Video & Transcript : 'pharmacy school' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 30th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist and House Resolution 6 by Assembly Member Connolly relative to school
- They arrived in Tehama County in Los Melinas, where Fred attended Tehama Elementary School.
- Las Molinas High School, and accomplished such feats as showing sheep for future farmers of America,
- After graduating from high school, Fred went on to serve his country in Vietnam.
- After graduating from Yuba City High School, he pursued his bachelor's in agriculture from Chico State
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Dorothy Johnson, for the Association of California School Administrators, respectfully opposed.
- Jean Chadbourne from Oakland, California, a high school teacher, lifelong Democrat, member of FIRE, the
- As a former school board member and personnel commissioner, I proudly present AB 2120.
- It's a specialized hiring tool that Los Angeles Unified School District has successfully and responsibly
- However, due to the very large workforce and very diverse school sites and student body that we serve
Summary:
The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee.
The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony.
AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- Dorothy Johnson, for the Association of California School Administrators, respectfully opposed.
- Jean Chadbourne, from Oakland, California, a high school teacher, lifelong Democrat, member of FIRE,
- As a former school board member and personnel commissioner, I proudly present AB 2120.
- However, due to the very large workforce and very diverse school sites and student body that we serve
- Michelle Gill on behalf of the California Association of School Business Officials, also opposed unless
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- relating to qualifications for occupational and professional licensure, to provide for non-public school
- Senators, this legislation ensures a public high school diploma is legally recognized as the equivalent
- As high school graduation is a requirement for many licenses, this legislation ensures non-public school
- As high school graduation is a requirement for many licenses, this legislation ensures non-public school
- So this bill updates Idaho statute regarding epinephrine delivery systems in our schools.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and pledge, approved the journal, and received several communications, including substitute legislator designations and gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Lottery Commission and State Building Authority. Members also made brief announcements and introductions before moving into committee reports and the day’s floor calendar.
The chamber advanced a number of bills and resolutions through reading and referral, including measures on the Idaho Child Care Program, Health and Human Services appropriations, elections, development impact fees, hazardous waste, and several House concurrent resolutions and joint memorials. On final consideration, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1285 on occupational licensure for nonpublic school diplomas, Senate Bill 1286 on consumer protections for veterans benefits, Senate Bill 1323 on enforcement of contracts involving gold and silver specie, Senate Bill 1338 on allowing a portion of idle state funds to be invested in gold and silver bullion, and Senate Bill 1342 establishing a limited right for households to keep hens for egg production.
The Senate also passed House Bill 531 updating epinephrine delivery system language for schools, House Bill 518 expanding authority for the Attorney General in human trafficking cases, House Bill 512 reinstating an open-book jurisprudence exam for land surveyors, House Bill 551 correcting urban renewal-related property tax treatment for fire and ambulance districts, House Bill 594 codifying a Supreme Court ruling on distribution of late property tax fees and interest, and House Bill 587 clarifying continuous funding for rangeland improvement programs. Debate on several measures included concerns about local control, continuous spending, and oversight, but each bill ultimately received majority support. The Senate reordered the third-reading calendar and then adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- little bit about what your plans are once you get out of high school.
- , so I'll go there every other day when I'm in high school.
- It's my first job out of law school. So I've worked in both agencies.
- And that's to establish a system of free schools.
- And when you look at the Idaho Constitution, System of free schools.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The committee began with a silent roll, confirmed a quorum, and recognized page Drew Brown, who spoke briefly about his interest in law enforcement and asked Senator Den Hartog about the hardest part of being a senator. The committee then considered the gubernatorial appointment of Callie Younger as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Younger described her background in public lands and natural resources, the office’s work on rural energy grants, nuclear policy, and permitting reform, and answered questions about a proposed merger with the Office of Species Conservation; the committee said it would likely vote on her appointment at a later meeting.
The committee introduced two RS measures from Senator Anthon. RS 33435 would reinforce civics and patriotism in public education, including codifying existing American history and government credit requirements and adding complementary instruction tied to the nation’s founding, in connection with America 250; it was introduced by voice vote. RS 33460 would make a narrow change for smaller irrigation districts of 15,000 acres or less to help fill board vacancies where farm consolidation has left fewer resident landowners eligible; it was also introduced by voice vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1300, which would require Senate advice and consent and gubernatorial appointment for the directors of Fish and Game, Transportation, and Parks and Recreation. The sponsor argued the change would improve accountability and align those agencies with others, while opponents from the Idaho Wildlife Federation, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Trout Unlimited, Friends of Idaho State Parks, and others said it would politicize wildlife and parks management, conflict with the 1938 Fish and Game initiative, and potentially jeopardize the Harriman State Park agreement. After debate, the committee voted to send SB 1300 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1301, which would allow licensed breweries under the small-brewer threshold to operate two remote retail taproom locations instead of one. The sponsor and brewery owners testified that the current limit restricts growth, jobs, and community investment, while the bill would support measured expansion without changing tax or regulatory oversight. The committee voted to send SB 1301 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- to get to and from school.
- Higher education, whether at a technical school or a university, is costly, especially for students from
- to get to and from school.
- School administrators have assumed I was a non-custodial parent.
- School administrators have assumed I was a non-custodial parent.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Keywords:
transit support grant, free transit, fare-free transit, zero-fare policy, community college students, technical college students, public transportation, youth transit, student transportation, Washington State, Department of Transportation, local sales tax, voter-approved sales tax, equity, environmental justice, low-barrier access, bus pass, rail transit, public transit agency, transit agency grants
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- of YMCAs across the state, including T.J. and Dimitri, representing their local YMCAs and 25 high school
- students that are representing the interest of the YMCA's. local YMCA's and 25 high school students
- I spoke here in 2020 advocating with Senator Lori Berman for the school bill, which requires all schools
- I spoke here in 2020 advocating with Senator Lori Berman for the school bill, which requires all schools
- to share, advocating with Senator Lori Berman for the school bill, which requires all schools to share
Committee:
Senate Health Policy
Summary:
The Senate Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills focused largely on drowning prevention, surgical smoke, human trafficking training, and chiropractic patient funds. SB 428 would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7; the sponsor and supporters from Nemours and the YMCA emphasized Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be more widely accessible. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit funding levels as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee also considered SB 606, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and home birth providers. A mother who lost her daughter to drowning testified in support, describing the bill as an early opportunity to educate parents. An amendment removed home birth providers from the compliance-proof requirement, and the bill was adopted as amended and reported favorably as a committee substitute.
SB 162 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already used in many facilities, while several senators raised concerns about the lack of supporting data, possible burdens on rural and smaller facilities, and whether the mandate should be narrower. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with the sponsor saying more data would be provided later. The committee also approved SB 340, requiring a two-hour human trafficking course for nursing students before licensure, after amending it to make the requirement apply to students rather than nursing programs. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull for Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation reviewing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system and comparing board oversight, rulemaking, funding, appointments, and term-limit models in other states.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- and students from Heila Ben High School that are in the audience in my district.
- Well, what this does is it allows school choice, and it costs the state nothing.
- Well, what this does is it allows school choice, and it costs the state nothing.
- HB 2241: Accommodation School, Education and Appropriations.
- HB 2318, school district election. HB 2319, sealing arrest records, designation.
Summary:
The House convened, approved the journal, recognized the Doctor of the Day, and welcomed several guest groups, including JAG students and students from Heila Ben High School. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider HB 2153, the annual tax conformity bill, which was described by supporters as aligning Arizona tax law with recent federal changes and providing relief through no tax on tips and overtime, a larger child tax credit, a new child care expense deduction, and a deduction for certain retirement income. Opponents argued the measure would primarily benefit wealthy individuals and corporations, reduce state revenue, and leave some seniors out because the retirement-income deduction is tied to retirement accounts. Members also discussed the Department of Revenue’s already-issued tax forms and the need for certainty for filers.
After extended debate, the Committee of the Whole gave HB 2153 a do pass recommendation by a vote of 31-26, and the House adopted the report and sent the bill to engrossing. The House then took up the Senate mirror bill, SB 1106, substituted for HB 2153, and after floor explanations of vote, passed it 31-27 with 2 not voting. Supporters said the bill would help working families, seniors, and small businesses and prevent filing confusion, while opponents repeated concerns about cost, fairness, and impacts on public services. The bill was transmitted to the Senate.
Following the tax vote, members made several announcements, including birthday wishes and a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and committee chairs announced upcoming cancellations. The House then recessed and reconvened for first reading and referral of a long list of new bills covering topics such as elections, health care, education, transportation, public safety, taxation, housing, and appropriations. The session ended with a motion to adjourn until the next scheduled meeting.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, what this does is it allows school choice, and it costs the state nothing.
- HB 2216 High School State Education. HB 2217 Anti-Discrimination Judiciary.
- HB 2241, Accommodation School. Education and Appropriations.
- HB 2266, school attendance purposes. Education. HB 2269, TPT exemption. Ways and Means.
- HB 2318, school district election. HB 2319, sealing arrest records designation.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 9th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Testifying on behalf of Goddard School.
- Goddard School, Long Meadow Farms and yourself, and you are for the bill, is this correct?
- Um, I am an owner of a childcare center preschool that is a Texas rising, uh, four-star school.
- Most centers, um, unlike mine, don't have a partnership with the school district.
- We're talking administrative, executive, vocational, trade school opportunities.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the STOP CSAM Act. Mar 11th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, it is the only other job I have had since law school.
- I was a freshman in high school in 2014 when I was approached by an online predator.
- Despite his warnings not to tell anyone, I immediately disclosed to my school resource officer as soon
- as I got to school.
- Imagine you are back in middle school or you're back in high school and now everybody has a cell phone
Keywords:
Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony
Summary:
The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- this is an adopted TEKS course, I guess, or curriculum, because we know, you know, in our public schools
- So what you're talking about is more an educational course that would occur in a public school, for example
- law says you can give porn to minors in certain instances, including for educational purposes. and school
- These are Texas children being exposed to obscene material and Texas school dis- districts hiding behind
- In case you didn't know it, there's very harmful content in school libraries all across Texas.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Keywords:
child protection, sexual offenses, visual material, artificial intelligence, criminal penalties, law enforcement, defense against prosecution, obscenity, judicial officer, deepfake, deep fake, synthetic media, AI-generated content, machine learning, nonconsensual pornography, revenge porn, sexually explicit media, intimate images, digital manipulation, visual depiction
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/12/26 - Part 3
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> or a school. or a school. Hope<01:31:01.840><c> that</c><01:31:02.080><c> helps.
- , onto a school district.
- kids to school onto a school<02:45:07.600><c> district.
- tournament for that school.
- </c> our schools transition to solar. our schools transition to solar.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- Such as schools, town halls, transportation facilities, and sports venues.
- Seizures are the third most common medical emergency in schools.
- Welcome, Simmons University School of Social Work.
- Welcome, Simmons University School of Social Work.
- Schools were closed for months. Businesses were shut down.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care.
Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We're able to provide homes for their families, send their kids to school...
- Connoe Hampton with the Association of California School Administrators.
- Withholding these funds creates uncertainty for schools and students.
- First of all, we'd like to thank you for supporting community schools in the state budget.
- And the gas I buy to transport the school-aged children to and from school while their parents work as
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, as the main item. Committee leaders described the legislative budget agreement as a balanced two-year plan with about $355.9 billion in total spending, $253 billion from the General Fund, and $36.5 billion in reserves. The Legislative Analyst and Department of Finance said the package assumes about $5.5 billion in higher revenues than the May Revision and uses those resources for a mix of spending changes, including higher Proposition 98 support, additional child care slots, housing and homelessness funding, delayed Medi-Cal reductions, and added support for counties, public hospitals, and distressed hospitals. The administration said the plan resembles the May Revision’s overall structure but includes new spending and revenue assumptions, and members noted that separate revenue trailer bills would be heard later in the week.
Much of the committee discussion focused on Medi-Cal, H.R. 1, and the impact on immigrants, low-income workers, counties, and hospitals. Several senators criticized the budget for locking in savings from delayed or reduced Medi-Cal coverage and for not including a mechanism to restore eligibility, while administration and LAO staff said the package delays some reductions but does not automatically reinstate coverage. Finance staff said roughly 1.5 million to 2 million people with unsatisfactory immigration status would move from managed care to fee-for-service, with coverage largely unchanged except for certain services not federally allowed. Members also discussed county administrative funding, indigent care, public hospital support, and the expected rise in uncompensated care. Other topics included In-Home Supportive Services, child care, homelessness funding, Prop. 36, courthouse construction and new judgeships, transit and cap-and-invest/GGRF funding, local journalism, and workforce or reentry programs.
Committee members split along party lines in their comments. Democratic members generally supported the agreement as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects core services, preserves reserves, and makes targeted investments in education, housing, health care, and justice system capacity. Republican members argued the budget relies on unrealistic revenue assumptions, does not sufficiently reduce spending, and includes costly policy choices and tax increases. Public testimony largely came from advocates and stakeholders who supported IHSS, Medi-Cal, child care, domestic violence services, hospitals, transit, and other programs, while some business and health plan representatives raised concerns about tax proposals and the shift from managed care to fee-for-service. The chair then moved the committee to public comment and indicated that the revenue bills would return later in the week; no final vote on AB 109 is reflected in the portion provided.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Health Service (2-25-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:20:38.080><c> and</c> from a foreign medical school and from a foreign medical school and completion
- And I think that's a financial question that sometimes our medical schools that we support here in the
- our medical schools that we support<00:40:12.640><c> here</c><00:40:12.880><c> in</c><00:40:13.119><
- We have students who want to get into medical school, and the need exists currently for doctors, but
- </c> last in medical school? last in medical school?
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 173 from Senator David Givens, which would create a legislative review process for the state health plan and state plan amendments, modeled after the administrative regulations process. Givens argued the legislature should have a stronger policy role in reviewing the plan, saying the bill would allow lawmakers to find components deficient rather than approve them outright. He tied the proposal to Medicaid spending growth and projected enrollment changes, saying the state needs a new oversight tool. Committee members generally supported the concept, though Senator Berg expressed concern that the legislature lacks the executive branch’s healthcare expertise. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Chairman Meredith, which would create a pathway for certain internationally trained physicians to practice in Kentucky without repeating residency in the United States. Supporters said the bill is aimed at addressing Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and cited projections of a statewide shortage of about 3,000 physicians by 2030 and a shortage of primary care doctors in particular. Testimony from Cicero Action and Baptist Health emphasized that many foreign-trained physicians are already fully trained, that residency slots are limited, and that the bill could help fill shortages in underserved counties while preserving quality through existing exams, ECFMG certification, English proficiency requirements, primary source verification, and mentoring/oversight.
Several members raised questions and concerns. Senator Berg asked about verification, required exams, and oversight, and Senator Tishner raised concerns about fraudulent credentials in some countries and whether the bill could admit underqualified physicians. Witnesses responded that applicants would still have to pass the same exams, obtain ECFMG certification, and undergo primary-source credentialing and employer oversight. Supporters also argued the bill would not displace U.S.-trained physicians because it would use otherwise limited residency capacity more efficiently. After discussion, the committee adopted the bill and reported it favorably by unanimous vote.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- In my district, we had a school shooting. The family knew he was in stress.
- And we researched that because you can’t be within so many feet of a school.
- area, even though on one street, buses are picking up Lindbergh School District children, Fox School
- No school is close.
- A park, a playground, a school, a daycare. This just adds a whole other layer.
Committee:
House Crime and Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/24/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:11:20.399><c> So,</c> schools and for people who need it.
- So, schools and for people who need it.
- Likewise, there's also a farm-to-school and early care program that receives $2 million, which allows
- </c><00:16:50.720><c> and</c><00:16:50.959><c> other</c> produced foods in schools and other produced
- foods in schools and other child<00:16:51.519><c> nutrition</c><00:16:52.000><c> programs</c><00:16:
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Press Conference 4/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- as the EMT and paramedic scholarship programs, EMT and first responder training programs, and high school
- as the EMT and paramedic scholarship programs, EMT and first responder training programs, and high school
- </c><00:03:42.080><c> EMS</c> training programs and high school EMS training programs and high school
- Um, you could apply for up to $5,000 per year to go to paramedic school as an existing EMT.
- We've been trying to find out ways to hit up programs within high school, high school programs.
Summary:
The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs.
Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits.
Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Kenzie's in school, she gets a one-to-one para because the school recognized their first job really was
- to keep Kenzie alive at school.
- ,</c> school, because now she's out of school, school, because now she's out of school, and<00:43:06.000
- At a younger age, as Sean mentioned, the school covers everything during the school day.
- She has a one-to-one para, but now that she's in high school, there's no before-school, after-school,
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy