Transcript Highlights:

• I think our committee did a lot of good work over the interim, and actually a lot of the things I'll
• talk about today are products of that interim work and policies that our committee has endorsed leading
• Our committee.
• Are reflective of the work that both committees have been trying to do together the past interim and
• This committee was a part of the task force to look at the funding formula. ...over the interim about

Transcript Highlights:

• is concurrent to this committee here.
• much chairman her and fellow committee much chairman her and fellow committee members<00:11:28.040
• Chair and members of the committee.
• If there was an issue which was identified either prior to an interim report or after the interim report
• If there was an issue which was identified either prior to an interim report or after the interim report

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, committee. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman, committee.
• So there is a committee substitute. Do I have a motion on committee substitute?
• Yourself, Senator Webb as committee sub.
• Chairman and committee.
• Chairman and committee. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:30 HB 571 Discussion 01:29 HB 571 Roll Call Vote 04:02 HB 542 Discussion 06:01 HB 542 Roll Call Vote 10:21 HB 142 Discussion 13:30 HB 142 Roll Call Vote 22:47 HB 212 Discussion 24:00 HB 212 Roll Call Vote 25:40 HB 658 Discussion 27:01 HB 658 Roll Call Vote 32:02, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The real The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
• I understand there is... a committee substitute senator that that committee substitute was adopted in
• We'll have a committee substitute at some point.
• but that's what the interim is for.
• with no other business to come before the committee senator Miles moves the committee stands in recess

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• So apprenticeship committees: every program has an apprenticeship committee that operates and approves
• all of the committee functions.
• And some of the examples of that are our State Council Diversity Committee, Second Chance Committee,
• So in the interim, what's the plan?
• So in the interim, what's the plan?

Summary: The work session focused first on Washington’s apprenticeship system, especially building trades programs and support services. Labor and Industries staff explained how registered apprenticeship works in the state, including the role of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, the requirements for paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, and the difference between apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. Panelists emphasized that apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that many waitlists reflect a shortage of job openings and employer participation rather than a lack of interest. They also discussed youth apprenticeship, the growth of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and the use of Career Bridge and L&I’s database to help people find programs. Representatives asked whether the state should expand apprenticeship programs and how people can find openings. Speakers said more programs alone would not solve the backlog without more employers signing on as training agents and more apprenticeship utilization on projects. The panel also highlighted the Constructed Career Initiative, a grant-funded navigation and support program that helps people enter and stay in building trades apprenticeships through outreach, case management, and wraparound aid such as transportation, tools, and work clothes. A related nonprofit, Build Up, described similar support services, including prison-based boot and PPE programs and assistance for reentry participants. The panel said these services are especially important because apprentices often face unstable income, housing, food, and transportation barriers. The panel also discussed House Bill 2084 and the new Construction Training Pathway Oversight Committee, which is examining construction training in correctional facilities and how to create clearer pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. Speakers said the committee is still in its early stages and will report to the legislature. The session ended with committee members thanking the panel and noting the importance of support services and referral networks for apprentices. The meeting then resumed at Renton Technical College, where college leaders and faculty discussed serving non-traditional students. The college reported strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse student body, and high job placement rates, while also noting significant budget cuts and program reductions from the prior year. Health care and early childhood education programs were highlighted, including efforts to expand access through hybrid scheduling, evening and Saturday classes, Spanish-language offerings, and in-person wraparound support for admissions, financial aid, and registration. Faculty said these changes were driven by student data and were aimed at helping working parents, English learners, and other non-traditional students complete credentials and enter family-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there's 12 members on the committee, I wanted to know. But Christian was blocking the camera.
• Good afternoon to you and members of the committee.
• Again, thank you for the opportunity to testify before the committee, Mr. Chairman.
• Chairman, thank you to this committee for having me.
• As this committee knows, increasing housing supply, Ms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:24:30.479> and committee, I met in other committees and committee, I met in other committees
• The question is on the adoption of the committee recommendation of refer to interim study on Senate Bill
• recommendation of refer to committee recommendation of refer to interim<05:05:10.718> study<05
• Senator Lang for the committee. to2. Senator Lang for the committee.
• Interim<05:35:07.200> study. Interim study. Interim study.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, Rachel, welcome to committee. Chairwoman Bliss, members of the committee, thank you.
• interim.
• Hello, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Welcome to committee.

Bills: SB1113, SB1115, SB1122, SB1123, SB1125, SB1165, SB1188, SB1193, SB1243, SB1318, SB1477

Keywords: mental health, involuntary evaluation, service of process, court-ordered treatment, evaluation agencies, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, healthcare, behavioral health, prior authorization, American Indian health program, medicaid, medical examiner, death investigation, body disposal, autopsy, veteran burial

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of health and human services bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. SB 1113 would allow screening or evaluation agency employees, under contract with a county, to personally serve court documents in involuntary mental health proceedings instead of requiring police officers; supporters said it would reduce burdens on law enforcement and be less disruptive for patients. An amendment clarifying county contracts and reimbursement was adopted, and the bill passed 12-0. SB 1122 would limit AHCCCS from imposing over-100% prepayment review on certain behavioral health providers serving American Indian Health Program members unless a corrective action plan is in place; AHCCCS was neutral and said it could implement the bill with additional staffing, and it passed 12-0. SB 1123 would remove a board-certification requirement so trained, licensed forensic pathologists can supervise pathology trainees during the period before board exam results are available; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and efficiency measure, and it passed 12-0. SB 1125 would require DCS to make annual efforts to enter MOUs with Arizona tribes and improve communication on tribal children in state care; DCS said it was already working on several pending MOUs, and the bill passed 12-0. The committee also approved several bills related to cancer screening and mental health. SB 1165 would prohibit cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast cancer screening services in the commercial market; the sponsor and advocates said it would remove financial barriers that delay diagnosis, and it passed 12-0 amid personal testimony from members and the chair. SB 1243 would require notice to a patient’s guardian before discharge from court-ordered treatment and allow guardians to seek continuation of treatment; supporters said it closes dangerous gaps when treatment orders expire, and it passed 10-0 with two absent. SB 1318 would repeal a state breast-density notice requirement that now overlaps with a federal FDA standard; ADHS said the change would reduce confusion and duplicate notices, and it passed 11-0 with one absent. SB 1188 would align Arizona controlled-substance schedules with federal FDA/DEA scheduling changes; supporters said it would speed access to new treatments, while one member voted no over concerns about relying on federal review, and it passed 8-2. Additional bills addressed privacy and assisted-living referrals. SB 1193 would bar DHS from selling or disclosing EMT personal identifying information for commercial purposes without consent, while still allowing de-identified data; the sponsor’s representative said the bill arose after DHS said vendor access to licensee data was not prohibited, and members discussed whether broader privacy protections should apply to other workers as well. It passed 10-0 with two absent. SB 1477 would require referral agencies serving assisted living facilities or homes to verify background-screening practices, maintain insurance, and provide documentation regarding APS registry status; the bill’s supporters said it raises standards for senior placement services, a technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 10-0 with two absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee.
• Okay, so we'll bring it to committee members for questions.
• Good afternoon, Chair and members of the committee.
• Interim, they self-certified negative.
• Yes, and I have four of the seven on the negative interim report and eight on the qualified interim report

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I'd ask that you support the work of the interim recalibration committee. >> Thank you, sir
• If the members of that committee that worked so hard in this past interim, and I appreciate so much,
• Uh, the discussion on the recalibration committee during the interim was we understand that teachers
• worked so hard in this committee that worked so hard in this past<01:48:09.520> interim<01:48:
• The joint revenue committee will meet tomorrow upon adjournment to discuss interim topics. >> Bob, that's

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee for having us.
• Chair and members of the committee.
• Chair, members of the committee will be, and we'll, we'll ask folks to, uh, let Ms.
• Um, and I think it kind of poses two questions that we might want to think about this interim.
• Uh, and then start to get direction from the committee, um, a little bit earlier this interim in terms

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration will come to order. A quorum is present.
• The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration will designate Saturday, May 16, 2026, for the
• Chair and members of the committee.
• Chair and members of the committees.
• transition in that interim period. transition in that interim period.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that<00:04:00.319> we<00:04:00.480> are committee, you'll know that we are committee
• He is our interim uh director of Cowan.
• I'm the uh, interim uh, Swanson.
• Chairman and committee Thank you, Mr.
• Charlie Peruse, interim EVPFA. Charlie Peruse, interim EVPFA.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes 00:02:01 Information Items 00:02:10 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:02:20 A. A. Eastern Kentucky University 00:02:48 B. B. Kentucky Community and Technical College System 00:15:21 C. C. Kentucky State University 00:31:43 D. D. Morehead State University 00:41:44 E. E. Murray State University 01:01:56 F. F. Northern Kentucky University 01:16:09 G. G. University of Kentucky and Hospital 01:25:00 H. H. University of Louisville 01:42:52 I. I. Western Kentucky University 01:56:17, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call establishing a quorum. The committee then approved the prior meeting’s minutes. Members were reminded to silence cell phones, and the chair noted an informational item on capital plan amendments made by state agencies during the latest revision period before moving to university capital plan presentations. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden outlined EKU’s enrollment growth, strong Kentucky student retention, and signature programs in nursing, occupational therapy, criminal justice, education, manufacturing engineering, and aviation. EKU’s main capital priorities were a new health innovation project to support a proposed osteopathic medical program, including a $50 million escrow requirement until accreditation; a collaborative center for health innovation to address outdated health sciences facilities; a $5 million startup request for an air traffic control program; aircraft upgrades for the aviation fleet; and continued asset preservation funding. In response to questions, EKU said roughly 40% of the new health facility would be dedicated to the medical school, with shared simulation space for multiple health programs, and that aviation maintenance needs are currently being met through KCTCS partners but could be expanded if demand grows. KCTCS representatives then described the system’s scale and capital needs, noting service to 107,000 students, extensive dual credit and workforce training, and a network of 342 buildings across 70 campuses. They said prior legislative support, including $277 million in asset preservation and $90 million released for approved projects, had helped with safety, roofs, energy efficiency, and campus security. Their current priorities include about $30 million for systemwide safety and security upgrades, renovations tied to consolidation and footprint reduction under Senate Joint Resolution 179, and broader asset preservation needs estimated at roughly $300 million to $325 million. Members discussed the need to preserve and expand skilled trades training, and KCTCS said its plan includes construction trades and flexible, multiuse facilities that can adapt to changing workforce needs. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the presentations concluded with questions and discussion only.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is how we finance all of the things that I've just mentioned, including our interim committees and
• <02:03:16.560> committee<02:03:16.880> for development interim committee for development
• interim committee for consideration
• <02:04:08.639> committee<02:04:09.199> for development interim committee for development
• That came up a lot in committee, um, throughout the interim, and there was a lot of discussions in interim

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So welcome to the Interim Education Committee.
• Chair Jonas, Vice Chair Thomas, members of the interim education committee. My name is Rob Metz.
• Chairman Jonas, Vice Chair Thomas, members of the Interim Education Committee.
• Fetch, thanks for being here today and being part of the interim committee discussion on this.
• Hi, good afternoon, Chairman Jonas and members of the Interim Education Committee.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Health and Human Services Committee asks for your support and motion for interim study, and
• Seeing none, the question is on the adoption of the committee recommendation of refer to interim study
• The question is on the adoption of the committee recommendation of refer to interim study on Senate Bill
• The question is on the adoption of the committee recommendation of refer to interim study on Senate Bill
• recommendation of refer to committee recommendation of refer to interim<05:15:18.958> study<05

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions, committee?
• Questions, committee?
• So every interim committee we go to, where a few of those line items are required reports on this, and
• As far as the specific interim committee, you know, we have the, I forget the exact name of it, but Chair
• I'm sure you're all familiar with legislative management's interim committees, but this section gives

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Martinez offers the committee substitute. Thank you.
• The committee substitute makes two changes to the bill.
• However, an interim report highlights that the current system lacks a formal way to measure interim progress
• As he noted, this is all from interim study recommendations from this committee, the session before last
• This bill implements a recommendation made in the interim report of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture

Bills: HB937, HB2078, HB2080, HB3322, HB3350, HB4212, HB4630, HB4896, HB4951, HB5348, HB5675, SB565, SB971, SB1662, SB2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• For the past couple of interims, this committee has adopted Joint Rule 211.
• So if there's a bill brought after this committee adjourns for the final time this interim, is that kind
• Again, committee, I think changing a benefit like this The next interim.
• So unfortunately, Employee Benefits is typically one of the last committees to wrap up for the interim
• So unfortunately, Employee Benefits is typically one of the last committees to wrap up for the interim

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the past couple of interims, this committee has adopted Joint Rule 211.
• of the committee.
• So if there's a bill brought after this committee adjourns for the final time this interim, is that kind
• Okay, committee.
• So unfortunately, Employee Benefits is typically one of the last committees to wrap up for the interim

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to approve prior minutes, hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave, and related policy issues, and then recess for lunch. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the long-standing state-paid family coverage, cost-control measures, wellness incentives, the current grandfathered PPO and high-deductible options, and the effects of recent benefit mandates such as insulin caps, prosthetic coverage, medication management, prescription copay changes, and ambulance balance-billing limits. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact of adding benefits and the possible cost of moving to a non-grandfathered plan, while PERS and HRMS emphasized that health insurance remains the top-ranked employee benefit and that any major plan changes should be considered carefully. HRMS also presented compensation comparisons showing state pay generally below private-market benchmarks, discussed targeted market equity adjustments, identified ongoing recruitment and retention concerns in fields like nursing, IT, engineering, and attorneys, and reviewed leave policies, tuition reimbursement, and family leave comparisons with neighboring states. Job Service provided labor market data showing low unemployment, high labor force participation, and wage growth that still trails some neighboring markets, and OMB explained that prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects under Davis-Bacon, not to ordinary state contracts. After lunch, the committee took up the required process for health insurance mandate bills and adopted an amendment to Joint Rule 211. The amendment clarified that the deadline for submitting mandate measures is intended to allow time for all required reports, including both the cost-benefit analysis and any Employee Benefits Committee actuarial report, while leaving the existing deadline unchanged. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and a few no votes recorded. The committee then moved into its jurisdiction review of bill drafts, beginning with a bill that would automatically renew pre-tax dental and vision elections; members debated whether it had any actuarial or administrative impact on PERS or the state, and the chair explained that the committee’s role was only to decide whether further analysis was needed before later testimony and recommendations.