Video & Transcript : 'patient preferences' :

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FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 24, 2026 - 03:00 PM

Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • In addition, the preferred prohibition on the application of setback provisions, specifically the requirement
  • So we know anyone that has the what the likely is going to be patient with it.
  • This amendment provides DFS with the flexibility to prefer payment stable coins that are approved by
  • And if that this patient of our members.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 26th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some people will argue that veterans prefer private consultants instead of government or nonprofit assistance
  • Some people will argue that veterans prefer private consultants instead of government or nonprofit assistance
  • discretion to reinstate a physician or surgeon who lost their license due to sexual misconduct with a patient
  • SB 849 clarifies that a physician or surgeon who has committed specified sexual offenses against a patient
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Alex Prettie, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments: Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures that passed included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on public contracts and contractor payment claims, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 to strengthen protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 on community land trusts and affordable housing, SB 479 allowing certain cities to share information in homeless response teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 on contractor license lapse rules, SB 490 on inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities, SB 828 requiring better state-local permit verification after the Esparto fireworks tragedy, SB 849 barring physician license renewal after specified sexual misconduct, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electrical lines and wildfire risk, SB 96 on over-amplified streaming and digital ads, SB 677 as a technical cleanup to last year’s housing law, and SB 58 on hydrogen sulfide monitoring and public health. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with overwhelming support; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some no votes but still passed. The most extended debate centered on SB 694, which would align California law with federal VA accreditation rules for those assisting veterans with benefits claims and impose penalties for unauthorized claims assistance and data access. Supporters argued it would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and ensure only accredited providers charge fees; opponents said it would reduce veterans’ choice and could limit access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 on a 29-10 vote. The session concluded with unanimous approval of the consent calendar and adjournment until January 27, 2026.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:00 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there a need for some complex patients to receive kind of an additional care coordination service
  • think about infrastructure development, that's, again, looking at kind of, for especially complex patients
  • what we'll find out if we eliminate Section 34, then you'll hear from them about what they would prefer
  • Chairman. 34 and you'll hear from them about what they would prefer. Mr.
Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • cover the same service for all patient populations who need that care.
  • Thank you, other Assembly Members, for waiting patiently. File item number 27, AB 1697.
  • Thank you, other assembly members, for waiting patiently.
  • Thank you, other assembly members, for waiting patiently. File item number 27, AB 1697.
  • That's money flowing to Wall Street and not patients. SB 623 stops that.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas 400, and the Texas Physicians for Patients PAC.
  • So, just to make this. really quick, real patient risks exist.
  • For example, a gas generator as a backup, you know, it may be that a The city prefers to restrict operation
Bills: SB213 , SB378 , SB610 , SB681 , SB918 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB1343 , SCR8
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 8th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is also prohibited to establish a preference that benefits households with rental assistance.
  • So AB 282 will allow housing providers to establish a preference for a voucher household by explicitly
  • delegate that task to a physician who may have never cared for or seen a death certificate. that patient
  • They were, essentially had a gun behind the door with a couple of news outlets that were not as preferable
  • And then suddenly received an email from the purchaser, which was not the preferred purchaser, saying
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 04/07/26

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Shortages in the healthcare fields, patient care, manufacturing, technology, and construction are all
  • </c> many high school students would prefer many high school students would prefer to<00:20:24.040><c
  • Beyond the data, I hear a lot about how our students add vibrancy to a downtown full of patients and
  • </c><00:54:15.800><c> and</c><00:54:15.920><c> health</c><00:54:16.120><c> care</c> full of patients
  • and health care full of patients and health care professionals<00:54:17.600><c> by</c><00:54:17.800><
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/05/26

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Pain is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek medical care, and every patient deserves
  • ,</c> prescribes a nonopioid for a patient, prescribes a nonopioid for a patient, they<00:18:15.760><
  • Do you have a preference?
  • Do you have a preference?
  • Do you have a preference?
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Prefer to wait. Assembly Member Mikado? You're good? All right.
  • Prefer to wait. Assembly Member Mikado? You're good? All right. We'll move to our first issue.
  • nursing staff sees about triple the average patients per workday.
  • Primary care providers at CCWF see approximately double the statewide average patients per workday and
  • The average patients per workday so this proposal is right sizing those two areas to correct for that
Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending. For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed. CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects. For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session - part 2 May 1st, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I will get there; you just got to be a little patient, okay?
  • I would prefer to go last on our side. Thank you. Very well, the representative from St.
  • You can't take a patient or a resident if you don't have staff to provide the care.
  • And he was gracious enough to work with me, and you've been very patient with me.
  • That would be the preference from me if I had the ability to draft a bill from a blank pad of paper.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Aug 19th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Many of us prefer the old rules. We prefer the agreement we all had to play by those rules, right?
  • Ultimately, this is our preferred outcome because we do value the California's Independent Redistricting
  • At the expense of our patients, the working class, and the communities that we advocate for every day
  • As you know, the commission had six Republicans, five Democrats, four non-party preference. folks that
  • Names, preferably. The Assembly. The Assembly did it.
Committee: House Elections
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (02/11/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Records available via online patient portals, um, to define the medical record.
  • How are they to know that the patient, the parent, now does have access?
  • It may not just be through the patient portal, which is for the individual's medical use.
  • </c> interfere with the physician patient interfere with the physician patient relationship<01:41:15.679
  • </c><01:49:21.480><c> and</c> conservatively from a patient and conservatively from a patient and physician
Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern. The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments. The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um and I think this is patient.
  • patient patient &gt;&gt; no<00:31:16.080><c> I</c><00:31:16.159><c> I</c><00:31:16.320><c> got</c><00
  • So, a lot of times physicians, they want to do what their patients ask.
  • centric it this is know p patient centric it this is No.
  • And I would prefer to they have to do.
Summary: The committee first took up an insurance-related chronic pain bill and an amendment modeled on language from Massachusetts and Maine. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed after stakeholder meetings because the original bill would have created an unaffordable insurance mandate in New Hampshire. The amendment was intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies by limiting prior authorization and step-therapy barriers so they are not more restrictive than for other treatments, including opioid therapies. After questions, the committee took a straw vote and advanced the amendment. The next item was a department-sponsored bill involving the state’s all-payer claims database. Insurance Department officials explained that the bill would encourage self-funded employer plans to opt in voluntarily by giving them aggregated, deidentified claims information in return. They said self-funded plans cannot be required to report data because of federal law, but the bill would provide an incentive while protecting employee privacy. Members asked detailed questions about who would see the data, whether individual employees could be identified, and how privacy would be enforced; the department said access would be aggregated and deidentified, and employer privacy issues would be governed by ERISA and the U.S. Department of Labor. The committee also discussed a glucose-monitoring bill. Members debated whether the bill was aimed at type 1 diabetes coverage or broader access to continuous glucose monitors, and whether it would amount to an unnecessary insurance mandate that could raise premiums. Department testimony estimated the equipment cost and said the annual impact per member would be modest, but also noted that non-insulin therapies have not consistently shown clinically significant A1C reductions. The chair and some members emphasized that the bill should be considered on its own terms as a CGM coverage issue, not as a general diabetes mandate. The committee discussed the bill’s cost implications and asked the department for any prior cost analysis.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 29th, 2026

Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • We prepare patient-specific medications prescribed by a doctor.
  • They're made for an individual patient.
  • In most cases, patients would have to pay the costs up front. policies.
  • These provisions protect patients while ensuring...
  • to patients, leaving them less access, they'll pay more,... ...risk to patients, leaving them less access
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

Courts Of Justice Mar 6th, 2026

Courts of Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • On the fairness category, you got a score of 61 amongst the 18 respondents, patients, 64, respect for
  • I've had people come up to me after dockets and say, 'I can't believe how patient you are.'
  • And maybe they think I'm not patient and I'm impatient because I have an unhappy face.
  • Having worked for Filler-Corn and Keam at the same time, what was your preference?
  • Having worked from Philharicorne and Keem at the same time, what was your preference?
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 2nd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Campbell, I appreciate your question, but, you know, I prefer these are just tiny vehicles.
  • We have been patient with it and have met our expectations, plus.
  • It would be my preference, but it doesn't.
  • who's not a privileged white patient.
  • We just passed them out, so be patient for a moment.
Bills: SJR12 , SCR39 , SB7 , SB8 , SB27 , SB29 , SB125 , SB241 , SB371 , SB396 , SB406 , SB464 , SB568 , SB578 , SB608 , SB617 , SB660 , SB689 , SB693 , SB707 , SB731 , SB732 , SB763 , SB779 , SB836 , SB854 , SB857 , SB875 , SB878 , SB879 , SB906 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB942 , SB965 , SB985 , SB996 , SB1029 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1059 , SB1084 , SB1098 , SB1101 , SB1185 , SB1188 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1366 , SB1388 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1494 , SB1536 , SB1563 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1619 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1741 , SB1816 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1939 , SB2155 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR81 , SJR50 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB504 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB241 , SB304 , SB1023 , SB204 , SB609 , SB670 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB447 , SB406 , SB985 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB1215 , SB1302 , SB583 , SB673 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB608 , SB955 , SB957 , SB1120 , SB541 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB125 , SB53 , SB1352 , SB785 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB578 , SB711 , SB746 , SB942 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB1738 , SB507 , SB689 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB763 , SB667 , SB1059 , SB617 , SB1567 , SB310 , SB311 , SB505 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1470 , SB264 , SB1029 , SB1358 , SB1364 , SB1569 , SB1376 , SB1228 , SB519 , SB878 , SB1350 , SB462 , SB827 , SB1585 , SB1396 , SB920 , SB1484 , SB1273 , SB1741 , SB7 , SB927 , SB1227 , SB1229 , SB1353 , SB1366 , SB1464 , SB1709 , SB1729 , SB1733 , SB1744 , SB1772 , SB1816 , SB1841 , SB2188 , SB1147 , SB879 , SB1008 , SB1536 , SB2016 , SB1453 , SB1173 , SB1163 , SB996 , SB27 , SB568 , SB1370 , SB1321 , SB1101 , SB906 , SB860 , SB1563 , SB993 , SB693 , SB1610 , SB1537 , SB836 , SB1332 , SB1307 , SB963 , SB493 , SB922 , SB984 , SB1084 , SB619 , SB1098 , SB1122 , SB455 , SB522 , SB1057 , SB1239 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1259 , SB1341 , SB1664 , SB1877 , SB464 , SB1277 , SB32 , SB732 , SB660 , SB731 , SB921 , SB268 , SB1822 , SB1188 , SB1939 , SB1589 , SB397 , SB1388 , SB2230 , SB1058 , SB1036 , SB1267 , SB2112 , SB1930 , SB532 , SB1035 , SB2155 , SB508 , SB29 , SB292 , SB291 , SB901 , SB1333 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB964 , SB779 , SB1378 , SB2312 , SB1719 , SB1386 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB1245 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1948 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB1882 , SB1197 , SB1814 , SB618 , SB38 , SB393 , SB2065 , SB1371 , SB1394 , SB1365 , SB2243 , SB2226 , SB2039 , SB1919 , SB1895 , SB1598 , SB1493 , SB1810 , SB1791 , SB1706 , SB1644 , SB1238 , SB783 , SB458 , SB22 , SB651 , SB897 , SB7 , SB125 , SB578 , SB608 , SB617 , SB763 , SB836 , SB878 , SB906 , SB920 , SB942 , SB985 , SB1084 , SB1366 , SB1388 , SB1563 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1816 , SB1939 , SB406 , SB689 , SR327 , SR346 , SR351 , SR352
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Deborah Kateras, and I'm a patient service coordinator, also a member of AFSCME 3299, and
  • I'm a patient service representative with AFSCME 3299, and I support this bill. Good morning.
  • Third, and most importantly, this does prevent us from providing patient and student services at a time
  • and often life-threatening patient needs.
  • For the sake of our patients, we respectfully request your no vote on AB 1582. Thank you.
Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1729, which would update California state telework policy. The author and many unionized state workers argued that telework has improved productivity, reduced emissions and commuting costs, saved the state money on office space, and should be governed by written, evidence-based departmental policies rather than blanket return-to-office mandates. Supporters emphasized flexibility, morale, and the need for transparency through a public dashboard. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was later moved on a 2-1 vote, with the item placed on call. Members also heard AB 805, which would create a Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program to connect high school career technical education with registered apprenticeships. The author and supporters said the bill implements recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Model report and would expand earn-and-learn pathways, especially for youth facing barriers. The bill passed the committee 3-0 and was placed on call. Two workers’ compensation and labor-relations bills drew sharp opposition. AB 1576 would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund; supporters said it would reduce litigation and employer assessments, while opponents argued it did not go far enough and preferred the administration’s trailer bill. AB 1582 would make it an unfair labor practice for UC or other higher education employers to disregard arbitration decisions on contracting out; supporters said it would protect arbitration outcomes for service workers, while UC argued it would interfere with bargaining agreements and threaten patient and student services. Both bills were moved on 2-1 votes and placed on call. After quorum was established, the committee also advanced AB 1630, allowing union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions remotely; AB 2650, a CalSavers cleanup bill to improve retirement savings access and administration; AB 2054, expanding paid family leave eligibility for relatives of military service members on domestic duty; AB 2157, making permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund pilot program; and AB 1838, requiring bidders on local public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations. AB 1630 and AB 2157 were both placed on call after divided votes, while AB 2650 and AB 2054 passed 2-1 and 3-0 respectively, and AB 1838 was placed on call after a 1-1 vote. The transcript ends as the committee begins AB 2682, which would conform the appeal process for transportation network company driver unionization law.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 7th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • and held up by public health and healthcare professionals looking to protect the health of their patients
  • Will the insurance of the patient pay for that respite?
  • of these delayed processing times on patient outcomes, especially in cases of urgent or emergent care
  • I think one of the biggest challenges now is making the data accessible to patients.
  • As you all know, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, there was a bump in payment to
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 5th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • For that patient later.
  • patient did request that audit.
  • patients, and it helps identify risk for their patients.
  • Or maybe you need patient-level access where you have the ability to pull a patient list and also pull
  • or a different patient.
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Housing and Human Services 26-06-22

Housing and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's because they prefer the rule promulgation process over statutory changes.
  • legislation one included a six-story provision in select areas i think at this time we decided it was patient
  • It's because they prefer the rule promulgation process over statutory changes.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services met with a quorum, adopted the June 16, 2026 minutes, and then unanimously adopted S-1 substitutes for House Bills 5570 and 5571. The chair said the committee would take testimony and likely not move to final passage that day, in order to allow more discussion and questions. The bills, as substituted, would allow local governments to permit certain multifamily buildings up to four stories to be built or converted with a single staircase, subject to conditions such as limits on units per floor, floor size, and existing fire safety requirements. A sunset provision was described as ending the statute once LARA adopts corresponding building code rules. Representatives Fairbairn and Wooden testified in support, saying the bills are intended to address Michigan’s housing shortage by making smaller infill and “missing middle” projects more feasible and less costly. They argued the current two-stair requirement drives up costs, makes land assembly harder, and limits development on narrow or irregular lots. Senators asked about stair width, emergency safety, the choice of four stories instead of six, and why the American Institute of Architects opposed the approach; the sponsors said the 48-inch stair width was intended to allow two-way movement, four stories was a compromise aligned with expected code changes, and the architects preferred rulemaking over statutory change. Supportive testimony came from Pew Charitable Trusts, which said research from New York City, Seattle, and other places found fire death rates in modern single-stair buildings to be indistinguishable from other multifamily buildings, and that modern safety features such as sprinklers, alarms, and fire-rated construction make these buildings safe. A developer from Ann Arbor and the Michigan Home Builders Association said the reform would improve floor-plan efficiency, reduce wasted circulation space, lower construction costs, and help smaller projects pencil out. Abundant Housing Michigan also supported the bills, estimating they could reduce apartment construction costs by nearly 13%. The clerk read in numerous written cards in support from business, housing, municipal, and advocacy groups, while the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union were listed as neutral. The committee adjourned without further business.