Transcript Highlights:

• consulted, advised, or expressed concern about this problem with Congress and the administration concerning AI
• , since they want to nationalize regulation and rules for AI?
• We think it's a necessary step to have a coordinated approach that would help us look at how AI could
• So we think it's a whole-of-ecosystem approach, and AI is certainly part of that conversation.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• consulted, advised, or expressed concern about this problem with Congress and the administration concerning AI
• , since they want to nationalize regulation and rules for AI?"
• We think it's a necessary step to have a coordinated approach that would help us look at how AI could
• So we think it's a whole-of-ecosystem approach, and AI is certainly part of that conversation.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable. Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults. Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been a lot of talk this week about AI in this chamber, and we know that there would be a lot
• of maybe higher-paying white-collar jobs that people are going to lose because of the advent of AI.
• There's been a lot of talk this week about AI in this chamber, and we know that there would be a lot
• of maybe higher-paying white-collar jobs that people are going to lose because of the advent of AI.

Bills: S0216, S0246, S0356, S0388, S0470, S0488, S0490, S0528, S0584, S0594

Keywords: reemployment assistance, fraud prevention, eligibility verification, Department of Commerce, benefit disqualification, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration, license plate fees, annual use fees, Florida DHSMV, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, deauthorization, financial reporting, nonprofit organizations, college license plates, university license plates, veterans plates, law enforcement plates, Fraternal Order of Police

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered ten bills, beginning with SB 594 on local housing assistance plans. Senator Burton explained that the bill would make residents of mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities eligible for SHIP rental assistance and, in some cases, repair or rehabilitation funds, recognizing that many own their homes but rent the lot. Supporters from AARP and the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners said the bill would help seniors and low-income residents remain housed. The bill was reported favorably by a roll call vote. Members then approved two Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measures: SB 488, the agency package updating Florida’s motor fuel tax compliance with IFTA, allowing online filing and private license plate agencies to act as agents, raising the crash-damage reporting threshold, expanding email communications, and updating tank vehicle compliance; and SB 490, a related public records exemption for email addresses collected for renewal notices. Both were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also passed SB 246, creating a specialty license plate for the UFC Foundation, despite concerns raised that the foundation is based out of state and that the plate was politically motivated; the bill was approved on a split vote. The committee gave favorable reports to SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility, which would tighten job-search requirements, require more frequent eligibility verification, and add reporting on fraudulent claims. The bill drew substantial opposition from labor and policy advocates who argued it would add barriers for unemployed workers, especially in rural and skilled-trades jobs, and that the state’s unemployment system remains difficult to navigate. Supporters said the bill was aimed at fraud prevention and ensuring claimants remain eligible. SB 356 on utility terrain vehicles generated extensive debate over safety, local control, and whether UTVs should be allowed on certain roads; supporters emphasized rural utility and law enforcement benefits, while opponents cited manufacturer warnings and crash risks. The sponsor ultimately temporarily postponed the bill. The committee also reported favorably SB 528 on manufacturing, which expands the Department of Commerce’s manufacturing responsibilities, codifies the chief manufacturing officer position, and creates workforce development grant support; SB 584 on commercial driving schools, which authorizes DHSMV agreements with county tax collectors to help enforce school regulation; and SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflower specialty plate from $15 to $25 to support the Florida Wildflower Foundation. The final bill, SB 470 on the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate, was introduced as a measure to broaden eligibility for the existing plate and stabilize funding for law enforcement memorial efforts, but no final action on that bill was reached in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're also putting things in like prohibiting states from regulating AI and I and drawing that back
• Antonio a few weeks ago and it was brought up the, the concern about the states being unable to regulate AI
• Um, I, I also have concerns on limiting our, our capabilities to engage in AI, which is, by the way,
• I'm not sure I, I really favor that, but definitely there's going to be some type of regulation for AI

Transcript Highlights:

• AI is going to be a large part of that.
• and the electricity that those will data and the electricity that those will consume<00:03:33.640> AI
• 34.720> be<00:03:35.000> a<00:03:35.159> large<00:03:35.480> part consume AI
• is going to be a large part consume AI is going to be a large part of<00:03:35.879> that<00:03

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have said openly that they want to collapse all this data together and run it through AI to find
• <00:15:07.560> run<00:15:07.720> it<00:15:07.880> through<00:15:08.199> AI
• <00:15:09.000> to<00:15:09.240> find together and run it through AI to find together
• and run it through AI to find efficiencies<00:15:10.560> now<00:15:10.680> I<00:15:10.759

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Senate Democrats held an education finance press conference focused on concerns that the Trump administration may dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and freeze or reduce federal education funding. Speakers said such actions could jeopardize Title I, special education, English learner, school meal, transportation, and other programs, and noted that federal education aid is often reimbursed after districts have already spent the money. They argued that even a 10% cut would amount to roughly $1 billion and could leave districts unable to cover costs they have already incurred. Several speakers also raised concerns about broader federal actions, including school vouchers, curriculum restrictions, and access to student and Treasury data by Elon Musk and others, warning about privacy and the possible targeting of DEI, ethnic studies, truth-and-history curriculum, and efforts to recruit and retain teachers of color. They said the instability makes it impossible for districts to plan budgets and maintain staffing, and that the harm is already being felt through frozen aid and other disruptions. The speakers criticized Republican colleagues for downplaying the threat and said Republicans were inconsistent because they had recently highlighted teacher shortages and school infrastructure needs while now minimizing potential cuts. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the press conference; the event was a call for public pressure on Republican lawmakers to oppose the federal changes and protect Minnesota schools and students.

Transcript Highlights:

• THINKING ABOUT THE USE OF SENSORS OR AI AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND I NO OFTEN TIMES WE HAVE TO WAIT BEHIND
• BUT NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE AN IMPACT OF DATA CENTER ON ELECTRIC UTILITIES AND AI UTILITY INSTRUCTOR AND

Transcript Highlights:

• And on this one, as Karen said, since it was through the bond, we were instructed not to put it in AIS
• , which now with everything going into AISS, We were instructed not to put it in AIS, which now, with
• everything going into AIS, there's an automatic reminder, Karen Craveme, if I'm wrong.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yesterday, I think it was yesterday, the presidents, we talked about AI. I think it was yesterday.
• The presidents, we talked about AI and technology as it relates to soil, soil moisture, growing crops
• AI and precision agriculture is really important right now.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met to approve the October 3, 2024 interim minutes and then took up two resolutions. HCR 205, by Representative Kerner, urged USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Supporters said shrimpers are facing very low prices, full cold storage, and an urgent need for federal purchases to stabilize the market and help local processors and fishermen. Commissioner Mike Strain explained that USDA commodity purchases can support schools, nursing homes, and food banks, and members discussed the need for cold storage, marketing, and better promotion of local seafood. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. The committee also considered HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill language that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs; members said the provision had raised concerns about field trials, scent hounds, and hunting practices, and the resolution was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then received a presentation from Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture leadership, led by interim president and chancellor Orlando McMeans and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, teaching, and extension work, including medicinal cannabis research, beef cattle and smart ranching, viticulture, aquaculture, precision agriculture, food and nutrition, and support for small farmers and K-12 dual enrollment. They highlighted scholarship and enrollment programs, including USDA-supported 1890 scholars and JAG Stars, as well as partnerships with LSU and USDA. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed 1,300-bed disaster shelter/mega shelter at the experiment station. Members asked questions about meat-cutting and processing training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s use when not needed for disasters. Southern officials said the new processing facility is intended to support training and workforce development, and that the shelter could also be used for events such as weddings, graduations, and agricultural activities. The committee expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work of the Ag Center. Representative Broussard then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI is everywhere. And while it creates opportunity, it also brings risk, big brings risk.
• AI is everywhere.
• Millions of AI-generated sexualized images are being created online, including thousands that appear

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving a large consent calendar of bills on two unanimous-support motions. The committee then heard a series of individual bills, with authors and sponsors generally describing low or absorbable state costs and asking for aye votes. Topics included AI/digital safety education for students (AB 1792), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), retirement information for community college faculty (AB 2417), cannabis regulation changes including tribal commerce, drive-through sales, and beverage labeling (AB 2506, AB 2697, AB 2532), emergency equipment training for law enforcement volunteers (AB 1913), cannery law modernization (AB 2706), child care planning in local governments (AB 1914), EV charger permitting fees (AB 1820), election-record notice requirements (AB 1664), nursing home discharge notices (AB 2135), a San Diego energization-delay pilot (AB 2518), mental health training for school coaches (AB 1665), and education governance and oversight changes (AB 2117). Several bills were described as committee or sponsor measures with technical or clarifying changes, including AB 2780, AB 2615, AB 2121, and AB 2771. Testimony was largely supportive, often from sponsor groups, industry representatives, labor, or advocacy organizations. Notable support included TechNet for AB 1792, the California State Sheriffs’ Association for AB 1913, California Dairies and food manufacturers for AB 2706, the Low Income Investment Fund for AB 1914, EV and environmental groups for AB 1820, the Attorney General’s Office for AB 1664, long-term care ombudsman advocates for AB 2135, and the California State Association of Psychiatrists for the cannabis and mental-health-related bills. Some bills drew limited opposition or “opposed unless amended” positions, including AB 2350, AB 1820, and AB 2506, while AB 2697 and AB 2532 were presented as efforts to support the legal cannabis market and consumer safety. The committee also heard a presentation-only item, AB 2541, creating a lowrider specialty license plate, which drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and co-author requests from members. Most bills were reported out with due pass recommendations, many on roll call and several with specific members not voting or voting no. AB 1664 was reported out as due pass as amended and placed on call before later being moved out on a B roll call. AB 2350 and AB 1914 were also later reported out from call on B roll calls, with AB 1914 noted as passing despite some Republican no votes. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual action, and the meeting concluded after a brief public comment period in which members of the public voiced positions on unrelated bills, including support for AB 2497, AB 1729, AB 2189, AB 1575, AB 2170, and opposition to AB 1603, AB 2447, AB 2411, AB 2492, and AB 1952.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI is everywhere, and while it creates opportunity, it also brings risk—big risk.
• AI is everywhere, and while it creates opportunity, it also brings real risk for our kids already facing
• Millions of AI-generated sexualized images are being created online, including thousands that appear

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving two large groups of bills on consent: a due-pass-to-consent set and a due-pass set for bills eligible for the floor consent calendar. The committee then heard a series of author presentations, generally focused on bills with minor, absorbable, or no state costs, and most measures were reported out with due-pass recommendations, often on roll call and sometimes with members not voting or bills held on call. Among the bills discussed were AB 1792 on updating health guidance to address AI-related digital safety risks for students, AB 1843 on removing barriers to hepatitis C treatment, AB 2350 on consumer protections for rent-now-pay-later products, AB 2780 on technical changes to teachers’ retirement law, AB 2117 on restructuring K-12 education governance, AB 1913 and AB 2706 on emergency equipment authority and cannery law modernization, and AB 1914 and AB 1820 on child care planning and EV charger permitting. Other measures included AB 2417 on retirement information for community college faculty, AB 2506 on cannabis commerce involving tribal licensees, AB 2200 on greenhouse energy-code compliance, AB 1664 on notice to state officials when election records are seized or subpoenaed, AB 2135 on nursing home discharge notices, AB 2697 on allowing drive-through cannabis sales with local approval, AB 2518 on a San Diego County energization-delay pilot, AB 1665 on mental health training for school coaches, AB 2532 on cannabis beverage safeguards and labeling, AB 1627 on disqualifying certain federal immigration enforcement personnel from becoming peace officers, AB 2121 on community college funding safeguards, AB 2771 on extending the Bureau for Postsecondary Private Proprietary Education sunset, and AB 2120 on preserving LAUSD’s selected certification hiring practice. Most witnesses and sponsors described the bills as low-cost, technical, or modernization measures; a few bills drew opposition or “oppose unless amended” testimony, including AB 1820 and AB 2706-related items, but no major floor votes were taken in the transcript beyond committee recommendations. The committee also heard AB 2541, a presentation-only suspense-file bill to create a lowrider specialty license plate that would generate revenue for community and youth programs. The bill drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and requests to be added as coauthors, but it was sent to suspense for later consideration. Afterward, the committee approved a lengthy suspense calendar and opened general public comment, where members of the public voiced support or opposition on various other bills, including telework, physical therapy licensure, pesticide restrictions, data disaggregation, and other measures not heard that day. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment to the amendment just Added a few more exceptions to make sure we didn't accidentally catch AI
• This amendment changed The bill is now targeted towards social AI companions, which are artificial intelligence
• So this is strictly for a social AI companion only. See no further questions.

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, data analytics and AI are very high at 19.51%.
• ensuring that those new competencies in emerging technologies are embedded in there because there's AI
• Registration, financial aid, changing classes—we can build an AI agent that students can access on their

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• think as we move into better software systems that the state hopefully builds, and a better grasp of AI
• , maybe an AI computer... ...can kind of capture that.
• thing is we can't always just rely on what humans are doing, so we need to be bringing in software, our AI

Transcript Highlights:

• Saudi Arabia and Qatar are pouring trillions into AI and next-gen infrastructure.
• We're seeing unprecedented interest in reshoring advanced industries, building domestic AI and semiconductor
• AI technology, I don't know. Is that something?

Bills: HB 104, HB2054, HB3459, HB3745, HB4486, HB4488, HB4601, HB104

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, HB 2054, Texas volunteer fire department assistance fund, Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, volunteer fire departments, wildfire mitigation, wildland fire, rural fire protection, insurer assessment, insurance premium tax, state appropriations, firefighting grants, emergency services, high-risk wildfire areas, Texas Comptroller, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an AI overview.
• Chairman Capriglio, I don't know, I'm using my AI skills here, but laughter...
• Again, this is according to my AI overview here, but the truck reverse...

