Transcript Highlights:

• Members of... I'm Ron. I'm one of the members of the association. And I did some studies.
• So we are in a place where we do have a backlog of level-of-care determinations, and it is a matter of
• It is just a matter of the timing of when it's available and when the kind of the different slices of
• of managing large volumes of uninsured patients.
• all of the effects of losing access to oral health care. ...all of the effects of losing access to oral

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health began with a hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California health programs, focusing first on reproductive health state investments. HCAI outlined five state-funded reproductive health programs created after Dobbs, including uncompensated care, practical support, capital and clinical infrastructure, and workforce programs. Essential Access Health and Planned Parenthood testified that these funds have served hundreds of thousands of patients, but warned that the uncompensated care program is fully awarded and needs renewal, and that Title X and Medicaid-related federal uncertainty continues to threaten access. Members questioned who the uncompensated care program serves, why Medi-Cal covers a large share of abortions, and whether Planned Parenthood could expand prenatal services; public commenters urged continued support for reproductive health access. The committee then took up long-term care services and supports, starting with the HCBA and Assisted Living Waiver programs. DHCS reported large wait lists for both programs and said enrollment is limited by workforce and provider capacity, while LAO noted that increasing slots alone may not increase access without additional programmatic changes. Members pressed the department on whether more slots should be added given the lower cost of home- and community-based care compared with skilled nursing facilities, and public testimony argued that the wait lists should be reduced and that staffing concerns do not fully explain unused capacity. The committee also heard testimony on congregate living health facilities, where providers and a patient family described the homes as critical, lower-cost alternatives to nursing facilities for younger, medically complex people. Witnesses requested short-term bridge funding, while DHCS said it is proposing to transition CLFs into a managed care benefit by January 1, 2028, which would remove caps and expand access statewide. The final long-term care topic was PACE. DHCS explained that it has paused new PACE applications and service expansions for at least two years to reassess oversight capacity and develop a statewide strategic growth framework, while existing programs continue operating. CalPACE supported the pause as a planning measure but asked for four additional state nurse positions to reduce delays in level-of-care determinations and speed enrollment for frail older adults. Members shared personal stories about how PACE has helped family members and asked how the state will meet growing demand; DHCS said stakeholder engagement will begin later in the year and that some existing applications already in process will continue. Public commenters broadly supported PACE, HCBA, and CLF funding requests. The hearing then moved to the Department of Health Care Services’ 2026-27 Medi-Cal budget and related trailer bills. DHCS said Medi-Cal spending has grown due to coverage expansions, higher acuity, rising utilization, and especially pharmacy costs, and it described proposals to extend the current skilled nursing facility financing framework for one year while the state develops a new value-based payment strategy. LAO said most recent Medi-Cal spending growth has been driven more by higher per-enrollee costs than by caseload growth, with pharmacy spending growing especially quickly, and recommended better and more timely data to analyze the drivers. Members expressed concern about the rapid rise in Medi-Cal spending and asked for more detail on the largest cost increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• population, 85% of the Department of Corrections, or 85% of the population in the houses of corrections
• I’m pretty certain of it—the nature of our economy, the nature of a transient economy, of fishermen,
• I am completely in support of Section 35 of Chapter 123.
• I am completely in support of Section 35 of Chapter 123.
• They need to be sent to facilities that are part of DPH or part of the Department of Mental Health.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session on bills dealing with involuntary commitment and access to addiction treatment, especially proposals to move Section 35 civil commitments away from jails and prisons and into facilities licensed or approved by DPH or DMH. Chairs Velis and Domb framed the hearing as a discussion of how to support people in crisis with compassion, while also warning against using involuntary commitment as a way to remove unhoused people from public view. The hearing also touched on related concerns about discharge practices, treatment capacity, and the need for a broader continuum of care. Testimony split largely along two themes. Addiction researcher Keith Humphreys argued that many people enter treatment under pressure, that involuntary treatment can be ethically justified in the face of overdose risk, but that it should not be mandated unless high-quality services exist first; he emphasized the need for inpatient care when someone is a grave danger, followed by case management and outpatient support. MAMH’s Kate Alicante supported the bill, saying Massachusetts is the only state that commits people with substance use conditions to jails or prisons and that carceral settings add trauma and stigma; she pointed to prior legislative steps, including the Section 35 commission and the planned closure of DOC’s MESAC facility, as evidence that the Commonwealth is moving toward health-based settings. A major portion of the hearing focused on Stony Brook, a sheriff-run stabilization and treatment center in Hampden County. Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, several committee members, and multiple people in recovery described the facility as humane, well-run, and effective, with longer stays, medical monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and warm handoffs to aftercare. Several witnesses said Stony Brook saved their lives or helped family members recover, and they argued that the sheriff’s office model should be expanded rather than eliminated. Others, including family members and advocates, countered that even a well-run correctional setting remains stigmatizing and that people should not be treated in facilities run by sheriffs or corrections when they have committed no crime. No vote was taken. The hearing concluded with continued testimony, including Senator Friedman’s support for Section 35 as a civil commitment tool but not in a criminal justice setting, and her separate support for a bill to speed inpatient mental health treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hospital emergency rooms of 3:1. hospital emergency rooms of 3:1.
• seeing all of this sort of crazy you're seeing all of this sort of crazy chaos<00:40:45.040><c> at</
• And so I think that that is just sort of like another one of those symptoms that is coming out of this
• </c><00:53:51.200><c> me</c><00:53:51.359><c> and</c> of an infection right in front of me and of an
• /c> um the corporate power of um the um the corporate power of um the hospitals<01:03:36.319><c> of</

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coverage because of the type of housing.
• Or outright denial of coverage because of the type of housing that they own.
• the root causes of this lack of availability and the skyrocketing costs of insurance that really some
• I urge passage of this bill, prompt creation of the commission, and an efficient process of creating
• of S. 2738.

Bills: S2732 , S2738 , S2739

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance, referrals, network providers, payment denial, insurance costs, manufactured homes, homeowners insurance, affordability, state regulations, insurance market, consumer protection, mobile homes, firefighting, water supply, cistern program, rural areas, urban interface, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• it to each of the members of the committee, and go through it.
• coverage because of the type of housing. ...or outright denial of coverage because of the type of housing
• of generic medications have a copay of $20 or less."
• The cost of the cost of the cost. Dr.
• There are tens of thousands of residents, many of them seniors, veterans, and working families.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on late-filed matters, chaired by Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Jamie Murphy. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2738 on rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents, S. 2739 on creating a fire cistern program, and S. 2732 on direct primary care. Members were reminded to keep testimony brief, and several legislators and local officials testified out of turn as they arrived. The hearing ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously. On S. 2738, Senator Kelly Dooner, Representative Lisa Field, Taunton Mayor Sean O’Connell, Taunton City Council President Barry Sanders, and several residents and local officials described sharp premium increases, limited carrier options, and confusion over coverage for manufactured home communities. Testifiers said many residents are seniors, veterans, or low-income households on fixed incomes, and urged creation of a special commission to study the market and recommend solutions. Some asked that residents themselves be included on the commission and suggested more immediate relief if possible. On S. 2739, fire chiefs from Hopkinton and East Hampton supported a state fund for fire cisterns, saying many communities lack municipal water or hydrants and need reliable year-round water sources for structure fires, wildfires, and newer hazards such as lithium-ion battery fires. They said cisterns improve response and can affect insurance ratings, but maintenance and installation costs are difficult for local departments to cover. The Massachusetts Insurance Federation opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that insurance assessments are being used as revenue generators and warning that the proposal would add to policy costs and trigger retaliatory taxes. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2732 from physicians and specialty groups, including Dr. Jenny Labonte, Dr. Wendy Cohen, Dr. Rica Nair, and the Massachusetts GI Association. They said the bill would allow direct primary care physicians to make referrals for HMO patients and permit in-office dispensing of medications, which they argued would improve access, continuity of care, medication adherence, and affordability. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Missouri.
• anymore because of a lack of investment.
• anymore because of a lack of investment.
• anymore because of a lack of investment.
• anymore because of a lack of investment.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from each of the two largest caucuses of each chamber.
• the scope of work.
• As we restructure the organization of the accounts, this amendment makes the use of some of the funds
• I don't want to take a lot of time, but I do want to kind of lay out the severity of this problem.
• do want to kind of lay out the severity of this problem.

Summary: The committee took up a series of transportation-related bills and proposed substitutes, with most measures advancing after discussion and roll-call or voice votes. House Bill 2092, creating a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, was amended by a proposed substitute that broadened membership and duties, and it passed 20-6. House Bill 2114, allowing fee waivers for replacement defective license plates, passed unanimously. House Bill 2172, clarifying route jurisdiction transfers and abandonments for highways and local roads, also passed unanimously after a substitute requiring agreements or legislative action for longer highway abandonments or those involving bridges. House Bill 2251, which restructures Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, drew the most amendment activity. Two amendments were adopted to adjust forest carbon language and clarify Ecology administration funding, while amendments to redirect revenue to transportation infrastructure and to split excess revenue differently failed. The bill then passed 18-8 as amended. House Bill 2374, which redefines e-bikes and electric motorcycles and creates a work group on enforcement and safety, passed unanimously after a substitute added stakeholder representation and asked the work group to explore civil infractions and penalties. House Bill 2410, creating a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and increasing a safety fee, passed 25-1 after a substitute changed appointment authority, membership, and other council provisions. House Bill 2552, authorizing WSDOT and a regional transit authority to use MATOC contracting, was amended to add apprenticeship, prevailing wage, and notification requirements and then passed 16-10. House Bill 2588, expanding ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries, passed 16-10 amid concerns about taxing authority and voter input. House Bill 2718, setting timelines and processes for permit streamlining and originally including contractor ratings, had the contractor-rating section removed by amendment and then passed unanimously. House Bill 2722, increasing the vehicle weight threshold for transportation benefit district fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, passed 17-9. House Bill 2727, creating an educational transit access grant program for community and technical college students, passed 21-5 after supporters emphasized student access and equity, while some members raised rural access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• special language allows the Department of Human Services special language allows the Department of of
• This is to make repairs to storm damage from May of 2024.
• Like, it's kind of a hodgepodge, and I would probably question the effectiveness of..." "...kind of a
• Many years ago, I was a recipient of some of these Ms.
• , so this is sort of the last end of this grant cycle.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the rules around inspections.
• Uh, you can find the text of this amendment on page 3476 of today's calendar.
• </c> 3476 of today's calendar. 3476 of today's calendar.
• </c> and the cost of ownership keeps rising. and the cost of ownership keeps rising.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Madam Speaker, point of inquiry. &gt;&gt; Madam Speaker, point of inquiry.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR FIRST ITEM IS A PRESENTATION OF THE AUDITOR GENERALS AUDIT OF THE CITY OF MEXICO BEACH.
• GRANTS OR PREPARATION PROJECTS BECAUSE SOME OF THE STORM COLLECTION SYSTEM REPAIRS.
• THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME OF THESE UNDER THE STATE OF EMERGENCY WHICH CHANGE SOME OF THE PURCHASING
• Collins: OF COURSE. >> Rep.
• OF THE LOTTERY >> Rep.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this is happening, of course, against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis that I know you,
• what we saw before the pandemic would be $1 to $200 billion just in the cost of repairs from capital
• what we saw before the pandemic would be $1 to $200 billion just in the cost of repairs from capital
• We're a coalition of environmental organizations and labor unions here in support of the bill.
• I was actually born in Guadalajara, which is the capital of the state of Jalisco.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would increase the maximum estimated cost of repairs and renovations that can be done by state
• The bill would increase the maximum estimated cost of repairs or renovations that can be done by state
• of highway projects, and authorizes the issuance of $400 million worth of bonds for certain Move Ahead
• And, of course, health care. It's a big part of health care.
• And, of course, health care, it's a big part of health care.

Summary: The committee briefly reviewed four transportation-related bills before taking executive action. House Bill 2347 would repeal the 10% sales and use tax on luxury aircraft; members discussed the bill’s economic importance and its role in supporting business, wildfire suppression, agriculture, and health care, and it passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise monetary limits for state highway repair, emergency work, and WSDOT contracting, including higher thresholds for self-performance and small-business participation; it also passed unanimously. Substitute Senate Bill 6225, which authorizes transportation bonds, drew the most discussion. As amended by striking amendment H-3808.1, the bill reduced general highway bond authorization from $1.1 billion to $800 million while retaining $500 million for SR 520 corridor projects and other transportation funding changes. Members described the amendment as a compromise to constrain future spending, and the bill passed 16-10 with several members voting no or no recommendation. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would advance transportation electrification by allowing certain new manufacturers to sell directly under dealer licensing rules and by increasing the dealer documentary service fee, with part of the revenue supporting EV rebates for vulnerable populations. An amendment reduced the fee increase from $50 to $25, lowering the total fee to $225 through 2036 before reverting to $200. After debate about dealer impacts and direct sales policy, the amended bill passed 21-4. The chair then thanked staff and members and adjourned, noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Solicitation of funds from the public on behalf of the Senate.
• It clarifies the required contents of a notice of claim of a construction defect served on a contractor
• I believe we have agreement on moving forward on the latest draft of the bill, SD 2, and authorize repairs
• false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee a mandatory minimum fine of $7,500 for each separate offense.
• Each act of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee shall constitute a distinct and separate offense.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would increase the maximum estimated cost of repairs and renovations that can be done by state
• The bill would increase the maximum estimated cost of repairs or renovations that can be done by state
• of highway projects, authorizes the issuance of $400 million worth of bonds for certain Move Ahead Washington
• And, of course, health care is a big part of it. And, of course, health care is a big part of it.
• Because of that, we were looking at losing many of these folks in our state.

Bills: HB2347

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that kinship care refers to the care and protection of a child by relatives, members of their
• He's aware of this legislation.
• The purpose of this language, of adding this language to Title 67 in this legislation in Chapter 66,
• They would have to report every one of their donors, whether that person gave for the purpose of the
• and implementation of wildlife crossings as a means of improving public safety and the conversion of

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that has taken up a lot of time, a lot of resources. of the predecessor bill.
• repaired or replaced. ...of the fund is there to replace the highest priority pipelines that need to
• And in the end, when this repair work is being done, you're not avoiding all of that work.
• Yeah, it's kind of two sides of the same coin. It's kind of how I would phrase it.
• Yeah, we, it's kind of, it's two sides of the same coin. It's kind of how I would phrase it.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of San Diego.
• Of that 42%, half are owned by women of color.
• As the industry has grown, some repair shops have used marketing tactics and assignment-of-benefits arrangements
• SB 988 addresses these concerns by restricting the assignment of policy benefits to repair shops and
• For an aye vote in the name of all of the survivors of conversion therapy. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:31.120><c> I</c><00:27:31.360><c> I</c><00:27:31.679><c> believe</c> repair of state dams.
• I I believe repair of state dams.
• </c><00:36:43.200><c> of</c><00:36:43.280><c> of</c> to ask what's the expansiveness of of of to ask
• Open the exec hearing on HB 629-FN, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams.
• I believe I have a repair of state dams.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions and a description of the day’s process: a full committee work session on four bills, with no public testimony, followed by caucus and then executive action. The first bill discussed was HB 113, concerning OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor. Representative Nab presented an amendment that would require a public hearing and Department of Transportation approval, modeled on procedures used in Coös and Grafton counties. Members discussed whether Windsor had already held a local vote or hearing, whether minutes from a town meeting existed, and whether the amendment truly preserved local control. A Windsor resident testified informally that the town had not taken a final vote and that the matter had been left to the state. Committee members also raised concerns about noise, dust, public safety, and the fact that the road in question would connect OHRVs on a state road rather than a trail system. The chair closed the work session on HB 113 and said the committee would return after caucus to vote on the bill and amendment. The committee then took up HB 595FN, relative to coastal resilience zones. Representative Nat said the bill addressed flooding concerns in both coastal and inland New Hampshire, but that the sponsor viewed it as too complex and had recommended breaking the issue into separate parts in future legislation. On that basis, Nat said it was appropriate to ITL the bill, and noted that the sponsor supported that course. No further discussion followed, and the work session was closed. Next was HB 629FN, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams. Representative Darby explained that the original bill had proposed both a waterfront frontage tax and a $5 charge tied to boat registration, but that the amendment would replace the bill by removing the frontage tax, moving the $5 dam-maintenance fee to the boat decal section of statute, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2027. Darby said the larger fee had raised concerns about impacts on current-use property and enforcement, while the revised $5 fee would raise roughly $500,000 to $600,000 annually. Representative Dunn thanked Darby and said the Marine Trades Association supported the revised approach. A question was raised about whether the original prime sponsors supported the amendment; the chair said they were on board, and Darby added that the proposal reflected recommendations from a prior study committee. The committee then closed HB 629FN and opened SB 27FN, relative to dwellings over water. On SB 27FN, Representative Derby said he opposed the bill because it would take away public access rights and amounted to a one-off legislative solution for a private concern. Representative Donnelly asked how many similar structures might be affected and whether the Department of Environmental Services knew of other cases; DES responded that there was one other related case under settlement compliance and no other active cases with the same issue. In follow-up discussion, DES clarified that the proposal was not a shoreland 50-foot setback issue, but rather involved structures extending over public water. The discussion remained focused on the scope of the bill and its potential precedent-setting effect, with no vote taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> caucus of the democratic party of caucus of the democratic party of Hawaii<00:58:45.880><c> and<
• <01:13:03.480><c> all</c> brought up the issue of not of f not all brought up the issue of not of f not
• </c> for the numbers of just like of those for the numbers of just like of those who<02:01:19.000><c>
• of the Department of Alysa C on behalf of the Department of the<02:02:15.920><c> Attorney</c><02:02:
• Because of attorney's fees, we've been fairly compensated, and their homes have been fully repaired.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described. The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 21, which is parts of Marion County, parts of Alachua County, home of the Gators
• of outsized growth of water on the land.
• of benefits when we knew there was a ton of fraud.
• We collect a lot of data on what they're doing. We mine a lot of data. We do a lot of data.
• We mine a lot of data. We do a lot of things.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.