Transcript Highlights:

• So that is why I'm in support of both parts of this bill.
• So that is why I'm in support of both parts of this bill.
• Without the support provided by SB 40 boards, some individuals with developmental disabilities could
• Supports to get people into more competitive employment.
• Most here, as far as supporting—excuse me—as far as MoSDA goes in support for this, it's a matter of

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Local Government Committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on two House committee substitutes: House Bills 3283 and 3306 passed 11-1, and House Bills 1728, 2161, and 1830 passed 12-1. The committee then moved into public hearings. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 914, dealing with septic system regulation, was presented as a measure to replace percolation testing with soil morphology testing as the baseline standard and to address a permit fee issue. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would improve accuracy, consumer protection, and local public health administration; one witness noted the continuing-education language already exists in regulation and pointed out a minor wording change in the substitute. No opposition testified. House Bill 3467, sponsored by Representative Houseman, would allow county developmental disability boards to seek voter approval for a sales tax of up to one-half of 1% if property tax revenue is reduced or eliminated. The sponsor and multiple witnesses from county disability boards, sheltered workshops, and related associations said the bill was intended as a safeguard to preserve services, transportation, employment supports, and community-based care for people with developmental disabilities. Some members raised concerns about shifting from property tax to sales tax and the burden on low-income taxpayers, while others supported the measure as a revenue-diversification tool. No vote was taken. House Bill 312, relating to county treasurer duties and bank signature authority, drew testimony from the sponsor, county treasurers, auditors, and association representatives. Supporters said the bill clarifies that the county treasurer should have sole authority over county funds and reflects current practice, while also noting a forthcoming amendment to address what happens when a treasurer is absent. Some witnesses asked for stronger safeguards, including a bonded backup designee and clearer succession procedures, and one witness urged updating surety-bond requirements. The hearing closed with no opposition testimony and no committee action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm David Cooner, disabled Army vet, commander of the California VFW. I strongly support this.
• I strongly support. Thank you. I strongly support. Thank you.
• Jim Zenter, NACVSO, strong support. Jim Zenter, NACVSO, strong support.
• Byron Lamb, retired disabled Marine, I strongly support this one, please. Thank you.
• We support the bill.

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're adults with physical, cognitive disabilities or disabilities due to age.
• Adults with physical, cognitive disabilities or disabilities due to age.
• Food banks were in short supply, and many of the individuals supported in supported living have health
• We have inadequate family supports.
• You know, there are challenges for families and support systems to support young people.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session focused first on the impacts of H.R. 1 on Medicaid and SNAP, especially for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults, and low-income families. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector explained Washington’s Medicaid structure for developmental disabilities and long-term care, noting that most community-based services are optional under federal Medicaid rules and could be vulnerable if state budgets tighten. He described several H.R. 1 changes, including possible cost sharing, a lower home equity limit, work requirements affecting the ACA expansion population, immigration-related eligibility losses, and a future new waiver opportunity. He said Washington could see about 2,700 people lose Medicaid eligibility due to immigration status and that most people with DD or long-term care needs would likely qualify for work requirement exemptions, but he warned that reduced federal dollars could put home and community-based services at risk. Advocates and providers described the practical effects of Medicaid cuts on crisis services, supported living, and family stability. Dr. Eric Bolter said Washington has only a small continuum of services for people with IDD and severe behavioral needs, and that lower ABA reimbursement and other Medicaid reductions could shrink already limited outpatient, residential, and inpatient options, leading to more hospital stays and out-of-state placements. Scott Leavengood said supported living is already underfunded, with high turnover and staffing shortages, and warned that past cuts led to longer waitlists and fewer people served. Stacey Dimm of The Arc of Washington argued that HCBS is the main service system for most people with developmental disabilities and that cuts would push people into more restrictive and expensive institutional care. She also emphasized that many families already lack access to paid services and that workforce, housing, and family support shortages make the system fragile. The committee then shifted to SNAP and food assistance. DSHS Assistant Secretary Carla Reyes outlined H.R. 1 changes to SNAP, including expanded work requirements, reduced exemptions, tighter immigration eligibility, elimination of the SNAP education program, higher state administrative costs, and a new state share of benefit costs tied to error rates. She said about 129,000 Washington residents could be at risk under the new work rules, roughly 30,000 legal immigrants could move to the state-funded food program, and the state could face hundreds of millions in new costs. Anti-hunger advocates and food bank leaders said the changes would increase hunger and administrative burden while reducing benefits, and they stressed that food banks cannot replace SNAP. A SNAP recipient, Amy Rourke, testified that even with extensive civic involvement she barely meets the proposed work-hour threshold and said the rules would punish parents, caregivers, and people facing transportation or child care barriers. She urged the state to count caregiving, advocacy, and community service as qualifying work and to build more flexible pathways for compliance. In the second half of the meeting, the committee turned to juvenile rehabilitation caseload forecasting and court data. Caseload Forecast Council staff presented the current JR forecast, saying caseloads had declined for years, rebounded after COVID, and are now projected to remain mostly flat through the current biennium before rising modestly over the longer term. Members asked about the distinction between regular JR and adult-sentenced youth, and staff explained that longer lengths of stay in the adult-sentenced population reflect policy choices made in prior legislation. Andrew Peterson of the Administrative Office of the Courts described data-sharing efforts intended to help JR forecast admissions, including quarterly counts of pending felony cases and youth criminal history information. He said the courts began sharing some data in 2022 and 2024, but staffing limits interrupted the effort, and JR recently asked to resume and expand the information flow to support weekly forecasting and better planning for facility capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• SWD is simply students with disabilities. SWOD is students without disabilities.
• Our student with disability testers, around 9,308, and students without disability testers, 50,263.
• disability.
• Of $1.7 million without the additional support, actual reduction of support.
• The para is the support.

