Video & Transcript Research : 'Code Commissioner'
Page 179 of 500
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Code 3, 8, 4, 3, 0, 2, You're recognized to explain that. Delete all. Thank you, Mr.
- You're recognized to explain the delete All Amendment bar code 9, 1, 8, 4, 0, 0, Thank you, chair. >>
- Amendment bar code 2, 8, 1, 2, 4, 6, Senator Collins. You're recognized to explain that amendment.
- Thank you, Commissioner.
- Bar Code 4, 7, 9, 5, 4, 2, >> Thank you very much. Mister Chair.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Commerce and Tourism Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Florida has not yet adopted article 12 of the Uniform Uniform Commercial Code and current Florida
- opportunity to ask questions after the bill as amended you're recognized to explain Amendment bar code
- And commissioner follow-up, thank you. Thank you, Mister Chair. Thank you. Mister Chair.
- Amendment bar code 1, 6, 7, 7, 5, 6, Thank you, Mr.
- There is One Amendment Amendment bar code 4, 4, 5, 7, 8, 4, by Senator Lee Senator leak.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Marquart, he won't always be the commissioner.
- <01:14:23.000>
must <01:14:23.199>make earlier um the commissioner must make earlier - um the commissioner must make grants<01:14:23.760>
to <01:14:24.040>one <01:14:24.360>< - marquart he won't friend commissioner marquart he won't always<01:14:41.360>
be <01:14:41.480> - >
just always be the commissioner so I just always be the commissioner so I just think<01:14:43.040
Keywords:
taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- In the 2024 report, we really went over the history of the commission, our current commissioners and
- The commissioners started meeting in January of 2020 and continued to meet since then.
- Each of the commissioners are chosen by different entities of the state: OHA, the governor, the chief
- <00:02:40.760>
and <00:02:41.000>current our current Commissioners and current our - We're trying to get signs on the rail system with a QR code. So we're doing a lot.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Jul 28th, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Emanuel is recognized for the question of women's— Oh, Commissioner. Commissioner.
- The majority-minority commissioners' precinct is driven by that.
- Thank you, Commissioner. for us to open up that room across the hall.
- Commissioner, thank you for having us here today.
- ' Court, as heard earlier from Commissioner Elisa Simmons.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Information Technology Committee Jul 8th, 2026
Information Technology Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- lot more development work than we do today, and maybe that application was something where we did code
- So is this in Century Code? Okay, this definition is in Century Code. That's correct.
- So is this in Century Code? Okay, this definition is in Century Code. That's correct.
- I'm the Deputy Commissioner, Chief Information Officer for the North Dakota University System.
- Corey Quirk, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Information Officer for the North Dakota University System
Summary:
The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results.
In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system.
The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/15/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- The local code official, when there is one in place, can do code modifications.
- <01:32:00.320>
in <01:32:00.560>in code lingo in the building code in in code lingo - >
code. - the authority under the building code. the authority under the building code.
- <01:42:10.239>
or <01:42:10.480>the codes, whether the fire code or the codes, whether
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The insurance commissioner gets a 2% tax on insurance premiums. That's in there.
- 135 zip codes.
- And you just pay a proportional amount of retail sales tax based on that pool code.
- Pool code is also allowed for the MPU, again, in a similar situation.
- , you are also able to use the pool code in that instance.
Summary:
The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials.
The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute.
Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Jan 15th, 2026 at 03:02 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The binding report of the tax commissioner has been done since about 1900.
- Then around 2023-24, there used to be rates in the code as to what those taxes were.
- The rates in the code as to what those taxes were were changed to whatever CMS will allow.
- We have that in place in the code. And these higher fees offset the loss on fuel tax.
- We have that in place in the code.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure.
Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues.
Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- But there is a QR code. If you are somebody who likes the finer details.
- So if you look at at that and off for any at this point. >> Commissioner, thank you.
- These modifications were also made in Florida Administrative code to provide an opportunity for our community
- So the licensing process in the administrative code in the operating procedure, there was a work group
- I would refer back to that code into the operating procedure for the specifics for what is required for
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee Meeting Jun 4th, 2026
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 388, Padilla, California Latino Commission, do pass as amended to shorten commissioner terms to two
- SB 261, Wahab, labor commissioner enforcement, do pass as amended to strike the online posting requirement
- SB 41, Wiener, pharmacy benefit managers, do pass with author's amendments to remove Insurance Code provisions
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 29, 2025 suspense hearing on Senate bills, with the chair emphasizing the state’s ongoing budget constraints and the need to make difficult choices among 261 bills on the suspense file. After establishing a quorum, the committee began taking action bill by bill, with many measures receiving do pass or do pass with amendments recommendations, while others were held in committee or designated as two-year bills. The chair noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later on the committee website.
The hearing covered a wide range of topics, including insurance and claims data, wildfire relief and prevention, water planning, energy and utility regulation, housing and land use, health care, labor and employment, criminal justice, education, environmental policy, and election-related measures. Several bills were amended before passage, often to narrow scope, remove sections, adjust definitions, delay implementation, or clarify funding and enforcement provisions. Some notable actions included moving bills on AI regulation, transit-oriented housing, paid family leave, wildfire mapping, chemical hair relaxers, and pharmacy benefit managers, while other bills on subjects such as controlled substances, high-speed rail, and certain education or housing proposals were held.
The committee also took formal roll-call votes on selected bills, with some passing on A roll calls and others on B roll calls; a number of measures were advanced with Republicans not voting. One highlighted vote was SB 79 by Senator Wiener, which passed after amendments and a recorded roll call. At the end of the hearing, the committee reported that 190 bills were moved to the Assembly Floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, concluding the suspense hearing for the session.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband May 2nd, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, Commissioner Botkin. Members, any questions of the commissioner?
- You are seeking to amend section 660002 of the Utilities Code.
Keywords:
broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee REVISED: Oklahoma Broadband Office added Jan 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
A&B Finance Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, the commissioners, my bosses, they can't waive the actual tax liability; they don't have the authority
- take us roughly, as you can see here, almost 30 months to process a waiver just to get it to the commissioners
- we're closer to 30 days right now. simply because it used to be that the sheet we prepared for the commissioners
- We refined all that and worked with our commissioners.
- Because I don't believe you should be punished because of your zip code.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint hearings with the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition to examine financial aggression, focusing on how the Chinese Communist Party exploits American retirees and undermines national security. Apr 9th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Aging (Special) Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- He's worked as special counsel in policy advisor to Commissioner Scott Amalia at the U.S.
- Now many syndicates have been formed with the idea of leasing the code.
- their investigators, their enforcers, and the President even went so far as to attempt to fire commissioners
- from the, just the Democratic commissioners of the FTC.
- Give me any Chinese technology that's advanced and you reverse engineer it, I'll show you American code
Keywords:
Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action
Summary:
The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- the Industrial Commission is made up of the governor as chair, the Attorney General, and the Ag Commissioner
- The Attorney General and the Ag Commissioner.
- The color coding there, the projects that you see in red, those were funded with 2022-23 money.
- Our tax code is a mess in terms of enhanced oil recovery and the extraction tax.
- They're the ones that are going to crack the code, figure it out, and then the large companies will follow
Summary:
The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia.
Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash.
Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing.
The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, and thank you Representative Overdorf for allowing me to prime code this great bill with you
- And thank you, Representative Overdorf, for allowing me to prime code this great bill with you.
- We have, from the city of Miami, Commissioner Damien Pardo.
- We have from the city of Miami, Commissioner Damien Pardo.
- We need one standard of high-quality care available to everyone, regardless of income or zip code.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0.
The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18.
Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Sep 8th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 359 amends the Revenue and Taxation Code to explicitly include county-run transit systems in the fuel
- SB 568 simply updates the code to account for new and improved medication on the market.
- The existing process to file and pursue a wage theft claim to the State Labor Commissioner is long and
- Even after the Labor Commissioner issues that judgment, employers often don’t pay.
- The appointment of the commissioners is by the Governor and the Democratic leaders of the State Senate
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long floor file with many Senate bills. Early procedural actions included unanimous-consent motions, a successful roll-call to rescind prior action on SB 351, and a 54-vote suspension of Joint Rule 61(a)(3) to allow floor amendments on SBs 80, 351, and 415. The chamber also made several referrals, moved one item to the inactive file, and welcomed new Assembly Member Natasha Johnson and other guests.
The bulk of the meeting consisted of concurrence and third-reading votes on a wide range of measures, many of them passing with little or no opposition. Topics included tribal gaming grants (AB 221), State Bar fee and bar exam changes (SB 253), AI guardrails in community colleges (SB 241), consumer arbitration clauses (SB 82), due process for law enforcement in Racial Justice Act cases (SB 734), dental payment fee disclosures (SB 386), HOA balcony inspection reports (SB 410), farmland protection and EIFD rules (SB 5 and SB 516), emergency shelter zoning (SB 340), HIV confidentiality (SB 504), election signature-cure reforms (SB 3), contractor workers’ compensation compliance (SB 291), fire training funding (SB 345), wage theft enforcement (SB 355 and SB 261), food allergen disclosures (SB 68), ride-share insurance coverage (SB 371), housing and disaster recovery measures (SB 233, SB 625, SB 21), midwifery education (SB 520), mobile home insurance access (SB 525), epinephrine in schools (SB 568), health facility emergency licensing (SB 582), hair relaxer enforcement (SB 236), wastewater surveillance (SB 317), and several tax, transportation, and public health bills.
A number of bills drew brief policy debate or opposition. SB 388, creating a California Latino Commission, prompted criticism from some members who argued the money should go directly to community needs rather than a new commission; it still passed. SB 50 on digital safety for victims of abuse, SB 20 on silicosis prevention, SB 306 on prior authorization reform, SB 373 on oversight of out-of-state special education placements, and SB 437 on reparations descendant-status verification were among the more substantive and discussed measures. Most bills passed by wide margins, often unanimously, and several urgency or tax-levy measures required 54 votes and were approved. The session ended with continued passage of remaining file items and multiple items retained or passed temporarily for later action.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Further modification limits commissioners to a 12-year consecutive term, whether elected or appointed
- So, this measure changes how those commissioners are selected. Is that correct? That is correct.
- So, currently, some commissioners must be nonlawyers and cannot have family members who are attorneys
- Currently, the law ensures that no more than a certain number of commissioners belong to the same political
- So can you clarify what is meant by foreign law, legal code, or system in practical terms?
Bills:
HJR1024, SB1316, SB1491, SB1552, SB1679, SB1877, SB2040, SB2133, SB2153, SB2174, SB2180, SB227, SJR39, SJR47, SJR48
Keywords:
Judicial Nominating Commission, congressional districts, terms of office, Oklahoma Constitution, legal qualifications, political party restrictions, family ties, administrative rules, sunset provision, state agencies, regulatory review, legislative oversight, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, county home rule charter, home rule, county government
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As a proud sponsor of AB 554, Commissioner Lara would like to thank Assembly Members Gonzalez and Haney
- On behalf of Commissioner Ricardo Lara, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
- HIV does not discriminate by zip code, background, or identity.
- HIV does not discriminate by zip code, background, or identity.
- That’s what I did as a commissioner on the Song-Brown Commission.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost.
The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns.
Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.