Transcript Highlights:

• We provide financial support and emotional support to families losing pregnancies and then children one
• We provide financial support and emotional support to families losing pregnancies and then children one
• Emma Perkue are here in support. If you wish to speak...
• I'm here today to ask that you support HB 930.
• Kevin Cobb are here in support, not wishing to speak.

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:

• Do we properly train staff and how do we support them?
• Our retention rate is a little high, which we're laser-focused on reducing. that to support staff.
• Will your office come and testify in support of that legislation? Mr.
• We did not revert any money in 25 in protective services, juvenile justice, or program support.
• It also supports our department's five-year strategic plan. 2022 to 2020.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> one or their core instruction um support one or their core instruction um support that<00:21:30.880
• These funds support eight local education agencies across our state that provide targeted academic support
• <00:57:37.480><c> the</c><00:57:37.640><c> program's</c> demonstrating the program's demonstrating the
• </c> implementation the funds support implementation the funds support comprehensive<01:03:24.279><c>
• </c><01:53:32.760><c> for</c> our team provides ongoing support for our team provides ongoing support

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that you know, we we want to support that you know, we we want to support you.<00:24:44.880><c>
• </c> that we need in order to get support that we need in order to get support &gt;&gt; for<00:27:21.360
• </c><01:02:38.559><c> to</c> uh proono implementation support to uh proono implementation support to
• </c><01:02:45.839><c> um</c> terms of the policy design support um terms of the policy design support
• </c> states and the opportunity to support states and the opportunity to support you<01:29:08.080><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I think some utilities may have supported it, but I'm pretty certain that Cal Advocates supported
• that coalition supporting the NVBT program.
• I know I think some utilities may have supported it, but I'm pretty certain that the Calvic is supported
• that coalition supporting the NVBD program.
• CEJA is a proud supporter of AB 2316 and really supports the Legislature to adopt robust community solar

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing with leaders from the CPUC, Public Advocates Office, CAISO, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the Energy Commission. Chair Petrie-Norris framed the hearing around high utility bills, wildfire risk, grid reliability, clean energy buildout, and the state’s long-term decarbonization goals, and also noted it was CPUC President Alice Reynolds’ final week at the commission. Each agency gave an update on its role: the CPUC described efforts to reduce rate increases while maintaining reliability and clean energy procurement; the Public Advocates Office focused on affordability and the need to control underlying utility costs; CAISO discussed transmission planning, market operations, and the upcoming extended day-ahead market; Energy Safety reviewed wildfire mitigation oversight and inspections; and the Energy Commission highlighted clean energy growth, EV adoption, storage, efficiency, and gasoline price monitoring. A major theme was affordability versus the costs of the clean energy transition. Reynolds said the CPUC has lowered utility revenue requests, reduced utility returns, adopted a base services charge, and reworked net metering, while also continuing to manage wildfire-related costs and support resource adequacy and demand flexibility. Sarazawa argued that recent rate decreases may not be durable because billions of dollars in wildfire and other utility costs are still pending or unbilled, and she urged tighter use of general rate cases, lower-cost financing, program reform, and more equitable rate design. Members pressed the agencies on whether state policy is sufficiently accounting for labor, local economic development, and the cost impacts of transmission and procurement decisions, especially where out-of-state resources are being considered. CAISO and the Energy Commission emphasized that the state’s planning and market reforms are helping lower costs and improve reliability. CAISO said the Western Energy Imbalance Market has produced billions in benefits, the extended day-ahead market is on track to launch, and transmission planning is being aligned with long-term resource needs while reducing queue delays. The Energy Commission said California is now getting roughly two-thirds of its power from clean sources, has added massive amounts of storage and renewables, and is seeing strong EV and charger growth that can help spread fixed grid costs. Energy Safety reported thousands of inspections, hundreds of notices of non-performance, and a decline in reportable ignitions, while noting that major fires show more work is needed. Members also raised concerns about the SB 100 report delay, memo and balancing accounts, the future of battery storage, and whether decarbonization zone pilots will affect residential and commercial customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I would be supportive of the probation area.
• I just wouldn't be supportive of you denying someone licensure based upon a drug offense.
• I mean, I would be supportive of the probation area.
• We urge your support.”
• “We urge your support for a standard of care model to modernize pharmacy regulation.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate business committees held a sunset review hearing on the California State Board of Pharmacy, with board leadership describing the board’s consumer-protection role and its priorities around access, enforcement, and updating pharmacy law. The board emphasized a proposed shift toward a standard-of-care model for pharmacists, arguing it would reduce rigid protocol requirements and improve access to services such as HIV PrEP/PEP, contraception, and naloxone. Board representatives also discussed pharmacy deserts, possible fee waivers for pharmacies in underserved areas, concerns about payer practices contributing to closures, continuing education audits, and a request to restore more flexibility in licensure decisions and probationary monitoring for applicants with certain criminal histories. A major focus of the hearing was the board’s ongoing compounding regulations, especially the treatment of sterile versus nonsterile compounding and substances such as glutathione and methylcobalamin. The board said the proposal was not a ban on those substances and described the rulemaking as grounded in federal law, USP standards, and public comment, noting the process had gone through multiple modified texts and hearings. Testimony from stakeholders was sharply divided: pharmacists, veterinarians, firefighters, naturopathic doctors, and patient advocates warned the rules were restricting access to compounded medications and harming patients and first responders, while the California Medical Association, psychiatric physicians, and PhRMA raised concerns that the board’s proposals could expand pharmacist authority beyond training, affect physician practice, or create safety risks. Other public comments addressed pharmacy technician ratios, remote processing, flavoring medications, hospital-specific regulation, budget and enforcement transparency, and whether the board should add members with community compounding or pharmacy technician expertise. Committee members also asked about the board’s oversight priorities and the rationale for its standard-of-care proposal. Board staff explained that consumer protection includes education, licensing, policy, and enforcement, with the highest-priority enforcement cases being those posing imminent public harm. After public testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and adjourned the sunset review hearing, announcing an immediate transition to the joint informational hearing on the Department of Cannabis Control.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I rise in support of Senate Bill 1352, which would allow qualifying substance use disorder
• I rise in support of Senate Bill 1352, which would allow qualifying substance use disorder treatment
• By allowing multi-year licenses for providers that have demonstrated compliance and meet national...
• Association and Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania for their support on
• I rise in support of Senate Bill 1352.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer by Senator Anthony H. Williams and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received gubernatorial communications and a long list of newly referred Senate and House bills and resolutions. The chamber approved the April 22, 2026 journal by a 49-0 vote. Senators also introduced guests, including a high school senior advisory council visiting with Senator Malone and a young guest welcomed by Senator Costa. On the floor, several bills were taken up and either set aside or advanced. Senate Bill 1377 and Senate Bill 482 were re-referred to Appropriations, Senate Bill 906 was re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations, and Senate Bills 1133, 1334, and 1368 were also sent to Appropriations. Senator Dush requested a conflict-of-interest ruling on an amendment to Senate Bill 469; the chair ruled no conflict existed and required him to vote, and the amendment was adopted. The Senate also took Senate Bill 127 from the table and placed it on the calendar. The Senate then considered Supplemental Calendar Number One. Senate Bill 362 received a technical amendment and was advanced; Senate Bill 1183 passed 50-0; Senate Bill 1352, which would allow qualifying substance use disorder treatment providers to receive two-year licenses, passed 45-5 after supportive remarks from Senators Brooks, Tartaglione, and Street; and House Bill 1877, codifying the Pennsylvania seal of biliteracy, passed 50-0 after Senator Lindsey Williams described its student-led origins. The session ended with committee announcements for the next day and Senator Tartaglione’s petition urging a floor vote on the House-passed minimum wage bill, House Bill 2189.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but are not limited to, market research, requests for information, vendor outreach, product demonstrations
• , but are not limited to, market research, requests for information, vendor outreach, product demonstrations
• Enough support and resources to help them mitigate a lot of these concerns.
• and resources to help them mitigate a lot of these concerns. enough support and resources to help them
• ...defer to the expertise of our colleagues across the rotunda and support this measure today.

Bills: HB3002, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3463, HB3919, HB3985, HB4303

Keywords: counties, county officers, education, training, sunset law, county purchasing, procurement practices, budget management, public accountability, emergency procurement, reverse auction, bidding process, competitive bidding, public procurement, city council regulations, public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard and advanced several House bills focused on local government bidding, audits, ordinance publication, and county fair boards. House Bill 3418, which updates the Public Competitive Bidding Act for public construction projects and school district contracts, was amended to clarify that public agencies may still conduct preliminary procurement activities such as market research and vendor outreach; it then passed 9-0. House Bill 3463, requested by the state auditor, changes audit requirements for small municipalities under 2,500 people by moving from a biannual to an annual financial statement audit or agreed-upon procedures engagement and shortening the filing deadline; it passed 9-0. House Bill 3002 extends the sunset on the Commission on County Government, Personnel, Education, and Training to 2031 and passed 8-0. House Bill 4303 extends the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances from 15 to 30 days and passed 8-0. House Bill 3919 would allow counties to replace the current nine-member Free Fair Association board with a five-member board elected from commissioner districts and at-large seats; it passed 8-0. House Bill 3416, also developed with the state auditor and other stakeholders, would let counties use quotes for certain smaller purchases instead of a full bidding process while keeping documentation and safeguards; it passed 7-1. House Bill 3417 would require cities and towns to follow the state competitive bidding laws and not bypass those standards through local rules; it passed 7-1. House Bill 3985, the Safe Neighborhoods Act, drew the most debate. The bill would give property owners in municipalities over 130,000 population a narrow path to seek compensation if a city adopts a policy or practice of not enforcing certain public safety laws, including laws against illegal camping, loitering, panhandling, public intoxication, drug use, and shoplifting, and that inaction reduces property values or forces mitigation costs. Supporters said it is meant to encourage enforcement of existing laws and protect business and property owners, while opponents argued it could burden under-resourced cities, criminalize vulnerable people, and rely on a questionable population threshold. The bill passed 7-2 after debate. Throughout the meeting, members also raised questions about felony and misdemeanor provisions in HB 3418, the cost and practicality of live video bid openings, and the use of a repealed statute reference in HB 3417, with the author saying he would provide follow-up clarification before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Linda Way with Western Center on Law and Poverty, pleased to support AB 100, particularly around the
• We support full Medi-Cal funding and protecting coverage gains, significant in reducing California's
• We also support this. This important work and AB 100.
• We support funding for medical programs and urge the legislature to continue their commitments and oppose
• And so we're here today in support of the provisions.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're wanting the people that are around them and supporting them to also be supported.
• But they still need support from time to time.
• Um, elementary schools need some support, but not necessarily someone to... ...support, but not necessarily
• Um, mapping has demonstrated that Needs.
• of support that they would get from the state?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> before and signs noise or demonstrations before and signs noise or demonstrations that<00:04:24.600
• I support that, but I also wonder: does the judge get to know who's complaining against them?
• </c><00:54:33.599><c> their</c> legislators first demonstrated their legislators first demonstrated their
• </c> then mandated by Statute to support then mandated by Statute to support businesses<01:00:31.039>
• </c> make sure that we can um um support make sure that we can um um support school<01:11:20.080><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , their support networks are also<00:44:03.160><c> disrupted.
• I am asking you to support community.
• I'm testifying today in support of Senate File 1671. Nearly half of St.
• We are here to support the passage of the Right to Renew Act.
• Um and I'm if you had demonstrated.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While the Secretary of State's office is here to provide support and guidance.
• across the state to ensure that our elections support our elections. had the necessary support.
• Not to stir anything up, but just to demonstrate my ignorance in the questions I ask you.
• As an election system manufacturer, Hart strongly supports better auditing.
• ES&S provides election technology and support. to 142 Texas counties.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're proud of the work we do for the state of Texas, and with your support and your past support, our
• We really wanted to show support.
• support staff.
• . and support services.
• I agree and support this. wholeheartedly.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, and I'm excited about both initiatives, and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the support
• This is, I think, a great demonstration...
• This is, I think, a great demonstration of the important role that Virginia plays in our nation's history
• were talking about educating, engaging, and inspiring a season of civic renewal, and this is a demonstration
• they agree that it should reside with the Algonquin speakers in Virginia, then a place that I would support

Keywords: American Revolution 250 Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the intent is clearly demonstrated above, where it says those two conditions have to be met.
• I agree in support of the notion and the idea that phosphate lands should be allowed to be developed.
• I agree in support the notion and the idea that phosphate lands should be allowed to be developed.
• Colton Maddell, Florida Chamber of Commerce, waves in support.
• Cameron Fink, Associated Industries of Florida, waves in support. Jim Spratt waves in support.

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amended substitute motion on line 21 to supports the advancement of I don't know. ...to support the advancement
• And so I’m going to support that. Representative Dygert.
• And so I’m going to support that. Okay, thank you, Representative Dygert.
• So I'm supporting the original motion. Okay. Representative Scott. Thank you.
• The party chair, Dorothy Moon, is in support.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Monday, March 2. It then considered RS 33585, a resolution on Idaho’s energy future that emphasized reliable, dispatchable baseload generation, ratepayer protection, private property rights, and concerns about large energy and transmission projects. Members debated language around natural gas and “responsibly developed” energy; an amended substitute moved the phrase to apply to all listed energy sources and struck it from the natural gas clause. The amended substitute passed unanimously, and the resolution was introduced. Next, the committee heard RS 33601, which would create a task force to study sex torsion, its impact on victims, prevention, and response. Representative Boyle noted that “task force” is not a term used in committee rules and moved to replace it with “interim committee.” Representative Green agreed, and the committee adopted the change and sent the measure to second reading. The committee also considered RS 33587, dealing with kratom and synthetic alkaloids derived from it. Representative Pohanka cited deaths in his district and support from local law enforcement, while other members raised concerns about whether the bill would affect natural kratom used in treatment settings and whether more medical testimony was needed. A substitute motion to narrow the bill to synthetic alkaloids failed 12-1, and the original motion to introduce RS 33587 passed, with Representative Scott recorded as voting no. Finally, House Bill 638, which would restore Idaho’s presidential primary to March and include a ballot-access fee, received testimony from the Secretary of State and others; supporters argued it would increase participation, while the Secretary preferred a May primary for cost and consolidation reasons but still favored a primary over caucuses. The committee sent HB 638 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. RS 3347 was then held subject to the call of the chair, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would urge members to support this conference report adoption.
• So, I'd urge support.
• </c> So, I'd urge support. So, I'd urge support.
• So it's important that we support them in that.
• Thank you in great staff support.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a Senate message announcing that the Senate had concurred in and adopted the conference committee report on Senate File 2370, the cannabis bill. Representative Stevenson moved adoption of the report and explained that the conference committee had largely retained House provisions while making additional changes, including directing the Office of Cannabis Management to return with a medical-market streamlining proposal, expanding testing capacity, and adding an expungement provision. Representative West also urged adoption, saying the bill improved the measure and moved Minnesota closer to a safe, tested, legal cannabis market. During debate on the bill, West argued that the legislation was still too restrictive but would help create a functioning market, support hemp businesses, ease burdens on medical cannabis operators, and improve public safety and expungement outcomes. Stevenson emphasized the bill’s low-potency hemp beverage wholesaler licensing provisions, saying they would support Minnesota breweries and create a needed wholesaling segment in the cannabis supply chain. He also noted that the bill would generate some licensing revenue and help the state’s cannabis market develop more efficiently. Members also discussed the importance of preserving the medical cannabis program for patients, including children with seizure disorders, and the need for clearer local control as cities and counties work with preliminary licensees before market launch. Hansen said local governments have key responsibilities under the legalization framework and warned that delays could affect the expected early 2025 launch. After debate, the House adopted the conference report, and the bill passed as amended by conference on an 80-50 vote, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support funding for new water projects and for water infrastructure projects We support incentives
• How would you suggest that the legislature, the state, support Support those cities that have grown so
• Six FTEs to support.
• We want to support the funding side.
• Without funding support, we really.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, those are important as you can help us support those.
• We support the Texas Medical Center.
• We support funding for new water projects and for water infrastructure projects.
• Produce Water Consortium, of course, continuing to support the advancement and development and demonstration
• So that's kind of our, uh, why we're, why we're supporting the. That effort.