Transcript Highlights:

• Why not the Attorney General? I mean, if it's an unfair trade practice? Mr.
• President, why wouldn't it be the Attorney General that we go to to oversee something?
• President, Senator Duhigg. the Attorney General continues to have jurisdiction, and a number of others
• Now, it says here that the Attorney General protects the consumers and health care market, and it says
• telling me that the Health Care Authority Secretary will be the one that makes that judgment, not the Attorney

Transcript Highlights:

• I would talk to the president, but on this issue, one, I'm not an attorney.
• with the Department of Labor solicitors, I would certainly consult with the White House and their attorneys
• I don't think you need to be an attorney to understand that giving access to a company to sensitive data
• I know you mentioned or I mentioned that I'm not an attorney.
• Well, I'm not an attorney, as you know, and so I would like to explore this a little bit But you would

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Keywords: PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization

Summary: The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• and families safe, efforts carried out daily through collaboration between the sheriff, the county attorney
• have brought significant challenges in filling and retaining sheriff's deputies, assistant county attorneys
• 15:15.880><c> County</c> sheriff's deputies assistant County sheriff's deputies assistant County attorneys
• and</c><00:15:17.000><c> Child</c><00:15:17.320><c> Protection</c><00:15:17.920><c> workers</c> attorneys
• and Child Protection workers attorneys and Child Protection workers due<00:15:19.160><c> to</c><00:15

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, constitutionally, I'm not an attorney, but if you have a quorum and that quorum has a majority
• I've talked to the executive director, and she did say that they mirrored, the attorney mirrored the

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Pensions held a public hearing on House Bill 3208, sponsored by Representative Hovis, concerning the St. Louis Teachers Retirement System. Hovis explained that the bill updates the statute to reflect a prior change increasing the board from 11 to 13 members, and would require seven members for a quorum instead of six. He said the change is intended to align the law with the board’s current size and operating structure. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill would allow decisions to be made by a majority of a quorum, meaning as few as four votes, and whether that was appropriate given the board’s composition and the addition of charter school representation. Hovis and other members noted that the current language appears to mirror the board’s operating rules, but several members expressed concern that the voting threshold may be lower than the prior standard. Representative Clemens and others said they would want to review the issue further and possibly make corrections if needed. Angie Schulte, a registered lobbyist for the St. Louis Public School Retirement System, testified in support and said she would follow up with the system’s executive director and attorney to confirm whether the statutory language should be changed to match the board rules or whether the rules themselves need adjustment. There was no opposition testimony, and the hearing on House Bill 3208 was concluded without any vote or other action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here with me to testify in support on behalf of the sponsor is Amanda Simmons, an attorney who represents
• Here with me to testify in support on behalf of the sponsor is Amanda Simmons, an attorney who represents
• I'm a special education and school injury attorney, and I come to this issue with extensive experience
• surrounding institutional child abuse, both as an attorney and as someone with lived experience.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• afternoon, Chair and members, Kristen Olsen-Kate, here on behalf of the San Joaquin County District Attorney
• afternoon, Chair and members, Kristen Olsen-Kate, here on behalf of the San Joaquin County District Attorney
• I am an attorney at NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council, here in strong opposition to this bill
• My colleague, Van Aikenberg, also an attorney with San Francisco Baykeeper, is here to also answer technical

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills focused on wildfire preparedness, industrial safety, and recycling oversight. SB 1153 by Senator Caballero would require urban retail water suppliers to add wildfire-specific procedures to emergency plans and coordinate with fire agencies; supporters said it would improve planning while recognizing water system limits, and the bill was framed as protecting ratepayers and infrastructure. SB 811, also by Senator Caballero, would create a comprehensive DTSC permitting and regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities; supporters argued it would set clear statewide standards and protect communities, while opponents said it would weaken hazardous waste protections and carve the industry out of existing law. SB 883 by Senator Umberg would impose new safeguards for facilities storing reactive chemicals such as methyl methacrylate after the Garden Grove evacuation, including backup cooling, public review, emergency planning, and state tracking; industry groups opposed the breadth of the bill and sought further clarification, while environmental and community groups supported it. SB 1010 by Senator Ashby would strengthen oversight of appliance recyclers by improving reporting, inspections, certification, and funding for enforcement; supporters said it would reduce emissions and improve compliance, while recyclers raised concerns about fees and certification requirements. Each bill drew extensive testimony from industry, environmental, labor, local government, and community representatives. Supporters generally emphasized public safety, transparency, and the need for clearer statewide standards, while opponents warned about overregulation, reduced flexibility, or unintended impacts on existing hazardous waste and recycling systems. Committee members also raised questions about transparency, liability, size-based treatment of facilities, and whether the bills were narrowly tailored enough to address the problems identified. The committee voted to advance all four measures to the Committee on Appropriations, with votes taken on call and some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. The final add-on votes showed SB 811, SB 883, SB 1010, and SB 1153 all passing out of committee, with the roll left open for absent members before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Attorney General's designee to the commission.
• contracts, are defined in Chapter 93, Section 76 of the Are defined in Chapter 93, Section 76 of the Attorney
• want to look at, and I don't know if Val had to leave, but I think this is kind of right up the Attorney
• And I think one of the takeaways for me, and this is something that I can work with the Attorney General's

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence commission meeting focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with members and presenters discussing how the model works, consumer protections, and areas for future review. After member introductions, Jennifer Fuller summarized survey results showing the top priorities as financial viability and affordability, consumer protections and rights, and regulation/monitoring standards. The commission said those issues would guide its work plan, while also keeping staffing, definitions, and federal support on the radar. Alyssa Sherman of LeadingAge Massachusetts and Jim Freiling of Brookhaven at Lexington gave a detailed overview of CCRCs, explaining that they combine housing with health-related services under long-term contracts and typically require entrance fees plus monthly fees. They described the three common contract types: Type A/life care, where costs stay relatively stable if residents need more care; Type B, which offers some included or discounted care with higher costs later; and Type C, fee-for-service, with lower entrance fees but higher costs if care needs increase. They also discussed nonprofit governance, resident involvement, and the role of state and Attorney General disclosure requirements. Several members raised concerns about affordability, refund timing, and the need to distinguish true CCRCs from other senior housing marketed similarly; presenters said refunds are often tied to reoccupancy and that their organizations are collecting data on refund timelines and contract terms. The discussion also covered resident rights and governance, including whether residents should have seats on nonprofit boards. Christine Griffin said her community lacks resident board representation and urged the commission to consider a state requirement, while others said resident associations and direct engagement with boards can be more effective than mandatory board seats. Members also discussed transparency around monthly fee increases, financial screening before admission, and the importance of clear marketing so consumers understand what they are buying. No votes were taken. The meeting ended with logistical updates, including a tentative public hearing date of June 3, 2025, a note that the next meeting would focus on regulation and monitoring standards, and a reminder that the commission would continue refining its work plan based on survey feedback.

Transcript Highlights:

• that there has been a lawsuit filed against an insurance carrier in the state of Texas by the Texas Attorney
• So there are trial attorneys that are involved who have brought a number of claims based off of California
• that there has been a lawsuit filed against an insurance carrier in the state of Texas by the Texas Attorney
• So there are trial attorneys that are involved who have brought a number of claims based off of California

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Brandon Bayard, and I'm an attorney for Pacific Legal Foundation.
• </c><00:06:43.840><c> an</c> name is Brandon Bayard and I'm an name is Brandon Bayard and I'm an attorney
• </c> attorney for Pacific Legal Foundation. attorney for Pacific Legal Foundation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Annne Gunnar with the Banking Department, deputy attorney general.
• Gunnar with the banking<00:06:44.639><c> department</c><00:06:45.120><c> deputy</c><00:06:45.600><c> attorney
• </c> banking department deputy attorney banking department deputy attorney general.<00:06:46.800><c>

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've covered that with, since then, covered that with legislative council and the Attorney General's
• testifiers was reading from it was that, and was pointed out to me in no uncertain terms by the Attorney
• Senator O'Conniewicz, you mentioned that the Attorney General had eyes on this.
• But was the Attorney General's office saying that the agreement didn't pass down to further generations

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I have put some new efforts and been working with the Attorney General's office to get some additional
• We have a current state staff team that works on these, along with an assigned attorney from the Attorney
• that they would be able to take some of those more complex transactions and cases and work with our attorney

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the January 26 and January 27, 2026 minutes, then took up the gubernatorial appointment of Juliet Sharon as director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Sharon described her background in public health and Medicaid administration in Arizona, Texas, and Idaho, and outlined her priorities if confirmed: program integrity, efficient operations, clearer outcome measures, child welfare, disability services, and resolving long-running class action lawsuits. Senators asked about measurable goals, balancing compassion with fiscal responsibility, audit findings, and collaboration with the disability community. Sharon said she expects to more than double program integrity recoveries, that audit findings are being addressed through corrective action plans rather than firings, and that disability collaboration should be embedded in daily operations. Committee members also discussed Idaho’s influence on federal policy and Medicaid administration. No vote on the appointment was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard a lengthy Medicaid budget presentation focused on the Department’s supplemental request for state fiscal year 2026 and line-item requests for 2027. Sharon and Deputy Director/State Medicaid Director Sasha O’Connell explained that the supplemental request was driven by caseload growth, especially in traditional Medicaid, adult disability services, and youth/adult behavioral health, along with federally required rate and system changes. They also reviewed the impact of the governor-directed 4% provider rate reduction and the ending of some adult behavioral health services, saying the department had already been tracking budget sustainability before the executive order. O’Connell said the rate cuts drew the most public comment the agency has ever received, especially from home- and community-based providers, and that access monitoring is being developed to track whether services remain available. For 2027, the department requested funding for MMIS procurement, estate recovery, additional procurement staff, Medicaid admin reductions, and population forecast adjustments. Sharon said the MMIS modernization is on pause because of litigation over a major contract award, but other modules are moving forward. She also said estate recovery is underperforming and could bring in more general funds with contractor support. The committee discussed pharmacy costs and a possible Medicaid copay under House Bill 345, with Sharon saying implementation is underway and O’Connell noting savings estimates are still being developed. Senators also asked about expansion Medicaid growth and whether it affects other eligibility groups; Sharon said expansion growth is leveling off and that recovery rules apply to any Medicaid member receiving long-term care services. The meeting ended without any budget votes in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I have put some new efforts and been working with the Attorney General's office to get some additional
• We have a current state staff team that works on these, along with an assigned attorney from the Attorney
• that they would be able to take some of those more complex transactions and cases and work with our attorney

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you a synopsis, in 2012, there was a state Supreme Court decision that came down when the prior attorney
• you a synopsis, in 2012, there was a state Supreme Court decision that came down when the prior attorney
• And there's also jurisdiction given to the Attorney General under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act to
• this technology potentially could be opening themselves up for a similar type of lawsuit by state attorneys

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33178, a proposed constitutional amendment to change how state endowment and public lands are managed. Representative Raibald said the measure would shift the focus from maximum long-term financial return to a broader approach that prioritizes ongoing revenue generation, preserves public access for recreation and hunting/fishing/trapping where possible, and still allows sale or exchange only when needed and at appraised value. He also said the amendment would create a framework for any future federal land transfers, account for existing rights and obligations, and direct revenues into a dedicated fund for managing those lands. Members raised questions about wildfire impacts, tribal rights, land exchanges, and whether the proposal could lead to sales of valuable land; Raibald said the legislature would retain policy authority and that the measure was meant as a backstop. The committee voted to introduce RS 33178. The committee then heard House Bill 542, which would regulate social media use by minors. Representative Crane and legal counsel Chelsea Yeoman argued the bill is aimed at addictive design features rather than content, citing harms to youth mental health, privacy, and attention, and saying the bill would use existing age-estimation technology to default minors off platforms unless parents give verified consent. The bill would also require removal of features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, public like counts, and algorithmic targeting for covered minors, and it would create a private right of action and Attorney General enforcement. Supporters said it would empower parents and protect children from harmful platform design; a remote industry witness opposed it, arguing it would violate First Amendment rights, conflict with precedent, and invite litigation. Committee members asked about constitutional issues, Section 230, age estimation, parental controls, enforcement, and the bill’s $1 billion coverage threshold. Supporters responded that the bill was drafted to be content-neutral and to fit existing case law, while opponents said it still functioned as speech regulation. After public testimony from Idaho Family Policy Center in support and CCIA in opposition, the committee debated the bill. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing child safety and parental control, while others noted likely litigation and costs. The committee then voted to send House Bill 542 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• you a synopsis, in 2012, there was a state Supreme Court decision that came down when the prior attorney
• you a synopsis, in 2012, there was a state Supreme Court decision that came down when the prior attorney
• And there's also jurisdiction given to the Attorney General under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act to
• this technology potentially could be opening themselves up for a similar type of lawsuit by state attorneys

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I want to, just, if I can, for historical perspective, then Assistant Attorney General Joyce Bruce
• And members of the committee, my name is Nyjura Hasu, an attorney with Columbia Legal Services, here
• This has led the Attorney General to sue multiple hospitals for failure to provide thousands of eligible
• I'm Vanessa Sabadra, a senior attorney with Northwest Health Law Advocates, or NOLA, testifying on HB

Bills: HB1812 , HB2232 , HB2250 , HB2340 , HB2577

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: anesthesia services, healthcare access, reimbursement, patient care, equitable treatment, emergency services, healthcare outcomes, health infrastructure, system improvement, charity care, residency requirements, medical assistance, low-income, HB 2340, nursing assistants, nurse aide, substance use disorder monitoring program, monitoring program, credentialing, licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• More importantly, I'm also the attorney in the lawsuit the senator works.
• More importantly, I'm also the attorney in the lawsuit that Senator Worth mentioned.
• Our understanding was that the AG, the Attorney General, the Department of Justice, put a halt on dispersing
• Again, I've not been involved in the conversations with the attorney general about that.

Bills: SB38 , SB46 , SB18

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, SB46, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, compost feedstock, waste characterization study

Transcript Highlights:

• over from the regular retirement system and close that out the same way that we did for district attorneys
• 00:13:11.600><c> did</c><00:13:11.760><c> for</c><00:13:11.920><c> district</c><00:13:12.160><c> attorneys
• </c><00:13:12.560><c> last</c> that we did for district attorneys last that we did for district attorneys

Bills: HB66 , HB79 , SB35 , HB255 , SB134 , HB159 , HB181 , HB66 , HB79 , SB35 , HB255 , SB134 , HB159 , HB181

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, HB255, Employees' Retirement System of Alabama, ERSA, State Police Tier II Plan, annual leave

Transcript Highlights:

• previous determination in the early 90s that the SECC SECC members did not have to file following the Attorney
• received, uh, authorization to hire 3 new employees and, and also the funding to do that, uh, 2 attorneys
• The attorneys will be split between the Office of General Counsel and the Enforcement division and the
• elected classes or members of the legislature, and then I think it's also I have the district district attorneys

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say I had, you know, as a disability rights attorney, I had one, client who was in guardianship
• So it's the horror stories we hear is, you know, uh, the Hospital might, you know, contact an attorney
• So you're, you're gonna need to hire a positioning attorney who is going to bring, who's going to file
• Um, I am a, I was, I worked on it as a disability rights attorney.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee