Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, hearing no negative debate, the debate is closed.
• Hearing none and hearing, good gentlemen, Further debate on the motion.
• Hearing none and hearing no negative debate, debate is closed.
• Hearing none. Hearing no negative debate, the debate is closed.
• Hearing none, so ordered. Mr.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there individuals that you would like to hear from?
• And we do have probably another 40 to hear. So 30 or 40 to hear.
• Can you hear me? Yes, I hear you now. Would you please raise your right hand, sir? I am here.
• Can you hear me? Yes, I hear you now. Would you please raise your right hand, sir?
• Next, we'll hear from tab 12, Mr.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise. The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair hears none and the bill is left pending.
• But probably how many people would be there for hearing?
• The only difference is we can't hear, and we can't hear very well. I'm sorry. All right. Thank you.
• or that they cannot hear and I thank you each and every one of you.
• The chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.

Bills: HB451 , HB645 , HB 1041 , HB 1151 , HB 1155 , HB1536 , HCR12 , HCR12

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.

Bills: HB2325 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2675 , HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.

Bills: HB2325 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2675 , HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also moved several bills through routine orders, including placing House Bill 273 on health carrier surpluses and House Bill 2681 on cannabis license fees on the second reading calendar, and welcoming guests and honored families to the gallery. The main floor action centered on three bills. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program, was amended with a technical clarification and passed 84-5. Supporters said the industry should fund a statewide tourism marketing effort to attract visitors year-round and compete with other states. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, on renewable energy, was amended to address local tax treatment of wind, solar, and battery storage projects and passed 74-15; proponents said it would replace a shifting property-tax burden with a more stable excise tax so host communities receive lasting benefits. House Bill 2521, concerning firearms background checks, drew the most debate. Amendments to raise the fee cap and to set the fee at zero were both rejected, with opponents arguing the bill would burden constitutional rights and supporters saying the fee should cover the State Patrol’s costs. The bill then passed 53-36. House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, passed unanimously 89-0 after brief support from both parties. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objections, so ordered.
• Hearing no objections, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objections, so ordered. Substitute House Bill 2158. Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection? 2411 will be advanced to third reading. Hearing no objection.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, recognized visitors from the Colville Tribal Business Council, and then caucused briefly before taking up bills. The chamber also received a Senate message announcing passage of Substitute Senate Bill 5000. Members advanced and passed several bills. House Bill 1269, raising pawnbroker interest rates and fees modestly, passed 83-14 after supporters said it would help small businesses serving unbanked customers and maintain operations amid inflation. Substitute House Bill 2123, changing foreign national campaign contribution reporting rules, passed 68-29 amid debate over whether it appropriately reduced burdens on candidate campaigns while still protecting initiative campaigns. Substitute House Bill 2178, a technical court-rules and procedure cleanup bill, passed 89-8; House Bill 2120, which removes two duplicative JLARC reports to free staff for higher-value audits, passed unanimously 97-0; House Bill 2309, eliminating postgraduate degree requirements for certain state jobs to reduce employment barriers, passed 97-0; and Substitute House Bill 2158, allowing electronic remote notarization of physical documents, passed 96-0. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2411, expanding shared leave eligibility to include absences related to hate crimes and immigration enforcement actions, by a vote of 60-36 after supporters framed it as support for public employees and opponents raised cost and policy concerns. House Joint Memorial 4004, a nonbinding request to Congress concerning sea lion management to protect salmon and treaty fishing rights, passed 80-16 after debate focused on salmon restoration and tribal rights. Finally, Substitute House Joint Memorial 4001, honoring Russell Blount by naming the future East 34th Street overpass over I-5, passed 96-0. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't hear you.
• We can't hear you.
• Hello, can you hear me? We can hear you. Welcome.
• Can you hear me? We can hear you. Very well. Let me just one second.
• Can you hear me? We can hear you. Go ahead. Great.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining hearing procedures and time limits, then heard testimony on House 2499, a bill to create a public awareness campaign on menopause and related midlife health issues. Supporters, including a nurse, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and other advocates, said menopause is widely misunderstood by patients and providers, leading to delayed care, unnecessary suffering, workplace impacts, and inequities in women’s health. Several speakers shared personal experiences with symptoms being dismissed or misdiagnosed and urged the committee to advance the bill. The committee then took testimony on a package of endometriosis bills, including House 2527 and Senate 1564, calling for a task force and broader awareness efforts. Patients, a physician, and advocates described long diagnostic delays, severe pain, infertility, medical gaslighting, and limited access to specialists and effective treatment. They argued for more research, provider education, and a coordinated state strategy, and several asked for favorable reports. The chair also noted the hearing was running behind and extended time to allow more testimony. Later, the committee heard Senate 1579, which would eliminate parental consent and judicial bypass requirements for abortion access for minors under 16. Planned Parenthood representatives, physicians, legal advocates, and students argued the current law creates unnecessary delays and harms vulnerable youth, especially those in unsafe homes or foster care, while supporters said minors can already consent to other reproductive health care. A pro-life witness opposed the bill and emphasized parental involvement and support services. The committee also heard House 2403 and Senate 1560, which would create a Human Service Transportation Consumer Advisory Board; disability advocates and riders described past safety problems and current service gaps, and supported the board as a low-cost way to improve accountability, rider input, and reliability. No votes or final actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for hearing this bill.
• and we had the whole hearing, and then at the end of the hearing, no findings were made at all.
• Not hearing any.
• Can you hear me? So, it looks like we're, You me. Judge Doll, are you there? Yes, I can hear you.
• Can you hear me? OK? We can hear you fine. We just don't have a visual right now.

Bills: HB116

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• or very excited to hear what we're doing.
• I look forward to hearing from our witnesses.
• And it's great to hear that is all moving forward.
• Chair, for having this hearing.
• You don't always hear that.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on California’s industrial policy and manufacturing, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s large manufacturing base, the need to retain and scale advanced manufacturing in California, and the tension between economic growth, climate goals, labor standards, permitting, and energy reliability. Senators and witnesses repeatedly noted that California has strong innovation assets, but companies often face uncertainty around regulation, power availability, and the cost of expanding here, leading some to locate manufacturing elsewhere. Senator Wahab highlighted Fremont as a major manufacturing hub and stressed apprenticeship pathways, community college partnerships, and good-paying jobs for both college-educated and non-college workers. California Forward’s Agon Turplin and Jake Higden argued for a durable statewide regional economic development system with ongoing funding, regional strategic plans, and sector-specific roadmaps. They said California Jobs First and related regional planning efforts created useful infrastructure, but the system remains fragmented and one-time funded. Higden focused on “green industrial policy,” especially batteries, bioeconomy, and other clean manufacturing sectors, arguing California often funds R&D but loses the manufacturing scale-up phase to other states. Priyanka Mohanti of the Center for Manufacturing a Green Economy said climate policy must be paired with industrial policy so Californians can actually benefit from the transition through affordable clean products, good jobs, and domestic supply chains. She pointed to international examples such as India, Brazil, and China, and urged tools like public investment, procurement, loan guarantees, and supply-chain planning. Industry witness Josh Richmond, drawing on experience at Bloom Energy and Cy Quantum, said energy and economic development are inseparable and that “time to power” is often decisive in site selection. He argued California needs better coordination among the state, utilities, universities, national labs, and economic development agencies, and that the state should be more proactive and creative in helping strategic industries scale. Committee members discussed the role of high energy costs, regulatory burdens, K-12 education, and cap-and-trade, with Senator Niello raising concerns about business climate, education outcomes, and the cost impacts of climate regulations. Witnesses responded that California should balance regulation with benefits, and that regional coordination and state partnership can help companies navigate red tape and stay in-state. The second panel, from labor, supported a worker-led industrial policy. Sarah Flox of the California Labor Federation said manufacturing jobs can be good jobs only when paired with labor standards, apprenticeship pipelines, and public support tied to worker protections. Tom Hincey of UAW Region 6 said California should use public financing, procurement, off-take agreements, and, where appropriate, public ownership or equity stakes to localize supply chains and create union jobs in batteries, offshore wind, and heat pumps. The final panel featured Fremont economic development director Donovan Lazaro, who said Fremont has become California’s top manufacturing city by preserving industrial land, allowing by-right zoning, reducing permitting delays, and building in-house technical expertise to support advanced manufacturers. He said the city’s approach has helped double its manufacturing workforce and strengthen its tax base. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with committee members indicating they would continue working on follow-up legislation and coordination efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it’s an issue we hear a lot about in this context.
• And here we are in a hearing that belies that aspiration.
• It's incredibly helpful for us to hear, and we're so sorry for what you've experienced. what we're hearing
• Again, this is a hearing entitled Kaiser Permanente... ...a hearing entitled Kaiser Permanente's behavioral
• That concludes public comment and this hearing.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on Kaiser Permanente’s behavioral health care system, focusing on Department of Managed Health Care enforcement actions, Kaiser’s corrective action work plan, and testimony from patients, advocates, and union representatives. DMHC officials reviewed a long history of complaints, surveys, fines, and settlements involving Kaiser’s access to behavioral health services, including deficiencies found in 2012 and 2016, a 2022 non-routine survey, and a 2023 settlement that imposed a $50 million penalty and required $150 million in community investments over five years. DMHC said it continues to monitor Kaiser through quarterly meetings, complaint review, follow-up surveys, and a reimbursement process for members who could not obtain timely in-network care. Committee members pressed DMHC on what “timely access” and continuity of care mean in practice, how virtual care and group therapy fit into the standards, and what triggers a non-routine survey. DMHC said initial behavioral health appointments generally should not take more than two weeks, urgent care should be within days, and follow-up care within 10 days, with out-of-network care required when plans cannot meet standards. Officials also said Kaiser’s initial corrective action work plan lacked detail, but the revised plan was accepted and will be tracked through quarterly reporting and possible additional enforcement if Kaiser fails to comply. The second panel featured testimony from a Kaiser enrollee, a behavioral health policy expert, a Kaiser therapist, and the NUHW president. The enrollee described serious delays and inadequate treatment for his daughter after a suicide attempt, while the therapist and union leader said Kaiser’s behavioral health system is understaffed, relies too heavily on short appointments, group therapy, and webinars, and treats behavioral health as less important than medical-surgical care. They argued Kaiser’s one-appointment-at-a-time scheduling rule and limited treatment time violate parity requirements and harm continuity of care. Several members criticized Kaiser for not appearing at the hearing and said the testimony underscored the need for stronger oversight, clearer metrics, and faster remedies for patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone, starting off, we're going to hear testimony from HB 22.
• </c> be necessary to reschedule the hearing be necessary to reschedule the hearing or<00:07:36.280><c
• </c> grounds for removal from the hearing grounds for removal from the hearing without<00:07:58.680><
• <00:08:05.960><c> testimony</c><00:08:06.960><c> from</c> hear testimony from hear testimony from hb22
• Hearing none, Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition. The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, can you hear us? Yes, I can. Can you hear me? Yep, we can hear you. Go right ahead. Thank you.
• it is trying to hear the testimony.
• Yes, can you hear me? Yep, we can hear you. Great. Good afternoon. Yes, can you hear me?
• Hello, can you hear me? Yep, we can hear you. Go right ahead. Great. Thank you and good afternoon.
• We can talk after the hearing. Yep. We can talk after the hearing. Yep.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused largely on senior long-term care issues, family caregiving, post-acute care access, and direct care workforce pay. Testimony strongly supported bills to raise the personal needs allowance for nursing home and rest home residents (including H. 1411, S. 482, and related bills), with speakers from Mass Senior Action, Dignity Alliance, nursing home residents, providers, and former state officials arguing that the current $72.80 monthly allowance has been unchanged since 2008 and is inadequate for basic items like clothing, toiletries, haircuts, and transportation. Witnesses also backed bills to increase MassHealth asset and income limits for seniors and to stop counting life insurance as cash, describing the current rules as outdated and harmful to low-income elders. The committee also heard testimony on bills allowing family members, including spouses and guardians, to be paid caregivers (H. 1394/S. 886), with supporters saying this would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce reliance on costly institutional care. Another set of bills (H. 1412/S. 903) drew support from a physician who said clearer MassHealth communication and improved post-acute care determination processes would help reduce delays and backlogs for patients awaiting skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or other post-acute placement. Several speakers emphasized that better home- and community-based care can prevent hospital readmissions and support independence. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 877, which would establish an enhanced care worker minimum wage of $25 per hour, indexed to inflation, for certain home care and human services workers. Union representatives and direct care workers from SEIU Local 509, 1199 SEIU, and the AFL-CIO described severe staffing shortages, burnout, low wages, and high turnover across home care, mental health, disability services, and crisis response. They argued that higher pay is necessary to recruit and retain workers and to stabilize services for vulnerable residents. Committee members asked about costs, comparisons with other states, and whether non-wage incentives could help, but witnesses repeatedly said wages were the central issue. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with the committee noting it would continue accepting written testimony and then adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, any other motions? Did you have a comment or question?
• And it was in a committee hearing earlier...
• Hearing none, let’s go ahead, Ms.
• Hearing none, the language is accepted and adopted, and so ordered.
• Hearing none, let's vote on the substantive motion.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee first approved a technical correction to the Health and Welfare Division of Licensing and Certification budget, restoring 2 FTP that had been cut in error while leaving funding intact. The committee then adopted language extending the deadline for Medicaid’s state plan amendments and waivers related to the move to comprehensive managed care, after discussion of delays tied to the MMIS procurement and litigation. Both items received do-pass recommendations. The committee next considered Public School Support, beginning with a FY 2026 supplemental for the Division of Student Support to add $7.8 million in federal spending authority so schools can access full federal grant allocations. That supplemental passed. For FY 2027, members debated several competing motions on the Student Support Division budget, including proposals to reduce classified staff funding, add health insurance funding, and cut virtual school-related funding. After multiple failed motions, the committee ultimately approved a motion reducing the general fund by $14,751,600, including a $3 million reduction to virtual school discretionary funding, and adopted related language. Additional language was also approved to require reporting on virtual enrollments, shift English learner funding from central services to direct LEA distribution, modify technology curriculum contract requirements, require special education expenditure reporting, and reduce transportation funding by $7.5 million by undoing a prior statutory change. The committee then turned to the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. After extensive debate over alleged double-funding, rural access, and the absence of a policy bill, members rejected a larger $15 million reduction and then approved a smaller $13,500 reduction tied to the pending policy bill’s fiscal note. They also adopted language restricting PCIF access, requiring compliance reporting on DEI-related courses, and requesting a detailed report on IDLA expenditures, enrollments, and usage, including synchronous versus asynchronous instruction and course-level data by LEA. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would next take up the Secretary of State budget and trailer bills, with an additional 7:30 a.m. meeting before the Monday session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear us all right? You're muted, Skip. You hear us? Thank you. You hear us?
• Can you hear me?
• Can you hear us, Skip? Can you hear us, Skip? You're on mute, I think.
• We can't hear anything on your side. Can you hear us? Hello.
• Toms, can you hear us? You’re talking, but we can’t hear you. Can you hear us? All right? Yes, sir.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several print hearings and gubernatorial appointments, with most early legislation advancing without opposition. RS 33743, the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act, would require school applicants to disclose past investigations or disciplinary actions and require prior employers to respond; RS 33744 would move certain federally qualified and rural health center scope-of-practice rate changes into code; RS 33721 would extend certain state endowment land commercial leases from 49 to 99 years; and RS 33660 would expand disclosure requirements for paid signature gatherers and paid candidate advocates. All four RS measures were sent to print. The committee also heard from and later resumed testimony on several gubernatorial reappointments, including Jerry Doppie to the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Skip Smeiser to the Lottery Commission, and Nicaela Black Abrams to the Racing Commission; those votes were deferred to a later meeting. House Bill 674, which would remove the Public Utilities Commission’s role in reviewing certain telecommunications service discontinuances and rely on the FCC process instead, drew significant testimony. The sponsor and telecom representatives said it would eliminate a duplicative state process and speed broadband and infrastructure investment while preserving FCC protections. Opponents, including former telecom workers and a trial lawyers representative, warned it could leave rural copper-line customers and emergency users without adequate service or local oversight. After questions about the federal language and whether the bill might invert the current review process, the committee voted to hold HB 674 subject to the call of the chair. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1391, a technical fix preserving lawful entry authority for publicly employed land surveyors, and Senate Bill 1389, which would provide liability protection for churches, grange halls, and other property owners who voluntarily serve as polling places. HB 860, revising the medical parental rights law and related emergency treatment and hotline provisions, received supportive testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a teen advocate, and the 988 crisis hotline director, and was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. HB 549, which would remove property-owner signatures from petitions to dissolve hospital taxing districts, drew divided testimony: supporters said the current process is unworkable in places like McCall, while the Idaho Hospital Association urged a higher threshold and warned of inconsistency with other district laws. The committee voted to send HB 549 to the 14th order for possible amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have a public hearing.
• So I hear what you're saying, Mr.
• So I hear what you're saying, Mr.
• Did I hear you correctly? Exactly. And we do. The preferred drug... Did I hear you correctly?
• I'll be closing the hearing on Senate Bill 6231. We're reopening the hearing on Senate Bill 6231.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will now go into our public hearings. We will open the hearing on House Bill 2307.
• I was very happy to hear about the wrestling medals.
• I was very happy to hear about the wrestling medals.
• Seeing none, that will conclude the hearing on House Bill 3264.
• the public hearings with no further business for the committee.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met with 11 members present, established a quorum, and first went into executive session, where House Bill 2796 was voted do pass unanimously, 13-0. The committee then moved to public hearings. House Bill 2307, sponsored by Rep. Hayden, would designate the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico as the official military academy of the state. The sponsor and supporters said the academy is active, nationally recognized, and important to tourism, recruitment, and the local economy. The academy president testified that it brings an estimated $20 million to $22 million in economic impact and employs 122 people, and other supporters, including alumni and staff, described its educational value and statewide visibility. Members asked about the closure of other military academies and whether the bill would bring tourism and help recruitment. House Bill 3264, sponsored by Rep. Johnson, would make Kansas City the barbecue capital of Missouri. The sponsor highlighted Kansas City’s barbecue history, meatpacking roots, signature styles, and major restaurants and events. Members joked about Kansas City versus St. Louis barbecue and discussed possible promotion, but no opposition was offered. House Bill 3074, sponsored by Rep. Fountain Henderson, would designate April 30 as William Lacy Clay Sr. Day. The sponsor and NAACP testimony emphasized Clay’s civil rights leadership, long congressional service, and legacy of public service and education, with support also noting plans for community and school observances. House Bill 1960, sponsored by Rep. Peters, would designate the smooth chanterelle as Missouri’s official state mushroom. The sponsor and a long list of witnesses from the Missouri Mycological Society, educators, and children testified that the mushroom is native, edible, easy to identify, ecologically important, and tied to Missouri’s hardwood forests and outdoor education. Members asked about safety, look-alikes, and whether it was hallucinogenic; witnesses said it is not psychoactive and is generally safe when properly identified. The chair closed by praising the testimony and indicating support for advancing the bill, and the committee adjourned after concluding the hearing on HB 1960.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have a public hearing.
• I'm going to open the hearing on Senate Bill 6231 with a hearing.
• So I hear what you're saying, Mr.
• So I hear what you're saying, Mr.
• Did I hear you correctly? Exactly. And we do. The preferred drug... Did I hear you correctly?

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 6129 would raise cigarette taxes, replace current nicotine/vapor product taxes with a 95% tax on nicotine products, and adjust revenue distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account, the Foundational Public Health Services account, and a youth prevention account; staff and supporters said it would correct an unintended loss of public health funding and reduce youth nicotine use, while opponents argued it would be highly regressive, harm retailers and wholesalers, and push sales into illicit markets. SB 6231 would repeal the data center sales tax exemption for refurbishment and end replacement server equipment eligibility; the sponsor and staff said it would raise roughly $200 million and remove an obsolete preference, while labor, port, business, and data center representatives opposed it, citing lost jobs, reduced investment, and concerns about upsetting existing contracts and rural economic development. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and create a lower preferential rate for critical access pharmacies; the sponsor said it would restore horizontal equity in the tax code and offset impacts on rural pharmacies, but pharmacy groups, wholesalers, retailers, and business organizations warned it would raise medication costs, worsen pharmacy closures, and be passed through to patients. The committee heard extensive public testimony on all three bills. Supporters of SB 6129 included public health, cancer, pediatric, and emergency medicine advocates who emphasized youth prevention, cessation funding, and long-term health savings; opponents included tobacco, vape, retail, and business groups who said the bill would increase black-market activity and burden small businesses. SB 6231 drew opposition from construction trades, ports, local governments, chambers, and data center interests, who argued the tax preference supports ongoing construction, permanent jobs, and local tax bases, while committee questions focused on whether the bill would affect existing refurbishment contracts. SB 6228 was opposed by pharmacy associations, independent pharmacists, wholesalers, grocery retailers, and AWB, who said the tax increase would be passed through and could accelerate pharmacy desert conditions; the sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a correction to an outdated preference and a way to protect critical access pharmacies. No votes were taken; each hearing was closed, and the chair announced amendment requests were due Thursday at 5 p.m. and amendments posted by Friday at 5 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, thank you, first of all, for hearing this bill.
• Well, thank you very much for hearing.
• That closes our public hearing on Senate Bill 6253.
• That closes our public hearing on Senate Bill 6311.
• Thank you for hearing the bill.

Bills: SB6253 , SB6311 , SB6262 , SB6335

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: public transportation, governing bodies, transit authorities, local government, community planning, pedestrian safety, construction, accessibility, public safety, urban planning, vehicle weight, transportation, fees, public infrastructure, funding, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, I will now close a hearing on Senate Bill 6251 and open a public hearing on Senate Bill
• I'm going to close the public hearing on Senate Bill 6259 and open the hearing on Senate Bill 6235.
• and hear some ideas.
• and hear some ideas.
• Thank you for hearing the bill.

Bills: SB6251 , SB6259 , SB6325 , SB5978 , SB6209 , SB6217 , SB6227 , SB6235

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: medical school, medical education, letter grades, grading system, pass/fail, tiered grading, student assessment, curriculum, University of Washington, Washington State University, School of Medicine, physician training, academic standards, coursework evaluation, RCW 28B, SB 6259, Washington, state financial aid, higher education, public college