Transcript Highlights:

• The Wolf County Search and Rescue Team is an all-volunteer group that serves Kentucky's Red River Gorge
• And then Becttel Group<01:19:51.280> is<01:19:51.520> our<01:19:51.679> next<01:
• It's gone from an adversarial relationship to where these groups are champions of Bluegrass Army Depot
• It's gone from an adversarial relationship to where these groups are champions of Bluegrass Army Depot
• Where these groups are champions of Bluegrass Army Depot, and we're doing great stuff.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• that was your question um about block that was your question um about block grants<00:40:56.880>
• <00:41:29.599> grant if they make changes to block grant if they make changes to block grant
• Has she talked to the different groups that deal with autism, that deal with autism research?
• A myriad of autism advocacy groups, parents, and individuals support this amendment, not just one group
• connection with this group whatsoever. connection with this group whatsoever.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I say this because when we did the work group first in early September after the shooting at
• > first<00:03:52.480> in<00:03:53.200> um<00:03:53.400> early the work group
• first in um early the work group first in um early September<00:03:54.400> after<00:03:54.680
• You mentioned gun lobbyist groups, and they represent certain populations.
• You mentioned gun lobbyist groups, and they represent certain populations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a very civil group of people here in Oklahoma. Would you mind, Mr. Chairman, if I...
• Then you throw in a protest group. It is significant. Every day. Then you throw in a protest group.
• United decision effectively said a group of citizens could use their money to... ...Citizens United
• So I'm happy to work with all those groups. Thank you for that.
• And as you all know, I am the new kid on the block here.

Bills: HB1453, HB2933, HB2941, HB2945, HB2959, HB3087, HB3094, HB3297, HB3298, HB3319, HB3321, HB3386, HB3453, HB3471, HB3505, HB3510, HB3544, HB3549, HB3652, HB3727, HB3791, HB3845, HB3906, HB4119, HB4125, HB4126, HB4198, HB4236, HB4425, HB4343, HB4094, HB3407

Keywords: foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, abortion

Transcript Highlights:

• they could maximize engagement online by getting people to be very, very angry at a specific ethnic group
• The city has a way of getting their voice heard very well and interfacing and blocking things, so I'm
• So all of those factors together, you need to be in a group, you need to be very aggressive, and you
• What happened here is that in 2020, there was a group of individuals within the National Association
• Professional association groups that serve doctors, attorneys, real estate professionals, and others

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked him what that's about, and it's a lengthy story, but we still have people that are blocked in
• I asked him what that's about, and it's a lengthy story, but we still have people that are blocked in
• I asked him what that's about, and it's a lengthy story, but we still have people that are blocked in
• and<00:42:45.359> some<00:42:45.640> in<00:42:45.760> a people that are blocked
• in and some in a people that are blocked in and some in a couple<00:42:46.119> counties<00:42

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40 Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dave Conley with Wydeman Group on behalf of Electrify America, in support. Good morning.
• We already criminalized copper theft by an individual or a group.
• And I thank Paris Hilton for engaging this group. Strength of her voice in this moment.
• In my work group alone, I work in line assets. And so...
• In my work group alone, I work in line assets.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It tells a grandmother that she may face mandatory jail time because a school sits three blocks away.
• It tells a grandmother that she may face mandatory jail time because a school sits three blocks away.
• It tells a grandmother that she may face mandatory jail time because a school sits three blocks away.
• You know, it's several blocks to a few football stadiums.
• You know, there's a couple schools down the block from me.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If kids are sent something nude or something lewd, it is blocked before it can reach them.
• If kids, God forbid, send something out that's nude or lewd, it's blocked before it can reach anyone.
• /c><00:14:30.000> or<00:14:30.160> lewd,<00:14:30.720> it's<00:14:31.040> blocked
• <00:14:31.440> before that's nude or lewd, it's blocked before that's nude or lewd, it's blocked

Bills: HB161

Keywords: building codes, standardization, commercial construction, architectural services, energy conservation, federal compliance, local governance, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This one in Crystal involves three group homes in that city.
• This one in Crystal involves three group homes in that city.
• This one in Crystal involves three group homes in that city.
• This one in Crystal involves three group homes in that city.
• This one in Crystal involves three group homes in that city.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits internet service providers from blocking internet traffic on the basis of internet content
• It prohibits internet service providers from blocking internet traffic on the basis of internet content
• It prohibits internet service providers from blocking internet traffic on the basis of internet content
• It prohibits internet service providers from blocking internet traffic on the basis of internet content

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor and Technology Committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 2245 would tighten revolving-door restrictions for state employees by barring new employees from acting on matters they worked on before state service and imposing a 12-month post-employment restriction for certain former Governor and Lieutenant Governor staff; the Ethics Commission and League of Women Voters supported it, and the committee later passed it as is. SB 99 would allow certain retirees to return to work as school resource officers or investigators without losing retirement benefits; the Attorney General supported the investigator portion, ERS and other agencies offered comments and suggested amendments, and the committee passed the bill with amendments, including changes from the Attorney General, ERS, and the Department of Law Enforcement, plus a far-future effective date. SB 2304, which would expand identity theft law to cover AI/deepfake or materially deceptive media impersonation, drew opposition from the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor over prosecution burdens and First Amendment concerns, while some prosecutors and others supported it; the committee deferred the bill. SB 2115, dealing with collective bargaining impasse procedures for repricing public employee classes, drew opposition from human resources officials who said arbitrators lack the technical expertise needed, while unions and HGA supported the measure; the committee deferred decision-making to a later hearing. The committee also heard SB 1036, a net neutrality bill that would bar broadband providers from blocking, prioritizing, or zero-rating traffic. Supporters argued Hawaii needs stronger consumer protections, while the Hawaii Broadband Office said it saw no current problem in Hawaii and warned the bill could affect federal BEAD funding unless exempted; the committee deferred the measure. SB 1163 would prohibit the sale of geolocation and browser data and data collected through microphone-based background apps; Consumer Protection supported the intent but urged a broader privacy framework, and the Honolulu Prosecutor sought an exemption for lawful law-enforcement investigations, which the committee later accepted along with Hawaiian Telecom’s proposed amendments before passing the bill with amendments. SB 2076 would update publicity-rights law to address AI/deepfake uses of a person’s likeness; testimony supported the goal and amendments from the Recording Industry Association of America, and the committee passed the bill with amendments, including replacing references to AI/deepfake with “digital replica.” After hearing testimony, the committee recessed briefly to obtain quorum and then reconvened for decision-making. It adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 2245 as is, passed SB 99 with amendments, deferred SB 2304, deferred SB 2115 to a later hearing, deferred SB 1036, passed SB 1163 with amendments, and passed SB 2076 with amendments. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's, uh, only a few groups that really offer the training and that certification and requires fees
• There's, uh, only a few groups that really offer the training and that certification and requires fees
• There's, uh, only a few groups that really offer the training and that certification and requires fees
• There's, uh, only a few groups that really offer the training and that certification and requires fees
• There's, uh, only a few groups that really offer the training and that certification, and it requires

Bills: HF3935, HF2216, HF4354, HF4210, HF4212

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services

Transcript Highlights:

• I think maybe a middle ground is looking at what funds, fund positions, or groups within DAB are state
• But to give geospatial data that groups could use to target for vandalism, for boycotts of particular
• could use to target for groups could use to target for vandalism,<01:00:11.280> for<01:00:12.079
• Um, and it can be in pellet form or in blocks and often times in bait boxes.
• and often times in form or in blocks and often times in bait<01:15:01.360> boxes.

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2407, SB3320

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• MAD, as we affectionately call it, is a fee-for-service consulting group which provides services, supports
• /c><00:37:36.200> much<00:37:36.440> more<00:37:37.359> this<00:37:37.599> group
• organizations and much more this group organizations and much more this group gets<00:37:38.400>
• foreclosure if you lived on the block foreclosure if you lived on the block with<01:08:44.839>
• That's the whole point of the Dodd-Frank Act: that they would be collapsed into one group.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what you see in terms of blocks is permitting volume expressed as units per quarter.
• Arnold, Tom Handy, Chelle Anderson, and Roger Haringa, or any iteration of that group.
• And I'm very appreciative of that work group.
• These changes were not made without getting input from a variety of user groups.
• So it was like a group ask, a group request.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in work session and heard a series of presentations on SEPA, permitting reforms, and building code implementation. Department of Ecology staff gave an overview of the State Environmental Policy Act, explaining its role in state and local decision-making, common exemptions, planned actions, and recent housing-related statutory changes such as transit-oriented development exemptions and SEPA appeals protections for certain local ordinances. Committee members asked about repeated SEPA reviews, cultural and historic resource review, and how SEPA relates to NEPA; Ecology responded that repeated reviews usually occur when proposals change and that programmatic EISs can help front-load analysis. Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections described how recent SEPA exemptions reduced residential review volume and supported more housing permits, and said the city is considering raising thresholds further. The State Building Code Council provided an update on code adoption timelines and legislative tasks tied to the 2024 codes, including single-stair housing, multiplex housing, dwelling unit size, and temporary emergency shelter standards. Council staff said the content of the codes is largely set, but administrative timelines have been delayed, prompting a motion to postpone final adoption while pursuing ways to preserve the planned implementation schedule. Members asked about the timing of code changes and the impact on housing costs, and staff said the legislative topics remain on track for inclusion in the 2024 code package. Committee staff then reviewed recent permitting legislation, including SB 5290’s permit decision deadlines and fee-refund provisions, later bills limiting pre-application meetings and clarifying that building permits are excluded from those timelines, and project-specific changes affecting middle housing, ADUs, lot splits, passive house projects, self-certification, transit-oriented development, and parking requirements. Commerce’s Dave Anderson reported on SB 5290 implementation, including guidance on permit fees, studies on staffing and statewide permitting systems, grants to local governments, and the first annual performance report, which showed mixed results and highlighted the importance of digital tools, clear checklists, staff training, and coordination across departments. Local officials from Issaquah and Kitsap County described their own process improvements, including code updates, optional pre-application meetings, new staffing, reporting systems, and a phased “Two by Six” review model in Kitsap, while also noting challenges from staffing shortages, agency coordination, and the burden of implementing multiple new mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• That blocked UK citizens from accessing it, and Ofcom used VPNs to get around that block to then show
• there is a lawsuit put against them for participating, maybe for what they are, what they say, what group
• there is a lawsuit put against them for participating, maybe for what they are, what they say, what group
• /c> be happy to be part of any kind of be happy to be part of any kind of working<02:17:54.399> group
• that could potentially be working group that could potentially be formed<02:17:57.200> um<02:

Bills: HB0070, HB0043, HB0103, HB0157, HB0092, SF0092

Keywords: foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4 addresses the block grant programs, and I mentioned the underfunding on line.
• Addresses the block grant programs, and I mentioned the underfunding on line 17.
• Section 5 is salaries and wages for the block grants and provides a report to the budget section on a

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier. The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier. The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• agreements, trying to implement some consequences, but the big shift was the strategy of moving to a blocking
• They blocked that concertina wire, no-climb fencing, and the barriers.
• We also employ brush teams, security points, and roving patrols that block and interdict illegal smuggling

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security held its first hearing of the 89th legislative session, established a quorum, welcomed new and returning members, and adopted the committee rules without objection. The chair said the hearing would be limited to invited state agency witnesses and was intended as a status update for new members on current border operations, especially in light of the change in federal administration. Testimony came from the Office of the Attorney General, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Military Department. The Attorney General’s representative said border-related litigation is largely in a holding pattern while the new U.S. Department of Justice awaits additional leadership, and noted prior cases involving concertina wire, buoys, and the CBP One app. DPS described Operation Lone Star’s evolution from filling gaps when Border Patrol was overwhelmed to current operations focused on interdiction, criminal arrests, fentanyl and meth seizures, and national security concerns, while also noting improved morale and more voluntary deployments as border pressure has eased. The Texas Military Department reported more than 5,000 personnel on state active duty, extensive use of barriers, drones, boats, and rapid-response forces, and said Operation Lone Star has resulted in more than 531,000 apprehensions and a 90% reduction in illegal crossings. Members and witnesses discussed whether the state should maintain its current border-security footprint while federal policy settles, with the chair emphasizing preserving institutional knowledge and leaving tactical decisions to the governor. Questions also covered trooper fatigue, Border Patrol training under SB 602, and concerns about cartel-driven commercial trucking and fuel depots near the border. The committee heard that Border Patrol training with DPS has resumed, and the chair asked agencies to keep the Legislature informed as legal and operational circumstances change. No bills were heard and no votes were taken beyond adopting the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• The police make contact with that individual a couple of blocks away.
• But is the intent of this change just mainly for block...
• Change just mainly for block switches and things like that. Is that really the intent?

Bills: HB105, HB296, HB15, HB264, HB34, HB304, HB146, HB26, HB15, HB34, HB26

Keywords: law enforcement, retirement benefits, Alabama Peace Officers, agency-issued badge, agency-issued pistol, resisting arrest, custody, public safety, Alabama law, traffic infractions, traffic ticket, disposition, criminal contempt, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, compliance, false information

Transcript Highlights:

• General Fund investments, including $5 billion for the Student Support and Professional Development block
• About $757 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund to support the Learning Recovery Emergency Block
• The other question that I had is, is there, because that's one group of folks who are going to be coming
• The other group I'm concerned about are those workers, those working families, who are required to meet
• And then my third and final point is that I hope that the third-party group, meaning the administration

Keywords: 987, senate, all