Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, though, data brokers have 45 days to act on those requests.
• Under current law, though, data brokers have 45 days to act on those requests.
• It passed through a chain of data brokers, trackers, and aggregators that we have never heard of.
• Data brokers underpin nearly every privacy disaster of the modern era.
• SB 923... ...brokers, and it only works through the centralized platform.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• It has also created opportunities for third-party tee-time brokers to capture and broker those times
• that is not performed by consent of the parties. to restrain third-party brokering that is not performed
• We'll leave the roll open. of these brokers that got laughed at and saying that everything they was doing
• 90-plus percent of the tickets that go onto these platforms are being sold by these professional brokers
• affordable price, $120 for general admission, they were all swooped up largely by these secondary brokers

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• at the treasurer's office and the economic development rate program through the Public Utilities Commission
• The commission that just closed last week that are intended to invest in kind of the early, the sectors
• The proposed trailer bill language includes targeted fee adjustments for key programs including broker-dealer
• We commissioned an independent fee study to... in detail appropriate fee recommendations for each program
• , any other industry pays for it, for that type of service, they pay $100 a year for real estate. brokers

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul was commissioned as a naval officer in World War II following his graduation from the University
• When the city's planning commission was disbanded, she fought to restore it.
• It also requires data brokers that sell minors' data to register with the Federal Trade Commission and
• Personal information, and increasing transparency for data brokers, and requiring online platforms to
• It directs the Federal Trade Commission to Directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish a nationwide

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, the bill also specifies that the pharmacy commission may conduct compliance inspections to
• They're sold through a web of brokers and repackers before they even get to the U.S., and then are subsequently
• They're sold through a web of brokers and repackers before they even get to the U.S., and therefore,
• already highly regulated, licensed, and inspected by the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission
• Our Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission expects high standards and takes action when a pharmacy is

Bills: HB2545 , HB2613 , HB1496 , HB2155 , HB2283 , HB2340 , HB2425 , HB2437 , HB2577

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, patients, cardiovascular procedures, outpatient services, surgical facilities, HB2613, compounded medications, compounded drugs, pharmacy compounding, bulk drug substances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, API, drug safety, patient safety, pharmacy license, Washington pharmacy law, RCW 18.64, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA, pharmaceutical compounding

Transcript Highlights:

• But in this case, these are data brokers for which no value has been transmitted to the individual, and
• SB 1106 simply changes, SB 1106 simply shortens the time period for data brokers to comply.
• We don't want to give too much time because what we don't want to have occur is data brokers saying to
• And so this bill simply shortens from 45 days to 30 days the time period that the data brokers have to
• From 45 days to 30 days, the time period that the data brokers have to comply with the requests that

Transcript Highlights:

• The time of school personnel and money being spent on services like brokers would be much better used
• Um, there may be some savings on TPA, but currently uh our broker fees are 2.10% of our premium.
• Um, there may be some savings on TPA, but currently uh our broker fees are 2.10% of our premium.
• Um, there may be some savings on TPA, but currently uh our broker fees are 2.10% of our premium.
• There may be some savings on TPA, but currently uh our broker fees are 2.10% of our premium.

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman from the Banking Commission.
• You are the banking commission. But have you thought about implementation?
• I mean, examples like the currency exchange brokers and online ticket brokers do not have any caps on
• There is no commission. OK. Members, we're going to open up public testimony.
• This is so that the commission can make that information available.

Bills: SB383 , SB1012 , SB1181 , SB1705 , SB2075 , SB2221 , SB2586 , SB2864 , SB2994

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Seven percent to 10% annually is our average rate increase, but we are learning from our insurance broker
• Yeah, Representative Chadwick, every year we go through a broker and we have requests for proposals periodically
• governments, foreign REITs, and companies registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We got, what, seven, eight people signed up, so it should be a good commission here.
• I'll turn it over to the commission members themselves.
• We also have the commission members online.
• It's been an honor to serve on this commission.
• Just as eBay brokers the transaction between a seller and a buyer, just as Lyft or Uber brokers the transaction

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, payment industry groups, and a credit card issuer. Much of the discussion focused on proposed state laws that would limit interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions, especially Illinois’s Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and similar efforts in other states. Witnesses opposing the proposals argued that interchange helps fund fraud protection, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit, and warned that state-by-state rules would create a patchwork that could harm state-chartered banks and credit unions, raise compliance costs, and reduce consumer access to credit. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a significant burden on merchants, especially small businesses, and that current pricing is opaque and often bundled with other processor charges. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides major benefits to merchants and consumers, including security, convenience, faster settlement, online commerce, and broader access to credit. One witness from Capital One said the industry’s losses from fraud and default are substantial and that interchange helps offset those risks; he also noted that merchants already have some tools, such as surcharging where allowed and negotiating clearer processor contracts. Retail representatives and the National Retail Federation countered that small businesses are under pressure from many costs and that interchange and related fees remain a real pain point, with some urging the commission to consider reforms that would return more money to businesses without disrupting the system. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as a significant merchant win that includes temporary rate reductions, more surcharge flexibility, and the ability to decline certain card tiers. No votes were taken. The meeting concluded after all scheduled testimony was heard, with the commission chair saying the session had been productive and that the committee would continue gathering testimony and written comments before making recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got, what, seven, eight people signed up, so it should be a good commission here.
• I'll turn it over to the commission members themselves.
• We also have the commission members online.
• It's been an honor to serve on this commission.
• Just as eBay brokers the transaction between a seller and a buyer, just as Lyft or Uber brokers the transaction

