Transcript Highlights:

• So if they meet the requirements of the federal system, then they would be able to use the federal independent
• So if they meet the requirements of the federal system, then they would be able to use the federal independent
• And most of the... ...was that they will send everything to the federal process.
• In 2020, the federal government enacted its own version of the No Surprises Act.
• Self-insured ERISA claims stay in the federal system. Thank you.

Bills: S0158 , S0314 , S0618 , S0684 , S0838 , S0990 , S1000 , S1082 , S1452 , S1494 , S1500 , S1568 , S1706

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard and advanced a wide range of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for emergency out-of-network claims. After extensive discussion about the relationship between the state and federal No Surprises Act processes, an amendment was withdrawn due to concerns about clarity and scope, but the bill itself was supported by providers and insurers and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels, CS/SB 158 on pet insurance consumer disclosures and agent education, SB 1494 expanding breast cancer screening coverage, CS/SB 314 on digital assets and stablecoin issuers, and CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate procedures and small-estate administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance was amended to raise the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ compensation policies from 10% to 20% and then reported favorably, with supporters saying it would help keep higher-risk employers in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin and limit the program to existing stablecoins, then passed. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 838 on electronic payment convenience fees for retail installment contracts, with the sponsor emphasizing that a fee-free payment option must still be offered. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it covered My Safe Florida Home administration, insurance and licensing changes, unclaimed property updates, and other DFS-related provisions. The committee also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting owner-occupied condominiums at or below 80% of area median income, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which supporters said would modernize Florida’s captive insurance laws and encourage more competition. The meeting ended with all listed bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robert Horell with the Consumer Federation of California.
• Robert Rowe with the Consumer Federation of California.
• So if a lawsuit under these UDAP authorities is filed under federal law, the federal CFPB has the authority
• So if a lawsuit under these UDAP authorities is filed under federal law, the federal CFPB has the authority
• In April, the federal administration confirmed our fears.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open. SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call. Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to work with the federal government.
• We have to work with the federal government.
• Courts typically look to whether the federal officer's conduct falls within the scope of their federal
• impact or burden the federal government.
• It's the federal government, you know, forget it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on responding to federal immigration enforcement in Massachusetts, with opening remarks from Sen. Liz Miranda and Rep. Bud Williams emphasizing fear in immigrant communities, recent ICE operations, and the need to learn from advocates and affected residents rather than debate individual bills. The hearing was organized around three topics: detention, arrests, and surveillance, with members repeatedly asking what the legislature can do to improve transparency, legal access, and oversight. On detention, Leah Hastings of Prisoners’ Legal Services said most people end up in ICE custody through contact with the criminal legal system and argued that state carceral systems are deeply intertwined with immigration enforcement. She described conditions at Plymouth County House of Correction and Burlington ICE holding as concerning, citing limited medical care, disability accommodations, solitary confinement, retaliatory transfers, and poor attorney access. Hastings said Massachusetts should reduce funding for sheriffs and the Department of Corrections, ban intergovernmental service agreements and 287(g) agreements, and invest instead in housing, treatment, and other community supports. Members also discussed ICE reimbursement, the immigrant legal defense fund, and the need for more immigration attorneys. On arrests and enforcement tactics, David Albright of JALSA said federal immigration enforcement has been expanded by major new funding and incentives, including higher payments for 287(g) and bed contracts, and he noted that most ICE detainees nationally do not have criminal records. He said Massachusetts has one 287(g) agreement with the Department of Corrections and one IGSA with Plymouth County, and that ICE also uses Burlington, Hanscom, and informal local collaboration in places such as Milford and Auburn. Danny Tampona of Neighbor to Neighbor and the LUCE Rapid Response Network described more than 10,000 hotline calls from 46 cities and towns, with arrests often involving masked agents, surveillance of workers and families, traffic stops, broken windows, and arrests at check-ins or schools; he said the network is concentrated in places including Everett, Chelsea, Lynn, New Bedford, Milford, Marlboro, Framingham, and Springfield. He urged legislation requiring clear identification for law enforcement, limits on surveillance technologies, and stronger legal defense resources. On surveillance, Joshua Dancoff of Citizens for Juvenile Justice argued that current state policies allow broad sharing of fingerprints and surveillance data with ICE, including through BRIC, the Massachusetts Fusion Center, and municipal police policies. He cited cases in Chelsea and Everett where children were taken from police custody into ICE custody and said many departments automatically share arrest fingerprints and other information with federal authorities. He recommended limiting fingerprint sharing, restricting surveillance databases and task-force participation, and curbing police and sheriff collaboration with ICE even where no formal 287(g) exists. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for more immigration lawyers, possible bar advocate-style funding for immigration defense, and legislative action to prevent further collaboration and deportation infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's sort of more modernly reflected in federal law where federal law now says government to
• Section 1115 of the Social Security Act enables the Secretary of Federal HHS to waive certain federal
• Section 1115 of the Social Security Act enables the Secretary of Federal HHS to waive certain federal
• The demonstrations also must be budget neutral to the federal government, meaning that federal spending
• This rule prohibits the federal government from paying for care, This rule prohibits the federal government

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and first heard welcoming remarks and introductions from tribal leaders and program directors. Chairwoman Street and other tribal representatives outlined a range of concerns and requests for state action, including taxation of reservation lands, support for non-beneficiary students at the tribal school, homelessness funding, Indian-managed health care, gaming and e-tabs, Feather Alert improvements, industrial farming near waterways, tourism, and better state-tribal consultation. Committee members responded that the meeting was intended to improve understanding and communication, and several members suggested future legislation or resolutions could be used to advance some of the issues. The tribe also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to legislators and staff. A major portion of the discussion focused on Spirit Lake fish and wildlife jurisdiction and the lake boundary. Tribal representatives asked for an MOU or co-stewardship agreement with the state to clarify hunting and fishing rights, recognize tribal licenses, and reduce recurring disputes over “gray areas” on the reservation and lake. Committee members discussed whether to draft a bill or resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and asked that North Dakota Game and Fish be invited to a future meeting. Related concerns included aquatic nuisance species prevention, with both sides agreeing that more aggressive boat inspection and cleaning measures would be beneficial. The committee also discussed taxation and county relations. Tribal leaders raised concerns about county resistance to fee-to-trust transfers and about property and vehicle taxation affecting members living on or near reservation lands. Committee members and tribal counsel reviewed federal treaty principles and court cases, and one member noted that the committee had previously taken no formal action on similar issues. Later, Benson County’s tax equalization director explained how the county values taxable land, handles inundated land applications, and tracks land coming off the tax rolls when the tribe repurchases acreage. The discussion ended with a presentation from the president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, followed by an HHS presentation on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion as the committee moved to its next topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal agencies must act quickly when dealing with a cyber attack; the sooner a Federal agency knows
• in Federal information systems.
• in Federal information systems.
• in Federal information systems.
• to ensure Federal contractors with access to Federal systems or work with Federal data adopt these vulnerability

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an annual audit of non-federal entities expending federal awards, to a lesser degree, some agency-reported
• financial assistance programs, also known as federal awards or federal programs.
• The federal clearinghouse is a public portal through which CMS, the federal grantor, receives these findings
• The federal clearinghouse is a public portal through which CMS, the federal grantor, receives these findings
• The federal... Into the Medicaid Program Trust Fund.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the November 2018 minutes and receive a primer on the subcommittee’s role and Medicaid oversight in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s history and explained that Medicaid is audited annually through the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including weaknesses in eligibility and data-matching controls, improper use of Medicaid funds for partially non-Medicaid work, issues with incarcerated juveniles’ coverage, the absence of a Medicaid recovery audit contractor program exception request, reporting problems involving MFCU recoveries, and provider eligibility documentation concerns. Staff also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for further action. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of Medicaid’s structure, eligibility, delivery systems, and budget. DHS described Arkansas Medicaid as covering about 850,000 people through fee-for-service, managed care, and premium assistance for the expansion population, and outlined major spending categories such as institutional care, long-term services, pharmacy, capitated payments, and supplemental payments. DHS also explained the difference between state plan amendments and waivers, and said it has a beneficiary-fraud unit that refers cases to local prosecutors. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, distinguishing between suspensions for credible allegations of fraud and recovery actions for mistakes or overpayments. OMIG said it works with DHS and law enforcement, issues quarterly and annual reports, and has increased recoveries in recent years. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, can also handle long-term care neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases, and works with local prosecutors as special deputies. Committee members asked about court venue, provider suspensions, beneficiary fraud, education of providers, and the status of Medicaid expansion work requirements; DHS said it is preparing to implement community engagement requirements under HR 1 and will begin with a soft launch before full enforcement. No formal votes were taken beyond adoption of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions were answered.

Transcript Highlights:

• trigger the federal veterans status.
• </c> don't necessarily meet this the federal don't necessarily meet this the federal definition<00:03
• </c> annual training don't qualify as federal annual training don't qualify as federal service,<00:03
• And as you the the federal veterans.
• </c><00:08:30.080><c> statute</c> much, but um under the federal statute much, but um under the federal

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pressures, including from the federal pressures, including from the federal government<00:09:52.520
• Thank you very much. uh a large force of federal agents in uh a large force of federal agents in our<
• ><c> enforcement</c> don't control federal enforcement don't control federal enforcement decisions,<00
• Subdivision three federal actions.
• </c> received from uh the federal government. received from uh the federal government.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal CRA has its limitations.
• Credit unions were not included in that federal legislation and can continue to be excluded federally
• The federal law does not apply, and that was 1977 when the federal law was enacted.
• or the credit union into the federal law?
• Federal regulations to make sure that they are investing. That's their marketplace.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> also you have to be going on to federal also you have to be going on to federal status.<00:10:15.839
• </c><00:10:56.720><c> statute</c> much, but um under the federal statute much, but um under the federal
• </c> funding is it, you know, federal funding is it, you know, federal educational<00:11:04.079><c> funding
• The bill focused on federal conformity.
• </c> the housekeeping conform federal the housekeeping conform federal conformity<00:29:36.880><c> was

Bills: HF3540 , HF3522 , HF3544

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• It's still possible under federal law that some of these individuals would be allowed to vote in federal
• Well, we've already addressed the federal versus state.
• Well, we've already addressed the federal versus state.
• ballot under federal law.
• “To vote in federal elections.

Bills: HB2938 , HB2939 , HB3306 , HB3722 , HB4113 , HB4123

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Summary: The Ethics and Elections Committee heard several election-related bills. HB 2938, as amended by PCS, would restrict certain overseas voters who are not military or dependents from voting in Oklahoma state and local elections unless they were bona fide residents with an intent to return, while still preserving federal voting rights where applicable. The Secretary of the State Election Board explained the measure as a tightening of existing law and said counties would flag affected voters for federal-only absentee ballots. After questions about how intent would be determined and how ballots would be administered, the committee passed the bill 5-1. HB 2939 would remove outdated references to fax machines from election law at the request of the State Election Board. Testimony noted fax returns are now rare, limited to a very small number of military and overseas voters, and are less secure than current electronic and mail options. The committee passed the bill 6-0. HB 3306, as amended, lowers the threshold for requiring a candidate committee filing from $1,000 to $400, with the author describing it as a transparency measure to ensure more candidates disclose fundraising and spending. The committee passed that bill 6-0. The committee also passed HB 3722, with a PCS clarifying that voter registration applicants must actively choose a party affiliation rather than being defaulted to unaffiliated if they leave the field blank. The bill passed 5-1. HB 413, with an amendment, clarified that people with felony convictions regain voting rights once all incarceration, parole, supervision, probation, and related obligations, including fines and fees, are completed; the committee passed it 6-0. Finally, HB 4123, which would bar former school employees terminated for cause from running for school board in the same district, drew concerns about fairness and the breadth of “for cause.” The author said the bill was aimed at serious misconduct cases and agreed to work on clarifying language, and the bill was laid over until the next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bill keeps in place appropriate federal bill keeps in place appropriate federal enforcement<00:12
• </c> into federal agents or into federal into federal agents or into federal agents<00:18:47.360><c>
• </c><00:19:04.720><c> I'm</c> federal immigration agenda. I'm federal immigration agenda.
• </c> agreements with the federal government. agreements with the federal government.
• </c> them from enforcing federal laws. them from enforcing federal laws.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1768, which would prohibit state and county law enforcement agencies and officials from entering into federal immigration-enforcement agreements under 8 U.S.C. 1357(g) and from assisting in certain immigration enforcement actions except in limited circumstances. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi all testified in strong support, arguing the bill would protect due process, reduce fear in immigrant communities, preserve trust in local police, and keep local resources focused on public safety. Testifiers said cooperation with immigration enforcement can chill court attendance, crime reporting, and cooperation with police, and they emphasized that the bill would not stop federal enforcement or affect other deputization agreements for environmental or other criminal matters. Committee members asked whether any 287(g) agreements currently exist in Hawaiʻi; testifiers said they were unaware of any and believed the bill would maintain the status quo. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 1548, which would reduce the maximum sentence for misdemeanors from one year to 364 days and allow people previously sentenced to one year to seek sentence modification. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, and the William S. Richardson School of Law immigration clinic all supported the measure, saying the one-day change could prevent severe immigration consequences such as detention, removal, and bars to relief that can be triggered by a sentence of 365 days or more. Testifiers stressed that the bill would not change criminal liability or public safety, but would align Hawaiʻi law with similar reforms adopted in other states. Members questioned whether the change would affect citizens or create an automatic immigration process; witnesses responded that the issue is the federal immigration consequence tied to the maximum sentence, not actual time served, and that citizens would not face that consequence. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 1548, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal funding in New Mexico totals almost $10 billion every year.
• whole agency draws down federal revenue for administrative costs.
• So, on the federal side, that includes federal advance payments, the premium tax credit, or APTC.
• the federal government.
• So those federal sources are available to the state.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a lot of pressure of what federal a lot of pressure of what federal government,<00:07:30.520><c>
• </c> We do, but this is for at the federal level because we do not at the federal level.
• the federal government within the Supreme Court would then say that it's the federal law that supersedes
• </c> we're doing here locally, the federal we're doing here locally, the federal government<00:08:33.599
• </c><00:08:36.240><c> law</c> would then say that it's the federal law would then say that it's the federal

Bills: SCR11 , SR9

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Transportation, and later Judiciary heard two sets of resolutions. The first, SCR 132 and SR 124, urged the City and County of Honolulu to take steps to finalize the Makakilo Drive Extension Project. Testimony from a Makakilo resident emphasized the lack of a second access route and raised safety concerns about being trapped in the area in an emergency. Both committees voted to pass the resolutions unamended. The second set, SCR 11 and SR 9, requested that the U.S. Congress amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. Supporters from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, IMUA Alliance, and Pride at Work in Hawaii argued that stronger anti-discrimination protections are needed to reduce vulnerability to violence, housing insecurity, and exploitation, and to provide federal protections that mirror state law. One senator asked whether state protections already exist and was told the resolutions seek federal-level protections because federal law can supersede state law. Both committees adopted recommendations to pass SCR 11 and SR 9 unamended, with votes in favor and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we say yes to this federal program for SGOs...
• Federal tax credit program, which is for '27.
• Now that is based on the federal... $80,000 a year. Now that is based on the federal income tax.
• So that federal number of 40,000, governor's package is just full conformity so that federal number of
• The federal tax credit of $1,700.

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical Arizona tax conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would conform state tax law to the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, with some provisions applied retroactively to tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills exclude the federal senior deduction for those 65 and older, the higher state and local tax deduction, and the new car loan interest deduction, while including a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. The JLBC fiscal note estimated a $441.3 million general fund revenue loss in FY 2026, and members discussed that this was roughly the same as full conformity because the bill’s adjustments offset some of the federal changes. Bill sponsors and supporters argued the measure should be enacted early to give taxpayers and tax preparers certainty before filing season, noting that the Department of Revenue had already issued forms assuming conformity and that delay could force amended returns. They said the bill reflects a negotiated package that preserves most of the federal tax relief while tailoring it for Arizona, especially by lowering the senior deduction age to 60 and replacing the auto loan deduction with family-focused provisions such as the higher child credit and child care deduction. The Arizona Society of CPAs and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing the need for early conformity and fewer filing complications. Opponents, including Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, argued the package would reduce state revenue, worsen the structural deficit, and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Some witnesses criticized the inclusion of federal school-choice-related provisions and warned about uncertainty around future federal guidance, while others said the bill should not move ahead before the budget process. Members also debated whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the state later diverged from the Department of Revenue forms, and whether the senior and child care provisions were targeted or equitable. The transcript ends during public testimony, with no final committee vote or action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically talking about Lyon-Martin and the federally qualified health center space, as these federal
• that are federally sourced and city contracts that are federally sourced.
• that are federally sourced and city contracts that are federally sourced, right?
• Federal action has already closed major organizations.
• Recent federal actions have jeopardized this care.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that our federal funding was pretty stable from FY14 to FY19, with the largest portion of
• It only includes the largest funding sources that are set up in federal law.
• with disabilities when we receive that federal funding.
• Of the Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee, how is that being looked at?
• Federal committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> part of that is federal money? part of that is federal money?
• </c> we do know is the amount of federal we do know is the amount of federal funding<00:21:29.440><c>
• </c> VA federally done. So, thank you, Mr. VA federally done. So, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• federal law.
• This is a state law federal federal law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal funding, I mentioned some of the growth in federal funding that we sustained over the past couple
• of years. years, the Federal Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act, federal transportation bill
• And it administers the federal funds that we're sending to Washington, D.C. through our federal motor
• But is some of this the federal problems with the, you know, federal issues with with environmental or
• Well, the MPOs are a federally... established entity. Those are put in place by federal law.

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> at both the state and federal levels. at both the state and federal levels.
• When the federal government stopped enforcing our federal law against price discrimination 40 years ago
• Yet, as a Federal basic necessities.
• </c> for existing federal for existing federal law.<00:13:50.399><c> Minnesota</c><00:13:50.880><c> has
• Federal law also recognizes that suppliers can treat retailers differently.