Transcript Highlights:

• I represented regulated industries here in this building, so I bring a balanced view to regulation and
• I understand regulations are needed, but overregulation is not needed. So that is the approach.
• The goal is to right-size regulation, and I spoke with all of you about that this week.
• About three-quarters of our economy is actually regulated by some professional or occupational license
• And there really is no licensing regulation. And there are numerous, numerous cases, even recently.

Bills: HB2933, HB3041, HB3048, HB3081, HB3297, HB3338, HB3673, HB3790, HB3983, HB4105, HB4139, HB4203, HJR1023

Keywords: insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, Oklahoma, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, towing services

Summary: The Business and Insurance Committee considered a long agenda of bills and executive nominations. Among the bills, it advanced measures to update fire extinguisher industry age restrictions and application rules (HB 381), create a five-day cancellation right for homeowners after severe storm-related contracts (HB 3790), require a biennial workers’ compensation medical fee schedule update (HJR 1023), create the Oklahoma Home Services Act to standardize home service contract disclosures (HB 4139, amended to correct a wording error), cap surcharge fees and add a career tech exemption (HB 3041), create the Oklahoma Tolling and Recovery Board (HB 3297), allow expired electrical contractor licenses to be reinstated without re-examination (HB 3673), clarify who is not a security guard for licensing purposes (HB 4105), create a licensing framework for in-ground pool contractors effective November 1, 2027 (HB 3338), and streamline surplus lines insurance procedures and premium tax enforcement (HB 3048). One bill on smokeless tobacco taxation (HB 3983) drew extended debate over whether a weight-based tax would be fairer and revenue-neutral; after questions about health impacts, reporting, fraud concerns, and inflation, the bill failed to receive a second and was left in committee. HB 3041 also drew significant debate over whether it would effectively allow higher credit card surcharges, but it ultimately passed 5-4. The committee also heard numerous executive nominations, all of which were approved and sent to the full Senate. Those included Michael Stop and Michael Bauer to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, Michael Cantrell and Burrell Sears to the Oklahoma Abstractors Board, Richard Willoughby to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, E. Keith Mitchell and Andrew Revelis to the ABLE Commission, Jackie Ward to the alarm, locksmith, and fire sprinkler industry board, Terence Shreve to the Used Motor Vehicle Dismantler and Manufacturer Board, and Adra Berry as Cabinet Secretary of Licensing and Regulation. Nominees generally described their professional backgrounds and commitment to public safety, regulation, or industry expertise, and several senators spoke in support of their service. Most nominations passed unanimously or near-unanimously.

Bills: SB89, SB54, SB127, SB128, SB77, SB78, SB100, SB101, SB102, SB103, SB113, SB126, SB122, SB136

Keywords: pilotage, commission, statewide laws, maritime regulation, repeal, sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, state agency, continuous operation, government efficiency, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, 911 services, 911 Board

Transcript Highlights:

• with populations over 1.3 million such as Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Tarrant, and Bay counties may regulate
• County Commissioner's Court passed a resolution in support of legislation authorizing the county to regulate
• This bill would allow counties to regulate the sale of food or merchandise by vendors, which includes

Bills: HB227

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we're at today because of regulation we're at today because of regulation like<00:09:18.640><c>
• </c> data centers that we have today. data centers that we have today.
• </c><00:58:26.080><c> In</c> according to federal census data. In according to federal census data.
• </c> These regulations should be scaled. These regulations should be scaled.
• That's not my data; that is state agency data.

Bills: HF4740, HF3940

Keywords: financial assurance, feedlot permits, manure storage, environmental compliance, agriculture regulation, abandoned infrastructure, pollution control, environmental impact, animal feedlot, livestock, regulations, Minnesota Rules, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal data shows 45 to 50 Wyoming residents are prosecuted annually for federal gun crimes, often involving
• So it says regulation of the United States government.
• So<01:09:17.359><c> it</c><01:09:17.520><c> says</c><01:09:17.839><c> regulation</c><01:09:18.239><c>
• of</c><01:09:18.400><c> the</c><01:09:18.560><c> United</c> So it says regulation of the United So it
• says regulation of the United States<01:09:19.120><c> government.

Bills: HB0130, HB0147

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, we will call the Committee on Regulated Industries to order.
• I'll have to do some additional research to see exactly what DBPR and kind of what those regulations

Bills: S0754, S0796

Keywords: heated tobacco products, tobacco regulation, vaping, definition changes, Florida statutes, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it heard SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The bill would statutorily define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax. Senator Davis questioned why the exemption was needed, and Senator Bernard asked about youth access; the sponsor said the bill was limited to taxation and would look into age and regulatory issues. A Florida Retail Federation representative appeared in support. The committee voted the bill favorably, and Senator Bracey Davis later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tab 1. The committee then considered SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role for individuals with a master’s degree in veterinary clinical care to perform delegated tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also would extend the time period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products from one month to six months and for other medications from 14 days to 30 days. Senator Boyd raised liability concerns, and the sponsor said existing statute already places liability on the supervising veterinarian. The Florida Veterinary Medical Association testified against the bill, arguing Florida should expand and better utilize existing veterinary technicians rather than create a new mid-level role, and warning about federal prescribing restrictions and animal safety. Supporters, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Dr. Wayne Jensen, argued the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and provide a well-trained supervised workforce. Several senators said the bill balanced access and safety, and the committee reported SB 796 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will prohibit the sharing of the data with a third party if the data is going to be used to
• Our public safety, our law enforcement can use this data, but to be able to sell this data and also to
• When you say private entity, do you mean the party collecting the data or the party whose data is being
• This data can be shared.
• , but there may be other vendors or brokers that do sell this data. this data, but there may be other

Bills: HB294, SB40, SB43, SB35

Keywords: cannabis, cannabis packaging, cannabis labeling, cannabis regulation, Cannabis Control Division, adulterated cannabis, artificial color additive, food dye, youth appeal, minor appeal, child-resistant packaging, black-and-white packaging, edibles, product labeling, consumer protection, marijuana, hemp, dispensary, licensed cannabis business, cannabis manufacturer

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:55.080><c> We</c> [clears throat] and regulations. We [clears throat] and regulations.
• When companies collect our data, when they spy on us and use that data to charge us more, all this bill
• ,</c> that will provide district-level data, that will provide district-level data, such<00:52:04.520
• regulations that were used to transition<01:20:27.360><c> hemp</c><01:20:27.600><c> regulations</c><
• 01:20:28.800><c> into</c> transition hemp regulations into transition hemp regulations into alignment

Bills: HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Bills: SF0014, SF0053

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Bills: SB90, SB90

Keywords: Green County, racing, pari-mutuel wagering, gaming regulations, commission appointments, historical horse racing, local tax, seafood, licensing, regulation, commercial fishing, fee structure, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes the data, legitimacy, and precedent that make stronger, faster policy possible, and it
• It establishes the data legitimacy and precedent that makes stronger, faster policy possible, and it
• Menopause cannot be effectively addressed without robust data.
• Menopause cannot be effectively addressed without robust data.
• But we're also framing the data around cost.

Bills: H4796, H4838

Keywords: organ transplant, emergency vehicle, transportation, medical personnel, regulation, organs, menopause, perimenopause, healthcare access, female health, public health, medical education, workplace policies, discrimination, accommodation, 1212, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing during a snowstorm, with members participating both in person and by Teams, and the chairs announced that written testimony would remain open for an additional week. The committee first heard House Bill 4796, an act relative to organ transplant vehicles. Testimony from NORA New England supported allowing dedicated organ transport vehicles to use lights and sirens in Massachusetts, arguing that time-sensitive organ transport is currently delayed by EMS responses to 9-1-1 calls and that trained, background-checked drivers could safely improve transplant outcomes. No vote was taken on that bill. The committee then took extensive testimony on House Bill 4838, an act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care. The bill’s sponsor described it as a starting point developed after meeting with dozens of individuals and organizations, aimed at identifying barriers to treatment, improving provider education, expanding public awareness, and examining workplace and insurance access issues. Testimony from patients, clinicians, advocates, insurers, and researchers broadly supported the bill, emphasizing that menopause is underdiagnosed and undertreated, that many providers receive little training, and that symptoms can affect cardiovascular health, bone health, mental health, and workforce participation. Several speakers urged stronger insurance coverage and workplace accommodations, while some noted the bill is more of a study-and-framework measure than a direct coverage mandate. Witnesses included representatives from the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Mass General, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Reproductive Equity Now, the National Menopause Foundation, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and multiple clinicians and patients, including speakers from Ireland and a Black maternal health center. Many described personal experiences of misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and workplace disruption, and several cited racial and socioeconomic disparities in care. The chairs thanked the speakers, noted the importance of the issue, and said additional testimony could be submitted in writing or at a follow-up Teams briefing. No committee vote or final action was taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in that data collected, is there a determination as to the need in that specific area as to why that

Bills: HB214, HB217, HB514, HB593, HB618, HB732, HB908, HB961, HB1010

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding

Bills: SB 458, SB 819, SB 1238, SB 1642, SB 1643, SB 1644, SB 1791, SB 1810, SB 1824, SB 1825, SB 758, SB 1455, SB 1706

Keywords: renewable energy, solar power, wind energy, public interest determination, environmental impact, property rights, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, insurance, discrimination, marital status, widowers, spousal death, equitable treatment, Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance

Bills: SB 458, SB 819, SB 1238, SB 1642, SB 1643, SB 1644, SB 1791, SB 1810, SB 1824, SB 1825, SB 758, SB 1455, SB 1706

Keywords: renewable energy, solar power, wind energy, public interest determination, environmental impact, property rights, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, insurance, discrimination, marital status, widowers, spousal death, equitable treatment, Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance

Bills: SB 458, SB 819, SB 1238, SB 1642, SB 1643, SB 1644, SB 1791, SB 1810, SB 1824, SB 1825, SB 758, SB 1455, SB 1706

Keywords: renewable energy, solar power, wind energy, public interest determination, environmental impact, property rights, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, insurance, discrimination, marital status, widowers, spousal death, equitable treatment, Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So House Bill 2157 is the bill relating to regulating high-risk AI, and there is a proposed substitute
• modifies the exemption relating to insurers by specifying that the chapter does not apply to insurers regulated
• Next bill we will consider is House Bill 2225 concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion
• We will be considering two bills to exec today, which are House Bill 2225, concerning regulation of artificial
• We're trying to align so that this isn't a patchwork quilt of regulations.

Bills: HB2397, HB2417, HB2157, HB2186, HB2225, HB2351

Keywords: fire services, reimbursement, state agencies, local jurisdictions, mobilization plan, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection

Summary: The committee met on Friday, January 23rd, with executive session items and two public hearings, and first reviewed several bills in executive session. House Bill 2225, regulating AI companion chatbots, was briefed with two competing proposed substitutes and an amendment limiting enforcement to actions brought by the Attorney General. After discussion, the committee rejected the amendment and adopted the Thomas substitute, then voted 7-3 to report the bill out with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2186, supporting acquisition of federal funds for economic development, was also considered with a substitute that narrowed Commerce’s duties unless there is a specific appropriation and adjusted timing and matching-fund provisions; it was reported out unanimously with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2351 and House Bill 2157 were also briefed in executive session, but no final action was taken on them during the meeting. The first public hearing was on House Bill 2397, which would require more timely reimbursement to state agencies and local jurisdictions mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services mobilization plan. Testimony from fire officials and a finance manager described reimbursement delays of six to ten months, the strain on local budgets and reserves, and the risk that departments may stop participating in wildland deployments. Witnesses supported the bill but suggested technical refinements, including clarifying when the 60-day reimbursement clock starts and noting that staffing may be needed to meet the timeline. No one testified in opposition. The second public hearing was on House Bill 2417, which would add victim-rights protections to the Washington Code of Military Justice, aligning state military justice procedures with the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice. The prime sponsor and military legal witnesses explained that the bill would ensure consistent notice, participation, and fairness protections for victims when Guard members are serving under state authority, especially in Title 32 status. A veterans coalition also supported the measure, saying it closes an important gap and improves trust and accountability. No testimony was offered in opposition, and the bill was scheduled for future executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• participating agency shall immediately cease enforcement of the regulation, withdraw that regulation
• This isn't just a data problem. It's a trust problem. Informed consent is not a political issue.
• In pro-life states, this is national data, but we don't have data broken out by state.
• Assisted living communities are state-licensed, state-regulated health care facilities.
• Which allows data to be stored in U.S. territory.

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a firm believer in open public disclosure regulations.
• Those risks are not limited to firearm owners whose data is exposed.
• Those risks are not limited to firearm owners whose data is exposed.
• Once sensitive data is released, it cannot be unreleased.
• Districts do not regulate or collect taxes, and their boards serve as volunteers.

Bills: HB2235, HJR4210, HB2520, HB2491, HB2499, HB2408, HB2435

Keywords: public records, concealed pistol licenses, firearm purchases, transfers, exemptions, transparency, Constitution amendment, legislative sessions, session duration, state legislature, governance, emergency meetings, public agencies, accountability, open government, HB2491, WaTech, Washington Technology Solutions, public disclosure, public inspection

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several measures. House Joint Resolution 4210 would amend the state constitution to remove the current 105-day and 60-day limits on regular legislative sessions and instead let the legislature set adjournment dates by statute. Sponsor Rep. Breonna Thomas said the resolution would not create a full-time legislature but would give lawmakers flexibility to set their own schedule; supporters argued it would improve working conditions and allow more thoughtful lawmaking, while opponents said it would give legislators too much power and could lead toward year-round sessions. No vote was taken on the resolution during the hearing. House Bill 2520 would clarify that county governing bodies may hold emergency special meetings outside the county seat or remotely when needed to respond to emergencies, and would allow action at remote emergency meetings without first providing a public listen-in option. Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the bill was prompted by the Skagit County flooding emergency and was meant to clarify existing authority. County and local government supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and preserve emergency response flexibility, while open-government advocates urged tighter language defining “emergency” and limiting the bill to state or federally declared emergencies. The committee also heard House Bill 2491, which would exempt personal information submitted to Washington Technology Solutions for the state’s digital experience platform from public disclosure; WOTEC supported the bill as a privacy and cybersecurity measure, while open-government and transparency advocates argued the exemption was too broad and could cover non-sensitive records. The committee also heard House Bill 2235, which would extend Public Records Act exemptions to permit-to-purchase firearm applications, firearm transfer records, and related concealed pistol license materials. Sponsor Rep. Walsh said the bill protects applicants’ privacy and safety, especially in domestic violence situations; supporters from media, gun-rights, and civil-rights groups said disclosure could expose applicants to stalking, harassment, or theft, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and too broad. Public testimony on House Bill 2499 focused on conservation district elections and supervisor qualifications. The proposed substitute would let conservation districts opt into Title 29A elections, remove landownership requirements, lengthen terms, and add financial disclosure requirements for some supervisors. Supporters said the bill would modernize elections, improve transparency, and make districts more accessible; opponents, including conservation district officials and farm groups, warned that the F-1 disclosure requirement and ballot changes could deter volunteers, create major costs for small districts, and have unintended consequences. The committee also took executive action, reporting House Bill 2408 and House Bill 2435 out of committee with due pass recommendations by 7-0 and 5-2 votes, respectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• The requirements apply to data brokers, as well as non-data broker persons.
• Would you agree with that, that there's competing data? Well, I mean, there is a lot of data.
• Nursing County of employment data.
• But we do have some data.
• No, I can give you the data.

Bills: SB1888, SB3003, SB2417, SB2459, SB3055, HB1393, HB2884, SB2943

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• central problem being addressed by SB 2943 is the potential for state agencies to adopt rules, regulations
• There are many license types and programs regulated by Texas state agencies, and we have a list of those

Bills: SB1888, SB3003, SB2417, SB2459, SB3055, HB1393, HB2884, SB2943

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy