Transcript Highlights:

• through a contract, and the Secretary of State may record that trademark assignment upon request and payment
• court costs, a mandatory victim penalty assessment of $500, probation for up to a year, a license suspension

Bills: HB2543

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation

Transcript Highlights:

• through a contract, and the Secretary of State may record that trademark assignment upon request and payment
• court costs, a mandatory victim penalty assessment of $500, probation for up to a year, a license suspension

Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for engrossed substitute House Bill 2095 so it could be heard that day. It then took public testimony on House Bill 2248, a technical cleanup bill affecting Secretary of State corporate and nonprofit filings, trademarks, foreign entities, and apostille procedures. The prime sponsor said the bill makes no policy changes or fee increases, while the Secretary of State’s office supported it as a clarification measure. One testifier raised concerns about multiple LLCs and transparency in manufactured home communities, asking for stronger oversight and verification. The committee then heard engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, which expands the Office of Independent Investigations’ jurisdiction over deadly-force and related non-deadly-force incidents, broadens notification and records access requirements, and exempts certain records from disclosure. The sponsor and OII testified in support, emphasizing that the bill clarifies authority and procedures; members asked about how far back investigations could go, and staff confirmed there was no time limit for deadly-force cases under the bill. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2203, creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving around closures on hazardous roadways. The sponsor described it as a response to flood and disaster rescues, and fire chiefs supported it as a safety and accountability measure. Defense attorneys opposed it as unnecessary and disproportionate, warning of criminal penalties, license suspensions, restitution, and fiscal costs for conduct they viewed as more appropriately handled civilly. Next, Second Substitute House Bill 1909 proposed a Court Unification Task Force to study inefficiencies and inequities in Washington’s fragmented court system; the sponsor and a legal aid attorney supported it as an access-to-justice reform, while the committee noted a large number of signed-in opponents. Finally, engrossed substitute House Bill 2095 would create a rebuttable presumption of negligence for drivers who injure or kill vulnerable road users in designated areas, along with education requirements and damages provisions. Supporters, including a widow, bicycling advocates, and a bike commuter, said it would improve accountability and help injured people who cannot easily prove fault; opponents from cities, trucking, and defense groups argued it would expand litigation, create liability and fee-shifting problems, and go beyond existing negligence law. After public hearings, the committee moved into executive session and advanced several bills. Substitute House Bill 2158 received a do pass recommendation. Substitute House Bill 2239, concerning family burial grounds on private property, was amended to increase a setback from public rights-of-way and easements and then received a do pass recommendation as amended. Substitute House Bill 2178 on court rules and procedures also received a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2543 on county clerk fees was advanced despite concerns about fee increases. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 on false identification as a peace officer was amended to clarify intent and then passed out of committee. The committee also adopted an amendment to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 on firearm manufacturing, including a change allowing certain digital code and manufacturing activity for repair purposes, and discussed another amendment removing some possession prohibitions for personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• But first, with the time value of money, a periodic payment of energy savings over a 25-year period that
• And then there will be a suspension for a certain number of days, depending on the school district.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and payments to that provider.
• </c><01:19:42.320><c> We</c> I've done DHS withholds payments. We I've done DHS withholds payments.
• ><c> in</c><01:19:47.520><c> fact</c> stops making payments when in fact stops making payments when in
• </c> say you do, but also to withhold payment say you do, but also to withhold payment if<02:06:12.880
• Members, these are payment is made.

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the next one is the Medicaid payments to New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff.
• </c><00:14:26.000><c> to</c><00:14:26.240><c> New</c><00:14:26.440><c> Hampshire</c> Medicaid payments
• to New Hampshire Medicaid payments to New Hampshire hospital<00:14:27.399><c> and</c><00:14:27.880><
• So in accounting unit 4115, you'll see that in class line 18, provider payments legal services, and,
• of that law um appeal of the suspension of that law um it<03:09:16.319><c> gets</c><03:09:16.600><c>

Summary: The House Finance Committee’s Division 3 held a public work session on the Behavioral Health budget on February 27, 2025. The chair opened by explaining the schedule, materials, and deadlines for the budget process, and noted there would be no motions or votes in the division that day. Division of Behavioral Health Director Ktia Fox and DHHS CFO Nathan White then walked the committee through the division’s mission, structure, and budget materials, describing the division’s four bureaus: Mental Health Services, Children’s Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Homeless Services, along with the policy unit. They emphasized the division’s role in oversight, technical assistance, quality assurance, contracting, and the continuum of care from prevention and early intervention through crisis and residential services. Much of the discussion focused on major programs and funding lines, including the 988 Lifeline contract with Headrest, a technical assistance contract with UNH, Medicaid pass-through payments to New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff, crisis response services, cold-weather homeless responses, housing supports, and the children’s system of care. Members asked about the UNH contract, the 988 program, crisis stabilization centers, and the peer certification program; Fox explained that the peer certification is a training-and-credentialing pathway for people with lived experience to enter community-based behavioral health work, not a volunteer program. The committee also discussed the “Choose Love” program, which Fox said was created after the Sandy Hook tragedy to build resilience and strength-based emotional regulation in schools and communities. On the children’s side, Fox described the system of care account as the place where many contracted services are budgeted, including community mental health centers, care management entities, rapid response services, and residential programs. Members asked about temporary staffing, and Fox said roughly $500,000 in temporary staff costs shown in the current year would not be spent next year because the money came from a nonlapsing appropriation in HB 1573 for oversight of children’s residential services. She also said provider rate increases were a prioritized need but were not funded in the governor’s current budget, and that the Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center was not funded, resulting in about a $1 million reduction. The session ended while the division was still moving through the children’s behavioral health slides, including questions about the Fast Forward high-fidelity wraparound program and medication management.

Transcript Highlights:

• which we see too often, can happen when an adoptive parent is still collecting adoption assistance payments
• No more should the provision of adoption assistance payments or any other financial assistance be a barrier
• 1967 would allow Zara to reenter foster care under a voluntary reentry agreement that triggers the suspension
• of those payments.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard testimony on a series of bills affecting disability services, child welfare, foster youth, domestic violence survivors, guaranteed income pilots, crisis response, and child care providers. AB 1575 would update the Lanterman Act to use person-first language and broaden respite services to allow safe community access; supporters said it would improve dignity and consistency in services, and there was no opposition. AB 2470 would create a statewide one-stop reentry program for survivors of intimate partner violence to replace documents, repair credit, and access housing supports, while also giving CalWORKs emergency housing funds more flexibility; the Little Hoover Commission backed the bill based on its prior recommendations. AB 2510 would clarify and expand CalWORKs family reunification aid so parents can keep receiving support during reunification even if not all children are removed, and supporters said it would reduce barriers and better align with reunification goals. AB 2585 would expand guaranteed income pilot funding to rural and underserved counties, with testimony emphasizing the need for geographic diversity and data from places like the Central Valley. AB 1932, the Crisis Act 2.0, would continue and strengthen community-based mental health crisis response programs; testimony from family members and advocates strongly favored non-law-enforcement responses, and the bill drew broad support. AB 1925 would direct a feasibility study on a statewide permanent disability certification process to reduce repeated verification burdens; the committee approved it 4-0 and sent it to Appropriations. AB 2189 would fund a statewide special education parent action network to train and connect parents for systemic advocacy; after some opposition over the use of state funds for advocacy, it passed as amended and was referred to Education. AB 2684 would allow out-of-state nonminor dependents to do monthly social worker visits virtually, with in-person visits still required quarterly; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1967 would improve pathways for older youth experiencing homelessness or failed adoptions to enter or reenter foster care, and it passed to Appropriations. AB 2126 would create a targeted background-check exemption for certain former foster youth hired as peer partners, and it passed as amended to Public Safety. AB 2379 would require DSS to notify family child care providers of Fourth Amendment rights and provide multilingual know-your-rights training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed to Judiciary after some members questioned whether DSS was the right agency to administer the training.

Transcript Highlights:

• which we see too often, can happen when an adoptive parent is still collecting adoption assistance payments
• No more should the provision of AAP payments or any other financial assistance be a barrier to youth
• by allowing her to re-enter foster care under a voluntary re-entry agreement that triggers the suspension
• of those payments.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• These percentages underscore how material and integral the In-Lieu VLF payment is.
• It would also be contrary to the 2004 budget compromise in which these payments were guaranteed by law
• We dispute retroactive suspension of state law as the Department of Finance mentioned, yes, it is common
• transactions per year, has timely filed the last 12 quarterly returns, and also timely remitted all payments

Transcript Highlights:

• We issue licenses, we issue titles, we clear defaults and suspensions, we work with the towns and cities
• uh we work with the towns suspensions uh we work with the towns and<00:41:04.119><c> cities</c><00:41
• That's in Treasury's budget, so it's just paying those payments on the past approved projects.
• just paying treasury's budget so it's just paying those<03:59:06.680><c> uh</c><03:59:06.800><c> payments
• on the past approve those uh payments on the past approve projects<03:59:09.159><c> there</c><03:59:

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. Department of Education testimony said the bill’s definition would conflict with the federal definition and be unusually restrictive, potentially affecting curriculum, educator training, and many existing state requirements. The department said it could force a broad overhaul of school programs and create a need for at least one new state position, with local districts likely facing significant unbudgeted costs. Members raised concerns about impacts on federal pass-through funding, curriculum materials, and whether the bill was workable at all. Several members said the proposal would be too costly and difficult to implement, especially during a tight budget cycle. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. Members who supported retention said they wanted to set the bill aside because of the scale of the concerns, while also stating they did not support the bill as written. The committee then opened HB 133, dealing with DMV follow-up on residency and licensing issues tied to voting and other interactions. Department of Safety/DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology update plus a full-time position to handle manual correspondence and review of possible matches, and that postage was not included in the fiscal note. They said the bill’s 60-day residency trigger is vague, that the DMV would be acting outside its normal role by investigating status after the fact, and that the measure could create privacy and operational problems. Members questioned whether the bill would effectively force people to buy a driver’s license to vote, whether non-driver and voter ID options would avoid that concern, and whether the Secretary of State rather than DMV would be the more appropriate agency to handle any follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• Howard of Lowell moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Chair welcomed Elisa Fann of Lexington, a fellow in Representative Howard’s office. The Committee on Rules reported favorably on a resolution filed by Ms. Hogan of Stowe congratulating Margaret S. Braun on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout of Scouting America. Ms. Howard moved to suspend the rules, and the House agreed. The resolution was then adopted by voice vote. The House briefly recessed afterward. The clerk read an order setting the next meeting for Monday at 11 a.m. The House adopted that order, and then agreed to Mr. Soder’s motion that the House adjourn. The House adjourned to meet Monday next at 11 a.m. in full formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• before this body earlier this week from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee were on suspension
• Infrastructure Committee, um those were Infrastructure Committee, um those were on<00:48:57.440><c> suspension
• </c><00:49:00.000><c> But</c> on suspension. This one uh was not. But on suspension.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary had prepared a suspension calendar at our request.
• You have a suspension calendar on your desk.
• We have decided not to run House Bill 863, which was on that suspension calendar.
• House Bill 863, which was on that suspension calendar. My apologies to the Secretary.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, under a suspension of the rules and without objection, Senate Bill 50, having previously been
• </c><00:27:32.240><c> President,</c> &gt;&gt; under<00:27:35.840><c> a</c><00:27:36.080><c> suspension
• ><00:27:36.640><c> the</c><00:27:36.799><c> rules</c><00:27:37.039><c> and</c> &gt;&gt; under a suspension
• of the rules and &gt;&gt; under a suspension of the rules and without<00:27:37.600><c> objection,</c

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not a scope of a risk suspension from a risk standpoint.
• It it is not a scope of a risk<01:05:25.920><c> suspension</c> risk suspension risk suspension &gt;&gt

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's impacting the counties, and it's creating the suspension of the State Building Code Council.
• So it's impacting the counties, and it's creating the suspension of the State Building Code Council.
• So it's impacting the counties, and it's creating the suspension of the State Building Code Council.
• Members, I'd like to recommend, if we're going to defer this measure, I think with the suspension of

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Donato of Medford moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and brief recesses between proceedings. The main substantive item was a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of a resolution filed by Representative Walsh of Peabody congratulating Aiden Walsh on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America. Representative Donato moved suspension of the rules, the motion prevailed, and the resolution was adopted. The Chair also welcomed guests seated at the rostrum on behalf of Representative Marjorie Decker of Cambridge. Representative Mariano of Quincy then offered an order setting the House’s next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m., which was adopted. Finally, motions were made to adjourn, and the House agreed to adjourn. The chamber stood adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we talked about licensing suspension and revocation of licenses.
• So they just have a different payment stream and the same standards then.
• Following the review of basic care, adult residential payment structures were reviewed.
• The pros and cons of the payment system were also presented.
• We then discussed adult residential care and how the payment model is different.

Committee: Joint Human Services

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• where we can operate within the Timeline, if you know me very well, you know that I'm not a rule suspension

Bills: HJR1101 , HJR1101

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana regulation, administrative rules, permanent rules, rule approval, joint resolution, legislative oversight, Title 75 Section 308, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 442, patients, caregivers, licensees, dispensaries, growers, processors

Transcript Highlights:

• Student A had assaulted a pregnant teacher the year before, and he'd gotten a three-day suspension.
• He was given another three-day suspension, but it's important to know that the reason for the suspension
• not only attends school regularly but must also refrain from conduct that constitutes cause for suspension
• from conduct that constitutes<01:00:13.599><c> cause</c><01:00:13.920><c> for</c><01:00:14.160><c> suspension
• </c><01:00:14.640><c> or</c> constitutes cause for suspension or constitutes cause for suspension or

Transcript Highlights:

• But students with disabilities accounted for 14% of the suspensions.
• The report was generated about suspensions and expulsions, and I think, honestly, this would be a really
• But students with disabilities accounted for 14% of the suspensions.
• The ratio makeup of suspensions for our school, and this was for the 2018–19 school year, so you have
• but in achievement only in suspensions but in achievement um<01:42:09.599><c> frankly</c><01:42:10.080

Committee: House Education Policy