Transcript Highlights:

• These operations exist entirely outside of consumer safeguards.
• These operations exist entirely outside of consumer safeguards.
• I think it was concurrent with an ask for, like, you know, large warehouse spaces.
• operate, perform, and audit differently than we do in Florida?
• I mean of actual casino operations in the state. Are there audits? We do routinely.

Bills: S0468 , S0822 , S1234 , S1260 , S1580 , S1706

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• These operations exist entirely outside of consumer safeguards.
• How do they operate, perform, and audit differently than we do in Florida?
• Slightly different access and capacity for auditing individual operators.
• I mean actual casino operations in the state. Are there audits? We do, routinely.
• You're operating an unlicensed gaming facility, so it often starts...

Bills: S0468 , S0822 , S1234 , S1260 , S1580 , S1706

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. SB 468 would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control and allow release of patient records in good faith; it was reported favorably with support from animal welfare groups. SB 1706 narrows eligibility for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to buildings with at least 80% owner-occupied units and residents at or below 80% of area median income, and it also passed favorably. SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was amended extensively to clarify permit exemptions, private-provider rules, and timelines, then reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1260, dealing with building inspections after emergencies, was amended to require state-term contracts for inspection vendors and then passed. SB 822 would require professionally managed community associations above a budget threshold; an amendment raised the threshold to $750,000, added a parcel-count trigger, and allowed direct-hire credentialed managers, after which the bill was reported favorably. SB 1580 would increase penalties for illegal gaming operations, add enforcement tools, and clarify procedures for veterans organizations; after removing a fantasy sports provision, it also passed favorably. The committee also heard from several appointees and reappointees to the Public Service Commission and Florida Gaming Control Commission. Public Service Commission nominees Anna Ortega and Robert Payne were questioned closely about utility hardening projects, ratepayer costs, and the role of the Office of Public Counsel. Gaming Commission reappointee Julie Brown and appointees William Spacola, John DeQuilla, Peter Cutterman, and Tina Rep discussed illegal gaming enforcement, audits, agency operations, and their backgrounds in law, regulation, law enforcement, and public service. Several members raised concerns about contract timing and evidence handling at the Gaming Commission, while others praised the nominees’ experience and service. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 1 through 7. Members then requested favorable placement on the record for specific bills, including SB 468, SB 1234, SB 1260, SB 1580, and SB 1706, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we not allowed to accept bingo equipment to operate these things as it is today?
• I just don't understand how you're operating without this language. And maybe I'm...
• HB 2820 would relieve financial strain on charitable bingo organizations by increasing the operating
• Expenses to operate a bingo hall for one week exceed $22,000.
• I own and operate St. Elmo Brewing Company here in Austin, Texas. I started St.

Bills: HB 1301 , HB2278 , HB2776 , HB2820 , HB3848 , HB3920 , HB4172 , HB4215 , HB4284 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4517 , HB4690 , HB4765 , HB4766 , HB4767 , HB4768 , HB4769 , HB4773 , HB4830 , HB5506

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: alcohol, beverages, winery permit, restaurant, malt beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, alcohol production, home brewing, family use, craft beverages, massage therapy, licensing, criminal offenses, sexually oriented businesses, public safety, bingo, charitable gaming, operating capital, regulation, funding

Summary: The Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures met with a quorum present, corrected the minutes from April 8, and then took up a long list of pending bills, most of which were reported favorably or left pending after hearing testimony. Early action included HB 1764 (accounting practice for certain out-of-state CPAs), HB 1788 (continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists on recognizing and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking), HB 2204 (land surveyor regulation), HB 2885 (local option elections on alcohol sales), HB 2996 (gambling offense definitions and prosecution), HB 3250 (real estate appraisals and appraisal management companies), HB 3352 (driver education on work zones), HB 3385 (farm winery permit), HB 3756 (powers of certain nonresident sellers’ permit holders who also hold a winery permit), HB 3816 (cruelty to livestock animals), HB 3913 (real estate licensing), and HB 3928 (electronic notice of towed vehicles), all of which were advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several of these bills were reported with committee substitutes, and some were also sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars. The committee then heard testimony on HB 2278, which would legalize limited home distilling of spirits for personal or family use and add honey as an approved ingredient; supporters framed it as a consistency and freedom issue, and the bill was left pending. HB 3920, a TDLR workforce/CTE bill, and HB 1301, which would allow beer or malt beverages to be sold at certain wineries with on-site restaurants, were also laid out and left pending after discussion. HB 2776, aimed at tightening massage therapy licensing restrictions for people convicted of sexual and trafficking-related offenses and strengthening TDLR enforcement, and HB 3848, which would allow electronic filing of elevator and escalator inspection reports, were both heard and left pending as well. A major portion of the meeting focused on alcohol-related bills. HB 4215 would place delivery network companies under a statewide TDLR regulatory framework; Favor Delivery supported it, and it was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. HB 4172 and HB 2820 would raise bingo reserve limits and update charitable bingo rules; supporters from veterans and nonprofit groups argued the changes would help charities, but both bills were left pending after the substitutes were withdrawn. HB 4463, a broadly supported bill allowing contract brewing and alternating brewery proprietorships, was also left pending. HB 4284 would remove the “excessive discount” prohibition in alcohol sales, HB 4285 would allow airlines to store alcohol within five miles of an airport in the same county, HB 4517 would create a complaint process for Texas distillers not paid by wholesalers, and HB 4773 would let breweries and brewpubs transport their own beer between facilities; HB 4773 drew the most debate, with supporters citing efficiency and opponents warning about unintended consequences and possible effects on the three-tier system, but it too was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending a series of TDLR cleanup bills and other measures, including HB 4765 through HB 4769, HB 4830 on service contracts for lease vehicles, HB 5506 giving civil immunity to ringside physicians at combative sports events, and HB 4690 on gasoline vapor pressure compliance. The meeting ended after all business was completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it was also really important to cover the operating adjustments in this area because without doing
• But it was also really important to cover the operating adjustments in this area because without doing
• But it was also really important to cover the operating adjustments in this area because without doing
• </c> something different than warehouse something different than warehouse people<00:25:53.919><c> in
• We funded operating adjustments branch.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the private sector, I leveraged my leadership and business operations expertise to advise companies
• I have been privileged to serve as a judge advocate during operational deployments to Gaza, twice to
• You know, back at Redstone Arsenal, there are two warehouses, as we speak, that are going up.
• the military warehouse is going to take double the amount of time to build and 150% over the cost of
• Now, I will say, Senator, in 20 years of counterinsurgency counterterrorism operations, we have had a

Committees: Senate Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities , Senate Subcommittee on Seapower , Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces , Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of the operating engineers and the Carpenters unions.
• </c> consumed in constructing and operating consumed in constructing and operating these<00:41:18.400
• the terms that they operate under.
• <01:12:36.960><c> in</c><01:12:37.080><c> the</c> warehouses in the warehouses in the Carolinas<01:12
• </c> their workhouses their their warehouses their workhouses their their warehouses that<01:13:56.280

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• And we had a small warehouse in Burlington, Washington. We have a huge warehouse in Spokane.
• We now have—we just leased another warehouse in Lacey.
• And then those warehouse, man,...
• The building is worth nothing if it's not operating.
• What happens when they no longer continue to operate in our state?

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, then moved through gubernatorial appointments and a series of floor votes. It confirmed Acacia E. Ingram to the Evergreen State College Board of Trustees, Ashland J. Tibbet and David S. Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Members spoke in support of the appointees’ public service and ties to higher education. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring a Colfax basketball coach who died of pancreatic cancer, followed by a caucus break. The Senate then considered several bills, passing measures on derelict vessels (SHB 2199), radiologic technologist supervision (HB 2113), nitrous oxide retail sales (ESHB 2532), ambulance transport fund alignment (HB 2531), EMT recertification (HB 2540), affordable housing on religious property (2SHB 1859), factory-built housing standards (SHB 2151), social housing public development authorities (EHB 1687), the Washington Voting Rights Act and voter suppression claims (ESSHB 1750), privacy and data protection reporting and AI use (HB 2606), military family school stability (ESHB 2534), coal-fired utility treatment (HB 2367), and school access to albuterol (SHB 2360). Most passed on strong bipartisan roll calls, though the voting-rights bill and coal-utility bill drew the most debate and partisan division. Several bills were amended on the floor. The Senate adopted changes to the nitrous oxide bill, the factory-built housing bill, the social housing bill, the albuterol bill, and the 3D-printer/firearm-manufacturing bill (ESHB 2320), while rejecting some proposed amendments on the voting-rights and 3D-printer bills. Debate centered on whether the voting-rights bill set too low a threshold for lawsuits and whether the coal-utility bill gave improper treatment to coal generation; supporters framed both as needed protections or transition measures, while opponents warned about litigation and policy overreach. The chamber also discussed tribal consultation in energy siting (SHB 2496), ultimately passing it after a close vote, and later returned to the 3D-printer bill, which advanced after amendments narrowed exemptions for gunsmiths and dealers and clarified the bill’s focus on digital files used to manufacture firearms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, yeah, I don't think, and I've been operating under the assumption that currently...
• I've been operating under the assumption that currently we're doing it that way, but it's not.
• we no longer offer for sale at all, we still print 10 historical copies and keep here and at our warehouse
• so that there's... ...historical copies and keep here and at our warehouse so that there's hard copies

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1470, presented by Representative Cupps on behalf of Senator Bernsketter. The bill would update statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research by allowing revised statutes to be provided free in web-based form rather than as free physical copies, directing sales revenue into a statutory revision fund, changing the committee’s required meeting frequency from at least once every three months to at least twice a year, and extending the time to appoint a chair after the General Assembly convenes from 10 to 30 days. Cupps said the changes were intended as cleanup and efficiency measures reflecting how the committee has operated since staffing reductions in 2015. Members questioned whether the bill would reduce accountability by lowering the minimum meeting requirement, whether any other statutes would need cleanup if hard-copy publication changes, and whether virtual meetings should be considered. Cupps and later staff said the committee could still meet more often if needed and that the bill was meant to avoid unnecessary meetings when there is no business to conduct. Representative Steinhoff raised concerns about the statutory revision fund cap and whether the fiscal note matched the bill’s change from supplement costs to general republication costs. Director Matt Morris testified that the free-copy language is outdated, that the committee no longer has authority to give away revised statutes for free, and that the fund currently nets about $8,300 to $8,400 annually; he said a general republication could cost roughly $270,000 to $300,000 or more, with the bill intended to preserve enough reserve for that possibility and for server costs. No witnesses testified in opposition. The hearing concluded with the chair indicating a House committee substitute would likely be prepared, and that another hearing may be held the following week. No vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I speak, tens of thousands of birds are sitting in barren warehouses and barns waiting to be shipped
• Responsible aviculturists already operate under federal, state, and local regulations.
• . ...operate transparently and invest heavily in animal welfare and consumer education.
• Do you have any operations in Massachusetts?
• Instead, it reduces demand for birds produced in large-scale commercial breeding operations and helps

Bills: H5432 , H5433 , S3093 , H5363 , H5137 , H5247

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also joined by Matt Lindaman, who is our operations director for any specifics, particularly on
• for any our operations director for any specifics<00:02:10.399><c> particularly</c><00:02:10.800><c>
• What we were looking at are things like, of course, our operating adjustment, which keeps us where we
• adjustment which is keeps us operating adjustment which is keeps us where<00:09:53.800><c> we</c><00
• </c> look at our budget our operating look at our budget our operating adjustment<00:10:56.800><c> the

Bills: HF627 , HF474 , HF361 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Everything is more of an operational Everything is more of an operational cost<00:10:47.640><c>
• And so that has been our mode of operation for quite some time that we've been operating under.
• It is a COT operated<00:54:07.920><c> um</c> operated um operated um entity.<00:54:09.840><c> Right.
• Uh, it does provide a central platform for managing Medicaid operations.
• </c> support the maintenance and operations support the maintenance and operations of<01:01:56.600><c

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then focused first on the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s legacy systems and two specific projects. COT officials said many agencies have made progress moving off legacy applications, with remaining mainframe systems slated to be retired through RFPs or other work orders. They also described a legacy funding pool of $10 million per biennium used to help agencies transition. The two projects discussed were the Kentucky aerial photography and elevation data program, which provides statewide aerial imagery and lidar data for GIS, E911, environmental, transportation, and other uses, and a citizen identity and access management system intended to give residents a single login for state services. Officials said the GIS program costs about $1.2 million annually to host and maintain, with data acquisition costing several million more per year, and that the citizen identity system would cost about $2.5 million per year after an initial three-year COT investment. Members asked about duplication of funding, licensing, local government use, and whether multi-factor authentication would be required; COT said the GIS data is being acquired as statewide unlicensed data and that MFA would be available but not yet mandated statewide. Committee members pressed COT on costs, overlap with cabinet-level IT spending, and the practical benefits of the GIS and identity projects. COT explained that GIS hosting is generally covered through enterprise assessments billed quarterly to agencies, while the new aerial data is intended to benefit the whole state and local partners. On the identity project, officials said it would centralize authentication for citizens who use state systems, improve compliance with zero-trust and NIST-related security expectations, and reduce help desk and maintenance burdens through self-service account tools. Members also discussed whether the system would extend to local governments; COT said it would be a Kentucky.gov-style state login for users inside the state identity infrastructure, not a local-government system. The Department of Education then testified that it does not operate mainframes or major legacy systems, having moved long ago to cloud-based, off-the-shelf products and vendor-supported services. KDE officials described a strong emphasis on staff cybersecurity awareness, standardized statewide systems, vendor risk-sharing, and reducing sensitive data exposure, including efforts to move away from student Social Security numbers. They also highlighted a transition from Microsoft Active Directory to Identity Automation, which they said will improve identity management and make multi-factor authentication universal across K-12. In response to questions about Kentucky Wired and internet service, KDE said all 171 school districts and KDE agencies have been moved to a new next-generation internet service through ENA by Zayo, with strong satisfaction, e-rate savings, and better reliability. Officials warned that any internet disruption would immediately affect attendance, grades, student records, payroll, security systems, and communications across the K-12 system.

Transcript Highlights:

• And during that time, I had access to the Men's Warehouse Rolodex of customers—clients who were businesspeople
• were getting married and were renting tuxedos, and who were repeat customers who came to the Men's Warehouse
• in your bill, would be limited by a non-compete clause and would not be able to leave the Men's Warehouse
• income in Florida would be limited by a non-compete clause and would not be able to leave the Men's Warehouse
• me because actually they were more interested in me making them look good rather than the Men's Warehouse

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee heard several bills on commerce, tourism, labor, technology, and public safety. SB 1666, by Senator Graal, would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, smart contracts, and NFTs; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. CS/SB 480, by Senator DiCeglie, would create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model similar to Tennessee’s; supporters said it would expand access in rural areas, while opponents and some senators raised concerns about ACA protections, preexisting conditions, and state fiscal impacts. The committee also approved CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program, after an amendment expanding hiring preferences for military spouses was adopted. The committee then took up SB 1400, which creates a process for removing nonconsensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes from covered online platforms within 24 to 48 hours and subjects noncompliant platforms to penalties under Florida’s deceptive trade practices law; an amendment carved out internet service providers, and the bill was reported favorably. SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, drew opposition from a public school teacher who questioned its necessity and constitutionality, but it still passed. CS/SB 922, dealing with employment agreements, would strengthen enforcement of certain non-compete and garden leave agreements for employees with access to sensitive information; critics argued it would restrict workers and innovation, while supporters said it protects trade secrets and high-paying jobs. After an amendment, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1252, which would create a statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies, with an initial feasibility study cost estimated at $250,000 and questions raised about enforcement if agencies do not participate. Finally, CS/SB 1776, under the Whistleblower’s Act, would require advance notice and an opportunity to cure alleged violations, narrow retaliation and disclosure definitions, and limit claims when another statutory remedy exists; members questioned whether the changes could reduce employee protections or allow employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was still under debate as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO WE STARTED OPERATING LANDFILLS IN THE 24 SEVEN AND ALLOWED SOME LANDFILLS TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS
• IN PLACE THAT ALLOW THEM TO NOT GO TO 24 SEVEN OPERATIONS. WE TOOK THAT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
• WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR BASE OPERATING BUDGET OVERVIEW.
• THE TOTAL BUDGET OPERATING EACH YEAR, 89.6 MILLION OF WHICH 15.2 IS OUR STATE GENERAL REVENUE AND 74.34
• WHILE FLORIDA ALONE COULD OPERATE I THINK IT'S THE LONG TERM.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, what this bill does, it creates an interstate warehouser.
• Replaces interstate warehouser permit and, on line 209, with the correct spelling.
• It's corrected to warehouser. So it's just cleaning up spelling and nomenclature problems.
• </c> Replaces interstate warehouser permit and, on line 209, with the correct spelling.
• It's corrected to warehouser. So it's just cleaning up spelling and nomenclature problems.

Bills: HB117 , HB17 , HB22 , HB153 , HB140 , HB117 , HB17 , HB22 , HB153 , HB140 , SB12 , SB42 , SB93 , SB28 , SB35 , SB134 , SB12 , SB42 , SB93 , SB28 , SB35 , SB134

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill adjusts tuition operating fees.
• it is for you, sorry, is that had that $400 million been available and not used to sustain the operations
• Bezos moved from Washington to Florida, and it's my understanding they're not building any more warehouses
• And it's my understanding they're not building any more warehouses here in Washington.
• I've been seeing the dreams of so many other students get crushed in warehouses and fields, all because

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and heard four bills. HB 2286 would create an alternative route to social worker licensure by removing the exam requirement for advanced social workers and allowing enhanced supervision with supervisor attestation in place of the exam for independent clinical social workers. The sponsor and several social workers testified that the exam is a poor measure of clinical competence and can be a barrier to licensure, while opponents warned that removing the exam could affect public protection and Washington’s participation in the social work compact. Members asked follow-up questions about the compact, the exam format, and accreditation requirements, but no action was taken. HB 2363 would allow music therapy license applicants to practice under supervision for up to six months while waiting for exam verification. The sponsor described it as a technical fix to the new licensure system, and testimony from music therapists, educators, and a patient supported the bill as a way to avoid delays in hiring newly trained therapists while maintaining supervision and patient safety. The bill drew strong support in written testimony and no opposition in the hearing. HB 2324 would change tuition waiver rules for children of eligible veterans and National Guard members by giving eligible children eight years from the date of a parent’s disability determination to use the waiver when that determination occurs after the child turns 18. The sponsor said the bill is meant to align state law with federal dependency education benefits and prevent families from losing access because disability determinations can take years. The committee asked for clarification on how the new timing would work, and the hearing closed without a vote. HB 2098 would eliminate the cap on the advanced computing surcharge, expand Washington College Grant eligibility up to 100% of state median family income, and reduce resident undergraduate tuition by 10% for three years starting in 2027-28. Supporters, including students, labor, and advocacy groups, said the bill would improve affordability and access to higher education by asking large tech companies to pay more. Opponents from business and university groups argued the surcharge would be economically harmful, that the state already has substantial WEA funding, and that the bill would reduce tuition revenue without adequately backfilling institutional budgets. The committee heard extensive testimony and members raised questions about the surcharge cap, WEA spending, and the compacted funding structure, but no final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to pay salaries and operational expenses for the division, including the operations at the state
• This pays salaries and operational expenses for the division, including the operations at the state hospital
• You're operating all over the state, aren't you? Yes, ma'am. We are operating all over the state.
• the operations program.
• And the final appropriation in the summary is the operations appropriation, which supports the operation

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a drayage operator in Long Beach, California.
• So that causes operational issues for trucking companies.
• We've been operational in the L.A.... For commercial fleets.
• So then who is owning and operating those chargers, right?
• So, as an owner and operator, we're owning and operating the public charging in Santa Monica.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have many warehouses on our campus where our staff and our clients that we serve work in warehouse
• We have many warehouses on our campus, where our staff and our clients that we serve, serve in warehouse
• a conversation with, or someone that's going to take a little bit of time to understand how they operate
• conversation with that person or someone that's going to take a little bit time to understand how they operate

Summary: The committee/task force met with several disability service providers to discuss integrated employment, transition services, and barriers to community jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described creating their own businesses when community employers were not hiring their clients, and said rigid service rules, employer readiness, bullying, and reimbursement structures often force the person to fit the service rather than the service fitting the person. They said they have not seen clients lose benefits, but they do closely manage reporting to Social Security and related supports. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial work, city beautification, state-use contracts, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said many employers are hesitant because of productivity and cost concerns, and that businesses are often more open to contracting with her agency than hiring individuals directly. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model with sheltered work, volunteer sites, paid contracts, and a Transition Academy. She said the academy is a two-year program focused first on independent living and then on employment, with internships and an 85% placement rate, but funding is a major barrier because the program is not accredited and students cannot access traditional aid. She also cited dual diagnoses, inconsistent job coaches, and employer uncertainty as major obstacles. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described DRTC’s long-running enclave contracts, a new Community Skills and Connections program, and a plan to phase out 14(c) subminimum wage use by the end of the year. They said the new program is designed to keep people engaged in community-based skill-building and networking while families still need day supports, and that DRTC has developed more than 100 community partnerships. Senator Kirt, Rep. Hefner, and participants discussed broader system issues, including the need for better school-to-work transition, more social integration, transportation, safety, and employer education. DRS staff said the agency is already required to provide pre-employment transition services in schools starting at age 14 and offers employer accommodations support and job-carving assistance, though they acknowledged federal reporting expectations and service rules can be restrictive. Several participants raised concerns about line-of-sight restrictions, congregate living rules, benefit cliffs, and the difficulty of moving from DDS to DRS services. The group also discussed the need for better data and possible working groups focused on in-school transition, program support and blending services, and community integration. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• under the same mechanisms that every other traditional IRA operates under in the United States of America
• For follow-up: What about the $250,000 to construct and operate a transition living facility?
• They've already purchased where they're going to build the warehouse, but I do not recall exactly where
• the GA, but essentially it is taking the additional subsidies that are no longer needed going into OPERS
• Some of the T-SET stuff is being operated in the state.

Bills: SB1290 , SB1530 , SB1847 , HR1050 , SB169 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1991 , SB1778 , SB1579 , SB1992 , SB3 , SB2028 , SB1928 , SB2127 , SB2117 , SB1439 , SB1930 , SB330 , SB1191 , SB2110 , SB2134 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1613 , SB1246 , SB1976 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB2071 , SB259 , SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• Um it was had operational funding.
• So, it's kind of operational support.
• <00:16:21.279><c> funding,</c> operational funding, operational funding, um,<00:16:24.240><c> it</c><
• We don’t operate it in that manner.
• </c> for ongoing operations for ongoing operations uh<00:53:33.680><c> sorry</c><00:53:34.000><c> for

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing with representatives from ʻIolani Palace and Bishop Museum to discuss how the Legislature can better support state-funded cultural institutions during the interim and into the next session. Chair Capella said the goal was to understand current needs, preserve Hawaiian culture and history, and expand educational access. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing. ʻIolani Palace’s representative described the Friends of ʻIolani Palace’s role as the nonprofit supporting repair, restoration, maintenance, and public education for the state monument. She said state operational funding and ARPA funds were critical to keeping the palace open, maintaining HVAC and other systems, and funding repairs that would otherwise fall to DLNR. She highlighted ongoing and planned projects including a fire suppression system, HVAC improvements, basement exhibit work, plumbing repairs, elevator replacement, etched glass restoration, and school-tour access. She also noted that a prior $150,000 CIP for windows and doors had not yet been released, and said the organization is exploring ways to bring more neighbor island students to the palace through transportation support, airline partnerships, and digital outreach. Bishop Museum’s representatives outlined the museum’s history, its role as the state museum of natural and cultural history, and its extensive collections in archives, archaeology, botany, entomology, zoology, and cryopreservation. They emphasized the museum’s work in preservation, research, environmental stewardship, and public education, including free access through Museums for All, daily programming, and cultural festivals and community events. They said state funding has been essential for staffing, IT security, fire suppression, and infrastructure needs, and that digitization of the museum’s 25 million objects is a major ongoing initiative to preserve and share Hawaiʻi’s history and knowledge.