Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps a question for counsel: Does this particular proposal expand the powers of the Attorney General
• Chair and members, it does not affect the powers of the Attorney General.
• Chair and members, it does not affect the powers of the Attorney General.
• He said that may be something the governor could do, but not the Attorney General.
• :53.800><c> the</c><00:17:53.920><c> Attorney</c> governor could, but not the Attorney governor could

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• so he took his throne down to powerful so he took his throne down to the<00:55:52.160><c> shore</c><
• And I applaud the governor in trying to solve this problem we've been wrestling with for the last few
• So, the governor is no longer at 45%.
• The other governor is no longer at 45%.
• </c><04:41:58.160><c> to</c> executive orders from the governor to executive orders from the governor

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, the view of our good governor and I diverge on this topic.
• </c> good governor good governor uh<01:20:52.720><c> and</c><01:20:53.160><c> I</c><01:20:53.360><c>
• </c><02:11:59.480><c> in</c><02:11:59.600><c> this</c> governor and who is the governor in this governor
• </c> have is at a time when we have Governor have is at a time when we have Governor Walz<02:52:49.440
• Like with a capital C, powerful veteran majority chairman. Like never mind.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Soroy. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
• And the way that happens is through power generation of fossil fuels, nuclear, a diversified portfolio
• Appropriate power license to issue, right?
• When you have a person in a position of power that can tell you if you can't call your children, that
• But I also think it is an issue of just corporate power.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims. Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about power over people.
• I do know that the bill was initially vetoed by the governor, the one that you're referring to in Kansas
• But, you know, that's debatable, because you all have the power so you can legislate how you want.
• But considering this scope of power, we're going to exempt those organizations and groups.
• What is the power dynamic between a coach and athletes on a team? Coach has the power. Yeah.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and if you don't mind, uh, Governor, if you go ahead and come to the table. governor uh Ernie Fletcher
• Dave, thank you, Governor.
• &gt;&gt; thank you, Governor. And u I I will say &gt;&gt; thank you, Governor.
• Johnson, the Governor.
• </c><00:31:23.440><c> and</c> Governor, for this presentation. and Governor, for this presentation. and

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I use a power wheelchair to move around.
• You are in the power to do something for us.
• Because regional centers exercise so much power over us, oversight cannot be symbolic.
• power over us.
• So the state council is an independent state department that's led by a council of governor-appointed

Transcript Highlights:

• Something about a governor or somebody in our way with that one. But anyway, Mr.
• Something about a governor or somebody in our way with that one. But anyway, so Mr.
• These regulations have made it possible for power plants to move to low-carbon sources such as wind,
• It was intended and still is to protect the viability of our long-term coal generating fire plant power
• plants and to be resistant of the power plants and to be resistant of the utilities<01:56:35.360><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also think that this is an incredibly powerful program, Street Medicine.
• I'm not a powerful lobbyist. I'm just a mom. And what we do in this life echoes into eternity.
• I believe it was Kingston 11 in Oakland when the governor signed the original version of this bill.
• I think whenever we have somebody who's directly impacted by our policies, it's an incredibly powerful
• Last year, the bill, unfortunately, was vetoed by the governor given tight timeline constraints.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the comptroller obviously has... has the power to promulgate a form on his own to direct that
• I can't speak about power of attorneys or how that works, but.
• units or power take-off equipment.
• The bill actually passed both houses last session and was vetoed by the governor during the property
• So, in these areas are areas that the governor or president has.

Bills: HB19 , HB30 , HB851 , HB1663 , HB1681 , HB1769 , HB1937 , HB1979 , HB2428 , HB2433 , HB2825 , HB3159 , HB3424 , HB3486 , HB3487 , HB3504 , HB3605 , HB3879 , HB3994 , HB4382 , HB4752 , HB5444 , HB5446 , HB5447 , HB3199 , HB4847 , HB19

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that sort of overlays this whole conversation for me is if the governor was proposing a way to
• I know the governor cares about roads and potholes and paving, and so, you know, can you just address
• This is a priority for the Governor to help decarbonize the aviation sector.
• We agree with the Governor that we need to continue incentives for zero-emission transportation.
• We agree with the governor that we need to continue incentives for zero mission transportation.

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• The First Amendment is the cornerstone of a free society, and it ensures that every American has the power
• The First Amendment is the cornerstone of a free society, and it ensures that every American has the power
• /c><00:57:40.599><c> had</c><00:57:41.200><c> New</c><00:57:41.400><c> York</c><00:57:41.640><c> Governor
• </c><00:57:42.000><c> Kathy</c> Monday we had New York Governor Kathy Monday we had New York Governor
• showboat about how much you love free speech when you brought to the floor and passed, and this Governor

Bills: HF414 , HF768 , HF359

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• More power to them, so I would support it. already happening across the state and already happening across
• else wants to do it I don't have an OB else wants to do it I don't have an OB more<00:14:18.959><c> power
• to them so I would support it more power to them so I would support it okay<00:14:21.720><c> all</c>
• </c><01:01:47.240><c> granted</c> in its exercise of the powers granted in its exercise of the powers
• They can immediately concur and get the bill to the governor, possibly as early as Thursday.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to note that the significant actions taken by the governor and the legislature last spring
• </c><00:26:32.520><c> and</c><00:26:32.600><c> the</c> actions taken by the governor and the actions
• taken by the governor and the legislature<00:26:33.280><c> last</c><00:26:33.680><c> spring</c><00:26
• well over half the tariffs, which were passed under the emergency International Emergency Economic Powers
• speak about fraud, heard the governor speak about fraud, I've<01:34:44.320><c> heard</c><01:34:44.560

Bills: HF3425

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Help them to understand their power with humble resolve and egoless ambition.
• Though before the California legislature passed it, the governor signed it and then a lawsuit ensued
• legislature you know the California legislature passed<00:51:40.960><c> it,</c><00:51:41.200><c> governor
• ><c> it</c><00:51:42.079><c> and</c><00:51:42.319><c> then</c><00:51:42.559><c> a</c> passed it, governor
• signed it and then a passed it, governor signed it and then a lawsuit<00:51:43.520><c> ensued</c><00

Summary: The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee. The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I think that the public has the power to refuse vaccinations if they want to.
• for the individual who is skeptical is not a good power balance, is what I would say.
• you want to give the power balance to the providers who are protecting the public?
• I think that the public has the power to refuse vaccinations if they want to.
• So, as a parent, there’s a whole bureaucracy above you, which is powerful.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We see it in Governor Walls's budget proposals. long-term care providers.
• We see it in Governor Walls's budget proposals.
• The Minnesota Constitution requires the governor, on appointments of key officers, to seek the advice
• on appointments of requires the governor on appointments of key<03:38:39.279><c> officers</c><03:38:
• Governor Walz announced a reshuffle where he asked the deputy commissioner to become the commissioner

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce must establish an advisory group and provide a program evaluation and a report to the governor
• Our business is to provide low-cost, effective, quality, reliable power to our small rural areas.
• Our business is to provide low, effective, quality, reliable power to our small rule areas.
• Substitute House Bill 2429 requires the governor, to the extent possible with existing resources, to
• The bill authorizes the governor to use private funding to support that strategic plan.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• consolidate when power is sought, you consolidate that<00:37:08.800><c> power</c><00:37:08.960><c> and
• and you want to extend that that power and you want to extend that power<00:37:10.079><c> because</c
• The the problem is that powerful.
• the power of incumbency?
• They were deeply centralized power.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The committee first continued its hearing on HB 1287, which concerns the definition of “veteran.” Representative Manion explained that the amendment would adopt the federal-style definition by including a general discharge under honorable conditions, while restoring documentation requirements such as a DD214 and removing a problematic reference to World War II allied veterans. The chair said the committee would close the hearing and take the bill up later in executive session. The committee then moved to HCR 13, a resolution calling for an Article V convention limited to proposing a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. Representative Joe Alexander, the prime sponsor, said the measure is narrowly focused on congressional term limits, that 12 states have already passed similar resolutions, and that broad public support in New Hampshire justifies action. Members asked whether the effort would prompt Congress to act on its own, whether the resolution should also cover Supreme Court justices, and how many states are needed; Alexander said the goal is to pressure Congress, that the Constitution already treats Supreme Court justices differently, and that 34 states are required. Testimony in support came from former Representative Linda Masamela, who gave a history-based argument for Article V conventions as a constitutional check, and from Deborah Childs and Aaron Ducet of U.S. Term Limits. Childs said New Hampshire voters strongly support term limits and argued they would open seats to younger, more diverse candidates. Ducet said the application is single-topic and would allow only one amendment, described Article V applications as historically common, and argued that state pressure can force Congress to act. No vote was taken in the portion provided; the chair continued hearing testimony on HCR 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor is head of most of the executive branch of government, but you have separately independently
• um you know committee are well aware. um you know the<00:18:49.200><c> the</c><00:18:49.520><c> governor
• is head of most of the the the governor is head of most of the executive<00:18:52.480><c> branch</c>
• </c><00:25:37.039><c> be</c><00:25:37.120><c> within</c><00:25:37.360><c> the</c><00:25:37.440><c> power
• </c> &gt;&gt; I think that would be within the power &gt;&gt; I think that would be within the power

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.