Transcript Highlights:

• Do you remember when the IG revealed another email by Mr. Strzok to his girlfriend? Mr.
• substantive rationale including detailed and case-specific Reasons 30 days before the removal of any IG
• Republican and Democratic administrations, and I think they're critical, and we must have competent IGs
• My core concern about these firings of the IGs, about the independence of the AG.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• because the intent is to ensure that there is an impartial, not employed by DOCS entity, that being the IG

Committee: Senate Crime Victims, Crime And Correction

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met with a quorum and considered 10 bills. The committee advanced measures on crime victims’ awards (S.156), Inspector General review of sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities (S.429), expanded substance use programming access for non-English-speaking incarcerated people (S.863), preliminary license application procedures to identify criminal-history disqualifications early (S.1048, the PLAN Act), visitation rules for local correctional facilities (S.1892B), lethality assessments in domestic violence incidents (S.2280B), breast pumps for certain incarcerated nursing parents (S.2666A), time allowances when program completion is prevented by circumstances beyond an individual’s control (S.3974), health and human rights protections for incarcerated pregnant people and their children (S.4583A, the CARE Act), and visiting policies for incarcerated individuals (S.5037). Most bills were reported to Finance; S.1892B was reported from committee, and several members noted prior Senate passage or recurring support for some of the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just yesterday, President Trump fired the IG at USAID right after he published a report saying that funding
• First, just a comment about this business of IGs because I am in the middle of it.
• I'd just like to remind people that when I complained about the firing of IGs in the previous administration

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• A quick question for IG Clark real quick.
• The temporary commissioner is new, the IG is new, the guy in charge of...

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, the President fired the IG without proper notice as required by law.
• You do know that the IG took a contrary position.

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:07.200><c> workg</c><00:10:07.519><c> group</c> creating a statewide IG workg group creating
• a statewide IG workg group using<00:10:08.399><c> our</c><00:10:08.720><c> new</c><00:10:08.959><c>
• Um, a quick question for IG Clark real quick.
• </c><00:48:04.319><c> The</c><00:48:04.480><c> IG</c><00:48:04.880><c> is</c><00:48:05.200><c> new.
• The IG is new. commissioner is is new. The IG is new.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ige. Any questions? Just got something real quick. Just that? Senator Ige. Thank you, Mr.
• </c><00:40:25.920><c> Senator</c><00:40:26.200><c> Ige.</c> quick. Just that? Senator Ige. quick.
• Senator Ige. Thank<00:40:27.320><c> you,</c><00:40:27.360><c> Mr.</c><00:40:27.640><c> Chairman.

Summary: The Joint Revenue committee met with a quorum and heard a series of interim topic proposals focused on tax policy. Representative Brown raised two ideas: reinstating an exemption reporting requirement for corporations and entities receiving tax exemptions, with loss of the exemption for the current and prior year if they fail to report, and revising property tax treatment for wind turbines and related infrastructure by shifting the taxed footprint from agricultural to industrial classification. Senator Case and others then discussed energy taxation more broadly, including a possible generation tax for electricity, how to handle large data-center electricity loads, and whether sales tax revenue from very large electrical loads should be shared statewide rather than concentrated locally. The committee referenced prior bills and studies, including House Bill 300 and Senate File 76, and discussed using a mechanism that would keep local electricity bills net neutral while redirecting revenue distribution. The committee also took up problematic gaming and program funding. Senator Case described personal experiences with gambling addiction and the lack of available resources, while the presenter said the topic had been requested in multiple committees and that the biggest concern from House Bill 171 was protecting county and municipal funding. Members discussed whether the issue belonged in Revenue, Health, Labor, or Transportation, and several suggested it should stay with the standing committee handling gaming. Ideas raised included using gaming-related revenue for prevention and treatment, fully funding the 988 lifeline, and creating a broader trust fund for addiction-related services and law enforcement. The committee appeared to agree to continue the topic for educational purposes and to examine taxation of HHR and other gambling activity. Senator Case then proposed a severance tax on wind energy, arguing that wind development creates permanent landscape impacts and that the state should be compensated similarly to coal, oil, and gas extraction. Curt Meier, the state treasurer, supported reviewing lease agreements and said Wyoming should get more from wind resources, noting the state’s unique wind potential and the loss of viewshed. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to reform property tax relief by extending it to motor vehicle registration. Former Revenue director Dan Noble argued that vehicle taxes should be treated like other property taxes, using fair market value, depreciation, the residential assessment ratio, and local mill levies, which he said could provide broad relief but would be expensive, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $120 million. Representative Chestek followed with a related reform proposal based on Pennsylvania’s base-year assessment model, arguing that Wyoming’s current statewide relief measures treat symptoms rather than the underlying problem of rapidly rising local valuations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that is the IG policy bill.
• And so that is the IG policy bill. Questions, members? Senator Edki.
• And so that is the IG policy bill. Questions, members? Senator Edki. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• And so that is the IG policy bill. Questions, members? Senator Edki. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• And so that is the IG policy bill. Questions, members? Senator Edki. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• supporting the concept into next session supporting the concept of<01:41:09.199><c> an</c><01:41:09.520><c> IG
• > a</c> I think what you heard a minute ago is that there's been strong Democratic leadership on an IG
• anti-fraud investigators who we put on the ground last session, the 50-plus people that we stockpiled, the IG
• ><01:41:48.880><c> we</c><01:41:49.119><c> stockpiled</c><01:41:50.000><c> the</c><01:41:50.400><c> IG
• </c><01:41:51.360><c> the</c> people that we stockpiled the IG the people that we stockpiled the IG the

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Ige votes aye. Senator Chang? Aye. Senator Lamosao? Aye. Senator DeCoite? Aye.
• Vice Chair Ige votes aye. Senator Aye. Vice Chair Ige votes aye. Senator Chang? Chang? Chang?
• Vice Chair Ige, Senator Chang. Aye. Senator La Mazza. >> Aye. Senator DeCourt. No.
• </c><02:29:32.840><c> Gate,</c> Vice Chair Ige, Senator Chang. I.
• Gate, Vice Chair Ige, Senator Chang. I.

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The committee took up several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 640 for Juanita Rio Colón to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Public testimony and the nominee’s remarks strongly emphasized her water-system management background, Native Hawaiian stewardship values, and representation for Molokai. Committee members praised her qualifications and neighbor-island perspective, and also discussed broader concerns about reforming the Water Commission, including a separate bill to create a more independent authority and reduce politics in water decisions. Colón said she supported the restructuring effort and would serve with integrity and attention to constitutional water rights and climate resilience. The committee then heard GM 639 for Moses Haia III to the same commission. DLNR and OHA testified, and Haia described his long legal career, prior work on the Waihole contested case, and experience with Native Hawaiian rights and water law. Members asked about his ability to serve impartially given his advocacy background; Haia acknowledged that some may perceive a conflict from his prior work but said he did not believe it was a reasonable conflict and would follow the law and balance competing interests. The discussion again returned to the proposed Water Commission restructuring, which Haia said he supported as a way to provide independence and balance. Next, the committee considered GM 649 for Gilbert Coloma to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. DLNR and other testifiers explained that this was a new interstate commission created under the 2024 act, with Hawaii joining six U.S. states to address fisheries issues across state boundaries. Coloma, a commercial fisher from Hilo, said he brought more than 40 years of industry, cultural, and traditional experience and would represent Hawaii’s fishing communities. Members asked about the commission’s structure, meeting rotation, and funding, and were told the state covers dues through special funds. The committee also briefly took up GM 692 for Riley Smith’s reappointment to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported him, while Sierra Club Hui raised concerns about prior decisions affecting Native Hawaiian rights and public trust resources. Smith said he supported more residential uses in East Kapolei if the necessary planning and environmental review changes were made, and he began responding to questions about prior BLNR litigation before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently—there's no IG currently occupying the leadership position.
• We currently—there's no IG currently occupying the leadership position.
• We currently—there's no IG currently occupying the leadership position.
• We currently—there's no IG currently occupying the leadership position.
• We currently—there's no IG currently occupying the leadership position.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the times that recommendation, we always double-checked with the IG, and IG has been very consistent

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held an oversight hearing on draft regulations implementing Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution under Chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, the Open Space Act. Chairs Cabral and Collins framed the hearing as a review of how the new process for dispositions or changes in use of Article 97 land would work, including public notice, environmental justice protections, replacement land, appraisals, and the role of the legislature. Under Secretary Stephanie Cooper and Commissioner Adam Bakke testified for EEA/DCAM, followed later by Deputy Inspector General O’Neill and Deputy Inspector General Giles on appraisal review. Much of the discussion focused on how the draft regulations would operate in practice. EEA said the regulations would require advance public notice, define “comparable location” for replacement land, and allow the Secretary to make findings on whether an action would adversely affect environmental justice communities. Members pressed for longer public comment periods, clearer notice to local officials, more frequent updates to the site evaluation tool, and a clearer definition of terms such as “limited duration” for permits and licenses. EEA said the regulations are intended to standardize a process that has been handled through policy and case-by-case review, and that the legislature still retains the final authority to approve any Article 97 disposition. Committee members also questioned whether the draft rules shift too much discretion to the Secretary and whether the proposed “proponent” process could allow private entities to drive Article 97 actions. EEA responded that non-public proponents would still need municipal support and legislative sponsorship, and that the regulations do not create a new avenue to bypass the existing home rule and legislative process. Members raised concerns about the current policy’s unanimous-vote requirements for municipal commissions, the proposed waiver provisions, whether MEPA applies, and the lack of explicit enforcement or penalty language in the act or regulations. EEA and DCAM said the act does not provide an enforcement mechanism and that disputes would generally be handled through the courts or the Attorney General. The Inspector General’s office explained its role in reviewing appraisals for special legislation, including Article 97 matters, to ensure compliance with USPAP standards and to forward its review to DCAM. The hearing did not include any votes or formal committee action; members indicated that the committee may later issue recommendations to the executive agencies based on the testimony and questions raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not cross over into the IG area.
• It does not cross over into the IG area.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee continued its fourth hearing on fraud, waste, and abuse involving Arizona’s Medicaid and behavioral health systems, with a major focus on Access/ALTCS eligibility, behavioral health licensing, and payment delays. Senator Shamp presented findings alleging large gaps in ABD Medicaid asset verification, including that only a portion of enrollees were checked and that many with substantial liquid assets remained on the program. She argued the state’s waiver and lack of asset limits created a compliance and fiscal risk, and urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification, and broader reforms. Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, testified that ADHS and Access have become overly punitive toward licensed providers, often sending technical paperwork violations straight to enforcement instead of allowing correction plans, and that zoning and licensing delays are harming legitimate businesses. Reva Stewart testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people into behavioral health and sober living settings remain ongoing, especially through social media, and called for stronger accountability and enforcement against bad actors. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has received more than a thousand complaints about unlicensed sober living operations, which has diverted staff from routine oversight of licensed facilities. She said ADHS has expanded enforcement tools for sober living homes, is using a new licensing system to flag repeat bad actors, and is trying to make the application process easier, while acknowledging that inspections can tip off unlicensed operators. Access Director Virginia Roundtree described steps the agency has taken since the prior hearing, including daily staff huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an external claims vendor, and an independent review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management. She said Access is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers, and committed to follow up on a specific provider payment dispute by early the next week. Committee members repeatedly pressed Access and ADHS on delayed claims processing, prepayment review, and whether the current system is driving providers out of business. Roundtable testimony from Access staff described the new Provider Resolution Roundtables, which are intended to work with a small number of providers facing the most claims and authorization problems. Members questioned why claims are being denied or held for long periods, why some providers are still waiting on payments from 2023 and 2024, and whether the agency’s actions are sustainable. Access also explained the Targeted Investment Program, saying it is a federally approved Medicaid initiative with large dollar amounts still being paid out on a delayed schedule, and agreed to provide more information on provider participation and payment timing. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated the committee would continue reviewing the issue and requested additional reports and follow-up information from Access and ADHS.

Transcript Highlights:

• probably as introduced, there was a conversation about what staffing would look like and would existing IGs
• why do you think that federal Medicaid money is not under threat given the jurisdiction of this new IG

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I appreciate that, and perhaps, you know, the people working on that IG bill could follow up because
• Also, you mentioned an IG report that you file yearly to represent Senator Rarick's question with a bunch

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• According to a recent Berkeley IGS poll, two-thirds of California's registered voters believe that U.S

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and heard one bill, SB 73. The author described the measure as a response to perceived threats to California elections, including restrictions on armed or non-uniformed personnel at polling places, protections for ballots and voting equipment, and limits on law enforcement access to election materials without a court order. The chair reviewed a set of agreed amendments, including removing a section conflicting with AB 1664, deleting proposed criminal penalties, clarifying the role of the Attorney General and Secretary of State, and refining language on signature challenges, law enforcement support, and certified voting technology. Supporters, including AAPI Force, CHIRLA, the League of Women Voters of California, and Common Cause, argued the bill would protect voters from intimidation and preserve election integrity. Opponents from CALA argued the bill was unnecessary, would hinder legitimate investigations, and reflected distrust of law enforcement and federal oversight. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the bill was responding to real-world threats and on the ballot seizure in Riverside County. Members questioned how the measure would affect signature challenges, chain of custody, and investigations into possible fraud. The author and supporters said ballots should remain in election officials’ custody and that federal or local agents should not be able to interfere with election materials or intimidate voters. The chair and other members also discussed the urgency clause and the need to move the bill quickly despite the proximity of the June election. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 73 to the Committee on Public Safety. The roll call initially showed the bill passing 5-1, then after the absent member arrived, the final vote was 6-2, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to a recent Berkeley IGS poll, two-thirds of California's registered voters believe that U.S

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Per the analysis, any cost to the IG is minor and absorbable within the IG's budget.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 22, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up a large consent calendar. It moved a set of bills to the Assembly Floor consent calendar by unanimous vote, including AB 1773, 1785, 1828, 1873, 1918, 2001, 2085, 2173, 2412, 2536, 2644, and 2781, and separately approved another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent, including AB 1544, 1555, 1614, 1621, 1637, 1704, 1816, 1933, 2529, 2559, 2663, and 2731. The committee then heard several individual bills, with each author describing the measure and witnesses generally testifying in support; no organized opposition was recorded on the bills discussed. Among the measures heard, AB 2393 would create fixed statutory damages for certain false imprisonment and arrest claims, while exempting peace officers, custodial officers, and public entities. AB 1697 would delay implementation of a recently enacted prohibition on employment contracts that require workers to repay employer debts if they leave a job, and AB 2534 would extend Domestic Violence Prevention Act restraining order protections to attempted forced marriages and survivors of forced marriages. AB 1608 would strengthen the High-Speed Rail Inspector General’s office by adding staffing and contracting authority, requiring public reports, and allowing limited temporary confidentiality for sensitive information; the bill drew questions from members about transparency and whether information could be withheld, but the author and Inspector General said the measure would increase accountability and only allow narrow, time-limited confidentiality. The committee also approved AB 1916, which would allow American Sign Language interpreters to participate in the same collective bargaining process as other certified court interpreters, and AB 1803, which would require anti-hate speech training as part of workplace harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees. AB 1821 would change Public Records Act response timelines from calendar days to business days, with local government sponsors arguing it would better reflect actual processing time for broad and complex requests without reducing access. AB 1919 would establish election procedures to let voters decide the future of Santa Cruz Metro service funding after a one-time grant expires. Each of these bills was moved forward on due pass votes, with some members not voting on certain measures. The committee then approved a long suspense file, and the remaining suspense bills were deemed approved without further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Per the analysis, any cost to the IG is minor and absorbable within the IG's budget.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• there's some federal requirement<01:32:00.120><c> as</c><01:32:00.200><c> the</c><01:32:00.320><c> IG
• </c><01:32:01.400><c> Thank</c> requirement as the IG referenced.
• Thank requirement as the IG referenced.
• I'll also note the IG reference.
• I'll also note the IG reference.

Bills: HF3542

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy