent-control consequences. The committee recommended passage with amendments that made the credit nonrefundable, allowed limited carry-forward, restricted claims in certain family-lease situations, set filing deadlines, and applied the measure to disaster-affected counties; the recommendation was adopted. SB 1333 would allow certain counties to use surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure and extend the surcharge period. DBEDT, OPSD, HCDA, county officials, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, while the Tax Foundation opposed it, arguing temporary taxes were becoming permanent. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments, and members noted concerns that prior surcharge revenues had not produced enough housing projects, which were to be reflected in the committee report. Finally, the committee deferred SB 834 indefinitely because it had already been deferred indefinitely by the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and the Housing Committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• These amendments will be crossed in Senate Labor and will address opposition concerns about the length
• President of the California Nurses Association, Sandy Redding, and Sarah Flocks from the California Labor
• Madam Chair, Sarah Flox, California Federation of Labor Unions, Madam Chair, Sarah Flock's California
• Federation of Labor Unions, and thank you so much to the committee for your great work on this bill.
• Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement. Assistant, please call the roll.

Summary: The committee heard AB 2575 on health care AI guardrails, with the author and supporters from the California Nurses Association and labor groups arguing that AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment. They said the bill would require basic disclosures about AI tools, protect workers from retaliation for overriding AI in good faith, and prevent developers or employers from shifting liability to frontline clinicians. Opponents including the California Medical Association, CalChamber, hospitals, and other health care organizations argued the bill would add costs, create uncertainty, and discourage useful AI applications. Committee members discussed bias in health care and accepted amendments narrowing the disclosure provisions; the bill was moved with a 7-1 vote and re-referred to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement. AB 634 would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products containing tianeptine, described by supporters as “gas station heroin.” The author and law enforcement supporters said the substance is dangerous, easily accessible, and can cause opioid-like addiction, while no opposition came forward. The committee also heard AB 1607 to extend the Maddy EMS Fund, which reimburses emergency providers for uncompensated care. Supporters said the fund is essential to keeping emergency departments staffed, especially amid expected coverage losses; an ACLU representative opposed the funding source because it relies on criminal and traffic fines. Members supported the need for the fund but raised concerns about the fairness and long-term stability of the revenue source, and the bill advanced on a 8-0 vote. AB 1906 would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening tests without cost sharing, and the author said the bill would improve early detection and reduce disparities, especially for rural and working Californians. Support came from Planned Parenthood, Health Access, and several health and labor organizations; insurers said they appreciated the amendments and were reviewing their position. The committee adopted amendments aligning the bill with clinical guidelines and passed it 6-0 to Appropriations. The committee also took up AB 2247, the Thrive Act, to create a pilot program for trauma and mental health services for youth affected by gun violence in four counties. Supporters described barriers survivors face in accessing counseling, while members questioned the narrow focus on gun violence, the choice of counties, documentation requirements, and whether the program should instead be housed in victim compensation. The bill passed 8-0 to Judiciary. Later, AB 2531 would expand California’s uncompensated care program so veterans denied abortion care through the federal VA system could receive coverage in California, and would add an abortion resources link for veterans. Supporters framed it as filling a gap created by federal restrictions; opponents argued state funds should not support abortion. Members noted the VA already provides many reproductive services but not this one, and the bill passed 7-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard AB 1915, which would modernize restaurant facility rules and create a self-certification pathway for some equipment installations. Restaurant and business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce costly delays, while the Contractor State License Board opposed the self-certification provision over safety and inspection concerns. Members generally supported streamlining but echoed public safety concerns and indicated further work was needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terry Brennan, on behalf of SEIU California and the Labor Coalition, representing 2.5 million taxpaying
• Chair, Sarah Flock with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support. Mr.
• The labor... ...that makes California one of the largest economies in the world—the labor, the laborers
• Bureau of Labor Statistics show a 53% decrease in veterans in the California workforce over the last
• The high cost of construction, labor, utilities, and taxes in California often make potential projects

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills dealing with tax policy, local revenue authority, consumer protections, and incentives for development. AB 1726 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for disaster mitigation and recovery costs; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, while the California Teachers Association opposed it because of the General Fund and Prop. 98 impact. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to ask voters to approve local transaction and use taxes to offset projected federal funding cuts affecting health care and safety-net services; it received broad support from health providers and county representatives, opposition from one member and a resident, and passed the committee 5-2 to the Assembly Local Government Committee. The committee also considered AB 1790, which would repeal the Waters Edge corporate tax election and require worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations. The author and supporters argued it would close a loophole, raise several billion dollars annually, and help fund schools, Medi-Cal, and other programs; opponents warned of double taxation, compliance burdens, retaliation from foreign governments, and job losses. After extensive testimony and member debate, the bill was referred to suspense. AB 2020 would provide a full property tax exemption for the primary residence of 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and AB 2069 would create a targeted sales and use tax exemption to spur development projects at fairgrounds; both measures had support from sponsors and related organizations, no opposition, and were referred to suspense. Finally, AB 2705 would regulate third-party “asset finders” who help claim excess proceeds from tax sales by requiring written agreements, disclosure that claims can be filed free with the county, and a cap on fees at 10%. County officials and local government groups supported the bill as a consumer protection measure, while recovery companies and related firms opposed it, arguing the work is complex and the cap would reduce access to services. The committee moved AB 2705 to the Assembly floor on a 4-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• like boycotts, strikes, and the 340-mile Delano to Sacramento March, the movement achieved historic labor
• reforms and improved lives for laborers.
• Farm workers transformed labor rights in America.
• , our workers, our labor contractors, our fellow farmers—about what we want to do going forward.
• But then it continued into the 1960s and was used as a tactic for landowners to end labor organizing.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and several personal privileges recognizing guests and proclamations, including a Coolidge centennial proclamation, a Pre-born Day of Rights proclamation, and a tribute to retired public servant Carmen Green Smith. The chamber also welcomed various guests and groups in the gallery, including Arizona Right to Life, Reproductive Freedom for All, a doctor of the day, schoolchildren, and community visitors. A motion to suspend the rules and immediately advance SB 1396 on contraception rights failed by a vote of 12 ayes to 16 nays. The Senate then considered House Concurrent Resolution 2053 honoring Brad Brower, adopted it unanimously, observed a moment of silence, and transmitted the resolution to the House. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2072, HB 2307, and HB 2874. HB 2072, dealing with holidays and the César Chávez Day repeal/renaming debate, drew extensive floor debate over a Miranda amendment to rename the day for farm workers; that amendment failed 12-15, and the bill was ultimately advanced as amended by the committee’s striker/repeal language. HB 2307, concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and a state facility process, received committee and floor amendments and was advanced as amended. HB 2874, relating to campaign committee termination statements and contributions, also received committee and technical floor amendments and was advanced as amended. On final third readings, HB 2874 passed 18-11 with one not voting and was transmitted to the House. HB 2307 passed 27-2 with one not voting and was transmitted to the House, with supporters emphasizing public safety and the emergency clause. HB 272 passed after a lengthy and contentious debate over whether to repeal or rename the holiday associated with César Chávez and the farm worker movement; supporters of repeal cited allegations against Chávez and the need for accountability, while opponents argued the holiday should preserve recognition of farm workers and the movement’s history. The Senate also adopted the Committee of the Whole report and assigned the bills accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• last several months, Governor Healey and our team have been engaging with stakeholders, including our labor
• wealthy, I'm just wondering if you had the chance to meet with any employee organizations, whether labor
• Did the administration sit down with labor unions or employee organizations to discuss the details of
• filing the bill, we have done extensive stakeholder outreach both with business groups as well as labor
• What we can afford is to keep all these apprentices, all those unions, without the trained labor they

Bills: H4975

Keywords: federal tax changes, OBBBA, revenue impact, pass-through entities, state budget, tax relief, high-income earners, opportunity zones, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the State Labor Council represents hundreds of thousands of working people across Washington
• On behalf of the State Labor Council, he urged the committee to pass the bill.
• Carissa Larson with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Come on up.
• My name is Chris Larson, Deputy Director of Government Affairs at the Washington State Labor Council,
• And state labor council, AFLCIO, represent hundreds of thousands of working people across Washington.

Bills: SB6149, SB6175, SB6230, SB6248, SB6312, SB6061, SB6137

Keywords: rural county, frontier county, public facilities funding, economic development, local option sales tax, sales and use tax, workforce housing, affordable housing, county tax authority, RCW, Washington state, community economic revitalization board, CED, infrastructure funding, public works, job creation, job retention, job expansion, county planning, state auditor reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• restrictions related to federal immigration enforcement, and laws addressing wage requirements and labor
• For a lot of our labor standards, the process to remedy is lengthy and arduous.
• We are a workers' rights organization that prioritizes advocacy, education, and enforcement of labor
• We are a workers' rights organization that prioritizes advocacy, education, and enforcement of labor
• We actively support many underpaid and vulnerable. enforcement of labor standards for low-age workers

Bills: HB2161, HB2332, HB2102

Keywords: attorney general, legal authority, state powers, judiciary, civil rights, driver privacy, data protection, personal information, surveillance, consumer rights, legal obligations, financial responsibility, debt management, consumer protection, court systems, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , to the area of public interest, including police tactics, use of force, immigration enforcement, labor
• For a lot of our labor standards, the process to remedy is lengthy and arduous.
• We are a workers' rights organization that prioritizes advocacy, education, and enforcement of labor
• We are a workers' rights organization that prioritizes advocacy, education, and enforcement of labor
• We actively support many underpaid and vulnerable. enforcement of labor standards for low-age workers

Summary: On January 20, 2026, the committee held public hearings on House Bill 2102, House Bill 2161, and House Bill 2332. HB 2102 would sharply limit legal financial obligations by prohibiting courts from imposing costs unless specifically authorized by statute, repealing many fees and interest on restitution, and making eliminated debts unenforceable and satisfied. The sponsor and supporters argued that LFOs are harmful, inconsistently applied, and create uncollectable debt that burdens indigent defendants and hinders reentry. Opponents, including local government and collections representatives, warned the bill would shift costs to cities and counties, reduce accountability tools, and could cost local jurisdictions millions. No vote was taken. HB 2161 would expand the Attorney General’s authority to issue civil investigative demands for possible violations involving civil rights, labor standards, jail standards, immigration-related restrictions, and police use-of-force laws. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office, labor groups, and civil rights advocates said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases, while not changing substantive enforcement authority. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and business groups argued the bill was overbroad, lacked sufficient standards, and could create due process, confidentiality, and separation-of-powers concerns. Members asked about safeguards, and staff and the AGO described court challenge procedures and internal review standards. No action was taken. HB 2332 would regulate automated license plate readers used by state and local agencies, generally limiting use to specified law enforcement, parking, toll, and transportation purposes, restricting sharing and retention, and prohibiting uses tied to immigration enforcement or protected health care. The sponsor and privacy, immigrant-rights, and reproductive-rights advocates said the bill was needed to prevent misuse of sensitive location data and to close loopholes that could allow out-of-state or federal access. Law enforcement, cities, vendors, and some business and campus representatives supported privacy guardrails but said the 72-hour retention limit, warrant requirements, and other restrictions were too strict and could hinder investigations, victim recovery, and parking enforcement. The hearing ended with testimony still underway and no vote or final action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Memory screens are quick, simple tests that evaluate memory and other thinking skills to detect memory
• Memory screens are quick, simple tests that evaluate memory and other thinking skills to detect memory
• Memory screens are quick, simple tests that evaluate memory and other thinking skills to detect memory
• Memory screens are quick, simple tests that evaluate memory and other thinking skills to detect memory
• , and find time for coping skills, and find time for self-care.<01:08:43.199><c> Their</c><01:08:43.440

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• , Wyoming prohibits gambling, and those are defined as purely games of chance compared to games of skill
• these machines and said, well, if we base the outcome on a horse race, um, it's not gambling, it's skill
• </c> information and you are making a skilled information and you are making a skilled decision<01:09
• </c><01:10:17.920><c> And</c><01:10:18.159><c> my</c> gambling, it's skill.
• And my gambling, it's skill.

Bills: SF0045, SJ0001

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• and discipline, and letting those skills sink in and take root.
• Those skills in turn allow the person a good chance to become a sustainable owner of the asset.
• and discipline and letting those skills and discipline and letting those skills<00:25:18.240><c> sink
• sink in and take root and those skills sink in and take root and those skills<00:25:21.120><c> in</c
• in turn allow the person a good skills in turn allow the person a good chance<00:25:23.200><c> to</c

Bills: HF2135, HF776, HF1581, HF1158, HF2226

Keywords: child welfare, fiscal analysis, third-party consultant, program evaluation, Minnesota, HF776, Minnesota Family Assets for Independence Initiative, family assets for independence, FAI, asset-building, matched savings, financial literacy, family savings, economic mobility, children youth and families, general fund appropriation, family support, low-income families, financial stability, budget bill

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to tell you how it started: he had no job, and he had a dream, and he had no skill.
• I have to tell you how it started: he had no job, and he had a dream, and he had no skill.
• I have to tell you how it started: he had no job, and he had a dream, and he had no skill.
• I have to tell you how it started: he had no job, and he had a dream, and he had no skill.
• I have to tell you how it started: he had no job, and he had a dream, and he had no skill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they have special training or skills?
• We would be able to provide those special trainings and the skills to work with psych patients, but when
• they do they have special<00:18:39.960><c> training</c><00:18:40.480><c> or</c><00:18:41.280><c> skills
• c><00:18:42.120><c> we</c><00:18:42.240><c> would</c><00:18:42.520><c> be</c> special training or skills
• to to work with psych um and the skills to to work with psych patients<00:18:48.360><c> but</c><00:18

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.