Transcript Highlights:

• There, they're not making decisions to purchase software or any other solution without that built into
• For, like, the Department of Healthcare Authority, because of all the purchases and such that are made
• The oldest in average age, by the way, Madam Chair, Senator?
• So, what was the average age, Madam Chair? of these 5,000 rape kits. Was it 5 years, 10 years?
• What was the average age?

Bills: SB132 , SM16 , SM17 , SB132 , SM16 , SM17

Committees: Senate Senate Rules , Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, no social media use before age 16. No social media use before age 16.
• The devices that have been purchased by the schools or school boards, whomever is making those purchases
• What we're doing on this one is lowering the age from 25, where it currently is, to 22.
• So as soon as they get out of college age, they are eligible for...
• College age, they are eligible for this grant, and it's for either their first bachelor’s degree or if

Bills: SB92 , HB9 , HB9

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 5.4.1 states in part, the Division of Purchasing reserves the right to terminate the contract
• should be no natural cause of death for someone at those ages that you just stated.
• If you are of a certain age, you... ...on the street.
• If you are of a certain age, you're going straight to the county morgue.
• Is that mostly just all natural causes, regardless of whatever the age is?

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• This is primarily due to purchases that were expenses brought into FY26 that are no longer needed in
• They're using ag to clean up the mess that's caused by the storms. So...
• It's every state in the union that didn't make ag crops financially this year.
• He has ag commissioners; we're traveling and doing that as well.
• But it's for purchase and maintenance of equipment only. It is not for operations or for salaries.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• A person who is indigent may purchase items at the commissary such as hygiene products, over-the-counter
• mail envelopes, and the trust accounting system will create a debt for the entire amount of the purchase
• Sadly, we say not everyone in custody has the family support nor the means to purchase basic hygienic
• any money sent over $25. $25 is just not enough to meet most hygienic needs, notwithstanding the purchase
• and may have stayed there for decades or their entire lives, but today very few youth under the age

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard several House bills. Substitute House Bill 2539 would raise the indigent inmate account threshold from $25 to $100, allowing incarcerated people to retain more money for commissary items like hygiene products, postage, and medications before deductions for legal financial obligations, child support, and other debts. Representative Street said the bill is meant to better cover essentials without stopping debt repayment. Testifiers from Civil Survival, incarcerated people, and family advocates supported the bill, describing current commissary prices, low prison wages, and the burden on families. The committee also heard that the Department of Corrections expects some indeterminate implementation costs and IT expenses. No vote was taken. House Bill 2510 would require the Department of Corrections to supervise anyone sentenced to community custody for stalking, regardless of risk classification. Representative Burnett said the bill is intended to protect victims and give them peace of mind. Staff explained that the bill is narrower than a related measure heard earlier because it applies only to people sentenced to community custody, typically at the superior court level. Victim advocates and survivors testified in strong support, describing stalking cases that escalated to severe threats and violence and arguing that mandatory supervision could prevent future harm. The hearing was closed without action. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2319 and Substitute House Bill 2350, both concerning residential habilitation centers. HB 2319 would rename Fircrest School and Rainier School to remove the word “school” and better reflect their current role as residential habilitation centers; supporters said the old terminology is outdated and confusing, while the sponsor said the bill is a clarification only and does not change services or funding. HB 2350 would require DSHS to notify residents, guardians, and other designated people when an RHC falls out of compliance with federal CMS requirements, and to post plain-language notices at the facility. Supporters from Disability Rights Washington, The Arc, and self-advocates said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The committee closed public hearing on both bills, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the separate aging footprints of the St. the separate aging footprints of the St.
• So, it is an aging building.
• We are Um so, it is an aging building.
• Uh, we purchased Power at that time.
• </c><00:31:27.840><c> old</c> aging infrastructure, 75-plus years old aging infrastructure, 75-plus years

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• A population that generally includes people aged 18 to 64 who do not have a disability and do not have
• children under the age of 13.
• There is age discrimination in the workforce, and so that's another factor for this age group.
• The only people we're throwing off of SNAP are able-bodied adults who are between the ages of 18 and
• ...going through a challenging time, why are we going to be cruel and restrict certain purchases from

Transcript Highlights:

• Dying in 1832, he was the last surviving signer of the Declaration at age 95.
• They can continue to purchase, again, whatever type of benefit they would like to out of that.
• So we’re talking about an age. With that, debate is open. Is there any debate in opposition?
• The AG only has one office, one budget, and a thousand other cases.
• So the point is, if we strip this out, that'll make them happy, because they can manage an AG.

Transcript Highlights:

• How many vehicles do you think are purchased per year by food banks?
• How many vehicles do you think are purchased per year by food banks?
• So what he's referring to is the ag barn.
• The ag barn has an operating cost of about $700,000 a year.
• This could help with the ag barn. The ag barn needs a new roof right now.

Bills: HB 1039 , HB2289 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3066 , HB3076 , HB3117 , HB3118 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3182 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3377 , HB3500 , HB3567 , HB3715 , HB3954 , HB4098 , HB4109 , HB4222 , HB4226 , HB4412 , HB4659 , HB4682 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB5562 , HB5596

Committee: House Ways & Means

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, most of them expanding or adjusting hotel occupancy tax or qualified hotel project authority for specific local governments. Measures discussed included HB 2404 for Childress County; HB 3066 for Allen’s Kalahari resort project; HB 4682 for Plano; HB 4683 for Anna; HB 3076 creating a project finance zone in Frisco; HB 3567 for Wichita County; HB 3715 for McAllen; HB 1039 for Alpine; HB 3182 for Burleson; HB 4926 for Grimes County; HB 4222 for Victoria County; HB 3377 for Katy; HB 4659 for Addison; HB 3241 for Georgetown; HB 4098 for Taylor; HB 3178 for Kerr County; HB 3179 for Mason County; HB 2289 for New Braunfels; HB 4412 for Kermit; HB 5165 for Monahans; HB 3500 for Bastrop; and HB 3169 for Carrollton. In each case, authors and local officials described tourism, convention, hotel, airport, or mixed-use development needs and argued the bills would help attract visitors, investment, and jobs. One non-hotel-tax bill, HB 4226, would exempt Texas food banks from sales tax on vehicle purchases and rentals, with testimony emphasizing the scale of food bank operations and the savings’ impact on meal delivery and disaster response. Testimony was generally supportive from city officials, economic development representatives, and industry groups such as the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association. Several witnesses described major private projects, including Kalahari in Allen, a proposed hotel and conference center in Addison, a mixed-use project in Georgetown, and a large development tied to Samsung growth in Taylor. For HB 4226, food bank representatives said the bill would help them purchase refrigerated trucks and other delivery vehicles, while an opponent questioned the fiscal note and the scope of the exemption. HB 4926 drew opposition from Camp Allen, whose representative argued a new county hotel tax would raise costs for guests and could hurt the retreat center’s operations. HB 3178 also drew an objection from a Kerr County resident who argued the tax would grow county government and pointed to event center losses, though the author said the revenue would support tourism-related county uses. The committee took no final votes on the bills in this transcript. After each bill was laid out and testimony concluded, the chair repeatedly asked whether there was objection to leaving the bill pending; in each instance, no objection was heard, and the bills were left pending. Several committee substitutes were offered and then withdrawn or noted as conforming drafts, but no bill was reported out or otherwise acted on beyond being left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our population is aging left and right.
• So are you familiar with Area Agency on Aging? Yes.
• So do you know if Area Agency on Aging has a state director?
• Are you familiar with the Missouri Aging Plan? I'm sure you are.
• We have a really robust aging plan, and we have that system of AAAs.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first took testimony on House Bill 1681, which would require health carriers and pharmacy benefit managers to count amounts paid by or on behalf of an enrollee for certain medications toward out-of-pocket maximums when no generic substitute is available. The sponsor described the bill as helping patients with serious illnesses afford needed drugs. The committee then adopted a substitute that rolled HB 1681 together with House Bills 1941 and 2279, including an ERISA-related labor exemption, and passed the combined committee substitute by a vote of 15-2. The committee next heard House Bill 2365, which was also combined with related bills through a substitute that changed terminology to “delivery systems.” That substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the House Committee substitute for House Bills 2365, 2490, and 2249 was then approved unanimously, 18-0. After that, the committee heard House Bill 2149, the dementia care coordinator bill. The sponsor and supporters from the Alzheimer’s Association and family caregivers argued the state needs a central point person to coordinate resources, improve early detection, support caregivers, and connect rural residents to services. Members raised concerns about the fiscal note, whether the work duplicates existing Area Agencies on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association services, and whether two FTEs would be effective statewide. No vote was taken on HB 2149 during the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2309, which would prohibit Missouri insurance coverage for organ transplants or related services involving organs taken from prisoners of conscience in China. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a human-rights measure aimed at condemning organ harvesting and abuse of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. Members asked whether there was documentation of such transplants in Missouri and whether federal oversight exists; the sponsor said there is no reporting mechanism and no known opposition. No action was taken on the bill in the excerpt. Finally, the committee began testimony on House Bills 1975 and 1850, pharmacy benefit manager reform bills. The sponsors said the measures are intended to protect local pharmacies, improve transparency, limit harmful audit practices, and create a critical access pharmacy program. Supporters, including a pharmacy business group, argued PBM practices drive up drug costs and close pharmacies. Opponents, including a carpenters’ health plan representative, warned the bills could increase costs for self-funded plans, limit network and mail-order arrangements, and shift more administrative burden onto plan sponsors. The hearing continued with questions and testimony, but no final vote is shown in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, there was a lot of ambiguities in this purchasing price and what was purchased.
• So approximately 70% of our taxable parcels are ag.
• So approximately 70% of our taxable parcels are ag.
• Over $9 million, about $9.5 million, is in ag.
• But we've got the ag commissioner and ten, well, nine other ag commissioners that have sent a letter.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard a lot in this committee about, you know, what was the age—I'm trying to remember if it was 38
• Um, I have yet to purchase a home, and I'm looking to do so, so I'm very excited about that.
• We want to get that age down, I mean 38.
• And so, to the extent that there are builders making the qualifying purchases and home buyers qualifying
• and home buyers um qualifying purchases and home buyers um qualifying<00:35:31.800><c> to</c><00:35:

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first $500 is still exempt if you buy more than a $500 purchase.
• Gold has been shown to retain its purchasing power over time.
• power of the dollar, gold has retained that purchasing power quite well over time.
• Is there a way for people to protect their purchasing power and use gold in the economy?
• And so it's maintained its purchasing power.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Decisions on generation, power purchases, demand response, and efficiency programs.
• To by stakeholders that protects co-ops' authority to choose generation and power, purchase power based
• just the concern about undermining local planning efforts by requiring that local governments treat ag
• participation by not allowing local governments to require public hearings for developments in those ag
• These ag enclaves have to be in either an urban service area or an urban growth boundary.

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0168 , S0288 , S0548 , S0686 , S0830 , S1138 , S1234

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, rural electric cooperatives, energy production, Florida law, energy tariffs, regulation, impact fees, transportation capacity, local government, interlocal agreements, growth management, community planning, extraordinary circumstances

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the spread that goes to entities between the highly discounted purchase price and reimbursement
• Our experience at APPIA demonstrates that 340B sites can purchase Humira at a substantial discount, yet
• Without 340B, we would not be able to sustain the cost of purchasing needed medications.
• of 17 and 26, and the bill removes that upper age limit.
• If the child is between the ages of 17 and 26, and the bill removes that upper age limit.

Bills: SB5420 , SB5877 , SB5868 , SB5109 , SB5832 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5988 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• An employer need only post the poster developed by the AG to notify workers of the requirements in the
• An employer need only use the AG model notice to notify workers of an upcoming I-9 audit and can attach
• own notice if it meets the same requirements, but is otherwise considered compliant if they use the AG
• Instead, the AG must publish guidance on employers' rights to refuse to consent to these searches.
• The proposed substitute adds a provision requiring the AG to conduct outreach to businesses, employers

Bills: HB2479 , HB2091 , HB2105 , HB2107 , HB2151 , HB2190 , HB2191 , HB2218 , HB2243 , HB2303 , HB2345

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: unpaid wages, wage theft, wage recovery, labor standards, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, worker protection, low-wage workers, back pay, interest on wages, civil penalties, retaliation, immigration status coercion, gig workers, transportation network companies, rideshare drivers, app-based drivers, employment law, wage complaint, payroll enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Fun is always possible in the Senate Ag Committee. We could move for a recess.
• now, aging for three years for the 100% Kernza whiskey that's coming.
• now, aging for three years for the 100% Kernza whiskey that's coming.
• We serve ages 18 to 84, and if we could get some slides up on the screen, I'd appreciate it.
• Peterson's comment, the ag bill as a whole is a pretty large thing. It's complicated.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Aging rental stock also means that code enforcement cases have become more complex and properties are
• Aging rental stock also means that code enforcement cases have become more complex and properties are
• This service allows parties to purchase a summary process summons and complaint online and, at the same
• In Greater Boston, nearly a quarter of all residential properties sold are now purchased by investors
• Whether it's rent stabilization, tenant opportunity to purchase, or the real estate transfer fee, we

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:42:13.920><c> the</c> the age of 21 who is purchasing the the age of 21 who is purchasing the
• </c> products to people who are under the age products to people who are under the age of<03:47:29.279
• It's when over-age or above-age people, obviously over 21, buy these vapes and they sell them to youth
• c> online</c><04:39:32.719><c> or</c> When you purchase these online or When you purchase these online
• I thank of purchase despite statutes in place, of purchase despite statutes in place, purchase<04:53:

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• A significant portion of its costs come from the State Library having to purchase each annual pass from
• These structures are of average age, and we have seen no issues with human health or safety as a result
• So if we were purchasing it at $50,000 per acre...
• So if we were purchasing it at $50,000 per acre, it would come out to $4 billion.
• Well, I respectfully ask for your aye vote, and this is land that's already been purchased.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildlife, water, parks, and transparency. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be legally managed, with the author and California Waterfowl arguing it would help control rapidly growing mute swan populations that threaten native species and wetlands. The bill passed to Appropriations with no opposition. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, which included AB 14 and AB 581; AB 514 had been pulled by the author. AB 616, dubbed “Parks for All,” would allow state parks day-use passes to be transferred to the State Library free of charge to preserve the library pass program and improve access to state parks for low-income families and first-time visitors. Supporters said the program has been highly successful and equitable, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and link to Form 700 filings online; supporters emphasized transparency and public trust, while some members raised concerns about redundancy and added burdens. The bill passed to Appropriations on a split vote. AB 639 would create a narrow exception in the Water Code so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be treated as dams, with the author and district representatives saying the structures pose no safety risk and should not face unnecessary regulation. Members urged the bill be narrowed to the Kings River area, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks after the CZU fire, with conservation groups supporting faster acquisitions and one member opposing on budget and state-management grounds; it also passed to Appropriations. AB 454 would remove the sunset on California’s Migratory Bird Protection Act to keep state protections for migratory birds in place despite federal changes, and it passed to Appropriations. Later, the committee took add-on votes for members who arrived late, and the meeting adjourned after all listed items were acted on.