Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have Jenny Tellis, who is from Boise State, and she is one staffing this great program, and
• This includes SNAP, TANF, the Age Blind and Disabled Program.
• This includes SNAP, TANF, the Age Blind and Disabled Program.
• The Idaho Child Care Program has historically been And how?
• That program and come back with a revised request for ongoing funds for that program.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee met with a quorum present and began with questions about a Rural Health Funding Task Force. Members asked who created it, what notice was given, whether it was replacing JFAC, and whether it was separate from the governor’s task force. The chair said it was created by legislative leadership rather than this committee, that JFAC would still control funding decisions, and that the task force was intended to provide structure and policy direction if the funding moves forward. The committee then received a General Fund Daily Update from Legislative Services analyst Christopher LaHosette, who noted updated revenue projections, three introduced House bills with general fund fiscal impacts, and the green sheet’s totalizing function for tracking legislation. The main presentation was from the Department of Health and Welfare on the Division of Welfare, Mental Health Services, and Psychiatric Hospitalization budgets. Alex Williamson reviewed the divisions’ roles, staffing, and five-year spending trends, and outlined the governor’s recommendations, including Medicaid eligibility system changes tied to federal law, SNAP administrative cost shifts to the state, Medicaid expansion work requirements, restoration of transfer authority, and behavioral health requests tied to the Jeff D. settlement and Idaho Behavioral Health Plan. Director Juliet Sharon said the department’s requests were largely maintenance, restoration, or compliance items, including system changes for twice-yearly Medicaid redeterminations and work requirements. Members asked about the impact of federal changes, the $5 million increase in welfare operations, vacancy levels, endowment funds, and whether the department could compare SNAP administrative costs to other states. Several questions focused on mental health cuts, the former Center of Excellence, the request to combine adult and children’s mental health budgets, and the effect of reductions on crisis services, ACT services, and mobile crisis units. Sharon and Behavioral Health Administrator Ross Edmonds said the department was trying to preserve crisis and hospital services, maintain separate tracking for children and adults, and monitor access closely while complying with legal and federal requirements. The committee also discussed Magellan’s contract, audit findings, and managed care oversight. Sharon said Magellan is reviewed through monthly, quarterly, and annual deliverables and can be placed on corrective action plans; she also said the department has processes to prevent payments for deceased or ineligible individuals. Members asked about duplication of services, the use of endowment funds at state hospitals, the need for more behavioral health workforce data, and whether the department could share equipment or contract out maintenance at the psychiatric hospitals. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after indicating it would meet again Monday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the SB 302 nature-based coastal resiliency mangrove bill is preventing and helping $1.5 billion in
• Mangroves prevented $1.5 billion in direct flood damages and protected over half a million people in
• information on the safe designation and the Blue Envelope program, which is the second component of
• information on the safe designation and the Blue Envelope program, which is the second component of
• this bill. and the Blue Envelope program, which is the second component of this bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several introductions recognizing visitors, students, local officials, and professional groups in the gallery. The chamber then took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee confirming 42 executive appointments; the report was adopted by a vote of 36-0. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the Ripple Project for childhood cancer awareness and funding. The bulk of the meeting was spent on special-order bills, many of them open-government sunset review measures and policy bills. The Senate passed bills preserving or updating public records exemptions for aquaculture records, trade secrets, and cybersecurity information; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; a commercial driving schools bill; a human trafficking training requirement for nursing graduates; a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and its companion public-records bill; a nature-based coastal resiliency bill with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve; a chiropractic patient-funds bill; specialty license plate legislation; a one-time waiver for late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation changes; the Florida Farm Bill with amendments protecting Everglades lands and technical corrections; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders; disability presumption clarifications for firefighters and law enforcement; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity changes; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and a blue envelope program; public post-secondary safety policy requirements; and a bill allowing licensed agents to market health care sharing ministries. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. Members debated a number of measures, especially the health care sharing ministries bill, where opponents raised consumer-protection and commission concerns and supporters argued for free speech, religious liberty, and expanded consumer choice; it passed 32-5. Other debated bills included the autism law enforcement bill, the school athletics bill addressing coach support for student-athletes, and the Farm Bill, where senators discussed surplus land safeguards and biosolids timing. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, often 37-0 or 38-0, with a few closer votes such as the patriotic displays bill (36-2) and the health care sharing ministries bill (32-5).

Transcript Highlights:

• The program capabilities have expanded significantly and now can...
• Our advisory program assists our statewide risk and program and provides tailored guidance to departments
• And if so, do you have training programs in place?
• And if so, do you have training programs in place?
• So we are growing our staff and we put our staff to a very vigorous training program.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Cybersecurity and the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management held a joint informational hearing focused on maximizing the value of state cybersecurity investments, especially by fully using security features already included in existing vendor contracts. The first panel included representatives from Microsoft, Zscaler, and Palo Alto Networks, who described the products and services they provide to California and generally agreed that agencies often have strong adoption in some areas but still face challenges from tool overlap, limited staff, lack of awareness of available features, and the need for ongoing training and configuration support. They also discussed major threats such as ransomware, data loss, attack-surface exposure, IoT/OT vulnerabilities, and the growing role of AI in both attacks and defenses. Members pressed the vendors on whether state departments underuse purchased cybersecurity tools, how to improve utilization, and how to address the cybersecurity workforce shortage. The vendors said utilization is often constrained by staffing, procurement complexity, and the need to align tools with agency missions and maturity levels, but emphasized that training, leadership buy-in, and regular vendor-agency collaboration can improve results. They also discussed how AI can help with phishing triage, data-loss prevention, and security operations, while warning that agencies must manage AI safely and with human oversight. The second panel featured officials from the Department of Technology, Cal OES/CalSIC, and the California Military Department. They described statewide oversight efforts including audits, independent security assessments, continuous monitoring, advisory services, vulnerability disclosure programs, and workforce development initiatives such as the Information Security Leadership Academy and Cybersecurity Education Summit. Officials said some underutilization is real, but it is often tied to differing agency maturity, overlapping tools, and deliberate feature restrictions to reduce attack surface and complexity; they emphasized a balanced approach using people, process, and technology, with plans of action and milestones to hold departments accountable. They also noted federal uncertainty around MS-ISAC and the state and local cybersecurity grant program, saying California is advocating through federal partners and monitoring the impact. The hearing ended after public comment and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• program and fulfillment of them.
• </c><03:14:27.880><c> the</c> program level costs and efficiency the program level costs and efficiency
• <c> of</c><03:15:18.160><c> them</c> and program and fulfillment of them and program and fulfillment
• EMT Recruitment and firefighter and EMT Recruitment and Retention<03:17:37.760><c> program</c><03:17
• All opposed say no. experiences prevention and treatment experiences prevention and treatment program

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even though we know our students best, we do not have the final authority over programming and resources
• Currently, we have... so the cost of inaction and the case for prevention.
• If that were to cost $20,000 and one of those students were prevented from entering special education
• inability through their ineffective programming to teach him how to read, write, and spell.
• Another is enrolled in the gifted program there. And our third daughter, who is... ...High School.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And any benefit retirement program.
• We have a young people and recovery program, re-entry program, and that's just the name of a few of the
• </c> um re-entry program and that's just the um re-entry program and that's just the name<01:24:24.639
• and first Episode psychosis programs and first episode bipolar disorder programs.
• Um, and disorder and suicide prevention.

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His success is a testament to the strength and quality of TSU's academic programs.
• The Office of Justices of the Peace and Constables is closely linked to the early days of Texas.
• We have programs like A Brother's Keeper, Hopeless People, and Go To High School, Go To College.
• Inaugural class of nursing students in the fall, and the school launched its first program of study.
• HB 633 by BC relating to the days and hours in which the polls are open for early voting by a peer.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We administer the paid family medical leave program, and the WA Cares program is one in which we collect
• And as you can see, it's been quite busy with both getting the program stood up and making improvements
• and program added to the program last year.
• And I do think that, again, the programs are so essential and are very popular.
• family and medical leave program.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee opened its 2026 session with member introductions and a work session on the Employment Security Department’s structure and programs. ESD officials described their roles and reviewed paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, unemployment insurance, workforce services, and agricultural worker outreach. Senators raised concerns about call volume, program solvency, fraud detection, employer access to information, and whether workers can receive leave benefits while working other jobs. ESD said WA Cares is in a limited pilot, PFML has seen rapid growth, UI trust fund solvency is projected to be near the statutory trigger level, and they would follow up with more detailed information on eligibility, fraud referrals, and employer scenarios. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5292, which would replace the current PFML rate-setting formula with a forward-looking actuarial model and require a four-month reserve beginning in 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor, JLARC staff, labor advocates, and employer groups, said the change would improve stability and follow JLARC recommendations; opponents warned it could lead to higher payroll taxes and argued the program is already too costly. The chair said she intended to keep the bill narrow as it moved forward. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6014, a technical bill on pregnancy-related accommodations that would preserve the ability of pregnant workers to request certain accommodations without a doctor’s note and create a public records exemption for sensitive complaint and investigation records; the sponsor and supporters said it corrects a drafting error and protects privacy. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5972, which would remove the population threshold limiting interest arbitration for correctional officers in jails, and Senate Bill 5869, which would make permanent and expand from residential to all building construction sites a requirement that L&I notify employers or owners within 10 working days when a hazard is identified. Correctional officers’ representatives and labor groups supported SB 5972 as a fairness and safety measure, while the sponsor said it would create consistency across jurisdictions. Construction industry groups supported SB 5869, and L&I said it had no concerns but wanted the bill kept narrow; the chair noted the bill’s purpose was to speed hazard communication. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5874, which would allow ESD to waive penalties for minor errors in quarterly unemployment reports, especially missing SOC/job-title information. The sponsor said small businesses were being hit with unnecessary fines, and ESD said it had identified a sharp rise in penalties and was working with the sponsor on possible fixes. The committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason it's weak, so prevention is an incredibly good thing.
• of Medicine, as well as at Rice University and the MBA program, including the joint MBA program with
• Austin have very robust community benefit programs and provide a lot of support for indigent care and
• And we had a couple of programs, 100% results.
• as preventive services, and certain other medications are now preventive services, so there's zero co-pay

