Video & Transcript Research : 'regulatory framework'
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 15 (1-28-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's build a framework that improves outcomes and strengthens agriculture.
- Let's build a framework that improves outcomes and strengthens agriculture.
- it, and builds a repeatable framework it, and builds a repeatable framework for<00:14:26.959>
- Let's<00:14:32.240>
build <00:14:32.399>a <00:14:32.639>framework <00:14:33.040>< - c> that<00:14:33.279>
improves Let's build a framework that improves Let's build a framework
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and approved the journal. The House clerk communicated that the House had passed House Bills 34 and 306 and requested concurrence. The State and Local Government Committee reported Senate Bills 20 and 68 favorably, and several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on Kentucky-grown agricultural procurement, an endowed research fund, unemployment insurance, postsecondary education, wrongful conviction compensation, massage therapy, local fiscal reporting, and a resolution honoring John and Debbie Rogers.
The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 23, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directing state agencies to advance food-as-medicine initiatives. The sponsor described the resolution as a statewide framework to connect nutrition, health care, agriculture, and local food systems, emphasizing partnerships with the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, better health outcomes, and support for Kentucky farmers and rural communities. Senators from Taylor and Callaway spoke in support, citing local examples and the goal of building Kentucky-based solutions rather than importing them. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 35-0.
The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 56 honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig, and Senate Resolution 33 honoring Robert E. “Bob” Pernell, Sr. Senate Resolution 22, honoring Brian J. Hat, was likewise adopted. After the day’s business, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees. Later, the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bills 1-4 to Education, Senate Bill 48 to Judiciary, and Senate Bills 84 and 102 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Several members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the VMAP committee, Judiciary, the Kentucky Japan Caucus, the Kentucky Israel Caucus, and an American Cancer Society action day.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Nov 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We will go through that after the state agency framework.
- The 2026 draft LFC statewide capital framework is at the top.
- Representative, we were looking at that in the STB framework. Thank you. Thank you, Kelly.
- And then, the potential for inclusion in a statewide framework.
- Then it comes before you all in L.F.C. and these statewide frameworks that we've considered.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Fraud Committee Meeting - 2026-04-21
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Glahn, there are often a wide array of legal actions challenging our use of regulatory tools.
- Glahn, there are often a wide array of legal actions challenging our use of regulatory tools.
- And finally, we are always focused on improving our regulatory authorities in specific program areas.
- And so from that moment on, much of the interpretation about our regulatory authorities was honestly
- She said that the decisions and regulatory actions MDE makes are defensible when challenged, and that
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Apr 16, 2026 @ 2:05 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- And the framework determines who does what.
- Framework<00:51:27.200>
and <00:51:27.440>monitor. Framework and monitor. - Framework and monitor.
- And the framework determines monitor.
- Education will develop a framework. Education will develop a framework.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members.
The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt.
Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 374 creates a permissive framework for economic development districts within our colleges
- Senate Bill 374 creates a permissive framework for economic development districts within our colleges
- What this legislation does is it creates a permissive framework that if other institutions wanted to
- What this legislation does is it creates a permissive framework that if other institutions wanted to
- Establish this framework out of my head. Right. Shamelessly stole what was already in statute.
Keywords:
TOPS, education funding, workforce development, postsecondary education, Louisiana Works, tech training, declining enrollment, public schools, school districts, Louisiana Department of Education, state superintendent, school closures, budget cuts, teacher layoffs, school consolidation, education policy, enrollment decline, birth rates, migration, private schools
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on May 6 and began with a presentation from LSU leadership, including LSU System President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton. They outlined LSU’s goals of building an “elite” flagship university while maintaining accessibility through transfer pathways from regional campuses, increasing research expenditures toward top-tier status, and keeping more Louisiana students in-state for college and jobs. Members responded positively, praising LSU’s leadership, workforce focus, and efforts to retain the state’s best and brightest students.
The committee then considered several bills. SB 105, by Sen. Kathy, would reinstitute a TOPS Tech-related benefit for veterans using existing TOPS Tech funds, with no new money added; it was reported favorably. SB 374 would create a uniform framework for college economic development districts, allowing other institutions to establish districts with local government approval; Rep. Tarver offered and the committee adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported with amendments. SB 304 would let Louisiana institutions choose from a Board of Regents-approved list of accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, while preserving specialized accreditation; it was reported favorably.
The committee also took up SB 522, which would allow vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters when supported by the State Board of Commerce and Industry. Rep. Taylor objected that the bill should apply equally to public schools and charter schools, but the committee ultimately voted 9-1 to report the bill favorably. SB 290, a cleanup bill on student exit codes and school accountability data, was reported favorably. H.R. 175, which would have asked for a study of TOPS Tech, was voluntarily deferred by the author.
Finally, H.C.R. 81, by Rep. Freiberg, requested a Department of Education study on options for public school systems facing declining enrollment, including funding, staffing, closures, and consolidation. Caroline Romer of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools supported the study, and Rep. Taylor asked whether charter schools should be included in the review. The resolution was reported favorably. The meeting ended with several members recognizing visiting mayors and other guests before adjournment.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Education (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The timeline for that regulatory process is still unclear.
- So is that statutory, regulatory limit or fiscal?
- So is that statutory, regulatory limit or fiscal?
- that a fiscal uh regulatory? that a fiscal uh regulatory?
- statutory regulatory limit or fiscal? statutory regulatory limit or fiscal?
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:00
Approval of Minutes: 0:01:45
Federal Education Updates 0:02:12
Dual Credit Updates: 0:43:38
Kentucky State University's Doctoral Program Request: 01:27:08
Postsecondary Accreditation: 1:49:05
Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 2:14:48
Adjournment 2:16:31, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Austin Reid of the National Conference of State Legislatures on education-related provisions in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Reid said the law is projected to increase the federal deficit over 10 years, with major savings coming from Medicaid, student loan changes, and SNAP. He focused on how those changes could affect schools, including possible effects on free and reduced-price meal certification, state funding formulas that use SNAP as a proxy for low-income status, and Medicaid-funded school services for students with disabilities.
Reid also outlined the new federal scholarship tax credit, which gives a dollar-for-dollar credit for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. He said families up to 300% of area median income may benefit, the program begins in 2027, and states must opt in and designate eligible organizations. He noted unresolved questions about whether states can add their own criteria and said Treasury regulations will be important. He also described the expansion of 529 plans to cover more K-12 and postsecondary expenses.
On higher education, Reid explained a new workforce Pell grant option for short-term programs, with states and governors playing a role in determining eligible programs. He said the programs must meet placement, completion, and earnings measures and that implementation is expected to be tight before the July 1, 2026 effective date. He also reviewed student loan changes, including lower institutional loan limits, prorated borrowing for part-time enrollment, new caps on graduate and Parent PLUS loans, and a new earnings-based accountability standard that could make some programs ineligible for student loans if graduates earn too little. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 3rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill creates the framework and structure to change these library standards as our state and world
- Once again, we want to start as members, AB 1052 will establish a legal framework to legitimize digital
- Nothing in the bill deals with the regulatory burden.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And the current framework, the current patchwork, isn't effective.
- Now there are six sites that are currently within this framework in terms of where this possible next
- It establishes regulatory requirements for entities that hold or facilitate transactions of gold coin
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348.
The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0).
The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/06/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm really here before you today to talk about the Capitol Mall design framework.
- Key planning issues for the Capitol Mall design framework included balancing a regard for the iconic
- <00:03:52.560>
included capitol mall design framework included capitol mall design framework - uh uh you can talk about the framework uh uh you can talk about the framework what<00:10:23.920>
- <00:12:38.920>
also the Capital Mall design framework also the Capital Mall design framework
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 3 March, 2026; 11:00 AM
Universities and Colleges
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead, it builds upon existing framework already in law that allows public entities to utilize energy
- Instead, it builds upon existing framework already in law that allows public entities to utilize energy
- >
in <00:08:49.200>law <00:08:49.360>that existing framework already in law that - existing framework already in law that allows<00:08:50.000>
public <00:08:50.320>ent <00 - , however, despite having this framework, however, despite having this framework, community<00:09
Summary:
The committee first considered a strike-all related to the Mississippi Upskill Grant Program and a K-12 bridge bill tied to CTE and special purpose schools. Members discussed the alignment of workforce and career-technical education from pre-K through higher education. Senator Hopson moved to add a reverse repealer, which was adopted, and the strike-all was then passed as amended and forwarded to appropriations.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 1488, which would authorize the University of Southern Mississippi to sell or enter into a long-term lease for university property in Hattiesburg. Senator Johnson explained that the roughly 600-acre tract, gifted in the 1920s and formerly used as a golf course, has a master plan for redevelopment; the bill would streamline the sale process while preserving requirements such as two appraisals and IHL approval. After questions about the acreage and safeguards, the bill was passed as amended and sent to appropriations.
Members also approved a strike-all addressing financial literacy requirements for colleges and universities, including added content on mortgages and real estate, and then passed House Bill 1495, a companion to Senate Bill 2238, allowing Mississippi State University and the Oktibbeha County school district to co-mingle funds by mutual agreement for their partnership school/high school project. Finally, House Bill 1582 on community college energy performance contracts was discussed at length; the chair said it needed further vetting by the public property committee, so the committee added a reverse repealer and passed the bill as amended. The meeting ended with a rise and report.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- amendments are simply designed to give LDH maximum flexibility due to the ever-changing federal regulatory
- amendments are simply designed to give LDH maximum flexibility due to the ever-changing federal regulatory
- Due to the ever-changing federal regulatory environment.
Keywords:
state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year
AZ
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve as the Director of Regulatory Services for the Association of Social Work Boards.
- ASWB is the nonprofit professional regulatory association that supports the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- addresses the need for professional recognition of child welfare workers without compromising the regulatory
- My name is Ashley Lane, and I serve as the regulatory support services project coordinator for the Association
- My name is Ashley Lane and I serve as the regulatory support services project coordinator for the Association
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several retirement and workforce-related bills. House Bill 2980 would place county correctional nurses and certain medical staff into Group 4 retirement. Representative Trino, Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, and nurse manager Leanne Cameron argued that correctional nurses work in dangerous, high-stress settings with frequent contact with incarcerated people, high rates of mental illness and substance use in the jail population, and significant workplace violence, and that the change would help recruitment and retention with limited statewide fiscal impact.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 210, which would create a commission to study additional regular compensation and annual expenses for members of the General Court. Senator John Keenan said Massachusetts has high leadership stipends compared with other states and argued the current structure can affect independence and public trust. Representative O'Day testified on House Bill 2928 to extend Group 2 retirement to additional Department of Children and Families social workers, and SEIU 509 witnesses described frequent transport of children, crisis response, threats, assaults, and other high-risk duties that they said match Group 2 work.
Additional testimony supported House Bill 2943 for DDS service coordinators and supervisors, with witnesses describing home visits in unsafe conditions, transport of vulnerable individuals, direct care during staffing crises, and exposure to violence. House Bill 2899 drew support from the Association of Social Work Boards for social work field placement grants, incentives for supervisors, and expanded retirement benefits for DCF social workers. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2613, a local retirement bill for Salem police officer Kathleen Roachville, who described a severe line-of-duty injury during an arrest involving a combative person in a mental health crisis. Finally, Susan Smith Campbell testified for reclassifying certain DYS administrative officers into Group 2 because of their direct involvement in restraints, assaults, and crisis management. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking any votes.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 072 Mar 27th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Cosmetologist Act, and in connection therewith implementing the recommendations of the Department of Regulatory
- Health Council, and in connection therewith implementing the recommendations of the Department of Regulatory
- :36:15.640>
of recommendations of the Department of recommendations of the Department of Regulatory - Agencies<00:36:16.480>
and <00:36:16.600>the <00:36:16.680>Department's Regulatory - Agencies and the Department's Regulatory Agencies and the Department's 2025<00:36:17.840>
Sunset<
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This would create a regulatory gap and allow a lot of platforms to continue doing things that would not
- This would create a regulatory gap and allow a lot of platforms to continue doing things that would not
- This would create a<00:14:36.079>
regulatory <00:14:36.720>gap <00:14:37.040>and - :37.279>
allow <00:14:38.240>a <00:14:38.480>lot <00:14:38.560>of a regulatory - gap and allow a lot of a regulatory gap and allow a lot of platforms<00:14:39.440>
to <00:14:39.839
Summary:
The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. SB 2198 would direct DLIR to study a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award program and report back to the Legislature; DLIR supported it so long as it did not affect its supplemental budget request. SB 2140 would authorize counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations; DLIR and labor representatives supported it as an added accountability tool, while the committee discussed whether state law alone was sufficient and whether counties would still need to pass their own ordinances. SB 3055 would prohibit falsely impersonating a union representative; union and labor groups strongly supported it, and UPW said it was open to amendments to address concerns raised by OPA. SB 3090, SB 3091, and SB 3092 were emergency appropriation bills for public employment cost items tied to collective bargaining and temporary hazard pay or salary adjustments for various bargaining units; agencies and unions generally supported moving them forward, and B&F said the amounts were still being finalized because negotiations were ongoing.
The committee also heard SB 2761, which would bar social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create or maintain accounts if the platform knows the user is under 16. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments, while CCIA and Meta opposed the bill, raising constitutional and First Amendment concerns and arguing that blanket bans could push teens to less regulated spaces online. Meta also said the bill’s carveouts were too narrow and would leave major platforms outside the scope of the restriction.
In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2198 with amendments, SB 2140 as is, SB 3055 with amendments adding a specific intent-to-deceive standard, SB 3090 with amendments, SB 3091 with amendments, SB 3092 with amendments, and SB 2761 with amendments adopting DCCA’s changes and noting potential First Amendment issues in the committee report. For the appropriation bills, the committee changed the effective date to January 1, 2077 as a placeholder. All recommendations were adopted, with reservations noted on SB 2761 from Senators Moriwaki, Fevella, and Ihara.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that's really a regulatory oversight bill that we saw today for this committee, and I think two
- Having no further business before the body and without objection, the first committee on regulatory oversight
- I think that's really a regulatory oversight bill that we saw today for this committee and I think two
- things will call a regulatory oversight bill that we saw today for this committee and I think two things
- Having no further business before the body and without objection, the first committee on regulatory oversight
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- want to convey to this committee is that the Florida Supreme Court has established the strictest regulatory
- want to convey to this committee is that the Florida Supreme Court has established the strictest regulatory
- Supreme Court has established the strictest regulatory regime for lawyer advertisement in this country
- Without the court, we would not exist, and we act under its direct oversight in all of our regulatory
- And we also have a regulatory scheme that's designed for voluntary compliance.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and Senator Thompson excused. The committee first considered Senate Bill 48 by Senator Garcia on judicial sales and procedures. Garcia explained a delete-all amendment that would create clearer statewide procedures for alternative judicial sales, increase transparency, remove bidding credits, extend sale timelines, and add oversight for auctioneers and escrow agents to prevent fraud and collusion. After no questions or opposition, the amendment was adopted, Senator Pasadoma said the rewrite addressed many of his concerns, and the committee then voted CS for SB 48 favorably with unanimous yes votes from members present.
The committee then received a presentation from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on the effectiveness of Florida’s recent anti-squatting law, House Bill 621/SB 888. Presenters described several cases in which deputies used the new process to remove unlawful occupants, including a false landlord report, a long-term fake lease situation, and a more recent unlawful occupancy case. They said the law has helped protect property owners and potential victims, but suggested technical changes: clearer authorization for deputies to enter and use force if needed, and a fix to the affidavit penalty provision because false statements are currently being charged as false reports rather than perjury under the existing wording.
The Florida Bar also presented on its role in regulating lawyers, lawyer advertising, and the unlicensed practice of law. Bar leaders explained that the Bar operates under the Florida Supreme Court’s authority, is funded by member fees, and handles complaints through a multi-step process involving intake, branch offices, grievance committees, referees, and final Supreme Court review. They described advertising review procedures, discipline statistics, consumer assistance, the Clients’ Security Fund, and enforcement against unlicensed practice. Senators asked about the Legislature’s authority over lawyer advertising, the prevalence of legal ads, the role of public members on grievance committees, and how those members are selected and used.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 2/16/26
Transcript Highlights:
- It would have created a framework for cooperation that would have prevented a lot of the problems that
- It would have uh created<00:09:29.839>
a <00:09:30.240>a <00:09:30.560>framework - <00:09:30.959>
for <00:09:31.600>uh <00:09:31.760>cooperation created a a framework - for uh cooperation created a a framework for uh cooperation that<00:09:32.640>
would <00:09:32.800 - for local law and created a framework for local law enforcement<00:09:50.480>
cooperation <00:
Summary:
House Republican leaders outlined their agenda for the tied legislative session, saying their priorities are to stop fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, safer, and more competitive, and reduce mandates while raising education standards. They highlighted several planned bills, including an independent inspector general (HF 1), a “Fraud Isn’t Free” measure to impose consequences on agencies and commissioners that allow fraud, and statutory guidelines for high-fraud-risk programs. They also said they want to lower health care costs through a permanent reinsurance program and cost defrayal for new mandates, study property tax increases, conform state tax law to federal changes on tips, overtime, and scholarship tax credits, and avoid any tax increases.
On public safety, Republicans said they will pursue tougher penalties for repeat offenders and repeat gun crimes, judicial accountability, and a school safety package that would support public and nonpublic schools, school safety personnel, and facility improvements. In education, they emphasized school choice tax credits, reading proficiency, and curriculum focused on basic academic fundamentals. They also said they want to protect and expand mining, reform permitting, end the nuclear moratorium, and make the state more attractive to businesses. On housing, one member said they are working on a more targeted affordable housing package rather than a broad sweeping bill.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on immigration and cooperation with federal authorities. Republicans said they want a statewide framework for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referencing House File 16 and saying they are open to changes and bipartisan work. They argued that local and state cooperation would improve safety and prevent situations where criminal suspects are released into the community. They also said Democrats have blocked similar efforts in committee and on the House floor.
In response to questions, leaders said there is no current appetite for sports betting, bonding will be discussed but there are no promises, and they do not support the 2024 omnibus bill model. They said they are not interested in vaccine mandates, but will consider Medicaid funding impacts and other health-related proposals if bills are introduced. They also said election integrity measures such as voter ID, provisional ballots, and voter-roll cleanup will remain priorities. Throughout, leaders said they expect a bipartisan process in the tied House and expressed hope that both parties can work together on some issues.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits Sep 17th, 2025
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits
Transcript Highlights:
- Our policies also align to additional frameworks, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Cybersecurity Framework and their Special Publication 853.
- Controls, National Institute of Technology and Standards and Technology, Cybersecurity Framework, and
- And there is also the fact that we use different frameworks for different audits, and the different frameworks
- So unless we were all approaching it with the same exact framework, then we could do some kind of analysis
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025, covering both state agencies and local governments. SAO staff explained that the audits are conducted independently under Initiative 900 and are kept confidential at the entity level, with detailed findings shared directly with the audited organizations. They reported that state agency audits found nearly one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and 227 vulnerabilities across seven agencies, including three critical and 21 high-severity issues. For seven local government cybersecurity audits, nearly a quarter of safeguards were fully implemented on all systems, and auditors identified nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including nine critical and 47 high-severity issues.
SAO also summarized its ransomware resiliency audits and critical infrastructure audits for local governments. In six ransomware audits, a little over 35% of assessed safeguards were not in place, while about 60% were at least partially in place. In 39 critical infrastructure audits, focused largely on water and sewer providers, auditors found over 260 vulnerabilities and said more than 10% were critical or high. Staff highlighted that these audits have led to improvements, including one vendor making security changes after SAO testing that were later echoed in a federal advisory. They also described related services such as cybersecurity checkups, policy guidance, and other cyber-related work by the office.
Washington Technology Solutions’ state chief information security officer, Ralph Johnson, praised the audits and said they help protect essential public services. He cited a sharp national rise in ransomware incidents against governments and said Washington has used more than $11 million in federal and state cybersecurity grant funds for over 200 projects. In response to questions from Representative Scott, SAO and WOTEC discussed options for addressing urgent vulnerabilities, including compensating controls, grant funding, and low-cost mitigation steps. The committee also discussed how Washington’s program compares nationally, with Johnson saying Initiative 900 is unusually comprehensive and that local governments often seek audits voluntarily. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony was offered but none was given.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 11th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Regulatory consistency is a buzzword that we have heard with regard to many times.
- Senate Bill 599 seeks to provide regulatory consistency for in-home child care.
- This bill provides regulatory certainty for these obligations.
- So, we have long supported regulatory consistency, we know that when regulations are consistent across
- Centralized regulatory body would be necessary to determine what is and is not allowed.