Transcript Highlights:

• to once again remind everyone that the Assembly has rules to ensure we maintain order and run an efficient
• responsibility of abandonment, I'm sorry, of abandoned endowment care cemeteries to local agencies backed by regulatory
• It provides a framework for public agencies to assume responsibility when paired with regulatory, legal
• And if it happens who should assume responsibility when a private bank fails regulatory agencies help
• must register with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, but there is no substantial regulatory

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• value of our work comes from what we deliver, not where we sit, and we've delivered consistently, efficiently
• From a regulatory perspective, the... cases complement other license mobility laws like universal license
• From a regulatory perspective, the Which is also governed via compact.
• From a regulatory perspective, the cosmetology licensure compact preserves the authority of each compact
• member state to protect public health and safety through the existing regulatory structure.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• to regular rigorous scientific review for safety have been approved for consumption by multiple regulatory
• Food and Drug Administration as well as regulatory bodies in Canada, the European Union and the World
• sweetener to meet consumer preferences and these amounts well, well below the safety threshold set by regulatory
• effort resulted in a 94% reduction beverage calories in schools SB 1826, would create unnecessary regulatory
• But the real need here is to to find ways to make it more efficient in give a little bit of a little

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are one of the safest, most effective, and most cost-efficient tools we have in modern medicine.
• safest, most effective,<00:03:47.200><c> and</c><00:03:47.320><c> most</c><00:03:47.560><c> cost-efficient
• </c><00:03:48.280><c> tools</c> effective, and most cost-efficient tools effective, and most cost-efficient
• </c> existing licensing and reg- regulatory existing licensing and reg- regulatory structure<00:32:13.320
• </c> duplicative dup- duplicative regulatory duplicative dup- duplicative regulatory framework,<00:42

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We regularly engage in legislative and regulatory advocacy related to stay or pay provisions.
• 00:06:42.280><c> and</c> regularly engage in legislative and regularly engage in legislative and regulatory
• 43.400><c> related</c><00:06:43.960><c> to</c><00:06:44.040><c> stay</c><00:06:44.240><c> or</c> regulatory
• advocacy related to stay or regulatory advocacy related to stay or pay<00:06:44.480><c> provisions.
• This person is also going to be maybe less efficient because they're taking the time to show you how

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a question about the title of the bill because it says prioritizing the efficient use of existing
• But the title says prioritizing the efficient use of the tax resources, and I want to make sure it's
• The OIC has costs of $108,000 in 2027 and $25,000 in 2029 from their regulatory account.
• Substitute Senate Bill 5968, improving regulatory efficiency by integrating Executive Order 25-03.
• Substitute Senate Bill 5968 improving regulatory efficiency by integrating executive order 2503.

Bills: SB6147, SB6082, SB5862, SB5882, SB6323, SB6346, SB6162, SB6256, SB6220, SB5650, SB6343, SB6113, SB6211, SB6114, SB5898, SB6347, SB6244, SB5868, SB5762, SB5988, SB6194, SB6246, SB6223, SB6052, SB5828, SB5954, SB5963, SB5909, SGA9306

Keywords: grocery establishments, closure notice, consumer rights, local businesses, student financial aid, financial aid fraud, higher education, college enrollment fraud, fictitious students, ghost students, enrollment fraud, aid integrity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, AI fraud, fraud prevention, Washington State, legislative audit, JLARC, full-time equivalent

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, anywhere from $350 million to $650 million and then also as far as regulatory veterinary medicine
• programs and screw worm control and producer engagement to support AFIS strike teams, state-level regulatory
• You know, hopefully have some efficiency gains over the years with technology, those kind of things.
• While we build production facilities, we need coordination among regulatories, farmers and ranchers.
• We are a profit-oriented company and running lean and efficient is necessary to achieve positive margins

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to be willing to do, as the red states and the blue states alike have said, some regulatory change
• 00:08:02.160><c> some</c> said, is we need some we need some said, is we need some we need some regulatory
• </c> regulatory change. regulatory change.
• </c><00:23:29.360><c> What</c> is not an efficient marketplace.
• What is not an efficient marketplace.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to highlight a few of the amendments that we recommend from a regulatory perspective.
• However, if seeking an existing regulatory function, we would recommend potentially looking at county
• We recommend, from a regulatory perspective, that we agree with a number of other testifiers that moving
• However, if seeking an existing regulatory function, we would recommend potentially looking at county
• on our time here our first efficient on our time here our first testifier<00:43:16.720><c> is</c><00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard SB 443, which would require agricultural-district lands with solar energy facilities to also be certified as being used for a farming operation. DLNR, the State Energy Office, and the Agri-Business Development Corporation all supported the bill but recommended changes, including shifting the certifying authority from DLNR/BLNR to the Department of Agriculture. The Attorney General also recommended replacing the certification requirement with a condition that the land be used for a farming operation, citing the lack of a clear statutory framework for certification. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the measure but suggested using existing county agricultural dedication processes and raised concerns about conversion of agricultural land. The committees adopted amendments reflecting the Department of Agriculture as the certifying body and the Attorney General’s proposed language, then passed SB 443 with amendments. The committees then took up SB 79, relating to historic preservation reviews for state affordable housing projects. DLNR State Historic Preservation and DHHL supported the bill with amendments, including striking a redundant section and conforming the language to existing law. The committees agreed to those changes, and after a brief recess and decision-making, Water and Land, Housing, and Hawaiian Affairs each voted to pass SB 79 with amendments. The record notes that some members were excused and that the committees adopted the chair’s recommendations. Later, the joint Housing and Water and Land hearing considered SB 26, SB 867, and SB 1170. SB 26 would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within HCDA; HHFDC supported it, while HCDA suggested an alternative approach involving county coordination. The committees amended the bill to incorporate OPSD’s proposed language, add legislative and county representatives to the task force, and include an appropriation for the Mayor Wright project, then passed it with amendments. SB 867, which creates a working group to inventory water resources and streamline well permit approvals for affordable housing, drew broad support and was amended to specify the Department of Health director rather than the Clean Water Branch chief; it also passed with amendments. SB 1170, which would exempt certain Maui affordable rental housing projects from chapter 205A, drew support from housing interests but concern from the Attorney General that it could be unconstitutional; the AG suggested narrowing the bill to disaster recovery and limiting its scope. Testifiers also discussed the Weinberg Court Apartments project and other redevelopment concerns, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 1170 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• To build a clean commercial vehicle market that functions efficiently, predictably, and To build a clean
• commercial vehicle market that functions efficiently, predictably, and fairly for everyone, we must
• SB 1075 collapses the distinction between community input and regulatory policy by taking a community
• So it's much more efficient and cost effective.
• The efficiencies of this bill cannot be underestimated.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 479 creates a more efficient and transparent reporting process.
• Department of Justice to receive input, feedback, and suggestions relative to the framework and efficiency
• Department of Justice to receive input, feedback, and suggestions relative to the framework and efficiency
• We would recognize that you've got a 30-year history of regulatory success with the Gaming Control Board
• We normally start on time and we move through pretty efficiently.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you're asking whether a panel made from recycled materials would be less efficient, no.
• Our efficiency standards are set in stone, so everything has to come out the same quality.
• So, and one thing I want to point out, there's less rigs in the Haynesville because of efficiency.
• Representative McCormick, the rigs in the Haynesville are there because of efficiency.
• I don't—I mean, that's the regulatory environmental department.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this project offers a more effective and cost-efficient solution to the state.
• It came out of the House unanimously, and it is a good government efficiency bill.
• It does create efficiencies in two ways. One is the pre-designs to... Inflation.
• It does create efficiencies in two ways.
• It does create efficiencies in two ways.

Summary: The committee first heard a briefing on the proposed Senate capital budget, Substitute Senate Bill 6003, which would spend about $723 million total using debt-limit bonds, Climate Commitment Act funds, and other cash resources. Staff described major investments in housing and homelessness, human services, local infrastructure, flood response, water conservation and clean energy, K-12 school modernization and seismic work, and higher education projects. Members then took public testimony from a wide range of advocates and project sponsors, most of whom urged the Senate to preserve or increase funding for specific projects in the final budget, including affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, child care facilities, food banks, behavioral health and substance use treatment centers, tribal courthouse relocation, school modernization, community colleges, university projects, floodplain restoration, community forests, and local civic or cultural facilities. Several witnesses also asked the Senate to match or approach House funding levels on items such as the Housing Trust Fund, permanent supportive housing, the Community Forest Program, Floodplains by Design, and CCA-supported clean energy and water projects. The chair noted that amendments to the capital budget were due the next day at noon. The committee then received a briefing on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, which would restructure Climate Commitment Act accounts by repealing three existing accounts and replacing them with two new accounts: a CCA operating account and a CCA capital account. Staff explained that the bill would preserve most existing uses while changing revenue distribution formulas, capping Ecology administrative costs, expanding allowable uses for EV-related costs, housing, and carbon capture/sequestration, and changing reporting and tribal consultation provisions. The bill also shifts some reporting from annual to biannual and modifies the thresholds for tribal-supported and overburdened-community investments. The fiscal note was described as relatively small, with the main impact being the revised revenue allocation structure. Public testimony on the CCA bill was mixed. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, said the restructuring better aligns spending with the intent of the CCA and could improve investments for tribes and overburdened communities. Critics, including the Washington Policy Center, argued the bill still lacks strong requirements to ensure CCA spending is effective and objected to reducing the frequency of the state’s climate-spending report. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I visited your district, we discussed how we can continue to make that program more efficient, make
• So I'm working directly with the comptroller on making, you know, the distribution of funds more efficient
• refer on the economic development issue to kind of my statewide colleagues, in particular in my regulatory
• So I think, you know, I hear you in terms of needing more efficiencies.
• I've told them I'm committed to reducing process and finding efficiencies.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banking Committee met for its first meeting of the session, with Chair James Sanders Jr. and Ranking Member George Borrello opening the hearing and noting a collaborative approach to committee work. The committee first considered and advanced several bills: S.114, which would prohibit state-chartered banks from investing in or financing private prisons; S.2040, which would require money transmitters to provide a consumer warning; S.5473, which would require disclosures in advertisements involving virtual tokens; and S.8406, Sanders’ bill to amend the community bank deposit program. Each bill was moved and approved by committee, with S.8406 passing unanimously. The committee then heard from Caitlin Azar, Acting Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), who outlined her background and DFS priorities. She emphasized affordability, consumer protection, stability, and innovation, and discussed DFS-led initiatives in the governor’s budget, including Banking Development Districts, non-bank mortgage CRA regulations, CDFI investment guidance, and consumer restitution. She also said DFS plans to issue buy-now-pay-later regulations in February, expand student lending protections and borrower education, and continue work on insurance affordability, including auto and homeowners insurance reforms, anti-fraud efforts, and discounts tied to telematics, dash cameras, and safe-driving courses. Members questioned Azar about the balance between regulation and access, especially in crypto, buy-now-pay-later, and insurance markets. She said DFS aims to preserve competition while preventing discriminatory or excessive practices, and described existing oversight of virtual currency, including coordination with federal regulators. Another member asked about AI in auto insurance underwriting and pricing; Azar said DFS requires transparency, bias review, governance controls, and consumer recourse, and that credit scores cannot be used to deny or increase rates. The chair also raised concerns about foreclosure in Southeast Queens, improving BDD paperwork and data collection, and increasing the number of state-chartered credit unions. Azar said DFS is working on process improvements, community input, and maintaining open communication with the committee, but no additional votes or formal actions were taken during the DFS hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• DPS was directed by the 88th legislature to conduct a study to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
• We also have the regulatory data.
• Uh, it's just, it's, it's not efficient, uh, in, in how we run our operation in San Antonio.
• And provide more efficiency to what you do. Yes, sir. Um, That seems like a no brainer, right?
• There's so many efficiencies and there's a lot packed in this that Colonel Goods can talk about.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:28:34.799><c> and</c><00:28:35.120><c> sustainable</c><00:28:35.840><c> regulated</c> efficient,
• and sustainable regulated efficient, and sustainable regulated market<00:28:37.039><c> while</c><00:
• I will now pause and respond to questions or amendments. regulatory framework uh through the regulatory
• the regulatory free market. set the regulatory environment<01:40:23.600><c> and</c><01:40:23.840><c>
• </c> that happens with all the regulatory that happens with all the regulatory bodies.<03:16:14.560><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the Nuclear Regulatory Essentially a mining method, although the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• There's about, I think, 20 to 40 regulatory guidelines, policies, and best practices that we follow for
• In response, LANL is working as efficiently as possible to safely and compliantly increase legacy waste
• To optimize risk reduction, ship performance, and cost efficiency, shipment decisions are based upon
• I know they're trying to do the upgrades very efficiently. And that's really all I had to say.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:11:01.760><c> Why</c> by and are also a regulatory board?
• Why by and are also a regulatory board?
• </c> Because they're not that regulatory.
• </c><03:14:11.760><c> However,</c> specific regulatory guidelines.
• However, specific regulatory guidelines.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we require that all solicitations be cost-efficient and minimize ratepayer impacts.
• Now, there's an energy efficiency advisory council contained in the bill.
• Now, there's an Energy Efficiency Advisory Council contained in the bill already, and this amendment
• And it would also grant the board, the Financial Oversight and Energy Efficiency Management Board, Mr
• of the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, which oversees plan development.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The operation of boards themselves have not always been efficient because people don't understand the
• The operation of boards themselves have not always been efficient because people don't understand the
• We found that larger boards tend not to operate as efficiently as they can, but we also know that 10
• But we want to make sure that, you know, what process is started now continues on in an efficient way
• Department of Labor, which initiated federal regulatory rollbacks that would impact the federal rules

Keywords: 988, house, all