Video & Transcript : 'legislative ethics' :

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MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 15th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • , but the procedure in which the legislation or the regulation was enacted.
  • And it's not just legislation. It's also Missouri regulation.
  • And it's not just legislation. It's also Missouri regulation.
  • So intent of the General Assembly, intent of a legislator. So you...
  • So intent of the General Assembly, intent of a legislator.
Keywords: 959, house, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 25th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I appreciate you bringing this legislation to us.
  • That was the legislation we passed yesterday.
  • It's, again, going back to the legislation we passed yesterday, they can decline it.
  • That was the legislation we passed yesterday.
  • But as a mom, I fully understand where the legislation is going.
Summary: The Health and Welfare Committee approved the March 12 and March 20 minutes, then took up House Bill 864, a drug scheduling bill. Members discussed whether to move it to the floor without recommendation or hold it for a date certain while a related Senate bill continued moving. Supporters of holding the bill said they wanted both bills available for committee review and amendments, while others wanted it advanced to preserve options. The motion to send HB 864 to the floor without recommendation failed on a 6-10 roll call, and the committee instead voted to hold HB 864 in committee until March 27. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1294 as amended, which would require newborn hearing-loss screening or referral for infants born outside hospitals, including births in birthing centers and other attended out-of-hospital settings. Representative Healy said the bill closes a gap in newborn screening and allows parents to decline, while supporters cited early intervention benefits and personal experiences with delayed diagnosis. Testimony from Lisa Coleman and several members emphasized that missed screenings can lead to language deprivation and costly long-term impacts, and that many out-of-hospital births currently are not screened. Some members raised concerns that the bill’s “shall” language sounded mandatory and could burden parents or providers, while others said it regulates providers and still preserves parental opt-out rights. Questions also focused on reporting results to the Idaho Early Intervention and Special Education/Deaf and Blind program and the bill’s federal funding contingency. The committee ultimately approved SB 1294 as amended on a 9-7 roll call and sent it to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned and announced it would not meet the next day.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kai Sun from Legislative District 4. Dr. Kai Sun is from Legislative District 4.
  • Me and Representative Cruz would like to introduce Michael Mazako, who is part of Legislative District
  • Representative Selina Bliss, Legislative District 1. Chairwoman Bliss: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • This is an important piece of legislation, because not only This is an important piece of legislation
  • Speaker, I rise to make comments and a press release by the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kai Sun. Members also welcomed newly sworn Representative Cody Rhyme and congratulated Sergeant-at-Arms Chuck Fitzgerald on his recent wedding. Several members introduced guests and visiting groups, including pharmacists at Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, the Arizona Education Association, the Well-Being Collaborative of Arizona, and local officials and constituents from around the state. The chamber then took up House Resolution 2001, which designated March 18, 2026 as Health Workforce Well-Being Day in Arizona. The resolution cited burnout and workforce shortages among physicians, nurses, medical students, residents, pharmacists, and other health professionals, and urged state officials and health organizations to prioritize workforce well-being. It was adopted without objection to waive first and second reading, and Representative Bliss introduced guests connected to the Well-Being Collaborative. The House also considered several bills on third reading. House Bill 2375, relating to housing and historic neighborhoods, drew extensive debate over local control, historic preservation, housing shortages, and concerns about exclusion and segregation; it passed 31-24, but without the required two-thirds vote for its emergency clause. House Bill 2931, concerning the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board, passed 36-19, and House Bill 2992, creating a child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention pilot program, passed 35-20 after debate over whether funds should instead support broader sex education. Senate Bill 1010, substituted for House Bill 4027 and relating to historic names, passed 33-22. The House also handled committee assignments, referrals, and first readings of additional Senate bills before adjourning until the next day.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kai Sun from Legislative District 4. Legislative District 4.
  • Me and Representative Cruz would like to introduce Michael Mazako, who is part of Legislative District
  • Date of this 18th day of March, 2026, Representative Selina Bliss, Legislative District 1.
  • This is an important piece of legislation, because not only, This is an important piece of legislation
  • Speaker, I rise to make comments and press release by the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus.
Keywords: 1182, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Commerce Feb 25th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • What we absolutely need is legislation, which is this emergency legislation, so we can close in April
  • The deal is trembling and will collapse, but for this legislation.
  • And on behalf of the City of Independence, we'd like to go on record in support of the legislation.
  • We appreciate Representative Riggs, not only on this piece of legislation, but all the tax credit legislation
  • The United Business Voice wishes to go on record as full-throatedly supporting this legislation.
Keywords: 959, house, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 45 Feb 25th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And legislation can feel like that.
  • And as new legislation is imagined, drafted, and debated, give wisdom to those who write it and discernment
  • They make this legislation better and stronger.
  • We remove summary abatement language and strengthen the legislative oversight while also making fiscal
  • I'm simply following some advice that came from the committee to broaden the scope of this legislation
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal. The chamber then moved through routine business, including petitions, resolutions, memorials, committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, and messages from the House. Several measures were referred to committees or placed on the appropriate reading orders, including Senate Concurrent Resolution 121 and Senate Joint Memorials 112, 113, and 114, as well as a number of House bills transmitted from the House. The Senate also received and referred gubernatorial appointments for Irving Littman, Judge Rudolph Rick Carnaroli, and Terry Kirkham. The Committee of the Whole considered Senate Bills 1241, 1270, 1271, and 1285, along with House Bill 494. SB 1241 was amended to clarify language about carriage driving, zoning, Idaho care law, and public health/safety ordinances. SB 1270 was amended to replace references to “alternative” with “cell cultivated,” add a definition, and soften a penalty provision. SB 1271 was substantially rewritten to narrow authority, remove summary abatement language, add legislative oversight, and make fiscal protections for cities and counties explicit. SB 1285 was amended across multiple sections to broaden the bill from homeschoolers to non-public schools, adjust licensure-related language, and change the effective date to upon passage and approval. All four bills were reported back as amended without recommendation, while House Bill 494 was reported as progress. The Senate also advanced a slate of bills from second reading to third reading, including SB 1300, 1301, 1331, 1332, 1308, 1309, 1311, 1317, 1272, and 1283, along with several House bills. At the end of the day, members made brief announcements, including a birthday note for Senator Nichols and notice of an Energy Caucus luncheon on an INL reactor project update. The Senate then adjourned until 11 a.m. the following day.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 45 Feb 25th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And legislation can feel like that.
  • And as new legislation is imagined, drafted, and debated, give wisdom to those who write it and discernment
  • through the early orders of business and then going into the 14th to take up several pieces of legislation
  • They make this legislation better and stronger.
  • I'm simply following some advice that came from the committee to broaden the scope of this legislation
Keywords: 989, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is the committee's bill hearing for the two-year Senate bills in the 2025-26 legislative session
  • Adria Tinnon, Director of Race, Equity, and Legislative Policy for TURN, and I'm proud to be here in
  • I know previous legislation, SB 254, which I know Senator Becker helped to author, will address some
  • First is Adrienne Tinnon, Director of Race, Equity and Legislative Policy at TURN.
  • Adrienne Tinnon, Director of Race, Equity and Legislative Policy at TURN, here in support and sponsorship
Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications heard two bills. SB 742 by Senator Perez, the Wildfire and Emergency Management Act, would require investor-owned utilities to inventory and remove permanently abandoned or decommissioned transmission lines, update CPUC General Order 95, and participate more directly in emergency operations centers. The bill was presented as a response to the Eaton Fire and concerns that an unused transmission line may have contributed to the ignition. Supporters, including TURN and a utility wildfire survivor coalition representative, argued that abandoned lines are a serious wildfire risk and that utilities should be required to create removal plans and timelines. Senators raised questions about implementation, CPUC oversight, and ratepayer impacts, but the author and supporters said the bill is designed to reduce future fire and litigation costs. The committee adopted amendments and voted 12-0 to pass SB 742 as amended to Senate Appropriations, holding the roll open briefly before closing it. The committee also heard SB 327 by Senator McNerney, which would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation or expansion and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books and accounts. TURN and California Environmental Voters supported the bill, saying ratepayer money should not be used for political lobbying and that the Public Advocates Office needs clear statutory authority to investigate misuse of funds. PG&E and SDG&E/Southern California Gas opposed the bill unless amended, saying some of the cited lobbying costs were not recovered from ratepayers, that the bill could blur the roles of the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, and that due process concerns remain. After discussion about clarity and amendments, the committee voted 10-3 to pass SB 327 as amended to Senate Appropriations, and the hearing adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • With me to provide testimony is Adrian Tinnon, the Director of Race Equity and Legislative Policy at
  • With me to provide testimony is Adrian Tinnon, the Director of Race Equity and Legislative Policy at
  • In addition, the amendments add legislative findings and declarations that acknowledge that multiple
  • And we have to have now legislation for that.
  • And we can then better legislate for the quick resolution for our constituents. Thank you.
Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Transcript Highlights:
  • Related to the behavioral health workforce through legislation and on funding these efforts through the
  • Last session, the legislature passed legislation that, among other initiatives, sought to enhance the
  • Your participation, your insights, your advocacy are needed in our legislative process, and we thank
  • I am the legislative and regulatory affairs counsel for the Massachusetts Medical Society.
  • This is pivotal legislation.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on 17 bills focused on behavioral health workforce shortages, studies, and commissions. Chairs Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by emphasizing the severity of the Commonwealth’s mental and behavioral health workforce crisis, the resulting gaps in access to care, and the legislature’s ongoing use of loan repayment programs, studies, and commissions to address these issues. They outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be limited to three minutes, with written testimony also accepted. A major portion of the hearing focused on bills to expand the primary care workforce, including H. 2205/S. 1385, which would broaden eligibility for the Mass RePay loan repayment program. Testimony from the Massachusetts Medical Society, Senator Jo Comerford, and Dr. Kate Atkinson described severe primary care shortages, long wait times, physician burnout, high debt burdens, and the need to recruit and retain physicians in more practice settings and regions. Committee members asked about the likely impact of loan repayment, the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and how to prioritize limited funding. Witnesses argued that primary care investment improves access and outcomes and that the bill would help sustain community-based practices. Another large block of testimony supported H. 2208/S. 1411, the proposed perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund, often referred to as the Moms Matter Act. March of Dimes, perinatal mental health advocates, doulas, clinicians, parents, and organizations such as the Boston Public Health Commission and Empty Arms Bereavement Support testified that postpartum depression, anxiety, substance use, and grief are widespread, often untreated, and worsened by long waitlists and a shortage of trained, culturally competent providers. Speakers repeatedly stressed that screening alone is not enough without a workforce to provide timely treatment, and several shared personal stories of postpartum illness, loss, and difficulty accessing care. The bill was also framed as a needed complement to the Commonwealth’s recent maternal health law, which increased screening and therefore increased demand for treatment. The committee also heard support for the Bridge Act, H. 2207/S. 1388, which would create mental health capacity grants for organizations serving communities at high risk of hate crimes or hate incidents. Testimony from the Jewish Community Relations Council and the bill’s sponsor described the mental health harms of hate, including anxiety, trauma, isolation, and loss of trust, and argued that community organizations need resources to build resilience and provide support. In addition, the committee heard from the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association on H. 2218/S. 1380, which would update job classifications to explicitly include licensed mental health counselors and licensed supervised mental health counselors in state behavioral health roles. Witnesses said the change would modernize hiring, expand access, and better reflect current licensure and scope of practice. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the session ended with a motion to adjourn after all testimony was completed.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Jun 8th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • I represent the amazing people of the 35th Legislative District.
  • Zach Hall here of the 5th Legislative District, coming to you from Issaquah.
  • Dave Paul, representing the 10th Legislative District.
  • He then asked whether the equivalency standard was a legislative action.
  • First. supplemental funds from the last legislative session into projects.
Keywords: 904, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary B May 14th, 2026

Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is common-sense legislation and the appropriate time. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to move here.
  • Thank you again, everybody, for working together to improve this legislation.
  • or similar legislation that was passed years ago.
  • The vast majority of what goes on in this legislation is cleanup.
  • Thank you for coming to hang out and spend some time and watch the legislative process.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary B met on May 14, established a quorum, approved the May 5 minutes, and then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions. The committee first heard House Bill 1252, which would expand and modernize local court jurisdiction in Avoyelles Parish by enlarging the Marksville and Bunkie city courts, adding small claims, misdemeanor, juvenile, and civil jurisdiction, and allowing online payments and virtual appearances. Supporters said it would keep justice local and reduce pressure on district court, while opponents urged more study and warned about impacts on existing courts and funding. The committee adopted Amendment Set 3835 and reported HB 1252 with amendments. It also reported HB 167, requiring state prisons to provide release documentation to inmates; HB 1038, after amendments and continued negotiation with marshals and constables; HB 1077, allowing microbreweries to sell at certain special events; HB 1204, changing administration of the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program to the Office of Juvenile Justice; HB 492, placing the Governor’s Impaired Driving Task Force into statute; HB 175, dedicating $500,000 in lottery proceeds annually to a veterans service grant fund; HCR 41, directing ATC to allow electronic beer rebates; HB 833, creating a Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force; HB 656, creating a pilot program for inmate-administered services; HB 978, raising the population threshold for mayor’s courts to remit indigent defender fees; and HB 969, updating and expanding the crime victim compensation program. The committee also approved HB 985, which adds QR codes to sex offender identification cards, after adopting Amendment Set 3861, and HB 579, updating the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, after adopting Amendment Set 3830. Several bills drew notable opposition or requests for further work. HB 968, which creates a framework for electronic monitoring providers to notify courts before removing ankle monitors for nonpayment, drew objections from the ACLU and a vendor representative who argued it would turn criminal courts into debt-collection forums and could lead to jail for inability to pay; the author said the bill was intended as a public-safety framework, not debt collection. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 968 favorably and agreed to move a 10-day-to-15-day notice change on the floor. HB 525, requiring DOC to publish more incarceration data, especially from local facilities, was opposed by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, which said the bill would impose substantial new reporting burdens; DOC said it was already posting most of the data and would continue updating it. The committee ultimately deferred HB 525, with members encouraging further work. HB 1005, a cleanup-and-restructuring bill for the Office of the State Public Defender, was reported favorably after the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about substantive changes, including removal of board approval for the state public defender and changes to district defender protections; Vice Chair Harris said he would work with stakeholders on those issues. HB 1029, a local alcohol-permit moratorium bill for House District 3, was voluntarily deferred to next week so the author could address concerns about the length of the moratorium. The meeting ended after all scheduled business was completed, with the committee agreeing to revisit the deferred items later.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy REVISED Apr 9th, 2026

Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So with that, I will be a yes, because I think this is smart legislation.
  • And I ran the original legislation after the interim study, and thank you.
  • I have 11 years of legislative experience to watch these types of shenanigans.
  • Anybody that's against this legislation has not been close to the situation.
  • We've got to pass this legislation.
Summary: The committee took up several measures dealing with environmental regulation, waste management, and energy. Early on, it passed sunset-extension bills for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and several environmental advisory councils. It then heard extensive debate on HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, which would create a battery recycling system for small and medium batteries through DEQ. Supporters argued it would reduce landfill and garbage-truck fires, protect the environment, and create recycling value, while opponents raised concerns about added regulation, costs shifted to producers and retailers, and the creation of a new state FTE. Despite those objections, the bill passed 8-3. The committee also considered HB 3403, a pilot study on biosolids and sewage sludge applied to farmland. Members debated a committee substitute that shortened the study timeline from five years to three years and added a phased rollback of land application. Supporters said the study was needed because of unresolved questions about PFOS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while critics argued the timelines conflicted and the bill could be hard to implement. The committee substitute was adopted, an amendment to delete key rollback provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 8-2 after testimony from Oklahoma City utilities officials and multiple rounds of questions about testing, health risks, and disposal practices. The committee then passed HB 3175 to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, with members noting it would have minimal fiscal impact and could help Oklahoma build nuclear expertise and jobs. It also passed HB 3986, expanding a gross production tax exemption for wells completed with recycled water, and HB 3466, which removes the statutory requirement that the Corporation Commission maintain a petty cash fund. Finally, HB 3411, another biosolids-related bill to buy testing equipment and provide information to landowners, and HB 4246, a rural water transparency/lowest-bid bill, both passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The meeting ended with the chair thanking members and adjourning.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Apr 7th, 2026

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are eight legislative proposals.
  • They brought legislation to us, which I filed.
  • They brought legislation to us, which I filed.
  • This bill as really from the trenches piece of legislation.
  • Worrell for filing this legislation.
Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a late-file hearing on several bills, with testimony limited to three minutes per individual or set time limits for panels. Chairs Michael Day and Lydia Edwards outlined hearing rules, written testimony procedures, and confidentiality protections before moving through the agenda. The committee heard testimony on bills including H.4876, H.5111, H.4783, H.4826, H.5116, H.5244, S.2975, and S.2976. On H.4876, supporters described it as the “Overcomers Law,” aimed at strengthening supports for survivors of abuse by limiting abusers’ legal standing after death, requiring survivor notification of an abuser’s death, expanding coercive control definitions, improving privacy protections, and creating education and resource programs. On H.5111, the Attorney General’s Office and legislative sponsors backed changes to strengthen Massachusetts antitrust enforcement, including broader jurisdiction over multi-state conduct, higher penalties, clearer treatment of invitations to conspire, labor-market protections, housing-related changes, and a longer statute of limitations. The committee also heard support for H.4783, which would reaffirm the rights of people experiencing homelessness and push back against criminalization of homelessness, and for H.4826, which would update condominium law to give owners more rights and nonjudicial dispute-resolution options. A large portion of the hearing focused on H.5116, which would rename the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse. Representative Worrell, the Harris family, senators, prosecutors, lawyers, educators, and community advocates testified in strong support, describing Judge Harris’s legacy of fairness, mentorship, community service, and support for young people and Black legal professionals. The committee also heard testimony on S.2975, which would prohibit civil immigration arrests in courthouses to protect access to justice, and S.2976, which would create a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers. Finally, H.5244 was supported as a repeal of an archaic criminal statute that advocates said has been used to punish pregnancy loss and should be removed from the books. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Apr 7th, 2026

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are eight legislative proposals.
  • They brought legislation to us, which I filed.
  • This bill is really a from-the-trenches piece of legislation.
  • Specifically, this legislation would do the following.
  • Worrell for filing this legislation.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 26th, 2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • In federal court, legislative intent... And thank you, sir.
  • This legislation specifically deals with what Idaho does.
  • And that's why I can support the legislation. Thank you, Senator. Any additional comments?
  • Why I can support the legislation. Thank you, Senator. Any additional comments?
  • Representative Stephanie Mickelson, Legislative District 32 from Bonneville County.
Keywords: 989, all
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 24 March, 2026; 11:15 AM

Public Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • You could argue that legislators do that.
  • </c><00:09:40.960><c> do</c> You could argue that legislators do You could argue that legislators do
  • </c><00:14:35.400><c> that</c><00:14:35.680><c> that</c> I was a legislator that that I was a legislator
  • Uh Wicker as his legislative director.
  • Last year legislation look beyond that.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 20th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the record, Doug O'Connowitz, Legislative District 3, Idaho State Senate.
  • It lacks the constitutionally relevant and important check by the legislative branch on the executive
  • But I'm looking at the legislative research, and I've relied on a legislative researcher, attorney, many
  • But I'm looking at the legislative research, and I've relied on a legislative researcher, attorney many
  • So is there a provision in this legislation somewhere that keeps them, and you use DJI as an example,
Keywords: 989, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/11/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Senate Health and Human Services COR

Transcript Highlights:
  • expands the Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Fund to consist of monies from legislative
  • They met with legislators from Kentucky that passed similar legislation in their state.
  • They met with legislators from Kentucky that passed similar legislation in their state.
  • HB 2176 has been a well-stakeholdered piece of legislation.
  • We modeled this legislation with Representative Bliss on a similar program in Washington State.
Summary: The committee approved minutes from February 18, February 19, and March 4, then took up several health-related bills. HB 2050, which updates radiologic technologist and radiologic assistant standards, school accreditation, clinical hours, supervision rules, fees, and telehealth definitions, received support from a radiologic technologist and a nurse practitioner and passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2082, creating a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expanding the research fund, was amended to require at least $5 million in funding before commission allocations and to shift grant-awarding authority to the DHS director; it passed 7-0 as amended, though members raised concerns about oversight. HB 2176, which changes DHS licensing denial criteria and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions, also passed 7-0 after testimony from hospital and public health representatives supporting clearer timelines and transparency, with one member noting concerns about possible subjectivity in ownership-related denials. HB 2195, addressing DHS oversight of nursing care institutions, including personnel record access, deficiency timelines, and complaint-investigation deadlines, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2027 and allow off-site preliminary reviews; it passed 7-0 as amended, though one member said DHS should have been present to answer questions. HB 2202, appropriating $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program, drew support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s; it passed 6-1, with one no vote arguing medical schools should teach the material instead of the state funding it. HB 2307, an emergency measure to address placement of dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants, was heavily debated and amended to use up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus temporarily, create a study committee, and sunset after five years; counties and DHS disagreed over whether counties should bear any costs, and the bill passed 4-3 as amended. Finally, HB 2584, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment or services tied to foreign adversaries, passed 4-3 after a sponsor and a national security witness argued it would protect genomic data from hostile foreign control. The committee then adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:03:03.360><c> The</c> ones who make and move legislation.
  • The ones who make and move legislation.
  • </c> but he is not part of the legislative but he is not part of the legislative process<00:03:10.800
  • I have talked to the legislative auditor.
  • </c> have talked to the legislative auditor. have talked to the legislative auditor.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House considered a motion by Representative Nash to recall Senate File 856 from the Committee on State Government, Finance, and Policy and re-refer it to Judiciary, Finance, and Civil Law. Nash argued the bill, which concerns creating or empowering an inspector general to address fraud, had already received two hearings and should move quickly because time was limited. Supporters of the motion said the bill needed further work on constitutional and data-practices issues in Judiciary, and that holding it in State Government would delay or effectively kill it. Opponents of the motion, led by Representative Cleorne, argued the bill should remain in State Government because that committee was the proper place to address constitutional concerns and other substantive changes. Cleorne said the committee had already considered a delete-everything amendment and nine amendments, with only two adopted, and maintained the bill as amended raised separation-of-powers concerns. Other members said the bill had bipartisan support in the Senate, passed 60-7, and that further negotiations should happen in a working group rather than through floor maneuvering. The debate focused heavily on whether the bill’s structure for selecting an inspector general was constitutional and whether the motion was an attempt to speed the bill along or to block it. Representative Norris said nonpartisan staff, the legislative auditor, and Senate and House authors had all indicated the bill needed fixes to be constitutional. After a roll call vote, the motion failed 67-66, so Senate File 856 remained in the Committee on State Government, Finance, and Policy.