Committee: House Health Care Affordability, Select

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• experience to educate others and promote early awareness and prevention of serious complications.
• awareness and prevention of early awareness and prevention of serious<00:13:17.200><c> complications
• others and promote early awareness in order to help prevent serious complications.
• others and promote early awareness in order to help prevent serious complications.
• and support the prevention, awareness and support the prevention, treatment,<00:23:56.480><c> and</c

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So all of that has been going on, and we are looking to program those funds.
• And recent... ...than if we take a step to prevent.
• and major programs delivery and construction experience.
• and major programs delivery and construction experience.
• sequencing and funding strategies for the rest of the program.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to stay there and be red until that program is complete.
• we have in NDIT as it relates to our capital projects funds and our B program, two large grant programs
• Next up is our BEAD program. This is our Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
• So all the people and monitoring efforts are funded by the grant program and coming from the Department
• automated grant and capital controls can prevent noncompliance, spending, audit findings, and funding

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, they cover the soil and sharply reduce erosion and prevent nitrates from leaching into our waters
• Second, they flower early in the season, providing sorely needed resources for pollinators and other
• from</c> erosion and prevent nitrates from erosion and prevent nitrates from leeching<00:22:43.760><
• scaling program, is an intentional effort to integrate that research and development program with farmer
• ><00:25:59.679><c> adoption</c><00:26:00.080><c> and</c> uh program with farmer adoption and uh program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Recruitment and Training Programs.
• program—great faces and great partners and great veterans and spouses all over the state getting the
• And Billy and Susie's resume, or if Sally goes to an entrepreneur training program and she gives us one
• So she's the president and CEO of CareerSource Florida, and Veterans Employment Activities and Programs
• So she's the president and CEO of Career Source, Florida, and Veterans Employment Activities and Programs

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits. Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.

Transcript Highlights:

• learning development by 2028 to modernize and reform the program and to properly prepare educators to
• The logic there being if you're in a JROTC program and you're doing a lot of drill and ceremony, that
• Florida must introduce and implement human trafficking awareness and prevention training for public school
• Chair, and I apologize for having you leave early. Thank you, Mr.
• Chair, and I apologize for having to leave early.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a grant program, and it is established within our budget.
• And it is a great work. the company that managed this program.
• This is a unique program in that it helps those who are 25 and older, correct?
• So maybe early in life they went through the A-plus program, took advantage of that, and now they want
• I had the opportunity. crime and prevention. It was voted out 16-0.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 117-0 vote, and a long series of guest introductions, including 911 officials, school groups, students shadowing legislators, international visitors from Quebec, family members, and various community advocates. The chamber then moved into floor debate on several measures, beginning with House Joint Resolution 115, which would extend personal property tax and homestead tax exemptions to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Members from both parties praised the sponsor’s eight-year effort, emphasized the financial burden on disabled veterans living on fixed incomes, and noted the measure’s broad support; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The House next took up House Bill 2151, a Fast Track workforce training program fix that raises household income eligibility thresholds from $40,000 to $50,000 for single filers and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers without increasing the program’s overall funding cap. Supporters said the change reflects inflation and will help more adults and families access training for career changes and upskilling. The chamber then approved House Substitute for House Bill 2576, a naming bill that included several commemorative designations. Members adopted amendments designating January as Blood Donor Awareness Month, June 28 as Elliott and Muriel Battle Day, and March 26 as PANS Awareness Day; a proposed Josephine Baker Day amendment was withdrawn after concerns it could complicate the broader bill. The bill also included other memorial and honorary designations, including a highway naming for a Vietnam veteran and recognition of a former Pagedale mayor. The House also approved an amendment designating April 22 as Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day, with supporters saying it would promote public safety and education as bear populations increase. Another amendment added infertility awareness language, with members describing the issue as a disease that affects families in silence. The chamber then approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3175, known as Mason’s Law, which creates a system to flag certain driver records for law enforcement when a person has a condition affecting communication; an amendment expanded the notice to include driver’s licenses. Members said the bill would help officers safely interact with people who may have difficulty communicating during traffic stops. Finally, the House took up House Bill 1736, which allows local governments to use certain park-related sales tax revenues for natural disaster mitigation, including stormwater management and the purchase of repetitive-loss properties. Supporters said it would help communities address flooding without turning parks into hard infrastructure sites. The chamber then began debate on House Bill 1887 and related AI and digital-image protection provisions, including measures aimed at preventing nonconsensual deepfakes, protecting minors, and giving victims civil remedies and takedown processes. Members from both parties supported the goal of curbing AI abuse, though some raised technical drafting questions and one member suggested the legislature may eventually need a broader AI task force or sunset review. No final vote on HB 1887 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• NOT ONLY FOR THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BUT ALSO FOR EVAN AND US.
• STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES AND THAT IS THE BILL. >> Sen.
• JULY 2024 OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT ON THE COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION
• PHOTO MUST INTRODUCE AND IMPLEMENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL
• SEEING NONE VOTE IS RECORDED. >> THANK YOU AND I APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING TO LEAVE EARLY. >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the collection, integration, and analysis and reporting of program claims and provider and member data
• to prevent, detect, and investigate fraud, waste, and abuse, and to recover improper payments in the
• and billing issues, communications of programs and policies, procedures, and updates.
• that put prevention and accountability first.
• They have HCBS programs which allow Medicaid-funded long-term care programs for SMI, and they are, and

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the February 4 minutes, then heard Senate Bill 1086, which would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse non-contracting providers for certain lab services when a member was referred by a contracting provider and would bar prior authorization for diagnostic services. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address unpaid claims and improve access, while Access testified neutral but warned the prior-authorization ban could increase utilization and create a fiscal impact. The committee adopted the Warner amendment limiting non-contracting reimbursement rates to no more than contracting rates, then passed SB 1086 as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1611, an emergency measure to require Access to contract with an administrative services organization for the American Indian Health Plan, while keeping Access ultimately responsible for administration. The chair’s amendment expanded ASO duties to include provider support, quality improvement, and data analytics, removed Access claims-payment authority, added tribal observers to the selection committee, and exempted IHS and tribal-facility services. The sponsor and tribal witnesses described the bill as a response to fraud, provider nonpayment, and harm to Native communities, while Access raised concerns about the fast timeline, tribal consultation requirements, possible duplication of program-integrity functions, and fiscal uncertainty. After debate over the emergency clause and tribal consultation, the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1611 as amended on a 5-2 vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct Access to seek federal approval for a Medicaid home- and community-based services program for adults with serious mental illness. Supporters said the bill would create a long-term community-care option for the sickest SMI members, reduce cycling through hospitals, jails, and homelessness, and potentially save state general fund dollars; family members and advocates testified in support. Access was neutral and said it was finalizing a fiscal estimate. The Angus amendment narrowed eligibility to long-term SMI, reduced the enrollment cap from 500 to 250, changed reporting to semiannual, and removed priority-order language; the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1630 as amended unanimously. Later, the committee passed Senate Bill 1193, which protects emergency medical care technicians’ personal identifying information from sale or disclosure by the Department of Health Services, after adopting a clarifying amendment expanding the protected information and addressing commercial requests. It then heard Senate Bill 1318, which repeals the state’s separate dense-breast notification requirement so Arizona law aligns with the FDA’s newer mammography notice standard; the sponsor and DHS said the change would reduce confusion from duplicate, slightly different notices, and the bill was moving forward with discussion of possible future amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• research, driving risk reduction, early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
• A study in The Lancet in 2020 suggested up to a third of dementia cases are preventable. human and financial
• This bill doesn't create a new program of bureaucracy; it creates clarity and coordination.
• This position will have a line of sight into the various programs and funding streams that touch dementia
• and funding streams the various programs and funding streams that<00:04:42.560><c> touch</c><00:04:42.840

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Early evening on his way to the gym, and at just a quarter mile from our home in Albuquerque.
• Chairman and, and Sergeant.
• And so, I feel your pain and I understand what you're wanting to do and, and, you know, it's, Really
• Can you describe just a few of the other mechanisms that we have to reduce and prevent this. Mr.
• And for the families that are in the audience and attendance and those that are online.