Transcript Highlights:

• I want to turn to our Legislative Analyst's Office.
• There is no way to track the requests.
• So I appreciate that your, the legislator is, I appreciate that your bill, the legislator is making sure
• To handle the request for extension, potentially.
• I'll just say that the resources requested are requested one-year limited term, so you'll see that that's

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and extensive testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and advocates for older adults and people with disabilities. The administration described IHSS as a large and growing program serving more than 900,000 recipients, and outlined three proposals: shifting the cost of growth in authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The LAO said the overall budget estimates appeared reasonable but raised concerns about the hours-per-case proposal, including the lack of a comprehensive root-cause analysis, the limited control counties have over statewide cost growth, and uncertainty about how the baseline and savings would work. CWDA, SEIU, and consumer advocates strongly opposed the hours cost shift, arguing that counties use state-designed tools, that demographic changes and rising need explain much of the growth, and that the proposal would pressure counties to cut services and destabilize care. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the administration about the proposed baseline, the claimed savings, and whether the measure effectively circumvents the county maintenance-of-effort agreement. On the backup provider system, the administration said the statewide program is underutilized and administratively expensive, and proposed eliminating it to save about $3.5 million. The LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced while preserving some version of the program. County and consumer advocates opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical safety net when regular providers are unavailable, especially in rural areas and for people with complex needs. They argued that low utilization reflects the difficulty of finding emergency backup care, not lack of need, and that many counties already rely on local backup systems or other models. Committee members also pressed for better data on requests, fulfillment, and administrative costs, and discussed whether the state could support local alternatives instead of eliminating the program. The final topic was the proposal to align IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations by automating the process when recipients fail to complete Medi-Cal redeterminations. The administration said this would reduce General Fund costs by about $86 million by preventing payment of IHSS in the residual program when recipients are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal, while also automating reinstatement when Medi-Cal is restored. The LAO noted the proposal has been rejected in prior years and suggested improved notice and communication to recipients as an alternative. CWDA and advocates warned that the change could create gaps in care, especially for people who lose Medi-Cal for procedural reasons, and urged additional safeguards such as better notices, faster reprocessing, and automatic reinstatement. Members questioned how many people would be affected, how the residual program currently works, and whether providers could go unpaid during the gap; the department said the automation is already built and would be activated if the proposal is approved. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the committee moved through public comment and questioning without final action on the proposals in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The yeas and nays are requested.
• I welcome the increase to the program and the fiscal year 2026 budget request and hope the appropriators
• I welcome the increase to the program and the fiscal year 2026 budget request and hope the appropriators
• THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES T.V.A.'
• THE FOLLOWING PERSONAL REQUESTS. THE CLERK: LEAVES OF ABSENCES REQUESTED FOR MR.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And ensure that parents remain appropriately involved.
• Chance that this such a request might happen. Absolutely.
• So I do think there is a problem with our legislation.
• So I have three main concerns with the legislation as proposed.
• It can issue any other appropriate remedy.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 11, 2026, then heard House Bill 803 on execution procedures. Sponsor Bruce Skaug said the bill extends confidentiality protections for people involved in firing squads to match those already used for lethal injection, mainly to prevent doxxing, while preserving inmates’ constitutional and court-challenge rights. After questions about the current death-row inmate and the firing squad’s priority over lethal injection, the bill drew some opposition over transparency and reduced APA review, but it passed on a roll call vote and was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 857, which would give both parents equal access to records about their minor child, including medical, educational, child care, law enforcement, and court records, unless a court order limits access with written findings that restriction is needed to prevent substantial harm to the child. Testimony split sharply: supporters said it would clarify parental rights and improve access, while opponents warned it could expose victims of domestic violence, reduce privacy protections, and burden courts. After discussion about definitions, redaction of addresses, and existing law, the bill was moved to general orders unanimously. House Bill 859 followed, proposing a process to restore parenting time when restrictions based on abuse allegations are later found unsubstantiated, and requiring courts to order make-up time and report willful interference to prosecutors. Family law attorneys, court counsel, and others testified that the bill would limit judicial discretion, increase costs and delays, create neutrality concerns for judges, and duplicate existing remedies under family law rules; supporters argued it would deter false allegations and restore lost time. The committee rejected a motion to hold the bill and instead sent it to general orders by a 7-5 vote. Finally, the committee quickly advanced Senate Bill 1308 as a cleanup measure, and Senate Bill 1293, which clarifies that crime victims compensation is not a public benefit and should not be affected by last session’s public-benefits law; both were sent to the floor with do pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation was developed not only with them, but with community partners and legislative partners
• This legislation was developed not only with them, but with community partners and legislative partners
• And then I know there's also legislation, and we need some legislative solutions.
• And then I know there's also legislation, and we need some legislative solutions here on the cryptocurrency
• And my request is, and we're happy to work on the language with you, but my request is to look at it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation legislation and<00:12:19.600><c> it</c><00:12:19.720><c> was</c><00:12:20.400><c> and</c
• And finally, we request a general fund appropriation to support enforcement by our office.
• And finally, we request a general fund appropriation<00:53:14.960><c> to</c><00:53:15.080><c> support
• this piece of legislation.
• this piece of legislation.

Bills: SB2433, SB2047, SB2425, SB3045, SB2761, SB3001, SB2852, SB2471

Keywords: condominium governance, education trust fund, unit owners, real estate, dispute resolution, financial obligations, community representation, pharmacy benefit managers, maximum allowable cost, transparency, drug pricing, insurance commissioner, contracting pharmacies, healthcare, substance use disorder, SUD, addiction treatment, behavioral health, mental health, rehabilitation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2433 SD1 relating to condominiums, which would direct the condominium education trust fund toward educational resources for unit owners and require the Real Estate Commission to ensure owners’ interests are represented in funded activities and related rulemaking. Supporters, including the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and a condominium owner advocate, said owners need a seat at the table in condo governance and education efforts. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was necessary, with the Real Estate Commission indicating it could already use the trust fund for owner education and that owners are already considered stakeholders, though not through a specific commission seat. No vote was taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then took up SB 2047 SD2 HD1 on pharmacy benefit managers, which would set requirements for maximum allowable cost reimbursement, allow reverse-and-rebill claims after successful appeals, and authorize fines for violations. The Insurance Division offered comments, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association supported the measure with amendments and suggested future PBM reform funding, and Kaiser Permanente requested a technical amendment. A committee question raised whether the staffing and resource request for implementation was too large for a bill focused only on MAC pricing, and the witness said he would provide more data to the next committee. No final action was shown. Next was SB 2425 SD2 HD1 on health insurance and substance use disorder treatment, requiring insurers to honor written assignments of benefits to SUD providers and prohibiting anti-assignment clauses. Supporters described patients being unable to access treatment because of high out-of-pocket costs and said direct payment would reduce harm for people in recovery. HMSA opposed the bill but said it would begin direct payments to non-participating SUD facilities effective March 27, while continuing to object to the assignment-of-benefits portion because of fraud and balance-billing concerns; the Hawaii Association of Health Plans also opposed. Members questioned HMSA about reimbursement mechanics and why the bill was needed if coverage policies were already changing. Finally, the committee heard SB 3045 SD1 HD1, which would require coverage of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, including for Medicaid managed care, under certain conditions. DHS and the Insurance Division offered comments, while SHPDA, Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, and others supported the bill, citing inconsistent access and a case in which a woman allegedly died after being denied a CGM. HMSA said it already covers medically necessary CGMs and had updated its policy in 2025 for type 1 and insulin-dependent patients, but it raised concerns about expanding mandated coverage to type 2 and gestational diabetes and about supply impacts. The committee also discussed whether the bill duplicated existing coverage standards and why it had been introduced repeatedly. No votes or final dispositions were included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only when they request it. Only when they request it. Yeah, so it's not companies.
• So I'm not asking the legislative body or the state for $2.1 million.
• It's appropriation.
• It's appropriation.
• It's appropriation. So the bill now does two things. It's appropriation.

Summary: The committee reconvened and took up several amendments and bills. Senate Bill 15 was amended to transfer Keep Arkansas Beautiful functions to ARDOT and replace the current commissioners with an advisory council; the amendment was adopted without objection. An amendment to Senate Bill 7 lowering the claims-data threshold for group health insurance from 50 employees to 25, to help smaller employers and municipalities shop for coverage, was also adopted. An amendment to Senate Bill 41 that would have restricted University of Arkansas at Fayetteville athletic funding from academic funds was rejected after members questioned its scope and fiscal basis. The committee then considered an amendment to House Bill 1051 that would cap online sports-betting free play at 5% of gross receipts. Senator Hester argued the current unlimited promotions were predatory and effectively subsidized casinos, while other members questioned the tax and accounting assumptions and whether the proposal belonged in a fiscal committee. The amendment failed, and a separate agriculture-related amendment from Representatives Vaught and Painter to exempt certain tractor parts tied to diesel exhaust fluid systems was also not adopted, with members citing drafting and enforcement problems and suggesting it should go through the revenue committees. After suspending the rules to add items, the committee adopted a technical correction to Senate Bill 4 clarifying physician licensure language so the rural workforce pathway would apply to underserved and primary care shortage areas, rather than the narrower federal term originally used. The committee also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 77 deleting a fund-transfer section and instead increasing appropriation authority and creating a matching-fund mechanism to help Arkansas TV pay PBS dues, with supporters saying it would leverage private donations and preserve PBS access while allowing the commission to decide programming. The bill passed as amended, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the appropriate time, would you like to close? Yes.
• Important piece of the legislation.
• I'm trying to understand just the flow of this legislation in the context of, say, the Cooley legislation
• I serve as legislative counsel with Public Advocates.
• With so much legislation, when we think about lawsuits, when we think about legislation, we think about

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have to be major legislative changes.
• Second, we have a request.
• the legislature on two pieces of proposed legislation.
• It's coming back into an already appropriated amount.
• Anything else is reverted that is beyond the appropriation back.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first approved the minutes from its January 21 and January 22, 2026 meetings. It then heard a presentation from AARP Idaho on aging issues, focusing on the growing 50-plus population, caregiving, fraud and scams targeting older adults, housing and health care affordability, and the importance of policies that support aging in place. AARP urged lawmakers to consider age-friendly planning and noted its community grant program and fraud education efforts, including scam-jam events and outreach with law enforcement. The committee next received a detailed update from Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on program integrity, fraud, waste, and abuse prevention. She described efforts to build a department-wide culture of compliance, including a new fraud, waste, and abuse policy, an anonymous reporting line, standardized staff training, and a new impact-review process for evaluating whether programs and contracts are effective. She also outlined existing teams for internal audit, welfare fraud investigations, Medicaid provider fraud, and self-reliance integrity, and said the department is working to improve data tracking, reporting, and recovery of overpayments. A major focus of the discussion was the Idaho Child Care Program, where DHW is conducting a 360-degree review of 775 providers after concerns about compliance and fraud. Sharon said the department has terminated nine providers so far, with more under investigation, and is seeking additional staff and legislative changes to codify the program and strengthen requirements such as Secretary of State registration. Senators also asked about recovery of overpayments, public access to fraud reports, Medicaid fraud recovery rates, and the use of technology and AI to improve oversight. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in support of the payment in full and a legislative fix.
• We are in support of payment in full and a legislative fix.
• Just request for DGS? Yes. Are we doing DGS next? Okay, where is that?
• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• We routinely review legislation and provide input to authors who have pending legislation that they want

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> implementation</c> requesting um a delayed implementation requesting um a delayed implementation
• be appropriately where people need to be appropriately arrested<01:02:51.280><c> and</c><01:02:51.520
• </c> in the the legislation. in the the legislation.
• </c> this legislation is it's not necessary. this legislation is it's not necessary.
• </c> appropriation attached to this bill. appropriation attached to this bill.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use. Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date. Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was going to request a stool so I could join you. Thank you.
• We respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you very much.
• This is not a statewide policy; it is targeted legislation.
• So it’s appropriate to come back and put this piece in.
• And with that bill, there was a one-time appropriation.

Summary: The committee heard a series of housing, local government, and governance bills, with most of the discussion focused on housing production, permitting, and local accountability. SB 1003, by Senator Grayson, would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local jurisdictions and developers jointly fund infill housing infrastructure; it drew support from housing advocates and senior housing groups, while Senator Seyarto questioned whether the state would actually fund another program. The bill was moved on a 3-1 vote and remained on call. SB 1014 would require local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 business days of a preliminary application and limit later surprise requirements; Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and other housing groups supported it, while the City of San Mateo and local government associations raised concerns about accuracy and timing. It passed 4-2 and remained on call. SB 1036, which would require credit under the Mitigation Fee Act for prior site uses when redeveloping a site, passed unanimously to the Senate floor. SB 1145 would streamline CEQA and federal reuse review for qualifying projects at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station; it drew broad labor and local support, but housing and legal advocates sought stronger affordability and enforceability provisions. The bill passed 6-0 to the Committee on Environmental Quality. The committee also considered SB 908, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant residential window replacements and limit local design restrictions and HOA barriers. Supporters said the bill would let homeowners and affordable housing providers reduce energy costs, while opponents argued it could override local design standards; it passed 3-1 and remained on call. SB 1172, the Local Tax Savings Act, would add guardrails and transparency to local tax-sharing and consultant agreements; it was supported by the City of Shafter and the League of California Cities and passed 4-0 to Revenue and Taxation, remaining on call. SB 1283 would expand ministerial approval for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage systems and require local ordinance updates by 2027; EV industry groups supported it, while cities and counties warned about safety, liability, and local review. Members discussed battery storage safety and litigation concerns, and the bill passed 4-0 to Judiciary, remaining on call. The committee also heard SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner in response to in-custody death concerns. Supporters cited high death rates, settlements, and the need for independent investigations, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives argued the change would be costly, duplicate services, and override local control. The bill passed 4-1 to Public Safety and remained on call. Finally, SB 1414 would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters said it would improve transparency and remove conflicts of interest, while the county opposed the estimated $2 million cost and noted its existing advisory commission. Members generally supported independent redistricting, and the bill was discussed but no final vote was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was going to request a stool, so I would join you. Thank you.
• We respectfully request an aye vote. Thank you very much.
• This is not a statewide policy; it is targeted legislation.
• So it's appropriate to come back and put this piece in.
• And with that bill, there was a one-time appropriation.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing, local government, and governance bills, beginning without a quorum and proceeding as a subcommittee until quorum was established. SB 1003, by Senator Grayson, would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infill housing infrastructure; supporters said infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while a senator questioned whether the state would actually fund the new program. The bill passed the committee 3-1 on call. The committee also adopted a consent calendar covering SB 1169, SB 1086, SB 1126, and SB 1439-1442, also 3-1 on call. SB 1014 would require local jurisdictions to provide early good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements and bar undisclosed later requirements; Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and housing advocates supported the bill, while the City of San Mateo opposed the preliminary-application timing. Members raised questions about the 30-business-day deadline and coordination with other agencies. The bill passed 4-2 on call. SB 1036, which would require fee credits for prior site uses when redeveloping a site with similar prior uses, drew broad support and no opposition and passed 5-0 on call. SB 1145, a district bill for the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse project, would streamline CEQA and federal base-closure review for qualifying projects; labor, the city, and county supported it, while housing legal advocates opposed unless amended over Surplus Land Act concerns. The bill passed 6-0 on call after discussion of affordability and enforceability amendments. The committee then heard SB 908, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant residential window replacements and limit city/HOA design restrictions; supporters said it would let homeowners and affordable housing providers lower energy costs, while local government groups opposed, citing local control and design standards. It passed 3-1 on call. SB 1172, the Local Tax Savings Act, would add guardrails and transparency to local tax-sharing consultant agreements; the City of Shafter and League of California Cities supported it, and it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1379 would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death rates and public trust concerns, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives opposed on cost and local control grounds. The bill passed 4-1 on call. Finally, SB 1283 would expand streamlined permitting for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage systems; EV industry supporters said the bill updates outdated rules, while cities and counties warned about safety review, liability, and litigation risk. Members discussed battery storage safety and local permitting authority, and the bill passed 4-0 on call. The committee also heard SB 1414, which would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters argued it would improve transparency and reduce political self-interest, while the county opposed due to its existing advisory commission and estimated implementation costs. The transcript cuts off during questioning on SB 1414, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the appropriate time, I'd like to move favorably.
• So at the proper time, I’d like to move this legislation.”
• These are legislative appointments rather than legislators sitting on the board, and prevents duplicative
• “These are legislative appointments rather than legislators sitting on the board, and it prevents duplicative
• This is something that I'm requesting.

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee met and advanced a series of local bills, mostly by unanimous voice vote after brief questions. SB 430 by Sen. Jenkins renewed the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s 1.5% hotel occupancy tax for 12-year periods by voter approval, with discussion about continued planning and coordination among tourism entities. SB 286 by Sen. Duplessis updated the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond renewal voting boundaries. The committee also favorably reported SB 198 by Sen. Mizell, requiring government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district rules for new construction; SB 172 by Sen. Luneau, expanding a planning-commission waiver process for certain property divisions to municipalities below 150,000 population; and SB 439 by Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, adding pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s cancer for firefighters and fire service employees. Testimony on the firefighter bill emphasized the health risks from carcinogen exposure and the value of early detection, and members expressed strong support. Additional bills advanced included SB 458 by Sen. McMath, creating a mechanism for local ethics-entity tax revenues in St. Tammany Parish to be transferred to the district attorney’s office if an inspector general office is created; SB 447 by Sen. Bass, changing Bossier City Police Department promotions from competitive to promotional seniority; SB 281 by Sen. Barrow, expanding the Baker Economic Development District boundaries to include additional commercial areas; SB 385 by Sen. Harris, changing appointments to the City Park Improvement Association board and allowing City Park to opt out of certain ORM insurance coverage; HR 84 by Rep. Walters, urging Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA workers during federal shutdowns; and SB 417 by Sen. Allain, adding two members to the St. Mary Parish drainage district board. All of these measures were reported favorably, with one member recusing himself from the City Park bill due to board membership. The committee then recessed briefly, noting several remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not arrive soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to hard-scrabble Legislative District 7, where there is very much— Welcome to hard-scrabble Legislative
• Braden Biggs, Legislative District 2. Madam Chair, Mr.
• Public safety and appropriate rehabilitation are at risk.
• The board has not received official requests to weigh in on specific legislation.
• And Madam Chair, Senator, again, I think thankfully in this legislative process, we don't legislate via

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard a long series of bills, mostly from Senators Hoffman, Fernandez, and Bolick. Early action included SB 1436 on school bond/override ballot language, which passed 4-3 after brief debate over ballot length and transparency. SB 1568, requiring election systems to keep clocks within 60 seconds of official time and making violations a misdemeanor, was amended and passed 4-3 despite concerns about machine failures and the breadth of the penalty. SB 1569, limiting special election board members from collecting voter registrations while assisting confined voters, also passed 4-3 after testimony from county officials and a deputy registrar describing alleged misuse of SEBs. SB 1746, requiring schools to serve as polling places and closing schools on regular primary/general election days for staff training, passed 4-3 over objections about school autonomy and safety. SB 1295, allowing certain incarcerated people needing long-term care or treatment to be transferred to contracted medical institutions, passed unanimously after an amendment narrowing the medical eligibility language. The committee then took up SB 1067, a county blight/abatement bill allowing property tax bills to include assessments for removing rubbish, debris, and dilapidated structures; county officials from Gila and Pima Counties strongly supported it, and it passed 7-0. SB 1285, which would have repealed kratom protections and added kratom and its alkaloids to the narcotic-drug list, drew strong opposition from industry and a pharmacist and failed 3-4 after debate over safety, regulation, and criminal penalties. SB 1413, removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death caused by a moving violation, passed after a short explanation that it was intended to conform statutes to a prior Arizona Supreme Court ruling. SB 1476, making prenatal exposure to dangerous or narcotic drugs and fetal alcohol syndrome a class six felony child neglect offense with an affirmative defense for mothers who completed treatment, drew emotional testimony from a foster/adoptive parent and opposition from reproductive justice and criminal defense advocates; it passed 4-2. Later, SB 1585, creating standards and funding mechanisms for sex offender-specific evaluations, treatment, and polygraphs, passed 4-2 after supporters argued it would improve oversight and opponents questioned the added surcharge and appropriation. SB 1662, requiring probation conditions to be the least restrictive necessary and tailored to risk and needs, passed 5-0 with support from justice reform advocates and defense attorneys. SB 1664, adjusting constable nomination signature requirements in Maricopa and Pima Counties, passed unanimously after county association support. The committee then began SB 1666 on in-state custodial interference, with the sponsor and a supporter describing repeated violations of custody orders and arguing for a tiered civil-penalty-to-felony structure; the transcript ends during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their appropriate standing committees. their appropriate standing committees.
• >> Written request. It says a written request under penalty of perjury.
• >> Written request. It says a written request under penalty of perjury.
• </c> appropriate time. appropriate time. &gt;&gt; Next<01:07:57.039><c> session.
• </c> appropriate to ring the bell? appropriate to ring the bell?

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Piece of legislation.
• Chair, there are other pieces of legislation in this legislative session that could, in a very short
• So this legislation...
• legislative resolution.
• So it's an appropriation because it is the appropriate way to proceed with creating the solar access

Transcript Highlights:

• From the department or from legislative council as we move through, so that there'll be a little refresher
• You'll see also, if you turn to the second page, in Section 2 there is a legislative intent.
• If there's anybody who has a burning desire to request that these...
• They've already been adopted and approved for recommendation to Legislative Management as is.
• The next one on the sheet is the appropriations one. Anything for the good of the order?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee reviewed four bill drafts for the Rural Health Transformation effort. The first required the presidential physical fitness test in PE classes; members asked about DPI and school support, then moved and approved the draft. The second required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and included legislative intent encouraging other health boards to consider nutrition-related CE; it was approved after brief discussion. The third bill adopted the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. Members discussed a separate issue involving occupational therapy compact background checks and whether that fix could be added now or would need to wait until later; the committee also discussed Board of Medicine input and the compact’s workforce benefits. The draft was moved forward to the full committee. The fourth bill expanded pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Legislative Council explained the draft, and Senator Roars proposed substantial amendments to narrow motion sickness, UTI, diabetes supply, and substitution provisions. Members debated whether to vote on amendments now or wait for the special session public hearing; concerns were raised about transparency, stakeholder input, and avoiding premature action. No amendment vote was taken, and the bill was left for later consideration. The committee then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• As legislators begin to digest that information, we can then make decisions based on the money that we
• </c> take a a period of time in legislative take a a period of time in legislative time<00:01:25.159>
• For the record, my name is Judy Randall, Legislative Auditor.
• This bill requires the Office of the Legislative Auditor to provide an annual report to legislators highlighting
• legislators provide an annual report to legislators highlighting<00:08:35.000><c> whether</c><00:08:35.240

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We requested forms because states have regular reporting forms and requested those of the State Library
• Or influencing legislation. Yes.
• We did receive requests to ensure that type of coordination.
• And we honored that request. We honored that request and we engaged in parallel to them.
• “Very respectful in alignment with that request and rule.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We pass a lot of legislation here that we think is good legislation, only find out that we ended up hampering
• for a change in state legislation.
• This request for a change in state legislation to completely annihilate what the local zoning commissions
• for a change in state legislation.
• This request for a change in state legislation to completely annihilate what the local zoning commissions

Bills: HCR65, HB512, HB1194, SCR23, SB502

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections. House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.