Transcript Highlights:

• </c> exist in the rest of the United States. exist in the rest of the United States.
• </c> Senator Port. Thank you, Madam Chair. Senator Port. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Um so state.
• Senator Port, yes. Senator Lisky, yes. Senator Port, no.
• </c> um requirements for stating the fees. um requirements for stating the fees.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The United States consumes about 2 billion.
• The greyhound industry that was prevalent in many states is now limited to just a few states, right?
• I’m from Alabama.
• So it would be a benefit to the state.
• So it would be a benefit to the state.

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met to approve the October 3, 2024 interim minutes and then took up two resolutions. HCR 205, by Representative Kerner, urged USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Supporters said shrimpers are facing very low prices, full cold storage, and an urgent need for federal purchases to stabilize the market and help local processors and fishermen. Commissioner Mike Strain explained that USDA commodity purchases can support schools, nursing homes, and food banks, and members discussed the need for cold storage, marketing, and better promotion of local seafood. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. The committee also considered HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill language that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs; members said the provision had raised concerns about field trials, scent hounds, and hunting practices, and the resolution was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then received a presentation from Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture leadership, led by interim president and chancellor Orlando McMeans and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, teaching, and extension work, including medicinal cannabis research, beef cattle and smart ranching, viticulture, aquaculture, precision agriculture, food and nutrition, and support for small farmers and K-12 dual enrollment. They highlighted scholarship and enrollment programs, including USDA-supported 1890 scholars and JAG Stars, as well as partnerships with LSU and USDA. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed 1,300-bed disaster shelter/mega shelter at the experiment station. Members asked questions about meat-cutting and processing training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s use when not needed for disasters. Southern officials said the new processing facility is intended to support training and workforce development, and that the shelter could also be used for events such as weddings, graduations, and agricultural activities. The committee expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work of the Ag Center. Representative Broussard then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Washington State has had a performance-based regulation, but in some sense, every state has performance-based
• Let’s say, for example, the port.
• and our state is a very big state, and it's a state with challenging terrain, and there are areas that
• Treasurer's Office or another state entity.
• This is across the state of California.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• Item AB 2294, State Holidays, Sylvia Mendez State. Welcome. And we all— Welcome.
• And I would love to be a co-author if you would have me.
• I want to commend the author for bringing this forward.
• the ability to... ...state agencies to do this.
• We'll invite opposition to state their name and opposition.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:

• that the portion of State Highway 48 between its intersections with State Highway 550 and Fisherman's
• court or presumably in federal court in a particular state.
• Not be their fault in the state of Texas. That's a fair point.
• Yeah, so we've had a couple of issues across different states.
• Are they generally from parts throughout the United States?

Bills: HB767 , HB 1242 , HB1373 , HB1404 , HB1708 , HB1936 , HB2041 , HB2198 , HB2270 , HB2315 , HB2415 , HB2427 , HB2455 , HB2457 , HB2522 , HB2523 , HB2686 , HB2763 , HB2775 , HB2944 , HB3034 , HB1683 , HB1695

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:15:10.320><c> a</c><00:15:10.639><c> state</c><00:15:11.120><c> uh</c> state uh state funds or a
• state uh state uh state funds or a state uh disaster<00:15:11.680><c> relief</c><00:15:12.000><c> fund
• The state should determine who's the captain of the ship, with the authority to manage flood risk at
• of</c> establishing a state uh state office of establishing a state uh state office of resilience<01:
• Do other states not have anything, or just the states that have been mentioned?

Summary: The first meeting of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force focused on the task force’s mission and on recent Kentucky flooding disasters. The co-chairs described the need to better prepare for increasingly frequent and costly natural disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and ice storms, and emphasized coordination among local, state, federal, and interstate partners. The discussion also stressed the importance of budgeting for mitigation, infrastructure resilience, housing, insurance, and recovery planning, with several members sharing personal experiences with disaster impacts in their districts. Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave the main presentation, responding to questions about the February and April flooding events. He said the February event affected the entire state, with 11,825 individuals registering for assistance and 1,194 public-assistance projects written so far; he also reported 134 households still sheltered, 190 households moved to permanent housing, and three disaster recovery centers still open after a regional consolidation. For the April event, he said 37 counties had individual assistance, 83 counties were still pending public assistance, and no hazard mitigation had yet been declared; 5,893 people had registered for individual assistance, and 144 households were sheltered, with 83 families already moved to permanent solutions. He noted that counties without public assistance would have to cover expenses locally unless state or federal aid is approved. Gibson also outlined Kentucky Emergency Management’s tools and resources, including a 24/7 state operations center and warning point, embedded National Weather Service meteorologists, five regional warehouses stocked with water, MREs, blankets, and kits, a statewide web-based damage reporting system, laundry trailers, generators, a disaster needs hotline that has received 6,972 calls, and a mutual aid system used to deploy resources such as water tankers. He highlighted ongoing work on urban search and rescue, qualification systems for emergency operations personnel, and aerial documentation of storm damage. No votes or formal actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• program or contract with another state agency.
• And I would say that the state has, the state is the... Correct. OK.
• That's what I would say that the state has, the state is getting this federal subsidy.
• What is the risk to the state of Washington on default?
• We're not lending the credit of the state in any way.

Summary: The Housing Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2118 would limit homeowners associations’ ability to adopt or enforce new covenant restrictions on the use of a unit that are more onerous than those in place when the owner bought the property, unless the owner agrees in writing. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect buyers from having the rug pulled out from under them on things like chickens or renting part of a home. Staff explained the bill’s grandfathering and recording provisions, and that it excludes rules required by law. Testimony was split: supporters emphasized fairness, certainty, and protecting relied-upon uses, while opponents from HOA and management groups argued it would create fragmented enforcement, higher costs, administrative complexity, and conflict within communities, and that existing law and court decisions already address these issues. The committee closed the hearing without taking a vote. HB 2236 would update Washington Housing Finance Commission statutes. The bill would allow the commission to make direct mortgage loans, extend the term of the commission attorney, remove advance notice to the state finance committee before bond issuance, repeal the housing finance program and housing finance plan requirements, and revise the commission’s purpose language. The sponsor and commission said the changes would modernize outdated statutes, improve efficiency, and give the commission more flexibility to use its revenues and financing tools for affordable housing, gap financing, preservation, and starter homes. Committee members asked about the commission’s bond structure, default risk, and the meaning of “public funds,” and the commission said the transactions remain third-party and tax-exempt, with no state credit risk. Banking industry witnesses said they generally support the commission’s mission but wanted clearer limits on direct lending and the use of public funds, and they were working with the commission on amendment language. Committee members expressed support for the collaboration and the goal of increasing housing production. No votes were taken; both hearings were closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary of State does not forward that information to the appointing authorities.
• Chair and Senator Port.
• The appointing authority must, so it's detailing what the appointing authority must do.
• > from</c><01:39:33.560><c> voters</c> state the state frustration from voters state the state frustration
• Senator Port, and we'll continue to work on it with the Secretary of State and Mr.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• January 21, 2026, at the State Capitol building.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.
• I know with the state, we're going to continue to pursue state funding as well.
• I know with the state, we're going to continue to pursue state funding as well.
• We service people all over the state.

Summary: The board met at the State Capitol and approved the agenda and prior minutes after brief motions and no public comment. Executive Director Michael Hare then gave a CPRA implementation update, describing a large portfolio of active projects and highlighting several that are under construction, nearing bid, or recently awarded, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Caernarvon marsh creation, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf, Raccoon Island restoration, Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration, Bayou Pigeon and Dismal Swamp boat launches, Grand Bayou marsh creation, Highway 1 terracing, and several National Coastal Resilience Fund projects. He also noted the annual plan public meetings had concluded, with comments accepted through February 17, 2026, and answered board questions about the Rockefeller shoreline project, saying CPRA and the Corps were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and trying to move it forward. The board then received a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Speakers described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major freshwater marsh, wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing opportunities, and aging infrastructure that currently operates on limited self-generated revenue. The plan, finalized in October 2025, focuses on habitat protection, maintaining wildlife, supporting revenue generation, expanding controlled public access, and strengthening partnerships. Proposed priorities include GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million secured for engineering and design and total costs estimated around $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed a possible lodge revitalization funded only with private dollars, broader landscape-level habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, and potential land acquisition for additional public access. Board members and agency leaders emphasized the importance of White Lake to waterfowl habitat and public recreation, and one member urged similar management attention for Sabine, Lacassine, and Cameron Prairie refuges. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines. Staff explained that marsh creation remains a major share of the coastal master plan and current project pipeline, and reviewed how projects are built using dredged sediment, containment dikes, and pipeline systems. They said the 2017 design guidelines were intended to standardize minimum design and construction practices, but are now being updated to reflect lessons learned, current survey standards, geotechnical practices, construction methods, and issues such as oil and gas infrastructure and land rights coordination. Board members asked about reducing unnecessary geotechnical costs, improving land-rights timing, considering unconfined marsh creation where appropriate, and accounting for why marsh areas are failing in the first place. Staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline update and then moved into a follow-up presentation on safety, access, and logistics for marine construction in the coastal zone.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Registrar for the Contractors State License Board.
• The bill designates the Office of the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator and enforcement authority
• Madam Chair, members, Mike Monaghan on behalf of the State Building Trades.
• Martin Vindiole on behalf of the California State Pipe Trades Council.
• We support the author's intent here to identify a role for the State Fire Marshal.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration Hearing today.
• Our ports, our trade relationships, our innovation economy.
• And we're bigger, more than 50% bigger than the next largest. is state, a state that considers itself
• We welcome people to our state.
• It's more than simply stating California might be more expensive than other states that they're looking

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud<00:02:19.520><c> State</c> Cloud State Cloud State and<00:02:20.880><c> start</c><00:02:21.240>
• </c> a Minnesota state representative. a Minnesota state representative.
• </c> corners of the state. corners of the state.
• . ports. ports.
• </c> author of that in 2017. author of that in 2017.

Summary: House Republicans announced the formation of the Minnesota Latino Caucus as a sub-caucus of the House Republican Caucus. Chair John Koznick said the group is intended to give Latino conservatives a voice, promote “common sense” and right-of-center policies, and reach Latino communities across Minnesota, especially around affordability, lower taxes, less regulation, and government accountability. Representatives Bedell Duran and Erica Schwartz joined Koznick as founding members and described the caucus as a response to the diversity of Latino communities and the need for representation beyond a single political viewpoint. The members emphasized personal backgrounds and constituent outreach. Koznick discussed his adoption from Colombia and his long involvement with Latino advocacy groups, while Duran and Schwartz spoke about their districts, family histories, and experiences that shaped their politics. They said Latino Minnesotans live throughout the state, work in many fields, and should not be viewed as a monolithic voting bloc. They also highlighted issues such as education, postsecondary achievement, entrepreneurship, public safety, and the economic impact of immigrants and Latinos. In response to questions, the lawmakers said the caucus was not created solely because of recent Latino voting patterns, but they acknowledged Republican gains among Latino voters and said they want to continue competing for Latino support. They also said immigration policy should be clearer and more transparent, while supporting secure borders and reform. Koznick said he has bipartisan relationships with Latino legislators and pointed to support for a Hispanic or Latino art museum in St. Paul as an example of possible cross-party cooperation. No formal votes were taken; the event was a caucus launch and press availability, and the members said they would hold a celebratory kickoff later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marty, Matthew, M, Wade, Mchan, Miller, Mitchell, Mohammad, Murphy, Nelson, Umu, Verbon, Papis, PA, Port
• Mohammad Murphy Nelson umu verbon papis Mohammad Murphy Nelson umu verbon papis PA<00:07:38.199><c> Port
• That bill has been referred to the Committee on State and Local Governments.
• number 10, if you look at Senate file number 2659, that bill has been referred to the Committee on State
• Members, we will adopt the authors' motions as one motion. All in favor say aye.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, okay, he's here in the building, and I have two members from the Port Authority and leaders in Santa
• If we don't do this as a state legislature, we're paying that money back.
• delegating our authority to them.
• "Authorizes rulemaking, which is never permissible and would make me violate my oath of office.
• When here at the state legislature, we have a soda machine that we drink for free.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Arizona Statehood Day and National Ballet Day honoring Phoenix Ballet and artistic director Slawomir Wozniak. Members also announced committee substitutions and several bills were placed on the House calendar after second reading. On third reading, HB 2190, which would add an article relating to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants, failed on a 20-38 vote after debate over whether it was needed to support licensure compacts and workforce access. HB 2206, relating to SNAP and rulemaking, passed 33-25 after a brief dispute over whether it improperly delegated authority to the executive branch. HB 2396, also relating to SNAP and restrictions on purchases, drew extended debate over food deserts, personal choice, public health, and whether the state should limit what low-income families can buy; it passed 34-25. After announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, members moved to reconsider the failed HB 2190 vote, and the motion carried. The House then recessed and reconvened later in the day, where it handled additional committee substitutions, withdrew several bills from committees for reassignment, and read HB 2999 for the first time before adjourning until February 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's 50 states, and we are an economic engine in the top 12 for the country for the state.
• Alabama has raised the alarm about how these NIH cuts would impact their entire state, and I think Minnesota—I
• <c> raised</c> you Alabama because Alabama has raised you Alabama because Alabama has raised the<00:23
• state needs.
• state specials as well.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• authority.
• authority.
• states?
• Senator<00:37:31.080><c> Port</c> Senator Port Senator Port Aye.
• on our on our state on our state<00:47:59.680><c> elections.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• states.
• On the state.
• It doesn't necessarily affect state revenues or state tax systems.
• it's state or federal.
• A couple of reasons: House Bill 145, which gave the State Transportation Commission authority to bond

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not state dollars authority.
• </c> these other states. these other states.
• They're going to have to rely on a state police much like LSP, much like Alabama law enforcement agency
• They're going to have to rely on a state police much like LSP, much like Alabama law enforcement agency
• police much like LSP, much like a state police much like LSP, much like Alabama<02:10:19.520><c> law

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• by the state and political subdivisions of the state and political subdivisions of the... ...of matching
• So, yeah, there are funds that are put aside for the state emergency funds.
• Will there be questions of the author?
• It, again, has had very good success in the states of Texas and Florida.
• is construction of a sally port, which would ...example that's happened around the state is construction

Bills: SB1288 , SB1705 , SB1878 , SB2019 , SB2118

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard several bills related to local government finance, liability, bail, and jail operations. Senate Bill 1288, by Senator Gillespie, would require the state and political subdivisions to equally share FEMA-related matching costs for federally declared disasters; supporters said it would codify long-standing practice and provide certainty for local governments, with an estimated fiscal impact of just under $4.9 million. After questions about future appropriations and delayed reimbursements, the bill advanced on a 9-0 vote. Senate Bill 2019, by Senator Logan, would create a political subdivision liability insurance guarantee program and fund to help local governments and shared insurance pools manage large federal civil rights judgments. Members questioned the bill’s scope and whether it applied to catastrophic events or civil rights cases; the author said it was intended to spread the burden of large judgments over time and reduce pressure on property taxpayers. The committee adopted a title-off motion and advanced the bill 7-2. Chair Hamilton presented Senate Bills 1705, 1878, and 2118. SB 1705 would bar nonprofits from bailing people out of jail if they receive public funds, with supporters citing public safety and opponents raising concerns about impacts on nonprofit and church-based assistance; it passed 7-2. SB 1878 would establish a uniform bail schedule, limit personal recognizance release for certain repeat or higher-risk offenders, and require court approval to lower certain bonds; it also passed 7-2. SB 2118 would clarify how county sheriffs may use commissary funds for jail-related purposes such as training, equipment, inmate care, and operations; it passed 7-2. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE OUT OF STATE COMPANIES THAT ARE UTILIZING THIS.
• I ALSO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT MERGE TOWER IS YOUR OWN STATE CONTRACTOR.
• Alvarez: AS I STATED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY PRESENTATION OF THE BILL FLORIDA IS AMONG THE DEADLIEST STATES
• STATE ROAD 192.
• DO DOT CONTROLS THE STATE ASSETS NOT THE COUNTY ASSETS.