Transcript Highlights:

• We are here to express strong support for Senate Bill 533.
• There are two primary reasons why we support the bill.
• There are two primary reasons why we support the bill.
• And we are strongly supportive of Senate Bill 2782.
• And so we are, again, very supportive of the clarification.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• I am supportive. I'm supportive of being proactive against this substance. It's new. It's emerging.
• We strongly support HB 2291.
• I urge support on this bill.
• I'm asking for your support on this bill today.
• Madam Chair, I urge your support on this piece of legislation.

Bills: HB2291 , HB2629 , HB2439 , HB1078 , HB1701 , HB2207 , HB2501 , HB2361 , HB1932

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: kratom, consumer protection, regulation, health safety, substance control, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, pet insurance, insurance regulation, animal welfare, claims processes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that's those are the reasons I support that's those are the reasons I support this<00:44:32.760>
• support from the chiefs of Police support from the chiefs of Police Association<00:48:14.720><c> who<
• There is no evidence to support otherwise.
• </c><01:35:50.239><c> of</c> as if the sponsors and supporters of as if the sponsors and supporters of
• </c> I'm just here to affirm my support I'm just here to affirm my support there's<04:07:24.319><c> a

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, with the chair limiting testimony to two minutes and asking for no outbursts so the committee could get through eight bills that day. Representative Kofalt, the prime sponsor, said HB 148 was the same as last year’s HB 396, which passed both chambers but was vetoed by the governor. He explained the bill would allow, but not require, separation by biological sex in bathrooms, locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions, leaving local school boards and administrators discretion to set policies. He argued the bill was meant to address safety and privacy concerns and cited a Milford incident and concerns in several school districts as examples of why local flexibility was needed. Committee members questioned the lack of a definition of “biological sex” and how the bill would be applied. Kofalt said he did not think a definition was necessary because males and females are generally understood, and he said the bill would give local policymakers latitude to make practical rules. He also said the bill was intended to address situations where people might misuse transgender claims to access spaces inappropriately. In response to questions, he said he was aware of issues in Kearsarge, Milford, and Mascoma school districts and had heard of discomfort in the State House, though he did not know all the details. Several opponents testified that the bill would discriminate against transgender and non-binary people and create enforcement problems. Executive Councilor Karen Hill said the bill would roll back New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination protections and conflict with the state’s Live Free or Die values. Alice Wade, a trans woman, said she had used women’s restrooms without incident and argued the bill would invite invasive enforcement and harassment. Representative La Selig said the bill was discriminatory and that bathroom concerns were being confused with unrelated harassment by cisgender males. Betsy Harrington supported the bill, citing a girls’ soccer game at Kearsarge that she said was disrupted by a boy playing on a girls’ team. Rosie Emer and her child testified against the bill, saying bathroom restrictions would increase anxiety and risk for trans and non-binary children. Stephen Scaer and Wendy Stallings supported the bill, arguing sex is biologically fixed and that excluding males from female spaces should not require genital inspections. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am supportive..." "We're just west of Spokane.
• We strongly support HB 2291.
• We support the 95% excise tax rate included in related Senate bills.
• I urge support on this bill.
• I'm asking for your support on this bill today.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2291, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, and then moved into executive session on several bills. Staff explained that HB 2291 would license kratom retailers and processors, set age 21 purchase limits, require labeling, child-resistant packaging, independent testing, an LCB-approved product directory, and an 11% excise tax, while banning certain synthetic or adulterated kratom products and restricting online/mail sales and public consumption. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to regulate natural kratom while banning the synthetic or chemically altered forms, and several witnesses supported stronger youth protections and product standards. Others opposed the bill’s licensing fee, statewide preemption of local bans, or the regulatory approach, while some testified that natural kratom helps with pain or recovery. The hearing on HB 2291 was then closed without action. In executive session, the committee took action on multiple bills. HB 2439, dealing with cigarette, vapor product, and tobacco product policy, was amended and reported out with a do pass recommendation; the adopted amendments limited Consumer Protection Act enforcement to the Attorney General, adjusted coupon language, and restored state preemption over local retail regulation. HB 1078 on pet insurance, HB 1701 on shared liquor-license premises, HB 2207 on bonded beer warehousing, and HB 2501 on real estate oil-tank disclosure were all reported out with do pass recommendations, with HB 1701’s substitute removing a Public Records Act exemption and HB 2207’s substitute aligning beer warehousing more closely with spirits warehouse rules. HB 2361, which raises the maximum small loan amount, was amended to make inflation adjustments biennial and to change publication requirements, then passed out of committee. The committee also approved HB 1932, which would authorize cannabis consumption events in regulated environments. The substitute bill would create a cannabis consumption event organizer license, allow limited adult-use events subject to local approval, and establish permit and budtender training requirements; members discussed the bill as a way to provide lawful consumption spaces while others objected to expanding cannabis access. In the final votes, HB 2439 passed 12-3, HB 1078 passed unanimously, HB 1701 passed 14-1, HB 2207 passed 14-1, HB 2501 passed unanimously, HB 2361 passed 13-2, and HB 1932 passed 11-4, all with do pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is broad bipartisan support.
• It's no longer a fledgling business that needs that kind of support.
• I support the general proposition, thank you, Mr.
• I'm hoping they'll support the bill this time. You agree? I 1,000 percent agree.
• I know your organization, RAVEN, has been supportive of the bill.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: child safety, Big Tech, CSAM, legislation, online exploitation, bipartisan, social media

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the pressing issues surrounding child safety online, with a particular emphasis on recent legislative efforts aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation and harmful content accessible through social media platforms. Senators engaged in a heated discussion regarding the implications of Big Tech's lobbying efforts against vital bills such as the Stop CSAM Act and the Kids Online Safety Act. Noteworthy testimonies highlighted real-life impacts of online dangers, including tragic cases of child exploitation and drug-related fatalities linked to social media interactions. The bipartisan nature of the committee's commitment to address these issues showcased a collective determination to make the digital environment safer for the younger generation.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we have very strong support from our mayor and our city council.
• And they supported the emphasis on inclusive community engagement.
• First, we have very strong support from our mayor and our city council.
• And they supported the emphasis on inclusive community engagement.
• And I think you heard some of that with Commerce needs support.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee held a work session to review implementation of recent housing, planning, and climate-related laws. Department of Commerce staff outlined the 2023 climate planning requirements under the Growth Management Act, including the climate resiliency sub-element for all jurisdictions and greenhouse gas reduction requirements for larger ones. They described Commerce’s guidance, the use of the University of Washington’s Resilient Washington tool and FEMA hazard mitigation resources, attention to overburdened communities through the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Disparities Map, and the climate policy explorer. Members asked about specific climate impacts, flood mapping, evacuation language access, and how environmental justice and local stakeholder input are incorporated. Commerce also said climate planning grants are being drawn down from Climate Commitment Act funding and should be sufficient through the 2029 deadline for remaining Puget Sound jurisdictions. Local government witnesses described their comprehensive plan updates and implementation challenges. Pierce County said its adopted plan was a major multi-year effort that retracted some urban growth area acreage, concentrated growth near transit, expanded middle housing and streamlined permitting, and created capacity for far more housing than its 32,000-unit growth target. County staff emphasized the difficulty of balancing rural protection, urban growth, transportation constraints, climate goals, and limited transit funding, and asked for more technical assistance. Redmond said its update leveraged light rail investments, added transit-oriented development, middle housing, planned actions, and climate resilience policies, but also required costly mid-course corrections from changing state laws and agency guidance. Redmond urged more regulatory stability, clearer statutes, and streamlined certification and accountability processes. Snohomish County said it is now in early implementation, focusing on translating adopted policy into regulations, aligning with new state housing and parking laws, and coordinating across departments and with cities; it stressed the need for clearer comp plan language, realistic timelines, and more staffing and coordination support. The committee also heard from the Washington chapter of the American Planning Association about inconsistencies in recent planning laws. APA identified three issues: the use of the undefined term “guidelines” in the design review statute, the use of “variance” in a middle housing/design review context where APA said “departure” would better fit the intended flexibility, and the lack of a cross-reference or definition for “administrative design review” in the subdivision statute. APA said these ambiguities can create confusion and delay in permit processing and offered to work with the legislature on technical fixes. Senators asked whether local codes already use “departure” and whether the proposed changes would conflict with current law; APA responded that many cities already use departure provisions and that the goal is to align the RCW with existing planning practice. The meeting ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to say that we're at a place where everyone is supportive of the direction we're going.
• It also requires annual reporting to support assessing the tax structure.
• And what we see here today is a bill that I might be willing to support, except it strikes me, Mr.
• Civil penalty, common support is developed to the public to the body and is now before you.
• It is supported by VMI.

Transcript Highlights:

• She oversees the staff that supports both policymaking, program oversight, as well as enforcement in
• The commission has also implemented additional requirements to support prevention of sexual assault.
• We have rental partners that we work with to help.
• And so we support continued innovation and continued growth.
• You're talking driver earnings, driver benefits, but again, those are also costs that we support.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• Red cards are in opposition, green cards in support.
• Kevin Hayes present in support. Not wishing to speak.
• I just ask for your support. I'd like to close on your bill. I just ask for your support. Okay.
• Because I'd like to support the bill as well. Yes, ma'am.
• Present willing to provide information in support.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on April 7, 2026, with a quorum present. After housekeeping and announcements, the committee noted several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 603, HB 619, HB 763, HB 810, HB 222, HB 490, and HB 981. The committee also recognized a visiting Jack and Jill group before taking up legislation. The committee reported favorably HB 82 on DWI penalties, HB 670 on wood pellet manufacturing, HB 672 on brick manufacturing, HB 773 on state procurement preferences for prison enterprises and nonprofits serving blind, disabled, and veteran workers, HB 145 on extraordinary medical and dental expenses for injured police and firefighters, HB 430 on health insurance coverage for families of Lafayette Parish officers killed in the line of duty, HB 143 on the per diem for housing state inmates in parish jails, HB 874 on adding credentials to LA Wallet, HB 160 on penalties for domestic violence strangulation offenses, HB 445 on moving the STEM Advisory Council to Louisiana Works, and HB 781 on fleet vehicle registration. HB 82, HB 670, and HB 773 were amended before passage; HB 430 also received amendments narrowing coverage terms and age limits. Most of the discussion centered on fiscal impact and policy scope. Members questioned whether several bills created new costs or unfunded mandates, and sponsors repeatedly emphasized zero or already-budgeted fiscal notes. HB 773 drew the most debate, with members raising concerns about competition, preferential treatment, and the shift from a 15% cap to fair market value; the sponsor said the bill was intended to give blind, disabled, and veteran-serving nonprofits a fair chance to compete. HB 145 prompted questions from the Louisiana Municipal Association about exposure and whether the benefit should already be covered by workers’ compensation, while HB 430 was narrowed to Lafayette Parish after concerns about statewide costs. The meeting ended with all remaining bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Red cards are in opposition, green cards in support.
• I just ask for your support.
• Because I'd like to support the bill as well. Yes, ma'am.
• Because I'd like to support the bill as well. Yes, ma'am.
• Present willing to provide information in support.

Bills: HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB222 , HB430 , HB445 , HB490 , HB603 , HB619 , HB670 , HB672 , HB763 , HB773 , HB781 , HB810 , HB874 , HB981

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: DWI, driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, penalties, criminal justice, inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, firefighters, law enforcement, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, domestic violence, domestic abuse, battery of a dating partner, domestic abuse battery, strangulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Candace Bach, representing the Association of Washington Cities, here in support of this bill.
• Candace Bach, representing the Association of Washington Cities, here in support of this bill.
• We support HB 2590 and ask that you do so because the exemptions in the bill make financial sense.
• Please support and pass House Bill 2655. Thank you.
• I'm with the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association and here to testify in support of HB 2655.

Bills: HB1983 , HB1974 , HB2334 , HB2367 , HB2650 , HB2655

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Transcript Highlights:

• Another ask is $2.1 million for technology support.
• Thanks for your support. So now we'll be taking a look at state courts.
• Does this legislative budget request support Florida's growing inmate capacity?
• So I ask your support for correctional officers.
• I know everybody here supports correctional officers on this committee.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms. The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns. No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aloha Initiative in support. Hawaii Farm Bureau in support.
• Communication Access Board, support from OIP, support as well as three organizations in support and
• Communication Access Board, support from OIP, support as well as three organizations in support and
• Communication Access Board, support from OIP, support as well as three organizations in support and
• </c><02:24:02.960><c> as</c> um yeah support and uh oo in support as um yeah support and uh oo in support

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Complete Tent Rentals LLC in support on Zoom.
• I'm Kimmy Luong, and I'm in support of this bill. support of Hawaii's viable and support of Hawaii's
• We have David CR and Scott Liter in support, and Michael Grank in support, HPO Seals in support.
• I support the bill. I really would support the bill.
• I support the bill. I really would support the bill.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to support. Thank you. Members in debate? I'm happy to support. Thank you.
• Thank you for your support. Thank you, Representative Gerwig.
• Public testimony: we have Ron Watson, Florida Rental Association, waving in support.
• Brings awareness to the plight of what mental health looks like and how do you receive support?
• How do we get that support?

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard several measures focused on government structure, oversight, and public policy designations. The most debated bill was HJR 1325, which proposed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide Commissioner of Government Efficiency, abolish the lieutenant governor office and the Government Efficiency Task Force, and eliminate the constitutional requirement for an Auditor General appointment. Sponsors said the new commissioner would be a watchdog over waste, fraud, and abuse across state and local government, while opponents raised concerns about cost, single-subject issues, lack of implementation details, and whether existing oversight structures were sufficient. After extensive debate, the resolution was reported favorably by a recorded vote. The committee also approved HB 575, which redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Florida statute, and HB 1445, which requires certain state officials and agency heads to have stronger ties to Florida and, for some positions, to live in the county where their agency headquarters is located. HB 1445 drew questions about practicality and whether a proximity standard would be better than a strict county requirement, but the sponsor said he would continue working on that issue. Both bills were reported favorably, with HB 1445 passing unanimously. In addition, the committee unanimously approved HB 259, designating August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day, with supporters emphasizing the need for public education about fentanyl overdoses. The committee also passed CS/HB 29, the public records and meetings bill linked to the social work licensure compact, which creates confidentiality and meeting exemptions needed for the compact to operate. Public testimony on that measure was supportive, and it too was reported favorably without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not supported at the local level. There is the opportunity.
• We support this bill and this bill is not about limiting indoor test.
• We're in strong support of Florida family voice of this legislation.
• But if your preference is to waive in support, you can just lift your hand. And that will.
• I support this bill wholeheartedly. Thank you. Rep Bankson for rain this Bill forward.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And I really want to support you.
• So, you're in support of it, Mi. Karen, you're in support of it.
• So, our An, are you guys supportive of raising some additional money so That we can.
• But then it really generates money to support you all in your education.
• We know what that cost we know what microphone rentals are. So, we all we do is we scale it.

Committee: House Oklahoma Education Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in support of it.
• We are in support of it.
• We are in support of it.
• Please support SB 163.
• Please support SB 163.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to support this bill. to support this bill.
• I rise in support of HF 4216.
• </c> can support this bill. can support this bill.
• </c> would encourage you to support the bill. would encourage you to support the bill.
• </c> support of this bill. support of this bill.

Bills: HF4062 , HF4063 , HF4065 , HF3926 , HF4216 , HF3176 , HF3728 , HF3988 , HF3865

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd be in support of studying it. flaws. I'd be in support of studying it.
• </c> support it. Thank you. support it. Thank you. &gt;&gt; All<00:20:59.919><c> right.
• So, we do support the bill.
• Um, definitely in support of... Hampshire. I'm here today to support the Hampshire.
• Um definitely in support support support &gt;&gt; I'm<01:57:45.840><c> going</c><01:57:45.920><c> to<

Committee: Senate Commerce