Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Davis, PICO funds appropriated in the GAA are distributed to all eligible charter schools based
• Senator Davis, PICO funds appropriated in the GAA are distributed to all eligible charter schools based
• It creates three new distributions for doc stamp tax revenues...
• Through 2008, it creates three new distributions for doc stamp tax revenues: $60 million annually to
• It also increases the annual distribution to the Small County's Outreach Program by $20 million.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FROM INCIDEN DISTRIBUTED SOLAR T THE UTILITY.
• The CLCPA called for 6 gigawatts of distributed solar, and we have created well beyond 8 now, which is
• THE CLCPA CALLED FOR SIX G IGS OF DISTRIBUTED SOLAR AND WE HAVE CREATED WELL BEYOND 8 NOW WHICH IS WHY
• This notification shall be made at the time the credit is distributed.
• THIS NOTIFICATION SHALL BE MADE AT THE TIME THE CREDIT IS DISTRIBUTED.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, DOJ currently lacks appropriation authority to distribute these funds to victims.
• As a result, when funds are available, restitution cannot be distributed timely.
• However, DOJ currently lacks appropriation authority to distribute these funds to victims.
• As a result, when funds are available, restitution cannot be distributed timely.
• As a result, when funds are available, restitution cannot be distributed timely.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review May Revision proposals for several departments and emphasized that no votes would be taken that day. The Legislative Analyst’s Office opened with a warning that the state budget is balanced only through one-time resources and still has structural deficits, recommending that the Legislature avoid new ongoing spending and instead preserve reserves and other solutions. The Judicial Council then presented proposals for language access and interpreter services, appellate court security, a backfill to the state court facilities construction fund, and an extension of the lactation-room mandate; Finance supported the language access item with reporting language and supported keeping the court facilities backfill. Members raised concerns about judicial pay freezes, judge vacancies, and uneven judge allocations across counties, and also asked about the cost and completion of courthouse lactation rooms and remote-hearing infrastructure. The Board of State and Community Corrections items focused on $10 million one-time grants for missing and murdered Indigenous people and for a human trafficking vertical prosecution program. The LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether the Tribal Nations Grant Fund could support the MMIP work, while Finance said it preferred General Fund support and wanted more review before any fund swap. On the human trafficking grant, Finance said the need was clear based on reported cases and California’s share of hotline reports. Members strongly supported MMIP funding and discussed whether ongoing funding would be needed beyond the one-time proposal, while also debating whether BSEC or OES should administer the prosecution grants. The Department of Justice presented antitrust litigation funding, Medi-Cal fraud and elder abuse staffing, organized retail criminal enterprise case completion, and a continuous appropriation for the Victims of Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. The LAO raised concerns about the Unfair Competition Law Fund’s solvency and recommended rejecting that portion unless DOJ could show the fund could support it without General Fund repayment, and it opposed the continuous appropriation in favor of more legislative oversight. Finance said the fund would remain solvent under current projections and defended the continuous appropriation as necessary to pay victims promptly. Members also clarified that the Medi-Cal fraud unit targets providers, not beneficiaries, and asked about delays in restitution payments. A lengthy portion of the hearing covered CDCR’s May Revision package and the Boston Consulting Group cost-savings effort. CDCR described revised savings from workforce optimization, workers’ compensation, and procurement, but members repeatedly expressed frustration that the promised savings had fallen far short of earlier estimates. The LAO recommended deeper cuts to some parole positions, more detail on proposed eliminations and contract changes, and caution about counting unallocated future savings. CDCR also presented population projections showing continued declines and the LAO again urged the administration to close a prison to reduce ongoing costs. The committee also heard proposals on workers’ compensation, Corcoran honor housing, incarcerated firefighter pay, agricultural food purchasing requirements, menopause care, mental health receiver staffing, resource teams, crisis intervention teams, medical classification staffing, and AI note-taking in electronic health records, with the LAO generally recommending limited-term approvals and reporting requirements while Finance defended ongoing funding and said it was open to additional reporting language.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been distributed. I move for its adoption.
• It's been distributed and I move for its adoption.
• They say things like exit polling, surveying, sampling, electioneering, distributing election literature
• It's been distributed. I move for its adoption. Can you state your LR number, please? 0.17H.
• It's been distributed, and I ask for its adoption.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 129-0 vote. Members then spent considerable time on points of personal privilege and introductions, including remarks recognizing law enforcement wellness, personal health updates, legislative service and family sacrifices, interns, visiting students, and special guests such as a St. Louis entrepreneur honored with a House resolution and a visiting governor from Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports before moving to conference requests on Senate Bills 835 and 1111 and Senate Bill 1020, both of which were approved for conference committees. The House also passed Senate Bills 977 and 1011, a measure barring international organizations or foreign law from exercising authority in Missouri or being used to deny “fundamental rights,” after debate over its scope and concerns about foreign-law venue rules and its practical effect; the final vote was 99-45. Senate Bill 1470, dealing with legislative research and statutory publication procedures, was amended and passed 148-1 after debate over reducing committee size, shifting publication to a primarily web-based format, and preserving printed archival copies. The House then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 1940, the public notices/newspaper bill, by 142-1, with discussion focused on modernizing notice publication rules and election-related deadlines. It also took up Senate Bill 1871, which included county clerk and election administration provisions and a Senate amendment incorporating campaign finance language; debate emphasized ballot testing timelines and election transparency. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, similar to the Legacy Amendment, we would create a council that would distribute funds and largely
• funds and largely bucket the distribute funds and largely bucket the the<00:04:38.080> money<
• So, what this bill does, it proposes four buckets of funding, um, to be distributed across the Housing
• So, what this bill does, it proposes four buckets of funding, um, to be distributed across the Housing
• We have dedicated funds that we raise and distribute through an application process to help neighbors

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 3279, the “Our Future Starts at Home” constitutional amendment, which would ask voters to approve a 3/8 of 1% statewide sales tax increase to create a dedicated housing revenue stream. Chair Howard said the proposal is intended to address Minnesota’s housing shortage through predictable, long-term funding, estimated at about $400 million annually for 25 years, and would be administered through a council that would fund housing vouchers, rental and supportive housing, and affordable homeownership. Supportive testimony came from coalition and nonprofit advocates, including Nelima Sitati Munene, Ben Helvick Anderson, Dakota Morgan, and Chris Berggren. They argued that Minnesota’s housing crisis requires permanent, sustained investment rather than one-time grants, and said the amendment could produce thousands of vouchers, supportive housing units, rental units, and starter homes over time. Testifiers also emphasized the need for community voice and lived-experience representation in how funds are distributed, and described the bill as a way to prevent homelessness and stabilize families statewide. Several members raised concerns that the proposal would add another regressive tax burden on residents already struggling with affordability. Representatives Johnson, Nash, Dotseth, and Myers argued that sales taxes hit lower-income Minnesotans hardest and said the state should focus more on zoning, regulatory reform, and other cost reductions instead of new taxes. Chair Howard responded that housing costs themselves are already highly regressive and that both policy reform and public investment are needed. The bill was laid over and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, all amendments which have been distributed will not be read in full.
• Without objection, all amendments which have been distributed will not be read in full.
• All amendments which have been distributed will not be read in full. Hearing none, so ordered.
• Which have been distributed will not be read in full hearing. None's order.
• Without objection, all the amendments have been distributed and will not be read in full.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation honoring National School Social Work Week, with remarks emphasizing the role of school social workers in supporting students’ mental health, safety, and access to services. The House then handled a long series of first readings and committee/calendar actions before moving into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions. In the first major round of floor action, the House advanced HB 2123, HB 2140, and HB 2144 after adopting amendments. HB 2123 would affirm gold and silver as legal tender and allow their use through electronic systems; HB 2140 would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% in gold and silver; and HB 2144 would require child support to begin at pregnancy, prompting debate over paternity, genetic testing, rape-related pregnancies, and recourse for mistaken paternity. The House also advanced HB 2492 on urban growth boundaries, HB 2875 with clarifying language, HB 2946 on housing affordability and construction sales tax, and HB 4115/HCR 2051 on ballot initiative petition rules and disclosure. Supporters framed those measures as transparency reforms and protections against out-of-state influence, while opponents argued they would make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives and local measures for the ballot. Later Committee of the Whole action advanced HB 2175, HB 2270, HB 2416, HB 2557, HB 2697, HB 2940, and HB 4010, along with HB 2324, HB 2573, HB 2601, HB 2876, and HCR 2004. HB 2175 drew debate over whether political affiliation should be included in hate-crime law; a proposed Garcia amendment to add gender identity and remove political affiliation failed, and a later motion to add it to the report also failed by roll call. HB 2557 clarified a medical-records timeline to business days. HB 2697 created a good-Samaritan style protection for use of expired opioid antagonists such as Narcan. HB 2940 was defended as reducing improper enrollment in Access/SNAP-related programs and opening managed-care bidding, while opponents said it would cut benefits and burden vulnerable residents. HCR 2004, dealing with photo enforcement, was amended to let cities put the issue to local voters; supporters called it a compromise and opponents argued photo radar saves lives and reduces speeding-related crashes. In third-reading votes, HB 2264 passed overwhelmingly on Arizona Geological Survey matters, HB 2373 passed unanimously on income tax refunds for veterans, HB 2413 failed on sex offender monitoring, and HB 2862 passed on sentencing enhancements for crimes committed while wearing a mask. The House also reconsidered and revived HB 2055, HB 2150, HB 2426, and HB 2755 related to state land and groundwater measures. The transcript ends with the House beginning third-reading consideration of HB 2941 on motorcycles, with members speaking in support of roadway safety and personal experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• 47:38.560> and is for their Sandy Hook new well and is for their Sandy Hook new well and distribution
• <00:47:41.119> The distribution improvements project.
• The distribution improvements project.
• The company seeks to strengthen their distribution capabilities by widening the loading dock access road
• The company seeks to strengthen their distribution capabilities by widening the loading dock access road

Keywords: 0:00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:30 Approval of Minutes 0:00:49 Information Items 0:01:54 Louisville Arena Authority 0:24:50 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions - MSU 0:26:35 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet 0:37:52 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet 0:40:13 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:56:00 Rpt from OFM – EDF Grants 0:58:45 Rpt from OFM – OFM 1:01:46 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a roll call, approval of the prior meeting minutes, and a set of informational reports. Those reports covered University of Louisville research equipment purchases, a Kent County school district debt issue for elementary school renovations, the University of Kentucky’s planned use of construction management risk for a new engineering building, APA certification reports for underwriter and bond counsel selection committees, and a KCNA status report on infrastructure upgrades and purchases. The main presentation was an informational update from the Louisville Arena Authority. Board representatives said the arena was created to drive economic development and reported about $1.4 billion in economic impact from 2010 to 2013. They explained the authority’s financial structure, including arena operating revenues, TIF revenues, debt service, and a long-term capital plan for major repairs and replacements. Members questioned the low net revenue figures, the long timeline before TIF revenues are projected to exceed debt service, the size of capital expenditure spikes, and the University of Louisville revenue-sharing arrangement. The authority said the $2.42 million annual UL payment is fixed under a 2017 refinancing agreement, while other amounts vary with ticket sales and related revenues. They also said the COVID-era state and Metro funds, combined with authority cash, were used to prepay debt and reduce interest, lowering the debt service schedule. The committee then considered and approved a new capital project for a new HVAC system for the student wellness center pool area. The project, presented by university staff, was approved by the board and required committee action. The committee took a roll call vote, and the project passed unanimously. Finally, Janice Thomas of the state budget office presented two tourism, arts, and heritage cabinet grid resilience projects at Kincaid Lake State Resort Park and Kentucky Down Village State Resort Park. Each project costs $7,834,600 and is funded mostly by a federal grid resilience grant, with the remainder from state utility infrastructure replacement funds and energy policy funds. Staff explained that the projects will move park electrical service ownership and maintenance to regional utilities, allowing the state to exit the infrastructure-management role while continuing to pay utility bills through normal metering. The committee approved the action item by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• federal code and also in the Alabama law, they say the platforms are exempt from prosecution for distributing
• image when found to have solely provided or developed the technology used by another person in the distribution
• or creating a private image distributing or creating a private image when<00:11:07.440> found
• <00:11:12.640> of<00:11:13.120> creation person in the distribution of creation person
• in the distribution of creation of<00:11:13.760> private<00:11:14.079> image.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Up to AOC that could then be distributed to courts statewide.
• Year, you all appropriated some money to DFA that was distributed to various DAs and other entities around
• Do at the Higher Education Department, that those funds get distributed out to the institutions across
• And I saw how that was distributed. There are other funding sources that are coming.
• I believe that is to expand the distribution for the food banks.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , 90%. those kind of things give us a much better understanding of what the true disperse. the distribution
• The Texas Antimouth Commission continues to update and distribute. producer guidance documents since
• $100 million that was announced, I'm guessing that the details of how to, how that's going to be distributed
• the two products they're talking about take a couple of days to get through the Bloodstream and distributed
• And we've also received updates on the fly distribution facility. as well as updates on the process or

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, to be brought on behalf of the state against those who are out of state and are mailing and distributing
• Operators who are either manufacturing, providing, mailing, distributing abortion pills in violation
• Were the pills, that's a fact question, were the pills mailed and distributed into the state of Texas
• pills that she receives here into another state to take, yes, by, by way of the, the mailing and distributing
• Subchapter B, it creates a new prohibition on manufacturing, distributing, delivering, and providing

Bills: HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• They are upgrading transmission or distribution lines.
• <02:06:53.599> cooperatives, Wyoming's distribution cooperatives, Wyoming's distribution cooperatives
• I know how to do distribution maintenance. I'm going to do that.
• They could be the maintenance for a distribution system if that was helpful.
• <02:37:12.240> So to run a distribution system. So to run a distribution system.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• budget appropriated $10 million from those opioid settlement revenues to the Attorney General for distribution
• Pursuant to the enacted budget, the Attorney General's expenditure plan distributes those monies accordingly

Summary: The Joint Legislative Budget Committee approved the minutes from its March 5, 2026 meeting and then entered executive session, where it approved a recommended settlement. After returning to open session, the committee took up the Attorney General’s opioid settlement expenditure plan. Staff explained that Arizona will receive opioid settlement funds over many years and that the FY 2026 budget appropriated $10 million for distribution to five counties. The plan would allocate $2 million each to Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai counties. Members expressed support, noting the funds would continue programs they viewed as effective, and the committee gave the plan a favorable review. The committee also considered an Arizona Department of Administration request to transfer $7 million within the risk management revolving fund. Of that amount, $5 million would go to workers’ compensation losses and premiums to cover higher program costs, and $2 million would go to administrative expenses for higher-than-budgeted Attorney General contracted legal costs. Members described the transfer as a routine budget adjustment, and the committee approved it. Before adjournment, members asked staff about recent revenue trends, including April numbers and sports betting revenue. Staff said April data were still being analyzed and no definitive figures were available yet. On sports betting, staff said Arizona’s tax rate is in the range of other states but tends to be on the lower end. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resiliency Security Fund in the Department of Agriculture, requiring that at least 50% of the funds distributed
• be used to support projects aimed at reducing food insecurity and promoting resiliency and food distribution
• That's why in this chart, which definitely we share with you, I mean, it has distribution and marketing
• connect directly to the distribution grid.
• measurable benefits, including peak load reduction, avoided transmission and distribution upgrades,

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Similar to the Legacy Amendment, we would create a council that would distribute funds and largely bucket
• Similar to the Legacy Amendment, we would create a council that would distribute funds and largely bucket
• funds and largely bucket the distribute funds and largely bucket the the<00:05:11.080> money<
• So, what this bill does, it proposes four buckets of funding to be distributed across the Housing Board
• We have dedicated funds that we raise and distribute through an application process to help neighbors

Bills: HF3279, HF1879, HF1417, HF2462

Keywords: housing, sales tax, homeownership, rent assistance, community stability, education, counseling, financial assistance, housing development, culturally appropriate services, HF1417, manufactured home parks, manufactured housing, mobile home parks, housing development fund, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, infrastructure grants, infrastructure loans, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• So the public schools are now, the funding is distributed 80% upfront and then 20% upon completion, which
• "With regard to that statement, but the lease, yes, with regard to the 30% and the 80/20 distribution
• "With regard to that statement, but the lease, yes, with regard to the 30% and the 80/20 distribution
• "With regard to that statement, but the lease, yes, with regard to the 30% and the 80/20 distribution
• that's in the language 8020 distribution that's in the language >> representative.<03:45:02.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Transportation’s November 2024 report on options to address the highway user tax distribution
• 58.880> tax special plate to the highway user tax special plate to the highway user tax distribution
• fund will result in an distribution fund will result in an increase<01:18:01.600> of<01:18:01.920
• :18:09.560> tax collected into the highway user tax collected into the highway user tax distribution
• fund over the banum devious distribution fund over the banum devious understands<01:18:14.120> and

Bills: HF198, HF269, HF185, HF303, HF305, HF189

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Pages will collect and distribute the senator's amendment. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Uh, page will collect and distribute the Senator's amendment. [snorts] All right.
• Pages will collect and distribute the Senator's amendment. Thank you, Mr. President.
• 03:26:11.360> Senator's collect and distribute the Senator's collect and distribute the Senator's
• <03:39:25.120> the Pages will collect and distribute the Pages will collect and distribute

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation by Reverend J.C. Austin of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, and journalized the prayer. Members also introduced several guests and interns, including a shadow from the 45th District, a Legislative Black Caucus fellow, a ninth-grade author from Annapolis High School, a World Autism Acceptance Day group in the gallery, and a student shadowing the Senator from District 30. The chamber then moved to House bills on second reading and Senate bills on third reading. The Senate adopted favorable committee reports and passed several House bills without objection, including measures extending the Maryland Horse Industry Board sunset, requiring housing counseling information for certain first-time homebuyers, expanding the educator expense tax subtraction to full-time pre-K teachers, increasing funding for the State Library Resource Center, extending agricultural use assessment eligibility for community solar projects, allowing the Seat Pleasant Police Department to join the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System, authorizing changes to a tax sale legacy protection program, and granting special taxing authority for the Village of Drummond. The chamber also adopted seven amendments to Senate Bill 1007 on state debt authorizations and ordered it printed for third reading. On final passage, Senate Bill 956 on Maryland Transportation Authority video toll collections passed with 44 affirmative votes. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 841, a major energy affordability and utility reform bill, with two committee amendments adopted. The bill was described as providing short-, medium-, and long-term rate relief, including changes to EmPOWER Maryland, utility cost recovery, data center tariffs, net metering, solar policy, transmission planning, battery storage, nuclear incentives, and low-income assistance. Debate began on the amended report, and a motion to lay the bill over was withdrawn while members discussed waiting on additional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think those people are going to be distributing that equipment to a fentanyl dealer.
• by the organization that distributed by the organization that provides<03:17:33.520> the<03:17
• purchased, transported, or distributed purchased, transported, or distributed by<03:20:03.359>
• <03:20:24.479> that<03:20:24.800> equipment going to be distributing that equipment
• going to be distributing that equipment to<03:20:26.000> a<03:20:26.239> fentanyl<03:20

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance in any amount.
• <01:17:03.120> controlled those intending to distribute controlled those intending to distribute
• <01:18:15.880> or within 750 ft of it, for distributing or within 750 ft of it, for distributing
• <01:18:16.600> with<01:18:16.760> intent<01:18:17.160> to<01:18:17.240> distribute
• <01:18:18.040> a possessing with intent to distribute a possessing with intent to distribute

Bills: SB709, SB2089, SB2090, SB2108, SB2211, SB2250, SB2325, SB2803, SB2866, SB3245

Keywords: mental health, crisis intervention, assisted community treatment, treatment orders, law enforcement training, public safety, court-ordered treatment, Medicaid, healthcare access, unlicensed professionals, supervised services, workforce development, mental health equity, child custody, evaluations, licensed counselors, family court, juvenile justice, waiver of jurisdiction, transfer to adult court

Summary: The committee heard SB 709 SD2, which would require the Department of Health to respond to reports involving persons with severe mental illness, assess eligibility for assisted community treatment, and coordinate treatment when appropriate. Testimony from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health supported the measure, with DOH saying it generally supported the bill but had comments on one section it viewed as unnecessary. The Department of Law Enforcement later explained that the bill would shift certification and standards for crisis intervention officer training from DOH to DLE, while still involving DOH in the training process. Opposition came from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and an individual testifier, both of whom argued the bill expands state authority over people with mental illness and could worsen forced treatment practices. The Disability Rights Center also raised procedural concerns, saying the bill was effectively moved from a prior administration measure that had not been heard this session, and questioned whether the bill’s changes to assisted community treatment, blood tests, urinalysis, and living arrangements went beyond current law. The individual testifier argued the bill would further entrench harmful psychiatric drugging and urged the committee to defer it. Committee members questioned the administration about the bill’s process, the role of the Attorney General in treatment-over-objection proceedings, and the practical effects of moving CIT certification to DLE. The Attorney General’s office said the bill was intended to fill a gap by allowing it to assist with treatment proceedings, while public defenders would continue to represent respondents and due process protections would remain in place. DLE and DOH said the change would better align certification with law enforcement training needs, improve speed in crisis response, and still keep DOH involved; members also discussed whether WAM counted as a hearing and whether the bill should more explicitly preserve DOH’s role. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.