Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:22.240><c> staff</c> Statute so that veterans program staff Statute so that veterans program
• programs division.
• The veterans programs division has become obvious that the veterans program staff supporting at-risk
• </c> Jarvis the Director of Veterans programs Jarvis the Director of Veterans programs and<00:08:35.039
• </c> Modernized public financing programs, such as an online donor refund program, empower individuals

Bills: HF1662 , HF1224 , HF1836 , HF1367 , HF1168 , HF1999 , HF1792 , HF102 , HF2127 , HF104

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, foreclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• week after week, problems with the PACE program.
• And I say this by way of, I've had several different windows into this program.
• I've been involved with a lot of similar types of programs.
• CEQA should be stopping many of these programs.
• And today we're speaking about expanding the discount on a program that...

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this 5-year Hawaii Build Pilot Program—who's in the program?
• <00:24:05.560><c> um</c> Program um Program um who's<00:24:07.280><c> in</c><00:24:07.400><c> the</c>
• <00:24:07.480><c> program?
• I mean, like who who's in the program?
• </c> will be or how does how's this program will be or how does how's this program going<00:24:11.400

Bills: SB2069 , SB2177 , SB2342 , SB2060 , SB2544 , SB3011 , SB2061 , SB2552

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: SB2069, Hawaii housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, equity pilot program, housing affordability, homeownership, first-time homebuyer, for-sale housing, transit-oriented development, TOD, transit-oriented development zone, bus route, bus stop, critical workforce housing, health care workers, educators, law enforcement, correctional officers

Summary: The House Housing Committee opened its Friday morning hearing by noting potentially catastrophic flooding on the island and acknowledging that some members were absent helping their communities, so quorum for voting was uncertain. The committee then heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most bills drawing support from housing agencies and community organizations and little or no opposition in the room. On SB 2069 SD2, SB 2177 SD2, and SB 2342 SD2, witnesses largely supported the measures. HHFDC supported SB 2069 and SB 2177, and HPHA supported SB 2342. For SB 2342, HHFDC raised concerns that the bill would alter the Qualified Allocation Plan outside the normal open, public process required by federal law and could exclude stakeholders; Kathy Charities echoed those concerns and also objected to changing point allocations in ways that could raise rents and weaken long-term affordability. Members questioned HHFDC about how the QAP is normally updated, the meaning of the point system, and whether a legislative working group could mandate changes; HHFDC said recommendations would still need public hearing and board approval. The committee also heard SB 2060 SD2, which would create a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund. HHFDC said the subaccount would likely use tier-two funds, estimated at about $100 million total, to support mixed-income projects above 60% AMI, citing Front Street Apartments as a possible example. Members asked about project selection and funding needs. On SB 2544 SD2, OHA opposed the bill’s Chapter 6E-related exemptions and mandatory review timelines, arguing that burial review protections should not be weakened and that the SPEED Task Force process was a better venue for streamlining. The sponsor later clarified that the bill was not meant to eliminate the 60-day review process but to make the deadline clearer. For SB 3011 SD1, which concerns public housing and pet ownership, HPHA and several humane organizations supported the measure, saying it would help low-income residents and seniors keep pets and benefit from animal companionship. HPHA explained its existing pet policy, including deposits, monthly fees, and restrictions, and said the requested funding would support ADA-accessible pet areas and related administration. Finally, on SB 2061 SD2, HCDA supported the bill while OHA opposed it unless protections for Hawaiian Crown and Government lands were strengthened. Committee members questioned the project’s 60/40 split between income-restricted and market-rate units, the 10-year owner-occupancy restriction, and the procurement exemption; the sponsor said the exemption was tied to a real estate transaction and that the project would still use 103D-like solicitation procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several items were left for later action because quorum was uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they had a bill they wanted us to pass that would basically set up a program for having debate programs
• So, they had a bill they wanted program.
• </c><00:11:33.680><c> in</c> program for having debate programs in program for having debate programs
• So I want to this debate program.
• </c><00:45:17.520><c> in</c> building up that internship program in building up that internship program

Bills: HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390 , HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:25.920><c> We</c> program, and a smaller dollar amount.
• We program, and a smaller dollar amount.
• </c><00:14:35.360><c> now</c> call substitute pilot program now call substitute pilot program now becoming
• And um, the last one has to do with the apprenticeship program.
• </c> less programs to kids within this bill. less programs to kids within this bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're going back to the regularly scheduled program, page one.
• I don't use SNAP, so I'm not in the program.
• I mean, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• This will go back to the rollout program.
• DEI programs often include mechanisms for monitoring and addressing discrimination, DEI programs often

Summary: The House met in a late-session floor session that began with prayer, pledges, quorum, and a series of excused absences and Senate messages reporting action on numerous bills, conference committee appointments, and conference reports. Members also adopted a memorial resolution honoring Mark James Hanna, a Capitol lobbyist and advocate for nurses, and a congratulatory resolution for Rishi Tarumalasetti, an eighth-grade civics bee winner from Katy. The chamber also received and recorded a parliamentary colloquy about an unusual Senate request on SB 293, with the Chair stating the House could not recede from only part of its amendments and could not suspend the rules because the bill had not been returned from the Senate. The bulk of the session was devoted to taking up conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions, especially the state budget. The House adopted a resolution allowing the SB 1 conferees to go outside the normal bounds, then adopted the SB 1 conference report on a 107-21 vote. Debate on the budget centered on public education funding, tax relief, health care, corrections pay, and judicial compensation, with supporters calling it a responsible compromise and opponents arguing it was overly expansive and insufficient on property tax relief. The House also adopted a technical correction resolution tying judicial pay increases in SB 1 to the House version of SB 293, and members discussed at length the relationship between judicial salaries and legislative pensions. The chamber then adopted a long series of conference reports on measures covering topics such as school library review and book challenges (SB 13), SNAP restrictions on sweetened drinks and candy (SB 379), hospital price transparency (SB 331), nursing home accountability (SB 457), school district personnel compensation conflicts (HB 3372), property notice rules (HB 2011), research and development tax credits (SB 2018), and several other bills affecting elections, permits, education, and criminal justice. Most reports passed by wide margins, though some drew significant opposition, especially SB 13 and SB 379. The House also granted several Senate requests for conference committees and introduced additional resolutions to suspend conferee limits on various bills as the session moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Act, as well as the weatherization assistance program.
• </c> widespread energy efficiency programs widespread energy efficiency programs like<00:20:47.200><c
• </c><00:20:51.360><c> like</c> backbone of many Minnesota programs like backbone of many Minnesota programs
• Energy Star was actually signed program.
• 29.159><c> million,</c><00:21:30.159><c> but</c> the program costs $32 million, but the program costs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:58.879><c> participants</c> of actions against program participants of actions against program
• </c> investigation is pending for a program investigation is pending for a program administered<00:08
• </c> relies on those that report program relies on those that report program concerns.<00:08:29.680><
• :40.400><c> and</c> foreclosure prevention program and foreclosure prevention program and housing<01:
• </c> insurance program. Thank you. insurance program. Thank you. Thank<02:15:18.960><c> you.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:17.039><c> statewide</c> look at educational programs, statewide look at educational programs,
• </c><01:06:49.280><c> every</c> about the historic marker program every about the historic marker program
• ,</c><01:06:52.720><c> which</c> we don't talk about that program, which we don't talk about that program
• It's called the VIP program.
• </c><01:26:15.520><c> manager</c> Lockach and and their program manager Lockach and and their program

Committee: Joint Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a fourth-year in the program.
• Supply diversity program?
• Local programs make Floridians happy in the area where they live, and programs that local Floridians
• Pete is called the Community Assistance and Life Liaison Program, or the call program.
• Those kinds of programs.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are also some significant one-time funding from the general fund for flexible programs, and since
• There are also some significant one-time funding from the general fund for flexible programs, and since
• The response explained that there are a number of different federal programs, and that the list of programs
• of the programs could be provided.
• The response said there are a wide number of programs and funding streams federally.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:02.280><c> and</c> departments as its programs and departments as its programs and operations
• Can you not move between programs anymore?
• with your testing program.
• with your testing program.
• with your testing program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• I've just, if it's a voluntary program, what prevents employers from doing this anyway without a bill
• , including but not limited to an accumulator adjustment program, maximizer program, or similar benefit
• design that adjusts, reduces, excludes, or... ...program, maximizer program, or similar benefit design

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 20, confirmed a quorum, and approved the May 13 minutes. The first bill heard was House Bill 591, which would create the Paid Family Leave Insurance Act as a voluntary private-market insurance option for employers, with no mandate, state program, or taxpayer cost. Senator Bass presented the bill, offered technical amendments, and after brief questions about why the framework was needed, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then took up House Bill 76, dealing with coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications. Representative Amy Freeman and former Representative Julie Stokes explained that the bill updates Louisiana’s oral chemotherapy coverage law, which had not been revised since 2012, and addresses insurer rejection of newer oral cancer drugs. They also explained Amendment Set 4063, which was intended to restore the bill to the proper posture after changes made in the Appropriations Committee and to prohibit copayment adjustment programs such as accumulator or maximizer programs from reducing credit for manufacturer assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Senator Bass raised a concern about prior authorization language and possible ERISA litigation, and department staff responded that the bill would not alter ERISA enforceability and that the fiscal note already reflected about $67,000 in OGB costs. After the amendments were adopted, Senator Bass moved to report HB 76 favorably with amendments, and the committee did so without opposition. Senator Carter thanked the bill authors for their advocacy on cancer-related issues and offered to help during the interim. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• I've just, if it's a voluntary program, what prevents employers from doing this anyway without a bill
• , including but not limited to an accumulator adjustment program, maximizer program, or similar benefit
• design that adjusts, reduces, excludes, or... ...program, maximizer program, or similar benefit design

Bills: HB591 , HB766

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, cancer treatment, anti-cancer medications, health insurance, copayment, cost-sharing, health policy, 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This just implements what that program does so that we can do the kin-specific licensure.
• Have we seen an increase of people that are now able to be in this program because they are 23?
• Have we seen an increase of people that are now able to be in this program because there are 23?
• Sorry, I have a program manager, Julie Subcheck. Oh, okay. Mr.
• I generally like to introduce, I try to bring a subject matter expert with me from the program whose

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they launched this program. They've been doing it for 35 years.
• So we do have the Ad Valorem Reimbursement Program.
• Speaker, we have a lot of social welfare programs in the United States and just government programs in
• Of course, the senior freeze, that's not a welfare program, but it is a government incentive program,
• a government program.

Bills: HR1051 , HR1048 , SB2074 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of special presentations and introductions celebrating Oklahoma State University, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club, the OSU livestock judging team, military children, poster contest winners, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kurt Emerson, and the Nurse of the Day, Beverly Felton. Much of the floor time was devoted to OSU Day remarks, including a citation honoring the university and comments from Speaker Hilbert, Coach Eric Morris, and President Jim Hess. The House then took up Senate Bill 2074, a pharmacy benefit manager measure intended to regulate PBMs and support pharmacists. An amendment by Representative Jenkins to remove a section of the bill was tabled, and members questioned the bill extensively about reimbursement rates, consumer costs, employer options, transparency, and the impact on independent pharmacies. After debate, the bill advanced and passed the House by a vote of 87-7. Members also considered Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to cap property tax growth. The measure, as amended, would set a 1.75% annual cap on homestead property tax growth and a 4% cap on other properties, with a stair-step senior freeze. The resolution drew debate over effects on local government revenue, schools, roads, jails, and inflation, but supporters argued it would provide strong taxpayer protections. The House passed the resolution 85-9 and then took the additional vote required to refer the constitutional amendment to a special election.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, programs that are locally accountable.
• Senator Soules, Senate Bill 222, Physician Residency Programs. Physician residency programs.
• There was a television program, The Resident. There was a television program, The Resident.
• The residency program is a federal program that is funded with federal dollars, and there is a shortage
• In business administration, and she's part of the camp program.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 211, which would appropriate $5 million for the Las Vegas Rodriguez Park. Senator Campos said the money would help continue upgrades to baseball, softball, and little league fields and address fencing, flooding, and other park improvements as part of a larger regional park plan. There was no public opposition, and the bill received a unanimous do pass recommendation, 7-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 131, a broad housing and zoning reform measure sponsored by Senator Maestas. The bill would allow more housing types by right, including accessory dwelling units, duplexes, townhomes, apartments in commercial zones, small-scale commercial uses in neighborhoods, and would eliminate minimum parking mandates; an amendment to remove height restrictions was adopted unanimously. Supporters, including Pew, housing advocates, chambers of commerce, builders, and some local officials, argued the bill would increase supply, lower costs, and modernize outdated zoning. Opponents, including the Realtors, Municipal League, neighborhood representatives, and several senators, argued it would preempt local control, ignore community differences, and could create infrastructure and neighborhood impacts. After extended debate, the committee tabled SB 131 by a recorded vote. Senate Bill 183 was next, proposing a feasibility study for a regional urgent care or emergency facility in Torrance County. The sponsor and local officials described long ambulance transports, heavy use of I-40, and the need for quicker access to care for rural residents and travelers. The bill drew support from a former hospital administrator and no opposition, and it passed 9-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 222, which would appropriate $20 million for physician residency programs outside the federal system to help retain doctors in New Mexico. The sponsor and supporters said the state loses many medical graduates because of limited residency slots, while one witness urged accountability for large hospital systems. Some senators questioned the premise and feasibility, but the bill advanced on a 6-4 do pass vote to Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama is working on a reentry program for job training and placement.
• It must be earned through good behavior and participation in programming.
• And the evidence is clear: participation in programming improves public safety.
• Peer-led programming is unique because peers add credibility and legitimize programming.
• Appropriate behavior, participation in programming Thank you. to not get good time.

