Transcript Highlights:

• is you know and we look and the case is you know and we look and unfortunately<00:16:12.639> we
• cases and it's disturbing<00:16:19.000> Society<00:16:20.000> because<00:16:20.279>
• <00:16:26.920> is construction or whatever the case is construction or whatever the case is
• In this case, we made a decision to side with the providers, and that's how that particular situation
• In this case, we made a decision to side with the providers, and that's how that particular situation

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:11 Attendance Roll Call: 00:18 Senate Bill 10 (Sen. Mills): 01:47 Senate Bill 65 (Sen. West): 18:47 Senate Bill 104 (Sen. Madon): 25:41 Adjournment: 31:38, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government heard testimony on Senate Bill 10, which would revise CERS retiree health subsidies for members who began participating on or before July 1, 2003. Senator Mills said the bill was developed with employee and employer groups to improve retiree health benefits while protecting the system’s financial footing, using a shared-cost structure. Testimony from sheriffs, police chiefs, firefighters, and the League of Cities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing recruitment and retention, affordability of retiree health coverage, and limited taxpayer risk. Members echoed those points, and the committee approved SB 10 with a 9-0 favorable recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator West, which would codify the Administrative Regulations Committee’s annual practice of placing certain deficient regulations into statute so they cannot take effect. West explained that the committee’s role is limited to finding regulations deficient or asking for deferral, and that SB 65 is the fifth version of this measure. He described the specific regulation at issue as a Medicaid Services rule that would have required behavioral health associates to hold a master’s degree; providers testified that it would reduce the workforce and harm behavioral health services statewide. West said the committee had deferred the matter eight times before deciding to side with providers. The bill received favorable expression and was reported out. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, sponsored by Senator Madon, concerning Kentucky Deferred Comp for state employees. The bill would establish a codified fiduciary standard, authorize fiduciary liability insurance, add self-correcting mechanisms to keep the plan in compliance with federal law, and allow self-directed brokerage accounts. Personnel Cabinet representatives said the changes would align the plan with other public pension plans, reduce risk, and offer participants a useful investment option with strong account growth among users. SB 104 also received favorable expression and was reported to the floor. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:08.079> and separate from a criminal case and separate from a criminal case and independent
• The filing dragged on until the court case was docketed for January of 2025.
• She's the one that's casting the deciding vote on a lot of these cases.
• but would you circumstances in this case but would you not<00:21:45.559> have<00:21:45.679>
• there was a development within the case there was a development within the case so<00:25:50.039>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was um they it did uh estimate 26 cases was um they it did uh estimate 26 cases per<00:07:19.000
• , which is $33,000 per case.
• > know<00:09:43.120> about $33,000 per case um I don't know about $33,000 per case um I
• <00:10:17.120> it rare when there was a jump in cases it rare when there was a jump in cases
• Thank you, Representative Maser. cases um the the last year was its full cases um the the last year was

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's always the case.
• So, at this point, if we on both cases.
• Um but uh there are the the the case.
• So, in in this case, there Mr. Clerk.
• ,<00:45:59.280> the to me that in either case, the to me that in either case, the representative

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When consumer fraud enforcement cases.
• But in most cases restitution directly.
• > the<00:40:35.920> value<00:40:36.400> is case, the monies or the value is case
• <00:54:00.720> This case is venued in St. Louis County. This case is venued in St.
• > zoning<01:25:00.400> cases<01:25:01.280> and property cases they do zoning cases

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:59.399> like New Hampshire and that um cases like New Hampshire and that um cases like
• I've done thousands of these cases, literally thousands of these cases.
• <01:01:05.760> literally thousands of these cases literally thousands of these cases literally
• license for it doesn't in this case license for it doesn't in this case doesn't<01:03:11.440>
• There was a case called Cassidy, State v.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Three cases, yes sir. And this is from Heritage.
• Under 10, I found four specific cases in Texas.
• That will no longer be the case under your rules.
• So you believe in this case? Because we all know who he is.
• Further, these cases are extremely rare.

