Transcript Highlights:

• I wasn't aware of that.
• They have a Facebook page.<00:06:34.480><c> I</c><00:06:34.560><c> wasn't</c><00:06:34.800><c> aware<
• I wasn't aware of that. And it page. I wasn't aware of that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to make everyone aware, we will go Sneed. H.B. 3794.
• Just to make everyone aware, we will go Sneed, Sneed, Snade, John's, John, then to Tedford, and then
• Members, just to make us all aware, we will be back here on Tuesday at 10:30.
• So just please be aware of it.

Summary: The committee considered a long series of bills, mostly technical or policy changes affecting licensing, regulation, and economic development. Early measures included H.B. 4317, which updates Oklahoma CPA licensure pathways to align with the 2025 Uniform Accountancy Act; H.B. 4321, which limits retroactive application of new standards to existing structures absent documented safety findings; and H.B. 4322, which removes the requirement that a funeral director in charge also be licensed as an embalmer. All three advanced, with H.B. 4322 receiving some no votes but still passing out of committee. Members then heard H.B. 3176, a Department of Commerce innovation and economic development bill focused on pursuing federal research and innovation opportunities. The author described it as a long-term strategy to attract R&D, advanced computing, energy, and space-related investment to Oklahoma, with several members questioning its economic impact and scope. The bill passed 14-3. The committee also advanced H.B. 3239 modernizing the Veterinary Practice Act, H.B. 3673 allowing certain expired journeyman and contractor licenses to be renewed without reexamination if continuing education and other conditions are met, and H.B. 3794 and H.B. 3796, both OID-related cleanup or reciprocity bills. Other measures included H.B. 3263 designating the morel mushroom as the state mushroom, which members discussed in terms of tourism and rural recreation; H.B. 4265, an omnibus memorial and bridge naming bill; and H.B. 4266, an omnibus special license plate bill. The committee also approved H.B. 2123, which amends authority for an OTA bridge over the Arkansas River near Bixby by removing a self-sufficiency requirement so the project can be financed with broader toll support; the author said it would improve traffic, emergency access, and flood resilience and has local support. Finally, H.B. 2445 was amended to continue Route 66 tourism efforts beyond the 2027 centennial, and it passed 13-3. The chair announced the committee would meet again Tuesday at 10:30 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And members, just so you're aware, I've skipped down to item H4 currently.
• I'm aware. Thank you. Representative Beatty, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Not that I'm aware of. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.
• Not that I'm aware of. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the increase attributed in part to income tax growth, a fiscal-year shift, and lottery-related collections. Members asked no questions, and no action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including executive, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. The executive report noted a waiver request for Jackson County School District construction services and an audit with no findings. The administrative rules report covered agency directives, rulemaking updates, and a few rules pulled for later consideration. The revenue subcommittee held one District 4 tire removal contract until its next meeting, while the state insurance subcommittee reviewed the EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group and approved pharmacy formulary and drug recommendations. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Insurance Department’s examination of pharmacy benefit managers, especially Navitus Health Solutions. Commissioners and staff explained that Navitus objected to producing certain claims data for self-funded plans, raising an ERISA preemption argument, and that the matter was being set for an administrative hearing, likely in April. Members questioned compliance, due process, and the implications of the objection, while the department said the state initiated the examination and was continuing to seek resolution. The committee also reviewed an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System agreement, with one member noting a potential conflict and abstaining. The meeting ended after members reviewed additional reports with no further action and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And members, just so you're aware, I've skipped down to item H4 currently.
• Yes, sir, I'm aware. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Representative Beatty, you're recognized.
• Not that I'm aware of. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.
• Not that I'm aware of. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The committee met and opened with a prayer, then approved the prior meeting minutes and received the monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the staff noting changes driven by casino gaming transfers, income tax growth, and a lottery-related collection. No action was required on the revenue report. Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including the executive committee, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. Topics included a Jackson County School District cooperative purchasing waiver, rulemaking updates from several agencies, federal immigration and wildlife issues, SNAP and Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates, occupational authorization reviews, temporary appropriations and transfer requests, a tire removal contract held for later review, EBD pharmacy and medical drug recommendations, and personnel items. The PEER report also included questions to the State Broadband Director about a provider with delinquent property taxes; he said the provider would not be brought forward until the issue is resolved and that broadband grant payments are tied to performance milestones. The most extended discussion came during review of a State Insurance Department report on pharmacy benefit manager oversight. Commissioners and members questioned Navitus Health Solutions’ refusal to provide certain claims data for self-funded plans in an affiliate pricing examination. The department said the matter is being briefed and set for an administrative hearing, likely in April, and that the dispute centers on ERISA preemption and state authority to request the data. Members also asked about the status of the other PBMs under review and whether they had raised similar objections. After all reports were adopted or filed as reviewed, the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, just so you're aware, I've skipped down to item H4 currently.
• I'm aware. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Representative Beatty, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
• Not that I'm aware of. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.
• Not that I'm aware of. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been no increase to the number of text message lawsuits that I am aware of.
• The text message regulations are completely ...of text message lawsuits that I am aware of.
• We are not aware of any small Washington retailers who have been sued under SEMA for accidentally sending
• Again, we are not aware of any jury verdict or judgment at the higher $500 level being awarded against

