Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide home care services in the consumer-directed community support program.
• We also provide home care services in the consumer-directed community support program.
• We are here support for homeare workers.
• As you know, the idea and intentions were good for Community First Services and Supports, CFSS.
• It replaced Consumer Support Grant and personal care assistant, PCA, services.

Bills: HF3797, HF3780, HF4068, HF3935

Keywords: long-term care, insurance policy, healthcare, partnership policy, Minnesota, human services, wage increase, support workers, shared services, community first services, medical assistance, sanctions, healthcare services, monetary recovery, government accountability, assisted living, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• OMWBE supports this bill.
• I hope that you'll join me in supporting this. Thank you very much.
• I hope that you'll join me in supporting this. Thank you very much.
• We strongly support House Joint Memorial 4012.
• We honor our fallen by supporting the living veteran. Again, thank you for your support.

Bills: HB2523, HB2606, HB2684, HJM4012

Keywords: community reinvestment, housing, local funding, urban development, economic revitalization, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, social disadvantage, business certification, state guidelines, economic equity, minority-owned businesses, combat veterans, support, military service, injury compensation, veteran affairs

Summary: The House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee met on February 3 to take executive action on House Bill 2523, concerning the Community Reinvestment Program, and House Bill 2606, concerning performance measures and reporting for the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, and then held public hearings on House Bill 2684 and House Joint Memorial 4012. Staff briefed a proposed substitute for HB 2523 that would change how Community Reinvestment Account funds are distributed, expand Commerce’s reporting and tribal consultation duties, add Office of Equity and WSIPP responsibilities, and require more detailed plan updates and oversight. During executive session, the committee adopted Amendment 285 to require the community reinvestment plan to be updated every five years instead of every 10, but rejected amendments that would have barred recipients from other state down payment programs, restricted grants to officers and family members, required an independent third-party audit, or expanded the WSIPP study. The proposed substitute HB 2523 then passed out of committee on an 8-5 vote. HB 2606, which responds to a JLARC audit by streamlining overlapping duties among the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, the state broadband office, and the Office of Equity, was moved out of committee with a unanimous do pass recommendation. Members described it as a modest but useful efficiency measure, and the vote was 13-0. The committee then heard HB 2684, which would create rebuttable presumptions that people in 10 specified groups are socially disadvantaged for purposes of OMWBE certification. Supporters, including Middle Eastern and North African business owners, argued the bill would correct exclusion of MENA-owned firms from certification and contracting opportunities; opponents argued it would entrench identity-based classifications and raise constitutional concerns. OMWBE testified that the bill would be workable and that social disadvantage is only one factor in certification. The committee also heard HJM 4012, which asks Congress to bring the Major Richard Starr Act to a floor vote to allow combat-injured service members who retire before 20 years of service to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation. Veterans advocates strongly supported the memorial, and the committee closed the hearing without taking final action on either public-hearing item, noting both would be considered again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a supporter of students.
• How can ERDC support? How can ERDC include that context in our report? How can ERDC support?
• Supporting student parents is one of our main priorities, and I strongly support SB 6227.
• These supports exist.
• I'm here in support of Senate Bill 6209.

Bills: SB6209, SB6217, SB6227, SB6235

Keywords: financial aid, higher education, private institutions, student awards, affordability, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, educational access, data collection, parenting students, education, support services, academic performance, college athletics, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, student athletes, financial agreements, 904

Summary: The committee began with a work session on dual credit, hearing an overview from the Council of Presidents and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, followed by ERDC. Presenters described Washington’s six dual credit programs, noted that about 90% of the class of 2024 took some dual credit, and said dual credit students have higher postsecondary enrollment and credential attainment rates. They also highlighted growth in Running Start, College in the High School, and CTE dual credit, while flagging challenges around funding, advising, access, and consistent statewide policy. ERDC described its annual report, dashboard, research briefs, and future work on school characteristics, special topics, and a planned causal-effects study of dual credit outcomes. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6227, by Sen. Wilson, would direct WASAC to work with public institutions to formalize data collection on parenting students and convene a work group to recommend implementation; the sponsor and multiple student advocates testified that better data is needed to identify and support student parents. SB 6235, by Sen. Hohley, would prohibit public colleges from entering certain private equity or sovereign wealth fund agreements involving intercollegiate athletics; the sponsor argued it would protect institutional control, while UW and WSU testified in opposition, warning it could limit future financing options and create competitive disadvantages. SB 6217, by Sen. Boehnke, would extend the Washington College Grant to eligible non-degree credential programs; supporters from the community and technical college system, workforce groups, and employers said it would help students access short-term training tied to family-wage jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on SB 6209, which would make students at private for-profit four-year institutions eligible for the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship only if their programs meet a gainful-employment standard. Supporters from DigiPen and other private career schools said the bill would preserve access for low-income and underrepresented students in specialized programs, while some testifiers urged that certificate and two-year programs also be included. The hearing also included testimony from students and advocates supporting the bill’s focus on accountability and economic mobility.

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, employment and day programs include individual supported employment, group supported
• By way of background, employment and day programs include individual supported employment, group supported
• DVR can support her when she starts working, but those supports drop off well before she turns 21 and
• One side is the systems of support; the other is actually supporting the family and the whole family
• One side is the systems of support; the other is actually supporting the family and the whole family

Bills: SB5681, SB6024, SB6036, SB6063

Keywords: employment services, community inclusion, age limitations, disability services, home and community living, community residential services, oversight, monitoring, service providers, streamlining, foster care, licensure, adoption, child welfare, support services, terminology alignment, social services, Washington state code, department reorganization, legislative amendment

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard four bills. SB 6024, sponsored by Senator Gildon, would streamline DSHS oversight of community residential service providers by limiting routine reviews to no more than one annual review per subject area, combining reviews when possible, and requiring better document sharing within the department to reduce duplicate requests. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill would reduce redundant audits and paperwork so providers can spend more time on direct client care. SB 6063, a DSHS request bill sponsored by Senator Bateman, would update statutes to reflect DSHS’s recent reorganization and rename references to the new administrations; testimony described it as a technical, no-cost cleanup measure. The committee also heard a proposed substitute for SB 5681, sponsored by Senator Cortez, which would lower from 21 to 20 the age at which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities may access employment and community inclusion services, and would rename community access as community inclusion. Senator Cortez and multiple advocates, educators, and service providers testified that earlier access would help young adults avoid a service gap after school, support transition to work, and improve long-term independence; the substitute was explained as changing the original bill’s proposed age from 19 to 20. SB 6036, sponsored by Senator Kaufman and requested by DSHS, would create a narrow exemption from adult family home licensure for certain foster care or kinship caregivers who continue caring for former foster youth who are the only unrelated adults in the home. Senator Kaufman and DSHS said the bill would preserve stability and continuity of care for youth aging out of foster care while maintaining safeguards, and DSHS testified in support. No votes were taken; the chair closed each hearing after testimony, and announced upcoming executive sessions and future hearings.

Bills: HB 39, HB 114, HB 1875, HB 1894, HB 1965, HB 2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Decades of research has shown that peer support services are highly effective.
• Decades of research has shown that peer support services are highly effective and can promote a sense
• Our rural communities are key here because the peer support coordinators are navigating a geographical
• Mitch Fuller, legislative director for the Texas VFW, and we enthusiastically support this.
• Mitch Fuller, legislative director for the Texas VFW, and we enthusiastically support this.

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the mayor of Fayte, Texas, and we do support this bill, but we also have a recommendation.
• So I am in support of the bill. I'm for it because today we're speaking of just notice.
• As you said, my name is Megan Serks, and I'm here to testify in support of this bill.
• Every one of our projects has a MU or another type of special district, and we are in support of this
• Um, in the Houston area, and we support good government, we support good collaboration, and this bill

Bills: HB23

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property

Transcript Highlights:

• One in support or opposition? One in support. All right, so let's go ahead and get those.
• One in support or opposition? One in support? All right.
• I hope you support this. Thank you.
• We have one in support or opposition? In support? All right.
• We stand in support of SB 189.

Bills: SB20, SB21, SB166, SB177, SB181, SB189, SM6

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in the audience, those in support and any in opposition, if supporters would like to come up and
• We strongly support SB 242.
• I just want to stand here in support.
• We will show you in support. We'll show you in support. Do anyone online?
• And we support heritage.

Bills: SB201, SB226, SB242, SB249

Keywords: rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement

Bills: SB 711, SB 746, SB 942, SB 1403, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1559

Keywords: property owners' association, condominium, management company, homeowner rights, architectural review, child support, family law, Title IV-D agency, administrative adjustment, enforcement, legal representation, probate, decedents' estates, inheritance, community property, court procedures, electronic filing, guardianship, training, Alzheimer's disease

Bills: SB 711, SB 746, SB 942, SB 1403, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1559

Keywords: property owners' association, condominium, management company, homeowner rights, architectural review, child support, family law, Title IV-D agency, administrative adjustment, enforcement, legal representation, probate, decedents' estates, inheritance, community property, court procedures, electronic filing, guardianship, training, Alzheimer's disease

Transcript Highlights:

• Army garrison, they postured themselves to support the state.
• Army garrison, they postured themselves to support the state.
• Army garrison, they postured themselves to support the state.
• We asked for support search and rescue.
• </c><01:30:19.960><c> that</c> DFM has been there um supporting that DFM has been there um supporting

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Garcia: In support. Please proceed. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• So, for those reasons, in support, and also permission to insert written comments. So ordered.
• </c><00:18:52.600><c> Please</c> Representative Garcia In support.
• Please Representative Garcia In support.
• Um I'm<00:18:54.720><c> in</c><00:18:54.800><c> support</c><00:18:55.280><c> of</c><00:18:55.400><c>

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:34.880><c> food</c> the bianium toward supporting food the bianium toward supporting food
• Um, you know, I do support, staggering.
• <00:58:54.559><c> House</c><00:58:54.880><c> File</c> supports House File supports House File 1112.<00
• </c> Having additional funding would support Having additional funding would support the<00:59:52.880
• </c> the community the committee to support the community the committee to support House<00:59:59.839

Bills: HF2078, HF777, HF841, HF1112, HF1098, HF1926

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• I strongly support HCR 102 HD1.
• I strongly support HCR 102 HD1.
• </c> in support, the Department of Education. in support, the Department of Education.
• </c> support of HCR 102 HD1. support of HCR 102 HD1.
• </c> I strongly support HCR 102 HD1. I strongly support HCR 102 HD1.

Bills: HCR67, HCR102, HR61, HR94

Keywords: disability, communication access, healthcare, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, effective communication, peer counselor, youth mental health, social disconnection, Hawaii schools, wellness program, student support, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, disability rights, peer counseling, education

Summary: The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended. The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also more supports facilities.
• </c><01:21:33.600><c> House</c> respectfully ask you to support House respectfully ask you to support
• </c> I am here today to ask for your support I am here today to ask for your support to<01:23:34.880>
• </c> They deserve the same level of support They deserve the same level of support and<01:24:21.600><
• However, Minnesota we support it.

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this, and I want to tell you why I support it. I've got family that lives in...
• I sitting here, I support the concept. I support us being able to open...
• Concept, I support us being able to open up education as freely as we can to allow students to advance
• I just want to deliver that report to you and thank you all for supporting that.
• Yeah, so let me just... ...supporting that. Yeah, so let me just interject.

Bills: SB175, SB195, SB196, SB199

Keywords: aircraft, tax exemption, sales tax, lease tax, maintenance, Alabama, health insurance, Medicare, retirees, public education, contracts, education, high school, community college, dual enrollment, secondary credit, Move on When Ready, parental leave, state employees, local education agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Karen Morillo, waiving in support, AARP of Florida.
• in support.
• I am in support of this great bill.
• We see you and we support you, and I hope we can get this across the finish line.
• And so with that, I ask for your favorable support. Thank you, Senator Simon.

Bills: S0578

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimers, dementia, related dementias, brain health, early detection, diagnosis, caregiver support, elderly affairs, Department of Elderly Affairs, Department of Health, public health outreach, memory loss, cognitive decline, healthy aging, clinical trials, community resources, underserved communities, nonprofit, awareness campaign

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard CS for SB 57A, the Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative by Senator Simon. The bill would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection and diagnosis, brain health education, awareness of research and clinical trials, and outreach to older adults and higher-risk populations, with the department contracting with nonprofits for education and awareness efforts. Senator Simon and the bill’s supporters emphasized Florida’s high Alzheimer’s prevalence and the need for public education and early intervention. John Strader, representing the Alzheimer’s Association in South Florida and speaking as a caregiver, testified in support and described how early diagnosis and recent medical advances make awareness campaigns more important. He said a local pilot campaign in Miami-Dade led to a more than 30% increase in calls to the association’s helpline. Karen Morillo of AARP Florida and Tyler Jefferson of the Alzheimer’s Association waived in support. Several senators voiced support and personal reflections on the impact of Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers. Senator Osgood asked about funding and whether the initiative would require new appropriations, and Senator Jones urged that the bill be fully funded and recognized Senator Simon’s personal connection to the issue. In closing, Senator Simon spoke emotionally about his mother’s diagnosis and the need to help families find resources earlier. The committee then approved the bill by roll call vote and reported CS for SB 57A favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I would ask for your support in making sure that we have the well-rounded systemic supports that
• This bill, we support this bill, and this bill also supports continuity.
• Creston Barr: We support this bill, and this bill also supports continuity for students, our most vulnerable
• We are in support of House Bill 2557.
• We support House Bill 2594.

Bills: HB1662, HB1683, HB2534, HB2557, HB2594

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, military families, child stability, transitional schooling, support services, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, unhoused

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on House Bill 1662 and House Bill 1683, then moved into public hearing on House Bill 2534, House Bill 2557, and House Bill 2594. HB 1662, as a third substitute, would require several education-related boards and commissions to transition to independent administrative services and operational independence, with OSPI providing transition support through the 2027 fiscal year. Members and the prime sponsor emphasized agency independence and better use of funds; the committee voted 19-0 to report the bill out with a do pass recommendation. HB 1683 would set minimum numbers of school directors elected by director district for certain school districts, with the substitute changing enrollment thresholds and effective dates. Supporters said it would improve representation for parents and students, while opponents argued it would impose an unfunded mandate and micromanage local districts. The committee approved the substitute bill 11-8, also with a do pass recommendation. During public hearing, HB 2534 drew broad support from school officials, military family advocates, and education groups. The bill would expand enrollment flexibility for military-connected students, allow pre-arrival enrollment, extend proof-of-residency timelines, and require quicker handling of IEP and Section 504 transfers; several witnesses supported the goal but asked for a technical amendment to avoid shortening evaluation timelines. HB 2557 would require school districts to provide parents or guardians a copy of special education evaluation reports five school days before eligibility meetings; supporters said this would help families prepare, while school psychologists and some district staff warned it could compress already tight evaluation timelines and delay services. HB 2594 would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections into state law, assign related duties to OSPI and districts, and require periodic state reporting; it received strong support from advocates, school staff, and the prime sponsor, who said it would strengthen stability, accountability, and access for homeless students. The committee adjourned after public testimony, noting the bills could be eligible for executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry. ...Also waving in support, and Krista Stevens is also waving in support for Autism Speaks.
• It supports aging in place through care navigation, caregiver support, and demonstrated reductions in
• Zane Smith, AARP, is waving in support.
• Zane Smith, AARP, is waving in support.
• So I hope we can support that.

Bills: S1002, S1016, S1030, S1594, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, substance abuse, neglect, parental rights, drug exposure, Medicaid, disabilities, employment, healthcare access, income eligibility, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, aging services, disability assistance, long-term care, Alzheimer's support

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.