Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is House File 3379. is House File 3379.
• </c> agenda is House File 3379. agenda is House File 3379.
• </c> and patterns identified through provider and patterns identified through provider audits,<00:12:
• </c><00:19:20.400><c> the</c> going to continue to not provide the going to continue to not provide the
• ,</c> financial impacts both to uh providers, financial impacts both to uh providers, hospitals<00:31

Bills: HF3379

Keywords: housing stabilization, disability services, predatory funding, provider requirements, housing accessibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What we found is that some of the providers actually are on the same service type or on the same provider
• 00:02:47.599><c> a</c> normally we revalidate providers, a normally we revalidate providers, a handful
• </c><00:04:03.120><c> types</c> all of the high-risk um provider types all of the high-risk um provider
• Providers need to update their provider record that's on file with us.
• ><c> enrollment</c><00:10:40.160><c> is</c> um with that provider enrollment is um with that provider

Bills: HF729

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . providers. providers.
• . providers. providers.
• </c> provided last year. provided last year.
• </c> centralized provider. centralized provider.
• The EIDBI providers. Which levels of providers?

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• It also provides savings to the state where the individuals who are providing that care for those who
• </c><00:02:46.200><c> care</c> program what it does it provides care program what it does it provides
• </c> state budget cannot afford to provide state budget cannot afford to provide that<00:04:53.680><c
• Next is House File 728.
• I’ve been in their house.

Bills: HF729, HF728

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, respite care, children, licensed settings, home and community-based services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll start with House Bill 1542.
• House Bill 1542 is the bill that establishes certain minimum rights for senior independent housing residents
• This amendment just clarifies housing providers that don't provide laundry, meals, et cetera.
• This amendment just clarifies housing providers that don't provide laundry, meals, et cetera.
• We heard from an affordable housing provider that said that they had 90% of them returned because people

Bills: HB1542, HB2452, HB2664

Keywords: senior housing, independent living, 55 and older, older adults, elderly, retirement housing, retirement community, resident rights, tenant protections, consumer protection act, unfair or deceptive practices, housing discrimination, assisted living distinction, Department of Commerce, Washington RCW, housing provider, community living, security cameras, resident meetings, anonymous complaints

Summary: The Housing Committee met on January 29 and reviewed three bills. House Bill 1542 would establish minimum rights for senior independent housing residents and allow enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act. Staff described three proposed amendments: one to narrow the definition of senior independent housing, one to replace Consumer Protection Act enforcement with Attorney General enforcement and civil penalties, and one to remove a Commerce Department reporting requirement. The committee rejected the first two amendments, adopted the reporting-repeal amendment, and then passed a second substitute version of the bill out of committee on a 10-7 vote with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2664 would remove the certified mail requirement for unlawful detainer notices and other related notices, allowing first-class mail and other existing service methods instead. The bill sponsor said the prior certified-mail requirement had caused many notices to be returned undeliverable and created practical problems for housing providers and tenants. The committee passed the bill out of committee by voice vote with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2452 would change how rent increase notices are served. The committee adopted an amendment that removed the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act portion of the bill, leaving only changes under the Manufactured Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act. Members said this would restore the prior notice process for manufactured housing and align with stakeholder preferences. The committee then passed the substitute bill out of committee unanimously, with 17 ayes and a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:51.400><c> file</c> wishes to testify on house file wishes to testify on house file 702<00
• Next, House File 958.
• Next, House File 958.
• ><c> a</c><00:10:38.279><c> behavioral</c> primary care provider a behavioral primary care provider a
• The final handout is based on the number of licensed providers by ZIP code and population-to-provider

Bills: HF958, HF688, HF702

Keywords: mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the agenda for today is House File 702 with Representative Davids.
• Welcome to the committee, and I do need to officially move House File 702 to be in front of the committee
• I will lay House File 702 over for possible inclusion. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, members.
• I will lay House File 702 over for possible inclusion. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, members.

Bills: HF958, HF688, HF702

Keywords: mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 5 and 20 of Article 2 are from House File 2407, Representative Zeleznikar's bill that provides
• Section 22, also from House File 1993, modifies treatment coordination provider qualifications.
• The Family Supportive Housing Grant Program is modeled after the Homeless Youth Act and would provide
• Beacon owns and operates 24 affordable housing buildings, with the majority providing supportive housing
• provides one-to-one housing navigation support and up to $3,000 for moving expenses, which is key in

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 22 also from House File 1993 modifies treatment coordination provider qualifications.
• </c> housing support providers. housing support providers.
• The family supportive housing grant program is modeled after the Homeless Youth Act and would provide
• majority providing supportive housing.
• stabilization, which provides housing stabilization, which provides onetoone<00:57:37.040><c> housing

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Texas affiliation of affordable housing providers.
• Arriaga, Executive Director for the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers, TAP for short.
• All with the goal of providing more housing opportunities for Texas' burgeoning population and workforce
• Roger Arriaga, Executive Director for Texas Affiliation of Affordable housing providers on the bill.
• And Gene Latshaw, also with Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers, on the bill.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• I am currently the Director of Operations for the WIT Program in San Angelo, Texas, where we provide
• , and you have members of the community who provide... direct services to this population, all coming
• We see how billing uncertainty can overshadow the life-saving care that we provide.
• When it was originally passed out of the House, they brought it over to...
• A PBM is... ...not allowed to pay its affiliated pharmacy more than another provider.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Providers from across the state.
• When it was originally passed out of the house, they brought it over to y'all.
• A PBM is not allowed to pay its affiliated pharmacy more than another provider.
• It will save the employer money in providing health.
• So I'm happy to, um, provide that for you. Mr.

Bills: SB 502, SB 513, SB 622, SB 670, SB 731, SB 732, SB 916, SB 961, SB 1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6158 relates to factory-built housing and commercial structures.
• Right now, we’re trying to encourage modular housing as a housing option.
• provider does not prevent the employer from providing on-site treatment at the worker's choice.
• may seek treatment from a non-network provider.
• And really, this just provides L&I discretion to...

Bills: SB6197, SB6158, SB6302, SB5437, SB6117, SB5852, SB5847, SB6067, SB6152, SB6136

Keywords: SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement, infractions, administrative penalties, license suspension, certificate suspension, endorsement suspension, registration suspension, Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, penalty schedule, repeat violations, workplace standards, construction trades, professional licensing, Washington state, factory built housing

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony and took executive action on several labor, employment, workers’ compensation, and construction-related bills. Early in the meeting, the committee heard Senate Bill 6158 on factory-built housing and commercial structures, which would direct L&I to consider additional national consensus standards and allow approved qualified inspection agencies to conduct inspections. The sponsor said the bill is intended to make modular housing inspections more efficient and cost-effective, especially for units built outside Washington. L&I testified in support with a requested effective date of January 1, 2027 and noted an agreed amendment with utilities. The committee later returned to the bill after executive session, but no final action was taken in the portion provided before the transcript shifted to other business. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6197 on plumbing contractor requirements, which would separate repeat-violation penalties for residential and nonresidential plumbing work and allow suspension after five infractions in five years for nonresidential work. Supporters, including mechanical contractors, union plumbers, and a commercial plumber, said repeat violators treat fines as a cost of doing business and that stronger enforcement is needed to protect safety and fair competition. Opponents, including contractor associations and several plumbing contractors, argued the bill is too punitive, does not adequately distinguish between construction and service plumbing, and could harm legitimate businesses; L&I said it needed an effective date of January 1, 2027 if the bill passed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6302 on misclassification in the finishing trades on public works projects, which would limit the use of independent contractors on covered finishing work. Labor groups supported it as a response to worker misclassification and lost wages and benefits, while contractor groups opposed it as a de facto ban on independent contractors that would raise costs and reduce flexibility, especially for small and rural businesses. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5437 on noncompetition covenants and advanced it to Rules, with some Republican opposition. It also advanced Senate Bill 6117 on PERC jurisdiction over labor relations if federal coverage changes, after rejecting an amendment that would have narrowed the bill further. Senate Bill 5852 on immigrant worker protections advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the private right of action. Senate Bill 5847 on workers’ compensation medical care and treatment also advanced after the committee rejected amendments to remove penalty provisions and to add claims manager positions, then adopted the latter amendment and sent the bill to Ways and Means. Senate Bill 6067 on workers’ compensation health care benefits advanced to Ways and Means, while Senate Bills 6152 and 6136 advanced to Rules. The committee then returned to public hearing and heard testimony on SB 6302, with the sponsor saying the bill is meant to address misclassification in a narrow set of finishing trades and that he is open to further discussion and amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:22.000><c> We</c> we heard House File 3375. We we heard House File 3375.
• </c> out of three committees in the house out of three committees in the house this<00:31:38.320><c>
• </c> With this amendment and providing With this amendment and providing funding<00:43:10.120><c> for
• ><c> amended</c><01:18:50.360><c> is</c> House File 4338 as amended is House File 4338 as amended is
• And it's interesting how many times the House can come together, um, to have a House position.

Bills: HF4338

Keywords: human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management

Bills: SB 250, SB 375, SB 536, SB 845, SB 1633, SB 1944, SB 1957, SB 2081, SB 2137, SB 2262, SB 2299, SB 2419, SB 2452, SB 2522, SB 2549, SB 2594, SB 2605, SB 2631, SB 2639, SB 2675, SB 3029, SJR 60, HB 22, HB 1392, HB 2525

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, housing tax credits, disaster recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• Physicians also tell us that about 20% of care provided is unnecessary.
• It's the number that has been provided by TD.
• company has provided over 125,000 of these procedures safely.
• Providers per health plan. That's a lot of data.
• to provide outpatient care for their employees.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• necessary procedures, it must also provide the anesthesia.
• Qualified anesthesia providers are included in that coverage as well.
• This bill is needed so we can provide timely care to patients.
• As somebody who has provided general anesthesia for these procedures.
• TALA's members strive to provide their residents with community.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• necessary procedures, it must also provide the anesthesia for medically necessary dental procedures.
• Uh, it also includes that all qualified anesthesia providers are included in that coverage as well.
• Uh, this bill's needed to ensure we can provide timely care to patients.
• As somebody who has provided general anesthesia for these procedures, I can personally attest to their
• TALA's members strive to provide their residents with community. We support resident independence.

Bills: SB 227, SB 269, SB 407, SB 463, SB 527, SB 547, SB 1283, SB 1380, SB 1383, SB 1511, SB 1640, SB 1784, SB 2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• And unfortunately, hospice providers were omitted.
• to provide written notice at least 60...
• By requiring health care providers to provide written notice at least 60 days before initiating debt
• my company has provided over 125,000 of these procedures safely.
• So it provided a competitive factor in the sense that it's providing a different business model that

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In gross, second substitute House Bill 2034.
• Last line: providing an expiration date. Senator Robinson. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I think it would be prudent to provide the members at this point.
• Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, as amended by the Senate, is declared passed.
• Substitute House Bill 2178, as amended, is declared passed.

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6176, SB6335, SB6047, HB2235, HB2464, HB2619, HB1376, SB5808, SB5949, HB1347, HB1759, HB1983, HB2120, HB2264, HB2338, HB2385, HB2495, HB2521, HB2604, HB2610, HB2675, HB2426

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate considered Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, a measure to terminate and restate the LEOFF 1 pension plan and use surplus funds for other state purposes if federal approval is obtained. During debate, senators discussed whether the plan should remain funded at 110% or 120% of actuarial value, whether surplus dollars should instead go to transportation or the budget stabilization account, whether members should receive an additional distribution, and whether local governments should be reimbursed for retiree health care costs. Several amendments were offered: a Gildon amendment to raise the funding target to 120% failed; a technical Robinson amendment adding a date passed; Holy, King, Harris, Schessler, and Conway amendments addressing member distributions, transportation, budget stabilization, local government health care costs, and a reconstituted board distribution all failed; and Robinson’s amendment removing Climate Commitment Act repayment language passed. The Ways and Means striking amendment, as amended, was then adopted. On final passage, supporters argued the bill was actuarially sound, had been reviewed by attorneys, actuaries, the State Investment Board, and the Department of Retirement Systems, and would allow use of excess funding for other state needs. Opponents warned it left too little in the pension fund, should dedicate surplus dollars only to one-time uses, and did not adequately reimburse cities and counties for retiree medical obligations. After debate, the Senate passed E2SHB 2034 by a vote of 25 yeas, 22 nays, with one absent and one excused. Afterward, the Senate returned to Substitute House Bill 2178, which was also passed on final passage by a vote of 39 yeas and 9 nays, with one excused. The chamber then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.