Video & Transcript : 'rules reform' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 05/13/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> career rule for our probation officers. career rule for our probation officers.
- </c> something like teacher pension reform. something like teacher pension reform.
- It simply means that the rules TRA TRA.
- </c><00:17:02.399><c> for</c> would like to do a career rule for would like to do a career rule for teachers
- </c> recommend to pass and reer to rules. recommend to pass and reer to rules.
Committee:
Senate State and Local Government
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty One - Tuesday, March 3 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In rules, it was voted out 11-0.
- They have been reformed. They went through the corrections process and they have been reformed.
- Rules.
- So this is an agency rule. So pick any state agency department.
- So this is an agency rule. So pick any state agency department.
Summary:
The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and also welcomed guests from the Gateway Bleeding Disorders Association in recognition of Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. The chamber then took up House Bill 2780, a major property tax reform measure, and adopted House Committee Substitute No. 2 before ordering it perfected and printed. The bill’s sponsor described four main provisions: applying Hancock rollback limits by subclass, adjusting the school levy floor from 2.75 to 2.20 while preserving current districts below 2.75 at that level for now, extending physical inspection protections to commercial property when assessments rise 15% or more, and requiring an old levy to expire before a new levy can take effect. Members from both parties largely supported the bill, though several raised concerns about the school levy floor and its interaction with the foundation formula; the sponsor said the bill was intended to stabilize taxes and send the issue to the Senate for further work. The substitute was adopted and the bill was perfected and printed.
The House then considered a combined substitute for House Bills 2592, 2787, and 2834, which would restore voting rights to Missourians on probation or parole who are not incarcerated. The sponsor said the bill reflects accountability and reentry, and members discussed how election officials would determine eligibility, what happens if a voter later violates parole, and whether the measure could affect elections. Supporters, including members with corrections and election administration experience, said many people on supervision are working, paying taxes, and should be able to vote; opponents or skeptics focused on the seriousness of criminal penalties and the need to preserve public confidence. The substitute was adopted and the combined bill was ordered perfected and printed.
Finally, the House took up House Bill 2125. The sponsor said it has three provisions: codifying the sharing of citizenship-status information in an existing Department of Revenue/Secretary of State data exchange, removing a sunset on the Secretary of State’s authority to seek court relief and subpoena records in credible election-violation investigations, and extending a technology fee sunset for another five years. The sponsor said the subpoena authority had been used only twice since 2020 and was intended to gather information, not automatically bring charges. Discussion on the bill began after the sponsor’s presentation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Apr 22nd, 2025
Aging and Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- will be brief, should be brief, and once we establish a quorum we will need to adopt our committee rules
- All right, so with established, we will need to adopt our committee rules.
- The committee rule, so the committee rules for a committee on aging and long-term care has been moved
- All right, committee rules are adopted.
- Tony Chikatilo on behalf of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, in support.
Committee:
House Aging and Long-Term Care
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Local Government (2-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have done a lot of work on cities, classification reform over the last several years.
- We left some things out of classification reform when we did that that were more controversial issues
- </c><00:02:49.480><c> over</c><00:02:49.720><c> the</c><00:02:49.920><c> last</c> Classification reform
- over the last several years, we left some things out of classification reform when we did that that
- </c><00:19:49.440><c> that</c> uh able to play by the same rules that uh able to play by the same rules
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up four bills. House Bill 131, sponsored by Representative Meredith, would give former second-class city fire departments more flexibility in firefighter scheduling. Meredith explained the committee substitute would allow a hybrid “1323” schedule while preserving existing collective bargaining agreements and affecting only 13 cities. There was no opposition or public testimony, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill with a favorable expression.
House Bill 256, sponsored by the chair, was presented by Representative Flry and Kentucky Land Title Association President Eric Case. The bill sets a 40-year statutory limit on certain dormant title interests to clear old encumbrances and make titles more marketable, while not specifically excluding coal and mineral interests. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed the bill with a favorable expression.
House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would update county law library funding rules to allow local bar associations to use library funds for online legal services, addressing unused balances in some counties. The chair and others said the change would better use the resource for attorneys and the public. The committee approved the bill with a favorable expression.
House Bill 368, sponsored by Representative Decker, would let smaller counties and local governments use the same alternative public notice methods already available in larger counties, such as posting notices on government websites after a brief newspaper notice. Supporters from county and city groups said the change would save money, improve efficiency, and help with transparency, while Kentucky Press Association Executive Director David Thompson said newspaper publication costs are relatively small and urged the legislature to set standards for government websites before expanding online notice options. The transcript cuts off during Thompson’s testimony, and no final committee action on HB 368 is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Apr 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I also want to remind everyone that pursuant to our committee rules adopted on our first hearing that
- Another few housekeeping rules is that Another few housekeeping rules is that we will be allowing both
- While opponents like the California Tax Reform Association argue adoption decisions are personal and
- The golden rule. Those that have the gold can make the rule.
- We've called it the Cap and Cut the Cost of Insurance Through Reform Act.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing.
The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense.
The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Insurance Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is all about reforming the process by which residential property insurers choose not to renew
- This bill is all about reforming the process by which residential property insurers choose not to renew
- Consumers can't prevent those non-renewals if they don't know the rules and if they and the insurance
- Insurance companies will still set the rules for who's eligible and disclose those rules to the Department
- Insurance companies will still set the rules for who's eligible and disclose those rules to the Department
Summary:
The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several insurance-related bills, with SB 1301 by Senator Allen and SB 876 by Senator Padilla receiving the most discussion. SB 1301 would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving policyholders a chance to fix identified issues, and limiting non-renewals based on unreasonable grounds. The bill was supported by consumer advocates, fire survivors, local officials, and several organizations, while insurers said they had worked extensively with the author and were moving to neutral, though they still raised implementation and proprietary-information concerns. The committee voted to pass SB 1301 as amended to Appropriations, with the roll left open briefly before the bill was declared out.
SB 876 would overhaul wildfire and disaster claims handling by requiring updated replacement-cost estimates, stronger extended replacement-cost and building-code coverage options, faster status updates when adjusters change, and other consumer protections. Supporters included the Department of Insurance, United Policyholders, consumer groups, and local representatives, who argued the bill addresses underinsurance, delays, and inconsistent claims handling exposed by recent wildfires. Several industry groups said recent amendments resolved major concerns and moved them to neutral, while the California Fair Plan remained respectfully opposed pending further review. The committee approved SB 876 as amended to Judiciary, again leaving the roll open briefly before finalizing the vote.
The committee also took up a consent item, SB 536 by Senator Archuleta, which was approved unanimously to Appropriations. Other bills listed at the start of the hearing, SB 555 and SB 795, were pulled at the request of the authors and were not heard.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Suspend rules to take up HF76 4/30/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that could have brought some real reform that could have brought some real reform that<00:09:40.080
- Please rule the speaker out of order.
- Please rule the speaker out of order.
- Please rule the speaker out of order.
- Please rule the speaker out of order.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 21 Mar 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Just like I said previously, the Supreme Court already ruled that they can't do that.
- But I will tell you, and I will tell everyone in the body, I do believe we need real reform in our statutes
- We've had a US Supreme Court ruling saying that that Can't happen, but that hasn't stopped the lawsuits
- They don't have the same rules or regulations we do, but sometimes we're working cross purposes there
- So I'd ask you to follow those same rules, please. Leader Fuggate, appreciate your comments.
Bills:
HR1036 , HB2975 , HB3026 , HB3297 , HB2981 , HB2978 , HB4144 , HB1322 , HB1818 , HB3194 , HB3767 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB4170 , HB3287 , HB3288 , HB4454 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3268 , HB4095 , HB4115 , HB4316 , HB3530 , HB3428 , HB4272 , HB4273 , HB4274 , HB3405 , HB3406 , HB3467 , HB3469 , HB3931
Keywords:
Bob Wills, Western Swing, Cain's Ballroom, Oklahoma music history, country music, rock and roll, folk jazz blues, Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Film and Music Office, Oklahoma Historical Society, OKPOP Museum, commemorative resolution, day at the Capitol, musician recognition, heritage celebration, Tulsa, poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 5th, 2026 at 06:30 pm
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, I move that the rules be suspended and that House Bill 2624, as amended by the Senate, be
- Senator Cortes moves that the rules be suspended and that House Bill 2624, as amended by the Senate,
- Senator Cortes moves that the rules be suspended and that House Bill 2624, as amended by the Senate,
- Senator Short moves that the rules be suspended and that House Bill 2104 be advanced.
- I move that the rules be suspended, that Substitute House Bill 2334, as amended, be advanced to third
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 5th, 2026 at 01:45 pm
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Dhingra moves that the rules...
- I move the rules be suspended.
- Senator Warnick moves that the rules be suspended.
- Senator Saldana moves that the rules be suspended.
- Senator Dhingra moves that the rules be suspended.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 5th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Transportation Resources have heard the Committee on Rules. Senator Ritchelli. Thank you.
- Senate Democrats will caucus immediately following the rules meeting. Senator Hasegawa.
- Senate Democrats will caucus immediately following the Rules Committee meeting. Senator Warnick.
- Senator Stanford moves that the rules be suspended.
- I move that the rules be suspended that it... The amendment is adopted. Senator Dhingra.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 06:20 pm
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I move that the rules be suspended.
- And it will certainly tighten up rules pertaining to voter challenges.
- And it will certainly tighten up rules pertaining to voter challenges.
- Senator Wilson moves that the rules be suspended.
- Senator Cleveland moves that the rules be suspended.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Wellman moves that the rules be suspended.
- Senator Valdez moves that the rules be suspended.
- Senator Dhingra moves that the rules be suspended.
- Yes, I would like to suspend the rules. I move that the rules be suspended.
- Senator Cleveland: I move that the rules be suspended.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, there will be a meeting of the Committee on Rules.
- President, I move the rules be suspended.
- I move the rules be suspended.
- Senator Mazzall moves that the rules be suspended.
- President, there will be a meeting of the Committee on Rules in the Senate Rules Room 45 minutes after
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I move the rules be suspended. The Substitute House Bill 2152 be advanced to third reading.
- The new rules include lockers and destruction of the cannabis once the person can no longer use it.
- And it will certainly tighten up rules pertaining to voter challenges.
- Senator Wilson moves that the rules be suspended.
- Senator Cleveland moves that the rules be suspended.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
Summary:
The Senate considered and passed several House bills. Substitute House Bill 2152, known as Ryan’s Law, would allow limited medical cannabis use for qualifying end-of-life patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities; supporters said it would improve quality of life, and it passed 46-2. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604, dealing with search procedures for transgender and intersex individuals confined in local jails and codifying federal Prison Rape Elimination Act-related standards, drew debate over whether amendments were needed and whether the bill would burden or protect staff and inmates; two amendments were rejected, and the bill passed 30-19.
Second Substitute House Bill 1906, as amended, increased transparency and consumer protections for water system rates, especially for older or smaller systems, and passed unanimously 49-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1916 tightened voter registration challenge procedures and gave county auditors more discretion in handling challenges; an amendment to broaden who could challenge voters statewide was rejected, and the bill passed 49-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2110, as amended, allowed registered nurses without EMT certification to staff certain inter-facility ambulance transports under specified conditions to reduce delays, and it also passed 49-0.
The Senate also passed Second Substitute House Bill 2429, which extends and updates the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and aligns agency planning with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan; a committee striker was adopted despite concerns about added government structure, and the bill passed 49-0. Second Substitute House Bill 2384, increasing oversight of continuing care retirement communities through actuarial review and Office of Insurance Commissioner oversight, passed 37-12 after the chamber rejected the committee striker and adopted a revised striking amendment. The session ended with a point of personal privilege from Senator Lovick and an adjournment motion, and the Senate adjourned until March 4, 2026.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Pro Forma Floor Session Mar 2nd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Burkid Committee on Rules. Senator Pichelli. Thank you, Mr. President.
- second, the 50th legislative day, the first supplemental Senate Bill 5808, referred to the Committee on Rules
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- McCollum, will you please call the rule? Armsby. Wormsby, aye. Wormsby, votes aye. Gregerson.
- permit reform in those other spaces.
- Again, this just delays the Department of Ecology's authority to adopt rules pertaining to 6 PPD.
- Again, this just delays the Department of Ecology's authority to adopt rules pertaining to 6 PPD.
- Again, this just delays the Department of Ecology's authority to adopt rules pertaining to 6 PPD.
Bills:
HB1073 , HB1128 , HB1316 , HB1408 , HB1591 , HB1592 , HB1634 , HB1906 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2145 , HB2248 , HB2266 , HB2301 , HB2333 , HB2365 , HB2401 , HB2416 , HB2421 , HB2438 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2515 , HB2517 , HB2523 , HB2548 , HB2597 , HB2637 , HB2640 , HB2660 , HB2675 , HB2685 , HB2720 , HB1742 , HB2104 , HB2186 , HB2405 , HB2557 , HB2593 , HB2636
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
national guard, military support, defense, state security, veteran services, child care, workforce standards, education, child development, training requirements, postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, community preservation, development authorities, funding, local governance, state resources
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Judiciary Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So, in the spirit of disclosure, our rules don't make us do this, In the spirit of disclosure, our rules
- 26 and the Colorado rules.
- It doesn't touch the collateral source rule.
- And so, if we do this here, There's lots of evidentiary rules that this would conflict with, our rules
- Our rules of evidence under 13-208 and then Rules 401, 402, 403— And actually, I'm sorry, that's regardless
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 61, which would raise aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony in cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon. The sponsor and supporters said the bill fixes an inconsistency in current law, where aggravated assault on an officer can be punished more severely than aggravated battery causing serious injury. Law enforcement representatives, the Chiefs Association, CBRC, and chamber representatives testified in support, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission was noted as having endorsed the bill by a 6-3-4 vote. After questions about proportionality and plea bargaining, the committee voted due pass on HB 61 without objection.
