Transcript Highlights:

• When services are restricted or removed from networks, the impact is immediate.
• long distances for care or pay high out-of-pocket costs due to inadequate provider networks and restrictive
• Small insurance networks and restrictive policies force many families to choose between traveling long
• And when they finally find the right provider, assignment-of-benefits restrictions mean that dentists
• The current system places a strain on both patients and providers, and ultimately restricts access to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if optometrists are so restricted in what they can do, they're certainly not fleeing the state to
• So if optometrists are so restricted in what they can, we're going to, we're population is grown by 2%
• So if optometrists are so restricted in what they can do, they're certainly not fleeing the state to
• This bill would unnecessarily restrict what a trained licensed doctor of optometry may provide.
• patient safety, the right solution is competency-based standards and oversight, not artificial restrictions

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3111, which concerns bail bonds oversight. Representative Phelps offered a committee substitute that moved bail bondsmen into the existing Board of Private Investigators, Private Fire Investigators, and Professional Surety Bail Bonds to avoid a fiscal note. An amendment was adopted to remove fee caps in the substitute, and the committee then adopted the revised substitute and voted it do pass 21-0. The committee then heard Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233, the CPA licensure bill, along with related provisions for social work supervisors and speech pathologists. Senator Trent and supporters from the Missouri Society of CPAs, the speech-language association, the social work community, and the State Auditor’s Office said the bill would address CPA shortages by creating a new licensure path based more on experience, while preserving exam standards and adding reciprocity. No opposition was offered, and the hearing concluded without a vote. House Bill 2999 on optometry scope of practice drew extensive testimony and debate. The sponsor and ophthalmology witnesses described the bill as a negotiated compromise that would codify specific procedures optometrists may perform, while opponents from optometry argued it would freeze scope in statute, limit modernization, and require repeated legislative action as standards change. Witnesses disagreed sharply over whether the bill improved patient safety and access, whether the procedures were already within current practice, and whether surgical procedures such as lasers should be included. The bill was heard but no committee action was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2957 on respiratory therapist licensure. Representative Castile and respiratory care witnesses said the bill would phase out the CRT as the entry credential for new applicants in favor of the higher RRT standard, while grandfathering current CRTs and adding renewal audits to confirm active credentials. Supporters said the change reflects current training standards and would raise patient-care quality without reducing workforce numbers. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing adjourned without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Restricted access to audio and video in the courtroom and the administrative proceedings.
• with Representative John Kane on that project, and I've got the executive orders that were signed, restricted
• I've got the executive orders that were signed, restricting our access further and further from April
• And I don't know what there is to hide, but I don't believe you should be restricting everyone's access
• You restrict all good businesses, which creates a thriving black market.

Summary: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority advisory council met for its first public comment session, approved the November 21, 2025 minutes, and heard extensive comments from patients, industry members, and advocates. Public testimony focused on concerns about proposed legislative changes, including potency limits, tax increases, grow-license caps, reclamation bonds, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and bills affecting employee credentialing and edible definitions. Commenters also raised transparency concerns about the council’s composition, OMMA’s “secret shopper” program, access to records, and the need for more patient, processor, lab, and small-business representation. OMMA leadership gave agency updates, reporting that the medical portal had improved after earlier problems and that turnaround times were now about 36 days for commercial renewals, same day for credentials and transport agents, and eight days for patients. The agency also said it had added an administrative actions tab to its website, was moving forward with QA lab accreditation, and was working more closely with law enforcement on hemp-derived cannabinoid enforcement. The new Chief Science Officer reported accreditation progress for the QA lab, completion of several validation processes, 12 lab cases filed for 2024-2025 inspections, and one lab license revoked for noncompliance. Legislative staff reviewed bills moving through the session, including measures extending a moratorium, capping commercial grow licenses at 2,550, repealing the grow bond and adding a reclamation fee, and limiting THC in certain products, though one THC-cap bill had been amended into an advertising bill. Council discussion centered on proposed 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package limits, with members arguing those limits could harm patients who need individualized dosing and create business disruptions. Members also discussed the need for better scientific testing methods, more timely inspection reports, and clearer guidance on license transfers. A major portion of the meeting addressed coordination between OMMA and OBNDD on enforcement against illegal or “gas station” cannabis products and bad actors. OBNDD explained its role in criminal enforcement, the use of search warrants and emergency suspensions, and how OMMA license revocations automatically affect OBN registrations. OMMA said it is now receiving more regular information from OBNDD and using that data to shut down licenses more quickly. The council also discussed whether public-facing license information should be redacted for safety, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's referenced in the bill to say that the CPP program is not an appropriate, less restrictive alternative
• because not all people that participate in the program have victimized people or need these types of restrictions
• It would severely restrict DHS's ability to place individuals and also, once again, incorrectly implies
• They're not, and they don't require the same restriction, so asking for a no.
• developmental and intellectual disabilities who have been in a program for years that is overly restrictive

Bills: HB2510, SGA9305

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• faith in at least our local sheriff or someone who doesn’t want to see someone else’s voting rights restricted
• Two years ago, said a word sponsor piece of legislation to restrict use of carrying firearms at polling
• purpose of this bill is to walk back the amendments that were made to Senate Bill 261 that would restrict
• They shouldn't be burdened with this type of restriction and constraint in their approach to doing their
• to you, but again, I'm just thinking about the law as described here and making sure that the restrictions

Bills: HB195, HB279, SB30, HB234, HB292, SB100, SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records

Summary: The committee first heard SB 264, which would create state criminal and civil penalties for election interference, including stationing armed personnel at polling places or drop boxes, changing voter qualifications or election procedures contrary to state law, and obstructing or intimidating voters, poll workers, or election administrators. The sponsor and Secretary of State staff said the bill was a response to concerns about possible federal interference in New Mexico elections and was modeled largely on existing federal law, while also adding emergency-related provisions for counties affected by disasters. Support came from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Center for Public Policy; there was no opposition testimony. After questions about enforcement, federal conflict, and the role of local law enforcement, the committee passed SB 264 on a due-pass motion. The committee then took up SB 261, a related bill revising firearm restrictions at polling places. The sponsor said the bill would remove most exemptions that had allowed firearms in or around polling locations, while preserving limited exceptions for election administrators to request law enforcement assistance and for certain rural or co-located law enforcement offices. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Center for Public Policy, argued that firearms at polls can intimidate voters and poll workers and that the bill would create clearer, safer rules. Opponents, including representatives of a rifle and pistol club, a county sheriff’s office, and the New Mexico Business Coalition, argued that concealed carry holders and officers should not be treated as threats, that the bill could create confusion or criminalize lawful conduct, and that law enforcement needs to remain armed to respond to emergencies and protect polling sites. Committee members debated constitutional tailoring, rural enforcement issues, and how the bill would interact with the earlier election-interference bill. The committee ultimately passed the Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 261 on a due-pass vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 221, which would add a new crime and racketeering predicate for theft and misappropriation of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. The sponsor, the Attorney General’s office, and industry and law enforcement witnesses said oilfield theft has become more organized and dangerous, causing environmental damage, safety hazards, lost production, and revenue losses, and that existing laws are not sufficient to address the conduct. An opponent questioned whether the conduct was already illegal and argued that the bill singled out one industry and could overcriminalize conduct already covered by other laws and regulations. After discussion about proportionality and whether the bill was necessary, the committee voted on the Judiciary Committee substitute and the motion failed on a tie vote, so SB 221 did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment prohibits counties or municipalities from levying a fee on or restricting commercial advertising
• already has a labor shortage, and employers need to be able to hire quality employees with as few restrictions
• already has a labor shortage, and employers need to be able to hire quality employees with as few restrictions
• sometimes labor shortage, and employers need to be able to hire quality employees with as few restrictions
• to a full-time job with full-time benefits, having that ability to live that dream without any restrictions

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Missouri restrictions were upheld in a 74-page ruling on November 25, 2025.
• For years, many major medical organizations opposed restrictions on gender-related care for minors and
• Psychological Association says there is no scientific or health justification for legislation which restricts
• Psychological Association says there is no scientific or health justification for legislation which restricts
• access to Says there is no scientific or health justification for legislation which restricts access

Summary: The House met with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 5, 2026 by roll call vote, 134-2. During personal privilege remarks, a member recognized Bridget Williams, the first Black woman to lead the Heavy Constructors Association of Kansas City, in honor of Black History Month. The chamber then took up several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2273, 1946, 1814, and 2551, a large anti-trafficking package addressing sex trafficking, grooming, sextortion, terminology changes from “child pornography” to “child sexual abuse material,” a statewide anti-trafficking council, training requirements, expungement for some trafficking victims, and related criminal penalties, was debated at length over constitutional concerns but ultimately passed third reading 148-2. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1757, which helps school districts identify gifted students by the end of third grade, passed 142-8. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2375, a workers’ compensation reform measure clarifying the burden of proof and compensability standards, passed 86-62 after supporters said it would streamline claims and opponents called it unnecessary. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1788, regulating recurring political donations and increasing transparency, passed 134-16. House Bill 1628, a cleanup bill updating higher education and workforce development statutes and repealing outdated provisions including the Vietnam Veterans Survivors Grant, passed unanimously 153-0. The House also perfected House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2033, 1608, 1672, and 1854, a package centered on removing the sunset from the SAFE Act and continuing Missouri’s restrictions on gender-related medical treatment for minors; debate was sharply divided, with supporters citing child protection and opponents arguing it harms transgender youth and intrudes on parental and medical decision-making. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until February 10, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because you're not going to just channelize the water in restricted, unnatural ways that increase velocity
• It would be really, really hard because how do you restrict that?
• Now you're restricting commerce. ...to that point, it would be really, really hard.
• Because how do you restrict that? Now you're restricting commerce, potentially.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• terms of rentals, We received written comment that the tribes requested the board to reconsider a restriction
• The board agreed that water rentals above Milner did not require the five-year restriction any longer
• It also decreases the restrictive word count by 38 words, a 98% reduction. Thank you.
• many water users in eastern Idaho, including groundwater districts and canal companies, This is a restrictive
• The current existing rule is reduced by 1,681 words, a 24% reduction, and decreases the restrictive word

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on Idaho water infrastructure and management projects funded through state and federal grants. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association opened by describing statewide water challenges and emphasizing that recent legislative investments are being paired with private dollars to address aging infrastructure, improve reliability, and avoid future curtailment. He introduced presentations focused on Boise River Basin projects and Eastern Snake River Plain settlement-related work. Lori Gray of Nampa Meridian Irrigation District described a $21 million Ridenbaugh headworks replacement project near Barber Dam and Barber Park. She said the project will replace 1930s-era infrastructure, improve employee safety, increase delivery reliability, improve efficiency, and include fish screens, automated crest gates, and an OG weir. She outlined funding from a state aging infrastructure grant, a regional water sustainability grant, and federal WaterSMART funds, and gave a schedule showing work through 2026 and 2027. Daniel Hoke of Water District 63 presented the Treasure Valley Water Supply Project, which is using new monitoring, modeling, and forecasting to track declining drain return flows in the Boise River Basin and develop mitigation options, including a planned Fifteen Mile drain project to stabilize return flows. Jay Barlowji of Twin Falls Canal Company described a large canal lining and automation effort to reduce seepage, improve delivery efficiency, and add real-time monitoring at return-flow sites; he said the project totals about $26.3 million and is about two-thirds complete. Alan Jackson of Bingham Groundwater District discussed groundwater-to-surface-water conversions, a district-owned drill rig and planned monitoring wells, and annual mitigation water purchases under the settlement agreement. Aaron Dowling of Fremont-Madison Irrigation District described telemetry for groundwater meters, a pipeline replacement, a long-running North Fremont Canal pipeline project, automation that has increased reservoir storage, and smaller canal-company infrastructure upgrades. The committee then took up two rule dockets from the Idaho Department of Water Resources. It approved docket 37-0204-2501, revising the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Water Bank rules, after Mary Condon explained that the changes were the product of consultation with the tribes and stakeholders and mainly removed outdated or unnecessary provisions while clarifying rental applications, payments, and terms. Haley Johnson Wasco testified for the tribes in support. The committee also approved docket 37-0307-2501, revising stream channel alteration rules, after Aaron Gollart explained that the changes streamline the rules, add definitions and standards for bridges, culverts, permanent structures, rock riprap, and bioengineering, and reduce the overall word count. A third rule docket was postponed to another day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• terms of rentals, we received written comment that the tribes requested the board to reconsider a restriction
• The board agreed that water rentals above Milner did not require the five-year restriction any longer
• It also decreases the restrictive word count by 38 words, a 98% reduction. Thank you.
• This is a restrictive word count by 38 words, a 98% reduction. And with that, Mr.
• you today reduces the current existing rule by 1,681 words, a 24% reduction, and decreases the restrictive

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on Idaho water infrastructure and management projects funded through state and federal programs. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association opened by describing statewide water challenges and arguing that recent legislative investments are helping water users address aging infrastructure, drought, and changing demand before curtailment becomes necessary. Several water districts then described specific projects, including the Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District’s $21 million Ridenbaugh headworks replacement, the Boise River Water Master’s Treasure Valley Water Supply Project to improve monitoring and modeling of declining return flows, the Twin Falls Canal Company’s canal lining and automation work, Bingham Groundwater District’s monitoring wells and groundwater-to-surface-water conversions, and Fremont-Madison Irrigation District’s telemetry, pipeline replacement, canal automation, and related projects. Members asked questions about costs, timelines, seepage, aquifer impacts, and whether lining canals reduces recharge, and presenters generally emphasized intentional water management, mitigation, and the need to balance surface and groundwater systems. The committee then took up rule dockets. It approved the revised Shoshone-Bannock tribal water supply bank rules after testimony from the Department of Water Resources and a tribal representative, with the department explaining that the revisions were developed through consultation and public comment and would streamline and clarify the rules while preserving the tribe’s ability to lease and rent stored water. The committee also approved revised stream channel alteration rules, which the department said would update definitions, add standards for permanent structures, rock riprap planting, and bioengineering, and remove outdated or duplicative language while preserving expedited review for common projects. In both cases, members asked brief clarifying questions, and the rules were adopted by motion without opposition. The committee then deferred the third rule docket to another day and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, section two restricts AI from directly interacting with clients in any form of therapeutic communication
• Where we have concerns is that several provisions as currently written may unintentionally restrict safe
• to address this and the problems we anticipate seeing in 2027 and beyond, when some of the most restrictive
• consequences that both too many and too few plan options cause, as well as the challenges created by the restrictions
• consequences that both too many and too few plan options cause, as well as the challenges created by the restrictions

Summary: The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on HB 2564 and HB 2599, then moved into executive session on several bills. HB 2599, which would restrict the use of AI in therapy and psychotherapy services, drew strong support from the prime sponsor, mental health professional groups, a privacy advocate, and an AI ethics researcher, all of whom warned that chatbots can mislead users, encourage delusions or self-harm, and lack licensure, accountability, and confidentiality protections. Several witnesses from health systems and telehealth organizations supported the bill’s intent but asked for narrower definitions and amendments to avoid unintended impacts on clinician-supervised tools, screening questionnaires, scribes, and other legitimate uses of AI. No vote was taken on HB 2599 during the hearing. HB 2564, which would give the Health Benefit Exchange authority to adopt market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, was presented as a way to address affordability, bare counties, and plan duplication. Supporters included the Exchange, consumer advocates, rural and tribal representatives, navigators, and some individual consumers, who said the bill could improve access, preserve bronze plan availability, and help stabilize the market in counties with too few carriers. Opponents from health plans, Regence, Premier, and insurance producer groups argued the bill would expand exchange authority without clear standards, could reduce competition and carrier participation, and might conflict with existing OIC filing and confidentiality processes; the OIC supported the bill but requested an amendment on rate disclosure timing. The committee then moved to executive session and later reported out HB 1784, HB 2242, HB 2384, and HB 2505 with due pass recommendations, while deferring action on HB 1809 and HB 2261. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1784 on certified medical assistants by an 18-0 vote, adopted one amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2242 on preventive services and immunization recommendations by an 11-7 vote, and passed a substitute for HB 2384 on actuarial reviews for continuing care retirement communities by a 16-2 vote. It also adopted an amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2505 on limited adult family home licensure exemptions for certain foster family situations by an 18-0 vote. The meeting adjourned after those actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have for you is when you talk about public and private with the private school have the same restriction
• Book restrictions on explicit content in schools.
• Allows one of the action to restrict access for everyone.
• We do not need the legislature coming in at bills and add to laws that well further restrict our parental
• delineates between that so we can say we can lock things that are inappropriate to address banning restriction

Transcript Highlights:

• face of increasing uncertainty within the federal administration and new unnecessary proposals to restrict
• Unfortunately, these safe and effective medications are unnecessarily restricted by the FDA and threatened
• Currently, the Washington stockpile is subject to restrictive conditions that make it difficult to distribute
• Currently, the Washington stockpile is subject to restrictive conditions that make it difficult to distribute
• Currently, the state stockpile has restrictive conditions that make it difficult to distribute, which

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5917, which would change how the Department of Corrections and Department of Health distribute abortion medications from state stockpiles. Staff and the bill sponsor said the measure would remove pricing restrictions, allow the medications to be donated or sold more flexibly to health care providers, and help avoid expiration of existing supplies. Supporters, including the Washington State Women’s Commission, the governor’s health policy advisor, DOH, physicians, and Pro-Choice Washington, said the bill would improve access to medication abortion and miscarriage care, especially for people facing barriers. Opponents argued it would expand state involvement in abortion, shift costs to taxpayers, and raise safety concerns. No vote was taken on the bill in the hearing portion shown. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6080, which would require written contracts before local jails accept people in federal custody and would prohibit some out-of-state transfers absent a valid judicial warrant. Senator Cleveland said the bill was prompted by a situation in Clark County and was intended to provide clarity, reimbursement, and accountability for local governments. Supporters from the Latino Community Fund, the Association of Counties, and the City of Vancouver said it would protect taxpayers and local discretion. The sheriffs’ association supported some of the bill’s goals but raised concerns about unintended consequences for routine federal arrests and wanted more clarification. The hearing on SB 6080 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6085, which would revise the Institutional Welfare Account, formerly the incarcerated individual betterment fund, to require more input from incarcerated people and their families on how the funds are spent and to change some allowable uses. The sponsor said the bill would ensure the account reflects current needs and supports family contact, reentry, and institutional safety. Testimony was mixed: the Washington State Reentry Council supported the concept but objected to requiring legislative appropriations and to using the funds for reentry services; a Department of Corrections representative supported the intent but raised concerns about removing law library funding without replacement. After testimony, the committee moved into executive session and considered several bills and amendments, including SB 5940, SB 5945, SB 5957, and SB 5966. Multiple amendments were offered and mostly failed on SB 5940 and SB 5945, while one amendment on SB 5945 passed. The committee advanced SB 5940, SB 5957, and SB 5966 with due-pass recommendations, and the transcript ends with the committee adjourning after the final action on SB 5966.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are things that public banks would comply with, but where there is not any type of restriction
• So I was wondering, are there any constitutional restrictions to holding state funds in a public bank
• So I was wondering, are there any constitutional restrictions to holding state funds in a public bank
• I'll flag that the bill does prohibit the bank from owning private securities, and it restricts membership
• And I just, the question that Bob had about what the constitutional restrictions would be, I'd just be

Summary: The committee first received a JLARC work session on the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences and recommending legislative action on eight. JLARC reviewed natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, and several shorter reviews including senior center property tax relief, a disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, trade convention nexus treatment, wholesale sales of fertilizer/pesticides/seed, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and three energy-related preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally recommended continuing preferences that met stated or inferred objectives, modifying some to improve reporting or performance metrics, and allowing the unused silicon smelter preferences to expire. The Citizen Commission endorsed JLARC’s recommendations, and committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about trends in travel agent/tour operator beneficiaries and the housing exemption’s performance metric and data issues. The committee then heard a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. A presentation from California public banking advocates and the Bank of North Dakota described public banks as government-owned financial institutions intended to keep public funds working locally, support lending for housing, infrastructure, and community development, and partner with community banks and credit unions. Committee questions focused on leverage, liquidity, constitutional issues, and how the model would interact with existing state investment and debt structures. Staff summarized the bill’s structure, including activation conditions, governance, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting the fiscal note was largely indeterminate and startup costs could be significant. Public testimony on SB 5754 was divided. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor, educators, community advocates, and residents, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, improve access to capital, keep public money in Washington, and help finance infrastructure, housing, and disaster resilience. Opponents included community bankers and county treasurers, who warned about risks to safety and liquidity of public funds, questioned the need for a new institution given existing programs, and argued the proposal lacked a proven track record in Washington. The hearing concluded with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• First-time offenses usually result in a one-year restriction.
• Compliance-based removal requires that drivers remain violation-free for the last 180 days of their restriction
• So there were about 66,000 drivers with device restrictions from January of 2018 through June of 2025
• Freeman did a good job of explaining that, but just as a refresher, the way the IID restriction works
• We stick the IID restriction onto the record, give the person a probationary license, and then as you

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on January 7, 2026, approved the December minutes, and adopted an amended work plan. Staff proposed moving the drug take-back program sunset review up to 2026 and delaying the thermal energy network pilot review to 2028, which would free capacity for new studies. Members also discussed active bills that would eliminate two recurring JLARC reports, including one on lodging tax revenue data collection, and the committee adopted the work plan without objection. JLARC staff then outlined new performance measures for the committee itself, covering effectiveness, efficiency, and quality. The measures include member and legislative satisfaction surveys, presentations to other committees, recommendation follow-up, staff retention, on-time report delivery, peer review results, and national recognition. Members praised the effort and did not take formal action, treating the measures as an ongoing process. The committee also heard a proposal to improve JLARC’s review of tax preference performance statements by adding a standard rubric in fiscal notes to assess whether a metric matches the policy objective, is measurable, uses reliable data, and allows enough time for evaluation. Members supported the pilot approach. Staff also described planned changes to public records reporting guidance, including opt-outs for low-volume metrics, better validation, targeted outreach to nonreporting agencies, and a survey of records officers. Two preliminary reports were presented. On ignition interlock devices, JLARC found that only 41% of drivers with a requirement had installed a device, with installation rates rising sharply with income; financial assistance reaches only about 11% of users, and JLARC recommended clearer program goals and stronger coordination between the Department of Licensing and State Patrol. On the drug take-back program, JLARC found that the fee structure tied to operator expenditures limits the Department of Health’s ability to recover oversight costs and recommended public reporting of oversight spending and a statutory change to better align fees with actual costs. Agency representatives generally agreed with the findings, described current coordination and administrative changes, and said they would consider the recommendations. No formal votes were taken on the reports, which will return in final form later in the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• replace it with language referencing our new accommodations for the next few years as it relates to restriction
• 00:12:34.480><c> to</c> the next few years as it relates to the next few years as it relates to restriction
• 35.920><c> lobbying</c><00:12:36.399><c> and</c><00:12:36.720><c> access</c><00:12:37.279><c> to</c> restriction
• of lobbying and access to restriction of lobbying and access to the<00:12:37.760><c> Senate</c><00:12
• And Rule 72, in terms of restrictions, we're replacing the term “janitor” with “clerk's staff.” Mr.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• line service line they all offered is actually what information can be provided to them and what restrictions
• Are there restrictions that we could potentially modify the state level that might help offset that issue
• such as law Enforcement, Rapid response times in the ability to stabilize situations in the least restrictive
• Those are more costly treatment settings and the more restrictive the setting, the sometimes Alice therapy
• Instead, this allowed her to begin receiving supporting the community rather than entering a more restrictive

Transcript Highlights:

• There's sort of three levels of restrictions to FIOC, meaning you cannot be eligible for the federal
• And those FIOC restrictions come in a phased manner.
• They progressively get more restrictive, which is why the green blocks—sorry, the yellow blocks—are in
• So there's a light set of restrictions up to July 4th.
• wanted to install solar on its roof through elective pay, if the solar project met all the FIOC restrictions

Transcript Highlights:

• This will also include restrictions on algorithms to show or promote content on the digital service.
• other addictive substances like nicotine, THC, and activities like gambling and alcohol that are restricted
• determine what’s appropriate for them to turn on or off these settings. settings being the most restrictive
• This includes restrictions on a minor's list of friends, contacts, or followers, to slow down or promote
• wholeheartedly support these associations and the MLS for their critical role, some of their rules can restrict

Bills: SB1361, SB2105, SB2690, SB2713, SCR38, SB2637, SB2881

Keywords: SB 1361, Texas disaster recovery loan, small business loan, micro-business loan, community development financial institution, CDFI, economic disaster assistance, post-disaster financing, business recovery fund, Texas Economic Development Bank, zero-interest loan, working capital, payroll support, health benefits, job retention, declared disaster, small business relief, microenterprise, franchise exclusion, private equity-backed business

Transcript Highlights:

• affected dairies were depopulated and the Texas Animal Health Commission established a movement restriction
• Members, cultivated oyster mariculture permit license holders have raised concerns about restrictions
• Specifically, these restrictions prohibit cleaning oyster cages on Texas bays instead of requiring license
• Members, cultivated oyster mariculture permit license holders have raised concerns about restrictions
• Specifically, these restrictions prohibit cleaning oyster cages on Texas bays instead of requiring license

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB 1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.