Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's message numbers 503 to 526 are referred in accordance with the referrals listed on the order
• </c><00:01:59.759><c> So</c> 15 for referral to committee. So 15 for referral to committee.
• &gt;&gt; Referrals<00:02:03.040><c> and</c><00:02:03.200><c> re-referrals.
• </c> Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the order of the day and any supplemental
• , the deputy agent general for the<00:05:25.600><c> state</c><00:05:25.840><c> of</c><00:05:26.000><c

Transcript Highlights:

• A farm worker in Camarillo died after being chased by federal agents.
• A farm worker in Camarillo died after being chased by federal agents.
• So the referral process in our mind would give them an opportunity to...
• That's why I also see the difference in this kind of referral system versus the referral system that
• The patient was monitored by federal agents for about a month.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike the deputy agent general, which is a four-year appointment, the agent general is an indefinite
• </c> again to have a review of the agent again to have a review of the agent general<00:27:08.880><c>
• Um the agent we have no oversight.
• </c> from having attended agent in general. from having attended agent in general.
• </c> and be appointed as the agent general. and be appointed as the agent general.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal agents from the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit, and agents from the U.S.
• </c> the DHS investigators and BCA agents the DHS investigators and BCA agents initiated<00:31:12.960
• c> FBI,</c> Federal agents from the FBI, Federal agents from the FBI, the<00:31:21.960><c> IRS</c><00
• </c><01:25:10.440><c> to</c> earlier about the number of referrals to earlier about the number of referrals
• I guess the to the number of referrals.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• A farm worker in Camarillo died after being chased by federal agents.
• So the referral process in our mind would give them an opportunity to...
• And so, and this process of the referral that you say that already exists now? Yeah.
• That's why I also see the difference in this kind of referral system versus the referral system that
• The patient was monitored by federal agents for about a month.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1477, Assisted Living Facilities Referral Agents, makes modifications
• to assisted living facilities referral disclosures.
• The amendment revises point 1 in your caucus sheet to state that the referral agent is not on the adult
• The amendment revises point 1 in your caucus sheet to state that the referral agent is not on the adult
• protective services register, and that referral agents have the same definition of referral agency as

Summary: The committee heard a long list of Senate bills, mostly on consent, covering appropriations, public records, workers’ compensation, state hiring, burial costs, military flags in HOAs, court-ordered treatment, mental health service of process, medical examiner authority, tribal MOUs for DCS, controlled substances scheduling, EMT privacy, mammography notices, assisted living referral disclosures, accommodation school GED eligibility, released-time religious instruction, school board and charter governance issues, firearm safety instruction, student eligibility for extracurriculars after criminal convictions, Celebrate Freedom Week, tax-credit scholarship administration, CPA and insurance licensing pathways, immigration-related arrest notifications, defamation standards, peace officer certification for veterans, mandatory child abuse reporting, attorney licensing, business emergency-call penalties, unlawful occupant removals, attorney discipline costs, fentanyl sentencing thresholds, concealed weapons on campuses, firearm muffling devices, utility-worker assault penalties, water planning, environmental review for power plants and SMRs, groundwater recovery, voter registration rules, campaign address privacy, and federal land acquisition notifications. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including SB 1078, SB 1435, SB 1567, SB 1665, SB 1184, SB 1586, SB 1741, SB 1424, SB 1475, SB 1572, SB 1142, SB 1055, SB 1099, SB 1107, SB 1148, SB 1068, and SB 1069. Members raised concerns about constitutional issues, due process, school funding, public safety, and whether some proposals were unnecessary or duplicative. Supportive comments were also made on a few measures, such as expanded pathways for students in accommodation schools, child welfare coordination with tribes, and alternative certification or licensing pathways. The discussion included notable debate on SB 1166, which would allow some 11th graders and students over 16 in accommodation schools to receive GED preparation; members split between concerns about encouraging students to leave high school early and support for youth in detention, emancipation, or unstable situations. SB 1127 on mandatory reporting was clarified to require direct reporting of known abuse or neglect to DCS rather than delegation to another person. SB 1188 on controlled substances drew questions about how federal rescheduling would be mirrored in state law. The meeting ended with announcements and an “Affordability Award” recognizing Rep. Stahl Hamilton, followed by a request for guests to leave for a closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> registered agent have an agreement. registered agent have an agreement.
• . agent. agent.
• </c> actually revealing a registered agent. actually revealing a registered agent.
• </c> registered agent. registered agent.
• </c> of Wyoming to create a registered agent. of Wyoming to create a registered agent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we topped out at 1,978 referrals.
• There are 195,000 non-resident agents in Arkansas.
• There are 995,000 non-resident agents in Arkansas.
• There are 20,000 resident agents, so that's a huge number.
• Over the last five years, we've had 208 referrals on agents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agent cases—there's 195,000 non-resident agents in Arkansas.
• There's 20,000 resident agents, so that's a huge number.
• Over the last five years, we've had 208 referrals on agents.
• Agent cases, there's 195,000 non-resident agents in Arkansas.
• Over the last five years, we've had 208 referrals on agents.

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:

• It really just tries to modernize our code relative to how we do referrals.
• Currently the law says that the only way a referral can be done is by providing a phone number or, I'm
• We are required that the only way a referral can be done is by providing a phone number or, I'm sorry
• We've worked very hard with the independent agents, as well as PIAL, who initially...
• Referrals could be made directly to a direct insurer.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Do you believe local law enforcement should help federal law enforcement agents detain and deport
• It was Steve Bannon and others who said we should send federal agents to polling locations.
• >> Yes. >> The sponsor yields. >> Why would you assume that there would be federal immigration agents
• But, as it relates to the referral, if there is a state employee that has been alleged to have broken
• THAT TIES OUR HANDS, TIES THE HANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS ACROSS THE BOARD.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care. The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies. The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It really just tries to modernize our code relative to how we do referrals.
• Currently the law says that the only way a referral can be done is by...
• We are required that the only way a referral can be done is by providing a phone number or, I'm sorry
• We've worked very hard with the independent agents, as well as PIAL, who initially...
• Referrals could be made directly to a direct insurer.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on Tuesday, March 31, with 11 members present for a quorum. The committee first took up House Bill 826, which would modernize insurance referral rules to allow referrals by website or email address rather than only by name or phone number. After adopting a technical amendment set, the bill’s sponsor’s representative said the measure had been worked out with independent agents and that prior concerns had been addressed; the committee reported HB 826 as amended without objection. The committee then considered House Bill 591, a bill creating a voluntary private-market paid family leave insurance product. The sponsor explained it would not create a state program or use taxpayer dollars, but would allow insurers to offer coverage for wage replacement tied to birth, adoption, caregiving, or military-related leave. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then a second amendment clarifying that benefit payments are not wages in lieu of workers’ compensation and do not interrupt claim prescription; after that, HB 591 was reported with amendments without objection. Before adjourning, the committee announced that House Bill 625 would be voluntarily deferred to the following week, and House Bills 751 and 771 would also be deferred until next week or possibly the next day if the sponsor provided notice. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It lives of the agents and the public.
• </c><00:23:52.880><c> to</c> will also require our agents to will also require our agents to constantly
• ><c> intentionally</c> While no agent would intentionally While no agent would intentionally violate<
• Chairman, I don't have any other referrals on my desk.
• </c><01:05:02.640><c> Um</c> referrals on my desk. Um referrals on my desk.

Bills: HB0130 , HB0095 , HB0096 , HB0097 , SF0101 , SF0106 , SF0067 , SF0123

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• DCYF is to make a substance use, or SUD, referral and initiate the community-based referral process within
• use, a sud, sorry, referral and initiate the community-based referral process within seven days of conducting
• DCYF is to develop a referral process in consultation with the community-based referral providers and
• ICE agents.
• ICE agents. There is a proposed substitute labeled D offered by Senator Orwell.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee first held a public hearing on the gubernatorial appointment of Angela Ramirez to serve as Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. Ramirez described her background in public service and said her priorities would include improving technology, addressing workforce shortages, strengthening relationships with labor, tribes, and community organizations, and protecting DSHS programs and clients during uncertain budget and federal conditions. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck also spoke in support of her confirmation, and members raised questions about needed improvements at DSHS. The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. On SB 6062, dealing with juvenile rehabilitation, midpoint reviews, bed capacity, and transfers between DCYF and DOC facilities, all six proposed Christian amendments failed and the committee advanced the Wilson substitute to Ways and Means. On SB 6308, concerning shelter care conditions for children under five in dependency cases, the committee rejected four Christian amendments and adopted a Wilson amendment clarifying that the bill does not supersede the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act; the bill then advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6319, addressing community-based referrals for high-risk families with children under four and parental opioid use, the committee rejected three Christian amendments and adopted a technical Wilson amendment; the substitute then advanced to Ways and Means. The committee also considered SB 6286, which would authorize Department of Health inspections of private detention facilities and create a repair account funded by fines for inspection violations. All Christian amendments and one Warnick amendment failed, and the proposed substitute was advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6080, regarding contracts and conditions for jails holding people in federal custody, all Christian amendments failed and the substitute was advanced to Rules. Finally, on SB 6184, an agency-request bill making technical and program updates, the committee adopted the bill with one amendment and sent it forward subject to signatures. The committee recessed partway through the agenda, returned to vote on the first six bills, and announced that remaining bills and the gubernatorial appointment would be taken up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• penalizes the conveyance of an interest in real property to hostile foreign governments or their agents
• unless the conveyance is approved by a new state agent, a commission that the bill creates.
• to someone for that type of a procedure, and that's because ...medical providers from giving a referral
• And so bans on those types of referrals would then be in conflict with that.
• At least one other circuit has come to the opposite conclusion on that issue about the referrals.

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1477, Assisted Living Facilities Referral Agents, makes modifications
• to assisted living facilities referral disclosures.
• The bill adds that a referral agency is directed to procure commercial and liability insurance from an
• The amendment revises point one in your caucus sheet to state that the referral agent is not on the adult
• protective services register, and that referral agents have the same definition of referral agency as

Summary: The committee heard a long series of Senate bills, mostly on third-read consent, covering education, public safety, health, courts, labor, and water. Several bills were briefly explained and then pulled from consent for further discussion, including measures on public records review standards (SB 1078), sexually explicit materials in schools/libraries (SB 1435 and SB 1567), burial costs in death cases (SB 1135), military flags in HOAs/COAs (SB 1184), court-ordered treatment guardianship (SB 1243), standardized state hiring (SB 1665), released-time religious instruction (SB 1741), firearm safety instruction in schools (SB 1424), student participation in extracurriculars after certain convictions (SB 1475), Celebrate Freedom Week (SB 1572), federal scholarship-granting organizations/vouchers (SB 1142), immigration-related arrest notifications (SB 1055), defamation standards (SB 1099), peace officer certification for military police veterans (SB 1107), mandatory reporting of child abuse/neglect directly to DCS (SB 1127), attorney licensing and discipline issues (SB 1148 and SB 1039), concealed weapons on college campuses (SB 1068), and firearm muffling devices/silencers (SB 1069). Members also raised constitutional, policy, and school-safety concerns on several of these bills, while supporters emphasized alternative pathways for students, veterans, and workers, and tighter reporting or licensing rules. Other bills were described without extended debate, including claims against the state for unpaid contracted services (SB 1097), workers’ compensation death benefits for surviving spouses who remarry (SB 1136), burial expense increases (SB 1135), state agency web pages for internal guidance (SB 1586), court-ordered treatment procedures and service of process in mental health cases (SB 1113), medical examiner authorization (SB 1123), tribal MOUs with DCS (SB 1125), controlled-substance scheduling conformity with federal classifications (SB 1188), EMT personal information protections (SB 1193), mammography notice updates (SB 1318), assisted-living referral disclosures (SB 1477), accommodation school GED instruction for 11th graders and students over 16 (SB 1166), credit enhancement board continuation (SB 1422), school district and charter school obligations related to religious release time (SB 1741), school firearm safety instruction (SB 1424), and school civics/freedom-week instruction (SB 1572). The committee also heard bills on CPA certification pathways (SB 1181), insurance adjuster licensing (SB 1415), county voter-registration rules online (SB 1040), campaign address privacy (SB 1259), federal land acquisition notification (SB 1281), water supply/demand assessments (SB 1202), environmental compatibility for power plants and small modular reactors (SB 1418), and groundwater recovery rules (SB 1785). The meeting ended with announcements and a brief recognition of Rep. Stephanie Hamilton with an “Affordability Award.” No final votes are shown in the transcript excerpt; instead, many bills were either left on consent, pulled for later discussion, or flagged for closed caucus. The chair then asked guests to leave so members could hold a closed caucus.

Bills: SB667 , SB904 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1484 , SB1500 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1555 , SB1561 , SB1562 , SB1565 , SB1572 , SB1644 , SB1749 , SB1833 , SB2007 , SB2044 , SB2074

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: chiropractic, licensure, animal chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, licensing requirements, gender transition, gender-affirming care, transgender, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, hormone therapy, sex reassignment, transition surgery, Medicaid, public funds, state facilities, state hospital, Oklahoma, intersex, DSD

Bills: HB1 , HB198 , HB11 , HB32 , HB33 , HB34 , HB56 , HB68 , HB72 , HB101 , HB102 , HB110 , HB154 , HB166 , HB168 , HB274 , SB114 , HB1 , HB198 , HB11 , HB32 , HB33 , HB34 , HB56 , HB68 , HB72 , HB101 , HB102 , HB110 , HB154 , HB166 , HB168 , HB274 , SB114

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we are working closely with Department of Health and the Dpbr to be able to do some referrals
• But these are the self-referral see their families are referring in or the court system is referring.
• Our agents were able to identify who they thought were perpetrating these crimes.
• The great work that our agents to out there every day slide, 9 covers investigative highlights.
• We have agents in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not the work of re-referral.
• It's not the work of re-referral.
• It's not the work of re-referral.
• </c> video evidence of ICE agents video evidence of ICE agents repeatedly repeatedly repeatedly asking
• </c> Minnesota to challenge uh, ICE agents Minnesota to challenge uh, ICE agents who<00:42:34.720><c>