Transcript Highlights:

• The widespread use of nitrous oxide as a drug is dangerous to individuals and to public safety.
• products and weather-appropriate clothing that the facility and ICE deprive us of.
• products and weather-appropriate clothing that the facility and ICE deprive us of.
• I think on behalf of all of us on the committee, we express our deepest condolences for your loss, and
• You're trying to address an issue that a lot of us have concerns about. Thank you very much.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and hearing several bills and a resolution. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would prohibit retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including prosecutors, county officials, and local government groups, described rising misuse among youth, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and environmental waste from large flavored canisters. The ACLU opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory approach rather than criminal penalties; the author said amendments were being considered to narrow the language. Committee members largely expressed support, though some raised concerns about wording and implementation. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would extend a prison commissary price cap framework to private for-profit immigration detention facilities under federal contract in California. Supporters said detainees and their families face extreme markups on basic necessities and that the bill would curb exploitation. There was broad support from immigrant justice, civil rights, and disability rights organizations, and no opposition testimony was presented. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Supporters framed it as a transparency and survivor-accountability measure, with testimony from CAST and a survivor statement. One committee member voiced concern about incomplete facts and the risk of political overreach, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile proceedings and would emphasize less restrictive alternatives. The author and supporters argued that detention harms youth, increases recidivism, and is overused, citing a personal witness who described spending more than 200 days in juvenile detention before her case was resolved. Probation, district attorneys, and AFSCME raised concerns that the bill could limit judicial discretion, strain county resources, and create public safety risks or uneven implementation. Committee members were split, with some supporting the bill as a needed safeguard and others saying the system needs more resources before changing the standard. AB 46 by Assemblymember Nguyen would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Supporters, including district attorneys and a crime victim’s family, said current law is too restrictive and has allowed dangerous offenders to reoffend; opponents, including public defenders and the ACLU, argued diversion is already limited and effective and that the bill would reduce access to treatment. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegian would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days. Supporters, including Brady and youth gun violence advocates, said the bill would close loopholes and improve safety; gun rights groups opposed, calling it an unconstitutional financial barrier and a burden on new residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of us have gone through some of that trauma.
• supposed to protect us and take care of us, and yet they're the perpetrators.
• the use of a good something untoward.
• are being used in the process of labor.
• And of course, it's been in front of us many, many times over.

Bills: SB41 , SB33 , SB32 , SB30

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously awarded projects awarded in 2023 and 2024 may request the use of the updated maximum allowable
• So I really appreciate us getting to some level of consistency. ...of consistency and standardization
• The distinction in how districts and schools are spending or using that additional space outside of the
• But I think there's maybe a different place or a different avenue for us to address that outside of this
• You know, sort of retroactively looking at projects, but I do think that the deadlines help us to narrow

Transcript Highlights:

• If you recently just joined us, we are currently in opposition of AB 76.
• And also, I know it was a late night for all of us.
• My district let me use up all of my sick time, which was about eight weeks, and then the rest of the
• up their vacation time and have to use all that stuff of... their vacation time and have to use all
• Very true, but this 5% employ over 60% of the labor force in Nevada, and over 60% of the labor force

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• and into the city of Mandeville's hands where they can use it for the benefit of the people that live
• Thank you, Representative McCormick, for teeing us up for a couple of weeks from now.
• The back-of-the-envelope that I also use, coincidentally, is about 2.5 cents for every $10 increase.
• And so that's good news for consumers. ...that, of course, natural gas is used for electricity.
• But if you're a part of the world that is a big producer of that, of course, that impacted us in that

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• It was used as a staging lot. Obtained during the construction of a highway in Mandeville.
• and into the city of Mandeville's hands where they can use it for the benefit of the people that live
• The price of natural gas is low, the price of oil is high, let's try to use this new technology that
• That, of course, natural gas is used for electricity. Also, we use it in our homes.
• But if you're a part of the world that is a big producer of that, of course, that impacted us in that

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and first took up several property-transfer bills. House Bill 110, authorizing transfer of certain state property in St. Tammany Parish for a pocket park in Mandeville, was reported favorable without objection. House Bill 634, transferring state property in St. Martin Parish to Brownell Land Company LLC, was also reported favorable. House Bill 677, allowing the Tensaw Parish School Board greater flexibility to exchange school land for property of equal or greater value with certified appraisal requirements, was reported favorable after questions about the location and purpose of the exchange. House Bill 735, a cleanup bill transferring property from DOTD to LSU Health Shreveport to support expansion and parking near Mall St. Vincent, was likewise reported favorable. The committee then held an informational hearing on the effects of the Iran conflict on Louisiana’s energy sector. Secretary Dustin Davidson said the conflict has driven oil prices sharply higher, with consumers bearing the cost through higher gasoline and especially diesel prices, while producers and refiners may see short-term gains. He warned that diesel increases can signal broader economic slowdown and discussed global shipping disruptions, the Strait of Hormuz, and Saudi Arabia’s response. Members asked about Louisiana’s ability to benefit from higher prices, the timing of increased drilling, and the role of carbon capture and infrastructure investment. Davidson said higher prices could support more drilling and severance tax revenue if sustained long enough. Industry witnesses Tommy Fochay of LOGA, David Cresson of the Louisiana Chemical Association, Mike Moncla of LOGA, and LSU energy economists Greg Upton and Tyler Gray emphasized Louisiana’s role as a major LNG exporter, refiner, and petrochemical hub. They said geopolitical shocks create volatility, but Louisiana’s abundant natural gas, infrastructure, and export capacity position the state to help meet global demand. They urged stable policy, competitive taxes, pipeline and workforce investment, and caution on regulations. Upton and Gray presented data showing oil price spikes are likely temporary, futures markets expect prices to ease over time, rig counts respond with a lag, and Louisiana natural gas prices have remained relatively insulated so far. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those of us that have had to practice in the world of agency rulemaking, for a long time, we've hoped
• I'm really glad that's part of all of this.
• However, it should be personal to each and every one in this room because it impacts all of us.
• It's personal for all of us.
• It definitely does go a long way in helping us understand because we get such an influx of bills and

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met and took up a long agenda of policy bills, local bills, and open government sunset review measures. The committee first heard HB 433 on administrative procedures, as amended by a strike-all that would create a five-year repromulgation process for agency rules, require review of guidance documents, add cost-benefit analysis requirements, and tighten licensing reporting. Members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing JAPC review functions and raised concerns about costs and the scope of agency authority, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably 12-3. The committee then approved HB 699, which increases penalties for certain traffic infractions when they result in a crash; CS/HB 404, a local bill updating the City of Tampa firefighters’ and police officers’ pension plan; HB 711, creating a statewide Spectrum Alert and law-enforcement training for missing children with autism; HB 4023, a local ethics-related charter change for the North Springs Improvement District; HB 583, requiring registration and disclosure for agents and organizations associated with foreign principals and foreign-supported political organizations; HB 251, recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida; and HB 749, extending medical benefits for firefighters who suffer catastrophic injuries during training. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony and were reported favorably by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee also considered several OGSR/open-records measures. PCB GOS-25-04 preserved exemptions for public safety communications system infrastructure records, PCB GOS-25-05 aligned cybersecurity-records sunset dates to October 2, 2026, and PCB GOS-25-06 narrowed exemptions for certain records held by the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers, making more information public. All three were reported favorably on 17-0 votes. The meeting adjourned after the final roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• to have those discussions with those of us in the legislature.
• since 2013, forcing California residents to make difficult, really difficult, choices about energy use
• Adler, if you could talk about, I feel like you were kind of alluding to the idea that, Many of us have
• I'd like to align my comments with those of my colleague who came right before us.
• And thank you again to all of our panelists for joining us today.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wirth: To take us to that first order of business. Thank you, Mr. President.
• A lot of us were raised on Blake's.
• A lot of us had a lot of fun there when we had the outside patios and the umbrellas, and we were outside
• I used to work for the city of Albuquerque.
• allows DOD to use it under cases of emergency where they need to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of the provisions were put into areas of the law that no longer apply or use cross-references to
• You can only use codify once. I used it twice.
• Many of the provisions were put into areas of the law that no longer apply or use cross-references to
• One of the things, That have left to come back to us in a much simpler method.
• This gets us in the proper posture to allow those people who've taken advantage of it so far to stay,

Bills: SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB416 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: Municipal Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana, participation, employer, retirement, SB 10, Act 222, Louisiana State Police Retirement System, state police retirement, retirement system funding, employer contributions, actuarial gains, amortization, Permanent Benefit Increase, PBI account, benefit increase reserve, supplemental permanent benefit increase, public retirement systems, state pension, pension funding

Transcript Highlights:

• of us.
• We heard that these are used for the most acute of the acute.
• He sent it to all of us, so I'll just quickly read it.
• Whenever I visited him, he would play games with us, tell stories, and spend time with all of us.
• Whenever I visited him, he would play games with us, tell stories, and spend time with all of us.

Bills: SB1095 , SB1114 , SB1116 , SB1162 , SB1164 , SB1178 , SB1179 , SB1249 , SB1253 , SB1346 , SB1347 , SB1446 , SB1561 , SB1813

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• 340B dollars be used to lower out-of-pocket patient costs.
• an average of 8% of the cost drivers that are increasing premiums to all of us in this room each and
• 40% of the total acreage in commercial and mixed-use zones.
• The bill also includes requirements relating to the use of AI.
• Basically, it just authorizes the DRS to use some of the interest earnings of pension trust funds.

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:

• and every one of us, as far as we might find ourselves from you.
• us because of a horrible disease.
• Let's say one of my goddaughters has come to visit us this week.
• Studies on the OID's budget so it doesn't use appropriated dollars. 29 other states use some form of
• are constantly talking to us about the cost of insurance increase.

Bills: HB2975 , HB3405 , HB3406 , HB3728 , HB3902 , HB3977 , SB397 , HB1161 , HB2938 , HB2939 , HB3306 , HB3722 , HB4113 , HB4123 , HB2293 , HB3176 , HB3545 , HB3546

Keywords: poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, noxious weeds, poison hemlock, kudzu, landowner responsibilities, environmental control, public nuisance, eradication, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, scrap metal, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the concern that some of us have. Thank you.
• Being able to demonstrate how we manage our funds is, I think, a benefit to all of us.
• use of the independent contractor classifications.
• So it's trying to say the activity itself is not conducive to the use of independent contractors.
• One more person to close us out on this bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.

Bills: SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5437 , SB6117 , SB5852 , SB5847 , SB6067 , SB6152 , SB6136

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement, infractions, administrative penalties, license suspension, certificate suspension, endorsement suspension, registration suspension, Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, penalty schedule, repeat violations, workplace standards, construction trades, professional licensing, Washington state, factory built housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, as part of the budget, the use of interest income in the trust fund was temporarily expanded
• Does that mean theoretically it could be used to fund all of DRS's administrative expenses as opposed
• I would like staff to give us a brief reminder of what each bill does.
• Substitute Senate Bill 5249 allows the use of kit homes as emergency housing under certain conditions
• For many of us, the fear isn't just the cost of care; it's the instability of the system.

Bills: SB5834 , SB5835 , SB5883 , SB5905 , SB6151 , SB6163 , SB6177 , SB6173

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: Washington retirement systems, retirement trust funds, interest earnings, public employee retirement system, teachers retirement system, state patrol retirement system, judicial retirement system, judges retirement system, school employees retirement system, public safety employees retirement system, law enforcement officers and firefighters retirement system, PERS, TRS, LERS, legal expenses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, fraud prevention, overpayment recovery, trust fund protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> situation we none of us can imagine um situation we none of us can imagine um anyone<00:20:39.200
• </c><00:28:53.519><c> of</c> and contrasts with the legal use of and contrasts with the legal use of
• I believe it appears in the use-of-force statute, and the Supreme Court recently made a rule last summer
• c> for</c><00:42:30.400><c> uavs</c> number of use case scenarios for uavs number of use case scenarios
• can use income data through the use of can use income data through the use of protective<01:06:35.440

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the benefits will redound to others. All of the consequences will lie with us.
• Annual program revenue of $25 million would position us competitively.
• storage rental agreements and modifying the use of individual storage spaces after notice of termination
• That use confirms acceptance of the agreement.
• Senate Bill 6178 post-lost assignment of benefits. We have that bill before us.

Bills: SB6061 , SB5844 , SB6079 , SB6137 , SB5831 , SB6031 , SB6178

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the benefits will redound to others. All of the consequences will lie with us.
• and provisions of individual storage rental agreements, and modifying the use of individual storage
• agreements and modifying the use of individual storage spaces after notice of termination or non-renewable
• That use confirms acceptance of the agreement.
• That use confirms acceptance of the agreement.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. Staff explained that the bill would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington colleges, but would continue to prohibit bets on the performance of individual college athletes. Tribal representatives from the Jamestown S’Klallam, Puyallup, and Kalispel tribes testified in support, saying the bill would keep wagering within the regulated tribal marketplace, protect integrity, and help smaller tribal casinos participate through a hub-and-spoke model. University of Washington and Washington State University representatives supported the ban on individual prop bets and emphasized student-athlete safety, while WSU also argued the bill would expand exposure to harassment and online abuse. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes wildfire mitigation grant program. Staff said the bill would fund grants for wildfire-hardening homes to IBHS standards, authorize pilot projects, and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify homes that meet the standards. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder and Senator Marcus Riccelli supported the bill, arguing that wildfire losses and non-renewals are increasing and that upfront mitigation is cheaper than recovery. Local officials and advocates from Medical Lake, Washington Realtors, and climate and wildfire groups also supported the measure. Insurance industry representatives supported the mitigation goals but objected to the bill’s requirement that insurers provide coverage based on IBHS designation and to using the commissioner’s regulatory account as a funding source, saying underwriting still needs to consider broader risk factors. No action was taken. The committee next held a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 6061, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program. State of Washington Tourism, the Washington Wine Commission, the Washington Hospitality Association, the Brewers Guild, the Port of Seattle, and rural economic development representatives said the state’s tourism program is underfunded and that an industry-led assessment could provide a stable, competitive funding source. They said the model would be governed by a ratepayer oversight board, subject to ratification, and could generate significant visitor spending and tax revenue over time. Some testimony raised concerns about the scope of eligible businesses and the bill’s references to other industries, but supporters said friendly amendments would refine those details. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5844 on self-storage rental agreements, which would allow electronic agreements, clarify acceptance by continued occupancy, and create a uniform process for termination or nonrenewal for nonpayment or nonmonetary defaults. Self-storage operators supported the bill as a modernization measure that would improve safety and consistency, and no vote was taken on any of the bills heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• of opioid drugs compared with simply minimizing their use during surgery.
• So we're not endorsing opioid use by any means outside of this medical setting.
• This makes health care in Florida less safe for all of us.
• Every year this law stands, there are families added to a group that none of us wanted to be a part of
• For those of us that own a small business like mine, the cost of every kind of insurance has gone through

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. SB 398, by Senator Burgess, would create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs, focused on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. Supporters said Florida has a large and growing Alzheimer’s population and that the campaign would help families and vulnerable communities; the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 714, by Senator Burton, which would create non-opioid advanced directives and add liability protections for providers in medical emergencies involving opioids. Supporters framed it as a patient-choice measure, while opponents argued it was vague and could interfere with appropriate pain treatment; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 756, which removes the current age-eight diagnosis requirement for autism-related insurance coverage and extends coverage beyond age 18 for those diagnosed with autism. Senator Burton said the bill would help families whose children are diagnosed later or whose needs continue into adulthood. There was brief discussion about existing lifetime benefit caps, but the sponsor said the bill did not change those limits. The committee then took up SB 734, a proposal by Senator Yarbrough to repeal Florida’s wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The sponsor and supporters described the current law as discriminatory and unjust, especially for families of older adults and disabled individuals, while opponents warned it would raise malpractice costs, increase premiums, and worsen provider shortages. The bill drew extensive public testimony from both grieving family members and health care/insurance representatives, and members debated whether caps or other safeguards should be added. No final action on SB 734 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um, before we get going too far, I want to say we shared a great partnership, the two of us, and
• </c><00:03:23.200><c> us</c><00:03:23.440><c> and</c> great partnership uh the two of us and great partnership
• uh the two of us and I'm<00:03:23.920><c> just</c><00:03:24.080><c> really</c><00:03:24.319><c> grateful
• We neither of us have ever done this before and I feel that we communicated effectively and ran an efficient
• We neither of us have ever done this before and I feel that we communicated effectively and ran an efficient

Bills: SF2884 , HF1889

Committee: House Ways and Means