Transcript Highlights:

• Commenters who impede the orderly conduct of this meeting will be ruled out of order and may be removed
• That is going to expire December 1st.
• Unfortunately, despite that five-year exemption, it expired last year, many employers have convinced.
• that five-year exemption, it expired last year, many employers have continued to misclassified drivers
• Diego, a day laborer who was hired to remove drywall in many residential homes with no protective gear

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced several bills focused on worker protections, training access, wage enforcement, outreach, and workplace safety. SB 513 would require employees to have access to their training and certification records; supporters, including laid-off refinery workers and labor organizations, said employers sometimes withhold records during layoffs, while committee members called the practice unacceptable. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. SB 809 addressed misclassification of construction truck owner-drivers by offering employers amnesty if they reclassify workers as employees and adopt a two-check payment system; labor and construction trades groups supported it, and it passed 5-0 to Judiciary. SB 578 would codify the California Workplace Outreach Program, which funds trusted community organizations to educate workers about their rights. Supporters described the program as a proven way to reach low-wage, immigrant, and hard-to-reach workers, especially amid wage theft, retaliation, and immigration enforcement concerns. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 261 would strengthen collection of wage theft judgments by creating a public list of nonpaying employers and adding penalties after six months of nonpayment; county enforcement officials and labor advocates said it would help workers recover unpaid wages. It passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The committee also approved SB 369, which would require skilled and trained workforce standards for Salton Sea restoration projects, with supporters saying the work is hazardous and should use trained labor; it passed 6-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 20 sought to address silicosis in stone countertop fabrication by requiring training and certification protections for workers; supporters said the disease has caused deaths among mostly Latino workers, while industry groups supported the bill with amendments and requested implementation resources. It passed 6-0 to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of four additional bills and adjourned after all listed measures were moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• This one simply modifies definitions to remove.
• We removed the language related to...
• after one year. ...not accrued, not paid out, and expires after one year.
• We removed the severe or extraordinary nature referenced, as it's addressed above.
• had been removed from the final version.

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Any member of the committee may remove a bill from the consent agenda.
• Once the patent, you know this better than I do, once the patent would expire...
• expire, then potentially other providers could seek to produce the product.
• It will remove financial barriers preventing patients from accessing life-saving follow-up care.
• We've also heard the point that removing cost sharing can help patients follow through on care.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• must remove any prohibited equipment on the commission's list.
• If it's not going to do more harm to your entity to remove it, then remove it and replace it.
• The waiver expires on April 1st and may be renewed annually.
• The waiver expires on April 1st and may be renewed annually.
• The waiver expires on April 1st and may be renewed annually.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met to hear several presentations and bills. First, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry presented on its K-9 program, describing staffing, specialized detection and trailing teams, and the need to replace retired dogs and modernize an aging, high-mileage vehicle fleet used to transport canines. The committee also heard a presentation from Biometrica on a privacy-focused facial recognition and sensor system designed to identify missing persons and known offenders using law-enforcement-only data; the presenters emphasized that the system does not store video or audio and is intended to balance public safety with privacy. The committee then considered HB 2134, which would prohibit Arizona governmental entities and critical infrastructure providers from contracting for critical infrastructure equipment or software from Chinese companies or the PRC. Supporters, including the sponsor and a national security witness, argued the bill would protect communications and other critical systems from foreign adversary access; concerns were raised about costs and implementation, but the bill was amended to be prospective and to rely on self-certification and risk-based audits. The committee passed HB 2134 with a due pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. HB 2404, which would shift most inter-facility transport of behavioral health patients from peace officers to authorized transporters, drew support from law enforcement and police association witnesses who said officers are not the right personnel for these transports; it passed unanimously, 7-0. HB 2402, dealing with ambulance certificate-of-necessity rules for small or underserved areas, was presented as a compromise measure after work with ambulance stakeholders and firefighters. The bill and a 15-page amendment would require the Department of Health Services to issue certificates in certain small-population areas, streamline applications, add reporting requirements, and address GPS coverage issues; it passed as amended, 7-0. HB 2673, which originally proposed mental health screening and treatment requirements for jail and prison inmates, was narrowed by amendment to create only a study committee on inmate mental health services; family members testified about tragic failures in the system, and the bill passed as amended, 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2253, protecting public employees from retaliation or obstruction when testifying in law enforcement disciplinary appeals, passed 5-0 with two not voting. HB 2270, expanding county protections over seals, logos, and sheriff’s posse naming rights, passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2941, which would treat certain unsafe motorcycle lane-splitting or passing behavior as reckless driving while preserving legal lane filtering, drew both support and concern about overbreadth; after testimony from the sponsor and members of the public, it passed 5-1 with one not voting, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• set forth, and it's been a five-year time frame, they can go before the board and ask for it to be removed
• The Arizona Medical Board allows its doctors and physician assistants to have such actions removed from
• Much of the measure is statutory cleanup, removing outdated concepts, clarifying compliance obligations
• They may renew it and then complete it before their license expires, before their new license kicks in
• Madam Chair, members, the Bliss Amendment dated February 17, 2026, at 9:54 a.m. removes the provision

