Transcript Highlights:

• They have complied with all of the applications that are required under law. Right.
• And it is also retroactive so that people can—those that have committed dangerous crimes against our
• Even if the sponsor amends HB 2966 to its mirror bill SB 1092 by removing the retroactivity and applicability
• SB 1092 by removing the retroactivity and applicability language, it would still create a blanket rule
• Lastly, the amendment applies all outlined requirements and conditions retroactively to January 1, 2022

Summary: The committee first approved prior minutes and announced several bills were being held at sponsors’ request, including HB 4117 and several House concurrent resolutions. It then heard HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly hindering a lawful arrest by a third party and make it a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney’s office representative, argued it would close a loophole and protect officers during arrests; opponents from criminal defense and civil liberties groups said it duplicated existing resisting arrest and hindering prosecution laws and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police. After debate over prosecutorial discretion and constitutional concerns, the committee recommended HB 2811 do pass by a 3-2 vote with one member not voting. The committee next considered HB 2665, a “Cade’s Law” proposal to treat intentionally providing advice or encouragement through directed online communication to a minor to die by suicide as manslaughter. The sponsor and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to social media-driven encouragement of self-harm and urged stronger accountability. The bill drew no opposition testimony in the excerpt and passed with a 6-0 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then heard HB 2857, allowing ADCRR to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, which passed 5-1 after testimony from the department’s medical provider about space and efficiency. HB 2226 followed, requiring courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans with Arizona Department of Veterans Services and treatment or diversion options; an amendment shifted the notice duty from prosecutors to courts. The sponsor and veterans’ advocates said the bill would help identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and reduce recidivism, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill unanimously, 6-0. The committee then took up HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance abatement action in superior court. The sponsor argued the AG had overreached in cases involving a dairy, an aluminum plant, and a rail line, while opponents said the bill would weaken statewide enforcement and protect corporate polluters; the bill passed 3-2 with two not voting. Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters framed it as protecting children and ensuring offenders serve full probation terms, while survivors, defense attorneys, and the Sex Offender Management Board’s concerns were cited in opposition, with critics warning about loss of judicial discretion, constitutional issues, and reduced incentives for compliance. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The last item in the excerpt was HCR 2001, a voter referral measure to end early voting on the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and prohibit foreign contributions; an amendment removed the early-voting cutoff and some ID-related provisions while adding on-site tabulation language and other changes. The sponsor argued it would improve election security and speed results, while counties and other opponents raised cost, implementation, and access concerns, especially around on-site tabulation and mail voting. The testimony portion of HCR 2001 was underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have complied with all of the applications that are required under law. Right.
• It is also retroactive so that people can—those that have committed dangerous crimes against our most
• Even if the sponsor amends HB 2966 to its mirror bill SB 1092 by removing the retroactivity and applicability
• language, it would still create... ...SB 1092 by removing the retroactivity and applicability language
• Lastly, the amendment applies all outlined requirements and conditions retroactively to January 1, 2022

Bills: HB2109 , HB2168 , HB2198 , HB2226 , HB2415 , HB2440 , HB2665 , HB2805 , HB2811 , HB2825 , HB2857 , HB2874 , HB2966 , HB4067 , HB4117 , HCR2001 , HCR2016 , HCR2051

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for addressing that component, the retroactivity portion of it.
• Just to answer your question, the retroactivity amendment would address this concern.
• Thank you for amending to take out the retroactivity.
• Thank you for amending to take out the retroactivity.
• Thank you for amending to take out the retroactivity.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:50.760><c> to</c> definition would not be applicable to definition would not be applicable
• </c> bill that says that it's applicable bill that says that it's applicable if<00:15:06.400><c> a</c
• "Okay, so that clears up the retroactive thing. Okay, good question, good answer."
• </c> not retroactive. not retroactive.
• </c> Okay, so that clears up the retroactive Okay, so that clears up the retroactive thing.<02:48:02.000

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• from an applicant who cannot possess weapons at the time of the application stage, but can possess a
• The applicant must complete a certification form as part of the U or T visa application, and certain
• , the agency is required to Inform the applicant of the reason for its decision, and the applicant may
• Retroactive application would undoubtedly cause immediate and unintended consequences and result in legal
• Retroactive application would undoubtedly cause immediate and unintended consequences and result in legal

Committee: House Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We do thank the author for the recent amendment for the clarification on the retroactivity issue, but
• would be completely unreasonable and would cause... ...but retroactivity would be completely unreasonable
• I, too, shared the concern of retroactivity.
• Just one addendum to the retroactivity.
• We want to prohibit hiring CDCR staff or applicants found guilty of violent or sexual crimes, and we

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met and adopted a consent calendar that included SB 4, SB 229, SB 385, SB 459, and SB 553. SB 221 was pulled by the committee and will return later. The committee then heard several bills, with members repeatedly noting the next hearing would be July 1 in Room 126. SB 281 by Senator Perez would require judges to use the exact statutory immigration-consequences advisement when taking pleas from noncitizen defendants. Supporters said judges have been deviating from the required language, creating confusion and harming defendants; opponents, including district attorneys, warned that the bill could affect plea withdrawals and appellate litigation unless amended. The committee discussed possible amendments, including a nonretroactivity clarification and language proposed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and the bill was passed on call. SB 337 by Senator Menjivar would strengthen protections against sexual abuse and misconduct in prisons, especially women’s prisons, by requiring documentation of searches, extending grievance timelines, limiting hiring of people with violent or sexual convictions, and improving investigation procedures. Supporters emphasized staff abuse, retaliation concerns, and the need for oversight; opposition testimony focused on transgender inmate placement and was criticized by committee members as not germane. The bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. SB 379 by Senator Jones, dealing with oversight of sexually violent predator conditional release placements, passed to Appropriations after support from law enforcement and prosecutors and no opposition. SB 734 by Senator Caballero, which would provide due process protections for law enforcement officers affected by California Racial Justice Act findings, also passed to Appropriations with support from police and district attorney groups and no opposition. SB 551 by Senator Cortese, which would codify normalization and dynamic security principles in corrections, passed to Appropriations despite concerns from one member that it went too far in making prisons too home-like.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do thank the author for the recent amendment for the clarification for the retroactivity issue, but
• would be completely unreasonable and would cause... ...but retroactivity would be completely unreasonable
• I, too, shared the concern of retroactivity.
• Just one addendum to the retroactivity.
• We want to prohibit hiring CDCR staff or applicants found guilty of violent or sexual crimes, and we

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several Senate bills, first adopting a five-bill consent calendar that included measures on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, peace officers, prison clearances, and related public safety topics. SB 221 by Senator Ochoa-Bogh was pulled from the agenda for later consideration. The committee then heard SB 281 by Senator Perez, which would require judges to use the exact statutory immigration-consequences advisement for noncitizen defendants. Supporters said the bill would restore consistency and avoid confusion, while district attorneys warned it could create plea-withdrawal problems and sought amendments; the bill was held on call after a split vote. The committee next heard SB 337 by Senator Menjivar, a broad prison-safety bill focused on women’s prisons, including documentation of searches, body-camera rules, grievance timelines, hiring restrictions for staff with violent or sexual convictions, and stronger oversight of investigations. Supporters said it would improve transparency and protect incarcerated people from abuse; opposition testimony focused largely on transgender inmate placement and was criticized by members as not germane. The bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. SB 379 by Senator Jones, which would add Department of State Hospitals oversight to sexually violent predator conditional release placements, also passed to Appropriations after support from law enforcement and district attorney groups and opposition from criminal justice advocates. Later, SB 734 by Senator Caballero passed to Appropriations. It would give law enforcement officers due process protections when findings from California Racial Justice Act hearings are later used in employment or decertification proceedings. Supporters argued officers should have notice and a chance to defend themselves, while the bill was presented as not changing defendants’ CRJA rights. Finally, SB 551 by Senator Cortese, which would codify normalization and dynamic security principles in corrections policy to promote rehabilitation and safer prison conditions, passed to Appropriations despite objections that prisons should remain punitive. The committee adjourned after updating vote records and announced its next hearing would be July 1 in Room 126.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about doing eligibility redeterminations in a way that requires applicants to provide real
• to July 1 of 2026, and it repeals retroactively to tax year 2026 the following individual and corporate
• The bill also repeals the Rio Nuevo District State Tax Diversion Program, effective retroactively to
• Lastly, the bill contains a retroactivity clause of December 31, 2025, and with that, I'm available for
• Lastly, the bill contains a retroactivity clause of December 31, 2025, and with that, I'm available for

Transcript Highlights:

• certain background checks, and to establish provisions regarding confidentiality, rules and fees, applications
• That $1.6 million was scooped up in about three minutes when the applications were opened up.
• and state agencies, and ensures prompt review and timely decision-making in compliance with all applicable
• Ensures prompt review and timely decision-making in compliance with all applicable federal and state
• Of sales tax collected, declaring an emergency and providing retroactive effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• As to the retroactivity, let's say someone already has a conviction from another state.
• As to the retroactivity, let's say someone already has a conviction from another state.
• So I'm going to make the motion to report 796 favorably when it's applicable. They do consult.
• So I'm going to make the motion to report 796 favorably when it's applicable.
• So I'm going to make the motion to report 796 favorably when it's applicable. All right.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 and approved the minutes from the prior week before taking up a series of House bills, many of them with testimony from sponsors, agency officials, and stakeholders. Early action included HB 971, which would direct LDH to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; the sponsor described a significant payment disparity and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also deferred HB 1030 and HB 796 until the following week before moving to other items on the agenda. Several bills dealing with Medicaid and provider regulation were advanced. HB 414, as amended, closes a loophole so health care providers cannot hire unlicensed workers with certain serious out-of-state convictions; amendments addressed effective dates, FBI background-check issues for therapeutic group homes, and delays for direct support professional applicants caused by minor record issues. HB 740, as amended, creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims disputes in the coordinated system of care for behavioral health providers, with amendments clarifying applicability dates and program definitions. HB 786, which prohibits extrapolation in managed care claims recoupments and requires recovery to be based on actual overpayments or underpayments, was also reported favorably. HB 915 set timelines and accountability standards for prior authorization and utilization management in Medicaid managed care and was reported favorably after testimony about delays in care. The committee also heard and passed several bills affecting health professions and facilities. HB 405 simply updates the name of the national acupuncture certification body. HB 1095 allows nursing homes to use alternative power sources while keeping existing generator and fuel requirements. HB 557 defines long-term care pharmacies for policy purposes. HB 779 authorizes expedited partner therapy prescriptions for certain sexually transmitted diseases. HB 933 creates an optional commemorative birth certificate, with part of the fee going to the Office of Women’s Health. HB 796, carried by another representative for the author, establishes a chiropractic preceptorship program with on-site supervision requirements and was reported favorably after questions about student training and patient safety. The committee also heard emotionally charged testimony on HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and patient communication. Several witnesses described the distress caused by current coding language, and supporters said the change would make records more compassionate and understandable; the bill was reported favorably. HB 403 increased the cottage food gross-sales cap, and after testimony from small producers and the committee’s discussion of other states’ higher limits, an amendment raised the cap to $150,000 before the bill was reported favorably. HB 930 modernizes cosmetic-product regulation and creates a small home-based producer exemption under a wholesale-sales threshold; it was also reported favorably. Finally, HB 1041, a no-mandate bill restricting discrimination based on medical intervention status, prompted extended debate over exemptions for schools, hospitals, and other entities, with one amendment failing on a roll-call vote and the discussion continuing over the scope of the bill and federal funding concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• One key thing about this provision is we are requiring applicants, in terms of the applicants needing
• if they're a new applicant.
• </c> Lastly, this proposal limits retroactive Lastly, this proposal limits retroactive Medicaid<00:30
• </c> retroactive period. retroactive period.
• </c><00:31:13.760><c> coverage</c> related to the retroactive coverage related to the retroactive coverage

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill further makes the fee retroactive to January 1, a provision.
• The retroactive date makes them whole.
• Retroactive policymaking is particularly problematic from a free market perspective.
• Back to your comments on the retroactivity piece of this.
• The other issue that gives us concern is the retroactivity.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.

Transcript Highlights:

• witness I have here to me is former Assembly Member Alberto Torrico, representing the California Applicants
• Assembly Member Ortega, Alberto Torrico, on behalf of the California Applicants Attorneys Association
• We didn't, you know, the applicant attorneys, the injured workers, advocates, we had nothing to do with
• There's never been, in our recollection, an instance where benefits were awarded retroactively.
• There's never been legislation or a budget action that would eliminate benefits retroactively, and that's

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:27.440><c> This</c> days retroactive coverage. This days retroactive coverage.
• </c> that they can ask for retroactive that they can ask for retroactive coverage<00:09:35.560><c> federally
• And, you know, trying to go retroactive before the law's in effect, I think, is not necessarily fair
• </c><00:44:46.320><c> How</c><00:44:46.520><c> are</c> system, the main application.
• How are system, the main application.

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there's no additional application for that.
• So, there's no additional application<00:12:09.400><c> for</c><00:12:09.520><c> that.
• </c> application for that. application for that.
• Under existing Minnesota law, when you sign up for Medicaid, you get retroactive coverage for the three
• Under existing Minnesota law, when you sign up for Medicaid, you get retroactive coverage for the three

Transcript Highlights:

• application.
• revise a provision regarding the homestead tax exemption, declaring an emergency and providing retroactive
• application.
• revise a provision regarding the homestead tax exemption, declaring an emergency and providing retroactive
• application.

Transcript Highlights:

• two-thirds of the state legislatures have submitted substantially similar applications.
• What if we stopped making renewable power in Texas prospectively, not retroactively?
• So, I'm looking right now at ERCOT's application, and right at this moment our renewable...
• This bill does in a way that did have some retroactivity but has been adjusted.
• That's forthcoming is adjusting the aspect of retroactivity of your Senate bill.

Bills: HJR98 , HJR99 , HB29 , HB136 , HB142 , HB166 , HB353 , HB1399 , HB2000 , SJR59 , SCR19 , SB128 , SB261 , SB317 , SB383 , SB393 , SB397 , SB466 , SB517 , SB571 , SB612 , SB705 , SB715 , SB731 , SB748 , SB801 , SB867 , SB913 , SB945 , SB946 , SB986 , SB1013 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1117 , SB1181 , SB1250 , SB1263 , SB1285 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1528 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1608 , SB1723 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1986 , SB1999 , SB2043 , SB2056 , SB2082 , SB2105 , SB2133 , SB2138 , SB2177 , SB2203 , SB2221 , SB2311 , SB2334 , SB2337 , SB2340 , SB2373 , SB2417 , SB2446 , SB2452 , SB2477 , SB2532 , SB2565 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2622 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2681 , SB2713 , SB2717 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB2835 , SB2841 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2943 , SB2994 , SB2995 , SB3016 , SB3047 , SB3057 , SB3059 , SJR3 , SB5 , SB72 , SB509 , SB616 , SB963 , SB985 , SB1143 , SB1172 , SB1267 , SB1271 , SB1273 , SB1759 , SB1786 , SB2361 , SB1025 , SB1080 , SB1245 , SB1355 , SB1422 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , HJR98 , HJR99 , HJR2 , HJR1 , HB 1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HB3093 , HB517 , HB 1130 , HB142 , HB1689 , HB2018 , HB136 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2730 , HB1399 , HB 1244 , HB467 , HB331 , HB2559 , HB29 , HB26 , HB166 , HB353 , HB2000 , HB2756 , HB3248 , HB3513 , HB3204 , HB3135 , HB3012 , HB2763 , HB2523 , HB2457 , HB2415 , HB2198 , HB2143 , HB1708 , HB1672 , HB767 , HB1327 , HB2723 , HB451 , HB140 , HB 109 , HB3096 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR29 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR74 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB1957 , SB2615 , SB2138 , SB3016 , SB1999 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2681 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB715 , SB1640 , SB2538 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB410 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB1856 , SB1528 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB1285 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB1237 , SB1586 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB375 , SB777 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2452 , SB2835 , SB1602 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB2373 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB383 , SB705 , SB748 , SB1117 , SB2340 , SB2680 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2782 , SB2781 , SB2637 , SB2633 , SB2337 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB946 , SB945 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB571 , SB1263 , SB3058 , SB612 , SB2221 , SB2587 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2713 , SB2311 , SB1986 , SB2565 , SB2943 , SB1888 , SB2417 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3037 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3047 , SB3035 , SB2446 , SB466 , SB2611 , SB2794 , SB2105 , SB2017 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB1730 , SB2995 , SB2847 , SB205 , SB2619 , SB1903 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB1581 , SB2600 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB876 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2137 , SB2519 , SB2403 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB2764 , SB2878 , SB1884 , SB111 , SB582 , SB2617 , SB1835 , SB2751 , SB2959 , HB206 , HB 1238 , HB 1089 , HB2890 , HB9 , HB2081 , HB4215 , HB2970 , SB2063 , SB1400 , SB2058 , SB2260 , SB2928 , SB1310

Transcript Highlights:

• And the other issue is the retroactivity piece as well, too.
• I think the broader the bill got, the more uncomfortable many of us were with retroactivity.
• And so I will note that as a piece of the retroactivity conversation that occurred.
• , that suggests to me that the retroactivity goes back to as long as the bill has been in print.
• And so I felt like for the purposes of competition, I needed this to be equally applicable.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on artificial intelligence, child safety, mental health, and privacy. SB 574 by Senator Umberg would require transparency and human oversight when attorneys, judges, and court neutrals use AI; it drew support from privacy advocates and committee members, with no opposition. SB 1276, the End Child Exploitation Act, would update child sexual exploitation laws to cover live-streamed and AI-generated abuse material and clarify that viewing such content can be criminally punishable; prosecutors, child advocacy groups, and others supported it, while no one appeared in opposition despite opposition on file. SB 813 would create a California AI standards and safety commission and a voluntary two-tier certification framework for AI safety standards; supporters said it would create scalable, independent oversight, while TechNet and CalChamber opposed it as duplicative, under-defined, and likely to create a de facto mandate. The committee discussed market pressure, federal preemption concerns, and the role of voluntary standards, but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. Senator Padilla also presented SB 300, which would strengthen protections for minors from sexually explicit chatbot content by moving from a reasonableness standard to an affirmative duty to prevent such exposure and to prohibit facilitation. Supporters said new evidence showed greater risks and that companies can and should build stronger safeguards; opponents, including TechNet and CCIA, argued the bill was premature because SB 243 had only recently taken effect and warned it could create strict-liability-like exposure. Padilla then presented SB 903, which would bar AI chatbots from being advertised as therapists, require licensed clinician oversight and informed consent for AI use in psychotherapy, and protect patient confidentiality; it received broad support from mental health professionals and labor groups, while industry and health associations were opposed unless amended over triage and crisis-detection language. The committee members emphasized the need for human judgment in mental health care and noted ongoing negotiations on amendments. The committee also heard SB 1119, a companion to AB 2020, which would require annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, default child settings, parental controls, limits on data use, public incident reporting, and third-party audits for chatbots used by children. Supporters argued the bill would address documented harms and improve transparency, while industry groups objected to ambiguous standards, liability exposure, and the private right of action. A roll call vote was taken on SB 1119 after quorum was established; the motion to pass to Appropriations succeeded on a 5-1 vote, with one no vote and the measure left on call for absent members. Finally, SB 354, a privacy bill for insurance consumers, would modernize outdated insurance privacy rules, bar sale of personal information, and expand consumer rights to know, correct, and delete data. Supporters said it would implement Proposition 24’s privacy mandate, while a large coalition of insurers, agents, brokers, and related businesses opposed unless amended, mainly seeking a small-business exemption and narrower treatment of publicly available information; members and the author said negotiations were ongoing and the bill had already been substantially revised.

Transcript Highlights:

• As our colleague has said, there are concerns about discriminatory application.
• We provided everything requested, but our application was rejected again and again.
• The bill applies retroactively.
• Two of our colleagues have specifically mentioned the retroactivity in the bill.
• And my question to you is: will you consider taking out the retroactivity in this bill?

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.

Transcript Highlights:

• statutes to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026, including the provisions that are retroactive
• House Bill 2785 includes the provisions that are retroactive to tax year 2025, with a specific adoption
• of all retroactive dates.
• House Bill 2785 becomes effective on the general effective date and applies retroactively to tax years
• Chairman, the amendment in your name addresses the retroactivity provisions associated with Public Law

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2785, a major Arizona tax conformity measure that would align state law with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and apply retroactively to tax year 2025. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Department of Revenue tax forms legal, provide certainty to taxpayers already filing under those forms, and deliver about $440 million in tax relief through provisions such as no tax on tips and overtime, a larger standard deduction, a $6,000 senior deduction, and changes to deductions and the SALT cap. Opponents argued the bill would significantly reduce state revenue, disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers, and should not move forward without a broader budget plan. After an amendment addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language was adopted, the committee approved HB 2785 on a 5-4 vote. The committee then heard several Arizona State Retirement System technical cleanup bills. HB 2089, clarifying the health insurance premium benefit subsidy, passed 9-0. HB 2090, changing the disability timeframe for long-term disability benefits, passed 8-1. HB 2092, allowing certain employees over age 65 to waive ASRS participation within 30 days of eligibility, also passed 8-1. These measures were described by staff and the sponsor as simple corrections, with little opposition. Finally, the committee considered HB 2477, which conforms Arizona’s 529 education savings plan to federal law, expands allowable uses, and adds rules for 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers and ABLE transfers. Supporters called it a cleanup bill that would simplify administration for families, while some members raised concerns about the Roth rollover and possible use of funds transferred from ESA accounts. The bill passed 5-3 with one member voting present. The committee then adjourned.