Video & Transcript Research : 'DNA testing'
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WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 13th, 2026 at 01:31 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, if this is a purity test that you should have, you should be in a party for such a long period of
- Engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 5214, relating to drug testing of parents who have had
- It allows the court to drug test parents if they were adjudicated on the basis of substance abuse or
- The testing is paid for by the department, and the results of the tests must be confirmed by a lab to
- and the scheduling of a hearing when the drug testing results are positive.
Summary:
The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment.
The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies.
Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to immediately consider and pass the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, which reduces unnecessary animal testing
- However, there are millions of animals in our country that are forced into inhumane testing for pharmaceutical
- , I helped pass the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, allowing drug developers to use modern animal-free testing
- , I helped pass the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, allowing drug developers to use modern animal-free testing
- And it was Ultimately tested that night. But he met the test that night and continued forward.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Nov 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I know that was a K-5 requirement, and kids had to be tested every year.
- But enabling the student and sending them in to be tested because it talks about providing testing for
- This is not sending them off for additional testing or diagnostic testing.
- So this doesn't mean that students who are struggling in my math class need to go tested because they
- And if we so it's always a concern when we just do a blank testing.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-05-02 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate also repealed the general knowledge test for educator certification, effective upon the act
- In lieu of repealing the general knowledge test upon the effective date without replacement, as under
- would like to say unequivocally that by July 1, 2029, there will no longer be a general knowledge test
- So that deals with test scores. I'm specifically asking about enrollment.
- I think it's line 1375, the classical learning test.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage.
The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors.
After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur.
The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I like to call it the test drive. So I move to a different kind of service.
- I think the idea of the test drive, and Kentucky did this, is a good one.
- COLR reform has been beta tested, as I mentioned, in more than 20 states.
- COLR reform has been beta tested, as I mentioned, in more than 20 states.
- COLR reform has been beta tested, as I mentioned, in more than 20 states.
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition.
CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist.
In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- $300,000; Somali American Youth Enrichment Club, $600,000; Mad Dads of Minneapolis, $50,000; and a test
- $300,000; Somali American Youth Enrichment Club, $600,000; Mad Dads of Minneapolis, $50,000; and a test
- $300,000; Somali American Youth Enrichment Club, $600,000; Mad Dads of Minneapolis, $50,000; and a test
- This is for that testing program. Is there discussion of the A26 amendment?
- This is for that testing program. This is for that testing program.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And every so often, seed germination tests would need to be done, and then all those people who will
- And every so often, seed germination tests would need to be done, and then all those people who will
- And every so often, seed germination tests would need to be done, and then all those people who will
need <00:16:18.360>to <00:16:18.480>be <00:16:18.680>done germination tests- would need to be done germination tests would need to be done and<00:16:20.120>
uh <00:16:20.480
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education heard several measures focused on health, environment, and research. HB 970 would allow chiropractic students to participate in clinical practice under direct supervision; the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic offered comments and asked for a delayed implementation date until July 2027 to allow time to adopt rules, while the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the bill. Members also discussed that there are currently no chiropractic schools in the state.
The committee then heard HB 1185, which creates a plant-based building materials working group, and HB 1337, which establishes an endemic plant seed bank pilot program. Supporters of HB 1185 said the bill could help create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing materials such as bamboo, hempcrete, and bio-cements, with questions raised about in-state processing. For HB 1337, witnesses supported the goal of preserving endemic species but said a large-scale refrigerated storage and seed-production facility would be needed; one witness estimated startup costs of about $6 million for one island and noted existing seed banks are small-scale and not designed for reforestation.
HB 1300 would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center multi-ethnic cohort study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and Asians, including environmental and social factors such as proximity to landfills. The Cancer Center, ACS CAN, and labor representatives supported the bill, emphasizing health disparities and concerns about landfill exposure; committee members asked about federal funding, and the Cancer Center said it would pursue NIH, private, and foundation support, with the state share described as $500,000 per year for two years. HB 736 would create a wastewater technology testing pilot program at the Water Resources Research Center; supporters said it could help certify cheaper alternatives to costly cesspool and septic upgrades, and the Department of Health supported the measure. The committee also heard HB 531, which authorizes special license plates for the Cancer Center; supporters said it would raise visibility and funds, and the Cancer Center estimated revenue would likely be under $100,000. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 15, February 26, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- out to just prove that for them to test out to just prove that they<00:36:17.760>
have <00:36: - out maybe I'd be allowing them to test out maybe I'd be okay<00:36:31.200>
with. - <00:42:48.000>
um <00:42:48.400>that This requires a lot more testing and paperwork - and paperwork and a lot more testing and paperwork and will<00:44:21.839>
require <00:44:22.640 - tested proficient? tested proficient?
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Legislative Budget Overview Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the test is going to be looking forward.
- And then the test is going to be looking forward.
- Do test is going to be looking forward.
- <01:13:34.080>
at And does the next cohort that tests at And does the next cohort that tests - When we talk about momentum, to me test.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/3/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Additional resources, including referrals for those wanting more extensive testing, were available.
- Additional resources, including referrals for those wanting more extensive testing, were available.
- Additional resources, including referrals for those wanting more extensive testing, were available.
- Additional resources, including referrals for those wanting more extensive testing, were available.
- Additional resources, including referrals for those wanting more extensive testing, were available.
Keywords:
human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- While traveling across districts, we heard stories of kids taking pictures of tests, taking and sending
- While traveling across districts, we heard stories of kids taking pictures of tests, taking and sending
- While traveling across districts, we heard stories of kids taking pictures of tests, taking and sending
- While traveling across districts, we heard stories of kids taking pictures of tests, taking and sending
- <00:58:01.760>
to test to test to fire<00:58:04.920>Bob <00:58:05.520>driver <00
Summary:
The Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee heard testimony on Senate File 508, a bill to restrict cell phone use in schools. Senator Mann said the proposal was based on roundtables with school districts across the state and on reports from other states, and argued that cell phones are harming student attention, mental health, classroom culture, and student-teacher relationships. She said K-8 restrictions are broadly supported, while high school policies should be more flexible, and emphasized that districts should control implementation. The bill also includes funding for education efforts around why the restrictions are being adopted and how students can use technology responsibly.
Testifiers largely supported the bill or the general goal of limiting cell phone use. Dr. Anna Tyranny, a parent and licensed psychologist, said cell phones and social media can contribute to anxiety, poor concentration, cyberbullying, and inappropriate sharing, and urged a balanced approach that includes digital literacy education. St. Cloud Area Public Schools Superintendent Laori Pam and Tech High School staff member Molly Kenzie described their district’s policies, which keep phones away for the day in elementary and middle school and restrict them during class in high school. They cited U.S. Department of Education guidance, research on mental health and sleep disruption, and the need for age-appropriate, equitable, and consistently communicated policies.
St. Cloud reported that its middle school policy, piloted and then expanded districtwide, led to a 50% reduction in cell phone discipline referrals and fewer classroom power struggles. The district said high school violations remain concentrated in certain grades, especially ninth and eleventh, and that it continues to address the issue through PBIS teams. No vote or final committee action on the bill was described in the transcript.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 23 Afternoon Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We would test for, so I'd stand for questions on the amendment, but I move for it to be adopted and explained
- It requires DEQ to purchase the necessary equipment to test for POs and biosolids.
- It requires biosolids to be tested for PFAS prior to land application.
- that all farmers and ranchers whose land... is being applied with biosolids, she'll be giving the test
Bills:
HB4319, HB4317, HB1225, HB3076, HB3081, HB4226, SCR17, HB4432, HB3304, HB3411, HB3435, HB4339, HB4331, HB4341, HB4342, HB1770, HB1016, HB4113, HB2950, HB4141, HB3277, HB2988, HB3029, HB3338, HB1889, HB3834, HB3831, HB2939, HB3045, HB3657, HB1739, HB3759, HB3755, HB4484, HB4486, HB4108, HB1250, HB2961, HB1219, HB3025, HB1782, HB1907, HB3718, HB4459, HB2976, HB3548, HB3545, HB2952, HB2929, HB2956, HB2973, HB3055, HB3086, HB3040, HB3794, HB4336, HB3151, HB1590, HB3581, HB3313, HB3429, HB3448, HB1752, HB2650, HB3584, HB4202, HB3586, HB4321, HB4280, HB3650, HCR1020, HB2116, HB2206, HB4301, HB3625, HB3147, HB3403, HB3498, HB3970, HB3975, HB3976, HB3980, HB4265, HB4266, HB3638, HB3880, HB3930, HB3942, HB3944, HB4191, HB3242, HB3678
Keywords:
administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- So these are studies where an inoculum of bacteria placed on the test subject's hands, the test article
- So they want us to design the studies to test in a consumer-clinical way how these products work.
- Well, those tests will take several years to complete. They take several years even just to design.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill would prohibit the use of animals in certain cosmetic product testing programs.
- This bill would prohibit the use of animals in certain cosmetic product testing programs.
- This bill would prohibit the use of animals in certain cosmetic product testing programs.
- The time to draw the line is now, before a New Hampshire provider becomes the next test case, before
- The time to draw the line is now, before a New Hampshire provider becomes the next test case, before
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- that duty to any other organization and lays out some requirements for attorney licensure, including testing
- material that is not considered obscene to adults, but it is to minors, and it limits what the Miller test
- was from the perspective. ...obscene to adults but it is to minors, and it limits what the Miller test
Summary:
The Rules Committee considered several Senate bills for constitutional and proper-form review. Senate Bill 1099, dealing with defamation claims and a statute of limitations for internet publications, was flagged for possible anti-abrogation and First Amendment issues, but was still recommended by a 4-2 vote. Senate Bill 1148, which would require the Arizona Supreme Court to handle attorney licensing and bar membership requirements, drew separation-of-powers concerns because it would direct how the Court exercises its exclusive authority over the practice of law; it was nevertheless recommended 4-2.
The committee then reviewed Senate Bill 1435 and Senate Bill 1567, both addressing sexually explicit materials and minors in schools, libraries, and government settings. Staff raised vagueness and First Amendment concerns, especially around the terms “facilitating” and the breadth of the materials definitions, but said amendments could likely cure the issues. Members questioned the state’s interest in protecting minors and whether narrower definitions could resolve the constitutional problems. Both bills were recommended, each by a 5-2 vote.
After correcting the recorded vote on SB 1099, the committee took up a mass motion covering many additional Senate bills. Staff said each measure in the motion had been reviewed and was constitutional and in proper form. The mass motion passed unanimously, 7-0, with one member absent, and the meeting adjourned.
TX
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
round <00:05:10.800>of <00:05:10.960>testing <00:05:11.199>that testing.- The first round of testing that testing.
- ended up hiring additional testing ended up hiring additional testing through<00:05:23.520>
an - That testing confirmed what the contractors had said from the very beginning.
- We had the ability to wait months for testing, reports, and negotiations.
Keywords:
homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been conducting fiscal stress tests of New Hampshire's budget using the state's official revenue
- First, consider doing official stress testing to model recession scenarios.
- I've been conducting<00:14:29.440>
fiscal <00:14:29.839>stress <00:14:30.160>tests - c><00:14:30.480>
of <00:14:30.639>New conducting fiscal stress tests of New conducting - A stress test asks a simple scenarios.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The requirement for the English learner students is that they be tested on the English learner test that
- But on the English learner, it's test in, test out, no more than seven years.
- on the English learner they be tested on the English learner test<01:20:04.560>
that <01:20:04.760 - <01:20:12.880>
the skills are proficient on that test the skills are proficient on that test - c> English learner it's test in test out uh English learner it's test in test out uh no<01:21:13.480>
Summary:
The committee first approved the January 21st minutes by voice vote. Members then resumed a school finance overview focused on how Minnesota’s “base” budgeting system works and how future committee targets are set above or below that base by the Ways and Means chair, in consultation with fiscal staff. Staff emphasized that school funding decisions are tied to the state budget base and that changes made by the tax committee can affect school levies and school finance more broadly.
The presentation then turned to property tax fundamentals. Staff explained that roughly 65% of school district revenue comes from state aid and about 20% from property taxes, with property tax revenue applying to school districts rather than charter schools. They reviewed the two main school tax bases—referendum market value and adjusted net tax capacity—along with class rates, sales ratios, and equalization. They also described tax credits, especially the school building bond agricultural credit, which helps reduce the property tax burden on agricultural land in Greater Minnesota.
Members discussed student choice programs and how funding follows students. In response to questions from Representative Quam, staff explained postsecondary enrollment options (including direct enrollment and College in the Schools) and online learning, noting that funding generally follows the student to the serving institution or district. Staff also reviewed Minnesota’s pupil-counting system, including average daily membership and pupil weighting, and explained that students attending charter schools, other districts through open enrollment, or online programs are counted where they are served.
The presentation concluded with broader school finance context: funding sources, equity and adequacy goals, constitutional and statutory authority, and the state’s school data systems (EUP/FARS, MARS, and STARS). Staff also began reviewing long-term enrollment trends, noting the impact of the baby boom, later growth from the mid-1980s through about 2000, and projected modest declines in public school enrollment through 2029.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Every baby born in Florida already receives a total bilirubin test.
- has an ACA code, billing code 8249, for a combined total and direct bilirubin test.
- It's a measurement adjustment, ...and direct bilirubin test. So this is not a system expansion.
- It's a measurement adjustment within an existing test. And here are the numbers.
- The Medicaid reimbursement rate for this repeat test is $3.11.
Bills:
S0042, S0688, S0762, S1168, S1296, S1298, S1300, S1318, S1332, S1376, S1548, S1570, S1574, S1632, S1634, S1750
Keywords:
child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, criminal defense, legal representation, death penalty, indigent defense, regional counsel, conflict of interest, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes
Summary:
The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included.
Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs.
The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting.
In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.