Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any witnesses in support? You're looking at her. Thank you. Thank you.
• Do you have any witnesses in support? You're looking at her. Thank you.
• Any other witnesses in support? Yes. Anyone in opposition?
• Anyone in the audience in support? Okay. Is there any opposition to the bill?
• Any others in support? Members of the audience in support? There you go.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee because a quorum was initially unavailable, then later established quorum and proceeded with three bills. AB 445 by Majority Leader Aguirre-Curry proposed granting Colusa County 10 on-sale liquor licenses to address a long-standing shortage that has driven license prices as high as $400,000 and limited small business development; the author said she would accept committee amendments and asked for support. The bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and ultimately received enough votes, with the roll left open briefly for absent members. AB 766 by Assembly Member Sharp-Collins would require state agencies and departments to conduct an equity analysis before implementing budgets or regulations, with the review performed by a DEIA coordinator or qualified equivalent. Supporters, including a college administrator and a nursing instructor, argued the bill would help ensure policies do not disadvantage underrepresented groups and would institutionalize diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in state decision-making. There was no opposition on the record; the committee voted the bill out to Appropriations, though the roll was initially held open until enough votes were secured. AB 971 by Assembly Member Alvarez would transfer 3.83 acres in San Diego associated with the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, allowing the City of San Diego to take affirmative action to convey the land to the tribe. The author and tribal witnesses described the measure as a way to address historic injustices and said the tribe would fund, reopen, and operate a currently closed park and museum on the site. The committee asked about the city’s role and the status of the land, then approved the bill on a strong bipartisan vote and sent it to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, I support the tips and the overtime, but I don't—when we get it, we've got to get a handle
• Zero people emailed in support.
• I support helping working Idahoans.
• I support helping seniors, but not if helping them with one hand hurts them with the other.
• So for that reason, at this point, I cannot support this fiscal decision. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:24.680><c> it</c> accommodations for Disabilities it accommodations for Disabilities it contains
• </c> coming anyway we were happy to support coming anyway we were happy to support them<00:41:17.560>
• </c> resources needed in order to support resources needed in order to support their<00:56:30.200><c>
• </c> capacity as well as through supporting capacity as well as through supporting its<01:17:40.000><
• </c> much for your time and for your support much for your time and for your support of<01:18:16.960>

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have any primary witnesses in support?
• Do you have any primary witnesses in support?
• Any additional folks in the room wish to express support?
• Thank you for the opportunity for me to speak in support of AB 2233.
• I urge your support. Thank you. Any additional folks in the room wish to express support?

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a clarification of the existing law. support support um<00:25:20.840><c> Hawaii</c><00:25:21.279
• ><c> disability</c><00:25:22.200><c> Right</c> um Hawaii disability Right um Hawaii disability Right
• We support and acknowledge the fact that the intention behind this is to provide further support, but
• > uh</c> strongly support support this bill uh strongly support support this bill uh which<00:47:58.800
• </c><00:58:48.680><c> thank</c><00:58:48.839><c> you</c> support thank you and support thank you support

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in strong support of the bill.
• Do you have any primary witnesses in support?
• Any additional folks in the room wish to express support?
• Thank you for the opportunity for me to speak in support of AB 2233.
• I urge your support. Thank you. Any additional folks in the room wish to express support?

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 8, 2026, with a quorum established and 59 bills listed for consideration. The committee first approved two consent calendars: several bills were sent to the Assembly floor on a due-pass basis, and a smaller set was approved due-pass but not eligible for the floor consent calendar. The proposed suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual debate on those measures. The committee heard several bills in regular order. AB 1977, sponsored by the Secretary of State, would clean up and clarify the Online Notarization Act to support implementation by 2030; it drew no opposition and was approved. AB 2011 would codify existing federal mental health parity standards into state law; supporters said it would preserve enforcement authority, while health plans opposed it as premature given federal uncertainty and possible premium impacts; the bill was placed on the B roll call. AB 1673 would give county fish and game commissions more flexibility to use certain revenues for wildlife conflict prevention, and it advanced on an A roll call. AB 2233 would allow unused authorized ABA therapy hours for children with autism to be made up within the authorization period; supporters emphasized access and continuity of care, while insurers warned of higher costs and reduced utilization safeguards; it advanced on an A roll call. AB 1660, as amended, would give courts more flexibility in cases involving financial institutions and public guardians/conservators, with supporters saying it could save counties time and money; it was approved due-pass as amended. During general public comment, speakers voiced support for AB 2081 and AB 1667, and opposition to AB 1777. After public comment and final vote recording for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• or provide support for the line staff that are coming. develop and really ask as a support or provide
• But we're again at another crossroads where we need your support to clearly support MCAD.
• I implore this committee to support our request today and to continue to support MCAD, our work, and
• Thank you for your continued support.
• This team is comprised in part of survivors with disabilities who offer support and service referrals

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We supported a profit per job in the most recent year of $556.
• They report the number of jobs being supported.
• That supports job and economic development throughout the state.
• This helps people with disabilities.
• and support people.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This is support.
• Tim Schmelser with Wine Institute, in support. With Wine Institute in support. Thank you very much.
• Hi. in support. Thank you. Hi, Patrice Madrigo, local 706, makeup and hair, and strong support.
• support it as well.
• a coalition of providers of services for older adults and people with disabilities and support.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with members explaining that measures with significant fiscal impacts would be held for suspense or taken up later. AB 761 would let the Monterey-Salinas Transit District place a local sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board rather than needing approval from each member jurisdiction; supporters said it would preserve transit funding for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, while an opponent argued it would make it easier to raise a regressive tax. The bill was voted out 5-2 after being called for absent members. AB 1253, which would clarify property tax treatment for wildfire reconstruction beyond substantial equivalence, drew support from the Los Angeles County Assessor and the California Assessors Association but was sent to suspense. AB 8, dealing with hemp enforcement, intoxicating hemp products, and integration of hemp cannabinoids into the cannabis supply chain and tax system, drew strong support from cannabis operators and labor groups and opposition from small cultivators and public health advocates concerned about supply, tax revenue, and voter intent; it was also sent to suspense. The committee then heard AB 1138, a major expansion and modernization of the film and television tax credit program. Supporters, including entertainment unions, workers, studios, and local officials, said the bill would help keep production and jobs in California amid competition from other states and countries; opponents criticized it as picking winners and losers and argued broader business costs were the real problem. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 829, which would create a California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and voluntary tax contribution program to support research and services, received unanimous support from advocates and was approved 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 474 would exempt rental income from nonprofit home-sharing programs for low-income homeowners from state income tax and protect participants’ eligibility for certain benefits; supporters said it could help older adults age in place and address housing shortages, and the bill was sent to suspense after members asked for clarification on the fiscal estimate. The committee also heard AB 376, which would exempt wildfire settlement payments from state income tax for certain disaster survivors; supporters from rural counties said the money is meant to help victims rebuild and should not be taxed, and the bill was referred to suspense. Finally, AB 480 would allow developers using low-income housing tax credits to switch from allocated to certificated state credits after an award, with supporters saying it would maximize private investment and stretch housing dollars further; it too was sent to suspense. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance policy goals with fiscal impacts, and several bills were held or referred to suspense rather than voted out immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aging and disability services, behavioral health, and direct care and treatment.
• Well, and Senator, you've long been an ally for people who rely on disability services.
• Well, and Senator, you've long been an ally for people who rely on disability services.
• If you dig too deeply, the people with disabilities and the elderly could actually die.
• So, that was pretty cool. disabilities. And so, now we reduced it disabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• All in support will rise.
• All those in support will rise. Division 1: 27.
• It supports the next generation of physicians.
• This is because a strong primary care foundation supports the rest of the system.
• This is because a strong primary care foundation supports the rest of the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and strong support. Evan Fern with Disability Rights California in support.
• Tremail Watson with Disability Rights and strong support. Thank you.
• Evan Fern, with Disability Rights California, in support.
• Evan Fern, with Disability Rights California, in support. Good morning.
• CDA supports...

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and hearing several bills and a resolution. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would prohibit retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including prosecutors, county officials, and local government groups, described rising misuse among youth, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and environmental waste from large flavored canisters. The ACLU opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory approach rather than criminal penalties; the author said amendments were being considered to narrow the language. Committee members largely expressed support, though some raised concerns about wording and implementation. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would extend a prison commissary price cap framework to private for-profit immigration detention facilities under federal contract in California. Supporters said detainees and their families face extreme markups on basic necessities and that the bill would curb exploitation. There was broad support from immigrant justice, civil rights, and disability rights organizations, and no opposition testimony was presented. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Supporters framed it as a transparency and survivor-accountability measure, with testimony from CAST and a survivor statement. One committee member voiced concern about incomplete facts and the risk of political overreach, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile proceedings and would emphasize less restrictive alternatives. The author and supporters argued that detention harms youth, increases recidivism, and is overused, citing a personal witness who described spending more than 200 days in juvenile detention before her case was resolved. Probation, district attorneys, and AFSCME raised concerns that the bill could limit judicial discretion, strain county resources, and create public safety risks or uneven implementation. Committee members were split, with some supporting the bill as a needed safeguard and others saying the system needs more resources before changing the standard. AB 46 by Assemblymember Nguyen would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Supporters, including district attorneys and a crime victim’s family, said current law is too restrictive and has allowed dangerous offenders to reoffend; opponents, including public defenders and the ACLU, argued diversion is already limited and effective and that the bill would reduce access to treatment. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegian would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days. Supporters, including Brady and youth gun violence advocates, said the bill would close loopholes and improve safety; gun rights groups opposed, calling it an unconstitutional financial barrier and a burden on new residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate his support in that. So, we're going to do that.
• Particular for students with behavioral disabilities.
• And that was, what's going to happen with our severe emotional support services for students with disabilities
• So, and you did talk about West Las Vegas supporting you.
• That gives you a snapshot of permanent supportive housing.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• support.
• Thank you, and strong support. Evan Fern with Disability Rights California in support.
• Tremail Watson with Disability Rights and strong support. Thank you.
• Evan Fern, with Disability Rights California, in support.
• Evan Fern with Disability Rights California in support. Good morning.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills and one resolution, with testimony largely focused on public safety, criminal justice, and victim/survivor protections. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would restrict retail sale of larger nitrous oxide canisters to curb youth misuse and impaired driving; supporters included prosecutors, local officials, cities, counties, and environmental groups, while the ACLU opposed the bill unless amended to rely on regulation rather than criminal penalties. Members raised concerns about overbreadth and possible amendments, but the author said the bill would be narrowed and emphasized it would not create jail time, only escalating fines. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would cap commissary markups in private federal immigration detention facilities, mirroring a prior prison commissary law; it drew strong support from immigrant justice advocates and civil rights groups, with no opposition heard, and members expressed support for the measure. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files and greater transparency for survivors. The author and CAST testified in support, emphasizing survivor trauma and accountability; one committee member voiced concern that the resolution could imply facts not yet established and said he would likely abstain, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile hall and would favor less restrictive alternatives; supporters included youth defenders, former system-involved youth, and many advocacy organizations, while probation and district attorneys opposed it, arguing it would limit judicial discretion, strain resources, and could jeopardize public safety. Members were split, with some emphasizing the harms of detention and others warning about home-environment risks and implementation challenges. AB 46 by Assembly Member Nguyen would revise mental health diversion law to give judges clearer authority to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Support came from prosecutors, probation, and crime survivors who described cases where diverted defendants later committed serious violence; opposition from public defenders and civil rights groups argued that judges already have discretion, diversion is rarely granted, and the bill would reduce access to treatment and worsen outcomes. The author said the bill was a balanced compromise developed with stakeholders. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegean would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days; supporters from Brady and youth gun-violence prevention groups cited accidental shootings and child deaths, and the author noted possible future amendments on timing for new residents. Throughout the hearing, the chair repeatedly noted the committee lacked a quorum, so no votes were taken during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Evan Fern with Disability Rights California is in support.
• Tremail Watson with Disability Rights is in strong support.
• Evan Fern, with Disability Rights California, in support.
• Evan Fern, with Disability Rights California, in support. Good morning.
• CDA supports...

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, with no quorum at the start and throughout much of the hearing, so bills were presented and discussed but no final votes were taken. The committee heard SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales, SB 941 on commissary price caps in private immigration detention facilities, SCR 118 urging release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, SB 1009 on juvenile detention standards, AB 46 on mental health diversion, and SB 948 on firearm safety training and registration for new residents. The chair explained public comment procedures and noted that SB 891 was on consent, but the transcript focused on the other measures. SB 936 drew strong support from the author, prosecutors, local officials, and public health/environmental groups, who described rising misuse of flavored large nitrous oxide canisters, youth targeting, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and waste disposal costs. Opposition from the ACLU argued the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory rather than criminal approach, warning about overreach into ordinary household items. Members generally expressed support, though some asked for narrowing amendments to avoid unintended coverage. SB 941 was presented as a cap on markups for commissary goods sold to detainees in privately run federal immigration detention facilities, modeled on prior prison commissary limits. Supporters described severe price inflation for basic necessities and the burden on families, while no opposition testified. SCR 118, calling for full release of unclassified Epstein investigation files, was supported by the author, a survivor statement, and anti-trafficking advocates; one member objected that the resolution could implicate people without full facts, while others emphasized transparency and survivor accountability. SB 1009 and AB 46 both centered on criminal justice discretion: SB 1009 would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth and was supported by defenders and youth advocates but opposed by probation and district attorneys who warned about public safety and resource constraints; AB 46 would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk, with prosecutors and victims’ families supporting it and public defenders, ACLU, and behavioral health groups opposing it as an unnecessary restriction on treatment. SB 948 would expand firearm safety certificate requirements to include live-fire training and require new California residents to register firearms within 60 days; the author and gun-safety advocates supported it as a common-sense safety measure, and the hearing moved into support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are standards of care that we do support.
• Please support 1294. Thank you. Any questions? Seeing none. Thank you.
• organization that supports families with children with hearing loss.
• Who's in support of this? Who's not? Those kind of things. Sure.
• I will be supporting the motion.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Evan Fern with Disability Rights California in support. Good morning.
• Tremail Watson with Disability Rights in strong support. Thank you. Thank you.
• Evan Fern, with Disability Rights California, in support.
• Evan Fern, with Disability Rights California, in support. Good morning.
• Daniel Rubble, in strong support. Less the current in support of the Robert James family.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I encourage my colleagues and my friends on the other side of the aisle to support this to support veterans
• I would ask for your support of 4147. Thank you.
• It cuts $300,000 for support, educational programs, and support groups for Alzheimer's throughout Arizona
• Support groups for Alzheimer's throughout Arizona.
• Speaker, I support this bill. I believe it's on the right track." "I support this bill.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:42.120><c> There</c><00:24:42.200><c> were</c> Disability Rights Center.
• There were Disability Rights Center.
• So, if we want to sweep 25%, I'd consider that as a reluctant amendment that I could support, but uh
• And one of the reasons that I would support the bill is just because of that, okay?
• But, in general, I would say that we're very supportive of the amendment that was crafted.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• most vulnerable people in Minnesota: kids with autism, homeless people, people with significant disabilities
• who depend on that support.
• who depend on that support.
• So we've got to stop thinking that there's one bill, because we support the OIG bill.
• Is there any room for DFL support on those?

Summary: House DFL leaders held a press availability outlining a broad anti-fraud agenda focused on state programs, especially Medicaid-related services, but also unemployment and tax fraud. They said the package is intended to strengthen accountability, improve oversight, and prevent fraud before it occurs, while arguing that fraud harms vulnerable Minnesotans such as children with autism, people with disabilities, seniors, and homeless people. They also tied the problem to long-term privatization of public services, arguing that outsourcing creates more layers and opportunities for fraud, and cited examples like county case management and managed care arrangements. Specific proposals discussed included strengthening the attorney general’s Medicaid fraud control unit, creating or expanding inspector general functions, requiring more in-person site visits, using electronic visit verification, improving background checks and fingerprinting, and upgrading outdated IT systems. Members said some bills would be relatively low-cost while others would require funding, and that bills without fiscal notes might move separately while others could be folded into budget discussions. They also said the House DFL had already taken steps in prior sessions, including creating a fraud unit at the BCA and adding DHS staff for site visits. The discussion also covered the Office of Inspector General bill, with DFL members saying they support placing the office in the executive branch and that the governor should make the final appointment for constitutional reasons. They said Republicans had blocked amendments they viewed as adding fraud-prevention authority to the OIG bill, and that the governor’s staff had not been involved in working groups. On a separate bill involving disclosure requirements, they said the committee version was improved but still flawed because it could interfere with investigations; they said it would next go to the Children and Families Committee. No votes were taken in the exchange, and members said they were still early in session and hoped for more constructive negotiations later.