2024 Legislative Update Week 1 & Nurses Day at the Legislature

2024 Legislative Update Week 1 from WNA Lobbyist Toni Decklever, RN.

The first week of the Legislative Session is very busy because there are solid deadlines that must be met.  There were 221 House Bills and 132 Senate Files drafted for this budget session.  Out of the 350 pieces of legislation, over 150 did not move forward.  The last 2 days were spent going through the budget.  All 160 pages!   Friday adjournment in the house was 8:00pm.

WNA's list of bills has shrunk considerably because most of them were not considered for introduction.   2024 Legislative Session Watch List 2.16.2024.  For our APRN group - HB14 - Prior Authorization might come up on 3rd reading in the House on Monday.  Now is a good time to send a note to your Representative asking for a vote to pass the bill.

Starting Monday, February 19, 2024 - both houses will start looking at amendments to the budget. Amendments to the budget bill have to be into LSO by 7:30am on Monday.  As of today, Friday, no amendments have been posted from either the House or Senate.

For questions or comments, please contact Toni Decklever, RN at tonisrn@gmail.com

If you are interested in learning more about the legislative process or would like to discuss items to bring up as interim topics, join us for Nurses Day at the Legislature.  The Legislative Reception on February 21st will be a great time to visit with your Representatives and Senators.  Then stay for the day of education on February 22nd.  Lisa Stand, JD, Director of Policy and Regulatory Advocacy at the American Nurses Association will start us out with information on how to advocate and RNAction.  We hope to see you there!