Transcript Highlights:

• And we're really grateful, and we're really grateful for both of you carrying the application and for
• And we're really grateful and we're really grateful for both of you carrying the application and for
• With the amendments, this bill will require regulations and consultation with OCA to be re-evaluated
• The findings of the evaluation will be reported as required under existing law at a public meeting on
• , which, Given that courts may have insufficient evidence to order an involuntary evaluation, which,

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We typically start taking applications in November, ending in December.
• Or do you evaluate any kind of cost drivers that might be involved in evaluating a tariff for a data
• Chairman. >> Thank you. evaluate any kind of cost drivers that evaluate any kind of cost drivers that
• But one of the questions application.
• ><01:14:26.920> want long-term application, you may want long-term application, you may want bigger

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A number of the applicants have told me that the contract dates have been really delayed.
• We have evaluated this program. We have one more year to complete.
• tremendous evaluation of the CRDP, I urge you to preserve it.
• Fourteen years, since 2009, that we will evaluate.
• We're doing that through evaluation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then put a good step forward for you all to evaluate.
• We're going to evaluate, we are evaluating, pardon me, the current bonding regulations.
• An annual video education process, and then application with the department.
• Or in a mining application, if it's sold in a package greater than five gallons.
• So, and that's the same as any other more conventional used oil application.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Google forms for the application. Google forms for the application.
• <00:13:55.200> It application. Uh it was different. It application. Uh it was different.
• <00:14:30.320> Here's to pick up an application. Here's to pick up an application.
• Where's the evaluation and where is your evaluation of the people under you delivering the programs?
• :24:31.600> your<01:24:31.920> evaluation evaluation and where is your evaluation evaluation

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the Nursing Assistant competency evaluation program.
• This is for the Nursing Assistant competency evaluation program.
• This is for psychological evaluations for DCFS clients.
• Also, aerial application at the Tucker farm. I'm just curious if staff knows.
• I'm just curious if those are lumped together or if these are separate aerial applications.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These increases in quantity and complexity of permitting applications have outstripped current resources
• , creating an application backlog.
• will increase DNR's permitting responsiveness and the ability to evaluate complex permitting projects
• I think because this was not a topic that we worked directly on in our report, we're still evaluating
• In order to properly evaluate the potential long-term health concerns arising from exposure to adults

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:05.840> thinking not be using the application thinking not be using the application
• <00:39:16.319> of on that would the application of on that would the application of software
• <01:00:01.200> the we began last year to to evaluate the we began last year to to evaluate
• over the next few months to evaluate over the next few months to evaluate what<01:00:44.079>
• <01:18:44.639> footprint college system on evaluating footprint college system on evaluating

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Higher Education Study Committee held an organizational meeting and received an update from the university and community college systems on implementation of recommendations from the governor’s higher education task force. The systems said the task force report contained about 40 recommendations, and they have focused first on operational items while continuing to work on larger policy issues, including better alignment of public higher education with workforce and economic development needs. The committee also discussed reporting requirements under the amended law and whether quarterly reports are required or whether annual updates are sufficient unless the committee requests more. A major topic was expanding Early College and dual-enrollment opportunities. The chancellors reported strong growth in Early College participation, significant student and family savings, and state scholarship support that they described as producing a strong return on investment. They said the goal is to build clearer pathways so students can earn college credit, reduce debt, and stay in New Hampshire for postsecondary education. They also noted ongoing work to simplify admissions and transfer processes, including about 100 transfer pathways between the systems, direct-admit efforts for community college and university students, and continued development of transfer equivalency tools. Members pressed the systems and the Department of Education on direct outreach to high school students, especially juniors, so students would know they are eligible for direct admission and other opportunities. The main obstacle discussed was access to student contact information, with officials saying the issue may involve contract limits with the College Board and possibly statutory constraints on sharing data. Department of Education staff said they are meeting with the systems and vendors to determine what changes are needed. Committee members urged faster action so students and families can receive letters or other notices about in-state options, affordability programs such as Granite Guarantee, and pathways to community college and university enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was a recommendation from the committee to study consent and confidentiality laws applicable
• <00:05:43.240> to confidentiality laws applicable to confidentiality laws applicable to Adolescent
• evaluation evaluation um<00:32:49.919> I<00:32:50.080> put<00:32:50.360> that<00
• It got up and running, and the application program, the application forms... telecommunicators and dispatchers
• and running uh and the application and running uh and the application program<00:50:53.720> the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, we have nine applications pending with the Texas Department of Emergency Management and a
• That includes over 3,000 flood mitigation evaluations, over 600 flood mitigation projects, and nearly
• It provides for consistency and review for applications across the state applying for, again, those evaluations
• for, again, those evaluations or studies, the projects, or the strategies.
• When we get in abridged applications, they're all ranked based on the prioritization criteria.

