Transcript Highlights:

• This has allowed me to treat and manage not only my complications but also the complications of other
• Number two, one must be able to manage complications.
• I am personally managing botulinum toxin corrections and other complication management multiple times
• and experience to minimize these risks and have the ability to address them effectively. to help manage
• They do manage oral pathology and diseases affecting the jaw itself.

Bills: SB1117 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB1986 , SB1098 , SB626 , SB1784 , SB2480 , SB2487 , SB437 , SB660

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• medicine, highly trained foot and ankle specialists who play vital roles in trauma care and wound management
• medical staff, overseeing credentials, overseeing peer review, overseeing quality initiatives, and managing
• The chair withdraws the committee substitute.
• The chair withdraws. The committee substitute is.
• Given the LMHA's role in managing that system, the... the expertise of an LMHA representative on the

Bills: SB1117 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB1986 , SB1098 , SB626 , SB1784 , SB2480 , SB2487 , SB437 , SB660

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• Carlson, do you run a construction management firm?
• And I've been a project manager for my company.
• We deploy critical incident stress management teams.
• And at that point, we talked to the city managers, particularly the city manager in Plano, who suggested
• Carrollton has strong fiscal management practices.

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a great relief, because that's the one I wanted to withdraw.
• The Growth Management Act requires that we have these job growth targets.
• So these are all issues that we need to manage. And put this in place.
• So these are all issues that we need to manage.
• Am I a fan of the Growth Management Act now?

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I will withdraw it for today. I very much appreciate the conversation.
• Um, I will withdraw it for today. I very much appreciate the conversation.
• Utke withdraws his oral amendment. Utke withdraws his oral amendment.
• And so, um, I will withdraw the A6 amendment.
• And so, um I will withdraw the for all.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1682, treasurer qualified Arizona-based investment managers. Finance.
• SB 1785, water storage facility, withdraws area. ENRU.
• SB 1742, rural groundwater management establishment.
• SB 1821, DCS training; child placement management. SB 1822, property owners; adverse possession.
• SCR 1039, water withdrawal fees; state lands.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 30 members present. The journal was approved, no guests were introduced at first, and the Governor’s signed bill HB 2022 was reported. The President also announced temporary committee substitutions for the Rules Committee on February 9. Senator Shamp introduced licensed naturopathic physicians in the gallery and highlighted SB 1178, which would expand their authority to administer certain intravenous drugs, including antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals. The chamber then read a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bills and resolutions covering elections, education, health care, water, criminal justice, housing, taxation, and other topics, with no floor action taken on those measures during the reading. The Senate recessed to recognize law enforcement personnel involved in the rescue of an eight-year-old boy from a human trafficking situation. A proclamation commended Deputies Gregory Sanders and Jacob Montoya, along with Cochise County and Border Patrol personnel, for their courage and professionalism. After returning to order, members made personal privilege remarks urging the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to review $2.85 million in election-related funding for the Secretary of State, and another senator spoke about water security and the need for long-term planning. Additional announcements included caucus and committee meeting notices, an invitation to Arizona Aerospace Day, and a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. The transcript ends as the chamber was considering adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1682, treasurer qualified Arizona-based investment managers. Finance.
• SB 1785, water storage facility, withdraws area. Finance.
• SB 1742, rural groundwater management establishment.
• SB 1821, DCS training, child placement management. SB 1822, property owners, adverse possession.
• SCR 1039, water withdrawal fees, state lands.

Transcript Highlights:

• But remember, this bill doesn't touch the reserves needed to pay claims and manage risk.
• This is a covered-lives assessment on managed care organizations and health carriers.
• Amendment 9 is adopted and I will be withdrawing. I'd like to withdraw Amendment 10.
• Amendment 9 is adopted and I will be withdrawing.
• I'd like to withdraw Amendment 10 and Amendment 11.

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 5808, a proposal to require nonprofit health carriers with “excess surplus” to pay 10% of that surplus into the state health care affordability account for Cascade Care Savings. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $330 million one time in 2027, while the Office of Insurance Commissioner would have implementation costs. Supporters argued the bill would redirect consumer premium dollars to help people afford coverage, while opponents from health plans said reserves are needed for solvency, claims, and capital needs and warned the bill would destabilize nonprofit insurers. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2254, which would let the Partnership Access Line assessment cover administrative costs; HCA and Seattle Children’s supported it as a technical fix that saves general fund dollars, and a child psychiatrist asked that savings be reinvested in behavioral health services. House Bill 2385, which extends deadlines for the Medicaid Access Program because of federal restrictions on new provider taxes, also drew support from provider groups seeking future Medicaid rate increases. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 6286, which would increase fines on private detention facilities that deny Department of Health inspections and dedicate the fines to an account for community repair and assistance to harmed individuals and families. Supporters, including Tacoma’s mayor and family members affected by detention, framed the bill as an accountability measure; fiscal staff estimated Department of Health costs of about $395,000 in the 2025-27 biennium. Senate Bill 6006 would exempt food banks from sales tax on certain services enacted last session, with food bank and tribal representatives saying the savings would go directly to food and operations. Senate Bill 6351 would create exemptions from the new sales tax on live presentations for before- and after-school care, arts and cultural nonprofit classes, and K-12 school purchases; school districts, arts groups, and PTA representatives supported it, while asking for clarifying language and broader nonprofit exemptions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 would let cities and counties create local sales tax remittance programs for affordable housing projects, and housing builders, Habitat affiliates, counties, and city officials supported it as a local tool to lower development costs. In executive session, the committee received briefings on several tax and spending bills and then voted to advance multiple measures. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5949, which narrows a B&O tax exemption related to insurance premiums; a proposed retroactivity-removing amendment failed. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6129 on cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes after rejecting several amendments, including proposals to study the tax policy or replace the bill with illicit-market enforcement language. The committee also passed Senate Bill 6228 repealing a preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers, Senate Bill 6231 repealing data center sales tax exemptions, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5965, which retained a bag-fee approach rather than a full ban after adopting an amendment. The committee then returned to public hearing and began testimony on Senate Bill 6353, a major Working Connections Child Care bill that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, lower the provider rate target from the 85th to the 75th percentile, and make other program changes; the briefing was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, this just took out any responsibility by the managed care providers versus just the health
• in on the Medicaid providers themselves, who voluntarily participate in the program, and not the managed
• Representative Church then asked, for a follow-up, for an example of a managed care provider and the
• this was a slightly newer area for him as they transition into it, but he believed there would be managed
• Representative Berch asked unanimous consent to withdraw his motion, and there was no objection.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of pruning, especially in the wintertime, and a lot of spring shoot thinning and also canopy management
• Six years ago, I found kratom at a time I was searching for a more natural way to manage my ADHD.
• It is a potent chemical that can cause addiction, withdrawal, overdose, and death.
• I should have also said at the outset that my day job is to manage opioids.
• My day job is to manage overdoses.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent to withdraw AB 821 Gibson and AB 1447 Gibson from the engrossing and enrolling
• I move to withdraw SB 533 Richardson and SB 376 Valaderas from the appropriations committee or the bills
• I move to withdraw SB 533 Richardson and SB 376 Valaderas from the appropriations committee or the bills
• Flora and I agreed that he would withdraw at that point, and we continued on with the Majority Leader's
• And they are case managers, they are outreach workers, they are nurses, they are navigators, they are

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American prayer/song and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled a series of procedural motions. Members voted on multiple appeals and referrals involving SB 280 and ACA 8; the Speaker’s rulings were sustained on several points, and motions to re-refer the measures to different committees were ultimately adopted or rejected as noted. The Majority Leader also secured unanimous-consent and roll-call motions to suspend rules and file-notice requirements so the Elections and Appropriations Committees could notice ACA 8 and SB 280 for hearings and reporting deadlines. The chamber then took up several resolutions and concurrence items. Senate amendments were concurred in for AB 829, AB 463, AB 493, and AB 1387, each passing with unanimous or near-unanimous roll-call votes. The Assembly also adopted ACR 102 recognizing California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference, after extensive remarks from members of multiple caucuses and a Native American Day ceremony honoring tribal leaders, a judge, a councilwoman, a tribal chairman, and Clovis Unified students who defended their right to wear regalia at graduation. ACR 100 honoring India’s Independence Day was likewise adopted with broad support, and HR 48 marking the 105th anniversary of the 19th Amendment passed after debate about voting rights and women’s suffrage. Members also recognized guests from the music industry in support of ACR 105, and later adopted HR 44 honoring homeless service providers, with speakers emphasizing the scale of homelessness and the work of frontline workers. Additional guest introductions included representatives from Pakistan and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. The day concluded with adjournment-in-memory tributes for Joel Nilsen and Grace Kojima, followed by announcements of the next session dates and adjournment under the call of the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then finally, in 2026–27, there was a mandatory withdrawal of $407.1 million at the Governor’s Budget
• At the May Revision, that mandatory withdrawal is removed. So now there’s no withdrawal.
• There’s no withdrawal. There’s no At the May Revision, that mandatory withdrawal is removed.
• So now there’s no withdrawal and there’s no deposit in 2026–27.
• But we didn't necessarily manage to decrease our nonresidents at the same rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our pharmacy benefit out of our managed our pharmacy benefit out of our managed care<00:43:29.680
• </c><00:46:13.440><c> care</c> increased payments to managed care increased payments to managed care
• </c> I'll withdraw the A1. Thank you. I'll withdraw the A1. Thank you.
• </c> mental health targeted case management. mental health targeted case management.
• case management.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Still, there is a risk, but we consider it small, which possibly makes this a manageable mandate for
• Yes, this came from stakeholders with Louisiana Blue in terms of their ability to manage this mandate
• “And we will need to get Representative Jordan to withdraw your motion to report.”
• “I’ll withdraw the motion to report favorably and make the motion.”
• Okay, so Representative Jordan has made a motion to withdraw his motion to report favorably.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 15 and first considered HB 909, which would require commercial health insurance coverage for behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and Office of Behavioral Health interim assistant secretary Dr. Holly Howitt described the Louisiana crisis response system, the goal of reducing emergency room and 911 use, and the need to expand provider participation beyond Medicaid. A technical amendment and a stakeholder-driven amendment allowing insurers to require documentation of crisis, medical necessity, and follow-up plan were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended with support cards from several health care and local government entities. The committee then advanced HB 1151, which changes investment limits for domestic insurers, especially life insurers, by capping equity holdings and aligning the rules with solvency concerns. After questions about whether the bill would increase profits at consumers’ expense, the author and Department of Insurance staff explained it was intended to provide guardrails and keep insurers solvent; the bill was reported favorably. HB 1154, dealing with prior authorization for certain generic medications, also received technical and substantive amendments. The bill would generally eliminate prior authorization for non-opioid generics, with a $250 wholesale acquisition cost cap and physician-specialty exceptions; it was reported as amended after support testimony from the Louisiana Dermatological Society and other health groups. HB 869, which sought coverage for injectable drugs used for glucose control or weight loss, prompted extended debate over cost, obesity, and long-term savings. Several members raised concerns about premium increases and the large fiscal note, while the author argued the bill was preventive and could save money over time. Representative Jordan proposed a 25% coverage amendment, but the committee declined to take up the substantive amendment that day, and the bill was voluntarily deferred to the next meeting. Later, the committee reported HB 1196 favorably, clarifying that screening colonoscopies remain screening even if polyps are found, and HB 1176 favorably, restoring Medicare Advantage coverage for certain integrative cancer care services. The committee also heard HB 771, which would have changed Medicare coordination rules for retirees who return to state employment, but staff explained the issue is governed by federal CMS rules and preemption concerns; the bill was voluntarily deferred so the author could review the governing law. HB 751, dealing with term life insurance disclosures, was likewise voluntarily deferred after the author said more work was needed and noted concerns about existing law and consumer understanding. At the end of the meeting, the committee also deferred HB 920 and HB 1199 to the following week and briefly stood at ease before moving on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, this came from stakeholders with Louisiana Blue in terms of their ability to manage this mandate
• If he wants me to withdraw the amendment and move on with this bill, I'm going to move favorable either
• And we will need to get Representative Jordan to withdraw your motion to report.
• I'll withdraw the motion to report favorably and make the motion.
• Okay, so Representative Jordan has made a motion to withdraw his motion to report favorably.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• I would I move to withdraw withdraw withdraw Amendment<05:55:40.360><c> number</c><05:55:40.600><c> three
• </c><05:55:45.320><c> Amendment</c> The motion is to withdraw Amendment The motion is to withdraw Amendment
• So please withdraw this amendment. All opposed say no. All opposed say no.
• </c><06:15:01.360><c> amendment</c> discussions, I will withdraw amendment discussions, I will withdraw
• And with that progress, I would like to withdraw Amendments 17, 18, and 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have automated case management. We do transaction monitoring.
• in bank secret in that I was managing in bank secret in the<01:18:01.440><c> BSA.
• They have the ability to manage it, but they have to be educated on how to manage it.
• :34:50.400><c> to</c><01:34:50.560><c> manage</c><01:34:50.800><c> it.
• </c><01:37:05.360><c> right</c> "Have you been asked to withdraw right "Have you been asked to withdraw

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources. ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs. CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we manage, we negotiate and manage all of those contracts on a daily basis, and we also answer inquiries
• I've read what the management responses were in this.
• Bank deposits and withdrawals.
• But you're going to have to manage your way out of this particular one.
• And I do want to address the management.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent water and sewer reports, including seven new reinstatements and a reduction to four remaining delinquent filers. Staff also reported on municipal accounting code noncompliance, removing Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day clock after improved records were verified, and presenting repeat findings for Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, and Haynes. Members discussed repeated audit problems, the length of time some issues had persisted, and whether towns should be given additional time or face stronger action; motions were made and adopted to place some entities on a 60-day clock or defer action to later meetings. For Fargo and Alma, staff described extensive repeat accounting deficiencies, including missing budgets, bank reconciliations, financial statements, receipts, journals, and supporting documentation. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was beginning to improve its office systems; the committee voted to defer the matter for 60 days and file the report. Alma’s officials said they were trying to correct water audit and accounting issues, and the committee likewise deferred the matter to the August meeting while warning that water-audit delays could jeopardize turnback funds. The committee then reviewed misuse-of-street-funds findings for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho’s police chief and officials explained that traffic fines, drug-related arrests, and other citations had pushed the town over the statutory threshold, while staff clarified that the speed-trap calculation excludes certain add-on fines and is referred to the prosecuting attorney for any action. Haynes officials said repayment problems stemmed from lost revenue and staffing changes, including the loss of the police department, but staff reported the town remained behind on its repayment plan and also owed the IRS. The committee voted to defer the Haynes matter to September and to defer Jericho as well, with members emphasizing the need for consistency and possible broader legislative review of small-town viability. A special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District drew substantial discussion. Staff cited findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, car allowances and personal vehicle use, competitive bidding, and unusually high advertising spending, as well as the sale of trailers and other equipment at low prices. The district director said the board had delegated authority for many expenditures, that personal use was reported for tax purposes, and that advertising was necessary to educate the public about recycling. Members questioned the procurement and disposal decisions and the size of the advertising budget; after discussion, the committee deferred the report to September and asked the director to return. The meeting also included brief deferred reports on Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove, which were filed after local officials described ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing audit and tax issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of the courtesy of my colleague, I will withdraw my motion and allow her some time to work with the
• , and in which case, you know, I think someone made the point, if you can't measure it, you can't manage
• </c><01:35:36.800><c> it</c> can't measure it you can't manage it can't measure it you can't manage it
• So for that reason, I'll withdraw and give you a chance to see if you can figure out a way to make sure
• So for that reason, I'll withdraw and give you a chance to see if you can figure out a way to make sure

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs