Transcript Highlights:

• It isn't, but it's specifically for colorectal cancer screening.
• , which would be a screening that was really to help coverage go further.
• Insurance wasn't covering the next screening, which would be a screening that was really to help coverage
• I have patients that have foregone screening tests.
• For example, my patients are more susceptible to cancer and absolutely need colon cancer screenings every

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done on-screen reviews of their documentation to make sure they have been doing it.
• We have our Case 360s set of screens, we'll call it.
• Like I said, just to paint a picture, I mean, we are talking about green screens that are from the late
• And so we're very excited about the opportunity to modernize those sets of screens.
• There's actually well over 100 screens.

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several major technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Department of Financial Services’ Florida PALM project, which is replacing the state’s decades-old FLAIR accounting system. DFS described PALM as a statewide effort affecting all three branches of government, with cash management already live and the remaining financial management, payroll, and data warehouse components still in development. Officials said the project began in 2014, was restructured after a 2022 legislative pause, and is now being recommended for a go-live delay from January 2026 to July 2026. Members asked about governance, staffing, contract structure, cost growth, and maintenance costs; DFS said the contract is deliverable-based, the current amendment would add a net $2.2 million, and post-go-live maintenance is expected to be about $13 million annually under the current contract through July 2027. The Agency for Health Care Administration then updated the committee on the FX Medicaid enterprise modernization program. AHCA explained that federal CMS directed states to move from monolithic Medicaid systems to a modular approach, leading Florida to procure separate vendors for integration services, data warehouse, unified operations, provider services, and claims processing, with pharmacy benefits still to be procured. Officials said the project has spent about $334 million to date, with most costs federally matched, and requested $189.95 million for the upcoming year. They also highlighted a 2024 special assessment that produced 81 recommendations, most tied to staffing shortages, and said the Legislature added 47 FTEs, with 17 currently filled or being filled. Members asked about governance changes, production status, data access, and future technology maintenance; AHCA said some components are operational, the data warehouse is nearing certification, and the agency is working to keep the system adaptable and nonproprietary. The Department of Children and Families presented its Access modernization project, which is replacing a mainframe-based eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid assistance, and related programs. DCF said the six-year, $205 million project is in its third year and has already delivered a new customer portal with mobile access, multi-factor authentication, and fraud protections, while also building a worker portal, document management, community partner tools, and workload management functions. The agency said it is requesting $36.625 million for the next fiscal year, the same as last year, and emphasized that the project has remained on schedule and on budget by breaking work into smaller modules and using strong vendor and staff support. Members praised the project’s progress and asked about cybersecurity testing and the long delay before modernization began; DCF said security requirements were built in from the outset and that the remaining work will focus on moving staff off the legacy mainframe and modernizing notices and back-end processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• using the Hawaii Tourism Authority as an example of a casino-type or sports gambling setup with TV screens
• where<00:41:49.240> with<00:41:49.400> the<00:41:49.560> TV<00:41:49.920> screens
• <00:41:50.440> like of setup where with the TV screens like of setup where with the TV screens
• /c><00:41:53.880> they<00:41:54.000> have<00:41:54.160> big<00:41:54.359> screens
• <00:41:54.839> so MGM in Vegas they have big screens so MGM in Vegas they have big screens

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was also identified that we need a better screening tool, which we will be working on in December.
• <00:12:17.360> tool that we need a better screening tool that we need a better screening tool
• tools and um protocols are our screening tools and um protocols are going<00:12:24.240> to<00
• Page 11, line 10, we deleted “evaluation” and added “screen.”
• There is a difference between a full evaluation as opposed to a screening.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• employee assistance program to sidestep workers' comp, a lot of money could be saved and a lot of trauma
• :41:42.000> of money could be saved and and a lot of money could be saved and and a lot of trauma
• 00:41:43.359> on<00:41:43.520> the<00:41:43.680> part<00:41:43.760> of trauma
• could be avoided on the part of trauma could be avoided on the part of the<00:41:44.400> um<00
• del Representative Flanagan said that employee assistance programs and actually had dealt with trauma

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Frentz has a bill, 3769, which is a DOC policy bill related to substance use and TV screening
• Representative Frentz has a bill, 3769, which is a DOC policy bill related to substance use and TV screening
• Representative Frentz has a bill, 3769, which is a DOC policy bill related to substance use and TV screening

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3990, Chair Novotny’s bill, as the vehicle for a public safety policy package. Members were told the DE1 amendment had been posted for public review, so no formal action would be taken at this meeting; the committee planned to act on the bill at the next hearing on March 25. Chair Novotny said questions from Judiciary on the original bill had been addressed or were still being worked on, and he expressed hope the bill would pass out the next day. Non-partisan staff walked through the DE1 amendment, explaining that it combines multiple bills into one package. The included provisions covered BCA fraud investigations and administrative subpoenas, disaster assistance reporting dates, DOC policy on substance use and TV screening, raising the kratom possession/sale age to 21, DOC facility licensing, restitution considerations for early release, BCA data collection and local law enforcement reimbursements, public employer review of applicants with criminal convictions, victim notification and minor-victim privacy protections, second-degree murder language involving out-of-state protection orders, increased penalties for certain coercion offenses tied to non-consensual image dissemination, and reporting when law enforcement deploys chemical irritants. No one signed up to testify, and there were no votes or formal amendments acted on during the meeting. The chair noted that additional amendments were expected at the next hearing, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texans, like many across the country, are increasingly glued to screens, at the expense of their mental
• According to an article published... ...in the National Library of Medicine, excess screen time contributes
• It's a simple reminder that there's more to life than what's on the screen.

Bills: SB2801, SB2232, SCR18

Keywords: SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox

Transcript Highlights:

• efforts of the General Assembly, we now have colorectal, prostate, and lung for early detection screenings
• efforts of the General Assembly, we now have colorectal, prostate, and lung for early detection screenings
• , prostate, and lung for early colctyl, prostate, and lung for early detection<00:19:26.720> screenings
• <00:19:27.919> But<00:19:28.080> should<00:19:28.320> you detection screenings
• But should you detection screenings.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present. The chamber approved the journal from January 28, received notice that the House had passed House Bills 56, 320, 366, and 389 and requested concurrence, and heard a report that second-reading bills were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports advanced several measures, including Senate Bills 1, 3, 48, 84, 102, and 122, which were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar. The Senate also received new bills and resolutions, including measures on SNAP benefits, unemployment insurance, medical licensing, proxy advisory services, child protection, disabled veterans, public school construction, and a concurrent resolution encouraging nuclear workforce training at Kentucky universities. The Rules Committee posted Senate Bills 20, 34, and 68 for the next regular orders, and the Committee on Committees referred Senate Resolutions 60, 61, 63, 64, and 65 to the floor. Senate Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3 was introduced. Several honorary and memorial resolutions were adopted, including Senate Resolution 63 honoring Reverend George Clifton Currington, Sr., Senate Resolution 49 honoring Dr. Jacqueline Sugarman, and Senate Resolution 31 designating Suits and Sneakers Day to recognize cancer patients, survivors, and advocates. Senators spoke at length about cancer awareness, personal family experiences, and Kentucky’s efforts to improve screening and treatment access. Announcements were made about an oversight committee meeting after adjournment and a Kentucky State Police Professional Association breakfast the next morning. The Senate adjourned until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico's literacy policy components align with other states' guidance and accountability for screening
• , targeted interventions to support the acquisition of core content, and that includes universal screening
• example, ensures all literacy instruction. is evidence-based and provides guidance on universal screening
• after Florida's reading law, placing a heavy emphasis on prevention of reading difficulties through screening
• The public education department should also consider providing screening criteria and an assessment tool

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THE 2023 2024 SCHOOL YEAR IDENTIFIED VARIOUS SUB RECIPIENTS, SOME OF WHO YOU SEE LISTED ON THE SCREEN
• THESE SUB RECIPIENTS INCLUDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WE DO HAVE THOSE LISTED ON THE SCREEN.
• PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE ALONG WITH THESE RECIPIENTS LISTED ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE SCREEN, THEY
• YOU CAN SEE THE THREE BUCKETS, THREE COLUMNS YOU HAVE ON THE SCREEN WITH UNIVERSAL SUPPORT, TARGETED
• -- IN ESSENCE WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THE WORK WE DO WITHOUT PARTNERSHIPS AND AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SCREEN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:53:25.280> for New Hampshire are routinely screened for New Hampshire are routinely screened
• <01:53:57.679> and countries rely on prenatal screening and countries rely on prenatal screening
• So the only women are already screened.
• <02:13:07.440> for pregnant woman gets screened for pregnant woman gets screened for hepatitis
• <02:15:28.079> tests but generally there are screening tests but generally there are screening

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if we're going to screen kids and we're going to progress monitor them, high school doesn't even
• So, if we're going to screen kids and we're going to progress monitor them, high school doesn't even
• kids and we're if we're going to screen kids and we're going<00:47:07.359> to<00:47:07.520>
• tell you when you look at the screening tell you when you look at the screening results<00:48:33.599
• second graders when if in screen second graders when if in kindergarten<00:49:21.119> and<00:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But beyond my own health, my story is a testament to one critical action: screening.
• . screening. screening.
• can be because my cancer was screenings can be because my cancer was found<00:09:10.480> on<00
• screenings they deserve. screenings they deserve.
• more than 1500 screenings and diagnostic tests,<00:10:13.760> over<00:10:14.240> 6,000

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The language is on the screen.
• <00:01:58.640> we<00:01:58.840> have<00:01:59.119> our screen we have our screen
• ago so the language is on the screen ago so the language is on the screen this<00:02:39.800>
• So the chart on the screen, the blue bars are the nominal increases for HUT revenues.
• So the chart on the screen, the blue bars are the nominal increases for HUT revenues.

Bills: HF1167, HF1242

Keywords: Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• , as we're watching the prosecutors walking through in many cases without any screening at all while
• we're standing there with the jury pool in our cases waiting to be screened.
• <00:48:38.200> it in our cases waiting to be screened it in our cases waiting to be screened
• a case a public defender has this screen a case a public defender has roughly<01:03:19.799> four<
• <01:04:03.880> those<01:04:04.000> are and if you look at that screen those are and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we, we have closed a significant number of those through the pre-screening process and through the
• advanced screening process in our office.
• We have about 149 cases that are still left to be screened for viability.
• Um, and, and we, and, and through our, through our screening of the cases, we go back and we, we look
• Uh, contract attorneys that that assist us in that screening process, um, because particularly for the

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill cardiovascular pre-screening.
• <00:21:33.080> for create an extra level of screening for create an extra level of screening
• Association, provide a list of screening Association, provide a list of screening questions<00:21
• House Bill 1625, public health, newborn screening program, fees and core conditions.
• <01:18:19.320> for tested and screened for tested and screened for um<01:18:20.680> for

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, read the prior journal, and then took up a series of third-reading bills. Early action included unanimous passage of HB 159 (mail theft), HB 412 (child support and driver’s license suspension), HB 912 (trap-neuter-return policies for community cats), HB 914 (Worcester County Board of License Commissioners membership), HB 558 (Prince George’s County wine festival licenses), HB 1400 (shellfish aquaculture penalties), and HB 1463 (Anne Arundel County Board of Education constituent services liaison). HB 582, dealing with Prince George’s County alcoholic beverages licenses and voter registration requirements, drew brief debate over whether it removed or retained a voter registration condition; it ultimately passed 119-12. HB 846, a property tax exemption for the Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility, passed 126-7 after a system delay interrupted proceedings. Several bills prompted more substantive discussion. HB 1218, the Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act, drew opposing explanations over a proposed public registry of properties with housing violations; supporters said it would help identify serious housing problems and improve compliance, while opponents objected to publicly naming private properties based on administrative findings. It passed 99-36. HB 525, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, passed 135-1 after questions about enforcement, with supporters comparing it to ordinary classroom discipline. HB 1483, allowing out-of-state clinical professional counseling and social work providers to use telehealth for continuity of care, passed 135-0 after clarification that it applies to people moving into Maryland and allows a six-month continuity period. HB 1504, the Pedestrian Safety Act, passed unanimously. Later, HB 664 (Cecil County alcoholic beverages license quota) passed 134-1, and HB 837 (cardiovascular pre-screening for student athletic activities) passed 133-2 after the sponsor explained that reporting requirements were removed for cost reasons and the bill now mainly requires screening questions. HB 925, regulating PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland, generated the most extended debate: one delegate argued the bill’s limits were too weak and lacked liability for industry actors, while supporters said it establishes the first limits, requires wastewater treatment plants to reduce PFAS, and leaves room for future tightening; it passed 130-7. HB 1370, authorizing a pilot stop-sign monitoring program in Rising Sun, passed 109-26. HB 649, expanding Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforcement to higher education discrimination claims, passed 100-35 after supporters said current protections are stronger for K-12 than for colleges. The House also passed HB 512 on compensation for Anne Arundel County license commissioners and inspectors, and the session continued into HB 661 on commemorative months.

Transcript Highlights:

• how we're going to be doing this, the research director, Juliet Viterre, is going to be sharing her screen
• Does everybody have that on their screen? Can everyone see everything clearly?
• I have my screen a little bit too tiny for that.
• I screen back. So moving back down to the state and federal action.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the Public Health Effects of Xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Keenan’s absence due to National Guard deployment, approved the prior meeting minutes, and explained the process for incorporating final edits and late votes into appendices. Commissioners then voted to allow staff to make agreed-upon language changes after the meeting, and later voted on the final report itself. Staff walked commissioners through the report’s redlines and substantive updates. Changes included clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than simply a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or revising references to “hotspots” in favor of more accurate language about local trends, and refining language on wound care to refer to medical consequences and financial costs. The report also added or strengthened discussion of harm reduction measures such as drug checking, mobile health services, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation and airway support during overdose response, and the importance of naloxone remaining available while recognizing its limits for xylazine exposure. Commissioners also discussed data collection, legal protections for drug checking, and the role of the Attorney General in guidance and coordination on emerging drug threats. The commission then took a final vote, with the members present voting to approve the report. A letter from Senator Velis, who was also absent due to active duty orders, was read into the record expressing support for the report and its recommendations. In closing comments, commissioners and staff thanked one another for the collaborative work and described the report as a useful public health resource. Chair Domb adjourned the meeting at 11:11 a.m., noting that the final report would be submitted and posted online for public access.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you will go through a screening process.
• The screening process will be handled by the private sector.
• will have private consultants, not DNREC employees, who will assess lands and start with an online screening
• So, the process would begin with using maps online, screening this, and then going in the field and identifying

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The capital grounds will have screening continue, and there's also this bill accounts for a number of
• 00:02:48.239> grounds<00:02:48.879> will<00:02:49.280> have<00:02:49.519> screening
• capital grounds will have screening capital grounds will have screening continue<00:02:51.120>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3230, a security package combining several bills related to political and Capitol security. Members first adopted the DE6 amendment, described as reflecting the negotiated allocation and appropriations language, and then heard Chair Mullen explain that the bill covers judicial security and courthouse grants, continued Capitol grounds screening, hardware and hardening improvements, legislative services home security, temporary local law enforcement support for credible threats, a new task force, funding for the BCA threat assessment team, and DPS deficiency funding tied to recent events. Discussion focused largely on the balance between security and public access. Representative West objected to the Capitol screening and metal detectors, arguing the Capitol is the “people’s house” and questioning the cost and fairness of the measures; he also asked whether the bill changed who controls Capitol security. In response, members said the scanners were not created by this bill but were already decided by the governor and security commission, and that the bill includes a provision clarifying the chain of command and training responsibilities. Other members supported the package as a necessary response to political violence and threats, emphasizing protection for lawmakers, staff, visitors, and the public. After discussion, the committee renewed the motion to place House File 3230, as amended, on the general register. The motion passed without opposition.