Transcript Highlights:

• We talked about the necessity to advance midwifery care on a national level because of its exceptional
• Technology has advanced to positively... ...impact clinical care, but only for some.
• I urge you to advance both these bills.
• Our mission is to support the advancement and expansion of telehealth in Massachusetts.
• Our mission is to support the advancement and expansion of telehealth in Massachusetts.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing with testimony on several health care bills, with most of the discussion focused on primary care access, community health center reimbursement, midwifery and birth centers, telehealth, hospital-at-home, direct primary care, and trans-inclusive health care access. Chair Feeney and Chair Murphy opened by noting the large number of signups and asking testifiers to keep remarks brief because of time constraints. Legislators and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that Massachusetts’ primary care system is under strain and that federal policy changes and reimbursement gaps are worsening financial pressure on providers. On community health centers, Representative Blay, Senator Lovely, Michael Curry, Bethany Keeley, Jag Deep Trevetti, Sean Cahill, and Christina Severin all supported H. 1096/S. 711, which would require commercial insurers to pay federally qualified health centers at least the MassHealth prospective payment system rate. They argued that commercial plans currently reimburse health centers below Medicaid rates, threatening sustainability, staffing, and access, especially as federal cuts and coverage losses could increase uncompensated care. Testifiers said the bill would stabilize health centers, protect primary care access, and not cost the state money. A second major topic was H. 1117/S. 784 on sustaining birth centers and the midwifery workforce. Senator Lovely, Senator Miranda, Emily Anesta, Rebecca Orden, Catherine Rushworth, Nishira Burrill, Joel Sutherland, Rachel Blessington, Joelle Ward, and others described the 2024 maternal health omnibus as an important first step, but said birth centers and midwives still face low reimbursement, workforce shortages, and financial instability. They urged reimbursement parity, a workforce development fund, and support for freestanding birth centers, citing improved outcomes, lower C-section rates, better patient experience, and racial equity in maternal health. Several speakers shared personal birth stories and said the bill would help preserve and expand birth options in communities like Roxbury, Worcester, and the North Shore. The committee also heard support for H. 1343 on direct primary care from Dr. Garofalo, Dr. Altman, Dr. Nair, Stephanie Cameron, Dr. Haley Moke-Blessed, and others, who said current insurance rules force patients to use a separate in-network primary care doctor for referrals and sometimes prevent physicians from dispensing medications. They argued the bill would reduce delays, administrative burden, and costs while improving continuity of care. In addition, Dr. Miklides and Sue Stempeck supported H. 1141 on hospital-at-home parity, saying the model has strong outcomes and should be reimbursed at the same rate as brick-and-mortar hospital care. Heather Myers and Katrina Cook testified on telehealth and digital health equity, urging broader coverage for asynchronous care, remote monitoring, interpreter services, and digital literacy supports. SEIU Local 509 supported H. 1188/S. 681 on trans-inclusive health care access, saying it would remove arbitrary insurance barriers to gender-affirming care. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each of these advancements represent important steps forward and deserve our acknowledgment, and I want
• Under AB 3099, the department has been advancing the required MMIP study.
• work under AB 3099, we have worked for AB 1334, which is the tribal police pilot program, and it advances
• The department remains committed to advancing meaningful, lasting solutions that strengthen public safety
• stand ready to answer any questions and to continue working in partnership with the committee to advance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis in California, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for sustained funding, better coordination, and recognition that foster care, jurisdictional gaps, and public safety systems are all connected to the crisis. Members and tribal leaders described the issue as longstanding and systemic, and several speakers noted progress in recent years, including the Feather Alert, state grant funding, DOJ coordination, and MMIP summits, while stressing that much more remains to be done. The first panel featured tribal leaders from Southern, Central, and Northern California who described how overlapping tribal, county, state, and federal jurisdictions delay investigations and leave families without answers. They called for real-time regional response agreements, better data sharing and transparency, stronger tribal law enforcement capacity, and ongoing rather than one-time funding. Several leaders shared personal stories of missing or murdered relatives and said the state must treat tribal cases with the same urgency as others. Committee members asked about next steps, including training for law enforcement on Public Law 280, improving local relationships, and ensuring tribal courts and protection orders are not overlooked. The second panel focused on strengthening systems and services. The California Highway Patrol commissioner reported that Feather Alert implementation has improved after prior criticism, with more alerts activated and a higher recovery rate, and said CHP has expanded outreach, training, and tribal liaison work. The Department of Justice’s Office of Native American Affairs described work under AB 3099 and AB 1334, including a Public Law 280 advisory council, improved crime reporting, a tribal police pilot program, and outreach on Feather Alert and other resources. A Coyote Valley council member described a local MMIP program that supports prevention and family outreach. Members and panelists also discussed the need for better training, clearer jurisdictional authority, and stronger support for tribal justice systems. The final panel addressed foster youth and the MMIP crisis, arguing that Native children in foster care are at heightened risk of going missing or being exploited. Speakers said Native children are disproportionately represented in foster care, that many MMIP cases begin with child welfare system failures, and that social workers and attorneys often do not know or use Feather Alert procedures quickly enough. They urged stronger ICWA implementation, culturally grounded prevention and healing services, housing and mental health support, and immediate coordination among tribes, families, and agencies when a child is missing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you in advance for answering my questions.
• And finally, under AB 3099, the department has been advancing the required MMIP study.
• Building on that work, AB 134 advances a structural solution to many of the jurisdictional challenges
• Building on that work, AB 134 advances a structural solution to many of the jurisdictional challenges
• He explained that DNA technology has advanced so much in the last five or six years that, instead of

Summary: The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities. Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty. The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this would allow it to advance past that.
• Um, and this would allow it to advance past that.
• Um, and this would allow it to advance past that.
• Um, and this would allow it to advance past that.
• And this would allow it to advance past that.

Bills: SF0102, SF0123, SF0021, SF0099

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1948, we added the regulation of LPNs, and in 1995 we added advanced practice registered nurses.
• RNs and LPNs are required to pass a standard national licensure exam in order to be licensed, and advanced
• Advanced practice registered nurses receive a master's degree or a doctorate degree, and we currently
• nurses receive a master's degree or a doctorate degree, and we currently have 8,000 actively licensed advanced

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, saying it regulates about 72,000 nurses across RN, LPN, advanced practice, medication assistant, and dialysis technician-related roles. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint volume, and the board’s finances. The board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but faces vacancy and distribution issues, receives about 2,200 complaints annually, and most serious complaints involve criminal backgrounds, fraud or misrepresentation, misappropriation, drug abuse, and criminal investigations. Officials also said they are looking at ways to improve efficiency in case handling, including better documentation and added help positions, and noted outreach efforts through nursing associations and the Arkansas Center for Nursing. For professional soil classifiers, Agriculture Department officials explained that the occupation was created in 1975 and now is administered by the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. They said the profession is small and specialized, with about 29 registered soil classifiers in Arkansas, and requires a four-year degree plus coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences. Members asked whether the current number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the licensing fund is used. Officials said the current number appears adequate, though demand could change with more nutrient management or related work, and that soil classifiers commonly assist with septic system design, perk testing, wetland determinations, and other soil-related projects. They also noted the program has a small reserve and may look at training, curriculum, testing, and administrative budget adjustments. Both reports were reviewed without objection, and no votes were taken. The next meeting was announced for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Association works to increase access to oral health care for all Arizonans, improve public health, and advance
• and life through the training of the body and mind; and whereas Taekwondo cultivates mental... ...advancing
• nearby, and fewer than 12%... ...receive aid from an automated external defibrillator, or AED, before advanced
• And whereas studies show that women are less likely than men to receive CPR before advanced help arrives
• due to fear of... ...likely than men to receive CPR before advanced help arrives due to fear of causing

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including the Arizona Dental Hygienists Association, deaf and hard-of-hearing advocacy organizations, the Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists, the Doctor of the Day, and Native vote advocates. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for two DPS officers killed earlier that morning. A long list of bills was introduced and read for first reading, with many measures covering education, elections, health, public safety, tribal affairs, housing, taxation, and government administration. The Senate also received committee referrals and standing committee reports. In Committee of the Whole, SB 1425, relating to elections and July primary cure provisions, was considered, amended, and recommended do pass. The Senate adopted the committee report and then substituted HB 2022 for SB 1425 because the bills were identical. HB 2022 was then read on third reading and passed with the emergency clause by a vote of 27 ayes, 1 no, and 2 not voting. Supporters said the bill was a bipartisan effort to move the primary earlier, improve ballot return timing, and require observers in every county; one senator cited tribal voting challenges and provisional ballot rejection rates as reasons for supporting the measure, while another voted no over concerns about the emergency clause. The Senate also adopted proclamations recognizing Taekwondo Day in Arizona and American Heart Month 2026, then recessed and later reconvened to introduce additional bills, announce upcoming committee meetings, and adjourn until February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• 25, a joint resolution declaring Kentucky a food as medicine state and directing state agencies to advance
• 25, a joint resolution declaring Kentucky a food as medicine state and directing state agencies to advance
• directing state medicine state and directing state agencies<00:15:22.720> to<00:15:22.959> advance
• <00:15:23.199> food<00:15:23.440> as<00:15:23.680> medicine agencies to advance
• food as medicine agencies to advance food as medicine initiatives.<00:15:24.720> Representative

