Transcript Highlights:

• State Senator Travis Fitzwater from the 10th Senate District, bringing before you...
• Members of the committee, State Senator Travis Fitzwater from the 10th Senate District, bringing before
• to Representative Whaley's point about the gene situation, I have a family member that actually navigates
• I met with a rural pharmacy in my district, and they said offering these services allows them actually
• I'm George Hruza, a representative of District 89, to speak on 4661, to present 4661.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health heard testimony on several measures. HCR 42, sponsored by Representative Perkins, urged Congress to support programs aimed at reducing prescription drug costs for Medicaid and Medicare patients. The sponsor said it would help elderly and low-income residents, while Representative Dahl argued the referenced program could cost more than other pharmacy options and criticized the resolution. No one testified in support or opposition, and the hearing on HCR 42 was closed. The committee then heard SB 878, a pharmacist practice act bill sponsored by Senator Fitzwater. The bill would make permanent several pandemic-era pharmacy practices, including pharmacist administration of certain vaccines, medication therapy plan authority, dispensing of some medical devices and supplies, over-the-counter availability of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine with warning labels and standardized procedures, and nonprofit pharmacy emergency waivers. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural areas, reduce delays in treatment, and help pharmacies remain open. Opponents raised concerns about vaccine authority shifting away from the governor, the safety of over-the-counter hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, and whether pharmacists should be treated as equivalent to physicians. The Missouri Pharmacy Association, Walmart, and Walgreens testified in support, and the hearing was closed without a vote. The committee also heard two resolutions. HCR 538, by Representative Hruza, would designate May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month and encourage support for research and advocacy. Members generally supported the resolution, with comments about the severity of ALS and the importance of early communication supports; no opposition was presented. HCR 4661, also presented by Representative Hruza, would encourage awareness and screening for chronic kidney disease, especially among high-risk patients, and promote public-private education efforts around urine albumin-to-creatinine testing. Testimony emphasized the prevalence and cost of kidney disease and the value of early detection. The committee took no votes on these measures and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• have the honor and the privilege of serving as the state representative from the 30th Legislative District
• received letters from my constituents specifically, but we have a specific living facility in my district
• This is about providing them an individual that they can go to to help them navigate this system.
• We have lots of state programs that are there that can help people navigate that.
• There's a couple in my district as well.

Bills: HB2299 , HB2118 , HB2236

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: seniors, independent living, ombudsman, elderly support, continuing care retirement communities, common interest communities, restrictions, property rights, homeowners association, community governance, housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• have the honor and the privilege of serving as the state representative from the 30th Legislative District
• King County Federal Way area. ...of serving as the state representative from the 30th Legislative District
• received letters from my constituents specifically, but we have a specific living facility in my district
• We have lots of state programs that are there that can help people navigate that.
• There's a couple in my district as well.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2299, which would create a state senior independent living ombuds program. Staff explained that the bill would direct the Department of Commerce to contract with a nonprofit to provide ombuds services for residents of senior independent living facilities, including complaint handling, data collection, referrals, training, and protections against retaliation and disclosure. The bill also sets qualifications and conflict-of-interest rules for ombuds staff and requires facilities to post notice of the services. The chair noted that, although executive session was on the agenda, the bills would not be voted out that day because amendments were still being worked on. Representative Christine Reeves, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure was intended to address gaps in protections for seniors in independent living settings, which are often treated under multifamily housing law rather than senior housing or long-term care statutes. She described constituent concerns about poor communication, delayed maintenance, safety issues, and a lack of a clear place for residents to seek help. Committee members asked about the bill’s scope, including whether it would apply to 55-plus communities, condominiums, and rented versus owned units, and staff clarified that the bill defines covered facilities as age-restricted apartment buildings, condominiums, or residential neighborhoods where residents rent the unit or land, plus certain portions of CCRCs and assisted living buildings not actively used for assisted living. Testimony was mixed. The Washington Health Care Association and LeadingAge Washington said they support the goal but raised concerns about the bill’s structure, funding, overlap with existing landlord-tenant and long-term care ombuds systems, and the need for a broader stakeholder process and a resident bill of rights first. The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombuds Program supported the concept and said it could potentially absorb the work, but emphasized that current funding is already below recommended staffing levels and that additional resources would likely be needed. Residents and advocates testified in support, saying the bill would provide a neutral outside authority and help address real problems in senior communities. No vote was taken, and the hearing was closed without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Rob Farnsworth, state senator for District 7, which includes most of the Iron Range, about half of
• Senator Rob Kupec, I have Senate District 4, which is most of Clay County and a large chunk of Becker
• I represent Senate District 5, which is just directly across the border in West Central Minnesota.
• I represent District 66 in the Minnesota Senate, so that includes parts of St.
• </c><00:04:44.639><c> in</c> education schools in my district in education schools in my district in

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we really mess up the shipping lanes, or do you all just not want to have to navigate a little bit
• So, if these wind farm areas are up next to them, it could hamper safe navigation because those ships
• our boarding. location, but we want to make sure that there's safe access for these captains to navigate
• Regarding navigation and other things would properly be addressed there, so they're already in place.
• They have some serious navigation issues, and then you get into the fog and some other things like that

Bills: SB383 , SB1012 , SB1181 , SB1705 , SB2075 , SB2221 , SB2586 , SB2864 , SB2994

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• It was the center of my district.
• It was the center of my district.
• And it was the center of a district, as I should note, it was center of my district.
• And it was the center of a district, as I should note, it has been designated as a food Their district
• I come from the 29th Legislative District.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Todd Lakey, State Senator from District 23.
• We get all of our water from Hayden Lake Irrigation District.
• These are the... ...the East Green Acres Irrigation District.
• Ron Wilson, East Green Acres Irrigation District.
• Up at the north end of our district, we have Highway 53.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not having the district model the behavior.
• and school districts.
• Districts are already building it.
• But I can see districts in my own district that populate a lot of the support list of every possible
• This simply offers more flexibility for the districts, and especially for the over 75 districts that

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee heard SB 1067, which would require annual math screening for kindergarten through second grade students beginning in 2028-29 to identify early numeracy difficulties and connect students to evidence-based supports. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice, UC Davis researcher Charles Wilkes, and several education and community advocates, argued that California’s math performance is too low and that early screening would help close gaps before they widen. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and the CTA, said the bill could narrow instruction, overemphasize deficit-based measures, and should instead be paired with stronger investments in teacher training and implementation of the California Mathematics Framework. Committee members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals while discussing how the screener would work and what kinds of follow-up supports would be needed. The committee also heard SB 1110 on child care subsidy administration, which would restructure funding for alternative payment programs and core contracts as the state moves to enrollment-based funding. Supporters said the bill would stabilize child care providers, improve payment timelines, and better reflect the administrative work of enrolling families and managing services; there was no opposition testimony. SB 1374, supported by the CSU and UC systems, would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders when credible threats are directed at a campus rather than a specific person. Supporters described recent campus threats that created safety concerns but did not fit current restraining-order law; there was no opposition. Senator Nilo presented SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses after a UC San Diego report showed a sharp decline in incoming students’ math readiness. Supporters argued the audit would help identify gaps in college readiness and the effects of K-12 changes, while some members raised concerns about bypassing the usual legislative audit process; the bill was held on call. The committee then took up SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools and direct model ordinances for local land-use regulation. Supporters said it would create a clearer path for small, individualized learning communities, but several members questioned whether the concept was sufficiently defined and whether the state had enough information to draft model ordinances; the bill was also placed on call after a quorum was established. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a limited pilot program in Central Valley counties to connect schools with regional threat assessment centers when credible safety concerns arise. The author and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and several students, said it would improve early intervention and communication; committee members raised privacy and federal-sharing concerns but indicated support, and the bill was moved forward on a vote once quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Skipping down to page four, there's a $2 million cut from the Can Navigate program each biennium
• There was one change in the Workforce Development Fund in this budget. can navigate program each can
• </c> leadership to navigate a higher target. leadership to navigate a higher target.
• </c> that that can startup and can navigate that that can startup and can navigate um<01:10:08.719><c
• The district 65A, many families live in low poverty and $14,000 and less.

Bills: HF3228 , HF2441

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Santayness to my left, who is the mayor of Bellflower, where I was born in my district.
• And here with me today is Kira Ross, who's representing the city of Pasadena in my district.
• And I just think that for every Assembly District or Senate District, it's going to be based on that
• I spent six months in a San Francisco Navigation Center before being housed.
• I spent six months in a San Francisco Navigation Center before being housed.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 29,000 small businesses in our district bolster our region.
• Over 29,000 small businesses in our district bolster our region.
• OVER 29,000 SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR DISTRICT BOLSTER OUR REGION.
• Congressman Fong represents the 20th District of California.
• That is our slogan back in the Eighth District of Florida.

Bills: HR818 , HR832 , HR825 , HR828 , HR804 , HR754 , HR788

Keywords: impeachment, judge, criminal conduct, judicial behavior, Supreme Court, assassination attempt, sentencing, ideology, National Chemistry Week, education, STEM careers, science promotion, public engagement, government transparency, communication, House of Representatives, appropriations, furlough, Federal agencies, military service

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know many families don't have the time, knowledge, or capacity to navigate that kind of fight.
• So often right now, the caregivers that can do it, they're having to do it on their own and navigate
• My district is the number one targeted place in the whole state of California, the entire state.
• Right now, three people were kidnapped yesterday in front of my district office.
• So it's just a hot spot in my district.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also help students learn how to navigate online databases.
• intentional about teaching youth about online databases, which is something I didn't learn how to navigate
• But always, if there's ever something in your district, in your area, that isn't happening and you hear
• Repeat offenders cycling in and out of custody, often returning to the same business district within
• Artesia also boasts an accredited Main Street district for almost 30 years.

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT IS YOUR PLAN SINCE YOU ARE AN EXTENSION OF US CAUSE I DON'T THINK OUR DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES WILL
• THAT LOOP CAN AFFECT MINORITY COMMUNITIES WHICH IS IMPORTANT GIVEN 67% OF MY DISTRICT IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN
• MY CONCERN NOW IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO FOR THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND EVERY FLORIDIAN.
• YOU KNOW THAT NAVIGATORS ARE CUT SO CAN YOUR OFFICE STEP IN.
• SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THE AHCA NAVIGATORS SYSTEM, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IF PEOPLE OPEN

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:42:56.159><c> through</c><01:42:56.400><c> the</c> SB 463's navigation through the SB 463's navigation
• Senator David Waters,<02:04:00.880><c> District</c><02:04:01.199><c> 4.
• Good to see you, Waters, District 4.
• 40.480><c> River</c><02:14:40.800><c> Center</c> kinship navigator at the River Center kinship navigator
• where to turn, what for them to navigate where to turn, what to<02:33:58.240><c> expect.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• , my name is Danielle Gregoire, and I serve as the state representative for the Fourth Middlesex District
• I am the representative for the 33rd Middlesex District, which is Malden. So I apologize.
• This position is something that 30 other states plus the District of Columbia already have.
• His advisor, his interpreter, his health navigator, his voice. I was his caregiver.
• They play a vital role in navigating person-centered clinical care.

Summary: The Aging and Independence/Elder Affairs Committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on H.769/S.468, an act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Legislators and advocates described the bill’s provisions, including expanded dementia training for first responders, a dementia services coordinator/director in state government, improved hospital discharge and caregiver access protections, dementia care coordination benefits for certain MassHealth members, public awareness and data collection requirements, and expanded support for geriatric workforce recruitment. Representative Danielle Gregoire and Senator Gomez framed the measure as a zero-cost, bipartisan continuation of the 2018 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Act, while the Alzheimer’s Association, Boston Public Health Commission, police representatives, clinicians, and family caregivers all testified in support, emphasizing public health needs, early diagnosis, caregiver involvement, and safer emergency and hospital care. The committee also heard testimony on H.796/S.476, which would establish an Office of Older Adult Advocate and a special commission on a statewide long-term services and supports benefit program. Representative Steve Ultrino supported an independent older adult advocate to help navigate fragmented state services and improve constituent services, while committee members asked about funding and the office’s relationship to existing secretariats. On the long-term care commission bill, NAFA Massachusetts and LeadingAge Massachusetts supported creating a stakeholder commission to review actuarial findings and explore public-private financing options for long-term care, stressing that neither public nor private coverage alone is sufficient and that middle-income families need more planning tools and options. The committee also took testimony on H.786/S.466, a bill to protect vulnerable elders by expanding the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ authority to investigate abuse or neglect in non-traditional custodial settings such as prisons, jails, shelters, group homes, and certain treatment facilities. Prisoners Legal Services said the bill would close a jurisdictional gap that leaves some older adults without an investigative agency once they age out of DPPC coverage. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the 40th Legislative District. For the record, I'm Debra Lekanoff.
• I represent the 40th Legislative District. My affiliate name is Hick J.C.
• And it's not unusual for the person who's navigating what is in this plan.
• I have the honor of representing the 42nd District.
• And I'm here today with you to tell you that The 42nd District.

Bills: HB2555 , HB2658 , HB2683 , HB2685 , HB2168 , HB2196 , HB2545

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, traditional practices, health insurance, coverage expansion, mental health, insurance coverage, transparency, consumer protection, efficiency, health carriers, providers relations, tribal data, data protection, privacy, sharing of information, Indigenous rights, overdose prevention, data sharing, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• state legislative elections consistently show lower competition and ...lower competition in rural districts
• more data points that we'll just share today is the breakdown of the participation by chamber and district
• the approaches that states who have had term limits in effect for a few years now have taken to navigate
• So they kind of... ...draft requests or any questions about generally navigating the legislative process
• The second change there is I have added some mini captions throughout the policy just to sort of navigate

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard an update from Garty Consulting on the interim study of legislative term limits. The consultants outlined their research plan and preliminary themes, including loss of institutional knowledge, shifts in power toward executive agencies and lobbyists, reduced long-term policy capacity, faster leadership turnover, and recruitment/support challenges. They also described possible recommendation categories ranging from constitutional and statutory changes to procedural and cultural adjustments. Committee members asked about how other states repealed term limits, how the public survey would address perceptions of term limits, and how stakeholder focus groups would be selected. The committee also heard a presentation from NCSL on term limits in other states, including examples from Nevada, Montana, and Colorado, with discussion of training programs, staffing changes, annual-session debates, bill limits, and impacts on decorum and leadership continuity. Several members requested follow-up data on part-time versus full-time legislatures, taxpayer costs, and nonpartisan staff devoted to oversight. The committee then considered revisions to the legislature’s workplace harassment policy and related forms. Legislative Council explained changes that clarified the definition of harassment, added captions for readability, extended several deadlines, allowed informal resolution before a review panel is appointed, clarified the role of Legislative Council in intake and documentation, and updated confidentiality/open-records language. Members, especially Senator Hogan, said the revisions better formalize the role of counsel and provide a less intimidating path for resolving complaints. The committee adopted the revised policy and forms by roll call vote. Finally, the committee approved a motion to enter executive session at 1:00 p.m. to review the results of a capital threat assessment and discuss legislator security, citing the applicable open-meetings exemptions. Members were instructed to limit discussion to the stated purpose and not take final action until returning to open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are celebrating 100 years of the VFW post in my district and Legislative District 24.
• and legislative district 24.
• FW Post 1433 has assisted Arizona veterans in navigating federal and state benefits systems, supported
• with a Arizona veterans in navigating federal and state benefit systems, supported widows and families
• and look at the transportation needs in our district.

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by the Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by recognition of guests for National Ag Day, World Hearing Day, a visiting doctor of the day, food truck business owners, and members of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 for its 100th anniversary. Senators also presented proclamations honoring World Hearing Day and the VFW post’s century of service. The chamber then handled routine business, including a temporary committee appointment and the reading of messages and committee reports into the journal. The floor then took up a series of third-reading bills, mostly transportation and public safety appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1088, 1154, 1156, 1157, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, 1457, and 1461 all passed, with several members explaining votes in support of road projects, tribal road needs, veteran services, border security, or workforce health care training, while opponents argued many appropriations should come from other funding sources or were unnecessary, especially the public safety and border-related measures. SB 1798 also passed with bipartisan support after senators praised it as a FAFSA awareness and student opportunity measure. One bill failed: SB 1019, relating to bottled water systems and water fluoridation, was defeated 14-11 after extended debate over public health benefits versus concerns about fluoridation safety and informed consent. After the votes, HB 2110 was withdrawn from the Education Committee and referred to Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. The Senate then announced committee meetings for March 23 and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026, at noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good committee, I am Representative Barbara Ehart from District 33 in Idaho Falls and Bonneville County
• For the record, Ben Taves, Senator from District 4, Coeur d'Alene.
• Committee, for the record, Ben Adams, Senator District 12."
• My name is Jeff Cornelis, District 12 in Nampa. Thank you for having me.
• Representative Jeff Ehlers, District 21, Meridian, here to discuss House Bill 733.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation