It has been a busy week at the Capitol. From Disability Services Day at the Capitol to first committee deadline things are certainly moving quickly as we pass the half way mark in the 2019 Legislative Session.
First Committee Deadline Comes and Goes
The first committee deadline has now passed (3/15/19). This is the deadline for a bill to be out of a policy committee in either the Senate or the House. If the bill did not meet this deadline it will not move forward in 2019. The second committee deadline is just two weeks away and is the deadline for which a bill must be heard in the body it was not heard in by the first deadline. The Best Life Alliance legislation, as well as ARRM’s Policy and ICF bill met the first committee deadline.
Disability Services Day at the Capitol
Members of ARRM and MOHR and supporters of the Best Life Alliance stormed the walls of the Capitol, State Office Building and Senate Building this last Tuesday. You can read the full update of the day, written by ARRM’s Grassroots Organizer Madeleine Lerner. A couple fun facts:
- Over 1,000 attendees (The Sergeant of Arms in the Senate told one ARRM member it was the biggest day yet this year!)
- 14 legislative leaders and their constituents addressed rally attendees
- Over 160 Legislators met with their constituents throughout the day
Thank you to everyone that attended and shared your story with your legislator. Your advocacy year-after-year truly does make a difference!
ARRM Testifies in Opposition to SF 1962
On Monday, I testified in opposition to SF 1962. This proposal, authored by Sen. Jim Abeler, would mandate that for every two beds that are vacant for at least six months in adult foster care, the commissioner would automatically close one bed.
During the testimony, concerns were shared of the unintended consequences this legislation would bring to the Home and Community-Based Services system as well as highlighting the potential problems in the approach of the legislation.
Sen. Abeler indicated a willingness to continue dialogue with ARRM on this important issue and we will be following up with him.
ARRM Policy Bill heard in the Senate, Scheduled in the House
On Wednesday, ARRM’s Policy Bill (SF 174) was heard in committee and passed on to the Senate floor for final passage. During the hearing, we were able to successfully amend the bill with language clarifying training requirements, allowing for annual training, along with orientation training to be competency based. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Health and Human Service Policy committee on Tuesday.
Look for more information
As things continue to move quickly, look for issue specific action requests or updates coming from ARRM. Our members' advocacy makes a difference in what we are able to accomplish.
Please contact me (sgrafstrom@arrm.org) with any questions you may have.
--Sara Grafstrom, Director of State and Federal Policy