Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a county supervisor representing...
• I'm a county supervisor representing wild and wonderful western Sonoma County, but more importantly,
• And then we sort of authorize how cap and trade will be spent.
• Stacey Heaton with the Rural County Representatives of California, representing 40 rural counties statewide
• , including the County of Sonoma.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our districts and counties in the state. our districts and counties in the state.
• Louis County.
• Louis County. And if you could from St. Louis County.
• Louis County.
• Henipin County<00:13:16.320><c> supports</c><00:13:16.880><c> HF3403</c> County supports HF3403 County

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, the California Energy Commission's existing authority over appliances is limited to items
• The existing authority over appliances is limited to items that are sold, and the bill corrects this
• We're familiar with the Amador-Calaveras County project and support it strongly. Thank you. Great.
• Assembly Bill 2518, a district-specific bill that creates a five-year pilot program in San Diego County
• Yeah, so thank the author.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications met to hear several bills, noting that ACA 9 would be heard at a later date. The committee first approved a consent calendar item, then heard AB 2458 by Assemblymember Bennett, which would extend California Energy Commission appliance efficiency standards to appliances that are rented or leased, not just sold. Supporters included Ceres and Southern California Edison, and the bill was clarified to not affect commercial food processors. The committee also heard AB 2476 by Assemblymember Ellis, which would expand eligibility for pumped storage hydro projects under the state’s central procurement program by removing an outdated pre-2020 funding requirement while keeping the 500-megawatt cap. Support came from Rye Development, GreenGen Storage, and an irrigation district representative, with discussion focused on ratepayer benefits, competition, and grid reliability. The committee then heard AB 2518 by Assemblymember Sharp-Collins, a San Diego County pilot program to set faster utility connection timelines for certain projects, including affordable housing, hospitals, municipal infrastructure, and EV charging projects. Testimony in support came from the San Diego Housing Commission and San Diego Gas & Electric, which said the timelines were feasible and would help reduce energization delays. Members discussed whether the bill would create unintended consequences for other customers, and the author and utility representative said it would complement existing CPUC work and not conflict with SB 410-related proceedings. All three bills received unanimous or near-unanimous committee approval and were ordered to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee also repeatedly reopened and closed rolls to capture absent members, ultimately recording 16-0 votes on the measures that were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank my co-authors, who are most of this committee, Senator Boldon, Lieske, and you, Madam Chair, Senator
• Authority for the Board of Medical Practice to recognize the training of PAs received in other states
• During the 2020 HHS conference committee, authority for the Board of Medical Practice to recognize the
• </c> community incl including henen County community incl including henen County the<00:14:35.279><c>
• </c><00:45:26.280><c> and</c> trainings and support for counties and trainings and support for counties

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• McDaniel, Fairfield County, Chester County, and Richland County, which is... Annie E.
• McDaniel, Fairfield County, Chester County, and Richland County, which is House District 41.
• County.
• experience at the county.
• It includes Fairfield County.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he wants to get help to the people of Washington, from rural counties to urban counties.
• counties.
• So there's Clark County, Clark Public Utilities, Pierce County Human Services, Snohomish County Human
• So there's Clark County, Clark Public Utilities, Pierce County Human Services, Nahomish County Human
• Customers in Ferry County pay $741 per remaining customer, and we're the lowest-income county.

Bills: HB2426, HB2606

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be clear, House File 3405 does not attempt to regulate the operational authority of federal
• I want to be clear, House File 3405 does not attempt to regulate the operational authority of federal
• I want to be clear, House File 3405 does not attempt to regulate the operational authority of federal
• She said it is about ensuring the BCA has the access, tools, and authority to do its important work,
• to do its access and tools and authority to do its important<00:23:17.919><c> work.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5053 allows certain counties to include the boundaries of a school district when
• I'm the director of the PEBB and SEBB programs at the Health Care Authority.
• My name is Brandon Shwecky, and I work as a paraeducator in King County.
• I'm Ramona Hattendorf with The Arc of King County, testifying in support of Senate Bill 6163.
• Health Care Authority would provide the capitation amount, and then it would use also Health Care Authority

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 20, 2026, hearing several bills related to retirement systems, school employee health coverage, port district pensions, environmental fee accounts, developmental disability services, legislative budget transparency, and a new Apple Health employer assessment. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 5834, which would make permanent a temporary expansion allowing certain retirement trust fund earnings to pay broader administrative expenses, and SB 5835, which would raise the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold for Plan 2 members from $50 to $250. Both bills were presented by Department of Retirement Systems staff and supported by the department, with questions focused on the scope of the administrative-expense language in SB 5834 and the technical nature of SB 5835. The committee then entered executive session and moved three bills without recommendation to the Rules Committee: Substitute SB 5249, allowing kit homes as emergency housing; Substitute SB 5053, allowing certain counties to include school district boundaries when forming a public facilities district; and Substitute SB 5203, directing state agencies to develop a wildlife habitat connectivity strategy and creating related accounts. After returning to public hearing, members heard SB 5883 on SEBB eligibility for school employees in their second school year of employment. Supporters, including labor representatives and individual school workers, said the bill would reduce coverage gaps and improve recruitment and retention, while school district officials and administrators argued it would create an unfunded mandate, increase costs, and add administrative burden. No action was taken on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5905, which would exclude certain port district employees from PERS if they are covered by the federal Railroad Retirement Plan or a collectively bargained defined benefit pension plan. Port representatives, labor stakeholders, and the Department of Retirement Systems described it as a narrow technical fix to avoid duplicate pension coverage and retroactive liabilities, and the bill drew support. SB 6151 would create dedicated accounts for Ecology fee revenue tied to laboratory accreditation and landfill methane work; Ecology and county representatives supported the measure as a way to reinvest fees in the programs that generate them. SB 6163 would require the Individual and Family Services waiver for developmental disability services to be budgeted at maintenance level; advocates said it would stabilize services and prevent waitlists, and no opposition was heard. The final two bills were SB 6177, which would require LEAP’s budget website to display additional budget detail such as carry-forward data, program and subprogram expenditures, and balance sheets for all public accounts, and SB 6173, which would create an Apple Health employer assessment on larger private employers with workers enrolled in Medicaid expansion coverage. SB 6177 was framed as a transparency measure, while SB 6173 drew extensive testimony both in support and opposition: supporters said it would help offset expected Medicaid losses after federal work requirements take effect and stabilize the health safety net, while opponents argued it would be an unfunded tax, create administrative and legal complications, and could discourage hiring or reduce hours. The committee heard no final votes on the public hearing bills, and staff reminded members that signature sheets would be held for 24 hours under Senate rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the state level down to the counties, having our tribal partners involved, having the voices of
• Kitsap, Jefferson, and Kallum counties.
• FSEC is the permitting and certifying authority for citing major energy facilities in Washington.
• As a public utility rate payer, I'm greatly concerned about the potential authority.
• Sharon Abru of San Juan County, Orcas Island. As a longtime invite... One County, Orcas Island.

Bills: SB5821, SB6004, SB6010, SB5941

Keywords: nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we found out is we ran into some problems in courts, particularly in Clark County, through our
• Sure, a little bit of a question of, is that our authority, be telling the courts how people shouldn't
• Angela Knott from the Washington County Public Defender's Office, A-N-G-E-L-A-K-N-O-T-T.
• My name is Jeff Rogan, J-E-F-F R-O-G-A-N, and I represent Clark County.
• And in Clark County, specifically, we've had several high-profile instances.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6084 is a common-sense bill that addresses a recent Lewis County court case by clarifying
• The Secretary will read: An act relating to authorizing the Washington State Institute...
• And many of my constituents in Clark County have reached out to me on this bill.
• And many of my constituents in Clark County have reached out to me on this bill.
• Douglas County PUD would like to be able to sell you hydrogen gas to fuel your vehicle.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate began by advancing to the Eighth Order of Business and adopted Senate Resolution 8683 honoring the Seattle Seahawks for their 2025 championship season. The resolution and floor remarks celebrated the team’s 14-3 regular season, NFC West title, playoff run, Super Bowl 60 victory, and community involvement. Senators from both parties offered supportive remarks about the team’s leadership, teamwork, and impact across Washington, and the resolution was adopted unanimously. The chamber then welcomed Seahawks representatives and former player/play-by-play announcer Steve Rable to the rostrum for recognition and photographs. The Senate then considered and passed several bills, including SB 6084 clarifying that a person may not vote more than once in the same election across states; SB 5977 requiring publication of child near-fatality reviews; SB 5985 on endometriosis awareness and research; SB 6046 placing the Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department; SB 6291 extending septic inspector training supervision from two to four years; SB 6707 directing a WSIPP study of DCYF screening tools; SB 6183 ensuring rapid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs; SB 5956 restricting harmful uses of AI, surveillance, and automated discipline in public schools; SB 5820 concerning freight rail-dependent use overlays in Clark County; SB 5936 strengthening remedies and protections for human trafficking survivors; SB 6269 modernizing the motor fuel definition to include gaseous fuels such as hydrogen; SB 6226 protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy; SB 6025 updating fetal death gestational-age calculations to use more accurate methods; SB 6058 giving Labor and Industries discretion in wage enforcement and adopting a transparency amendment; and SB 6136 requiring publication of actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates. Most bills passed with broad support, though SB 5956 on AI in schools drew the most debate and passed 35-13. SB 5820 also drew a split vote, with supporters arguing it would restore environmental protections in Clark County and opponents warning it would undermine rail-related economic development and existing investments. SB 6084 passed 47-1, and the remaining measures passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The Senate then recessed for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the relationship with your department and county health departments? I'm in Boone County.
• Boone County has a health department.
• You would just need authority, maybe more than 20%? Correct? The tab and authority. A tab.
• The top is for excess authority.
• So if they're authorized, I'm just giving a rough estimate, their caregiver could be authorized for 60

Summary: The committee heard the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services present its FY 2027 budget request, with Director Sarah Wilson and budget staff describing the department’s mission, major divisions, and the impact of federal funding shifts, especially the FMAP change that will shift costs to general revenue. Wilson emphasized prevention, public health infrastructure, workforce capacity, and data modernization, while several members praised the department’s responsiveness and cost-cutting efforts. The discussion repeatedly focused on lapses, excess authority, and the department’s stated practice of spending federal and other funds before general revenue where possible. Members asked detailed questions about local public health agency support, nutrition programs, rural health and primary care, newborn screening, the state public health lab, and the department’s use of flexibility and reallocations. There was extended discussion of substance use disorder funding: the department explained that some funding is being reduced in its own budget because transfer authority is being added for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections, while some other SUD-related lines are actual reductions. Members also questioned tobacco prevention and cessation cuts, maternal and infant health programs, fetal infant mortality review, and minority health initiatives, with staff explaining program purposes and noting that some reductions were tied to excess authority or to moving programs to other departments. The committee also reviewed specific operational items such as the Health Initiatives Fund transfer, debt offset escrow for loan repayment defaults, donated funds authority, emergency preparedness, environmental health, health informatics, HIV/STI/hepatitis services, local public health incentives, and the COVID/ARPA authority reductions. Several members requested follow-up information on vacancies, lapse trends, grant spending plans, and program details. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the chair recessed briefly and the hearing continued with additional budget testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• issues in their counties as far as city council or county commissioners.
• Senator Martin, you specifically list Hillsborough County as one of the counties where this bill would
• Senator Martin, you specifically list Hillsborough County as one of the counties where this bill would
• , but not your own of Lee County.
• I hope the Miami-Dade County delegation will stand up and stick up for your county.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• “So he served Gila County as a supervisor for seven terms from 1935 to 1949, guiding the county through
• A county may establish a county jail education fund or detention center education fund to support the
• A county may establish a county jail education fund or detention center education fund to support the
• A county may establish a county jail education fund or detention center education fund to support the
• along with five other counties.

Summary: The committee took up several appropriations, transportation, naming, and education measures. It first approved SB 1035, which provides a FY27 General Fund appropriation for a 5% salary increase for Arizona Department of Corrections sworn officers and civilian employees; an amendment set the appropriation at $34 million and extended the raise to private prison employees under contract. Testimony from corrections advocates emphasized severe staffing shortages and pay gaps with other law enforcement employers, while some senators objected to including private prisons. The bill passed 6-3. The committee then approved SCM 102 and SCM 1006, which rename stretches of highway in honor of L.F. Quinn and PFC Michael Nolan, respectively, after emotional testimony from family members and local supporters; both memorial measures passed 9-1. SB 1065, appropriating $3.64 million for the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Military Veterans Fund, also passed 6-4 after supporters described HBOT as a promising, drug-free treatment for veterans, while opponents questioned the evidence and FDA approval for the claimed uses. SB 1248, which clarifies funding and attendance rules for county jail and juvenile detention education programs, passed unanimously 10-0 after county school officials said it would prevent double-counting students and separate funding streams properly. The committee also advanced transportation bills focused on the fast-growing West Valley corridor. SB 1204 appropriates $5.5 million to ADOT to design and conduct environmental analysis for interchange improvements at U.S. 60 and SR 303; supporters from the City of Surprise described severe congestion, safety risks, and economic impacts, while some senators argued the project should be funded through HURF rather than the General Fund. It passed 8-1, and the chair invited members to discuss broader HURF funding issues later. SB 1207, a smaller $150,000 study bill to examine financing mechanisms for development tied to U.S. 60/SR 303 infrastructure, also passed 7-1 after local officials said it would help align growth with transportation funding. SB 1274, creating a Police Foundation specialty license plate and fund for Phoenix Police Foundation programs, passed 6-2; the foundation said proceeds would support officer wellness, remembrance, and community/youth outreach. Finally, SB 1001, a $1 million appropriation for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, passed 9-0 after blind seniors and advocates testified that the services preserve independence and prevent more costly institutional care. The committee also heard SB 1161, which would make non-lapsing a prior $750,000 DPS appropriation for the Yuma County Family Advocacy Center, with the sponsor explaining it was intended to allow the funds to be spent over multiple years; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Idaho State Senator Kevin Cook from Legislative District 32 in Bonneville County.
• And I was talking to Kathy Ackerman, she’s the Idaho County clerk.
• I only represent part of Idaho County.
• And I guess I will brag that I'm from Power, Franklin, and Bannock County.
• And I guess I will brag that I'm power, Franklin, and Bannock County.

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the February 18, 2026 minutes and advanced gubernatorial appointee Callie Younger as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with a recommendation for Senate confirmation. The committee then introduced several RS measures, including a resolution supporting use of Article V to pursue a balanced-budget amendment, a memorial backing gold-backed U.S. bonds, and a bill authorizing the state treasurer to invest idle funds in gold and silver bullion. It also introduced RSs related to school district strategic performance plans, a new school funding formula study, college athletics, traffic use of the passing lane, and campaign finance reform. The committee heard and advanced several bills on state administration and elections. SB 1320, a cleanup bill repealing language tied to the business information infrastructure fund and Luma implementation, and SB 1321, which clarifies reporting deadlines and enforcement for agency contracts and MOUs filed with the state controller, both received due-pass recommendations. SB 1322, which tightens the voter affidavit process by requiring additional identifying information and poll-worker verification before issuing a ballot, also advanced after discussion about election integrity, privacy, and practical implementation. The committee likewise advanced SB 1296, which creates a specific criminal trespass offense for entering or remaining in a church or house of worship with intent to intimidate, harass, or disrupt worship services. The committee also advanced HCR 28, calling on Idahoans to fast and pray on March 1 for unity, peace, and moisture/snowpack, after testimony in support from the Idaho Family Policy Center and a private citizen. Finally, the committee heard HB 539, which limits temporary administrative rules to emergency or other narrow circumstances, requires a gubernatorial statement explaining necessity, and restricts repeated substantially similar temporary rules; after testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau in support, the bill was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after all listed items were handled.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> authorized to enforce this section. authorized to enforce this section.
• So, what's happening in one county and how it's read is going to be different in another county.
• I'm coming from seven counties.
• Larimer County.
• </c> the local counties and municipalities. the local counties and municipalities.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up on deck we have education, or excuse me, cities and counties. Passed.
• Next up on deck we have education, or excuse me, cities and counties.
• The committee on counties and municipalities met yesterday, February 12th. We approved the minutes.
• and met with the authorities as well as state auditors.
• And the information was handed over to the authorities.

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee approved the February 13 minutes and then heard several committee reports. The executive committee report noted that audit and special reports were scheduled for presentation, one requested report remained outstanding, and staff was asked to review selected Benton County circuit court case transfers. The committee also received and adopted reports from the counties and municipalities committee, the education committee, and the state agencies committee. Those reports covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, education audit reports, and state agency findings such as duplicate vendor payments, collateral issues, record-keeping problems, and vehicle log deficiencies. In each case, the committee voted to file or adopt the reports, with some reports deferred for follow-up or for officials to appear at a later meeting. A major portion of the meeting focused on the City of Pine Bluff’s 2024 financial audit. Auditors said the city received a clean opinion overall, but management letter findings identified serious issues in the mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and the finance department. The Parks and Recreation finding involved $179,629 in manual receipts that could not be traced to city deposits, missing receipts from several facilities, $48,415 in unallowable purchases, $13,000 in questionable purchases, altered invoices, unapproved vendors, and missing equipment; those matters were referred to the prosecuting attorney, attorney general, Governmental Bonding Board, and Arkansas State Police. The finance finding cited weak cash-receipting and bank-reconciliation procedures and late or missing deposits. City officials, including the mayor, finance director, and parks director, testified that the problems predated the current administration and said they had taken corrective steps. They described hiring a forensic audit firm, creating or updating standard operating procedures, improving receipting and deposit processes, adding procurement oversight, and moving Parks and Recreation to electronic or system-based receipting. Committee members questioned the officials about oversight, nonprofit relationships, and whether theft or system failures were to blame. After discussion, the committee voted to file the Pine Bluff report. The next meeting was announced for June 4-5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• corner of Snohomish County.
• Romero County, please join us up front. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.
• Romero County. Please. Thank you, Madam Chair. We have one person to testify. Romero, count two.
• I'm Snohomish County Hospital Commissioner.
• Federal CMS regulations already authorize PAs and APRNs to order diagnostic testing.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a Friday morning hearing with several House bills and then took executive action on three measures. In executive session, the committee voted do pass on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2242, Substitute House Bill 2152, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2168, sending the first two to Rules and the overdose-mapping bill to Ways and Means. The committee also waived the five-day notice rule for several bills on the agenda. Public hearings focused on hospital inspections, continuing care retirement communities, radiologic technologist supervision, music therapy licensure, nursing regulation, ambulance billing after motor vehicle accidents, and EMT recertification. Representative Macri presented HB 2577 to require hospital inspections at least every 18 months, allow limited pauses during emergencies, and clarify when CMS or accrediting-body surveys may substitute for state inspections; DOH supported the bill, citing JLARC recommendations, while many people signed in opposed. Macri also presented Second Substitute HB 2384, which would require actuarial analysis review for certain CCRCs; OIC supported the transparency goal, while CCRC representatives opposed the added cost, though residents and association witnesses argued the oversight would protect seniors and their life savings. Representative Engel’s HB 2113 drew strong support from radiology, hospital, and provider groups for allowing virtual direct supervision for IV contrast procedures and aligning state law with CMS practice. Representative Ryu’s HB 1187 would bar ambulance services from sending motor-vehicle-accident medical debt to collections for 120 days; she described a personal experience with an ambulance collection issue, and the hearing was closed after no testifiers appeared. Representative Reed’s HB 2363 would let music therapy applicants practice under supervision for up to six months while exam results are processed; music therapy witnesses said it would prevent workforce gaps. Representative Simmons’ HB 2339 would update nursing title and transcript requirements and allow the board to issue interim permits directly, with the Board of Nursing and ARNP groups calling it a technical cleanup. HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals to six years for long-tenured EMTs, and firefighters supported it as an administrative simplification without changing training requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• He included 19 counties in regions 1, 2, 6, and 7.
• The USDA acted within its lawful authority to modernize management.
• This comes to us from the Association of Counties.
• What we're seeking is spending authority, continued spending authority, for the department to be able
• What we're seeking is spending authority, continued spending authority, for the department to be able

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County.
• a metro county.
• Northfield has part in Dakota County, and New Prague has half in Dakota County and half in Scott County
• with one county considered a metro county.
• in Scott County.

Keywords: 1183, house