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The Special Committee on Health and Human Services heard a series of continuation and board-reform bills, beginning with core review measures to continue the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the State Board of Nursing, the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, the Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants, and the State Board of Pharmacy. HB 2728, HB 2729, HB 2730, HB 2731 as amended, and HB 2732 all received due-pass recommendations, with the physician assistant board bill amended to extend the board for four years rather than two. The committee then moved to reform bills affecting the nursing board and pharmacy board, as well as a reconsidered health plan drug-coverage bill. HB 2408, which would change nursing board complaint procedures, prioritize certain allegations, allow limited expungement of disciplinary records, and adjust evidentiary and liability standards, drew extensive testimony. Nursing board leadership opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken patient safety, raise the burden of proof, and erase useful disciplinary history, while supporters said it would improve fairness, reduce backlog, and give nurses a second chance for non-patient-safety-related issues. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment and advanced the bill on a 7-4-1 vote. HB 2434, updating the controlled substances prescription monitoring program and related reporting and confidentiality rules, and HB 2733, changing pharmacy continuing education timing, delivery rules, and ownership-transition procedures, both passed unanimously after amendments. The committee also reconsidered HB 2725, which would limit access contractors’ use of therapeutic substitution and utilization controls for certain non-opioid drugs. Access and health plan representatives warned the bill was too broad and could significantly increase costs by affecting many drug classes, while the sponsor said the amendment was intended to address those concerns and preserve the policy goal. After the amendment was adopted, the bill failed on a 6-? vote and did not receive a due-pass recommendation. The chair then announced the committee was done hearing House bills and adjourned, with Senate bills expected in a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Requirements to sell or distribute the medications at cost plus a $5 fee are removed, and instead the
• And SSB 5917 would remove barriers to this distribution. I urge you to support SSB 5917. Thank you.
• Now the stockpile of unused drugs is about to expire.
• Now the stockpile of unused drugs is about to expire, reinforcing the fact that the initial purchase
• We did remove Medicaid.

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on several bills and a joint memorial. SB 5915 would update the health technology assessment program by adding technologies recommended for Medicare populations or in national guidelines to the review priority list, requiring broader evidence review for life-threatening or rare diseases, and setting timelines for posting and deciding review requests. Supporters, including rare disease advocates and providers, said the current process is outdated and too rigid; the bill was then held for later action. SJM 8002 urged Congress to strengthen original Medicare, oppose privatization, add benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, and reduce Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud. Supporters from labor and senior groups argued it would protect beneficiaries and send a message to federal officials; the memorial was also held after testimony. The committee also heard SB 5395 on prior authorization. Staff explained it would tighten notice requirements, require a licensed clinician—not AI alone—to deny requests based on medical necessity, add transparency around policy changes, and change how retrospective denials are treated. The prime sponsor and provider groups said the bill was a negotiated compromise meant to reduce delays and inappropriate denials, while insurers were generally neutral but sought a narrow amendment. Testifiers described prior authorization as a major source of delay and administrative burden, and the bill was held after public testimony. SB 5845 would require carriers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 days, set timelines for non-clean claims and information requests, and allow penalties for repeated noncompliance. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems supported it as a way to improve predictable payment, while insurers were neutral and asked for a narrow amendment; the bill was also held. The committee heard SB 6025, which would change the definition of fetal death so gestational age is calculated using the best clinically accurate age rather than the last menstrual period. Obstetric and nursing witnesses said the current law can force inaccurate records and unnecessary burdens on grieving families, while opponents objected to the bill’s abortion-related definitions. The bill was held after testimony. Finally, SB 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge fees to support that work. The department and the sponsor said the measure would preserve a patient-centered accreditation option amid budget pressure, and the committee closed testimony and held the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> part of it at the end of the expiration part of it at the end of the expiration is<00:39:39.160>
• expiration date of that contract is, that's up for negotiation.
• And if you pass this law, what am I... your lease expired and they say yes I'm your lease expired and
• </c> or a month to they're leases expired or a month to they're leases expired they're<02:39:58.279><
• </c><02:40:20.760><c> in</c> time tenant the lease expires in time tenant the lease expires in February

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• elect an adjutant and inspector general to serve a two-year term commencing on March 1, 2026, and expiring
• the Vermont State Colleges Corporation to serve four-year terms commencing on March 1, 2026, and expiring
• </c><00:00:54.239><c> In</c> 2026 and expiring on March 1, 2030.
• In 2026 and expiring on March 1, 2030.
• of</c><00:02:59.440><c> nominees</c> the involuntary removal of nominees the involuntary removal of nominees

Transcript Highlights:

• Because this one expired back in 2021.
• This, the one that currently exists in statute, but it's expired? No. Okay. Thank you.
• And that was one of the reasons why I suggested removing one.
• And so that's why I've suggested removing one from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
• That's where we felt comfortable enough removing that.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Crime and Public Safety met with a quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. House Bill 2323, relating to a domestic violence registry, was discussed as a private law-enforcement database for domestic abuse offenders; members noted it was similar to other registry bills already advanced, though some said it differed in details. House Bill 2530, described as the scrap metal bill, was also voted do pass without discussion. House Bill 1882 was withdrawn from consideration after members noted it had been rolled with another bill and had been sent back from fiscal review and Rules. The committee then adopted a House committee substitute and two amendments for House Bill 3332, which concerns public safety personnel recruitment and retention and employment benefits for first responders; the substitute removed additional degree programs from scholarship eligibility and the amendments fixed scholarship prioritization language and removed a sunset from the line-of-duty death benefit. HB 3332 was voted do pass. In public hearing, Representative Justice presented House Bill 3174, Missouri’s version of Alyssa’s Law, requiring each school employee to have access to a wearable panic alert system tied to local emergency responders and school personnel. He said the bill is subject to appropriations and would use a qualified vendor list; members questioned cost, funding, liability, and whether schools could already implement such systems. Support testimony came from Lori Alhadeff, Alyssa’s mother, who described the Parkland shooting and argued that faster alerts save lives, including in medical emergencies, and from a teacher who said the system would help in both active shooter and non-shooter emergencies. No opposition testimony was offered. Representative Williams then presented House Bill 3434, which would create a Missouri statewide sexual assault response task force to examine reporting, investigation, medical response, advocacy, and prosecution and report recommendations by December 31, 2028. She said the task force would build on progress made reducing the sexual assault kit backlog but address ongoing inconsistencies across jurisdictions. Members asked about overlap with a prior expired task force, appointment structure, and whether the group should include more medical or law-enforcement representatives. Support testimony from the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence described the history of the kit backlog, the Telesane program, uneven services across the state, and the need for continued coordination and accountability; the Missouri Emergency Nurses Association also supported the bill, citing the need to address both rural and urban response challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it goes against the clear decision that this legislature made in 2022 when we removed biomass from
• Time for voting is expired. The clerk will display the tally.
• Time for voting is expired. The clerk will display the tally.
• Time for voting to expire. The clerk will just play the tally.
• Time for voting is expired. The clerk will display the tally.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership. The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development. One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it goes against the clear decision that this legislature made in 2022 when we removed biomass from
• Time for voting is expired. The clerk will display the tally.
• Time for voting is expired. The clerk will display the tally.
• Time for voting to expire. The clerk will just play the tally.
• Time for voting is expired. The clerk will display the tally.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, then also included in this bill is that we remove the pilot.
• </c> included in this bill is that we remove included in this bill is that we remove the<00:04:03.200
• I support the change that removed the $200 per day minimum requirement that was in the original bill.
• I support the change that removed the $200 per day minimum requirement that was in the original bill.
• She said she is glad they were able to remove the barrier created through a lot of bureaucracy.

Bills: HF630 , HF1435 , HF1607

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• If you remember during discussion, we had started at 3K with an escalator, and we removed the escalator
• setback provisions are allowed to be negotiated with an adjoining property owner that could either remove
• these setbacks fully or Owner that could either remove these setbacks fully or reduce them.
• Yes, because we have a consistent base load that allows us to remove a lot of the peaks and valleys of
• Have any of these companies that you've attracted, have their discounts expired, and have they asked

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you are aware, due to the federal policy change, including the passage of HR1 and the expiration
• This has been especially exacerbated by the enhanced premium tax credits expiring.
• So we had just asked for that word to be removed.
• The first is Blake 273 by Representative Schmick, and this would remove the requirement that any rules
• It also removes the requirement that the badge or any advertising include information about a health

Bills: HB2564 , HB2599 , HB1809 , HB2242 , HB2261 , HB2384 , HB2505

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, certification, state regulation, health plan, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, behavioral health, mental health crisis, crisis response, co-response, co-responder, first responder, EMS, emergency medical services, paramedic, EMT

Transcript Highlights:

• many of you are aware, due to the federal policy change, including the passage of HR 1 and the expiration
• This has been especially exacerbated by the enhanced premium tax credits expiring.
• So we had just asked for that word to be removed.
• The first is Blake 273 by Representative Schmick, and this would remove the requirement that any rules
• It also removes the requirement that the badge or any advertising include information about a health

Summary: The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on HB 2564 and HB 2599, then moved into executive session on several bills. HB 2599, which would restrict the use of AI in therapy and psychotherapy services, drew strong support from the prime sponsor, mental health professional groups, a privacy advocate, and an AI ethics researcher, all of whom warned that chatbots can mislead users, encourage delusions or self-harm, and lack licensure, accountability, and confidentiality protections. Several witnesses from health systems and telehealth organizations supported the bill’s intent but asked for narrower definitions and amendments to avoid unintended impacts on clinician-supervised tools, screening questionnaires, scribes, and other legitimate uses of AI. No vote was taken on HB 2599 during the hearing. HB 2564, which would give the Health Benefit Exchange authority to adopt market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, was presented as a way to address affordability, bare counties, and plan duplication. Supporters included the Exchange, consumer advocates, rural and tribal representatives, navigators, and some individual consumers, who said the bill could improve access, preserve bronze plan availability, and help stabilize the market in counties with too few carriers. Opponents from health plans, Regence, Premier, and insurance producer groups argued the bill would expand exchange authority without clear standards, could reduce competition and carrier participation, and might conflict with existing OIC filing and confidentiality processes; the OIC supported the bill but requested an amendment on rate disclosure timing. The committee then moved to executive session and later reported out HB 1784, HB 2242, HB 2384, and HB 2505 with due pass recommendations, while deferring action on HB 1809 and HB 2261. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1784 on certified medical assistants by an 18-0 vote, adopted one amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2242 on preventive services and immunization recommendations by an 11-7 vote, and passed a substitute for HB 2384 on actuarial reviews for continuing care retirement communities by a 16-2 vote. It also adopted an amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2505 on limited adult family home licensure exemptions for certain foster family situations by an 18-0 vote. The meeting adjourned after those actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Bush ever won, my time would expire Bush ever won, my time would expire before<00:41:27.920><c>
• &gt;&gt; the gentleoman's time is expired. I'd &gt;&gt; the gentleoman's time is expired.
• All time for debate has expired.
• The lady's time is<05:55:58.320><c> expired.</c> is expired. is expired.
• </c> gentleman's time is expired. gentleman's time is expired.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, it says that after the 14 days expire, the governor cannot just automatically declare a new
• And so what you would Be doing here is removing from the governor a very important tool that he may actually
• So Chapter 12 is the amendments that would remove the ability of the governor to have the option of calling
• just to be clear, the governor could still declare a public emergency, but it would... automatically expire
• It makes sure that emergency powers expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:07:32.319><c> recruiting</c> need to remove barriers to recruiting need to remove barriers
• part being removed as like a one giant kitten kaboodle.
• And when you remove that thing.
• .<01:34:36.960><c> In</c> expire.
• In expire.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's really just removing the strikeout on that portion. Okay.
• I think that removes a pretty important feature of the bill to me.
• This amendment removes the requirement... Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And so that has now, I believe, expired.
• The how that is proposed in these bills removes the 11G provision before we have a voter The bills removes

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• What they say Your your time is expired.
• Oh, have to remove it. It depends. It depends on what their—you can make it.
• </c> have to remove their tint. Right. have to remove their tint. Right. No<00:39:16.560><c> reason.
• Oh, have to<00:39:18.480><c> remove</c><00:39:19.200><c> it.
• It depends on to remove it. It depends.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard HB 698, which would increase criminal penalties for animal cruelty offenses. The chair explained that a proposed SD1 narrowed the bill to “pet animals” only, and testimony focused heavily on whether the bill should be limited to pets, whether service animals should also be included, and whether the measure could unintentionally affect livestock or cultural practices such as chicken fighting. Supporters, including the Hawaiian Humane Society, rescue organizations, and several individuals, argued that stronger penalties are needed because animal cruelty is under-prosecuted, that abuse of animals is linked to violence against people, and that harsher penalties could deter abuse. Opponents, including the public defender’s office and some farmers and livestock interests, argued the existing law is already on the books, enforcement is the real problem, and the bill is vague and could create unintended consequences. Several witnesses described graphic examples of animal abuse and urged the committee to act, while one testifier from the Disability Communication Access Board asked that service animals be explicitly included because they are not considered pets and are important to the independence and safety of people who rely on them. Committee members questioned the scope of the SD1, including whether it covered chickens, domesticated pigs, and service or emotional support animals. The deputy attorney general was asked to provide follow-up clarification on those points, and the Hawaiian Humane Society said it would welcome adding service animals back into the bill. At the end of testimony, the chair announced the final testimony count as 112 in support, 128 in opposition, and one comment, noting that some testimony appeared to address the broader House version rather than the narrower SD1. Because several questions remained unresolved, the committee deferred HB 698 until Monday, March 31, at 10:00 a.m. in room 016, with a vote to be taken then. After that, the committee moved on to its 10:02 decision-making agenda and deferred HB 108 as well, citing concerns about alcohol shipment, drunk driving, and underage access; it then began discussion of HB 226 on windshield tinting.