Transcript Highlights:

• and share in the cost of it.
• It modernizes the Arizona 811 call-before-you-dig system. AGC strongly supports Senate Bill 1137.
• It modernizes the Arizona 811 call-before-you-dig system.
• Everyone in the state that touches the 811 system has an impact by using the 811 system.
• care workforce and expand access to care.

Bills: SB1128 , SB1137 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1186 , SB1235 , SB1238

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: scrap metal theft, study committee, Arizona, regulated industries, public safety, underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Arizona Rock Products Association and the Arizona Mining Association.
• That is an unfair system.
• That is an unfair system. Now, to bury, my good friend, my dear friend, unfair system.
• Here's what I say: I think we have set up a system in the state of Arizona that says designated providers
• And I would argue the GRD system is a more cost-effective system when it comes to obtaining water than

Bills: HB2026 , HB2027 , HB2028 , HB2031 , HB2078 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2101 , HB2102 , HB2103 , HB2260 , HB2278 , HB2827 , HB2932 , HB2933 , HB2934 , HB2986 , HCM2009 , HCR2038

Committee: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Keywords: assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply, written commitment of water service, groundwater savings credits, gray water reuse, replenishment district, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Damien Johnson here on behalf of the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association, representing
• care.
• care.
• I'm a chief flight paramedic for Guardian Air Transport for Northern Arizona Health Care, but today I
• My name is Ellie Brenton, and I'm here to testify in support of HB 2322 as a health care worker and a

Bills: HB2049 , HB2178 , HB2179 , HB2307 , HB2322

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: radiation therapy, particle accelerator, critical access hospitals, patient care, rural healthcare, HB2178, Arizona, state agencies, chief medical officer, medical license, physician license, osteopathic license, licensure requirement, Title 41, Title 32, Arizona Revised Statutes, A.R.S. 41-5902, public health administration, agency leadership, state government personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• care system is obvious.
• And the health care system is obvious. Polio. We eradicated polio. We vaccinate around the world.
• Other than health care workers, which we need our health care workers to be vaccinated, especially in
• Abortion is health care and it's legal in Arizona and constitutionally protected.
• and that abortion is health care.

Bills: HB2015 , HB2060 , HB2062 , HB2100 , HB2118 , HB2165 , HB2258 , HB2327 , HB2397 , HB2445 , HB2460 , HB2641 , HB2745 , HB2876 , HB2917 , HB4011 , HB4049 , HB4056 , HB4087 , HCR2013 , HCR2016 , HCR2040 , HCR2044 , HCR2048 , HCR2056

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't care.
• I'm the owner of Arizona Impound.
• Arizona was high up on that list.
• have alcohol on your system.
• So the quality of the interlock provider care in Arizona has significantly increased since that time.

Bills: HB2127 , HB2257 , HB2305 , HB2573 , HB2772 , HB2941 , HB2957

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: special license plates, transportation, funding, nonprofits, charitable contributions, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement, safety fund, state funding, Arizona Revised Statutes, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges

Bills: HB213 , HB136 , HB182 , HB213 , HB136 , HB182

Committee: Senate State Governmental Affairs

Keywords: HB213, Calhoun County, board of registrars, registrar compensation, county commission, local legislation, election administration, county general fund, expense allowance, officeholder compensation, public officials pay, county election officials, Alabama Code 45-8-110, Teacher's Retirement System, TRS, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, retirement benefits, teacher retirement, classroom teacher

Transcript Highlights:

• We have SCR 21 SD1 requesting the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, East Hawaii Regional Health Care
• We have SCR 21 SD1 requesting the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, East Hawaii Regional Health Care
• but</c> some mobile health care and others, but some mobile health care and others, but it<00:09:33.280
• ,</c><00:37:26.480><c> and</c> care, another for mental health, and care, another for mental health,
• </c><00:49:15.160><c> Um</c> health system. Um health system.

Bills: HCR18 , HCR32 , HCR35 , HCR105 , HCR173

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• to encourage the use of certain physicians and health care providers and ranked physicians.
• plans where the enrollee is compensated for finding lower costs. ...same health care services, including
• The legislation is meant to incentivize individuals to shop for their health care.
• Mental health care should not be a luxury for the wealthy.
• the transparency, accountability, and fairness of using these systems to make critical health care coverage

Bills: HB345 , HB721 , HB2580 , SB815 , HB3057 , HB4603 , HB3233 , SB495 , HB3863 , HB3914 , HB4570 , HB5099 , HB5173 , SB458

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• Less litigation means lower costs for all of us consumers.
• Appraisals are there to resolve these cost disputes, not coverage and causation.
• But cost disputes, the amount of the loss, to do that quickly, but understanding that some matters can
• So the reason I'm saying we want to be careful about adding—we don't want to run out of time again.

Bills: HB345 , HB721 , HB2580 , SB815 , HB3057 , HB4603 , HB3233 , SB495 , HB3863 , HB3914 , HB4570 , HB5099 , HB5173 , SB458

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:02:31.200><c> strain</c><00:02:31.520><c> on</c><00:02:31.760><c> the</c><00:02:31.920><c> system
• </c><00:02:32.319><c> and</c><00:02:32.560><c> So</c> us a lot of strain on the system and So us a lot
• of strain on the system and So Outline<00:02:33.680><c> 811</c><00:02:34.400><c> hears</c><00:02:34.720
• put in here for large scale system put in here for large scale construction<00:03:46.959><c> projects
• with reasonable care so as to<00:05:16.800><c> protect</c><00:05:17.199><c> any</c><00:05:17.520><c>

Bills: SB95 , HB322 , SB95 , HB322

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening

Transcript Highlights:

• least cost $100,000.
• Provider associations—we have a ton of health care provider associations, from hospitals to behavioral
• health, to transportation, to nursing homes, to hospice, home health.
• It empowers the Louisiana Department of Health to work closely with facilities to evaluate care standards
• and Louisiana commercial health insurance payors to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health

Bills: HR290 , HR298 , SB405 , SCR61 , HR318

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: gender-affirming care, gender affirming therapy, gender-affirming hormone therapy, transgender health, trans youth, LGBTQ, mental health, psychosis, psychiatric conditions, puberty blockers, androgen blockers, cross-sex hormones, estrogen, testosterone, informed consent, screening, monitoring protocols, Louisiana Department of Health, LDH, House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that we can really improve the state of education in Arizona if we kind of reset and allow
• I'm with the Center for Arizona Policy.
• CAP supports all educational options in Arizona and the ability of parents to choose among them.
• And as you know, the Arizona Legislature is reticent to regulate private businesses, right?
• It is a common-sense measure that is in line with the majority of Arizona parents and Arizona families

Bills: HB2035 , HB2041 , HB2611 , HB2860 , HB4004 , HB4049 , SCR1032

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we have to focus in our medical health system about patient-centered care.
• You know, we have to focus in our medical health system about patient-centered care.
• </c><01:21:33.520><c> of</c> to our health care system in terms of to our health care system in terms
• become deeply entwined in the health care system.
• . uh health care systems there is a lot uh health care systems there is a lot that<01:37:08.880><c> the

Bills: HF3668 , HF2779 , HF2771

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:16.000><c> care</c> connections with housing and health care connections with housing and
• health care and<00:56:17.599><c> things</c><00:56:17.920><c> like</c><00:56:18.160><c> that.
• But it it should outline housing,<00:56:50.240><c> health</c><00:56:50.559><c> care,</c><00:56:51.359
• </c> housing, health care, you know. housing, health care, you know. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• Prison dental care is horrible. Mental health care is important.

Bills: HB1997 , HB2343 , HB2566 , HB2493

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: students with disabilities, individualized education programs, emergency plans, evacuation procedures, support services, Hawaii education law, HB2343, Maui State Veterans Home, veterans home, veterans, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, Alzheimer's care, respite care, assimilate, transfer deadline, Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.

Bills: HB816 , HB1535 , HB1537 , HB1541 , HB1562 , HB1574 , HB1591 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1871 , HB1965 , HB1966 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2315 , HB2343 , HB2501 , HB2505 , HB1577 , HB2443 , HB2498 , HB2581 , HB2622

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB816, Hawaii, opioid overdose, opioid crisis, buprenorphine, naloxone, Narcan, paramedics, emergency medical services, EMS, first responders, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, withdrawal management, overdose reversal, pilot program, Department of Health, DOH, county population under 100,000, rural health

Transcript Highlights:

• care system.
• And I think, you know, from the health plan's perspective, their point is valid that these are cost containment
• The bill will help Texans access more affordable health care costs at this time.
• care. is to lower health care costs for Texans.
• It's like health insurance from the 70s, before there was managed care.

Bills: HB1464 , HB1635 , HB2516 , HB3317 , HB3502 , HB4012 , HB4268 , HB4386 , HB4877 , SB916

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool

Transcript Highlights:

• and residents in health care facilities.
• Improving our behavioral health system of care has been a passion of mine.
• care delivery system.
• You've prioritized mental health. You've prioritized cost savings.
• They're serving as an adjunct for health care.

Bills: S0688 , S1414 , S0186 , S0902 , S0196 , S1574 , S0878 , S1092 , S1032 , S1684 , S1686 , S1760

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: cytomegalovirus, education, maternal health, newborn care, infectious diseases, student health, epilepsy, seizure disorders, school safety, training requirements, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis, neurofibromatosis, healthcare, state regulations, child care facilities, public safety, grant program, uterine fibroids, health database

Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills and confirmations. It first heard SB 1414 on congenital cytomegalovirus education, which would require the Department of Health to develop and distribute educational materials to expectant and new parents through maternity, prenatal, newborn, and OB-GYN settings; an amendment removed a section on required instruction for medical professionals, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved a block of appointees on tabs 2 through 7 and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after her testimony on Medicaid accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, rural health, behavioral health, and the state’s technology modernization efforts. Senators asked Harris about Hope Florida, Medicaid redeterminations, the CORE project, an anti-marijuana ad campaign at DCF, and compliance with a federal Medicaid-related court order; she said she would follow up on some issues. The confirmation was recommended favorably, with Senator Berman voting no. The committee next passed SB 186 on student health and safety, which expands epilepsy and seizure-disorder training requirements to more school personnel, including bus drivers and charter school staff, and requires seizure-first-aid posters and updated Department of Health education efforts. It also approved SB 902 on Department of Health issues after amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and added provisions on medical marijuana regulation, early childhood intervention, practitioner accountability, and autism workforce development; one speaker raised concerns about marijuana dispensary location restrictions and low-THC ratios. SB 196 creating a uterine fibroid research database was also reported favorably after an amendment protecting patient privacy; the bill drew emotional testimony from a patient describing severe symptoms and the need for more research. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine was approved after committee discussion about scope of practice, referral obligations, and whether naturopathic care should be adjunctive to conventional medicine; supporters described complementary care and access issues, while opponents worried about delayed treatment for serious disease. Later, the committee passed SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” to add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening using the same blood specimen already collected at birth and to launch an education campaign; parents of a child affected by the disease testified that earlier screening could have prevented severe harm. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel was reported favorably to address staffing shortages by allowing Florida to rely more directly on federal CLIA standards for qualified lab workers. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine was approved after an amendment narrowed it to cellular/tissue-based products and podiatrists’ use of certain therapies; the bill also addresses continuing education, informed consent, and advertising disclosures. SB 1032 on medical marijuana was amended and passed, aligning physician certification and card renewal timelines, setting 70-day and 35-day supply limits, and reducing the fee for honorably discharged veterans while preserving funding for FAMU; Senator Harrell opposed it, saying the longer timeframes were too much of an expansion. The committee also heard SB 1760 on Medicaid coverage transparency from Senator Brodeur, who said the bill focuses on accountability and fiscal responsibility, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• That whatever the health care cost is roughly, does that sound about right?
• Equally capturing costs for business is a goal we all share, especially in health care.
• And intend to make the analysis called for in the bill capture the cost to the whole health care system
• In health care, as in many other industries, cost shifting is inevitable.
• We need to be a part of the discussion of the cost of health care.

Bills: HB138 , HB335 , HB388 , HB138

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• where those costs may may accrue to other parties. parts of the system.
• that are placed on physicians and health care providers. that that would be good information to have
• Uh, and administrative cost apply both to the plans and to the physician. and health care providers.
• That's the cost for you to, to take care of. doing the wig, the mandate.
• of benefits questionnaire that will be made available to health care providers.

Bills: HB138 , HB335 , HB388 , HB138

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• cost.
• And identify the cost and where they're being utilized.
• And measure the impact that primary care would have.
• Use the health information exchange that's out there.
• Health plans continue to market and sell high deductible health benefit plans to the public, which have

Bills: HB3794 , HB3796 , HB3928 , HB2955 , HB4453 , HB4460

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: licensure, criminal history, public safety, occupational certification, rehabilitation, state regulations, insurance, regulations, certification, long-term care, mergers, consumer protection, property safety, vision insurance, optometry, reimbursement, healthcare policy, ophthalmic materials, provider agreements, captive insurance