Transcript Highlights:

• The feedback I get from the county-based purchasing has always been positive.
• I'm trying to understand the mechanism by which this doesn't take away the safety net hospitals' so-called
• Humphrey can explain what the mechanism is. Vice Chair Nadeau, go ahead.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what's the mechanism in collecting? Collecting those funds.
• thank you for your comments about the Iconic mall and the transformation it truly is iconic and the feedback
• market design, the kind of market design that was put forward by E3. the PCM, Performance Credit Mechanism

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we passed a bill a couple years ago, two or three years ago, whenever it was, that required some feedback
• , whenever it was, that<00:20:28.240><c> required</c><00:20:28.799><c> some</c><00:20:29.039><c> feedback
• </c><00:20:29.440><c> when</c> that required some feedback when that required some feedback when recommendations
• But right now that's the mechanism that's been identified. Representative Duvall, Dr.
• to ensure that we're catching mechanisms to ensure that we're catching that<01:44:22.159><c> before<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• those issues, and to ensure that all of the stakeholders have had an opportunity to share their feedback
• have had an opportunity to<00:29:09.679><c> share</c><00:29:10.039><c> their</c><00:29:10.679><c> feedback
• you have to have to share their feedback you have to have a<00:29:12.679><c> certain</c><00:29:13.000
• New Hampshire already has a sufficient system of mechanisms in our court rules to make sure that parties
• in our court system system of mechanisms in our court rules<00:35:00.320><c> to</c><00:35:00.480><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• those issues, and to ensure that all of the stakeholders have had an opportunity to share their feedback
• have had an opportunity to<00:29:09.679><c> share</c><00:29:10.039><c> their</c><00:29:10.679><c> feedback
• you have to have to share their feedback you have to have a<00:29:12.679><c> certain</c><00:29:13.000
• New Hampshire already has a sufficient system of mechanisms in our court rules to make sure that parties
• in our court system system of mechanisms in our court rules<00:35:00.320><c> to</c><00:35:00.480><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm vehemently, vehemently opposed to anyone that self-identifies because there is a mechanism currently
• And the idea being we can get as much data with the feedback, with the data we're collecting, and seeing

Summary: The Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard presentations on several bills, beginning without a quorum and later taking up the measures once a quorum was established. AB 2531 by Assemblymember Irwin would expand California’s uncompensated care grant program so veterans whose federal health coverage does not include abortion services can access abortion care, and would require CalVet to link to abortion.ca.gov. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Equality California, and Reproductive Freedom for All California, said the bill responds to federal restrictions on VA abortion care; opposition from the California Family Council argued it used taxpayer dollars to promote abortion and raised concerns about incomplete information and fraud. Committee members also questioned the bill’s use of “self-identify” for veteran status and the funding structure, with the author indicating openness to looking at proof-of-veteran options. AB 2054 by Assemblymember Gibson would update California’s paid family leave rules so relatives of military service members can qualify when those members are activated for state emergencies, disaster response, or other domestic duties, not just overseas deployment. The Department of Defense sponsored the bill, and Navy Region Southwest testified in support, saying it would improve stability for military families and reflect modern service demands. Members praised the bill and noted recent National Guard deployments for fires as an example of the gap it addresses. AB 2219, the Faster Service for Veterans Act, by Chair Schiavo, would require county veterans service officer vacancies to be filled within 12 months, set accreditation timelines, expand training and public awareness, create a statewide work queue, improve data collection, and require periodic reporting and a unified satisfaction survey. The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers supported the bill, saying it would improve timeliness, accountability, and resource planning. After discussion, the committee voted to pass all of the bills and move them to the next committees: the consent calendar bills AB 1702, AB 1765, AB 2203, and AB 2467 were approved 8-0; AB 2054 passed 8-0 and was re-referred to Insurance; AB 2219 passed 8-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations; and AB 2531 passed 6-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The IMC, which is the mechanical code that we work under, every three years is changed.
• It was originally four hours per year, and we heard a lot of feedback from the regulated community and

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The PCS also creates certain penalties and enforcement mechanisms.
• I'm curious to just hear the feedback from those stakeholders, and then I noticed that the PCS doesn't

Transcript Highlights:

• My overwhelming feedback from the community was, District 1 is not comfortable with men being in women's
• And as the gentleman to my left, actually, both of them have pointed out, we have mechanisms in our local

Summary: The House convened with 64 members present, approved the previous journal, and received Senate Concurrent Resolutions 117, 118, and 119 for first reading and committee referral. Standing committee reports moved several measures forward, including House Bills 500, 533, 555, 551, and 526, House Joint Resolution 7, and House Joint Memorial 11, while a number of newly introduced bills were read and referred, including bills on environmental cleanup and hazardous waste provisions, property tax administration, emergency response programs in schools, city annexation, IT services, campaign finance, and digital content funding. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 557, which would preempt local ordinances imposing anti-discrimination requirements beyond state law. Supporters argued it would create statewide uniformity, protect religious freedom, and prevent local ordinances from creating litigation or conflicts over business and private-space access. Opponents argued it was an overreach that would weaken local control, ignore the ability of cities to address local concerns, and send a hostile message to LGBTQ residents and businesses. The debate included references to the Sandpoint YMCA situation, the Hitching Post case, and broader arguments about state versus local authority. House Bill 557 passed the House on a roll call vote of 53 ayes, 16 nays, and one absent excused, with the title approved and the bill transmitted to the Senate. The House also unanimously held House Joint Memorial 12 and House Concurrent Resolution 5 on the third reading calendar for one legislative day, then moved to announcements and adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• My overwhelming feedback from the community was, District 1 is not comfortable with men being in women's
• And as the gentleman to my left, actually, both of them have pointed out, we have mechanisms in our local

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 64 members present, approved the journal, and received Senate Concurrent Resolutions 117, 118, and 119, which were referred to the Resource and Conservation Committee. Several committee reports were read, including recommendations to pass bills on transportation and defense, local government, revenue and taxation, health and welfare, state affairs, and education, and a number of new House bills and resolutions were introduced and referred to committees. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 557, which would preempt local ordinances that impose anti-discrimination requirements beyond state law. Supporters argued the bill would create statewide uniformity, protect religious freedom and business owners, and prevent local governments from creating conflicting rules on issues such as public accommodations and restroom access. Opponents argued it was an overreach that would weaken local control, undermine municipal nondiscrimination protections, and send a hostile message to LGBTQ residents and potential workers. Testimony and references during debate focused on the Sandpoint YMCA restroom dispute, the Hitching Post case, and broader concerns about local ordinances and conscience rights. House Bill 557 passed the House by a vote of 53-16, with one absent, and was sent to the Senate. The House also held House Concurrent Resolution 5 on the third reading calendar for one legislative day, took announcements, and then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that you have a lower interest rate, but how do you navigate some of those financing mechanisms
• And based on feedback we've gotten from state agencies across the whole state, we're hearing that we

Bills: HB2273, SB5188, HB2353, HB2420, HB2470

Keywords: embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, construction, environment, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, capital budget, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that you have a lower interest rate, but how do you navigate some of those financing mechanisms
• And based on feedback we've gotten from state agencies across the whole state, we're hearing that we

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held public hearings on several bills. On Substitute House Bill 2236, staff explained changes to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage loans for multifamily housing, clarifying it is not a retail mortgage lender, extending bond counsel terms, removing a notice requirement before bond issuance, and repealing outdated statutory provisions. Representative Zahn and commission staff said the bill modernizes the agency and would help finance affordable housing without using state general funds. Testimony was generally supportive, with questions focused on higher interest rates, down payment assistance, and equity for borrowers of color; the commission said it works with banks, administers programs such as Covenant Home Ownership, and aims to support both homebuyers and developers. The chair then closed the hearing on SHB 2236. The committee next heard House Bill 2273 on reducing embodied carbon emissions in buildings and building materials. Staff described requirements for the State Building Code Council to adopt phased embodied-carbon standards for large projects, with reporting, a public database, and Commerce educational resources; the fiscal note showed operating and capital costs. Representative Duerr said the bill responds to rising energy demand and could help lower building costs while supporting innovation, including Washington wood products. Supportive testimony came from environmental justice advocates and an architect, who said embodied carbon reductions are already feasible and often cost-neutral. Opponents, including the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill could raise costs, create sourcing and delay problems, and should not exempt schools. The hearing on HB 2273 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5188, which would let the Public Works Board issue loans for broadband infrastructure repair and replacement. Staff said the bill expands the existing broadband service expansion program to cover repair and replacement of middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, with Commerce fiscal impacts noted. The Association of Washington Cities testified with concerns that the bill could signal further use of the Public Works Assistance Account, which has already seen sweeps and could affect future water, sewer, wastewater, and solid waste funding. A question from Representative Dye raised whether the program should instead be tied to the Curb Board; staff and the witness agreed to continue that discussion. The hearing was then closed. In executive session, the committee took up House Bill 2353, House Bill 2420, and House Bill 2470. HB 2353, which raises the predesign threshold for capital construction projects from $10 million to $15 million and indexes it to inflation, was reported out of committee 18-0 with one excused. The committee then adopted and reported out the proposed substitute for HB 2420, which increases the small works roster contract limit and changes the effective date to January 1, 2027, also by an 18-0 vote with one excused. Staff also briefed members on a proposed substitute for HB 2470 concerning school construction assistance for on-base schools, but no vote was taken in the transcript. The chair announced another hearing and executive session for Friday and asked members to submit amendments by the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It really is creating an accountable mechanism to allow the department to terminate and authorize UCC
• One brief item with regard to the specific text in front of the committee: it does take... ...some feedback

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard and acted on five bills. House Bill 2548, dealing with hospital and provider material change transactions, was presented with a proposed substitute that added disclosure requirements, quarterly AG website notices, filing fees, and nonprofit-related notice provisions while removing several original enforcement sections. Members debated the 25% ownership threshold and concerns about market effects, but the substitute passed 7-6 with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2453 would allow board-certified psychiatric pharmacists to sign certain involuntary commitment and treatment-related petitions and opinions. Members said the bill was intended to expand access to treatment while preserving court decision-making authority, and it passed 8-5. House Bill 2640, addressing unauthorized UCC filings, would let the Department of Licensing refuse or terminate filings made to harass or defraud debtors; members described it as a Department of Licensing request bill, and it also passed 8-5. The committee then considered House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways. The proposed substitute created a rebuttable presumption of negligence against drivers, expanded protected areas, excluded motorcycles from the definition, and adjusted damages and education provisions. Members adopted several amendments, including an emergency-vehicle exemption and a reporting clarification, but rejected amendments that would have removed attorney fees, limited joint liability, or replaced the presumption with a direct civil action. The substitute passed 8-5. House Bill 2386, which removes statutory garnishment answer forms and directs the Washington Pattern Forms Committee to develop a form, passed 12-1. Finally, House Bill 2239, authorizing family burial grounds on private land, passed unanimously after a substitute added setbacks from water sources, local remediation procedures, burial reporting requirements, relocation permits, and seller disclosure language.

Transcript Highlights:

• EDUCATION, COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING, AND ALSO REFLECTS THE FEEDBACK
• SO, IT IS MY OCCUPATION THAT WE TALK ABOUT THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, ACCOUNTANTS, NURSES, ELEMENTARY

Transcript Highlights:

• that can receive funding from the new Texas Water Supply Fund, which is the Water Fund's program mechanism
• These changes were made to address landowner concerns and have been agreed to based on agency feedback

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a mechanism that if you deal in imported seafood, you have to have an imported seafood license
• All the feedback we get is that people really want to see another option.

Bills: HB1, HB247, HB1

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• It probably will continue to change because we will continue to be open to feedback.
• It probably will continue to change because we will continue to be open to feedback.
• </c> the committee have provided feedback the committee have provided feedback that<04:08:58.560><c>
• I read the original, but now I'm trying to place where the amendments are and get feedback.
• I read the original, but now I'm trying to place where the amendments are and get feedback.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no other feedback, all those in favor of adoption of the minutes from March 18, 2025, please signify
• I know there's been a lot of feedback, but we haven't had a chance to really talk about this.
• from uh our changes and hear feedback from uh our constituents<00:34:58.720><c> and</c><00:34:58.920
• since, is having electronic means of collecting feedback from people across the state as well.
• Um, do you incorporate the Cy's feedback in choosing those people?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for IT, is there sort of an echo going on in the microphone, feedback? Is it? Thank you.
• And if you could submit those other states in which similar mechanisms have been used, I think that would
• that not just be rhetoric, but we actually are advocating for proposals that we think, based on the feedback
• charter public schools and another 21,000 kids on wait lists, those stories are providing important feedback

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a lengthy hearing on a large slate of bills focused primarily on charter school policy and vocational technical education. Committee members opened with ground rules for testimony, including a two-minute limit, written testimony acceptance, and a live-streamed format. The committee then heard testimony on bills to expand collective bargaining rights in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools, reform charter school funding and reimbursement, allow enrollment preferences for high-need students in charter lotteries, and require BESE to consider district impacts when approving new or expanded charters. Several witnesses, including union leaders, parents, educators, and legislators, argued that charter growth has strained district budgets and that funding formulas should be reworked to better protect public schools; charter advocates and alumni countered that charter schools serve high-need students well and should not be penalized for their success. A major portion of the hearing focused on vocational technical education bills, including proposals to expand access and capacity, create a large grant program, and increase MSBA reimbursement rates for vocational school construction. Supporters described long waitlists, strong labor-market demand, and the higher cost of building and maintaining vocational schools, while municipal officials emphasized the tax burden on local communities. The committee also heard testimony on charter school reimbursement bills that would extend the state’s reimbursement schedule, with witnesses from districts such as Boston, Worcester, Fall River, and New Bedford describing large net losses to charter tuition and arguing for longer reimbursement periods and structural reform. The committee took no final votes during the hearing. In one instance, the chair said a bill would be held open until a missing senator could testify. Members asked several detailed questions about charter admissions lotteries, special education placements, funding formulas, and the practical effects of proposed charter caps and reimbursement changes. The hearing remained informational, with witnesses and committee members presenting sharply different views on whether the bills would improve equity and opportunity or harm existing public school systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I think it's good government to have that kind of feedback and review for us as a legislature
• Again, I think it's good government to have that kind of feedback and review for us as a legislature
• Again, I think it's good government to have that kind of feedback and review for us as a legislature
• you nominally can invest in futures, investment futures, financial futures, options, but the same mechanism

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives