Transcript Highlights:

• “We would like to sit down with this group.
• small businesses, maybe not the lobbying firm that's here for the small businesses, that this is actually
• Your comment about hearing support from small business—I suspect maybe you heard from one or two small
• If you have, you know, small independent contractor painters, for example, have, you know, small independent
• It hurts small business.

Bills: SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5437 , SB6117 , SB5852 , SB5847 , SB6067 , SB6152 , SB6136

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement, infractions, administrative penalties, license suspension, certificate suspension, endorsement suspension, registration suspension, Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, penalty schedule, repeat violations, workplace standards, construction trades, professional licensing, Washington state, factory built housing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Now, let's take a look at what small Now, let's take a look at what small businesses<00:32:21.680
• </c> most common opinion among small most common opinion among small businesses<00:32:38.120><c> in</
• </c><00:41:46.880><c> Um</c> small businesses close. Um small businesses close.
• </c> Um but given that 1.5% of small Um but given that 1.5% of small businesses<00:42:58.440><c> closing
• </c><01:03:20.800><c> And</c><01:03:21.400><c> uh</c> as you go home. And uh as you go home.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked them through our audit reporting group, which is a group of public auditors and private auditors
• With the Minnesota Association of Small Cities.
• cities and small counties.
• You're getting rid of the caps, but how small, say in a small city, are you doing a director of public
• county or a small city.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• child care family child care home.
• Same thing uh with the care home.
• </c><00:03:44.400><c> that</c> staff with child care other groups that staff with child care other groups
• child care homes.
• </c> one group. one group.

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to homes.
• Small businesses across New Mexico pay their full tax obligation.
• I'm sorry, I had an urgent call from back home, but...
• I'm very happy for this group, but then I'm very worried for this group. Mr.
• We had a bipartisan unanimous vote to send that money home to state workers.

Bills: SB240

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• a home... ...depending on the equity in their home to be able to sell a home and then move on to their
• But why existing homes?
• I'm a small, mission-driven infill developer, building starter homes across California.
• More than 10 homes or 100 homes? So thank you for the question, Senator Choi.
• and build home equity.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and what I wonder... small amount.
• One hangup at the very end of the process was activity funding for small schools and small districts.
• You've done a lot of great work with small schools and small districts, and I never would imply that
• And in that focus group, he was talking... ...in that focus group, he was talking specifically about
• In Kochville, we offer a small number of...

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "Home Carter in St. Paul, sir. I'll check it out." "I highly recommend." "Okay.
• </c><00:05:08.479><c> advantage</c> wage, protecting take-home advantage wage, protecting take-home advantage
• It's costing them more and more just to live in their home and stay in their home.
• We go home on Friday. days a week. We go home on Friday.
• </c> we talk about um you know, having a home we talk about um you know, having a home and<01:01:30.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is there's really no control group here.
• My concern is there's really no control group here.
• Very small amount reported a one on that.
• Very rarely at a very small number there. Very rarely at a very small number there.
• Small schools, again, or small districts, again, average 1.83; the large average 1.57.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to discuss special education funding and retention, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then hearing a presentation from North Dakota United on a statewide special education survey and retention rubric. Presenters described how the rubric and survey were developed from special educator input around four domains: paperwork and due process support, workload, student and staff safety, and paraprofessional management. They reported high levels of stress and burnout, including increased workload, difficulty taking prep and lunch time, concerns about mental health, and widespread difficulty filling special education positions. Committee members questioned the survey’s lack of a general-education comparison group, the interpretation of terms like “rarely” and “sometimes,” and whether results could be broken down further by district size, unit, or disability area. The survey results showed the weakest area was workload, with respondents reporting caseloads increasing without corresponding adjustments, little additional support or compensation when workloads rise, and few negotiated-agreement protections. Paperwork and due process also scored poorly, with many teachers saying they rarely receive dedicated time during the duty day, often work outside contract hours without compensation, and take work home on evenings and weekends. Student and staff safety scored somewhat better but still showed gaps in crisis follow-up, notification about violent behavior, protective gear, and leave options after incidents. Paraprofessional management also drew concern, especially low pay, insufficient staffing, limited administrative support, and the burden placed on teachers to supervise and train paras. Several teachers then testified directly about the practical impact of these issues. One special education teacher described the job as combining instruction, legal compliance, and paraprofessional supervision, often requiring work beyond contracted hours and contributing to burnout and turnover. Another testified that special education case managers are effectively doing three full-time jobs and that the paperwork and caseload demands are a major reason people avoid or leave the field. Committee members discussed whether the problems are primarily local or state-level, whether more funding would solve them, and whether changes to the funding formula or weighting for high-cost students might be needed. No formal vote or action was taken beyond a recess and return to order for the next presentation, which continued the discussion of possible special education study objectives and potential policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Phelps: But again, just seeing the concerns at home, how that would benefit them.
• Naming this highway is a small but very meaningful way to honor their...
• When they came back home from the ball game, they crashed and four of them died.
• When a hero like Grant doesn't come home, the grief doesn't just stay at the graveyard.
• We looked at that in the pursuit group.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1157, which would create a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank to provide another funding mechanism for transportation-related projects, including roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports, and other surface transportation needs. Chairman Borek and DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD said the goal is to leverage state, federal, local, and private dollars, using models from Florida and other states. Members asked about board makeup, staffing, project selection, administrative costs, and how the bank would differ from capital outlay and existing transportation programs. Testimony in support came from business and economic development representatives, including Michael Hecht of Greater New Orleans, Inc., who said infrastructure is critical to major economic projects and that the bank could attract outside capital. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up several local and procurement-related bills. House Bill 860, allowing fillable electronic public bid forms, was reported favorably. House Bill 972, naming a portion of Highway 93 in Lafayette Parish the Desert Shield Desert Storm Memorial Highway, and House Bill 965, naming a portion of Highway 163 the Sergeant William Billy Earl Collins Jr. Memorial Highway, were both reported favorably after brief testimony honoring veterans and law enforcement. House Bill 692, authorizing local governments to enter group purchasing agreements, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 685, allowing use of FAST Act cooperative procurement for public motor vehicles and rolling stock, drew support from transit officials and was reported favorably after a roll call vote, with one member voting no. The committee also advanced House Bill 982, which designates portions of highways in Morehouse Parish in memory of local residents killed in a crash after attending an LSU game; it was reported with amendments. House Bill 506, creating special prestige license plates for local high schools as a fundraiser, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 839, lowering the contract limit for hospital service districts to use construction management at risk from $2 million to $1 million, was reported by substitute after testimony from hospital leadership and industry representatives. House Bill 1072, revising powers and emergency procurement authority for the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, was amended and reported favorably after discussion about its relationship to DOTD and emergency repairs. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 887, which revises construction management at risk procedures, including committee makeup, scoring, and financial qualification requirements; it was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 647, creating timelines and an annual application process for waterway projects under a waterway assistance program and fund, was reported by substitute. The last major item discussed was House Bill 873, which would fund pursuit intervention technology and training for law enforcement through a $2 fee on driver’s licenses. The bill was presented alongside emotional testimony from the widow and daughter of Sergeant Grant Candies and from a St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff’s captain, all urging safer equipment and better training for officers. Members expressed strong support, and the discussion continued into funding and grant administration details.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city of Centralia's water wells are adjacent to our homes, so please pass this bill. Thank you.
• And I'm, as you know, we're home to many data centers.
• So I would ask, They use a small quantity of the total water supply.
• They also provide weatherization services, which reduce home energy use by an average of 25%.
• As we see greater strain on our energy system, Which reduce home energy use by an average of 25%.

Bills: HB2515 , HB2343 , HB2301 , HB2272 , HB2367

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, water quality, game farms, public health, environmental protection, regulatory oversight, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, sustainability, recycling, ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes

Transcript Highlights:

• The issue is, I think, regulation that strongly disfavors very small, very modest single-family homes
• small lot homes or in the form of very small lot homes or in<00:57:47.119><c> the</c><00:57:47.200><c
• very modest single family very small very modest single family homes.<00:58:00.000><c> There</c><00:
• about the very small lot single family<00:58:31.280><c> home</c><00:58:32.240><c> which</c><00:58:32.480
• That's a those small starter homes, small lots are great ideas, but when somebody moves into a starter

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:05 Roll Call 00:00:12 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:03:12 Discussion of Housing and Land Use 00:21:58 Discussion of Short Term Rental Policies 01:03:17 Adjournment 01:15:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply. Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal. The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm vice president of women in film, and I'm part of other inclusion groups, and part of this group..
• So when we talk about diversity, keep our jobs at home.
• I'm also a small business owner.
• And that's just our small family business.
• We're a very small local, 114, we've shrunk down.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're supportive of the exemption to allow CDLP to drive the school small vans, motor coaches, and small
• Vans motor coaches um the school small Vans motor coaches um and<00:41:35.359><c> small</c><00:41:35.599
• </c> local Builders who Turn and Burn homes local Builders who Turn and Burn homes for<03:56:53.279><
• Medicare certified Home Health agencies in<04:22:50.159><c> Hawaii</c><04:22:51.159><c> Home</c><04:
• homes, community homes, or being reunited with family.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have coverage on your home.
• , to stay in their homes.
• homebuyer homes.
• “No other groups? No other identifiable groups. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• business lending that makes nearly 60% of the nation's small-dollar loans to small businesses.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know that my son died in a car crash due to a small group of high-risk drivers defined by the extreme
• </c> this this home. this this home.
• I want to acknowledge there's a working group moving forth on something similar to small homes at container
• :58.640><c> to</c><02:45:59.120><c> small</c><02:45:59.439><c> homes</c><02:45:59.760><c> at</c> something
• similar to small homes at something similar to small homes at container<02:46:00.479><c> homes</c><02

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1588, which would establish a Department of Transportation noise detection program using cameras to enforce noise control laws. DOT supported the measure and said it is already piloting the technology at eight locations, with about 10 sites costing roughly $2 million to $2.5 million to install and operate. The Department of Health said it was willing to work with DOT but noted its current regulations are not designed for vehicular noise sources and that the bill may need clearer standards to be enforceable. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific decibel threshold and whether the system could accurately identify the source of noise; DOT said the pilot can pinpoint vehicles and that the program would align with existing health standards, but no final number was identified during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1696, which lowers the minimum age for a commercial driver’s license from 19 to 18 and removes a restriction tied to vehicle category, while requiring DOT rule changes. DOT, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Transportation Association, Teamsters Local 996, and other stakeholders testified in support. The Hawaii Transportation Association suggested adding a training requirement for drivers ages 18 to 20, proposing at least 320 hours of employer training and recordkeeping. Members sought clarification that the bill would apply to intrastate, not interstate, licensing. For HB 233, the committee considered a measure authorizing DOT to designate airport special district zones statewide to prevent unauthorized access and improve security. DOT and the City and County of Honolulu supported the bill, explaining that defined boundaries would help law enforcement address trespassing, disruptions, fires, theft, harassment, and other incidents around airports and terminals; DOT said commercial airports are ready to implement the proposal, while some general aviation sites would need further work. Members asked about the scope of the boundaries, existing enforcement, and whether the measure would cover state-owned or non-state parcels near airports. The committee also heard HB 2332, which renames the Harbors Division as the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes “harbor” from “port” in statute. DOT, the Maritime Group, and harbor users supported the bill, saying the change would reduce confusion between commercial cargo/cruise facilities and recreational small boat harbors, and could help with clarity and possibly federal grant competitiveness. Members asked about impacts on small boat harbors and cruise activity, and DOT explained that the bill is aimed at purpose-built commercial ports, not recreational facilities. The committee also took testimony on HB 2283, which clarifies DOT’s consultative role with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in setting port pilotage standards and requirements. DOT, DCCA, Matson, the Hawaii Pilots Association, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve coordination and ensure pilot licensing standards reflect operational realities in the harbors. Finally, after a recess, the committee heard HB 2217, which would allow driver’s permits, licenses, and ID cards to include a notation for a non-apparent disability. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities opposed the bill as drafted, saying voluntary alternatives such as Smart 911 may be better and that the category is too broad. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended limiting the notation to medically recognized, specifically defined conditions so agencies can train personnel and avoid confusion or escalation.

Transcript Highlights:

• for me, and I think it probably hits home for a lot of us.
• for me, and I think it probably hits home for a lot of us.
• Nursing homes are an important component of the health care...
• It requires ACA to impose a $10,000 fine against the home office of a nursing home that fails to submit
• And I would say, you know, nursing homes, as I said earlier, nursing homes are an important component

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 526 on nursing education programs, sponsored by Senator Harrell, would tighten oversight of nursing schools by requiring admission criteria, exit exams, remediation plans, annual reporting, on-site inspections, and stronger action against programs with poor NCLEX results or adverse actions in other jurisdictions. After testimony from the sponsor and several committee questions, a late-filed amendment restored a two-year probation period instead of one year, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 714, also by Senator Harrell, would create a voluntary non-opioid advance directive allowing patients to document a wish not to receive opioids, including when incapacitated, with the form developed by the Department of Health and potentially included in electronic medical records. The sponsor said it would not prevent treatment discussions and would provide liability protection for providers who lack actual knowledge of the directive in emergencies. The bill drew no opposition in the meeting and was reported favorably. Senate Bill 170, sponsored by Senator Burton, would add nursing home quality and transparency measures, including consumer satisfaction surveys, patient safety culture surveys, electronic health record requirements, reporting to the Florida Health Information Exchange, a $10,000 fine for failure to submit required financial data, and reporting on Medicaid quality payments. An amendment clarified the fine’s application to both facilities and home offices. Testimony from AARP and the Florida Health Care Association supported the bill, and it was reported favorably after discussion about implementation and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was trying to get off her school bus in front of her own home as her father, her little sister, and
• group.
• Rather than relying on costly oversized transportation for, in some cases, one student or a small group
• They would see that the person was murdered in their home.
• The anti-drag can detect obstructions such as a small backpack, strap, or a dog leash.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions on testimony time limits. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2743 addressing staged suicides, S. 2861 creating a special commission on school bus safety, and S. 3021 updating Massachusetts student transportation rules. On S. 2743, advocates and family members described cases in which domestic violence deaths were allegedly misclassified as accidents or suicides, arguing the bill would improve training and require more careful investigation when there is a known history of abuse. Testimony emphasized the need for law enforcement, district attorneys, and medical examiners to recognize signs of coercive control and staged scenes. Committee members asked about current investigative practices and noted that sudden deaths are already reviewed by medical examiners and prosecutors, but that better training and awareness may still be needed. On S. 2861, Amanda Taylor testified emotionally about her daughter Summer Steel, who died after being trapped in a school bus door, and urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on future buses. Representative Sabadosa and a company representative said the technology already exists, is used in other transportation sectors, and could prevent similar tragedies; they noted estimated retrofit and prospective costs and pointed to Maine’s similar action. On S. 3021, Ever Driven and Chamber of Progress supported modernizing vehicle requirements for alternative student transportation, arguing that current rules are designed for full-size buses and make it harder for districts to serve homeless students, foster youth, and students with disabilities. The hearing ended after testimony concluded, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The summary also says protecting small businesses.
• Representative, the state has already launched a Safe Home, Save Our Homes property tax savings calculator
• to the belief of small government.
• I asked the question about a small town.
• You take away the taxes from those 500 homes in the city with 800 homes, and they're bankrupt.

Summary: The House met in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber then took up CS/House Joint Resolution 1F, the Governor’s property tax proposal, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict county and municipal ad valorem revenue to public safety and certain other uses. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf said the measure would return money to homeowners and give local governments flexibility, while opponents repeatedly argued the ballot language was misleading and that the proposal could create large local revenue shortfalls, shift costs to other taxpayers, and threaten local services and debt obligations. Members debated a series of amendments aimed at protecting specific programs from the bill’s effects. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to exempt Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was defeated 25-74 after supporters said those entities fund child care, mental health, aftercare, and family support, while opponents said local governments could still choose to fund them. Rep. Cross’s amendment to include water management districts in allowable uses of ad valorem taxes was also defeated, despite testimony that the districts are essential for flood control, water supply, Everglades restoration, and drought response. Rep. Eskamani’s amendment to require the Legislature to backfill public safety funding failed 25-71 after debate over whether the proposal could reduce police and fire budgets and response times. The House then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other aging services, and opponents saying the state already funds senior programs. Finally, Rep. Gant’s amendment to protect veteran services was introduced and debated, with members emphasizing housing, mental health, transition assistance, and homelessness concerns for veterans; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment. Throughout the debate, sponsors and supporters of the main resolution maintained that local governments would retain spending discretion and could use other revenue sources, while critics argued the measure lacked clear backfill provisions and could force cuts or tax shifts at the local level.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're starting Grace Harbor College, I think, in a couple of weeks, with a small group of people who
• They had to test in order to be able to participate, but a small group will be starting in a couple of
• And our margin of error is very small for a small state juvenile system.
• He was placed on electronic home monitoring, where he was sent home with his family.
• I was moved from home to home, and in one foster placement, I was removed because my foster father beat

Bills: SB6062

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, 904, all