Transcript Highlights:

• kind of medicine that they are providing.
• We want to help provide the best care.
• Having these hospitals open provides critical life-saving support.
• And that is the health care providers, the physicians being on site.
• And that is the health care providers, the physicians being on site.

Summary: The committee first completed action on House Bill 3009, adopting an amendment, rolling the bill into a House Committee Substitute, and then voting do pass on the substitute by a 20-0 roll call vote. The meeting then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1963, which would reduce from five years to three years the amount of licensed practice required before certain social workers may supervise others. Representative Tara Peters said the change would help address Missouri’s behavioral health workforce shortage, especially in rural areas, and testimony from the National Association of Social Workers and Burrell Behavioral Health supported the bill as a way to remove a bottleneck without changing education or supervision-hour requirements. There was no opposition testimony on HB 1963. The committee then heard House Bill 2557, which would require a physician to be physically present in an emergency department during all hours of operation. Representative George Hruza argued the bill would improve patient safety and standardize emergency care, while noting possible telehealth accommodations for low-volume critical access hospitals. Supporters, including physicians and medical associations, said patients expect physician-led emergency care and that physician presence is the gold standard. Opponents, led by the Missouri Hospital Association and several rural hospital administrators, argued the mandate is not realistic given physician shortages, could force rural ER closures, and would reduce access to care; they emphasized that current hospital models rely on teams, telehealth, and transfer protocols. The bill drew extensive discussion but no vote was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 311, which would modernize Missouri’s bail bond laws by creating a professional board and tightening training, oversight, and recovery procedures. Representative Brandon Phelps said the industry itself wants clearer standards and that he may revise the bill in committee substitute form to merge the new board with an existing board to reduce costs. A bail bond industry representative testified in support, saying the profession wants higher standards and accountability. The chair then adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide energy-efficient service to help lower energy costs and water use for data centers and
• We work closely with our education customers to provide an unmatched ecosystem of end-to-end, reliable
• He concluded that the bill is about providing resources that already exist in Louisiana to people in
• line 5, and page 2, line 2, provides for the department to make the rules.
• Thank you. ...provide better feedback for the direction of education.

Bills: HR171, HCR49, HB632, HB1084, SB310, SB351, SB399

Keywords: HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the credentials of value bill.
• They also are connected with that credential of value. I yield for question and move for adoption.
• about workforce readiness, not mandates, connecting students with real jobs, real skills, and real credentials
• Counselor, do you believe that if we make this minor change in this law and provide some evidence that

Bills: HB1937, HB2210, HB2398, HB3021, HB3129, HB3312, HB3557, HB4358

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Summary: The Education Oversight committee heard and advanced several House bills, mostly with policy recommendations or amendments accepted and then due-pass votes. HB 4358, by Pro Tem Moore, would limit screen time for pre-K through fifth grade and shift online testing/remediation provisions to shorter, per-class-period limits; it was sent out due pass. HB 2398, by Rep. Hill, would recognize “credentials of value” for students in career tech and higher education based on workforce demand and other indicators, and it also passed due pass. HB 3557, by Rep. Williams, would keep 4-H fundraising money in the county where it was raised and prevent commingling with other funds; the committee agreed to strike the title and send it out due pass. The committee also advanced HB 3129, which would prevent colleges from charging security fees to students or student organizations based on public expression, and HB 3312, which would create K-12 firearms education curriculum developed with OSDE and CLEET, focused on safety, storage, and response, with no live firearms or ammunition. HB 2210 modernizes the youth apprenticeship program by allowing earlier entry into career pathways, expanding eligibility, and assigning CareerTech oversight and ROI reporting; it passed due pass. HB 1937, in a committee substitute, was discussed at length and would require corroborating evidence before school personnel are suspended over alleged improper communications with students, while still requiring action and reporting; it was also sent out due pass. Finally, HB 3021, a lengthy graduation-related cleanup bill, was explained as reconciling conflicting statutes and making several technical changes, including allowing tribal language to count as a non-English language for graduation purposes. After extensive stakeholder work and a late-filed committee substitute, the committee accepted the PCS and sent the bill out due pass. The meeting concluded after all House bills on the agenda were advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agree with us by providing evidence. agree with us by providing evidence.
• </c> providing um nurses, traveling nurses. providing um nurses, traveling nurses.
• </c><01:49:21.600><c> uh</c> framework and we're just providing uh framework and we're just providing
• </c> that is a peer credential. that is a peer credential.
• you need to be able to credential you need to be able to provide<02:10:54.960><c> the</c><02:10:55.119

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am pleased to be here to provide some orientation to the committee.
• That’s not included in here; that’s about another $3 million a year in providing tuition waivers for
• </c> another $3 million a year in providing another $3 million a year in providing tuition<01:19:35.199
• </c><01:47:09.239><c> our</c><01:47:09.480><c> respective</c> were providing our respective were providing
• </c><02:02:04.920><c> us</c> one in the current banum provides us one in the current banum provides us

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of a newly created House Education Funding Committee, which also handles career technical education and higher education legislation. The chair explained that the committee was split off from the larger education committee because of the high volume of bills in the prior biennium, and said its focus would be on education funding policy and related fiscal issues. He noted that the committee had already reviewed major topics with the Department of Education, including the foundation formula, building aid, career technical education, special education aid, catastrophic aid, and higher education funding, and that chancellors from the university and community college systems were scheduled to appear later that morning. The bulk of the meeting was an orientation on committee procedures and decorum. The chair reviewed attendance and replacement rules, hearing procedures, time limits for testimony, and how the committee would handle crowded hearings, early bills, and fiscal notes. He emphasized that hearings are not debates, that sponsors and co-sponsors may present but should not use their position to dominate questioning, and that the chair controls whether additional technical questions are asked of witnesses. He also stressed neutrality, saying members should not display buttons or placards or engage in running debates with testifiers, and that the committee should treat all testimony respectfully regardless of party or viewpoint. Additional housekeeping guidance covered security procedures, use of cell phones and computers during hearings, breaks and hydration in the dry hearing rooms, and courtesy toward the clerk and other staff. The chair also asked members to notify leadership in advance of absences and explained that some bills may require larger rooms or overflow arrangements. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• For districts to provide that.
• Comp ed is still provided; it's provided for a reason, it's generated for a reason, and...
• Comp ed is still provided. It's provided for a reason; it's generated for a reason.
• around credentialing and pathways.
• I'm just trying to. provide that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed bill removes providing intellectual disability services and providing personal care services
• There weren't enough services being provided.
• I am a Medicaid personal care provider.
• That means other entities are free to provide, apply to be a provider agency.
• That means other entities are free to provide, apply to be a provider agency.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a provider, I think that they provide a provider, I think that they provide some<01:15:55.360><c
• The witness said they would talk about that, and that it is just credentialing them to be providers.
• All of the providers in our clinic are preferred providers.
• to adequately provide those providers to adequately provide the<04:53:04.520><c> service</c><04:53:05.040
• </c> include providers. include providers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what is the benefit of them providing less information than they currently do or currently should
• Would you be willing to make an amendment that speaks to if service is not provided, that the consumer
• It's 3 cents per issued credential. And then I have spoken.
• So they actually have checked into this already prior to me, and it's three cents per issued credential
• also the USPS and so based on those two dates we can confirm whether or not the service has been provided

Bills: SB1220, SB1221, SB1239, SB1309, SB1349, SB1434, SB1516, SB1531, SB1538, SB1861

Keywords: memorial designation, interchange, Terry Walker, transportation, Oklahoma, driver license, tracking system, expedited delivery, Service Oklahoma, REAL ID, public safety, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, infrastructure, state roads, bridges, economic development, highway construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so there are teachers then that could be a first-year teacher that is provided with that.
• Uh, so there are teachers then that could be a first-year teacher that is provided with that.
• Uh, so there are teachers then that could be a first-year teacher that is provided with that.
• Uh, so there are teachers then that could be a first-year teacher that is provided with that.
• Uh, so there are teachers then that could be a first-year teacher that is provided with that.

Bills: SB209, SB248, HB122, SB99, SB209, SB248, HB122, SB99

Keywords: sales tax exemption, Consumer Price Index, local government, clothing, school supplies, emergency preparedness, Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, APA, administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, contested case, state agency, regulatory power, individual liberty, statutory interpretation, rule interpretation, license revocation

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern designated by the provider.
• </c> KBOE, Kentucky laser credentialed KBOE, Kentucky laser credentialed practicing<00:38:00.240><c>
• </c> have real barriers um to to providing have real barriers um to to providing this<01:36:46.719><c
• In contrast to cannabis provides.
• </c> is required to recommend or provide it. is required to recommend or provide it.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Christman with HCAI, happy to provide that update.
• We provided that to CMS at the end of January.
• So the second part of that was a cap on provider payments.
• To that end, CMA is working with other impacted providers to provide feedback on the language and looks
• To that end, CMA is working with other impacted providers to provide feedback on the language and look

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on five health-related budget items. First, members reviewed state support for distressed hospitals and health facilities. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a lifeline for 16 hospitals, many of which remain financially strained and are expected to seek loan forgiveness rather than repayment. Speakers cited reduced contract labor, new service lines, strategic partnerships, and the reopening of Madera Hospital as signs of progress, but also warned that federal policy changes under H.R. 1 will likely increase uncompensated care and pressure emergency departments. Public commenters from hospital, dental, and consumer groups supported additional funding, including a request to refresh the program with another $300 million. The committee then heard HCAI’s update on the California Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded at $233.6 million for California. HCAI said the program will focus on rural care models, workforce development, and health technology, with grants to be rolled out on a fast timeline and all funds obligated by October 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about rural provider capacity to apply for grants, and HCAI said it will use a third-party administrator, a technical assistance center, webinars, and other supports to help applicants. HCAI also presented its budget request for the health care payments database, seeking ongoing non-General Fund support to continue operations and expand data, including pharmacy benefit manager data. The Emergency Medical Services Authority presented three budget change proposals: funding to replace disaster medical services fleet vehicles, funding for IT security work, and additional positions for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. A member also raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the annual ambulance rate reporting required by AB 716, and EMSA said it remains committed to the requirement but lost prior funding through later budget reductions. Covered California reported that it is still finalizing its own budget, but expects a lower operating budget due to efforts to reduce baseline costs and align spending with actual expenditures; it also projected enrollment declines tied to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and federal rule changes, while noting that revenues may still rise because premiums are expected to increase. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined budget proposals tied to menopause coverage and education, PBM licensure and enforcement under AB 116 and SB 41, credentialing reforms under AB 1041, and prior authorization reporting under SB 306. Public testimony generally supported the menopause and PBM proposals, while also urging clearer language and attention to Medi-Cal parity. The hearing concluded after public comment, including additional advocacy for sickle cell services and rural health workforce funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, what is the best way to provide such help and what obligations exist for those who provide it
• It goes from your psychiatric medical providers.
• , including so many of the faith-based kinds of providers that provide homeless housing but do not use
• Can you elaborate more on holding the providers accountable?
• These are not things you can hold these providers accountable for.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Christman with HCAI, happy to provide that update.
• We provided that to CMS at the end of January.
• So the second part of that was a cap on provider payments.
• To that end, CMA is working with other impacted providers to provide feedback on the language and looks
• To that end, CMA is working with other impacted providers to provide feedback on the language and look

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most institutions reported they could provide limited demographic information, with only one so far providing
• Institutions may opt out if they provide a reason in writing to the legislature and provide a detailed
• WAAGAP provides students with a clear and reassuring pathway to college.
• Guaranteed admissions provides that sense of security that students need.
• Our credential attainment rate has been flat for a decade.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session on student complaints in higher education. Faculty, union, and research witnesses argued that current complaint systems are sometimes misused in bad faith, disproportionately affecting faculty of color, women, and contingent faculty, consuming institutional resources, and chilling academic freedom. They called for an initial screening process for bias or retaliation, routine data collection and equity review, and a faculty bill of rights. Committee members asked about FERPA, Title IX, and how complaint data could be tracked consistently across institutions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6090 would create a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University to register and preserve heritage orchards and rare apple varieties; Senator Braun said it would honor Washington’s apple history and support research at low cost. SB 5931 would make technical changes to the Workforce Education Investment Oversight Board, including two-year co-chair terms, a later annual report date, and removal of a dashboard requirement; WASAC, labor, and Microsoft testified in support. SB 5963 would automatically qualify Passport to Careers students as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and align financial aid definitions; WASAC, College Success Foundation, students, and student advocates supported it as a way to reduce barriers for foster and homeless youth. The committee also heard SB 5978, which would codify and expand the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program and require annual student notifications about admissions, financial aid, dual credit, and related opportunities. Supporters included the Council of Presidents, faculty, students, parents, and the Washington Roundtable, who said guaranteed admission and better outreach would reduce anxiety, improve transparency, and help more students enroll. Finally, SB 6082 would direct JLARC to audit fraud in state financial aid programs, including fictitious students and AI-enabled abuse; the sponsor cited recent fraud concerns, while community and technical college officials said colleges already have fraud controls in place, warned the audit was unfunded and potentially duplicative, and asked for more resources. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Private Post-Secondary Education, including evidence to legally operate and financial protections provided
• A non-accredited institution must also provide specified notifications.
• A non-accredited institution must also provide specified notifications to its Arizona students, including
• It requires out-of-state institutions providing private post-secondary instruction to Arizona students
• Upon receipt of the request, the principal may provide the patriotic youths...

Bills: SB1210, SB1370, SB1422, SB1423

Keywords: private postsecondary education, nondomiciled institutions, tuition recovery fund, accreditation, regulations, patriotic youth groups, public school, civic involvement, educational purpose, discrimination, youth access, credit enhancement eligibility board, school financing, public schools, financing assistance, bonding, debt obligations, guaranteed financings, program sunset, statutory continuation

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:16:46.560><c> produce</c> and Lumina to align credentials, produce and Lumina to align credentials
• This provides funding.
• </c><00:19:53.360><c> This</c><00:19:53.600><c> provides</c> um for for budget year.
• This provides um for for budget year.
• </c> support that the uh state has provided support that the uh state has provided versus<00:30:10.159

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 14 January, 2026: 3:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provider does not prevent the employer from providing on-site treatment at the worker's choice.
• may seek treatment from a non-network provider.
• matters related to these new attending providers.
• matters related to these new attending providers.
• And really, this just provides L&I discretion to And really, this just provides L&I discretion to choose

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee held public hearings and later executive action on several bills. Senate Bill 6158, by request of L&I, would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules to incorporate International Code Council standards and allow qualified third-party inspectors approved by L&I; the sponsor said it would make modular housing inspections more efficient and cost-effective, and L&I supported it with a requested technical amendment and no fiscal impact. Senate Bill 6197 would separate plumbing discipline standards for residential and nonresidential work, allowing suspension after five infractions in five years for nonresidential violations while keeping the current three-in-36-month standard for residential work; supporters from mechanical contractors, union plumbers, and a plumbing advisory board member said it would curb unlicensed work and unsafe practices, while opponents from contractor groups and some plumbing businesses argued it was too punitive, did not adequately distinguish commercial service from construction, and should be refined. L&I said it needed time to implement and asked for a later effective date. During executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute and advanced Senate Bill 5437, which voids noncompetition covenants, with a delayed effective date and other conforming changes; some Republicans opposed it as too broad. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 6117, which would extend PERC jurisdiction and state collective-bargaining protections if federal labor law no longer applies, after rejecting an amendment that would have narrowed coverage further. Senate Bill 5852, dealing with immigrant worker protections during federal I-9 inspections, advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the private right of action. Senate Bill 5847, on workers’ compensation medical care and treatment access, advanced with an amendment removing penalty provisions and another adding claims manager positions; the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Senate Bills 6067 and 6136 also advanced, the former changing workers’ compensation health benefit calculations and the latter requiring L&I to publish actuarially indicated industrial insurance rates. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6302, which would address misclassification in finishing trades on public works by limiting contractors and subcontractors to no more than two independent contractors on covered finishing work such as drywall, flooring, tile, painting, and glazier work, with violators treated as employees for prevailing wage and workers’ compensation purposes. Supporters from building trades and pipefitters said the bill would reduce misclassification, protect workers, and level the playing field; opponents from general contractors and contractor associations said it would effectively ban legitimate independent contractors, reduce flexibility on public projects, and hurt small businesses. L&I said it had clarifying questions about how the cap would apply and asked for more specificity.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not remove the insurance requirement; it just gives citizens another way to provide insurance
• House Bill 3015 authorized the state of Oklahoma to issue electronic credentials for driver's licenses
• This would be in addition to a physical credential.
• House Bill 3147 creates a Route 66 Centennial specialty license plate, providing a voluntary way for
• House Bill 3147 creates a Route 66 Centennial specialty license plate, providing a voluntary way for

Bills: HB1411, HB2980, HB3015, HB3147, HB3277, HB3323, HB3443, HB3882

Keywords: True Grit Trail, Oklahoma, tourism, signage, Department of Transportation, state parks, historical sites, economic development, motor vehicles, insurance, registration, verification, law enforcement, electronic credentials, Service Oklahoma, digital identification, data protection, driver's license, special license plates, Route 66

Transcript Highlights:

• It addresses a gap in the current law which does not provide a clear provision for this practice.
• It addresses a gap in the current law which does not provide a clear provision for this practice.
• Oversight by credentialed professionals and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• </c><00:36:08.200><c> because</c> electronic service provider because electronic service provider because
• ,</c><00:53:42.600><c> they</c> stealing individual credentials, they stealing individual credentials

Keywords: 1191, senate, all