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and sponsor testimony on four bills. House Bill 2310 would elevate fourth-degree assault with a finding of sexual motivation to a Class C felony after two prior qualifying convictions within 10 years, with discussion focused on when sex-offender registration would apply and whether the bill would capture repeat conduct that is often pled down. The sponsor said the bill responds to a constituent’s experience and is intended to increase accountability for repeat offenders. Testimony was split: prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical way to address repetitive sexual-motivation assaults, while defense advocates warned it would trigger major sex-offense consequences, including registration, prison time, immigration consequences, and possible sentencing disproportionality. No vote was taken and the hearing was held open. House Bill 1239, the reentry readiness bill, would increase earned release time to up to 33.33% for eligible offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, make certain enhancements eligible for earned release time, create a two-year peer-support pilot for incarcerated survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, and require victim-notification materials about sentencing changes. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and better prepare people for release, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission said it aligns with prior recommendations for consistency in earned release. Prosecutors opposed the bill, arguing it mainly shortens sentences rather than improving reentry and could reduce accountability. The hearing remained open. House Bill 1228 would allow blood and breath toxicology testing to be considered valid if performed by a lab certified under ISO/IEC 17025, in addition to current state toxicologist methods. The sponsor and several local officials said Washington’s toxicology backlog is causing long delays, sometimes over 300 days, which slows charging decisions and can allow repeat DUI behavior before cases are filed. Supporters said private accredited labs could provide a local option and speed results, while defense advocates asked for discovery protections if outside labs are used. County and law enforcement representatives supported the concept but cautioned against shifting costs to counties and creating unequal access based on local resources. The sponsor indicated an amendment would remove out-of-state labs and add a five-year report-back. House Bill 2464 would require private detention facilities to report serious incidents such as abuse, neglect, deaths, suicides, injuries requiring hospitalization, and service disruptions to the Department of Health and local law enforcement within one business day, and would require annual reporting by law enforcement on calls and follow-up actions. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at transparency and ensuring that incidents in private detention facilities are not hidden. Testimony from advocates, journalists, and researchers described alleged abuse, suicides, hunger strikes, fires, and barriers to reporting at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, and said the bill would improve public access to information. Law enforcement representatives said the bill affects only two agencies and urged the committee to consider the cumulative burden of reporting mandates and the public-trust implications of involving local agencies in federal detention issues. The hearing on this bill was also held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indians or Alaska Natives, and the amount of funding for each program.
• This is an evolving program for us as well.
• Another program, I believe—actually, I don't remember; I don't know.
• There are actually a number of USDA programs that work as well.
• When we were in Tohachi, we heard from the CLEPSI program.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• potential impacts to our health care system here in the state, particularly impacts to our Medicaid programs
• by our partners at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that will be also impacting the program
• by our partners at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services that will be also impacting the program
• or meets the requirements of a residency program.
• , which we found was a necessary step in putting forth an IMG-dedicated residency program.

Summary: The committee first received an update on the effects of HR1 and related federal Medicaid and marketplace changes from Governor’s Office and Health Care Authority staff. Presenters said the most immediate coverage losses are expected in the individual market beginning in January, with premium increases and an estimated 80,000 people potentially unable to afford coverage. They warned that larger Medicaid impacts will follow over the next year and beyond, including tighter eligibility checks, work requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, limits on state-directed payments and provider taxes, new cost-sharing, and changes affecting certain non-citizen adults. They also said the state plans to seek a waiver or extension for work requirements and will continue to analyze impacts, including on rural providers and Planned Parenthood-related services. Members asked about the effect on nursing homes, rural hospitals, and how the state can help providers and enrollees navigate the new requirements; staff said timelines and a state-specific implementation chart are being developed. The committee then heard a report on the International Medical Graduate Work Group and Washington’s efforts to create pathways for internationally trained physicians. Testimony described the clinical experience license, the clinical evaluation assessment tool, grant funding for IMG support organizations, and a new hardship waiver process enacted this year. National presenters said many states have adopted similar pathways because of physician shortages, but Washington and Tennessee are among the few states that have actually issued licenses so far. They recommended clear guardrails, an employment offer before application, ECFMG certification, supervised practice, and data collection to avoid exploitation and protect patients. Members asked about state-to-state variation, retention of IMGs, and whether Washington should pursue dedicated residency or preceptorship options; presenters said the key next step is moving successful participants from supervised experience to a durable long-term license. The final topic was implementation of Washington’s Apple Health doula benefit and the statewide doula hub and referral system. Senator T’wina Nobles highlighted the state’s $3,500 per-birth Medicaid reimbursement rate for doulas and the importance of the hub for referrals, training, and billing. Health Care Authority staff said the benefit launched January 1, 2025, and covers prenatal intake, labor and delivery, postpartum visits, and telehealth-supported services. They reported 336 state-certified doulas, 134 enrolled in Apple Health, 287 unique clients served, and 641 claims paid so far. Testimony emphasized doulas’ role in improving birth outcomes, reducing unnecessary interventions, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health, while noting that implementation is still early and ongoing.