Transcript Highlights:

• Hemp plant material is legal if it stays under 0.3% dry weight.
• And we have learned that it's not good for our health.
• I've learned, you know, it's really interesting.
• Please take your written materials to the lady right there.
• I learned about this hearing at 6 p.m. last night.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Through that, I learned a lot that nobody really owns it.
• Director Collier: ...that we're continuing to grow, and we're learning from that.
• Costs have increased in materials, repairs, utilities, and services.
• Costs have increased in materials, repairs, utilities, and services.
• Kelsey Vela: ...to replace new material, both electronic and print copies.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m learning here very slowly.” He then asked if there was any further discussion.
• Hazard material... though he's not at fire standards he's though he's not at fire standards he's at<00
• Hazard material instructors and other types of instructors don't include a high-level position.
• to the overall budget chairman material to the overall budget chairman wer<00:53:51.280> one<
• nothing material from what he provided nothing material from what he provided yesterday<04:06:29.239>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee work session focused primarily on House Bill 115 and a proposed amendment, 114H, which would carry over language from HB 2 into HB 115 and place limits on Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). Representative Murray described the amendment as a way to keep the 350% federal poverty eligibility cap, require students to have attended a charter public school in grades K-12 for the preceding year before entering the voucher system, and add guardrails against universal eligibility. She argued the state was facing a severe budget crisis, that expanding EFAs would divert money from other programs, and that public testimony and local votes showed widespread opposition to expansion. She also cited a letter from former Finance chair Neil Kirk opposing expansion. Other members responded that the committee should not revisit policy already decided by the House, though some said the amendment was fair to discuss because of its fiscal implications and supported it on that basis. The discussion then broadened into a debate over the fiscal impact of universal vouchers and the reliability of enrollment and cost estimates. Representative Luno argued that prior EFA projections had relied on assumptions that could badly underestimate state exposure, pointing to Arizona as a cautionary example and saying New Hampshire should not expand the program without better analysis. Representative Papovich similarly warned that universal eligibility could create a large, unexpected cost, estimating a potential exposure of about $285 million based on school-age children not currently in public, charter, or EFA programs. In contrast, Representative Weyler said EFAs can save money because public school spending is already high and parents using EFAs still pay taxes and take on more responsibility for their children’s education. After discussion, Representative Murray moved to accept the amendment, and Representative Bean seconded it. There was some procedural clarification about voting on the original bill and the amendment. The transcript ends before a final recorded vote on the amendment or on HB 115 itself, though the committee had also been told it would likely reconsider several retained bills later in the week, including HB 129, HB 133, HB 671, and HB 781.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today and tomorrow are important first steps in that direction as we learn together.
• Well, I hope you all are ready to ask questions and learn a lot. This is going to be two days.
• I'm hoping y'all are ready to learn a lot. We've got some very smart people.
• You guys are digging into the material.
• this. who is wicked smart but just learning this.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if the material contains less than 0.3% THC, it is illegal according to legal analysts.
• We have learned a lot about the program and patient needs.
• a lot about the program we have learned a lot about the program and<00:52:26.240> patient<00:
• In Maine, you can—you have a caregiver who grows for you, and so they provide the material for those
• for those five patients the material for those five patients so<01:01:56.400> so<01:01:56.640

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Are discovering and are learning for them to really do a good job with economic development, traction
• Early learning provider statewide are facing challenges and supporting students with disabilities and
• There provided their provided to the early Learning Center right now.
• But under 65, this ensures the early learning.
• We also ensure the early learning us to meet in conference for school readiness considers population

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We learned that in the field. We learned that through on-the-job training.
• What did we learn from that? What did the Water Board learn from that?
• So what have you learned from this?
• What have you learned?
• I want to ask what you could learn. You know that... what did you learn?

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can permeate materials differently than natural gas.
• The Federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration recognized these unique characteristics
• A lot of this bill really is the wonky, good-government material, and I do appreciate you diving into
• SB 913 builds on the successes and lessons learned from DSGS, particularly the options for smart thermostats
• As written, SB 887 creates a framework that could make it materially harder to build this infrastructure

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:07:37.200> Speaker, America, what I learned. Mr. Speaker, America, what I learned.
• extraneous material on HR8365. extraneous material on HR8365.
• on H.R. 8469 and that it may include tubular material on the same.
• Without objection. and include extraneous materials on HR and include extraneous materials on HR 8469
• uh material uh material on<04:37:00.480> the<04:37:00.799> same on the same on the

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe in that training you learn why you did, and maybe people around you will also understand what's
• this training, but maybe you learn this training, but maybe you learn something.<01:00:22.960>
• Maybe you learn the signs something.
• Um, I'd love to learn more about that.
• Um, but that to learn more about that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We learned that one way, a pathway, to address the workforce shortage is apprenticeship.
• So that's our goal: to help people learn some basics and be able to then reach out again to the people
• That's why we like to say all of our programs are an earning-while-learning program.
• You are learning how to excel at your career path, but you're also earning while you get there.
• Now, they're not learning everything.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• they submitted with their materials they submitted with their application. application. application.
• And I think that goes along with other areas of security where we might want to learn from it, but to
• I mean, there's nothing to learn from what we learned at all.
• I mean, there's nothing<01:02:22.560> to<01:02:22.680> learn<01:02:23.040> from<
• > nothing to learn from what we learned at nothing to learn from what we learned at all.<01:02:25.160

