Human Services Committee votes to draft SB 3 on health-care affordability

The Human Services Committee voted to authorize drafting a committee bill, SB 3, described by the chair as "an act concerning health care affordability." Representative Gilchrist moved to draft the bill and Representative Johnson seconded; the clerk recorded a roll-call vote that concluded 18 yes and 3 no. Votes were left open for later certification.

Committee Chair opened the item and asked for a motion to draft the bill. "I'll entertain a motion at this time to draft proposed bill, 3, an act concerning health care affordability," the chair said. Senator Perlock asked that the vote be taken by roll call; the chair agreed and the clerk completed the roll.

The roll recorded three explicit "no" votes in the transcript: Representative Case, Representative Master Francesco and Representative Stewart; the remaining recorded votes were in favor. Committee staff and nonpartisan policy staff present for the item included Brianne Clifton (committee clerk), Rebecca McClanahan and Matthew Domacek (assistant clerks), policy staff from both parties and nonpartisan analysts from the Legislative Commissioner's Office, OFA and OLR.

The committee's vote authorized only drafting of SB 3; this is a procedural step that permits staff to prepare bill language for future consideration and does not itself adopt policy. The chair said votes would be held open for certification and moved on to the next agenda item. The committee recessed after scheduling its next meeting for Feb. 17, 2026, at 11 a.m.