Transcript Highlights:

• So, Chair Bierman, Vice Chair Nadeau, any closing comments? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• But we're saying that these are primary health care providers for women.
• And that, why would I be doing primary care? Because I'm an OBGYN specialist.
• Closing comments, please.
• Closing comments: I'll just thank the committee for the feedback.

Transcript Highlights:

• Access to primary care is declining in our state, and many practices are closing.
• </c><01:19:23.480><c> Clinicians</c> primary care providers. Clinicians primary care providers.
• care, Blueprint primary care, clinically affiliated primary care.
• </c> our primary care providers. our primary care providers.
• </c> [clears throat] support primary care. [clears throat] support primary care.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will take up to two primary witnesses in support and two primary witnesses in opposition for the remaining
• We will take up to two primary witnesses in support and two primary witnesses in opposition for the remaining
• We will take up to two primary witnesses in support and two primary witnesses in opposition for the remaining
• Seeing no one else, is there any primary opposition? The author mentioned there was nothing.
• We're going to close the roll, and that concludes today's hearing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard AB 748 by Assemblymember Harabedian, a bill to expand California’s pre-approved housing plan program beyond accessory dwelling units to single-family and small multifamily developments under 10 units. The author said the measure builds on the earlier AB 1332 model, is intended to reduce time and cost in plan review, and gives local governments flexibility to choose designs while preserving permitting fee revenue. He also noted the bill had been worked to remove local government opposition and that similar pre-approved approaches have been used in Altadena and by Los Angeles County after recent fires. Support testimony came from Habitat for Humanity California, which said the bill would streamline the costly and labor-intensive early design and plan review phase and help affordable builders, nonprofits, and small developers move more quickly to permits. A representative from Abundant Housing Los Angeles and SPUR also spoke in support. No opposition witnesses appeared. Committee members expressed support, with Assemblymember Ward offering to coauthor and move the bill. The committee voted 7-0 to pass AB 748 to the Appropriations Committee, and the roll was briefly held open for an absent member before being closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• registered a support position with the committee, and the primary witnesses in opposition must have
• registered a support position with the committee, and the primary witnesses in opposition must have
• Is there a primary opposition witness? I don't think so. Anyone testifying?
• That's primary. We need to take care of the people in our community first.
• That's primary. We need to take care of the people in our community first.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met as a subcommittee because a quorum was not present, and the chair announced 16 measures on the agenda, nine of them on consent. The committee then took up AB 1016 by Assemblymember Gonzalez, which would create a five-year pilot program allowing certain counties with geothermal elements in their general plans to locally permit geothermal plants up to 150 net megawatts through 2030. The author and Imperial County representatives argued the bill would streamline a duplicative permitting process, support local control, and bring jobs, tax revenue, and clean baseload energy development to Imperial County, which they described as facing high unemployment and poverty and having significant geothermal potential. Supporters included Imperial County officials, Rural County Representatives of California, Independent Energy Producers, and local community representatives. They emphasized the county’s long history of geothermal permitting, its planning efforts, and the economic benefits of projects that could support schools, health care, and community colleges. Opposition came from labor organizations including the California State Pipe Trades Council, Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers, California Coalition of Utility Employees, State Association of Electrical Workers, and State Building Trades. Their main concern was that shifting permitting from the California Energy Commission to local governments could remove the skilled-and-trained workforce requirement that currently applies to CEC-permitted projects. Committee members asked about that labor issue, and the author said he intended to work with the opposition coalition to ensure local workers are prioritized and that projects use skilled, trained, California-licensed labor. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration; no vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So one of them actually indicated if that person lacks access to primary care, the hospital will help
• Partners are other primary care settings.
• Partners are other primary care settings.
• And it's fine to talk about primary care doctors and they need to connect with them if they exist.
• The standard deviation on the right was not very, was pretty closely clustered together.

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed members back for the first committee weeks, and heard brief personal updates from several senators before moving into agency implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws. The Agency for Health Care Administration reported on Senate Bill 64 creating rural emergency hospitals, explaining that AHCA adopted the required rules effective June 1, 2025, but that no hospitals have yet been designated. Members asked about possible hospital conversions, accreditation and survey responsibilities, and whether Florida would apply for federal rural health transformation funding; AHCA said it intends to apply and has already been working on the issue with federal officials. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement under Senate Bill 7016. The agency said hospitals with emergency departments must submit plans that help redirect non-emergent patients to appropriate care settings while complying with EMTALA, and that 83 plans had been received and 63 approved as of September 30. Members asked about data collection, managed care coordination, and the state’s health information exchange; AHCA said it has moved to a new HIE vendor and will continue monitoring implementation and possible care gaps. AHCA then updated the committee on the TEACH program, saying $6.8 million was spent in 2024-25 across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed. The agency said rulemaking is nearly complete, a new nursing student category and expanded facility eligibility were added, and a federal 1115 workforce waiver remains stalled after CMS signaled it will not approve new workforce demonstrations. AHCA also reviewed House Bill 121 on KidCare eligibility, explaining that implementation of the 300% poverty-level expansion remains blocked by federal litigation and waiver issues tied to premium nonpayment rules; members and public speakers urged action to close the coverage gap. Public testimony on AHCA’s presentation came from representatives of health centers and advocacy groups, who said the non-emergent care access plan has improved hospital-health center coordination and reduced repeat emergency use, and who urged implementation of KidCare expansion for children in the coverage gap. The Department of Health then presented updates on FRAM, the Sanadi screening grant program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, telehealth maternity care, swimming lesson vouchers, and House Bill 159 on pharmacist dispensing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH reported strong participation in FRAM and the telehealth maternity program, 24 Sanadi grant awards in 42 counties, 4,945 swimming lesson vouchers issued last year and 2,371 so far this year, and three approved certification courses with five pharmacist certifications issued under HB 159. Committee members asked about recruitment of dentists and other providers, telehealth maternity outcomes, and why participation in the maternity program remains below expected levels; DOH said outreach and regional referral networks are expanding and more detailed outcome data will be included in the upcoming legislative report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The nominating petitions, if you submit a nominating petition in these closed primary elections, for
• primary elections?
• Okay, so I'm mentioning a nominating petition for a closed primary election. Yes, sir.
• A nominating petition for a closed primary? Let me make sure I understand your question.
• Now, with the new closed party primaries, they're going to have, if they're a registered no-party voter

Summary: The Committee on House and Governmental Affairs met on March 18 and first adopted the minutes from its February 21 meeting. The committee then took up HB 250, which would have narrowed financial disclosure requirements for appointed, unpaid board and commission members by exempting immediate family information. Supporters said the bill would reduce burdens and help recruit volunteers, while opponents argued it would weaken ethics enforcement and create opportunities for undisclosed conflicts of interest. After debate and a roll call, the committee deadlocked and HB 250 failed to advance on a 6-6 vote with one abstention. The committee next considered HB 576, which transfers ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Old Governor’s Mansion to the Department of State and codifies its current operational role. Secretary of State Nancy Landry and mansion staff testified in support, describing expanded programming, increased visitors, and the need to align the statute with current practice. The committee adopted technical amendments and then reported HB 576 favorably without objection. The committee also heard HB 117, which recreates the Department of State and its statutory entities through July 1, 2033, and reported it favorably without objection. The major remaining item was HB 842, the annual omnibus elections bill, which makes numerous technical and substantive changes to election law, including voter assistance for people with disabilities, absentee ballot and petition procedures, inactive voter updates, and election contest deadlines. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns about disability documentation, absentee ballot curing, witness requirements, constitutional amendment challenge deadlines, and the scope of authority given to the Secretary of State, while others said the bill clarified existing practice and improved election administration. After adopting amendments and rejecting a motion to defer, the committee reported HB 842 favorably by an 8-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any additional primary witnesses in support? Seeing none.
• Senator, would you like to close?
• So maybe you could speak to that in your closing.
• Any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill?
• All right, sir, would you like to close?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no other witnesses, any primary opposition? Anyone in the room in primary opposition?
• Quirk-Silva, you may close if you wish. Thank you.
• Any primary opposition to this measure? Please come forward.
• You may close if you wish. Oh, thank you, Mr. Chairman, members.
• We're getting close, Ms. Rodriguez, we're getting close. You may proceed when ready.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard a series of bills focused on nonprofit tax status, housing, tribal land return, tax relief, economic development, journalism, reparations, manufacturing investment, and pawned property sales tax. The chair explained the committee’s suspense file process and noted that only AB 2270 and AB 2641 were eligible for immediate votes; other measures were referred to suspense after presentation. AB 2084 (Bauer-Kahan) would give the Franchise Tax Board discretion to delay or review revocation of state nonprofit tax-exempt status when federal status is revoked, and AB 2167 (Macedo) would clarify that tribally chartered corporations are eligible for existing tribal conservation land return tax exemptions. Both drew support from nonprofit and tribal representatives and were sent to suspense. AB 2270 (Arambula) sought to improve farmworker housing access to low-income housing tax credits by adjusting scoring criteria to reflect rural agricultural realities. Supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages projects near farmland; the bill passed the committee 4-1 and was sent to Housing and Community Development. AB 2336 proposed excluding the first $25,000 of overtime pay and pension income from taxation; supporters framed it as affordability relief, while an opponent warned of major General Fund losses and a member raised the lack of an income cap. AB 2205 would reinstate the New Employment Credit to encourage hiring in high-unemployment areas, and AB 2222 would create refundable tax credits for local news organizations hiring journalists; both received strong support from business, labor, and media advocates and were referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2186, which would exclude future reparations payments from state income tax, with supporters arguing reparations should not be reduced by taxation; it was sent to suspense. AB 2377 would accelerate depreciation deductions for manufacturing equipment, with a larger benefit in high-need areas, and AB 2641 would extend the sales tax exemption for people repurchasing their own property from pawnbrokers, with the author agreeing to a five-year sunset amendment. AB 2641 passed 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. After taking up the remaining roll calls for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So please go ahead and close. Thank you very much.
• With that, would you like to close?
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Seeing none.
• Are there any primary witnesses in opposition? Are there any primary witnesses in opposition?
• Thank you, Senator, you may close. Thank you so much.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To close, musicians create songs and a show.
• So this bill would close that gap.
• So this bill would close that gap.
• I invite you to close.
• Okay, at this time we'll be closing the roll.

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met on April 8, 2025, and heard three bills. AB 666 would designate Bigfoot as California’s official state cryptid, with the author arguing it would recognize North Coast history and support local tourism; there was no support testimony, one opposition witness said the bill was a distraction from more serious issues, and the chair ultimately held the bill for lack of a motion. AB 1349 addressed speculative ticketing in the live entertainment market by requiring sellers to own or have a contractual right to tickets before listing them, along with disclosure, recordkeeping, anti-spoofing, and refund provisions. The author and supporters from music venues, artist groups, and sports organizations said the bill would protect fans and artists from deceptive resale practices and price gouging. Opponents from consumer and resale groups argued the measure was overbroad, could restrict legitimate resale and concierge services, and might favor primary ticketing monopolies. The committee members who spoke generally supported the consumer-protection goals, and the bill passed out of committee on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting. AB 932 would require local education agencies that rent facilities to third-party youth sports clubs to provide gender-equitable access, closing what the author described as a loophole affecting girls’ club sports. Supporters, including the California Department of Education and youth sports advocates, said the bill would improve access for girls and address examples of unequal field and gym use. Opponents argued it could conflict with Title IX and raised broader objections to gender identity language in sports policy. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 vote, with three members not voting, and sent it to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you going back to the jungle primary? Did you say that? It won't be a closed primary?
• Yeah, for this fall it would not be a closed primary. Did you say that?
• It won't be a closed primary? Yeah, for this fall it would not be a closed primary.
• Back on the resolution to close? Yeah, close on the amendment. I'd like to get it approved.
• Secretary, close the machine. Bob Colo authors. Close the machines. Next bill.

Bills: SR116, SR117, SR118, SR119, SCR68, SCR69, SCR12, HB682, HB766, HB769, HB775, HB783, HB824, HB926, HB1186, HB1201, HB1223, HB1245, HB1247, HB1253, HB1258, HB221, HCR53, HCR62, HCR72, HCR58, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1194, HB1198, HB1246, HB1250, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB424, SCR9, SB25, SB250, SB348, SB405, SB444, SB485, SB35, SB65, SB132, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR26, HCR45, HCR61, HCR77, HCR31, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB17, HB21, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB166, HB211, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB258, HB842

Keywords: SR116, Senate Resolution 116, Louisiana Senate, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, Tyler Marie Grezaffi, law enforcement, corrections officer, deputy sheriff, master sergeant, investigator, Louisiana State Penitentiary, Pointe Coupee Parish, Iberville Parish, public service, bereavement, sympathy, SR117, Senate Resolution 117

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a long calendar of House and Senate measures. Early business included adoption of a large batch of Bureau reports and numerous committee reports, along with several personal privilege recognitions for guests and observances, including Aviation Day at the Capitol, Safe Boating Week, and recognition of a student’s educational achievements. The chamber also received messages from the House on several Senate concurrent resolutions and conference committee reports, including House Bill 842, the omnibus election bill, which was taken up and adopted after discussion of changes to Louisiana election procedures, congressional primary timing, ballot order, and related qualifying and public-records provisions. The Senate also adopted or concurred in several resolutions, including measures on community action, early education, condolences, and a blockchain and digital innovation task force. A major portion of the meeting focused on floor debate and final passage of several bills. Senate Bill 250, dealing with comprehensive weight management services through the Office of Group Benefits, was amended to remove GLP-1 and compounded-therapy provisions and then passed. Senate Bill 348 authorizing local law enforcement to contract for administrative and logistical support for motor vehicle regulatory enforcement passed, as did Senate Bill 405 creating a statewide quality oversight initiative for nursing facilities. Senate Bill 444 and Senate Bill 485, both relating to the new city of St. George’s expropriation and taxing authority, passed after amendments and questions about their local impact. Senate Bill 25, on compensation for registrars of voters and staff, also passed unanimously. Senate Bill 132, requiring exterior master key boxes and school mapping integration for public schools, passed as a school safety measure. The Senate then considered a series of House bills, many of them local or regulatory in nature. These included HB 649 on dual enrollment, HB 665 on hoop nets in North Pass and Manchac Pass, HB 681 on the Lakeview Crime Prevention District, HB 721 on night shrimping in parts of Vermilion Bay, HB 746 on statewide oversized vehicle permits, HB 781 on fleet vehicle registration, HB 835 on charter guide wildlife management area access permits, HB 857 on commingled seafood labeling, HB 872 and HB 886 on menhaden fishing radios and harvest reporting, HB 889 on bulk oyster tagging, HB 892 creating the West End Economic Development District, HB 982 naming memorial highways, HB 987 consolidating LSU energy-related programs, HB 1037 and HB 1072 on DOTD operational reforms, HB 1068 on garbage collection contracting authority, HB 1078 on tuition and fees for distance education, HB 1085 repealing private vehicle inspection sticker requirements, HB 1132 on lab school funding under the University of Louisiana system, HB 1137 limiting adverse employment action against state employees over pronoun use, HB 1167 naming memorial roadways, and HB 1174 recreating DOTD through 2031. Most of these measures passed, often after brief debate and occasional amendments; HB 1085 drew opposition over the loss of inspection-related jobs and concerns about unsafe vehicles, but it still passed. One notable bill, Senate Bill 500 on medical malpractice and the Patient Compensation Fund, was not brought to a vote; after extensive debate about the medical review panel system, claims costs, and proposed certificate-of-merit changes, the author said he would turn it into a study resolution instead.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:33.600><c> Services</c> capacity 38% have closed Services capacity 38% have closed Services
• </c> in healthcare costs among the primary in healthcare costs among the primary ways<00:24:07.840><c
• Any closing comments before we move to a vote?
• And I think, as a primary care provider, it also really reduces burnout and increases retention in primary
• </c> our state it will strengthen the primary our state it will strengthen the primary care<01:44:43.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The mic is pulled close to you.
• If you will pull pulled close to you.
• So, please make sure those microphones are on and pull close to you.
• The four primary things it does: It adds some language.
• The um four primary things some of that. The um four primary things it<00:07:09.520><c> does.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you going back to the jungle primary? Did you say that? It won't be a closed primary? Yeah.
• For this fall, it would not be a closed primary. Did you say that? It won't be a closed primary?
• Yeah, for this fall, it would not be a closed primary. Okay, that's what I thought.
• Madam Secretary, closing: 8-0-0, nays.
• I send it out with the close. Wait for my closing. Ask for your final passage. Senate Bill 505.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm working very closely with the FQHCs to try to prevent closure.
• Primary care, FQHCs, and to me, this is like one of the most concerning parts to me.
• to invest in primary care.
• Because if not, you won't have a lot of primary care clinics. You'll have a lot of sicker people.
• So we are prioritizing primary care with that fund and that...

Transcript Highlights:

• We will take up to two primary witnesses in support and up to two primary witnesses in opposition for
• We will take up to two primary witnesses in support and up to two primary witnesses in opposition for
• Would you like to close? Okay. Thank you. Would you like to close?
• , I'll invite you to close.
• , I'll invite you to close.

Summary: The committee hearing covered a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with the chair repeatedly noting the committee was operating without a quorum for much of the meeting. Several measures were heard with no opposition, including AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1788 on allowing best-value contracting for general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, AB 2058 on reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 on clarifying historic resource protections in a housing law, AB 2568 on increasing the compensation cap for water district board members, AB 2224 on updating county recorder fees and requiring electronic recording, AB 2469 on water-supply review and cost responsibility for data centers, and AB 2397 on requiring local governments to justify denials of certain housing-finance decisions. Most of these bills were presented as targeted fixes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, or modernize outdated statutes, and the authors generally requested aye votes and noted committee amendments where applicable. The most extended debate centered on AB 1751, which would streamline approval of qualifying townhome projects while setting a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered private projects. Supporters argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union residential workers, and preserve existing prevailing wage law while adding enforcement tools and developer liability. Opponents, including several building trades and labor organizations, argued it would undercut prevailing wage standards, create a race to the bottom, and potentially affect wage-setting more broadly. Committee members asked detailed questions about land-use barriers, the relationship to prevailing wage, and whether the bill would affect unionized work; the author and supporters responded that it applies narrowly to private for-sale townhome projects and does not alter prevailing wage requirements. AB 2469 also drew a substantive split. Supporters said data centers should be required to provide water-supply assessments before approval, pay for infrastructure they trigger, and account for impacts on overdrafted groundwater basins and local ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Data Center Coalition, counties, and tech groups argued existing law already covers water planning, that the bill imposes unique and burdensome requirements on one industry, and that some reporting provisions could raise security concerns. The author responded that the bill is about front-end planning and local accountability, not daily reporting, and emphasized the hyperlocal strain data centers can place on small water systems. No final votes were taken during the hearing because the committee lacked a quorum, though members repeatedly indicated support or intent to vote aye once a quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will take up to two primary witnesses in support and up to two primary witnesses in opposition for
• Would you like to close? Okay. Okay. Thank you. Would you like to close?
• Would you like to close this? Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Would you like to close this?
• , I'll invite you to close.
• See no one else, would you like to close? Thank you. Seeing no one else, would you like to close?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you like to close? I'll make it easy.
• Chair, would you like to close?
• Chair, would you like to close?
• Chair, would you like to close? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Quick close.
• Great close. Thank you for the bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will close the key, Senator Hogan.
• The secretary will close the key, Senator Hogan.
• The secretary will close the key and take the tally.
• The Secretary will close the key and take the tally.
• The Secretary will close the key. The Secretary will close the key and take the tally.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge, a quorum call, and approval of journal corrections. It then handled several House messages, appointing conference committees on Senate Bills 2004 and 2006 and House Bills 1018, 1019, and 1363, and re-referring House Bill 1216 to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bill 1601, which would have expanded special assistant attorney general authority for certain offices, but the bill failed on final passage after strong opposition centered on preserving the Attorney General’s control and avoiding a solution in search of a problem. A major portion of the day focused on education funding. House Bill 1369 was amended to raise per-pupil aid from 2% and 2% to 3% and 3% and to increase the school construction loan transfer from $75 million to $100 million; supporters said this would help local schools and military base projects, while opponents raised questions about special education placement language and state coordination. The bill passed 44-3. House Bill 1013, the DPI budget, was also amended extensively to adjust staffing, funding sources, grants, meal assistance, teacher training, and other education programs; it passed 45-2. House Bill 2234, dealing with Choice Ready grants, was amended to shift funding away from general funds and toward federal or other sources, but then failed on final passage after the sponsor urged a red vote. The Senate also approved House Bill 1482, restricting bond and indebtedness elections for counties, cities, school districts, and park districts to primary or general election days, and House Bill 1332, creating a value-added agriculture facility incentive program with an emergency clause. House Bill 1010, the Insurance Department budget, passed unanimously after amendments reflecting the merger of the Securities Department into Insurance and adding staff and fee changes, while House Bill 1011, the separate Securities Department budget, failed because its funding was already included in HB 1010. House Bill 1584, a major pharmacy benefit manager reform bill, passed with an enforcement fund and new licensing/enforcement structure despite debate over ERISA and market transparency. In other action, the Senate concurred in House amendments and passed Senate Bills 2226, 2230, 2069, 2082, 2387, 2385, and 2186, with SB 2186 on parenting time interference and a child custody task force passing 27-20 after debate over whether the issue should be left to the courts. Senate Bill 2234, on Choice Ready grants, and Senate Bill 2243, on driver’s license points and traffic penalties, both failed after concurrence motions were adopted but final passage votes were overwhelmingly negative. The chamber also advanced Senate Bill 2291 to conference committee consideration near the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Yarborough, you're recognized to close. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Seeing no debate, you are recognized to close. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Seeing none, Senator Berman, you are recognized to close. I will waive close, Madam Chair.
• Oh, you would like to close. Please close. You get to close.
• Oh, I can close us out. Wonderful. Is there a few...

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy considered several health-related measures. SB 890 on improving screening and treatment for blood clots was presented as a work-in-progress based on a prior working group. The bill would define certain clot-related conditions as chronic diseases, create a DOH registry, require screening and training in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, and several senators raised concerns about definitions, training requirements, facility responsibilities, and public records impacts. Survivors and family members testified in strong support, describing blood clots as a preventable public health crisis. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. SB 668 on storage and disposal of prescription drugs and sharps would direct a study of medical sharps collection and address conflicts between state and federal law on disposal of certain prescription drugs. Senators discussed whether the study should include both individual and commercial disposal and whether newer injectable medications increase sharps waste. The bill received supportive testimony from waste and recycling stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 762 on preventing the spread of avian influenza would create a DOH task force to develop a statewide response strategy, monitor outbreaks, study wastewater monitoring, and recommend cost-effective testing and prevention measures. An amendment extended the task force deadline, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 182, which creates the Home Away From Home tax credit for businesses donating to charities that house families of critically ill children, with supporters saying it would help expand lodging for families in need. SB 942, the chair’s bill on restrictive covenants in health care, would limit non-compete clauses for physicians under a salary threshold, with debate focused on patient access, workforce retention, and concerns about small practices and contract enforcement. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted SPB 7018 to preserve a public records exemption for minors seeking judicial bypass of parental consent requirements for abortion, and then reported it favorably. Several members later recorded votes on earlier bills, and the committee adjourned.