Transcript Highlights:

• </c> included in the current DNR wolf survey included in the current DNR wolf survey Zone<00:56:16.599
• We've been basing our wolf range on this five-year survey.
• </c> efficient method for getting that survey efficient method for getting that survey completed<01:04
• </c><01:07:09.039><c> a</c> like the DNR does do the um a survey a like the DNR does do the um a survey
• And it would be curious to know if, when you do these surveys, do these surveys also offer any analysis

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In the second, there's a petition to the Department of Health to conduct a survey to assess, grow self
• Radiation surveys said would need to be done by specific professionals.
• I'm speaking of the radiation surveys.
• Who pays for the survey would be the company or would it be the state of Florida and taxpayers?
• does not have a survey of companies complain.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> survey responses varied greatly. survey responses varied greatly.
• </c><00:35:09.280><c> Survey</c> a limited number of counties. Survey a limited number of counties.
• </c><00:36:05.839><c> of</c><00:36:06.079><c> all</c> The survey is not representative of all The survey
• </c><00:52:17.599><c> was</c> The data collected in the survey was The data collected in the survey was
• </c> you get your surveys in within the week. you get your surveys in within the week.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• disclosure under the PRA for records containing individual student responses to the Healthy Youth Survey
• disclosure under the PRA for records containing individual student responses to the Healthy Youth Survey
• This survey is highly controversial, and I think to remove the results of the survey, which again are
• The Healthy Youth Survey is really important.
• And so to ensure that students can fill out the survey, be honest about their needs, have those needs

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• We recently did a survey in July of this year.
• So, to clarify, that number came from a separate survey.
• It wasn't a survey that Open Door Arts conducted.
• So, to clarify, that number came from a separate survey.
• It wasn't a survey that Open Door Arts conducted.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing focused on accessibility-related legislation, with the chairs emphasizing ASL and CART accessibility and asking testifiers to speak slowly and clearly. The committee heard testimony first on H.223/S.130, a bill to establish a livable wage for community-based human service workers by reducing the pay gap with state employees. Providers’ Council, Communities for People, the Key Program, and BAMSI all supported the bill, describing persistent wage disparities, high vacancy and turnover rates, and the impact on continuity of care for children, youth, and families. Witnesses said the bill would help recruitment and retention and stabilize services across the Commonwealth. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.224/S.160, the ACE Act, which would create a dedicated funding source to improve accessibility in the creative economy. Arts organizations and advocates, including Community Access to the Arts, Abilities Dance Boston, Jacob’s Pillow, the Multicultural Arts Center, Northampton Community Music Center, Mass Creative, Open Door Arts, and Monkey House, described barriers such as inaccessible buildings, lack of ASL interpretation and captioning, inadequate lifts and backstage access, and the high cost of renovations. Testifiers said the bill would help smaller and historic institutions make physical and programmatic improvements and allow people with disabilities to participate as artists, workers, and audiences. The committee also heard testimony on H.4180, which would require DDS to consider neuropsychological evaluations when determining eligibility for intellectual disability services. Parents and advocates argued that IQ cutoffs alone can miss significant functional needs, especially for autistic adults and others with complex developmental profiles, and urged broader access to DDS supports. Additional testimony supported S.101 on closed captioning and telecommunications in public areas, and S.158 on requiring restaurants to have some chairs with arms to better accommodate physically disabled and older patrons. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after hearing from the scheduled witnesses and noting a few signups that were not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• The number of the surveying population is retiring. It is 60 years old.
• a survey.
• They can get a $200 mortgage inspection report instead of a $2,000 survey.
• and not to be relied upon as a survey,' but then give them a survey, something that looks like a survey
• On the surveying, when you see a survey team out on the road or in a property, how many of those are

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> responses</c> Overall, Judge Barra's survey responses Overall, Judge Barra's survey responses were
• </c> attorneys who completed the survey attorneys who completed the survey ranking<00:26:55.240><c> her
• </c> uh survey were was 56 attorneys. uh survey were was 56 attorneys.
• </c> quite a few um attorneys for a a survey quite a few um attorneys for a a survey like<01:09:10.520
• </c> first of all, the survey results. first of all, the survey results.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Survey. Because some of us think we're just regular citizens. I understand.
• survey is where the skill set is.
• Yeah, I mean, I'll use one of the survey questions again, and jumping around.
• So the public survey was designed to gain insights from a broad group of North Dakotans, but a survey
• They have been surveying parents of children in child care and also surveying child care providers.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We get about 600 surveys back from each of those survey populations.
• </c> trends through two different surveys. trends through two different surveys.
• We heard a little bit about these hunter surveys.
• </c><00:39:38.720><c> were</c> submit if these hunter surveys were submit if these hunter surveys were
• </c> and verifying that the hunter survey and verifying that the hunter survey data<00:39:54.160><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the consent calendar and the minutes. It then took up a Department of Employment Security rule, 24193, where the only issue was that a form had not been incorporated by reference. The department submitted an oral conditional approval request with revised language, and the committee approved the rule conditionally. A second Employment Security rule, 195, raised concerns that the notice language was too broad and vague and could amount to oral rulemaking; because the agency had not yet finalized revised language, the committee granted a one-month waiver so the rule could return next month with a conditional approval proposal. The Department of Safety’s contact person notification program rule, 24237, drew comments about Social Security number collection, unclear drafting on one section, and ambiguity about which application needed a signature. The agency agreed to remove Social Security number references from the rules and forms and to adopt the suggested clarifying language with minor edits. After discussion about why the identifiers were needed, the committee approved the rule conditionally with the oral changes. The committee then moved a previously consent-calendar item, OPLC rule 2547, off consent after Representative Maguire objected that the renewal application form was too health-care-focused and user-unfriendly for other professions; the agency said it would revisit the form, and the committee postponed action until next month without needing a waiver. The final major item was Fish and Game’s HB 2548, which changes licensing and permit rules for taking deer, bear, moose, turkey, and furbearing animals. Staff noted extensive public testimony, including a coalition submission, and said the main dispute was over what data the agency should rely on in setting seasons and take limits. Fish and Game explained that declining trapper participation made capture-per-unit-effort data less reliable, so it also uses hunter surveys and UNH research projects funded in part by federal money; the agency said current trapping removals are very low and do not appear to threaten populations. Committee members and public witnesses questioned whether the agency’s responses to comments were sufficiently specific under the new public-comment law, but no final vote on the Fish and Game rule was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:51.920><c> all</c> opt out is such an important survey all opt out is such an important survey
• <00:51:09.640><c> thank</c> survey thank survey thank you<00:51:11.680><c> right</c><00:51:12.119><c>
• </c> looking at the middle school um survey looking at the middle school um survey last<00:51:19.040>
• </c> Community as a result of the yrbs survey Community as a result of the yrbs survey um<00:52:30.000
• <00:59:56.920><c> this</c><00:59:57.039><c> is</c> survey this is survey this is strictly<00:59:59.119

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 695, relating to school districts and medically related grants. The sponsor argued the bill was vague and could undermine existing law, and another member said it would add an unnecessary mandate for school districts. The committee voted to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the motion passed 18-0. Next, House Bill 765, which would consolidate school administrative units and make superintendent jobs elected positions, was also recommended inexpedient to legislate. Members said the bill raised too many questions, could duplicate other legislation, and would move away from local control. That motion likewise passed 18-0. House Bill 768, allowing public school districts to contract with approved private schools, drew more debate. Supporters described it as a language cleanup and an expansion of educational opportunity, while opponents raised concerns about the placement of the language and pending Supreme Court cases. The committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass, and then 10-8 to recommend ought to pass as amended, with a minority report noted. The committee then considered House Bill 446, dealing with parental notice for non-academic surveys. An amendment was offered to make the Youth Risk Behavior Survey opt-in rather than opt-out. Supporters said parents should be informed and should choose whether their children participate, while opponents argued the survey is an important tool for mental health data, grants, and school programming, and that opt-in would reduce participation and data quality. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report noted. Finally, the committee began House Bill 741, which would allow parents to send children to any school district they choose and expand open enrollment. The sponsor described it as broadening choice and keeping public funds in public schools, and an amendment was proposed to restore provisions for children of military personnel. Discussion on the amendment began, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on House Bill 741 or the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Doing a bias survey is one of the easiest things to do; trying to do an unbiased, or reduced-bias, survey
• Yeah, I mean, I'll use one of the survey questions again, and jumping around.
• So the public survey was designed to gain insights from a broad group of North Dakotans, but a survey
• They have been surveying parents of children in child care and also surveying child care providers.
• So they're going to put those survey results... ...in that area of providers.

Summary: The Legislative Arrangements and Procedure Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up several follow-up items related to legislative security, public records, and the impacts of term limits. The Secretary of State’s office presented draft language to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records, with discussion of who would be covered, how the protection would work, and whether it should expire when a candidate’s term ends. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and whether the public should still be able to see enough information to evaluate residency requirements. Rather than act immediately, the committee set the draft aside for a future meeting and asked for an amendment reflecting the Secretary of State’s suggested changes. The committee also reviewed a security best-practices memo and NCSL materials on capitol security. The memo encouraged legislators to be aware of their surroundings, avoid real-time vacation posting, vary routines, report threats, and follow security alerts. Members discussed a recent incident and the need to improve alert distribution and update contact information so legislators and staff receive notices consistently. The Secretary of State and committee members noted that the alert system may need refinement, including a separate legislative notification channel. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on how to mitigate the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized interviews, surveys, and focus groups with legislators, the public, and stakeholders, identifying major themes such as loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, staffing pressures, and the need for stronger onboarding and training. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session, making interim committees more consistent with regular committees, adding office hours, formalizing mentorship and leadership succession planning, expanding staff and professional development resources, creating public-facing educational tools, and improving communication and virtual testimony options. Members generally appreciated the report and its phased implementation roadmap, while also debating the practicality of some recommendations and the tension between making service more demanding and keeping the legislature accessible to new candidates.

Transcript Highlights:

• survey, we've been talking about flaws in that for years.
• survey, we've been talking about flaws in that for years.
• survey, we've been talking about flaws in that for years.
• survey, we've been talking about flaws in that for years.
• And again, that's all survey based, extrapolated out from the survey sample, not going door to door in

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 1995, one of the surveys from the U.S.
• In the future, other surveys may help fill this void, but the surveys ask smaller groups of people, they
• They don't fully replace the survey that is ending.
• respondents six of the 18 food insecurity questions from the national survey.
• six of the 18 food insecurity questions from the national survey.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Survey. Because some of us think we're just regular citizens. I understand.
• survey is where the skill set is.
• Yeah, I mean, I'll use one of the survey questions again, and jumping around.
• So the public survey was designed to gain insights from a broad group of North Dakotans, but a survey
• They have been surveying parents of children in child care and also surveying child care providers.

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up a draft bill to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State explained the proposal was prompted by security concerns and would protect residential addresses while still allowing election officials to verify residency and keep candidate names and offices public. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and how the change would affect rural districts and residency enforcement. The Secretary of State suggested an amendment to end the confidentiality when a candidate’s term ends, and the committee agreed to hold the bill over for further discussion at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed follow-up materials on legislator security and best practices, including advice on situational awareness, internet hygiene, varying routines, and reporting threats, along with NCSL materials comparing capitol security practices in other states. Members discussed a recent security incident and the need to keep alert contact information current, and staff said they would continue working with the Highway Patrol on legislative-specific notifications. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on mitigating the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized survey, focus group, and stakeholder input showing concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, onboarding demands, and workload pressures, while also noting public support for term limits and annual sessions. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session and interim committee work, creating office hours and more structured orientation and mentorship, expanding ongoing training and staff support, improving public communication and virtual testimony rules, and addressing barriers to service such as employer support and travel costs. Members discussed the tension between making the legislature more effective and preserving a citizen-legislature model, and the report was received as a roadmap for future implementation rather than immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5500 defines the cost of quality child care for a biennial survey that
• Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500 defines the cost of quality child care for a biennial survey that
• DCYF must ensure that the market rate survey, or MRS, or an approved alternative methodology, reflects
• and submit that survey to the legislature.
• WDF published a 2024 cost of quality child care and market rate survey.

Bills: SB5109, SB5835, SB6065

Keywords: mortgage lending, fraud, prosecution, financial regulations, consumer protection, retirement, lump sum payment, benefits, pension, financial security, SB 6065, school district transportation, transportation vehicle fund, pupil transportation, school buses, electric school buses, zero-emission buses, bus fleet electrification, charging stations, vehicle replacement

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the deed-of-trust surcharge that funds the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account from $1 to $5 and remove the current sunset date. Staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors on mortgage fraud cases. Testimony from King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys supported the bill, arguing the current funding has eroded and the increase would help sustain prosecutions; no opposition was heard. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study based on a model developed with the early educator design team, in addition to the market rate survey. Child care advocates, providers, and a Ballmer Group representative supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the real cost of high-quality care and that the measure would improve future funding decisions. The fiscal note estimated a small ongoing general fund cost for DCYF to add survey questions and analysis. Several retirement and human services bills were also heard. Substitute Senate Bill 5834 would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses such as fraud prevention, audits, cybersecurity, and related legal costs, with no fiscal impact reported. Senate Bill 5835 would raise the threshold for DRS to pay a benefit as a lump sum from $50 to $250 per month, with a small systems cost and no actuarial impact. Engrossed Senate Bill 5872 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive gifts, grants, and donations for ECAP expansion; supporters from rural health coalitions, Snohomish County, and the Ballmer Group backed the public-private funding mechanism, while DCYF estimated staffing costs to track and administer the account. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6007, directing WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a projected state cost of about $234,000, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019, which would revise home care rate-setting to ensure a larger share of Medicaid rates goes to direct care wages and limit administrative portions to 20 percent. SEIU 775 and a home care worker testified in support, saying the bill would close a loophole and improve caregiver pay. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education advocate supported it as a limited tool for distressed districts. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after public testimony on all bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when I heard this bill in committee before, I asked you about the surveys, what surveys are being
• There are surveys that are regularly given.
• I'm trying to understand about surveys.
• I'm trying to understand about surveys.
• On the issue of surveys, I mentioned last time, these are DOE and DOH surveys.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice to family or other named persons about major events such as a ward’s death or medical relocation. Senator Jones said the bill was intended to curb abuse by bad actors while not affecting good-faith guardians. Fortuna Smuggler and Phyllis Smith spoke in support, describing the need for family notification and closure. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0, and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 1284 on wrongful death for an unborn child. Senator Graal explained that the bill would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover economic and non-economic damages for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize a wrongful death action against the mother or a health care provider acting within the applicable standard of care. The amendment drew questions about abortion, medical emergencies, and whether fathers could sue; the sponsor said the bill was not intended to create claims against mothers or lawful medical care. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters arguing it gives families parity and accountability, and opponents warning it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice pressure, and worsen physician shortages. The committee approved the bill as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard a strike-all amendment to SB 1288 on parental rights. The amendment would strengthen parental consent requirements for minors’ medical care, with exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal categories of minors, and other existing statutory exceptions. It also would require parental consent for treatment related to STD screening, give parents more control over school or health surveys, and address use of biofeedback devices. Supporters said the measure restores parents’ authority and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment, while opponents argued it could block needed care for minors in unsafe homes, reduce access to STI treatment and mental health services, and create unintended consequences. The amendment was adopted, and the committee continued hearing testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through federal rules and to receive federal funding, DCYF must conduct a survey...
• Through federal rules and to receive federal funding, DCYF must conduct a survey of market rates for
• DCYF must ensure that the market rate survey, or MRS, or an approved alternative methodology reflects
• and submit that survey to the legislature.
• WIC published a 2024 cost of quality child care and market rate survey.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, each nursing home will conduct a patient safety culture survey at least biannually.
• And this amendment requires AHCA to begin working with those survey results, working those survey results
• Just wondering, will this survey be adapted for residents with cognitive impairments such as dementia
• the onus would be on them to make the appropriate adjustments to the language so that those surveys
• , ensuring survey validity, reporting survey results, and protecting the identity of individual respondents

Summary: The Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee met to review and advance the Senate’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposal for the committee’s portfolio. The presentation highlighted a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget, including full funding for Medicaid and KidCare, investments in IT modernization, Medicaid provider rate increases, mental health and substance use services, opioid treatment, foster care and guardian assistance, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, school nurse staffing, and other public health initiatives. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal to be reported to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 152 on surgical smoke protection required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; nurses testified in support, citing workplace and patient safety risks, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to provide educational materials to schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions; it was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home oversight added consumer satisfaction surveys, reporting requirements, quality incentive changes, and financial reporting penalties, with an amendment exempting state-operated homes and directing a study of best practices; it passed after questions about dementia, language access, and retaliation protections. CS/SB 738 modernized child care regulation by streamlining DCF processes and reducing obsolete requirements, and was reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS/SB 1356 creating the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics pilot to expand rare-disease screening and research, with support from members emphasizing early detection and data collection. SB 1370 separated ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute, with testimony that the change would better reflect the industry and help avoid burdensome regulation; it passed favorably. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1626 made a range of child welfare changes, including codifying DCF coordination with military installations, adjusting shelter certification, refining criminal-background exemptions, extending licensing compliance time, addressing room-and-board rate methodology, and clarifying missing-child procedures; after adopting three amendments and hearing both support and concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also recorded a member’s affirmative vote on SB 958 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ADDITIONALLY EACH NURSING HOME WILL CONDUCT PATIENT SAFETY CULTURE SURVEY AT LEAST BIANNUALLY, PROVIDES
• REQUIRES OCCA TO BEGIN WORKING WITH SURVEY RESULTS WORK IN THE SURVEY RESULTS AND TO THE QUALITY INCENTIVE
• JUST WONDERING, WITH THE SURVEY BE ADAPTED FOR RESIDENTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS SUCH AS DEMENTIA?
• COMPLETED LIVE INDIVIDUALS UNDER THEIR CARE WHO THEY NEED TO HAVE SURVEYS COMPLETED BY.
• >> THE LANGUAGE IN TODAY'S AMENDMENT ADDRESSES THAT BY REQUIRING OCCA TO UTILIZE SURVEY RESULTS AS A

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires public schools to use survey results to assess and improve staff retention, school climate
• So I have a question on section one about the surveys.
• And so I want to make sure we're actually doing something with these surveys.
• What this will do is surveys, which isn't equitable in any way, so we can't really track the data.
• On the surveys, in line with my colleagues' question, will the information be made public?

Keywords: 909, all