Transcript Highlights:

• Long-term care coverage is, of course, coverage that individuals buy to protect their estate should they
• Long-term care coverage is, of course, coverage that individuals buy to protect their estate should they
• Cameron, when you talk about short-term coverage, is that different than COBRA coverage?
• would have been limited to three months, even if you had to wait six months before your other coverage
• We prefer that they have coverage.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee may limit or redact testimony that includes sensitive personal information or information
• Please note that the chairs, at their discretion, may further limit the time for testimony.
• Given time constraints, I'll focus on ABA coverage today and submit extensive written testimony.
• Joe should have his own insurance coverage for his medical diagnosis.
• These are already in place under the AFC... ...service limits.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused on two broad sets of issues: home- and community-based care, and school-based Medicaid reimbursement. In the morning session, legislators and advocates testified on bills affecting children and disabled enrollees, including proposals to clarify rate-setting for home health and home care services (H. 767/S. 870), allow family members and spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth (H. 1394/S. 886 and related bills), extend MassHealth coverage for applied behavior analysis and other therapies beyond age 21 for adults with autism and developmental disabilities (H. 1351/S. 871), and protect medically fragile children by improving access to continuous skilled nursing. In the later portion of the hearing, testimony shifted to a bill to improve MassHealth reimbursement for schools (S. 862), with speakers describing the school mental health crisis and the need to reinvest Medicaid funds directly into school health services. Witnesses on the home care rate-setting bill said current reimbursement methods are opaque and outdated, contributing to workforce shortages, unfilled shifts, long waitlists, and patients remaining in hospitals longer than necessary. Home care providers and trade groups argued the bill would not set rates directly but would require more transparent methodology and fuller consideration of real costs such as wages, benefits, taxes, training, and technology. On caregiver bills, many family members and provider organizations described the financial and emotional strain of caring for disabled or medically fragile relatives, especially when parents, spouses, or guardians are barred from being paid caregivers. They argued the bills would recognize existing unpaid care, help families remain at home, and reduce reliance on more expensive institutional care. Advocates for adult ABA coverage said services remain medically necessary after age 21 and that ending coverage at that age creates an inequitable “cliff” for MassHealth members compared with those with private insurance. For the PACE/community care bill, elder law attorneys and PACE advocates said current MassHealth income rules force some older adults with modestly higher incomes to spend down to $542 per month, making community living unrealistic and pushing people toward nursing homes. They supported changing the eligibility structure to a premium-based approach that would allow more people to remain in the community. On the school Medicaid bill, advocates said schools are providing effective, preventive mental health care, but reimbursement currently flows to municipalities rather than directly back to school health budgets, limiting districts’ ability to hire and retain staff. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and several witnesses requested favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medical coverage, death coverage, all of the others are still going to be there.
• coverage for your volunteers.
• We do have limits for what we do.
• But there is a minimum limit of attendees for cost.
• So limited pay, limited benefits, especially for small district-owned agencies that might not be able

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• That your bill right now is very limited in scope. Yes.
• The bill itself is very limited. The bill is limited to what it's limited by.
• It is limited to... that's severe, yes, just severe cases.
• Fascism is characterized by a strong centralized government with limited individual freedoms and limited
• Action should be limited to actions that are not reckless.

Bills: SB31 , SB33 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB10 , SB2581 , SB2570 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SB4 , SB23 , SB1762 , SB34 , SB60 , SB706 , SB1814 , SB1220 , SB523 , SB565 , SB1253 , SB840 , SB764 , SB2383 , SB2155 , SB1535 , SB1423 , SB1566 , SB1804 , SB1728 , SB1816 , SB1952 , SB75 , SB2068 , SB1455 , SB213 , SB627 , SB2037 , SB670 , SB896 , SB917 , SB1184 , SB971 , SB1255 , SB1261 , SB1283 , SB991 , SB1733 , SB21 , SB231 , SB739 , SB1252 , SB1371 , SB646 , SB3 , SCR27 , SB552 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SJR1 , SB31 , SB33 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB10 , SB2581 , SB2570 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SB546 , SB647 , SB648 , SB1493 , SB1709 , SB2001 , HB5669 , HB3115 , HB5655 , HB5675 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5653 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB2775 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this bill did is it, so line-of-duty death benefits, health insurance coverage.
• So when someone dies in the line of duty... ...benefits, health insurance coverage.
• 2 plan reimburses the spouse for that PEBB coverage.
• In some cases... ...a gap in coverage.
• As long as they've met that minimum 10 years, they will qualify for benefits.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:25.920><c> It</c> program had limited drug coverage.
• It program had limited drug coverage.
• . coverage. coverage.
• It just provides more coverage and, you know, more opportunity for people who do hit the minimums of
• </c> coverage plan to a lower coverage plan. coverage plan to a lower coverage plan.