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard testimony from credit union, retail, banking, and payments industry representatives. Much of the discussion focused on proposals to exclude sales tax and tips from interchange fees, the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and related litigation, and whether similar state action in Massachusetts would help small businesses or instead create a patchwork that burdens state-chartered institutions. Witnesses from defense and community credit unions argued interchange helps fund fraud prevention, cybersecurity, member services, and low-fee products, while retail and NRF representatives said merchants are paying significant swipe fees and that state laws like Illinois’s are aimed at reducing costs that are not being passed on to consumers. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides security, fraud protection, rewards, and access to credit, and that many of the costs merchants complain about are actually bundled processor or acquirer fees rather than interchange itself. Others countered that small businesses are struggling with rising overall costs and that Massachusetts should consider reforms such as allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as meaningful relief for merchants and opponents saying it is temporary and incomplete. No formal votes were taken on legislation. The commission accepted oral testimony, noted that written testimony would be accepted through July 31, and concluded the meeting by unanimously voting to adjourn. The chair and members said they would continue gathering testimony and work toward recommendations, with the chair stressing the need to find a fair middle ground that supports both small businesses and the broader payments ecosystem.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go talk to a broker, figure something out.
• Go talk to a broker, figure something out.
• Representative Smith continued: After this bill is passed with this provision in it, that broker can
• Go talk to a broker, figure something out.
• Go talk to a broker, figure something out.

Bills: HF1224 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• the Last Mile Broadband Expansion Program, which is operated by the California Public Utilities Commission
• To meet operational needs, we're requesting a one-time increase of $2.2 million from the Data Broker
• authorize a temporary cash-flow loan of up to $1 million from the Consumer Privacy Fund to the Data Broker
• Registry Fund, due to the timing of our revenue structure and the data broker side.
• To meet operational needs, we're requesting a one-time increase of $2.2 million from the data broker

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for Investigation Relating to Behavioral Health Patient Broker
• I’ve got three of you guys who have been experiencing what patient brokering is, so we’ll do these three
• This is why this patient brokering bill is long overdue.
• Patient brokering is very real.
• And it is known as patient brokering.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21 minutes and then heard SB 1179, which would remove the delayed repeal date and appropriation contingency from the Developmental Disabilities Group Home Monitoring Program. Testimony from Disability Rights Arizona and program managers described the program’s monitoring and investigative work, including identified systemic concerns in group homes, while the sponsor said the effort should continue. SB 1179 received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote, with some members reserving their right to revisit the bill on the floor. The committee then took up SB 1114, appropriating $1 million for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering. Witnesses, including Native advocates, described widespread recruitment of vulnerable people—especially Native Americans—into fraudulent treatment and sober-living schemes, often through social media and across state lines. Members and the sponsor framed the bill as an enforcement response to long-running abuse. SB 1114 passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 1115, which would require AHCCCS/Access employees to work in person rather than remotely; supporters argued remote work had harmed oversight and service delivery, while Access said it would need substantial office space and warned of costs and staffing impacts. SB 1115 passed 4-3. The committee next considered SB 1051, requiring hospitals that accept Access payments to collect patients’ citizenship or immigration status on intake forms and report aggregate data to DHS. Supporters said it was a data-collection and accountability measure; opponents, including nurses and physicians, said it would deter care, undermine trust, and function as immigration surveillance. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1122, dealing with prior authorization and prepayment review for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, was amended to require a corrective action plan before 100% prepayment review; Access said it had minimal concerns with the amended version. It passed unanimously 7-0. SB 1132, a blank appropriation for a new Arizona State Hospital wing, drew testimony from families and advocates about the shortage of psychiatric beds and the effects of the Arnold v. Sarn consent decree; it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1169 for graduate medical education funding, SB 1171 on dual enrollment checks between AHCCCS and exchange plans, and SB 1172 on DCS investigations and court notification, with votes ranging from 4-2 to unanimous support. Finally, the committee heard SB 1173, which would require owners and applicants for outpatient behavioral health facility licenses to be U.S. citizens or lawfully present, with an amendment clarifying lawful permanent resident status. The sponsor said the bill was intended to curb fraud tied to behavioral health licensing and patient brokering; discussion focused on whether the bill language matched that intent. The transcript ends before a final vote on SB 1173.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we go on, what is the Blue Ribbon Commission? Sure.
• We have long regulated franchise offerings, but this law explicitly requires the third-party brokers
• It's a system we call Francis, and this would facilitate the capture of third-party franchise broker
• Now we are on item number 12, the Commission on State Mandates.
• And except for you're called the Commission on State Mandates—nobody likes state mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we go on, what is the Blue Ribbon Commission? Sure.
• We have long regulated franchise offerings, but this law explicitly requires the third-party brokers
• It's a system we call Francis, and this would facilitate the capture of third-party franchise broker
• Now we are on item number 12, the Commission on State Mandates.
• I have none, except for you're called the Commission on State Mandates.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• In January of 2025, the Federal Trade Commission reported that the Big Three have their own specialty
• And the broker comes back and says, if you want this medical coverage, no, you cannot. you know, it's
• And as an employer, I went to my insurance broker and I said, okay, I own I went to my insurance broker
• And the broker comes back and says, if you want this medical coverage, no, you cannot.
• The broker comes back and says, if you want this medical coverage, no, you cannot.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first took testimony on House Bill 1681, which would require health carriers and pharmacy benefit managers to count amounts paid by or on behalf of an enrollee for certain medications toward out-of-pocket maximums when no generic substitute is available. The sponsor described the bill as helping patients with serious illnesses afford needed drugs. The committee then adopted a substitute that rolled HB 1681 together with House Bills 1941 and 2279, including an ERISA-related labor exemption, and passed the combined committee substitute by a vote of 15-2. The committee next heard House Bill 2365, which was also combined with related bills through a substitute that changed terminology to “delivery systems.” That substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the House Committee substitute for House Bills 2365, 2490, and 2249 was then approved unanimously, 18-0. After that, the committee heard House Bill 2149, the dementia care coordinator bill. The sponsor and supporters from the Alzheimer’s Association and family caregivers argued the state needs a central point person to coordinate resources, improve early detection, support caregivers, and connect rural residents to services. Members raised concerns about the fiscal note, whether the work duplicates existing Area Agencies on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association services, and whether two FTEs would be effective statewide. No vote was taken on HB 2149 during the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2309, which would prohibit Missouri insurance coverage for organ transplants or related services involving organs taken from prisoners of conscience in China. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a human-rights measure aimed at condemning organ harvesting and abuse of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. Members asked whether there was documentation of such transplants in Missouri and whether federal oversight exists; the sponsor said there is no reporting mechanism and no known opposition. No action was taken on the bill in the excerpt. Finally, the committee began testimony on House Bills 1975 and 1850, pharmacy benefit manager reform bills. The sponsors said the measures are intended to protect local pharmacies, improve transparency, limit harmful audit practices, and create a critical access pharmacy program. Supporters, including a pharmacy business group, argued PBM practices drive up drug costs and close pharmacies. Opponents, including a carpenters’ health plan representative, warned the bills could increase costs for self-funded plans, limit network and mail-order arrangements, and shift more administrative burden onto plan sponsors. The hearing continued with questions and testimony, but no final vote is shown in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also created a resource on federal policy changes and ensured our team, as well as agents, brokers
• We also created a resource on federal policy changes and ensured our team, as well as agents, brokers
• In 2025, more Idahoans than ever worked with these trusted partners, agents and brokers.
• Working with agents and brokers is always key to finding... ...medical needs and their budgets.
• Working with agents and brokers is always key to finding that perfect match. Thanks. Follow up.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> And uh and then we have two commission And uh and then we have two commission members<00:07:51.919
• So, I left some with the commission.
• </c><00:15:44.480><c> or</c> think about as a state um commission or think about as a state um commission
• Ammon on the commission.
• </c><00:48:45.119><c> I</c> of Wyoming that formed a commission I of Wyoming that formed a commission

Summary: The commission met with a quorum, approved the agenda, and approved the November 12 minutes after a motion, second, and unanimous voice/online consent. The chair said the meeting would include two presentations—one from Noah Herman of Fortress Global and one from John Kicko and team from Hedera—followed by discussion of the commission’s next steps and public comment. The chair also noted he was still seeking a clerk for note-taking. Herman’s presentation focused on stablecoins, blockchain use cases, and operational considerations for states and other institutions. He described Fortress as an enterprise crypto-wallet and treasury platform serving corporates, governments, and nonprofits, and used examples such as Save the Children and a large global commodities firm to illustrate custody and treasury management on blockchain rails. He said stablecoins are designed to maintain a U.S. dollar peg, are increasingly backed by treasuries and subject to greater transparency, and are being adopted by major firms and payment companies because they can improve speed, reduce cost, and simplify payments. He also highlighted market growth, including claims that stablecoins now represent a significant share of on-chain activity and are a major holder of U.S. Treasuries. He identified custody as a key issue for state and institutional use, outlining qualified custody, managed custody, and self-custody models. He said the main practical challenge for the commodities client was moving funds safely and quickly across global time zones and that blockchain rails could solve problems that traditional banking rails could not. He framed the broader trend as one of accelerating institutional adoption, citing recent acquisitions and product launches by Visa, Stripe, Citi, and PayPal as evidence that stablecoin infrastructure is becoming mainstream.

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 23 is the America 250 Missouri Commission.
• The majority of this funding is going to be expended in FY26 as the commission is planning.
• After doing that, the commission thought maybe that was a little bit too close, just in case there were
• and also work with... ...the Conservation Commission and come to some sort of agreement where they do
• He's a much better broker than I am because I tried to broker it.

Committee: House Budget