Committee: Joint Special Education Funding Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Kansas offers property tax relief at 50% disability. Illinois offers it at 70% disability.
• Kansas offers property tax relief at 50% disability. Illinois offers it at 70% disability.
• Missouri, currently 70% disability.
• I support this bill. I'm a Navy veteran, and I know many, many, many I support this bill.
• I support this bill as it helps to elevate the bottom line for people that need this sort of support

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> place and also have the disability place and also have the disability determination<00:28:57.279
• </c> the proposal to shift 5% of disability the proposal to shift 5% of disability waiver<00:43:24.440
• Services to motans with day Support Services to motans with disabilities<01:10:56.679><c> thank</c><
• Directed Community Supports program, and the consumer support grant.
• for our direct support staff.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Service providers across the state that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Christopher Arroyo for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and we support this bill.
• I'm a parent of a child with a disability. I support AB 1220.
• Gregory Kramer on behalf of Disability Rights California, in support. Thank you.
• Gregory Kramer on behalf of Disability Rights California in support. Thank you.

Committee: House Human Services

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills focused largely on child care, developmental services, immigrant support, language access, and safety-net policy. Measures discussed included AB 450 on a task force for aging undocumented adults, AB 593 on CDSS data-sharing to improve CalFresh participation, AB 904 on preserving child care eligibility during leave or job search, AB 617 on respite care licensing and registry changes, AB 1220 on documenting regional center service denials and appeals, AB 752 on allowing child care centers by right when co-located with housing or institutional uses, AB 1242 on creating a CalHHS language access director and review of machine translation, AB 548 on continuing the asylum/vulnerable non-citizen case management program, AB 495 on family preparedness and temporary guardianship tools, AB 1357 on excluding guaranteed income from state benefit calculations, and AB 1201 on reunification services for parents with prior violent felony convictions. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of these bills, often from advocates, service providers, parents, and impacted community members who emphasized access, equity, family stability, and reducing administrative barriers. Opposition was heard most clearly on AB 617, where respite providers and disability service groups argued the bill would add costly licensing and oversight burdens and could reduce access to services; the author said she was willing to continue working with them. AB 450, AB 593, AB 904, AB 617, AB 1220, AB 752, AB 1242, AB 548, AB 495, and AB 1357 all advanced on committee votes, generally along party lines or with broad support, and several were left on call for absent members. The transcript ends as AB 1201 is introduced, with testimony from a formerly impacted parent describing the need for individualized reunification decisions, but no vote is shown for that bill in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, they are used for people with disabilities who need employment support, such as physical, social
• Less than 16% of people receiving wavered services for disability support make more than $600 a month
• Those arguments, choose to stop supporting people with disabilities, and stop trying to help them.
• And we support...
• We support everybody entering the workforce, and we support everybody who needs disability accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• Approximately 59% of adults with a mobility disability and 65% with multiple disabilities in Vermont
• Approximately 59% of adults with a mobility disability and 65% with multiple disabilities in Vermont
• Approximately 59% of adults with a mobility disability and 65% with multiple disabilities in Vermont
• </c> um support the bill was 7-4-0. um support the bill was 7-4-0. Thank<00:50:24.240><c> you.
• </c> support on the amendment of this bill. support on the amendment of this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians with disabilities, particularly those with the most significant support needs, face enormous
• A unique and core component of H-DAP is the legal advocacy to support participants in applying for disability
• This combination of housing support and disability benefit advocacy is designed to quickly stabilize
• This combination of housing support and disability benefit advocacy is designed to quickly stabilize
• It is the only game in town if you need long-term services and supports and you have a disability.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and Community Support and Community Support issues<00:03:42.000><c> Mr</c><00:03:42.239><c> chair
• </c><00:25:34.200><c> which</c> again the Council on disability which again the Council on disability
• Long-term care services and supports are available to the elderly and disabled through sort of three
• </c> eligible under elderly or disabled eligible under elderly or disabled categories<00:28:52.480><c
• Family Support grants provide state cash assistance for maintaining a child with developmental disabilities

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is why I'm in support of both parts of this bill.
• So that is why I'm in support of both parts of this bill.
• Without the support provided by SB 40 boards, some individuals with developmental disabilities could
• We want to support and incentivize the service.
• We're creating unique and new programming to support young people with disabilities to gain competitive

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• And Emily Reeves, waiving in support. Thank you for being here. Emily Reeves, waiving in support.
• Program for developmentally disabled Floridians who receive support through the Medicaid waiver programs
• This program and this bill is about supporting Florida's developmentally disabled as they seek inclusion
• Program for developmentally disabled Floridians who receive support through the Medicaid waiver programs
• This program and this bill is about supporting Florida's developmentally disabled as they seek inclusion

Bills: S0006 , S0036 , S0560 , S0778 , S0844 , S0864 , S1002 , S1016 , S1022 , S1030 , S1630

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of health, child welfare, aging, disability, and public records bills. CS/SB 1002, on child welfare and parental substance abuse, was described as clarifying that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect when it creates an ongoing risk to a child; it passed after limited questions and supportive testimony from Florida Smart Justice Alliance. CS/SB 1630, a broad aging and long-term care modernization bill, would streamline eligibility screenings, allow temporary DOEA services during emergencies or lead agency failures, tighten oversight of area agencies on aging, permanently establish the Florida Alzheimer’s Care Center of Excellence, and expand guardianship training and enforcement tools; it drew support from AARP, area agencies, and the Alzheimer’s Association and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1022 to add Bay County and Pompano to the Florida Children’s Initiatives, and CS/SB 1030, via strike-all amendment, to streamline regulation of substance abuse and behavioral health providers and clarify background screening and privacy rules. Several bills focused on health care practice and patient access. CS/SB 36, with an amendment, allows nurses with doctoral degrees to use appropriate titles while requiring clear identification as nurses and making misuse grounds for discipline; nursing organizations supported it and it passed. CS/SB 844 requires physicians and nurses to complete a one-time, board-approved continuing education course on sickle cell disease care management, with multiple patients and advocates testifying about delayed care, bias, and the need for better provider education; the bill was reported favorably after an amendment aligning it with the House version. CS/SB 560 streamlines procedures for psychotropic medication for children in DCF custody by reducing duplicative reports, clarifying evaluator qualifications, limiting repeated background checks, and simplifying consent documentation; an amendment removed postsecondary education language, and the bill passed. The committee also approved a public records exemption bill for a uterine fibroids research database (CS/SB 864). The committee also advanced measures affecting disability services and forensic care. SB 6, a claims bill, would pay $3.8 million to a trust for a child who suffered severe abuse-related injuries after DCF involvement; it passed without opposition. SB 778 updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism found incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure forensic setting, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1016 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program, allowing eligible developmentally disabled adults to work while retaining Medicaid waiver benefits and requiring notice to enrollees; advocates described the bill as essential to employment and independence, and it passed. Throughout the meeting, most bills received supportive public testimony, few questions, and unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
• And whereas people with developmental disabilities.
• Disabilities are supported at every stage of life from early learning and school transitions to employment
• Also rising in strong support of this resolution.
• the body to support it.