Summary: The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population. Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking. The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, the fund fell below its minimum contribution in 2024 and then was not allowed to be on
• Unfortunately, the fund fell below its minimum contribution in 2024 and then was not allowed to be in
• SB 762 is a thoughtful, balanced measure that provides limited statutory flexibility for certain cities
• SB 999 delays the annual publication date of the health minimum essential coverage individual mandate
• Tax Board to publish the health care minimum essential coverage individual mandate for March 1st to June

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard several bills, mostly related to Proposition 19, voluntary tax checkoffs, and local tax authority. SB 288 would clarify that the one-year residency and exemption deadline for inherited homes held in probate begins when legal ownership is established; it received support from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and others, no opposition, and was referred to suspense. SB 974 would explicitly include special needs trusts in Prop. 19-related inheritance rules; it had support from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 575, which would restore the Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund for voluntary tax return donations to sea otter conservation. Supporters cited sea otter recovery, research, and habitat protection needs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 999 would delay the Franchise Tax Board’s annual report on the health care individual mandate from March 1 to June 1 to allow more complete data; Health Access California supported it, and it passed 5-1 to Appropriations. SB 762 would authorize certain cities and counties, including Hercules, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara, to seek voter approval for local transaction and use taxes to address budget pressures, public safety, infrastructure, and safety-net service cuts. Local officials, labor groups, and health advocates supported it, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposed it; the committee adopted the urgency clause and then passed the bill to Local Government with urgency, with some no votes. SB 1073 would create a voluntary tax contribution fund to support the Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District; arts advocates and community supporters backed it, and the bill passed unanimously to the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This instrument provides relative to insurance coverage.
• Other boards like this around the country set upper price limits. Some even set drug prices.
• But it says that at a minimum, no. So they can expand beyond that if they want to.
• have a set criteria because that's at a minimum.
• And, and, and, and, That's at a minimum. If the board wants to expand beyond that, they could.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• What they have indicated, there are limitations in the state process that exist that don't, and the plans
• limits, deductibles, waiting periods, exclusions, preexisting condition rules, and whether wellness
• explaining Senate Bill 1494, which modifies required coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast
• The bill amends certain minimum insurance coverages for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings
• Members, smaller high-risk employers are struggling to find affordable voluntary coverage.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and heard a full agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and passed without objection after supportive testimony from banking and credit union groups. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program; the sponsor described it as a way to move emergency out-of-network payment disputes away from costly litigation and into an independent dispute resolution process modeled on the federal No Surprises Act. A proposed amendment drew significant questions from senators and concerns from the Florida Insurance Council about confusion over state versus federal eligibility and possible effects on contracted rates, and the sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment. The underlying bill was then supported by health care and insurance stakeholders and reported favorably. SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels also passed, with Progressive Insurance waiving in support. The committee next approved CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which requires continuing education for agents, clearer consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; the amendment was technical and adopted. SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage was presented as expanding required coverage for mammograms and supplemental screenings for certain insurance products, and it passed with support from cancer and radiology groups. CS/SB 314 on digital asset issuers was amended to create a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act, allowing state-level regulation as an alternative to federal supervision, and was reported favorably. SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, including higher small-estate thresholds and clearer authority for personal representatives, also passed after a banking-related amendment requiring letters of administration for safe deposit box access was adopted. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance, which raises the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ comp policies from 10% to 20% and adjusts the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; a carrier representative testified that the change would help keep more high-risk accounts in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 on a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for DFS to create a Florida coin, limit the pilot to existing stablecoins with at least $1 billion market capitalization, and require qualified public deposit handling; it then passed. CS/SB 838 on electronic payments for retail installment contracts clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments are permissible while preserving a fee-free option, and it was reported favorably after questions about consumer access to free payment methods. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, made a wide range of administrative changes affecting My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, licensing, bail bonds, and other DFS functions; a late-filed amendment on title insurer appointments was adopted, and the bill passed. The committee also approved SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting condo hardening assistance to owner-occupied units meeting income and occupancy criteria, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which the sponsor and industry witnesses said would modernize Florida law and promote insurance competition and economic activity. The meeting ended with all bills on the agenda reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently, it's a million-dollar coverage, okay?
• So currently, it's a million-dollar coverage, okay?
• They only have these minimum limits that we're proposing here today.
• Uninsured motorist coverage, Uber and Lyft can reject that.
• Our Amis limit the fiscal impact and clear some of that stuff up.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several bills and amendments, beginning with CS/SB 498 on trust fund interest for IOTA accounts. The sponsor said a 2023 Florida Supreme Court rule sharply increased interest paid into legal aid funding, creating a windfall and making participation difficult for banks. An amendment was adopted requiring savings institutions to pay the higher of 0.25% or the highest comparable rate offered on certain non-IOTA accounts, and the bill then passed favorably after testimony from banks, legal aid representatives, and other stakeholders both supporting and opposing the measure. The committee also approved CS/SB 232, which clarifies Florida’s consumer collection law applies only to phone calls during restricted hours and not emails or text messages, after a delete-all amendment and supportive testimony from industry groups. It then approved SB 132, as amended, to designate gold and silver as legal tender and set rules for custody, audits, electronic transfer, and government acceptance of payments; supporters called it a sound-money measure, while the banking association said it still had unresolved technical concerns. Later, the committee passed SB 1466 to create a trust fund for the My Safe Florida Home Program, with an amendment funding it from 20% of collected insurance premium tax revenue. It also considered SB 1206 on transportation network company insurance, reducing coverage during the “dead-leg” period before a rider is picked up from $1 million to lower limits; the bill drew sharp opposition from trial lawyers and support from insurers and some business groups, and the committee adopted a clarifying amendment before reporting the bill favorably. Finally, CS/SB 924 on fertility preservation for cancer patients was amended several times to narrow scope and clarify coverage rules, then passed favorably after debate over cost, preauthorization, and post-treatment storage obligations. The committee adjourned after allowing technical and conforming changes to implement the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• type of coverage.
• Wildfire coverage is part of your property coverage, but it's a factor in your property coverage.
• Do I have to have hurricane coverage or earthquake coverage?
• But the example that you gave about minimum limits for coverage for auto insurance—I mean, we did that
• We said, we mandated as a state what the minimum limits had to be.

Bills: SB154 , SB187 , SB193 , SM3

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Summary: The Senate Conservation Committee first took up Senate Memorial 3, presented by Senator O’Malley on behalf of Senator Bergman and a group of Rio Doso High School students and Wild Friends. The memorial asks state agencies to participate in a no-cost workshop on insect identification, ecology, monitoring, and management, and to help educate the public about insects. Students, conservation specialists, and an entomologist testified that insects are essential to pollination, ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity, while also noting declining insect populations and the need for more public understanding. Some senators raised concerns about the memorial’s wording, including whether it should be broadened from insects to arthropods and whether the Department of Agriculture, rather than Game and Fish, should be involved. The committee discussed timing and implementation, and the sponsor agreed to work on amendments. The memorial passed on a due pass motion by a vote of 8-0, with one excused. The committee then heard Senate Bill 154, which would require wildfire-related homeowners coverage to include flood damage caused by post-fire conditions for a five-year period. Senator Duhigg and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance argued the bill responds to the Ruidoso fires and subsequent flooding, noting that many homes were destroyed by mudslides and that flood insurance is often unavailable or inadequate. Supporters, including Ruidoso officials, affected residents, and attorneys, said the bill would help homeowners recover from cascading wildfire and flood losses. Opponents from the insurance industry and business groups warned the bill would be an outlier, could significantly raise premiums, and might reduce availability of homeowners insurance statewide. Committee members questioned how the mandate would work, whether it should be optional, and how costs would be allocated. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote. Finally, the committee briefly heard Senate Bill 187, which appropriates $202,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s Water Project Fund for future water projects authorized by the legislature. The Finance Authority said the funding would help address a gap between available money and the 113 recommended projects, totaling about $522 million, including water conservation, flood prevention, storage, wastewater, and watershed projects. Members asked for more detail on the locations and types of projects, and the Finance Authority said it would provide the list from the companion authorization bill. The committee then moved the bill forward on a do pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:28.160><c> research</c> targeted, time-limited research targeted, time-limited research projects
• We are talking about victims of human trafficking that are going to get denied this coverage.
• We are talking about victims of human trafficking that are going to get denied this coverage.
• </c> putting some limits. putting some limits.
• </c><00:43:04.760><c> subset</c> are allowed to exchange a limit subset are allowed to exchange a limit

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance coverage for many agencies is exceeding the amount of coverage, making this for some agencies
• It will not eliminate insurance coverage.
• what it says for this line of coverage.
• It all looks at ways to get the coverage and make sure the coverage is there for the children.
• This bill does not limit the ability to inquire about insurance coverage, bring claims, or seek remedies

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> self-reported as having travel-limiting self-reported as having travel-limiting disabilities. disabilities
• </c> missing medical appointments limited missing medical appointments limited access<00:42:54.480><c
• ><c> for</c> minimum minimum standard standards for minimum minimum standard standards for spacing.<01
• ,<01:14:52.720><c> detector</c><01:14:53.160><c> coverage</c><01:14:53.560><c> voluntarily,</c> coverage
• , detector coverage voluntarily, coverage, detector coverage voluntarily, but<01:14:55.280><c> federal

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Why is it phrased a minimum of and no more than in the original?
• If you look at 516.7, bonds limit use for the GRT revenue.
• But they also feel that this is limiting it for that bond repayment as well.
• We just need the bare minimum; this needs to be Simple, please. Oh no.
• So we are Limited with that income.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It says minimum of $75,000 per year. Why is it a minimum? $75,000 per year? Why is it a minimum?
• eligibility, not just for coverage, but also for affordability programs like these.
• It's too much coverage for medical. We expect us to support that we all have medical coverage.
• Because I thought we were at, like, 90 percent coverage. How do we get to 100 percent coverage? Mr.
• I think folks have pointed out this isn’t going to get us to 100% coverage.

Bills: SB241 , SB145 , HB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• It says minimum of $75,000 per year. Why is it a minimum? $75,000 per year? Why is it a minimum?
• eligibility, not just for coverage, but also for affordability programs like these.
• It's too much medical coverage. We expect us to support that we all have medical coverage.
• Because I thought we were at, like, 90 percent coverage. How do we get to 100 percent coverage? Mr.
• I think folks have pointed out this isn't going to get us to 100% coverage.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 7, the Apprenticeship Assistance Act, which would keep apprenticeship trust fund distributions at $2.5 million rather than reducing them and remove a reference to the tobacco settlement permanent fund. Labor, construction, business, and environmental groups testified in support, emphasizing workforce development, retention of workers in New Mexico, and expansion of apprenticeship opportunities. The bill was moved and adopted without opposition. Members then considered House Bill 66, as amended, to increase funding for health professional loan repayment and related workforce supports. The amendment struck an appropriation because the funding was already included in House Bill 2. Testimony from health care providers, chambers of commerce, social workers, and physical therapy advocates supported the bill as a way to address provider shortages and improve recruitment and retention. After questions about eligibility, repayment terms, and overlap with similar Senate bills, the committee voted to do pass the bill as amended. House Bill 96, creating a working group to study a possible New Mexico Space Commission, was also amended to strike an appropriation. Support came from the chamber, Virgin Galactic, and aerospace advocates, who said a commission could help coordinate economic development and workforce efforts in the space sector. Members asked about other states’ commissions, workforce pathways, and the working group’s timeline, and the sponsor agreed to add clearer dissolution language later. The committee then passed the bill as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 80, a committee substitute to redirect more of the oil and gas conservation tax to the reclamation fund for orphan well plugging and site remediation. Supporters from industry, environmental groups, tribal advocates, and chambers said the bill would better align the tax with its original purpose and provide stable funding for cleanup, while an opponent argued the bill shifts costs from industry to the public and should instead raise the tax or bonding requirements. After discussion of backlog, phase-in timing, and procurement reforms, the committee voted do pass. The committee also heard House Bill 4, as amended, which phases in a larger share of premium surtax revenue to the Health Care Affordability Fund over three years. Supporters said it would sustain BeWell enrollment and affordability programs, while opponents questioned the burden on private payers and the size of the general fund impact. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 10-7 vote. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 65, as amended, creating a Foster Care Plus pilot project for children in CYFD custody, with testimony both supporting the need for better services and cautioning that implementation should respect tribal law, cultural practices, and family reunification. The committee also tabled House Bill 68 at the sponsor’s request. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 88, which would make minor changes to the land grant assistance fund, including capturing reverted payments that currently go back to the general fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• You that this is going to be we don't want to cause a lot of limitations on the ability to provide this
• Faulen, you made a statement that there are some things that cause limitations as it relates to this.
• What they did is they put in a 2 million minimum. We will take that language.
• State is that what we’re willing to take, and that was a 2 million minimum if you ever did put a cap
• Well, I think that gives the members a great level of coverage and it eliminates a fear...

Bills: HB445 , HB477 , SB274 , HB441

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax, excise tax, age verification, underage sales, product testing, certificate of analysis

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would address the insurance coverage problem for Arizonans.
• This bill does not mandate coverage or regulate rates. It requires transparency.
• This bill does not mandate coverage. It does not set denial limits, and it does not regulate rates.
• But those are limited to just specific payers.
• It does not limit the ability of an MCO to develop a network or to set rates.

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:

• To enact Title 56, Freshwater Recreational Fish: provide for daily take, minimum-size limits for black
• bass, provide for daily take and minimum-size limits for crappie, and provide for geographic area.
• , and possession limits.
• We think this will bring them back into coverage.
• They can't afford the coverage. They don't pay for the coverage. They don't have to pay it there.

Bills: HR72 , HR73 , HR74 , HR75 , HR76 , HR77 , HR78 , HR79 , HR80 , HR81 , HR82 , HR83 , HCR36 , HCR37 , HCR38 , HCR39 , HCR40 , HCR41 , HB368 , HB433 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1019 , HB1020 , HB1021 , HB1022 , HB1023 , HB1024 , HB1025 , HB1026 , HB1027 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1030 , HB1031 , HB1032 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1035 , HB1036 , HB1037 , HB1038 , HB1039 , HB1040 , HB1041 , HB1042 , HB1043 , HB1044 , HB1045 , HB1046 , HB1047 , HB1048 , HB1049 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1052 , HB1053 , HB1054 , HB1055 , HB1056 , HB1057 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1060 , HB1061 , HB1062 , HB1063 , HB1064 , HB1065 , HB1066 , HB1067 , HB1068 , HB1069 , HB1070 , HB1071 , HB1072 , HB1073 , HB1074 , HB1075 , HB1076 , HB1077 , HB1078 , HB1079 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1082 , HB1083 , HB1084 , HR70 , HR71 , HCR35 , HB31 , HB326 , HB1013 , HB1014 , HB1015 , HB1016 , SB192 , SB196 , SB198 , SB203 , SB204 , SB214 , SB216 , SB257 , SB291 , SB383 , HB13 , HB23 , HB25 , HB32 , HB41 , HB42 , HB90 , HB120 , HB121 , HB122 , HB127 , HB138 , HB139 , HB141 , HB179 , HB187 , HB213 , HB247 , HB286 , HB332 , HB344 , HB357 , HB367 , HB370 , HB462 , HB505 , HB527 , HB537 , HB605 , HB680 , HB681 , HB725 , HB780 , HB782 , HB847 , HB892 , HB911 , HB916 , HB1012 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HB53 , HB57 , HB64 , HB102 , HB106 , HB111 , HB137 , HB152 , HB155 , HB177 , HB238 , HB256 , HB258 , HB337 , HB359 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB546 , HB557 , HB584 , HB661 , HB697 , HB726 , HB727 , HB747 , HB756 , HB758 , HB759 , HB765 , HB767 , HB825 , HB858 , HB930 , HB941 , HB957 , HB964 , HB58 , HB69 , HB93 , HB166 , HB199 , HB201 , HB202 , HB218 , HB223 , HB224 , HB231 , HB235 , HB246 , HB338 , HB349 , HB352 , HB379 , HB405 , HB429 , HB535 , HB547 , HB577 , HB588 , HB626 , HB636 , HB652 , HB653 , HB669 , HB688 , HB691 , HB721 , HB738 , HB806 , HB851 , HB857 , HB861 , HB889 , HB904 , HB907 , HB908 , HB929 , HB1009 , HB868 , HB119 , HB140 , HB739 , HB842 , HB875 , HB919 , HB61 , HB185 , HB233 , HB613 , HB848 , HB52 , HB228 , HB289 , HB735 , HB796 , HB722 , HB284 , HB301 , HB827 , HB953 , HB901 , HB9 , HB46 , HB193 , HB400 , HB436 , HB468 , HB570 , HB582 , HB733 , HB746 , HB923 , HB952

Summary: The House met on March 26, 2026, established a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a large number of introductions, resolutions, and committee reports. The chamber recognized Women of the Storm on its 20th anniversary, honored Saint-Amant FFA for winning a national coastal restoration championship, and later recognized Elevate Louisiana. The House also received Senate bills on topics including freshwater fishing limits, bridge preservation, emergency medical services, ambulance reimbursement, eye care coverage, and other matters, and introduced numerous House resolutions and bills covering education, ethics, transportation, elections, public records, criminal law, and appropriations. Several measures were referred to committees or were allowed to lie over, while some resolutions were adopted without objection. The House then considered and passed a series of bills, many by wide margins. Criminal justice and public safety measures included HB 53, adding illegal gambling as a RICO predicate offense; HB 57, allowing courts to consider criminal histories when issuing temporary restraining orders; HB 64, authorizing magistrates to recall arrest warrants; HB 102, creating second-degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities; HB 106, requiring written parental consent before melatonin is administered to children; HB 137, strengthening penalties and school notification procedures for terroristic threats against schools; HB 152, updating controlled dangerous substances schedules; HB 155, restricting drone use near the Capitol; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to return on contract; and HB 727, allowing burning of certain untreated construction lumber and wood mats. Members also approved HB 11, adding associate degrees to sentence-diminution eligibility, and HB 726, increasing penalties for abandoning vessels, with discussion noting the need for future funding to remove derelict boats. Education and workforce-related bills also advanced, including HB 238, easing ethics restrictions so former school board members who are certified teachers or school psychologists can return to work sooner; HB 256, clarifying mandatory reporter training for school employees; HB 363, allowing virtual-school students to participate in extracurricular activities and athletics at their resident public school; HB 386, allowing locally authorized charter schools to operate as their own LEA under local rules; HB 434, giving superintendents more authority over probationary school bus employees; HB 557, defining long-term care pharmacies; and HB 584, ending the practice of giving foster children trash bags for belongings and providing proper luggage instead. The House also passed HB 661, expanding nepotism exceptions for certain lower-paid school positions such as paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers, and HB 697, recreating the Department of Environmental Quality through 2030. Most bills passed unanimously or with strong bipartisan support, though HB 137 on school threats drew significant debate over parental liability and juvenile intervention before passing 71-26.