Transcript Highlights:

• Because that's always been my position: that if they show up, do not receive compensation, are invited
• <00:31:30.480> invited<00:31:30.960> by up not receive compensation invited by up not
• receive compensation invited by the<00:31:31.520> patient the patient the patient um<00:31:34.240
• And are invited and do not have compensation.
• the patient and not receive compensation the patient and not receive compensation and<00:33:17.919

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary decision-making meeting on April 1, 2025 considered several measures previously heard in committee and took action on each. HB 228 HD1 SD1, relating to license plates, was recommended to pass with amendments defining the terms “cover” and “shield”; it was adopted with votes of aye from the chair, vice chair, Senator McKelvie, and Senator Richards, and a no from Senator Awa. HB 125 HD1, relating to firearms and secure storage notice requirements, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted, though Senator McKelvie noted reservations and Senator OA did not vote. The committees also noted they would wait for a full complement on some JDC votes before finalizing all actions. HB 1194 HD2 SD1, relating to midwives, drew the most discussion and testimony. The recommendation was to pass with amendments, including DCCA-proposed changes and a revised effective date; members discussed concerns about regulation, the role of unlicensed birth attendants, and whether the bill could criminalize people present at births. The chair explained the intent was not to criminalize invited, uncompensated birth attendants who do not use the title “midwife,” while also clarifying limits on practicing midwifery without a license. The measure passed with reservations from Senator McKelvie and a no vote from Senator Awa. HB 348 HD1 SD1, relating to single-use plastics, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted without objection. HB 874 SD1, concerning trust accounts for minors in theatrical employment, was recommended to pass with amendments accepting the Attorney General’s suggestion to remove rulemaking authority; it passed in both committees without opposition. After the CPN portion adjourned, JDC also took up HB 125 and HB 1194, adopting the same recommendations and passing both measures, with the midwifery bill again reflecting the committee’s intent to preserve invited, unpaid attendance at births while restricting unlicensed practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:56.080> models there are always new compensation models there are always new compensation
• <00:58:58.799> services Uh, but the fact that we limit services Uh, but the fact that we limit
• ASAM 4 does not limit SUD assessments solely to LACs.
• ASAM 4 does not limit SUD assessments solely to LACs.
• ASAM 4 does not limit SUDD principles.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It must be a 20-year limited exceptions.
• <01:33:11.600> Commission, Victim Commit Compensation Commission, Victim Commit Compensation
• and so it actually does in fact limit and so it actually does in fact limit who<01:53:22.960>
• the crime victim compensation the crime victim compensation commission. commission. commission.
• it has a statewide focus and not limited it has a statewide focus and not limited to<02:45:12.399

Bills: HB1531

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , we no longer needed the compensation increases in agencies 6, 45, or 48.
• compensation<00:10:36.880> increases<00:10:37.600> in needed the compensation increases
• added was not needed because of the adoption by the Senate of the compensation.
• they will be covered underneath that compensation increase.
• will be covered underneath that compensation increase.

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, this is a fee that is intended to compensate pharmacists fairly.
• market so badly that we are now running pharmacists out of business because they can't be fairly compensated
• believe that, like this bill, except for page 10 And going down from that, where we were putting limits
• Speaker, there's probably a lot of us who are grateful that we have term limits on our governor's office
• I know that we've limited voting days, and so this won't be a separate election, but do you know what

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• , erring on the side of applying tax and collecting it from their customers, because this is what limits
• , erring on the side of applying tax and collecting it from their customers, because this is what limits
• I already do not get compensated.”
• I already do not get compensated for my prep time or time I spend on marketing.
• We predict an array of negative and unintended outcomes that includes less programming, job loss, limited

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• be amenable to treatment as a juvenile, the child is then sentenced as an adult, but there are limitations
• I'm assuming it would help with that 45-day limit that you have.
• could, Madam Chair and Representative Hall, there's been a lot of conversation about increasing compensation
• Because I think that with a lot of these people... ...the criminal prosecution and the limited resources
• understanding as to why the Federal Bureau of Prisons has a different process that leads to a child being compensated

Transcript Highlights:

• it provides a school district one automatic waiver for one year if they are not able to comply and limits
• Additionally, the commission is limited in the types of complaints that it is allowed to review and the
• State Commission on Judicial Conduct notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation, and related
• The ability of the court of appeals chiefs to receive supplemental compensation from the counties which
• Electing donations outlined in the bill by placing that limitation on donations allocated to administrative

Bills: SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB10, SB11, SB19, SB20, SB25, SB62, SB260, SB263, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB412, SB441, SB442, SB494, SB523, SB569, SB616, SB688, SB707, SB766, SB842, SB869, SB890, SB914, SB929, SB971, SB992, SB1066, SB1145, SB1621, SJR36, SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB971, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB20, SB441, SB442, SB1621, SB569, SB314, SB25, SB293, SB914, SB260, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB20, SB25, SB260, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB442, SB494, SB616, SB869, SB890, SB929, SB992, SB1145, SB1621, SR232, SR237, SR242, SB16, SB22

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• It is off limits as we're going to be hearing, but for now I thought it would make sense to learn more
• And in that rule, the budget resolution must set the maximum limit on net expenditures for the next fiscal
• biennium for the general fund and may also set limits for expenditures from funds other than the general
• uh<00:01:48.560> it<00:01:48.799> is<00:01:48.960> off<00:01:49.200> limits
• <00:03:55.599> Court<00:03:55.760> of Compensation Court of Compensation Court of Appeals

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um you know I understand at this time given the limited funds and this was not part of the uh formal
• <00:37:26.400> funds<00:37:26.800> and at this time given the limited funds and at
• It's kind of in the same vein as the Great Start Compensation Program, one I like just spitballing as
• not taking great start compensation not taking great start compensation program<00:40:58.880>
• engage in the great start compensation engage in the great start compensation program<00:41:16.880

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• begun to outweigh the cost of penalties, providing an economic incentive for violating pumping limitations
• The district is not being compensated for the water that's pumped.
• Limits are there for a reason, and if they choose to violate them, there will be consequences.
• Around the best science we have, to hopefully limit permitting to a point where we extend the life of
• , or your... ...DCPs, reduced drought contingency, or drought curtailment pumping limits.

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• has begun to outweigh the cost of penalties providing an economic incentive for violating pumping limitations
• There's not being a Uh, the district is not being compensated for the water that's pumped, but yet I'm
• bill seeks to put real teeth and hopefully get people's attention that there's DFCs and permitting limits
• It's built around the best science we have to hopefully limit permitting to a point where we extend,
• or your EAA reduced drought contingency or drought curtailment pumping limits, whatever it is.

Bills: SB 1169, SB 1285, SB 1583, SB 1611, SB 1898, SB 1976, SB 2160, SB 2161, SB 2658, SB 2661, SB 2662, SB 2692, SB 1055, SB 1359, SB 2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• YOU WERE APPEARING WITHOUT COMPENSATION AND YOU WAIVE YOUR SPEAKING TIME?
• THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS WILL BE REQUIRED TO OVERSEE THE LIMITATIONS IN ENFORCEMENT OF EDUCATION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've offered a small amount of voluntary compensated reductions, or conservation is the word they
• The Griffin amendment, dated 1/22/26 at 12:30 p.m., increases from 10% to 50% the limit of the total
• as opposed to those inside the city limits, yes or no?
• Why are you limiting these studies to these particular areas? Is there a reason?
• Is the bill limited to those areas?

Bills: HB2042, HB2052, HB2055, HB2056, HB2094, HB2098, HB2185, HB2328, HB2758, HB2798

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• progress in achieving goals for jobs created or maintained by the producer, board member executive compensation
• 00:04:02.799> executive producer board member executive producer board member executive compensation
• evidence<00:04:04.720> of<00:04:05.040> compliance<00:04:05.840> with compensation
• evidence of compliance with compensation evidence of compliance with environmental<00:04:06.799>
• If you started mixing the different types of plastic, it limited your use, but the durability and the

Bills: HF858, HF2577, HF2576

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• those considerations for you all is on row 16, where we have a recommendation for a 3 increase in compensation
• an appropriation of 108.1 million to the SEG, and that's just to continue providing competitive compensation
• Compensation, I think, is the one area of the LEAC Recommendations where LEAC is likely to be on the
• budget does all the things that we talked about in 2025, including a focus on supporting educator compensation
• It has some other limits.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• created the great start compensation created the great start compensation supports.<01:06:21.520
• In creating the great start compensation In creating the great start compensation supports,<01:06
• dollars for the great start compensation dollars for the great start compensation supports<01:07
• <01:09:48.080> I the great start compensation program.
• I the great start compensation program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Help cover expected growth in employee compensation and benefits and other operating costs, including
• <00:36:05.760> and<00:36:06.079> benefits in employee compensation and benefits in
• <00:37:38.160> and<00:37:38.320> benefits,<00:37:38.880> other compensation and
• Is there a limit to how many people could come with that veteran?
• Is there a limit to how many family members can join them?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But those are the things behind the scenes, and it's not limited to Metro.
• But those are the things behind the scenes, and it's not limited to Metro.
• But those are the things behind the scenes, and it's not limited to Metro.
• But those are the things behind the scenes, and it's not limited to Metro.
• But those are the things behind the scenes, and it's not limited to Metro.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's limitations in the amount of units, and the rental assistance is scarce.
• If you're having limited responses, you probably know Alan Peterson very well.
• If you're getting limited responses, you probably know Alan Peterson very well.
• However, because the state owns the land, it's an extremely limiting factor.
• It's very limiting in what the community could do.

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.