Bills: HB145 , SB37 , HB279 , HB292 , SB35 , SB48 , SB20 , SJR1 , SB38 , SB41 , SB73 , SB100 , SB111 , SB132 , SB152 , SJR7 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM30 , HM52 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB2 , HB70 , HB180 , SB151 , SB240 , SB273 , HB95 , HB247 , HB332 , HB8 , HB253 , HB4 , HB96

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the emergency communications community.
• Most are operated by counties, shown in blue, and some are operated by cities, shown in red here on this
• Among their top three operational challenges.
• Lastly, emergency communications systems require redundancy.
• Emergency Management within the Idaho Military Division.

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:

• Further into our emergency operations procedures, we've done here is we overlaid the three large load
• tools that... ...the operator would use, whether we're in a summer or winter emergency.
• Generators to run in times of emergencies.
• It provides operational requirements for managing these facilities during an electricity Supply emergency
• The emergency tools we also think are valuable.

Bills: SB6 , SB11 , SB33

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• opt in after being in operation for 25 years.
• As mentioned, we saw this during the 2001 energy crisis when emergency hydro system operation killed
• During an emergency, people turn to internet and social media, while emergency responders and agencies
• Our read is that it goes beyond just emergencies.
• Or the operations there would be impacted.

Summary: The committee first suspended the five-day notice rule and then heard House Bill 2521 on firearm background check fees. Staff explained that the bill would remove the $18 fee cap and allow Washington State Patrol to set fees based on actual program costs, which could be about $33 to $35 per check. Supporters said the change was needed to keep the background check system operating and avoid delays and layoffs; opponents argued it would burden lawful gun owners and amount to an unconstitutional tax or barrier to a constitutional right. No vote was taken in the hearing. Members then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language-accessible public programs, which would direct the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines, address interpreter and translator shortages, and require agency implementation reporting. Testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the need for consistent access for limited-English-proficient residents and the benefits for schools, families, and state services. The committee also heard Second Substitute House Bill 2479 on wage recovery, which would create a wage recovery fund to provide partial advance payments to low-wage workers with meritorious unpaid wage claims and adjust wage penalty provisions. Employers, labor advocates, and legal services representatives largely supported the bill as a bipartisan, worker-protection measure funded by penalties rather than the general fund. The committee next took up Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 on renewable energy tax incentives, which would replace existing property tax and excise tax provisions with a new state and local renewable energy excise tax structure and related grant programs for local governments and tribes. Counties, utilities, developers, and tribal representatives generally supported the bill’s goal of stabilizing tax treatment for renewable projects, though several witnesses said they wanted amendments to address rates, timing, and late-stage project impacts. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5932 on alternative jet fuel incentives, which would change the timing and duration of existing tax preferences; supporters said it would provide certainty for emerging sustainable aviation fuel projects, while one refinery sought clarification and a broader county threshold. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2238 on statewide food security, directing the Department of Agriculture to monitor food system performance and develop a statewide food security strategy. Agricultural groups, grocers, anti-hunger advocates, and farmers supported the bill as a coordination effort to improve food access, affordability, and supply chain resilience. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1903, which would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce; supporters said it would address growing unmet need and complement existing utility programs, while opponents said it did not address the root causes of rising energy costs. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416 on waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515 on large energy-use facilities (data centers), both of which drew mixed testimony centered on balancing emissions, ratepayer impacts, reliability, and environmental or tribal concerns. No final votes were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our state emergency response team stood ready for the challenge.
• FDEM is responsible for preparing a statewide emergency shelter plan.
• power, emergency utilities, etc.
• We had a lot of interaction with Florida Division of Emergency Management.
• I wanted to go back to the emergency shelter plan just for a minute.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session, with members introducing themselves and expressing support for veterans, military families, first responders, space industry growth, and domestic security. The first presentation was from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and recovery efforts. Officials described response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including sheltering, meals, water, tarps, power restoration, flood control, debris removal, and public assistance funding. They emphasized that recovery is ongoing, that mitigation and resiliency investments are critical, and that Florida’s shelter space remains in deficit in many counties, especially for special needs populations. Senators asked about improving logistics capacity, technology for grant processing, HOA/private property debris issues, drainage and culvert maintenance, and ways to expand shelter capacity; the witness said more technology, better local coordination, and county-by-county planning would help, while noting limits on state authority over private property and county emergency manager qualifications. Committee members praised FDEM’s response and asked how the Legislature could help, including whether more logistical hubs, pumps, and flood-control equipment were needed. The witness said technology investments could reduce fatigue and improve grant and recovery processing, but that manpower would still be necessary. The committee also discussed the statewide emergency shelter plan, the use of schools as shelters, and the need to identify vacant commercial space and other facilities for future sheltering and special-needs needs. The witness said FDEM works with counties and commerce partners to identify available space and uses legislative funding for shelter retrofits and new construction when needed. The second presentation was from Blue Origin on its Florida operations. The company outlined its work in New Glenn, New Shepard, Blue Ring, lunar landers, and engine production, highlighting its Space Coast presence, more than 3,600 Florida employees, and over $3 billion invested in facilities. Blue Origin also described partnerships with Space Florida, public school Space Academies, internships, SkillBridge, and STEM outreach through Club for the Future. Members asked about the upcoming New Glenn launch window, which the company said was targeted for later that week, and the committee expressed interest in Blue Origin’s role in Florida’s space economy. The meeting ended with no further business and a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the emergency management realm, local incidents are locally managed.
• We're updating the minimum standard for local emergency management jurisdictions.
• That's our standard annual expected payroll and operating expense.
• The Emergency Management Performance Grant is the biggest impact of our request.
• is the task of emergency management was disaster mitigation, preparedness.

Keywords: 914, all

Summary: The committee held a budget hearing for the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, with Director Annie Verst presenting the agency’s FY26/FY27 request and explaining the agency’s role in disaster response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation. She said OEM remains a lean agency focused on coordinating resources for local governments, supporting recovery after disasters, and helping communities build resilience. She highlighted recent activity including wildfire response, multiple fire management assistance declarations, $83 million in public assistance payouts, use of the new state disaster revolving fund, and implementation of an Oklahoma resilient recovery strategy and ARPA-funded rural public safety grants. Verst emphasized uncertainty in federal funding and FEMA operations, saying hazard mitigation assistance has been canceled for the first time since 1988, some obligations were delayed under DHS’s “Defend the Spend” review, and the emergency management performance grant period was shortened before later being resolved. She said OEM has restructured by eliminating obsolete administrative work, repurposing positions to regional coordinators, ending warehouse leases, and assigning fleet vehicles more efficiently. Her budget request included $3.7 million to cover a possible loss of federal operating support, $1 million for a required state hazard mitigation plan update, $3.8 million for the state emergency fund to cover anticipated 12.5% state shares and replenish prior expenditures, and $800,000 for anticipated other-needs/temporary sheltering cost share. Members questioned her about Oklahoma Task Force One, the revolving fund, and whether OEM is shifting toward a response-focused agency. Verst said response remains local and OEM’s role is coordination, recovery, and mitigation, not replacing local emergency management. She explained Task Force One is used when local capacity is exceeded, is not currently funded by OEM for routine operations, and the revolving fund helps bridge reimbursement delays. She also said the hazard mitigation plan update would likely be done by an outside contractor or university partner. No votes were taken; the hearing ended after questions and thanks from the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a nationally recognized leader in emergency medicine quality and operational performance.
• I'm a nationally recognized leader in emergency medicine quality and operational performance.
• >> One sentence. >> I own and operate an emergency medicine group that staffs a level four trauma center
• ><c> um</c><01:02:34.720><c> an</c><01:02:34.960><c> emergency</c> &gt;&gt; I own and operate um an emergency
• &gt;&gt; I own and operate um an emergency medicine<01:02:35.520><c> group</c><01:02:35.680><c> that

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• this one type of care in their emergency.
• So our goal is the emergency information is free at the time of an emergency.
• emergency room physicians can see that. ...emergency room, so the emergency room physicians can see that
• Those persons that were added were emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians
• Emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first was our emergency operations planning.
• readiness then becomes day-to-day operations.
• And so, yes, in many of those situations, schools didn't even have emergency operations plans.
• And so, yes, in many of those situations, schools didn't even have emergency operations plans.
• And so it was deemed non-operational. Mr.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard presentations on Arizona’s school safety interoperability communication systems, beginning with remarks from Senator Kevin Payne, who described the program as a response to school shootings and 911 overloads, and said the goal is to let schools trigger a panic-button alert that immediately shares video, floor plans, and location information with law enforcement and other responders. Several members echoed support for the concept, while also raising concerns about whether the systems are actually working as intended and whether school resource officers remain necessary or should be supplemented by technology. Auditor General Lindsay Perry summarized the JLAC-directed special audit, explaining that the office reviewed whether fund expenditures were authorized, whether purchased systems met statutory requirements, and whether procurement followed applicable standards. She said the office had tested a sample of systems with vendors, schools, and law enforcement, and that some agencies had not provided requested follow-up information. Members questioned Pinal County’s lack of response and the status of its reports and payments, and committee leaders criticized the county sheriff’s claim that the committee had treated staff unfairly. Representatives from Mutualink, Motorola Solutions, and Navigate 360 then defended their systems and described implementation challenges. Mutualink said its platform connects schools, dispatch, and responders across jurisdictions and claimed it can reduce response times, but acknowledged that implementation depends on training, infrastructure, and cooperation among schools and agencies. Motorola said it had deployed systems in Maricopa and Yuma counties and that some delays stemmed from school participation and procurement issues. Navigate 360 highlighted Cochise County as a success story, saying 60 of 69 schools were implemented and that the company had added maps, emergency management tools, and training support after audit findings. Members repeatedly pressed the vendors on statutory criteria, procurement practices, rural infrastructure, and why some counties or schools were not fully operational; the vendors generally said the biggest barriers were local readiness, training, and interagency coordination rather than the technology itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nationally, this concern has emerged regarding the consolidation within the emergency response vehicle
• It's affecting our operational readiness.
• emergency response capabilities.
• As I close, California's priority is ensuring that public investment results in operational emergency
• operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the rising cost and long delivery times for fire apparatus and related equipment, with opening remarks stressing that aging fleets, supply chain problems, and delayed replacements are affecting emergency readiness across California. Cal OES and Cal Fire described statewide procurement challenges, including higher prices, multi-year delivery timelines, two-year encumbrance limits, and the strain on mutual aid when engines remain in service beyond their intended replacement cycles. Cal Fire said it operates 537 engines, with 300 meeting replacement criteria and 243 at least 16 years old, and explained the difference between mandatory contracts and one-time acquisitions. The Department of General Services said vendors have cited labor costs, chassis pricing, and the need for longer production timelines, while also noting that statewide contracts can include nominal price increases but not open-ended price hikes. Local fire chiefs from Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Napa, and Fullerton testified that apparatus prices have risen sharply while delivery times have stretched from under a year to three to five years or more. They described specific examples of engines and ladder trucks costing far more than prior purchases and arriving years later, forcing departments to keep older reserve apparatus in service, spend more on maintenance, and defer other budget priorities. Several witnesses said industry consolidation has reduced competition and contributed to delays and price increases, with Los Angeles County and Fullerton noting they have pursued antitrust complaints and litigation against major manufacturers. Napa also described proprietary parts and software limiting in-house repairs, and Santa Barbara County said a vendor’s unfulfilled delivery promise caused the department to lose its place in line. Members asked about possible solutions, including whether the state should consider manufacturing apparatus itself, whether procurement rules or prototype requirements could be streamlined, whether DGS staffing or contract processes could be accelerated, and whether more stable long-term purchasing commitments would help manufacturers plan production. Witnesses said safety-driven specification changes are necessary but can add time, and that the main bottlenecks are industry capacity, consolidation, and vendor performance. The vice chair raised concerns about how grant funding windows and local matching requirements are affected by multi-year delays, especially for small and rural departments that rely on grants and on used apparatus passed down from larger agencies. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with committee members indicating interest in possible legislative, regulatory, and antitrust follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the forest prairie transition zone, they have received 8.05% of the funds for 24.3% of the total acres
• Um in the forest<00:13:08.880><c> prairie</c><00:13:09.279><c> transition</c><00:13:09.839><c> zone</
• c><00:13:10.639><c> they</c><00:13:10.959><c> have</c> forest prairie transition zone they have forest
• prairie transition zone they have received<00:13:11.760><c> 8.05%</c><00:13:13.040><c> of</c><00:13:

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• hospital to operate a rural emergency stabilization care unit in Patterson while a permanent hospital
• to operate in California out of concern for jeopardizing patient safety and their impacts to the emergency
• Freestanding emergency departments threaten the precarious financial stability of the emergency care
• This freestanding emergency room would not have the ability to truly care for all emergencies, and what
• a freestanding emergency room.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1887, which would speed prior authorization for FDA-approved rare disease treatments prescribed by specialists and, if a plan does not act within 30 days, deem the request approved. The author and supporters, including patients and clinicians, said delays can cause irreversible harm, hospitalizations, and death, especially for children and people with progressive rare diseases. Health plans and insurers opposed the bill’s automatic-approval provision and said the measure lacked safeguards for incomplete requests and shared responsibility for timely information. The chair encouraged continued work with opponents, and the author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier version that would have waived prior authorization entirely. The committee also heard AB 1979 on artificial intelligence in health care, AB 2161 on Medi-Cal work requirements, AB 539 on extending approved prior authorizations, AB 2311 on physician employment at public hospital districts, AB 1148 on banning phthalates and bisphenols in food packaging, AB 1825 on mental health offender reentry coordination, and AB 2282 on a temporary emergency stabilization unit in Patterson. AB 1979 would preserve licensed clinicians’ professional judgment, bar AI from directing unlicensed clinical functions, and protect medical records used by consumer chatbots; after amendments, several hospital, medical, and industry groups moved from opposition to neutral. AB 2161 would limit the harm of federal Medi-Cal work-reporting rules by using existing data, improving notices, and protecting due process; it drew broad support from patient, provider, and advocacy groups. AB 539 would keep prior authorization approvals valid for up to one year or the course of treatment, with supporters citing continuity of care and opponents warning about utilization, fraud, and cost concerns. AB 2311, as amended, would let certain high-payer-mix or distressed public health care districts directly employ physicians; CMA withdrew opposition after the bill was narrowed, while some hospital interests still objected to the carve-out. AB 1148 would prohibit two chemicals commonly used in food packaging, with supporters citing cancer and endocrine-disruption risks and opponents arguing DTSC should handle the issue through its existing regulatory process. AB 1825 would improve transition planning and Medi-Cal enrollment for offenders with mental health disorders leaving state hospitals, and AB 2282 would authorize a temporary rural emergency stabilization care unit in Patterson until a permanent hospital is built. Several bills were held for later action because the committee lacked a quorum, and the chair repeatedly noted that motions would be taken once enough members returned.

Transcript Highlights:

