Transcript Highlights:

• Consumer Protection Division will purchase tobacco or vapor products online to determine whether the packaging
• ensure Washington's transportation system supports real mobility choices and a more equitable and sustainable

Bills: HB2096 , HB2134 , HB2323

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: confidential identification, investigators, attorney general, security, law enforcement, transportation planning, greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle miles traveled, regional planning organizations, environmental policy, blue envelope program, healthcare, patient privacy, state laws, medical records

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• uncompensated To address this, we will expand the Rural Health Care Fund to now make it available to sustain
• Appel, you're right, and we are going to pass a road package in the first 15 days of the January session

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• proposals to change the rainy day fund and also consider other options for action in the June budget package
• Is there a reasonable return for the state to sustain the general fund?

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• further support could be offered, both in accessing care as well as preparing for discharge and sustaining
• This supports the stakeholders' request for that phased, sustainable payment model.
• Chair Davidson, I think we got an idea for how we can move forward with a more sustainable payment model
• Chair Davidson, I think we got an idea for how we can move forward with a more sustainable payment model
• The Medicaid and CHIP benefits package for children in North Dakota is the same.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• have in our district to provide trach suctioning, trach changes, oxygen level monitoring, and life-sustaining
• We're making a sustained commitment to the education of every child.
• of our online schools, we purchased or contracted with different providers that had all of that packaged

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• local government, cemetery licensees, and community leaders to come to the table to identify a sustainable
• This is actually part of the Senate's Wildfire Response Package.
• This creates barriers to our effectiveness and to our long-term sustainability in multiple ways.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• confusion that this might be drones does not include these are transport vehicles for people in a or packages
• And that is estimated that we have a 50% increased chance of dying or sustaining serious injuries.
• not a fatality with their life will forever be changed because of that crash and the injuries they sustain

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• As you governor's anti-fraud package.
• We need to build them on the backs of facts. package, it's important that we start package, it's important
• Commissioner, the governor's package would make that reporting mandatory.
• And we program integrity package.
• This is a really good package.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• accept the fact that if it's an extended public comment section, we want people not to get these packages
• accept the fact that if it's an extended public comment section, we want people not to get these packages
• accept the fact that if it's an extended public comment section, we want people not to get these packages
• And our benefit package was reduced from providing benefits for a total of six years back down to four
• are burdened with right now that's just making their business difficult to operate and for them to sustain

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pay competitive wages or sustain pay competitive wages or sustain essential<01:04:09.440><c> services
• </c><01:22:17.199><c> The</c> make a more sustainable model. The make a more sustainable model.
• </c><01:35:32.639><c> Um,</c> sustaining recovery or even death.
• Um, sustaining recovery or even death.
• </c> I don't think uh sustain it. I don't think uh sustain it.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• previously that would allow for OSU Veterinary Medicine to create a plan to study the long-term sustainability
• This would basically put a maximum 0.4 milligrams of total THC in any package that is sold as hemp, which
• would get rid of and make all of those actually illegal above 0.4 milligrams. total THC in any one package
• There was a, a very varying of what we agreed on as far as what a single package container would mean

Bills: HR1055 , SB2170 , SB1833 , SB1198 , HR1056 , SB1730 , SB563 , SB1379 , SB1645 , SB2155 , SB1280 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1461 , SB1457 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , SB1344 , SB1309 , HR1054 , SB2159 , SB1948 , HB1371 , SB1365 , SB1976 , SB1975 , SB2026 , SB1565 , SB1621 , SB237 , SB933 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB171 , SB1873 , SB2067 , SB1623 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1826 , SB2072 , SB444 , SB2184 , SB1966 , SB1812 , SB2117 , SB2135 , SB330 , SB1239 , SB1428 , SB1531 , SB1484 , SB1405 , SB3

Transcript Highlights:

• we're usually giving back to residents a good portion of that money, whether it's through the tax package
• We don't actually have green space or our environment actually at a sustainable level.
• one of, help work very hard with Senator DiCeglie in the Senate and as the sponsor of the hurricane package
• one of, help work very hard with Senator DeSigley in the Senate and as the sponsor of the hurricane package

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll get some prudent underwriting and sustainable programs.
• And I'm being told there may not be a tax package. I don't know.
• There may not be a tax package. I don't know. I mean, I don't really think we need them.
• to be clear that nobody is considering moving the fair through this appropriation or this bonding package

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• In a very short time, our reefs have gone from being sustainable for both commercial... and as habitat
• After months of working with stakeholders, a comprehensive chronic wasting disease (CWD) rule package
• This rule package balances the concerns of captive breeders with mitigating the... spread of the disease
• A few highlights of that rule package include the establishment of CWD zones throughout the state, visible

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• with the third iteration of the statewide Medicaid managed care program a much broader and richer package
• So it's a richer, broader benefit package.
• certainly an opportunity to engage outside of this through other channels to really kind of have a final package
• support for these family caregivers, we are left with the tools to not fully care for our child in a sustainable

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is part of the department's package.
• The department's package. We did work with the Louisiana Charter Boat Association on this.
• Those reefs in Louisiana cannot sustain the industry at the level it is.
• So those oyster shell down there cannot sustain the industry.
• Even if we get that crop back, one crop—one crop is not what it takes to sustain our oyster industry.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• So do you see this program as being sustainable for the state of Louisiana?
• Or as we go from—because that was kind of my concern with it initially—how do we sustain it at the growth
• Okay, so are you all able to sustain the loss?
• Last year's average grant award was $1,964, but it varies upon the individual packaging policy of the
• We’re going to do that with clear, clear lines, and we’re going to be financially sustainable, and we

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises. Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves. The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• priority of the California Legislative Black Caucus as part of its Road to Repair reparations bill package
• priority of the California Legislative Black Caucus as part of its road to repair reparation bill package
• AB 903 ensures we sustain and build on that momentum.
• for the master plan on career education that one of the obstacles identified for CTE providers is sustained
• And we know that it's hard to plan for and sustain programs without funding that you can rely upon.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• How the final package ends up, I'd love... ...degrees. That's it.
• How the final package ends up, I'd love to have your input, your feedback. All right. Thank you.
• center that will be operational in the event that anything were to ever happen to SEMA, if it were to sustain

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• If a package is delivered to your residents, the sales tax goes to the city where the package is delivered
• preserve local flexibility and continue building affordable, complete communities that are vibrant, sustainable

Bills: SB5820 , SB5995 , SB5467

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits