Transcript Highlights:

• So good luck to the education taxes and the health committees.
• So um good luck to the<00:42:27.119> education<00:42:27.599> taxes<00:42:28.079> and
• <00:42:28.319> the<00:42:28.480> health the education taxes and the health the education
• I think I'm the only member on the Senate side that sits on the Human Services Committee and the Education
• I think I'm the only member on the Senate side that sits on the Human Services Committee and the Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Early natural menopause, meaning menopause that occurs before the age of 45 without medical intervention
• , Early natural menopause, meaning menopause that occurs before the age of 45 without medical intervention
• I hope you join me in moving this forward today, as awareness, education, and access to care are essential
• And I hope you join me in moving this forward today as awareness, education, and access to care are essential
• happy that you're bringing this forward, one, for our constituents and, two, to raise the bar for education

Summary: The committee met with roll call attendance and took up two bills. First was Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which would allow the Division of Small Business to add state funding to existing federal small business programs, including the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. There was brief public support from one in-person commenter, no virtual comment, and the committee voted to release the bill, though it did not yet have enough signatures for immediate release and was left open for absent members to sign. The second item was Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, a women’s health insurance mandate requiring coverage for medically necessary menopause and perimenopause diagnostic and treatment services, including FDA-approved hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor therapy, and related care. Representative Smith presented the bill as a response to gaps in menopause care and insurance coverage, and Department of Insurance witness Kennedy Cook explained the religious exemption as applying to certain religious employers and blanket health policies. Committee members asked about the scope of that exemption, and some expressed concern about religious carveouts, while others praised the bill as important women’s health legislation. During public comment, one speaker supported the bill but warned that expanding mandatory health benefits can raise insurance costs. The Department of Insurance then testified in support, saying the bill would align Delaware with other states, many insurers already comply, and the department did not expect a meaningful premium impact. The committee voted to release Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 from committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:27.880> like now our hubs targeted interventions like now our hubs targeted interventions
• that provided an appropriate public education for children with disabilities.
• <01:03:23.440> for an appropriate public education for an appropriate public education for
• MSW high school as a special education MSW high school as a special education teacher<01:03:59.039
• They would also develop a plan to collaborate with regional higher education providers for education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've never seen the pre-trial intervention agreement. Was there restitution involved?
• James just kind of pops out of the anteroom like the TA people do in education.
• Education and finance to vote a certain way.
• Guaranteed income helped me to get an education.
• By spreading out the sales period, they can better educate ...to educate consumers on safe usage and

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That's nearly $580 million directly supporting health, housing, education, and stability.
• I've been working in this area for 19 years, and we work on community education, program development,
• And we work on community education, program development, evaluation, and technical assistance from my
• That's one of the reasons I was able to get a college education is because of that.
• That's one of the reasons I was able to get a college education is because of that.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I cannot tell you right now exactly what those interventions will be, because, if you can see on the
• So, just thank you for educating me on that one.
• um do training and educational um do training and educational activities<01:13:08.160> regarding
• <01:22:31.640> and are receiving the education and are receiving the education and prevention
• <01:23:35.960> initiatives, for example, education initiatives, for example, education initiatives

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Evidence shows that surgical intervention performed within the first 30 to 45 days of life offers the
• Evidence shows that surgical intervention performed within the first 30 to 45 days of life offers the
• Including the preceptorships that will improve the nursing education that they get.
• resources are key components of high-quality nursing education.
• It provides for licensure by endorsement, sets biennial review, renewal, and continuing education.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families. Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the, what is this, the sixth public hearing of the Joint Committee on Education.
• Chair Gordon, members of the Joint Committee on Education, thank you.
• Our family child care educators... 3,000 family child care educators that I work with closely.
• Good afternoon, members of the Joint Committee on Education.
• foundation for success in their secondary education.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its sixth public hearing and took testimony on a large slate of bills, with the chair moving H. 542/S. 341 on family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) child care to the top of the agenda so young constituents would not have to wait. Witnesses from labor, community organizations, and FFN providers strongly supported the bill, saying FFN care fills critical gaps for families working nonstandard hours, especially in low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities. Testimony emphasized that FFN providers are currently underpaid, often receive only about $24 per child per day, and should be guaranteed at least the state minimum wage. Witnesses also backed changes to the voucher system to allow families to combine formal and FFN care more flexibly, and they supported creating an FFN advisory council. Committee members asked about the difference between FFN and center-based care, registration requirements, fingerprinting/background checks, EEC’s ongoing study group, and the fiscal impact; witnesses said the current annual cost is about $1.8 million and could rise to about $6 million if all current FFN providers were paid minimum wage, still under 1% of the EEC budget. The committee then closed testimony on that bill. The committee next heard testimony on several preschool and universal pre-K bills, including H. 707 on public preschool facilities, H. 687/S. 339 on universal pre-K and mixed delivery, and related bills such as H. 606, H. 523, H. 618, H. 522, H. 510, and H. 615, many of which were later closed without additional witnesses. A Lowell school official testified that space and facilities funding are major barriers to expanding preschool and that the city has hundreds of children on voucher waitlists. Other witnesses and organizations, including the Early Care and Education Consortium and AFT Massachusetts, supported mixed-delivery universal pre-K and warned that public-school expansion should not undermine community-based providers, whose preschool tuition helps subsidize infant and toddler care. Several witnesses also urged stronger standards for preschool teachers, better staffing ratios, and more integrated special education and support services. The committee accepted written testimony on some bills and closed testimony on the others when no one else came forward. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 541/S. 373, which would ban school exclusion in pre-K through third grade. Advocates from Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Mass Appleseed, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, AFT Massachusetts, and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee argued that suspensions and expulsions at young ages harm learning, worsen inequities, and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. They cited data showing disproportionate impacts on Black and Latinx students, students with disabilities, and low-income children, and described personal stories of children whose behavior improved when schools kept them in class and addressed underlying needs. Committee members asked for updated data on the number of students and districts affected, and witnesses said they would provide more detailed written information. After testimony on this and a few other bills, including S. 372, S. 357, and H. 275/S. 133, the committee closed testimony and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So whether it's the teacher that's hurt by their special education student, the CEO who just lost a parent
• In brief, as the slides I provided demonstrate, this low-cost intervention has been shown to deliver
• One of the very positive parts of the collaborative care model is that it's one of the few interventions
• that provides secondary prevention services, so early diagnosis and intervention in the primary care
• We know that collaborative care is an effective and evidence-based intervention that increases access

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two is a common sense priority education Two is a common sense priority education measure<00:08:
• And Southern Regional Education Board.
• by the Kentucky Department of Education. by the Kentucky Department of Education.
• <00:16:08.399> So do their continuing education. So do their continuing education.
• in all health and medical interventions in all health and medical education<00:44:24.560> for

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and approval of the prior journal. The chamber received House messages listing several House bills passed by the House and introduced new Senate measures, including SB 172 on utility fuel adjustment, SB 173 on Medicaid state plan oversight, and several resolutions. The Senate then took up SB 2, which would limit school administrator pay raises so they do not exceed the average percentage raise given to classroom teachers in the same district. Supporters said the bill promotes fairness, transparency, teacher retention, and classroom priorities; it passed 38-0. The Senate next considered SB 4 on school leadership. The bill creates a five-year principal leadership development pathway, including KDE-led training for new principals, a mentorship program, a gap year with continuing education options, expanded use of an existing Truist/Kentucky Chamber Foundation leadership program, and a final year of approved high-level leadership training providers. A committee substitute changed the Chamber reference to the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. Senators speaking in favor emphasized the need for intentional leadership development and noted the bill builds on existing successful training partnerships. One senator suggested clarifying the term "new principal" to "first-time principal" to avoid redundancy. The bill passed 38-0 as amended. The Senate also passed SB 71, as amended by committee substitute, which requires ongoing financial training for local school board members. The substitute clarified the training-hour language after consultation with the Kentucky School Boards Association. The sponsor said the measure supports board members with updated school finance knowledge so they can better serve with superintendents and ask informed questions. After passage, the chamber adopted a title amendment for SB 71. The Senate then recessed for committee meetings, received a committee report assigning bills and resolutions to standing committees or the floor, and heard several announcements and co-sponsorship requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IS EARLY INTERVENTION. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR.
• WHAT I WANT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY TO HEAR FROM ME IS WHAT'S REALLY BROKEN HIS EARLY INTERVENTION
• WE WILL MOVE ON TO TAB 5, SB 472 ON EDUCATION AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES FOR LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
• A GROUP THAT IS EXEMPT FROM FLORIDA CURRENT LAW WHICH ALLOWS EDUCATION IF YOU WERE BORN AFTER 1988.
• BEYOND THE EDUCATION AS WE DISCUSSED, THE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE ARE VAGUE AND OUTDATED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we are working with the Kentucky Department of Education very closely.
• , administrative leadership, education, administrative leadership, education, operational<00:58:37.920
• These are momentary interventions that need immediate intervention from a skilled provider.
• <01:02:00.000> need are momentary interventions that need are momentary interventions that need
• > skilled immediate intervention from a skilled immediate intervention from a skilled provider

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Carrying an changes in education law.
• :44.040> for From early intervention services for From early intervention services for young<00
• <01:52:43.200> that<01:52:43.360> reduces health intervention that reduces health intervention
• This bill also invests in youth prevention and early intervention.
• This bill also invests in youth prevention and early intervention.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with routine business, including referral of Senate Bill 211 on motor vehicle inspections to the Transportation Committee and Senate Bill 298 creating the Vermont Voting Rights Act to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. The chamber also referred House bills reported by Ways and Means to Appropriations, including H. 211 on data brokers and personal information and H. 931 on miscellaneous education law changes. JRH9, a joint resolution urging the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to reconsider its opposition to rapid prompting method communication instruction for students with apraxia of speech or autism, was read and referred to Human Services. Several announcements followed, including a welcome to members of the Vermont chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, a reminder about an education reform meeting, and a correction regarding a prior reference to S. 138 of 2023 and the working group on student protections from harassment and discrimination in schools. The House also recognized guests in the gallery, including Donnie Kanovsky, who was described as a proponent of JRH9. The Speaker announced that H. 606 on firearms procedures, H. 642 on youthful offender proceedings, and later H. 585 would be bumped to later in the calendar. The House then took up H. 537, the right to grow vegetable gardens. The committee explained the bill would protect vegetable gardening in common interest communities and rental housing, while allowing reasonable restrictions and landlord or association oversight; witnesses included a South Burlington resident, HOA and landlord representatives, and legislative counsel. The committee reported an 8-0-0 vote, the House adopted the committee amendment, and ordered third reading. The chamber then passed H. 171 on Attorney General investigations into a law enforcement officer’s use of a firearm and H. 519 allowing Randolph police officers to enroll in Group C of the state retirement system. The House also passed H. 536 on toxic heavy metals in baby food products after extended debate over whether infant formula should be included. Supporters said the bill would help parents make informed choices and noted the amendment was intended to align with federal action; opponents argued formula-specific federal work was still underway and urged waiting. The chamber then passed H. 550 on gender equity in correctional facilities, H. 733 on franchise agreements, H. 775 on housing production tools, H. 887 on crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act, H. 917 on military affairs, and H. 921 on alcoholic beverages. Action on H. 930 addressing chronic absenteeism was postponed one legislative day, and H. 942 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects began second reading with the committee outlining sections on water quality training, non-sewage waste management, and unit pricing.

Transcript Highlights:

• authority over special education. authority over special education.
• and early intervention.
• invest in special education and early intervention.<09:26:07.200> Early<09:26:07.596> intervention
• Early intervention care intervention.
• education for all of our children. education for all of our children.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the for intervention and for help.
• We are a 36-year-old Education.
• using technology for driver's education. using technology for driver's education.
• education system has significant gaps. education system has significant gaps.
• totally of what driver's education. totally of what driver's education.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File number 4252, an act relating to higher education.
• state grant program and on GO students and other issues facing Minnesota students in our higher education
• But we do actually have a bill that focuses on preventing intervention and harm reduction at the desk
• Of voting on this comprehensive package that includes intervention, prevention, and harm reduction.
• ,<01:21:54.440> prevention, that includes intervention, prevention, that includes intervention

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House received several Senate messages returning House File 3426 on natural resources and House File 4252 on higher education with Senate amendments, and in both cases the House refused to concur and moved to conference committee. The House also acceded to the Senate’s request for a conference committee on Senate File 4612, which concerns state government and Department of Health and Human Services provisions. Speaker appointments to the conference committees were announced for all three bills. The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 3522, a veterans bill allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to temporarily close state veterans homes under a CMS order. Representative Duran said the Senate had bundled several veterans-related bills into HF 3522, including measures on SGU veterans, National Guard pay, grant requirements in the MDBA process, burial eligibility in veterans and National Guard cemeteries, honor guard eligibility, and codifying a commandos task force. The bill passed 134-0 and was read to pass. On the floor calendar, Senate File 3210, a human rights bill on disability accommodations, was laid on the table by agreement for later consideration. House File 4017, a study bill on unlawful shipments of infectious or pathological waste, was presented as a worker-safety measure; an A6 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 126-8. House File 4138, dealing with social media platforms and minors, was amended with A10 and A11 changes emphasizing transparency, privacy defaults, limits on data use, and a shift from “child” to “minor” in the age provisions; Representative Bonner argued for extending protections to age 18, while Representative Scott said the bill was a first step and opposed the amendment. The A11 amendment was adopted, and debate on the bill continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we have heard, under current law, education is mandatory for children between 6 and 18 years old.
• The motion is due pass, as amended, to the Assembly Education Committee. Lee? Aye. Lee, aye.
• Laurel Baer, educational consultant with the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Thank you.
• There's an incredible program that already exists, the CalWORKs recipient education program.
• That's the purpose of education. That's the goal of economic opportunity mobility.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had the privilege of signing into law the most consequential education budgets to come out of this
• law the most consequential education law the most consequential education budgets<00:35:12.680><
• ,<00:36:24.960> and like manufacturing, education, and like manufacturing, education, and
• We can and we must expand our tool belt to every single early intervention resource to our schools.
• <00:54:30.080> resource every single early intervention resource every single early intervention

