Transcript Highlights:

• This year, Governor Walz has proposed more than a billion dollars in cuts to nursing homes and services
• Unlike nursing home and years.
• <00:02:20.000> homes care is turned into $2 for nursing homes care is turned into $2 for nursing
• <00:03:01.920> home and those who need nursing home and those who need nursing home services
• You know that doctors, nurses, and hospitals are against it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only do they work in their specific lanes and areas as it pertains to school nurse, for nursing or
• <01:19:27.120> and Personnel especially around nurses and Personnel especially around nurses
• nurse for nursing<01:19:59.880> or<01:20:00.120> Comprehensive<01:20:00.639> Mental
• The school nurse is one of the most talented school nurses I know at MDE.
• an LSN as the Minnesota school nurse an LSN as the Minnesota school nurse Workforce<01:50:45.440

Bills: HF6, HF52, HF53

Keywords: education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• The initial assumption was that nursing supports would not need to be provided through this service.
• <00:03:58.280> services required and critical nursing services required and critical nursing
• I am one of the site nurses that works for Accessible Space.
• I am one of the site nurses that works for Accessible Space.
• A grievous impact on group homes and nursing homes, and a huge shift to counties.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> and we have one physician and two nurse >> and we have one physician and two nurse
• >> If you can't staff your nursing floor or your nursing facility because you don't have the correct
• hiring a nurse.
• You mean you have no problem finding a nurse? >> No, they love it.
• Um I healthcare and community nursing.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. It then received an update from DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver on the department’s rural health transformation grant submission. Weaver said the grant was submitted ahead of the deadline, reflected input from communities and providers statewide, and would now enter a CMS review and negotiation phase. She explained that the governor’s office will oversee the grant with DHHS, that some proposals may be limited by federal parameters, and that the department may need to hire some staff to administer the grant, within the grant’s administrative cap. Members also discussed DHHS budget pressures and staffing. The department’s CFO, Nathan White, reviewed the agency’s budget mix, noting that DHHS accounts for a large share of the state’s operating and general fund budgets, and explained projected general fund lapse estimates, which he said are currently just under $20 million for the department. He also described why lapse projections are difficult to predict in DHHS because many costs are driven by utilization and because some funds are statutorily non-lapsing. White reported that vacancy rates have risen, citing about 400 unfunded positions in the current biennium and the department’s hiring freeze, while emphasizing that direct-care positions are being prioritized. Committee members raised concerns that back-of-the-budget cuts and weak revenue collections could affect the department’s ability to manage lapse projections. The committee then heard from Division of Public Health Director Ian Watt on vaccine policy and federal changes. Watt said New Hampshire continues to support access to safe and effective vaccines, including through the universal purchase program and seasonal respiratory virus guidance. He explained a recent CDC change regarding the MMRV vaccine, which now discourages the combined shot for the first dose in children under four because of febrile seizure risk, while still allowing it for the second dose. Watt said New Hampshire’s school and child care vaccine mandates remain stable, with nine vaccines required for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, and that the state continues to review federal recommendations cautiously. He also said there have been no supply or funding disruptions affecting vaccine access, and that childhood vaccine funding through commercial insurers remains intact. Finally, the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias presented its annual report. The subcommittee said it met about six times, heard presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and began work on updating the state’s Alzheimer’s plan, which had last been updated in 2015-2016. To gather more direct input, the subcommittee formed a needs-assessment work group to develop a survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers. It recommended integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease, aging, and public health outreach; embedding cognitive health into systems of care and the state health improvement plan; adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS; and continuing partnerships with aging and advocacy organizations. Members praised the report and suggested it should clearly identify the subcommittee and include page numbers in future versions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Head of Development Nurse Practitioner with Extensive Care.
• My name's Gloria Doherty, a PhD prepared nurse and nurse practitioner.
• I'm here representing the New Mexico Nursing Association and the New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council
• Linda Siegel with all the health care providers, doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, OTs, PTs, psychologists
• Again, Gloria Doherty I'm a PhD-prepared nurse practitioner and nurse, and a recipient of this in the

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• even created a position now for the first time in the nursing profession called a boarding nurse.
• They had nurses trying to take care of those people.
• I did whatever the nurses told me to do, which I still do today.
• Nurses Association. Okay. Apparently elected to speak first. Yeah. Oh, okay. Thank you.
• We would have put tape on the floor and assign nurses to the taped areas as patient bed areas.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on H. 3599, a bill concerning access to historic Indian lands and easements for landlocked tribal parcels in Massachusetts. Witnesses, including members of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Herring Pond communities, said the bill would restore access to family lands that have long been treated as landlocked and had been denied easements by necessity in prior court rulings. They described heavy tax burdens, prior litigation, and support from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, with conditional support from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe pending language changes. Committee members asked about the tax assessments and the status of tribal support, and the chair said the committee would follow up on possible amendments. The committee then took up S. 2922, which would authorize an underground easement at Magazine Beach in Cambridge for the Greater Cambridge Energy Project. Eversource representatives said the easement is needed for a transmission line connecting the Brighton and Kendall Square substations, supporting grid reliability and the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition. They said DCR would receive fair market value and replacement land in Wendell to satisfy Article 97 requirements. No objections were raised, and the panel’s testimony concluded without a vote recorded in the transcript. Most of the hearing focused on H. 5047, which would authorize the Commonwealth to take the Norwood Hospital site by eminent domain so the hospital can be restored. Sponsors, local officials, hospital task force members, EMS and fire representatives, a chamber of commerce leader, and a former hospital administrator all argued that the 2020 flood and Steward’s bankruptcy left the region without adequate care, causing longer ambulance transports, emergency room boarding, staffing strain, and economic losses. They said the site remains a partially completed shell, that the state should be able to acquire it and bring in a nonprofit operator, and that the taking would not require state funding because an operator would pay the acquisition costs. Committee members from both chambers expressed support and asked about costs, timing, infrastructure, and whether a nonprofit operator is being pursued. The chair took the bill under advisement after extensive testimony; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nurse Midwives Association, the primary sponsor of this bill.
• Pat Whalen, on behalf of United Nurses Association of California, in support.
• And certainly in the name of nurse midwife, Debbie Sabelli, who delivered my first child.
• Sosen Madina on behalf of the California Nurse Midwives Association in support.
• Soston Madina on behalf of the California Nurse Midwives Association in support.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion. The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills. The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• , advanced practice registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, has<00:47:53.320> changed
• We can't let a nurse who's on scene respond to this.
• nurses nurses can<00:51:50.840> initiate can initiate can initiate the<00:51:52.920> um
• They're listening to nurses.
• They're listening to nurses.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These providers are then supported by clinical services of APPs, nurses, nurse navigators, and MAs.
• recognized for some of our graduate programs like our nurse practitioner program.
• We hear this regularly, and we get emails constantly from our local nurses and nursing staff about this
• Nursing and some of the other professions.
• Residency program and investments in social work, and especially in the nursing program.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was a nurse.
• Our largest AS degree program is our nursing program. We graduated 316 nurses last year.
• To be a nurse, which, you know, is a very high-demand field.
• And we have tripled the size of our College of Nursing programming to help meet the nursing shortage
• Have the appropriate courses to get me into the nursing major.

Summary: The subcommittee began with an informal “college day” exercise in which members described what careers and colleges they would choose if starting over, often citing factors such as program reputation, location, cost, graduation rates, employment outcomes, and family or personal interests. Members mentioned a range of possible paths including law, aviation, education, construction management, psychology, social work, criminal justice, nursing, intelligence studies, and the arts. Several also highlighted the value of historically Black colleges and universities, dual enrollment, and career/technical education. The chair used the exercise to frame the meeting’s broader focus on Florida’s higher education pathways and student outcomes. Dr. Kathleen Plinsky of Valencia College then gave an overview of the Florida College System and Valencia’s role in it, emphasizing Florida’s statewide articulation and transfer framework, open-access mission, affordability, and workforce alignment. She described Valencia’s record enrollment, high retention, large share of first-generation and working students, and partnerships such as Direct Connect to UCF, Osceola Prosper, and Open Door grants for short-term training. Members asked about guaranteed transfer, apprenticeships, enrollment trends, student demographics, out-of-state residency, county scholarship costs, dual enrollment outcomes, and barriers to expanding career dual enrollment. Dr. Plinsky said the system supports transfer and acceleration well, but funding constraints limit growth in some areas; she also noted that dual enrollment participation is high and that Valencia’s affordability and student support efforts have driven recent enrollment gains. Dr. Jim Clark of Florida State University followed with an overview of the State University System, describing its governance, performance-based funding, low tuition, and strong graduation and research outcomes. He highlighted FSU’s enrollment, research profile, transfer student success, FSU Health, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, partnerships with K-12 schools and Tallahassee State College, and efforts to expand nursing and medical education to address workforce shortages. After the presentations, the committee heard from a panel on student acceleration and mobility: Shannon Mercer of the Department of Education explained the Office of Articulation, the statewide course numbering system, FASTER records, the 2+2 transfer model, specialized AA transfer degrees, and credit for industry certifications, military, medical, and law-enforcement training. Panelists from Kaiser University, Florida State University, and Pinellas County Schools described their institutions’ roles in transfer, advising, career pathways, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jill Pocket with the Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waiving in support.
• Victoria's app with Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waiving in support.
• Victoria's app with Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners waiving in support.
• You're giving everyone the ability to practice on supervised from cardiac nurse nurse is to every kind
• of nurse, and philosophically, I think that's going way too far.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nurse practitioners in the E&T program working a lot around Cleveland.
• So, finally, we have House Bill 34, School Nurse Licensure Provisions.
• Why was that taken out and how does that affect these nurses?
• This sounds like a real basic question, but how does this benefit nurses?
• Why was that taken out and how does that affect these nurses?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, the state of Florida continues to have a focus on our nursing and our health science
• And even our nursing programs continue to see increases in enrollments.
• And even our nursing programs continue to see increases in enrollments.
• Our Associate in Nursing NCLEX pass rate is 92.45%, and we've had 100% job placement.
• Because I've had some questions on it in the nursing field in particular. Okay, thank you.

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first session of the year, took roll, welcomed new member Senator Bracey Davis, and had members briefly describe their backgrounds and interest in higher education. Chair Harrell framed the committee’s focus on maintaining Florida’s top national ranking in higher education and workforce development, with an emphasis on funding decisions tied to student success, workforce needs, and the state college system. Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell presented the Department of Education’s workforce and Florida College System budget requests and data. He described requested increases for adult education, Florida College System program funding, workforce development, and several grant programs, including workforce capitalization, apprenticeship/teacher apprenticeship, Open Door, and CAPE industry certifications. He highlighted record enrollment and completion growth across Florida’s colleges and technical centers, major gains in career dual enrollment, and expansion in programs such as nursing, AI, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Members asked about labor-market demand, the impact of artificial intelligence on future job training, teacher apprenticeship details, mission creep and duplication in CTE programs, student placement and wages after graduation, and articulation between technical college clock hours and college credit. South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins testified about challenges facing a rural college, including low local college-going rates, long travel distances, limited faculty recruitment due to salaries, and the need for more operational funding to expand capacity. He cited strong job placement and licensure outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography, and said the college is exploring AI tools to improve student services and reduce staffing pressure. Pinellas Technical College Executive Director Mark Hunter described strong dual enrollment, high job placement, employer partnerships, and a reported 400% return on investment, while also warning that many programs have waiting lists because of staffing and equipment constraints. He explained how technical college coursework is aligned with state college credit through content-based articulation agreements. The committee then opened the floor for public comment, but no additional business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Skilled nursing homes, on average, cost $153,000 per year.
• House File 2647 is a bill that clarifies that licensed Practical nurses can do tests consistent with
• the Nurse Practice Act in assisted living settings, and they are already allowed to do so in clinics,
• This is about allowing skilled nurses to do a task that they are licensed to do under the Nurse Practice
• The proponents of the bill receive technical assistance from the Board of Nursing to ensure that this

Transcript Highlights:

• scores, nurse competency, less staff turnover, and ultimately resident satisfaction.
• <00:32:42.720> staff is Improvement in nursing staff is Improvement in nursing staff satisfaction
• nursing nursing homes homes homes so<00:37:56.880> let<00:37:56.960> me<00:37:57.160><
• home facilities, long-term care facilities, for nurses is about 53%.
• <00:48:44.880> home national turnover for nursing home national turnover for nursing home

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon adjournment of both chambers today. There is not an exact time, there for the live stream has been created with a place holder time of 4:00 PM est., 958, all

Summary: Chairman Hart called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum, welcomed Representative Rachel Roarx, and the committee approved the February 11 minutes. The committee then moved through its agenda of PSC and related contract items, including a motion to consider the reviewed contracts without objection. One Department of Highways item was deferred when the virtual representatives were not yet available. The committee first took up Kentucky Housing Corporation contracts. Members questioned outside legal services for foreclosures and bankruptcies, why the work was not handled entirely in-house, and how much of the workload and cost it represented. Witnesses said the agency’s need was largely geographic rather than a lack of expertise, that less than 1% of the loan portfolio is referred out for foreclosures, and that many fees are reimbursable through FHA. Both Kentucky Housing Corporation items were approved. The committee then considered a Department for Community Based Services contract tied to a protest and a temporary renewal with PCG. Witnesses said the contract increase was needed to bridge the gap while the protest and RFP process were unresolved, and that the initial vendor received no funds. The committee approved the item, with Senator Douglas explaining his vote as a preference for straightforward answers. The committee also heard a Northern Kentucky University contract for a Workday ERP replacement, including implementation consulting and separate license fees. University officials explained the move from SAP to Workday, the complexity of the systems, and the need for a consulting partner; they said the total effort would span 10 years and that the contract was priced below comparable institutions. After extensive questioning about cost, budget, and value, the vote ended 4-4 and the chair noted the contract would move forward through the Finance Committee if no disapproval motion was made. Finally, the Office of Inspector General presented a contract for culture change training in nursing facilities funded by civil monetary penalties; witnesses said the goal was to improve staff satisfaction, communication, and resident outcomes, and that the CMP fund balance was about $38 million. Discussion also covered survey backlogs and CMS restrictions on the funds, with the item still under review as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the home nursing care part.
• His doctors prescribe 84 hours of home care nursing each week to keep him safe at home.
• His doctor has ordered 22 hours per day of home care nursing.
• Her doctors prescribed 168 hours of home care nursing each week to keep her safe at home.
• This is related to the home care nursing issue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jamie Fukulei, registered nurse Shawn Morish, certified physician assistant Kyle O'Hisa, Dr.
• They are the nurses, across our islands.
• Shawn is a registered nurse at Rehab Hospital of Pacific, who earned his nursing degree at HPU.
• Shawn is a registered nurse at Rehab Hospital of Pacific, who earned his nursing degree at HPU.
• Shawn is a registered nurse at Rehab Hospital of Pacific, who earned his nursing degree at HPU.

Bills: SB2723, HB9

Keywords: law enforcement, State Sheriffs Day, Hawaii, commemoration, public safety, honor sheriffs, HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation

Transcript Highlights:

• And it requires emergency departments to designate a physician, nurse, or paramedic as the lead person
• What this bill does is really assist in making sure we have our medical providers and our nurses, who
• That way, our nurses will be educated before they go actually out and practice.
• Seeing no questions, with one appearance form, Jack Corey, Florida Nursing Association.
• With one appearance form, Jack Corey, Florida Nursing Association, waiving in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment on several health and human services funding concerns before moving through a series of bills. Testimony at the start focused on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, with a client warning that proposed changes to eligibility and drug access could disrupt care for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS, and urging the Legislature to intervene. Another speaker asked for support for the iBudget waiver, saying provider costs have risen and requesting about a 7% increase for direct support professionals to help stabilize the developmental disabilities workforce. The committee then unanimously reported favorably several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7, based on drowning-prevention recommendations. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligned reporting dates with the House version. SB 1718 changed the definition of when an adult visitor in an out-of-home placement becomes a non-visitor, reducing repeated background checks, made the Step Into Success pilot permanent, adjusted foster youth stipends, and created a best-practices program within the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. The committee also approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials provided to new parents and requires hospitals and birthing centers to document compliance; members highlighted bathtub drownings as a key concern. SB 96 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level, while an amendment removed the bill’s specific appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before taking the NCLEX. SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in federally designated areas of critical need if an area is de-designated, to avoid disrupting patient-provider relationships. All bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• She needs to transfer to a nursing home.
• It's a rule that would triple the registered nurse requirements in nursing homes, which is going to lead
• This would lead to nursing home closures across our state.
• Go to the nursing home on your own. That's a broken health care system.
• A nurse from Dalton, Georgia, who falls into the Medicaid coverage gap.

Transcript Highlights:

• impacted our ability to hire nursing impacted our ability to hire nursing staff<00:47:08.000>
• They are being served in other nursing They are being served in other nursing homes<00:56:17.200
• facilities, we have a lot more nursing facilities, we have a lot more nursing hours<01:05:08.200
• like we have some nurses available. like we have some nurses available.
• Because that's a nursing hours per patient day.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with the pledge and prayer, a roll call established quorum, and members announced a Veterans Caucus meeting to follow the session. The committee also recognized distinguished veteran Joe Mash Masterson of Bardstown, who was praised for his Army service, long-time advocacy for veterans, and leadership in the American Legion and local veteran organizations. Masterson thanked his family, the American Legion Post 121, and the VA staff, and several members offered remarks honoring his service and the committee’s practice of recognizing veterans. The committee then briefly addressed a referred administrative regulation, 017 KAR 001 030, which leadership described as technical updates to existing policy; no vote was taken. After that, members heard testimony from KDVA and Finance and Administration officials on the ongoing HVAC replacement project at the Radcliffe Veteran Center. Officials said the system had been problematic for years, that design work began early to accelerate the project, and that the work was complicated by the need to replace the system in an operating nursing facility. They explained that the project was bid in March, awarded to Less Mechanical, and that protective measures, shop drawings, and equipment orders were underway. Committee members pressed officials on why the problem had taken so long to resolve, why the original system had been installed, whether the issue had been communicated regularly, and whether the state should be paying for a replacement in a relatively new facility. Officials said the original system’s components and warranties had failed, that they had tried to replace parts before moving to a full replacement, and that the system’s manufacturer and quality differed from a similar facility in Glasgow that had not had the same issues. They said the current phase one contract was about $6 million, with the remaining funds held for phase two to restore full occupancy; phase two design was nearly complete and could be bid later if funding is approved. Officials estimated phase one completion around January 2026 and full completion around March 2027, depending on funding and scheduling.