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been no increase to the number of text message lawsuits that I am aware of.
• The text message regulations are completely ...of text message lawsuits that I am aware of.
• We are not aware of any small Washington retailers who have been sued under SEMA for accidentally sending
• Again, we are not aware of any jury verdict or judgment at the higher $500 level being awarded against

Summary: The Washington State Senate Committee on Business, Trade, and Economic Development waived the five-day notice rule to consider Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2274 and Engrossed House Bill 2294. The committee first heard HB 2274, which would modify the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act by requiring false or misleading subject lines to be knowingly false or misleading, and reducing statutory damages from $500 to $100 or actual damages, whichever is greater. Representative Springer and retail witnesses described the bill as a compromise reached with consumer lawyers, retailers, and the Attorney General’s office, intended to address a surge in lawsuits after a recent Supreme Court ruling while preserving consumer protections. Consumer advocates testified that they supported the compromise as a temporary step, while one consumer-side attorney objected to the bill’s text-message damages change, arguing it was unrelated to the email issue and could weaken existing protections. The committee held the public hearing open and did not take final action on the bill during the meeting. The committee then heard HB 2294, which prohibits private agreements that restrict real property from being used as a grocery store or pharmacy, declaring such negative use restrictions against public policy and unenforceable after the bill’s effective date, with exceptions for preexisting agreements and limited relocation scenarios. Representative Farivar said the bill was prompted by grocery and pharmacy closures and aimed to prevent property covenants from blocking replacement stores in underserved communities. Supporters from the Washington Food Industry Association and Northwest Grocery Retail Association said the bill would help independent grocers and communities, though the retail association asked for further language refinement for retail-center situations and noted the bill preserves some limited protections for existing investments. The committee took public testimony but did not vote on HB 2294 during the hearing. In executive session, staff briefed Substitute House Bill 2428, which requires insurers issuing individual life insurance policies to send lapse notices to policyholders and designated third parties. The committee then adopted a due pass recommendation and sent the bill to the Rules Committee. The motion passed by voice vote, with the bill passed subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And are you aware that ivermectin, if not taken appropriately,... ...Tylenol.
• And are you aware that ivermectin, if not taken appropriately, can cause liver failure?
• I am aware that several over-the-counter medications can cause the same thing. Okay.
• And what I would say is that it would help when it comes to this particular demographic, raising awareness

Bills: HB4336 , HB1818 , HB3194 , HB3538 , HB3682 , HB3762 , HB3793 , HB3930 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB4124 , HB4200 , HB4410 , HB4457 , HB4473 , HB3884 , HB1912

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: interventional pain management, pain management clinic, chronic pain, acute pain, spinal injections, epidural steroid injection, peripheral nerve block, nerve ablation, spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal infusion pump, endoscopic diskectomy, fluoroscopy, physician supervision, allopathic physician, osteopathic physician, CRNA, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse anesthetist, freestanding pain management facility, medical licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just want to make sure all members are aware of the training that'll be taking place tomorrow.
• c><00:09:12.640><c> all</c><00:09:12.880><c> members</c><00:09:13.200><c> are</c><00:09:13.440><c> aware
• </c><00:09:13.760><c> of</c> to make sure all members are aware of to make sure all members are aware

Transcript Highlights:

• As this committee, I know, is aware, when you add the number of licensed anglers throughout the state
• 02:50.959><c> is</c> they love. as this committee I know is they love. as this committee I know is aware
• <00:02:53.120><c> you</c><00:02:53.280><c> add</c><00:02:53.440><c> the</c><00:02:53.680><c> l</c> aware
• um when you when you add the l aware um when you when you add the l number<00:02:54.400><c> of</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• As most parents are just not aware of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes until it happens to them
• They're not aware. They don't know what the signs are. They just can't detect. I don't know."
• They're not aware. They don't know what the signs are.
• So she was not aware.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two bills. HB 649 would remove the current written physician protocol requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists, allowing CRNAs to practice autonomously. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would modernize Florida law, address anesthesia workforce shortages, keep graduates in the state, and improve access especially in rural areas; opponents, including the Florida Medical Association and a cardiologist, warned that physician oversight is important for patient safety and that anesthesia complications can arise quickly. After debate, the committee passed HB 649 favorably by a vote of 12 yeas and 6 nays. The committee then heard HB 723, which requires the Department of Health, working with school districts, to develop informational materials on early detection of type 1 diabetes and have schools notify parents within the first 30 school days about those materials. The sponsor said the goal is to help parents recognize warning signs earlier and avoid emergency diagnoses such as diabetic ketoacidosis, with minimal fiscal impact because the materials would be distributed digitally. Members generally supported the bill and discussed timing and distribution methods, suggesting the notice not get lost in back-to-school paperwork. HB 723 passed unanimously, 18 yeas and 0 nays, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> it</c><00:01:54.280><c> was</c><00:01:54.479><c> referred</c><00:01:54.880><c> to</c> I was not aware
• chair</c><00:03:31.120><c> I</c><00:03:31.159><c> was</c><00:03:31.319><c> not</c><00:03:31.439><c> aware
• </c><00:03:31.640><c> of</c> thank you Mr chair I was not aware of thank you Mr chair I was not aware

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you aware of any efforts underway to file recall petitions against DFL House members who aren't showing
• Are you aware<00:04:53.200><c> of</c><00:04:53.280><c> any</c><00:04:53.440><c> efforts</c><00:04:54.320
• ><c> underway</c><00:04:54.760><c> to</c><00:04:54.960><c> file</c> aware of any efforts underway to
• file aware of any efforts underway to file recall<00:04:55.520><c> petitions</c><00:04:56.160><c> against

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we have clearly made everyone aware that Mr. Dick Eastland was very aware of the that Mr.
• Is that what you were aware of? Yes.
• I was not aware. All right. Were any of you aware? I was not aware, Mr. Chairman. Okay, very good.
• I don't think I was aware, no, sir.
• Not that I'm aware of.

Committee: House The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, are you aware of that?
• That's great to hear that you're aware of to rectify that. >> Yes, sir. >> Right. Okay.
• Um are are are you aware reinstate it. Um are are are you aware of<00:24:36.720><c> that?
• of what I'm talking &gt;&gt; So you are aware of what I'm talking about. about. about.
• </c> you're aware of to um rectify that. you're aware of to um rectify that.

Bills: SB3240

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we're all fairly aware of that.
• I'm not aware at the moment, but I think the—and I apologize for dominating.
• We're aware of an APS. So all that data is there.
• Not that I'm aware of. No, I believe much longer than that.
• Speedier charging, again, will allow individuals to be aware of what they're charged with, to be aware

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you are probably aware of Upton Sinclair's book about the meatpacking industry.
• Many of you are probably aware of Upton Sinclair's book about the meatpacking industry. back in there
• Many of you are probably aware jungle.
• Many of you are probably aware of<00:24:31.840><c> um</c><00:24:32.400><c> Upton</c><00:24:33.039><c>
• Are you aware of any USDA to you.

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. Representative Comtois explained her amendment, saying she tried to address prior concerns by limiting the number processed monthly, adding a registration and disclaimer requirement, and folding beef, swine, sheep, and goats into the bill’s framework. Members discussed whether some sections from earlier language on bison, elk, and red deer had been inadvertently struck, and Comtois said she did not intend to remove those protections and would restore them if needed. Several members raised drafting and policy concerns. Representative Miner suggested the waiver language should be a signed, notarized statement kept on file rather than filed with the Department of Agriculture, and Comtois agreed. Representative Gruber and Representative Scully discussed labeling and wording, including clarifying that the meat would not be “exempt” from federal inspection in the same way as non-amenable species, and adding language that any prosecution would be federal rather than state. There was also discussion about whether ground meat should be included for the amenable species, with Miner and Comtois indicating that excluding ground meat would reduce risk. Commissioner Sean Jasper of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food testified strongly against the bill, saying it was a step in the wrong direction, lacked consumer protections, and could jeopardize food safety and the state’s meat processing system. He argued that the federal exemption for non-amenable species could not simply be extended to new species by state law, warned that USDA could respond by withdrawing federal inspections, and said the bill would not solve the real bottlenecks in slaughter capacity. He also said he did not believe there was a general shortage of inspectors, and that the practical issue was producers not scheduling animals year-round, which forces facilities to scale to the slow season. No vote was taken during the work session, and members continued discussing possible amendments and wording changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• As many folks in the public may be aware, um, a couple of years ago we passed a bill in a bipartisan
• the<00:04:36.880><c> public</c><00:04:37.199><c> may</c><00:04:37.440><c> be</c><00:04:37.600><c> aware
• um a couple of the public may be aware um a couple of years<00:04:39.440><c> ago</c><00:04:39.759><c
• </c><00:09:14.959><c> of</c> security incidents uh that I'm aware of security incidents uh that I'm aware
• </c> deepen our employee awareness programs. deepen our employee awareness programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:40.000><c> of</c> health, building greater awareness of health, building greater awareness
• </c><00:48:41.119><c> parents</c><00:48:41.440><c> to</c><00:48:41.599><c> be</c><00:48:41.680><c> aware
• </c><00:48:41.920><c> of</c><00:48:42.079><c> the</c> they want the parents to be aware of the they want
• the parents to be aware of the article<00:48:42.559><c> before</c><00:48:43.319><c> publication.
• Uh, we have been working with Miss Reeves in our office, and we are aware of the concerns that she has

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm well aware of this problem because it exists right here in Neely, just down the road, and Tower,
• Thank you. aware of this problem because it exists aware of this problem because it exists right<00:07
• I'm aware that we're talking about $2 million here, but every dollar that we are able to save counts
• that we're talking about $2 I'm aware that we're talking about $2 million<00:30:00.880><c> here</c><
• </c><00:36:05.000><c> of</c> the comments uh to note I'm not aware of the comments uh to note I'm not

Bills: HF2066 , HF340 , HF341 , HF566 , HF2107 , HF2130

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: electric bicycles, tax rebate, transportation, environment, local economy, fleeing peace officer, culpable negligence, traffic laws, public safety, motor vehicle offenses, driving violations, penalties, license suspension, traffic enforcement, all-terrain vehicle, ATV, class 1 ATV, class 2 ATV, road rights-of-way, public roads