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is the first of two May Revise hearings so we can continue to take part in the budget process, evaluate
• Currently, what is the process for applicants?
• The people who are actually using the system, you know, on the front end, putting in the application
• What that means for our end customers is that we can scan that form quickly—the application for PFL,
• Parking spaces and our kind of holistic evaluation of return-to-work conversations.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• When they're reviewing your applications at ADHS, we don't have that process.
• license application.
• There's also the issue of reviewing the applications.
• that get submitted with a license application.
• One of the big... ...with the initial application.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a fourth hearing in its ongoing review of alleged fraud, waste, and abuse involving AHCCCS/Access and DHS, with a major focus on Medicaid eligibility verification for the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) population, behavioral health and sober living oversight, and payment delays to providers. Senator Shamp presented findings she said showed major gaps in ABD asset verification, including claims that only a fraction of enrollees were checked and that many ineligible members may remain on the rolls. She urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification requirements, better PARIS data sharing, and legislative changes to close what she described as a compliance and taxpayer-risk gap. Reva Stewart also testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people, including Native Americans, continues through social media and other channels, and she called for stronger enforcement and transparency. Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, argued that the state’s response to fraud has become overly punitive toward legitimate providers. She said ADHS often sends technical paperwork deficiencies straight to enforcement instead of allowing plans of correction, that zoning approvals are being questioned despite not being within ADHS authority, and that long Access approval timelines are creating licensing and billing delays. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has seen a large volume of unlicensed complaints, that it is trying to improve staffing and data systems, and that some enforcement tools have been expanded for sober living homes. She also said many sober living operators are in recovery themselves and provide low-cost housing and support rather than direct billing to Access. Access Director Virginia Roundtree said the agency is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers. She reported steps such as daily internal huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an outside review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management, and a new external claims vendor to help reduce backlogs. Senators pressed her on a specific provider’s long-delayed payments and prepayment review, and she said the agency would provide answers early the following week. Access staff also described provider resolution roundtables and said unadjudicated claims had been reduced to zero, though members questioned whether that was due to denials rather than resolution. The hearing ended with the chair announcing legislation to preserve the American Indian Health Plan as a fee-for-service option while requiring Access to contract administrative and care management functions to another entity, citing structural failures in Access’s ability to operate the plan safely and effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:28.640> not and um really performance evaluation not and um really performance evaluation
• , um, discreet applicants, and 45% in terms of applications.
• , um, discreet applicants, and 45% in terms of applications.
• , um, discreet applicants, and 45% in terms of applications.
• , um, discreet applicants, and 45% in terms of applications.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And supported by license and application fees. All right, thank you.
• They were the best application for that area, and so they were the winner.
• in an effort to consolidate licenses and modernize applications.
• We did, back in November, ask all the departments to report all their major applications.
• and now they're down to just under 600 applications.

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and transfer requests, beginning with a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing to cover administrative costs for its enterprise licensing platform, funded by license and application fees. It then reviewed two large Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation for the final quarter of the fiscal year, and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support the Arkansas BEAD broadband grant program, including an extra help position and grants to internet service providers. The broadband item drew extensive questions about awardees, contract amendments, accountability, build-out timelines, backup plans if providers default, the definition of broadband serviceable locations, and the cost per location. The State Broadband Director said no providers had requested amendments, the program would use milestone-based disbursements and a four-year build-out period, and the first tranche would serve 51,566 homes and businesses with $126.1 million in grants. Both Section B and Section C items were approved. In Section D, the committee approved a $458,000 transfer within the Department of Correction from the female work release program to the Tucker Unit water treatment plant, a $25 million transfer within the Department of Education to cover declining enrollment, teacher incentive, school recognition, and Easter Seals funding, and a $229,000 transfer for the Department of Shared Administrative Services to support two project management office positions. The education transfer prompted questions about how declining enrollment funding is calculated, how many districts receive it, and how long districts can continue to receive it; agency staff said 152 districts were on the preliminary list and the formula is based on the prior two-year average ADM compared with the previous year. The committee also gave favorable advice on a proposed $4.7 million loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization tools; agency officials said the loan would be repaid through cost recovery rates over five years and would replace an existing loan that is ending, with expected savings from consolidating applications but no precise savings estimate yet. The committee then reviewed cash fund and federal grant requests, including $200,000 for wage and hour claimant payments, $15 million for unclaimed property claims, $8,000 for a heritage program grant, and $1.1 million for a College and Career Coaches grant to expand services in rural districts. It also reviewed pay plan and budget manual items without objection. The most extensive report discussion focused on the Medicaid trust fund, where DHS and DFA officials said the balance has been declining and that the state may need to add capital back into the fund. Senators and representatives asked about the current balance, the projected year-end level, the role of the $100 million set-aside, the impact of outstanding Medicaid rules from the prior session, and whether future federal funding could help reduce long-term Medicaid costs. Officials said they are still working through more than 10 outstanding rules with CMS and do not yet have a final price tag for those changes. The meeting ended after the reports were reviewed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're really grateful, and we're really grateful for both of you carrying the application and for
• And we're really grateful and we're really grateful for both of you carrying the application and for
• With the amendments, this bill will require regulations and consultation with OCA to be re-evaluated
• The findings of the evaluation will be reported as required under existing law at a public meeting on
• We'll get the data, and I think it'll serve as a platform for evaluation moving forward.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• applicants for appointment.
• applicants for appointment.
• applicants for appointment.
• ,<01:16:04.400> awarding, [clears throat] evaluating, awarding, [clears throat] evaluating
• <02:11:18.800> Those application assistants. Those application assistants.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• targeted changes to the application targeted changes to the application process<00:26:33.360>
• <00:26:36.720> Notably the past application cycle. Notably the past application cycle.
• myriad other places in the application myriad other places in the application where<00:26:42.960
• <01:41:43.679> And cultivate applicants? How is that? And cultivate applicants?
• and expand what the current applicants and expand what the current applicants can<01:46:54.000><

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:54.320> for<00:15:54.639> educational count the application for educational
• With one extra year of validation, MDE and working group members will be able to evaluate trends and
• With one extra year of validation, MDE and working group members will be able to evaluate trends and
• With one extra year of validation, MDE and working group members will be able to evaluate trends and
• So, number seven at line 4.15 is evaluate the best uses of compensatory.

Bills: HF1048, HF1049, HF745, HF2210

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• Once implemented, the regulation itself would be independently tested and evaluated to determine whether
• To my knowledge, again, that evaluation has not yet been published at the time of this presentation.
• and the application of these laws are in fact just to states themselves, and make sure that you have
• and the and the application of these laws are in fact just to states themselves, and make sure in that
• Allman already referred to this, there is the Commerce Department evaluation that was due, that had a

Keywords: Technology and Science, Joint Commission on, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, what it does is it really provides more prescriptive criteria for how we evaluate the projects
• It's going to be evaluated by seven agencies.
• It's requiring a second application process because things change, and so it's very rigorous on all applicants
• So by suspending the legislative authorization, we're going to be able to have different application
• projects for those communities that have applied, to ensure that they submit the best possible application

Keywords: 996, all