Transcript Highlights:

• But at the end of the day, this could really help save lives, and I think that that is in the interest
• ... ...could really help save lives, and I think that that is an interest in all of us who are sitting
• Does it kind of encapsulate all of it?
• Does it kind of encapsulate all of it?
• Faustra Burrell, the legislative liaison with the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2307, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, which would require the Department of Health Services to contract with an out-of-state facility when a person found dangerous and incompetent under a court commitment order cannot be placed in an Arizona secure mental health facility. Supporters, including the sponsor and Senator Angus, said the measure was a temporary stopgap to prevent dangerous individuals from being released because Arizona lacks secure behavioral health beds. Opponents raised due process, disability rights, family access, cost, and interstate-legal concerns, and DHS said it had no fiscal estimate and little experience with such contracts. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 6-5. The committee then took up House Bill 2083, which updates diabetes-related insurance coverage to include items such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, smart insulin pens, and certain injectable medications. Supporters said the bill reflects modern diabetes care and can prevent serious complications, while an insurer representative warned that putting the coverage in statute could create state-mandated costs and raised concern that the language might be read to include GLP-1 drugs. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 11-1. House Bill 2673, dealing with mental illness screening and treatment for incarcerated people, would require sheriffs to ensure prisoners showing symptoms of mental disorder are examined within 24 hours and, if appropriate, referred for evaluation and treatment. Representative Hernandez said she intended to revise it into a study committee-style measure after stakeholder feedback, and a family member testified about her son’s death after untreated psychosis in jail. Opposition focused on competency and civil-commitment concerns, costs, and the burden on jails, but the committee passed the bill 12-0. House Bill 2923, which revises timelines and notice procedures for judicial review of court-ordered mental health treatment, also passed 12-0 after supporters said it would clarify outdated language and improve communication with families and guardians; opponents argued it shifted burdens onto patients and could prolong confinement. The committee next passed House Bill 2251, as amended, which expands licensed midwives’ authority to dispense certain medications and devices, adds reporting and oversight requirements, and creates an advisory committee. The sponsor said the amendment narrowed the medication list, clarified transfer-of-care triggers, strengthened oversight, and added sentinel-event reporting after stakeholder discussions with medical groups. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2914 on electronic monitoring in resident rooms at nursing care and assisted living facilities, with the sponsor’s statement emphasizing the bill as a protection against abuse or neglect and noting similar laws in other states; the transcript cuts off before testimony or a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Early review also included Division of Financial Management staff, noting necessary changes per the rulemaking
• This is the legal description of a water right point of diversion, point of place of use, we have added
• I am of the opinion that if I'm understanding your statement correctly, that reverting back to the old
• A couple of real-life examples of how this would change: In May of 2023, the Idaho Office of Emergency
• There's only four of them that I know of and only one of them gets extensively used.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans represents the base self-interest of officials who are so fearful of losing their power
• and just seeing the people of California really have a vested interest.
• Because of the urgency in this bill, do you have any vested interest?
• Because of the urgency in this bill, do you have any vested interest?”
• But what I heard from some of the testimony from SEIU, too, that the communities of interest were taken

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on August 19, 2025, to consider ACA 8, SB 280, and an informational hearing on AB 604. The meeting began with several failed motions to adjourn, to read public comments into the record, and to recess so members could review the roughly 16,000 public comments submitted through the committee portal. The chair emphasized the hearing’s expedited format, transparency measures, and rules limiting witness testimony, and noted a letter from Speaker Rivas authorizing Assemblymember Berman to present ACA 8. ACA 8, described by supporters as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” would place before voters a temporary congressional redistricting plan tied to AB 604 and triggered only if another state, especially Texas, adopts a partisan mid-decade redistricting. Supporters, including Assemblymember Berman, labor groups, CTA, Planned Parenthood affiliates, SEIU, and other allied organizations, argued the measure was a response to partisan gerrymandering elsewhere and a defense of democracy, with voters having the final say in a November 4, 2025 special election. Opponents, including current and former redistricting commissioners, good-government groups, business and taxpayer organizations, and many members of the public, argued the proposal undermines California’s independent redistricting model, was rushed without adequate public review, could cost roughly $200 million or more, and would invite litigation and partisan manipulation. The committee also debated a proposed amendment that would bar legislators who voted for ACA 8 from later running for Congress in districts adopted under the measure. After extended procedural disputes, the committee voted to lay the amendment on the table. The hearing then continued with extensive public testimony, overwhelmingly divided between strong support and strong opposition, but the transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on ACA 8 or SB 280 before the excerpt ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• the rough breakdown of that's kind of the rough breakdown of the<00:03:48.879><c> 911</c><00:03:49.360
• pool of uh of providers and shrinking pool of uh of providers and the<00:26:00.880><c> ability</c><00
• of how important of an issue is this to our citizens.
• </c> of the state of Wyoming. of the state of Wyoming.
• </c> idea of why all of these individual idea of why all of these individual determinants<01:08:04.079