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The joint convention opened with the House and Senate assembling, a prayer by Reverend Mariah Furness-Tollgard, and roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber then welcomed the Minnesota Supreme Court, constitutional officers, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Governor Tim Walz before the governor delivered his final State of the State address. The convention later adjourned by motion. In his address, Governor Walz reflected on recent tragedies and political violence, including the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the Annunciation Church shooting, and the federal immigration operation he described as causing fear and disruption. He said Minnesota remained strong because of its people and highlighted accomplishments over the past seven years, especially in education, child care, free school meals, workforce development, housing, infrastructure, clean energy, climate initiatives, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ protections, voting rights, workers’ rights, paid family leave, and public safety measures. Walz also proposed new actions for the current session, including a significant expansion of the dependent care tax credit, a $907 million bonding bill, support for sustainable aviation fuel, a social media tax on big tech companies, a governor’s council on the future of the AI economy, additional gun violence prevention measures, and a stronger anti-fraud and human services oversight system. He urged legislators to pass the fraud and oversight bills and said he would sign them immediately. The House then voted to adjourn until April 30, 2026, after the joint convention ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's important that we not forget that family members often need support such as respite, education,
• Family members often need support such as respite, education, and access to information and navigation
• And 66% have some college or more in education level and 34% in high school or less.
• to manage behavior, and guidance for crisis intervention.
• Specialized training and education.

Summary: The committee began with an extended work session on the long-term care workforce. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector described the new Home and Community Living Administration and outlined major workforce pressures: Washington had about 126,000 long-term care workers in 2022, with demand expected to outpace supply as the 85-plus population and dementia prevalence rise sharply. She emphasized that direct care workers are largely women, people of color, and immigrants, and that family caregivers are also a major part of the system. She highlighted recruitment and retention efforts funded through federal Money Follows the Person dollars, including high school training partnerships, a retention toolkit, transportation support, caregiver newsletters, tribal workforce navigators, and a remote caregiving pilot. Committee members asked about career pathways, technology use, and turnover drivers; Rector said wages, benefits, unstable hours, and workplace support are key issues and promised follow-up data. Aidan Swain of the Washington Health Care Association said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities face acute RN vacancies, wage pressures, and Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover costs, and urged modernization of training, better reimbursement, and continued support for facility-based care. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775, representing about 55,000 caregivers, said low wages, weak benefits, lack of voice, and certification delays are driving turnover and shortages, and argued for higher compensation, better worker protections, and more transparent reimbursement. Catherine Smith of Behavioral Health Solutions described growing behavioral health needs in nursing homes, the role of expanded behavioral supports programs, and credentialing delays that slow hiring. No votes were taken; the panel was informational only. The second agenda item was an overview of the palliative care benefit work group report required by 2024 legislation. Nico Jansen of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner explained that the work group, convened with the Health Care Authority, studied a potential palliative care benefit for fully insured commercial plans and also Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. He said palliative care is a philosophy of care focused on symptom management, coordination, and support for serious illness, and is distinct from hospice because it can be provided alongside curative treatment. The actuarial analysis concluded that creating a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about a 28-cent per member per month increase overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. Jansen said the consultants did not find sufficient evidence to assume savings from avoided hospitalizations or long-term care, though several work group members disagreed and submitted response letters. Senators asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said some states, including Hawaii, are moving ahead with Medicaid palliative care benefits, Medicare covers some related services but not in the same way, and further evidence may emerge over time. OIC did not take a position on whether the Legislature should create the benefit. The final presentation covered health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Evan Klein and HCA Chief Data Officer Vishal Chaudry reviewed federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, prescription drug price transparency, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and other reporting systems. They explained that the APCD contains claims from fully insured commercial plans, Medicaid, and public employee programs, but not self-insured employer data except for limited voluntary submissions. They also described how machine-readable files, consumer price tools, and aggregated dashboards are used, and noted that data limitations, delays, and complexity remain significant. Senators asked about voluntary self-insured participation, the role of AI in making data more usable, and whether transparency can really help consumers given access barriers and medical debt. HCA said AI is increasingly used by private entities to mine large transparency datasets, but state agencies still face limits in data access and analytic capacity. The committee did not take action; the session was informational and ended with a discussion of how transparency data might better inform policy and purchasing decisions in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• My children deserve an education.
• I believe in public education and every kid deserves an education.
• Why are you robbing my children and their right to an education or options to educate?
• I'm sorry. ...on access to an education.
• We will continue to educate ourselves with a caring and experienced, educated community we have found

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.