Transcript Highlights:

• Abortion access is in danger, especially for patients further into pregnancy.
• an abortion is complex, and more so later in gestation when complications may arise with wanted pregnancies
• With state funding cuts, clinics like ours... ...pregnancy.
• an abortion is complex, and more so later in gestation when complications may arise with wanted pregnancies
• life-ending procedure and instead invest in health care plans which support women through their pregnancies

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held public hearings on several bills and took executive action on House Bill 2747. HB 2747 would change how Washington estimates future revenue in its four-year balanced budget outlooks by using the official revenue forecast instead of the current 4.5% growth assumption for the next two biennia. Staff described the bill as a technical change with indeterminate fiscal effects, and supporters said it would make budgeting more realistic and sustainable. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation by a vote of 26 ayes, 3 nays, and 2 excused. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, which would create an abortion savings program funded by a new annual assessment on health carriers offering exchange plans. Staff said the bill would generate about $10 million in fiscal year 2027 and about $2.1 million annually thereafter, with most funds going to grants for abortion care providers and some administrative costs for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Department of Health. Supporters said it would stabilize access to abortion care and help low-income patients, while opponents argued it would force taxpayers and insurers to subsidize abortion and raised concerns about oversight, morality, and premium impacts. Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority to support new transmission projects and related tribal clean energy work, drew testimony from utilities, labor, clean energy advocates, counties, and landowners. Supporters said the state needs faster transmission buildout to improve reliability, support clean energy, and reduce congestion costs; opponents and county representatives raised concerns about eminent domain, loss of local tax revenue, board accountability, and the need for stronger landowner and county involvement. Staff estimated the bill would have a several-million-dollar general fund impact and noted possible indeterminate local revenue effects. The committee also received a briefing on engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which would reduce funding or eligibility for several K-12 programs, including bus depreciation, Running Start, and transition to kindergarten; public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with school officials, educators, community college representatives, students, and rural districts warning of reduced opportunities and harm to small and low-income districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The care results in safer pregnancies and healthier children.
• preeclampsia, cancer, cardiac disease, and other conditions may dictate the necessity of ending the pregnancy
• preeclampsia cancer cardiac disease and other conditions may dictate the necessity of ending the pregnancy
• got this information from a board-certified obstetrician who had worked for 10 years with severe pregnancies
• got this information from a board-certified obstetrician who had worked for 10 years with severe pregnancies

Transcript Highlights:

• little lines says allow for the restriction on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy
• except when the patient's health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive.
• specifically allows the state government to pass laws to regulate abortion care in the third trimester of pregnancy

Committee: House Privileges and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• For the first time, we are funding paid pregnancy leave for teachers and school staff, so we're looking
• We support AB 181, and the investments in early learning, preschool shift, paid pregnancy leave, the
• Finally, on the pregnancy leave proposal, we're supportive of the overall intent.
• Finally, on the pregnancy lead proposal, we're supportive of the overall intent.
• Thank you for the paid pregnancy leave.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terminals that we provide, we have 22,000 dealers.
• That's the process that we changed, that they would not obtain that many terminals again.
• Because there's not enough terminals at just four locations.
• They had a large number of your terminals and you said one of the things that you had you had done to
• I think you said it has to come to you for terminal numbers like that.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Division Director for Pregnancy and Early Childhood.
• I'm the Division Director for Pregnancy and Early Childhood.
• Christina just articulated, knowing those who are most impacted by mental health throughout the pregnancy
• and substance use and support, and how that can be one of the number one causes of an unhealthy pregnancy

Summary: The commission met to reopen its work for the year, with roll call and attendance confirmations followed by remarks from the co-chairs and members. Senator Liz Miranda stepped down as co-chair, citing multiple responsibilities and personal losses, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Gomez said he would listen and learn from commissioners and advocates, and both outgoing and incoming leaders emphasized continuing the commission’s work on maternal health, postpartum depression, and equity. Members discussed several current policy and implementation issues. The Department of Public Health reported a new regulation to implement the 2024 midwifery access law, including temporary licenses for licensed certified professional midwives. Commissioners also raised concerns about birthing hospital and inpatient obstetric unit closures, OB-GYN workforce shortages, reimbursement changes, and the need to expand midwifery, doula, and birth center capacity. Other topics included substance use and perinatal mental health supports, the limited $220,000 appropriation for community-based perinatal mental health organizations, and the need for stronger funding in the budget to implement the maternal health law. The commission also focused on future priorities and information sharing. Members suggested more presentations from clinicians, regulators, infant and early childhood mental health experts, and PSI of Massachusetts; greater attention to parent-child relational health and postpartum screening in pediatric settings; and possible commission action such as a letter to the governor on workforce and access issues. The group agreed that there was not enough time to plan a May event and instead would use the commission to publicize related events, including Black Maternal Health Week activities. Commissioners voted to create a biweekly digest for sharing updates, with urgent items to be sent by email, and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, some of the language from Senate Bill 871 regarding the Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review
• And that leads to delays in life-saving care. ...especially in care like pregnancy-related care.
• I appreciate that this body might be confused about the practicality of providing pregnancy care, but
• years is that there are some very unusual and tragic situations that can happen in the course of a pregnancy

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by her pregnancy
• of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by her pregnancy
• ,</c> deaths that occur during pregnancy, deaths that occur during pregnancy, delivery,<00:55:46.400>
• </c> basically is um saying that uh pregnancy basically is um saying that uh pregnancy related<01:01:
• </c><01:01:50.480><c> or</c> specifically tied to pregnancy or specifically tied to pregnancy or postpartum

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 254, which Senator David Roford described as a technical correction to controlled substance inventory law for pharmacies. He said the bill would remove outdated language requiring inventories to be done in an odd-numbered year, while keeping the existing requirement that pharmacies conduct a full controlled substance inventory every two years in line with federal law. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether the requirement is pharmacy-by-pharmacy, whether new pharmacies would be affected, and whether the change would alter scope or compliance; the sponsor and a representative of the New Hampshire Pharmacist Association said it would not, and that it mainly provides clarity for pharmacies and inspectors. The public hearing on SB 254 was then closed, and the committee also heard support from a representative of the pharmacist community, who said the association supports the bill. The committee then discussed a non-germane amendment to SB 254 dealing with FBI background checks for educational surrogate parents under the Department of Education. Representative Leyon explained that the amendment was requested by the Department of Education after the FBI rejected prior statutory language, and that the goal was to allow people serving as educational surrogate parents to complete FBI fingerprint-based background checks so they can perform their duties. Department of Education and Department of Safety staff testified that the amendment mirrors language that has worked in other education-related background check statutes, including provisions with specific disqualifying offenses tied to child safety, and that the FBI requires precise statutory language and direct transmission of records through the Department of Safety. Members questioned why the FBI’s approval was needed, whether individuals could simply provide their own records, and whether changing federal leadership could require future changes; witnesses said the state needs both state and national records, that records must come directly from the FBI through the Department of Safety, and that the language is intended to satisfy current federal requirements. During the discussion, some members expressed skepticism about the need for the amendment and about placing it on a bill about controlled substance inventories, but no vote was taken during the portion of the transcript provided. The committee also briefly discussed a separate bill on physician assistants/physician associates, with members noting that the proposed name change would not alter scope of practice and that some outside groups had raised concerns about transparency, but that discussion was interrupted and not concluded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• center, proving that crisis pregnancy centers do not stand for what they claim.
• Forced pregnancy is not pro-choice. Forced birth is not pro-choice.
• , an unplanned pregnancy.
• Simple similar to the pregnancy centers.
• , is to terminate the child, and that is faulty logic.

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is: if someone has a troubled pregnancy and birth, could the mother take off the first six
• We heard from employees who said they plan pregnancies around school breaks.
• It provides six weeks of parental paid leave at 100% of base pay, covers birth, pregnancy loss, adoption
• What happens currently: a teacher has a pregnancy, they take off, they get paid, but then the school
• Thank you. pregnancy, they take off, they get paid, but then they have to pay, they get—the school district

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first heard a presentation from Superintendent Cade Brumley on Louisiana’s recent education scorecard, which showed the state ranked first nationally in reading growth, second in math growth, and first overall in academic growth from 2022 to 2026. Members praised teachers and the department for the results. The committee then deferred SB 507 at the author’s request. The committee reported several bills favorably. SB 484 by Sen. Abraham, as amended, transfers selected duties from the Board of Regents to university management boards and Louisiana Works, adjusts authority over certain higher-education initiatives, creates a study of LUMCON’s placement, and adds financial reporting and early-warning requirements for universities. SB 157 by Sen. Jenkins, as amended, creates six weeks of paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 employees for birth, adoption, or fostering, with a reimbursement fund subject to appropriation; testimony emphasized family support, recruitment and retention, and health benefits. SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requires human trafficking prevention and victim-identification training in schools and updates coordination and service language; the amendment made implementation subject to appropriation and clarified the governor’s office role. The committee also reported SB 450 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requiring mandatory reporting of school threats and physical security assessments, with student witnesses and members stressing school safety and the need for funding and practical security measures. SB 132 by Sen. Klein-Peter, as amended, requires exterior master key boxes and updated school mapping data for emergency response, with an amendment exempting districts already using such boxes. Finally, Rep. Carver presented HR 251 on recess for K-3 students, citing Oklahoma’s expanded recess law and research on physical activity and learning, but said he would keep the resolution parked for further discussion rather than seek a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex, including pregnancy
• , pregnancy outcomes, gender identity, and sexual orientation. expression and sexual orientation, no
• New protections based on pregnancy decisions would enshrine unfettered access to abortion on demand into
• For example, when voters read the word "pregnancy," they will have no idea that by voting in favor of
• You do not have to change your opinion about abortion to want to protect people's pregnancy options.

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is just making sure that students are informed with facts about what's going on during a pregnancy
• And this bill is even better than last year's because it has a few more guardrails. ...during a pregnancy
• She was a young lady, and when I think, I believe she was 16, she had an unexpected pregnancy.
• Liggett added that contraceptives are used for more than pregnancy prevention, and that awareness of
• And I will finish with this: the number of congenital syphilis pregnancies or loss of life is because

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• in 1989 and prohibits coverage exclusions, reductions, or limitations on coverage for involuntary pregnancy
• Section 26.1-36-23 was enacted in 1985 and provides that employees whose insurance would otherwise terminate
• due to termination of employment are entitled to continue their hospital, surgical, and major medical
• insurance would other 36-23 was enacted in 1985 and provides employees whose insurance would otherwise terminate
• due to the termination of employment are entitled to continue their hospital, surgical, and major medical

Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of a bill: An act designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
• The topic of pregnancy loss is difficult for me to talk about. It's personal for me.
• By designating October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day in the Commonwealth, we are creating
• is a dangerously ectopic pregnancy.
• We know that approximately one in four recognized pregnancies end in loss, some early, some later, but

Transcript Highlights:

• left without the option to regularly use condoms to protect their health and to prevent unintended pregnancy
• This is not the end-all to teen pregnancies. This is not the end-all to STIs.
• This is not the end-all to teen pregnancies. This is not the end-all to STIs.
• As the analysis notes, we already have a decline in teen pregnancies, but this will help with the STIs

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• department, not necessarily the hospital, but the local health department for assistance during pregnancy
• For assistance during pregnancy, it was many more than what we had been serving at our local family resource
• Our pregnancy help centers, I mean, they're reaching out. They know there's a...
• Our pregnancy help centers, I mean, they're reaching out.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• department, not necessarily the hospital, but the local health department for assistance during pregnancy
• For assistance during pregnancy, it was many more than what we had been serving at our local family resource
• Our pregnancy help centers, I mean, they're reaching out. They know there's a...
• Our pregnancy help centers, I mean, they're reaching out.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency held a public hearing on House Bill 1817, which would require the Department of Social Services to publish monthly public-assistance data at the municipal level for places with populations of 1,000 or more. The sponsor said the bill was intended to give local nonprofits, churches, and community leaders better information to target aid, measure whether their efforts are reducing dependency, and identify underserved areas, while avoiding identification of individuals in very small communities. Supporters echoed the transparency and planning benefits, saying the data could help nonprofits allocate resources, spot gaps, and coordinate more effectively. Several members questioned whether the bill was necessary, whether the data was already available through public records or existing reports, and whether it would create busy work or divert staff time. Others raised concerns about the 1,000-person threshold as arbitrary, the possibility of discouraging assistance applications, and whether the bill would really improve outcomes or reduce fraud. The sponsor responded that the data is already being collected, that the software had already been funded, and that the bill would simply make the information publicly available in a more useful format. Testimony in opposition was not presented, and the public hearing on HB 1817 was then closed. The committee then moved into executive session and took up House Bill 1641. A House Committee Substitute was offered and adopted after brief discussion. The substitute bill was then voted do pass by a roll call vote of 12 ayes, 1 no, and 4 present. Representative Burton stated a present vote was appropriate because of concerns with some language in the bill, while other members supported the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 21, an act relating to mental health coverage in connection with pregnancy.
• House Bill 21, an act relating to mental health coverage in connection with pregnancy.
• <00:29:44.320><c> with</c> health coverage in connection with health coverage in connection with pregnancy
• </c><00:29:47.039><c> House</c> pregnancy. Representative Burke. House pregnancy.

Transcript Highlights:

• CARE UNIT LEVELS, AND EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO SCREENING AND TREAT COMMON PREGNANCY
• INDICATE IMPROVED IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH CONDITIONS AND POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY
• TRYING TO DO AN EVALUATION WORKING OUT WITH THE GROUPS IN THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE MORE HIGH RISK PREGNANCY
• AND SO I THINK THERE ARE SOME INDICATORS BUT WE ARE STILL DIGGING IN ON THE INFANT MORTALITY AND PREGNANCY
• THESE SILENT SYSTEMS IF THE BLOOD SUGAR STARTS TO RISE OR OF THEIR CONCERNS WITH HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY

Transcript Highlights:

• indicate improved identification and management of health conditions and potential complications during pregnancy
• indicate improved identification and management of health conditions and potential complications during pregnancy
• evaluation looking at the groups that are enrolling in this program, which tend to be more high-risk pregnancies
• I think there are some indicators, but we're still digging in on infant mortality and pregnancy-related
• the blood sugar. ...of the blood sugar starting to rise or some concerns with hypertension during pregnancy

Summary: The committee met to receive implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws from AHCA and the Department of Health. AHCA reported on rural emergency hospitals, explaining the new Class 4 hospital designation, rule changes completed June 1, 2025, and that no Florida hospitals have yet converted, though one North Walton/DeFuniak Springs-area hospital has expressed interest. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement for hospitals with emergency departments, saying 83 plans had been received since July 1 and 63 approved, with plans emphasizing patient education, referrals to primary care or urgent care, and coordination for Medicaid managed care enrollees through the Florida HIE/ENS system. Members asked about HIE capacity, data collection, and whether the plans would identify shortages or trigger accountability measures; AHCA said it had moved to a new HIE vendor and would continue gathering data. AHCA also updated the committee on the TEACH workforce program, reporting $6.8 million in FY 2024-25 spending across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed, and said a federal 1115 workforce waiver was unlikely to move forward under CMS. On KidCare, AHCA said House Bill 121’s expansion to 300% of the federal poverty level remains blocked by federal litigation and CMS action tied to premium nonpayment rules, and members and public witnesses urged prompt implementation and asked for enrollment/disenrollment data and the rural health transformation funding outlook. Public testimony largely supported the NCAP and TEACH programs and pressed for action on KidCare. Representatives from health centers said NCAP has strengthened hospital-health center relationships and improved care coordination, including reduced recidivism in some hospitals. A Bond Community Health Center physician said TEACH is helping offset the burden of training students and could help address workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Advocacy groups urged the committee to push for implementation of the KidCare expansion, citing children in the coverage gap and rising uninsured rates. The Department of Health then presented on several programs from the 2024-25 session. It reported on the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program, including 78 dentists and 15 dental hygienists funded under the dental track and nearly 1,300 medical professionals funded overall, with 123 dental applications and 71 funded dentists in the most recent cycle. DOH also updated the Screening and Services Grant Program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, the statewide telehealth maternity care program, and the swimming lesson voucher program, noting strong participation and outcomes such as reduced ER visits and improved postpartum follow-up in the maternity program. Finally, DOH said implementation of the HIV prevention drug/pharmacist dispensing law is underway, with three certification courses approved and five certifications issued. Members asked about barriers to wider use of HIV prevention drugs, more detailed maternal outcome data, and the dental workforce program report; DOH said more detailed reports would follow.