Transcript Highlights:

• educator arrests and misconduct by first requiring district school boards to adopt a policy for the temporary
• educator arrests and misconduct by first requiring district school boards to adopt a policy for the temporary
• 30 years, over 1,200 cases, primarily among unvaccinated individuals and communities with low MMR coverage
• And state programs like Medicaid are burdened with rising dental costs.
• We're here to hydrate, not Medicaid.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then moved to the special order calendar. Early bills passed included measures on the Florida Trust Code (SB 806/HB 1173), school district reporting requirements and educator misconduct reporting (SB 1374), debt collection email communications (SB 232), service of process updates (SB 576/HB 157), public lodging and food service establishments (SB 606), lien waivers and releases (SB 658), Crime Stoppers public records exemptions (SB 710), health care licensure and foreign-country business interests (SB 768, amended), diabetes management in schools (SB 772/HB 597), platting procedures (SB 784), fentanyl testing in hospitals (SB 1346/HB 1195), third-party reservation platforms (SB 940), electronic landlord-tenant notices (SB 1164/HB 615), leaving the scene of a crash restitution (SB 1378/HB 479), background screening for athletic coaches (SB 1546), surrendered infants and infant safety devices (SB 1690/HB 791), and affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (SB 1730, amended). Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on trespass, higher education, transportation services, the UCC, altered sexual depictions, firearms during emergencies, Brownfields, false reporting, health care billing, motor vehicles, utility services, and others. Most of the debate centered on a few controversial bills. Senators debated the fentanyl testing bill in support of faster detection and life-saving treatment, and the surrendered infants bill drew opposition over safety, anonymity, and liability concerns, though supporters argued baby boxes provide a monitored safe surrender option. The affordable housing bill received an amendment and broad support as a continuation of the Live Local Act, with changes to zoning, parking, height, and litigation procedures. The day’s most contentious measure was the agriculture/consumer services package (SB 700), where senators argued over the bill’s fluoride-related preemption; opponents criticized the policy and process, while the sponsor emphasized broader agriculture, consumer protection, and FFA-related provisions. That bill passed 27-9. Votes on the other major bills were largely bipartisan and often unanimous or near-unanimous, with several bills passing 35-37 yeas and few or no nays. The Senate also adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. The session concluded with announcements recognizing visitors, including Taiwan representatives, and remarks about a lantern-lighting observance tied to the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• vast majority of services for people with ID are provided through governmental programs, including Medicaid
• ><00:38:05.680> including governmental programs including governmental programs including Medicaid
• Medicaid. Medicaid.
• relevant personnel to place temporary relevant personnel to place temporary holds<01:02:45.280><
• But when I look at the coverage and the way the discourse has played out over this, I do feel the need

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 234, introduced by Assemblymember Anderson, requires Medicaid coverage for screening for
• Bill 428, introduced by Assembly Members Flanagan, et al., requires certain health plans to include coverage
• This amendment revises provisions regarding temporary guardianship and changes the effective date.
• Department of Health and Human Services to seek to establish certain rates of reimbursement under Medicaid

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now we have all of the Medicaid programs under one roof.
• And these are, um, funded by, uh, not by Medicaid, but by state general funds.
• Medicaid programs, um, but it's, it's been really difficult, and I would encourage you all to either,
• You'll still be eligible for coverage under private insurance.
• But you have to get onto Medicaid.

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now, the coverage is tiered based on whether you So right now, the coverage is tiered based
• And so those who are furthest away from 80% coverage would see the largest increase.
• If you're above $50,000, because your coverage now increases from what?
• That's for both rates and for services to match Medicaid revenues. You can see...
• Services to match Medicaid revenues.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill includes them all, with the exception of Medicaid.
• The reason it doesn't include Medicaid is providers are already paid the GRT.
• Medicaid reimbursement issue.
• , since a million New Mexicans are on Medicaid.
• It's on Section 3, and we're talking about Medicaid reimbursements. Where should no Medicaid be?

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments Act of Revision Temporary Amendments Act of 2025.<00:10:27.600> All<00:10:27.760><
• Democrats and Republicans agreed that we should cut the ICE slush fund to protect Medicaid.
• The Republicans are in control to cut Medicaid by a trillion dollars.
• <04:53:02.560> It people are forced to drop coverage.
• It people are forced to drop coverage.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think we say if it's permanent or temporary; it's just offered.
• along with the Medicaid program.
• It was my understanding that Medicaid does basically roll its own.
• And so my question would be, that Medicaid does basically roll its own.
• Because I do know Medicaid thinks they have a very efficient pharmacy program.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then uh your excess coverage kicks in. then uh your excess coverage kicks in.
• It allows our type of coverage to exist.
• So in other type of coverage to exist.
• So this rate temporary rate structure.
• So under the um temporary cost study.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, item 8, incorporating House Bill 94 relative to the coverage of circumcision under the Medicaid
• the second year of the Medicaid program. the second year of the Medicaid program.
• by investing in adult dental Medicaid by investing in adult dental Medicaid services<00:52:31.280
• Some of our continuous coverage.
• <01:54:51.360> are 12-month continuous coverage are 12-month continuous coverage are um<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in Division 3 work session on HB 2 and began by noting a delayed start to allow the Legislative Budget Assistant to finish a large packet of updated amendments and revisions. The chair said the goal for the day was to move as many items as possible, with any cleanup deferred to a Friday follow-up. Members also discussed the process for handling public and department testimony on selected items before votes. Several early amendments were taken up and voted on. The committee unanimously recommended items dealing with repealing the liquor transfer to the alcohol fund and redirecting liquor-related revenue to the general fund, and it also approved an amendment revising Granite Advantage funding so there would be no automatic transfer from the liquor fund, instead using a general fund appropriation. Members then approved repealing the foster grandparent program by a 5-4 vote, and later approved an amendment requiring DHS contractors to comply with the patients’ bill of rights by a 9-0 vote. The committee also approved incorporating House Bill 94 on Medicaid coverage of circumcision by a 5-4 vote, while deferring the Wick Farmers Market Nutrition Program repeal for more discussion. The committee spent substantial time on the youth risk behavior survey amendment. Supporters said the change was intended to clarify opt-out procedures and ensure parents, guardians, and students are clearly notified that they may opt out without negative consequences. Some members raised privacy concerns and said the language could add administrative burden, but the amendment was ultimately recommended to Finance by a recorded vote of 8-1. Another amendment on civil rights and contractor standards for DHHS was discussed but not voted on after concerns were raised about vague enforcement language and possible penalties. The committee also struck amendment 1026 as redundant, with members noting related work in existing law and Senate Bill 134, and then moved on to other items, including a revised equity/access-related amendment that was postponed for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We increased minimum insurance coverage for injuries and added accidental death coverage and raised the
• ><03:10:38.399> for increased minimum insurance coverage for increased minimum insurance coverage
• within a temporary flight restriction. within a temporary flight restriction.
• devastating cuts to Medicaid devastating cuts to Medicaid and<08:02:30.478> the<08:02:30.798
• because they couldn't afford coverage because they couldn't afford the<08:05:41.040> premiums.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, jump into temporary assistance for needy families. This is down 2.6%.
• The federal H.R. 1 made three major changes to Medicaid.
• The first is that it narrowed the definition of non-citizens who are eligible for Medicaid.
• So by the last month of the biennium, we expect 157,000 clients to lose coverage.
• It's not the Medicaid program, so that effect shouldn't be showing up in our state forecast.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• After extensive hearings and fact-finding, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that
• services found that throughout Medicaid services found that throughout the<00:35:57.079> United
• and the lack adequate Broadband coverage and the lack of<00:36:05.240> healthc<00:36:05.560><
• For Medicaid, our rules are different at the national level, and they allow the Medicaid programs to
• in for for Medicaid um our uh<00:51:17.040> Medicaid<00:51:17.520> rules<00:51:18.359>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• Besides a little bit of a temporary disability, but if I ask you to just speak up or repeat, it's because
• We provide workers' compensation coverage to 31 of the 33 counties.
• You need to use your own insurance or Medicaid or some other funds to do so.
• So, you're applying for a job; it's just like you're applying for a temporary job.
• It's a temporary position, and I think the problem that I see, because I did talk to the University of

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud State University for the past 17 years, a temporary part-time instructor at St.
• temporary part-time instructor at St. temporary part-time instructor at St.
• Calling contingent faculty temporary is a poor description.
• :44:13.680> is Calling contingent faculty temporary is Calling contingent faculty temporary is
• Not all 200 of those people will accept this coverage.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid instead of a fine being assessed to the person who will hopefully be receiving services.
• One question that I have: does this change anything that has to do with Medicare or Medicaid coverage
• I mean, the backside of the bill does interact with Medicaid in that we're looking for Medicaid to pay
• and so that's kind of how it would interact with Medicaid.
• Sometimes the Medicaid rates are low, and that makes it really hard to expand our services.

Bills: HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Bills: HR133, HR134, HR135, HR136, HR137, HR138, HR139, HR140, HR141, HR142, HR143, HR144, HR145, HR146, HR147, HR148, HR149, HR150, HR151, HR152, HR119, HR120, HR121, HR122, HR123, HR125, HR126, HR127, HR128, HR129, HR130, HR131, HR132, HCR53, HCR54, HCR55, HCR56, SCR3, SCR22, SB4, SB18, SB66, SB106, SB201, SB256, SB274, SB292, SB326, SB386, SB406, SB422, SB423, SB456, SB475, HCR3, HB1, HB3, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB345, HB366, HB383, HB446, HB473, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB836, HB983, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1126, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, HB76, HB132, HB181, HB210, HB250, HB265, HB275, HB291, HB322, HB342, HB475, HB486, HB616, HB635, HB639, HB690, HB740, HB757, HB761, HB774, HB808, HB855, HB872, HB883, HB886, HB903, HB949, HB962, HB996, HB1003, HB1036, HB1054, HB1071, HB1076, HB1078, HB1113, HB1132, HB1146, HB1232, HB1233, HB21, HB24, HB29, HB31, HB39, HB45, HB77, HB136, HB150, HB263, HB273, HB299, HB315, HB376, HB377, HB431, HB444, HB450, HB519, HB533, HB538, HB559, HB562, HB663, HB664, HB715, HB717, HB805, HB822, HB823, HB834, HB864, HB867, HB1017, HB1018, HB1068, HB1134, HB1137, HB1234, HB1235, HB1236, HB961, HB399, HB868, HB905, HB180, HB192, HB284, HB476, HB915, HB952, HB1006, HB401, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB982, HB1010, HB750, HB911, HB977, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB151, HB193, HB310, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB615, HB682, HB733, HB773

Keywords: commendation, leadership, energy sector, Shell USA, Louisiana pride, House Resolution 134, HR134, honorary resolution, Bob Lupo, Robert E. Smith Lupo, Lakeview, New Orleans, civic service, philanthropy, real estate development, Hurricane Katrina recovery, community service, charitable giving, public recognition, Louisiana House of Representatives

Transcript Highlights:

• coverage. And then we evaluated them. coverage. And then we evaluated them.
• could potentially fall into a temporary could potentially fall into a temporary lensure<04:33:14.160
• the whole purpose of this temporary the whole purpose of this temporary license<04:34:03.760>
• Of those, DHS Hampshire Medicaid.
• For those, the registered with Medicaid.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We asked for funding before the Medicaid request, then we asked for the Medicaid funding, and now we
• And then moving on to slide seven, as I mentioned, Medicaid SNAP work requirements.
• recipients, for the most part, who are part of the Medicaid expansion program, will have to be working
• Like, I wouldn't be necessarily a Medicaid or a SNAP employee.
• So we have three temporary staff. That is providing services, but some of them are retaining costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of media coverage and rightfully so, in very egregious evildoers that do these repeated
• There was no money from Medicaid used in this. All of the money is General Revenue.
• Take money out of Medicaid; it is an entitlement.
• Nothing done on budget night took money out of Medicaid.
• same services under Medicaid.

Bills: SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SCR25, SB687, SB1332, SB2185, SB552, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SCR25, HB2525, HB142, HB140, HB29, HB451, HB3809, HB3307, HB 1130, HJR1, HB9, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications