Transcript Highlights:

• That's the automation and data collection.
• That's the collecting of data, validating the data, and leading us to phase three, which is the mitigation
• We think 24-7 data on these drains could be invaluable.
• We think 24/7 data on these drains could be invaluable.
• We think 24-7 data on these drains could be invaluable.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, can schools utilize that data? Is there other uses for it, too? Thank you.
• Can schools utilize that data?
• So I never input. I only look and see what my kids have. But I have a list of kids.
• So I never input. I only look and see what my kids have. But I have a list of kids.
• So I never input. I only look and see what my kids have. But I have a list of kids.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• On that date, our catastrophe modeling regulation, our California-only net cost of reinsurance regulation
• I think it's outdated regulation.
• And we need to do that with data.
• I look forward to seeing that data because, you know, the limited data that I did review on that space
• And we need to regulate, we need to put that in statute and regulation so that they're no longer holding

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency must also post on its website data regarding noncompliance and fraud investigations related
• Checking more data sources more frequently allows DES to identify changes that affect eligibility more
• That's exactly why these data checks matter so much, because they're designed to catch these mistakes
• The bill is about increasing data sharing and tracking of key eligibility factors like EBT spending,
• Federal data makes clear why this protection is necessary. The U.S.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a JLBC presentation on H.R. 1’s SNAP impacts, including expanded work requirements, higher state administrative costs, and a potential state share of benefits if Arizona’s payment error rate remains above 6%. JLBC estimated the administrative cost increase at about $33 million in FY 2027 and $44 million in FY 2028, and said a 2024 error rate of 8.8% could expose the state to about $139 million in benefit costs starting in FY 2028. The chair also opened the meeting by asking members and speakers to keep remarks shorter to improve efficiency. The committee then considered several SNAP-related bills. HB 2797, which requires DES to more frequently verify eligibility through data matching, post fraud/noncompliance data, and address out-of-state EBT purchases, passed 7-5. HB 2442, requiring certain able-bodied SNAP adults with school-age children to participate in employment and training unless exempt, also passed 7-5. HB 2448, which limits DES’s ability to seek work-requirement waivers or discretionary exemptions without legislative authorization, passed 7-5. HB 2206, which sets a goal of reducing the SNAP payment error rate to 3% by 2030 and adds reporting and corrective-action requirements, passed 7-5 after debate over staffing, technology, and whether the target was realistic. The committee also advanced HB 2180, appropriating $2.5 million to the University of Arizona for AZ REACH, a hospital transfer coordination program serving rural facilities. Supporters said it improves patient transfers and reduces burdens on rural hospitals; some health system representatives were neutral but asked for operational improvements. HB 2180 passed 11-1. HB 2184, as amended, passed 7-4-1; it would extend fetal death certificate filing and require patients to be informed of the option to transfer fetal remains to a funeral home, with supporters describing it as a matter of parental dignity and closure. HB 2188, as amended, creating a Language Acquisition Grant Program for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, passed unanimously after testimony about balancing spoken-language and ASL options. The committee then began hearing HB 2194, a bill requiring insurers to provide a contact for detailed explanations after claim or prior-authorization denials, but the transcript ends before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have private vendors that are also there that are not regulated.
• They're not regulated across this. There is no regulation when it comes to the prices.
• They're not regulated across this. There is no regulation when it comes to the prices.
• Great, thank you all very much for your input.
• I don't see any other opposition witness, so let's go to public input.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND MAKE A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER THEY WOULD KEEP THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
• WE HAVE OVER 170,000 RULES AND REGULATIONS IN FLORIDA.
• I RAN FOR OFFICE ON A PLATFORM THE LESS REGULATION AND MORE FREE ENTERPRISE.
• THE COMMITTEE RELEASED REGULATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT ONTO THE LEGISLATURE AT THE END OF 2023.
• WE REGULATE A LOT OF THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND WE BELIEVE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Transcript Highlights:

• It expressly authorizes the department to waive regulations applicable to child care. Excuse me.
• For that, the state regulations have been reflect that reality.
• CWDA continues to engage DSS on our request to access county-level data...
• I don't have expenditure data before.
• But as of last year, that data is now being shared, as Francis mentioned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or regulated alcohol beverages. or regulated alcohol beverages.
• So that's why we landed on an and input.
• Sorry, the ninth instance of amendment, the data collection.
• </c> lot of um consideration for best data lot of um consideration for best data management<01:27:05.600
• </c><01:43:13.119><c> collection</c> uh if more granular data collection uh if more granular data collection

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your input today. Thank you. Okay. Motion's in order.
• fall under our purview of having data on their criminal background.
• Raw milk is regulated by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
• I mean, regulation doesn't eliminate all risk.
• And so we know that even the regulations don't prevent illness and...

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:26.720><c> uh</c> Department of Commerce the regulator uh Department of Commerce the regulator
• </c><00:42:27.880><c> from</c> we've seen slides that have data from we've seen slides that have data
• </c> makes complete sense that the regulator makes complete sense that the regulator of<01:34:22.960>
• Because the regulator knows the enforcement division has to be a part of what the regulator does. 100%
• Because the regulator knows the enforcement division has to be a part of what the regulator does. 100%

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It is meant for the data to be consistent across hospitals to be usable, largely for data aggregators
• I'm talking about the slew of regulations, the truth-in-insurance regulations, that are similar to what
• And it is that that data is robust, that data has a significant size so that we're not making spurious
• of that said data.
• Like, you know, when we look at data, when we look at analysis of data, there's certain psychometrics

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Mortgage Finance Authority regulates that.
• And so all of that is regulated by MFA, and they have to approve all that.
• Residential regulations. Thank you. Representative Matthews, thank you, Madam Chair.
• And I don't get the vibe that they're wanting me to impose regulations on them.
• Impose regulations on them. Casitas are not a problem in our area.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about objective data, not subjective data or subjective surveys.
• for our housing providers and regulation for our housing providers and this<00:59:31.760><c> bill</c
• This amendment would add unnecessary regulation for our housing providers.
• Voting stations are open for 30 seconds. regulation and will exacerbate the regulation and will exacerbate
• </c> the middle of a workday public input the middle of a workday public input should<04:24:38.640><c

Transcript Highlights:

• We're always looking for new data sources that will provide us with high quality data that can be used
• And so we look at those different... data points to see if they're acting on that data.
• from those data sources.
• . ensure the quality of that data, we can ensure the security of how that data is transmitted because
• We have been getting data.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulators need to treat it as such.
• The regulator-initiated debanking.
• It is not the regulators.
• I believe it's the regulators. How about you, sir? It's definitely regulators.
• And in fact, the regulators, and this is quite interesting, at least to me, the regulators have defined

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The pilot program, there is limited data on the pilot program.
• As I said before, there is limited data on that.
• ’ve heard, the data being limited, and I believe, don’t quote me on the year, but... ...the data being
• It's a data bill. As you read through it, you'll see the words metadata.
• You'll see structured data. You'll see a lot of categories. I don't know.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard six bills, all of which were reported favorably. HB 1567, relating to insulin administration by direct support professionals, was amended to clarify the type of insulin that may be administered and to allow supervision of self-administration of an insulin pen. Supporters described the bill as a way to keep people with developmental disabilities in group homes rather than forcing institutional placement; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously, 17-0. PCS for HB 1103, on services for persons with disabilities, would expand the APD managed care pilot statewide in phases, require more transparency on waitlist data, create a statewide family care council, and address transition services for young adults leaving foster care. Testimony was mixed: supporters emphasized the long APD waitlist and the need for a voluntary option, while some witnesses and members raised concerns about the accelerated rollout, limited data, and preserving consumer-directed care. The committee adopted the bill 17-0. CS for HB 127, on exceptional student education, would create micro-credentials and coordinate with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA to support students with disabilities transitioning to work; it passed 17-0 after testimony from a parent and advocates. HB 989, concerning licensure of family foster homes, was amended to streamline license transfers for foster parents moving within Florida while maintaining oversight and directing DCF rulemaking. A teacher and other supporters said the bill would reduce bureaucracy and help children remain in stable homes; it passed 17-0. PCS for HB 1091, on substance abuse and mental health care, updates processes related to the 988 crisis line, methadone treatment needs assessments, and forensic evaluators, and adds data/reporting requirements for DCF managing entities. After one amendment and testimony from supporters and one opponent, it passed 16-0. Finally, HB 633, on behavioral health managing entities, was amended and then approved 17-0; it requires more structured data and reporting from managing entities to increase accountability and transparency in the behavioral health system.

Transcript Highlights:

• can access in the PDF links that I filed as a, uh, testimony, um, online, you can read it, and the data
• </c><00:03:42.280><c> says</c> online you can read it and the data says online you can read it and the
• data says that<00:03:42.720><c> exposure</c><00:03:43.120><c> to</c><00:03:43.239><c> Urban</c><00:03
• But I think we need to have more community participation and input to really get a solution that will
• But I think we need to have more community participation and input to really get a solution that will

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing-related measures. Senate Bill 65 would appropriate funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority for rehabilitation and repair of public housing units. Testifiers from the Department of Human Services, HPHA, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and Roar Cares supported the bill, emphasizing that repairing vacant units is a fast, cost-effective way to increase available housing for homeless and elderly residents. HPHA later told the committee it had 139 vacant units, with an estimated average repair cost of about $73,000 per unit. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 65 with amendments, including an appropriation of $10,147,000, and the motion passed. The committee also considered Senate Bill 40, which would allow HHFDC to secure a line of credit or other indebtedness for the bond volume cap recycling program. HHFDC supported the measure and explained that Act 35 had provided a $150 million line of credit for fiscal year 2025 only, so this bill would extend that authority; HHFDC said the bonds involved would be revenue bonds. Roar Cares supported the bill, while the chair asked whether the Legislature would need to pass such a bill annually. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage with amendments to specify revenue bonds and noted the administration should study other ways to secure the line of credit without annual legislation. For Senate Bill 35, which would create a Housing Efficiency and Innovation subaccount within the rental housing revolving fund and allow fund transfers without legislative approval, HHFDC and several others supported the measure, arguing that more flexible fund movement would improve efficiency. The committee adopted a recommendation to pass SB 35 with amendments, including language prioritizing projects on state or county land or projects by entities required to reinvest surplus into housing, and noting nonprofit developers could qualify for prioritization. Senate Bill 42, which would repeal certain 30% AMI set-aside and preference requirements for rental housing revolving fund projects, drew opposition from Catholic Charities Hawaii, which argued the bill would reduce the supply of the most vulnerable housing units, while HHFDC warned it could reduce production of 30% AMI units. The committee deferred SB 42. The final bill discussed was Senate Bill 75, which would establish a working group to revise the state’s qualified allocation plan and related rental housing revolving fund loan terms and report back to the Legislature. HHFDC and others offered comments, while Catholic Charities asked that the bill be deferred, saying HHFDC already had the capacity to work with the community without a new law. Roar Cares supported the concept but urged broader stakeholder inclusion. In decision-making, the chair said the committee report would note concerns about prior QAP revisions and the need for more transparent, ongoing stakeholder participation, and the committee recommended passage of SB 75 without amendments. All recommendations were adopted, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have more regulation like this.
• So now we raising taxes, regulating.
• We have 245,000 regulations affordable.
• Let's look at the honest data.
• Eliminates public input. Talk together. Eliminates public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• The data is clear. The carve-outs in this bill are simply not based in the facts.
• And we need more data on that information.
• And although it asserted compliance with federal regulations and state guidelines...
• adopting the use of local databases, not subject to regulation.
• That's determined by the court with your input.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills on public safety, parole, criminal justice oversight, Proposition 36 implementation, behavioral health, gang database reform, cargo theft, and nonconsensual intimate images. The chair explained hearing procedures and noted that SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Several measures were heard but not voted on because quorum was lacking. SB 1446, a committee bill, would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make en banc votes public record, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluation of certain incarcerated people serving determinate or indeterminate terms. Support came from the California District Attorneys Association; opposition came from the Ella Baker Center, Uncommon Law, public defenders, and others who argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The author said the bill was intended to clarify review standards and improve transparency. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual/one-strike offenders from elderly parole eligibility. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office and California District Attorneys Association supported it, citing cases such as Gregory Vogelsang and David Funston; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and others argued elderly parole is already highly restrictive, evidence-based, and cost-effective. Vice Chair Seyarto strongly supported SB 1278, emphasizing victim justice and public safety. SB 1354 would bar out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission; a committee amendment removed a criminal penalty and left enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for Proposition 36 implementation, with committee amendments deleting a specific appropriation and shifting funding decisions to the budget process; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and administration, while opponents criticized the bill as fiscally reckless and duplicative. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer statewide standards for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, especially ABA services for children; supporters said it would improve patient safety and program integrity. SB 1210 would extend CalGang-style oversight, notice, appeal, and DOJ regulation to all gang databases, not just shared ones; supporters described harms from inaccurate, unregulated local databases, while police chiefs opposed applying the CalGang framework to all local investigative files. The committee also heard SB 1019, which would create a DOJ cargo theft task force and add reporting requirements; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, ports, and law enforcement said organized cargo theft is harming supply chains and worker safety, and no opposition was presented. Finally, SB 1217 would create a DOJ clearinghouse to help victims remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, from covered platforms; amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and clarified law enforcement’s role. The author and survivor witnesses described ongoing trauma from repeated reposting of exploitative images and argued the bill would provide a centralized removal process. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1217, with no final votes taken on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• And many of you have data for you.
• </c> market questions and and gather input market questions and and gather input around<00:35:57.280>
• </c> information that the entire regulated information that the entire regulated community<01:24:52.683
• </c><01:25:13.920><c> In</c><01:25:14.159><c> short,</c> for the regulated community.
• In short, for the regulated community. In short, they're<01:25:14.719><c> vital.

Committee: Senate Elections