Transcript Highlights:

• So we didn’t make any votes for subcommittees as a whole.
• So we didn’t make any votes for subcommittees as a whole. So my hope was that we can do that.
• So we didn't make any votes for subcommittees as a whole.
• That works for me because I'll be away.
• One was the subcommittee work that I wanted to start.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Cape Verdean Cultural Commission met to approve the May 11 meeting minutes and receive a legislative update. The commission reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment secured $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval, with funds expected to become available in the fall if retained. A separate part of the amendment that would have allowed commissioners to be appointed at any point in the commission’s history was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now. The commission then finalized its subcommittee structure. Members discussed the originally proposed communications and outreach, survey and data collection, and fundraising/resource development groups, but after discussion and a motion, the body voted to establish four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. Members also raised ethics concerns about legislators serving on the fundraising-related group, and the title was broadened to organizational development. The chair asked members to sign up within about two weeks so subcommittees could meet before the next full commission meeting. The meeting also focused on an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. Commissioners were invited to attend a smaller 10:30 a.m. meeting with the president and delegation, followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon, with capacity limited and RSVPs encouraged. Members emphasized using the visit to reinforce support for the cultural center project and to highlight the importance of Massachusetts’ Cape Verdean diaspora. In public comment, members discussed gathering event listings for Cape Verdean summer celebrations, including Independence Day events, and suggested future meetings could include presentations from other cultural institutions about how they developed their projects. The commission adjourned after a motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for his 51st... And for his 51st session in a row, the Honorable Lee Moffitt.
• What are my priorities for this session?
• I've been asked the same question: What are my priorities for this session?
• and subcommittee meetings, and conducting other House business, to reconvene for the joint session at
• Members, please stay close by for the joint session, which will begin at 11 a.m.

Summary: The Florida House convened for the opening day of the 2025 regular session with prayer, moments of silence honoring Senator Geraldine Thompson and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a quorum call, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The chamber also recognized Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz as law enforcement officer of the day and approved the journal. Numerous guests were introduced, including members of the Florida Cabinet, Supreme Court justices, former House speakers, former legislative leaders, former members, and Speaker Perez’s family. Speaker Daniel Perez delivered the opening address, emphasizing that the session should focus on meaningful reforms, strong committee work, and bipartisan engagement rather than personal priorities. He highlighted property insurance as a major issue and said the insurance and banking subcommittee would investigate possible misconduct by insurers, including the use of subpoenas, sworn testimony, and outside experts. He also pointed to housing, health care, public education, public safety, government accountability, and budget savings as key areas for legislative work. The House received a letter from Governor Ron DeSantis requesting a joint session on March 4 at 11 a.m. for the State of the State address. The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1294 to authorize the joint session, and the related House concurrent resolution was laid on the table. The House then adjourned to conduct committee and other business and to reconvene for the joint session at 11 a.m. or upon call of the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is from the subcommittee working group on children. We should have this in their packets.
• Open session for any topics not recently anticipated 48 hours in advance. I have nothing.
• Open session for any topics not recently anticipated 48 hours in advance. I have nothing.
• Or do we still have any other subcommittees that are working on sections of their working group to submit
• The subcommittees, we don't anticipate having more work, but the goal is for the next meeting to discuss

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Youth Sports Working Group held a public hearing and working group meeting to review and approve prior meeting minutes, then consider final recommendations from its subcommittees. The group unanimously approved the minutes from the April 27 public hearing and the April 7 working group meeting. It then discussed and adopted a health and safety protocol recommendation that broadens the state’s authority to set youth sports protocols beyond concussions to include injuries and other health risks, including weather-related issues such as heat, and potentially emergency action planning. The discussion noted testimony from athletic trainers supporting expanded concussion protections, heat rules, and event-specific emergency response planning. The group also approved two recommendations from the subcommittee on parents, money, sports, and facilities. The first would direct the state agency overseeing youth sports to ensure facilities and organizations do not ban parents or family members from recording youth sports events, in response to concerns about private entities restricting filming and requiring paid streaming services. The second would direct the agency to work across state government to create a grant program offering low- to zero-interest capital funding for organizations or facilities that meet youth sports access benchmarks, with members emphasizing equitable access and responsible use of public resources. After the votes, the chair opened the floor for any additional topics and public testimony. No members of the public chose to speak, though attendees were invited to submit written testimony by email. A working group member asked whether the subcommittees had completed their work, and staff said no further subcommittee work was anticipated, with the next meeting expected to focus on the final report. The meeting then adjourned by unanimous roll-call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dar for subcommittee 1. Senator, you're recognized.
• Seeing none, I'm going to recognize Senator DeBar for subcommittee 1. Senator, you're recognized.
• Be noted that you did not vote for that. And then that concludes your work, Senator Frazier."
• We passed a general bill out, I think, the first week of session for this. >> I'm sorry.
• </c> first week of section session for this. first week of section session for this.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 18 February, 2026; 11:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work on capital outlay for the LFC, joined by Wesley Billingsley.
• So in the last session, you received nearly $4 billion in requests for direct appropriations for capital
• the 20 to get ready for the 2026 session.
• that are responsible for this kind of work at the local level.
• Are those all those people work for you, or do they work in Senator Padilla: the respective departments

Transcript Highlights:

• So we didn't make any votes for subcommittees as a whole.
• So we didn't make any votes for subcommittees as a whole. So my hope was that we can do that.
• And thank you, Rochelle, for all the work that you've done in my absence to make this happen.
• That works for me because I'll be away.
• One was the subcommittee work that I wanted to start.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 11 minutes, review a legislative funding update, finalize subcommittees, and plan for an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. The minutes were approved after a motion and second. The chair reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment was partially adopted, securing $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval; the portion allowing new commissioners to be added later was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now. Members discussed organizing the work into subcommittees. The commission ultimately voted to create four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. There was discussion about whether legislators should serve on the fundraising-related group, with concerns raised about ethics and a suggestion to rename it Organizational Development. Several members volunteered for multiple committees, and the chair asked members to confirm assignments within about two weeks so subcommittees could begin meeting before the next full commission meeting. The commission also planned for President Neves’s visit on Friday, with a smaller commissioner-only meeting at 10:30 a.m. followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon. Members were encouraged to attend, bring guests to the public event, and help identify commissioners who could speak at the smaller meeting. In public comment, members suggested meeting with leaders of other cultural institutions to learn from their experience, discussed compiling a fuller calendar of Cape Verdean events across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and noted that the commission’s website and public meeting materials are already available online. The meeting adjourned by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The subcommittee approved one agency's request for exclusion from the reporting requirements for rulemaking
• The subcommittee received agency updates on outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular session and
• The subcommittee also discussed the final report provided by the Georgia Center for Opportunity.
• The subcommittee approved the following EBD items: the pharmacy formulary recommendations for December
• We're working on setting that matter for hearing at AID. Both parties have briefed the issue.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The committee met and opened with a prayer, then approved the prior meeting minutes and received the monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the staff noting changes driven by casino gaming transfers, income tax growth, and a lottery-related collection. No action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including the executive committee, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. Topics included a Jackson County School District cooperative purchasing waiver, rulemaking updates from several agencies, federal immigration and wildlife issues, SNAP and Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates, occupational authorization reviews, temporary appropriations and transfer requests, a tire removal contract held for later review, EBD pharmacy and medical drug recommendations, and personnel items. The PEER report also included questions to the State Broadband Director about a provider with delinquent property taxes; he said the provider would not be brought forward until the issue is resolved and that broadband grant payments are tied to performance milestones. The most extended discussion came during review of a State Insurance Department report on pharmacy benefit manager oversight. Commissioners and members questioned Navitus Health Solutions’ refusal to provide certain claims data for self-funded plans in an affiliate pricing examination. The department said the matter is being briefed and set for an administrative hearing, likely in April, and that the dispute centers on ERISA preemption and state authority to request the data. Members also asked about the status of the other PBMs under review and whether they had raised similar objections. After all reports were adopted or filed as reviewed, the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that in mind, I just want to give them kudos for all the work they've done with us.
• Thank you, staff, for everything we did together and for the honor of working alongside each of you.
• I've been working for 6 months, and I've been really busy. In fact, I've worked 97 hours.
• And so I just want to say thank you for all the hard work. And good luck.
• and for working with us as we move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for all of your effort and your hard work on this.
• You have been championing this bill for multiple sessions.
• Aristide, for your work on this.
• By Commerce Committee, Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, Representative Bankson, CS for CS for House
• CS for CS for House Bill 833, a... Education Subcommittee and Representative Cassell and others.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had this bill for sessions now and have been a part of those conversations trying to find a good
• One favorably from this subcommittee to the full committee for consideration.
• This did pass last session, and I ask for your favorable consideration in this session. Thank you.
• Members, any questions for the bill author? You said it did pass last session? Yes, sir.
• Well, thank you for your work on this.

Bills: HCR7 , HB1557 , HB1608 , HB2061 , HB2201 , HB2210 , HB2426 , HB2754 , HJR165 , HB2513 , HCR7

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I want to thank everybody that did share their preferences for which subcommittees they would
• So we didn't make any votes for subcommittees as a whole. So my hope was that we can do that.
• And thank you, Rochelle, for all the work that you've done in my absence to make this happen.
• That works for me because I'll be away.
• One was the subcommittee work that I wanted to start.

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 11 minutes and review progress on its work plan. Members recapped prior discussions about commission structure, summer engagement, data collection methods, and limited funding. The minutes were approved after a motion and second. The group then received a legislative update: Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment securing $125,000 for the commission was partially adopted, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial action, while a separate provision to allow commissioner appointments at any time was not adopted and may be pursued through another vehicle. A major focus was finalizing subcommittees. The commission agreed by vote to create four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. Members discussed possible ethics issues around legislator participation in fundraising, prompting a suggestion to rename that group to Organizational Development. Several members volunteered for multiple committees, and the chair asked commissioners to confirm assignments within about two weeks, with a June 22 deadline mentioned for responses. Staff support for the summer was also noted. The meeting also covered an upcoming visit by Cabo Verde’s president, José Neves, including a commissioner-only session and a larger community event, with encouragement to invite guests and use the opportunity to build support for the proposed cultural center. In public comment, members discussed gathering best practices from other community centers and cultural institutions, and the need to connect with existing Cape Verdean organizations and historical resources. Commissioners also shared updates on summer and July events, including Cape Verdean Independence celebrations, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• The subcommittee approved one agency's request for exclusion from the reporting requirements for rulemaking
• The subcommittee received agency updates on outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular session and
• The subcommittee also discussed the final report provided by Georgia Center for Opportunity.
• The subcommittee approved the following EBD items: the pharmacy formulary recommendations for December
• We're working on setting that matter for hearing at AID. Both parties have briefed the issue.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the increase attributed in part to income tax growth, a fiscal-year shift, and lottery-related collections. Members asked no questions, and no action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including executive, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. The executive report noted a waiver request for Jackson County School District construction services and an audit with no findings. The administrative rules report covered agency directives, rulemaking updates, and a few rules pulled for later consideration. The revenue subcommittee held one District 4 tire removal contract until its next meeting, while the state insurance subcommittee reviewed the EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group and approved pharmacy formulary and drug recommendations. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Insurance Department’s examination of pharmacy benefit managers, especially Navitus Health Solutions. Commissioners and staff explained that Navitus objected to producing certain claims data for self-funded plans, raising an ERISA preemption argument, and that the matter was being set for an administrative hearing, likely in April. Members questioned compliance, due process, and the implications of the objection, while the department said the state initiated the examination and was continuing to seek resolution. The committee also reviewed an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System agreement, with one member noting a potential conflict and abstaining. The meeting ended after members reviewed additional reports with no further action and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Subcommittee on Transportation and Funding, HB 543 by Lalani, relating to the signs posted in
• Tax purposes of the qualified open space land for the subcommittee on tax appraisals HB 547 by Morales
• Relating to the improvements to the Texas Information and Referral Rant Work, refer to the Subcommittee
• For the Subcommittee on Defense and Veterans Affairs...
• The governor to call the legislature into special session on the petition for at least two-thirds of

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She served for the member of Trumbull, who is now the senator, and she also worked for me for a year
• I want to congratulate the bill sponsor for her hard work on this bill.
• And for those who aren't on our subcommittee, I will share that we had four subcommittee meetings to
• on me, subcommittee chairs, to work with you.
• I want to start by thanking the subs and staff for phenomenal work.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It deals with the licensing requirements for licensed social work associates.
• an LSW someone with no formal Social for an LSW someone with no formal Social Work<00:07:40.160><c>
• The reason for those 30 hours of required training is because if you're called a Licensed Social Work
• </c> Social Work education and then aim for Social Work education and then aim for other<00:20:07.559
• but</c> rules for the social work but rules for the social work but representative<01:11:49.120><c> long

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications. Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate. Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I started off, I negotiated for work.
• So I'm going to come to you, Representative Hochman-Vigil, for HB 96, Space Commission Working Group.
• We're going to work as a subcommittee. Good morning, Representative. Good morning, Mr.
• Chair and Senator Stewart, that going through HB 212 in the last session, the 60-day session, and working
• it. record sure that for it in favor as a subcommittee and then we'll go ahead and wait for a full committee

Summary: The committee first heard the nomination of Anna Silva to lead the General Services Department. Supporters, including the sponsor, former GSD officials, family members, the lieutenant governor, and other senators, praised her long career in GSD, her procurement and facilities management experience, and her work on e-procurement, veteran home construction, and other projects. Silva said her priorities would include stabilizing risk management positions for the transition to the next administration, ensuring continuity on construction projects, and protecting the department’s budget and operations. After questions and comments, the committee voted 7-0 to advance her nomination to full Senate confirmation. The committee then took up House Bill 96, which would create a working group to study establishing a New Mexico Space Commission to support the commercial space industry. The sponsor and witnesses argued the state already has strong space infrastructure and should remain competitive with other states. Senators expressed support, and a friendly amendment was adopted to add a Senate pro tem appointee to the working group. The amended bill received a due-pass recommendation. Next, the committee considered House Joint Resolution 5A, which would ask voters whether legislators should be paid based on median household income. The resolution received a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Joint Memorial 3, which asks the Environment Department and Environmental Improvement Board to review the PFAS law passed the previous year in light of changing federal rules. The American Chemistry Council opposed the memorial, arguing it misstated aspects of the law and could complicate rulemaking, while the sponsor and Environment Department said the memorial was intended to help assess whether changes are needed. The memorial received a subcommittee due-pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That matter for working people in Texas.
• Bipartisan, bicameral, and we want to work together for solutions for working people in Texas.
• for a person to be protected by a protective order for the subcommittee on family fiduciary relationships
• It is family abduction awareness day for a 10-year period ending in 2035 for the subcommittee on family
• January 12th as Nathan Gage Ingram Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035 for the Subcommittee on Defense

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Texas, but for veterans and service members, getting them licensed faster, working sooner, and thereby
• Work.
• Colonel, thank you very much for the work that you've done over the many years making sure that our veterans
• I worked in international freight for years and met the summit.
• We've been involved in Ingram's been involved in politics for a minute, kind of know how that works.

Bills: HCR46 , HB1389 , HB3359 , HB5629

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: commemoration, military, navy seal, honor, January 12, Nathan Gage Ingram, military funeral honors, JROTC, veterans, training, grant program, military honors, community engagement, funeral services, education grants, community service, HB 3359, veteran status, Texas Veterans Commission, veterans services

Transcript Highlights:

• The math would work for sure.
• There's been a lot of work on their ends trying to get all this figured out and asking us for some help
• And yes, we've been involved in the pie chart discussion for several sessions.
• Chairman, members of the committee, Linda Swahovic, for the record, I don't know how this is working
• Thank you all for your work, and we'll see you all at the full committee at the end of August.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and focused primarily on property tax statement issues tied to the primary residence credit and the 5% early-payment discount. North Dakota Association of Counties representatives said the current special-session language creates problems because the discount is being applied even when no taxes are ultimately owed, and because the discount is calculated before the PRC funds are actually received. They recommended reverting to the prior law so the discount is applied after the PRC, and noted that all four programmers said they could revert the software to the earlier version if needed. The committee also reviewed a bill draft to remove the legislative tax relief line item from the required contents of the property tax statement. Members agreed the current line item is not especially accurate or useful on the statement, and several members said the committee should go further by adding clearer taxpayer education, such as a pie chart or other supplemental breakdown of where property taxes go. County officials said some counties already provide supplemental charts or explanatory material, but others would need help with printing, mailing, or formatting. To support that idea, staff presented a second bill draft creating a grant program, administered through the Association of Counties with OMB as a pass-through, to reimburse counties for supplemental property tax statement information and related administration. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to combine the two bill drafts into one recommendation and forward it to the full Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn after directing staff to prepare its summary and recommended bill draft for the interim report.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in for another very exciting work session. I say that lightly, but I do mean this seriously.
• And we do, just for people's awareness, we have set aside an hour for this work session.
• work for students who had health insurance, but didn't always work for all students, getting them the
• Christian, thank you again for the opportunity to present today, to share the work of the subcommittee
• Thank you for the time and attention. Well, I thank this panel before we close up the work session.

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and its school-based behavioral health and suicide prevention subgroup, followed by a public hearing on House Bill 1634, as amended in a proposed second substitute. Work group leaders Lisa Callan and Tisha Kirschbaum described the group’s statewide, cross-agency structure, its Washington Thriving strategic plan, and the goal of moving toward a more integrated “system of care” for children and youth. They emphasized that behavioral health, physical health, and education are interconnected, that families and schools often face a fragmented system, and that Washington’s youth flourishing outcomes show a need for stronger supports. Committee members raised concerns about regional disparities, rural access, language and cultural responsiveness, and the burden on schools and educators, while the presenters stressed that schools should be supported to identify needs and connect students to outside clinical services rather than carry the full burden themselves. Representative My-Linh Thai and Christian Stark then outlined the school-based subgroup’s work and recommendations. They said the subgroup meets monthly, includes students, parents, educators, providers, and agencies, and has focused on prevention, early identification, early intervention, and crisis response in schools. For the 2026 session, the subgroup recommended maintaining current investments in school behavioral health programs, strengthening statewide guidance on school behavioral health, and creating a coordinated technical assistance and training network for schools. They explained that the proposed substitute for HB 1634 would direct OSPI and the educational service districts to work with behavioral health agencies and community partners to conduct a needs assessment, map resources, and build a statewide framework for technical assistance and training, with public posting required by August 1, 2027. Testimony in support came from school staff, OSPI, behavioral health professionals, students, parents, and advocacy groups, who described high student anxiety, suicide risk, staffing shortages, and the need for coordinated, accessible supports. One witness from a psychiatric watchdog group opposed the bill, arguing it could increase labeling and drugging rather than holistic care. No vote was taken in the transcript provided.