Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the chair of the Lummi Tribal Gaming Commission.
• So a little bit of background about gaming here in the Lummi Nation.
• Tribal gaming creates an opportunity to generate— In the state of Washington, tribal gaming creates an
• of the game and ensure the welfare of the customer, like current tribal gaming.
• of the tribal government to ensure gaming remains protected.

Summary: The Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee held a public hearing on a proposed tribal gaming compact amendment involving the Lummi Nation and the Washington State Gambling Commission. Tina Griffin, director of the Gambling Commission, explained the compact amendment process under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the role of the commission and legislative ex officio members, and noted that the proposal had reached tentative agreement and would next go to hearings before the commission and the House. She said the commission and tribe have a long-standing collaborative relationship. Lummi Nation Vice Chairman Terence Adams and other tribal representatives described the tribe’s gaming history and the purpose of the amendment. The proposal would add or update compact provisions for higher table and lottery limits, extension of credit to customers, electronic table games, and conforming definition changes. Tribal representatives said the changes would support tribal governmental services and economic development while maintaining strong regulation and internal controls. Commission staff said similar provisions have already been approved for other tribes and that the tribe would be responsible for setting responsible credit limits and controls, including customer vetting and self-exclusion checks. Senator Hasegawa asked about how credit would work and what oversight would apply, and staff said they would follow up with more detail. Senator Fortunato clarified that the request was for Lummi to receive provisions already available in other tribal compacts. Committee members also asked about the timing of public comment, and staff said it would be taken at the end of the hearing if any was signed up. No public comment was offered, and the chair closed the hearing without any vote or formal action taken by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't get a chance to ask about the interaction between your proposed bill and the new reality in
• campus carry, if you wish to call it that, or the Guardian program, or open carry in the state, interact
• problem with the Guardian program in any fashion whatsoever, with respect to safety, with respect to interactions
• the record that there are medications that we prescribe commonly in practice that have a severe interaction
• And if they don't know very well what's interacting with their current medications, they may come and

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896 on school safety, which would expand the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions, require active assailant response plans and threat management protocols, improve reporting and information sharing, and make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a campus. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty at a public postsecondary institution are not eligible for the Guardian program. The bill drew strong opposition from faculty, students, and gun-safety advocates who argued that more guns on campus would create confusion, weaken safety, and undermine campus police; supporters said trained guardians would improve deterrence and protection. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote. The committee then considered SB 1690 on child care and early learning services, which updates child care laws, reduces some regulatory burdens, and expands the Florida Education Foundation’s authority to fundraise for early learning from birth through VPK. Members discussed oversight of the related direct-support organization and the removal of certain notice requirements, while supporters from Moms Rising and other advocates said the bill would help families access affordable, high-quality child care and support home-based providers. One opponent argued the bill added more government regulation, but the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for SB 118, a narrow bill on non-ad valorem special assessments for recreational vehicle parks, clarifying how assessments are calculated for RV spaces and campsites. The bill received supportive comments from RV advocates and was reported favorably without controversy. The committee then took up CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which included provisions on seaports and airports, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, broadband and utility permitting, and advanced air mobility. Amendments were adopted that revised research institute membership, limited some delivery-device provisions, and clarified cruiser light rules for law enforcement; after questions about utility preemption and PDD safety, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require new vaccine educational materials, expand school-entry exemptions to include conscience-based objections, limit the Surgeon General’s emergency vaccination authority, and allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults with written information and liability protections. The bill drew extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, with supporters emphasizing parental rights, informed consent, and vaccine injury concerns, and opponents warning about reduced immunization rates, public health risks, and the appropriateness of ivermectin provisions. The transcript ends during public testimony and debate on SB 1756, before final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't get a chance to ask about the interaction between your proposed bill and the new reality in
• campus carry, if you wish to call it that, or the Guardian program, or open carry in the state, interact
• problem with the Guardian program in any fashion whatsoever, with respect to safety, with respect to interactions
• the record that there are medications that we prescribe commonly in practice that have a severe interaction
• And if they don't know very well what's interacting with their current medications, they may come and

Bills: S0118, S0896, S1690, S1756

Keywords: recreational vehicle parks, special assessments, property tax, occupancy rates, commercial assessment, school safety, guardian program, firearms, crimes near schools, security assessments, public postsecondary education, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896, a school safety bill expanding the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions. The bill requires active assailant response plans, security risk assessments, threat-management protocols, use of the suspicious activity reporting tool, and allows voluntary participation in Guardian for colleges and universities. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty are not eligible for Guardian. Members debated campus carry concerns, storage of firearms, and whether the bill could lead to broader gun access on campuses. Several faculty and gun-safety advocates testified against the bill, while supporters argued trained guardians can deter violence. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. The committee then approved CS for CS for CS for SB 1690 on child care and early learning services. The bill updates child care laws, clarifies regulations, and reduces overregulation of before- and after-school programs. An amendment expanded authority for the Florida Education Foundation to fundraise for early learning from birth to VPK. Testimony was largely supportive, emphasizing affordability, access to quality child care, and relief for working families, though one speaker opposed the bill as an expansion of government. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for CS for SB 118, which clarifies how non-ad valorem special assessments are applied to recreational vehicle parks and limits the square footage used for assessment purposes to the maximum size of an RV space. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which addresses seaport and airport planning, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, advanced air mobility, toll programming, and other transportation-related changes. Amendments modified provisions on personal delivery devices, utility permits, autonomous vehicle penalties, and law-enforcement cruiser lights. Both bills were reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756, the medical freedom bill, which proposes new vaccine information requirements, conscience-based school immunization exemptions, limits on compelled vaccination during public health emergencies, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin for adults. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as strengthening informed consent and parental rights, while opponents and some senators raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy, herd immunity, and the inclusion of ivermectin. Public testimony was extensive and sharply divided. The transcript ends during continued testimony and debate on SB 1756, before a final vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for the ability for those who serve on the commission to understand how it may interact with the
• So, for the ability for those who serve on the commission to understand how it may interact with the
• 00:13:03.600> may commission to understand how it may commission to understand how it may interact
• 04.160> with<00:13:04.320> the<00:13:04.560> programs<00:13:04.800> that interact
• with the programs that interact with the programs that currently<00:13:05.360> exist<00:13:06.160

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• two months after we've started that active enforcement proceeding, and we know that we've had interactions
• two months after we've started that active enforcement proceeding, and we know that we've had interactions
• two months after we've started that active enforcement proceeding, and we know that we've had interactions
• two months after we've started that active enforcement proceeding, and we know that we've had interactions
• two months after we've started that active enforcement proceeding, and we know that we've had interactions

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:23.160> to allowing that system of gaming to allowing that system of gaming to continue
• We've gone through this ground so many times for those of you who have been around. gaming in 2023 gaming
• E-tab games are popular.
• segment of our Revenue um EOL tab games segment of our Revenue um EOL tab games are<00:14:24.279
• are doing our best to make these games are doing our best to make these games fun<00:14:46.120><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered. Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach. Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll do, like, a game day, or someone will receive the game ball at a basketball game.
• But the draw games, we are up 4.5%.
• These are the games that began in the month of May: a new $1 game, a new $2 game, a new $5 game, and
• a new $10 game.
• Scratch-off games have 90 days to claim your prize, and draw games are 180 days. Okay, thank you.

Summary: The committee met to review Arkansas Scholarship Lottery contracts and receive updates on operations and finances. Sharon Strong, the lottery’s executive director, presented a new three-year advertising and marketing contract with Cranford Company for $19.29 million, replacing an expiring contract and coming in below the prior three-year amount. Members asked about the RFP process, number of bids, and how cost is weighted in the award formula; the contract was reviewed and approved without objection after a motion and vote. The committee also reviewed a three-year Learfield sponsorship contract tied to University of Arkansas promotional events for $86,800 per year, with a corrected three-year total of $260,400; members questioned a system-generated summary figure that incorrectly showed a seven-year total, and staff clarified the contract itself was only for three years with no extensions. That item was also reviewed without objection. Strong then presented the fiscal 2027 budget, highlighting expected savings of about $1 million each from the new gaming system/scratch ticket contracts and the new advertising contract. The lottery projected slight shifts in instant and draw ticket revenue, corresponding prize payout changes, and net proceeds of about $108.2 million transferred to the scholarship account. In the monthly disclosure report for May 2026, she reported flat instant game sales, a 12.6% increase in draw game sales, and year-to-date net proceeds ahead of budget, with strong draw game performance attributed in part to Powerball. Members asked about unclaimed prizes, which remain in reserve during the year and are transferred at fiscal year-end to the scholarship trust account except for a $1 million reserve, and about how scholarship funds are distributed through the Division of Higher Education based on student rosters and class year awards. The committee also discussed the lottery’s financial statements, including revenue, prize payouts, operating expenses, trust account balances, and unclaimed prize balances. Staff explained that the lottery is self-sustaining and funded by lottery revenue, not taxpayer appropriations, and that the trust account balance is used to meet scholarship requests from higher education. The meeting ended with Senator Hill praising the lottery staff’s marketing around a recent large winner in Little Rock, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:52.079> working convene a tourism and gaming working convene a tourism and gaming working
• It's and regulating gaming in Hawaii.
• And um meanwhile, you know, gaming.
• Maybe at the game rooms too.
• um other representatives say about game um other representatives say about game rooms<00:44:51.200

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And also through my interactions with many other businesses in New Hampshire who are looking at the writing
• <00:41:34.640> with and also through my interactions with and also through my interactions
• interaction would work. interaction would work.
• <01:37:21.360> know um you know being able to you know um you know being able to you know interact
• with local first responders all interact with local first responders all of<01:37:24.400> that

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of the coordinator position is to maintain interaction with these various groups and to coordinate
• We do have Kevin Chang on Zoom. position is to uh maintain interaction position is to uh maintain interaction
• city to develop that civic center by removing various state agencies with whom they now have to interact
• city to develop that civic center by removing various state agencies with whom they now have to interact
• city to develop that civic center by removing various state agencies with whom they now have to interact

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing pharmacists to start or administer buprenorphine would be a game-changer and substantially
• This is a consequence of the interaction of the new break law and the DCYF narrow interpretation of statute
• by DCYF on its website as a paid staff person whose job description or responsibilities include interacting
• This is a consequence of the interaction of the new break law and the DCYF narrow interpretation of statute
• We interact with child care providers throughout the state using social media tools such as polls and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:44.040> and through um an overview of gaming and through um an overview of gaming and
• their gross proceeds um from the gaming their gross proceeds um from the gaming activities<00:36
• Currently, there are card-themed table games authorized there that include table games and electronic
• Currently, there are card-themed table games authorized there that include table games and electronic
• to bring up um alcohol and gaming to bring up um alcohol and gaming enforcement<00:42:44.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:02:51.760> are no longer just operators that are no longer just operators that are interacting
• <00:02:53.880> We<00:02:53.960> have,<00:02:54.160> of interacting with the
• We have, of interacting with the public.
• exactly what we want, the interaction exactly what we want, the interaction between<00:50:19.560
• <01:08:23.960> with situations and while interacting with situations and while interacting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One, it was simpler for employers and made it easier for them to interact with the program.
• <00:55:51.440> with made it easier for them to interact with made it easier for them to interact
• But the three things that I'm hearing from my district are this interaction between someone who was on
• My district are this interaction between someone who was on disability at the end of the year and
• <01:25:08.880> uh one that has that interaction uh one that has that interaction uh problem

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, they would even document, like, anytime somebody is arrested or has any interaction with police
• <01:07:15.920> with arrested or has any interaction with arrested or has any interaction with
• with our children when they're interacts with our children when they're not<01:08:56.400> in<
• <01:14:30.560> It and the people she interacts with.
• It and the people she interacts with.

Bills: HF2135, HF776, HF1581, HF1158, HF2226

Keywords: child welfare, fiscal analysis, third-party consultant, program evaluation, Minnesota, HF776, Minnesota Family Assets for Independence Initiative, family assets for independence, FAI, asset-building, matched savings, financial literacy, family savings, economic mobility, children youth and families, general fund appropriation, family support, low-income families, financial stability, budget bill

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say one of the things that makes this program special is that there's interaction between the
• <00:26:05.720> between is that um there's interaction between is that um there's interaction
• and in fact at the present time interact and in fact at the present time we<00:41:46.079> are
• So we interact with all of them, and we have a fairly large IP portfolio as well in those technologies
• So we interact with all of them, and we have a fairly large IP portfolio as well in those technologies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ROCK THAT WE HAVE LIMITED CHARITABLE GAMING.
• OR HOLD A LICENSE BY THE SEMINOLE TRIBAL GAMING COMMISSION.
• THEY MIGHT SEE IT IN A TRIBAL GAMING FACILITY.
• THIS IS NOT THE GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION WAREHOUSE.
• THE PROGRAMMERS ARE NOT USING LAWFUL GAMING TECHNOLOGY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um expansion of gaming is going to come up. Uh this is not an expansion of gaming.
• Uh this is not an expansion of gaming. Uh this is not an expansion of gaming.
• We don't need an expansion game. Well, this isn't. Skilled games aren't growing.
• We don't need an expansion game. Well, this isn't. Skilled games aren't growing.
• We don't need an expansion game. Well, this isn't. Skilled games aren't growing.

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work on both game birds and non-game birds.
• Two of those manage about 35 game species, and just one other manages all of the non-game bird species
• For instance, game.
• and non-fishing game species of wildlife?
• species and non-game species.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further, a member participating in a meeting via interactive technology is considered present at the
• <00:31:48.399> uh in a meeting via interactive uh in a meeting via interactive uh technology
• effectiveness of seclusion compared to other methods; how lack of alternatives force children to interact
• lack of alternatives force<00:45:48.560> children<00:45:48.880> to<00:45:49.119> interact
• to interact with the criminal<00:45:50.079> justice<00:45:50.480> system,<00:45:51.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all