Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, welcome Senator Banke. Thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Senator Banke. Any questions for the prime sponsor?
• Seeing none, welcome Senator Banke. Thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Senator Banking. Any questions for the prime sponsor?
• I want to thank you for public service. My time is up. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on six bills. SB 6081 would protect sex designation information and related records from public disclosure, limit sharing of such information by the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, and allow denial of records requests when disclosure could cause harm or disenfranchisement. The sponsor and many supporters, including transgender Washingtonians, privacy advocates, and allied organizations, said the bill would close a privacy gap and reduce doxing, harassment, and targeting; one witness opposed it on grounds of record accuracy, law enforcement, and concerns about sports and public safety. No vote was taken. SB 5902 would update voter notification and address-change procedures by allowing more flexible forms of voter registration updates, reducing mailed notices in some automatic registration situations, and expanding electronic communication options. The sponsor and county auditors said it would improve efficiency, reduce confusion, and save counties money; testimony was generally supportive. The hearing then moved to SB 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency and require ongoing training and reporting on government-to-government relations with tribes. The sponsor and tribal representatives supported the bill as a technical fix and a commitment to tribal sovereignty, and no action was taken. SB 6035 would require regular county and state meetings with tribes on election access and authorize an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including military, overseas, disabled, and some tribal voters. Supporters said it would improve access and collaboration, while the Secretary of State, Verified Voting, and others raised cybersecurity and secret-ballot concerns about the electronic portal; several witnesses also opposed that portion while supporting tribal outreach and drop boxes. SB 5892 would centralize requests for voter registration database records through the Secretary of State and make unauthorized disclosure of protected voter data a felony; supporters framed it as protecting voter privacy and resisting federal overreach, while opponents argued it would hinder voter-roll maintenance and transparency. Finally, SB 5973 would ban pay-per-signature compensation for initiative and referendum signature gathering and require 1,000 supporting signatures before a ballot title is issued; supporters said it would reduce fraud, misleading tactics, and ballot-title shopping, while opponents called it an added barrier to direct democracy. The committee heard extensive testimony on all bills, but the transcript does not show any votes or executive action taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medical centers, as well as sales and services, which includes medical clinics, dining services, housing
• as well as advocacy and healing services.
• Each campus has a basic needs center offering a range of services, including permanent food banks, pop-up
• Food pantries made up about half of all services used by undergraduates and 60% of all services used
• , and we're hearing about food banks being overdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fish and Wildlife Service, NRCS, and CPRA.
• Fish and Wildlife Service, NRCS, and CPRA.
• Thus, all of our services are offered online.
• We service people all over the state.
• So when a business signs up for our services, they are also automatically signing up for Apex's services

Summary: The board met on January 21, 2026, approved the agenda and minutes, and received a CPRA implementation update from Executive Director Michael Hare. Hare reported about 103 active projects, with work focused on completing existing projects and moving more into construction. He highlighted several projects, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Northwest Little Lake marsh creation, Sugar Ridge Pump Station, a large RESTORE-funded marsh creation project, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation redesign, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf reaches, NERDA Raccoon Island restoration, and Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration. He also reviewed recreation and partnership projects such as Bayou Pigeon and Destrehan boat launches, Grand Bayou Marsh Creation, Highway 1 terracing, and four Louisiana projects funded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund. Hare noted the annual plan public meetings were complete and the comment period remained open through February 17, 2026. Board members asked about the Rockefeller shoreline project, and Hare said the Corps and state agencies were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and that leadership remained committed to moving it forward. The board then heard a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Officials described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major habitat, recreation, and revenue functions, but said aging infrastructure, levee erosion, limited water control structures, and maintenance costs made a master plan necessary. The plan, finalized in October 2025, recommends coastal restoration projects, lodge and facility revitalization using private dollars, revenue-generation improvements, and long-term partnerships. Proposed work includes GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million already secured for engineering and construction and total needs estimated at roughly $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed broader habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, possible land acquisition in southwest Louisiana, and coordination with federal partners and other state agencies. Members praised the White Lake effort as a model of interagency collaboration and emphasized its importance for waterfowl habitat, public access, and tourism. Questions focused on funding sources, oil and gas revenue, and whether other agencies such as economic development and tourism should be involved. Several members also urged the state to apply similar management approaches to other refuges, including Sabine, Cameron Prairie, and Lacassine, where they said federal management has lagged. The discussion underscored a broader shift toward landscape-scale habitat management and public recreation investment. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines and related construction logistics. Staff explained that marsh creation makes up a large share of the coastal master plan and that the agency is updating its 2017 design guidelines after nearly a decade of use. The updates will address survey standards, geotechnical methods, dredge production estimates, construction monitoring, and oil and gas infrastructure conflicts. A second presentation reviewed safety, access, and logistics for marine construction, including equipment access routes, pipeline identification and coordination, cultural resources, private landowners, oyster resources, and permitting. Board members asked about reducing geotechnical costs, improving land-rights coordination, considering uncontained marsh creation where appropriate, and managing pipeline impacts; staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Banking and Insurance.
• that offers services through a bank or investment management firm, or any other person who demonstrates
• And I would also appreciate your service.
• God bless you, and thank you for your service. Thank you, Mr. President.
• The thing is, though, the low point in my Senate service was the loss of Wanda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota's restaurant food service Minnesota's restaurant food service hotels<00:44:41.520><c>
• </c> or are seeing their employees banking or are seeing their employees banking these these these hours
• and what services we may be without in Minnesota.
• Of course, it's not uncommon for every single county to have catastrophic leave banks, or banks where
• </c> that is folks don't have the the banks that is folks don't have the the banks for<01:17:27.320><

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we have some statutes banking side.
• </c> housing programs enhanced with services housing programs enhanced with services are<00:42:06.720
• </c> weight times, and stabilize service weight times, and stabilize service delivery<00:45:17.520><c
• </c> and essential service. Thank you. and essential service. Thank you.
• We know that housing services.

Bills: HF1141

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness said that, to roll out these programs, they need money in the bank so they can deliver them
• The witness said they have serviced tens of thousands of people — something like 40,000 unique audience
• 00:18:54.400><c> the</c> conert programs we need money in the conert programs we need money in the bank
• 55.480><c> deliver</c><00:18:55.880><c> them</c><00:18:56.280><c> as</c><00:18:56.400><c> soon</c> bank
• </c> last season yeah we we have serviced last season yeah we we have serviced tens<00:19:21.240><c>

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on March 14, 2025, and heard two measures. On SB 441 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, the committee received strong support from the orchestra, the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, IATSE Local 665, and an in-person testifier, with testimony emphasizing statewide access to music, education and community programming, cultural value, economic impact, and job stability for musicians and staff. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and suggested language related to the State Endowment Fund. Committee members asked about how the funding would be used, the orchestra’s reach, and its history; the orchestra said it preferred direct operating support and described its audience and employment footprint, neighbor-island outreach, and plans to expand season length and education programs. The committee then heard SB 1581 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Japan Pacific Peace Monument. No testifier from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was present, and no one testified on Zoom. With no discussion from witnesses, the measure was briefly taken up and later advanced. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments to SB 441 SD1, including a preamble describing legislative intent and the orchestra’s history, references to the State of Hawaiʻi endowment fund and statewide public benefits, and language ensuring the funds support statewide purposes and neighbor-island access to music and educational opportunities. The committee also added a deferral date of July 1, 3000 and technical amendments, then voted to pass the measure with amendments. SB 1581 SD1 was also passed forward with amendments, including a July 1, 3000 deferral date and technical changes, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> know sole purpose is um like a food bank know sole purpose is um like a food bank and<00:18:47.280
• So uh with that represent the service.
• While it's true ESPs bank every time.
• , Services, um, obviously our people don't get the services that they deserve.
• Services, um, obviously our people don't get the services that they deserve.

Bills: HF238 , HF3381 , HF3754 , HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The real The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
• Thank y'all for our second day this week of Senate Health and Human Services. Dean, welcome.
• The bill would clarify that a constable or sheriff or a deputy sheriff can provide personal service and
• This standard is issued by the FDA and followed by all blood banks.
• We work 24-7, 365 to support the needs of Texas patients. and the hospitals that we service.

Bills: SB 53 , SB53 , SB125 , SB315 , SB379 , SB457 , SB541 , SB599 , SB896 , SB921 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1084 , SB1330 , SB1461

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• objection, one matter will be taken out of the orders of the day: An act establishing a sick leave bank
• Third reading of the bill: An act establishing a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera, an employee of the
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera, an employee of the Trial Court of the Commonwealth
• I join you in commemorating these individuals in their service and their legacy to our Commonwealth.
• She is also remembered for a steadfast determination and grit, selfless service to others, and a deep

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted several congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, and welcomed sixth-grade students from Holy Name School in West Roxbury, along with guests and chaperones. The chamber then took up House No. 4100, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, which was described as addressing a roughly $240 million shortfall in the Group Insurance Commission. Senator Tarr emphasized the urgency of funding the GIC while also urging lawmakers to examine the causes of the deficiency and consider longer-term cost controls. The Senate suspended the rules, ordered the bill to a third reading, passed it to be engrossed, and later received notice that the House had non-concurred in the Senate amendment and appointed a conference committee. The Senate then insisted on its amendment and appointed conferees. The chamber also passed Senate No. 2508, establishing a sick leave bank for Andrew Satera, an employee of the Trial Court. The Senate observed National Law Enforcement Memorial Day with remarks honoring fallen officers and a moment of silence, and later adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Charlene Roberts Hayden, whose life and career in mathematics, software engineering, teaching, and public service were recognized. Finally, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble for H. 4100, passed the bill to be enacted, and adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have record funding for schools and essential services.
• I would say that there is a pressure campaign being advanced against banks.
• The really basic services.
• Eastern Bank, as many of you know, is the largest community bank headquartered in Massachusetts, with
• We saw cuts to education, human services, and public health.

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state’s tax collection cap/62F process so it would be based on prior-year collections plus wage growth and include surtax revenue. The committee chair and House co-chair outlined the hearing process, and the first witness was Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, who testified as the committee’s subject-matter expert on both measures. He said the income tax proposal would lower taxes broadly but would reduce state revenue by about $5.4 billion when fully implemented, with an estimated $800 million hit in FY27, and he discussed possible effects on competitiveness, taxpayer savings, and public finances. On the 62F proposal, he said the revised cap would make refunds more likely, could have produced several large refunds in recent years, and would reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Committee members questioned Howgate about competitiveness, outmigration, prior tax ballot measures, spending growth, MassHealth, and the interaction between the income tax and surtax. He emphasized that taxes are only one part of the state’s overall competitiveness and that housing, public services, and other factors also matter. He also noted that the surtax is constitutionally restricted but can still support ongoing spending choices. After his testimony, the committee moved to the proponents’ panel. Proponents of both initiatives, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Business, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that the measures would improve affordability, help retain residents and businesses, and support job growth. They cited polling support, outmigration, small-business reinvestment, and comparisons to lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, said her model showed smaller revenue losses than critics claim and projected that the revised revenue cap would not create additional annual revenue losses while producing more regular taxpayer refunds. Committee members pressed the panel on competitiveness, prior ballot initiative implementation, and whether the measures would actually address broader affordability pressures; the hearing ended with the committee continuing to take questions from the proponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of these predatory lenders are granted access to bank accounts. And create chronic debt.
• , unauthorized withdrawals, and account closures at their banks.
• Credit card companies, banks, savings and loans, You in this room have been that charity.
• Credit card companies, banks, savings and loans, pawn shops, casinos, all are regulated in Idaho for
• This is a myth perpetuated by opponents around the country trying to eliminate this legal service with

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, First Bank is known across the state of Tennessee as a good bank, a good employer, and a good
• </c><00:11:51.839><c> in</c> acquire First National Bank in acquire First National Bank in Lexington.
• It was there that First Bank Lexington. It was there that First Bank was<00:11:56.079><c> born.
• Thank you, and I yield back. get housing service housing and get housing service housing and services
• Thank you all for your service. Company. Thank you all for your service.

Bills: HR881 , HB1503

Keywords: immigration, law enforcement, ICE, border protection, violence, security threats, forced organ harvesting, trafficking, human rights, organ donation, sanctions, international law

Transcript Highlights:

• The Veterans Commission and Health and Human Services. You might like to hear from them.
• officer or a peer service coordinator.
• Oftentimes, even the purchase of a manufactured home requires a bank loan.
• We have to go and submit a service member's affidavit statement.
• In Texas of discrimination against military service members.

Bills: SB2007 , SB2104 , SB2543 , SB2545 , SB2926 , SB2938

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• 2230 Avila Ferius for their hearing on Wednesday, April 15th, pending re-referral from the Human Services
• and Finance Committee to the Health Committee, then back to the Banking and Finance Committee.
• That work helps people access the care and services they most desperately need, so please join me in
• However, models like management service organizations and alternative business structures have continued
• Banking and Finance will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Capitol Room 444.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions including suspending rules, re-referring several bills to committees, and allowing committee notices for pending re-referrals. Members also received guest introductions, including LA28 leadership for an informational hearing on preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, and advocacy groups focused on reproductive health and equity. On the floor, the Assembly took up several third-reading bills. AB 1944 by Assembly Member Lee, which would delay implementation of lower axle weight limits for zero-emission buses to give transit agencies more time to adapt to battery technology limits, passed 49-1. AB 2305 by Assembly Member Caloza, prohibiting private equity and other corporate investors from controlling or influencing litigation decisions, passed 55-0. AB 2004 by Assembly Member Al-Annees, authorizing Fresno and San Joaquin counties to designate county correctional officers as peace officers if locally agreed, passed 52-0 after supportive remarks from Assembly Member Tangipa about a Fresno County correctional officer who died after being injured in a jail shooting. The Assembly also adopted the second-day consent calendar, including ACR 161 on Special Districts Week and HR 87 on school accountability, with 57 co-authors added to the resolutions and unanimous votes on the consent items. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory for Marcella Villanueva, a longtime California Commission on Aging employee remembered for her service and compassion, followed by announcements of upcoming committee hearings and the next floor session before adjournment until Thursday, April 9 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Banking and Insurance.
• firm, technology provider, or program manager that offers services through a bank or investment management
• And thank you for your service. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator from Wetzel. Thank you, Mr.
• And I would also appreciate your service.
• One of the things, though, the low point in my Senate service was the loss of Wanda.

Summary: The Senate first handled several House amendments to Senate bills and passed them, including SB 194 updating the definition of disabled veteran taxpayer, SB 499 requiring toxicology tests in auto accidents, SB 672 on Real Estate Commission licensing discipline, SB 724 on home confinement officers and the EMS retirement system, SB 897 on alcohol and drug counselor licensure, and SB 982 creating the Neighborhood Access Road Program. In each case, the chamber agreed to the House changes and then passed the bill, with some measures also given effective dates, including SB 724 effective July 1, 2026 and SB 648 effective from passage. The Senate also concurred in amendments to SB 197, doubling penalties for sex crimes against minors, and SB 648, which removed restrictions on foreign entities in the Strategic and Critical Resources Act. The chamber then took up a series of additional bills and conference actions. It appointed a conference committee on HB 4588 after refusing to recede from its amendment. The Senate passed HB 4009, the Portable Benefit Account Act, after adopting a Banking and Insurance committee strike-and-insert amendment that moved the program to the Division of Labor, expanded portable benefit definitions, and made technical changes. Later, the Senate also passed SB 182 on annexation by minor boundary adjustment after amending the House changes to allow one annexation per year instead of one every two years, and it passed HB 5101 increasing strangulation penalties, HB 4364 on juvenile offender bail and counsel language, HB 4412 on age verification for certain websites, HB 5564 on deputy sheriff vacation carryover, HB 4138 on sex offender registration fees, HB 4951 after receding from its earlier amendment on continuing education, SB 4 after receding from its amendment, SB 389 after refusing to concur in a House amendment that would have stripped the bill, SB 927 on beekeeping and municipal regulation, and HB 5214 on drug testing for parents before reunification. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to Senate Resolution 67 honoring Senator Michael Andrew Woelfel and Senate Resolution 68 honoring Senator Charles Houston Clements. Numerous senators gave extended remarks praising Woelfel’s legal skill, candor, mentorship, and service, and Clements’s long service, institutional knowledge, steadiness, and friendship. Both resolutions were adopted by roll call votes, with SR 67 passing 34-0 and SR 68 passing 33-1. After the resolutions, the Senate recessed briefly to present the outgoing senators with resolutions and flags flown over the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community banks support responsible environmental stewardship.
• Instead, they will turn to their community banks not to expand or hire, but to just stay afloat.
• Please say no to this legislation. banks and their customers, they serve statewide.
• Planning ahead is smart economics for our state and for our bank accounts.
• We are New Mexico's only green bank.

Bills: SB12 , SB36 , SB92 , SB120 , SB133 , SB151 , SB18 , SB96

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity equivalent investment into the green bank.
• Mark, before you go on, could you define green bank, please? Madam Chair, a green bank is.
• The green bank that we invested in is the Climate Investment Center.
• Then one last comment: I appreciate the oil and gas industry funding a green bank.
• **Speaker**: Yeah, could you just tell me a little bit more about the Green Bank?

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I worry that the services that property tax...
• bank.
• And they receive the services.
• Like many of my colleagues who might be, you know, without investors, we use banks, and banks do require
• Like many of my colleagues who might be, you know, without investors, we use banks, and banks do require

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• going out, that wanted that service, so to speak, where you have this wholesaler going out and finding
• I was just wanting to make sure that there wasn't something in the way they contract for these services
• So the hard money lender is somebody like me that I'll give you some money, higher interest than a bank
• I think if you’ve got a bank on the line and they’re faced with an option of, I can foreclose on this
• or I can...” “...wait 14 days because I’ve got a letter of intent, I don’t see the banks—I see the banks

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and voted to do pass House Bill 3027 by an 8-0 vote. It then considered House Bill 3490, which deals with historic preservation and colleges and universities. Members debated local control, private property rights, and whether the bill should apply statewide rather than only to Kansas City. The committee adopted a House Committee Substitute that removed the geographic limitation and made the measure apply to public and private colleges and universities, with an option for institutions to opt in or out of local historic commission rules. The substitute was then passed 6-2. The committee next took up House Bill 3316, which includes Department of Revenue cleanup changes related to vehicle registration, temporary plates, boats, trailers, and lien notice language. Members discussed the bill’s effect on temporary tags and enforcement. The committee adopted a House Committee Amendment, rolled it into a substitute, and then voted unanimously 8-0 to do pass the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3316. The committee then moved to a public hearing on Senate Bill 973, a consumer protection bill sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent. The bill requires disclosures for real estate wholesaling and sale-leaseback transactions so sellers understand that wholesalers are not acting as fiduciaries and may not be maximizing the seller’s price. Supporters said the bill would protect distressed or uninformed sellers, while opponents from the real estate industry supported the disclosure concept but raised concerns about the 14-day waiting period before a transaction can proceed, especially in foreclosure or other time-sensitive situations. Some members also questioned whether the bill should require licensed real estate agents or allow waivers of the waiting period. No final action was taken on SB 973, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.