Bills: HF249 , HF398 , HF532 , HF547 , HF544 , HF704 , HF805 , HF969 , HF954

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: fraud recovery, public assistance, benefits, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, debt collection, corrections, director, board of corrections, superintendents, rehabilitation programs, furloughs, real estate, violator facilities, dietitian, licensure compact, interstate practice, public access, healthcare, respiratory therapy

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Paul Moore, Assistant Commissioner of Accounting Services at Minnesota Management and Budget
• service, and so there is still an issue.
• ><c> in</c><00:31:39.279><c> the</c><00:31:39.440><c> classified</c><00:31:40.000><c> service</c><00:
• 31:40.440><c> and</c> staff is in the classified service and staff is in the classified service and so
• The biggest section is the exceptions within some of the departments, so Human Services.

Bills: HF1 , HF1754 , HF1809 , HF1478

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Bills: SF24 , SF51 , SF55 , SF135 , SSB1044 , SSB1046

Committee: Joint Transportation

Keywords: railway, crossing, repairs, upgrades, penalties, public safety, transportation, personal information, privacy, Department of Transportation, data protection, law enforcement, firefighter, registration plates, revocable trust, emergency services, vehicle registration, validation sticker, license plate, registration renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• Disabilities, and the Department of Veterans Services.
• DISABILITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN SERVICES.
• SCARCE AND SOME OF THE FARMWORKERS FRANKLY AFRAID TO SHOW UP FOR WORK OR THE FARMERS HOLDING CHURCH SERVICES
• WHILE ABA IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR ITS IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING
• MANY DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, ITS REACH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THAT INTO EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, HUMAN SERVICES

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a Rules Committee report advancing several bills directly to third reading, including Senate Print 9630, an appropriations extender for government operations, and Senate Print 9631, an extender related to Part U1 of Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2023. The chamber then moved to the controversial calendar and debated the first extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning what the bill covered, how much funding it extended, and the status of budget negotiations. Senator Krueger said the extender covered about $1 billion for payroll and certain payments for agencies including Health, Law, OPWDD, and Veterans Services through April 7, and described the budget talks as still unresolved, with no announced follow-up Joint Budget Conference Committee meetings or table targets. She also discussed utility affordability proposals, including a three-year moratorium on A.I. and crypto data/storage facilities and support for green energy and low-income ratepayer relief. O’Mara argued the lack of urgency and absence of written proposals on climate and utility costs was concerning. Both extender bills were then passed, with the first receiving 59 ayes and the second passing 46-13 after debate over its two-year duration. The Senate then adopted the resolution calendar, excluding two items initially, and took up two resolutions. Resolution 1821, sponsored by Senator Ramos, recognized Farmworkers Day and highlighted the essential role of farmworkers, the history of organizing for farmworker rights, and concerns about immigrant workers facing fear and retaliation; Senator May added support, noting the importance of farm labor to dairy production and food supply and the impact of deportation fears on farms in her district. The resolution was adopted. Resolution 1823, sponsored by Senator Zellner, proclaimed March 20, 2026 as Behavior Analysis Day in New York, recognizing applied behavior analysis and its benefits for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, education, healthcare, and other fields; it was also adopted. The chamber also welcomed a group of students from Queens visiting Albany, with Senator Comrie speaking about the importance of civics education and government engagement. After the introductions and acknowledgments, there was no further business, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, April 1, at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• services; has participated in early ECEAP or the Early Childhood Intervention and Prevention Services
• services.
• Yakima is a priority area for ECEAP services. Classroom services.
• Ambulance service providers are reimbursed through HCA's fee-for-service program.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for joining today's Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee meeting.
• There was one study that we looked at showing that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Congress slashed billions of dollars from Medicaid, knowing that as an optional service, a service that
• They get to choose whether they do in fact cut home and community-based services.
• they choose to go after people with disabilities, if they choose to cut home and community-based services

Summary: The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from Colin Killick of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network on disability discrimination in crisis standards of care during COVID-19. He described how Massachusetts and other states initially used standards that prioritized longer life expectancy and, in some cases, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), which he argued devalued the lives of disabled people and older adults. He also discussed related issues such as denial of transplants, pressure on disabled patients to sign do-not-resuscitate orders, and inequities affecting communities of color. He said disability advocates, legal groups, and public officials pushed back through litigation, media, and organizing, leading to revisions of Massachusetts’ standards and the eventual inclusion of disability advocates in the drafting process. Killick also discussed vaccine rollout, saying disabled people were initially under-prioritized but later gained broader access and more accessible vaccination options such as ASL interpretation and in-home vaccination. He closed by urging support for S. 869, an act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care, which he said would ban disability-based discrimination in crisis standards, prohibit QALYs in health care decision-making, and add protections against coerced DNRs. He noted the bill had been favorably reported out of the Health Care Financing Committee but still needed support. In questions, members asked why the bill had not advanced further; Killick said earlier opposition from QALY supporters had been resolved, and the main barrier now was lack of legislative prioritization. Members thanked him for the presentation and for the work on revising crisis standards. The subcommittee then completed roll call, approved the prior minutes, and adjourned, noting the next meeting would be August 31.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for joining today's Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee meeting.
• Congress slashed billions of dollars from Medicaid, knowing that as an optional service, a service that
• They get to choose whether they do, in fact, cut home and community-based services...
• Revenue to get interviews whether they do, in fact, cut home and community-based services for people
• they choose to go after people with disabilities, if they choose to cut home and community-based services

Summary: The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met and heard a presentation from Colin Killick of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network on disability discrimination in crisis standards of care during COVID-19. He described how Massachusetts and other states initially used rationing criteria that prioritized short-term or long-term survival in ways that disadvantaged disabled people, older adults, and people with certain chronic conditions, and he discussed related issues such as QALYs, DNR pressure, and inequities in vaccine prioritization. He also noted that disability rights advocates, legal groups, and allies used litigation, media outreach, and public pressure to force revisions to the standards, and that Massachusetts ultimately adopted more protective third-round standards that limited the use of life-expectancy judgments and banned QALYs in those decisions. Members asked why the disability health care discrimination bill has not passed despite being reintroduced over multiple sessions. Killick said the main obstacle now appears to be lack of legislative prioritization rather than active opposition, after earlier concerns about QALYs were resolved through compromise. He identified the bill as S. 869, an act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care, and said it had been favorably reported out of the Health Care Financing Committee. Members thanked him for the presentation and for his work during the pandemic. The meeting then moved to roll call, approved the minutes by motion and second, and adjourned after noting the next meeting date as August 31st.

Transcript Highlights:

• and care, electrical, engineering, film and television production, information support networking services
• It funds equipment, curriculum, professional development, and student services aimed at improving CTE
• And our information support networking service.
• By consolidating college and career readiness services into one user-friendly platform, we can ensure
• , early childhood education theories, developmentally appropriate practices, curriculum, and instruction

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:47.960><c> disabilities</c> within the developmental disabilities within the developmental
• uh debt service.
• Um uh in service. uh debt service.
• Our taxpayer services division.
• So our debt service agency income.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Protects the most vulnerable Californians by ensuring that benefits and services for developmentally
• And finally, it cuts key social services for the neediest Californians among us.
• This includes abortion services and family planning.
• This budget previously had heartburn for myself, especially around in-home services, IHS services.
• So those kinds of services are important for families.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect. Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians. After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I rise to share a brief but powerful piece of history that continues to shape leadership, service
• They built a brotherhood, rooted in scholarship, unity, and service.
• In the fire service, we go through certain steps of evaluation as we're going towards the emergency.
• Or if it's a fire service call, you're trying to stabilize the situation.
• , our fire services, our schools.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 120-0. Members then used personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize several groups and visitors, including Alpha Phi Alpha members, students from multiple schools and programs, dental hygienists, public administrators, credit union representatives, National History Day participants, and others. One member also spoke emotionally about a relative killed in a domestic violence incident and requested a moment of silence in her honor. The main floor action centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668, a large property tax reform package. The sponsor described it as the product of extensive statewide hearings and public testimony, aimed at stabilizing Missouri’s property tax system. The bill and amendments would, among other things, require clearer ballot language for tax measures, move tax-related ballot questions to November general elections, eliminate “no tax increase” wording, standardize ballot wording, address assessment and valuation rules, require physical inspections for certain commercial property assessment increases, allow quarterly tax payments in more counties, and make other technical changes. Members debated the size and scope of the bill, local control concerns, voter turnout and “voter fatigue,” and whether the changes were sufficiently vetted. Amendments were adopted to narrow the title to property taxation, add the ballot-language provisions, remove duplicative language, and exempt township counties so their levy elections could still occur on the schedule they need. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber also took up House Bill 1917, a targeted utility/economic development bill involving a Jefferson County water district. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by a dispute in which a water district sought payment or infrastructure contributions from a company planning a roughly $400 million investment and about 250 jobs, despite the district’s inability to serve the site. Supporters said the bill would allow detachment of a ratepayer under specified conditions and prevent water districts from blocking development; the committee vote had been 15-0. Members raised concerns about the bill’s narrow, district-specific scope and possible litigation, but the House ultimately ordered the bill perfected and printed. The House also read three new bills for first reading and later recessed after announcements about committee meetings and a property tax discussion event with FFA students.

Transcript Highlights:

• My twin brother, William, a man with a beautiful soul, also has developmental disabilities, and without
• We need to do more to protect our family members. has developmental disabilities and without community
• , And so places that can help him with all of his care, not just his developmental disabilities and being
• Today, I stand with the people with developmental disabilities who have been asking for Rainier to close
• Today, I stand with the people with developmental disabilities who have been asking for Rainier to close

Summary: The House considered Substitute Senate Bill 5393, relating to closing Rainier School by June 30, 2027. After many withdrawn amendments, the House adopted striking Amendment 1455, which changed the bill to allow current residents to remain at Rainier School as long as they choose and can live there, while also creating opportunities for community care transitions, return to Rainier if needed, and regular reporting from DHS on transition outcomes, mortality, and related data. Members speaking in favor emphasized the need to move away from institutional care, protect vulnerable residents, and improve accountability; some noted the emotional and personal significance of the issue. The bill then passed the House 76-22 and was immediately transmitted to the Senate. The House also took up several Senate-amended bills and concurred in the Senate changes before final passage. Second Substitute House Bill 1207 passed 54-44 after debate over a fee increase and whether the revenue would benefit local jurisdictions enough. Substitute House Bill 1498 passed 70-28 after a modest Senate adjustment giving more first-year flexibility. House Bill 2003 passed 53-45 despite concerns that it would reduce fishing opportunities. Substitute House Bill 2047 passed 58-40; supporters praised the Senate changes, while opponents argued it still ended a valuable employee ownership program and remained subject to appropriations. House Bill 2050 passed 56-42 after the Senate removed an apportionment shift from the bill, though some members still objected to the remaining ALE enrollment cap. The House also received messages from the Senate indicating passage of a gross substitute House Bill 249 and that the President had signed gross substitute Senate Bill 5041. The chamber then adjourned until 10 a.m. Sunday, April 27.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in Home and Community Living Administration, specifically Developmental Disabilities Community Services
• the Developmental Disability Community Service, we are authorizing on average 12 hours a day.
• I'm the Bureau Chief of the Community Services Bureau, which includes services that are in-home service
• PCCA services do not replace PDN services.
• PCCA services do not replace PDN services.

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee met at policy cutoff and first took up executive session on four bills. It considered a proposed substitute for HB 1589 on health carrier contracting practices, which would require carriers to provide providers advance notice and clean copies of contract changes and payment methodologies, and would also add notice requirements for significant payer contract modifications. The committee also considered HB 2402 on phthalates in IV solution containers and tubing, with a substitute delaying implementation dates and creating shortage and FDA-related exemptions. HB 2555, concerning Medicaid coverage of traditional health care practices, and HB 2685, concerning tribal data and disease reporting to tribal health jurisdictions, were also before the committee. HB 2599 was deferred. The committee reported HB 1589, HB 2402, HB 2555, and HB 2685 out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes showing some members voting no or no without recommendation on the more contested bills. The committee then held a work session on private duty nursing in the Medically Intensive Children’s Program. Health Care Authority and DSHS staff described how the program serves children with complex medical needs through managed care and fee-for-service pathways, the role of prior authorization and medical necessity review, and the ongoing shortage of nursing staff. They said many approved hours are not filled, especially in rural areas, and that family members often provide unpaid care to fill gaps. Committee members asked about the structure of the children’s and adult PDN programs and about how many authorized hours are actually being served. The committee also heard testimony from a home care agency representative and a parent caregiver, both of whom described severe staffing shortages and the burden on families when nursing shifts go unfilled. They supported models that would allow trusted family caregivers to be paid for some of the skilled care they already provide. The committee then heard examples from Montana and Massachusetts of similar family caregiver or complex care assistant programs. Montana described its pediatric complex care assistant model as a gap-filling service with prior authorization and a set hourly rate, while Massachusetts outlined its complex care assistant program, including training, supervision, wage pass-through requirements, and early growth in participation. The meeting concluded after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> senior services. senior services.
• </c> service funds in the amount of $685,000. service funds in the amount of $685,000.
• </c> persons with developmental disabilities. persons with developmental disabilities.
• Finally, footnote number eight is a direction to use $875,000 of internal service funds for cloud services
• Finally, footnote number eight is a direction to use $875,000 of internal service funds for cloud services

