Transcript Highlights:

• Are you able to test them for ASTM standards? And do they all meet that recommended standard?
• And, and do they, you know, do they, do they, do they all meet that, that recommended standard?
• Standardization of stroke screening and severity tools.
• Standardization of stroke screening and severity tools.
• Standardization of stroke screening and severity tools.

Committee: Joint Health Care Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further. Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach. After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• the only standard on infectious diseases.
• Thank you for creating the new standard.
• Thank you for creating the new standard of the Calor.
• First, thanks to Cal/OSHA for approving the new standard last year.
• We count on the Council of Fast Food, the new heat standard, and Cal/OSHA.

Summary: The hearing focused on a state audit of Cal/OSHA titled “The Division of Occupational Safety and Health: Process Deficiencies and Staffing Shortages Limit Its Ability to Protect Workers.” Committee leaders and the audit team described serious workplace tragedies, argued that California’s worker protections are not being adequately enforced, and said the audit was prompted by concerns that Cal/OSHA was too often relying on letters instead of inspections, delaying investigations, and closing cases without enough documentation. Members repeatedly emphasized that the issue was not just staffing, but also outdated policies, weak oversight, and inconsistent enforcement. State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found a 32% vacancy rate in 2023-24, heavy reliance on hard-copy files, outdated or unclear policies, and inconsistent decision-making in complaints, accidents, citations, and fine reductions. He said Cal/OSHA conducted on-site inspections in only about 20% of complaints, used letter investigations more than 80% of the time, often lacked evidence that hazards were corrected, and sometimes failed to inspect serious injury cases on time. The audit also found weak documentation for fine calculations and settlement reductions, with some penalties reduced substantially without clear explanations. Parks said the agency had accepted the findings and would provide progress updates later in the year. Committee members pressed the auditor on vacancy rates, the use of letter investigations, the low rate of criminal referrals, and whether fines were being reduced too often. Cal/OSHA and DIR officials responded that the vacancy rate had fallen to 12% partly because 66 vacant positions were eliminated in a statewide budget reduction and partly because of hiring; they said 126 people had been hired in the first half of the year. They also said they had hired a policy writer, were updating several policies, were planning periodic internal audits, and were developing a new data management system expected to go live in late 2026 or early 2027. On fines, officials said Title 8 sets base penalties and allows adjustments based on factors like employer size, history, and good faith, with appeals and informal conferences also affecting final amounts. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicine and other health care professions have clear standards of what is considered professional.
• We have good standards across multiple medical organizations to perform to protect our patients.
• of what is considered clear standards of what is considered professional<00:29:38.720><c> we</c><00:
• multiple medical standards across multiple medical organizations<00:29:54.519><c> to</c><00:29:54.720
• rather than upholding them standards rather than upholding them frankly<00:30:56.399><c> in</c><00:30

Keywords: Discussion on SB 132 - 00:06 Vote on SB 132 - 04:41 Discussion on HB 219 - 43:49 Vote on HB 219 – 49:00 Discussion on HCR 20 – 50:08 Vote on HCR 20 – 51:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, which would create conscience protections for health care professionals who object to participating in certain procedures or services on religious, moral, or ethical grounds. Senator Donald Douglas and several supporters argued the bill is a recruitment and retention tool for Kentucky’s health care workforce, emphasizing provider shortages, maldistribution, and the need to protect individual conscience rights. Supporters said the bill would not apply to emergency care, would not permit denial of care based on a patient’s identity, and would mainly protect professionals from being forced to perform procedures they believe are unethical. They also cited similar laws in six other states and said the bill would have a cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Supportive testimony came from an emergency physician, a registered nurse, and others who described personal experiences or examples involving objections to abortion-related care, opioid prescribing, and pressure to participate in procedures that conflicted with conscience. They said conscience protections would help attract providers, preserve ethical integrity, and allow clinicians to make professional judgments without corporate or institutional coercion. In questioning, senators asked about practical examples, the scope of the bill, whether it would cover hypothetical cases involving patients of particular religions or identities, and which states have similar laws. The sponsor and supporters repeatedly said the bill is about procedures, not patients, and that it should not be read to allow discrimination against individuals. Opponents, including pediatricians and a registered nurse/minister, warned that the bill is overly broad and could allow refusals of care by not only physicians but also pharmacists, clerks, and ambulance drivers. They argued it could delay treatment, increase discrimination, and worsen access problems in rural areas, especially for contraception, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other services. Critics said existing professional ethics already require patient care and that the bill could undermine evidence-based medicine and worsen Kentucky’s provider shortage. The committee took testimony and questions; no final vote or disposition was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Professional Standards Commission already investigates allegations of ethical conduct.
• The current Professional Standards Commission investigation process does not change, and the Commission
• The Professional Standards Commission is not a criminal investigative body without clear statutory direction
• It doesn't change the evidentiary standards or alter any due process.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 635, which Representative Heather Scott described as a narrow clarification to existing law governing the Professional Standards Commission. The bill would require the Commission to report any complaint or investigation involving suspected criminal behavior to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, while leaving the Commission’s existing role in licensing, ethics, and discipline unchanged. Scott said the measure would separate administrative discipline from criminal enforcement, protect students, and close a gap in current statute. There was no public testimony, no opposition, and the committee voted unanimously to send HB 635 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered RS 3363, presented by Vice Chair Handy, which would make permanent pending and temporary rules from the Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and CTE education. Handy said the resolution was procedural, had no fiscal impact, and simply codified rules already previously reviewed. A motion was made to send the resolution to the floor for second reading with a due pass recommendation, and the committee approved it without objection. Before adjourning, the chair offered a brief procedural reminder that once recognized, members do not need to ask permission to make motions or ask questions. Representative Hostetler then moved to adjourn, and the committee agreed, ending the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee substitute, this new substitute better reflects the public meeting requirements of the current standard
• Currently used for standard permits, the substitute also requires applicants to post a sign on the proposed
• This aligns with an update from the TCEQ sunset bill last session, making it current practice for standard
• permit with elements of the public participation permit portion of the current requirements of a standard

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee substitute, this new substitute better reflects the public meeting requirements of the current standard
• This change reflects the correct terminology currently used for standard permits.
• Making it current practice for standard permits.
• With elements of the public participation permit portion of the current requirements of a standard permit

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes such topics as type of gaming activity, fees for state regulation, standards of operation
• We believe these amendments strengthen... ...transparently, and with the highest standard of integrity
• So we have committed to maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance, integrity, and guest
• years ago, if we take a look at the third bullet point here, we implemented a vetting process as our standard
• risk for the tribe as possible. ...as well as the gamer, which is also consistent with industry standards

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you reread the standard that you set for what the accusation is?
• I have a comment about that standard, but I'll begin my presentation with it. Okay.
• The standard, I think, that was just recited is inaccurate.
• I think the actual standard is who they can't benefit is themselves, and that's why I think the board
• And the summary judgment standard says if they don't make that allegation, then they lose.

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Representative Tara Simmons, docketed as Legislative Ethics Board case 2025-5. The hearing concerned Simmons’ motion for summary judgment in an ethics complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.52.020 (conflicts of interest) and RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges), based on her work involving an EEC proviso, her employment relationship with EEC, a campaign surplus donation connected to AEJG and Jerry Stone, her involvement in an AEJG-EEC subcontract dispute, and related text messages with Anthony Powers. No evidence was taken; the session focused on legal argument over whether the alleged facts, if accepted as true, were sufficient to establish violations as a matter of law. Simmons’ counsel argued the complaint was legally insufficient because the alleged actions benefited her employer or others, not Simmons herself, and that existing board opinions allow legislators to support employers absent a direct personal benefit. He also argued the board was effectively trying to adopt a new bright-line rule prohibiting legislators from funding employers, which he said would be an improper retroactive change. Board staff, through Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, opposed summary judgment and argued the facts were enough to show Simmons had an indirect financial or other interest in EEC’s funding, that her job duties and legislative actions created conflicts, and that her actions around the donation, subcontract dispute, and text messages could be viewed as using her position to secure special privileges. A board member asked whether the allegations themselves were sufficient and whether the standard required assuming the facts as alleged; staff responded that the motion failed because the record contained sufficient facts to proceed, and that any factual disputes should be resolved at hearing. After rebuttal, the ALJ closed the oral argument and turned the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Board for deliberation. No ruling was issued during the hearing, and the board was to decide whether to grant the summary judgment motion or set the case for an evidentiary hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sierra Club and our environmental justice partners spent years advocating for clean air standards at
• the South Coast Air Quality Management District, standards that would reduce smog-forming pollution from
• out by a consulting firm that used an AI platform to generate over 20,000 comments opposing those standards
• So we're trying to work through both the detection protocols, what the standards and the duties of care
• , a safe harbor in some other way, What is there a standard, a safe harbor, and some other way in which

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance of fire-hardening, hardened building materials, as long as they meet health and safety standards
• when adopting rules for factory-built housing and commercial structures, certain national consensus standards
• This is a good little bill modernizes existing street standards and frontage requirements to create more
• This bill would ensure that sheriffs be held to the same standards of accountability as line officers
• and provides for a process when they fail to meet those standards for them to be replaced.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1995, FLPA passed establishing uniform standards of conduct for labor pools.
• FLPA passed establishing uniform standards of conduct for labor pools to ensure that laborers are treated
• Standards in temp work regarding safety, mobility, and pay are instituted only through goodwill, which
• It maintained baseline standards for a workforce that includes many people with criminal records, people
• And finally, labor pools should be subject to basic transparency and accountability standards, including

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered several bills. SB 1338, by Senator Burton, would strengthen protections for charitable endowment gifts by creating a legal pathway to enforce written donor agreements and by requiring legislative approval for certain charity reporting requirements. The sponsor and Philanthropy Roundtable supported the measure as a way to honor donor intent while protecting nonprofits, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1080, by Senator DeSigley, would require FDOT to adopt rules allowing direct payments to first-tier subcontractors in certain circumstances; transportation industry testimony supported it as a rare but needed statutory remedy, and it also passed favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1582, by Senator Yarbrough, which would require secondhand dealers, secondary metal recyclers, and pawnbrokers to submit transaction data to FDLE for statewide sharing through systems such as LInX. The sponsor said the bill was developed with law enforcement to improve theft and fraud investigations, while a recycler representative spoke against it. The amended bill was reported favorably. SB 1672, by Senator McLean, creating a home buyer workforce tax credit for employer contributions to help employees make a first-time Florida home purchase, drew support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and was also reported favorably. A large portion of the meeting focused on SB 1112, by Senator Garcia, which would amend the Florida Labor Pool Act by prohibiting placement fees when a temporary worker is hired permanently by a client employer and by requiring annual registration of labor pools with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and many speakers from Beyond the Bars, labor advocacy, and reentry communities argued the bill would improve worker protections, transparency, and pathways to stable employment, especially for formerly incarcerated workers. A few cards were filed against, but the bill received broad supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1324 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording members who wished to be noted as voting in the affirmative on the day’s bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 25 by Hull relating to health and nutrition standards to promote healthy living.
• HB 507 by Gervin-Hawkins relating to the policies and standards providing legal representation to indigent
• by Gonzalez of El Paso relating to a study by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to determine standards
• amendment authorizing a statewide referendum allowing voters to indicate a preference for observing standard
• Indicate a preference for observing standard time year-round or observing daylight standard savings time

Summary: The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations. Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions. The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think the standard still exists.
• </c> So, I think the standard still exists. So, I think the standard still exists.
• </c> request that just if it's very standard request that just if it's very standard I'd<01:54:40.480
• Uh I am here Standards and Training.
• </c><04:29:06.560><c> and</c> uh that the police standards and uh that the police standards and training

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the bill itself left that as kind of a subjective standard, but there are EPA objective standards
• Um, the bill itself left that as kind of a subjective standard, but there are EPA objective standards
• :39.040><c> standards</c><00:49:39.520><c> of</c><00:49:39.760><c> testing</c> are EPA objective standards
• </c> we actually have an objective standard we actually have an objective standard that<00:49:53.119>
• </c><00:51:05.599><c> through</c> enforces the EPA standards through enforces the EPA standards through

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> women are entitled to a basic standard women are entitled to a basic standard of<00:29:43.200><c
• That is true respect standard of care.
• </c><01:04:41.760><c> Standardizing</c> consider her options. Standardizing consider her options.
• </c> to its pro-life ethical standards. to its pro-life ethical standards.
• </c><01:30:54.320><c> across</c> consent standards already exist across consent standards already exist

Bills: HB0003 , HB0117 , HB0041

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, informed consent, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, law enforcement, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide policy leadership, market intelligence, and importantly standards for the industry that is
• We set the standards for safe, efficient, and innovative electrical products and systems in our homes
• We provide policy leadership, market intelligence, and importantly standards for the industry that is
• We set the standards for safe, efficient, and innovative electrical products and systems in our homes
• </c> that's going to set the the standards that's going to set the the standards for<00:54:47.839><c>

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a clear and convincing evidence standard.
• in that section is withhold standard in that section is more<00:47:49.040><c> stringent.
• It's a clear and convincing<00:47:50.400><c> evidence</c><00:47:50.800><c> standard.
• </c><00:47:51.440><c> Um,</c><00:47:52.480><c> and</c> convincing evidence standard.
• Um, and convincing evidence standard.

Bills: HF3797 , HF3780 , HF4068 , HF3935

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: long-term care, insurance policy, healthcare, partnership policy, Minnesota, human services, wage increase, support workers, shared services, community first services, medical assistance, sanctions, healthcare services, monetary recovery, government accountability, assisted living, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• There doesn't appear to be a standard on how you evaluate that evidence: is it credible evidence, is
• The standard for when a trial will be granted or not granted is in section one of RSA 526.
• </c> we're not trying to change the standard we're not trying to change the standard 651<01:05:07.520
• This standard exists. Those things would fall within this standard now.
• </c><01:08:01.480><c> just</c> fall within this standard now we're just fall within this standard now

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the standard core measures that CMS has embraced as an evaluation.
• It is their standard measures where we look at preventive services, any services, and... ...standard
• We're now going to do that as our standard workflow,” right?
• So that's the state standard.
• So it’s just... ...the standard of care for that office, which is really interesting as well.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The MAPOC Women and Children’s Health Subcommittee heard a presentation from Kate Parker Riley, executive director of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, on the Husky Dental Program and efforts to improve oral health during pregnancy. She reviewed the structure of Connecticut’s Medicaid dental benefit, the ASO model, provider network, utilization trends, and member barriers to care. She noted that children’s dental measures remain above the national median, but adult utilization is lower and the dental provider network has been shrinking, with longer wait times in rural areas. A major focus was the state’s goal to raise the rate of oral evaluation during pregnancy from about 17.5% to 25% by 2030. Riley described planned outreach to OB/GYN practices using a draft “snapshot” report showing each practice’s pregnancy oral-health rate compared with the state average, along with education materials based on ACOG and AAP guidance. Committee members and guests discussed barriers such as lack of provider training, workflow burden, access to dentists who will see pregnant patients, and the need for stronger referral bridges. Suggestions included adding simple oral-health screening questions in OB settings, using human support to make appointments, and exploring co-located dental hygienists or other embedded models. Riley also highlighted partnerships with DSS, DCF, Head Start, WIC, Read to Grow, YMCA programs, refugee resettlement agencies, and school-based and hospital partners, as well as data-sharing and navigation efforts. She said pregnant members newly identified through HUSKY will now receive outreach and navigation support. DSS dental director Carolyn MacArthur introduced herself and said she supports the initiative, noting the literature linking untreated maternal dental disease to poor child oral-health outcomes. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with thanks and a preview of upcoming July presentations on integrated behavioral health and home visitation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as the interest, we are still going to abide by underwriting standards.
• This legislation is applying that same standard to commercial payers. Mr.
• , even though countries left the gold standard in the Great Depression, and yes... ...standard, even
• though countries left the gold standard in the Great Depression, and as they left it, their economies
• The term "inspection" is also overly broad and could restrict even standard aerial view.

Bills: SB1165 , SB1206 , SB1212 , SB1291 , SB1347 , SB1516 , SB1554 , SB1649 , SB1689 , SB1812

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention