Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Public Health Institute. Okay. Hawaii Public Health Institute.
• </c> program and to operate it? program and to operate it?
• </c> Council on Mental Health Council on Mental Health on<00:32:22.480><c> Zoom.
• So mental health is public health.
• So mental health is public health.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several resolutions focused on workforce shortages and program development. STR 145/SR 117 would create a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; testimony from state agencies, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, though some asked for broader representation and legal expertise. Members raised questions about prior studies, staffing estimates, and funding needs for administering a future program. The chair ultimately deferred decision making on this measure to March 28, 2025. The committee also heard STR 55/SR 37 on reviewing the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention. DLIR supported the measure, while the Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent but suggested labor should lead the study. Industry witnesses described long inspection wait times, backlogs, and difficulty recruiting inspectors, and several said higher pay and training pathways were needed. The committee voted to pass the resolution unamended. For STR 64/SR 49, which would establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, the department supported the concept but said resources would be needed and should be included in the budget rather than a resolution; the committee recommended deferral indefinitely. STR 67/SR 51, addressing hiring shortages in the public mental health care system, drew support from the State Council on Mental Health and others, with requests for amendments to ensure broader cooperation and added agencies. The committee moved the measure as a Senate draft with amendments. STR 63/SR 48, proposing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award, received support from DLIR, and the committee later recessed and reconvened for decision making on the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the way that works is that districts are given health care money and it must be used for health
• care money and it must be used for health care first, and only if it's not needed to provide that health
• For full health insurance for each one of those rates.
• We are not designed for medical health or mental health care.
• We need to have other people—mental health and physical health, medical health—taking care of the kids

Summary: The committee received a detailed JFAC presentation on the K-12 public school support budget from Legislative Services analyst Kellan McGurkin, followed by testimony from Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. McGurkin reviewed how Idaho’s school funding formula works, including support units, staff allowance, career ladder salary funding, discretionary funding, health insurance, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund. He explained the FY 2026 revised budget, including a reduction in projected support units and an ongoing $22.3 million general fund rescission, and then walked through the FY 2027 request and the Governor’s recommendation. Major FY 2027 items included health insurance adjustments, transportation growth, federal fund authority, and proposed one-time special education initiatives: a $5 million high-needs fund and a $1 million regional service model, both tied to interest or transfers from other funds. The Governor also recommended eliminating or reducing some items, including virtual school-related payments and a reduction to Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, which would lower the general fund request compared with the agency proposal. Critchfield framed the budget around enrollment trends, shifting student populations, and the need for flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted gains in literacy, graduation rates, dual credit and career technical participation, and said the department wants more categorical flexibility for professional development, technology, and digital content funds so districts can redirect unused money to higher priorities such as literacy or special education. She also described the Idaho Career Ready Students grant as having created 170 new programs and said remaining funds are obligated. On special education, she said costs are growing faster than current funding and argued for a bridge solution while broader funding issues are addressed; she also said the department is pursuing a regional service-center model to help rural districts share hard-to-fill specialists. Critchfield additionally outlined planned federal waivers on assessments and flexibility, and said the state is seeking more control over education decisions. Committee members focused heavily on funding mechanics, especially whether career ladder and health insurance money is distributed per teacher or through support units, how discretionary funds are used, why insurance amounts in the budget book differed from current projections, and whether districts can use leftover health insurance dollars for other purposes. Members also questioned the proposed special education funding, the use of interest earnings from dedicated funds to support the general fund, the size and use of school contingency balances, and whether the state should revisit the funding formula itself. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the discussion remained in presentation and questioning, with several follow-up requests for data and clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support youth Mental Health support youth Mental Health Services<00:50:06.240><c> $3.5</c><00:50
• </c><00:52:25.920><c> and</c><00:52:26.079><c> well-being</c> student health and well-being student health
• </c> trials treatments and public health trials treatments and public health initiatives<00:53:29.319
• Maui Health Systems 1.8 million in Maui Health Systems 1.8 million in fiscal<01:00:18.079><c> 26</c><
• </c> Family Planning and preventative health Family Planning and preventative health services<01:01:07.559

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> aware of Financial and operational aware of Financial and operational issues<00:09:09.839><c> potentially
• </c> organization uh the the partner Health organization uh the the partner Health pool<00:18:49.200>
• a health insurance company.
• Trust which Health are members in Health Trust which Health Trust<02:29:41.880><c> is</c><02:29:42.200
• insurance our health for our health insurance our health insurance<02:32:19.359><c> as</c><02:32:19.920

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been a health unit coordinator at Evergreen Health in Kirkland for 14 years.
• I do my part to keep our health care intact, and not just as a health care worker.
• I've been a health unit.
• I've been a health unit coordinator at Evergreen Health in Kirkland for 14 years.
• I do my part to keep our health care intact and not just as a health care worker.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dinges and the Texas Animal Health Commission.
• We're working with Operation Lone Star, our biosecurity team. We have an operation down there.
• To date over a hundred Texas Animal Health Commission livestock inspectors along with other Texas Health
• Sorry, this fight is about more than animal health.
• . operations.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> exacerbates the youth's mental health exacerbates the youth's mental health and<00:42:34.800><c>
• </c> Investing in a high acuity mental health Investing in a high acuity mental health facility<00:43
• well as input from a health care planning firm to assist with review of operational models, services
• both</c><00:47:06.720><c> without</c> health uh health services, both without health uh health services
• </c> conversations with cabinet for health conversations with cabinet for health and<00:48:25.520><c>

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:01:19 NKU Capital Project Update 0:38:57 DJJ High Acuity Services Update 1:03:53 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The interim Budget Review Subcommittee for Justice and Judiciary received an update on Northern Kentucky University’s capital project to house the Northern Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office and the Northern Kentucky Crime Lab in the former Highland Heights Civic Center building on NKU’s campus. NKU and Justice Cabinet staff described the project timeline: the building was identified in late 2022, lease terms were agreed to in early 2023, a pre-construction evaluation agreement was executed in May 2023, the General Assembly authorized $21 million in April 2024, and the lease and construction agreement were finalized in spring 2026. The project is now being prepared for bid, with construction expected to start in August and occupancy targeted for January 2028. About $1 million has been spent so far on design and related investigations. Testimony emphasized that the vacant building was structurally sound but required major upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roof, windows, a generator, specialized mechanical systems, security, and geothermal work to meet the needs of two separate operations sharing one facility. NKU said it is contributing $3.7 million to the project. Committee members asked about the condition of the building, the urgency of the project, and why the process took so long. Justice Cabinet and real properties officials said the medical examiner’s office had been shut down since roughly late 2017 or 2018, that the state had first sought funding in the 2022 budget for staffing, a lease, and equipment, and that it took time to find a suitable leased location because the facility has highly specialized requirements. Members also asked about operating costs, annual lease costs, and the impact of the office’s absence on families and counties in Northern Kentucky. Officials said the lease cost is based on NKU’s expected maintenance-related expenses, while utilities and staffing are covered through the Office of the State Medical Examiner or Kentucky State Police, with seven medical examiner positions funded in House Bill 500 and two additional KSP positions requested for the crime lab. They explained that, until the new facility opens, bodies from Northern Kentucky are generally transported to Louisville for autopsy, with transportation costs borne by the coroner’s office. No votes were taken, but the committee requested follow-up information, including lease cost numbers and additional details on facility usage and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Operation flow.
• of interest or a prior operator.
• The question was raised whether the Clean Bill of Health only protects the operator and the certificate
• Once the well was drilled and ran dry, the operator would get the clean bill of health and make sure
• He said that once the well is drilled and runs dry, the operator would get the clean bill of health and

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This came in the operating budget.
• This came in the operating budget.
• of Health.
• Program operators pay for DOH oversight through annual fees.
• And Ecology does operate a number of those and has the tools to do it.

Summary: JLARC met on April 8, 2026, with Senator Keith Wagner chairing in person and Rep. Pallett joining remotely. The committee approved the January 7 minutes and honored Marilyn Richter, who is retiring in June after more than 12 years of service to JLARC and the Citizens Commission. Staff then gave a legislative recap and work plan update, noting that the legislature adopted six bills or provisos implementing recommendations from recent JLARC reports, and that JLARC received seven new study assignments, including reviews of state oversight mechanisms for fraud, waste, and abuse and State Patrol toxicology lab delays. The committee approved the updated 2025-27 work plan, including the new assignments and the required 2027 lodging tax review. The committee also heard about a new anonymous post-meeting member survey tied to JLARC performance measures, then considered the final report on ignition interlock device compliance and monitoring. Staff reported that 59% of drivers with ignition interlock requirements had not installed a device as of June 2025, with installation rates rising by income, and found problems in the Department of Licensing’s financial assistance program and in coordination between DOL and the State Patrol. The report recommended clearer goals and responsibilities for DOL, a formal interagency agreement, and a coordinated plan to raise installation rates; both agencies concurred. Members discussed whether noncompliance reflected continued driving or people stopping driving, and agency representatives said some drivers do stop driving while others take the risk. The committee approved the final report. JLARC then reviewed the drug take-back fee setting and expenditures report. Staff said the Department of Health’s oversight costs had outpaced fee revenue because the statutory fee cap is tied to program operator spending, and recommended public reporting of oversight costs and a legislative change to allow full cost recovery. Members debated transparency, the risk of overpricing the program, and whether Ecology might be a better home for the program; the committee adopted a comment urging transparency and a future review of best practices before fee-structure changes, then approved the final report with that comment. Finally, staff presented the scope and objectives for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard study, focused on large state-owned and K-12 buildings due to comply by June 2026. Members asked about fines, funding, workforce constraints, and how costs and energy savings would be measured; staff said the study would examine compliance costs, savings, funding sources, and variation by building characteristics. The meeting adjourned after administrative announcements about upcoming JLARC meetings and the survey reminder.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee also includes recurring appropriations to the Department of Health and UNM Health Sciences
• services while strengthening the health of the health care workforce statewide.
• So, under the personal care health care.
• That's for operations of the African American Art Performing Arts Center.
• That's the main source of their operating budget. Okay, thank you. That one cleared up.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we must understand the current status of health care and mental health here in the state of Missouri
• , a behavioral health provider down in Southwest Missouri.
• that is otherwise operating lawfully, provided that the operator is authorized by the FAA to conduct
• lawful operations in that airspace.
• Dealing with operators of the main aircraft being used for commercial purposes that are otherwise operating

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1747, an artificial intelligence-related measure. Members adopted a House committee amendment and then a substitute. The sponsor explained the amendment standardized the definition of AI, changed mandatory language to permissive language to address First Amendment and business concerns, clarified language about using marks to avoid damages, and limited the bill’s reach to future conduct rather than retroactive requirements. The committee then voted the House committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 5 ayes, 3 noes, and 2 present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1092, which would allow social worker supervisors to qualify after three years of practice instead of five. Senator Patty Lewis said the bill is intended to address Missouri’s mental health workforce shortages and would not change licensure, education, supervised hours, or scope of practice requirements. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers, Missouri Chapter, and Burrell Behavioral Health said the current five-year requirement creates a bottleneck, especially in rural areas, and that the bill would help more clinicians enter supervision roles sooner. No opposition was presented. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1421, a drone/public safety bill. Senator Schroer said the bill strengthens law enforcement tools against dangerous unmanned aircraft near critical infrastructure and other sensitive sites, while adding a carve-out for lawful commercial drone operations authorized by the FAA. Committee members asked about the definition of critical infrastructure and whether the bill could affect commercial drone delivery operations; the sponsor said the commercial exemption was added to avoid harming lawful business uses. Testimony in support came from the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and no opposition was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ve been a health unit coordinator at Evergreen Health in Kirkland for 14 years.
• I do my part to keep our health care intact, and not just as a health care worker.
• I've been a health unit.
• I've been a health unit coordinator at Evergreen Health in Kirkland for 14 years.
• I do my part to keep our health care intact and not just as a health care worker.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what's the shortage on the operating cost? I guess that's an operating cost for just utilities.
• However, our operational standard operating procedures dictate that we fly for safety measures with a
• that focuses primarily on health care.
• This is a big money operation here.
• Are we short on heavy equipment operators?

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> become then hired as mental health become then hired as mental health support<00:02:01.520><c> positions
• </c><00:02:06.280><c> needs</c> we have significant mental health needs we have significant mental health
• </c><00:04:48.640><c> services</c> those necessary mental health services those necessary mental health
• </c> health professionals in our schools." health professionals in our schools."
• </c> $1.9 million to keep the mental health $1.9 million to keep the mental health of<00:18:04.880><c

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the issuance of associated birth records and documentation, referred to the Committee on Public Health
• HB 3454 by Combs, relating to the liability of a vehicle storage facility operator for money owned and
• , referred to the Committee on Public Health.
• HB 3514 by Canales, relating to the operation of a program at the Texas Department of Transportation
• Gates relating to the multi-family residential developments financed, owned, or operated.

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just going over chief information officer apartment health.
• All of these operate with human oversight.
• I represent a company called Kamber Health.
• Skinner. >> At least a department health.
• And I can't get 0 fast enough to like get me to a human operator.

Transcript Highlights:

• It fits in every single operation.
• Bud Dingis, Animal Health Commission, Dr. Thomas Lansford III, Animal Health Commission, and Dr.
• Animal Health Commission. Dr. Thomas Lansford III. Animal Health Commission, Dr.
• Management and Unified Command alongside Texas Animal Health Commission, Department of State Health
• As an agency, we're keen on protecting animal and human health, economic health, and environmental health

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to expand a little bit into the mental health arena as well.
• And that the operating expenses at New College per student is $83,000.
• Just normal operating costs in that $35,000? Chair Broder [ID: member_524]. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator Trumbull [ID: member_747], Department of Health. My favorite subject.
• Senate Bill 2518, a bill to be entitled an act relating to health. Debate on the bill?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was referring to the Health Insurance Trust Fund Oversight Board. Yeah, the rural health.
• Health Transformation Program.
• State employees only pay about 7% of their health insurance costs.
• Because some counties operate differently. So, Madam Whip and members...
• We're going on to the Committee of Health and Human Services...

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Department of Public Health. I work with the Department of Public Health.
• Susanna Gandy with the California Department of Public Health. I'm a health physicist.
• I'm an associate health physicist at the California Department of Public Health, and I urge you to support
• I'm an adolescent health research scientist at the California Department of Public Health, and I ask
• As a level one adult pediatric trauma center and primary safety net provider, UC Davis Health operates

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all