Transcript Highlights:

• Gilman, a bill to establish a regulatory structure for direct primary care. Some good legislation.
• primary care. care. care. some<00:57:00.400><c> good</c><00:57:00.640><c> legislation.
• The behavioral health grants for schools, the direct primary care, is a wonderful thing for Minnesotans
• a</c> schools, the direct primary care is a schools, the direct primary care is a wonderful<01:20:43.920
• caring for them.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Health screening support services are critical tools in identifying and addressing issues early.
• Our children need a straightforward framework where their medical care demands direct permission, not
• And additionally, it confuses the roles of schools in health care, and it continues to chip away at our
• Section 4A says each county health department shall develop jointly with a school health service plan
• In my bill, I thought that I was following directions in terms of being less wordy.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Committee took up a series of education, school safety, health, and student access bills. SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funds was amended to clarify the theory of knowledge course and then reported favorably. SB 370 would allow routine non-invasive school health screenings, such as vision, hearing, and dental checks, to proceed with written notice and an opt-out process rather than active parental consent; supporters said it would improve participation and access, while opponents argued it was too broad and weakened parental rights. After debate over scope, funding, and consent, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 1070, which would require ECG screenings for student athletes under a phased rollout beginning in 2026, with religious and medical opt-outs. The bill was renamed the Second Chance Act in honor of Chance Gainer. Supporters described it as a life-saving measure to detect hidden cardiac conditions, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. SB 508, the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill, would require private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations and services they will provide to students with IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment; it was supported by parents, advocacy groups, and some school representatives and was reported favorably. School safety measures were also considered. SB 1470 would refine campus locking and supervision rules, create clearer exceptions, expand training and security options for school safety personnel, and allow district-employed law enforcement officers to use canines for threat detection. Witnesses from school safety and Parkland-related advocacy groups supported the bill but urged caution on exemptions and implementation details. SB 1472 would extend a public records exemption to certified school security guards, matching the protection already given to school guardians, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 248 would expand participation in FHSAA sports for private school and home education students at public schools when their own schools do not offer the sport, and SB 1618 made broad changes to VPK through grade 12 policy, including reading instruction, financial literacy, school funds restrictions, teacher certification, and advisory council rules; both bills were reported favorably. Several members later recorded votes in support of specific tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if I may, I'm going to direct you to page three in your packet.
• That takes care of half of what the governor said.
• care staff at juvenile corrections facilities and substance use disorder mentoring services.
• So the $517,700 for those six direct care positions, plus the cost to restore the mentoring services
• Works, Group Insurance, Purchasing, and Document Services.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first took up the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Medicaid. Members approved a 2026 supplemental for the Medicaid forecast adjustment, increasing general fund and dedicated fund spending while reducing federal funds, and also approved a separate budget-neutral 2026 supplemental to move hospital assessment funding into a dedicated fund and create a new hospital assessment budgeted program, as required by House Bill 345. Both motions passed with do-pass recommendations after roll-call votes. The committee then considered the 2027 Medicaid budget. Testimony covered MMIS procurement, estate recovery staffing, program integrity contract support, Medicaid purchasing staff tied to the Department of Administration, hospital assessment fund alignment, population forecast adjustments, and an additional governor’s initiative reduction. Three competing motions were offered: one from Representative Bruce, one from Senator Cook, and one from Senator Wintrow. After debate over provider-rate cuts, RESHAB funding, forecast assumptions, and whether to reduce the governor’s requested $22 million adjustment, the Bruce motion failed and the Cook substitute failed, while the Wintrow motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee next approved Idaho State Police budgets. It passed a Brand Inspection Division request for $288,100 in dedicated funds for replacement vehicles and equipment, a Division of Idaho State Police motion adding funds for the commercial vehicle safety grant, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement items, and a POST Academy motion for $324,100 in dedicated funds for replacement items. The Department of Juvenile Corrections budget was also approved, including a clinician services transfer from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of direct care and mentoring funding with six FTPs. Finally, the committee considered the Department of Administration and Military Division budgets; after debate over Medicaid procurement staffing and a training position transfer, the committee approved a Department of Administration motion with reduced general fund and increased dedicated funding, then approved the Military Division’s request for emergency management overhead recovery and state education assistance funding. The meeting ended with announcements of the next Monday agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• THANK YOU FOR THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF TIME AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES.
• UNDERSTAND 200,000 VETERANS LEAVE SERVICE EVERY YEAR.
• I THINK THEY DO CONSUMER SERVICES AND THIS IS A CONSUMER SERVICE OR SOMETHING THAT IS A PUBLIC ORIGINATED
• IT TALKS ABOUT DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AND DEPARTMENT CREATING THOSE DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
• UNDER CHAPTER 617 IT TALKS ABOUT DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The aforementioned embody the very spirit of service by ensuring the spirit of service by ensuring the
• Public service is not easy. Public service is not easy.
• In my time of service, I married my best... In my time of service, I married my best friend.
• Julie, this state is better because of your service.
• And I thought, heck yeah, direct line to leadership.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it's not a direct carve-out on overtime. It's a credit.
• Now I pay the brand direct.
• Now I pay the brand direct.
• It requires the Department of Health Care Services to publish the names of large employers with workers
• It requires the Department of Health Care Services to publish the names of large employers with workers

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime wage costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and other agricultural groups, argued that California’s ag overtime law has reduced take-home pay by limiting hours and that the credit would help employers continue offering overtime while putting more money back into workers’ paychecks. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the bill would subsidize employers for complying with the law, shift costs to taxpayers, and set a precedent for industry-specific carve-outs. The bill was held in subcommittee and taken up later when more members arrived. The committee then considered SB 1083, a follow-up to last year’s school employee misconduct database law. Senator Perez said the bill would add due process protections for classified school employees by requiring an administrative law judge review before placement in the statewide egregious misconduct database, require notice when an employee leaves during an investigation, and extend vetting to some contractors and non-permanent workers. Supporters, including the California School Employees Association and California Federation of Teachers, said the bill balances student safety with fairness for employees who could be wrongly accused. Opponents, including school business officials, joint powers authorities, administrators, and school employers, warned the bill could delay investigations, create conflicting timelines, and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved SB 1083 on a 3-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1089, authored by Senator Richardson, would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management and direct CalRx to help make the drugs more affordable. The senator described the bill as a response to personal experience with coverage denials and high out-of-pocket costs, and said broader access could improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The American Diabetes Association and other medical groups supported the measure, citing diabetes prevention and treatment benefits, while a pharmaceutical industry representative said there were still concerns but noted ongoing discussions. The committee passed SB 1089 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar. The committee next heard SB 954, which would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by narrowing the definition and adding environmental, tribal, labor, and community protections, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce requirements, and review for projects near disadvantaged communities. Support came from labor unions, environmental groups, and community organizations, which said the bill would restore oversight and prevent harmful projects from bypassing CEQA. Business groups and chambers of commerce opposed, arguing the bill would make the exemption too restrictive, discourage investment, and worsen California’s manufacturing job losses. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1299, which would codify training and certification standards for fire sprinkler fitters after a court decision invalidated prior regulations on procedural grounds; the author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect public safety and ensure qualified installation of fire suppression systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Take care.
• </c><00:16:50.720><c> quality</c> depart developmental Services quality depart developmental Services
• So I do care myself to give me the ability to participate in the case I need to provide care for my son
• Okay, so I do care myself to give me the ability to participate in the case I need to provide care for
• </c><00:57:26.200><c> care</c><00:57:26.559><c> before</c> levels of mental health care care before levels

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you today directs OSPI and educational service districts to collaborate and coordinate
• The bill directs OSPI and educational service districts to collaborate and coordinate with state, regional
• I would say no, because they're directed to look at existing policies.
• and direct coaching to my faculty teams in public school since 2020.
• So it's really a good step in the right direction.

Bills: HB1796 , SGA9249 , SGA9269 , SGA9244

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: school construction, contract indebtedness, school districts, bonding authority, education funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And third, $10 million for services to protect access to health care as federal changes threatened Medi-Cal
• And then lastly, $10 million for services to protect health care access. Okay.
• These services are critical.
• and other essential services needed for these complex cases.
• to pay for interpreter services.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our child care programs.
• For shared technology services and telecom, cost of services is estimated, and it's based on customer
• And, oh, I forgot the last one, Amazon Web Services. Which was the last one? Amazon Web Services.
• of our budget that we are utilizing those outside service providers to deliver private cloud services
• , public cloud services, Texan communication services, so as agencies need telecommunication services

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• state is directed.
• providers with regard to certain covered persons who pay out of pocket for health care services, and
• I know we all want to go and take care of the kids.
• And this bill is a step in that direction.
• They left the boy in the care... ...to that case.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think my question is going to be actually directed towards Peter.
• and also picking, packing, and shipping beer orders direct to consumer.
• McClintock for being willing to amend the direct-to-consumer provisions.
• The bill... for being willing to amend the direct-to-consumer provisions.
• So just briefly, the direct-to-consumer shipping is a concern for us.

Bills: HB2128 , HB2207 , HB1701 , HB2536 , HB2476 , HB2294 , HB2229

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: alcohol service, sports facilities, amusement venues, recreational activities, patron engagement, alcohol warehousing, regulation, liquor distribution, storage standards, state laws, liquor licenses, multiple premises, alcohol distribution, commercial leasing, regulatory reform, winery, restaurant license, alcohol, spirits, beer

Transcript Highlights:

• They connect people with health care.
• of things—not just food, but other services, health care services, a host of things.
• Service integration hub.
• And health care is not simply a community service; it is economic infrastructure.
• Meanwhile, our proximity to Texas makes trips for health care services worth the trouble.

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also see in the MA basic program some changes in payments to managed care orgs and the fee-for-service
• We've also updated our managed care rates and fee-for-service rates based on the updated costs of weight
• orgs and the payments to managed care orgs and the feif<00:09:03.959><c> for</c><00:09:04.160><c> service
• Moving into basic care, there's a few drivers where we're seeing increased costs related to our fee-for-service
• </c><01:02:36.160><c> care</c> on the other hand we have direct care on the other hand we have direct

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, Senate Bill 1165 prohibits a hospital or medical service corporation, health care service
• Plus, we passed a bill last year that took care of that as well.
• We know how to take care of them.
• We have a 264% shortage of primary care physicians alone in Maricopa County.
• This is all about making sure that everyone has access to health care.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee considered a lengthy agenda of bills covering consumer lending, insurance coverage, professional scope of practice, property tax administration, digital assets, and aviation tax policy. The committee first approved prior committee amendments, then heard SB 1689 on consumer loan thresholds and rates. After sponsor testimony that the bill modernizes outdated lending caps and lowers rates on larger loans, the committee adopted an amendment but the bill failed on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Epstein arguing the structure would shift costs onto smaller borrowers. The committee then passed several health-related measures. SB 1347, requiring insurance coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, was amended and passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor and cancer survivors; Senator Epstein opposed the religious-employer definition. SB 1165, eliminating cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams, passed 5-1 after testimony from Senator Angus and Susan G. Komen, with supporters saying it would reduce barriers to follow-up screening. SB 1212, barring insurers from reimbursing providers differently based on vaccination status, also passed 4-2 despite concerns that it could undermine vaccination incentive programs. Other bills advanced or failed after similar debate. SB 1206, addressing contractor and public adjuster conduct after property losses, passed 5-1 with an amendment and support from State Farm. SB 1291, limiting county reassessment and inspections of agricultural property for four years after a successful appeal, passed 5-1 over assessor opposition and farm group support. SB 1649, creating a digital assets strategic reserve fund, passed 4-2 after debate over civil asset forfeiture and whether crypto should be treated as a strategic reserve. SB 1516, expanding an aviation-related tax exemption to aircraft maintenance and repair property, passed 4-1 amid sharp disagreement over whether it was economic development or a tax break for private jets. SB 1554, changing chiropractic statutory language from x-rays to diagnostic imaging, initially failed 3-3 but was reconsidered and later passed 3-2 after additional discussion about its practical effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> people to provide these services. Yeah. people to provide these services. Yeah.
• </c> services so that people don't get hurt. services so that people don't get hurt.
• This would potentially put health care providers who are contracted with the department for any service
• This would potentially put health care providers who are contracted with the department for any service
• </c> families, and the health care system. families, and the health care system.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We take people who need long-term care and have a broad array of services that we offer.
• We take people who need long-term care and have a broad array of services that we offer.
• It's an extension of contracts that we've approved to get direct services to people and fund a number
• </c><02:35:30.560><c> services</c> approved to get um ser direct services approved to get um ser direct
• services who are are getting direct services who are suffering<02:36:16.399><c> from</c><02:36:16.640

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't have the capability of managing that direct type of care need on a day-to-day basis. >> Senator
• and more effective care uh in uh care and more effective care uh in the<00:52:21.680><c> community.
• </c> special ed or adults who need services. special ed or adults who need services.
• </c><01:22:53.600><c> Well,</c> what direction we go. Well, what direction we go.
• </c> service. Thank you. service. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in fact, in ASV, the child was allegedly in foster care before the state ran foster care.
• care services that are provided to that client.
• care services that are provided to that client.
• services cases.
• inside the Health Services Division.

Summary: The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims. Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes. The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the recognition of service overseas.
• And thank you for your service.
• And so at his direction.
• So he has direct access to the governor. There's a direct support role, just like any other agency.
• Thank you for your service, too.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Keywords: 959, house, all