Transcript Highlights:

• , home nursing care; we have a lot of different avenues in which elderly folks can get care and get taken
• In terms of care, it used to be just for nursing home care, but they opened that up to allow for payment
• I don't want to say it takes people away from nursing care, but it allows care to be taken in the appropriate
• </c><01:39:57.360><c> be</c><01:39:57.520><c> taken</c> nursing care but allow care to be taken nursing
• care but allow care to be taken in<01:39:58.040><c> the</c><01:39:58.280><c> appropriate</c><01:39:58.840

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• CARE Oregon has employed CARE Oregon to be the administrator of their behavioral health benefit.
• care is supported.
• immediate care centers.
• Older people tend to use more care. Older people tend to need more expensive care.
• like, I don't know, average care, like needed care versus, like, maybe some extras that we've deemed

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing focused first on Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO) finances and rate setting. Oregon Health Authority staff explained how 2025 CCO financial results will inform 2027 capitation rates, including reserve requirements, subcapitation arrangements, and major cost drivers such as behavioral health, pharmacy, rural hospital costs, and dental directed payments. They said the Legislature’s added 2025 funding materially improved CCO margins and that, without it, the program would have been negative overall. Members asked about retained earnings, subcapitation, behavioral health utilization, ABA therapy, and whether outcomes are being evaluated; OHA said rate setting is actuarial and that CCOs, OHA, and other partners all play roles in monitoring efficacy and access. OHA also reviewed House Bill 4039 changes intended to increase transparency and give CCOs earlier access to rate information and reconciliation exhibits. CCO representatives then testified that the system is under significant financial pressure and that behavioral health state-directed payments, benefit changes, and federal uncertainty from H.R. 1 are reducing flexibility. CareOregon said it has lost more than $500 million over the last couple of years and is now making provider terminations and other network changes to align spending with available funding, while emphasizing that CCOs must make hard decisions about which services and providers can be sustained. Eastern Oregon CCO said rural and frontier factors, cost-based hospitals, air ambulance needs, and statewide efficiency adjustments are not fully reflected in rates, and that dental funding is especially strained. Trillium similarly warned that state-directed payments and benefit expansion pressures are constraining the global budget model and that H.R. 1 could worsen acuity and volatility. Members pressed the witnesses on who is responsible for evaluating treatment effectiveness, especially for ABA and psychotherapy, and on how utilization limits and reimbursement changes are being used to control costs. The committee then shifted to an overview of the Affordable Care Act and Oregon’s commercial insurance market. Department of Consumer and Business Services staff explained actuarial value, metal tiers, premium tax credits, medical loss ratio rules, and the main drivers of premium rates: cost trend, utilization trend, and administrative costs. They said mandates have likely added only a limited amount to premiums over the past decade, though the exact effect is difficult to isolate, and they gave examples of how high-cost, low-volume services versus broad, high-utilization services can affect rates differently. Staff also noted that Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are withdrawing from the individual market, though consumers should still have at least three insurer options in every county and may have four in many counties. The division said it is in the middle of reviewing proposed 2027 rates and will continue its public rate review process, including hearings and written comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• prevent it or to treat it with pharmaceuticals than on some of the social support that people need for day-to-day
• This includes care plans and schedules for tests like MRIs.
• . and specializing in geriatric care.
• That was what we went through just trying to get her diagnosed and access to care.
• But unfortunately... to that kind of care. But unfortunately, she stepped with me.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today seems to be my day here, as I have quite a few bills that are before you.
• Have a good day. You too. Thank you. Next, I'd like to welcome William Ellis. Have a good day.
• It just was a bad day at the prison that day. And so it ended up with a drip.
• So this is not a plate that we would be commuting day to day.
• So this is not a plate that we would be commuting day to day.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on a wide range of bills and topics, including impaired driving, antique and collector vehicles, roadway maintenance, homelessness-related identification cards, a pedestrian tunnel for Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, a bridge naming in Sandwich, historic route designations, and litter prevention. The chairs outlined the hearing process, including three-minute limits for individuals and seven minutes for panels, and noted that elected officials would be taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned. On impaired driving, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and tow lot operator Chris Nolan supported a bill creating a 12-hour tow-yard hold for vehicles involved in drug-impaired incidents, similar to the existing alcohol-related hold. On transportation infrastructure and road safety, Representative Howitt testified for several bills requiring reflective tape on temporary loads, restoring road markings after utility work, requiring roadway restoration after excavation, and improving reporting on roadway damage after crashes. AAA Northeast supported bills expanding the distracted driving law to cover video recording while driving, while noting it preferred the offense remain a primary offense. Several witnesses testified in support of bills affecting vehicle enthusiasts, including restoring year-of-manufacture plates for antique vehicles, creating a single rear collector plate, and changing antique vehicle inspection rules. Another major topic was H. 3750/S. 2399, which would provide no-fee state IDs and flexible residency documentation for youth and adults experiencing homelessness; supporters included the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, social workers, city officials, and people with lived experience, all emphasizing that lack of ID blocks access to housing, jobs, health care, and other services. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2414, authorizing a tunnel connecting the north and south campuses of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, with school leaders and students citing safety, accessibility, and traffic concerns. Finally, the committee heard emotional testimony for H. 4374 to name the Quaker Meeting House Road overpass in Sandwich for Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville, and testimony for a resolve creating a roadside litter prevention and cleanup task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• Patrick's Day is this: both men were Irish Catholic, and they had roots.
• I'm not involved in it at all, but I do drive by it every day on my way to work.
• So four days ago, senators, I’m not sure we get a lot of emails.
• This is just a normal, ordinary, annual thing that we must take care of here.
• The bill outlines several safety-related rights for the kids in foster care.

