Transcript Highlights:

• Claims submitted by the state.
• This bill seeks to clarify the current law by including Medicaid managed care claims in it.
• The RAC is what handles audits under the fee-for-service claims.
• And then the state, of course, can come back and recoup claims for four, five, six years and they will
• . will then come back and tell us to recoup on those provider claims.

Bills: SB500 , SB719 , SB912 , SB1232 , SB1467 , SB1777 , SB1864 , SB2023 , SB2119 , SB2458

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho consumer protection standards for paid assistance provided to veterans seeking help preparing claims
• solicitation of veterans, use of overseas call centers, and the use of medical professionals to influence claim
• of Veterans Affairs as the acting secretary and chief of staff, but also have worked on disability claims
• support this bill because there's much, much too much going on where these unscrupulous so-called claims
• And in my last sentence, if you know of anyone that needs help filing a claim, I'll be happy to help

Summary: The committee first approved the March 9 minutes without objection. It then took up Senate Bill 1286, which would establish Idaho consumer protection standards for paid assistance to veterans seeking federal benefits claims help. The bill was described as prohibiting upfront fees, limiting compensation to contingent and reasonable amounts, and banning misleading advertising, guaranteed outcomes, direct solicitation, overseas call centers, and use of medical professionals to influence claims. Representative Hill said the measure was needed to protect veterans from predatory claims companies, citing his own experience with high upfront fee offers. Testimony was uniformly supportive. Peter O’Rourke of the National Association for Veterans Rights said the bill would give veterans safety, security, and confidence through clear guardrails. Daniel Murphy, a veteran and DAV member, explained the basic VA claims process and argued that free veterans service organizations can help with the paperwork, while some private firms charge excessive fees for little work. John Blumstrom, representing a veterans-related organization, said his group supports transparency, disclosure of free services, and the bill’s restrictions on predatory practices. He also noted that veterans with mental health issues, TBI, PTSD, or MST may need tailored help navigating the process. Representative Bruce moved to send Senate Bill 1286 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Members spoke in favor, saying the claims process can be confusing and burdensome and that the bill would help veterans who need assistance while preserving free service options. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho consumer protection standards for paid assistance provided to veterans seeking help preparing claims
• solicitation of veterans, use of overseas call centers, and the use of medical professionals to influence claim
• of Veterans Affairs as the acting secretary and chief of staff, but also have worked on disability claims
• support this bill because there's much, much too much going on where these unscrupulous so-called claims
• And in my last sentence, if you know of anyone that needs help filing a claim, I'll be happy to help

Committee: House Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1099 relates to defamation claims and creates an entirely new statute that provides the elements
• for bringing a defamation tort claim in Arizona courts.
• for bringing a defamation tort claim in Arizona courts.
• is to ensure that the bill avoids any anti-abrogation issues in the elements that it lays out for claims
• And we're also giving a special look at the portion of the bill that applies to claims of defamation

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So can we talk a little bit about the cap adjustment factor?
• We don't hold anyone back from that category of the alternative cap adjustment factor.
• And so I've heard some requests to have oil put in this carbon adjustment, cap adjustment factor.
• The cap adjustment factor is just as it was before.
• Third, the proposed post-2032 cap adjustment factor decline is steep.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The claims that we are due to pay in the next two years are more than, excuse me, $26 million.
• The claims that we are due to pay in the The claims that we are due to pay in the next<00:31:05.600><
• If anybody is here from the Youth Development Claims Administrators Office or the Attorney General's
• So, we have Jennifer Foley from the YDC claims administrators here.
• </c> Jennifer Foley from the YDC claims Jennifer Foley from the YDC claims administrators<00:40:26.480

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on June 20, 2025 and first approved the May 16 minutes and the non-removed items on the consent calendar. It then took up a Health and Human Services item for $5 million in additional nursing facility payments (FIS 25158). HHS explained the transfer was for private and county nursing facilities and was the third and final transfer in FY25, funded through federal matching dollars, county cap funds, and general funds. Members asked about the size of the transfer, whether it signaled future shortfalls, and how projections were developed; HHS said the request reflected updated estimates and that they did not expect similarly large transfers going forward. The committee adopted the item. The committee also considered an ARPA-related item to remove a line from a funding request because the issue had been resolved and the positions/funds were no longer needed. Members approved the item with that line removed. Commissioner Caswell then answered questions about ARPA spending authority, saying remaining projects must be expended by December 31, 2026 and that the item was intended to preserve authority for ongoing capital projects; any unspent funds would revert to the federal government. Members noted the recurring nature of these ARPA adjustments and the need to keep tracking deadlines. The Department of Corrections presented several items, including a $10 million request tied to staffing shortages and overtime costs, plus additional corrections-related funding items. Interim commissioner John Skipa said 18 employees had received preliminary layoff notices pending final budget approval. He and staff said the overtime need was driven by staffing shortages, later collective bargaining pay increases, and double-time compensation for uniform officers forced into overtime; they also said one housing unit section had been closed to reduce staffing pressure. In response to questions about morale and operational risk, Skipa said the department was under strain, that leadership was in transition, and that staffing or budget reductions could create litigation risk. The committee also heard about the Site Evaluation Committee’s budget shortfall, which was attributed to fewer new facility applications but continued casework and public engagement, and approved that item. Finally, members discussed a YDC claims administration item, questioning the role and cost of the Verald Dana consultant; staff said the firm handles intake and processing of claims for the Attorney General’s office and had been involved since the claims process was created. Several items were adopted after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Enhancement 18 is the SNAP federal rate adjustment.
• Reduce $4,321,200 from federal funds for the SNAP federal rate adjustment.
• Enhancement number 23 is the Idaho Behavioral Health Hospital Fund adjustment.
• And then the last thing is enhancement number 59, endowment fund adjustments.
• And then the last thing, enhancement number 59, endowment fund adjustments.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of Idaho Department of Corrections budget supplementals and FY 2027 enhancement requests. Members approved supplemental or ongoing funding for Hepatitis C treatment authority, county and out-of-state placement costs, medical services, management services replacement items and IT hardware, state prisons replacement items, and community corrections replacement items, with several motions passing by due pass recommendation after roll calls. In community corrections, the committee approved a reduced amount that excluded some vehicle replacements. The committee also approved a technical correction to the college and university budget to restore four FTP that had been omitted from yesterday’s motion. The committee then considered several Department of Health and Welfare items. It approved a budget-neutral fund source change for substance abuse treatment and prevention, moving $650,000 from the Liquor Control Fund to the Cooperative Welfare Dedicated Fund. In the Division of Welfare, members discussed SNAP administrative cost changes tied to H.R. 1, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes; the motion to fund all three items failed in the House committee, so no language advanced. The committee also approved psychiatric hospitalization supplemental funding to shift Idaho Behavioral Health Plan revenue from federal funds to dedicated funds. For FY 2027 mental health services, the committee approved a compromise package that reduced funding for a juvenile corrections clinical transfer and restored some mental health services staffing and Idaho Behavioral Health Plan costs, while adding Allenbaugh House funding through opioid settlement dollars. It also adopted language allowing certain transfers under state law and requiring separate reporting for children’s and adult mental health spending under the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. For psychiatric hospitalization, the committee approved ongoing fund shifts for employee benefits, the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan, replacement items, and endowment fund adjustments. The meeting ended with notice of upcoming budget-setting work and a reminder for members to get any new motions to staff by early afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> increase in the operational adjustment increase in the operational adjustment to<00:03:29.840><c
• I'm not dismantling the operational adjustments. I'm reducing them.
• I'm not dismantling the operational adjustments. I'm reducing them.
• </c> we need to put operating adjustments we need to put operating adjustments which<00:21:05.840><c>
• </c><00:21:44.000><c> means</c> operating adjustments means operating adjustments means layoffs.<00:21

