Transcript Highlights:

• from the COVID experience and your legislation is reducing that intensity of care.
• And I also want to point out, we've also passed this piece of legislation.
• Piece of legislation, and I can wrap my head around. Thank you very much, and this is good.
• So I don't have any concerns about this legislation at all.
• Seeing none, we'll take anyone in support of the legislation? Anyone in opposition?

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health heard testimony on several measures. HCR 42, sponsored by Representative Perkins, urged Congress to support programs aimed at reducing prescription drug costs for Medicaid and Medicare patients. The sponsor said it would help elderly and low-income residents, while Representative Dahl argued the referenced program could cost more than other pharmacy options and criticized the resolution. No one testified in support or opposition, and the hearing on HCR 42 was closed. The committee then heard SB 878, a pharmacist practice act bill sponsored by Senator Fitzwater. The bill would make permanent several pandemic-era pharmacy practices, including pharmacist administration of certain vaccines, medication therapy plan authority, dispensing of some medical devices and supplies, over-the-counter availability of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine with warning labels and standardized procedures, and nonprofit pharmacy emergency waivers. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural areas, reduce delays in treatment, and help pharmacies remain open. Opponents raised concerns about vaccine authority shifting away from the governor, the safety of over-the-counter hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, and whether pharmacists should be treated as equivalent to physicians. The Missouri Pharmacy Association, Walmart, and Walgreens testified in support, and the hearing was closed without a vote. The committee also heard two resolutions. HCR 538, by Representative Hruza, would designate May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month and encourage support for research and advocacy. Members generally supported the resolution, with comments about the severity of ALS and the importance of early communication supports; no opposition was presented. HCR 4661, also presented by Representative Hruza, would encourage awareness and screening for chronic kidney disease, especially among high-risk patients, and promote public-private education efforts around urine albumin-to-creatinine testing. Testimony emphasized the prevalence and cost of kidney disease and the value of early detection. The committee took no votes on these measures and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today to testify on the importance of this legislation, Now, while we've heard some concerns
• With me today to testify on the importance of this legislation, Entitlement permits.
• This is critical legislation. And we're here in strong support of AB 1621.
• That makes legislative action more, not less, important.
• intent. ...further judicial review with the legislative intent, the legislative intent being clarified

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee to order.
• So the next item on the agenda is an overview of the Medicaid Subcommittee by legislative audit staff
• The Legislative Joint Auditing Medicaid Subcommittee has met a total of eight times before today.
• Medicaid meeting topics included, but were not limited to, questions about legislative audit reports
• Staff will now present a summary of legislative audit's role related to Medicaid.

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to receive a primer on the subcommittee’s history and on how Medicaid oversight works in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s origins in response to earlier Medicaid audit concerns and explained that Medicaid is audited every year in the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk, large federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including issues with eligibility controls, data matching, contractor charging, incarcerated juveniles’ coverage handling, provider eligibility support, and the state’s Medicaid recovery audit contractor exception request. They also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for possible prosecution. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of the Medicaid program, describing eligibility groups, delivery systems (fee-for-service, managed care/PASSE, and premium assistance for expansion adults), the size of the program, and the agency’s budget and provider base. DHS also outlined the difference between state plan amendments and waivers and said other committee materials would be sent to members. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, explaining that it investigates suspected intentional fraud, suspends providers when there is a credible allegation of fraud, recovers improper payments in mistake cases, and recommends policy changes when trends are identified. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, handles neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases in long-term care settings, and works with DHS, OMIG, and federal partners. Members asked about where cases are filed, how provider suspensions work, whether beneficiary fraud is investigated, and how education is provided to providers. DHS confirmed that beneficiary fraud cases are referred to local prosecutors and said the expansion population will move toward community engagement/work requirements under federal changes, with a soft launch planned before full implementation. The meeting ended with no formal votes beyond adoption of the prior minutes and no other committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're all very much in favor of this legislation. They were last year.
• And they're very much behind the legislation. Several of them are here today.
• I think this is critical legislation to protect.
• So I applaud this legislation. I support it wholeheartedly.
• Deer around to kill with this legislation for the question. No, I will.

Bills: SB2108, SB2121, SB2171, SB2061, SB2112, SB2138

Keywords: feral swine, nuisance control, wildlife management, hunting permits, agriculture, cultivated meat, food safety, public health, misbranding, advertising, food labeling, food distribution, state regulations, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, veterans, controlled hunts, deer population, wildlife conservation, food policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sharing my story today to show that this memorial is far more than just a legislative text.
• So by suspending the legislative authorization, we're going to be able to have different application
• Just referring back to the Legislative Finance Committee report that was generated in January of 2024
• That's not true if you're a New Mexico state legislator. That's what I want to say. Thank you.
• You're a New Mexico state legislator. That's what I want to say. Thank you, Representative Zamora.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, PERC can't move forward until the enabling legislation is passed.
• Passing this legislation would allow student workers to give input on the training we need to ensure
• Revenue sources include legislative appropriations, public and private donations, and federal funds,
• to speculative or unrepresentative ... ...of states that enacted sweeping legislation in response to
• This is important legislation because it's a common-sense step forward.

Bills: HB1170, HB1570, HB1834

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, AI-generated content, deepfake, synthetic media, content provenance, provenance data, metadata, watermarking, disclosure, transparency, consumer protection, unfair or deceptive acts, unfair competition, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, platform regulation, AI detection tool, media authenticity

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think from a legislative perspective and fiscal...
• From a legislative perspective and fiscal responsibility, we need to create some safeguards.
• Myself, Representative Bedsole, we're not trying to hurt anybody by doing this legislation.
• We're actually trying to legislation.
• I'm trying to read through the legislation. It may be around the legislation.

Bills: HB227, HB255, HB465, HB472, HB482, HB483, HB526, HB529, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are a couple of technical corrections from Legislative Council there.
• That was another technical correction from Legislative Council.
• We did copy that from language that has passed in other bills already this legislative session.
• We did copy that from language that has passed in other bills already this legislative session.
• That is the legislative policy decision.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the Journal of the preceding day: House Journal, 94th session, 2025, 12th legislative
• Hearing no objection, the Journal is approved as corrected by the chief clerk. 2025 12th legislative
• Day St Paul 2025 12th legislative Day St Paul Minnesota<00:08:27.440><c> Monday</c><00:08:27.879><c>
• Representative Niska, from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration, moves the report.
• Report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislators debate how to meet the moment. "It's almost like a death by regulation.
• The latest legislative efforts to protect consumers by closing a loophole that allows illegal online
• So tell me about the need for that kind of legislation.
• </c> that kind of legislation. that kind of legislation.
• So, let's talk about that, legislating.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> policy</c><00:00:52.719><c> manager</c> Megan Ayola, legislative policy manager Megan Ayola, legislative
• </c> name is Megan Areola, the legislative name is Megan Areola, the legislative policy<00:04:31.120>
• I appreciate the direction of this legislation as a whole.
• Matt Shaver from Ed Allies. reason, the legislation should avoid reason, the legislation should avoid
• </c> the language, this le leg legislation the language, this le leg legislation can<00:24:35.200><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, today is our Easter basket drive for the women's legislative caucus.
• </c> time than any other piece of legislation time than any other piece of legislation outside<00:46:
• Is the goal to pass legislation?
• Is the goal to pass legislation?
• Is the goal to reach legislation?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:49.600><c> Um</c> legislative session. Um legislative session.
• So it is de facto in legislative.
• legislative leadership in and legisl legislative leadership in each<02:54:20.880><c> state.
• It includes legislative governor.
• </c> legislative or congressional district. legislative or congressional district.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requires the Department of Legislative requires the Department of Legislative Services<00:15:42.520
• Number three, it makes legislation.
• </c> legislation put together on the fly. legislation put together on the fly.
• </c><01:30:42.040><c> It</c> to these neighboring legislators. It to these neighboring legislators.
• Senator has moved to legislation.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation is about transparency, accountability, and giving us as legislators, as well as the public
• This legislation is about reporting accuracy.
• This is what this legislation is all about. There's nothing more to it.
• And quite frankly, it's contrary to this proposed legislation, is it not?
• It's contrary to this proposed legislation, is it not?

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you would request that, that we could do that in legislative review.
• I am a Jackson County legislator.
• And that legislation was passed in a matter of weeks.
• That's as far as I take his legislation.
• you to take off your hat... ...the legislation.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and unanimously voted Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 914 and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3467 due pass. HB 3467 was amended before passage; the sponsor said the changes clarified that any tax authority would apply only if a tax change is actually approved, corrected county/city references, and fixed ballot-language issues involving sheltered workshops. Members generally praised the sponsor’s work, though one member noted concern about shifting more burden to sales taxes. The main public hearing was on H.J.R. 107, which would place before voters a constitutional question allowing Jackson County to consider separating Kansas City from the county or otherwise altering its charter government. Sponsor Rep. Steinmeyer argued the measure was about voter sovereignty and local control, citing prior Jackson County ballot measures and saying entrenched local power had blocked reform. Supporters echoed that Jackson County residents were frustrated with representation, taxes, and county governance. Opponents, including Kansas City and chamber representatives, argued the proposal was unnecessary, costly, procedurally unclear, and potentially destabilizing; several members also questioned the 10-year resubmission clause, the exclusion of local officials from the transition process, and the statewide fiscal impact. No action was taken on the resolution during the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, dealing with ambulance district mergers and community paramedic/mobile integrated health services. Senator Black and supporters said the bill would help struggling rural ambulance districts merge without disrupting billing, contracts, or service, and would expand community paramedic care for low-acuity patients and hospital-at-home models. Several witnesses from ambulance and fire districts described successful programs and said the bill would improve patient care and help rural areas. Opponents, including ambulance and fire district representatives, supported the merger provisions but objected to Senate-added language they said would let districts provide community paramedic services across jurisdictional lines without memorandums of understanding, undermining local control and negotiating power. The hearing ended with testimony still ongoing after a recess for floor session; no vote on SB 975 was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this legislation makes amendments to Idaho's involuntary commitment status.
• Does he need special legislation that would allow him to help the counties?
• So legislation might be easy, the money might be hard. There's that.
• No, legislation might be easy, the money might be hard. There's that.
• That was inserted into this legislation. That's very confusing for us.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 and March 10 minutes, then introduced RS 33592C1, a proposed state pilot program to study psychedelic substances for PTSD and traumatic brain injury. The sponsor said the bill would allow research on ibogaine, MDMA, and psilocybin, with no state funding requested. The committee then advanced Senate Bill 1255, which would add tribal health care facilities and tribal police officers to Idaho’s involuntary commitment process so mental health crises on reservations can be handled more quickly; tribal representatives said the change would help with a small number of cases each year and had been developed with the Department of Health and Welfare. The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1257, a child protection bill that would clarify foster-care visitation rules and permanency decisions. The bill would define visitation to include in-person, video, phone, and written contact, limit in-person visits after substantiated serious abuse unless a court finds them in the child’s best interest, and allow courts to consider a parent’s likely long-term incarceration when deciding permanency. Supporters included the sponsor, the Department of Health and Welfare, foster parents, and advocates who described children being retraumatized by forced visits and delayed permanency. Opponents raised due process and parental-rights concerns, arguing the bill could give the department too much authority and could lead to termination decisions based on incarceration alone. A motion to hold the bill failed 4-12, and the committee then voted 13-3 to send Senate Bill 1257 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also resumed testimony on House Bill 808, the expanded Medical Freedom Act. Opponents from county governments, hospitals, cities, and business groups warned that the bill could conflict with federal health rules, weaken immunization requirements in schools and child care, disrupt the state immunization registry, and interfere with employer vaccination policies and frontline emergency decisions. Supporters argued the bill protects bodily autonomy, parental choice, and informed consent, and said parents should be able to opt out of vaccine-related systems and requirements. No final action on House Bill 808 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have 23 years of unfiled audits with Legislative Audit. That's pretty serious.
• But there is, just like in the cities, the requirement that it is filed with Legislative Audit.
• What I know is that this is a report that has been filed with Legislative Audit.
• A report that has been filed with Legislative Audit. Just the 2025 report.
• same report has been filed with Legislative Audit.

Summary: The committee began with prayer and approval of the January 8 minutes, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that for the 2022 reports, 19 of 43 entities had had their turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reports, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five outstanding. The committee also filed a report on Adona, where staff said the city had made enough progress toward substantial compliance with municipal accounting laws to discontinue withholding turnback, and the committee adopted that recommendation. The bulk of the meeting focused on municipal accounting noncompliance cases. Gum Springs and Denning were presented with extensive repeat findings involving budgets not adopted by ordinance or resolution, missing or incomplete bank reconciliations, inadequate receipts and disbursement records, payroll issues, and improper handling of Act 833 funds or other city money. Both cities’ mayors and recorders-treasurers testified about efforts to correct records, obtain training, and work with the Municipal League; the committee voted to start the 60-day turnback-withholding clock for both and then filed the reports. Fargo was deferred because no city representative was present. Additional reports included Green Forest, Elaine, Strong, Brooklyn, Mineral Springs, Rondo, Waldo, Columbia County, and several private water and sewer entities. Strong drew significant concern over missing garbage-bag revenue, improper fund transfers, and deficit balances; the committee deferred that report to the March meeting. The committee also heard investigative or referred reports on the Faulkner County Fair Association, Brooklyn payroll direct-deposit fraud, and other entities with questionable disbursements or recordkeeping. In several cases, staff recommended filing the reports after responses were received; in others, the committee deferred action when responses were lacking or representatives were absent. The meeting ended with a motion to defer a Cross County Rural Water matter so the entity could appear at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a legislator, I cannot support a bill written in the dark.
• I rise as the Vice Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus.
• I rise today as the chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus in solidarity with our California Legislative
• I hope you see the members of this Legislative Black Caucus.
• When I was PTA legislation and advocacy chair, she helped me edit and When I was PTA Legislation and

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a legislator, I cannot support a bill written in the dark.
• Speaker, colleagues, I rise as the Vice Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus.
• I rise today as the chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus in solidarity with our California Legislative
• I hope you see the members of this Legislative Black Caucus.
• When I was PTA legislation and advocacy chair, she helped me edit and When I was PTA Legislation and

Keywords: 988, house, all