Transcript Highlights:

• We talk about relationships every day.
• We’re all going to be careful now.
• We’re all going to be careful now.
• No, no, no, it's been a long day. I thought you were cheating. It's okay. It's been a long day.
• No, no, no, it's been a long day. I thought you were cheating. It's okay. It's been a long day.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• any school under the ESA universal voucher program because apparently the Republicans don't really care
• for a licensed health care training program, to allow that person to participate in their curriculum
• Senate amendment modifies point nine in your bill as passed by the House to increase the business days
• after receiving a request from three to seven business days.
• As passed the House, if a school district is noncompliant for 90 days, it is required to consult with

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills that had returned from the Senate with amendments, with members repeatedly noting that sponsors intended to concur on most items. Topics included public health and vaccination rules (HB 2086, HB 2248), state investment in gold and silver (HB 2140), property records and voter-registration privacy (HB 2327), municipal and county regulation of business property and development fees (HB 2460, HB 2946, HB 2999), legislative subpoenas (HB 2745), cold plunge regulation (HB 2439), nursing-facility complaint timelines and licensed health aide rules (HB 2195, HB 2189), court-ordered treatment review (HB 2923), Access/Medicaid reimbursement and prior authorization for diagnostic services (HB 2932), inmate mental health study committee language (HB 2673), prenatal development instruction in schools (HB 2830), public records requests by legislators (HB 4056), parents’ rights and social transitioning in schools (HB 2249), school district financial compliance and facilities contracting (HB 2481, HB 2482), Native American language proficiency for graduation (HB 2895), advanced math auto-enrollment (HB 2423), special education and military-family procedures (HB 2621), AI rules for state agencies (HB 2592), eviction record sealing (HB 2244), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), shade structures in HOAs (HB 2342), homelessness-related community restitution (HB 2028), medical records timelines (HB 2557), PFAS firefighting foam restrictions (HB 2641), family-court expert testimony and prisoner transition services (HB 2662, HB 2440), address confidentiality protections (HB 2594), guardianship notice attestation (HB 2661), utilities for high-load customers (HB 2756), and nuclear-ready community planning (HB 2456). The committee also briefly moved to Caucus Calendar 19 for additional bills on mobile food vendors, school board training, out-of-state travel and meeting transparency, and a medical-intervention nondiscrimination bill. Several bills drew substantive discussion or criticism. Members debated HB 2932 at length, with staff explaining that Access said the bill would have a high fiscal impact because it would require reimbursement for non-contracted lab services and eliminate prior authorization for a broad range of diagnostic services, potentially increasing costs substantially. HB 2249 also prompted concern from members who argued it could force teachers to out students and create civil liability for using preferred pronouns or failing to notify parents about social transitioning. HB 2830 was criticized as requiring prenatal-development instruction while barring discussion of sexual activity or reproduction. HB 2028, which allows community restitution instead of a $20 probation assessment for people who are indigent and experiencing homelessness, was questioned as potentially punitive. HB 2481 was discussed as a way to help, rather than punish, small rural school districts struggling with financial-record compliance. The caucus also noted that several of the measures were sponsored by Democrats, which was highlighted as notable during the meeting. No formal votes were taken in the transcript. The caucus chair repeatedly asked for questions, and in most cases there were none, after which the sponsor was understood to intend concurrence with the Senate amendments. The meeting ended with adjournment after the caucus moved through the remaining calendar items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 533 by Assembly Member Flora, an act relating to health care districts.
• Colleagues, I'm here to present AB 533, reauthorizing health care districts.
• We will now move to the second day consent calendar.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 64 by Assembly Member Macedo relative to World IBS Day.
• Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read the second day consent calendar.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer honoring Pope Francis, and then proceeded through routine motions, guest introductions, and floor business. Members welcomed several groups, including youth art contest winners, local city officials for Cal Cities Week, emergency dispatchers and 9-1-1 youth heroes, a school group from Northridge Community School, and Sheriff Michael Johnson. The body also handled procedural actions such as re-referring bills, withdrawing AB 16 from Appropriations because it was no longer fiscal, and allowing committees to notice bills pending re-referral. On the floor, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 44, proclaiming April 20–26 as California Cities Week, was adopted by voice vote after opening the roll for co-authors. The Assembly then passed several bills, including AB 793 on dog dangerousness proceedings and AB 533 reauthorizing health care districts’ use of design-build for health facility construction, both by unanimous roll call. AB 764, which would add mute swans to the list of exotic non-game birds that can be legally managed, also passed unanimously. House Resolution 32, recognizing Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week, drew extensive remarks from multiple members about the historical tragedy and the Cambodian American community; it was adopted by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added, followed by a moment of silence. The consent calendar was then taken up and adopted 69-0, including AB 369 and a series of other bills and resolutions. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Officer Paul Philip Jordan, a longtime LAPD officer who served the Hollywood community, and the House adjourned until Monday, April 28 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The very next day I graduated, and our nation awoke to the reality of war.
• It's really a calling, and to train and train and train day in and day out in order to prepare yourself
• of them, because at the end of the day they're taking care of us.
• You're really someone that I look up to every day. Thank you.
• But the fact of the matter is that is not how the VA on a federal basis works every day.

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

Summary: The Military and Veterans, Space, and Domestic Security Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills focused on veterans, military families, and aerospace. SB 684 by Sen. Avila would let certain Florida Retirement System members buy military wartime service credit under updated eligibility dates and expand the definition of wartime service to include recent operations such as New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, and Enduring Sentinel. Veterans and first responders testified in support, and senators said the bill corrects an outdated gap. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1528 by Sen. Collins on educational opportunities for military children. The bill strengthens coordination between school districts and military installations and requires DOE training modules for school staff working with military families. An amendment removing a sunset provision was adopted, and three Hillsborough County students who helped develop the idea testified in support, describing research on military-family school transitions and the need for staff training on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. SB 910 by Sen. Collins, on veterans benefit assistance, was amended and reported favorably. As amended, it allows veterans to work with professional claims advisors while adding consumer protections, including fee caps, bans on initial/nonrefundable and referral fees, required disclosures, and limits on use of veterans’ login credentials. Sen. Collins and others argued the federal VA claims process is too slow and confusing and that veterans need both help and safeguards. The committee also approved SB 1464 by Sen. Wright, which expands FDVA outreach through digital, print, social media, and in-person efforts and requires public events and annual reporting, and SB 1516 by Sen. Wright, which creates an international aerospace innovation fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships with international aerospace companies. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just we'll save that for a different day.
• </c> and appropriate care. and appropriate care.
• </c><00:15:04.880><c> a</c> there when you were racing one day a there when you were racing one day a
• to, you know, 80 a day.
• </c> We need caring teachers. We need caring teachers.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:51.080><c> and</c> with establishing health care and with establishing health care and education
• </c> country uh they served as healthc care country uh they served as healthc care providers<00:09:53.760
• </c> 16 um I don't think we have enough days 16 um I don't think we have enough days on<00:24:39.279>
• </c><00:48:38.040><c> when</c> you oh it's always a good day when you oh it's always a good day when
• </c> for State Grant receip to the 30th day for State Grant receip to the 30th day of<01:35:33.040><c

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Take care. Take care.
• So why do I care so much about second chances?
• They work day in and day out to make sure that we're comfortable when we come to this place and do the
• So we elevate the work that they do day in and day out.
• And so this day I find as a sad day, but also as a day in which we can continue to fight and educate

Transcript Highlights:

• She was also unable to eat by mouth after her first day of life.
• And what the amendment does, it still gives the health care provider some discretion.
• I'm not trying to stop care. I'm just trying to make sure that we've got the right.
• I'm not trying to stop care.
• We learn something new every day in marriage, Mr. Bowler.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• to 60 days.
• Last day was February 17th.
• Last day was March 2nd.
• Last day was March 2nd.
• you do them eight hours a day.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a long agenda of agency rules, with most items approved without objection after brief presentations and no public comment. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s electronic odometer disclosure rule, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and RV parks, lead-based paint, counseling board revisions, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental examiners, nursing, pharmacy, medical board, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these changes were described as updates to match recent acts, federal standards, compact participation, fee adjustments, or cleanup/clarification, and the committee repeatedly approved them without objection. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s broad set of rule changes implementing multiple 2025 acts. Those changes included creating a dialysis patient care technician registry, updating contact information requirements, expanding APRN authority to delegate certain tasks, clarifying death certificate and pronouncement authority, allowing substitution of therapeutically equivalent medications, permitting purchase of compounded products, and updating certified medication assistant rules and training standards. Members asked detailed questions about the meaning of therapeutically equivalent substitutions, delegation limits, compounded products, and how often medication lists would be updated; the board said it would review rules annually and use future rulemaking as needed. The committee also approved new nursing rules for declaratory orders and the new dialysis registry. The Department of Education’s rules drew the most discussion, especially the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify eligible expenses, and streamline approvals. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting certain technology purchases and requiring extra justification over $1,000, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about oversight, appeal timelines, sports equipment, provider credentialing, and whether the rules were too restrictive; department officials said the rules were meant to protect taxpayer funds while preserving flexibility, and they noted the program had received extensive public comment. The committee also approved Education rules for scholarships, residency classification, teacher programs, accelerated learning, and graduate medical education, as well as Labor and Licensing rules on wage and hour standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:22.320><c> about</c> students but anybody who cares about students but anybody who cares about
• And a delivery of health health care.
• </c><01:15:12.080><c> What</c> day. My kid is healthy right now. What day.
• and seven days a week.
• day that everything else made sense.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet we require them to do that exactly twice a day, 180 days per year.
• a day, 180 days<00:47:56.319><c> per</c><00:47:56.560><c> year.
• </c> days per year. days per year.
• rest of the day.
• </c> &gt;&gt; that's three days. &gt;&gt; that's three days.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:15.920><c> or</c> per pupil, uh, please be be careful or per pupil, uh, please be be careful
• care um kids understanding that foster care um kids are<02:03:36.719><c> in</c><02:03:36.880><c> the
• ,</c> partner because at the end of the day, partner because at the end of the day, what<02:12:26.079
• </c> contemporary understanding of the day contemporary understanding of the day that<04:03:04.960><c
• day, every day because um everybody all day, every day because that's<04:37:39.199><c> the</c><04:37

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• resiliency, stress management, peer support, and access to necessary resources such as mental health care
• of so that they can do the work to continue taking care of us.
• of so that they can do the work to continue taking care of us.
• So you guys are my hero just the other day.
• It was an amazing day where we celebrated the lives of 14 souls who had passed in their families.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered only one bill, C.S. for House Bill 929, relating to firefighter health and safety. The bill sponsor explained that it would strengthen firefighter workplace safety and mental health supports by requiring reporting of firefighter suicides, directing the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal to establish mental health best practices, requiring notice about potential chemical hazards in protective gear, and encouraging work schedules not exceeding 42 hours per week. Florida Professional Firefighters testified in support, tying the bill to prior cancer and PTSD legislation and emphasizing the need for prevention and best practices. Members from both parties spoke strongly in favor of the bill, describing firefighters as heroes and highlighting the mental health toll of the job, toxic gear concerns, and the importance of support for firefighters and their families. Several members noted personal connections to firefighting or experiences with firefighters in emergencies. The chair also stressed concern about rising firefighter suicides and the trauma first responders face. No amendments were offered. The committee then voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. Afterward, the chair briefly discussed broader budget conference issues, including agency vacancies, salary information, and ongoing talks with agencies before conference, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that says requested is their objection hearing then so one legislative day.
• They've taken care of those changes to make sure that we did that.
• This will lose about 3,000 to 4,000 jobs in Idaho from the health care sector.
• This will lose about 3,000 to 4,000 jobs in Idaho from the health care sector.
• This forces a very high level of uninsured and uncompensated care in the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, because I do care. As weird as this may sound, I spent a lot of time in there.
• So this is not only huge for me, but it's huge for them because I do care.
• I didn't care.
• And then we come up with some real good solutions, you know, because I do care. Yeah.
• So it's sneaker day. Thanks to Senator Bailey. Yeah, yeah. So I have one more question.

Committee: Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met to consider the nomination of Alexander Dockery to serve as a part-time commissioner on the State Commission of Correction (SCOC). Chair Julia Salazar introduced the nomination, noting that the role was created under recent prison reform legislation and that one commissioner must be a formerly incarcerated person. Dockery described his background as a justice-impacted individual who spent years incarcerated in New York, earned a master’s degree, and now works with justice-impacted people on reentry, housing, employment, and education. He said his lived experience and work in a youth detention setting would help him bring both an incarcerated-person and staff perspective to the commission. Senators asked Dockery about why he wanted the position, how his experience would inform oversight, how to improve correctional conditions, how to reach young people before they enter the system, and how to support the Correctional Medical Review Board in investigating deaths in DOCS custody. Dockery emphasized rehabilitation, education, humane conditions, and collaboration with other commissioners and community networks. He said people with direct experience, including formerly incarcerated individuals and former gang members who have turned their lives around, should be brought back into facilities to speak with youth. On deaths in custody, he said existing reporting laws should be enforced and that timely information to families is important. Several senators offered supportive comments, calling the nomination historic and stressing the importance of lived experience, credibility, and the responsibility of being the first formerly incarcerated commissioner. After discussion, the committee moved the nomination, with Senator Harckham making the motion and Senator Bailey and Senator Bullitt seconding. The committee voted to report the nomination to Finance, and the motion carried without opposition.