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first addressed an unintended consequence in the Joint Conference Committee report involving dual and concurrent enrollment funding. Staff explained that a dollar-for-dollar reduction tied to Senate File 81 would have fully funded public school dual/concurrent enrollment while leaving no funds for non-public school students. Senator Salazar moved to strike that provision, the motion was seconded, and it carried. Budget and Fiscal Administrator Don Richards then walked through the conference committee report and the major adopted amendments. He reviewed Senate and House amendments affecting items such as sign language interpreters, rural veterinary education, predator management authorization, petroglyphs and pictographs, senior services, community college funding, school district entitlement payments, the School Foundation Program reserve transfer, a tourism-related rodeo museum change, archaeological work on human remains, a jet airplane reduction, abortion-related language, livestock ear tags, provider rates for developmental disabilities, student-athlete endorsement restrictions, a forensic audit for the Wyoming Business Council, and the Yellowstone tree inscription. He also described several deleted sections and policy changes, including removal of spending-policy provisions, flex authority language, and other budget sections. Richards further summarized new or revised appropriations and conditions, including funding for local cybersecurity, stormwater fees, the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund, lab services, IT modernization, Wyoming Public Television, matching funds, cloud services, and restored governor FTE requests. He noted a compromise on the outdoor trails matching program, a conditional $10 million University of Wyoming operational review appropriation tied to future cost savings, and a stablecoin appropriation. He also explained that the report retained the base-bill reversion language, discussed the remaining general fund balance and statutory reserve, and said the committee would circulate the amendment and signatures for floor action later that day. The meeting then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The Health and Human Services Committee will come to order. Sabrina, please call the roll.
• or who has a service-related disability at the time of death.
• We&#x27;re going to take HB 693 help health and human services by Representative Redondo.
• So finally, the bill requires a review of the gap in access to services across the state.
• It is the one service that we all must have for a waiver support for APD I Budget services.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they're involved with. vocation rehabilitation services for vocation rehabilitation services for
• > procedure or standard for the service procedure or standard for the service fee<00:14:41.680><c> memo
• We have to have 19-year-old with developmental 19-year-old with developmental disabilities<00:15:32.399
• And then there was also a new service memo issued, and that's the rates memo for the services that are
• </c> need to be served these these services need to be served these these services are<00:26:42.279><

Summary: The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Intervention services.
• Service type agencies.
• use disorder services.
• and more access to services.
• services departments anyway.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• where somebody is in a mental health crisis, has a dementia diagnosis, or has an intellectual or developmental
• where somebody is in a mental health crisis, has a dementia diagnosis, or has an intellectual or developmental
• disabilities to not or developmental disabilities to not acknowledge<00:38:14.560><c> that</c><00:38
• :30.320><c> has</c><00:39:30.640><c> intellectual</c><00:39:31.600><c> or</c><00:39:31.760><c> developmental
• </c> um who has intellectual or developmental um who has intellectual or developmental disabilities disabilities

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Tomkow: The Health and Human Services Committee will come to order.
• or who has a service related disability at the time of death.
• It includes Tatton-Brown-Rahman Syndrome in the APD definition of developmental disabilities.
• It is the one service that we all must have for waiver support for APD iBudget services.
• We don't want to background screen away from the child or the developmentally disabled adult.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, I'm chair of C-SAC's Health and Human Services Committee.
• , including mental health support, developmental screening, and dual-language services, which we see
• And I tell you what, the first month of school, nobody wants services. Everybody wants services.
• And let's be clear, child care services are not throwaway services. They're not optional services.
• And let's be clear, child care services are not throwaway services. They're not optional services.