Bills: HB0004

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. stewards of the ocean. 90% of the people stewards of the ocean. 90% of the people that<00:
• The biotech industry also keeps testifying in favor of these bills, but not disclosing their interest
• </c> executive director of Life of the Land. executive director of Life of the Land.
• </c> of the three fossil fuels in terms of of the three fossil fuels in terms of climate<02:12:11.280
• </c> extend the due date of this report um of extend the due date of this report um of findings<02:24

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits. Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of all of your argument, you're just making a blatant statement.
• And we can get into more detail on any of these depending on where your areas of interest are, questioning
• We heard from what area of policy is your focus or most interest in So, most recently, I worked serving
• Okay, that's kind of what I was asking about your interest area. Bilingual, what?
• Okay, that's kind of what I was asking you about your interest area. We're in California. Hmm.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in our paper, we study the impact of the spread of legal sports betting on consumer financial health
• , in particular longer-run indicators of financial health.
• <c> and</c><00:36:36.440><c> we</c> indicators of Financial Health um and we indicators of Financial
• </c> there's kind of a reduction in Financial there's kind of a reduction in Financial Health<00:56:45.280
• </c> interest of people within the interest of people within the states<01:14:16.280><c> when</c><01:

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you have only known interest rates in the threes and fours for your adult life.
• Many of you have interest rate period.
• Many of you have only<00:04:36.160><c> known</c><00:04:36.639><c> interest</c><00:04:36.960><c> rates
• In the interest of time, I'll try to keep my testimony extremely brief.
• So, is this the area of interest on the BIA's part?

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, for more of a statement, and when you come back for your hearing, good representative, things
• It was the concern of some last year that this bill would keep children out of school, and my statement
• This is specifically with regard to the statement of purpose, and that's why I ask it now.
• It's in the statement of purpose, Representative Tanner, the second sentence states, 'Like many other
• of purpose. ...striking the second sentence of the statement of purpose, and on line 39, inserting “

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• and</c><00:07:53.319><c> one</c><00:07:53.599><c> of</c> audits of of their records and one of audits
• c> of</c><00:09:10.440><c> our</c> take a line of credit out many of our take a line of credit out many
• And if you look at an actual audit of a company or like a financial statement audit, it is a sampling
• And if you look at an actual audit of a company or like a financial statement audit, it is a sampling
• But I think it's interesting that they've spent so much money advertising against this matter of fact

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that authorizes the FPPC to extend the filing deadlines for statements of economic interest
• and government agencies are required to periodically file statements of economic interest.
• file statements of economic interest.
• As an elected official, annually I'm required to file statements of economic interest, Form 700, or candidates
• And, of course, if anyone has had the pleasure of getting to know Scott, his love of election policy

Summary: The committee heard three bills. SB 73 by Senator Cervantes would bar county registrars from allowing federal agents to inspect voting machines, framed by the author as a response to federal interference in California elections. The Secretary of State supported the concept and asked for amendments to clarify procedures for inspection requests. Senator Choi opposed it as unnecessary and beyond state authority, arguing federal subpoena rules already govern such inspections. The bill passed on a 4-1 vote to Appropriations after the call was lifted. SB 401 by Senator Hurtado, presented by Senator Allen, would authorize the FPPC to extend filing deadlines for statements of economic interest during declared emergencies. Testimony from the FPPC said the commission had no formal position but could administer the extensions, while members raised concerns that the bill was too open-ended and lacked a defined extension period. The author and committee members agreed to work on narrowing the language, and the bill passed 5-0 to Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. SB 46 by Senator Umberg would give the Secretary of State authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential or vice presidential candidates from the California ballot, with the author focusing on preventing a third presidential term. Supporters argued the Secretary of State already has a role in enforcing ballot qualifications and that the bill is constitutional. The Secretary of State’s office raised concerns about turning the office into an investigatory body and suggested alternative language limiting the measure to the 22nd Amendment or using an independent special counsel. Members debated whether the state should make such determinations, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. The chair also used the end of the hearing to thank staff and note it was her final hearing as committee chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's interesting. So, this topic seems to be sort of a greatest hits thing.
• It's interesting. So, this topic seems to be sort of a greatest hits thing.
• It's interesting. So, this topic seems to be sort of a greatest hits thing.
• It's interesting. So, this topic seems to be sort of a greatest hits thing.
• It's interesting. So, this topic seems to be sort of a greatest hits thing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of of the rail quarter mile, I guess of of the rail system,<00:36:09.119><c> the</c><00:36:09.680><c
• It was really interesting, Madam Speaker, because I mean it really could kind of took it back to the
• </c> of benefits? of benefits?
• friend, the chair of um the chair of friend, the chair of um the chair of appropriations<01:34:24.480
• statements. statements. statements.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• Speaker, I'm pleased to yield four minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas, the chairman of the Financial
• And I'm a little bit afraid that people are going to look at that vote and view it as a statement of
• ><09:01:42.318><c> where</c><09:01:43.040><c> this</c> um a statement of fact as to where this um a statement
• He laid it out yesterday in his statement of policy, which speaks very specifically about the far-reaching

