Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies' room, there's two ladies' facilities on this side.
• It says that they're not selling until 18 years of age.
• I cannot vote for this bill while I'm still 18 years of age.
• And you're also a legal adult at the age of 18.
• So does this pertain to all ages, no matter what? Yes.

Summary: The meeting was a Girl State House session in which members received procedural guidance on chamber rules, recognition, voting, and decorum, then moved through a series of bills. The first bill, House Bill 1001, would have prohibited over-the-counter diet pills from being sold or transferred to minors; supporters argued it would protect teens from eating disorders and misuse, while opponents raised concerns about medical exceptions and the age cutoff. It failed 42-55. House Bill 1002, allowing lottery winners to keep their identities confidential for a period of time, was amended during discussion to a three-year confidentiality period and passed 79-17 after a motion for immediate consideration. House Bill 1003, requiring schools to provide resources and courses on child labor/workplace laws and readiness, drew debate over whether it should be mandatory, what age group it should cover, and whether schools could support it; it failed 22-73. House Bill 1004, the Arkansas Head Injury Act requiring helmets and protective gear for motorized cycle riders, passed 94-4 after testimony focused on safety for riders, other drivers, and first responders. Members then considered House Bill 1005, which would require a year-long personal finance course before graduation to teach budgeting, taxes, credit, and related life skills. Supporters said it would better prepare students for adulthood, while opponents argued the material is already covered in existing classes and raised concerns about scheduling and implementation; it failed 35-60. House Bill 1006 increased the teacher classroom investment income tax deduction from $500 to $1,000, with supporters emphasizing teachers’ out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies and student needs; it passed 97-0. House Bill 1008 sought to limit the number of national franchise businesses in an economic zone to encourage local entrepreneurship and protect small businesses, but opponents argued it could hurt jobs, limit consumer options, and was unclear in scope; it failed 23-69. The House then passed House Bill 1009, creating a voluntary blue envelope program for people with intellectual disabilities to help law enforcement interactions, after supporters said it could reduce confusion and improve safety; it passed 87-5. The final bill introduced before the transcript ended was House Bill 2010, which would increase the income tax credit for Arkansas families supporting a child with special needs; the sponsor began by sharing a personal story about her brother with Down syndrome and the costs families face, but the discussion was cut off before debate or a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funding to design a new 50 bed facility funding to design a new 50 bed facility on<00:19:55.520>
• Why don't we turn the facilities into the appropriate type facilities? Um, so I don't know.
• Why don't we turn the facilities into the appropriate type facilities? Um, so I don't know.
• And we toured the facilities. It's just... I toured the facilities. It's just... I still...
• That's what a facility costs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we can see, the fastest-growing spending category here is long-term care waivers, which allow aged
• The second-fastest-growing category is long-term care facilities, the line at the top.
• </c><00:24:25.320><c> and</c> care wav which allow uh the Aged and care wav which allow uh the Aged and
• This chart here is showing total Medicaid spending per person who gets into Medicaid through the age
• </c><00:31:24.080><c> the</c> with that our population is aging the with that our population is aging

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:25.959><c> in</c><00:14:26.120><c> our</c> facilities in our facilities in our communities<00:
• get to other facilities.
• of our facilities there and make things, those facilities and those trails and those special feature
• of our facilities there and make things, those facilities and those trails and those special feature
• of our facilities there and make things, those facilities and those trails and those special feature

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:00.440><c> So</c> maltreatment against a facility. So maltreatment against a facility.
• There are about 7,800 child care facilities in Minnesota, and so this could be about 10,000 per facility
• </c><01:52:09.400><c> are</c> make sure that child care facilities are make sure that child care facilities
• </c><01:52:55.640><c> in</c> about 7,800 child care facilities in about 7,800 child care facilities in
• So centers to all child care facilities.

Bills: HF4277, HF3819, HF3489, HF4408, HF3901, HF4316

Keywords: child care, child care center, day care, licensed child care, video security cameras, surveillance, security cameras, maltreatment, child abuse, child safety, public and shared areas, camera mandate, child care assistance program, CCAP, Great Start Compensation Support, early learning scholarships, licensed provider, Minnesota Statutes 142B.68, Harvey's Law, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> problem for instance in the facility problem for instance in the facility capacity<00:50:27.040>
• </c><00:59:39.680><c> of</c> 10,000 children under the age of 10,000 children under the age of 19.<00
• It simply become medical facilities.
• </c><01:03:44.119><c> as</c> home and health facility as home and health facility as hospital.<01:03:
• </c><01:04:08.799><c> and</c><01:04:09.039><c> the</c> the aged and the the aged and the infirmed.<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very small but really wonderful facility here in Leon County.
• It's a very small but really wonderful facility here in Leon County.
• of death among teens ages 13 to 14 is suicide.
• I had to help my mother at a very early age because of the challenges she faced.
• We're going to clean up your facility. We're going to make the grandstands really nice.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the survey, I was asking about people age 55-ish.
• I focused on the older or senior age group and thought, I guess they're retired.
• This isn't that you can get on at age 16 and then hopefully get services later on.
• There's certain ages.
• There's certain ages.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Friday, we visited two facilities. Friday, we visited two facilities. We were hosted by Sheriff K.
• They've done a great job assessing each individual facility, not as collective facilities, but as an
• They've done a great job assessing each individual facility, not as a collective facilities, but as an
• to facility, so I've been into many of the facilities before, and...
• or every other facility.

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation in public safety held a hearing focused on correctional labor testimony, with union leaders and officers from multiple county facilities and the Department of Correction describing staffing, safety, wellness, and programming concerns. Speakers emphasized that correctional officers face high levels of workplace violence, exposure to synthetic drugs like K2, inmate suicides and assaults, and significant mental health strain. They also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing that current practices can create unsafe conditions for staff, and urged stronger debriefing and wellness supports after traumatic incidents, including fuller use of programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses from unions including KCU/NCU and local county bargaining units argued against consolidating sheriff’s offices or merging them with the Department of Correction. They said consolidation could weaken collective bargaining, harm retention and recruitment, increase commute times, and disrupt locally tailored programming and reentry services. Multiple speakers stressed that county facilities are distinct and should be evaluated individually, not by a single formula, and that staffing levels, training, and facility-specific needs must drive any policy changes. One witness described innovative programming such as welding and shed-building partnerships, while another highlighted Norfolk County’s accreditation, budget stability, and reentry efforts. Commission members largely thanked the witnesses and echoed concerns about officer safety and wellness. They discussed the need for more facility tours, including Norfolk, and debated whether the commission should seek an extension beyond its September 30 reporting deadline. After discussion, the commission voted to request an extension to November 30, with the understanding that the report would still be completed and filed later. Members also discussed the possibility of examining the Norwegian correctional model and reaching out to the judiciary for additional testimony. The hearing concluded with an adjournment after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing EV manufacturers to open facilities anywhere in New Mexico will make EVs more accessible and
• This uncertainty discourages dealership purchases, expansions, and facility upgrades.
• Part of the problem that we are having is that we have an aging system that has been in place for 30
• Both on the water side and on the wastewater side, we have an aging plant.
• So you have to chlorinate the water when it's coming into the lagoons and the treatment facility.

Bills: SB22, SB310

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 22, which would allow certain motor vehicle manufacturers, including electric vehicle companies, to be licensed as dealers in New Mexico and sell/service directly to consumers. Supporters, including the sponsor’s office, Taxation and Revenue, Rivian, and clean-energy advocates, argued the bill would expand consumer choice, lower prices, improve EV access and service in-state, and bring new investment and jobs without eliminating existing franchise dealers. Opponents, including auto dealer associations, chambers of commerce, and franchise owners, argued the measure would weaken the franchise system, harm local businesses and jobs, reduce community reinvestment, and could disadvantage rural and tribal communities. After questions about trade-ins, tribal land sales, tax effects, and economic impacts, the committee voted to table SB 22 by a vote of 7-2. The committee then took up Senate Bill 310, which appropriates $1.1 million to the New Mexico Environment Department for planning, design, and construction improvements to the Mora mutual domestic water system. Supporters described aging water and wastewater infrastructure, an AOC related to discharge into the Mora River, flood and fire impacts, and heavy-metal contamination concerns in private wells. They said the project is part of a larger effort to address inflow and infiltration, improve treatment capacity, and protect public health, with additional funding already sought through the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund and the Water Trust Board. Some senators questioned whether the request should instead go through existing water funding programs and raised concerns about piecemeal financing and the Environment Department’s role, but others supported the need for the project. The committee approved SB 310 on a 5-3 due-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• have to do with weather modification for the purposes of global warming, or did it have to do with an ag
• So my understanding is it started with ag. It started with agriculture. Thank you.
• So my understanding is it started with ag. It started with agriculture.
• But in trying to live tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and other similar facilities.
• They're long-lived, slow to mature, with many of them exceeding 60 years in age.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 200, which would implement recommendations from DEP’s 2020 Recycling Goal Final Report by creating a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026. The bill focuses on recycling education and outreach, evaluating the former recycling grant program, and developing markets for recyclable materials. Supporters from the waste and recycling industry and counties said the bill would finally create a real plan to help Florida move toward its recycling goals. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, which would promote green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure, direct USF’s Flood Hub to develop guidelines, require DEP rulemaking on erosion and mangrove protection, and study whether nature-based flood reduction could help lower insurance costs. Supporters appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7000 as a committee bill to continue a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species. Members next took up SB 56 on weather modification activities. The bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere to affect weather or sunlight, define geoengineering, increase penalties through an amendment, and create a DEP reporting hotline with possible referral to DOH or emergency management. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill was needed to address public concerns and lack of oversight, while several senators questioned the evidence, the role of state agencies, and whether the bill was ready for passage. Despite opposition from some members, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 62 creating a resilient building tax credit program, after amending it to shift agency references from DEP to DBPR and add university advisory members, and CS for SB 80 to clarify state park management as conservation-based, require public notice and advisory input for plan changes, and improve reporting on park repairs; both bills were reported favorably after testimony from supporters and conservation groups who sought tighter language to prevent incompatible uses. Finally, the committee received presentations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on gopher tortoise relocation, wildlife disease surveillance, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FWC described tortoise relocation and recipient-site programs, ongoing monitoring of wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease and feline leukomyelopathy, and efforts to address fish die-offs and update sanctuary agreements amid state-federal jurisdiction issues. No votes were taken on the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not age-verify. It does not follow consumer protection rules. It does not age-verify.
• Specifically, the authority's facility management contract requires the facility manager to oversee If
• Specifically, the authority's facility management contract requires the facility manager to oversee The
• authority's facility management contract requires the facility manager to oversee the stadium's concession
• Our funding is derived from two major sources, tourism and facility revenue.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They understand this is not, this is already touching real Missouri families in our ag economy.
• Kids today, my nieces and nephews would probably say, 'Sit down, TT, you are sounding your age,' but
• This also allows dentists to practice in our correctional facilities.
• prescribe and then work with the facility to be able to provide that to them.
• that we don't just keep doubling up and doubling up on skilled nursing facilities.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and welcomed special guests, including the Freedom of the Road motorcycle riders and students from Warsaw High School. It then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on Alpha-Gal syndrome. The bill sponsor described the condition as a serious tick-borne allergy that has affected his family and many Missourians, arguing that Missouri needs mandatory reporting and surveillance data to identify hotspots, guide public health outreach, and support research and funding. Supporters from both parties said the bill would improve awareness and data collection, while one member raised concerns about the fiscal note and whether the state would get useful information for the cost. The chamber adopted Amendment 1 to HB 1855, changing the follow-up language from “may” to “shall,” but rejected Amendment 2, which would have required patient consent before lab results were reported into the surveillance system. Opponents of the consent amendment said it would undermine disease surveillance and set a bad precedent for other reportable conditions; supporters argued for privacy and individual choice. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2230 and 2978, a K-5 education measure addressing screen time, cursive, and handwriting. The sponsor said the bill responds to research and parent/teacher concerns about excessive screen use, poor literacy outcomes, and mental health effects, and would create a state focus group to review evidence and make recommendations while leaving districts flexibility. Members discussed carve-outs for special education, English language learners, and virtual school, and adopted an amendment excluding the virtual school program. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2355, the “Food is Medicine” initiative, which would allow Missouri to use federal funds through 1115 waivers for pilot programs such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and related supports. Supporters said the program could improve health outcomes, reduce Medicaid spending, and help address food deserts. An amendment adding vitamin therapies and updating a date drew discussion over supplement safety and regulation, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that amendment or the bill itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a question for the AG, please.
• </c><01:33:07.040><c> of</c><01:33:07.800><c> U</c> the age of U the age of U sterilization<01:33:09.639
• housing in marginal ag land.
• of age.
• from 16 to 18 years increasing the age from 16 to 18 years of<03:21:58.600><c> age</c><03:21:59.359>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and onfarmm food service facility and onfarmm food service facility license. license. license.
• and Commission on Department of Aging and Commission on Aging,<00:38:33.599><c> the</c><00:38:33.839
• So the Commission on Aging that's under the Department of Aging has existed for decades.
• </c> that's not bound by age. that's not bound by age.
• </c><01:25:37.760><c> Colleagues,</c> seniors aging in place. Colleagues, seniors aging in place.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Five, to use a single-user facility designated to the opposite sex if it is the only facility reasonably
• Six, to use the facility during a dire physiological emergency.
• Seven, to use a facility that has been temporarily designated for the person's biological sex.
• You know, I've probably used the bathroom in public facilities a million times in my life.
• I should have probably use the bathroom in public facilities a million times in my life.

Summary: The committee first considered the gubernatorial appointment of Judge Rick Carnaroli of Pocatello to the Idaho Judicial Council. Carnaroli, appearing virtually, described his more than 20 years on the bench and said he wanted to help identify strong judicial candidates and support the judiciary. Senators offered favorable comments about his fairness and experience, and the committee voted unanimously to send the appointment to the floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then printed two RSs, RS 3761 and RS 3805, before taking up House Bill 803. Senator Doug Ricks explained that the bill would clarify that execution protocols are not subject to the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act and would extend confidentiality protections to firing squad executions, consistent with the state’s recent adoption of firing squad as an execution method. A Department of Correction director testified that the agency already treats itself as exempt from the APA and that the bill was intended to clarify legislative intent while preserving public posting of procedures. After limited public testimony, including one opponent, the committee voted to send HB 803 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee spent most of the meeting on House Bill 752, which Senator Ben Taves said would protect sex-separated private spaces such as restrooms, locker rooms, and showers by making it a misdemeanor, with a felony for repeat offenses, for knowingly entering an opposite-sex facility in certain government or public accommodation settings, subject to listed exceptions. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, while opponents said existing criminal laws already address misconduct and that the bill would criminalize transgender people and be difficult to enforce. Testimony included emotional accounts both for and against the measure, along with questions about enforcement, exceptions, and whether the bill was necessary. After debate, the committee voted to send HB 752 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the survivor was under the age of 18 at the time that they were subjected to conversion therapy, they
• bring At the time that they were subjected to conversion therapy, they could bring a claim up until the age
• From the ages of 14 to 16, a California licensed therapist abused me using the practice of so-called
• Last year, when the California City Detention Facility opened, we inspected it and found that the facility
• These reports matter because what happens inside these facilities is often hidden.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the time for survivors of conversion therapy to bring malpractice claims and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Senator Wiener and supporters, including a survivor and a licensed therapist, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued that survivors often cannot come forward within current limitation periods. Opponents, including attorneys and advocacy groups, argued the bill was an unconstitutional workaround to California’s existing ban and could chill legitimate therapy or expand liability. Committee members pressed both sides on the bill’s scope, with the author emphasizing it does not bar exploratory therapy or medical treatment, only attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the item placed on call; the consent calendar was also adopted 6-0 and placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, as amended, concerning manufactured home parks. The bill would require park owners who intend to sell to give residents or their designated representatives notice and an opportunity to submit a competitive bid, with timelines intended to allow residents to organize financing and complete due diligence. Supporters said the measure would help preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and give residents a fair chance to buy the land under their homes, especially after fire-related losses and increasing investor ownership of parks. Opponents from park-owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create an unconstitutional taking by imposing long timelines and restrictions that could deter buyers. Several senators questioned the 240-day process and whether the bill should include clearer good-faith or reciprocity provisions; the author said he was open to further adjustments. The transcript ends during committee discussion of SB 1092, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• executive-level management experience with specific areas of expertise in leadership development, facility
• I was standing there by the vertical assembly building at age 13 watching the Saturn V.
• It's taken you of age in San Antonio. That would have been a great game there.
• We have facilities, and I'll get to Andy. But we're having facilities that have to be vacated.
• Which it does in West Texas pretty often, and we have to vacate those facilities.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In my training, I worked with children and adolescents from ages 6 to 17 who experienced significant
• As someone who was a victim of rape at age 13, with a volatile mother, this law would have prevented
• As someone who was a victim of rape at age 13, with a volatile mother, this law would have prevented
• I'll leave the committee with this: in 2023, STI rates for youth age 13 to 17 reached a 15-year high,
• Less than 50% of our school-aged children have seen a dentist because of lack of access and cost.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 245, which would replace references in Florida law to “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material.” The sponsor said the change was overdue and more accurately reflects the criminal nature of the material. There was brief supportive public testimony, no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then took up HB 237 on the use of professional nursing titles. The sponsor said advanced practice registered nurses should be able to use earned academic titles such as DNP or PhD. Supporters testified in favor, there was no opposition or debate, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The longest discussion centered on HB 173, which would expand parental consent and access requirements for minors’ medical care, medical records, certain school surveys, and biomedical devices. Supporters argued it restores parental rights and keeps parents involved in children’s health decisions, while opponents—many from medical, mental health, LGBTQ, and youth advocacy groups—warned it could block access to STI treatment, mental health care, crisis hotlines, and confidential services for vulnerable youth, including those in abusive homes. After extensive testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably on a 19-7 vote. Finally, the committee began HB 327 on uterine fibroid research. The sponsor explained the bill would require health care providers to submit identified data so the Department of Health can build a usable de-identified research database, after prior implementation problems with duplicate or unverified data. A supportive local official testified, and members indicated support as the meeting moved toward a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working with the City of Vancouver and the Port of Vancouver, which has significant facilities
• If it were buses, vehicle maintenance, the regular inspections, facilities maintenance.
• So we have these facilities that we maintain, including our stations and the facilities in which the
• The age of the structure alone makes it critical to replace the existing structure.
• The seismic risk and natural aging put the bridge at the end of its service life.

Summary: The committee met jointly with the Washington-Oregon Legislative Action Committee for an update on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement (IBR) program. Members first adopted the proposed committee rules, then received program updates from staff on environmental review, permitting, design, tribal consultation, and public engagement. Staff said the project remains in the supplemental EIS process, with a final supplemental EIS and amended record of decision expected in early 2026, which would allow construction to begin. They also described ongoing work on Coast Guard navigation clearance, Section 106 historic-property coordination, and architectural guidelines for the bridge and five-mile corridor, emphasizing that the visualizations shown were conceptual and that public and partner feedback has already influenced design considerations such as accessibility and shared-use path connections. Members raised concerns about schedule delays, rising costs, and whether the project is being designed to be functional, safe, and economical. Staff acknowledged that the timeline has slipped from earlier expectations and said the delay reflects the complexity of the environmental and federal review process, as well as the need to avoid redoing steps. They said the updated cost estimate is being prepared now that design has advanced to roughly 30 percent, and that it will account for inflation, risk factors, and both fixed-span and movable-span options. Staff estimated a movable span would add more than $400 million and said the first construction work after environmental approval would likely be preliminary freeway and retaining-wall work in late 2026, followed by the bridge procurement. The committee also received funding and tolling updates. Staff reported that major federal grants have been executed, including Mega and Bridge Investment Grant agreements, and that state STIP amendments are advancing to allow access to federal funds. The tolling team described Level 3 traffic-and-revenue work, a bi-state tolling subcommittee process, and possible toll scenarios aimed at supporting either about $1.24 billion or $1.6 billion in toll revenue. Members questioned low-income toll relief timing, truck toll rates, and the effect of tolls on freight users. Staff said low-income discounts are being analyzed for both revenue and operational feasibility, that tribal exemptions and other policy exemptions are under review, and that the commissions expect to move into public outreach on toll rates and policies in 2026, with tolling on the existing bridges currently projected to begin in spring 2027.