Transcript Highlights:

• It specifies that the requirement to demonstrate adequate alternative shelter space does not apply.
• Specifies that the requirement to demonstrate adequate alternative shelter space does not apply where
• Specifies that the requirement to demonstrate adequate alternative shelter space does not apply where
• specific conduct at a specific time or place... ...adequate alternative shelter space does not apply
• It would modify the definition of adequate alternative shelter space such that, in order to meet that

Summary: The Housing Committee considered two bills in executive session. House Bill 2266, the “step housing” bill, was presented with a proposed substitute that set different siting rules for transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, emergency shelters, and emergency housing; allowed some local standards and certifications; required local code updates within two years or the next comprehensive plan update; and grandfathered existing facilities. Members debated several amendments, adopting amendments to allow form-based codes, clarify timing and definitions, and preempt conflicting local requirements, while rejecting amendments that would have added school/daycare setbacks, expanded operational requirements, or changed local program conditions. The committee then approved the substitute bill on a 10-7 vote and reported it out with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2489 would bar local governments from adopting or enforcing laws that criminalize or penalize life-sustaining activities on public property unless adequate alternative shelter space is available. The proposed substitute narrowed and clarified the bill, including exceptions for imminent harm, emergency access, disability access, and certain criminal laws; it also allowed regional shelter agreements and broadened the definition of adequate alternative shelter space. Members adopted an amendment allowing portable mats, beds, or other sleeping spaces in drop-in overnight shelters, including those in religious buildings, while rejecting or withdrawing other amendments, including one on park facilities and one on weapons. After debate over public safety, shelter availability, and local control, the committee passed the substitute bill on a 9-8 vote and reported it out with a do pass recommendation. The chair then announced the committee would not meet the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> health fund is 236 million Alternative health fund is 236 million Alternative Care<00:10:09.640>
• </c> probably the increase to Alternative probably the increase to Alternative Care<00:29:25.799><c>
• </c> rates for elderly waiver and Alternative rates for elderly waiver and Alternative Care<00:29:29.840
• </c><00:33:45.200><c> licensing</c> facilities alternative licensing facilities alternative licensing
• </c> with disabilities including Alternative with disabilities including Alternative Care<00:34:48.960

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, Senate Bill 6339, requiring a less restrictive alternative placement to be owned and operated
• Senate Bill 6339 requires the court to confirm, prior to authorizing a least restrictive alternative,
• . and when someone is released. because there's difference between a least restrictive alternative and
• This bill, I believe, is addressing LRAs, which are least restrictive alternatives, and individuals who
• go to those facilities do Which are least restrictive alternatives, and individuals who go to those

Summary: The Human Services Committee met on policy cutoff day and first completed executive action on several bills. Members advanced Senate Bill 6224 on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council to Ways and Means, Senate Bill 6255 on the poverty task force/council changes to Rules, Senate Bill 5977 on DCYF near-fatality reports to Rules, Senate Bill 5979 on in-home dependency procedures to Rules, Senate Bill 6249 on DOC supervision of stalking convictions to Rules, and Senate Bill 6007 on WISIP’s evaluation of child welfare screening tools to Ways and Means. The committee also confirmed gubernatorial appointee Angela Ramirez. Several proposed amendments were debated, mostly offered by Senator Christian, but most failed; one technical amendment to SB 6184 was adopted, and an amendment to SB 6007 removing the risk-assessment portion of the study was adopted before the bill advanced. The committee also moved to waive the five-day notice rule for Senate Bill 6339 so it could be heard that day. The public hearing on Senate Bill 6339 focused on a proposed requirement that a less restrictive alternative (LRA) placement for sexually violent predators be owned and operated by the same individuals. Senator Torres and Senator Banke argued the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and community safety, citing a proposed Kennewick placement near schools and children. Supporters from the city of Kennewick and community members said the current process lacked transparency and that owner-operators should have a direct stake in safe operation. Opponents, including DSHS, the Washington Defender Association, the Office of Public Defense, and Disability Rights Washington, said the bill would create conflicts of interest, be difficult or impossible to implement, and could undermine the constitutional LRA process by making community placement unattainable. Committee members asked about liability, supervision, and the difference between LRA placements and unconditional release, and the chair said more work was needed on the issue. No final action was taken on SB 6339 during the hearing. The chair closed the hearing after noting the committee was at cutoff and that further discussion would continue later.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those of you not familiar with this program or alternative education, I'm excited for you to hear
• Alternative programs help students who are at risk of not graduating.
• Alternative programs give them an option to pursue graduation with additional support and guidance.
• MAPSTARS is also a source of pride for alternative education programs, leaving a positive impact on a
• You know, the alternative high school is how my son graduated.

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Webb is the alternate and she is also on the floor, and we will soon be joined by Fernan...
• Kassay is not here; she is an alternate, but joined by our other alternate, Assembly Member Yeger.
• KASSAY IS NOT HERE, THE SHE IS AN ALTERNATE BUT JOINED BY OTHER -- OUR OTHER ALTERNATE WHICH IS ASSEMBLYMEMBER
• Fourth, no subcommittee members or alternate members shall be permitted to participate by proxy.
• FOURTH, NO SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS OR ALTERNATE MEMBERS SHALL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE BY PROXY.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Budget Subcommittee on Health convened as part of the 2026 Annual Budget Committee, with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members, alternates, and the meeting rules. The chairs reviewed subcommittee procedures, including limits on alternates’ voting rights, no proxy participation, germane-topic restrictions, and the requirement that any report receive an affirmative majority vote from each house’s delegation. The co-chairs outlined the main health budget issues under discussion: the global cap, capital funding, hospital and safety-net hospital funding, early intervention, reproductive health, the Medical Indemnity Fund, aging issues, insurance prior authorization, EMS biomarkers, and nursing home funding. The chair emphasized the state’s responsibility to families affected by the Medical Indemnity Fund. Minority members raised support for restoring the full 15 percent capital Medicaid reimbursement for nursing homes, increasing aid for financially distressed hospitals, and addressing home care funding shortfalls. They also urged stronger measures against Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse, warning against budget gimmicks and emphasizing long-term fiscal sustainability, including careful use of any Medicaid savings tied to the federal 1331 health program. The meeting ended with members saying they would continue consultations with each other and staff to work toward a final, on-time budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• approve alternative forms of regulation. approve alternative forms of regulation.
• </c> this by establishing this alternative this by establishing this alternative form<02:15:31.920><c
• </c><02:25:33.600><c> forms</c> commission to approve alternative forms commission to approve alternative
• </c> being able to approve these alternative being able to approve these alternative uh<02:25:57.920>
• </c> directing them to these um alternative directing them to these um alternative ratem<02:47:41.760

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no alternative that can provide even close comparisons.
• They don't have those capabilities with any other alternative.
• Information from the industry shows there aren't alternatives that exist.
• I think the issue is we have not been able to identify alternatives.
• They're for sale right now as cheaper alternatives.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :15:48.960><c> provide</c><01:15:49.440><c> even</c> alternative that uh can provide even alternative
• </c> some lead free alternatives that exist. some lead free alternatives that exist.
• We uh you know having alternatives.
• They're cheaper alternatives.
• </c><01:42:36.400><c> don't</c> that that those alternatives don't that that those alternatives don't

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3076 creates a new alternative teaching certification pathway to the classroom.
• I was an alternatively certified teacher. I lasted 20 years in the Classroom.
• Alternative certified Jaime Escalante superstar. Thank you. Yes, actually, I've heard him speak.
• Speaker, I did Come into the classroom and teach, admittedly, as an alternatively certified teacher.
• I followed the Alternative track.

Bills: HB4319 , HB4317 , HB1225 , HB3076 , HB3081 , HB4226 , SCR17 , HB4432 , HB3304 , HB3411 , HB3435 , HB4339 , HB4331 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB1770 , HB1016 , HB4113 , HB2950 , HB4141 , HB3277 , HB2988 , HB3029 , HB3338 , HB1889 , HB3834 , HB3831 , HB2939 , HB3045 , HB3657 , HB1739 , HB3759 , HB3755 , HB4484 , HB4486 , HB4108 , HB1250 , HB2961 , HB1219 , HB3025 , HB1782 , HB1907 , HB3718 , HB4459 , HB2976 , HB3548 , HB3545 , HB2952 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB2973 , HB3055 , HB3086 , HB3040 , HB3794 , HB4336 , HB3151 , HB1590 , HB3581 , HB3313 , HB3429 , HB3448 , HB1752 , HB2650 , HB3584 , HB4202 , HB3586 , HB4321 , HB4280 , HB3650 , HCR1020 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB4301 , HB3625 , HB3147 , HB3403 , HB3498 , HB3970 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3980 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3638 , HB3880 , HB3930 , HB3942 , HB3944 , HB4191 , HB3242 , HB3678

Keywords: administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we'll talk a lot about traditional pathways and alternative pathways.
• Alternative pathways typically include routes in which a candidate is often teaching in the classroom
• We'll start with university-based alternative programs, followed by non-university-based alternative
• Next, we'll move into alternative programs, or alternative pathways to licensure.
• and alternative not IHE-based.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:18:44.159><c> means</c><04:18:44.560><c> of</c> may approve alternative means of may approve
• </c><04:27:30.479><c> ratem</c> that within that alternative ratem that within that alternative ratem
• </c><04:29:32.399><c> forms</c> commission may approve alternative forms commission may approve alternative
• </c> provided that any such alternative provided that any such alternative results<04:29:43.120><c> in
• So, so I would alternative payment.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, Senate Bill 6339, requiring a less restrictive alternative placement to be owned and operated
• Senate Bill 6339 requires the court to confirm, prior to authorizing a least restrictive alternative,
• . and when someone is released. because there's difference between a least restrictive alternative and
• This bill, I believe, is addressing LRAs, which are least restrictive alternatives, and individuals who
• go to those facilities do Which are least restrictive alternatives, and individuals who go to those

Bills: SB6339 , SB6184 , SB6224 , SB6255 , SB5977 , SB5979 , SB6249 , SB6007 , SB6186 , SGA9299

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: alternative placements, individual ownership, restrictive policies, healthcare, operational control, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, behavioral health, children, support services, poverty reduction, intergenerational poverty, WorkFirst, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, self-sufficiency, economic justice

Transcript Highlights:

• I have great alternatives. cast iron mostly, but there are also other alternatives, non-stick alternatives
• And there are safe alternatives that are available.
• So that's one possible alternative.
• As a follow up, is it fair to say that extending to 2030 could help establish alternatives?
• We've now limited the bill to those products where there are good alternatives.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, with the advancements in educational technology, alternative methods have become more widely
• Some of the alternative methods, such as a synthetic frog model or Froguts, an application for mobile
• That is about... ...to provide alternative work for about 10 to 13 weeks of curriculum.
• Why require months worth of alternative assignments when there are alternative classes like ecology,
• There's no decent alternatives to an actual dissection.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually about making sure that there are safer alternatives, safer alternatives without the same
• It's actually about making sure that there are safer alternatives, safer alternatives without the same
• When we talk about safer alternatives, those are safer alternatives.
• </c> those are safer alternatives. those are safer alternatives.
• And I that there's an alternative.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a high school for them to go to Washington, an alternative school. This is changed.
• This is for accommodation schools, which are different from alternative schools.
• By way of background, members, this is an alternative route to claiming bankruptcy.
• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1181, Certified Public Accountants Certification Alternative.
• Madam Chair and members, SB 1107, peace officer certification alternative pathway, requires AZPOST to

Summary: The committee heard a long list of Senate bills, mostly on consent, covering appropriations, public records, workers’ compensation, state hiring, burial costs, military flags in HOAs, court-ordered treatment, mental health service of process, medical examiner authority, tribal MOUs for DCS, controlled substances scheduling, EMT privacy, mammography notices, assisted living referral disclosures, accommodation school GED eligibility, released-time religious instruction, school board and charter governance issues, firearm safety instruction, student eligibility for extracurriculars after criminal convictions, Celebrate Freedom Week, tax-credit scholarship administration, CPA and insurance licensing pathways, immigration-related arrest notifications, defamation standards, peace officer certification for veterans, mandatory child abuse reporting, attorney licensing, business emergency-call penalties, unlawful occupant removals, attorney discipline costs, fentanyl sentencing thresholds, concealed weapons on campuses, firearm muffling devices, utility-worker assault penalties, water planning, environmental review for power plants and SMRs, groundwater recovery, voter registration rules, campaign address privacy, and federal land acquisition notifications. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including SB 1078, SB 1435, SB 1567, SB 1665, SB 1184, SB 1586, SB 1741, SB 1424, SB 1475, SB 1572, SB 1142, SB 1055, SB 1099, SB 1107, SB 1148, SB 1068, and SB 1069. Members raised concerns about constitutional issues, due process, school funding, public safety, and whether some proposals were unnecessary or duplicative. Supportive comments were also made on a few measures, such as expanded pathways for students in accommodation schools, child welfare coordination with tribes, and alternative certification or licensing pathways. The discussion included notable debate on SB 1166, which would allow some 11th graders and students over 16 in accommodation schools to receive GED preparation; members split between concerns about encouraging students to leave high school early and support for youth in detention, emancipation, or unstable situations. SB 1127 on mandatory reporting was clarified to require direct reporting of known abuse or neglect to DCS rather than delegation to another person. SB 1188 on controlled substances drew questions about how federal rescheduling would be mirrored in state law. The meeting ended with announcements and an “Affordability Award” recognizing Rep. Stahl Hamilton, followed by a request for guests to leave for a closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or a couple really of the lower-cost regulatory alternatives, and we wanted to put that language in
• And with regard to the alternatives, understanding that land wasn't necessarily a consideration, but
• So we did not, at the time of the discussions and in the lower-cost regulatory alternatives that were
• He then yielded, and Senator Gruters thanked him and said he had served as alternating chair for this
• Senator Gruters said that, for those who do not know, he had the opportunity to serve as alternating

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met on February 3, 2025, with a quorum present and took up three main items. First, the committee considered a large set of recommended objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules, all centered on sunset provisions stating the rules would expire after five years. AHCA asked for another deferral while it reviewed the rules, arguing the sunset language was a form of self-restraint rather than an invalid exercise of rulemaking authority. Committee leadership disagreed that further delay would resolve the issue and moved to a single vote covering all objections. The motion passed by roll call, and the committee informed AHCA that an objection would be filed unless the agency amended the rules within 30 days. The committee then heard an informational briefing from the Department of Environmental Protection on its Outstanding Florida Springs rule and stormwater rule. DEP explained that it did not prepare a statement of estimated regulatory cost for the springs rule because the proposed standards largely mirror existing water management district rules and the Central Florida Water Initiative framework, so DEP said there was no new regulatory burden. Members asked about permit authority, costs, and whether the rules were functionally different from prior rules. DEP maintained the rules set minimum standards and did not add costs beyond what regulated parties were already doing. DEP also described implementation of the stormwater rule adopted under the 2020 Clean Waterways Act and later ratified by the Legislature in 2024. DEP said the rule was the product of years of workshops and technical advisory committee meetings, and that the final version included lower-cost alternatives, grandfathering, and phased implementation. DEP estimated the rule’s cost at about $2,600 per acre in the revised CERC, while industry witnesses said the real cost could be much higher, especially if land costs are included. A home builders representative argued the estimate understated impacts, while a stormwater engineer said the rule gives more flexible, performance-based tools and could become more cost-effective over time. Finally, Senator Graal presented proposed Chapter 120 changes in SB 108, aimed at tightening and modernizing rulemaking. The proposal would require five-year rule reviews, annual agency reporting, faster notice of proposed rulemaking after authorizing legislation, electronic filing, public access to incorporated materials, clearer tracking of technical changes, and limits on how long rules can remain pending ratification. Members discussed whether the Legislature should be more specific in statutes about rulemaking deadlines and whether agencies should be more accountable when rules stall. No formal action was taken on the Chapter 120 proposals, and the committee adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternate contract.
• So state your contracts and alternative contract sources.
• And then optional alternate contracts.
• We got rid of that and then went more alternate sources.
• Often time the alternate contract sources that we've refer to those are procured bought by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are alternatives already available.
• Alternatives are already available.
• There are alternatives already available.
• Alternatives are already available.
• There are alternatives already available.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Land met on March 21, 2025, and considered several resolutions related to water resources, coastal management, and energy planning. On SCR 42/SR 27, which urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine ponds, DLNR supported the measure and suggested a technical correction changing a reference from the Division of Agriculture to the Division of Aquatic Resources. Testimony from Hā‘ena Reef and Ocean Coalition, Maui Ocean Center, and individuals was in support. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. The committee also heard SCR 54/SR 36, which would create a desalination planning task force to study whether large-scale desalination for potable water is feasible. DLNR and CWRM said the proposal was a large undertaking and raised capacity concerns, noting the Board of Water Supply was already moving forward with its own desalination planning. BWS testified in support, saying its project was still in planning and design, with construction not expected until late 2027 or 2028, and that the project would produce about 1.7 million gallons per day to supplement Ewa’s water supply. Members discussed whether the task force might duplicate existing work and noted the measure focused on consumption rather than other desalination uses. The committee ultimately recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. For SCR 59/SR 43, which asked DLNR, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission to work together on maintaining the Kihei ramp, DLNR reported ongoing collaboration and listed prior improvements including paving, washdown work, dredging, and a retaining wall. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. On SCR 106/SR 87, which requested a study of which energy sector could be most quickly and cost-effectively decarbonized through public investment in combustion-free alternatives, OPSD said the State Energy Office had already completed a decarbonization study under Act 238 (2022) and a follow-up alternative fuels analysis, and suggested the resolution duplicated existing work. Energy Justice Network testified in support, arguing the proposal would build on prior studies by focusing on non-combustion options such as wind, solar, and storage. Despite support from several organizations and individuals, the committee deferred the measure indefinitely. The committee also passed SR 18 as is, passed SC 51/SR 33 as is, deferred SC 47, and passed SC 76/SR 59 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• P alternative.
• a p a product that is uh a p alternative a p a safer<00:42:25.800><c> P</c><00:42:26.520><c> alternative
• </c> safer P alternative safer P alternative uh<00:42:28.200><c> that</c><00:42:28.400><c> is</c><00:
• </c><01:14:34.000><c> and</c> proposal for uh PFS Alternatives and proposal for uh PFS Alternatives and
• alter alternatives<01:14:57.480><c> to</c><01:14:57.920><c> Plastics</c> alternatives to Plastics alternatives

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all