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I said, in every case, benefiting your employer is not ipso facto a benefit to you because you
• If that's not the case, if what Chris Stanley did when he approved the change to EEC's subcontract was
• If that's not the case, if what Chris Stanley did when he approved the change to EEC's subcontract was
• The board is free to interpret the law as written to the facts of this case.
• , and as a matter of law, this case should be decided in her favor.

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Representative Tara Simmons, docketed as Legislative Ethics Board case 2025-5. The hearing concerned Simmons’ motion for summary judgment in an ethics complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.52.020 (conflicts of interest) and RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges), based on her work involving an EEC proviso, her employment relationship with EEC, a campaign surplus donation connected to AEJG and Jerry Stone, her involvement in an AEJG-EEC subcontract dispute, and related text messages with Anthony Powers. No evidence was taken; the session focused on legal argument over whether the alleged facts, if accepted as true, were sufficient to establish violations as a matter of law. Simmons’ counsel argued the complaint was legally insufficient because the alleged actions benefited her employer or others, not Simmons herself, and that existing board opinions allow legislators to support employers absent a direct personal benefit. He also argued the board was effectively trying to adopt a new bright-line rule prohibiting legislators from funding employers, which he said would be an improper retroactive change. Board staff, through Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, opposed summary judgment and argued the facts were enough to show Simmons had an indirect financial or other interest in EEC’s funding, that her job duties and legislative actions created conflicts, and that her actions around the donation, subcontract dispute, and text messages could be viewed as using her position to secure special privileges. A board member asked whether the allegations themselves were sufficient and whether the standard required assuming the facts as alleged; staff responded that the motion failed because the record contained sufficient facts to proceed, and that any factual disputes should be resolved at hearing. After rebuttal, the ALJ closed the oral argument and turned the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Board for deliberation. No ruling was issued during the hearing, and the board was to decide whether to grant the summary judgment motion or set the case for an evidentiary hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've litigated a ton of failure to disclose cases.
• I've litigated a ton of failure to disclose cases. There are very popular cases.
• I've litigated a ton of failure-to-disclose cases.
• There are very popular cases pursuant to Johnson v.
• What this is saying is providing a defense in a case that should exist.

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now OPEC's primary focus is litigation, and when utilities request a rate case increase, the cost of
• As a result, rate case expenses, which include legal and technical expert fees, ultimately show up on
• For example, utilities could be required to pay for half of any rate case expenses like attorney fees
• Although both might be the case, both could be the case. OK.
• There are some that are sort of, there are test cases coming up around the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Case after case over decades has shown that when they fail to do so, the cases are thrown out.
• . cases. cases.
• And in case after case, the law them.
• <06:29:07.440> and a case assigned himself four cases and a case assigned himself four cases
• But the right way to deal with judges who take cases is to take another case, a total of four cases so

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a lot of different states to study as far as how this is working in those cases.
• The children should have that in so many cases in this state where we have parents who have to do pro
• appointment of counsel to improve case appointment of counsel to improve case planning,<00:15:49.240
• Then in that case, I will close the hearing on Senate Bill 515. consent.
• Then in that case, I will that? Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And before that, even, there was a really egregious case.
• Right now, there's an ongoing case, the Salvation Army case.
• Careful, especially when we're talking about faith, because we have a case right now.
• of the plaintiff in that case, then that'll...
• federal case is settled, because until that federal case is settled... you're going to have addicts

Transcript Highlights:

• SOLUTION FLORIDIANS MAY ACCESS SERVICES THROUGH ANY WORKFORCE PARTNER WITH A COMMON INTAKE FORM AND CASE
• IN ADDITION THE FL WINS HELPDESK AND OUR AGENCY CROSS TRAINING MODULES FOR THE CASE MANAGERS AT AGENCIES
• IN THE CASE OF CAREER SOURCE SOUTH FLORIDA.LAO LAW ALLOWS LOCAL BOARDS TO REQUEST WAIVERS TO THAT 50%
• SO MUCH OF THE TRAINING COMES ALONG WITH THE CASE MANAGEMENT AND CAREER SERVICES, THEY ARE INTENDED TO
• Weller: WE THREW WIOA THEY WILL HAVE HAD TO RECEIVED SERVICES INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I feel passionately about just explaining why that is the case.
• It was not the case.
• I think it's a pretty easy case for most of all of this.
• Okay, and there's another case.
• , when they use the moniker of gun violence, are self-inflicted cases.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard AB 402, which would increase Cal Grant award amounts for students attending private nonprofit colleges and allow community college transfer entitlement awards to be used at those institutions. The author and supporters said the bill would restore award levels to their 2001 value and improve access for low- and middle-income, working, military, and transfer students. Several witnesses from private nonprofit universities, community college districts, and advocacy groups supported the measure. Senators raised concerns about the prior Cal Grant agreement tied to Associate Degree for Transfer participation and about the need to fund broader Cal Grant reforms, but the bill advanced on a unanimous due-pass vote to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee then took up AB 2067, a sunset extension for lease-lease-back authority for TK-12 school construction through July 1, 2032. The author and supporters from school housing and contractor groups said the method provides flexibility, early collaboration, cost control, and legal certainty for school construction projects. Senators asked how often lease-lease-back and other alternative delivery methods are used, and whether the skilled-and-trained workforce provisions limit competition. Some members objected to the skilled-and-trained requirement, while others said the bill simply preserves an existing tool without changing labor rules. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with Senator Ochoa Bogh voting no, and was placed on call. AB 1204, which would revise the Local Control Funding Formula by increasing supplemental and concentration grants, lowering the concentration threshold, adding regional cost adjustments, and setting a minimum annual COLA floor, drew extensive testimony on both sides. Supporters said the bill better reflects regional costs, inflation, and student need, especially for low-income, multilingual, and unhoused students. Opponents, including several school district leaders, argued it would widen funding disparities and divert money from the LCFF base grant, which they said should be the priority. Committee members also questioned the fiscal impact, the proposed 4% COLA floor, and whether the bill had enough research and stakeholder consensus. Despite those concerns, the bill was advanced to Appropriations on a due-pass vote and placed on call. Finally, the committee heard AB 1235, which would require a skilled-and-trained workforce process for CSU design-build projects to align CSU with UC and community college construction rules. Supporters said it would improve training and project quality, while opponents from contractor groups argued it would reduce competition, increase costs, and impose mandates without evidence of better outcomes. Several senators objected to the skilled-and-trained requirement as limiting opportunities for contractors who comply with state law, while others noted the issue was already common in higher education construction. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final vote on AB 1235 was captured.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you go over to the next page, it just talks about how many cases, particular cases we've had.
• Cases, particular cases we've had, right away there was a number.
• So you can see what type of cases when it came to how many case loads when it came to water, fresh water
• each case down.
• Madam Chair, I believe that is the case. Madam Chair, I believe that is the case on the process.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Granger, I provided you two cases.
• One was the Wheeler case and the other is the Reyer case.
• You had wanted those cases.
• I think one's a '73 case and then Royer was '78.
• Um there hasn't been a case be good law.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that the case with all interconnection cases, or is that limited to that specific case?
• There has been no whistleblower or retaliation cases brought against the board.
• In that case, the State Board of Education ruled unanimously in the board's favor.
• And so I do think this is an appropriate audit in this case to try to root out this question.
• And I've... ...audit in this case to try to root out this question.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Arkansas and Louisiana, pertussis outbreaks last year led to more than 800 combined cases.
• If they didn't close it for one case, my kid could die. I wanted to bring a case study here.
• If they didn't close it for one case, my kid could die.
• And I wanted to bring, you know, a case study here. He's not the only one.
• Florida has a huge number of pediatric cancer cases.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 1082 would let providers or insurers in state-regulated commercial plans opt into the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims, with a late-filed amendment clarifying access to the state program in certain circumstances. The bill sponsor and emergency physicians said the measure would reduce litigation and improve payment resolution; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168 would centralize background screening work for the care provider clearinghouse at the Agency for Health Care Administration and update related screening rules, including sealed and expunged records for qualified entities. The sponsor said the change would speed turnaround and reduce duplication; an amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1156 would move ambulatory surgical center regulation out of Chapter 395 into a standalone section of law, and it was reported favorably without amendment. SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designations change, allowing them to continue seeing current patients and potentially new patients in their existing area subject to board oversight. The committee heard support from health system representatives and reported the bill favorably. The final and most debated measure, SB 1756 on medical freedom, would require vaccine education materials and alternative schedules, expand school immunization exemptions to conscience-based objections, clarify limits on emergency vaccination orders, and allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin behind the counter with written information. The sponsor and supporters framed it as parental choice and access, while physicians, public health advocates, cancer advocates, and parents of immunocompromised children warned it would lower vaccination rates and increase disease risk. The committee adopted a liability-related amendment, rejected a substitute amendment that would have required consultation for exemptions, and continued hearing public testimony opposing the bill; the transcript ends before final action on SB 1756.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's been said that our case is a one-off, or an isolated incident.
• So it's been said that our case is a one-off, or an isolated incident.
• So it's been said that our case is a one-off, or an isolated incident.
• He was on our committee... that heard our case.
• McKinney, turn it over to you. case may be. It's apples and oranges.

Summary: The committee hearing focused on biosolids, sewage sludge, and PFAS contamination, with the opening remarks and first three presenters arguing that land application of municipal sludge poses serious risks to soil, water, livestock, and human health. Representative Shaw cited EPA and state data on detected pollutants and PFAS in biosolids, while Denise Travick Poyer described her background in chemical engineering and PFAS work and said the EPA’s draft sewage sludge risk assessment shows unacceptable risk at very low PFOS/PFOA levels. She urged source reduction, more testing, and consideration of total organic fluorine, and noted examples from Michigan where industrial pretreatment and source reduction reduced PFAS in biosolids. Johnson County, Texas Commissioner Larry Woolley and Investigator Dana Ames presented a case study of alleged runoff from land-applied biosolids affecting a ranch, with high PFAS readings in soil, water, fish, cattle tissue, and a stillborn calf, and said the county and state had pursued investigations, lawsuits, and legislative responses. Sandra Trawick of Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranches argued that Oklahoma’s biosolids program relies heavily on Class B sludge, that current rules are outdated, and that land application exposes farms and rural communities to pathogens, chemicals, odors, flies, and runoff; she cited examples from Maine, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma to support calls for stronger regulation or a ban. After the testimony, members asked about sampling methods, lab testing, EPA limits, and whether the cited PFAS blood levels were comparable to the soil and sludge measurements. Witnesses said the Johnson County samples were collected by a Texas A&M PhD contractor and tested at a single lab, and they explained that the EPA’s 4 parts per trillion figure applied to municipal drinking water standards. Questions also addressed whether sludge is incorporated into soil; Trawick said it had often been left on the surface, though she had seen better disking after public scrutiny. Members asked how biosolids compare with manure and feedlot waste, and witnesses responded that municipal sludge is more contaminated because it includes industrial, hospital, and household waste streams, unlike animal manure. The committee then moved to alternative solutions, hearing from Doug McKinney of Advanced Microbial Solutions, who promoted biological sludge removal using bacteria to reduce sludge volumes and avoid land application, citing cost savings for wastewater plants and correctional facilities. Jason Jepsen of Eden Energy followed with a pitch for an eight-stage waste-to-energy system that converts mixed waste into clean energy, biochar, and reusable products, framing waste as an asset and presenting his company’s technology as a no-land-application alternative.