Transcript Highlights:

• Critical access hospitals and certain rural hospitals are eligible to convert to a rural emergency hospital
• Rural emergency hospitals are allowed to provide emergency department services, observation care, and
• Rural emergency hospitals are allowed to provide emergency department services, observation care, and
• be treated similarly to a critical access hospital when it comes to cost-based reimbursement, and also
• We need to put them into the Medicaid statute so they can be treated similarly to a critical access hospital

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6103, which would make Medicaid payments for services provided by rural emergency hospitals subject to appropriation. Committee staff explained that rural emergency hospitals are a federal Medicare provider type created in 2020, that they may provide emergency and limited outpatient services but not general inpatient care, and that Washington currently has no designated rural emergency hospitals. The bill would update state law so these facilities can be recognized in the Medicaid statute; staff said the fiscal note showed no fiscal impact. Public testimony was entirely in support. Lisa Thatcher of the Washington State Hospital Association said the bill is needed to align state law with the federal designation, allow cost-based reimbursement similar to critical access hospitals, and preserve eligibility for SNAP-related payment treatment. Todd Nida, CEO of East Adams Rural Health Care, said his facility is seeking to become the first rural emergency hospital in Washington and warned that without the bill, conversion would reduce reimbursement and threaten financial viability. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the public hearing on SB 6103. The committee then announced upcoming budget release, hearing, amendment, and executive action dates, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must continue to explore innovative ways to improve affordability while maintaining access to high-quality
• and the way we deal with each other publicly sometimes, they want to be able to have access to that
• I think that we should be increasing access to our elections, and I think there are better models to
• We want to protect student data, keep humans in the loop, pay attention to bias, pay attention to accessibility
• I want to thank Carol Wilson from the Division of Legislative Services for bringing this error to our

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DCFS in the off-ramping of some of the services or systems provided, and that they were continuing to
• be able to access and continue the implementation that they've done in the state.
• And aside from finding a product or a service that would do this, we also had to find out how are we
• We have access to this money because we didn't spend all of our allocation in the last federal year.
• service, if we continue a service and the waiver continues to put in place, and the potential for a

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee reviewed three DHS service contracts: a $690,000-plus sole-source contract for DCFS with Evident Change for maintenance and operation of the Child Welfare Structured Decision-Making Assessment tools; a $1.2 million contract with Sifter Solutions for a SNAP waiver compliance solution and related app; and a $156,000 contract with Samaritan Integrative Services for psychiatric services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. Staff said the Evident Change contract was needed to keep daily safety risk assessments, case planning, and reunification tools functioning, and that the vendor’s proprietary system made it sole source. Members questioned DHS about reliance on the vendor, the lack of an off-ramp, whether the state was paying more or less annually, and why the contracts were not aligned on the same cycle. DHS and the vendor said the new Evident Change contract was limited to maintenance and operations, that no additional services or employees were being added, and that the broader CQI/review contract would come up separately later. For the SNAP waiver contract, DHS explained that the waiver is intended to exclude certain unhealthy foods from SNAP purchases to improve nutritional value, and that Sifter Solutions would provide a dynamic list for retailers and an app for clients to check products by barcode. DHS said the contract is sole source because it is tied to the waiver implementation and because the vendor can provide the needed dynamic list and education features. Staff said the contract would be funded with remaining federal SNAP Nutrition Education dollars that would otherwise revert to the federal government, and that the University of Pennsylvania would conduct the evaluation at no cost. Members asked about the public benefit, future renewals, and whether the state would own the application; DHS said the two-year term was designed to match the waiver period and allow time to reassess future procurement options. Members also asked about the nutrition education component, and DHS said it is developing videos with a nutritionist on preparing budget-friendly healthy meals and plans to link them to the app and website. After discussion, no objections were raised, and the items were reported as reviewed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the minors and the access to the material is judged by that adolescent minor standard.
• This does not seem to be in service of an informed and participatory public.
• without broadly limiting services to minors and families.
• First, it embraces a government speech approach to library access.
• If access to ideas exists only by government permission, then it is not intellectual freedom.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the minors and the access to the material is judged by that adolescent minor standard.
• This does not seem to be in service of an informed and participatory public.
• without broadly limiting services to minors and families.
• First, it embraces a government speech approach to library access.
• If access to ideas exists only by government permission, then it is not intellectual freedom.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee took up Senate Bill 1448, with Senator Todd Lakey explaining that the measure makes technical revisions to Idaho’s obscenity-related library law in response to recent court decisions and language suggested by the Attorney General’s office. He said the bill does not change the underlying policy from the earlier law, but updates definitions such as “adolescent minor,” clarifies exceptions for things like breastfeeding, childbirth, medical treatment, and non-erotic contact, and aligns the statute more closely with the Miller test and current case law. Several library and public witnesses testified in opposition. They argued the bill would still chill access to constitutionally protected materials, create liability for libraries, and force subjective judgments by librarians and boards. Speakers from the Community Library, Idaho Library Association, Library Alliance of North Idaho, and individual residents also criticized the process and timing of the bill, saying it limited public scrutiny. One witness raised concern about language referencing homosexuality in the definition of sexual conduct, while another urged repeal of the law rather than further revisions. After Senator Lakey closed, Senator Foreman moved to send SB 1448 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, seconded by Senator Kaiser. Senator Ruchti said the bill’s history gave him pause but acknowledged the new language appeared to improve the statute. The committee approved the motion, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no, and sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill strengthens teachers' workforce by expanding access to teacher apprenticeship programs to grow
• It also clarifies Title I spending flexibility and ensures charter schools access to available programs
• with more flexible long-term planning expectations and allows districts to scale architectural services
• The bill strengthens teachers' workforce by expanding access to teacher apprenticeship programs to grow
• and it clarifies Title I spending flexibility and ensures charter schools access to available programs

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School statutes to remove outdated language, clarify governance and funding provisions, authorize a direct support organization, streamline reporting, and clarify district responsibilities for student assessments. Senator Berman asked about the removed enrollment prioritization and reporting changes, and the bill sponsor explained that the reporting was largely duplicative of existing audits and other reports. Florida Virtual School’s representative testified in support, saying the school is open to all students statewide with no enrollment caps or waiting lists. SB 124 was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered confirmation appointments in tabs 3 and 4 and recommended confirmation of all appointees on a single favorable vote. After that, the committee heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which would reduce district mandates, expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts, create a 10-year renewable professional certificate, simplify testing and accountability rules, increase flexibility for district finances and facilities planning, and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs to school districts. Senators Gaetz and Berman questioned the impact on charter school funding, capital dollars, teacher contracts, and how the bill differed from last year’s version. The sponsor said charter schools would retain access to operational funds, the bill does not eliminate annual audits, and the main substantive change from last year was the multi-year teacher contract provision. Several organizations and district representatives waived in support of SB 320, while Florida Citizens Alliance testified in information, praising some testing and licensure changes but suggesting a cap on multi-year contracts and outside auditing safeguards. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that districts would still be subject to annual audits and that the bill is intended to give schools more flexibility and reduce bureaucracy. SB 320 was reported favorably on a roll call vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it expands access to employment opportunities for education, commerce, and health care.
• allowing visitors to our state to access our trail towns.
• While I know President Pasadomo and Senator Burton worked hard to improve health care access to rural
• Members, we are going to move to Tab 3, SB 218, tax exemption for disabled ex-service members by Senator
• Today, I come before you to ask for your support of SB 218, property tax exemption for disabled ex-service

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and advanced four bills. SB 110, by Senator Simon, proposed a broad rural communities package creating a state Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for declining-population counties, higher SHIP housing allocations, new rural road funding, additional support for rural schools, and expanded rural health care resources. The bill drew extensive support from local officials, chambers of commerce, and rural advocates, with senators praising its local control and economic-development focus. It was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 218, by Senator Arrington, which would increase the ad valorem tax exemption for disabled ex-service members or their surviving spouses from $5,000 to $10,000. An amendment was adopted clarifying that the change applies beginning with the 2026 tax roll. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. Next, SB 384, by Senator Burton, would require written notice to each member of the local legislative delegation when a municipality annexes state-owned land, and it also clarified related annexation language. After a brief question about the amendment, the bill as amended was reported favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 68, presented by Senator Trumbull for Senator Martin. The bill would allow not-for-profit organizations such as hospitals to bond for debt service and related purposes, including construction and refinancing projects. With no amendments, no opposition, and no debate, SB 68 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• our state, our devotion to public service, and one in the desire for doing the will of the people, especially
• to uplift others and create opportunities. and service projects.
• to be able to access all of that information and be able to get that in time to vote.
• The right to vote is something that everyone should have access to, and we should be expanding that access
• who don't have easy access to these documents.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 117-1 vote. Members then spent a large portion of the morning introducing guests, including students, civic groups, fraternity and sorority members, county officials, and visitors from various districts. The Speaker also suspended business several times to sign enrolled bills, including Senate substitute for House Bill 261, House Bill 2641, Senate substitute for House Bill 2423, and House Bill 2934. The chamber then debated House Concurrent Resolution 48, which urges Congress to pass the SAVE Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Supporters argued it would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizens from voting, while opponents said it would create burdens, function like a poll tax, and disenfranchise eligible voters, especially women, rural residents, students, military members, and people who move or change names. After a motion for the previous question passed 93-42, the House adopted HCR 48 by a vote of 92-43. The House also passed House Concurrent Resolution 23, a federalism resolution affirming state control over elections, by a unanimous 137-0 vote after committee leaders said it had broad bipartisan support. The House then perfected and printed House Bill 2855, which adjusts workers’ compensation fund tax increments from 0.5% to 0.1% to better match receipts with expenditures; an amendment allowing replacement of attorneys in long-running permanent total cases was adopted first. Members also perfected and printed House Bill 1906, a short bill allowing township counties to authorize annual, semiannual, or quarterly payment of real and personal property taxes by ordinance. The session ended with announcements and a motion to recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without an ID, there's no access to jobs, housing, and other vital services. In fact, St.
• And so have we now just made them an Arizona resident who is now eligible to vote, to get access, to
• that with the access to that, sir.
• cut down on the fraud within our access, and we need to be able to say... ...within our access, and
• Driver's licenses were recently added to our list of services.

Bills: SB1059 , SB1209 , SB1273 , SB1332 , SB1452 , SB1456 , SB1549 , SB1552 , SB1818 , SB1826 , SB1827

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, nonoperating identification, homeless exemption, veterans, emancipated minors, Arizona Department of Transportation, transportation, infrastructure, pavement rehabilitation, funding, Arizona, SB1332, light rail, light rail expansion, Maricopa County, Phoenix

Transcript Highlights:

• These services are specifically designed to remove barriers that hinder adults from completing their
• We believe that with an education and the proper tools and the access to the opportunity, individuals
• The expansion of sales tax is to some services, vending machine decal fees, and an increased minimum
• How are we providing that access to the curriculum, for example, within these different categories?
• have been required to provide those services.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are there places that are not accessible are there places that are not accessible to<00:15:33.120
• </c><00:18:55.760><c> access</c><00:18:56.480><c> data</c> even people who work here to access data even
• So, if you want to access those older documents going all the way back to 1975, you can find those on
• So, if you want<00:20:33.520><c> to</c><00:20:33.679><c> access</c><00:20:34.000><c> those</c><00:20:
• 34.320><c> older</c><00:20:34.720><c> documents</c> want to access those older documents want to access

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:22.080><c> to</c> could be that they've gained access to could be that they've gained access
• face with regard to access to care.
• challenges Minnesotans face with regard to access to care.
• ><c> a</c> services are going to be delivered at a services are going to be delivered at a more<01:13
• </c><01:23:43.040><c> to</c> Um leaving patients without access to Um leaving patients without access

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to give Connor a voice. I'm here to ask you to save lives.
• Within these facilities, detained individuals often have limited access to clean water and are given
• They are fighting every day to access justice for everyone. But it is progress nonetheless.
• They are fighting every day to access justice for everyone. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• I understand and take you at your word that you want to provide that service and that access to people

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on criminal justice, public safety, and detention-related issues. SB 498 by Senator Becker would make electronic messaging free for incarcerated people in CDCR facilities and end 15-minute limits on voice calls; the author and supporters argued it would strengthen family ties and rehabilitation, while no opposition testified. SB 953 by Senator Niello would require two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even when diversion is granted; victims’ family members and law enforcement groups supported it as an accountability measure, while the ACLU and Debt-Free Justice California opposed it, arguing diversion should remain an incentive for rehabilitation and safer roads. The committee also heard SB 1306 by Senator Cortese, which would align state law with federal exemptions for certain GBL-containing chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing; the author and SEMI said it would reduce unnecessary regulation and protect California’s semiconductor industry, and there was no opposition testimony. Members also considered SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost. The author and supporters described high prices for basic necessities and poor conditions in private detention centers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 691 by Senator Wahab would require law enforcement body-camera policies to include a process for EMS personnel to request redaction of recordings before public release when patients are receiving medical treatment; supporters said it would protect patient privacy, while the Sheriff’s Association opposed it as duplicative and potentially confusing. SB 562 by Senator Ashby would allow partial refunds of bail bond premiums when charges are not filed or are dropped early; supporters framed it as a fairness measure for low-income families, while bail industry representatives and victims’ advocates warned it could discourage bail agents from posting bonds and could affect domestic violence cases. The committee also took up several additional measures on consent or with no opposition testimony, including AB 2796, SB 891, SB 1012, and SB 1143. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 953, SB 1306, and SB 941, and to move SB 498, SB 691, and SB 562 forward as well, with some votes initially held open for absent members. Several bills were pulled by their authors and not heard, including SB 1004, SB 1208, SB 1338, and SB 1401. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning until the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to make sure that committee members will have access to that because I think it's safe to
• I know when you get to South King County, we do not have the same access to bus services and other things
• This is AI coming to help you deliver services to the community.
• that this form of ownership and tenure can work to provide farmers with access to farmland, to provide
• It is finding access to long-term financing.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations. The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices. Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• hire the company to go... ...to that.
• These advanced qualifications ensure that Delaware students have access to highly trained mental health
• These advanced qualifications ensure that Delaware students have access to highly trained mental health
• When districts can't fill these positions, they are forced to contract services at premium rates.
• Furthermore, the bill's focus on expanding access to school-based mental health services and staffing

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is, what are some options for you both to potentially increase access, if that's what you'd like
• and make sure that students have access to these programs?
• But the other piece uh that I mentioned earlier is access to other things.
• The discrepancies in access to those kinds of programs both affect the, the programming offered.
• To be uh designated as a Purple Star School, showing their commitment, um, to honoring military service

Transcript Highlights:

• give priority to students who need expanded access to court to courses.
• The bill expands services available for children with special needs to include infants and toddlers.
• assistance for working families, but also preserving parental choice by way of access to high-quality
• It ensures the uniform waitlist collection tracks information on children waiting for services to provide
• School officials most work directly with local emergency services providers to integrate this plan into

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to</c><00:10:24.320><c> Minnesota's</c> Equitable access to Minnesota's Equitable access to Minnesota's
• /c><00:29:13.840><c> pel</c> table we want them to access those pel table we want them to access those
• financial</c> want them to access our State financial want them to access our State financial aid<00
• > and</c> services to Minnesota families and services to Minnesota families and students<00:41:12.640
• access to programs that they have earned.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That local loan servicing that we’ve talked about is a very important thing to have locally.
• We’ve been continuing to grow our servicing portfolio every year, every month.
• There are points provided for increasing access to income and access to earned benefits.
• grow, their access to income or increases in income is less than others.
• And so those, you know, I trust that those will be accessed by the interested parties to, as far as disseminating

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division of the budget section and received updates on several Industrial Commission-related agencies and programs. Legislative Council first reviewed base budget materials, then the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported on its current appropriation and staffing, noting that its new FTEs were being filled gradually and that it remained largely funded through special and federal funds. Agency leaders described homeownership lending, loan servicing, and housing incentive fund activity, including below-market mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and a growing servicing portfolio that has increased workload but not yet required additional FTEs. Housing Finance also detailed use of the Housing Incentive Fund and homeless grant dollars. Officials said the multifamily HIF round drew more than $73 million in requests and awarded $25 million, while the single-family program supported rural development and community land trusts. Homeless grant funding was split between emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid rehousing, with performance-based scoring used to renew or reallocate awards. Members discussed housing affordability, aging households, rental assistance, and the need to coordinate housing and site-preparation messaging with Commerce. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased in the next session. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and operations update. Staff said the agency was on track financially, had filled most of its new reclamation FTEs, and was not expecting major litigation costs beyond normal late-biennium invoices. The director reviewed agency initiatives including Project North Star IT modernization, organizational restructuring, succession planning, rulemaking, and implementation of the development incentive well tax program and critical minerals rules. He also discussed oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals, especially three- and four-mile wells and the first five-mile spacing case, are helping keep production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. Members asked about gas capture, hedging, break-even prices, and the effects of Iran and Venezuela on oil markets. The committee also heard about enhanced oil recovery grants and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with total awards reaching about $45.1 million when other fund balances were included, subject to a possible 5% reduction if federal DOE money does not materialize. Officials said the projects are public, reimbursement-based, and will produce results over the next several years. Finally, the Pipeline Authority outlined natural gas transmission projects, including the imminent Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which WBI was selected to advance after an Industrial Commission RFI process. The project is moving through open season, survey permission, and regulatory work, with in-service dates projected for 2029 and 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• to telehealth mental health services.
• Health services in schools, with findings reported to state leaders.
• use the interest on client money in law firm trust accounts to fund legal aid services.
• I had to educate myself on the very systems meant to protect me and fight for access to the resources
• , and schools to ensure that Florida's foster youth have access to the opportunities they deserve.

Keywords: 999, senate, all