SB 83 — An Act relating to health care insurance; relating to insurance reimbursement for health care services provided through telehealth; relating to telehealth; providing for an effective date by repealing the effective date of secs. 9 and 10, ch. 38, SLA 2022; and providing for an effective date.
Last action — (H) REFERRED TO RULES
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 31, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Passed Senate
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
This bill mandates telehealth reimbursement parity for health care providers.
The bill requires health care insurers to reimburse providers for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services. It applies to both physical and behavioral health services.
What this means for you
- Workers: If you're a health care provider, this bill ensures you get paid equally for telehealth services provided.
- Healthcare: This bill means that you may receive the same reimbursement for telehealth services as for in-person visits.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
123 added · 126 removedPlain-language change summary
In the latest version of Senate Bill 83, a new section has been added to ensure that health care providers are reimbursed for telehealth services at the same rate as for in-person services. This change emphasizes that telehealth is treated equally to traditional health care, aiming to improve access to care, especially in remote areas. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these rules apply to municipal health care insurance plans as well, helping to standardize coverage across different types of health care providers. This is important because it recognizes telehealth as a vital option for receiving health care services.
34-LS0413\O34-LS0413\N CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.
83(HSS)83 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY THESENATOR SENATECLAMAN HEALTHIntroduced: AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE Referred:
Finance1/31/25 Sponsor(s):Referred:
SENATORHealth CLAMANand Social Services, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to health care insurance;
relating to telehealth;
providing for an effective date by repealing the effective date of secs.
9 and 10, ch.
38, SLA 2022;
AS 21.42.422(b)21.42 is amended by adding a new paragraphsection to read:
(3)Sec. "health care provider" has the meaning given in AS 21.07.250.
21.42.450.
Coverage for telehealth.
A health care insurer shall reimburse a health care provider for health care services provided through telehealth on the same basis and at least at the same rate as for comparable health care services provided in person.
In this section, "health care provider" has the meaning given in AS 21.07.250.
AS 21.42.42221.42.599 is amended by adding a new subsectionparagraph to read:
(c)(9) A"telehealth" healthhas care insurer shall reimburse a health care provider for health care services, including behavioral health services, provided through telehealth on the samemeaning basisgiven and at least at the same rate as for comparable health care services provided in person.AS 47.05.270(e).
SB0083B -1- CSSB 83(HSS) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\O * Sec.
(a) If a municipality offers a SB0083A -1- SB 83 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\N group health care insurance plan covering municipal employees, including by means of self-insurance, the municipal health care insurance plan is subject to the requirements of AS 21.42.422(c).21.42.450.
(4) in procuring a policy of group health or group life insurance as CSSB 83(HSS) -2- SB0083B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\O provided under this section or excess loss insurance as provided in AS 39.30.091, the Department of Administration shall comply with the dual choice requirements of SB 83 -2- SB0083A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\N AS 21.86.310, and shall obtain the insurance policy from an insurer authorized to transact business in the state under AS 21.09, a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.87, or a health maintenance organization authorized to operate in this state under AS 21.86;
SB0083B -3- CSSB 83(HSS) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\O (8) a person electing to have insurance under (7) of this subsection shall pay the cost of this insurance;
SB0083A -3- SB 83 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\N (9) for each permanent part-time employee electing coverage under this section, the state shall contribute one-half the state contribution rate for permanent full-time state employees, and the permanent part-time employee shall contribute the other one-half;
(13) a group health insurance policy covering employees of a participating governmental unit must meet the requirements of AS 21.42.422(c).21.42.450.
The department shall CSSB 83(HSS) -4- SB0083B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\O procure any necessary excess loss insurance under AS 39.30.090.
A self-insured group health insurance plan covering active state employees provided under this SB 83 -4- SB0083A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0413\N section is subject to the requirements of AS 21.42.422(c).21.42.450.
SectionsAS 9,21.42.422(b)(2) 10,is andrepealed. 13, ch.
38, SLA 2022, are repealed.
SectionThis 14,Act ch.takes effect July 1, 2025.
38,SB0083A SLA-5- 2022,SB is83 repealed.New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
* Sec.
9.
This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.
SB0083B -5- CSSB 83(HSS) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill establishes requirements for health care insurers to reimburse telehealth services on par with in-person services and adds related provisions for municipalities and state insurance policies.
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AS 21.42.422
(c) A health care insurer shall reimburse a health care provider for health care services, including behavioral health services, provided through telehealth on the same basis and at least at the same rate as for comparable health care services provided in person. A health care insurer may use a geographic pay differential to reimburse out-of-state health care providers.
Insurers are required to reimburse telehealth services at least at the same rate as in-person services.
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AS 21.42.422
(3) "health care provider" has the meaning given in AS 21.07.250.
Defines 'health care provider' for the purposes of telehealth reimbursement.
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AS 29.20
Sec. 29.20.420. Health care insurance plans. (a) If a municipality offers a group health care insurance plan covering municipal employees, including by means of self-insurance, the municipal health care insurance plan is subject to the requirements of AS 21.42.422(c). (b) This section applies to home rule and general law municipalities. (c) In this section, "health care insurance plan" has the meaning given in AS 21.54.500.
Requires municipal health insurance plans to comply with telehealth reimbursement rules.
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AS 39.30.090
(13) a group health insurance policy covering employees of a participating governmental unit must meet the requirements of AS 21.42.422(c).→ (13) a group health insurance policy covering employees of a participating governmental unit must meet the requirements of AS 21.42.422(c);Clarifies that group health insurance policies for governmental unit employees must comply with telehealth reimbursement requirements.
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AS 39.30.091
A self-insured group health insurance plan covering active state employees provided under this section is subject to the requirements of AS 21.42.422(c).
Ensures that self-insured plans for state employees must also comply with telehealth reimbursement rules.
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Section 14, ch. 38, SLA 2022
June 30, 2030→ June 30, 2040Extends the effective date of specific provisions to June 30, 2040.
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This Act takes effect January 1, 2027.
Establishes a specific effective date for the Act.
Action History
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(H) REFERRED TO RULES
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(H) FN4: ZERO(CED)
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(H) FN3: ZERO(ADM)
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(H) NR: COULOMBE, SADDLER, D.NELSON
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(H) DP: CARRICK, FRIER, FIELDS, HALL
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(H) TECHNICAL TITLE CHANGE
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(H) L&C RPT HCS(L&C) NEW TITLE 4DP 3NR
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(H) Moved HCS CSSB 83(L&C) Out of Committee
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(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124
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(H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
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(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124
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(H) Heard & Held -- Meeting Postponed from 3:15 pm 4/13/2026--
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(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 08:00 AM BARNES 124
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(H) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- Meeting Postponed to 8:00 am 4/15/2026--
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(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124
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(H) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
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(H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124
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(H) FN4: ZERO(CED)
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(H) FN3: ZERO(ADM)
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(H) NR: GRAY, SCHWANKE
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(H) DP: PRAX, FIELDS, MEARS, MINA
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(H) HSS RPT HCS(HSS) 4DP 2NR
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(H) Moved HCS CSSB 83(HSS) Out of Committee
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(H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106
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(H) Heard & Held
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(H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106
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(H) Heard & Held
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(H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106
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(H) HSS, L&C
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(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
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(S) VERSION: CSSB 83(HSS)
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(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
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(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
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(S) PASSED Y14 N6
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(S) AUTOMATICALLY IN THIRD READING
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(S) AM NO 1 AS AMENDED WITHDRAWN
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(S) AM 1 TO AM 1 ADOPTED Y12 N8
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(S) AM NO 1 OFFERED
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(S) RETURN TO SECOND FOR AMS UC
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(S) BEFORE SENATE ON FINAL PASSAGE
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(S) HELD IN THIRD READING TO 5/7 CAL
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(S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 83(HSS)
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(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/5 CAL
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(S) HSS CS ADOPTED UC
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(S) READ THE SECOND TIME
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(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/2/2025
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(S) FN2: ZERO(CED)
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(S) FN1: ZERO(ADM)
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(S) NR: MERRICK, YUNDT
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(S) DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON
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(S) CORRECTED L&C RPT CS(HSS) 3DP 2NR
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(S) FN2: ZERO(CED)
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(S) FN1: ZERO(ADM)
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(S) NR: MERRICK, YUNDT
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(S) DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON
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(S) L&C RPT 3DP 2NR
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(S) Minutes (SL&C)
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(S) Moved CSSB 83(HSS) Out of Committee
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(S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
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(S) Minutes (SL&C)
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(S) Heard & Held
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(S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
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(S) L&C REFERRAL ADDED
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(S) FIN REFERRAL WAIVED UC
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(S) FN2: ZERO(CED)
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(S) FN1: ZERO(ADM)
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(S) AM: GIESSEL
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(S) DNP: HUGHES
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(S) DP: DUNBAR, CLAMAN
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(S) HSS RPT CS 2DP 1DNP 1AM NEW TITLE
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(S) Minutes (SHSS)
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(S) Moved CSSB 83(HSS) Out of Committee
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(S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
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(S) Minutes (SHSS)
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(S) Heard & Held
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(S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
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(S) Minutes (SHSS)
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(S) Heard & Held
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(S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
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(S) HSS, FIN
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(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
Sponsors
- Matt Claman · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on · 12 voted No
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (64)
64 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 64 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| D | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 12 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 60% | 40% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (20)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Shelley Hughes | — | Yea |
| Mike Shower | — | Yea |
| Bill Wielechowski | D | Nay |
| Donald Olson | D | Nay |
| Elvi Gray-Jackson | D | Nay |
| Forrest Dunbar | D | Nay |
| Jesse Kiehl | D | Yea |
| Lyman Hoffman | D | Yea |
| Löki Tobin | D | Nay |
| Matt Claman | D | Yea |
| Scott Kawasaki | D | Nay |
| Bert Stedman | R | Yea |
| Cathy Giessel | R | Nay |
| Gary Stevens | R | Nay |
| James Kaufman | R | Yea |
| Jesse Bjorkman | R | Yea |
| Kelly Merrick | R | Yea |
| Mike Cronk | R | Yea |
| Robert Myers | R | Yea |
| Robert Yundt | R | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| D | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 70% | 30% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (20)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Shelley Hughes | — | Nay |
| Mike Shower | — | Nay |
| Bill Wielechowski | D | Yea |
| Donald Olson | D | Yea |
| Elvi Gray-Jackson | D | Yea |
| Forrest Dunbar | D | Yea |
| Jesse Kiehl | D | Yea |
| Lyman Hoffman | D | Yea |
| Löki Tobin | D | Yea |
| Matt Claman | D | Yea |
| Scott Kawasaki | D | Yea |
| Bert Stedman | R | Yea |
| Cathy Giessel | R | Yea |
| Gary Stevens | R | Yea |
| James Kaufman | R | Nay |
| Jesse Bjorkman | R | Yea |
| Kelly Merrick | R | Yea |
| Mike Cronk | R | Nay |
| Robert Myers | R | Nay |
| Robert Yundt | R | Nay |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 83?
- SB 83 is sponsored by Matt Claman (D).
- What is the current status of SB 83?
- This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 31, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track SB 83?
- Track SB 83 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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