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial activities, approval of the previous day’s journal, and adoption of Senate Resolution 8689 recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Senators spoke in strong support of the resolution, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, self-advocacy, family caregivers, and the principle of “nothing about us without us.” The resolution was adopted, and all members’ names were added as sponsors. The chamber also welcomed student visitors and later recognized individuals with developmental disabilities and caregivers in the gallery. The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments. Charles G. Knutzen was confirmed to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board by a 48-0 vote. Noah Scartvet was confirmed to the Gambling Commission by a 43-5 vote, and Kelly K. Foucai was confirmed to the Spokane Colleges Board of Trustees by a 48-0 vote. The Senate also considered and confirmed additional appointments while excusing several members from attendance during parts of the day. The chamber spent much of the meeting concurring in House amendments and passing a series of bills. Among the measures approved were bills dealing with clean energy exemptions for certain backup fossil fuel use, police data and body camera/ALPR distinctions, housing and rental assistance flexibility, creation of a cabinet-level Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs with Senate confirmation, school district interfund transfers under financial oversight, civic engagement and voting services, wildfire-resistant home-hardening materials, and technical corrections to prior tax and revenue legislation. Most of these bills passed with clear majorities, though some drew recorded opposition, including Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035 and Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6113. The Senate also adopted a striking amendment and passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, creating a tourism self-supported assessment program. Supporters said the negotiated proposal would improve fiscal transparency and help fund statewide tourism promotion, while opponents raised concerns about the assessment structure. The bill passed after concurrence in the House amendments and final passage by a 43-5 vote. The Senate then returned to the fourth order of business and stood at ease for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you've got support on our side of the house.
• their disability benefits as income when determining eligibility for the disabled veterans' property
• Veterans must be disabled to qualify for the exemption, yet the very disability compensation they are
• Disability compensation is not a source of wealth.
• Are there any witnesses that wish to come up in support of the bill?

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard two main bills before taking several votes. SB 1053 by Senator Nilo would let county boards of supervisors in counties affected by a governor-declared disaster on or after January 1, 2026, extend by up to three years the five-year deadline for transferring a damaged property’s base-year property tax value to replacement property. Nilo argued the measure is needed because recent wildfires and other disasters make rebuilding within five years unrealistic, and members from both parties supported the bill as a common-sense local-control measure for disaster recovery. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 1053 to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 888 by Senator Sayarto, which would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Sayarto said the current rule can unfairly disqualify disabled veterans by counting their disability benefits as income, creating a catch-22 that can threaten housing stability. Members praised the bill as bipartisan, fair, and helpful to veterans on fixed incomes, and Sayarto accepted committee amendments. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 888 as amended to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. The committee also adopted a consent calendar containing SB 999, SB 1073, and SB 881. After the roll was completed, SB 1053 was confirmed out on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• disabilities.
• So with this support, we will continue to support your constituents.
• So with this support, we will continue to support your constituents.
• Thank you for your support and for your continued support to make this happen.
• So with this support, we will continue to support your constituents.

Transcript Highlights:

• , employment support, and other attributes in here.
• So I would, I'm supporting this bill. Thank you.
• Do we have any public comment and support?
• As far as total disabled veterans, the disability ratings go from 0% disabled, which means yes, we count
• As far as total disabled, so in the disability ratings of veterans, it goes from 0% disabled, which means

Summary: The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard four bills, with AB 1616 (Davies) and AB 1638 (Ta) placed on consent and later approved unanimously. The committee then heard AB 1775 (Ward), which would provide state support for veterans affected by the federal executive order targeting transgender service members, including prioritizing them for discharge-upgrade assistance, housing support, and expedited professional licensing. Supporters described the bill as a response to abrupt separations, loss of benefits, housing instability, and employment harm; there was no formal opposition. Members raised questions about how the state would verify eligibility and avoid unintended coverage of discharges based on other reasons, and the author said applicants would need a DD-214 and supplemental documentation showing the discharge was solely due to the executive order. AB 1775 was passed on a due-pass motion and referred to the Committee on Business and Professions. The committee also heard AB 2022 (Gonzalez), which would provide a full property tax exemption for the primary residences of veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled, and extend the exemption to unmarried surviving spouses. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent homelessness and help severely disabled veterans remain in their homes amid California’s high housing costs. Committee discussion focused on the size of the eligible population and the fiscal impact, with the author noting the measure applies to a much smaller group than all disabled veterans and that he would provide more cost information later. AB 2022 was approved as amended and referred to the Committee on Revenue and Taxation. By the end of the hearing, all bills on the agenda were reported out 8-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of other disabilities.
• There are a lot of other disabilities.
• Laura Minetue also is waving in support, Disability Rights Florida. Okay.
• Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, is waving in support, and also waving in support from
• Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice's Alliance is waving in support, and also waiving in support.

Bills: S0132 , S0418 , S0646 , S0820 , S1734

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 646, relating to drug paraphernalia, was presented by President Gates as a narrow measure to allow drug testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants and help prevent overdose deaths. Senator Osgood spoke in strong support, describing the bill as important for people in recovery. The bill had one support appearance and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call. The committee then heard SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Jones explained that the bill requires autism awareness and communication/de-escalation training for officers and creates a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with ASD. Multiple advocates, including Disability Rights Florida, an Autism Society representative, parents, and a retired federal officer, testified in support, emphasizing safety, communication, and the need to avoid tragic misunderstandings during police encounters. Senators also discussed whether broader disability training should be considered in the future. SB 418 was reported favorably unanimously. Next, the committee considered SB 132 on restoration of voting rights, which would require the Florida Commission on Offender Review to create and maintain a public database to help people determine whether they have completed sentence requirements for rights restoration and to publish clearer instructions for eligible individuals. An amendment was adopted to make the database subject to legislative appropriation. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1734, which recognizes juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under state law and extends training, certification, and certain benefits, and CS/SB 820, which strengthens reporting requirements for problem-solving courts and sets annual reporting deadlines. Both bills were reported favorably after brief discussion and support appearances.

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians with disabilities, particularly those with the most significant support needs, face enormous
• A unique and core component of H-DAP is the legal advocacy to support participants in applying for disability
• This combination of housing support and disability benefit advocacy is designed to quickly stabilize
• With the fiscal outlook as it is, we need to shore up, support, and sustain our existing aging and disability
• It is the only game in town if you need long-term services and supports and you have a disability.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impact of H.R. 1 on older Californians and related county administration issues. Chair Jackson and Chair Addis opened by emphasizing California’s rapidly aging population and the need to protect seniors’ access to food, health care, housing, and in-home support services. Testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Health Care Services, and Department of Aging described how H.R. 1 would expand work and reporting requirements in CalFresh and Medi-Cal, increase redeterminations, and create new eligibility barriers. Witnesses and advocates warned that these changes could lead to large coverage losses, especially for adults ages 55 to 64, people experiencing homelessness, caregivers, and some immigrant groups, while also increasing administrative burden on counties. The LAO noted that many provisions do not directly apply to Californians 65 and older, but highlighted indirect effects and some direct impacts, including a new home equity limit for certain long-term care recipients and narrower immigration eligibility rules. Committee members pressed the administration and counties on how exemptions would be identified and implemented, whether data systems could automatically protect eligible people, and how outreach would reach older adults, women, LGBTQ seniors, and people with limited digital access. DHCS and CDSS said they are working to use existing data, cross-program information sharing, and human-centered communications to maximize exemptions and reduce churn, including text outreach, print and radio campaigns, and navigator support. Members also raised concerns about the need for legal aid and county eligibility workers to help people navigate complex rules, and requested updated analyses on the number of people likely to lose both Medi-Cal and CalFresh and the broader human and system impacts. No votes were taken. The second major topic was the administration’s proposal to shift some future IHSS costs to counties by establishing a statewide baseline for average authorized hours per case. CDSS said the proposal is intended to improve consistency in assessments and not reduce services, while counties and labor groups strongly opposed it, arguing that rising hours reflect real increases in need, an aging and higher-acuity caseload, and state-mandated assessment tools rather than county error. County representatives said the proposal would strain already limited local revenues, worsen the effects of H.R. 1, and could force cuts to other safety-net services. Committee members questioned the proposal’s timing and impact, but the hearing ended without action, with the chairs asking for continued updates, additional analysis, and more information before May Revision.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here to connect those with disabilities and mobility issues with the wilderness to help support
• We are here to connect those with disabilities and mobility issues with the wilderness to help support
• We are here to connect those with disabilities and mobility issues with the wilderness to help support
• We are here to connect those with disabilities and mobility issues with the wilderness to help support
• I am a 60% rated disabled veteran, and I am here in support of House File 53 because Camp Bliss changed

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division