Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee adopts rules, sets schedule and filing deadlines

Sen. Missy Urban, chair of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, opened the committee’s organizational meeting on Oct. 27 and said the panel unanimously adopted its committee rules by voice vote.

Urban told members the committee will meet in Room 2702 at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and that, when needed, the panel may hold two-day sessions on a Monday or Friday. "This committee sees a lot of different issues on public health, welfare, and labor, environmental issues, all kinds of different things," Urban said, urging members to read materials closely and to coordinate with staff and sponsors in advance.

The committee adopted its rules after the chair asked for a motion and a senator moved and seconded; committee members responded "aye" and the chair declared, "Ayes have it. Rules are adopted." The meeting did not record a roll-call vote.

Urban reviewed several procedural deadlines members must follow. She said health legislation that would change the scope of practice for medical professions must be introduced within the first 15 days of the legislative session and that no committee action can be taken on such bills until 15 days after introduction. She also said any bill that would impose a new or increased cost obligation on health benefit plans must be filed in the same initial 15-day window so fiscal impact statements can be prepared; the chair said the deadline for scope-of-practice filings is Jan. 27.

The chair said staff will circulate sponsor notifications and agendas two days before each meeting and that she will coordinate with bill sponsors to provide clear advance notice of which measures the committee will consider. "We're gonna try to be more directive about that," Urban said, adding that she and Vice Chair Dave Wallace aim to help members manage the committee's workload.

Committee staff and counsel introduced themselves: Shanice Davis and Sarah Julian (administrative staff), and attorneys Jessica Beal and Kathy Howell from the Bureau of Legislative Research, who Urban thanked for their work. Representatives from state agencies, hospitals, health-care trade groups and insurers also identified themselves at the meeting, including Laurie McDonald of the Department of Human Services and Gabrielle Harvey of the Division of Children and Family Services.

Urban closed the meeting after a brief round of member introductions and scheduling remarks. She said the committee will attempt to provide clear weekly agendas and that staff will collect materials and leave folders for members after meetings. The chair adjourned the meeting after members finalized scheduling and housekeeping details.