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:00.240><c> contracts,</c><00:34:00.880><c> interest</c> negotiation of contracts, interest
• negotiation of contracts, interest contract<00:34:02.120><c> arbitrations.
• I mean, it is how the Beach Now board is operated, is, um, of interest to me and this committee, I think
• I mean, it is how the Beach Now board is operated, is, um, of interest to me and this committee, I think
• I mean, it is how the Beach Now board is operated, is, um, of interest to me and this committee, I think

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of.
• of.
• But I heard you say something interesting that, you know, if we find that, you know, these kinds of things
• percentage of them coming off of it?
• There are three of them that I'm aware of.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• So this, some of you may have seen on the front page of our local newspaper, and this is a love interest
• This is very interesting because the medical school at the University of Miami said, you know what?
• Very interesting because the medical school at the University of Miami said, you know what, what you're
• So it sounds like the whole point of this bill is so that someone can recover more financially.
• Can I make a copy of something and give you all the clerk or something can distribute copies of my statement

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing it as a major criminal enterprise in Florida driven by online recruitment, local victims, and organized traffickers. She outlined Miami-Dade’s task force, victim-centered prosecution practices, training efforts for schools, hotels, transit workers, and other partners, and community-supported services such as the Project Phoenix shelter and Thrive Clinic. She also urged better interstate communication about known traffickers and noted that prior legislative changes, including restrictions on tattooing minors, came from trafficking cases. Senators asked about school-based exploitation, technology and social media recruitment, and information-sharing with other states; Fernandez-Rundle said training and technology remain essential and offered to share materials and tour the facility. The committee then considered CS for SB 656, which Senator Bradley said would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force funding program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a needed response to online child exploitation and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892 by Senator Martin, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related designations by reducing paperwork delays tied to clemency and requiring clearer notice before pleas; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on SB 164, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil damages for the death of an unborn child. Senator Graal said the bill uses existing statutory language defining an unborn child and is intended to let parents recover damages when negligence causes a pregnancy loss. Supporters argued it recognizes unborn life and should be strengthened; opponents warned it would function as a personhood measure, create liability risks for doctors, businesses, friends, and family members, chill miscarriage and abortion-related care, and worsen Florida’s OB-GYN shortage. Several speakers raised concerns about abuse by rapists or abusive partners and about impacts on IVF and emergency care. The committee heard extensive questioning about the bill’s scope and its relationship to existing criminal statutes, but no vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Key drivers include less cash receipts over the last year, repeal of the interest and dividends tax,
• dividends</c> um, repeal of the interest and dividends um, repeal of the interest and dividends tax.
• on the financial statements.
• He doesn't want to change any of it, just put it aside, let it earn its interest, and when they call
• It will—we will credit interest, but I think it will have to be, again, the same way we invest all of

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• So is that an accurate way of looking at it? Well, New Hampshire is a couple of interesting points.
• </c><03:49:37.600><c> interests</c><03:49:38.080><c> with</c><03:49:38.199><c> our</c> conflicts of interests
• In the interest of time, they had cross-checked the four items that were to be extended.
• </c><05:03:07.400><c> of</c><05:03:07.638><c> time</c> extended okay so in the interest of time extended
• Can you scratch below the surface of that statement a little bit?

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining that it maintains and operates 96 state buildings and uses annual facility walkthroughs, condition assessments, and rough cost estimates to rank projects for the governor’s capital budget. Officials described how requests are triaged, how the governor’s office and Public Works refine estimates, and how the resulting capital budget book serves as legislative intent for approved projects. They also noted that this year the governor’s office asked for estimates on all selected projects, which increased workload but reduced detail. The department highlighted several requested projects, including $1.5 million for the ERP system sustainability fund, which officials said is critical because the state is upgrading its core financial, HR, and budget system to the cloud. Other priorities included courthouse HVAC and boiler work, brick repointing at the State House annex/main building, window replacement at the Spalding building, and elevator replacement on the hospital campus. Officials also said the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and asked the committee to consider funding closer to historic levels. The committee then reviewed lapse and reallocation items. DAS said most older projects are still in design, bid, or construction because projects now take four to six years rather than two to three, in part due to ARPA-related workload and post-COVID construction backlogs. Members discussed lapsing $81,000 from the completed Spalding roof project and redirecting small remaining balances from several 2019 projects toward the Hillsboro County South cell block project through the Capital Project Overview Committee. Officials also confirmed ARPA-funded projects are expected to be completed before the December 2026 deadline and explained that the ERP system is the main state IT exception outside DOIT’s usual centralized control, though it still requires DOIT consultation and approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any conflicts of interest to report on today's agenda? Not seeing any. Next, my comments.
• One other element of interest to the council is the Minnesota law 2024 appropriation protecting the Upper
• &gt;&gt; so I I've heard the statement a couple of<01:30:24.480><c> times</c><01:30:24.719><c> today
• I'm the deputy legislative auditor for the financial audit division at the Office of the Legislative
• was one of the interesting because that was one of the questions<01:57:49.360><c> that</c><01:57:49.520

Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.