Transcript Highlights:

• office or even professional office space.
• The legislation also requires racial bias training for health professionals.
• And we will, I will entertain a motion.
• I entertain the motion to adjourn. Thank you.
• I entertain a motion to adjourn.” “Thank you.” “The motion is seconded.

Bills: SB274 , SB301 , SB249

Committee: House Health & Human Development

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several measures related to health care, public health, and patient protections. House Concurrent Resolution 148, urging a statewide educational strategy on menopause, was presented as a workplace awareness measure and received supportive comments from members before being released. Senate Bill 274, updating Delaware’s MOST program to POLST and clarifying capacity determinations and documentation for end-of-life orders, also drew supportive testimony from medical and nursing groups and was released. House Bill 458, limiting local backflow preventer requirements for certain low-hazard buildings, was presented as a cost-relief measure for homeowners and small businesses; DHSS expressed concerns but said it was willing to work on amendments and a sunset provision, and the bill was released. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and ordering flags at half-staff, was released after brief supportive remarks. The committee then considered Senate Bill 339, a technical correction to the advance health care directive form clarifying that an agent’s authority for voluntary mental health admission cannot exceed 72 hours, consistent with existing law. Members asked detailed questions about how the 72-hour limit works and whether it applies to voluntary directives; the sponsor and a Disability Rights Delaware witness explained that the bill only aligns the form with current statute and does not expand authority. The bill was released. House Bill 301, requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients discharged while showing signs of labor, prompted extensive discussion. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve safety, transportation planning, and aftercare, while some members noted Delaware hospitals already do much of this work and questioned whether codifying it was necessary; supporters emphasized maternal mortality disparities and the need for guardrails. The bill was released. Senate Bill 196, creating ownership disclosure requirements for long-term care facilities and resident notice rules after ownership transfers, was presented as a transparency measure for seniors and families and was released after supportive testimony from the Delaware Nurses Association and elder-care advocates. Senate Bill 320, expanding pharmacists’ independent prescriptive authority for certain non-controlled medications and allowing opioid use disorder medications under standing order, with added malpractice reporting requirements in Senate Amendment 2, was supported by pharmacists and nurse practitioners as an access-to-care measure and was released. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 161, establishing a unified licensing and oversight framework for adult behavioral health providers under DSAM, was presented as a patient-protection measure; providers supported the goal but cautioned that regulations must be workable, and the substitute was released. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was released with a note reflecting concerns about broadening the analysis to include additional cost drivers and alternatives. Finally, Senate Bill 249 with Senate Amendment 2, modernizing harm-reduction programs and paraphernalia laws, generated the most extended debate: supporters framed it as life-saving public health policy, while opponents raised concerns about needle litter, community impacts, and whether the approach facilitates addiction. Despite the objections, the bill was released.

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems to be more of a skilled labor versus, like, professional services. So, Mr.
• So I would entertain a motion. Any further discussion before we vote?
• So I would entertain a motion to take jurisdiction. Second. Any further discussion?
• I would entertain any questions or a motion. Representative Warrey? I'll move.
• I would entertain a motion to take jurisdiction. No, to approve.

Committee: Joint Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll entertain any questions. There is a motion on the bill before questions.
• this all the way through this time so this all the way through this time so I'll<00:18:47.600><c> entertain
• any</c><00:18:48.200><c> questions</c><00:18:48.760><c> motion</c><00:18:49.000><c> on</c> I'll entertain
• any questions motion on I'll entertain any questions motion on the<00:18:49.280><c> bill</c><00:18:50.240
• uh it also adds well as professionals uh it also adds things<00:23:50.640><c> like</c><00:23:50.840>

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, which would require administrative regulations with a major economic impact of $500,000 or more over two years to go through the legislature. Williams argued the bill would rein in regulatory overreach, improve transparency, and still allow emergency regulations. Several members raised concerns about executive-branch authority and the role of subject-matter experts, while others supported the bill as a way to improve communication and legislative oversight. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 87, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway, with a committee substitute adopted first. The bill is aimed at reducing barriers for people with felony records who are seeking occupational licenses, while preserving existing public hiring practices for cities and counties. Callaway said the changes were mostly technical and intended to make the process more transparent, with no fiscal impact. The committee approved the bill, and it passed with the committee substitute. House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors, also passed with a committee substitute. The measure updates and modernizes the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy statutes, which sponsors said have not been substantially revised since 1958. Supporters said the bill clarifies outdated language, defines terms more clearly, and better reflects current practice, including physical therapist assistants. The chairman noted the long effort to update the practice act and praised the work of the stakeholders involved. Finally, House Bill 437, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton, was presented as a cleanup bill for alcohol beverage control law. It would limit state and local ABC administrators and investigators from making arrests unless they are POP certified, while leaving their other authority intact. Hampton and supporting witnesses said the change would align the statute with other law enforcement certification requirements and help keep civilian administrators from being put in harm’s way. The transcript ends during discussion of this bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I'll most likely be entertaining any amendments. So if you would also see me, please.
• I'll most likely be entertaining any amendments. So if you would all. somebody did, but I will.
• Yeah, I'll most likely be entertaining any amendments. So if you would also see me, please.
• helps me afford my college education and because it is relevant for my career aspirations in the entertainment
• In my professional work with IOTC, I have been put in unsafe situations, but I knew how to stand up for

Bills: HB1170 , HB1570 , HB1834

Committee: House Appropriations

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do need to be having trained professionals, just like an orthotist/prosthetist is the trained professional
• It has to be someone that's a trained professional.
• Okay, I will entertain a motion. So I can't. Representative Kate.
• Of professionals who died by suicide.
• So I will entertain a motion.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll entertain a motion. Thank you, Vice Chair Grove. Can we please call the roll? Limon? Aye.
• I'll entertain a motion. Thank you, Vice Chair Grove. Can we please call the roll.
• I'll entertain a motion. Thank you, Vice Chair Grove. Can we please call the roll? Limon? Aye.
• I will entertain it. I will be happy to do the motion. Thank you, Senator Ochoa-Bogue.
• Next, we will have, I'll entertain a motion for Joseph To the full Senate for confirmation.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Dorka Keene to the California Arts Council, Luciana Profaca to the Commission on Disabilities, Sarah Han Shapiro to the Commission on Disability Access, Robin Umberg and Veronica Zoror to the California Veterans Board, and Daniel Curtin to the California Water Commission. Two appointments to the State Park and Recreation Commission, Phil Ginsburg and Francesca Viter, were approved on split votes of 3-2. The committee also unanimously approved a motion to refer bills to committees. The committee then heard testimony from three appointees to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors: Jesse Melgar, Tom Epstein, and Joseph Williams. They emphasized student success, affordability, workforce alignment, dual enrollment, basic needs support, housing, and adapting to AI. Members questioned them about financial aid and ghost-student fraud, regional career technical education needs, enrollment declines, standardized testing and AB 705, community college baccalaureate degrees, and the new career passport initiative. Public commenters strongly supported the nominees, and the committee voted 5-0 to send all three appointments to the full Senate for confirmation. Finally, the committee heard from Mark Beckley, nominated as Chief Deputy Director for Operations at the Department of State Hospitals. He described his background in state operations and said his priorities would include recruitment and retention, improving treatment through a new electronic health record system, maintaining aging facilities, and supporting community providers. Senators asked about high vacancy rates at state hospitals, especially Atascadero and Patton, and about coordination with law enforcement oversight on patient deaths and safety trends. The committee voted 5-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no one in the queue, I would entertain a motion to approve. Have a motion. Second.
• You're going to have the professionals that are involved in evaluating the efficacy and the advancement
• Next up is the review of the UAMS professional consultant services contract amendment.
• This item does require approval, so I would entertain a motion. Motion to approve. Have a second.
• This item does require approval, so I would entertain a motion. Motion to approve. Have a second.

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. The committee approved formulary changes for March and April that favored lower-cost generics, removed some new-to-market drugs from coverage pending more evidence, and made maintenance changes to migraine and diabetes medications. Members also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would route those therapies through prior authorization rather than automatic coverage; officials said the process should not delay urgent cases and that no current members would be affected. The committee then reviewed a UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant contract amendment, but after extended discussion about the written scope and dollar amounts, the motion was approved with the understanding that any use of optional services would return to the committee for further review. The committee also reviewed the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administration contract and the CompSack employee assistance program contract, which officials said would reduce per-member costs and add services. The subcommittee approved proposed 2027 rates for state employees and public employees, with a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. Officials also reported that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in its final negotiation stage and would return in August, with medical and pharmacy coverage split as previously recommended. In response to questions, the director said the division was considering broader preventive-care offerings, including weight-loss drug coverage, but would proceed cautiously and with strong utilization controls and holistic support if such a program were adopted. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules making prior temporary rules permanent, a contingency-fee subrogation contract, and renewals for claims management, actuarial services, and investment management. Members raised concerns about Sedgwick’s claim-adjustment timeliness and communication with school districts after severe weather events; officials said performance guarantees and communication expectations had been strengthened, but the renewal was kept at three years for continuity. Finally, the committee approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, a 10% overall rate reduction, and bucketed rate changes by entity type. Officials said the captive program was working as intended, with improved actuarial support and claims experience, and the meeting adjourned after the approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a certified financial planner professional, a certified kingdom advisor, and a chartered advisor
• Chapman is a licensed real estate professional, certainly very smart about real estate and real estate

Bills: HB4322 , HB4202 , HB4203 , HB4457 , HB3983 , HB3660 , HB3802 , HB2933 , HB2955 , HB2956 , HB3781 , HB3521 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB3800

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer, funeral director in charge, dual licensure, mortuary science, Oklahoma Funeral Board, funeral establishment, commercial embalming establishment, crematory, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, apprenticeship, licensing requirements, professional regulation, undertaker, mortician, burial services, death care industry, workers' compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• able to share what you're seeing as far as potentially the shortage or lack of pharmacy techs or professionals
• This measure primarily affects professional regulation enforcement activity of certain medical boards
• And obviously, I cannot speak as a medical professional, even though I am an EMT.
• looking over the bill and We felt that the determination of imminent and credible should be made by professionals
• It creates consistency with how other state-employed healthcare professionals are treated by adding APRNs

Bills: HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling

Bills: HB2675 , HB2249 , HB2120 , HB1069 , HB1983 , HB2431 , SB6006 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6353 , HB2521 , HB2091 , HB2104 , SB6355 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB5808 , HB1796 , HB1376 , SB6260 , HB2353

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1194 prohibits health professionals and health care institutions
• It substitutes government control for professional judgment and parental choice. Yes.
• It substitutes government control for professional judgment and parental choice.
• My professional society, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, specializes in the treatment and
• The World Professional Association of Transgender Health put it really well, that this case was a medical

Bills: SB1014 , SB1094 , SB1146 , SB1177 , SB1192 , SB1194 , SB1214 , SB1372 , SB1390 , SB1398 , SB1399 , SB1494 , SB1557 , SB1561 , SB1564 , SB1602 , SB1603 , SB1621 , SB1628 , SB1629 , SB1713 , SB1752 , SB1776 , SB1813 , SB1814 , SB1821

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: gender transition, gender detransition, health insurance, medical procedures, insurance claims, official documents, Arizona law, gender reassignment, civil liability, minors, medical consent, detransition, dependent children, foster care, periodic review, court hearings, child welfare, public funds, prohibition, Arizona legislation

Bills: SSB1012 , SSB1016 , SF56 , SF57 , HSB87 , HSB121 , HSB122 , HF123 , HF124 , HF137 , HF146 , HF147 , HSB9 , HSB85 , HSB1 , HF2 , HF34

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services

Keywords: food assistance, nutrition program, fresh produce, farmers markets, Iowa healthiest state initiative, healthcare, prior authorization, health benefit plans, utilization review, administrative costs, right to try, experimental treatment, investigational drug, biological product, medical device, terminal illness, life-threatening illness, severely debilitating illness, compassionate use, expanded access

Transcript Highlights:

• But when we do, we will entertain a motion on the bill. We do not yet have a quorum.
• Once we establish a quorum, we'll entertain a motion on the bill.
• We're going to entertain a motion. Okay.
• We're going to entertain a motion after we reconvene at 1:30.
• We're going to entertain a motion after we reconvene at 1.30.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• a categorical exemption of investigative files maintained by law enforcement, penalology, and professional
• for a categorical exemption of investigative files maintained by law enforcement, penology, and professional
• Thank you for looking into this and entertaining questions. Ms. Weeks, do we have Ms. Weeks online?
• Thank you for looking into this and entertaining questions. possibility. Thank you.
• One question: so to follow through on your pigskin analogy, who's your halftime entertainment?

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2356 would let a homicide victim’s next of kin seek a court injunction to block examination of law enforcement records in homicide cases; staff explained current Public Records Act rules, the sponsor said the bill was intended to protect families and children after especially graphic cases, and open-government testimony opposed the measure as an unnecessary secrecy expansion. HB 2460 and HJR 4212 would change vacancy-filling rules for partisan offices so an appointee must be from the same party only if the former officeholder had declared a party preference; the sponsor said this would address vacancies involving no-party-preference officials and avoid delays or litigation. HB 2631 would create a pilot to extend the governor’s customer-experience initiative to the Secretary of State, Fish and Wildlife, and the Insurance Commissioner, with deadlines for liaisons, metrics, reports, and service-improvement plans; the sponsor and supporters emphasized better service and accessibility, while agency representatives raised concerns about cost, autonomy, and whether participation should be optional. HB 2574 would streamline procedures when a candidate dies before or after ballots are printed, allowing removal from ballots or noncounting of votes based on a death certificate; the sponsor said it would avoid unnecessary recounts and costs. HB 2572 would require county-tribal election meetings and create an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including tribal voters on reservations, military and overseas voters, and voters with disabilities; county auditors and election officials supported the tribal outreach and access goals but stressed the need for security testing and careful implementation of the portal. In executive session, the committee considered five bills and adopted amendments on two of them. For HB 2333, which addresses protections against political violence for elected officials, candidates, election officials, and criminal justice participants, the committee adopted amendment Omley 307 to allow P.O. boxes or ACP addresses in campaign-related filings and contributions, then advanced the substitute bill on a 4-3 vote. HB 2462, concerning authority to counter unpiloted aircraft systems, was advanced 5-2. HB 2419, which expands the address confidentiality program to certain administrative law judges and Office of Administrative Hearings employees, was amended to include the chief administrative law judge and then advanced 5-2. HB 2176, exempting collaborative drug therapy agreement information from the Public Records Act, advanced 4-3 after debate over privacy versus transparency. HB 2491, exempting personal information submitted to Washington Technology Solutions for digital experience platform services, also advanced 5-2. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Entertain a motion to approve the minutes as presented.
• If not, I entertain a motion to approve the consent calendar. So moved.
• If not, I entertain a wishes to remove?
• Uh, I entertain a motion from the committee. Been moved by Senator to approve 2551.
• </c><00:12:15.200><c> from</c><00:12:15.279><c> the</c> Uh I entertain a motion from the Uh I entertain

Summary: The JLCAR meeting opened with approval of the prior minutes and the consent calendar, after one Fish and Game item was pulled from consent for separate discussion. The committee then reordered the regular calendar and postponed an HHS item at the agency’s request because work on the proposal was still ongoing and the sponsoring representative was absent. The committee next considered OPLC item 2547, dealing with amendments to licensure and discipline forms for regulated professions. Members raised concerns that the form appeared geared toward health professions and that boards were not sufficiently involved in the process. OPLC responded that the form was being moved toward a dynamic online format with logic to collapse irrelevant questions, and that the agency was trying to make the application more user-friendly. The committee approved the item. DNCR item 2551, concerning volunteer/adopt-a-park program rules, was approved after the agency acknowledged it had been operating the program and using forms before formal rules were adopted, and said it was now correcting that issue. Fish and Game item 2570, on electronic OHRV and snowmobile registration applications, drew discussion over processing times. The committee chair argued for consistency with the five-day mail-in processing period, while Fish and Game said it had concerns about file-transfer delays and workload and preferred 10 days. The committee ultimately approved the proposal with an oral amendment and conditional approval. In other business, staff described a broader move to an online agency portal for submitting rulemaking documents, replacing email submissions. Members supported the change as a modernization effort and noted it would also make it easier to see which rules are nearing expiration. The committee approved the manual change, with implementation planned for early August after agency training.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I'm reading through it, I see we've removed entertainment, but we've left the entertainment venues
• These are venues of entertainment.
• These are venues of entertainment.
• It's in 325F.676, and it reads: place of entertainment means an entertainment facility including but
• Um the idea of a of entertainment.

Bills: HF1392 , HF2233 , HF695 , HF2228 , HF1289

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll entertain a motion to do pass SB 422. So moved. Second.
• I will entertain a motion to amend and do pass SB 74. So moved. Second.
• I'll entertain a motion to do pass AB 595. Do you have a second?
• I will entertain a motion to amend and do pass AB 597. So moved.
• So this will now, I will now entertain a motion to do pass AB 597.

Bills: AB534 , AB562 , AB595 , AB597 , AB600 , SB74 , SB226 , SB422 , SB488

Committee: Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• targeted post-production incentive, California risks further losing a critical segment of the entertainment
• It is an essential part of the entertainment ecosystem.
• Doug Subbers, on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters, in support. Thank you.
• It makes funding available to incentivize the hiring of professional journalists.
• Missy Johnson, on behalf of the Directors Guild of America, as well as the Entertainment Union Coalition

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think you have a couple of professionals in the audience today that can speak more to this.
• I'm an 18-year law enforcement professional.
• I don't know if this will be more entertaining or less entertaining, but I appreciate the opportunity
• I don't know if this will be more entertaining or less entertaining, but I appreciate the opportunity
• We'll have centralized marketing services, health professionals.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll entertain a motion. Thank you, Senator Laird, for that motion. Can we please call the roll?
• I'll entertain a motion. Thank you, Senator Laird, for that motion. Can we please call the roll?
• I'll entertain a motion. All right, that item is approved, five to zero.
• I'll entertain a motion. Thank you, Senate Vice Chair Grove. I'll entertain a motion.
• I'll entertain a motion. Thank you. We have a motion made by Vice Chair Grove.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several governor’s appointments, routine agenda items, and the confirmation hearing for Dina El-Tawansy to serve as Director of the California Department of Transportation. The committee first approved a series of appointments to the Board of Behavioral Sciences, Contractors State License Board, and Medical Board of California, along with bill referrals, a rule waiver for guests on the Senate floor for a memorial adjournment in honor of former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these actions were approved on 5-0 votes, with the early appointment items passing 3-2. The committee then heard testimony from El-Tawansy, who emphasized her 28 years at Caltrans, a focus on safety, equity, climate resilience, workforce development, and multimodal transportation. Senators questioned her on a range of transportation issues, including the impact of federal and state disputes affecting immigrant truck drivers and highway funding, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane project, DBE reevaluation under new federal rules, asphalt recycling and disposal, climate-related damage to roads and coastal infrastructure, and the future of gas-tax revenue and road user charges. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is prioritizing safety and emergency projects, working on reevaluating DBEs, advancing climate adaptation planning, and studying road user charge pilots and related technology. Members also asked about small business participation, toll lane agreements, homelessness encampments on Caltrans property, and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo rail corridor. El-Tawansy described Caltrans programs to support small and disadvantaged businesses, local hiring, heavy equipment and CDL training, standardized toll lane agreements, delegated maintenance MOUs with local governments, and expanded efforts on encampment response and rail/transit planning. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with representatives from transportation agencies, contractors, local governments, labor, and technology firms urging confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to advance El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation, then adjourned.