Transcript Highlights:

• Whenever we're talking about the imposition of fines, yes, there are stages that fines can be set.
• So the three hours in statute is really just setting the base.
• If I am, please set me straight, but that's what I had been told.
• making ...and raise people's rates.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, and a special... protects our rate payers.

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• their support. ...and to rate their support experience.
• They don't have expertise in students with disabilities and special education... ...settings.
• We believe very firmly that each local hospital should be allowed to set that standard.
• Members, in 2022, the suicide rate among U.S. veterans was more than double the rate for non-veteran
• In Mexico, fluoride is naturally occurring at higher rates than in the United States.

Bills: SB623, SB1266, SB1310, SB1373, SB1580, SB1952, SB2032, SB2269, SB2544, SB2653, SB2796

Keywords: pharmacist, vaccine administration, COVID-19, exclusive authority, healthcare, Medicaid, provider enrollment, credentialing, administrative burden, Texas Health and Human Services, senior retirement communities, emergency response, residential safety, contract provisions, health and safety regulations, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:36.720> a spending money where uh and setting a spending money where uh and setting
• <01:12:39.679> aside believe it's $350 million to set aside believe it's $350 million to set
• that this body has that we have rated that this body has rated<02:35:46.560> the<02:35:46.800
• graduation rate. That's awesome. graduation rate. That's awesome.
• A<05:26:41.360> rate<05:26:41.520> that A rate that A rate that is<05:26:43.360>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• versus the wholesale rate?
• > rate?
• We set the rates ourselves, and the public, you know, charges based fund.
• > a<03:25:14.479> rate vehicle acquisitions a rate vehicle acquisitions a rate substantially
• <03:25:17.840> A rapid rate paid by residents. A rapid rate paid by residents.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under last year's legislation, that cap was set at two times the residential rate.
• The 461 expires in March, but we only anticipate using it for one tax rate-setting cycle. Yeah.
• The 461 expires in March, but we only anticipate using it for one tax rate setting cycle. Yeah.
• And I've seen a One tax rate-setting cycle. Yeah.
• in October when you set your rate?

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would phase down the rate of the severance tax on metallurgical coal.
• The current rate is 5%. Beginning January 1 of that year, it would reduce to 4.5%.
• This would reduce the severance tax rate on newly drilled and completed oil and gas wells.
• The current rate is 5%.
• After two years, the rate would revert to 5%.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um has forced the Fed to increase rates um has forced the Fed to increase rates despite<00:12:57.760
• >> hotel rates are basically flat. >> hotel rates are basically flat.
• The long rates went up, right? And you can have mortgage rates going in opposite directions."
• , the rate.
• Um, but you just issued the ratings at the end of the PAS period, but you're supposed to set the goals

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys read what their governor's doing, and their tax rate is better than ours?
• New Mexico's tax rate is at 25%. Kansas's tax rate is at 10%. We're at 60.
• We're keeping up with them in tax rates.
• The $1.72 weight base puts us at a more fair rate.
• And so they can basically, ...able to set any price that basically they want.

Bills: HB2933, HB3041, HB3048, HB3081, HB3297, HB3338, HB3673, HB3790, HB3983, HB4105, HB4139, HB4203, HJR1023

Keywords: insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, Oklahoma, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, towing services

Summary: The Business and Insurance Committee considered a long agenda of bills and executive nominations. Among the bills, it advanced measures to update fire extinguisher industry age restrictions and application rules (HB 381), create a five-day cancellation right for homeowners after severe storm-related contracts (HB 3790), require a biennial workers’ compensation medical fee schedule update (HJR 1023), create the Oklahoma Home Services Act to standardize home service contract disclosures (HB 4139, amended to correct a wording error), cap surcharge fees and add a career tech exemption (HB 3041), create the Oklahoma Tolling and Recovery Board (HB 3297), allow expired electrical contractor licenses to be reinstated without re-examination (HB 3673), clarify who is not a security guard for licensing purposes (HB 4105), create a licensing framework for in-ground pool contractors effective November 1, 2027 (HB 3338), and streamline surplus lines insurance procedures and premium tax enforcement (HB 3048). One bill on smokeless tobacco taxation (HB 3983) drew extended debate over whether a weight-based tax would be fairer and revenue-neutral; after questions about health impacts, reporting, fraud concerns, and inflation, the bill failed to receive a second and was left in committee. HB 3041 also drew significant debate over whether it would effectively allow higher credit card surcharges, but it ultimately passed 5-4. The committee also heard numerous executive nominations, all of which were approved and sent to the full Senate. Those included Michael Stop and Michael Bauer to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, Michael Cantrell and Burrell Sears to the Oklahoma Abstractors Board, Richard Willoughby to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, E. Keith Mitchell and Andrew Revelis to the ABLE Commission, Jackie Ward to the alarm, locksmith, and fire sprinkler industry board, Terence Shreve to the Used Motor Vehicle Dismantler and Manufacturer Board, and Adra Berry as Cabinet Secretary of Licensing and Regulation. Nominees generally described their professional backgrounds and commitment to public safety, regulation, or industry expertise, and several senators spoke in support of their service. Most nominations passed unanimously or near-unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• If our tax rates are high, then we can’t innovate our products.
• The bill as written right now has no numbers for the tax rate.
• If our tax rates are high, then we can’t innovate our products.
• If our tax rates are high, then we can’t innovate our products.
• The bill as written right now has no numbers for the tax rate.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• you have provided us, uh, to help buy down the interest rate through disadvantaged funding.
• Um, and school districts, we're buying down a lot of interest rates on school district loans.
• Is there like a set of a swim lane in there and how large or small they should be or? Mr.
• Um, has the downgrading of New Mexico's bond rating affected NMFA's bond rating in any way?
• on state bonding rating.

Transcript Highlights:

• to, uh, set aside monies that would then go to HVAC repair or roof repair or whatnot.
• We have a maintenance and operations tax rate for a reason.
• And refinancing, depending on the interest rate environment, might be a wise thing to do.
• You can have, for example, a lower rate, but if you're taking on a larger amount of debt.
• You don't know if interest rates are going to go up or if they're going to go down.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:15.320> of where you have the highest rates of where you have the highest rates of
• <00:31:00.000> of schools uh among the highest rates of schools uh among the highest rates
• <01:22:19.320> of District adms uh that growth rate of District adms uh that growth rate of
• cases where we are seeing higher rates cases where we are seeing higher rates then<01:25:11.280>
• costs uh or similarly uh you know rates costs uh or similarly uh you know rates per<01:25:18.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 21 with a quorum present for the first meeting of the 2025 biennium. The co-chairs described the temporary power-sharing arrangement in the tied Senate, introduced committee staff and pages, and had members briefly introduce themselves and share what subject they would teach. After the introductions, the committee moved to a presentation from State Demographer Susan Brower. Brower reviewed Minnesota’s school-age population trends and projections, noting that the state had just under 1 million children ages 5 to 17 in 2023 and that, for the first time, the older adult population exceeded the school-age population. She said the school-age population is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro and other regional centers, and projected an overall decline of about 5% over the next 15 to 20 years, driven mainly by declining birth rates and long-running net outmigration of young adults. She also explained that growth is expected in some areas, especially along the I-94 corridor north of the metro, while northern regions are projected to see the largest declines. She clarified for members that her figures measure resident children, not school enrollment, and that boundary changes are not reflected in the district-level data. The presentation also covered demographic change among students. Brower said about 35% of Minnesota children ages 5 to 17 are children of color, with growing multiracial populations and increasing linguistic diversity. She reported that about 20% of school-age children have at least one foreign-born parent, and about 18% of enrolled students speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Somali, and Hmong the largest home languages. She also discussed child poverty, saying Minnesota’s rate is just under 10%, below the national rate of about 15%, and that poverty is concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, some first-ring suburbs, and parts of northern Minnesota, including districts with larger Native populations. Members asked questions about whether the projections accounted for migration and whether open enrollment affected the figures; Brower said the data reflect where children live, not where they attend school, and that the projections are based on recent migration and birth patterns, with future changes more likely to come from international immigration than from domestic migration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as far as that is, you know, it's the wording in this bill setting with staff.
• You know, what is the rate we should pay the landowner? What's that look like? I don't know.
• The rate at $2. How I came up with that, I had no idea.
• I don't know what that rate looks like.
• And so you know, we look at this language that's set before us.

Bills: SB1246, SB1510, SB1979, SB1929, SB1930, SB1976

Keywords: environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• So to set the stage, So to set the stage for the rest of this session, I'm going to talk about household
• And interest rates were half what they are. Absolutely.
• The Department of Agriculture refers to it as the participation rate.
• How does that rate compare to the enrollment rate for other states? Are we about average?
• That really has to do with poverty rates.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you search by location, you see the the star rating. Right?
• But you see that has a 4.8 rating and there's 4,000 ratings right there.
• There's many others that don't have the rating and they just have the thumbs up.
• I'm a fan of set the floor, not the ceiling.
• We don't set. You know, it's it's it's a you can't do all of these things.

Transcript Highlights:

• Twice the rate.
• Florida is a little unique in a sense of how are set up for child welfare services.
• If this is adequate, are you my questioning that preface is is this set in stone?
• And then they further seem duplicative by the risk corridor are set up like that.
• They get reimbursed at a higher rate. And then that rate is kind of costs averaged so to speak.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ALL HAZARD MANAGEMENT TEAMS ARE GEARED TO HANDLE WHATEVER YOUR PROBLEM SET IS.
• ARIZONA FOR A FLOODING EVENT WHERE THEY ASKED FOR THREE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS WITH A SPECIFIC SKILL SET
• THERE'S A QUESTION HERE AND I WANT TO SEE IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS, OUR SYSTEM WAS SET UP WE EMPOWERED
• I WILL START OUT BY SETTING THE STAGE AND ALWAYS LOVE TO DO THIS.
• VERY PROUD OF THAT FACT SO I WANT TO SET THE STAGE BECAUSE WE ARE A PART OF THAT.

Transcript Highlights:

• A number of provider types can outside of a traditional VPK setting.
• I wanted to hear how it was going, and then maybe talk a little bit about how we set those rates.
• those reimbursement rates, which is now the legislature.
• That's being provided across the state with our reimbursement rates.
• that we would certainly set up.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, that age demographic consumes Health care at a very different rate.
• And if we have a low birth rate or a flat birth rate, that changes the certain kinds of educational programs
• And we're leaving that town at an absurd rate.
• It's one-on-one proctoring in the clinical setting.
• It's one-on-one proctoring in the clinical setting.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• And what kind of setting they worked in.
• Yes, the treatment plan that they have to set up for patients seeking behavioral care.
• Why do we have to set up a treatment plan?
• New Mexico has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related mortality.
• They say, well, the death rate is down. Well, many have died before that.