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 05:54 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 12:03 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 16:14 CoC and Rules Report 18:21 Adjournment 18:57, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. The journal from Friday, January 9, 2026 was approved, absent members were excused, and House Resolution 21 was taken from the Committee on Committees and brought to the floor without objection. Several committee and meeting announcements were made, including cancellations for various standing committees and notices that the Government Contract Review Committee and Oversight Investigation Committee would meet upon adjournment. The House also adopted House Citation 4, a citation of adjournment honoring Bill Nickel, with remarks describing him as a respected community member and friend. After the citation, members continued making committee announcements, including that the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance would meet at noon the next day. The clerk then reported the introduction of numerous new bills and resolutions, covering topics such as grand jury service, criminal trespass, postsecondary admission and funding, sex crimes, cultured meat products, railroad crossings, firearms and concealed weapons, property tax exemptions, name/image/likeness rights, landlords and tenants, child care, child welfare investigations, government social media accounts, peace officer training, economic development incentives, residential safety, pre-trial release, and several resolutions on highways, property taxation, Medicaid waiver withdrawal, and food-as-medicine initiatives. The Committee on Committees and Rules met and referred House Bills 164, 176, 184, and 265 to Banking and Insurance, and the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Independent Consumer Fuel Advisory Committee, and other entities as necessary, and the Legislature, to advance
• Independent Consumer Fuel Advisory Committee, and other entities as necessary, and the Legislature, to advance
• Senate Bill 920 advances good governance practices that promote greater transparency in fee adoption
• The California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority, also known as the
• Go Green supports the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and advanced transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered a Memorial Day weekend prayer, and welcomed a third-grade class from Sacred Heart Parish School to the chamber. Members also handled several procedural motions, including suspending blackout-period rules for budget subcommittee hearings, removing certain items from the inactive file and consent calendar, and confirming multiple gubernatorial appointments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body then took up a series of resolutions and bills. Resolutions approved included National Safe Boating Week (SR 102), Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (SCR 172), World No Tobacco Day (SCR 177), Lupus Awareness Month (SR 107), and the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris (SR 115). Senators used those measures to highlight boating safety, asthma and food allergy risks, tobacco harms, lupus awareness, and the economic and cultural importance of California wine. The Senate also passed SB 1341 on bag-in-box beverage container processing fees, SB 1083 on school employee misconduct procedures, SB 1153 on wildfire preparedness for urban retail water suppliers, SB 1199 on prescription cost-sharing and out-of-pocket accounting, SB 1240 creating an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment, SB 1337 establishing an energy coordination working group, SB 1360 expanding language access for voters, SB 920 on gaming fee transparency, SB 1016 on mental health/Care Court evaluation options, SB 1198 on reckless driving penalties, SB 1213 on reporting prices for subsidized medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, SB 1265 codifying the Go Green financing program, SB 1338 on post-repossession vehicle transport interference, and SB 1135 on wildlife coexistence. Most passed on unanimous roll calls; SB 1265 and SB 1135 drew a small number of no votes. The session concluded with a lengthy adjournment-in-memory ceremony led by the Veterans Caucus, reading the names of 82 fallen service members and pausing in their honor. The President pro tempore then announced the Senate would recess and return for the next floor session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I get into the typical background questions, I do want to touch on questions that we sent you in advance
• And if you want to add, because I always ask this question to how you're using, you know, advancing technology
• And if you want to add, because I always ask this question to how you're using, you know, advancing technology
• When you talk about advancing tech, I think, especially in terms of tourism, who's not talking about
• When you talk about advancing tech, I think, especially in terms of tourism, who's not talking about

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Alex Scalpsa Ridgeway’s nomination to serve as Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. In her opening statement, Ridgeway emphasized her Arizona roots, prior service in state government, and her view that tourism is a major economic driver for the state. She highlighted record 2024 visitation and spending, argued that tourism marketing produces strong returns for taxpayers, and said her priorities include improving data use, expanding social media and digital outreach, supporting rural communities, and strengthening international tourism and direct air service. Committee members questioned Ridgeway about the state of tourism, responsible visitor messaging, marketing the Grand Canyon and other parts of Arizona, rural tourism, budget priorities, use of public funds, and how she would respond to unlawful or poor policy directives. She said the office uses an activity-based marketing strategy focused on visitor personas such as family travel, outdoor recreation, culinary, wellness, and luxury, and that it partners with rural destinations and event organizers to spread visitor spending statewide. She also said she would follow the law, would raise concerns about bad policy, and described steps taken to improve transparency and conflict-of-interest practices after questions about a prior logo contract and a costly state branding project. Public testimony was strongly supportive. Representatives from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Cactus League Baseball Association, and Experience Scottsdale praised Ridgeway’s experience, collaboration with industry partners, and understanding of tourism’s economic impact, especially for rural areas and major visitor destinations. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, with a 5-0 vote, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have enough to advance the bill. This bill will be advanced to the floor.
• Do we have enough votes to advance the bill? This bill will be advanced to the floor.
• More than that, we have enough to advance. This bill will go to the Finance Committee.
• This bill will advance to the Finance Committee. That ends the bill list for this committee.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote. The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved. Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will go a long way towards advancing that.
• This will go a long way towards advancing that. thousand units are ready to go.
• This will go a long way towards advancing that.
• Our state looks at ways that we can help advance childcare, health care, and ensure that our long-term
• Senators, supporting the budget today means that we get to advance to the next step for negotiations

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the Senate journals and adopted floor amendments. Members voted on motions to advance Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures and to suspend Joint Rule 62A so the budget committee could hear budget-related bills with shortened notice; both motions passed by roll call. The chamber then moved through the Daily File, including several second-reading bills and gubernatorial appointments. Three appointments were confirmed: Julie Lee and Ann Patterson to the Delta Stewardship Council, and Santa Cruz County Sheriff Christopher Clark to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators also took up Senate Joint Resolution 17, which urges Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries to Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam; the resolution passed unanimously. The Senate then considered AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, with extensive debate on the state’s fiscal condition and major budget priorities. Supporters said the budget is balanced, maintains reserves, reduces the structural deficit, and protects funding for child care, Medi-Cal, distressed hospitals, in-home supportive services, housing, higher education, and transit. Opponents argued it relies on future tax increases, leaves a structural deficit, and does not adequately address affordability, public safety, or repayment of unemployment insurance debt. After debate, AB 109 passed 28-9, and the chamber later approved the consent calendar items 81 through 86. The session ended with adjournments in memory of Honorable Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie. The Senate announced its next floor session would be Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Initiative, it establishes this initiative that provides that the purpose of the initiative is to advance
• And we're seeing such advances coming out of our... ...over the many, many years into this.
• And we're seeing such advances coming out of our designated cancer centers and what we are doing.
• DeSantis has shown a clear commitment to advancing cancer care across our state.
• , it took commitments from leadership to make the investment that we made to make a commitment to advance

Summary: The committee took up a large health policy agenda. SB 1568 on electronic prescribing was explained as a federal conformity measure, but members raised concerns about preserving patients’ ability to obtain paper prescriptions and about exemptions for emergency, hospice, and other situations. Emergency physicians testified in support of e-prescribing but asked for flexibility, and the bill was reported favorably despite Senator Harrell’s opposition. SB 1606 on patient access to records sought to standardize record-production timelines and require electronic delivery when available; after an amendment correcting a drafting error, the bill drew concerns about HIPAA, behavioral health confidentiality, and the distinction between personal and legal representatives, and it was reported unfavorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved SB 1346 on fentanyl testing, with a technical amendment, to require hospitals and campus emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine testing for suspected overdose or poisoning. SB 1224 on administration of controlled substances by paramedics was amended to clarify language and reported favorably. SB 656 on health care billing and collection activities was substantially revised by strike-all amendment to allow sale of medical debt to third parties under new limits, including no interest or fees and return of debt if charity care applies; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 68 expanded health facilities authority financing to include not-for-profit LLCs and parent companies, and SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the newborn screening panel; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee approved SB 1842 on out-of-network referrals after multiple amendments, requiring providers to verify network participation at the point of service and notify patients in writing, though several members and physicians warned it could burden providers and increase workload. The committee also advanced proposed committee bill SB 7028, which revises the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, adds oversight and reporting requirements, creates a pediatric cancer research incubator, and establishes the Bascom-Palmer VisionGen initiative; cancer center representatives testified in strong support, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee bill. SB 172 on specialty titles and designations was amended to clarify enforcement and was reported favorably after supporters said it would prevent misleading use of specialist titles, while opponents argued it could confuse practitioners’ titles. Finally, SB 1690 on surrendered infants was reported favorably after supporters said it would codify and expand safe-haven baby box procedures and opponents raised safety concerns about the devices. The committee also noted SB 1606 remained pending for reconsideration next week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1948, we added the regulation of LPNs, and in 1995 we added advanced practice registered nurses.
• RNs and LPNs are required to pass a standard national licensure exam in order to be licensed, and advanced
• Advanced practice registered nurses receive a master's degree or a doctorate degree, and we currently
• have 8,000 actively licensed advanced practice nurses in Arkansas.

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I'd be willing to work with the sponsor to try to advance it, but I think right now that it's
• sponsor<00:09:41.120> to<00:09:41.360> try<00:09:41.519> to<00:09:41.839> advance
• <00:09:42.160> it, with the sponsor to try to advance it, with the sponsor to try to advance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:24.599> Equity laier our mission is to advance Equity laier our mission is to advance
• <01:23:42.840> education of our level up advancing education of our level up advancing education
• Thank you very much. advancing our projects and programs advancing our projects and programs including
• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
• I'm the director of mission advancement for Best Buddies Hawaiʻi.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• again<00:32:01.519> showing The third image advances again showing The third image advances
• The sixth image advances 5 seconds.
• The sixth image advances 5 seconds.
• The sixth image advances 5 seconds.
• <00:43:41.040> 29<00:43:41.520> seconds advances 29 seconds advances 29 seconds and<00:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, Chair Baker, advancing the A40?
• <01:23:46.800> thoughts know that you'd been advancing thoughts know that you'd been advancing
• Bill that you've been advancing.
• Bill that you've been advancing.
• Mcuan does end up advancing it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One last thing to note on this slide is every EIDBI provider organization must have at least one advanced
• practice registered nurse or a advanced practice registered nurse or a mental<00:07:29.280> health
• <01:25:09.760> medically the case um we have advanced medically the case um we have advanced
• This bill contains three distinct proposals the legislature can advance.
• first it establishes a advance first it establishes a reimbursement<01:48:10.280> rate<01:48:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from DHS on its early intensive developmental and behavioral intervention (EIDBI) study and related licensing proposal. Christy Grom explained that EIDBI is a Medical Assistance state plan service for children and young adults under 21 with autism or related conditions, and that DHS’s multi-phase evaluation included standards review, community engagement, and a comparison with other states. She said the service is important but that DHS identified gaps in oversight, including stretched clinical supervision, providers affiliated with many centers, out-of-state providers, and rapid growth in enrollment that has outpaced current monitoring capacity. DHS’s main recommendation was to create a provisional license for EIDBI in Chapter 245A as an immediate step, with later work toward full licensing standards. The proposal would let DHS identify controlling individuals, disqualify ineligible people, investigate maltreatment, suspend or revoke licenses, require background studies and qualifications before service delivery, move EIDBI providers into a higher-risk category for revalidation, and make DHS the lead investigative agency for maltreatment. DHS also recommended statutory standards for supervision, caseloads, training, and documentation, while emphasizing the need to balance oversight with continued access to services. Grom said the provisional licensure proposal is part of the governor’s budget and that DHS hopes to begin implementation in 2025, with a possible full license start date in 2028. Testifiers then spoke in support of EIDBI while urging the committee to preserve access and include more community input. Ana Hagi Muhammad, a parent of three autistic children and a Somali community advocate, said EIDBI has been beneficial for her family and that community organizations serving Somali families have not been sufficiently engaged in DHS’s process. Ana Muhammad, a Black mother of a young autistic child, said ABA has helped her son with communication, self-regulation, and independence, and asked that discussions reflect the diversity of family experiences. Committee members asked testifiers to keep remarks brief and to identify which modality they use, and the chair indicated the committee would continue hearing from additional testifiers before further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, this bill limits how far in advance an absentee ballot may be requested.
• It just doesn't make sense to have someone doing it 15 months in advance.
• <00:06:32.720> an bill limits how far in advance an bill limits how far in advance an absentee
• I I think that's kind of uh advance.
• <01:37:28.080> that things are are done way in advance that things are are done way in advance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said DVS has offered appointments six months in advance in the past, and when they did that, no-shows
• But when appointments are made that far out in advance, they do not work for a lot of reasons.
• I'm disappointed that it took them until 11:00 today to release their study and without any advance notice
• <00:43:52.400> notice<00:43:53.400> or and without any advanced notice or and without
• any advanced notice or courtesy<00:43:54.319> of<00:43:54.800> the<00:43:54.960> study

Keywords: 1183, house