The committee then returned to House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform bill, and several members made conflict-of-interest disclosures before debating amendments. The discussion focused heavily on the patient compensation fund, surcharge setting, and whether an advisory board or the superintendent should control rates. Amendments to segregate future fund money, require surcharges no lower than the advisory board’s recommendation, and create a commission with more actuarial and financial expertise were debated at length; the committee rejected the first two amendments. Members and witnesses argued over whether past undercharging of hospitals and doctors led to insolvency and taxpayer bailouts, and whether the bill should require more transparency and oversight.
The committee also debated amendments on punitive damages. One proposal would have delayed punitive damage claims until after substantial discovery; opponents said it would conflict with civil procedure, prolong litigation, and likely be struck down. Another would have tied punitive damages to a multiple of compensatory damages or a percentage of net worth; supporters said that would better deter harmful conduct, while opponents said it would create uncertainty and more discovery. That amendment also failed. A final punitive-damages amendment would have removed caps in cases involving sexual assault or intoxication by a health care provider and protected the first $5 million of an independent provider’s personal assets; it too was rejected after members said it would shield egregious misconduct and go beyond the bill’s purpose.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Each program has its own rules, stakeholder, and interest groups.
- That often creates a barrier to reform and an organizational and program culture.
- Governor Leavitt reacts to that audit and says, I want to reform these...
- and create the welfare reform movement of the 1990s.
- That's why we have the 1996 reform.
Summary:
The committee met to hear an update from consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie on Arkansas’s “one door” or “no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. The discussion focused on moving the state toward a work-first system that better connects job seekers, employers, education, and public assistance programs, with goals of increasing upward mobility, improving labor force attachment, reducing inefficiencies, and adapting to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. The consultants argued that Arkansas’s current system is fragmented across multiple offices, portals, agencies, and funding streams, and that people often have to navigate separate doors for workforce services, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and related supports.
Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as the model, describing how that state integrated workforce and human services into a single department, used cost allocation to blend funding behind the scenes, and saw improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said TANF should be treated as a workforce program, not just a benefits program, and suggested that Arkansas could use TANF and other tools to cross-train DHS staff, co-locate services, and create a more unified service delivery model. Members asked about federal flexibility, waivers, and whether the state could use one large waiver or a broader restructuring to simplify the system. Bishop explained that a federal pilot authority proposal failed in Congress, so the current approach relies on waivers, cost allocation plans, and possible state-level changes.
The committee also discussed the relationship between DHS and workforce offices, the role of local workforce boards, how disability and vocational rehabilitation cases would be handled, and how the governor’s Restore Hope/Hope Hub and faith- and community-based initiatives might fit into the broader plan. Bishop said Arkansas already has rehabilitation services within the workforce department and emphasized that case managers should focus on people rather than programs. No votes were taken. The chair said the committee would revisit case management at its August meeting and adjourned the meeting after thanking the consultants.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Jan 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- “So I don’t think it’s just this rule today. I think I started with that.
- “Representative, so your son would be in a PASS, and these rules do not apply.
- They’re a managed care entity, and they set up their own rules.
- No, we do not think this will delay services with this rule change.”
- The health care reform task force—that's why that was put in place.
Summary:
The committee approved the December 8 minutes and referred items C1 and C2 to the labor and environment subcommittees, adopting the chair’s recommendations. The main substantive item was a DHS rule package revising the State Plan Personal Care Manual and the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) Manual. DHS said the revisions would repeal and replace the current manuals with streamlined versions, remove overlapping language, implement Act 853 by shifting licensure/certification for personal care agencies to the Department of Health, lengthen personal care prior authorizations from six months to one year, and keep the 64-hour monthly cap. For ARIA, DHS said it would remove references to state plan personal care, clarify telehealth and in-person assessments, and add/update sections for PASS, AR Choices, Living Choices, and PACE.
DHS argued the current independent assessment process is costly and not controlling utilization, citing a 95% approval rate, annual spending of more than $212 million on personal care for about 17,000 people, and an estimated $6.173 million in savings from eliminating the Optum assessment and reducing prior-authorization frequency. Agency witnesses said the new process would reinsert primary care practitioner involvement, use standardized evaluation and prescription forms, and rely on personal care provider nurses for the assessment step, with training already available through an AFMC contract. Several members questioned whether PCPs should be used as gatekeepers, whether the change would delay services, and whether the savings estimate accounted for training or provider burden. Some members also raised concerns about conflicts of interest, the workload on physicians, and whether the agency had adequately worked with the existing vendor to improve the current system.
The discussion became contentious, with Senator Irvin and others strongly opposing the proposal as inconsistent with the earlier independent-assessment approach and urging DHS to slow down and work with legislators. Other members asked for clarification on how the new process would work for new applicants and whether it would affect waiver or PASS participants; DHS said the rule would not apply to PASS and should not delay services. At the end of the hearing, the chair offered DHS the option to pull the rule down and work off-record with legislators on a revised proposal, and DHS agreed. The meeting then adjourned without further business or a final vote on the rule.