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• for our purpose-built, future-focused gymnasium is to offer a personalized, inclusive, tech-enriched, AI-driven
• With our UF partners, we plan to discover how AI can inform a personalized approach to health and fitness
• We are also looking to leverage the many experts in programs in AI at the University of Florida to help

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met to receive an update from Florida developmental research lab schools on articulated health care programs created under the Live Healthy initiative and Senate Bill 76. Chair Calatayud opened the meeting, confirmed a quorum, and heard presentations from P.K. Young/University of Florida, Florida State University Schools, FAMU Developmental Research School, and Florida Atlantic University Laboratory School. Each school described efforts to build K-12-to-postsecondary health care pathways, expand dual enrollment and industry certifications, and share replicable curriculum models with other districts. FSU Schools highlighted its HERO program, including CNA and food manager certifications, dual enrollment growth, reserve seating at colleges, and a paid internship with the Department of Health tied to emergency shelter operations. P.K. Young described its Healthy Lives Blueprint, which combines K-8 wellness experiences, a new high school health and human performance pathway, AP and science course expansion, a planned gymnasium redesign, and partnerships with Santa Fe College and UF. FAMU DRS reported growing dual enrollment, partnerships with FAMU, Tallahassee State, and Lively, and a goal of serving at least 100 students and 40 staff through health career exposure, certifications, and AA/AS pathways. FAU Lab School described a more advanced model that integrates elementary through high school research and health science experiences, including biotechnology, bioengineering, and partnerships with health and research institutions. The school reported 87 peer-reviewed student publications, more than $350,000 in student grants, six patents, and pipelines into FAU’s medical and nursing programs, including a Med Direct pathway and a National Merit Scholar pipeline. Committee members asked about student readiness for nursing programs, dual enrollment, articulation with state colleges, and how the lab school models could be disseminated statewide. The meeting concluded with praise for the programs and a motion by Senator Fine to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• , all of these robots, automation, AI, all of these things<00:54:12.800> have<00:54:12.960>
• So automation and robotics and AI and a number of these things are going to have a place, but I also
• So automation and and<00:59:29.119> robotics<00:59:29.760> and<00:59:30.160> AI<
• A question was asked whether AI will replace attorneys.
• Well, we sell AI to attorneys, so hopefully the plan is that we're empowering them.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ban on government social scoring with AI. >> Representative Yin, two minutes. >> Mr.
• First of all, the bill basically says you can't use AI to create a social score about people.
• Also addresses AI systems that collect and search large number of photos or videos from the internet
• Um, first of all, the bill basically says you can't use AI to create a social score about people.
• Body, you are voting on House Bill 91, Ban on Government Social Scoring with AI.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the record Jason AIS director of Health<01:17:48.360> Economics<01:17:49.040> New<
• <01:24:47.119> gave the number got derived okay Dr AIS gave the number got derived okay Dr
• We’re hearing a lot about AI requiring big computers to operate.
• requires big computers to operate um AI requires big computers to operate um blockchain<03:29:46.040
• was the Chiefs gave Dr AIS was the Chiefs gave Dr AIS the<04:37:05.600> backup<04:37:06.119

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 552, which would remove the “full-time student” requirement for children ages 19 to 25 covered under the state retiree health insurance plan. The prime sponsor said the change would align retiree coverage with state employee and ACA plans, would not cost taxpayers because retirees pay the premiums, and could even reduce administrative burden and possibly state costs. The chair noted the bill simply removes the words “if full-time student” from statute and said the proposal affects very few retirees and has no cost to the state. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 552 after no further testimony. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 648, which would require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with diabetes. The prime sponsor, a retired dietitian and diabetes educator, gave extensive testimony describing diabetes as common, costly, and serious, and argued that continuous glucose monitoring is important for managing type 2 and gestational diabetes, preventing hypoglycemia, and improving safety and decision-making. She said CGMs can alert users to dangerous blood sugar changes, help people understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and save lives while offering a strong return on investment. During questions, a committee member asked whether the bill should specify that the monitoring be tied to prescribed treatment, and the sponsor agreed that adding “prescribed” would be appropriate. The member also asked about the proper threshold for coverage and whether the bill should be tied to fasting-test diagnosis; the sponsor responded that A1C is only one measure of control and does not show daily fluctuations, and said she was not prepared to recommend a specific threshold but could provide clinical guidelines later. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the sponsor indicated support for the bill’s general approach to broader CGM access.