Transcript Highlights:

• The bill has introduced and enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by
• Legislation to enact the compact is currently pending in 12 other states in addition to West Virginia
• The compact will not become active until it has been enacted into law by seven states.
• House Bill 5087, relating to the Interstate Cosmetology Licensure Compact, third reading of the bill.
• The compact is similar to other occupational licensing compacts that West Virginia has already enacted

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, opened with prayer and the pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed numerous guests, honorary pages, school groups, and visitors. It also received committee reports and introduced several resolutions and petitions. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was taken up immediately, debated in support of athletic trainers’ role in preventing injuries, and adopted. Other resolutions, including SR 63 and SR 64, were laid over, and several study resolutions were referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber then moved through a large number of House bills on third reading, with most passing by wide margins. Measures included the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites funding, increased fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure changes, work-zone penalties, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement status, the Right to Try Act expansion, quick claim deed tax updates, an ibogaine trial grant program, enhanced penalties for aggravated vehicular homicide and related repeat offenses, 529 plan definition updates, extension of opportunity zones, a barber apprentice program, municipal hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, civil remedies for unauthorized intimate image disclosure, online estate-executor training, higher contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS education, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, expanded capitation rate reviews, CVB board appointments, peer support services, the Interstate Cosmetology Licensure Compact, natural resource police retirement changes, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program extension, oil and gas well plugging changes with carbon-capture protections, DUI technical revisions, abuse intervention program changes, youth summer employment grants, telematics for fleet management, and municipal charter election compliance procedures. Several bills drew brief debate or questions, including the work-zone penalty bill, where one senator argued the measure increased fines without ensuring removal of outdated work-zone signs, while supporters emphasized worker safety. The Load Forecast Accountability Act also prompted discussion about incorporating coal-related provisions from another bill and concerns about prior House rejection of similar language. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, often 34-0, though a few had dissenting votes, including the Collaboratory bill (28-6), the Business Ready Sites bill (33-1), the Load Forecast Accountability Act (26-8), the Neighborhood Investment Program extension (33-1), and DNR fee indexing (29-5). Several bills also received title amendments, and one bill, HB 5162 on sales of tax liens, was referred to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2080, relating to psychology interjurisdictional compact.
• So, we've only just started the interstate compact for physicians. >> Okay.
• I mean, in the past, the concern about these types of interjurisdictional compacts... ...compacts, uh
• <00:18:28.799> scipact<00:18:30.080> uh the this compact and scipact uh the this compact
• , the compact, the compact, >> we're<00:20:08.480> making<00:20:09.440> the<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the president of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.
• For those of you that aren't familiar with what a compact is, a compact has its roots in the Constitution
• There are compacts for hunting, fishing, dentistry, nurses—you name it.
• So we're a compact focused on higher education, and we were founded back in 1991.
• In terms of enrollment, this is data out of the Western Compact.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Office of Higher Education on college access efforts, with a focus on FAFSA outreach, the Get Ready program, and Direct Admissions Minnesota. Wendy Robinson said OHE’s role is to provide nonpartisan information, partner with K-12, colleges, and community groups, and use statewide programs to expand awareness of higher education options and financial aid. She highlighted outreach through brochures, virtual sessions, conferences, the State Fair, and events serving specific populations, as well as the Lumina-funded Connect College grant and the federally funded Get Ready program, which serves about 7,500 low-income students across 14 capacity-building schools and 28 additional schools with tutoring, college visits, application help, and financial aid support. A member asked for demographic data on Get Ready students, and staff said they would provide it later. Robinson also reviewed FAFSA outreach, noting that last year was especially difficult for students because of federal FAFSA problems. OHE’s Ready Set FAFSA sessions drew 1,300 unique registrations in October and 939 in January, and the agency continued training K-12 and college staff on state aid programs, FAFSA simplification, and implementation of North Star Promise. OHE said it also held FAFSA completion events with partners, including at the State Fair, and planned another financial aid event in Duluth. The bulk of the presentation covered Direct Admissions Minnesota. Robinson said the program is now in its fourth year, with 55 participating colleges and universities and 182 participating high schools in the third cohort, serving just over 32,000 students. She described the program as a broad, collaborative model that sends students letters listing colleges that would admit them based on junior-year performance, while preserving student choice and waiving application fees for participating schools. She said the program is intended to reduce anxiety about admissions, encourage FAFSA completion, and keep more Minnesota students in-state. Robinson previewed second-year data showing continued positive outcomes, including higher FAFSA completion, increased college enrollment, and more students staying in Minnesota. Participation increased among students eligible for free and reduced lunch, rising from 21% in the first year to 40% in the second year. She noted a continuing concern about American Indian and Alaska Native students, whose FAFSA completion declined and whose participation numbers were lower in the newest cohort, and said the agency would continue to study that data. She also said some of the increase in free-and-reduced-lunch participation may reflect the impact of North Star Promise and related financial aid messaging. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• application last November for the Rural Health Transformation Fund included the Physician Assistant Compact
• as well as the EMS Compact.
• Compacts help licensees; compact support licensees.
• I can't emphasize the importance of a compact when it comes to the physician assistants and the EMS,
• The importance of a compact when it comes to the physician assistants and the EMS, which will be coming

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and introductions of the doctor of the day and numerous guests, including visitors for Lunar New Year, Arizona Statehood Day, school groups, local officials, and community leaders. A proclamation was read honoring Phoenix Ballet and National Ballet Day, and Representative Gress spoke in support of the recognition. The chamber also received committee and membership announcements, including temporary committee substitutions and several bills being re-referred or withdrawn to other committees. On third reading, HB 2190, which would have added Article 5 to Title 32 relating to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants, failed after debate over whether it improperly authorized rulemaking; it was defeated 20-38 with two not voting. The House then took up HB 2206, relating to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administration, and HB 2396, another SNAP-related bill focused on restricting certain purchases. Members debated the bills at length, with opponents arguing they would burden low-income families, worsen food access in desert areas, and limit personal choice, while supporters said the state should encourage healthier purchases and that existing public benefit programs already include restrictions. HB 2396 passed 34-25 with one not voting and was sent to the Senate. After announcements, including committee meetings, an African-American Legislative Day program, and a birthday acknowledgment for the Majority Leader, the House briefly recessed and then reconvened. Additional desk business was handled, including a first reading of HB 2999, a municipal approval district technical correction bill, and the referral of first-read measures for printing. The House then adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado River Compacts. Colorado River Compacts.
• reduce our use to meet our compact reduce our use to meet our compact obligations.<00:58:30.720>
• , what however it's with this um compact, what however it's with this um compact, are<01:09:05.120
• <01:09:36.400> does entitled to under the 22 compact does entitled to under the 22 compact
• that we are obligated under the compact that we are obligated under the compact to<01:11:13.120>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is known as the regulatory compact.
• Reasonable and necessary costs violates that compact, as it could discourage the filing of rate cases
• It would set the balance of the regulatory compact in which the utility is operating as a monopoly.
• Right as the regulatory compact stands right now, is there any...
• And that is the balance I talked about with Representative Gámez about the regulatory compact, making

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Representative Hewitt, the issue that the event center is likely running into is the compact
• So, any service of alcohol that is intended to be not contiguous or not compact, then they would need
• center for a space that's not compact center for a space that's not compact and<00:36:57.960>
• But are all centers, uh, event centers that have that would kind of like fall under this compact and
• But are all centers, uh, event centers that have that would kind of like fall under this compact and

Bills: HF4145, HF4009, HF4304, SF2511, HF4090, HF357, HF901

Keywords: alcohol consumption, nursing homes, assisted living, resident activities, Minnesota Statutes, seasonal liquor licenses, resorts, intoxicating liquor, county board, Brainerd, Northern Pacific Center, event center, liquor license, on-sale license, alcohol sales, special law, local option, Minnesota liquor law, chapter 340A, Sunday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• compact.
• compact.
• and the dietitionians trainers compact and the dietitionians compact.<03:55:12.640> So<03:55:
• compact.
• So all three of those compacts compact.

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• 36 months and arbitrarily capping rate increases at 20% if adopted, would violate the regulatory compact
• This is known as the regulatory compact.
• I, for, for those who don't know, could you explain a little bit the, the regulatory compact between
• well intended, I understand protection of ratepayers, it would set the balance of the regulatory compact
• I talked about with Representative Gomez about the regulatory compact, making sure the interests of the

Bills: HB 29, HB 685, HB 1633, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 1918, HB 2010, HB 2500, HB 2608, HB 2626

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• The map is also compact both visually and on mathematical measures of compactness for each of the districts
• one of the things I believe they always look at, they give it the eyeball test, to look at the compactness
• nature... of the things I believe they always look at, they give it the eyeball test, to look at the compactness
• It's compact. It's contiguous. It does not split parishes.
• registered Democrats, Republicans, and independents, it is right along those lines when you look at compactness

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 12, 2026, and focused primarily on Senate Bill 407, a congressional redistricting proposal, with Senate Bill 121 also scheduled for later. The chair explained the committee would first take up SB 407, consider amendments, then hear public testimony, and would not take up SB 116 or SB 130. Two amendment sets were adopted on SB 407: one technical set adjusting dates to align with the upcoming election cycle, and another updating the map in the bill. Committee members and the bill sponsor described the proposal as a 4-2 congressional map intended to comply with the Supreme Court’s CalA ruling, preserve traditional redistricting criteria, and avoid using race as the basis for district lines. Supporters of SB 407 argued the map was compact, contiguous, kept parishes and cities together, and created two opportunity districts without racial predominance. Several senators said the map better reflected Louisiana’s political and demographic realities and could withstand legal challenge under the Equal Protection Clause and First Amendment. Testimony in support also emphasized fairness, representation, and the idea that the state should not move to a 5-1 map. Some speakers, including former legislators and community advocates, said the state should maintain or preserve two districts where Black voters and Democratic voters could elect candidates of choice. Opponents of the broader redistricting effort criticized the process as rushed and confusing, especially because early voting had already begun and the Secretary of State was not present to answer questions. Some speakers said the legislature had not been properly involved in the election suspension process and raised concerns about whether votes already cast would count if maps changed. Others argued the proposed changes were an attempt to dilute political power and disenfranchise voters, particularly Black, poor, and queer communities. The committee heard extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the smaller states have now gotten to the point where they're entering into compacts with each other
• It is not clear that, first of all, we would be welcomed into a compact, and if we were, whether it wouldn't
• Operationalized as quickly as possible is to enter into a compact with other states.
• So the smaller states have now gotten to the point where they're entering into compacts with each other
• It is not clear that, first of all, we would be welcomed into a compact, and if we were, whether it wouldn't

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Labor and Technology Committee met on April 4, 2025, to consider four governor’s messages involving nominations to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board and the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Barbara Creek, nominated to the Retirement Savings Board for a term ending June 30, 2029, testified that she had already served two years on the board, had prior experience with deferred compensation plans, and wanted to help operationalize the program quickly and efficiently. In response to a question about Senate Bill 855, she explained that an opt-out auto-enrollment model is the gold standard for retirement savings programs, would increase participation and contributions, and would help Hawaii avoid being an outlier and improve the chances of joining a multi-state compact for a cost-effective program. Amber Aana, nominated to the Workforce Development Council for a term ending June 30, 2029, emphasized her maritime-industry background and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and training opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. Scott Collins, nominated to the same council for a term ending June 30, 2028, said he had served on the board since 2022 and could contribute public-sector and union experience to help address government workforce challenges. Pane Mayonga II, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council for a term ending June 30, 2029, was absent due to union travel, but the committee heard extensive testimony in support from labor, industry, and community representatives. Support testimony was recorded for all four nominees, including from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, United Public Workers, Hawaii State AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Hawaii Ports Maritime Council, and other organizations and individuals. For Pane Mayonga II, the committee noted support from a broad coalition including labor unions, maritime and construction groups, and community advocates. No opposition testimony was presented, and members did not raise substantive questions on the Workforce Development Council nominees. After a brief recess, the committee reconvened for decision-making and voted to recommend advice and consent on all four governor’s messages: GM 727 for Barbara Creek, GM 744 for Amber Aana, GM 717 for Scott Collins, and GM 728 for Pane Mayonga II. Each recommendation was adopted unanimously, and the committee congratulated the nominees before adjourning with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in current statute, we have language that says compact and contiguous.
• So in current statute, we have language that says compact and contiguous.
• So in current statute, we have language that says compact and contiguous.
• So in current statute, we have language that says compact and contiguous.
• And that's what we agreed. 18% contiguous as a definition of contiguous and compact.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 06.120> want<00:16:06.240> to<00:16:06.360> be<00:16:06.480> very our compact
• so we want to be very our compact so we want to be very careful<00:16:07.120> about<00:16:07.360
• 19:41.720> the multi-state license if they're in the multi-state license if they're in the compact
• 00:19:42.720> and<00:19:42.840> work<00:19:43.000> on<00:19:43.120> a compact
• they can come and work on a compact they can come and work on a privileged<00:19:43.679> practice

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 9, which would create a Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board modeled after the Public Pension Oversight Board. The sponsors said the board is intended to bring together the executive branch, legislative branch, and stakeholders to study Medicaid policy and its fiscal impacts before changes are made. Members generally supported the concept, with questions focused on board size and representation from providers and community-based service organizations. The bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote, including a title amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 152, which would create a Medicaid supplemental directed payment program for public EMS agencies, including fire departments and city, county, or taxing-district EMS providers. The sponsor said the measure is designed to draw down a higher federal match without any general fund impact, and noted support from local government groups. After brief discussion, the bill passed with favorable expression by unanimous vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 688, a two-part measure. One part would give the Board of Nursing more discretion to review out-of-state nursing credentials by changing mandatory acceptance of certification to permissive language, in response to concerns about fraudulent or substandard nursing programs and the effects of multistate licensure. The other part would allow certain diabetes medications to be stored and administered in schools, with training for school personnel and civil immunity for those acting in good faith. Some members supported the bill as a way to protect patients and maintain standards, while one senator voted no because of concerns about slowing licensure during a nursing shortage. The bill passed 10-1 with favorable expression. The committee announced it would meet again Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I'll talk more about the compact that we have with the Seminole Tribe, but they have seven locations
• There are an additional seven tribal locations as they're permitted as part of the compact to do this
• Here's a little bit more information about the compact.
• general revenue fund, and the commission carries out the state's oversight responsibilities under the compact
• state's laws are not interpreted in any way that would jeopardize the exclusivity provision of the compact

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 197, which would require all private employers in Florida, regardless of size, to use E-Verify for new hires and eliminate the current exemption for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The sponsor said the system is free, uses information already collected on I-9 forms, and helps employers confirm work authorization; supporters argued it simply enforces existing law and closes a gap in current requirements. Opponents, including labor and policy groups, said the bill would burden small businesses, could produce errors, and should be addressed through comprehensive federal immigration reform rather than state mandates. Members also raised concerns about implementation, enforcement, and potential impacts on workers and employers in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, and small business. The committee voted along party lines to report HB 197 favorably. The committee then received an update from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, beginning with new Executive Director Alana Zimmer and then Director of Gaming Enforcement Carl Harold. Zimmer outlined the commission’s structure, staffing, legal slot and card room locations, and the Seminole gaming compact, noting that changes in state law or court rulings could affect compact revenue. Members asked for additional information on salaries, commission vacancies, and how veterans’ organizations can determine whether gaming machines are legal. Harold described the commission’s enforcement work against illegal casinos, saying they are widespread, often exploit vulnerable patrons, and can be tied to organized crime, weapons, drugs, and other offenses. Harold reported thousands of complaints, more than 4,000 illegal slot machines seized, over 100 illegal casinos raided, millions in proceeds recovered, and numerous arrests and joint operations with other agencies. He said the main barriers are weak misdemeanor penalties and limited staffing, and requested two additional enforcement squads, one in southwest Florida and one in Jacksonville. Members questioned the cost of the request, storage of seized machines, coordination with local law enforcement, and how the public can report illegal gambling. The commission said it works with local agencies, has many MOUs, and directs the public to its website and law enforcement hotline for reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 84, which is a bill that originated from the Select Water Committee, dealing with our compacts
• It gives Wyoming a state-led solution to manage drought and reduce interstate compact risk.
• Projects must show a real reduction in historic consumptive use or directly support compact obligations
• They have four compacts and three decrees that they're working with, and just everything going on with
• :14.840> decrees<00:04:15.360> that four compacts and three decrees that four compacts

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and tried to make it better, compact, and contained.
• Compact is used. ...is different.
• You brought up compactness earlier, and compactness is one of those things that you consider. as well
• I'm just talking about compactness along the county lines.
• They are less than 50% compact, all of them, because compactness means when you put a district in a circle

Bills: HB4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 13, an act relating to intergovernmental agreements, enacting the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
• physical therapy licensure, An Act Relating to Licensure, enacting the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
• 13, an act relating to intergovernmental agreements, enacting the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
• , amending the Occupational Therapy Act to enacting the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, amending
• to intergovernmental agreements, enacting the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Children, Compact Commission often referred
• and shockingly 9 had heard of the Micro Compact
• been shockingly 9 had heard of the Micro Compact
• I applaud your idea because there is a compact
• How many people idea because there is a compact