Video & Transcript Research : 'rounding practices'

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TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:
  • At our Round Rock campus, for example, we introduced 11 new degree programs, contributing to a 21% increase
  • in enrollment in Round Rock, including for the first time ever, almost 100 freshmen.
  • I'm excited to say that we have over 2,000 freshmen admitted for Round Rock Campus for fall 2025.
  • These are students who are time and place bound, who can't come to San Marcos or Round Rock, but seek
  • We plan to develop a Doctorate of Nurse Practice specializing in nurse anesthesia to meet the increasing
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:
  • determined to... to help the state achieve its goal to build a talent-strong Texas in San Marcos. us in Round
  • At our Round Rock campus, for example, to a 21% increase in enrollment in Round Rock, including, for
  • I'm excited to say that we have over 2,000 freshmen admitted for Round Rock campus for fall.
  • These are students who or a time and place bound who can't come to San Marcos or Round Rock but seek
  • We plan to develop a doctorate of nurse practice specializing in nursing anesthesia to meet the increasing
Keywords: 1184, house, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, March 3, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Looking at this $1.2 million, it looks like it's about 30 to 33 researchers full-time year-round.
  • Looking at this $1.2 million, it looks like it's about 30 to 33 researchers full-time year-round.
  • Looking at this $1.2 million, it looks like it's about 30 to 33 researchers full-time year-round.
  • Looking at this $1.2 million, it looks like it's about 30 to 33 researchers full-time year-round.
  • I don't know if that's year-round.
Keywords: 916, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 048 Mar 3rd, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And whereas, although arts education is part of a well-rounded education, according to federal statute
  • A barrel wears out after a thousand rounds.
  • <01:06:29.280> Replacing<01:06:29.680> it after a thousand rounds.
  • Replacing it after a thousand rounds.
  • on how many rounds they fire down<02:13:15.040> range.
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum present, approved the February 27, 2026 journal, and then moved out of order to consider resolutions. Senate Resolution 003, designating March as Arts Education Month in Colorado, was read at length and supported by Senators Snyder and Basley, who emphasized the educational, social, and economic value of arts instruction and noted concerns about unequal access across the state. Senator Coleman and Senator Danielson also spoke in support, highlighting personal experiences with the arts and the importance of preserving arts programs in schools. The resolution passed unanimously, 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The chamber then adopted House Joint Resolution 1019, recognizing Caregiving Youth Day. Senator Judah described caregiving youth as children and teens who provide substantial care for family members while balancing school and other responsibilities, citing statewide and national data on the prevalence of youth caregivers and the risks they face. Senator Gonzales also spoke in support, urging the legislature to recognize and support this often invisible work. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate next took up third-reading consent calendar House Bill 1035, which enacts the 2025 Colorado Revised Statutes as positive and statutory law; it passed 32-3, with Senators Baisley, Lynda Zamora Wilson, and Long voting no. Senate Bill 53, expanding eligible borrowers for Colorado Housing and Finance Authority mortgages, then passed 29-6 after no-vote requests from Senators Zamora Wilson, Amabile, Sullivan, Hinrichsen, Baisley, and R. Pelton. House Bill 1064, concerning modifications to the youthful offender system, passed 23-12 after several no-vote requests, and Senate Bill 43, concerning regulation of firearm barrel transfers and related criminal penalties, was introduced for final passage with Senator Zamora Wilson delivering extended opposition focused on Second Amendment and fiscal concerns; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So marketing practices, that is basically how you have sales.
  • These companies routinely deploy unethical practices.
  • It seems that that appears to be a targeted practice, very specific in its purpose.
  • So the DPU is pursuing a solution to volumetric rates year-round for everything.
  • So the DPU is pursuing a solution to to volumetric rates year round for everything.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • One of these first round POCs is the Department of Public Health's Health Care Facilities Inspections
  • That scale up to an MVP or into production and in addition to that we will be Looking at the round two
  • The beautiful statement, I actually want to see it put into practice.
  • Is it best practice that we have been splitting the cost of EDD now?
  • We're going to do a speed round, speed round.
Keywords: 988, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-05-01 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President, round two of our education train, if you include Senator Claudio, of our education policy.
  • President, round two of our education three, if you include Senator Claudio of our education policy.
  • And I think we landed on a really well-rounded product. Senator Davis. Thank you, Madam President.
  • And I think we landed on a really well-rounded product. Senator David. Thank you, Madam President.
  • And finally, it amends a piece in the optometry practice. You can't use that.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of member introductions recognizing interns, pages, volunteers, and the retirement of Pastor Gary Austin from the sergeant’s office. Leadership also announced that budget talks with the House were continuing and that senators would not need to plan on being in next week, suggesting progress toward a budget framework. After routine floor business, the chamber took up a major third-reading measure on citizen initiatives and several education bills, followed later by returning messages from the House on health and school-safety measures. The most extensive debate centered on the citizen initiative bill, which sponsors said was intended to protect the constitutional amendment process from fraud and abuse based on election-crime investigations and a large state report on petition fraud. Supporters argued the bill would add reasonable guardrails, prevent misuse of public funds, and preserve integrity while still allowing grassroots participation. Opponents from both parties argued it would make citizen-led amendments much harder by adding costs, deadlines, criminal penalties, and administrative burdens that would chill participation and favor wealthy or corporate interests. After lengthy debate, the Senate voted 28-10 to pass the bill. The chamber then passed several education measures with little or no opposition, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, Florida ABLE, teacher preparation, and other education policy updates, all by 38-0. Later, the Senate concurred in House amendments on a stem cell therapy bill, an EKG requirement for student athletes, and a cardiac emergency bill, each passing 37-0. The House also sent back a school safety bill with amendments affecting child care facility partnerships with law enforcement, temporary door locks during active assailant incidents, supervision windows, and funding for panic alarm systems; the transcript ends as that bill is being explained.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please join me in giving a thundering round of applause to Stephanie and Jake Tuttle, who have joined
  • We see people once again rounded up. We see due process eroded.
  • We see people once again rounded up. We see due process eroded.
  • It is to allow and repeal Prop 209 that bans that practice.
  • It is to allow and repeal Prop 209 that bans that practice.
Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures. The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination. The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor. The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • But in practice, it can also narrow voter choice in November when turnout is highest and when many less
  • What changes is who controls the first round of voting.
  • By contrast, nearly 90 countries have a version of the two-round voting system before you today.
  • All candidates and all voters in the first round, the top two vote-getters go on to the second round,
  • All-party primaries offer a clear practical improvement: more participation, more competition.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-12, H.503, a proposal to implement all-party state primaries for Massachusetts state and federal elections. The committee opened with procedural remarks explaining Article 48 requirements and then heard first from two subject-matter experts. Professor Costas Panagopoulos of Northeastern University testified that top-two primary systems in other states have produced mixed results: they may modestly increase primary turnout in some cases, but the research does not show a reliable reduction in polarization, and such systems can weaken party gatekeeping, increase strategic behavior, raise campaign spending, and reduce general-election choice for voters whose preferred party is not on the ballot. Katie King of the National Conference of State Legislatures outlined the different primary models used nationwide, explained that Massachusetts currently uses an open-to-unaffiliated primary, and reviewed legal distinctions between blanket primaries and top-two systems; she noted that blanket primaries were struck down by the Supreme Court, while Washington’s top-two system was upheld because it narrows the field rather than nominating party candidates. She also said voter education and administrative preparation would be important if the system changed. The proponents’ panel, led by Danielle Allen of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, argued that Massachusetts has chronically uncompetitive elections, low turnout, and too many uncontested races, and that all-party primaries would give every voter a meaningful choice in the first round and force candidates to appeal to a broader electorate. Allen said the proposal is designed specifically for Massachusetts and differs from other states by allowing party endorsements to appear on the ballot, which supporters said would preserve useful information while shifting control of the preliminary election from party insiders to voters. Jim Henderson, the coalition’s counsel, said the bill is narrowly tailored to state-level primaries and would amend Chapter 53 to put all voters on equal footing. Other supporters, including Kevin Johnson, Kate Kavanaugh, and Spencer Reynolds, emphasized that the reform could increase competition, reduce polarization, improve participation by independents and underrepresented voters, and create more accountability to the full electorate. Committee members pressed the witnesses on turnout, the practical effect of endorsements, whether the proposal would simply shift party influence to an earlier stage, and whether it could disadvantage minority-party or independent candidates. Senator Fattman repeatedly asked about evidence that turnout would materially increase, while Representative Peisch and others questioned whether requiring or seeking endorsements would create new barriers or pressure candidates to clear the field. Supporters responded that the system would modestly increase primary participation, that the general election would remain the decisive contest, and that endorsements would be optional and handled through party rules. No vote was taken at the hearing; the committee heard testimony and questions only.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, it is not—this is not the first go-round around proposing to you all our best thinking about how
  • Rounds of any of those that is within this budget, or is that all funding that is going to go out in
  • these rounds and then that's it?
  • So these are, when you're referring to the 3.5 billion that's in these existing rounds that are sort
  • that handle discriminatory employment practices.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 13th, 2026 at 11:25 am

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Big round of applause for Riley Hope Guerrero.
  • Let's give a round of applause to Senator Wirth for being A-OK.
  • Nice round of applause. Of course, great inspiration. Thank you all very much.
  • We can say this may not be practical, but go tell that to the victims.
  • This memorial is simple and practical. Here's what's important, Mr.
Keywords: 996, all
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • If there's time, we'll do 2 rounds with things.
  • It's more complex than that and requires adherence to best practices models.
  • We remain focused on how innovation is put into practice and diffused across our schools.
  • It takes an overhaul of our current practices.
  • Um, 2nd round, uh, representative distributive. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Health Policy Jan 26th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • As you know, practice for many, many years...
  • Why did it not go back into practice?
  • , and 30 rounds of pelvic radiation.
  • , 30 rounds of pelvic radiation.
  • I practice in Tallahassee.
Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 1082 would let providers or insurers in state-regulated commercial plans opt into the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims, with a late-filed amendment clarifying access to the state program in certain circumstances. The bill sponsor and emergency physicians said the measure would reduce litigation and improve payment resolution; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168 would centralize background screening work for the care provider clearinghouse at the Agency for Health Care Administration and update related screening rules, including sealed and expunged records for qualified entities. The sponsor said the change would speed turnaround and reduce duplication; an amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1156 would move ambulatory surgical center regulation out of Chapter 395 into a standalone section of law, and it was reported favorably without amendment. SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designations change, allowing them to continue seeing current patients and potentially new patients in their existing area subject to board oversight. The committee heard support from health system representatives and reported the bill favorably. The final and most debated measure, SB 1756 on medical freedom, would require vaccine education materials and alternative schedules, expand school immunization exemptions to conscience-based objections, clarify limits on emergency vaccination orders, and allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin behind the counter with written information. The sponsor and supporters framed it as parental choice and access, while physicians, public health advocates, cancer advocates, and parents of immunocompromised children warned it would lower vaccination rates and increase disease risk. The committee adopted a liability-related amendment, rejected a substitute amendment that would have required consultation for exemptions, and continued hearing public testimony opposing the bill; the transcript ends before final action on SB 1756.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill ends that practice and instead creates a more sensible approach for recouping costs outside
  • And Justice Action Network is a national bipartisan organization that focuses on evidence-based practices
  • HB 2025 is one of those best practices that we've seen and that we'd like to see implemented here in
  • If they voted it down, then I guess we can explore other things like going year-round.
  • We can explore other things like going year-round.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal court enforcement for unpaid court debts and incarceration costs with a civil collection framework, eliminating arrest warrants and contempt for nonpayment while preserving the underlying financial obligations. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce cycles of poverty and keep people working. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment, which bars a defendant from setting aside a second default judgment entered within one year of a prior default judgment, and then gave HB 2825 a 7-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2070, an emergency appropriation of $25 million from the state general fund to the Arizona Department of Administration for Gila County flood relief. County supervisors, mayors, a town council member, emergency management staff, and other local officials described severe flooding in Globe, Miami, and surrounding areas, including deaths, destroyed homes and businesses, debris, sediment, damaged roads and utilities, and the need for matching funds to access federal and other grants. Members discussed FEMA denials, federal reimbursement delays, and the difficulty of completing required projects within short timelines. HB 2070 was approved 7-0. The committee also approved HB 2129, which moves the deadline for municipal library trustees’ annual reports from the first Monday in July to the second Monday in July, with supporters saying the change helps smaller and rural libraries after the July 4 holiday. HB 2439, exempting public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ water pollution rules, also received a do pass recommendation after testimony that the current rules create confusion and unnecessary costs for businesses. HB 2773, barring Arizona and its entities from assisting the International Criminal Court or using public resources to support ICC enforcement actions, passed 4-3 after debate over sovereignty and constitutional authority. HB 2873, requiring ADOA to share procurement Q&A with all bidders, and HB 2876, requiring topics from executive session and proposed tax or fee increases to be placed on an action agenda, both received do pass recommendations after transparency-focused testimony and some concerns about implementation and municipal practice. Finally, the committee heard HCR 2005, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring the legislature to adjourn sine die by April 30 each year and submit that question to voters. The sponsor argued Arizona sessions have grown too long and that a firm deadline would force earlier, more efficient work while still allowing a special session if the budget is unfinished. Members debated whether the proposal would improve discipline or instead create problems for the budget process, member pay, and legislative workload, with some suggesting a broader conversation about full-time versus part-time legislatures. The resolution was advanced with a do pass recommendation.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Appropriations Committee, June 22, 2026 - PM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • We maintain a small position in those rounds, and we like to be the last one into the round so we can
  • get pushed out of a round.
  • We maintain a small position in those rounds, and we like to be the last one into the round so we can
  • get pushed out of a round.
  • , whether that round is too big or whether that round is full of investors and we don't need to play
Keywords: 916, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 20, 2026 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • And during the school practice hours, that was just a time we got together and played.
  • And during the school practice hours, that was just a time we got together and played.
  • We're in the second round of the playoffs.
  • So if you don't mind, we'd love to have your support and make it to the third round.
  • And make it to the third round.
Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 731, which would address coach and extracurricular sponsor compensation and change how student-athlete transfer eligibility is determined. The bill would allow local school boards to adopt policies letting booster clubs or similar associations support coaches and activity sponsors, and it would let superintendents treat certain coaches and athletic leaders as administrative personnel for compensation purposes. It would also shift eligibility decisions for transferred student-athletes to the governing athletic association and require clearer bylaws and timelines for those determinations. Members raised questions about booster club oversight, pay equity, the new athletic administrator language, and safeguards against abuse or unequal treatment, while supporters argued the bill would help retain coaches and better support student athletics. The bill was debated and then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received presentations from the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning and the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions on school readiness fraud prevention and mitigation. Speakers explained that Florida’s school readiness program pays providers based on verified attendance rather than enrollment, requires daily parent sign-in/sign-out records, and uses multiple layers of oversight including coalition anti-fraud plans, annual audits, programmatic monitoring, DCF inspections, and referrals to state fraud investigators when needed. They emphasized that Florida delayed implementation of a federal rule that would have required prospective enrollment-based payments, and said the state’s current system makes fraud difficult. Members asked about military and grandparent guardianship situations, audit findings, and the number of fraud referrals; presenters said fraud cases are relatively limited and that the existing controls and public enforcement act as deterrents. The meeting ended after members thanked the presenters and the committee adjourned without further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This one little training thunderstorm in here, where it's rounds and rounds and rounds of heavy rain,
  • Issued guidelines and best practices to assist these local jurisdictions.
  • But that's a very practical application that has a very real impact.
  • To refining our processes and best practices.
  • Only the second round of FIFTH will inform next rounds, so we will do better.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Executive Departments and Administration (02/02/2026)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:30:11.600> are somewhere because these practices are somewhere because these practices
  • there's nobody there who can practice there's nobody there who can practice the<01:13:39.199>
  • unlicensed practice, correct? unlicensed practice, correct? >> Yes.<01:13:54.239> Yep.
  • <01:14:24.719> or does not authorize that practice or does not authorize that practice or
  • unlicensed practice? unlicensed practice?
Keywords: 1189, house, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Joint Policy Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Transcript Highlights:
  • It was just a practical change of date.
  • Expanding pharmacists' scope of practice is a practical solution to address provider shortages and improve
  • And then there was full practice authority.
  • Hartman, from how the practice works from brand to generic.
  • It would not be safe practice.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Otherwise, let's do a quick round of introductions for the group, and I can go first.
  • We have practice-based evidence, you know.
  • So can we include best practices or, you know, some...” “...best practices or, you know, something along
  • I just...” “...promising and evidence-based practices.
  • best, promising best practices or something?
Summary: The committee met for its final session before submitting a report to the governor and legislature, with introductions from state officials, legislators, advocates, providers, and facilitators. Staff explained that the meeting would focus on finalizing the committee’s strategic priorities and recommendations for a five-year behavioral health plan centered on prevention, early intervention, and community-based services. Members reviewed the draft overarching priorities, including the need for a statewide behavioral health vision and an executive-level role to coordinate behavioral health across agencies, and discussed how those priorities should reflect people with lived experience, families, and community voice. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the draft recommendations and how they should be organized and worded. Members raised concerns that the document was too aspirational and not specific enough, and several suggested moving more detailed actions under the broader priorities rather than leaving them in a separate section. There was also discussion about the use of the term “evidence-based,” with tribal representatives and others asking for language that also recognizes practice-based evidence, promising practices, cultural specificity, and flexibility in funding and implementation. Members also discussed clarifying “early intervention,” adding examples such as universal screening, outpatient access, primary care integration, and home visiting, and ensuring the plan reflects accountability and community feedback. Other edits included clarifying credentialing recommendations to distinguish between licensure and payer credentialing, adding mentorship as a workforce retention strategy, and broadening Medicaid-centric language to include carriers and insurers more generally. Staff noted the report would be revised and sent back out for review by May 22, with comments due by May 27, in order to meet the June 1 submission deadline. No public comment was offered, and the meeting ended with thanks to members and facilitators for their work.