Transcript Highlights:

• When he demanded fair treatment for American ships and goods, many in the media scoffed.
• in the future.
• This resulted in a 10% reduction in import volumes for U.S.
• a fair way.
• A fair amount of time was spent reviewing the ratification hearings in the Senate in 1978.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll jump right in.
• This bill introduces common-sense reforms to ensure fairness and transparency in PBM. Contracts.
• Things that in 2006 we would admit, in 2023 we don't.
• Missouri in 2019.
• in 2011.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will be in order. Senator, is a guest in the gallery.
• Some of us came here tired in our minds and weary in our spirits, but you woke us up with breath in our
• I think it's a great idea in concept and in theory.
• in some places in northwest Florida, that the St.
• the state or in the U.S., and that they are engaging in the activity as described in 775.30. ...are

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions before moving into a long special-order calendar. The chamber first considered two claims bills: SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents, and SB 26/HB 6509 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence. Both bills were substituted with their House companions and passed overwhelmingly. Members then approved several policy bills focused on child welfare, education, and professional regulation. CS/CS/SB 42/HB 47 required child protective investigators to consider certain medical diagnoses before proceeding in abuse cases; CS/SB 206/HB 851 expanded autism-related training and incentives for teacher preparation programs; SB 556/HB 453 allowed Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements for students with disabilities and clarified marching band credit; SB 688 reestablished licensure and regulation for naturopathic doctors; SB 878/HB 1347 addressed clinical laboratory personnel shortages by aligning more closely with federal CLIA standards; and SB 914/HB 867 clarified that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling. Each of these measures passed, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The chamber also approved bills on court administration, public records, financial disclosure, and child welfare. SB 326/HB 131 modernized rules for curators of estates; SB 758/HB 625 updated the composition of the Justice Administrative Commission, with an amendment broadening the judicial member to a judge or senior judge; SB 830 created a public records exemption for certain local government executives and their families; SB 964/HB 6011 revised how gifts and honoraria are reported and, via amendment, restored a percentage-based reporting option for financial disclosures; and SB 1002 clarified that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow courts to order assessment and services. These bills all passed, with SB 830 drawing the most opposition among them. The most contentious debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a framework for very large planned communities with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a new growth-management tool and economic opportunity, while opponents warned it was too broad, lacked specificity, weakened local control, and could be exploited by large developers. After extensive debate and an amendment limiting data centers in commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 1632/HB 1471 on foreign law and domestic terrorist designations after a lengthy and divisive amendment debate over references to Sharia law, and SB 21/HB 218 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, which preserves SB 180 restrictions in storm-affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• We try to pave about 500 miles of that pavement a year to keep that in good and fair condition.
• a year to keep that in good and fair<01:08:49.920><c> condition</c><01:08:50.839><c> we</c><01:08:51.000
• </c><01:50:48.119><c> in</c> challenges that we do have in in challenges that we do have in in projecting
• <03:27:46.359><c> in</c> England four in Connecticut and in England four in Connecticut and in Massachusetts
• </c><03:30:33.680><c> n</c><03:30:33.960><c> in</c> 1.64 billion in n in 1.64 billion in n in 24<03:30

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Safety presented an overview of highway fund and unrestricted revenue collections, focusing on the Division of Administration, the Road Toll Bureau, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Amy Newbery explained that the main unrestricted funding sources are highway funds and general funds, with highway fund revenue of about $263 million in FY 2024 and a FY 2025 projection of $261.2 million. She said revenue growth has been modest and has not kept pace with costs, creating structural deficits that required general fund transfers of $50 million in FY 2022-23 and another $10 million in FY 2024-25 to balance the fund. Jennifer Hall described Road Toll operations, including motor fuel tax collection at the distributor level, compliance enforcement, and licensing for fuel distributors, transporters, IFTA carriers, and oil discharge/pollution control. Members asked about IFTA, dyed-fuel enforcement, the possibility of using the state forensic lab for dyed-fuel testing, and whether audit positions had been filled; the department said it recently hired a part-time fuel enforcement officer, still uses IRS testing, could explore lab testing, and had no audit vacancies. Hall also discussed factors affecting fuel-tax revenue, including gas prices, crude oil forecasts, weather, tourism, GDP, and inflation, and said FY 2024 road toll revenue was $127.5 million, above plan, with FY 2025 projected at $127.71 million. The committee then turned to DMV-related revenues. Newbery said motor vehicle registration revenue was $93.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected at $90.4 million in FY 2025, with the state share going directly to the highway fund. Members asked about the state/town fee split, the five-year registration cycle dip, the distribution of registration revenue by vehicle weight category, and the impact of electric-vehicle surcharges; the department said the five-year dip is still occurring and will fade over time, and it would follow up on the weight-category breakdown. The presentation also noted that driver-license revenues have stabilized, inspection revenues remain steady, plea-by-mail revenue was added to the highway fund in FY 2024, and general fund revenues tied to the department are relatively small and have declined as some functions moved to OPLC. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of things at night that are dangerous, and we're in the risk mitigation business, so we should
• We do a lot of things at night that are dangerous, and we're in the risk mitigation business, so we should
• So they are getting money in Pinellas County for mitigation.
• In August, the program completed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Project prioritization.
• In August, the program completed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Project prioritization, notified applicants

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• issue learned that establishing a plan for sanitation in addition to using safe mitigation solutions
• issue learned that establishing a plan for sanitation in addition to using safe mitigation solutions
• issue learned that establishing a plan for sanitation in addition to using safe mitigation solutions
• So in the case of Opinion of the Justices in 1943, the courts in fact said that a saving clause cannot
• This is another critical piece of the puzzle already in the base provisions in the Mass Ready Act, in

Summary: The Senate considered a broad environmental bond bill with amendments touching climate resilience, coastal infrastructure, housing, plastics, wildlife protection, and public health. Early in the debate, Senator Keenan withdrew an amendment to fund the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program, explaining that the program had been enacted without funding and that he hoped to secure money through the budget process instead. The Senate then adopted his amendment banning hotels from providing plastic toiletry packaging. The chamber also debated and rejected a Republican amendment to remove the paper bag fee; supporters argued the 10-cent charge would burden working families, while opponents said it was a necessary environmental measure. The amendment failed on a standing vote, 5-10. Several environmental and coastal amendments were adopted, including measures on ocean acidification and nutrient pollution, a statewide carbon sequestration goal that includes salt marshes and seagrasses, a study of banning polystyrene, restrictions on rodenticides with local control and emergency-use exceptions, and indoor air quality improvements. Senators also approved amendments to create a Massachusetts Climate Bank, establish a trust fund and on-site housing for the Manuel F. Corrella State Forest on Martha’s Vineyard, increase the Douglas State Forest entry fee from $1 to $2, and clarify procedures and oversight for housing priority projects. Some proposals were withdrawn, including a special commission on resilient urban coasts and a conservation commission proposal, while others were rejected, including a local-priority housing confirmation amendment and a warrantless-entry amendment that raised Fourth Amendment concerns. The Senate also adopted a series of coastal resilience and permitting amendments, including streamlined permitting for urban coastal projects, a pilot for nature-based solutions, dredging and sand placement in general permits, and a Salisbury Beach trust fund clarification. A New Bedford state pier redevelopment amendment and a harbor protection amendment were adopted, as were amendments related to public and private water utility reporting and equitable representation. The session concluded with notice that only two amendments remained before a roll call, followed by an adjournment in memory of James A. Jim Sheets, former Quincy mayor and educator.

Transcript Highlights:

• This meeting will be in order.
• Idaho is a relatively small economy in general, 38th in total GDP, but 20th in total farm GDP.
• But I'll take 16% growth over 4% in our neighbors in Oregon are negative 13% in Washington.
• in Idaho.
• In the beef industry, there's lots of links in that supply chain.

Summary: The committee approved the January 14, 2026 minutes and then heard a presentation from the University of Idaho on the financial condition of Idaho agriculture in 2025. Presenter Brett Wilder said Idaho agriculture is a major part of the state economy and forecasted record cash receipts of about $12.1 billion, driven largely by livestock, especially cattle and dairy. He contrasted strong livestock performance with weaker crop markets, noting declines in potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, and barley, along with rising labor, storage, transportation, and interest costs. He also said export activity remains important, with agriculture accounting for a large share of Idaho exports, and projected overall net farm income to rise modestly in 2025 despite continued pressure on crop producers. Committee members asked about cattle herd rebuilding, heifer retention, dairy-beef crossbreeding, Canadian cattle imports, processing capacity, hemp, land values, and producer leverage. Wilder said herd expansion appears to be starting, but the official federal inventory data was still pending; he also said beef-on-dairy production and the eventual reopening of the Mexican border could help rebuild supplies. On the crop side, he described severe financial stress from low prices, high debt, and reduced capital spending, and said sugar beets were likely to see the largest further drop in value in 2026. He added that land values remain strong but are closer to fair value than the peaks seen a few years ago, and that he was tracking rental rates and regional land trends. Wilder also discussed the broader supply chain, saying the beef sector depends on multiple links from genetics through processing and that packers and processors need enough cattle flow to remain viable. He said current conditions favor cow-calf producers more than processors, while crop producers face continued margin pressure. The committee thanked him for the presentation, asked no further questions, and adjourned the meeting until Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• 50th RSG located in Homestead.
• were in decline, reducing force structure in the military, and we did that, and we did it well in 2018
• They're in red folders.
• Here we are in statute.
• Then in March, we're going to be down in Key West.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security met for its first meeting of the 2025-26 session and heard presentations from Major General John Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, and Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission. General Haas reviewed the Florida National Guard’s missions, statewide footprint, domestic disaster response, and federal deployments, emphasizing the Guard’s role in hurricanes, border-related support, and other state operations. He also discussed recruiting and retention, noting that recruiting remains strong but retention is challenged by the Guard’s high operational tempo, and he outlined efforts to expand force structure, improve facilities, and modernize units, including Camp Blanding upgrades, new armories, additional infantry, engineer, military police, and aviation assets, and the Air National Guard’s F-35 conversion. Members asked questions about recruiting methods, typical brigade size, and how many personnel would be needed to reduce the average duty burden back toward the statutory 39 days. Haas explained that Florida’s large population helps recruiting, especially through community and school outreach, but that the state’s frequent domestic missions make the current 12,000-member force too small for its workload. He said the Guard’s high tempo is the main reason members leave for the reserves and argued that more force structure is needed to reduce strain. Committee members also discussed prior efforts to influence National Guard stationing decisions based on population shifts and domestic mission demands. McGregor then described the Florida Defense Support Commission’s work to protect military installations, prevent encroachment, support workforce and economic development, and improve the military-friendly environment for service members and families. He highlighted the commission’s grant programs, the military benefits guide, and a spouse license reciprocity matrix, as well as site visits to installations and defense-related facilities across the state. Members asked about Lockheed Martin’s innovation and simulation work in Orlando and discussed the value of military spouse reciprocity compacts. No bills were heard, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• in his conference room at services so in in his conference room at cap<01:07:01.839><c> Smith</c><01
• </c> that's what's in uh what's in federal that's what's in uh what's in federal law<01:37:07.520><c>
• /c> law um they uh in the in the mid late law um they uh in the in the mid late 80s<01:37:12.400><c>
• </c><01:42:44.040><c> in</c><01:42:44.280><c> in</c> taking a number of strides in in in taking a number
• of strides in in in Source<01:42:44.719><c> reduction</c><01:42:45.159><c> in</c><01:42:45.360><c> in

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before the Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Chair Nicole Lowen and other legislators opened the meeting by framing the issue as important statewide and encouraging recycling, composting, and proper use of the curbside bins. The city’s Department of Environmental Services, led by Director Roger Babcock and Deputy Director Mike O’Keefe, then presented the background and siting process. ENV explained the legal and technical constraints that shaped the search, including the 2019 Land Use Commission decision requiring closure of Waimanalo Gulch by March 2, 2028, and the 2020 Act 73 restrictions on landfill siting near residences, schools, hospitals, conservation districts, airports, and tsunami inundation areas. They said a landfill advisory committee reviewed six candidate sites in 2021-2022 and rejected them because they fell within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. After further evaluation and an extension of the naming deadline, the city selected a site in central Oahu near Wahiawa, on agricultural land currently used as a Dole pineapple field. City officials said the selected site was chosen as the best of the evaluated options and, in their view, could be permitted under state and federal law. They described planned environmental protections, including a modern sanitary landfill design with double liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring, and said the existing Waimanalo Gulch landfill has operated for 35 years without leachate leaks. They also emphasized that the site would still require a special use permit, Department of Health approvals, an environmental impact statement, and other public permitting processes, and that public engagement would continue over the next several years.

Transcript Highlights:

• There have been projects in Ruidoso, two completed in the Ruidoso area.
• For them to put in.
• In the north, in the Chama River, I think most people know, we saw that river go off course in the matter
• Something like that hasn't happened in my irrigation district in decades. In decades.
• Like in the part of New Mexico I represent, we're mostly in pecans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Green cards are in support, red cards are in opposition, and white cards are for informational purposes
• it in nine other jurisdictions.
• And just last week, I was in Senate Judiciary Committee in U.S.
• Alonzo read that in. We'll have Ms. Alonzo read that in. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• In the process.

Summary: The Civil Law Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered House Bill 165 by Representative Abear, a constitutional amendment to dedicate $500,000 annually from lottery proceeds to a veterans service grant fund. The committee adopted a technical amendment removing “up to,” approved the 6.8A report, and reported the bill with amendments without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 185 by Senator Presley, which would make nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse victims against public policy and unenforceable. Senator Presley and Elizabeth Phillips testified in support, describing the bill as part of the “Trey’s Law” movement to prevent survivors from being silenced. Additional supportive testimony came from Gillian Edwards Coburn, and committee members discussed how NDAs work in civil cases and the need to protect children’s ability to speak. The bill was reported favorably without objection. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 77 by Senator Miller, a Law Institute measure on the effects of leases of movable property. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to protect good-faith lessees of items such as heavy equipment when a merchant leasing the property lacks authority to do so. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also heard Senate Bill 140 by Senator Miller, which clarifies that multiple successions may be handled in the same proceeding when jurisdiction is proper. Members discussed the cost and efficiency benefits for families, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 603 by Representative Wright, a constitutional amendment authorizing state investment in digital assets and precious metals. Members questioned whether the language could include Bitcoin and how such investments would be monitored, with the sponsor saying implementation would be handled later by statute and public officials. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and then voted 5-3 to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE DO HAVE AN ISSUE IN THIS COMMUNICATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS BECAUSE WHAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR MIND OR IN
• THE VTOL PROGRAM WAS APPROVED BY THE SWC COMMISSIONERS IN 2022 AND WE ROLL IT OUT IN FORCE IN 2023.
• BUT IN TOTAL THERE GETTING THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS IN ABOUT 280 DAYS.
• IN THE PROGRAM WERE IN THE PROCESS.
• ORIGINALLY PUT IN THE BUILDING IN 1977.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Green cards are in support, red cards are in opposition, and white cards are for informational purposes
• it in nine other jurisdictions.
• And just last week, I was in Senate Judiciary Committee in U.S.
• Alonzo read that in. We'll have Ms. Alonzo read that in. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Thank you. ...in the process.

Bills: HB165, HB603, SB77, SB140, SB185

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be led in prayer this morning by Beyond the rail and in the gallery, please rise.
• If you're in my earshot, you're not in the floor yet. Get here.
• regions in California.
• in California.
• in the United States.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several floor items. AB 108, a budget bill, was presented as a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI to help severely distressed nonprofit and public hospitals with less than 10 days cash on hand and limited other options, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal granted. The chamber then adopted a series of resolutions recognizing CASA Appreciation Day (SCR 162), California Wildfire Preparedness Week (SCR 165), California Rail Month (SCR 84), the National Day of Prayer (SCR 153), and Mother’s Day (SCR 167). Floor remarks highlighted the role of CASA volunteers, year-round wildfire risk and local preparedness efforts, rail’s importance to mobility and climate goals, faith and prayer as sources of guidance, and the contributions of mothers and mother figures. All of these resolutions passed, with SCR 153 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously or near-unanimously. The Senate also passed SB 1175, which moves lobbyist registration and related filings directly to the Secretary of State to improve timeliness and transparency; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notice requirements for unions; and SB 965, making it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain library cards without a parent physically present. Each measure received supportive remarks and passed on strong roll calls. Later, the Senate adopted SR 106 marking Black April Memorial Month and honoring Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community, with members speaking about the fall of Saigon, refugee sacrifice, and the community’s contributions. The session concluded with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former reserve officer, firefighter paramedic, and longtime parks district board member. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the economy and the changes in the public policy, that picture has significantly changed.
• That'll end up in this committee.
• So I talked a little bit about the one-time money being used in order to balance the budget in 2026.
• That's $175 million projected in fiscal year 2027, so that's embedded in that number.
• So it's in the times where we're having zero interest in trying to deal with the Great Recession or..

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee met to hear a JFAC budget presentation from Keith Bybee and Senator Scott Groh on the state’s general fund outlook and budget process. Bybee explained the difference between revenues and appropriations, emphasized structural balance, and reviewed how budget growth over the past decade has been driven largely by policy choices in areas such as public schools, higher education, Medicaid, public defense, and tax relief. He also described how sales tax distributions have increasingly been directed to specific programs and local aid, reducing the share available to the general fund. A major focus was the fiscal outlook for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Bybee said current revenue projections are below last year’s legislative forecast, leaving a much smaller ending balance than expected. He outlined the governor’s budget approach, which relies on a 3% holdback, one-time money, and redirected interest earnings rather than rainy day funds, and noted that several proposed reductions would require policy changes that had not yet been introduced. Senators asked about the confidence in revenue and conformity estimates, the use of one-time funds versus stabilization reserves, and the impact on Idaho’s AAA bond rating. Senator Groh summarized JFAC’s concerns about uncertainty, the widening gap between revenues and expenses, and the risks of relying on one-time money. He said JFAC planned to vote on a 3% governor holdback and had asked agencies to identify 1% cuts for fiscal year 2026 and 2% cuts for fiscal year 2027. No formal votes were taken by the committee in this meeting, and the meeting adjourned after the budget presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Covered providers are defined in the bill in relation to their computing power and their revenue.
• Lastly, I will mention that this bill is similar to one that was enacted in 2024 in California, though
• In my professional work with IOTC, I have been put in unsafe situations, but I knew how to stand up for
• In the near future, Americans will question why states lagged in the adoption of AI.
• The Supreme Court in Moody v.

Bills: HB1170, HB1570, HB1834

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, AI-generated content, deepfake, synthetic media, content provenance, provenance data, metadata, watermarking, disclosure, transparency, consumer protection, unfair or deceptive acts, unfair competition, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, platform regulation, AI detection tool, media authenticity

Transcript Highlights:

• There are five amendments in the bill.
• Democrats will be in 102; Republicans will be in B-15.
• We already have had this longstanding first in the budget and later in statute last year for folks on
• , in mine, and across the state.
• , in mine, and across the state.

Bills: SB5877

Keywords: anesthesiology, medical personnel, surcharges, licensing, healthcare regulations, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are five amendments in the bill.
• Democrats will be in 102; Republicans will be in B-15.
• We already have had this longstanding first in the budget and later in statute last year for folks on
• , in mine, and across the state.
• , in mine, and across the state.

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee heard executive action on seven bills, with discussion focused on prior authorization, the 340B drug pricing program, biosimilars, HIV drug coverage, exchange certification criteria, and hearing/speech board authority. Members also considered several amendments, including a date change to prior authorization reporting in SB 5395, a large striking amendment and multiple policy amendments on SB 5981, and market-criteria amendments on SB 6210. Testimony and debate centered on transparency, administrative costs, rural access, patient care spending, market stability, and the balance between state authority and federal law. SB 5395 on prior authorization received Amendment 247, which moved the carrier reporting deadline to the Office of Insurance Commissioner from January 1, 2027 to October 1, 2026, and was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. SB 5981 on 340B drug pricing adopted a striking amendment creating reporting and fee structures, but rejected amendments that would have removed filing fees, required 90% of revenues to go to direct patient care, limited additional contract pharmacies to rural or underserved areas, or delayed the bill’s effective date; the bill then passed out of committee 11-7. Supporters emphasized transparency and safety-net funding, while opponents raised concerns about federal preemption, litigation, costs, and administrative burden. SB 5594 on biosimilar substitution, SB 5877 on certified anesthesiology assistants and the physician health program, and SB 6183 on coverage of FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without utilization management all advanced with broad support and due pass recommendations. SB 6210 on health benefit exchange market factor criteria adopted a striking amendment but rejected amendments that would have limited updates to every two years, narrowly defined “meaningfully different,” or changed implementation timelines; it also passed 11-7. SB 6226 on the Board of Speech and Hearing adopted Amendment 313 to expand standards-of-care authority for hearing aid fitting and dispensing, then passed 17-1 after debate about patient safety, tele-audiology, and access to care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Harris: Morning, members and guests in the audience.
• We already have one in Kerr County in my district.
• To address this challenge, the legislature in Senate Bill 1 in 1997 required public water suppliers to
• Representative Sweiner: What is Aqua Texas's water loss in their pipes in that area?
• the pipes in the area they were overpumping.

Bills: HB 4530, HB 4931, HB 5559, HB 5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• in this room.
• colony in the world.
• Lopez, who's in the gallery.
• You know, when you grow up in a town of 1,900 people like I did in Benavides, down in South Texas, you
• We'll be back in a moment. We'll be back in a moment. Thank you, members.

Keywords: 1184, house, all