Video & Transcript : 'H.R. 1' :

Page 49 of 500
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

General Laws Feb 25th, 2026

General Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • really what we're going to focus on, what we're focusing on is, as the representatives mentioned, before H.R
  • . 1 did pass last year.
  • In the one big, beautiful bill, or H.R. 1, whichever one you want to call it, there are provisions that
  • That is why we went ahead and were proactive with H.R. 1 coming.
Committee: House General Laws
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 5th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for allowing me to rise today on behalf of the Legislative Women's Caucus in support of H.R
  • In that spirit, and on behalf of the Jewish Caucus, I respectfully request an aye vote on H.R. 16.
  • The Black Caucus uplifts H.R. 16 because it reflects a shared struggle—a struggle against colonialism
  • On behalf of the Black Caucus, I respectfully ask for your aye vote on H.R. 16. Gracias.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • . 1.
  • We project that H.R. 1 will create a gap of $80 million to $100 million a year in our budget.
  • The changes associated with H.R. 1 over the next two years are expected to create additional financial
  • It's a hard time for hospitals, and I know with H.R. 1 it is a lot of rough waters ahead.
  • Federal actions under House Resolution 1 threatened to reverse decades of progress.
Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 8th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • So Amendments 1 through 3 are technical.
  • came back in 2025, and I was honored to serve with Representative Moore and Representative Lafleur on H.R
  • . 322, And I was honored to serve with Representative Moore and Representative Lafleur on H.R. 322, which
Bills: HCR7 , HB76 , HB84 , HB132 , HB265 , HB275 , HB322 , HB635 , HB808 , HB883 , HB1054
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Democrats Budget Rollout Feb 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • So with all that in mind, we have worked in this budget to mitigate the effects of H.R. 1 and other reductions
  • It contemplated exactly the situation that we're in right now where there's less than 1% of job growth
  • We do that, and we have a 1% growth cap on that.
  • And now we're back at that 1%. Most other states use income taxes to fund public schools.
Summary: Senate budget writers, led by Chair June Robinson with Senators Noel Frame and Derek Stanford, rolled out the Senate operating budget and described it as a difficult supplemental budget shaped by flat revenue growth, rising maintenance costs, and uncertainty from federal actions, including H.R. 1 and tariffs. They said the proposal aims to preserve core services such as K-12 education, health care, food assistance, housing stability, and long-term care while making targeted reductions and avoiding broad-based tax increases like sales, property, or B&O tax hikes. A major focus of the discussion was how to pay for the Working Families Tax Credit and how to handle cuts in the Working Connections child care program. Robinson said the Senate budget uses policy changes, especially an attendance-based payment adjustment, rather than the governor’s proposed enrollment cap and waitlist, because lawmakers wanted to avoid destabilizing the child care workforce and reduce harm to families. She also said the Senate is open to negotiating with the House on the Climate Commitment Act use of funds for the tax credit, noting that the statute allows it, though some advocates oppose that approach. The senators defended using $750 million from the rainy day fund, saying it was preferable to deeper cuts and still leaves reserves above $1 billion in the near term. They also argued that Washington’s revenue system is too dependent on property and sales taxes and that a future “millionaires tax” could help stabilize funding, especially for education and other core services. In response to criticism from educators and Republicans, they said the state has made progress on school funding and that rising program costs reflect increased need and utilization rather than waste. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the event was a budget rollout and press Q&A rather than a formal committee action.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/22/2026 - House Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • With H.R. 1 passing last July 4th and the SNAP and Medicaid reforms, along with the Rural Health Transformation
  • Representative Quang Nguyen, LD-1, Yavapai County, and a tiny little chunk of Coconino.
  • Selina Bliss, also historic LD-1, which is pretty much Yavapai County and then a little bit of Coconino
  • Examples include a reduction in high blood pressure, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, adolescent leukemia,
  • That system is being challenged right now through conformity to HB and H.R. 1, as Madam Chair said at
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:42:49.599><c> in</c><00:42:49.839><c> the</c> 1:00 a.m. in the 1:00 a.m. in the morning.<00:42
  • </c> beautiful bill at 1:00 in the morning. beautiful bill at 1:00 in the morning.
  • meeting at 1:00 in the morning?
  • So tune in tonight at 1:00 are doing.
  • </c><03:02:04.160><c> and</c> rules committee meeting at 1:00 a.m. and rules committee meeting at 1:00
Bills: SJR13 , HB1969 , HR1223 , HR426 , HR430
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Ways & Means

House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2785 conforms the state statutes to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026, including
  • Stunned to find out that 50% of all the revenue comes from 1% of their filers. That's crazy.
  • Stunned to find out that 50% of all the revenue comes from 1% of their filers. That's crazy.
  • HB 2785 assumes multiple revenue cuts on top of the cuts that are already enacted under H.R. 1.
  • . 1, putting it together, doing one total fix to make it all happy for everybody else.
Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2785, a major Arizona tax conformity measure that would align state law with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and apply retroactively to tax year 2025. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Department of Revenue tax forms legal, provide certainty to taxpayers already filing under those forms, and deliver about $440 million in tax relief through provisions such as no tax on tips and overtime, a larger standard deduction, a $6,000 senior deduction, and changes to deductions and the SALT cap. Opponents argued the bill would significantly reduce state revenue, disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers, and should not move forward without a broader budget plan. After an amendment addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language was adopted, the committee approved HB 2785 on a 5-4 vote. The committee then heard several Arizona State Retirement System technical cleanup bills. HB 2089, clarifying the health insurance premium benefit subsidy, passed 9-0. HB 2090, changing the disability timeframe for long-term disability benefits, passed 8-1. HB 2092, allowing certain employees over age 65 to waive ASRS participation within 30 days of eligibility, also passed 8-1. These measures were described by staff and the sponsor as simple corrections, with little opposition. Finally, the committee considered HB 2477, which conforms Arizona’s 529 education savings plan to federal law, expands allowable uses, and adds rules for 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers and ABLE transfers. Supporters called it a cleanup bill that would simplify administration for families, while some members raised concerns about the Roth rollover and possible use of funds transferred from ESA accounts. The bill passed 5-3 with one member voting present. The committee then adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 29th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • H.R. 369 by Representative Affirmant.
  • H.R. 370 by Representative Murray.
  • First instrument in this order: House Bill 1 by Representative McFarland is temporarily returned to the
  • The Senate floor amendment added a facility needs review for types 1 and 2 rural health clinics.
  • It's subject to approval by CMS, and every month they're going to do a count on each type 1 rural health
Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB66 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB145 , HB159 , HB167 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB316 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB511 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB799 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1095 , HB1126 , HB1129 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1230 , HB1235 , HB1249 , HB723 , HB36 , HB140 , HB181 , HB198 , HB205 , HB211 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB302 , HB335 , HB342 , HB487 , HB513 , HB623 , HB682 , HB730 , HB740 , HB761 , HB775 , HB797 , HB812 , HB816 , HB940 , HB968 , HB979 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1038 , HB1049 , HB1084 , HB1161 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1203 , HB1247 , HB1256 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB237 , SB250 , SB405 , SB406 , SB414 , SB433 , SB480 , SB513 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB134 , HB1117 , SB42 , SB274 , SB382 , SB449 , SB300 , HR74 , HB463 , HB715 , HB998 , SB80 , SB268 , SB444 , SB479 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , HB74 , HB119 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1236 , SB208 , SB217 , SB283 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB469
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Care & Wellness Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health Care & Wellness

Transcript Highlights:
  • number one, hold one of those limited licenses for clinical experience that must be issued prior to July 1,
  • all are aware of: expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits, federal policy changes under H.R
  • . 1, and double-digit premium increases.
  • . 1, the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits, and literally just last week a proposed rule
  • Article 2, Section 1(b) of the Washington State Constitution lays out the specific criteria of what an
Bills: SB5877 , SB5904 , SB5988
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Apr 27th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have H.R. 118 by Representative Wright. I think he's next door.
  • We have H.R. 118 by Representative Wright. I think he's next door.
Summary: Yes. This appears to be a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee, based on the roll call, the committee chair’s remarks, and the committee’s consideration of bills and resolutions with tax and fiscal implications. The committee first announced that SB 436 by Senator Cloud was deferred. It then heard SB 442 by Senator Stein, which would provide a local sales and use tax exemption in Calcasieu Parish for repairs, upgrades, and overhauls on certain aircraft at qualifying facilities such as Chennault. The bill was presented as an economic development measure to keep aviation maintenance work and jobs in Southwest Louisiana. After testimony from Citadel Completions representatives describing the company’s operations, local partnerships, and job creation, the committee voted to report SB 442 favorably without objection. The committee next took up HR 118 by Representative Wright, which would create a legislative subcommittee to study a possible state income tax credit for certain water utility customers facing high rates tied to water system upgrades and brown-water issues in parts of the Florida parishes and elsewhere. Members questioned the fiscal impact, eligibility, duration, and whether the proposal would simply subsidize private utility rates or address a broader regulatory problem. Wright emphasized that the resolution was only for study and would gather testimony and numbers before any credit was considered. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1039 by Representative Deshotel was called but no presenter was present, so the committee held the bill in committee. The meeting then adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Apr 27th, 2026

Ways & Means

TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing no one, public testimony is closed and the States, H.R. 118, seeing no one.
  • public testimony is closed and the States, H.R. 118, seeing no one.
Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee heard and laid out several measures focused on school safety, Texas-Taiwan relations, defense manufacturing, business formation, hotel tax policy, and NASA relocation. HB 1851 would allow surplus DPS vehicles and law enforcement equipment to be transferred to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas for use by school police and security personnel, with a two-year resale restriction. HCR 127 expressed support for the Texas-Taiwan relationship and trade ties, HCR 118 supported expanding warship manufacturing in Texas, HCR 141 urged Congress to move NASA headquarters to Houston, HB 346 (with a committee substitute) revised business filing and fee authority while making permanent a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses, HB 2974 was an omnibus hotel occupancy tax and qualified hotel project bill, and HB 5596 addressed accountability for municipal hotel occupancy tax revenues in coastal communities. Witnesses generally supported the measures, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association on HB 2974 and resource witnesses from the Texas Veterans Commission and Secretary of State on HB 346; no opposition testimony was registered on the laid-out bills. After public testimony, the committee took up pending business and adopted committee substitutes where applicable. HB 1851, HB 346, HB 2974, and HB 5596 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with HB 346 and HB 2974 also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HCR 127 and HCR 118 were reported favorably as well, and HCR 127 and HCR 141 were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported HB 4320 favorably, though the transcript repeats that motion several times. The meeting ended with the committee standing in recess until 7:00 a.m. subject to the call of the chair.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Please recognize our Representative Sneed to present H.R. 1047. Clerk, read. Clerk, read.
  • Back by popular demand, Gen Gov is meeting today at 1:30 in 4S5. Be there."
  • move that when the clerk's desk is clear, the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 1:
  • Members, the Oklahoma House of Representatives will be adjourned until Wednesday, April 8th at 1:30 p.m
  • April 8th at 1:30 p.m. Have a great day.
Summary: The House convened, called the roll, offered an invocation, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also handled routine business including reassignment of Senate Bills 262 and 1618 to the Rules Committee, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Hatoum, and Nurse of the Day, Alexis Watt of Pryor. Several guest groups were introduced from the galleries, including Leadership Lawton-Fort Sill, the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Sooner Job Challenge, Elevate Oklahoma students, and the Antlers youth leadership group from Sapulpa. The main legislative item discussed was House Resolution 1047 by Representative Sneed concerning CompSource Mutual Insurance Company. Sneed said the resolution was intended to ensure policyholders are made whole from roughly $1 billion in reserves before any reorganization or conversion, and explained that policyholders should share in the value created by their premiums. Members asked questions about CompSource’s structure, its move from mutual to stock status, whether the resolution was binding, and whether policyholders would receive cash or stock; Sneed said the resolution expresses the will of the House and that the details would be determined by the policyholders and the company. An amendment to the resolution was adopted without objection, and the resolution itself was then adopted without objection. The remainder of the meeting consisted of announcements about committee meetings and events, including devotion, Gen Gov, Post-Secondary Education, Banking, Insurance, Public Health, Rural Caucus, and Oklahoma Film and Music Day. The floor leader then moved to adjourn, and the House adjourned until Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So with all that in mind, we have worked in this budget to mitigate the effects of H.R. 1 and other reductions
  • It contemplated exactly the situation that we're in right now where there's less than 1% of job growth
  • And we have a 1% growth cap on that.
  • And now we're back at that 1%. Most other states use income taxes to fund public schools.
Summary: Senate budget writers, led by Sen. June Robinson, rolled out the Senate operating budget and described it as a difficult supplemental budget shaped by flat revenue growth, rising maintenance costs, and uncertainty from federal actions, including H.R. 1 and tariffs. They said the proposal aims to preserve core services such as K-12 education, health care, food assistance, long-term care, housing stability, and child care while mitigating federal cuts, and they emphasized that it does not include broad-based tax increases like sales, property, or B&O tax hikes. A major focus of the discussion was how to pay for the Working Families Tax Credit and how to reduce the budget gap. Robinson said the Senate proposal uses about $750 million from the rainy day fund because additional cuts would be too severe, and she noted the statute allows that use in a slow-growth economy. Senators also discussed the Climate Commitment Act as a possible funding source for the tax credit, but said they would negotiate with the House on that issue. On child care, they said the Senate avoided the governor’s approach of capping Working Connections Child Care enrollment and creating a waitlist, instead relying more on attendance-based payment changes to reduce costs while trying to avoid destabilizing the provider network. The senators also responded to criticism from educators and Republicans. They acknowledged concerns from the Washington Education Association that schools and special education remain underfunded, but argued the state has made major progress and that Washington’s tax structure limits school funding growth because of the 1% property tax cap. They said a future “millionaires tax” could help stabilize revenue and support education and other services. In response to Republican claims of a “spending addiction,” Robinson said critics should identify specific cuts they would support, and noted Republicans had offered little support for prior budget-cutting measures.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

HOUSE RULES Apr 15th, 2026

HOUSE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • Basically, if you look at the shorted amount, like what 1.6, about it, 1% of 6.7 is $67 million.
  • You can see how greatly they fluctuate and how 1% change can make such a critical difference.
  • billion for the state and $1 billion... ...billion, $2 billion, $1 billion for the state and $1 billion
  • I have reviewed H.R.
  • Representative Howard Beatty, District 95, here to present H.R. 1015.
Committee: All HOUSE RULES
Summary: The committee first considered House Resolution 1016, presented by Rep. Marcus Richmond, which sought permission to file a bill aimed at consumer protection in certain housing arrangements where buyers purchase an interest in an entity rather than the property itself. Richmond said the measure was intended to improve transparency, prevent deceptive real estate practices, and ensure disputes would be handled in Arkansas or federal courts rather than private tribunals. Members raised concerns about overlap with existing law, possible effects on homeowners associations, arbitration clauses, hunting clubs, religious organizations, and the bill’s 25-acre exemption. After discussion, the committee voted down the resolution. House Resolution 1006, by Rep. Bart Schultz, proposed increasing the homestead tax credit by $75, from $600 to $675, using a fund created for property tax relief. Schultz argued the increase was supported by the annual report on the fund and was timely because of higher costs for gas and groceries. Members asked about using special language instead, whether the increase could be made retroactive later, and whether the governor had included it on the call. The committee approved the resolution. The committee then heard House Resolution 1007, presented by Sen. Brian King and Rep. James Eaton, which would have changed how turnback sales tax revenue is distributed to counties, with the first $150 million of sales tax revenue going into a fund for county infrastructure and each county receiving an equal share. Supporters said it would help counties with roads, jails, water, sewer, and other critical needs, while opponents questioned whether taking revenue off the top would harm other state services and whether the issue was urgent enough for a fiscal session. The resolution failed. House Resolution 1008, by Rep. Jim Wooten and Sen. King, sought changes to the LEARNS Act and school choice funding, including performance-based eligibility and reporting requirements. Wooten argued the program was financially unsustainable and that accountability was needed; members questioned whether the proposal would create a larger emergency and whether it should instead be handled through budget language. The resolution failed after a point of order interrupted the closing remarks. Finally, House Resolution 1009, presented by Rep. Ron McNair and Sen. King, aimed to restore local control over crypto mines and data centers, citing concerns about water use, electricity demand, Chinese ownership, and litigation tied to prior legislation. Members questioned whether the issue was truly emergent and whether the resolution was the right vehicle. The resolution failed. House Resolution 1015, by Rep. Howard Beatty, proposed amending the prior IDA bill to address concerns raised by constituents, including board accountability and removing eminent domain authority. Supporters said it would improve the bill before next session, but the resolution also failed. The committee then adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education May 21st, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • recommendations for related legislation to the House and Senate committees on education no later than March 1,
  • 12th grade, and to submit a report to the House and Senate committees on education no later than March 1,
  • This is HB-1-0. I don't have an amendment on this one, do I? HB-100. HB-1003.
  • H.R. The H.R. It does just that.
  • Senator Andrews moves favorable on H.R. 49, and the objections here?
Committee: Senate Education
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Beginning January 1, 2027, the Employment Security Department must collect penalties and interest on
  • The bill also creates the Well Washington Fund, which is in the state treasury, beginning July 1, 2027
  • I think you mentioned, Representative Scott, in your opening testimony that this would apply to 1% of
  • . 1.
  • But H.R. 1 is poised to wipe out these gains.
Bills: HB2334 , HB2140 , HB2326 , HB2100
Committee: House Finance
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kenton Brine continued: “Section 4-1 references RCW 48.14.02, which references all lines of insurance
  • In the bill before you, beginning January 1, 2027, carriers and plans offered to public employees must
  • The add-on rate stays the same currently, but recent federal regulations from H.R. 1 prohibit states
  • Beginning July 1, 2026, the annual quality assurance fee rate will be the rate in effect as of July 4
  • Without this new alignment with H.R. 1, this program becomes at risk, and we really don't want to go
Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6159 would create a public hospital infrastructure account funded by a new annual coverage assessment on insurers and other businesses subject to the premium tax, and would allow public hospital districts and other public health entities to collaborate more freely and access capital financing for major construction or modernization projects. Senator Dhingra said the bill is intended to help public hospitals compete and modernize, especially amid federal Medicaid and ACA subsidy cuts. Supporters included UW Medicine, while hospital districts supported the general concept but said Section 2 could unintentionally narrow existing cooperative agreements with nonpublic entities. Health plans and insurers opposed the bill, arguing it would raise premiums, increase consolidation, and improperly sweep in property and casualty insurers and mutual companies; testimony also raised concerns about pass-through costs and retaliatory tax effects. The hearing on SB 6159 closed with 5 pro, 74 con, and 2 other sign-ins. The committee then heard SB 5845, which would modernize timely payment rules by requiring carriers and public employee plans to pay or deny all clean claims within 30 days, require prompt notice and a single request for additional information on incomplete claims, and impose interest or penalties for missed deadlines. Senator Slaughter said the bill would reduce uncertainty for providers and stabilize payments without increasing patient costs. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems strongly supported the measure, citing large volumes of late clean claims and examples of prolonged delays, including a Harborview claim that remained unpaid more than a year after billing. Health plans opposed the bill, saying the current 95% standard is workable, that they already meet high compliance rates, and that the bill could limit fraud, waste, and abuse review on high-dollar claims; they also sought more flexibility and additional time for responses. The hearing closed with 69 pro, 4 con, and 2 other sign-ins. The committee also heard SB 5916, which would prohibit health plans from disadvantaging non-opioid pain treatments relative to opioids in formularies and utilization management, and would require a Department of Health educational pamphlet on non-opioid alternatives. Senator Harris described the bill as a response to opioid deaths and a way to encourage safer pain treatment options. Patients, recovery advocates, and rare disease advocates testified in support, saying insurance barriers and step therapy often make non-opioid care harder to access and can push patients toward opioids. The Health Care Authority and an association of health plans opposed the bill, arguing it could reduce formulary flexibility, increase costs, and limit tools such as prior authorization and step therapy. The hearing closed with 8 pro, 1 con, and 2 other sign-ins. Finally, the committee heard SB 6102 and SB 6103, both sponsored by Senator Muzzall, and SB 6071. SB 6102 would align the ambulance transport quality assurance fee with federal rules after H.R. 1 barred new provider taxes, preserving the existing fee rate and adjusting the Medicaid add-on rate annually; the Washington Ambulance Association supported it, saying the program had improved wages and benefits for EMS workers. SB 6103 would make Medicaid payments for services provided by a rural emergency hospital subject to appropriation, creating a framework for East Adams Rural Health Care to convert to the new federal rural emergency hospital model; East Adams and the Washington State Hospital Association supported it as a way to preserve rural access. SB 6071 would shorten overpayment recovery timelines for all services to six months, or nine months for coordination-of-benefits cases, matching the shorter timelines already enacted for behavioral health services; providers and specialty associations supported the bill as a way to reduce destabilizing clawbacks, while the remaining testimony was still underway when the transcript ended.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, I move that we suspend all necessary rules to consider H.R. 775.
  • H.R. 792 by Reynolds, declaring April 7th, 2025 as Jack and Jill of America Day at the State Capitol.
  • Members, the question occurs on the adoption of H.R. 797. Is there any objection?
  • The 9-1-1 response fund and grant program is referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety
  • District No. 1, providing the authority to issue bonds, granting authority to impose assessments and