Transcript Highlights:

• Quinlan, wanted to ask you about the Childs case, Childs v. Salazar. You're familiar with it?
• So based on the Childs case and the NIFLA case, the ban on therapy in New Jersey is cooked as soon as
• This is about that Supreme Court case that you mentioned, right?
• But that case doesn't include the company that sets my rent.
• That case has become the largest real estate antitrust class action in American history.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now moving to SNAP, there's... ...suggestion around case reviews and having a case review team
• In prior history, that wasn't the case.
• You can see our case management load per caseworker and what our current case management load is in FY26
• Chair, Representative Herrera, I actually don't know how much time it takes for a SNAP case.
• Chair, Representative Herrera, but this is also case management load.

Transcript Highlights:

• The worst case I ever heard of was one I personally got involved in 20 years ago.
• So it definitely is on a case-by-case basis with regards to when and if compensation is owed.
• So in the case where one of these gentlemen, granted cost a physical infrastructure so in the case where
• I mean, so again, it's probably on a case-by-case basis with regards to every single property owner.
• And so these bills help to ensure that's the case.

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you mentioned the Edgewood case. So that was the case, late 80s, went into the early 90s.
• Typically, that's not the case. case.
• We're appraising property. in my case, in Hunt County, Texas.
• In some cases.
• It's it that's a difficult challenge and in some cases.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Milestones shall be met quarterly, semiannually, or annually on a case-by-case basis dependent upon the
• we may do it every six months, or we may do it annually, and we're just going to decide that on a case-by-case
• The whole premise of the Yazzie case is that we have failed our students.
• Findings in the Yazzie-Martinez case show that we failed at, except for gender.
• When we talk about the Yazzie Martinez case and the case that's still Pending, and experts within the

Transcript Highlights:

• case. Do you have any concerns of that? case. Do you have any concerns of that?
• That's not the case.
• <00:48:48.400> Um, not the case. Um, not the case.
• So I think it would be a case-by-case determination of what the court order states.
• So, I think it would be a case-by-case determination of what the court order states.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they have the right to have their case they have the right to have their case adjudicated<00:18:
• <01:45:35.360> students parents or in some cases students parents or in some cases students
• Hey, in case you in case you dance?
• Hey, in case you in case you might<03:16:26.160> have<03:16:26.319> left<03:16:26.560><
• Uh right now, you're in that case.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel as though we are flooded with unemployment cases.
• I feel as though we are flooded with unemployment cases.
• But that is the case now.
• So we want to make sure that they have case managers. Each family is assigned a case manager.
• So we want to make sure that They have case managers. That stabilization case management.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the detective who investigated Hannah's case.
• Delayed disclosure is common in grooming and child sexual abuse cases, and this was true with Hannah.
• Um so, all these cases problems for you.
• Cuz if the cases that you cite needed.
• :17:06.560> under<01:17:06.800> full cases under investigation, 66 under full cases under

Bills: HF3489, HF3393, HF3785, SF856, HF4006, HF4615, HF3919, HF4591, HF3682, HF4240

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• that's the case, why are we setting that's the case, why are we setting state<00:25:27.760> specific
• The secretary has the ability to waive that for whatever reason that they see based on that case-by-case
• The secretary has the ability to waive that for whatever reason that they see based on that case-by-case
• case by case basis on a test station<00:54:14.640> and<00:54:15.040> also<00:54:15.440
• <01:24:31.760> in fairly easily provider fraud cases in fairly easily provider fraud cases

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted. The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39. After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason was that prosecute my case.
• A case in Florida was illustrated. A case in Florida was illustrated.
• Um and both cases I had complicated.
• ><00:52:47.359> therapy<00:52:48.480> uh<00:52:48.640> was cases a case of massage
• therapy uh was cases a case of massage therapy uh was successful<00:52:49.440> in<00:52:49.680

Bills: HF362, HF2590, HF2760, HF3444

Keywords: massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, massage therapist, Asian bodywork therapist, licensure, professional licensing, health occupations, Department of Health, commissioner of health, advisory council, protected title, unlicensed practice, scope of practice, consumer protection, background check, professional liability insurance, continuing education, credentialing examination, state preemption, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• In our case, we see that bullied.
• I've these cases and I've these cases and I've laughed,<01:58:19.199> absolutely<01:58:19.840
• I believe that's the case these days.
• We've seen court cases that in some cases have applied special considerations to specific racial groups
• know, there's I just basically this case know, there's I just basically this case didn't<03:41:54.399

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• there is a claim on the voluntary program they would be eligible for funds that would come back in case
• 00:05:08.120> there<00:05:08.240> was<00:05:08.400> a that would come back in case
• there was a that would come back in case there was a bankruptcy.<00:05:09.160> We've<00:05:09.400
• <00:07:44.760> is<00:07:44.840> rising<00:07:45.120> and The case The motion
• motion is rising and The case The motion motion is rising and reported.

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 27 February, 2026; 11:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee took up three House bills. House Bill 933 was briefly explained as a short bill allowing Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau agents to retain their sidearms upon retirement. The committee asked no substantive questions, adopted a motion that the title was sufficient, and passed the bill. House Bill 1153, a follow-up to last year’s meat labeling law, was described as clarifying enforcement language and adding cell-cultured deer products. The committee adopted an amendment to specify that a food product is not misbranded and another amendment to strike a special fund reference and replace it with the general fund. Senator McConnell then proposed and secured adoption of an amendment removing language that would have allowed the department to hire outside counsel if the attorney general declined representation. The bill, as amended, was then passed. House Bill 1647, the Grain Indemnity Act, was presented as a voluntary producer opt-in program modeled on similar laws in other states to provide funds in the event of a grain buyer bankruptcy. Senators asked about startup funding and whether insurance or bonding could serve a similar purpose; the sponsor said no funds were included in the bill and noted that insurance coverage may not be available. After discussion, the committee moved the bill as title sufficient and reported it out.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, suppose in the case McKenzie had.
• You're That is apparently not the case.
• And I'm looking right at the case itself in 1994.
• think of a case where that's come up. think of a case where that's come up.
• <01:46:38.280> um So in the case of um So in the case of um a<01:46:39.480> pooling a pooling

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you, Chairman Case, for the question. Uh, Chairman Case, members of the committee.
• In our most recent rate case, uh, we did work with the commission and other parties in our rate case
• In our most recent rate case, uh, we did work with the commission and other parties in our rate case
• So, it becomes very very uh<01:31:03.280> case-pecific uh case-pecific uh case-pecific on<01:31
• <02:04:56.000> Um, senator case? Representative Yin. Um, senator case?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We invited her to testify and talk about the documents that are listed in the court case, and she has
• she played and understand the role her office played in communicating with the defendants in this case
• , and she has never responded to our case, and she has never responded to our multiple<00:01:05.920><
• That might be the involved in the case?
• In any case, I would just request a roll call. Thank you. >> Roll call will be granted.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee debated whether to issue a subpoena to Representative Ilhan Omar for documents and communications related to the Feeding Our Future investigation and the federal U.S. v. Aimee Bock trial exhibits. The chair argued that Omar’s office had been named in trial exhibits, that prior requests for testimony and documents had gone unanswered, and that the committee needed the materials to understand the role of the Meals Act and related communications in creating conditions for fraud. Supporters said the request was part of a broader effort to examine Minnesota’s larger fraud problems and to obtain records they believed were relevant and public despite a court protective order; opponents questioned the timing, the committee’s need for the information, and the precedent of subpoenaing a sitting member of Congress, while also arguing federal authorities could pursue any wrongdoing themselves. Members discussed whether the committee had first requested the materials in April 2026 or earlier, whether the documents could be obtained directly from the court or the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and how the information would be used given that the committee was nearing the end of its work. The chair said staff had tried PACER and the federal court, but that the exhibits themselves were under a protective order binding the parties, not the legislature or Omar. Critics said the subpoena was unnecessary and politically motivated; supporters said it was needed for transparency and accountability in the Feeding Our Future probe and related fraud patterns. A roll call was taken on the motion to issue the subpoena. The committee voted 5-3 in favor, but the chair noted that Minnesota law required a two-thirds vote, so the motion failed and the subpoena was not issued. The chair said she would continue trying to contact Representative Omar’s office and hoped for a response.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as speed, how much of a delay would it cause in the prior authorization in this case?
• The one thing that sometimes delays prior authorization cases is when a provider doesn't provide all
• >> So, the sleep disorder services are for individuals who may have bad sleep apnea, that have cases
• case? case?
• is when provider doesn't provide cases is when provider doesn't provide all<00:19:37.520> the

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• to not be released. on bail unless they wear a GPS ankle monitoring device until the end of their case
• This bill does target high-risk domestic violence cases.
• This. bill will target the highest-risk cases, not all domestic violence cases.
• , does this amendment allow a judge to determine whether GPS monitoring is necessary in a specific case
• No, I don't believe it does cover all domestic violence cases, just those that pointed the weapon, the

Bills: SJR47, SB1491, SB1579, SB1806, SB1552, SB483, SB63, SB137, SB346, SB514, SB1344, SB1360, SB1380, SB1437, SB1189, SB1217, SB1221, SB1262, SB1272, SB1325, SB1339, SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that not a process whereby we look at case by case?
• <00:08:30.000> by<00:08:30.240> case?
• by case?
• If I may ask the uh uh the case by case?
• , civil false claims cases and law enforcement<00:09:28.880> investigations.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3379, a technical bill dealing with the housing stabilization supports program in human services. The bill’s author explained that the program had been terminated at the state’s request and approved by CMS, and the bill would remove it from statute so the legislature would have a role if the program is later brought back. The discussion quickly broadened into a debate over legislative versus executive authority in Medicaid and human services programs, with members arguing about whether the department should be able to terminate or redesign programs without legislative approval and how to protect vulnerable participants. Members discussed three amendments. The A1 amendment sought to require 30-day public comment periods for Medicaid waiver and state plan changes, require publication of comment text online, and prohibit the commissioner from terminating legislatively enacted Medicaid waivers or benefits or requesting federal assistance to do so without legislative involvement. The A3 amendment was offered as a modification to A1 to address concerns about requiring the legislature to be called back in during the interim; however, after debate over whether the amendment would give the commissioner too much authority and whether it could affect existing fraud-sanction procedures under section 256B.064, A1 was withdrawn and A3 was also set aside. A2, described as a technical cleanup amendment from nonpartisan staff, was then adopted. The committee then voted on the bill as amended. The motion to re-refer House File 3379 to the General Register passed on a voice vote, and the bill was recommended to be placed on the General Register. Throughout the discussion, members emphasized different priorities: some stressed oversight, public input, and legislative control over program changes, while others argued the department needed flexibility to address fraud and protect services for seniors, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• the target of the grand jury what the prosecutor is asking about specifically with respect to that case
• c><00:18:59.440> respect<00:18:59.760> to<00:19:00.000> that<00:19:00.240> case
• specifically with respect to that case. specifically with respect to that case.
• And are there any cases disseminated?
• And are there any cases that<00:21:47.440> you<00:21:47.679> can<00:21:47.760> think

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met for its third meeting of the 2026 session and considered three bills. House Bill 50, relating to the removal of persons unlawfully occupying real property, was presented by Rep. Emily Callaway, who said it built on last session’s House Bill 10 addressing squatter-related criminal trespass and noted positive implementation feedback from law enforcement. The committee took no substantive testimony against the bill and passed it 16-0, reporting it favorably. House Bill 249, relating to involuntary commitment, was introduced by Rep. Mitch Whitaker and would expand current involuntary commitment provisions to include sexual abuse in the first degree. Whitaker and Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steel argued the change was needed because some defendants charged with sexual offenses not currently covered could otherwise be released without treatment or supervision, creating a public safety risk. Rep. Burke passed on the vote to continue the conversation but said he expected to support it on the floor. The committee passed the bill 15-0 with one pass and reported it favorably. House Bill 305, relating to grand jury service, was presented by Rep. Candy Maserone and supported by Sheri Ballard, who described the impact of the Crystal Rogers case and said secretly recorded grand jury testimony had gone unaddressed because the statute of limitations was too short. The committee substitute extended the limitations period for secretly recorded grand jury testimony to 10 years, set a five-year period for unrecorded communications, and added discovery-related language. Jackie Steel supported the bill but asked for an exemption or clarification so prosecutors could perform grand jury duties without risking felony charges; members discussed secrecy, witness safety, and obstruction concerns. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 305 17-0, reporting it favorably as the Crystal Rogers Act.