• best practices about how we as a state respond to emergencies.
• best practices about how we as a state respond to emergencies.
• They also use it for operating funds willingly.
• Right now, we're operating within that $608 bucket and nothing else.
• That within the DEM world is very normal operating procedure.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize post-tax Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, instead of limiting them to pre-tax contributions. After a brief presentation and one waived appearance in support, the bill was rolled and reported favorably. Later, members also recorded affirmative votes on SB 7010 before adjournment. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the Governor’s proposed “Floridians First” budget, presented by Lita Kelly of the Office of Policy and Budget. She outlined a $117.4 billion spending plan with $53.2 billion in general revenue, emphasizing reserves, debt reduction, trust fund sweeps, and targeted reductions in agency positions. Major priorities included K-12 and higher education funding, teacher salary support, school hardening, Everglades and water-quality projects, cancer and behavioral health initiatives, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, corrections staffing and facilities, cybersecurity, transportation, affordable housing, and economic development. Members asked extensive questions about teacher pay, corrections staffing, emergency response reserves, the proposed federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facility, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, the animal abuse hotline, and the absence of a specific Hope Florida line item. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV/AIDS drug assistance program, with public testimony warning that the changes could cut off access to medications for thousands of Floridians and alleging misuse of federal funds. Kelly said she would follow up on several details, including litigation costs, teacher pay comparisons, and ADAP funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Nunes, Chief Deputy for Operations at the Department of Public Health.
• In addition, GDSP has emergency regulation authority.
• The Emergency Medical Services Authority plays a crucial role.
• Emergency services and disaster preparedness are incredibly important.
• Are they completely separate operations, or are they integrated?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first was our emergency operations planning.
• readiness then becomes day-to-day operations.
• And so, yes, in many of those situations, schools didn't even have emergency operations plans...
• And so, yes, in many of those situations, schools didn't even have emergency operations plans.
• And so it was deemed non-operational. Mr.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• houses emergency preparedness operations and grant management staff.
• The bureau houses StateComm, the state's emergency communications and...
• The division often makes transfers into operating to cover contract employees or other operating costs
• Kevin Hickey; our Bureau Chief for the Office of Emergency Management, Mr.
• Ben Call, to the right; and then our new Bureau Chief for Emergency Medical Services, Mr.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Idaho Military Division, the Division of Veterans Services, and the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). For the Military Division, analysts and Major General Tim Donnellan reviewed the division’s structure, recent transfer of emergency medical services into the division, and the fiscal year 2027 request. The request included a small general fund amount for hazardous materials response, a pay-parity adjustment for state employees tied to federal military pay scales, and a dedicated-fund enhancement for overhead recovery, offset by rescissions including vacant positions and reduced tuition assistance. Members asked about the 3% rescission, EMS transition costs, and why certain CEC-related positions appeared in and out of the budget; the general said the division had absorbed the cut but that further reductions could affect education assistance for Guardsmen. He also described the EMS transition as smooth and said the division was modernizing its Army and Air components. The committee then reviewed the Division of Veterans Services budget and heard from Administrator Mark Champal. The analyst outlined the division’s homes, cemeteries, veteran assistance programs, and fiscal year 2027 requests, including one-time equipment and replacement items, an ongoing reduction for expiring software fees, and reductions for long-vacant positions. Questions focused on nursing shortages, contract labor, the miscellaneous revenue fund, and memory-care capacity. Champal said the division is using a temporary nursing pool to reduce reliance on contract nurses and expects to save nearly half a million dollars, while continuing to struggle with staffing. He said the Boise home currently meets memory-care needs and that the new Boise facility could expand if needed. He also highlighted outreach efforts, claims assistance, cemetery services, and the division’s efforts to connect veterans with outside support. Finally, PERSI’s budget was presented and discussed with Director Mike Hampton. The analyst described the retirement system’s defined benefit and defined contribution plans, the ongoing pension software upgrade, and one-time requests for the final software phase, disaster recovery planning, and IT replacements. Committee members asked about administrative growth, who participates in PERSI, software maintenance costs, and why there was no general fund rescission. Hampton explained that PERSI is fully funded by employer and employee contributions, that the software project is nearing completion, and that the annual maintenance increase reflects licensing costs. He also discussed post-retirement allowance adjustments, saying the board recommended a retroactive catch-up through 2022 and that future increases depend on fund performance and legislative action. The committee also discussed the merits and risks of defined benefit versus defined contribution plans, and Hampton said PERSI remains well funded, with strong investment returns and broad participation across Idaho public employers. The meeting ended with adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reality is that the demands of emergency management have never been greater.
• I was leading the State Operations Center during the Camp Fire.
• That, at the time, was the biggest debris operation that we had.
• There's got to be a better solution than what we're operating in now and have been operating in the last
• Often governors designate their emergency manager or top public safety official.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do have a BCP for $3.2 million in state operations.
• So we do have a BCP for $3.2 million in state operations.
• Or to the emergency room if they have to see people through the emergency room because they no longer
• Historically, we had covered outpatient renal dialysis as emergency care, and we defined that as emergency
• , keeping them in emergency coverage.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The emergency clause is simply so that I'm... The emergency clause is simply so that Access can...
• The constitutionality of this, of an emergency clause is that the members, when we put the emergency
• You know, we talk about emergency.
• It doesn't impact operations or transparency.
• Our programs operate in urban and rural settings alike.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the February 4 minutes, then heard Senate Bill 1086, which would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse non-contracting providers for certain lab services when a member was referred by a contracting provider and would bar prior authorization for diagnostic services. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address unpaid claims and improve access, while Access testified neutral but warned the prior-authorization ban could increase utilization and create a fiscal impact. The committee adopted the Warner amendment limiting non-contracting reimbursement rates to no more than contracting rates, then passed SB 1086 as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1611, an emergency measure to require Access to contract with an administrative services organization for the American Indian Health Plan, while keeping Access ultimately responsible for administration. The chair’s amendment expanded ASO duties to include provider support, quality improvement, and data analytics, removed Access claims-payment authority, added tribal observers to the selection committee, and exempted IHS and tribal-facility services. The sponsor and tribal witnesses described the bill as a response to fraud, provider nonpayment, and harm to Native communities, while Access raised concerns about the fast timeline, tribal consultation requirements, possible duplication of program-integrity functions, and fiscal uncertainty. After debate over the emergency clause and tribal consultation, the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1611 as amended on a 5-2 vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct Access to seek federal approval for a Medicaid home- and community-based services program for adults with serious mental illness. Supporters said the bill would create a long-term community-care option for the sickest SMI members, reduce cycling through hospitals, jails, and homelessness, and potentially save state general fund dollars; family members and advocates testified in support. Access was neutral and said it was finalizing a fiscal estimate. The Angus amendment narrowed eligibility to long-term SMI, reduced the enrollment cap from 500 to 250, changed reporting to semiannual, and removed priority-order language; the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1630 as amended unanimously. Later, the committee passed Senate Bill 1193, which protects emergency medical care technicians’ personal identifying information from sale or disclosure by the Department of Health Services, after adopting a clarifying amendment expanding the protected information and addressing commercial requests. It then heard Senate Bill 1318, which repeals the state’s separate dense-breast notification requirement so Arizona law aligns with the FDA’s newer mammography notice standard; the sponsor and DHS said the change would reduce confusion from duplicate, slightly different notices, and the bill was moving forward with discussion of possible future amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a dedicated emergency management program.
• In either case, WSDOT typically declares an emergency.
• December storm emergencies.
• Going to the next bullet, we have let 16 emergency contracts under emergency declarations.
• I think the way I would answer that is we are under emergency relief, so federal emergency funding allows

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all