Transcript Highlights:

• Republican colleagues are pushing for Trump tax scam 2.0 using a budget trick to say that they're not
• My last one is oversight.
• Well then you're going to need to reject the Republican budget plan.
• Oz, I believe Medicaid is on the chopping block. because of the Republican budget and Mr.
• Kaiser Family Foundation explaining the Congressional Budget Letter from March 7th, 2025.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope we, you know, have the money for that as we do the budget.
• Given the lack of oversight in the U.S., international surrogacy is increasing rapidly and has become
• Given the lack of oversight in the U.S., international surrogacy is increasing rapidly and has become
• We'll save the traditional hanky drop ceremony for our special session on the budget.
• As we continue to work on the budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• This project was first proposed in Governor Inslee's budget back in 2020, 2023, 2025, so it's been going
• This was appropriated in the last biennial budget.
• This study was first in the 2022-25 budget.
• Now the 2026 budget, we’re looking at about $8 a ton. So a big increase.
• We’re budgeting for 2026 with a fully equipped dump truck, and we’re coming right up at $370,000.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• After going out and speaking budgets.
• </c> department for oversight and regulation. department for oversight and regulation.
• If there oversight should that happen.
• </c><05:55:55.920><c> and</c> strengthening oversight and strengthening oversight and sustainability<
• </c> budget impact of almost $1.7 million. budget impact of almost $1.7 million.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> could affect that part of the budget. could affect that part of the budget.
• It's not an addition to anybody's budget for receiving services.
• Please introduce yourself for the record and proceed. budget, somebody's budget to cover uh budget, somebody's
• </c><01:23:28.159><c> This</c> budget for receiving services. This budget for receiving services.
• And so budget and we need a lifeboat.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So it gives that group the autonomy over the budgeting and if those funds are not available then they
• of the local health approved budget of the local health department.<00:09:07.600><c> Now,</c><00:09:
• for the health department on an budget for the health department on an annual<00:09:26.480><c> basis
• ,</c> um preserves physician oversight, um preserves physician oversight, informed<01:45:06.239><c> consent
• ,<01:50:15.119><c> informed</c><01:50:15.679><c> consent,</c> oversight, informed consent, oversight,

Committee: Joint Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We received the capital budget from Governor AOT and a projected budget from Governor AOT and a projected
• </c> budget. That project's been encumbered. budget. That project's been encumbered.
• “If that occurs, would that be an issue then that would be dealt with in the capital budget oversight
• </c><00:47:57.839><c> oversight</c><00:47:58.400><c> or</c> with in the capital budget oversight or with
• in the capital budget oversight or do<00:47:58.800><c> you</c><00:47:58.960><c> think</c><00:47:59.040

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't balance this budget by not paying.
• on budget and fiscal review, presented...
• I think the budget chair and we had a conversation about this.
• , to take effect immediately: budget bill.
• Call him in before an oversight hearing, personally, call him in before an oversight hearing, personally

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it can make a difference to the people who will suffer most from budget cuts.
• It is to be prudent about how you spend your budget and have reserve funds.
• And just wanted to obviously note that we have a budget deficit right now.
• In 2025, Governor Newsom included a partial tax exemption in his budget for military retiree pay.
• To allocate in the budget procedures to address important priorities.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, echoing the words of my two colleagues that spoke before me, we are in a self-inflicted budget
• Our, like I said, our budget—if I take my philosophical hat off—we're looking at our budget or we're
• trying to balance our budget.
• We've got budget things, we've got other concerns, public safety.
• For the record, Yakima County has included our portion of funding for this position into our budget.

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on several bills. SB 5865 on garnishment forms was amended to require the Washington Pattern Forms Committee to finish the new forms by December 31, 2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2027; a competing amendment was withdrawn, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. SB 5880 on toxicology testing by certified laboratories was amended to clarify that local governments may accept private donations to help fund ISO-IEC 17025 testing, without requiring them to do so, and it also received a due pass recommendation. SB 5912 to reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force was amended to remove legislators from the task force, add members, revise duties and reporting, and adjust staffing and reimbursement provisions; it too was advanced. SB 5855 on law enforcement face coverings drew extensive amendment debate. The committee rejected amendments that would have narrowed mask exceptions, added weather/environmental language, created a private right of action against federal officers, and established a claims account for officers, but adopted the proposed substitute and sent the bill forward on a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard public testimony on SB 6011, which would let Court of Appeals bailiffs conduct threat assessments and access certain criminal history information for Court of Appeals judges and staff, mirroring authority already given to Supreme Court bailiffs. The bill’s sponsor and the acting chief judge for Division I said the change would address increasing threats and allow bailiffs to investigate and refer matters efficiently; there was no opposition testimony. SB 6009, which would make permanent direct-review procedures for certain administrative and land-use decisions, was described as a successful COVID-era process that reduces unnecessary court steps and conserves resources. The sponsor and a Court of Appeals judge supported making the sunset provisions permanent, and testimony was generally favorable. Public hearing also continued on SB 5868, which would add one Superior Court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Court officials, county leaders, and the Administrative Office of the Courts testified that both counties have growing caseloads, trial delays, and backlogs, and that the counties had budgeted their share of the cost. The committee then heard SB 5974, which would add eligibility requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, restrict the use of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, and clarify duties of sheriffs. Supporters argued the bill would improve professionalism, accountability, and public trust, especially in immigrant and survivor communities. Opponents, including several sheriffs, cities, and counties, argued it would undermine local control and voter authority, impose costly background checks, and raise constitutional concerns. Public testimony on SB 5974 closed when time expired, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're on the mandatory side of the federal budget. So what does that mean?
• is we have a unique opportunity because we are working with the Federal Office of Management and Budget
• We are working with the Federal Office of Management and Budget, OMB, who have invited us to work with
• Because the cost allocation approval for Arkansas, that's done by the Office of Management and Budget
• And so again, if you have a cost allocation...” “...budget.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee met to hear consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie discuss Arkansas’s “one door/no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. Bishop argued that the current system is fragmented across multiple agencies, offices, and portals, making it hard for job seekers and employers to access services efficiently. He said the goal is to create a more integrated system that promotes upward mobility, longer labor force attachment, better employer access to talent, greater efficiency, and faster adaptation to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as a model, describing how that state combined workforce and public assistance functions into a single agency, used statewide cost allocation to blend funding streams, and improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said Arkansas should consider integrating governance, service delivery, and financing, including possible waivers, a statewide cost allocation plan, and a benefits-cliff pilot. He also said Arkansas’s current local workforce board structure creates duplication and weak coordination, and that Launch is a useful tool but not a full service-delivery system. Committee members asked how the proposal would work in practice, including whether TANF could be used to cross-train DHS workers, how federal waivers might be obtained, how local boards would be affected, and how disabled clients would be handled. Bishop said TANF should be treated as part of a workforce strategy, that federal pilot authority for workforce reform nearly passed but did not, and that waivers are now the practical path. He also said Arkansas could either merge functions more fully or at minimum co-locate workforce staff in DHS offices statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with plans to continue the discussion in August, including a focus on case management and whether the state is managing programs or people.

Transcript Highlights:

• establish Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
• of certain property known as Fenn Farm, to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
• The Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. Mr.
• talking about the federal employees at the EPA, for example, the current Office of Management and Budget
• , and thoughtful input from numerous partners and advocates to strengthen oversight, transparency, and

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial business, including adoption of resolutions recognizing the Copernicus Institute and honoring October 2025 as Polish American Heritage Month. Members also concurred in Senate petitions and suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several new petitions to be referred, including proposals on employer notice of I-9 records, Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a sick leave bank for a trial court employee, and the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm. The chamber then advanced several local and administrative bills, including legislation authorizing MassDOT to convey land in Stoneham and bills on child welfare protections, transit-worker assault penalties, and other local matters. The most substantial debate centered on House No. 4645, a substitute bill addressing assault and battery on transit workers. Supporters argued that transit employees face rising violence and deserve protections similar to other public employees, citing MBTA assault statistics and testimony from workers describing threats, spitting, weapons, and serious injuries. The House accepted the substitute bill and passed it to be engrossed by roll call, 116-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed a child welfare bill, House No. 4644, after debate on expanded DCF reporting, discharge planning, the independence of the Office of the Child Advocate, education coordination for children in care, and child fatality review reforms; amendments were adopted, including one adding a Department of Social Services social worker to the fatality review team and another creating a commission to study a digital education portfolio for foster youth. The House also adopted an emergency preamble for a bonds bill and passed several engrossed local bills, including measures affecting Hull, Lanesborough, and Norton. The session included a formal visit from a Hokkaido, Japan delegation marking the 35th anniversary of the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister-state relationship, with remarks entered into the Journal. Members observed moments of silence for Bernard Fang and former Representative Thomas George, and the House later adopted a special adjournment in memory of Mark Haren before adjourning to meet the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• operating budget, because it's limited to the pro rata portion, it would not exceed the operating budget
• ; it would be capped at what the operating budget is.
• On that basis, it would never exceed the operating budget in total.
• Where does the money go that is not paid to the member's operating budget?
• You've already said that the money that's for the budget budget or the fines, the fines that are collected

Bills: SB 1 , HCR20 , HR131 , HR133 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , HR158 , HR161 , HR162 , HR163 , HR165 , HR166 , HR168 , HR169 , HR170 , HR175 , HR178 , HR127 , HR129 , HR130 , HR132 , HR134 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR143 , HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR159 , HR160 , HR164 , HR167 , HR172 , HR173 , HR176 , SB1 , HB8 , HB15 , HB27 , SB5

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the opportunity to sit on the budget committee dealing with California's healthcare budget.
• I happen to sit on the budget subcommittee that deals on health.
• As we face a major budget deficit and weeks of difficult conversations around cuts.
• Our budget relies on it. Tens of thousands of jobs in San Francisco.
• All of our city's budgets, as they are also facing some of their budget challenges right now, we should

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee to order.
• </c> answer questions about their oversight answer questions about their oversight of<00:37:12.440><c
• Perhaps that needs oversight through the Department of Administration, Management and Budget, Department
• Perhaps that needs oversight through the Department of Administration, Management and Budget, Department
• </c> fraud and we can balance the budget fraud and we can balance the budget we're<01:42:32.880><c> doing

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• How often, or when was the last time the executive budget and the JLBC budget had the same revenue numbers
• Other executive budgets that are far closer together in terms of base revenue budgets. Haven't you?
• He's giving us the baseline budget.
• budget where we're going to do all of these ongoing expenses and not budget for them in the out years
• Want to talk about the executive budget? Their budget is $18.7 billion.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee of Appropriations met on January 21, 2026, and first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor and Arizona Department of Water Resources both supported the bill, describing it as a backup measure to protect Arizona’s Colorado River entitlements if post-2026 negotiations among the basin states fail. Members discussed how the bill relates to the governor’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund proposal, and staff clarified the two funds serve different purposes. The committee approved HB 2116 on a 17-1 roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which would provide $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expand the work beyond state trust lands to private lands. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to extend the coordination timeline, broaden the agencies involved, and revise language about mapped sites and appropriable surface water. The sponsor said the bill is intended to identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge rather than letting most rainfall evaporate. ADWR testified neutrally, supporting the mapping effort but raising a concern about language that could be read as requiring the department to determine whether water is appropriable, which it said is a legal question for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148, as amended, was then heard and approved 11-7. The bill would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies and set requirements for those appropriations. The chair’s amendment excluded federal research grants to universities, university employees, and the Arizona Board of Regents. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, saying the legislature should know how federal funds are being spent. No outside testimony was offered, and the committee approved the measure after debate about legislative oversight of federal funds. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, tax conformity, sports betting, lottery and tourism revenue assumptions, SNAP administrative costs and error-rate penalties, developmental disability and Access caseload growth, and K-12 enrollment and ESA spending. Members repeatedly questioned the executive budget’s use of one-time funding for ongoing costs, especially for SNAP administration and DES staffing, and expressed concern about rising supplemental needs and the lack of long-term budget capacity. No votes were taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> already paid for that in other budgets already paid for that in other budgets because<00:36:19.680
• Future until we start seeing that show up on budgets?
• </c> potentially you know we're also a budget potentially you know we're also a budget committee<01:20
• </c> uh receiving the governor's budget uh receiving the governor's budget overview<01:41:30.719><c>
• </c> would like to respond to um the budget would like to respond to um the budget proposal<01:41:49.480

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget on that cycle, on complying with RENA.
• In the seventh cycle, they expect that to balloon up to nearly a quarter of their annual budget.
• The average operating budget of the associations in her district is $117,500.
• We have also as a state legislature voted on our own state budget just last night.
• She added that if there is a threat of not having that oversight, then maybe there will be closer oversight

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the largest portion of our budget.
• They've built risk corridors, all without legislative oversight.
• Budget Committee has said that the Speaker of the House does not control the budget, and the Senate
• President doesn’t control the budget, and the Governor doesn’t control the budget.
• Medicaid controls the budget.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1414 by Sen. Polsky on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) education. The bill would require the Department of Health, working with medical experts, to create and distribute CMV educational materials to expectant and new parents or caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, and OB/GYN practices. An amendment removed a section that would have required instruction for medical professionals, and the amended bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then took up a block of confirmations. Appointees on tabs 2 through 7 were recommended favorably in one vote, and Chavon Harris was separately confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after extensive questioning. Senators praised her leadership and experience, while others raised concerns about Medicaid redeterminations, the state’s CORE modernization project, Hope Florida, and a DCF anti-marijuana ad campaign; Harris said she would follow up on some issues and defended the agency’s work on transparency, managed care oversight, and access to care. Her confirmation was recommended favorably, with Sen. Berman noting opposition. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. SB 186 by Sen. Garcia expanded epilepsy training requirements for school personnel, including charter school bus drivers, and was reported favorably. SB 902 by Sen. Garcia, after amendments narrowing dental workforce provisions and allowing certain seizure rescue medication delegation to family home health aides, was reported favorably; testimony focused on medical marijuana regulation, practitioner accountability, and concerns about park and child-care proximity restrictions. SB 196 by Sen. Sharif created a uterine fibroid research database with privacy protections and was reported favorably after emotional testimony from a patient and supporters. SB 688 by Sen. Rodriguez would reestablish licensure of naturopathic doctors; it drew both support and skepticism about diagnosis and treatment boundaries, but was reported favorably. SB 1574, Maddie’s Law, would add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening and was strongly supported by parents describing a delayed diagnosis; it was reported favorably. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 1092 on podiatric medicine and certain cellular/tissue-based products, and SB 1032 on medical marijuana registry timelines and veteran fee waivers were also reported favorably, while SB 1032 drew debate over longer renewal/supply periods. The committee then began SB 1760 on Medicaid oversight and program transparency, with the sponsor describing the bill’s creation of a joint legislative oversight committee and a legislative actuary.

Transcript Highlights:

• I agree with all of that, but then where is the oversight?
• I agree with all of that, but then where is the oversight?
• This legislation doesn't create budget increases for the court.
• Obviously, budget is always a concern, but OAH has...
• Obviously, budget is always a concern, but OAH has consistently had the same operating budget since I've

Bills: SB1285 , SB1289 , SB1326 , SB1328 , SB1329 , SB1330 , SB1392 , SB1402 , SB1425 , SCR1013 , SCR1014

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: sentencing, correctional facilities, multiple sentences, death penalty, aggravating circumstances, juvenile offenses, class 2 felony, foreign donations, election administration, certification, Arizona Revised Statutes, transparency, public disclosure, victims' rights, attorney fees, government accountability, right to counsel, legal representation, parents' rights, family law