Transcript Highlights:

• The smaller entities will get a one-time multiplier or...
• Bifurcated: the smaller entities will get a one-time multiplier of the current monetary cap.
• We cover Los Alamos, Grants. So we're everywhere.
• Tiffany Lewis: "...to help cover our clinics, especially the rural imaging locations.
• You know it's not covered by insurance.

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 99, a proposed reform of the Medical Malpractice Act. Representative Chandler said the bill is intended to address physician shortages, rising malpractice premiums, and litigation pressures by changing punitive damages rules, including a higher standard of proof, a requirement that punitive damages not be pleaded in the initial complaint, and limits tied to the type of provider. Supporters, including physicians, business leaders, and some patients, said the bill would help retain doctors, improve access to care, and create more predictable liability exposure. Several supporters also said current malpractice conditions are driving doctors out of the state and harming rural access to services. Opponents argued the bill would reduce patient recovery, create unequal treatment based on insurance status through the bill-versus-paid provision, and raise constitutional concerns involving equal protection, collateral source rules, and separation of powers. They also criticized the bill for not addressing other drivers of malpractice, such as hospital practices, prior authorization, staffing, and background checks for out-of-state doctors. Some witnesses urged amendments to protect the Patient Compensation Fund, ensure future medical expenses are covered, require minimum surcharge settings, and improve oversight of providers entering the state. Committee members questioned the sponsor and witnesses about whether the bill would actually lower premiums, whether it would improve access to care, and how it would affect hospitals, independent providers, and the Patient Compensation Fund. The sponsor said the bill was based on negotiations and comparisons with other states, and that it should help premiums over time. Members raised concerns about the fund’s solvency, the role of hospitals in the fund, and whether some provisions would survive legal challenge. No final vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated amendments would be discussed later and the committee would continue the hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We strongly support this bill, and I just want to share that we really believe that if an entity is going
• is going to serve as an agent of entity is going to serve as an agent of a<00:05:19.919><c> restaurant
• Federal law provides the protections, and that federal law applies to covered entities doing business
• </c> and that federal law applies to covered and that federal law applies to covered entities<00:24:44.600
• doing business in this area um entities doing business in this area um so<00:24:47.760><c> we're</c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and reviewed several measures. SB 102 would restrict third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or selling reservations without a written agreement from the restaurant; the Attorney General recommended amendments to strengthen the bill against First Amendment and Contracts Clause challenges, and the Hawaii Restaurant Association strongly supported it, saying restaurants should control who represents them. The committee also heard SB 137 on electric utility mergers and acquisitions, with support from Ulupono Initiative and IBW Local 1260. Supporters said the bill would preserve state policy protections, including renewable energy and rate-making goals, and protect workers; IBW also suggested amendments, including a severability clause. The committee discussed a possible alternative approach from the PUC involving solicitation of bids from non-investor-owned utilities, and Ulupono said it would consider that idea but was concerned about preserving time for co-op formation. Members then heard SB 142, which would require insurers paying claims by check to send them by certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt. The Insurance Division stood on its written testimony, while the Hawaiian Insurers Council, State Farm, NAMIC, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposed the bill. A senator questioned whether the measure was too prescriptive and could create problems for claimants displaced by disasters; the response was that insurers and claimants usually remain in contact and that other payment methods may already be available depending on the carrier. SB 157 would ban algorithmic price setting in Hawaii’s rental market and require a public education program; the committee noted written testimony in support and comment, but no oral testimony was taken before moving on. SB 158 would create a state-owned bank implementation board within DCCA; DCCA’s financial institutions division, the Budget and Finance Department, and the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments, while the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed and the Hawaii Credit Union League commented. The committee also heard SB 318, which would require DCCA to adopt privacy rules for direct-to-consumer genetic testing and specify whether genetic information may be used for investigative genetic genealogy. The Office of Consumer Protection and Andrew Crossland opposed the bill, saying federal law and existing state protections already cover much of the area and that rulemaking would be a better way to address it; members raised concerns about federal changes and the need for state protections, but OCP said the bill was not the best approach. SB 332 would prohibit bundling foreclosed homes at public sale and delay finality of sales; L. Strong and written testimony supported it, citing Lahaina’s post-fire foreclosure risks and warning of investors profiting from the disaster. The final measure, SB 525, would require written notice and consent before mortuaries, cemeteries, or pre-need funeral authorities sell or recycle precious metals recovered after cremation. DCCA’s consumer protection and licensing divisions offered comments, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association opposed the bill, saying it was surprised by the measure and was unaware of current consumer problems in the industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it did uh deny credit to entity tax.
• And so, if the entity doesn't pay, you know, the credit is the idea is so you don't have to pay twice
• Whereas these entities typically have property tax levy authority, the bill would deny that authority
• But and did you cover maybe I was distracted the last one on, uh, on other items to consider?
• But and did you Did you<00:42:14.320><c> cover</c> you cover you cover Maybe<00:42:15.960><c> I</c><00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• affirms that hot tax funds must be used lawfully without discrimination or favoritism and ensures that entities
• portion of the HOT collected by the state, intended for beach upkeep, is allocated directly to the entity
• The North Texas Commission is a regional advocacy organization that covers the 13 counties known as the
• The law allows a taxing unit to levy an unrestricted INS, interest and sinking property tax rate, to cover
• Senate Bill 1453 does permit a taxing entity to adopt an INS rate higher than the minimum tax rate if

Bills: SB263, SB467, SB850, SB1030, SB1352, SB1453, SB2064, SB2206, SB2779, SJR84

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Voc Rehab and Blind Services are two different budget entities.
• It is not a degree-granting entity; rather, it's a certificate-granting entity.
• Over half of the entities that we surveyed don't keep their patches up to date.
• And, of course, many of our programs and our grants cover a job coach.
• And, of course, many of our programs and our grants cover a job coach.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, Chair Kresha covered it, too, that um these investigations run parallel with what's happening
• Actually, Chair Kresha covered it, too, that um these investigations run parallel with what's happening
• Actually, Chair Kresha covered it, too, that um these investigations run parallel with what's happening
• workers that were was going to cover workers that were affected affected affected up<00:26:57.680><c
• Um most uh entities uh very new.

Bills: HF3489, HF3393, HF3785, SF856, HF4006, HF4615, HF3919, HF4591, HF3682, HF4240

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't cover the kinds of stories we think are important to our community or provide informative
• So I’ve covered a bunch of topics in a light way, but I wanted to at least frame that up, so you have
• And then, of course, there are the elements of, you know, which news outlets and entities can afford
• Here are just a few samples of the variety of arts, information, and music programs that we cover.
• We cover a very vast geographic region.

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix. Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, they are raising tuition on the students in our state 6.5% to cover this.
• Members, they are raising tuition on the students in our state 6.5% to cover this.
• Members, they are raising tuition on the students in our state 6.5% to cover this.
• Members, they are raising tuition on the students in our state 6.5% to cover this.
• Members, they are raising tuition on the students in our state 6.5% to cover this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a legislative proposal aimed at ensuring places of worship are treated as essential entities and
• But basically what this does, it prohibits any government entity from enforcing stricter restrictions
• Basically what this does, it prohibits any government entity from enforcing stricter restrictions on
• I think that we are covered by our Constitution in this United States.
• I think that we are covered by our Constitution in this United States.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• entities under Proposition 12.
• entities under Proposition 12.
• AB 1592 covers the same issue.
• AB 1592 covers the same issue.
• AB 1592 covers the same issue.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So is it different for those covered by Medicaid? Mr. Speaker, gentlelady, thank you.
• Speaker, gentlelady, would it be safe for me to say that some kids would not be covered?
• Covered, not all.
• For those that are covered under that avenue, is that correct, Mr. Speaker, gentlelady?
• So would insurance then be forced to cover them with no cost sharing?

Transcript Highlights:

• We covered together, thank you, using the trust, to make sure that in light of the... ...together, thank
• You cannot run a government, a company, an institution, or any entity for that matter with the chaos
• What would the ask and the gap cover?
• Those audits have covered a wide range of entities, from the MBTA to the Department of Elementary and
• The mandate tells us to audit all these entities at least once every three years.

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We covered together, thank you, using the trust, to make sure that in light of the, ...together, thank
• You cannot run a government, a company, an institution, or any entity for that matter with the chaos
• And what would the ask and the gap cover?
• Those audits have covered a wide range of entities, from the MBTA to the Department of Elementary and
• The mandate tells us to audit all these entities at least once every three years.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You could cover the tracks.
• This bill simply allows the option of also covering them if you so chose.
• And they asked for pictures of the covering.
• There are also line items already covering these costs.
• There are also line items already covering these costs.

Bills: HB2109, HB2139, HB2192

Keywords: vehicle loads, public highways, transportation, road safety, infrastructure, HB2139, snowmobile registration, snowmobile fee, vehicle license fee, registration fee, Department of Licensing, RCW, vehicle registration, winter recreation, off-road vehicle, moped, motorcycle, trailer, recreational vehicle, vintage snowmobile

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> money for additional nutrition to cover money for additional nutrition to cover travel<00:41:54.000
• ,</c><00:44:56.480><c> so</c> Um, in terms of outside entities, so Um, in terms of outside entities,
• Uh, I institution covers those costs.
• </c> present to our our corporate entities present to our our corporate entities and<01:22:39.679><c>
• </c> an entity. an entity.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House-Senate higher education briefing focused on how the University of Hawaii athletics department plans to remain competitive in the NIL era, especially as the House settlement and related changes allow new forms of athlete compensation. Chair and Senator Kim opened by framing the issue as balancing competitiveness, sustainability, compliance, and UH’s educational mission. Coaches Laura Beeman and Timmy Chang described how NIL and the transfer portal are already affecting recruiting and retention, with Beeman saying women’s basketball has lost six to 10 recruits because UH cannot yet match offers, and Chang citing examples of players being courted with large sums and the need to retain proven local and out-of-state athletes. Both emphasized that student-athletes should still prioritize education, culture, and team values, while also receiving support that helps them stay at UH. Athletic Director Matt Elliott then outlined UH’s broader strategy. He said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the highest level of the Mountain West, and strengthen the bond with the community. He described NIL as having moved from a largely unregulated period to a new phase in which institutions can directly control some NIL payments, while outside deals still must be reviewed for fair market value. Elliott said UH wants to use NIL to help athletes cover basic needs and build financial stability, while also keeping them academically on track. He noted the department is pursuing fundraising, including a “Boost the Bose” account, corporate sponsorships, and licensing deals, to support NIL opportunities. In response to questions from Senator Kim, Elliott clarified that UH’s approach involves both institution-controlled payments and outside NIL deals: internal payments can be structured at the department’s discretion within the cap, while external sponsor deals must go through NIL Go and meet market-value standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• By far, we have significant use on the river by tribal entities, 11%.
• There's substantial use within the CAP of tribal entities as well.
• Some of the entities like the Navajo Nation are in multiple states, right?
• Not 100... ...some of the entities like the Navajo Nation are in multiple states, right?
• Needless to say, private companies as well as other entities took note.

Bills: HB2042, HB2052, HB2055, HB2056, HB2094, HB2098, HB2185, HB2328, HB2758, HB2798

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, HB 335 adds legislative auditor oversight and language about any entity administering those
• The amendment is just kind of a cover-all.
• Sawyer: ...for citizens, and Citizens had to float a bond for about a billion dollars to cover those
• Yes, no, that is correct, and you basically covered the rule.
• Yes, no, that is correct, and you basically covered the rule.

Bills: HR218, HR219, HR220, HR221, HR222, HCR91, HCR92, HCR93, HR210, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR214, HR215, HR216, SCR29, SCR38, SB100, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, SCR23, HB276, HB508, HB512, HB599, HB632, HB656, HB998, HB1052, HB1084, HB1171, HB1193, HB1194, HB1204, HB1209, HB1250, SB2, SB19, SB24, SB50, SB70, SB96, SB101, SB103, SB104, SB114, SB122, SB159, SB160, SB173, SB180, SB182, SB260, SB412, SB418, SB424, SB442, SB460, SB476, HCR41, HCR76, HCR77, HCR63, HCR69, HCR86, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB167, HB227, HB243, HB321, HB335, HB398, HB492, HB624, HB689, HB708, HB804, HB906, HB926, HB955, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB985, HB1005, HB1029, HB1069, HB1077, HB1095, HB1104, HB1107, HB1187, HB1203, HB1217, HB1220, HB730, HB225, HB175, HB198, HB437, HB457, HB488, HB646, HB763, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1089, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231, HB1246, HB1248, HB1249, SB47, SB82, SB106, SB206, SB210, SB248, SB305, SB376, SB397, SB441, HCR32, HB59, HB617, HB897, HB911, HB1223, HB798, HB824, HB989, HB1140, HB1166, HB1244, HB901, HB79, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB996, HB1035, HB1113, HB1180, HB1234, HB1240, SB89

Keywords: EJ Fields, Shreveport, Louisiana, gospel music, commendation, resolution, honorary resolution, Billboard Gospel Airplay, Mediabase Gospel Airplay, Mercy Endureth, music award, ministry, artist recognition, cultural heritage, spiritual heritage, African American gospel, local hero, state commendation, St. Charles Parish, parish day

Transcript Highlights:

• And I have to say and add that it covers from the northern part of Grand Canyon all the way into the
• Gowan and Senator Grant, or Representative Grantham, was for to cover every fire district in the state
• So he did a great job covering the bill itself.
• Chairman, Senator Hatathlie, we issue loans and grants throughout the state to multiple tribal entities
• Where I would need to get further clarification is at the chapter level, if they would be the entity

Bills: SB1041, SB1363, SB1418, SB1419, SB1445, SB1447, SB1488, SB1519, SB1523, SB1560, SB1580

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use

Transcript Highlights:

• So, can you just clarify what a red bridge—that's a category—but I mean that's got to cover a range of
• Compliance with this section by municipal and county entities shall be contingent on available funding
• </c><01:27:14.960><c> but</c> for not only the uh private entities but for not only the uh private entities
• And is this intended to use the cover salt that's used on roads?
• </c> cover salt that's used on roads? cover salt that's used on roads?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program there's four core subjects: language arts, math, science, and social studies—and you have to cover
• We thought, in the law, that you got to cover these four subject matters, and it doesn't matter if you
• bought it from one vendor or two vendors; you still should be able to get it covered.
• Be able to get it covered. That's clarified, again, there on page two.
• School boards, like other government entities, have to hold public hearings, and school boards have to

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 20, 2026, to hear House Bill 934, the Idaho Parenthood Choice Tax Credit, presented by Representative Jason Monks. Monks said the bill was intended as a clarification of last year’s school choice tax credit law, not an expansion, and walked through several changes: clarifying that eligibility applies if a child is age 5 through 18 at any time during the tax year, defining tutoring as academic instruction, allowing qualified homeschool materials to be purchased from more than one vendor, confirming the one-time nature of the advanced payment, clarifying use of the state refund account, and specifying that participation in non-academic activities does not itself count as enrollment. He also said the bill was meant to address issues the Tax Commission had raised in administering the program. Representative Raymond questioned why the language on page three, especially the section dealing with students in non-academic activities and IDLA, was included in a technical corrections bill rather than handled separately, noting overlap with House Bill 780. Senator Lori Den Hartog responded that the language was meant to ensure the state was not paying twice for the same student, particularly where IDLA enrollment is involved, and said the provision reflected what sponsors and the governor’s office understood to be the original intent. Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association opposed the page three language, arguing it was not merely technical and would allow students to receive the tax credit while also participating in public school extracurriculars, which she said would burden school districts and amount to double dipping. In closing, Monks defended the language as necessary to prevent students from being wrongly excluded from the credit because of participation in non-academic activities, saying families already pay to participate in many extracurriculars and that the credit still saves the state money overall. Representative Ehlers spoke in favor of the bill as a narrow clarification, while Representative Birch objected that the bill did not reduce the program’s funding in line with cuts elsewhere. The committee then voted to send House Bill 934 to the floor with a do pass recommendation; the motion passed by voice vote, with several members recorded as voting no.