Transcript Highlights:

• For certain nursing facilities with a high population of patients with intellectual and developmental
• They have, uh, one, the only one, the only facility in Texas got the skilled nursing for specifically
• IDD clients and, uh, the reimbursement for skilled nursing is really focused on a different type of
• Page 119 home visiting program is Representative Ross.
• Uh, page 121, external evaluation of childcare rules and minimum standards.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• That standard admitted market could not insure.
• I'm a board-certified insurance lawyer. I routinely represent...
• . standards.
• That may be a doctor that is close to their home.
• As a result, individuals no longer go to nursing homes.

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• The needs are that great, and this is again a tool that will help build single-family homes, workforce
• The needs are that great, and this is again a tool that will help build single-family homes, workforce
• The needs are that great, and this is again a tool that will help build single-family homes, workforce
• </c><01:08:04.000><c> buyer</c><01:08:04.359><c> to</c> home buyer the low income home buyer to home
• </c> purchase the home and build their home purchase the home and build their home equity<01:22:06.080

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It was to really keep us from closing nursing homes and having catastrophe when, you know, when our minerals
• It was to really keep us from closing nursing homes and having catastrophe when, you know, when our minerals
• </c><00:16:10.320><c> catastrophe</c> nursing homes and and having catastrophe nursing homes and and
• ,</c> one-time projects, the veterans home, one-time projects, the veterans home, the<00:23:51.600><c
• </c> manufacturing practices and standards. manufacturing practices and standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE KNOW IF WE SHOULD STAY HOME AND NOT GO TO SCHOOL LEGITIMATELY.
• THERE'S A PLACE FOR EMPLOYEES WITH AUTISM IN THE WORKFORCE.
• WHAT WE'RE DOING IS REPLACING THE LAWFUL DUTY STANDARD HERE WITH THE UNIFORM STANDARD IN 940.1 WHICH
• STANDARD WILL BE THERE.
• WITH THAT 943.10, THERE IS NO STANDARD IN THAT SECTION.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our union represents over 50,000 healthcare workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and self-directed
• home care.
• </c><00:16:27.440><c> homes</c><00:16:27.800><c> and</c> hospitals clinics nursing homes and hospitals
• clinics nursing homes and self-directed<00:16:28.600><c> home</c><00:16:29.120><c> care</c><00:16:30.079
• </c> homes by allowing home builders homes by allowing home builders essentially<00:21:03.039><c> to<

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to provide foreseeing safety, we need law enforcement on board.
• In order to provide foreseeing safety, we need law enforcement on board.
• Members, I stand strong with the registered nurses of Arizona.
• We've got nurses that are for it.
• Yeah, as a nurse, I've seen the value of prevention.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including a proclamation designating March 10 as Cade’s Day in honor of Cade Keller and suicide prevention efforts. Members also welcomed guests from schools, cities, and medical and advocacy groups, and the clerk announced committee assignments and bill referrals. The chamber then moved through committee-of-the-whole action on several bills. HB 2946 and HB 4018 were amended and given do pass recommendations. In a later committee-of-the-whole, HB 2083, HB 2308, HB 2388, and HB 2389 were considered; HB 2083, HB 2308, and HB 2388 received do pass recommendations as amended, while HB 2389 drew debate over environmental review for power plants, with supporters arguing it would lower energy costs and opponents saying it weakened oversight. The House also retained HB 4030 and HCR 2052 on the calendar. The House then took up third-reading votes on a long list of measures. Bills that passed included HB 2047 on forcible entry and detainer, HB 2127 on special license plates, HB 2344 on the local government investment pool, HB 2371 on dissolution of marriage, HB 2140 and HB 2620 on financial institutions and veterans services, HB 2429 on short-term rentals, HB 2434 on the prescription monitoring program, HB 2437 on emergency medical services, HB 2444 on pharmacy-based testing and treatment, HB 2573 on DUI-related psychotherapy treatment, HB 2601 on state highways and routes, HB 2781 on solar energy power plants, HB 2914 on cameras in long-term care rooms, HB 2968 on evidence in child custody proceedings, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4064 on municipal improvement districts, HB 4130 on local government budgets, and HCM 2016 renaming a stretch of U.S. Route 191 as Chief Barbonsito Highway. HB 2726 on sleep apnea treatment failed, and HB 2123 failed on reconsideration after a close vote. Several votes featured debate over housing, energy, veterans’ services, pharmacy scope, family-court evidence rules, and the balance between local control and state oversight. The session ended with committee announcements for the following week, personal privilege remarks, and a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair then asked if he wished to hear from a registered maternal health nurse and executive director
• We do need to come back and fix the board next year.
• Right now, Kentucky has about 20% of its workforce in licensed occupations.
• Kentucky has about 20% of its workforce in licensed occupations.
• we really want we really want Workforce we really want to<00:45:15.720><c> expand</c><00:45:16.280><

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 12, 2025, after waiting for the Senate to adjourn so the committee could officially convene. The committee first took up House Bill 90, which concerned freestanding birthing centers and related medical language. Testimony from Representative Jason Nemes, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky, and a representative from Kentucky Right to Life focused on clarifying what medical procedures are not abortions under Kentucky law, including miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to reduce confusion and barriers to care for physicians and patients, while Senator Armstrong and Senator Berg raised concerns about the late-arriving substitute, terminology, and whether the bill was being accurately described as supported by ACOG. The committee substitute and title amendment were adopted, and House Bill 90 passed with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 398, relating to occupational safety and health. Representative Walker Thomas said the bill would prevent Kentucky from adopting or enforcing regulations stricter than federal OSHA standards, arguing it would create uniformity for businesses operating in multiple states while preserving worker safety. Senator Armstrong questioned what would happen if federal OSHA were eliminated and argued the bill could reduce Kentucky’s ability to address state-specific workplace hazards; Representative Thomas responded that Kentucky is a state-plan state and would retain the ability to act if needed, and that the measure was about administrative regulation rather than legislation. After a committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed 8-1, with Senator Armstrong voting no. House Bill 580, concerning alcohol and drug counselors and peer support specialists, was presented next. Representative Kim Moore and Elena Sweezy explained that the bill would add structure, training, and supervision requirements for peer support specialists, limit group settings to eight patients, shorten temporary peer support status to nine months, and require additional supervision hours so trainees can complete required training. The bill passed with favorable expression, with Senator Nemes voting no. House Bill 87, relating to employment and occupational licensing, followed; Representative Emily Callaway said it would reduce barriers for people with felony records and help “second chance” citizens enter the workforce. Several senators supported the goal but Senator McDaniel noted caution about substance-use billing and oversight, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 422, relating to administrative regulations, was described by Representative Derrick Lewis as a streamlining measure that would reduce paperwork and simplify the regulatory process. It also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , payer policies, and provider clinical judgment, establish an additional Medicaid reimbursement standard
• physically in New Mexico, are fully staffed, and comply with the CLIA and CAP and state licensing standards
• The reason I am giving you this background is that, on the institutional review board, I serve on the
• And I also serve on the institutional review board.
• On the institutional review board, I serve on the College of Business.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been brought up at the New Hampshire Assessing Standards Board and the NHMA annual conference
• So I do think that, I mean, we allow people in their nursing home to register to vote from their nursing
• So I do think that, I mean, we allow people in their nursing home to register to vote from their nursing
• So I do think that, I mean, we allow people in their nursing home to register to vote from their nursing
• So I do think that, I mean, we allow people in their nursing home to register to vote from their nursing

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Board of Pharmacy, that's a standard Texas Board of Pharmacy. Rules, protocols, etc.
• The Texas Pharmacy Board has already done that.
• The Texas Medical Board has been... You are making my point. Doctor with the Texas Medical Board.
• We have a doctor in my area who treated his 39 patients at a nursing home with these types of drugs.
• home patients.

Bills: HB25 , HB48 , HB149 , HB254 , HB26 , HB192 , HCR3 , HCR4 , HCR5 , HCR6 , HCR8 , HCR14 , HCR16 , HR1 , HR2 , HR3 , HR4 , HR6 , HR7 , HR8 , HR9 , HR12 , HR11 , HR13 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR20 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR45 , HR48 , HR49 , HR51 , HR52 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HR65 , HR66 , HR70 , HR71 , HR72 , HR74 , HCR2 , HCR7 , HR10 , HR21 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HR39 , HR40 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR46 , HR47 , HR50 , HR53 , HR54 , HR67 , HR69 , HR75 , HCR5 , HCR6 , HCR8 , HCR14 , HCR16 , HR1 , HR3 , HR4 , HR6 , HR7 , HR8 , HR9 , HR12 , HR11 , HR13 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR20 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR45 , HR48 , HR49 , HR51 , HR52 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HR65 , HR66 , HR70 , HR71 , HR72 , HR74 , HCR7 , HR10 , HR21 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HR39 , HR40 , HR42 , HR43 , HR44 , HR46 , HR47 , HR50 , HR53 , HR54 , HR67 , HR69 , HB25 , HB48 , HB149 , HB254 , HB26 , HB192

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, the geographic adequacy threshold for nursing homes should not be broader than a managed
• The Health Care Authority must obtain feedback from stakeholders such as hospitals, nursing homes, and
• In addition, the geographic adequacy threshold for nursing homes should not be broader than a managed
• The health care authority must obtain feedback from stakeholders such as hospitals, nursing homes, and
• managed care organizations when developing the network adequacy standard. hospitals, nursing homes,

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee met on February 10 at 8:30 a.m. and heard two bills. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5594, staff explained that the bill would expand state policy on biosimilars by allowing health carriers to require patients to try a biosimilar before covering the equivalent brand drug starting in 2027, directing exchange plans to increase biosimilar utilization, and changing pharmacist substitution rules so substitution is generally allowed unless the prescriber says not to substitute. The prime sponsor, Sen. Harris, said the bill would lower costs and noted many other states already allow similar substitution. Supporters from health plans and generic/biosimilar manufacturers said biosimilars are safe, effective, and can save consumers and the system money, while a patient advocate raised concerns that the bill may not guarantee lower out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter and suggested preferred formulary placement as a fix. AAM supported the bill with a technical amendment to place biosimilars in the same section as generics and interchangeable products, and the hearing on the bill was closed with no vote taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5142 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care. Staff said the bill would require the Health Care Authority to adopt network adequacy standards for nursing homes and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, considering community access, regional availability, timeliness, and federal Medicaid rules, with standards due by January 1, 2028 and implementation by July 1, 2028. Sen. Muzzall described it as a follow-up to last year’s bill that would create a pre-approved pathway for patients who are difficult to discharge because continuing care is hard to secure. Testimony from hospital and health system representatives strongly supported the bill, saying patients often remain in hospitals longer than medically necessary because of delays in finding skilled nursing or rehab placements and because single-case agreements are time-consuming and unpredictable, especially in rural areas. Public testimony on SB 5142 was then closed, and the meeting adjourned without any recorded votes or other action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dean of the College of Nursing, Dr. dean of the College of Nursing, Dr.
• </c><00:38:04.240><c> not</c> in the nursing home and heirs may not in the nursing home and heirs may
• So the amendment on line 914 is dealing with merging the engineering board with the board of surveying
• So the amendment on line 914 is dealing with merging the engineering board with the board of surveying
• </c> boards with both sides agreeing to it. boards with both sides agreeing to it.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c> for workforce services and for workforce services and transformation<00:01:40.479><c> at
• And the list is very, very broad, everything from an advanced practitioner, nurse, practicing nurse to
• And the list is very, very broad, everything from an advanced practitioner, nurse, practicing nurse to
• </c> getting workers compensation workforce getting workers compensation workforce development<01:20:
• </c><01:38:56.480><c> So</c> standard in industry interfaces. So standard in industry interfaces.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Mann's bill covers nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as hospitals.
• Mann's bill covers nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as hospitals. Ms.
• Mann's bill covers nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as hospitals.
• Mann's bill covers nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as hospitals.
• </c> hospitals and nursing homes to take the hospitals and nursing homes to take the high<01:09:43.359

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The Washington Covenant Home Ownership program will fail without more starter homes.
• So we're talking about homes under 1,500 square feet and basic amenities... ...homes under 1,500 square
• the production of these home types.
• into the home they can afford.
• More affordable homes.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Civic Commons on the Starter Home Production Plan, developed under the Covenant Home Ownership Act to address Washington’s shortage of starter homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. Speakers said housing prices have far outpaced incomes, and argued that incremental fixes have not worked. They described a statewide, systems-based plan centered on smaller, standardized homes, off-site construction, pre-approved plans, new financing tools, a developer network, and a temporary cross-sector crisis task force to coordinate implementation. Committee members asked about the role of silos, target income ranges, geographic applicability, and pre-approved plans; Civic Commons said the effort is intended to support households roughly from 60% to 120% of area median income and to work across urban and rural contexts. The Department of Labor and Industries then reported progress on factory-built housing regulation. L&I said it has prioritized residential plan reviews, reducing turnaround times from months to about two days, and has created a new plans examiner supervisor position. The department also said it is formalizing third-party review and inspection rules, building a customer-tracking database, and reviewing national standards from the Modular Building Institute for possible alignment with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans and the need to balance speed with code compliance and safety. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. Labor representatives said off-site fabrication can help housing delivery only if it preserves worker safety, fair wages, apprenticeship opportunities, and compliance with labor laws. They raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and underground-economy risks in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor licensing and training. Committee members responded that the state needs both housing production and good jobs, and that apprenticeship and workforce development remain important. The committee also heard from several cities about local housing code changes. Olympia described an affordable housing emergency ordinance that prioritizes affordable projects in the permitting queue, while noting that staff capacity and cross-department communication are critical. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, said it eliminated single-family zoning, expanded ADUs and MFTE, and has seen more duplexes, ADUs, and smaller-lot development, though it still faces neighborhood opposition and infrastructure-related barriers. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances just before the deadline, after a lengthy process involving density, parking, and staffing challenges. Poulsbo said it proactively adopted multiple housing code changes, including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, a manufactured home overlay, and six shared pre-approved ADU plans with neighboring jurisdictions; it also highlighted a senior housing project using city land and public funding. Across the city testimony, speakers emphasized that zoning changes help but are only one part of the housing puzzle, and several urged more support for local staff, standardized plans, and broader reforms to permitting and infrastructure requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:28.240><c> student</c> through the College Board student through the College Board student
• </c><00:40:55.560><c> student</c> student again I if I'm a nursing student student again I if I'm a nursing
• They're all on board, and that makes the program successful.
• They're all on board, and that makes the program successful.
• </c> report that will go first to our board report that will go first to our board and<01:03:05.920><

Summary: The Public Higher Education Study Committee held an organizational meeting and received an update from the university and community college systems on implementation of recommendations from the governor’s higher education task force. The systems said the task force report contained about 40 recommendations, and they have focused first on operational items while continuing to work on larger policy issues, including better alignment of public higher education with workforce and economic development needs. The committee also discussed reporting requirements under the amended law and whether quarterly reports are required or whether annual updates are sufficient unless the committee requests more. A major topic was expanding Early College and dual-enrollment opportunities. The chancellors reported strong growth in Early College participation, significant student and family savings, and state scholarship support that they described as producing a strong return on investment. They said the goal is to build clearer pathways so students can earn college credit, reduce debt, and stay in New Hampshire for postsecondary education. They also noted ongoing work to simplify admissions and transfer processes, including about 100 transfer pathways between the systems, direct-admit efforts for community college and university students, and continued development of transfer equivalency tools. Members pressed the systems and the Department of Education on direct outreach to high school students, especially juniors, so students would know they are eligible for direct admission and other opportunities. The main obstacle discussed was access to student contact information, with officials saying the issue may involve contract limits with the College Board and possibly statutory constraints on sharing data. Department of Education staff said they are meeting with the systems and vendors to determine what changes are needed. Committee members urged faster action so students and families can receive letters or other notices about in-state options, affordability programs such as Granite Guarantee, and pathways to community college and university enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board.
• Board.
• Board.
• Board.
• Um workforce workforce participation.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a mobile home park owner in Youngstown Mobile Home Park, and I do support AB 635. Thank you.
• I am the co-chair of the Student Homes Coalition. Homes is a statewide organization.
• And additionally, mobile home parks are home to some of our most vulnerable communities as I know.
• Mobile home parks are largely overseen... ...mobile home residents included, continue to suffer through
• I'm a resident and an owner of a mobile home at Youngstown Mobile Home Park.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee then approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• Examples of community residential services are group homes and group training homes, which are provider-leased
• Examples of residential placements that DSHS contracts for include group homes and group training homes
• , companion homes, nursing homes, and, indirectly but relevant in general, prisons and other locations
• , companion homes, nursing homes, and indirectly, but relevant in general, prisons and other locations
• I think adult family homes is a really good example.

Bills: HB2185 , HB2200 , HB2230 , HB2319

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: homelessness, youth programs, advisory committee, prevention, protection, developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, community oversight, residential services, regulation, service providers, monitoring, HB 2319, residential habilitation center, state school renaming, Rainier School, Firecrest School