Transcript Highlights:

• And so when there's a separation agreement with an employee, like a city manager or department head,
• that's separating, that agreement's between the employee and the agency, not the employee and an individual
• or, and so I just want to make sure that protected personnel matters between an agency and employee
• Thank you. personnel matters between an agency and employee that are not affected by this bill.
• And that's really important for the community, for the employees as well as for the company.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where what if you have a professor that is publishing and speaking as an employee of that university
• You're a tenured employee, a tenured professor at a university; I cannot fire you.
• ... ...if you are a public employee, like the professor was speaking for LSU, right, in his capacity
• Are you an employee or are you a person expressing your civic, you know, First Amendment rights?
• So right now, it is required by law for all public, private charter school employees.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1079 by Rep. Boudreaux, which would allow charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended a licensed early learning center operated by the charter school or under an articulation agreement. An amendment expanded the preference to include children of active-duty military members, foster children, and children in court-ordered custody situations, and a second amendment clarified that the preference is permissive. Supporters said the bill would improve continuity from preschool to kindergarten and encourage more early learning centers. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 1079 as amended. The committee then took up HB 737 by Vice Chair Amedee, which would remove the state requirement that students show proof of meningococcal vaccination for school or post-secondary entry. The author argued the bill aligns state law with updated CDC guidance and preserves parental choice and physician consultation, while opponents, including pediatricians, public health advocates, and meningitis survivors, warned that removing the requirement would lower vaccination rates and increase the risk of severe illness or death. After extensive testimony and questions, the committee voted 4-8 against the motion to report the bill, so HB 737 failed. Next, the committee considered HB 628 by Rep. Landry, as substituted, to allow school boards and the Department of Education to work with licensed early learning centers to operate micro centers at schools, including dual licensing at one location. Supporters said it would expand access for three-year-olds, improve school readiness, and help families and the workforce. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported by substitute without objection. Finally, the committee heard HB 1008 by Rep. Owen, which would prohibit public post-secondary institutions from retaliating against faculty for disclosing certain violations or exercising academic freedom and free speech. The author and a professor witness said the bill would protect open inquiry and reduce self-censorship in higher education. The committee adopted two amendments to clarify academic freedom and tighten remedies; the transcript cuts off before any final vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• to penalize employers for not filing something that already gives the benefit of the doubt to the employee
• of the doubt already gives the benefit of the doubt to<00:16:01.680><c> the</c><00:16:01.800><c> employee
• </c><00:16:03.720><c> And</c><00:16:03.800><c> then</c><00:16:03.920><c> I</c> to the employee.
• And then I to the employee. Mhm. Okay.
• relationship</c><00:52:28.160><c> still</c><00:52:28.360><c> continues</c><00:52:28.920><c> to</c> employee

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown. In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days. Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the bill effectively turns frontline retail employees into enforcers.
• Retail employees would be put in a position of telling customers what they can and cannot buy.
• </c><00:18:48.880><c> into</c> frontline retail employees into frontline retail employees into enforcers
• .<00:18:50.159><c> Retail</c><00:18:50.480><c> employees</c><00:18:50.840><c> would</c><00:18:50.960>
• Retail employees would be put enforcers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It must include the authorizer and its officers, agents, and employees.
• It must include reference to the commissioner and department officers, agents, and employees.
• Um it must include reference employees.
• </c><00:15:11.279><c> Um</c><00:15:11.600><c> the</c> officers um agents and employees.
• Um the officers um agents and employees.

Bills: HF3487 , HF3421

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: anonymous reporting, school safety, education, crisis intervention, threat reporting, early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have a good communication system, and I've spoken with Access employees so I know this.
• They don't have a good communication system, and I've spoken with access employees so I know this.
• I was a municipal employee. I understand the needs.
• They use a lot of registry staff to supplement the full-time state employees who work there.
• They use a lot of registry staff to supplement the full-time state employees who work there.

Bills: SB1095 , SB1114 , SB1116 , SB1162 , SB1164 , SB1178 , SB1179 , SB1249 , SB1253 , SB1346 , SB1347 , SB1446 , SB1561 , SB1813

Committee: House Health & Human Services

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 1983 context, those claims are not paid by the government employee, but by local or state governments
• accountability by encouraging governments to change their policies, such as better training their employees
• :48.799><c> by</c><00:03:49.040><c> local</c><00:03:49.280><c> or</c><00:03:49.519><c> state</c> employee
• , but by local or state employee, but by local or state governments.<00:03:50.640><c> This</c><00:03:
• </c> such as better training their employees such as better training their employees to<00:04:01.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When an individual posts bond on behalf of a family member, a neighbor, an employee, a spouse, they have
• Expands eligibility for certain leave protections to include public officials and public employees who
• Narrows the instances for which service members who are also public officials or public employees are
• Expands eligibility for certain leave protections to include public officials and public employees who
• Narrows this instances for which service members who are also public officials or public employees are

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• contractual increase cost contractual increase cost um<00:27:34.960><c> in</c><00:27:35.919><c> employee
• </c> um in employee uh salaries. um in employee uh salaries.
• We put in that no funds are to be used for employee premium payments.
• 33.520><c> for</c> put in that no funds are to be used for put in that no funds are to be used for employee
• </c><00:59:35.839><c> also</c><00:59:36.799><c> um</c> employee premium payments. also um employee premium

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 18 February, 2026; 11:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On R111, Senate-only language, Senate sections 1 to 5 specify the time amounts required for employee
• </c><00:47:39.680><c> rest</c><00:47:40.079><c> and</c><00:47:40.319><c> meal</c> required for employee
• rest and meal required for employee rest and meal breaks.<00:47:41.440><c> They</c><00:47:41.599><c>
• :47:51.680><c> per</c> assess a penalty of up to $1,000 per assess a penalty of up to $1,000 per employee
• <00:47:52.560><c> per</c> employee per employee per day.<00:47:54.400><c> On</c><00:47:54.800><c> also

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Park employees have commented positively about the improvements, which have eliminated visitor complaints
• Park employees have commented positively about the improvements, which have eliminated visitor complaints
• Many employees have relayed positive guest feedback about the new playgrounds added thus far at some
• </c><00:44:48.680><c> have</c><00:44:48.880><c> relayed</c><00:44:49.559><c> positive</c> many employees
• have relayed positive many employees have relayed positive guest<00:44:50.680><c> feedback</c><00:44

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting 00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:14 Approval of Minutes 01:40 Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet 27:44 Department of Parks 59:23 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Members then heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% tourism marketing fund. Witnesses explained that the fund supports statewide tourism promotion, advertising, research, regional marketing, and matching grants to local tourism commissions, and that it cannot be used for capital construction. They reported that the General Assembly and governor increased appropriations in the 2024 session, adding $3 million in FY25 and $7 million in FY26, and set aside funding for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative. Tourism officials emphasized that Kentucky tourism is a major economic driver, citing 2023 figures of $13.8 billion in economic impact, 79.3 million visitors, $9.7 billion in direct spending, more than 95,000 jobs supported, and nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. They said the department now uses targeted digital and over-the-top advertising in selected domestic and international markets, with 62% of media placements digital and 80% of the budget spent out of state. Members asked about market selection, how the department measures return on investment, and what attracts visitors from places such as Dallas, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.; officials said research shows a mix of family visits, outdoor recreation, and varied Kentucky offerings, and that 81% of overnight visitors are repeat visitors. They also discussed the potential impact of tariffs and trade tensions on bourbon-related tourism and international visitation, especially from Canada, and officials said they were monitoring the situation with U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA. The committee then heard from Kentucky State Parks officials on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. They said they are providing quarterly project reports and have been meeting regularly with the Finance Cabinet’s engineering and contract staff. The presentation focused on campground utilities, broadband, and structural upgrades, including $40 million for campground improvements across the park system, with completed bathhouse renovations at Barren River and Nolin Lake and additional projects underway or in planning. Officials said the work is based on camper survey feedback, such as requests for better Wi-Fi, sewer and electric upgrades, frost-free spigots, and improved site layouts, and noted that the My Old Kentucky Home campground project is under construction and expected to be completed by spring 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will dissuade U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, employees on work visas and student
• This bill will dissuade U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, employees on work visas and student
• And lastly, many, many, many... ...dissuade U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, employees on work
• When Arizona and other states required it from employee number one, you're not serious about illegal
• Eighty-seven percent of all companies in Florida have fewer than 20 employees.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to hear SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal immigration priorities and said it replaces a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expands local-federal cooperation, increases penalties for crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants, requires detention in certain cases, broadens information sharing, funds detention-bed expansion and law-enforcement training, and ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. The bill also includes provisions related to sanctuary policies, voter fraud, transport of unauthorized aliens, and driver’s license-related offenses. The sponsor said the bill appropriates roughly $300 million overall, including $250 million for grants and $48 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for interdiction and border-related enforcement work. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, costs, and implementation. Senators focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, asking how many students would be affected and whether the bill would harm students who have long lived in Florida. They also pressed on whether the bill should include stronger E-Verify provisions, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, whether local officials could be penalized for policy choices, and how immigration status would be verified in court and jail settings. The sponsor and Senator Fine said the tuition waiver would be removed for undocumented students, that the bill does not address E-Verify, and that the measure is intended to make immigration status a factor in detention and sentencing. Questions also addressed detention-bed capacity, reimbursement rates, and whether corrections staff would receive bonuses or salary increases; sponsors said bonuses are included for participating law enforcement, while broader salary issues would be handled in the regular budget process. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters and information-only witnesses, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and former officials, said the bill would help Florida coordinate with federal authorities, expand bed space, and close loopholes in existing immigration enforcement. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, labor groups, and immigrant advocates argued the bill is unconstitutional, likely to trigger litigation, and harmful to families, schools, and the economy. They warned that the pretrial detention provisions could lead to wrongful detentions and that the tuition changes would reduce access to higher education and cost the state tuition revenue. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee continued through public comment and extended the meeting to complete the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of state hospital employees there that are at risk, um, whereas the DCR, I would think
• 00:09:40.839><c> of</c><00:09:41.200><c> state</c><00:09:41.640><c> hospital</c><00:09:42.399><c> employees
• </c><00:09:43.200><c> there</c> lot of state hospital employees there lot of state hospital employees
• > employment</c> other um uh other City staff employment other um uh other City staff employment employees
• to kind of speak the term employees to kind of speak the term whenever<00:37:42.800><c> they</c><00:

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, go on to our final bill, which is Senate Bill 1254, and this bill is to prohibit active employees
• Senate Bill 1254 would prohibit active employees of the University of Hawaiʻi and the Research Corporation
• We have... employees call me with concerns and they employees call me with concerns and they don't<00
• And certainly they wouldn't be affected by this; we just mean current employees. No?
• And for Senate Bill 1250, this is relating to the border regions and prohibiting active employees of

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on February 6 and began with decision-making items. SB 663, concerning additional positions for the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, was deferred again after the chair said the university’s response did not include the requested details on vacant positions, recruitment status, and fill dates. The chair said the committee needed the full information before considering new positions, and the university apologized for treating the request as informal rather than a formal committee inquiry. The committee then discussed SB 672, relating to capital improvement projects for the Y. Manalo Research Station. University representatives said the project had been identified late because of timing and that they were still developing a broader plan for SEAR research facilities. The chair questioned how the project fit within the university’s existing Board of Regents-approved CIP priorities and whether any current priorities should be displaced. The university said it could not unilaterally reprioritize the budget, and the measure was deferred pending better direction on how it fits into the overall plan. For SB 557, which would require the John A. Burns School of Medicine to direct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention for Maui, the committee heard strong testimony in support from Maui health care providers and community representatives. Supporters described severe shortages of physicians and dentists, long waits for care, and the need for housing, loan repayment, scholarships, transportation, and telehealth support to retain providers. The university said it was willing to help and suggested the work could be done through existing rural health and AHEC efforts. The bill was kept alive for further work, with the chair encouraging the parties to develop a plan. The committee also heard SB 1107, establishing a medical education position at JABSOM to support ECHO-style mentorship and guidance programs. The university opposed the bill, saying it did not believe the measure addressed a problem that needed fixing and that Hawaiʻi already has five ECHO clinics administered through the Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association, not JABSOM. The committee then took up SB 1204, concerning integration of the Kakaʻako medical school and cancer center. University leadership asked for time to develop a plan and timeline, possibly with an external consultant, and requested the bill be withdrawn. The chair expressed skepticism, citing long-standing concerns about the cancer center’s finances and planning. Testimony included support from the American Cancer Society and a patient who warned that integration could jeopardize the cancer center’s NCI designation and clinical trials, while a university vice president said the NIH P30 grant does not require the cancer center and medical school to remain separate and that many NCI centers are integrated. No final votes were taken on the measures discussed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.
• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.
• They design and produce safety steel wire mesh guarding for the automation industry, which protects employee
• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.
• The company nearly tripled their gross sales and more than doubled the number of employees.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're housed at the University of Minnesota, which is in state statute that we're employees there, and
• and then assuming ownership but employee and then assuming ownership but it's<00:41:01.359><c> just<
• Last year, he helped walk her through the overwhelming process of hiring her first employees.
• I also know Farm business employees I also know Farm business management<00:51:40.799><c> to</c><00:
• out employees uh when businesses<01:36:53.679><c> decide</c><01:36:53.920><c> to</c><01:36:54.080><c

Bills: HF711 , HF653

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As I noted earlier, we went from nine employees this time last year to 90 full-time employees at this
• this time last year to 90 employees this time last year to 90 full-time<00:20:34.360><c> employees</
• at this point we full-time employees at this point we also<00:20:36.280><c> have</c><00:20:36.480><c
• You've gone from nine employees to 90.
• I'm just curious about how some of those decisions are made and bringing those employees on, and then

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Any employee of the Commonwealth considered a court officer, Section 20S.
• Any employee of the Commonwealth considered a court officer pursuant to sections 69A, 70A, and 71A of
• Any employee of the Commonwealth or a public instrumentality or political subdivision thereof who holds
• the request of Representative Saunders of Belchertown, Duffy of Holyoke, will members, guests, and employees

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House considered House No. 57, a $425 million supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 to fund the emergency shelter/emergency housing assistance system and related activities. The bill, as described by the chair of Ways and Means, included major policy changes requested by the Governor: immediate residency verification at intake, limits on eligibility, required criminal history disclosures and CORI checks, a reduced maximum shelter stay from nine months to six months with hardship waivers, temporary respite sites for 30 days, and a cap on system capacity. Supporters argued the changes were needed to preserve the right-to-shelter system amid fiscal strain and federal inaction; opponents said the bill still did not go far enough or, in some cases, went too far and risked harming families and children. The House debated and voted on numerous amendments, mostly focused on tightening eligibility or changing shelter operations. Several Republican amendments to reduce funding, impose a one-year residency requirement, require broader background checks, limit eligibility to homelessness caused within Massachusetts, and require cooperation with ICE were rejected, often after roll call votes. A point of order was sustained on multiple amendments as beyond the scope of the bill, including proposals affecting court officers, law enforcement, and ICE-related provisions. The House also rejected amendments to cut the appropriation from $425 million to $200 million and to add other restrictions on eligibility and administration. Some amendments were adopted. A redrafted Amendment 27, offered by Rep. Decker, was adopted 25-25 on a tie vote and expanded protections to children under age six and added related hardship/extension language. A subsequent amendment by Rep. Consalvo was adopted unanimously to add disability-related protections and extend benefits in certain cases. Another amendment by Rep. Finn was adopted to modify language about seeking federal reimbursement, and Amendment 9 was adopted to require competitive bidding for certain service funds. After debate and roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 126-26. The House then observed a moment of tribute for Doug Selfick and adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, agency, an employee of the agency.
• I mean, agency, an employee of the agency.
• children were pulled out of their home, they say, oh, we have a review process, call one of our employees
• at this hotline, and they'll determine whether or not that employee agrees with us or you.

Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54

Committee: Senate Administrative Rules

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administrative Rules met with a quorum and considered five Oklahoma Health Care Authority and OMMA rules resolutions. Senate Joint Resolution 50 was presented as a federal-law conformity change allowing licensed professional counselors, LBHPs, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors to work as eligible providers in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics; despite questions about the fiscal estimate, it passed 9-0. SJR 51 was amended to correct rule citations related to human genome sequencing, then failed on a 4-5 vote after members noted an estimated $860,000 fiscal impact tied to legislation. SJR 52, removing physician visit limits in Medicaid, was described as an access-to-care and rural health measure that could reduce ER use; it passed 8-1. The committee then took up SJR 53 from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, which would align rules with statutes requiring prepackaging of medical marijuana products and other provisions. Members questioned OMMA extensively about the economic impact, the discrepancy between the agency’s estimate and Loft’s much larger estimate, and whether the rules were already being implemented under emergency authority. OMMA said the rules mirrored existing statutes and that the cost would fall on the industry and ultimately consumers, not the agency. After debate about regulatory fairness and the effect on the industry, the resolution passed 5-4. Finally, SJR 54, a non-major OMMA rule change renaming the adjudicator from administrative law judge to hearing examiner to match the Administrative Procedures Act, drew concerns about independence and whether OMMA should be required to contract for outside adjudicators. The director said the change was only a terminology alignment and would not alter current practice, and Senator Bergstrom said he would pursue legislation next year to require outside contracting. An amendment changed the committee’s position from disapprove to approve, but the underlying resolution still failed 4-5. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you're not a full-time employee, you don't qualify.
• So if you're not a full-time employee, you don't qualify.
• when it comes to their fire departments, they want to be able to know that their businesses, their employees
• when it comes to their fire departments, they want to be able to know that their businesses, their employees

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all