Transcript Highlights:

• I call this hearing of the Assembly Committee on Human Services to order.
• AB 673 helps close that gap by strengthening coordination between schools and the human services systems
• and coordinate with a variety of housing and social service partners.
• Thank you so much, Alanis, for working the committee on this bill.
• Business before the Assembly Human Services Committee is complete. The hearing is now adjourned.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources Committee, with an exception.
• Technology Services.
• March 19, 2006, the Commerce and Human Resources Committee reports out House Bill 585 and recommends
• March 19, 2006, the Commerce and Human Resources Committee reports out House Bills 648, 773, 787, and
• The Commerce and Human Resources Committee reports it has had under consideration the gubernatorial appointment

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with prayer honoring Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboom, and approved the journal. The chamber then handled routine committee and House messages, including referrals of several Senate and House bills to standing committees, reports of enrolled measures, and gubernatorial and House transmittals. Senators also briefly returned House Bill 545 to committee because it had not been properly reported. The main floor action centered on several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 1299, limiting government use of digital identification and protecting physical ID and device privacy, passed 35-0 after debate about privacy, enforcement, and whether it would affect agency accounts. Senate Bill 1335, extending service obligations for state-supported veterinary students, passed 33-2. Senate Bill 1330, raising the small-claims limit from $5,000 to $15,000, passed unanimously by reused roll call. Senate Bill 1359, the Virtual Currency Kiosk Fraud Prevention Act, drew the most debate over consumer protection versus regulation; it passed 19-16. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1348 on public outdoor target ranges and Pittman-Robertson funds, Senate Bill 1376 on declarations of candidacy, and Senate Bill 1378 modernizing off-road vehicle account and trail funding rules. Later, the chamber took up several appropriation bills: House Bills 868, 869, 870, 871, and 876 all passed, covering PERSI, the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, OITS, the State Tax Commission, and the State Board of Education/higher education budgets. Those budget bills prompted extended debate over funding levels, tax collection, cybersecurity, and especially cuts to universities, community colleges, and career technical education, but each ultimately passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• have been reviewed and approved by the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee.
• have been reviewed and approved by the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee.
• Senate Bill No. 1273, by the Commerce and Human Resources Committee, is an act relating to veterans,
• Senate Bill No. 1275, by the Commerce and Human Resources Committee, is an act relating to the public
• Senate Bills 1273, 1274, and 1275 will be referred to the Commerce and Human Resources Committee.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m testifying mainly to emphasize our support for new revenue to protect all human services.
• Hi, Chair and committee members.
• Thank you, committee members.
• In human services, we're seeing significant funding pressures and high demand for homelessness services
• service systems that are state, counties, and cities have built together over decades. and the human

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for committee substitute for committee substitute for House Bill 1105, a bill to
• Thank you for your service. Thank you for your service.
• We are human.
• Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill
• Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, and retiring Senate staff, including Pastor Gary Austin. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators would not need to plan on being in Tallahassee the following week. The chamber then moved to third reading and returned messages from the House later in the day. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, the citizen initiative/constitutional amendment bill. Sponsors said the measure was intended to address fraud in the petition process, citing investigations, arrests, pleas, and open cases involving paid circulators and invalid petitions. Opponents argued the bill would make citizen-led amendments far more difficult, expensive, and risky, warning it would chill grassroots participation, burden supervisors of elections, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed efforts. Supporters responded that the bill preserved grassroots petitioning, placed reasonable guardrails on paid circulators and sponsors, and included a provision barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot initiatives. The bill passed 28-10. The Senate also passed several education measures unanimously, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy. Later, the chamber concurred in House amendments on several bills: stem cell therapy legislation clarifying permitted therapies and penalties for improper use of fetal or embryonic tissue; an EKG requirement bill for student athletes with exemptions and partnership options for districts; and a cardiac emergency response bill that renamed the school emergency plan and removed a bill title honoring Rafe McCrone. These measures passed by wide margins, generally 37-0 or 38-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• . committee. committee.
• [snorts] The majority of the Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs, to which was referred
• . committee. committee.
• The majority of the committee on labor, industrial, and rehabilitative services, which is referred to
• Uh, unfortunately, it's a bill that has to do with health and human services that is planted squarely

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From 2016 to 2019, after nearly two decades of faithful service. full service as Archbishop Cardinal
• Okay, yes, it gets referred to committees as per the Constitution.
• jurisdiction, but to a... committee of the whole.
• The Texas Senate has had multiple committees formed.
• Tarabay hands as a beacon of hope and humanity.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From 2017 to 2021, household spending on child mental health services rose 31%.
• trafficking, receive the appropriate social services that they need.
• social services that they need.
• Good morning, Chair, and members of the committee. I'm J.C.
• AB 796 will be held in committee. File item number two, AB 1265 by Mr. Haynes.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• human this as a human trafficking<01:00:31.960><c> issue.
• </c> often married to adult service members. often married to adult service members.
• </c> age of 18 a human rights abuse? age of 18 a human rights abuse?
• , the House Judiciary the committee, the House Judiciary Committee?
• Committee? Committee?

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service.
• Thank you very much for the opportunity to address this committee.
• The drug cartels now make more money off of human smuggling and human trafficking than they do off of
• Texas law covering human smuggling.
• The committee stands adjourned. Such to call the chair at 8:53.

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Kelly Leonard, staff to this committee.
• Do any of you require translation services? Do any of you require translation services? Okay.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Allison Ryan, staff to the committee.
• It is an insult to our humanity.

Summary: The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard public testimony on several bills. HB 2151 would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules by directing L&I to consider newer national standards and allowing inspections by qualified third-party agencies without requiring a contract; the sponsor and L&I said it would save time and money and help lower costs for manufactured housing. HB 2372 would change workers’ compensation time-loss calculations so injured workers receive 100% of the employer’s monthly health care contribution unless the employer keeps paying it; supporters said this would better protect injured workers and their families, while a small-business representative opposed the bill and suggested direct payment to insurers instead, and L&I noted implementation costs and timing concerns. HB 2355, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, would create standalone protections for domestic workers covering wages, written agreements, notice before termination or severance, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation rules, and discrimination protections, while also extending minimum wage/overtime/sick leave coverage to some domestic workers; testimony from workers, advocates, Seattle officials, and the sponsor emphasized wage theft, insecurity, and the need for statewide standards, while L&I said technical clarifications and funding would be needed. HB 2409 would establish a collective bargaining framework for agricultural workers under PERC, with procedures for representation elections, mediation, and interest arbitration; supporters framed it as a long-overdue extension of bargaining rights and dignity to farmworkers, while growers and farm bureau representatives warned it could disrupt harvests, harm farms, and affect the food supply. HB 2472 would strengthen enforcement of fire sprinkler licensing and certification by allowing local fire code officials to request proof of credentials and issue stop-work orders; labor, fire marshals, and industry groups supported it as a public safety measure, while the building industry raised a drafting concern about the term “residential sprinkler.” No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so in other words, taking something essential from the human services bill and putting it in just
• Peter Mortman, some of the bills still being finalized, health and then also human services.
• </c><00:04:49.199><c> services.
• </c><00:04:49.759><c> Are</c> health and then also human services.
• Are health and then also human services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e e e e e e Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the House Committee on Health, Human Services
• Dear members of the House Health and Human Services Committee, my name is Roger D. roier, and I'm here
• > name</c><01:03:43.559><c> is</c> Human Services committee my name is Human Services committee my name
• Thank you, Madam Chair and honorable members of the Health and Human Services Committee.
• Human Services committee<03:34:18.199><c> for</c><03:34:18.399><c> the</c><03:34:18.560><c> record</

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> humanity in each other. humanity in each other.
• /c><00:07:31.680><c> share,</c><00:07:32.400><c> the</c> humanity that we all share, the humanity that
• </c><00:18:27.919><c> is</c> When we remember that public service is When we remember that public service
• It was about service.
• Service was at the core of her serve.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I've never been a member in my 12 years of any of the human services committees.
• I've never been a member in my 12 years of any of the human services committees.
• Um, so it's like it intersects with our purview here, but um, I think the human services experts would
• Um, so it's like it intersects with our purview here, but um, I think the human services experts would
• Um, so it's like it intersects with our purview here, but um, I think the human services experts would

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Senate Human Services Committee, and today we're hearing three bills.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Allison Mandiola, committee staff.
• As the Human Services Committee, I ask you to center the humans who are served by SNAP.
• I'm Chair Wilson and members of the Senate Human Services Committee.
• Good afternoon, Chair Wilson and members of the Human Services Committee.

Bills: SB6007 , SB6186 , SB6212

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: assessment practices, public policy, children, youth, families, evaluation, outcomes, SNAP, nutrition, public health, food access, unhealthy foods, benefit program, assistance, pilot program, state support, public welfare, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, everybody, welcome to the first capital budget committee hearing.
• In Human Services, the governor prioritized projects that protect Washingtonians in the state's care
• In Human Services, the governor prioritized projects that protect Washingtonians in the state's care
• We urge this committee to concur with the governor.
• Thank you, Chair Callan and members of the committee.

Summary: The House Capital Budget Committee opened its first hearing of the session on HB 2295 and briefly heard a presentation from OFM Senior Budget Advisor Jen Masterson on Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget. She said the proposal uses about $396 million in new appropriations, leaving roughly $5.4 million in remaining bond authority, and includes major investments in housing, urgent state facility needs, climate-related projects, K-12 school safety and modernization, and higher education minor works. The housing package was the largest share, with $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund, plus funding for homeownership, preservation, manufactured housing communities, and flood-impacted home repair. Committee members asked follow-up questions about Rainier School and juvenile rehabilitation projects, and staff said Rainier School was on the plan and that juvenile rehabilitation funding included flexible capacity funding and facility improvements. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s housing, education, climate, and natural resources proposals, while several speakers urged changes. Housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, community land trusts, and service providers backed the Housing Trust Fund and homeownership funding, including support for manufactured housing preservation and transit-oriented affordable housing. School and college representatives supported small district modernization, seismic safety, lead remediation, and minor works funding, while some asked for additional support for specific projects such as Cascadia College’s new building, Central Washington University’s feeder line replacement, and WSU Spokane health education renovations. Natural resource and tribal witnesses supported salmon recovery and community forest investments, but asked for more funding for RCO community forest and estuary programs. A major recurring concern was the proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance Account, which cities, counties, sewer and water districts, and the Public Works Board said would jeopardize low-interest loans already awarded for local infrastructure projects and shift costs onto distressed communities. Other testimony opposed the budget’s omission of certain projects, including the University of Washington’s power plant decarbonization work and a Spokane cultural hub, while some local governments requested funding for wastewater and flood-control projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed the public hearing after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations from Human Services, the courts, and then also the Office of Management and Budget have
• Going into Health and Human Services, just a couple of items here.
• So appropriations from human services, the courts, and then also the Office of Management Budget have
• Going into health and human services, just a couple of items here.
• First of all, Going into Health and Human Services, just a couple of items here.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our Legacy Committee.
• And I never even mentioned to this committee, I've heard at other committees, that, well, I'm certainly
• Always good to have the committee here.
• So as background, the National Endowment for the Humanities was initiated to help fund state-based humanities
• Chair and members of the committee, I am Joe Magnoli.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures that there is human review when California Health and Human Services uses machine or AI for
• The motion is due pass to Human Services. Terry, please call the roll.
• The motion is due pass to Human Services. Bonta? Bonta, aye. Chen? Addis? Addis, aye. Aguiar-Curry?
• This bill would be administered by the California Health and Human Services Agency, which would ensure
• Human Services Agency, which would ensure funding for community-driven solutions to decrease violence

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.