Video & Transcript : 'campaign planning' :
Page 484 of 500
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Children with the individual education plans for students with disabilities is an example of that.
- And so they can plan accordingly with what percent of children may come their way and to participate
- But that posed a great deal challenge not only for parents, but also districts to plan accordingly for
- Right district has to plan in advance. What school is this going to be located at, right?
- Chancellor, I just have a couple follow-up questions that's relevant to our work and and planning the
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 12th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The In 2022, PayPal announced a plan to charge customers a fine of $2500 for users found to have spread
- However, PayPal did decide to retract the plan after there was widespread criticism.
- The city's plan was an attempt to thwart and breach the will of its citizens and voters.
- El Paso County recently completed a multi-year Public facing capital planning process that included a
- Which was for general obligation bonds and you said, and a rate tax rate neutral plan for $170 million
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Also plan to add language in a, in a sub that requires agencies to clearly disclose how they are paid
- Um, right now, we use a process called a continuous quality improvement plan, uh, but there's really
- So you could, um, we would always start with a continuous quality improvement plan.
- Every SSCC at some point needs a continuous quality improvement plan for something, and that again is
- The Texas Family Code requires DFPS to maintain a contingency plan.
Bills:
HB 1531 , HB 2667 , HB 2809 , HB 2865 , HB 3589 , HB 3151 , HB 3748 , HB 3750 , HB 4419 , HB 4643 , HB 3597 , HB 4129 , HB 4130 , HB 4131
Committee:
House Human Services
Keywords:
workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, HB 2412 by BUC relating to the health benefit plan
- Group benefit plans for governmental employees and retirees for the Committee on Pensions Investments
- the applicability of premium maintenance, taxes to Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Texas Fair Plan
- on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs, HB 2528 by BC relating to health benefit plan
- HB 2583 by HL relating to a group benefit plan policy or contract.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2412 by BUC relating to the health benefit plan covers for certain obesity medications or for the
- HB 2518 by barrier relating to the use of installment premium payment plans on the Texas Wind Storm
- HB 2528 by Busey relating to health benefit plan coverages or prescription drugs. for Opioid or Substance
- Committee on Elections, HB 2580 by Hull, relating to the study on health benefit plan coverage for certain
- Afforded to the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, HB 2583 by whole. to a group benefit plan policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- There's no, we're all done, but an idea that came out of that related to out-of-home placement plans,
- placement plans which appropriately provide<00:01:53.320><c> for</c><00:01:53.440><c> educational</c
- to support planning and consideration with the young person and their future.
- , and the underuse of kinship planning, and the underuse of kinship care. care. care.
- ,</c> family safety network planning, family safety network planning, and<00:54:11.359><c> shifting</
Keywords:
foster care, early childhood education, child care programs, placement plan, social services, extended foster care, kinship care, relative custody, permanent legal and physical custody, Northstar kinship assistance, independent living plan, transition services, youth aging out of care, medical assistance, Medicaid, child welfare, children youth and families, out-of-home placement, case plan, relative placement
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for that. improvement plan. We did not anticipate improvement plan.
- </c><01:15:28.159><c> And</c> we will have a a plan together. And we will have a a plan together.
- And does your uh, plan for water?
- </c> incorporated into this renovation plan incorporated into this renovation plan um<01:50:41.920><c
- </c> consideration in a renovation plan? consideration in a renovation plan?
Committee:
House Capital Investment
Keywords:
contamination, water supply, municipal bonds, environmental mitigation, city funding, Sauk Rapids, PFAS contamination, drinking water, pollution control, bond issuance, Cokato, capital investment, school infrastructure, state bonds, HF228, Lakes Area Police Commission, Lindstrom, Chisago City, regional training facility, public safety facility
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- a tougher offender sitting in front of you, and are you struggling at times to try to go with the plan
- , which is probably a very solid plan, but understanding that the plan is a lot of times in the first
- , which is probably a very solid plan, but understanding that the plans a lot of times in the first 24
- kind of attitude, like you said, maybe not being willing to or be nervous to follow through with the plan
- Right now, we don't have a July meeting planned. We think we're okay with that.
Summary:
The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on June 15 with Senators Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After deciding not to approve prior meeting notes at this session, the commission heard testimony from the Massachusetts Parole Officers Association (MPOA), represented by Brian Lucier and Shauna Hawksley. MPOA described its role across field offices, correctional facilities, and specialized units, and emphasized that parole officers provide community-based case management and reentry support by connecting people to housing, mental health, substance use treatment, employment, education, and public benefits. They argued that parole officers develop local expertise and relationships that improve referrals, and said there is room for better coordination with DOC and House of Correction reentry staff, especially because referrals are sometimes duplicated or need to be changed after release. They also noted the loss of reentry navigator positions in 2025 and said those functions would be more effective if positioned in the community rather than in custody.
The MPOA also urged consideration of restoring regional reentry centers, which they said previously improved information sharing, reduced duplication, and strengthened reentry services. They contrasted those centers with Community Justice Support Centers, saying CJSCs can be hard to access because of location, transportation, and work-schedule conflicts, while parole’s former regional centers were referral-based and did not require regular attendance. Commission members asked about parole training, arrest authority, POST/MPTC participation, and revocations. MPOA said new officers receive about 500 hours of parole-specific academy training plus firearms, defensive tactics, and first-responder instruction, but parole is not currently tied into MPTC because it is not POST-certified. They also said they do not have data on what proportion of revocations are driven by public-safety threats versus barriers like housing or employment, but anecdotally revocations are now less often for first-time technical or treatment-related issues and more often for conduct posing a community risk.
In the discussion of next steps, members talked about extending the commission’s reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30 through the pending budget, finishing remaining DOC facility visits in the fall, and holding additional meetings on mental health and other unresolved issues. Several members said the commission should continue trying to engage the judiciary and district attorneys, while recognizing that participation may be difficult to secure. The meeting ended with agreement to adjourn and continue the work later in the year.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 7th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In the Senate Democratic plan, there is a line item for distressed hospitals after July 1st.
- This proactive planning can give individuals and families the time, the clarity, and confidence needed
- The California State Rail Plan establishes a long-term vision for passenger and freight rail services
- We have to stay on course here, stick to the plan, and commit to meeting this goal.
- Within an hour, we had a plan.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several floor items. AB 108, a budget bill, was presented as a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI to help severely distressed nonprofit and public hospitals with less than 10 days cash on hand and limited other options, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal granted.
The chamber then adopted a series of resolutions recognizing CASA Appreciation Day (SCR 162), California Wildfire Preparedness Week (SCR 165), California Rail Month (SCR 84), the National Day of Prayer (SCR 153), and Mother’s Day (SCR 167). Floor remarks highlighted the role of CASA volunteers, year-round wildfire risk and local preparedness efforts, rail’s importance to mobility and climate goals, faith and prayer as sources of guidance, and the contributions of mothers and mother figures. All of these resolutions passed, with SCR 153 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously or near-unanimously.
The Senate also passed SB 1175, which moves lobbyist registration and related filings directly to the Secretary of State to improve timeliness and transparency; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notice requirements for unions; and SB 965, making it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain library cards without a parent physically present. Each measure received supportive remarks and passed on strong roll calls.
Later, the Senate adopted SR 106 marking Black April Memorial Month and honoring Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community, with members speaking about the fall of Saigon, refugee sacrifice, and the community’s contributions. The session concluded with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former reserve officer, firefighter paramedic, and longtime parks district board member. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, May 11, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 7th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In the Senate Democratic plan, there is a line item for distressed hospitals after July 1st.
- This proactive planning can give individuals and families the time, the clarity, and confidence needed
- The California State Rail Plan establishes a long-term vision for passenger and freight rail services
- We have to stay on course here, stick to the plan, and commit to meeting this goal.
- Within an hour, we had a plan.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- With me to testify in support of the bill today is Angela Pontes on behalf of the bill sponsors, Planned
- Angela Pontes on behalf of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, representing the seven Planned
- Planned Parenthood health centers are proud to be among the providers in the uncompensated care grant
- And let's remember this is money being requested by Planned Parenthood.
- In short, it moves us from assumptions to evidence and from reactive decisions to proactive planning.
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Mar 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- local agency inspectors from requiring a project to make changes in the field that would deviate from plans
- outside reviewers and limiting how many times they can ask applicants to revise and resubmit their plans
- heard some concerns about AB 1621, it is important to note that local agencies can go beyond the two plan
- The apartment industry faces a considerable amount of delay with these re-plans and re-checks.
- I will note when it comes to the additional plan checks that may be caused by air quality districts or
Summary:
The Local Government Committee met on March 25, 2026, hearing eight bills, with several measures focused on housing, water, and local government administration. AB 1621 by Assemblymember Wilson sought to speed post-entitlement housing permits by setting clearer timelines, limiting repeated plan checks, and restricting field changes that conflict with approved plans. Supporters from the building, apartment, business, and housing sectors said the bill would reduce delays and costs, while county and city representatives opposed it unless amended, warning it could limit local enforcement of building and environmental codes and create problems for incomplete applications. The bill passed after a roll call vote, with the committee noting it would continue working with local government groups on amendments.
The committee also heard AB 1712, which would help Santa Fe Springs sell its small, financially strained water system to a larger regulated provider without requiring a municipal election, using a protest process instead. The author and city officials said the system faces contamination, major deferred maintenance, and rate increases that could otherwise triple; water industry representatives supported the bill and no opposition was heard. AB 2080, sponsored by county treasurers, would make county delegations of investment authority to treasurers ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burden and avoid technical lapses. AB 2640 would allow local governments to offset reductions in reimbursement for disallowed state mandate claims against other unpaid mandate reimbursements; Shasta County testified in support, describing a large audit disallowance and long-delayed state payments. Both bills passed.
The committee also approved consent items AB 1622 and AB 1834. AB 2180, which would codify a framework for proportional water rates under Proposition 218 based on the Dreher decision, drew broad support from water agencies and local government groups, but opposition from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Association of Realtors, who argued the bill was premature while the Supreme Court reviews related case law. Despite that opposition, the bill passed on a 6-2 vote, and the remaining bills were advanced with roll calls left open for additional votes before adjournment.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Mar 4th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- I planned to maybe go hunt a bear someday because I've always been fascinated with it.
- Members 2989 allows electric utilities to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan.
- It is optional for member companies to devise and adopt their own plan.
- Representative, you mentioned the conservation commission developing a plan.
- So, we wanted to give industry stability of knowing what they could plan for.
Bills:
HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464 , HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464
Committees:
House Energy , House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight
Keywords:
HB4246, water rights, rural water, wastewater, drinking water, environmental quality, DEQ, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, technical assistance, water infrastructure, small systems, utility operators, emergency water response, nonprofit contractors, vendor qualification, competitive bidding, best value procurement, central purchasing act, rural utilities
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Schools need clear plans to keep students safe when something is overwhelming for them.
- The plans can protect students like me and give families peace of mind.
- CS HB 1437 relates to mutual management plans between conversion charter schools and the district school
- ; 599 CS HB 1437 relates to mutual management plans between conversion charter schools and the district
- Sapp: The bill addresses the mutual management plan as a whole.
Committee:
House Education & Employment Committee
Summary:
The House Education Employment Committee heard seven bills and reported each favorably. HB 129 on Florida Virtual School would remove a priority system, confirm access for all Florida students and eligible military dependents overseas, clarify teacher retirement status, allow local schools to administer required exams, and authorize direct-support organizations; it passed unanimously after brief questions about audit-related updates and waitlists. HB 423 on student elopement, sponsored by Rep. Eskamani and Rep. Tramont, would require schools to establish safety teams and prevention plans for students who may leave supervised areas; testimony from autism advocates emphasized drowning and other safety risks, and the bill passed 16-0 with strong bipartisan support.
The committee also approved CS for CS HB 753 on school counselors, which removes certain certification barriers while keeping the master’s degree requirement and sets evaluation criteria based on state counseling standards. Supporters said the bill would help address counselor shortages and align evaluations with the profession’s actual duties. CS HB 1253 on coach support for student-athletes, as amended, allows coaches to use personal funds up to a capped amount for student needs with written parental consent; members raised concerns about liability, fairness, and the need for clear guardrails, but the bill passed 15-0.
CS HB 833 on private school facilities would make small private schools of 100 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and allow use of existing buildings if fire and code standards are met; supporters said it would reduce local barriers while preserving safety, and it passed 15-0. PCS for CS HB 1325 would update the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund by clarifying matching contributions, allowing expansion or modernization of existing space but not new construction, and streamlining awards; it passed unanimously with broad college and health system support. Finally, CS HB 1437 on conversion charter schools would create clearer dispute-resolution options for facility maintenance issues and, via amendment, allow capital outlay funds for repairs if the charter assumes full responsibility; after debate over whether the amendment was premature, the bill passed 13-3. The meeting then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And this morning we heard the IRS tax, and we're planning to move that out of committee on Friday.
- And this morning we heard the IRS tax, and we're planning to move that out of committee on Friday.
- We're planning to move that out of committee on Friday.
- I'm not planning on being here in three weeks.
- I would say that we're way beyond the planning phase. We're way into doing work on those things.
Summary:
House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the late-session agenda, including the House policy cutoff, a supplemental budget, and the House Finance Committee hearing on the proposed “millionaire’s tax”/income tax measure. They said several Senate bills had moved or were moving quickly, including a face mask bill, an abortion medication access bill, a mobile devices in schools bill, a driver privacy/personal safety data protections bill, and a West Coast Health Collaborative bill. They also said the supplemental budget would emphasize food, shelter, health care, continuity of government, and other core services.
A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-generated remote sign-ins on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote testimony and sign-ins have broadened public participation, but misuse of the system is a problem that will be reviewed over the interim. They said the goal is to preserve easy public access while improving accuracy, and that the sign-in numbers should be treated cautiously because the system is informational rather than equivalent to voting. They also said there had been no direct contact with state Supreme Court justices about the tax bill.
The leaders defended the need for the income tax proposal by arguing that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, the McCleary school-funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. They said the Legislature is trying to balance the tax code and that they do not support taxing incomes below $1 million, though they would not rule out future legislative changes decades from now. On tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill has advanced the discussion but is unlikely to move further this session, and that broader liability reductions may require constitutional changes or prevention-focused investments. They also discussed long-term care workforce pressures, saying Washington is better positioned than many states but still faces an aging-population challenge. On the millionaire’s tax process, they said the House Finance Committee is expected to increase tax reductions in the bill, with leaders aiming to resolve differences with the Senate without going to conference if possible.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Idaho Code 59-1381 and 59-1385 dealt with the merger of city retirement plans and systems into PERSI.
- Idaho Code 59-37 dealt with employees again hired prior to 10-1, City retirement plans and systems into
- an out-of-network freestanding emergency room treats a patient covered by a state-regulated health plan
- a lag on these arbitrations, of how much this practice has cost the state of Idaho employee health plan
- $300,000 more and that's going to go up as taxpayer money going to state employees' health benefits plans
Summary:
The Senate Commerce Committee first approved the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard several code-cleanup bills from Senator Todd Lakey. Senate Bill 1274 would remove obsolete references in state law related to the transfer of county public defender employees, comp time, and an employee problem-solving procedure; Senate Bill 1275 would delete outdated provisions concerning veterans’ assets and the North Idaho Veterans Home; and Senate Bill 1273 would repeal several obsolete PERSI-related provisions tied to old retirement and contribution arrangements. Each of those bills drew no testimony or opposition and was sent to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation.
The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1319, the Emergency Care Affordability Act, sponsored by Senator Burt. The bill would create a new chapter in Title 41 governing billing and reimbursement for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms, requiring them to accept the local in-network allowed amount for emergency services from state-regulated health plans, disclose that they do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, and allow self-funded plans to opt in. Supporters, including Blue Cross of Idaho and the Association of Health Plans, argued that freestanding ERs are exploiting the federal No Surprises Act and its independent dispute resolution process by sending nearly all claims to arbitration at inflated rates, which they said raises premiums for Idaho consumers and state employee health plans. They said the bill is intended to address a loophole and does not affect hospital ERs or other emergency billing disputes.
Committee members raised questions about EMTALA, federal preemption, whether the bill targets one business model, and whether patients are actually being balance-billed. Supporters said EMTALA still requires treatment, but the bill is aimed at billing practices and transparency, not access to emergency care. Some senators expressed concern about singling out one provider type and possible legal issues, while others said the bill was justified because insurers are required to cover emergency care and the current federal dispute process is driving up costs. After discussion, the committee approved Senate Bill 1319 on a 6-3 roll call vote and sent it to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee and State Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
- Representative Heather Scott [member_9444]: The management plan was presented to the legislature back
- So when I go to that, 39-58-05 is State Hazardous Waste Management Planning Committee, which creates
- So they set this committee up to write a report, and after that report was approved and the plan was
- And the plan was approved. The committee is defunct.
Committee:
House Environment, Energy and Technology
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 12th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- is a state and federal partnership, and we work with the CMS as described earlier to have a state plan
- For SFY 26, we have an approximately $9.7 billion budget as prescribed in our annual operating plan.
- A state plan amendment is primarily used for our fee-for-service program.
- A waiver request is actually a separate document, which waives some of our state plan requirements to
- A state plan amendment can be retroactive for a couple of days up to 90. A waiver request cannot.
Summary:
The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the November 2018 minutes and receive a primer on the subcommittee’s role and Medicaid oversight in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s history and explained that Medicaid is audited annually through the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including weaknesses in eligibility and data-matching controls, improper use of Medicaid funds for partially non-Medicaid work, issues with incarcerated juveniles’ coverage, the absence of a Medicaid recovery audit contractor program exception request, reporting problems involving MFCU recoveries, and provider eligibility documentation concerns. Staff also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for further action.
The Department of Human Services gave an overview of Medicaid’s structure, eligibility, delivery systems, and budget. DHS described Arkansas Medicaid as covering about 850,000 people through fee-for-service, managed care, and premium assistance for the expansion population, and outlined major spending categories such as institutional care, long-term services, pharmacy, capitated payments, and supplemental payments. DHS also explained the difference between state plan amendments and waivers, and said it has a beneficiary-fraud unit that refers cases to local prosecutors.
The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, distinguishing between suspensions for credible allegations of fraud and recovery actions for mistakes or overpayments. OMIG said it works with DHS and law enforcement, issues quarterly and annual reports, and has increased recoveries in recent years. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, can also handle long-term care neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases, and works with local prosecutors as special deputies. Committee members asked about court venue, provider suspensions, beneficiary fraud, education of providers, and the status of Medicaid expansion work requirements; DHS said it is preparing to implement community engagement requirements under HR 1 and will begin with a soft launch before full enforcement. No formal votes were taken beyond adoption of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions were answered.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , education plans, are sufficient to establish that individuals with a disability under the Americans
- So we've helped a number of states develop plans for that. This is where we can be very helpful.
- I think it would be really exciting to do kind of like a strategic planning workshop where you really
- kind of put together the plan over a day.
- I think that sounds like a good plan. Yeah, I'd worry.
Summary:
The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with SEED (the State Exchange on Employment and Disability) staff for a presentation on state disability employment policy options and possible collaboration with Massachusetts. After roll call, the committee approved prior meeting minutes and heard an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall emphasizing that every individual matters and can make a difference. Members then introduced themselves and described their roles in disability employment, accessibility, state government, and advocacy.
SEED staff Katya Alpanis and Dina Klumkina explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy resources to help states advance disability employment. They outlined seven policy areas, including career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and retention, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and accommodation tools, disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer strategies. They shared examples from other states such as Kentucky, Virginia, Alaska, Washington, Minnesota, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, New York, and others. In response to questions, they clarified that PEAT has been refunded and is expected to return online, and that SEED’s role is policy support rather than implementation of accessibility requirements.
Committee members discussed Massachusetts-specific interests, including digital accessibility, existing state efforts, and prior SEED engagement with Massachusetts agencies and legislators. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work requirements and the risk that people with disabilities could fall through the cracks, and asked whether SEED could help inform state policy responses. The group identified two likely project areas: a Massachusetts state-as-model-employer roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition supports and civic engagement. SEED agreed to follow up with briefs and a questionnaire, and the committee planned an offline follow-up discussion to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work. No formal votes beyond approving the minutes were taken.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Workforce Committee in Session Jan 19th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- And Adam plans to attend Dayton University School of Law in August. So that is great.
- Adam plans to attend Dayton University School of Law in August. So that is great.
- gone to this doctor for so many years, but now I've got kind of, I went to this Medicare Advantage plan
- And now that the state has removed itself from that business, was there any plan put in place to address
- But as we have new patients coming on board, are they planning on picking those folks up that the state
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Marty Wright, CEO of the West Virginia Healthcare Association, on the state’s long-term care system. He described the continuum from home care to assisted living to skilled nursing facilities, emphasizing that these settings increasingly serve short-term rehab-to-home patients as well as older adults needing round-the-clock care. He also outlined the number of facilities in West Virginia, the predominance of Medicaid as the payer for long-term nursing home care, the private-pay nature of assisted living, and the role of OFAC/CMS in regulation.
A major focus of the presentation was workforce shortages and turnover, especially for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, along with declining interest in nursing careers and the impact of regulatory burden and burnout. Wright said the system is also struggling to serve younger patients with substance use disorder, mental illness, or other behavioral needs, who are often not well suited for traditional nursing home placement but have limited alternatives. Senators raised concerns about where such patients are being housed, the long-term effects of opioid and behavioral health issues, and the gap between school-age special needs populations and adult care needs.
Wright said Medicaid can cover long-term nursing home care for those who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements, but affordability and spend-down requirements remain major barriers. He also warned that Medicare Advantage can create confusion and shorter covered stays for rehab patients, and he urged early planning around long-term care insurance and estate planning. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.