Bills: HF2436 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what I'm saying is, first of all, the DOJ is not set up yet to receive claims.
• up the claims process.
• And we know that there's going to be tens of thousands of claims.
• has success in filing claims.
• They have been filing claims successfully and know exactly how to get it done.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, moving on to the petitioner's claims concerning the Washington State Charter School Commission's
• Two of the petitioner's claims fall within the scope of JARC's jurisdiction.
• Second, the petitioner claims that there is no specific provision in the statutes governing the Charter
• Two of the petitioner's claims fall within the scope of JARC's jurisdiction.
• of operations, claims that the Charter School Commission is using an internal policy, the continuity

Summary: The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARC) met on July 31, 2026 to consider a citizen petition challenging the Washington State Charter School Commission’s April 2026 continuity of operations policy. Staff explained JARC’s authority under the Administrative Procedures Act and framed the issue as whether the Commission was using a policy in place of a rule, and whether that policy was within legislative intent. Staff also reviewed the Charter School Commission’s statutory framework, including limits on charter terms, transfer provisions involving the State Board of Education, and the Commission’s new process for identifying nonprofit operators to assume existing charter contracts when schools close or contracts are surrendered, revoked, or not renewed. The petitioner, Cesar Harrison, argued the Commission had created a new transfer mechanism through policy rather than rulemaking, potentially bypassing statutory procedures and extending charter authority beyond the five-year framework. Commission Executive Director Marcus Hardin responded that the policy was only a procedural framework for evaluating proposals, not a transfer of contracts or creation of new authority, and said the Commission had used similar discretionary processes before. Public testimony from the Washington Education Association supported the petition, emphasizing that the policy should have gone through formal rulemaking for transparency and public input. After discussion, committee members asked staff about the statute’s silence on contract continuation and the relationship between the Commission’s practice and legislative authorization. The committee then voted 7-0, with two members excused, to find that the Charter School Commission is using a policy or interpretive statement in place of a rule and that it is not within the intent of the Legislature as expressed by the statute. Staff explained that the finding will be sent to the agency, which must hold a hearing and then notify JARC of its intended action; JARC may later object to that action or take further steps. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• known as independent dispute resolution entities with what they believe the price for that medical claim
• be created to unabashedly send 100% and to unabashedly send 100% of their emergency care medical claims
• They send 100% of their claims through this federal process.
• They send 100% of their claims through this federal process.
• This bill only relates to emergency care, which we identify when those claims are sent to us through

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we use claims data south of I-10 in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally.
• The study used claims data south of I-10 in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, a Category 2 storm that
• They also far exceeded our expectations in terms of claim frequency, claim severity, and loss ratio.
• In fact, we also found that most of the claims on the fortified roofs were not about wind blowing the
• Despite zero insurance claims to date, they saw a 450% increase in insurance premiums from last year

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several bills focused on California’s insurance market, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, was heard first. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in support, describing state grant programs that help homeowners harden roofs and create defensible space, with the goal of reducing losses and improving insurance affordability and availability. Supporters from the insurance industry, local government, and the Rebuild Paradise Foundation also backed the bill, and committee members emphasized the need for more incentives for mitigation. The bill passed the committee on a do pass motion and was sent to Appropriations. AB 290, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require the FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal grace-period issues. The author described her own experience being forced onto the FAIR Plan and facing a large premium increase, while Consumer Federation of California called the bill common-sense consumer protection. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, saying it was already handling major wildfire claims and other operational demands and requested more time and changes to the non-renewal grace-period language. Members across the committee supported the bill as a needed modernization measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers and report policy recommendations. Supporters from affordable housing organizations said rising premiums were forcing providers to cut services, defer maintenance, and use reserves, threatening housing stability for low-income residents. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 646, by Assemblymember Wallace, also passed to Appropriations; it concerns disclosure related to motor vehicle protection products and catalytic converter theft deterrence, with support from auto dealers and industry groups. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent. Members later added on to the record in support of the bills, and the hearing concluded without recorded opposition votes on the measures that advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, ARM strongly opposes the proposal to cap inflationary adjustments at 2%.
• This adjustment will further erode their wages.
• </c> proposal to cap inflationary adjustments proposal to cap inflationary adjustments at at at 2%<00
• </c><00:38:05.200><c> to</c> proposes to cap scheduled adjustments to proposes to cap scheduled adjustments
• :38:08.240><c> the</c> the inflationary adjustments to the the inflationary adjustments to the disability

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you claim to be the free speech crusaders, you know, a lot of folks like to claim, show it.
• That person would be able to make a claim to the EEOC.
• Supporters claim it and so-called gender ideology mandates, but that claim collapses even under minimal
• Claims like this and claims of using gender ideology are offensive; they are harmful.
• Claims like this and claims of using gender ideology are offensive, they are harmful, they They put transgender

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills and one set of confirmations. SB 330, relating to disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, was explained as clarifying the heart disease presumption and allowing transferred law enforcement officers to rely on a prior physical if the new agency fails to provide one; it was reported favorably. SB 526, a broad commercial construction bill, was amended with a title amendment and a delete-all amendment before being reported favorably. SB 1192 created a pilot program for callback queues at certain executive agencies to reduce hold times, and it was also reported favorably. SB 1078 established gubernatorial transition procedures, including liaisons, briefing materials, office space, and access to records; an amendment narrowed and reassigned some duties and increased penalties for improper disclosure, and the bill passed favorably. SB 7022 extended and updated a public records exemption for classroom examinations and assessment instruments through 2031, and it was reported favorably. SB 1250 removed the Florida Commission on Human Relations’ requirement to use registered mail for certain notices, allowing less expensive notice methods, and it passed favorably. SB 1698 allowed certain employer notices and posters to be posted electronically instead of physically, and it was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of 10 appointees to the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the State Retirement Commission. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force within the Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights to review anti-Semitism in Florida, improve community relations, advise on law enforcement training, assess digital media literacy efforts, review hate crime statutes, and issue annual reports. The bill drew extensive public testimony, with many speakers opposing it on First Amendment, academic freedom, and equal-protection grounds and arguing it could chill criticism of Israel or be used selectively; supporters said it was needed to address rising anti-Semitism and that the state’s definition of anti-Semitism had already been adopted in statute. After debate, the bill was reported favorably. SB 862, as amended, set a $60,000 salary goal by 2030 for state correctional officers, probation officers, and institutional security specialists, with annual raises subject to appropriations; members questioned a separate provision allowing deployment of correctional officers during emergencies, including whether that could intersect with immigration enforcement, but the sponsor said he would follow up and that the bill was aimed at recruitment, retention, and workforce stability. The bill received support from law enforcement and corrections groups and was reported favorably. SB 1642, the Freedom in the Workplace Act, generated the most contentious discussion: it would bar certain pronoun-related requirements, prohibit mandatory training or activities related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression as a condition of employment, require sex on employment forms to reflect biological sex, and extend similar protections to public employees and contractors. Supporters framed it as protecting free speech, conscience, and against compelled speech; opponents argued it would authorize discrimination against transgender and nonbinary people, invite litigation, and harm workplace safety and inclusion. An amendment moved the bill into the chapter governing public employers and employees, and the bill was then reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 42 WOULD AMEND THE ALASKA The Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude from that calculation any
• IN FACT, SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE ALASKA NATIVE CLAIM SETTLEMENT ACT IN 1971, 101 VILLAGE CORPORATIONS
• This bill corrects a decades-old oversight in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to ensure Alaska
• In 1971, ANCSA granted fee simple landownership to Alaska Natives, resolving historic land claims and
• In 1971, ANCSA granted fee simple landownership to Alaska Natives, resolving historic land claims and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:47.519><c> first</c> resolution of construction claims first resolution of construction claims
• We represent homeowners and associations seeking to recover for construction defect claims.
• </c><00:34:16.359><c> as</c> addressing construction defect claims as addressing construction defect
• Is that once a claim is filed in court, or once the class is certified? Got it.
• </c> be questions about what's being claimed be questions about what's being claimed versus<00:47:19.880

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide requested border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days to support timely claim
• Instead, a lessee can file the claim, but compensation goes to the landowner.
• Instead, a lessee can file the claim, but compensation goes to the landowner, who could live hundreds
• Instead, a lessee can file the claim, but compensation goes to the landowner.
• Instead, a lessee can file the claim, but compensation goes to the landowner who could live hundreds

Bills: SB2601

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard only one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill was presented as a committee substitute to revise the Landowner’s Compensation Program created last session under SB 1133. The changes would expand eligibility to include land lessees with the landowner’s permission, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a qualifying border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide requested border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Charles Maley of the South Texans Property Rights Association said the program has been beneficial and that the bill helps clean up implementation issues, including clarifying compensation for debris and pollutants left on land. Stephen Diebel of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also supported the bill, saying it would help address fence damage, destroyed infrastructure, and other harms along the border, and that lessees who manage properties day to day should be eligible for direct compensation when they have the landowner’s permission. Members discussed border-related property damage, including vehicles crashing through fences, broken sheds, livestock escaping, and resulting highway hazards. Senator Hinojosa asked about how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled, and testimony indicated documentation of lease authority would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection and voted to report SB 2601 favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote, recommending it as local and uncontested.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first of those is the change in the number of new exemptions claimed each year.
• Data shared by the Department of Revenue shows that 30 beneficiaries claimed at least 814 exemptions
• And in addition, a majority of senior centers that qualified for the exemption did not claim another
• property tax exemption prior to claiming this one.
• Since that time, fewer than three beneficiaries have claimed the preference.

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made some additional adjustments.
• We made some additional adjustments.
• So I just, I don't want to cover it because Representative Jacobs is going to offer. adjustment.
• To discussion first on this smaller adjustment to the... ...to discussion first on this smaller adjustment
• If there needs to be an adjustment, there's a pathway for that adjustment laid out with this administrator

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education met in executive session and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 31. A committee substitute was adopted after the sponsor explained revisions to the proposed civics and patriotism work group, including clearer qualifications, DESE’s role in producing seals, recognition levels for gold/silver/bronze, and a special recognition letter for students entering military service. Ranking member Steinhoff supported the substitute, saying the changes improved implementation and likely reduced fiscal impact. The substitute was then passed do pass, and the committee later corrected the recorded vote on HCR 31 from 15-0 to 16-0. The committee then considered a combined substitute for House Bills 21, 26, and 2197, focused on building-level administrator evaluations and nonrenewal procedures. The substitute required administrators to be evaluated at least once per contract year, required written notice of renewal or nonrenewal by March 1, and gave nonrenewed administrators the right to request written reasons and a closed-door hearing before the school board. Members discussed the removal of earlier language that would have created automatic renewal if deadlines were missed and the decision not to create tenure for principals. Concerns were raised about whether the hearing right gave administrators more protection than other employees, but sponsors said the intent was to ensure annual evaluations and transparency without granting tenure. The committee adopted an amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and passed the substitute do pass by a 17-0 vote. After leaving executive session, the committee heard House Bill 3489 from Representative Hurlbert. The bill, patterned after Arkansas legislation, would expand access to workforce development assessments such as WorkKeys and allow up to nine hours of college credit for demonstrated workplace skills as recommended by the American Council on Education. Testimony from ACT, the Missouri Chamber, and DESE supported the goal of elevating career readiness, noting employer demand for skilled workers, existing use of WorkKeys in Missouri, and its role in career and technical education and accountability systems. Members asked about the bill’s relationship to the governor’s workforce executive order, whether the language should be mandatory or permissive, and how the credits would transfer. The hearing on HB 3489 concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made some additional adjustments.
• We made some additional adjustments.
• So I just, I don't want to cover it because Representative Jacobs is going to offer. adjustment.
• To discussion first on this smaller adjustment to the— To discussion first on this smaller adjustment
• If there needs to be an adjustment, there's a pathway for that adjustment laid out with this administrator

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all