Transcript Highlights:

• It simply upholds the longstanding practice of integrating road maintenance costs into utility service
• However, a recent court decision recently created uncertainty around these long-standing practices.
• However, a recent court decision recently created uncertainty around these long-standing practices.
• I am the head of the taxes, fees, and assessments practice at Best Best & Krieger.
• I am the head of the taxes, fees, and assessments practice at Best Best & Krieger.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met, established a quorum, and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 1005, SB 1080, SB 935, and S.J.R. 11 on a 4-0 vote, with those items remaining on call until later. SB 992 had been pulled at the author’s request. The committee then heard SB 922 by Senator Laird, which would clarify that local governments may recover street maintenance and repair costs caused by public service operations, such as waste hauling, through rates, fees, or franchise agreements. Supporters included the League of California Cities, county groups, cities, waste haulers, and legal counsel who argued the bill restores a long-standing practice disrupted by a recent court decision and does not authorize new taxes or development fees. The California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended, warning the bill could inadvertently broaden local fee authority. After discussion about the bill’s scope and whether it would apply only to heavy service vehicles, SB 922 passed the committee 7-0 and was sent to the Senate floor. The committee also heard SB 1078, which would allow Santa Cruz County voters to consider raising the local tax cap to fund essential services, including health care, food assistance, and hospital support, in response to federal funding cuts. The County of Santa Cruz and the Central California Alliance for Health supported the measure, emphasizing Medi-Cal enrollment, CalFresh needs, and budget shortfalls tied to HR1 impacts. Some senators questioned whether the bill was effectively authorizing a tax increase and raised concerns about setting a precedent for other counties, while supporters stressed that the measure only allows voters to decide. SB 1078 passed 5-2 and was sent to the Committee on Revenue and Taxation. The committee then reconfirmed passage of the consent calendar items 7-0 and adjourned after concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• threat landscape, we have found that overall, all governments have room for improvement in their IT practices
• The first one is comparing IT practices to the Center for Internet Security Critical Security Controls
• the same as the state agency audits, we followed the two lines of work: number one, comparing IT practices
• and this is evidenced by increased alignment with those assessments when we're looking at leading practices
• The State Auditor's Office assessed agency practices against these controls.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on two State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025: one covering state agencies and one covering local governments, along with related ransomware resiliency and critical infrastructure audits. SAO staff explained that the audits are independent under Initiative 900, are kept confidential at the entity level, and assess cybersecurity safeguards against the Center for Internet Security controls plus penetration testing. For state agencies, auditors found about one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and identified 227 vulnerabilities, including 3 critical and 21 high. For local governments, they found nearly one-quarter of safeguards fully implemented on all systems and nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including 9 critical and 47 high. They also reported six ransomware resiliency audits and 39 critical infrastructure audits, with over 260 vulnerabilities found in the critical infrastructure work and a notable vendor-wide security improvement resulting from one test. SAO staff said governments generally show increasing attention to cybersecurity, but many still need more staffing, guidance, and resources. They highlighted cybersecurity checkups, policy guides, and other support services, and said agencies and local governments are typically responsive in fixing serious issues. Washington Technology Solutions’ state CISO praised the audits, described the rising national ransomware threat, and said the audits help identify vulnerabilities and align agencies with recognized standards. He noted that federal and state cybersecurity grant funding has supported more than 200 projects statewide and that the state is working on monitoring, incident response, training, and updated policies. In member questions, Representative Scott asked about whether agencies can quickly repurpose funds to address critical vulnerabilities and how nimble the grant program is. SAO and WOTEC said some fixes can be handled through settings changes or compensating controls, while others may require grant funding or other resources; they also said the grant process is annual and not especially nimble, though Washington has been efficient in distributing funds. Scott also asked how Washington compares nationally, and witnesses said direct comparisons are difficult because other states do not use the same audit approach, though Washington’s I-900 cybersecurity audit program was described as unusually comprehensive and unique. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any formal action on the reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, these approaches do not dictate clinical practice.
• Importantly, these approaches do not dictate clinical practice.
• </c><01:13:46.000><c> tool</c> you about a very specific practical tool you about a very specific practical
• In her practice, she said she sees this every single week.
• In my practice, I see symptoms peak.

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• People have inappropriate sexual relationships in their practice.
• So her doctor kicked her out of the practice. That was very traumatizing for her.
• It is very hard to practice medicine in the state.
• In my view, the jewel in the Lord's crown is a family practice physician.
• practice doctor who keeps me and my family safe.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views about abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board applies Florida statutes and works through probable cause panels and legal counsel, but he also expressed strong pro-life views, skepticism of federal health guidance, and criticism of vaccines and some medical practices. Supporters praised his long medical career, military service, and family medicine background, while opponents argued his views could prevent him from being objective in disciplinary matters. The committee voted to recommend him for confirmation to the full Senate, with Senators Polsky and Ruson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch described her background in state human services and outlined priorities centered on accountability, data, lived experience, and improving service delivery. Senators asked about SNAP error rates, Hope Florida, legislative analyses, staffing, and the department’s handling of child welfare and medically complex cases. Hatch said the department was reducing SNAP error rates, that Hope Florida uses navigators to connect people with community resources and self-sufficiency supports, and that DCF is working with the Department of Health and other partners to improve investigations and accountability in child welfare. She also said the agency is reviewing medically complex cases and strengthening oversight of community-based care providers through contracts, audits, and proposed funding-model changes. A substantial portion of the Hatch discussion centered on whether the department had been responsive to legislative requests and whether it had provided timely bill analyses. Senators also pressed her on Hope Florida staffing, the number of participants served, and the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance and legal oversight. Hatch said the foundation is undergoing a financial audit and that the department is relying on required reports and ongoing investigations. The transcript ends amid continued questioning about a community-based care contractor’s finances, related-party transactions, and whether further forensic audits or repayments are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a practicing emergency... Yeah, thank you very much. I am honored to be able to participate.
• I'm a practicing emergency physician at Logan Regional Hospital, which is an Intermountain facility.
• CHS should therefore review its practices and policies and ensure compliance.
• That's a medically established protocol that is in wide-scale practice in the United States.
• That's usually what I'm... ...includes deception and practicing beyond the scope.

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only on the permitting of those non-point sources, which are common ag practices that we do.
• Of those non-point sources, which are common ag practices that we do all the time.
• best management practices.
• The other thing was industry best practices. I suspect, and I don't know.
• So there's, I'm sure there could be such a case where there would be an exception. best practices.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The Committee for Rural Issues met with a quorum and took up House Bill 3076, with a House Committee Substitute offered for adoption. The bill sponsor explained that the substitute was intended to clarify language so the Department of Natural Resources would not have to permit common agricultural non-point source practices, describing it as codifying current DNR practice and not creating a blanket exemption from pollution rules. Committee members discussed concerns about CAFO manure application, runoff, over-application, and environmental impacts, while supporters said best management practices and existing conservation measures address those risks. Representative Burton argued the bill was a solution in search of a problem and said DNR is not currently mandated to issue these permits, while the sponsor responded that the bill was needed because the current interpretation could require permitting of non-point sources. There was also clarification on the record that DNR did not testify on the bill. After discussion, the committee adopted the House Committee Substitute by voice vote. The committee then voted on the substitute for House Bill 3076 and reported it do pass. The roll call showed 11 in favor, 1 opposed, and 2 present, with Representative Burton voting no and the rest of those voting supporting the measure. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as Associate Dean for Practice, Associate Professor of Community Health Science, and Director
• The common thread throughout my personal and professional practice is my focus on racial justice and
• That policy, pattern, and practice.
• It is patterns and practice.
• Too many providers are trained in brain injury, let alone culturally competent practices.

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practical terms, Sharia includes all the do's and don'ts of Islam.
• Whether pursued through the violent form of jihad, which is holy war, or stealthier practices, Sharia
• Polygamy as an acceptable practice.
• It proposes no restrictions on the private practice of any religion.
• It means freedom of religious belief is absolute, but freedom of religious practice is not.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• As many on this committee know, I'm a practicing attorney.
• I've practiced workers' compensation law for the past 20 years.
• They immediately assume that position and begin to practice, but they are also subject to confirmation
• but they are also begin to practice but they are also subject<00:16:12.600><c> to</c><00:16:12.959><
• “Attorneys claim that you all are practicing, and still practicing.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met and first took up SB 129, with a committee substitute adopted before testimony. The bill would allow certain qualified third-party entities in Louisville Metro, including public bodies and long-standing nonprofits, to purchase certificates of delinquency on vacant and abandoned residential properties after 90 days, with the goal of returning blighted property to productive use and back on the tax rolls. Several members supported the measure as a tool for housing and economic development, while Senator Boswell and Chair Willer noted concerns about protecting vulnerable property owners, such as widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities. SB 129 was approved by the committee with favorable expression. The committee then heard SB 178, which updates statutes related to the Education and Labor Cabinet by moving the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Division of Program Policy into statute, renaming Business and Apprenticeship to Industry and Apprenticeship, and making related organizational changes. Testimony from cabinet staff said the changes reflect work already being done and that a floor amendment would be needed for one additional correction. The bill was advanced unanimously with favorable expression. Next, the committee considered SB 151, which would bar state tax dollars from being used to pay persons not legally present in the United States. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to prevent Kentucky funds from going to undocumented workers on state job sites, while Senator Wheeler questioned what the bill would change beyond existing law and how such payments would occur through contracts or appropriations. Senator Yates said he was not opposed to the premise but wanted more time to review the bill’s mechanics, and Senator Thomas voted no for the same reason. Despite those concerns, SB 151 passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard SB 2011, a workers’ compensation bill that would delay newly appointed administrative law judges from taking office until Senate confirmation, extend current ALJ terms through June 1 of next year, and allow retention votes for board members to improve stability and attract more applicants. The sponsor said the bill addresses a loophole that can discourage qualified candidates from applying because they may have to leave private practice before confirmation. After a question about whether the bill would affect salaries, the sponsor explained compensation is set by statute and caseload need is separately reviewed. The bill received favorable expression and the meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will immediately match that to the practice currently out there and was requested by the Board of
• The additional licensing pathway will facilitate multi-state practice among members, states, and reduce
• It does not change scope of practice.
• She added that when people say the commission does not change practice, it does.
• I practiced as a respiratory therapist for six years. I know we're running short on time. I...

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233. Members adopted several amendments, including language allowing the Boards of Therapeutic Massage and Chiropractors to seek emergency suspension of licenses when there are criminal indictments or charges that could harm citizens; extending the RX CARES for Missouri prescription drug abuse prevention program by removing its sunset; updating pharmacy distributor licensing language to reflect national licensing practices; clarifying pharmacist immunization authority, including RSV immunizations and board oversight for future immunizations; allowing certain long-term care facility employees to administer additional subcutaneous medications; and adopting agreed-upon language related to interior designers. The committee then rolled those amendments into a committee substitute and voted the bill do pass by a 16-1 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bills 2618 and 2644, which would join Missouri to the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. The bill sponsors said the compact would improve licensure portability for respiratory therapists, help address workforce shortages, and allow Missouri to be among the first states shaping the compact’s commission. Supporters, including respiratory therapists, a hospital association representative, a student and military spouse, and a nursing association representative, said the compact would speed access to qualified therapists, aid rural and hospital care, help during emergencies like COVID-19, and benefit military families. Several witnesses emphasized that participating states would still retain their own licensing standards and scope-of-practice authority. Opponents argued that the compact would surrender state sovereignty to an unformed commission, create a “blank check” before the rules are written, and potentially allow rules to supersede state law. They also raised constitutional concerns about interstate compacts and questioned whether a reciprocal licensing approach would be preferable. Committee members asked about sovereignty, the legal basis for compacts, and whether Missouri could preserve its standards; sponsors and supporters responded that the compact would not remove state authority and that Missouri could still require its own standards. The hearing concluded without a vote on the respiratory compact bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires ADE to develop guidelines and identify best practices and resources for schools participating
• It makes sense for ADE to thoughtfully consider fitness testing best practices and resource needs to
• And I know in my law practice, I certainly would have hired at least one more lawyer if not for the AI
• One of the reasons that AI is so useful to me in my legal practice is I learned how to practice law the
• One of the reasons that AI is so useful to me in my legal practice is I learned how to practice law the

Bills: HB2008 , HB2075 , HB2203 , HB2395 , HB2409

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: school libraries, public school libraries, library funding, professional associations, library associations, librarians, information services, dues, membership fees, public monies, school governing body, county free library district, municipal library, library contracts, library services, books and programs, Arizona education, Title 15, Library Freedom Act, school district transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Why is it not in practice?
• Why is it not in practice? S2C is often misunderstood because it calls for careful training...
• So we offer professional development for in-service teachers to continue to improve their practice and
• So we've shaped our courses around the science of reading and best practices in early literacy.
• So we've shaped our courses around the science of reading and best practices in early literacy.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Without these standards, inconsistent insurer practices leave homeowners and tenants uncertain about
• The task force identified significant gaps in science, testing protocols, and claims practices.
• I want to talk about a practical reality of taking 1,100 products off of the market.
• I want to talk about a practical reality of taking 1,100 products off of the market.
• They are required to implement best management practices and report what those practices are that are

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• You're required to have to be a practicing attorney, but you don't necessarily have to have been practicing
• The way this is worded, it says practicing law. So how could an individual... Practicing law.
• So how could an individual meet the resident requirement and also meet the semantics of practicing law
• That meets certain residency requirements, but hasn't ever practiced here.
• Yeah, they could practice down in Texas.

Bills: HJR1074 , HB3501 , HJR1070

Committee: House Rules

Summary: The committee began with HJR 1074, a proposed Veterans Lottery Trust Fund measure. After adopting a scrivener’s-error amendment, the author explained it would create a veterans lottery game as a two-step process: first establishing the trust fund and board structure, then returning later to authorize the game itself. Members questioned how the money would be appropriated and whether the legislature could direct spending, as well as whether the lottery would compete with existing education lottery revenue. The author said the intent was for the funds to go to the Veterans Lottery Trust Fund and then be distributed by the board, and argued it would create recurring revenue for veterans without relying on annual appropriations. The committee approved the measure 7-1 and reported it do pass. Next, the committee considered HB 3501, which would allow the ABLE Commission to issue multiple manufacturing licenses for one premises. A PCS was adopted as the working draft without objection, and the bill passed 8-1 after brief discussion and no substantive debate. Finally, the committee took up HJR 1070, which would require the Attorney General to be a licensed attorney. An amendment was adopted to change the required practice threshold from 10 years to 5 years to align with requirements for district judges and Supreme Court justices. Members asked about residency, whether the requirement would apply to current candidates, and why the change was needed now. The author said it would not affect current candidates but was intended for future elections so the chief law enforcement officer would be an actual attorney. The resolution passed unanimously, 9-0, and was reported do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we do think that practices improvements in the production practices for the feedstock is another
• </c> but we do think that practices but we do think that practices improvements<00:45:29.359><c> in</
• in the production practices improvements in the production practices uh<00:45:31.079><c> for</c><00:
• Spentech, identify yourself. production practice for raising the feed production practice for raising
• Those practices protect ecological, economic, and social sustainability factors, and then those practices

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And best practice aligns with guidelines 85% of the time, I would say, because some best practice is
• And best practice aligns with guidelines 85% of the time, I would say, because some best practice is
• They're just practicing.
• I mean, they've got busy practices.
• I mean, they've got busy practices.

Summary: The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on May 7, 2026, and first deferred several measures, including House Bill 460, Senate Bill 322, Senate Bill 32, Senate Bill 22, and House Bill 561. The committee then took up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz, which would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) by MCG as the primary guideline, while keeping the existing variance and appeal process. Cruz and MCG representative Troy Prevo argued that ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and used in many states, and said it could reduce delays, disability duration, and costs. Dr. Jason Picard, the state medical director, testified that Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference in many cases because the state schedule lacks coverage for some body parts and treatments, and said the bill would not otherwise change the appeals process or care delivery. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would delay care or improve it. Several members questioned the private-company nature of ODG, the $400 annual subscription cost, and whether Louisiana doctors would be forced to rely on an out-of-state guideline. Rep. Glorioso and others raised concerns about preauthorization delays and proposed amendments to create tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and make the carrier prove by clear and convincing evidence that care was not medically necessary to challenge it. Chairman Cruz said he was willing to work with those ideas, and the committee also discussed adding an on-ramp or legacy language so current patients would not be disrupted. Opposition testimony came from injured-worker advocates and representatives of medical and labor groups, including Joseph Jola St. and Robin Krumholt. They argued that Louisiana’s current guidelines are already working, that rates have fallen over time, and that the real problem is delay in approval rather than the content of the schedule. They said ODG is overly rigid, cost-driven, and can lead to denials that shift costs to workers, Medicaid, or private health insurance. They urged the committee to keep Louisiana’s existing system and instead adopt tacit approval under current law. The bill was still under discussion at the close of the transcript, with amendments being read and no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1860 closes that gap in a straightforward practical way. The bill updates the design bill.
• AB 1860 closes that gap in a straightforward, practical way.
• I'm Executive Director of Inclusive Practices at the Sacramento County Office of Education.
• We know that the practice of inclusion is an evidence-based We know that the practice of inclusion is
• Project, known as SIP. and expand the Supporting Inclusive Practices Project, known as SIP.

Summary: The hearing opened with several procedural announcements and then took up AB 2148, which would prohibit artificial intelligence from replacing education workers. The author and supporters from the California Federation of Teachers and California School Employees Association argued the bill was a modest first step to protect human educators, students’ social-emotional development, and teacher agency in classroom technology decisions. Public support came from labor and education groups, while some school administrator and county office representatives said they were moving to neutral or awaiting the printed amendments. The committee discussed teacher shortages and the role of AI as a supplement rather than a replacement, then passed AB 2148 as amended to Higher Education on a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard AB 2202, which would create a Closing the Achievement Gap Commission to advise the State Board of Education. The author and sponsors said the commission would improve coordination between state and local education leaders and help the state better support local efforts to close achievement gaps. Support came from CSBA, CFT, charter schools, and many district leaders. Members raised questions about early childhood representation on the commission, and the author said he would discuss that with the sponsor. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. The consent calendar, including AB 1569, AB 2071, AB 2206, AB 2298, AB 2467, AB 2580, AB 2652, and AB 2726, was also approved. AB 2555 was then heard as a special order bill to reform English learner reclassification. The author said the current system is outdated, inconsistent, and too subjective, and proposed a more automatic, transparent process with stronger parent involvement and post-reclassification monitoring. Testimony in support emphasized personal experiences of delayed reclassification and the need to recognize biliteracy; there was no opposition. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations on a 6-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 1860, which would extend design-build authority to county offices of education while preserving prevailing wage, apprenticeship, and skilled workforce requirements; opposition from county superintendent and facilities groups was removed after amendments, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. Later, the committee passed AB 2514, which would create a State of Achievement Gap Dashboard to track state-level progress in closing achievement gaps, and AB 2149, which would require the Legislative Analyst’s Office to publicly assess the state’s progress and recommend actions. Both bills were presented as part of a broader package to improve state accountability for student outcomes, and both passed as amended to Appropriations on 7-0 votes. Finally, AB 2490 was heard, proposing to allow longer-term substitute assignments with added training, mentorship, and parent notification to address teacher shortages and classroom instability. Supporters said it would reduce “subchurn” and help maintain continuity, especially in special education; opponents, including CTA, Public Advocates, and CTC staff, argued the bill was unnecessary given existing rulemaking and could create legal and training concerns. The transcript cuts off during committee discussion of AB 2490, so no final vote is shown for that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> They've eliminated the practical exam.
• That was to cover the practical exam contractors and their...
• of the practical exam.
• Um, so Mississippi joins 12 states that have eliminated the practical exam.
• Um, so Mississippi joins 12 states that have eliminated the practical exam.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh one of the pieces of practice.
• </c> are practicing are practicing they're<00:31:19.240><c> at</c><00:31:19.480><c> least</c><00:31:19.840
• To do that opens up the Dental Practice Act.
• I know that that practice.
• :28.760><c> been</c> primary care family practice been primary care family practice been brought<00:54

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• have a significant shortage at both levels, including our nurse practitioners and other advanced practice
• happy to work with DHSS and Representative Griffith on this bill to codify what is currently the practice
• And this is really important to make sure that this is the practice going forward, to make sure that
• point that House Bill 165 authorizes physician associates, occupational therapists, and APRNs to practice
• authority of advanced practice registered nurses.

Bills: HB359 , HB385 , HB165

Committee: Senate Health & Social Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Social Services Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior two meetings, and briefly acknowledged the tragedy at Christiana Care before moving to legislation. The committee heard House Bill 385, which creates a statewide nurse preceptor grant program to expand clinical training placements for nursing students; testimony from nursing organizations, health care associations, and educators emphasized workforce shortages, the need for preceptor stipends and training, and the bill’s potential to help students complete programs and remain in Delaware. Members asked about eligibility and reporting, and several senators asked to be added as co-sponsors. Public comment was uniformly supportive, and the bill was advanced out of committee. The committee then considered House Bill 424, which repeals Delaware’s Autism Surveillance and Registration Program and requires DHSS to expunge protected health information collected through the registry. The sponsor and DHSS said the registry is no longer used for research or policy development and that repeal would reduce outdated reporting burdens; Autism Delaware, the Delaware Health Care Association, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities support the change. A committee member raised the question of whether families would be notified before records are expunged, and DHSS said that process was not yet clear and would need further verification. Members discussed the issue, and the bill also moved forward. House Bill 419 was next, making children in foster care automatically eligible for the Purchase of Care child care subsidy and extending the same treatment to certain kinship and safety-plan placements through House Amendment 1. The Children’s Department and advocacy groups said the bill would provide immediate stability for children and caregivers, reduce delays from applications and income verification, and support working foster and kinship families. The committee also heard House Bill 359, which would allow cremation as an option for unclaimed and indigent remains when there is no family objection or next of kin cannot be found, addressing a shortage of burial plots and lowering costs; funeral industry testimony focused on preserving next-of-kin rights. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 475, creating a Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund financed by a $10 surcharge on nursing licenses and disciplinary fines to support workforce data collection and analysis through a nonprofit partner, and House Bill 165, authorizing physician associates, occupational therapists, and APRNs to perform dry needling under training and practice standards set by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. All of the bills received supportive testimony, several members added their names as co-sponsors, and the committee adjourned after moving through the agenda.