Transcript Highlights:

• And everyone on your staff, we've had a lot of conversations and to guide us to get here where we are
• So all of these are the foundation of our commitment to digital equity and inclusion as the foundation
• for regional prosperity and equity.
• Here we have many, many students who are locked out of digital access and equity.
• I know that this committee and our staff will be watching the implementation closely, so the CPC designs

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard three bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for transportation network companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, with committee amendments adding findings and declarations, higher limits than originally proposed, and a joint study on UM/UIM impacts. Supporters, including Uber, Lyft, business groups, and some consumer advocates, argued the bill would lower fares and increase driver earnings by reducing insurance costs. Opponents, including consumer attorneys, labor groups, and consumer watchdog organizations, warned it would cut protections for riders and drivers and might not guarantee savings would be passed through. The committee approved SB 371 on a due-pass basis and re-referred it to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard SB 716 by Senator Durazo, which would create a Home Internet Lifeline Program to let eligible low-income households apply Lifeline subsidies to home broadband service. Proponents said the bill addresses broadband affordability after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program expired, and that it would help students, workers, and families access reliable internet. Opponents from the wireless industry objected to the funding mechanism, arguing the surcharge would fall unfairly on wireless consumers, while one broadband group moved to neutral after amendments. The bill was approved on a due-pass basis and sent to Appropriations, but the roll was held open and later completed with the bill passing 7-1. The committee also took up SB 480 by Senator Archuleta relating to autonomous vehicles as a consent item, with no presentation or debate. It was approved on a due-pass basis and re-referred to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly focused on affordability, consumer protection, and whether savings from the bills would actually reach riders, drivers, or households.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can't do it without our local folks in our, in our award prestige-winning staff that are here
• community liaison for the University of Texas at Austin, chair of the Austin Independent School Districts Equity
• requirements of the physical presence of a borrower for signing certain documents related to a home equity
• constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide the exemptions to the requirement of the home equity

Transcript Highlights:

• What they said was that that part about remediation that I mentioned in 2036 is they don't have the staff
• The department doesn't have the staff to do that apparently anywhere, so I guess.
• We felt that the 550 would get them to where retention, and it's retention; you can call it equity if
• you want, but it's not really equity, because those positions are very easily rotated through, and it's
• You can call it equity if you want, but it's not really equity, because those positions are very easily

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Data applicants repair down before wrecked by the Division of Historical Resources staff their findings
• It was neglected by lifeguards is staff on site.
• First, I want to thank the sponsor, Senator Joe Gruters booking the recent and against diversity, equity
• that we as a state are committed to diversity, present across our hemisphere as well as providing equity
• I want to thank Senator Gruters for his consideration is commitment to the cause of diversity, equity

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> social determinance and health equity social determinance and health equity programs<01:10:43.040
• </c> social determinant and health equity social determinant and health equity needs.<01:18:09.840><c
• If there's nothing else from our staff or from members, we're adjourned.
• </c><02:01:30.400><c> um</c> email uh from the task force staff um email uh from the task force staff
• ><c> from</c><02:02:20.800><c> members,</c> our staff or from members, our staff or from members, we're

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , all toward the same mission, which is outdoor equity.
• And I can say, at least from my experience working... ...which is outdoor equity.
• I want to thank everyone, including staff and stakeholders, who have worked diligently on this bill.
• Just a quick statement: I want to thank the Senator and the committee staff and the sponsors for all
• Thank you, Senator and Chair Brian, members and staff. Thank you for having us tonight.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions for staff? The sponsor? Staff did a wonderful job explaining.
• How do we ensure that there's fairness and equity in that system?
• That includes eight full-time judges and then the rest of staff. I see.
• My staff? Yes, or your superiors? My staff? Yes. Or your superiors?
• So with staff, we've brought people back into the office.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard several election, victims’ rights, family court, and probation-related measures. SB 1425, an emergency bill moving Arizona’s primary election date earlier and adjusting related election timelines, was amended to move the primary to the second-to-last Tuesday in July and to remove the proposed compression of cure/ID deadlines; county officials supported it, and it received a do pass recommendation. SB 1289 and SCR 1013/SCR 1014 focused on foreign money in election administration and ballot measure campaigns, with supporters arguing the bills would close loopholes that allow foreign-backed funding to influence elections; some members raised concerns about breadth and enforcement, but both measures advanced. SB 1402 would require probationers on certain sex-offense-related monitoring to pay the cost of electronic monitoring; supporters said it would improve accountability and child safety, while opponents warned it could punish indigent people and divert money from treatment. It also received a do pass recommendation. The committee spent substantial time on family court bills. SB 1330 would allow a parent with less than 35% parenting time or no legal decision-making authority to request a jury trial in custody-related disputes; supporters described severe financial and emotional harm in family court and argued juries would provide a neutral check, while county and legal representatives opposed the bill as costly, slow, and ill-suited to specialized child-welfare decisions. Despite those objections, SB 1330 passed with a do pass recommendation. SB 1328, as amended, declared Arizona public policy to include protecting parents and a child’s right to equal access to both co-parents; supporters said it would clarify legislative intent, while opponents called it duplicative of existing law. It also passed. The committee also heard SB 1329, which would let parents sue court-appointed professionals in custody and parenting-time matters if the professional deviated from licensing ethics or standards. Supporters argued that quasi-judicial immunity and weak oversight have allowed harmful, expensive practices in family court, while opponents said existing malpractice and licensing remedies already exist and warned against expanding litigation. The bill received a do pass recommendation. SB 1326, allowing courts to award attorney fees and costs to victims when a party violates or worsens a victim-rights violation, also passed after supporters said it would help pro bono and victims’ attorneys enforce rights, and opponents said the term “exacerbates” was vague and the need was unclear. The committee approved the minutes and held SB 1285 and SB 1392 without hearing them.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a great relationship with our executive staff at TCEQ.
• I immediately saw that the Sunset staff called TCEQ reluctant regulators.
• Yes, our staff, our chief clerk staff that come and staff these meetings are oftentimes told exactly
• And I do have sympathy for my TCEQ staff at these meetings.
• But our staff can only do what they can do.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> Initiative</c><00:05:38.760><c> in</c> We have Menstrual Equity Initiative in We have Menstrual Equity
• </c> their staff are being asked to monitor. their staff are being asked to monitor.
• our IT staff, our HMSO staff, everyone to help make this happen.
• our IT staff, our HMSO staff, everyone to help make this happen.
• Thank you, IT and staff, and auxiliary staff that steps in when members can't be here.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members. The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt. Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to train their K-3 staff.
• want better literacy outcomes, if we want stronger implementation, and more importantly, if we want equity
• importantly, if implementation and more importantly, if we<00:13:57.839><c> want</c><00:13:58.000><c> equity
• all</c><00:13:59.040><c> districts,</c><00:13:59.920><c> then</c><00:14:00.160><c> we</c> we want equity
• in all districts, then we we want equity in all districts, then we must<00:14:00.560><c> provide</c>

Bills: SF0014, SF0018

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, K-12 education, part-time attendance, public schools, student enrollment, education funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the dignity and rights of speakers everywhere, and strengthens democratic participation and social equity
• Activate 48, Agave Community Threads, Arizona AAPI for Equity, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
• If you are against the floor amendment, please stand and do not move so our wonderful clerk staff can
• and justice to underserved communities in Arizona, and working tirelessly to advance civil rights, equity
• Also served here in the Arizona House of Representatives, championing education and equity for all Arizonans

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House colleagues, staff, guests, and visitors.
• What has failed is a privatized, insurance-driven system increasingly dominated by private equity firms
• system increasingly dominated<00:10:06.399><c> by</c><00:10:06.640><c> private</c><00:10:06.959><c> equity
• </c><00:10:07.360><c> firms</c><00:10:07.760><c> that</c> dominated by private equity firms that dominated
• by private equity firms that extract<00:10:08.560><c> profit,</c><00:10:09.120><c> dismantle</c> extract

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My fiduciary duty is to serve what is in the best interest of the students, faculty and staff of Pensacola
• My understanding was bodies work is regarding diversity, equity and inclusion policy.
• former chair was within his prior work and education, you are referring to directly to the diversity equity
• I like I said, he's written on diversity, equity, inclusion. I've read comments about that.
• I'm a partner at the King and Spalding law firm where I believe our global private equity and mergers

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our committee staff administrator, Lauren Bush, is out today.
• In the KCTCS model, they reallocated an equity adjustment that they had between the institutions, from
• 00:24:50.480><c> uh</c><00:24:51.000><c> reallocated</c><00:24:51.720><c> an</c><00:24:51.919><c> equity
• </c><00:24:52.360><c> adjustment</c> uh uh reallocated an equity adjustment uh uh reallocated an equity

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 276, which would revise the membership of the performance-based funding work group for postsecondary education. Representative Tipton explained that the committee substitute changes the group so the CPE president chairs it as a nonvoting member, all nine university and KCTCS presidents serve as nonvoting advisory members, and the voting members are three House members, three Senate members, the state budget director, and one gubernatorial appointee. He said the goal was to reduce deadlock among institutions and allow legislators to deliberate before meetings. Some members raised concerns that the change shifts influence away from the universities and toward the legislature, but Tipton said he had not heard pushback from the presidents. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 276 with an expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached; several members voted yes, while Representative Roarx voted no and Representative Stalker passed. The committee then considered House Bill 711, another bill sponsored by Representative Baker and presented by Representative Tipton. Tipton said the measure is a cleanup bill for postsecondary statutes, repealing outdated provisions for groups that have not met in years, including the Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education, the STEM Initiative Task Force, and local P-16 councils, and removing obsolete language about one-time board appointments. It also strikes the statutory definition of remedial education because Kentucky public postsecondary institutions no longer offer remedial classes, instead using transitional courses with wraparound support that count for credit. A question was raised about whether Senate confirmation requirements for some appointees had been removed in the committee substitute, and Tipton confirmed they had. The committee then passed HB 711 with an expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached. After the bills, the committee reviewed administrative regulations from the Council on Postsecondary Education. CPE Senior Vice President and General Counsel Travis Pahl explained that the regulations update the performance funding model for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to reflect changes made by Senate Bill 191, including a Community Needs Index that reallocates part of an equity adjustment based on regional poverty, unemployment, and labor participation across the 16 colleges. Members were told the committee could ask questions, propose amendments, or find the regulations deficient, but no further action was taken. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I'm John Brzezinski, staff to the committee.
• Most of our agriculture producers are living off their equity.
• Christina King, staff to the committee.
• on H.B. 2615 with a staff briefing from Christina King.
• Any questions for staff? Seeing then, we will get a briefing of HB 2175. Staff.

Bills: HB2376, HB2584, HB2610, HB2615, HB2089, HB2194, HB2257, HB2528, HB2175, HB2334

Keywords: property tax, reform, local government, taxpayer, funding, agriculture, tax exemption, farm machinery, equipment, sales tax, HB 2610, property tax exemption, nonprofit housing, affordable housing, low-income housing, community use, temporary use, charitable property, Washington property tax, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitchell, if you'll identify yourself who you're here, uh, before it indicates equity action and self
• Little, what is, what is equity action?
• We face severe staff shortages, and even the Sunset Commission has recommended closing TDCJ units.
• Oh, I oppose the bill and who you're representing equity action. OK thank you.
• So equity action has not previously taken that position. No. OK, thank you.

Bills: HB268, HB305, HB307

Keywords: gun show, firearm sales, criminal background check, firearm regulation, gun show promoter, election procedures, voter registration, residence requirements, change of address, voter eligibility, youth camp, flood safety, life jackets, grant program, flotation devices

Transcript Highlights:

• If the committee staff could please call the roll: Addis. Here. Bonta. Here. Patterson. Sciarro.
• But I do want to say, when a letter from the Department of Finance came out on the 12th, our budget staff
• And in this case, we're talking about a lot of non-military staff... ...who are PhDs and creating their
• We've hired 248 staff, 170 of those are clinicians and case managers directly assigned to schools.
• In our accompanying BCP, we requested staff and contract resources to support stakeholder engagement,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• speak before the committee, fill out an appearance card and hand it to one of the sergeant's office staff
• before the committee should fill out an appearance card and hand it to one of the sergeant's office staff
• The eight applicants were pared down to four, ranked by the Division of Historical Resources staff.
• It provides equal opportunity, or equity if you prefer, for all of the Americans in the Americas.
• I want to thank Senator Grall for his consideration, his commitment to this cause of diversity, equity

Summary: The Committee on Rules took up a long agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included CS for SB 678, allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital, and SB 466, which designates St. Johns County as the site for the Florida Museum of Black History and creates a board to work with the supporting foundation and county officials. Senators and public speakers largely supported the museum bill, though some members asked about feasibility studies and long-term planning. The committee also approved CS for SB 578 on wine containers, SB 582 on penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings, CS for SB 1168 creating an aggravated offense for unlawful tracking-device use in furtherance of crimes, CS for SB 806 clarifying that only the Florida Attorney General may represent beneficiaries of Florida charitable trusts as a public official, and SB 1228 to support spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee and Santa Fe springs. The committee then heard and favorably reported CS for CS for SB 304, which addresses child protective investigations involving infants and young children with genetic or other pre-existing medical conditions. The bill requires a qualified medical opinion before permanent removal in cases where injuries may be explained by an underlying condition, and it drew strong support from the sponsor and several speakers. Members also approved SB 1286 clarifying that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities, such as biking or playing outside, do not by themselves constitute neglect unless reckless, and SB 1318, a hands-free driving bill that renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the handheld-device prohibition, and adds penalties for handheld use in work and school zones and for certain serious crashes. The hands-free bill prompted the most debate, with supporters citing crash and fatality data and families sharing personal losses, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, and potential disparate impacts on lower-income and minority drivers; the bill was still reported favorably after amendments. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 14 and SB 20, two claims bills for injuries and deaths involving local governments, and CS for SB 68, which updates health facilities authority financing rules to reflect modern hospital structures. The committee also approved CS for SB 172 on health care practitioner specialty titles and designations after adopting an amendment protecting CRNA titles; the bill generated questions about whether licensed practitioners with doctoral degrees may still use the title doctor under their practice acts. Throughout the meeting, most bills were adopted without opposition, and the committee repeatedly voted to report them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• and committee staff and the amendments.
• But, you know, this bill is about equity. It's about dignity.
• I'm going to have the health committee staff continue to work with your staff to see how we can get this
• Staff independence cannot mean executive staff can make all contract decisions without meaningful CalOptima
• Martin Luther King had the best and brightest hospital staff, and the doctor staff was brilliant and

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard a series of bills focused on access to care, insurance coverage, and public health. AB 387 on youth sports AED access drew support from the author and safety advocates, but opposition from school, park, city, and county groups over liability, cost, and access concerns. The author said he would continue working on amendments to shift the bill toward requiring access to existing AEDs rather than mandating facility procurement. Committee members emphasized the life-saving purpose of the bill while also raising affordability and access concerns for youth sports programs. The committee also heard AB 1682, which would require health plans and insurers to cover FDA-cleared scalp cooling devices for chemotherapy patients. Supporters, including breast cancer survivors and health groups, described the emotional and quality-of-life benefits of preventing hair loss and said cost is the main barrier to access. There was no formal opposition, though one senator raised concerns about whether the mandate could exceed essential health benefits. The chair and members expressed support for the bill’s goals and said it would be taken up when quorum was established. AB 2093, a follow-up to the 988 crisis line law, sought to clarify statewide leadership, improve coordination among 988, 911, and mobile crisis teams, and create a more sustainable funding structure. Behavioral health organizations and crisis center representatives supported the bill, saying implementation challenges and demand growth require statutory fixes. Committee members generally supported the concept but noted the bill was a gut-and-amend and that additional work was needed with county and behavioral health stakeholders. The committee then heard AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment, AB 1629 on dental assignment of benefits, AB 2540 on community college access to medication abortion services, and AB 1929 on disclosure of health plan investments. AB 1843 had broad support from medical and public health groups but opposition from health plans, which argued it conflicted with the prior-authorization framework in SB 306 and could raise drug costs. AB 1629 was supported by dental and patient advocates but opposed by dental plans and insurers over concerns about network participation and out-of-pocket costs. AB 2540 drew strong support from reproductive health advocates and student representatives, while community college health services and some others opposed or were neutral pending amendments; the author said the bill was about equity and accepted amendments to reduce burdens. AB 1929 was backed by labor and immigrant rights groups as a transparency measure, but opposed by health plans and insurers who said Covered California was not the right entity to administer the disclosures and that the information was already publicly available. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly weighed public access and transparency against cost, administrative burden, and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, too, another problem with this bill is that it will equity strip away from people who own these
• Also, too, another problem with this bill is that it will equity strip away from people who own these
• But especially, of course, I want to thank our staff, Jim, for stepping in, Audrey, for holding this

Summary: The Housing Committee met on February 24 and considered two bills for executive action: Senate Bill 5496, which limits homeownership by corporate entities, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6200, which addresses tenants’ ability to install portable cooling devices. Staff reviewed proposed amendments to both bills before the committee recessed for caucus and then returned to take action. For SB 6200, one amendment was withdrawn and another was adopted. The adopted amendment clarified that landlords may restrict or prohibit window-mounted portable cooling devices, removed insurance-notice requirements, and eliminated evaporative coolers from the bill’s definition of portable cooling devices. Members supporting the bill said it was a health and housing measure aimed at protecting tenants during increasingly frequent heat events, while some members noted concerns about lease burdens and implementation. The bill, as amended, passed out of committee on a 13-4 vote. For SB 5496, three amendments were offered and all were rejected. The amendments would have changed how investment entities are treated, adjusted the 100-property cap for existing owners, and narrowed the definition of single-family residential property to freestanding homes on their own parcels. Supporters of the bill argued it would help preserve housing opportunities for families and protect the homeownership market from large corporate purchases, while opponents said it would reduce rental supply, interfere with private transactions, and raise constitutional concerns. The bill passed out of committee on a 9-8 vote. The chair then announced the committee’s final scheduled meeting was canceled and adjourned the session.