Transcript Highlights:

• HE IS GOING TO WAIVE IN SUPPORT ANYONE WISHING TO DEBATE? OKAY.
• THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES IN SUPPORT.
• WE REPRESENT HALF A MILLION PEOPLE AND WE SUPPORT THE BILL.
• I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THE BILL. >> Sen. Fine: THANK YOU.
• REGINALD IN SUPPORT, JONATHAN WHETHER IN OPPOSITION, RYAN KENNEDY IN SUPPORT, IN OPPOSITION, AMY KEITH

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> supporting the intent. supporting the intent.
• And we also have written testimony from Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities in support
• We also have written testimony from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities in support
• In<00:39:52.800><c> support.</c> In support. In support. Let's<00:39:54.160><c> see.
• </c> Developmental Disabilities in support. Developmental Disabilities in support.

Bills: HB1626 , HB1643 , HB1668 , HB1550 , HB1974 , HB1858 , HB1871 , HB1966 , HB1972 , HB1973

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a supportive housing permanent supportive housing project located on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis
• </c> including shelter beds Supportive including shelter beds Supportive Housing<00:04:27.360><c> and
• <00:05:01.120><c> Housing</c><00:05:01.600><c> permanent</c><00:05:02.000><c> Supportive</c> Supportive
• Housing permanent Supportive Supportive Housing permanent Supportive Housing<00:05:02.800><c> project
• </c> their residents need from Supportive their residents need from Supportive Services<00:26:14.000>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Dallas Deeson, waiving in support. Appearance forms: Dallas Deeson, waiving in support.
• Anna Higgins, Family Support Services, waiving in support. Thank you. Senators, was there debate?
• I humbly ask for your support of Senate Bill 606.
• Danielle Thomas, waiving in support. Dr.
• Daniel Thomas, waiving in support with the ACN Medical Association; Daniel Martinez, waiving in support

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment on several health and human services funding concerns before moving through a series of bills. Testimony at the start focused on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, with a client warning that proposed changes to eligibility and drug access could disrupt care for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS, and urging the Legislature to intervene. Another speaker asked for support for the iBudget waiver, saying provider costs have risen and requesting about a 7% increase for direct support professionals to help stabilize the developmental disabilities workforce. The committee then unanimously reported favorably several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7, based on drowning-prevention recommendations. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligned reporting dates with the House version. SB 1718 changed the definition of when an adult visitor in an out-of-home placement becomes a non-visitor, reducing repeated background checks, made the Step Into Success pilot permanent, adjusted foster youth stipends, and created a best-practices program within the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. The committee also approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials provided to new parents and requires hospitals and birthing centers to document compliance; members highlighted bathtub drownings as a key concern. SB 96 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level, while an amendment removed the bill’s specific appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before taking the NCLEX. SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in federally designated areas of critical need if an area is de-designated, to avoid disrupting patient-provider relationships. All bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support obviously. support obviously.
• disability, security disability, they Anybody that knows the Social Security disability system knows
• </c> A judge did fully disable me. Okay. A judge did fully disable me. Okay.
• the judge did fully disable me. So the judge did fully disable me.
• </c><02:25:54.080><c> Um,</c> child support. Um, child support.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be scholarship support, support for stipends during their clinical training, and support for
• We are in support.
• to support this report.
• We also support the $4 million allocation to H-KAI to support CHWs.
• We also support the $4 million allocation to H-KAI to support CHWs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering, since you've read the bill and you support the bill...
• But I really support this.
• any support, it's an attack on someone else when it isn't.
• community and the elderly and physically disabled community.
• community and the elderly and physically disabled community.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then took up a large agenda of health-related bills. SB 1214, the Arizona Stem Cell Therapy Act, drew extensive testimony from supporters who said it would create guardrails for regenerative medicine, protect patients, and encourage biotech investment, while opponents argued it was tied to abortion politics and imposed harsh penalties. The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. SB 1194, which would prohibit health professionals and institutions from denying care based on vaccination status, also passed 4-3 after testimony from supporters framing it as an access-to-care and religious-freedom measure and opponents warning it would interfere with private practice policies and parental choice. SB 1814, creating a study committee on substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight, passed unanimously 7-0. SB 1602, increasing stipends for kinship foster parents, passed as amended 7-0, and SB 1603, expanding child-only cash assistance eligibility, also passed as amended 7-0. The committee then considered several bills focused on gender-related care and public funding. SB 1177, which bars public monies from funding gender transition procedures and makes intentional violations a felony, passed 4-3 amid testimony that it protects taxpayers and counterarguments that it is discriminatory and unsupported by evidence. SB 1014, requiring insurance coverage for detransition procedures when transition care is covered and directing data reporting on transition and detransition, passed 4-3 after supporters said it would help detransitioners and collect needed data, while opponents argued it would chill providers and target transgender patients. SB 1094, creating civil liability for physicians who perform irreversible gender reassignment surgery on minors, was heard with testimony from supporters citing malpractice concerns and detransitioner harms and from opponents saying it would create a hostile environment for providers and treat trans patients differently; the transcript cuts off before the vote is shown. SB 1752, which classifies commercial harvesting or sale of mescaline as a felony while preserving bona fide religious use defenses, passed unanimously 7-0. Later, SB 1628, requiring insurers to report claims-denial and prior-authorization data and DIFI to publish standardized reports, passed unanimously 7-0 after supporters emphasized transparency and opponents called it redundant to federal reporting. SB 1629, requiring AHCCCS managed care organizations to give advance notice and network-adequacy documentation before terminating high-volume providers without cause, also passed 7-0; supporters said it would prevent patients from losing access to behavioral health care, while health plans and Access said existing oversight already covers much of this and warned the bill could slow necessary network changes. Throughout the meeting, the committee repeatedly adopted motions for due-pass recommendations and, where applicable, amendments, with several bills passing on party-line or near-party-line votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Licensing to remit a portion of the current security guard licensing fees to L&I to support
• There are two amendments. ...security guard licensing fees to L&I to support the costs of the board.
• I am also going to be voting in support of this bill today.
• But I think that what you're trying to accomplish is very noble, and I support the goals for more transparency
• So I urge your support, and that's it. Okay, thank you. Representative McEntire.

Bills: HB2188 , HB2218 , HB2524 , HB2563

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, workers' compensation, medical care, healthcare access, employee rights, insurance coverage, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards, industry board, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing

Transcript Highlights:

• its abduct abduct that we body support its abduct abduct that we support<00:27:37.520><c> it.
• </c> support it. Thank you. support it. Thank you.
• </c><00:49:25.874><c> [cough]</c> and support this bill. [cough] and support this bill.
• </c> for your support. for your support.
• </c> I rise in support of this bill. I rise in support of this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and asked for your support. and asked for your support.
• . support. support.
• </c> We ask for the body's support. We ask for the body's support.
• . support. support.
• </c> support. Thank you. support. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2018, required revisions as portions of it were not compliant with the federal Individuals with Disabilities
• brought the special education manual into full compliance with regard to the specific learning disabilities
• Manual was revised to update as a first phase, the eligibility criteria for the special learning disability
• Was it primarily around specific learning disability eligibility, or are there more substantial changes
• Was it primarily around specific learning disability eligibility?

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> preamble and also add a disability preamble and also add a disability community<00:04:41.920><c>
• Recognizing the hope to support it.
• ,</c><00:18:43.600><c> women,</c> individuals with disabilities, women, individuals with disabilities
• to support their buildings but to support their buildings to<00:42:28.800><c> support</c><00:42:29.240
• Not<00:51:32.720><c> Not</c><00:51:33.000><c> supported.</c> Not Not supported. Not Not supported.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for disabling for disabling um<00:11:22.720><c> the</c><00:11:23.360><c> start</c><00:11:23.760>
• Um, and I'll ask for your support for that.
• Um, and I'll ask for your support for that.
• Um, and I'll ask for your support for that.
• Um, and I'll ask for your support for that.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> here in support of House Bill 1010. here in support of House Bill 1010.
• I support that.
• I support that. This is great. I support that.
• Support, neutral, oppose.
• Support, neutral, oppose.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm excited: a few months ago we created the pre-licensing support team within DCYF.
• I'm excited a few months ago we created the pre-licensing support team within DCYF.
• We've supported the development of over 80 different facilities through funding, support, guidance, and
• Highlighting a couple of examples, live examples of projects we've supported.
• That support allowed us to initiate a full site search from February 2024 through January 2025.

Summary: The committee held a work session on form-based codes, child care facility siting, and street standards/frontage improvements. On form-based codes, Commerce’s Dave Anderson explained that these codes emphasize building form, orientation, and the public realm more than traditional use and density tables, and that they are typically applied in specific districts rather than citywide or statewide. Lacey’s Vanessa Dolby described the city’s Woodland District code, developed through community charrettes, fiscal and market analysis, and subdistrict-specific standards to create a walkable downtown. She said the approach has helped produce a more desirable built environment and more flexibility in permitted uses, but also noted it can be less user-friendly for applicants and still requires some use restrictions; both presenters said a hybrid approach is often best. The committee then heard from DCYF and multiple providers about barriers to opening child care facilities. DCYF officials said Washington has more than 6,500 licensed providers and that a new pre-licensing support team is helping applicants navigate licensing, but local zoning, building, fire, parking, utility, and occupancy requirements still create delays and confusion. Testifiers described long permitting timelines, inconsistent local interpretations, costly upgrades, and utility hookup delays; one Yakima provider said county requirements, a floodplain-related elevation certificate, and a private well issue stopped her in-home child care proposal, while others described traffic impact fees, parking mandates, and zoning barriers that made projects infeasible. Enterprise Community Partners highlighted examples of successful local reforms, including fee waivers, expedited permitting, and zoning changes in several cities, and DCYF said it is working toward a 2026 action plan and a resource guide for providers. In the final section, planners and developers discussed how street standards and frontage improvement requirements can undermine infill and middle housing. Poulsbo’s planning manager said current standards were designed for greenfield subdivisions and often force costly curb, gutter, sidewalk, stormwater, and utility upgrades on small infill sites, sometimes adding tens of thousands of dollars and causing projects to be abandoned. A Seattle-based developer made similar points about small middle-housing projects being burdened by frontage work, curb ramps, buried standards, and EV-ready parking requirements that can trigger expensive undergrounding. Committee members asked about possible state-level changes, including whether child care should be treated as an essential public facility and whether parking requirements had already been reduced; one senator noted that minimum parking requirements for child care facilities were eliminated in prior legislation, with implementation phased in over the next few years.

Transcript Highlights:

• From a legislative perspective, we support the full funding of literacy... ...perspective, we support
• We highly support it.
• We highly support it.
• Thank you. support this bill.
• They needed support in order to be heard. Thank you. They needed support in order to be heard.

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• He relies on other people to provide maximum physical support for anything he needs to do.
• Hunter's disability, though significant, has not prevented him from living his best life and achieving
• Hunter's disability, though significant, has not prevented him from living his best life and achieving
• His supported living nonprofit provider operated at an $8 million deficit in 2025.
• It is time to fund supported living.

Committee: All REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there other witnesses in support that would like to come forward and express their support in their
• I support this bill. Thank you. Tracy Rosenberg on behalf of Oakland Privacy in support.
• Judy E. with State Building Trades, in support. J.D. E. with State Building Trades, in support.
• Give San Jose in support. Thank you. Any other witnesses in support of 1248? Seeing none.
• Kim Stone, Stone Advocacy, on behalf of Elevate California, in support. We will note support.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative action that's a citizen's initiative can have standing for defending it or absolutely supporting
• would have capped the amount of taxpayer dollars that can be carried forward to students with disabilities
• to 50,000 and 24,000 for students without disabilities.

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Summary: The Arizona Legislative Council met to revise the adopted analysis for Proposition 212, the Protect Education Act, after the Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling that would remove the measure from the ballot. Staff presented a revised draft analysis, explaining that the only changes were on page one and that the revised text was intended to comply with the court order and state law. One member of the public testified, saying she was neutral on the revision but questioned whether a sentence was necessary and urged that the analysis remain unchanged so voters could still consider the initiative. Members then debated the prior analysis and the court ruling. Democratic members argued the earlier language was biased, argumentative, and unlawful, and said the committee had to fix language the court found improper. Republican members responded that passing a law later ruled unconstitutional is not itself illegal and criticized the discussion as partisan. One member also argued that the revised analysis still contained other biased references, including language about severability and the funding source. The motion to adopt the revised analysis passed on a roll call vote of 7 ayes, 6 noes, and 1 not voting. During the vote explanation, one senator opposed the measure, arguing the initiative would have added guardrails to ESA voucher spending, restricted luxury purchases, required fingerprint clearance cards for private schools and tutors receiving ESA funds, and returned unused funds to the general fund. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there other witnesses in support that would like to come forward and express their support in their
• I'm going to support the bill because, largely because I told your staff we would support the bill, but
• State Building Trades in support. J.B. Hanna with the California Nurses Association in support.
• Give San Jose in support. Thank you. Any other witnesses in support of 1248?
• Kim Stone, Stone Advocacy, on behalf of Elevate California, in support. We will note support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and protect psychotherapy records under confidentiality laws. The bill was presented with powerful testimony from Maria Rain, whose son died by suicide after prolonged interactions with ChatGPT, and was supported by behavioral health groups, labor organizations, and privacy advocates. Tech and medical groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could restrict beneficial clinical uses of AI, create conflicts around triage and screening, and raise privacy and innovation concerns. The committee voted 4-0 to send SB 903 to Appropriations. SB 1119, a companion measure to AB 2023, would create a broader regulatory framework for chatbot interactions with children, including annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, notice and time-limit requirements, limits on advertising and use of children’s data, public incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. Maria Rain again testified in support, describing how ChatGPT allegedly encouraged and coached her son Adam Raine toward suicide. Supporters said the bill is needed to prevent sycophantic, addictive chatbot behavior and protect minors. Opponents, including CalChamber, TechNet, the California Medical Association, and others, raised concerns about overlapping requirements with SB 243, vague standards, prescriptive design mandates, audit confidentiality, and the private right of action. The committee voted 4-1 to send SB 1119 to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would require annual DOJ audits of automated license plate reader users, stronger employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for ALPR data. Supporters argued the bill would address widespread misuse and over-retention of data that mostly tracks innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, saying the 30-day limit would hinder investigations, especially in older or complex cases, though they supported stronger safeguards and audits. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, dealing with automated curb-management enforcement in six cities, passed 4-1 to call after supporters said it would help cities manage loading zones, bike lanes, and AV-related curb use, while privacy advocates warned against expanding automated surveillance and pilot programs. The committee also approved SB 1101, requiring higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies; it passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, was introduced to require advance notice and reporting when AI or other technology displaces workers, with labor support and Chamber opposition; testimony began, but no final action on that bill appears in the transcript excerpt.