Transcript Highlights:

• genetic data privacy businesses, and that cure period will go around for 18 months and then it will sunset
• 03:14.239> will around for 18 months and then it will around for 18 months and then it will sunset
• <00:03:16.800> So<00:03:17.280> the<00:03:17.440> bill sunset.
• So the bill sunset. It will be repealed.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up two committee of conference reports. On House Bill 639, relating to genetic data privacy, members suspended the rules for immediate consideration and adopted the conference report. The conference compromise settled a dispute over cure periods by allowing a 30-day cure period for business activities of genetic data privacy businesses, effective January 1, 2027, with the cure period lasting 18 months and then repealing on June 30, 2028. A House member explained the House had sought a narrower cure period than the Senate, and the final report was adopted by voice vote. The House then suspended the rules to take up House Bill 710, relating to defining electricity generating facilities, and also adopted that conference report by voice vote. The bill updates the definition of a “single plant” to focus on facilities using the same point of interconnection, clarifies the change is not retroactive and applies only to new permit and certificate applications, and adds a Department of Public Service report on farmland conversion to solar by January 15, 2027. It also expands Public Utility Commission hiring authority for complex renewable energy cases, creates a decommissioning fund for abandoned clean energy facilities, requires the PUC to report on the decommissioning fee formula, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026. The conference committee reported unanimous support. After the two reports were adopted, the House stood at ease, then returned briefly for announcements. Members offered remarks thanking the Speaker for her service after news she would not run again, invited members to view an end-of-year legislative slideshow, and wished a member from Randolph a happy birthday. The House then adjourned until the next day at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, that sounds like a good deal. ...they don't want a three-year sunset. that a<00:04:47.680> threeyear
• <00:04:48.400> sunset a threeyear sunset a threeyear sunset >> and<00:04:50.800>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Howard Wig, Hawaii State Energy Office Standards and Codes Program Manager.
• This pilot project sunsets in 2030.
• Right now, we're starting to plan out the program.
• When it comes to these other programs that are out there, things like the National Flood Program and
• for other federal programs.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill requires the director of child sex trafficking prevention to submit a program evaluation to
• Senator Utke: This bill requires the director of child sex trafficking prevention to submit a program
• The A1 would also extend the same sunset to commercial plans.
• <00:25:59.399> to would also extend the same Sunset to would also extend the same Sunset to
• Senator cek thanks Madam chair I program Senator cek thanks Madam chair I guess<00:43:44.680> you

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madame Majority 2025 sunset report.
• funding essential services and programs funding essential services and programs in<01:22:37.440>
• :48.719> human<01:27:49.040> health program helps protect um human health program helps
• And that the and public programs.
• Uh this program is a burial assistance program that provides payment for burial and cremation services

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and heard several announcements about committee schedules and Capitol events, including Faith and Justice Lobby Day, Agriculture Week activities, and a tribute presentation for Sergeant Benjamin Pennington. The tribute honored Pennington’s Army service, his time at Fort Carson, and his death from injuries sustained in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base; he was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. A member also offered remarks recognizing the sacrifice of service members, and taps was played. The chamber then took up third reading and final passage on multiple bills. Senate Bill 39, concerning Fire and Police Pension Association disability and survivor benefits, passed 63-1. House Bill 1311, regarding use of a bond in lieu of retainage in construction contracts, passed 55-1 after a brief explanation of support from a member. House Bill 1184, continuing the Colorado Forest Health Council, passed 50-1; House Bill 1305, on inpatient behavioral health access, passed 64-0; and House Bill 1234, on access to child abuse or neglect records, passed 64-0. Senate Bill 50, requiring certain child care center policy disclosures to caregivers, passed 56-8. Senate Bill 84, preserving privileges for certain state entities in connection with information provided to the state auditor and fraud hotline duties, passed 42-12. House Bill 1186, continuing regulation of bail bonding agents by the Division of Insurance, passed 61-13. House Bill 1181, continuing the Barber and Cosmetologist Act, passed 51-13 after a member requested removal of their name as a co-sponsor. The House also moved Senate Bill 21 back to the general orders calendar and set several bills as special orders. In the House Special Committee on Legislative Interim Activities, House Bill 1331 was heard; the appropriations committee report was adopted after members noted a roughly $400,000 general fund reduction and a 3.3 FTE staffing reduction. The bill itself would suspend 10 interim committees, repeal two committees, and limit travel and per diem reimbursements to help address the budget gap. Supporters said the measure was similar to last year’s bill and encouraged continued policy work outside formal interim committees, while opponents argued that some committees, especially those related to water, behavioral health, and youth, should be preserved and questioned the prioritization of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council and related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe also then the state land department had a sunset clause that they've offered as well.
• To me, a sunset doesn't say that the legislature comes back and visits it, because if they do and they
• turn to page three of the testimony, I won't go through everything about the in-state investment program

Bills: SB2339

Keywords: wildfire mitigation, utility liability, strict liability, electric utility, public service commission, PSC, rural electric cooperative, municipal utility, transmission provider, vegetation management, power lines, reclosers, electrical safety, wildfire prevention, grid reliability, public safety, first responders, ANSI A300, National Electrical Safety Code, community outreach

Summary: The Energy and Natural Resources Committee continued work on House Bill 1459, which concerns rare earth and critical mineral recovery from North Dakota lignite coal. Testimony from UND researcher Dan Ludo and industry representative David Straely focused on the urgency of developing the process quickly, the technical differences between extracting minerals from coal versus ash, and the potential value of elements such as terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, and synthetic graphite. Straely argued the bill is constitutional, limited to minerals within the coal seam, and needed to avoid years of quiet title litigation and provide certainty for development and compensation to royalty owners. Committee members raised questions about landowner rights, compensation levels, possible amendments from the Department of Trust Lands, and whether the bill should be modified to address constitutional concerns or sunset provisions. No final action was taken on HB 1459; the chair said parties could work on language until Monday before the committee revisits it. The committee then returned to House Bill 1579, a high-load study bill with a possible energy infrastructure investment amendment. Jody Smith of the Retirement and Investment Office presented updated language adding guardrails for in-state infrastructure investing, including requiring approved projects to be underwritten and managed by a qualified investment manager or financial institution and to follow the Legacy Fund investment policy. Members discussed whether the amendment had been shared with the House sponsor and noted that the related bill 1330 was still pending, so HB 1579 was being held for the time being. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1566, which had an amendment from the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. The committee adopted the amendment 7-0, then passed a due-pass motion on the amended bill and referred it to Appropriations, also by a 7-0 vote. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal impact, including an estimated $580,000 for two FTEs over two years, and clarified that the study component remains in the bill. Senator Gerhardt was assigned to carry the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think if we had a vote vote, it would pass overwhelmingly the idea of repealing or sunsetting Section
• I promise you my full, complete support to get Section 230 repealed or sunsetted, and that's where I'm
• at that hearing spoke of the challenges they and other similar organizations and bringing their programs

Bills: SB331

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, drug trafficking, public health, research regulations, law enforcement, S-331, Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, fentanyl crisis, public testimony, drug legislation, bipartisan support

Summary: In this committee meeting, the focus was primarily on S-331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis. The bill's key components include making permanent the class scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, confirming existing sentencing penalties, and easing registration requirements for scientific research on Schedule I substances. Numerous parents shared heartbreaking testimonies about their losses due to fentanyl, which fueled an urgent call to pass the legislation without alterations. The committee members engaged in passionate discussions highlighting the urgency of the situation as overdoses continue to claim American lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• contact program contact program uh<00:05:09.520> for<00:05:09.880> banking<00:05:10.280
• The state grant program is an extremely important program, and we got to make sure that we give the students
• program getting new farmers into farming.
• program getting new farmers into farming.
• Uh this is a program that we've people.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you mentioned, the PUA program was a lot different than the UI program is now.
• As you mentioned, the High Road program is a one-time funded grant program.
• It sounds like you run the program.
• For the pre-apprenticeship programs, what are the completion and placement rates for the ERiCA program
• program.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget and trailer bill presentations focused on labor and public employment programs. The first item covered EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on customer service improvements, fraud prevention, language access, and the Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged stronger legislative oversight as the project enters its most difficult phase, and members questioned the revised schedule, total cost, change orders, stress testing, SB 1090 implementation, and how race and ethnicity data will be protected. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that the work is being phased with disability insurance and paid family leave first, and that fraud has been greatly reduced since pandemic-era programs ended. Members also asked for follow-up information on SB 590 outreach and equity impacts. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. The board and Department of Finance said the staffing reductions reflect the end of surge funding and that the proposal would consolidate roughly 10 to 12 reports into one annual report, with additional reporting only if new funds are appropriated for certain programs. Senator Durazo questioned the policy direction of reducing workforce staffing, while the administration said the positions were tied to temporary grant programs and that current staffing is sufficient for ongoing duties. Members also asked about the board’s role in AI-related workforce planning and the rationale for using state funds for the High Road Construction Careers Program. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund reforms and related staffing request at DIR. The administration and LAO described rapid growth in applications, backlog, and liabilities, saying the program’s eligibility has expanded beyond its original intent and that liabilities could reach about $30 billion by 2030 without reform. The trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply the changes to open cases, and use the QME process and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, evaluator capacity, and the relationship to other SIBTF legislation, while the LAO said the proposal largely aligns with its prior recommendations. DIR also presented a request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, which drew criticism from members who argued the cuts could weaken enforcement and backlog reduction efforts; the committee asked DIR to return with more detail on impacts and on its use of temporary-help authority. The final items addressed a request for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff and a trailer bill to make permanent the revised Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition timeline. DIR said the BOI staffing would help investigate fatalities and serious injuries more quickly, while members emphasized the importance of family contact and timely investigations. For the WCAB item, the chair explained that the 2024 change to Labor Code section 5909, which starts the 60-day decision clock when a case is transmitted rather than when a petition is filed, has reduced pending cases and should be made permanent; the remaining backlog was reported at 460 cases, down from 637 before the change.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the interim program administrator for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
• So a five-mile program, the commitment remains to work on bringing forward the five-mile program over
• program will be...
• , it's called the Puget Sound Gateway Program, is another federally funded mega program within Washington
• We do a lot of programming in East Portland, walking school bus programs, getting kids walking to school

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 2293 extends the sunset on the Oklahoma Broadband Office until December 31, 2030.
• being done in order for them to administer the final and largest of the grant monies to the BEAD program
• , which is a Broadband Equity Access Development program, a federal program.

Bills: HB2293, HB3176, HB3545, HB3546

Keywords: broadband, Oklahoma Broadband Office, broadband access, statewide broadband plan, internet connectivity, funding, grant programs, expansion council, termination plan, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, state agencies, high-risk AI decisions, deepfakes

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you. particular service or program, um, it's particular service or program, um, it's many,<
• grant program. Is that an AP request? grant program. Is that an AP request?
• That program is now up up running and That program is now up up running and humming.<00:59:31.440>
• project uh, a program that is over project uh, a program that is over subscribed,<01:21:18.840> I<
• With that, we have bonding program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• implementing the recommendations of the Department of Regulatory Agencies and the department's 2025 Sunset
• implementing the recommendations of the Department of Regulatory Agencies and the department's 2025 Sunset
• Regulatory Agencies and the Department's Regulatory Agencies and the Department's 2025<00:36:17.840> Sunset
• 2025 Sunset Report. 2025 Sunset Report.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received a series of committee reports advancing several House bills and one Senate bill, including measures from Education, Local Government and Housing, Judiciary, Health and Human Services, Transportation and Energy, and Agriculture and Natural Resources. Among the reported actions, Senate Bill 99 was postponed indefinitely, House Bill 1051 was referred to Appropriations, and multiple bills were sent to the Committee of the Whole, some with recommendations for the consent calendar. During floor action, the Senate adopted House Bill 1090 on second reading, concerning teacher licensing requirements, and later adopted House Bill 1232 on second reading after a Judiciary Committee amendment. HB 1232 prohibits certain monetary assessments against juveniles in the justice system; supporters said the bill is intended to stop juveniles from being charged restitution or similar fees that do not aid rehabilitation or public safety. The chamber also laid over Senate Bill 63, Senate Bill 134, and the balance of the calendar to later dates, and adopted the Committee of the Whole reports by 33-0 votes with two excused. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 1021, which supports Colorado farmers markets by encouraging the Department of Agriculture to work with the Farmers Market Association and expand access, especially in rural communities. In personal privilege remarks, senators recognized Purple Day/Epilepsy Awareness Day and honored the Abeyta family and others affected by SUDEP, as well as Mile High United Way and its founder Francis Wisebart Jacobs. A message from the Governor announced approval of Senate Bill 1, and the President signed several bills and resolutions. The Senate then announced committee meetings and adjourned until Friday, March 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have this thing looked at and sunsetted in 2029 to make sure it doesn't just, again, go off the
• Have we given it much thought and maybe given them a tax break when they're entering the program?
• And we do have a sunset on this. It doesn't go on forever. Thank you, Madam Chair. All right.
• So we... ...love this program. We would love to see it extended to 14 years.
• We have a very active program.

Bills: SB36, SB88, SB92, SB97, SB48, SB55, SB58, SB76, SB93, SB89, SB60

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• the chopping block, GT programs, dual language programs, librarians. communities and schools, and the
• . programs.
• to expand that program?
• This was following the Sunset Review that recommended that we move to this program.
• There has also been programs that y'all have funded, the jail-based competency restoration programs.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Industries that would benefit from career-focused programs and to collaborate with the Texas Education
• The TDLR license types that currently correspond with the Texas Education Agency CTU programs of study
• Regulations throughout the state that way we as legislators can then follow how the programs are doing
• HB 4767 abolishes the TDLR ATV and off-highway vehicle training program.
• Participation in the program is extremely low, and there's only one registered provider in the program

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:08.040> to<00:20:08.440> youth<00:20:08.920> sports<00:20:09.400> programs
• <00:20:10.000> and businesses, to youth sports programs and businesses, to youth sports programs
• Mayor Mullen, how long is this city tax in place, or is there no sunset date?
• in place or is there no sunset date? in place or is there no sunset date?
• The bill as drafted does not include a sunset date, so we don't have specific language on when it would

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 39, Long-Term Homeowner Tax Exemption, Sunset Repeal, sponsored by Senator KGO. >> Senator
• I [snorts] move introduction of Senate File 39, Long-Term Homeowner Tax Exemption, Sunset Repeal, and
• It is set to sunset July 1, 2027.
• And so really this is our chance to remove the sunset and keep that particular program in place at least
• President, this is the most popular program we have.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Within our traditional Medicaid program, we have our health system value-based program that operates
• into that program.
• Chair, that is because these rates are used by our SPED program and our expanded SPED program, which
• Way to administer this program, or the right federal authority to administer the program under.
• So if you think of programs in your area, and I don't know where you're from, So if you think of programs

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the state may be required to share in the costs of the administration of this new regulatory program
• that the state may be required to share in the costs of the administration of this new regulatory program
• regulatory program and of new inspection regulatory program and it<00:17:53.919> would<00:17:
• <00:25:53.039> preschool<00:25:54.039> kindergarten program preschool kindergarten program
• A community paramedicine mobile integrated health program, or a CPMI program, would focus on more community-based

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on several measures. On HB 1233 relating to storm water management, the Attorney General’s office said the state may need to share costs with counties for any new inspection or regulatory program. Testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and a community member who described her daughter’s death in a poorly maintained detention pond and urged statewide inspections and a comprehensive approach. A member asked the Attorney General about the cost-sharing issue, and the office said state appropriations would be needed if counties are required to take on new duties. The committee then heard HB 245 on student heat exposure safety. The Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure. A physician testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group described children’s vulnerability to heat and cited examples from other states that adopted stronger heat guidelines after school heat deaths. The Department of Education said it could do the feasibility study without additional funding and preferred to wait for the study before deciding on equipment needs. The Attorney General’s office later testified on HB 903, authorizing schools to maintain bronchodilators, supporting the concept but warning that the bill’s definition of school was broad and that DOE may not have jurisdiction over all covered entities; it suggested changing “protocol” to “guidelines” and involving the Public Charter School Commission. On HB 1314 relating to youth mental health, the Department of Education testified in opposition, though no additional testimony was offered. The committee also heard HB 1334 on meat donation, with DLNR and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the measure. HB 799 on health care drew support from HMSA and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, while the Department of Health said it supported the intent but wanted amendments, including limiting the bill to Maui, adding a sunset, and requiring a study of quality and access impacts. On HB 952 relating to Parkinson’s disease research, the Department of Health said the proposal would require additional appropriations and staffing and suggested a public-private partnership approach; the Hawaii Parkinson Association, Queen’s clinicians, and other supporters testified that a registry would help identify the number of patients and improve care. Finally, SHPDA strongly supported HB 1431 establishing an oral health task force, saying the state lacks sufficient dental oversight and that both keiki and kūpuna need better access to services.