Transcript Highlights:

• Because it shouldn't be easier to sign up for a service than it is to cancel it.
• Because it shouldn't be easier to sign up for a service than it is to cancel it.
• In some cases, some of these other services aren't regulated by anything.
• or add that service?
• But if you provide the service, you share the responsibility.

Bills: HB471, HB798, HB947, HB1140, HB1186, HB1195, HB1222

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication

Transcript Highlights:

• Social Services and has amended same.
• program to contract for supplemental caseworker aid services for the Bureau for Social Services.
• program to contract for supplemental caseworker aid services for the Bureau for Social Services.
• program to contract for supplemental caseworker aid services for the Bureau for Social Services.
• The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Human Services to create an ALS Care Services

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call this Senate Human Services Committee meeting to order on this second day of the 69th
• necessary medical, dental, and behavioral health services.
• Public service, and I'm honored that he's going to be continuing his public service after retiring from
• Public service, and I'm honored that he's going to be continuing his public service after retiring from
• Welcome back to Human Services. We miss you. I missed you guys too.

Bills: SB5873, SB5895, SB5945

Keywords: incarcerated individuals, escorted leaves, criminal justice, rehabilitation, state law, healthcare, incarcerated, extraordinary medical placement, criminal justice reform, medical care, persistent offender, three strikes, resentencing, juvenile conviction, youth offender, juvenile sentencing, life without parole, LWOP, most serious offense, sentencing reform

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about honoring service with practical support.
• Appreciate you being here today, and thank you for your service. Thank you. Ashley Cotton.
• Collins, thank you for your service. I have a question for Coco. Ms.
• When a service member is worried about their child falling behind, their focus is divided.
• us to unexpected places. ...even when service takes us to unexpected places.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard two bills. Senate Bill 1358, presented by Sen. Harris, would amend Idaho’s career ladder rules so superintendents and principals who return to classroom teaching can count qualifying administrative experience toward career ladder advancement, rather than restarting at their prior teacher-ladder placement. Testimony from a remote superintendent and the Idaho Association of School Administrators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, noting that administrators can face large pay cuts when returning to teaching and that the bill still requires proficient-or-higher evaluations. After brief discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1358 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 762, presented by Sen. Woodward, which would give charter schools the option to prioritize enrollment for children of active-duty or active-reserve military members and for foster children who already have a sibling in the school. A long line of testimony from military spouses, veterans, charter school leaders, and military children described frequent relocations, waitlists, and the difficulty of finding stable school placements, arguing the bill would improve access and support military readiness without creating new schools or changing accountability. One witness also noted the bill’s flexibility for charter schools and its limited, targeted nature. The committee voted to send HB 762 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Committee on Health and Human Services, having had...
• By adding Section 36-22.02, relating to emergency medical services.
• One billing code that covers mental health, behavioral health, dental services, emergency care services
• , so many services.
• It could be an in-home care service. And so some of these services, they do not have access.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How satisfied are you with the service that you've received?
• </c> reasons we want to expand our services reasons we want to expand our services to<00:20:13.200><c
• </c> Medicaid program to fund other services. Medicaid program to fund other services.
• And most services, as well as meals.
• </c> services are? services are?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the July 15 minutes, and heard a presentation from Dr. Matthew Holder and Dr. Henry Hood of the Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville. The clinic serves people with complex intellectual and developmental disabilities through a transdisciplinary model that combines medical, dental, behavioral, psychiatric, therapy, and other services under one roof. The presenters argued that this population is large-cost but small in number, often receives little provider training, and is vulnerable to diagnostic overshadowing, overmedication, and missed medical or dental problems. The clinic reported that in Tennessee, payer data showed average costs of about $5,200 per member per month before clinic involvement, with a 44% reduction in overall health care spending after patients were seen, including lower emergency room use, inpatient admissions, and prescription use. They said those savings were measured by the payer, not the clinic, and that the savings accrued to Medicaid or managed care payers rather than the clinic itself. They also shared a case example of a patient who had been placed on hospice but improved after diagnosis and treatment at the clinic. Patient and parent satisfaction were described as very high, generally above 95%. The clinic asked for roughly $5 million to expand into Northern Kentucky, estimating 500 to 700 patients would use the new site and projecting annual savings of about $13 million to $19 million once mature. Members asked about the budget, startup and operating costs, where the savings go, and whether the clinic had considered taking full risk or another value-based model. Senator Meredith and others encouraged the clinic to explore an accountable care or risk-based arrangement, while the presenters said they were open to that discussion but had not pursued it yet. The exchange ended with follow-up questions about the clinic’s overall budget structure and public-private funding mix.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> only necessary service related costs. only necessary service related costs.
• service supply.
• I'm going to go to a service.
• </c> more value added services. more value added services.
• </c><04:36:31.359><c> The</c> emergency services operations. The emergency services operations.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lily Chow, the director of integrative medicine at Northeast Medical Services. Dr.
• Dee Wu of Northeast Medical Services, in strong support of this bill. Good afternoon.
• I'm working as an integrative medicine assistant at Northeast Medical Services.
• providers and their facilities will be reimbursed for providing those services.
• Motion do pass and refer to the Committee on Human Services. That one, where are you at?

Summary: The Senate Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, research funding, consumer protection, and insurance administration. SB 895 by Sen. Wiener would create the California Foundation for Science and Health Research and place a bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to support scientific and health research in California; supporters from UC, labor, and patient groups said it would protect jobs, public health, and the state’s research leadership amid federal funding cuts, while the committee later voted 6-0 to pass it as amended and re-refer it to Natural Resources and Water. SB 944 would make acupuncture a permanent Medi-Cal benefit regardless of federal matching funds; acupuncture providers, patients, health systems, and API community advocates testified in strong support, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass it as amended and re-refer it to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 987, which would create a California Health Access Fund to capture state savings if federal Medicaid changes under H.R. 1 reduce Medi-Cal enrollment and redirect those funds to care for people who lose coverage and to reimburse safety-net providers. Support came from disability, consumer, family physician, emergency physician, hospital, and reproductive health groups; members discussed prioritizing indigent care, prevention, and safety-net needs, and the bill was moved on a unanimous vote to Appropriations. SB 964 would let a licensed provider adjust the dose or frequency of an already covered medication up to two times without prior authorization when clinically appropriate, with Crohn’s and Colitis advocates describing delays that harmed patients and insurers warning about safety and cost concerns; after committee discussion about off-label use and clinical safeguards, the bill passed 11-0 and was sent to Appropriations. Later, SB 1099 clarified local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA, with city and county counsel and local officials saying it would preserve flexibility for homeless outreach, street medicine, crisis lines, and other low-barrier services; it passed 11-0 and was re-referred to Human Services. SB 1033 would require protein product manufacturers to test for heavy metals and disclose results, prompted by Consumer Reports findings and supported by consumer, health, and women’s health groups; industry witnesses asked for narrower scope and source-level testing, and the committee voted 11-0 to pass it as amended and send it to Environmental Quality. The committee then began SB 1049, which would give providers a 90-day window after a plan’s latest action to correct certain claim errors and prevent denials based solely on missed filing deadlines; the author said it would address honest billing mistakes and recoupments, and the bill was introduced with support from medical groups and ongoing discussions with health plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• That means if one center goes down, another must be able to assume services.
• So that means if one center goes down, another must be able to assume services.
• to be an essential service, the state then has responsibility for funding it.
• It was, at least I learned, that if the state declares a service to be an essential service, then the
• That recommend to the legislature that it declare 911 as an essential service?

Summary: The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee approved minutes from September 25 and December 2, 2025, then heard seven topic requests for Office of Performance Evaluations (OPE) studies. Presentations covered the impacts of growth on agriculture and infrastructure, Doppel fund balance management, Medicaid hospital billing, Your Health Idaho plan selection, boards of community guardians, sexual assault in women’s prisons, and drivers of prison population growth. OPE staff said all of the topics were feasible, with some categorized as small, medium, or large projects. After a private ballot, the committee’s top-ranked topics were boards of community guardians and drivers of prison population growth, followed by impacts of growth on agriculture and infrastructure and sexual assault in women’s correctional facilities. The committee then voted to assign those four studies to OPE. The committee also approved follow-up work on the Idaho Home Learning Academy and the direct care workforce reports, with OPE suggesting a December follow-up for Home Learning Academy and a June target for direct care workforce, with possible extension if needed. The committee then released the report on challenges facing Idaho’s 911 system and heard a detailed presentation on funding, staffing, system efficiency, consolidation barriers, and governance. OPE recommended that the Legislature consider evolving the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission into a statewide program with stronger authority, standardized reporting, and clearer cost responsibilities. Testimony from the IPSCC chair and the Idaho Military Division generally agreed with the report’s direction, emphasized aging infrastructure and funding gaps, and said more data and legislative action would be needed for long-term sustainability. Committee members asked about the $1-per-line 911 fee, staffing shortages, consolidation authority, and whether 911 should be treated as an essential service. OPE and witnesses noted that local control remains central, but the state lacks consistent data and a statewide decision-maker. The committee then approved a motion for OPE to do a feasibility review of additional cost analysis for the 911 system before deciding whether to launch a deeper follow-up study. The meeting ended with OPE updates on a state administrative office space review, an upcoming career technical education report, and a reminder that legislators can request background research from OPE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Human Services.
• and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.
• President, at our own Minnesota Department of Human Services...
• Please vote green. of community health services. of community health services.
• That day, and Health and Human Services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have accepted the responsibility and the burden of service placed upon their shoulders.
• So, senators, at their core, health and human services budget decisions are about protecting children
• the Florida Forest Service and $10 million for the fuel transfer switch modernization.
• We had a very good in-depth discussion about outsourcing our inmate health care service and food service
• ...sourcing our inmate health care service and food service to provide efficiencies, and proviso lines

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language. The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that you've been hearing about disability services all week and all of last week.
• And I would say that Alzheimer's is in a similar type of situation for the types of services that are
• Mental health and medical services. But thank you again for being here. Thank you.
• that service pro bono in Poplar Bluff, and they certainly don't get enough credit for it.
• It prohibits state-funded insurance from covering those services.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, just in simple definitions: What is a foreign military, intelligence service, or security service
• But what about the intelligence service and the security service part?"
• But what about the intelligence service and the security service part?
• They certainly are an intelligence service.
• It says foreign military, intelligence service, or security service.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2203 would create the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving on a roadway known to be closed due to hazardous conditions, with gross misdemeanor penalties, a possible Class C felony enhancement if a rescue leads to injury or involves a minor or vulnerable adult, license suspension, and emergency-response cost recovery. The prime sponsor described recent flooding rescues in Orting as the impetus, and local police support emphasized responder safety and limited resources. The Sentencing Guidelines Commission opposed the felony section, saying the conduct did not warrant felony treatment and recommending a traffic infraction for the first level and a gross misdemeanor for the second. House Bill 2293 would bar Washington law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and related personnel from training with foreign militaries, intelligence agencies, or security services, or funding travel for that purpose. The sponsor said civilian policing should not be trained like military service and argued officers should be trained under U.S. constitutional standards. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association argued the bill was too broad and unclear, could block valuable counterterrorism and best-practice training, and might need exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and other legitimate international partnerships. Members discussed possible amendments and clarification language. House Bill 2165 would create a new gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, covering possession or creation of realistic badges, insignia, or other items identifying someone as an officer when they are not commissioned, while preserving defenses for honorary, reserve, posse, and protected expressive uses. The sponsor and governor’s office said current law is too limited because it often requires an active impersonation before enforcement can occur; law enforcement groups supported the goal but raised concerns about definitions, vehicle markings, federal-agent coverage, and whether the offense could be plea-bargained away. House Bill 2173 would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT protective gear, and medical or environmental masks, and would allow civil suits for violations. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and trust and responds to concerns about masked immigration enforcement; opponents warned it could expose officers to doxxing, create liability and recruitment problems, and raise constitutional issues, especially as applied to federal officers. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That customer service piece.
• And we want to make sure our customer service is top-notch.
• Also, we moved an agent into a victim services division.
• Continuity of services.
• We looked at some of our calls for service.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• � service members, either who move to Texas or return home after their military service. three primary
• here. upon completion of their military service.
• Well, as the Deputy Director of Licensing Services, my Directors of Licensing and Customer Service And
• Postal Service. He and his guys at the post office.
• Certainly, there are not a ton of companies that provide this service.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• service opportunities to young adults...
• Establishes the One Arizona Service Fellowship Program to provide service opportunities to young adults
• hours of service.
• Last year alone, we had 162 people in service who dedicated over 65,000 hours of service.
• Those nine districts are still providing the services.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh debt service.
• Um uh in service. uh debt service.
• The other debt service that we have in our budget is the debt service for the university system that's
• Our taxpayer services division.
• So our debt service agency income.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the House Committee on Health and Human Services and Elderly
• </c> schools are doing billing for services schools are doing billing for services under under under
• It's doctors, nurses, dentists, you know, ancillary services, our EMT, everybody.
• It's doctors, nurses, dentists, you know, ancillary services, our EMT, everybody.
• </c> guidance from both legislative services guidance from both legislative services and<02:12:01.400

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> but when you do develop it when services but when you do develop it when services do<00:56:08.200
• </c> military Affairs and veteran service military Affairs and veteran service services<01:24:24.960>
• </c> first of all thank you for your service first of all thank you for your service thank<01:29:55.920
• They have some great services.
• Services uh it doesn't alter the 30-day Services uh it doesn't alter the 30-day deadline<01:44:01.639

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> chartered service organizations. chartered service organizations.
• Lao Army in the United States as Secret Lao Army in the United States as Secret Service Service Service
• </c> pension point for those service days. pension point for those service days.
• Thank you for your service. Thank you for your honorable service.
• that service.

Keywords: 1183, house