Transcript Highlights:

• result, we updated billing guidance regarding outpatient dialysis care for individuals enrolled in restricted
• And Madam— Chair, one clarification on impact: this would only be for the restricted-scope populations
• This would enable the department to make public what's called a restricted provider database.
• concerned about a provider due to suspected fraud, waste, or abuse, we are able to put them on a restricted
• Related to Issue 7, the California Alliance continues to oppose restricting health care access for 200,000

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• result, we updated billing guidance regarding outpatient dialysis care for individuals enrolled in restricted
• And Madam Chair, one clarification on impact: this would only be for the restricted-scope populations
• This would enable the department to make public what's called a restricted provider database.
• concerned about a provider due to suspected fraud, waste, or abuse, we are able to put them on a restricted
• Related to Issue 7, the California Alliance continues to oppose restricting health care access for 200,000

Summary: The committee first heard May Revision child care and human services items. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the analyst supported. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a reduction in federal and Proposition 64 funding absorbed through a shift from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment program, a 2.01% child care COLA, disaster-related infrastructure grants, a new administrative support cost structure for Alternative Payment agencies, the removal of prospective pay funding after a federal rule change, a reappropriation for existing infrastructure grants, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended asking for more justification for shifting reductions to CAP, supported the COLA reduction but wanted consistency across programs, recommended removing prospective pay funding, opposed the administrative cost shift, and suggested further review of disaster grant alignment. Members pressed the administration on why more slots would be cut for the same savings, why the COLA was reduced, and whether the administrative percentage would grow over time. The administration said the changes were intended to avoid disrupting currently enrolled families, reflect point-in-time relinquishments and unspent funds, and stabilize contractor operations. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, and county representatives, urged full COLA funding, rejection of child care slot reductions, preservation of prospective pay, and continued investment in child care infrastructure and access. The subcommittee then recessed before moving to health items. In Part B, the Department of State Hospitals presented its May Revision proposals, including a central utility plant replacement project at Metropolitan State Hospital, funding for a continuum electronic health record system, reduced county bed billing authority to reflect phase-in of additional LPS beds, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscription services, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal to use Behavioral Health Services Act funds instead of General Fund for training programs. The department said the EHR would modernize records and improve continuity of care, and that the contract exemption would prevent delays in essential clinical information services. No votes were taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this amendment does is it will restrict, it stops state grant funds from being used by students
• So what this amendment does is it will restrict state grant funds from being used by students.
• 09.080><c> will</c> So what this amendment does is it will So what this amendment does is it will restrict
• restrict restrict it<00:43:10.960><c> stops</c><00:43:11.360><c> state</c><00:43:11.720><c> grant</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• interpretation or reasonable interpretation that limits agency power over individuals impacted by restriction
• interpretation or reasonable interpretation that limits agency power over individuals impacted by restriction
• impacted</c><00:17:43.520><c> by</c> over individuals impacted by over individuals impacted by restriction
• 46.160><c> fines,</c><00:17:46.760><c> or</c><00:17:46.960><c> civil</c><00:17:47.400><c> or</c> restriction
• , fees, fines, or civil or restriction, fees, fines, or civil or criminal<00:17:48.360><c> action.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very robust, very strict, highly restrictive rule.
• uh very It's a very it's very robust uh very strict<01:02:28.480><c> highly</c><01:02:28.799><c> restrictive
• </c><01:02:29.520><c> We</c><01:02:29.680><c> have</c> strict highly restrictive rule.
• We have strict highly restrictive rule.
• with who were not aware of some of the things that they could do in terms of certification and restrictions

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on April 17 and approved the prior meeting minutes, then set its next meeting for May 29 at 9:30 a.m. Members also discussed a New Futures effort to collect questions about Medicaid changes and post answers as an FAQ, with a preference that the FAQ live on New Futures’ website rather than the state website. The commissioner’s office said it would coordinate responses and that the issue is still evolving. The main presentation was an HHS update focused on the state public health laboratory and its work during Public Health Lab Week. Officials reviewed the lab’s history, its biosafety functions, and its role in disease prevention, food safety, preparedness, and response. They highlighted mosquito surveillance for eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus, noting that the lab tested more than a quarter million mosquitoes last year and that mosquito testing helps provide early warning for local public health decisions. They also discussed rabies testing, saying New Hampshire’s lab is the only one in the state that performs it, that rabies is fatal once symptoms begin, and that the work is preventable through early prophylaxis. Members asked about federal funding cuts, water testing, and whether CDC changes to rabies testing would affect New Hampshire. The department said it had been affected by an $80 million federal clawback but was managing through other funds and staff reassignments; for the water lab, temporary staff had been hired to continue swimming-area testing. Officials said the state remains able to handle rabies testing and that federal changes would mainly affect areas without similar services. They also answered questions on Jamestown Canyon virus, saying New Hampshire had one human case in 2025 and three in 2024, compared with zero West Nile cases in 2025 and one in 2024, and that weather and protective measures influence mosquito-borne disease levels. Additional questions covered biosafety levels, cyanobacteria coordination with the Department of Environmental Services, and the Brown Building flood mitigation, which was described as about halfway complete with a hoped-for reopening of the west side by June.

Transcript Highlights:

• really appreciate that many legislators from both parties have expressed regret about the way HR1 restricts
• I'm here to share our concerns with the proposed bill, which includes draconian restrictions on Medicaid
• proposed bill which includes with the proposed bill which includes draconian<00:31:53.679><c> restrictions
• </c><00:31:54.240><c> on</c><00:31:54.480><c> Medicaid</c> draconian restrictions on Medicaid draconian
• restrictions on Medicaid eligibility<00:31:55.679><c> for</c><00:31:56.000><c> lawfully</c><00:31:56.720

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• really appreciate that many legislators from both parties have expressed regret about the way HR 1 restricts
• I'm here to share our concerns with the proposed bill, which includes draconian restrictions on Medicaid
• proposed bill, which<00:41:15.960><c> includes</c><00:41:16.360><c> draconian</c><00:41:17.120><c> restrictions
• </c><00:41:17.760><c> on</c> which includes draconian restrictions on which includes draconian restrictions

Bills: HF4401 , HF4466

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access

Transcript Highlights:

• but the social media platform definition comes out of statute 325M.31, paragraph J, and it's very restrictive
• but the social media platform definition comes out of statute 325M.31, paragraph J, and it's very restrictive
• it's</c><01:23:49.640><c> very</c> .31 paragraph J, and it's very .31 paragraph J, and it's very restrictive
• 51.160><c> So,</c><01:23:51.320><c> it</c><01:23:51.400><c> doesn't</c><01:23:51.720><c> include</c> restrictive
• So, it doesn't include restrictive.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are states that have restricted or outright banned the method used in reading recovery.
• There are states that have restricted or outright banned the method used in reading recovery.
• There are states that have restricted<00:40:37.760><c> or</c><00:40:38.079><c> outright</c><00:40:38.720
• ><c> banned</c><00:40:39.280><c> the</c><00:40:39.520><c> method</c> restricted or outright banned the
• method restricted or outright banned the method used<00:40:40.480><c> in</c><00:40:40.960><c> reading

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These were unspent bond proceeds reported as restricted investments.
• and was deposited into a savings account at BND, but they did not correctly show this amount as restricted
• balance will be covered by the bond proceeds CDs when they mature, and this amount should be shown as restricted
• The board currently stamps checks with an address stamp instead of restrictively endorsing them.
• We recommend that checks are restrictively endorsed in the board's name and for deposit only as a best

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that federally funded, or is that a restriction that's in the governor's budget, or is that something
• restricting you from the federal?
• intensive evaluation and stabilization for individuals who would otherwise be forced into more restrictive
• the AT Center in Danvers designed a custom-built wheelchair for a woman who had previously been restricted
• And a custom-built wheelchair for a woman who had previously been restricted to being in her bed for

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held an FY27 Health and Human Services budget hearing in Mattapan, hosted at the Boston Public Library branch. Chairs Lydia Edwards and Russell Holmes, along with Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing ever in Mattapan and highlighted the importance of bringing state budget deliberations into a majority-Black neighborhood. Several legislators introduced themselves as they joined, and the committee noted that public testimony was not part of the format, though agencies were invited to discuss priorities and challenges. MassAbility opened the agency testimony. Leadership described the agency’s mission to support people with disabilities through employment, training, home and community life services, and disability determination. They said Governor Healey’s FY27 budget funds MassAbility at $93.3 million, a 1% reduction from FY26, and explained that the agency is responding to federal funding uncertainty and shifting program needs by redesigning services internally. Members questioned a proposed $1.3 million reduction to the Home Care Program, staffing changes, and whether services could be maintained with fewer resources. MassAbility said it was reviewing data on who uses the program, that it does not provide nursing or personal care, and that it is working with a transition plan and a working group. The agency also discussed federal uncertainty around vocational rehabilitation funding and said it had received delayed federal awards but remained in contact with national associations and federal partners. The testimony included a personal story from a participant, Joshua Corcoran, to illustrate the impact of services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing testified next, requesting $11.27 million, about a 6% increase over FY26. The commission said it serves about 1.4 million residents and focuses on communication access in health care, courts, public safety, and other public systems. It highlighted interpreter and captioner workforce shortages, a mentorship program to expand the provider pool, and a modernized referral platform funded through capital contingency money. Members asked about interpreter availability, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL access for students and families, and training for police and emergency responders. The commission said staffing remains limited, especially for after-hours services, but that it is expanding training, school outreach, and partnerships with DCF and other agencies. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind then presented its FY27 budget request of $30.8 million. The commissioner said the agency serves nearly 9,000 legally blind residents, provides training and peer support, and placed 190 consumers in competitive integrated employment this year. It also described services for older adults, vocational rehabilitation, and the Turning 22 program for young adults with additional disabilities. Members raised concerns about a 7% cut from the prior year and asked how the agency could maintain services; the commissioner said the agency had no waiting list, had trimmed overhead, and could manage the budget through internal efficiencies and strong partnerships. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the session, describing expanded legal and support services for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, citizenship and financial literacy programs, and the Family Welcome Center in Mattapan. Members asked about federal funding losses and the structure of the new legal services program; ORI said FY26 funding is stable but FY27 federal cuts remain uncertain, and that the legal program uses a centralized intake system with priority for emergencies and first-come, first-served access.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that federally funded, or is that a restriction that's in the governor's budget, or is that something
• restricting you from the federal?
• intensive evaluation and stabilization for individuals who would otherwise be forced into more restrictive
• the AT Center in Danvers designed a custom-built wheelchair for a woman who had previously been restricted
• to being in her bed for most And a custom-built wheelchair for a woman who had previously been restricted

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• household of one, and eliminating insurance premium assistance through ADAP unless self-insured and restricting
• access to Unless self-insured, and restricts access to certain medications, which potentially impacts
• The amendment authorizes the Department to restrict Descovy to patients for whom it is medically necessary
• They're restricting medical eligibility. They're establishing client-level expenditure caps.
• They're restricting insurance premium assistance.

Summary: The Senate first handled a large batch of executive appointments reported by the Ethics and Elections Committee. Senators debated several nominees, with some members objecting to particular appointees over their views or past conduct. The report on the first group of appointments was adopted 31-0, and Jeffrey Aaron’s separate confirmation to the Public Employee Relations Commission was approved 26-10 after extended debate centered on his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations that he helped facilitate the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds into political activity. The chamber then considered Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. Supporters praised her work on Medicaid directed payments and hospital funding, while opponents criticized her prior tenure at the Department of Children and Families, citing problems with Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage, Hope Florida oversight, and a women’s shelter case. The Senate adopted her confirmation report 32-5. Next, Taylor Hatch’s confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families was taken up; the committee report noted ongoing concerns about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and Hope Florida, but recommended confirmation based on her stated commitments to reform. After debate over DCF’s performance and accountability, the Senate adopted her confirmation report 33-4. After a brief recess, the Senate held a recognition ceremony for outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered lengthy remarks praising her leadership, diligence, humor, and support for members, often recalling personal interactions and her role in shaping legislation and mentoring newer senators. The ceremony emphasized her service as Senate President and continued leadership as Rules Chair, and included a presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• household of one, and eliminating insurance premium assistance through ADAP unless self-insured, and restricting
• “The amendment authorizes the department to restrict Descovy to patients that are medically necessary
• The amendment authorizes the department to restrict the scovie to patients that are medically necessary
• They're restricting medical eligibility. They're establishing client-level expenditure caps.
• They're restricting insurance premium assistance.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy girls basketball team and a Florida State University student intern. The chamber then turned to executive appointment confirmations reported by the Committee on Ethics and Elections and other reference committees under Rule 12.7, with Chair Don Gates explaining that the committee had reviewed the qualifications and suitability of the nominees and held public hearings where required. Members debated several confirmations at length. The report containing 186 appointments was adopted 31-0 after Senator Polsky explained her no votes on three nominees, citing concerns about past comments and ideological views. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employee Relations Commission by a 26-10 vote after sharp debate over his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations tied to the diversion of Medicaid settlement funds; supporters argued he was a competent lawyer and no formal action had been taken against him. Chavon Harris was confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration by a 32-5 vote, with supporters praising her work on Medicaid funding and opponents criticizing her prior leadership at DCF and the Hope Florida-related issues. Taylor Hatch was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families by a 33-4 vote, despite concerns raised about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and DCF’s handling of Hope Florida; supporters emphasized her commitment to reform and the difficulty of the agency’s mission. After a brief recess, the Senate held a lengthy recognition of outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered personal tributes focused on her leadership, toughness, humor, mentorship, and support for colleagues, especially women in the chamber. Several speakers also referenced her handling of difficult bills, her post-presidency service as Rules Chair, and her resilience after personal loss. No further legislative action was taken during the recognition segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• MassDOT's Bridge and Pavement Asset Management Program, accelerating repairs, removing bridge restrictions
• driven by fewer cancellations, stronger staffing levels, and the elimination of long-standing speed restrictions
• Through the track improvement program and removal of speed restrictions in 2024, we've returned 2.4 million
• are we going to do to look at nuclear specifically, expansion of pipelines, and is Massachusetts restrictive
• So it’s restricting access.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an enormous amount of money that we're going to spend trying to implement all these restrictions
• ><01:16:12.320><c> these</c> um trying to implement all these um trying to implement all these restrictions
• . ...restrictions.
• Like, we're going to have DHHS conduct an evaluation to determine the impact of this restriction on nutrition
• Like, we're going to have DHHS conduct an evaluation to determine the impact of this restriction on nutrition

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an affidavit confirming they are not subject to any pending investigations or practicing under a restricted
• investigations or practicing<00:03:48.440><c> under</c><00:03:48.760><c> a</c><00:03:48.840><c> restricted
• c><01:24:54.440><c> just</c><01:24:54.720><c> is</c><01:24:54.920><c> very</c><01:24:55.160><c> restricted
• </c> funding, it just is very restricted funding, it just is very restricted right<01:24:55.920><c> now

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• choice of how we can handle what happened yesterday with an amendment that was put on that kind of restricts
• So, I would hope that we would delete the amendment that overly restricts how the $3 million can be funded
• amendment that we would uh delete the amendment that<01:01:52.799><c> overly</c><01:01:53.280><c> restricts
• </c> that overly restricts that overly restricts how<01:01:55.920><c> uh</c><01:01:56.160><c> the</c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No other state has that except for Massachusetts, but which is only restricted to nonprofits.
• There's no restriction on Most Scholars' usage by any student.
• And the bill basically is not restricting anything.
• And the bill basically is not restricting anything.
• So instead of trying to say, no, we're going to restrict it, we're going to be protectionists of Missouri's

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of State Treasurer’s FY27 budget presentation from Treasurer Vivek Malik. He highlighted record investment earnings, growth in MOBUCK$ linked deposits, record unclaimed property returns, expansion of the MOST 529 plan, and changes to the MoABLE disability savings program. Members then focused heavily on two budget requests: $750,000 for the Show Me My Retirement Savings program and additional spending authority for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (MOST Scholars) program, along with a staffing request for compliance and communications positions. Much of the discussion centered on MOST Scholars’ rapid growth, how applications are prioritized, whether income is reverified, how funds flow through educational assistance organizations, and concerns about marketing, geographic distribution, and the use of public dollars for private schools. The treasurer also answered questions about the 529 plan, the pending lawsuit over the ESA general-revenue transfer, and whether funds should be swept back to general revenue when unused. Several members raised policy objections to MOST Scholars, including concerns about discrimination by participating private schools, the lack of annual income requalification, and whether the program shifts money away from public education. Other members defended the program as a parent-driven choice option and asked about expanding access, improving outreach, and ensuring the program is fully funded. The treasurer said the office was following the statute as written, that the program’s demand could exceed available resources, and that the office would continue to seek more funding and better outreach. The committee then concluded the treasurer’s budget hearing. The committee next began the FY27 budget hearing for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Commissioner Bennett Boggs introduced the department’s leadership team and gave a brief overview of the department’s role in aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs through its coordinating board and strategic planning. The hearing had just started when the transcript ended, and no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we support the idea that our counties could take the lead and start restricting access to these candy-flavored
• 41.960><c> start</c> counties could take the lead and start counties could take the lead and start restricting
• <00:49:43.800><c> access</c><00:49:44.320><c> to</c><00:49:44.480><c> these</c> restricting access to
• these restricting access to these candy-flavored candy-flavored candy-flavored e-cigarettes<00:49:47.640
• Chair's recommendation is to amend the bill per the AG's testimony to remove section 3, as it might restrict

Bills: HB2614 , HB1660 , HB1704 , HB1563 , HB1573 , HB1777 , HB1749

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.