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I've had a situation where I learned of something. ...before trial started in the morning of
• prior to impaneling a jury, I approached the judge related to the evidence that was hidden that I learned
• removed from a case, including the confidentiality of attorney-client and attorney work product materials
• He didn't pay me a dime, but I was there to learn before I took my first murder case.
• you see third and fourth chair on death... penalty cases because people want to be involved and to learn

Bills: HB 115, HB507, HB1765, HB1847, HB2046, HB2239, HB2328, HB2309, HB2417, HB2728, HB2794, HB3206, HB3566, HB3694, HB3744, HB4254, HB4697, HB4733, HB4915, HB5465, HB2813, HB115

Keywords: habeas corpus, postconviction, criminal procedure, indigent defense, scientific evidence, legal representation, judicial power, capital felony, criminal law, death penalty, attorney qualification, training standards, law enforcement, no-knock warrant, search warrant, peace officer, attorney workload, criminal justice, caseload limits, fair representation

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas students enrolled in agriculture education today learn a variety of skills including career
• He would help them learn the creed.
• It's not hazing; it's just to learn This organization has stayed in effect for close to a hundred years
• I know the joys and discomforts of agriculture lie in hoping to learn fondness for those associations
• He is shadowing me today, learning about the processes in the Capitol, in the Senate, so that he's better

Transcript Highlights:

• INVENTORY IN THESE PROVIDE ALL OF THE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN
• THEIR TUITION AND FEES COVERED AS WELL AS THEY CAN USE THE FUNDS TO COVER BOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
• THE APPRENTICES ARE WORKING AT THE SCHOOL AND DESIGNATED A TEACHER APPRENTICE IT WOULD RESULT IN A LEARNING
• WE HAVE INTRODUCED STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS TO LEARN ON.
• THE COLLABORATION ELEVATES THE STUDENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND CREATES A SEAMLESS PIPELINE FOR THE GET

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an office hours last month that was pushed out by our marketing team and to invite communities to learn
• League of Cities, we strive at our conferences and our materials, website, things like that, to provide
• And our materials, website, things like that, to provide information and support the best we can.
• I'll just talk about lessons learned from our perspective and some of the outcomes from the program.
• You can use city resources, as I understand it, to prepare educational materials or information materials

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• :16.560> uh<00:15:16.639> it's<00:15:16.800> in<00:15:16.959> my Um, materials
• that promote reef safe and um materials that promote reef safe and and<00:15:32.720> basically
• Eight years ago, I learned about this solution called Jadam sulfur.
• Eight years ago, I learned about board.
• Eight years ago, I learned about this<00:36:01.760> solution<00:36:02.160> called<00:36

Bills: SB2489, SB2310, SB2372, SB2426, SB2334, SB2925, SB3323

Keywords: invasive species, agriculture, biosecurity, lease provisions, environment, natural resources, flood management, vegetation removal, Kainahola stream, Hawaii legislation, trees, exceptional trees, significant trees, urban forestry, arborist advisory committee, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, county planning, tree preservation

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to agriculture, invasive species control, trees, reef protection, and land use. SP 2489 would require Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases to include access, invasive-species control, and termination provisions; DAB and DLNR supported it, as did several outside groups, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council raised concerns about notice, cooperation with lessees, and placing penalties on leaseholders for preexisting infestations. The chair noted six testifiers in support, one opposed, and three with comments. SP 2310 would appropriate funds to remove overgrown vegetation from the Kohola stream. DAB supported the bill but explained that the work already completed by its contractor stopped at a DOT boundary, and that the affected parcel appears to be a DOT highway segment on ceded lands; the committee discussed whether the appropriation should instead go to DOT. SP 2372, on exceptional and significant trees, received support from DNR and Outdoor Circle, with testimony describing trees as critical infrastructure and suggesting technical amendments to committee membership and the process for recommending trees to county councils. SP 2426, which would authorize DNR to contract with private parties to maintain sunscreen dispensers at state beaches and promote mineral-based sunscreen as reef-protective, drew support from DNR and reef advocates, while another witness questioned the science behind claims about mineral versus chemical sunscreens and urged broader environmental solutions. SP 2334 would impose a land conversion fee on agricultural land converted to other uses, create a fee fund for programs including healthy soils, and require state agricultural lands to use a conservation metric. DAB offered comments, and testimony from climate and farm groups generally supported the conservation goals but questioned references to programs not yet in place and objected to language excluding solar and wind uses, with one witness urging that agri-voltaics remain allowed. SP 2925, concerning coconut trees, would recognize them as food, water, and cultural resources, require signage for landscape palms, set labeling standards, and create a tax credit for naturally managed consumable coconut trees. DAB shifted from opposition to comments, DNR supported, and testimony from cultural and subsistence advocates strongly backed the bill as a response to coconut rhinoceros beetle impacts; committee questions focused on enforcement of signage, inspection resources, and the proposed tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:44.240> uh whether or not a course material uh whether or not a course material uh
• If I want to tell someone how to build a bridge or to cut their hair or to learn how to drive, I mean
• If I want to tell someone how to build a bridge or to cut their hair or to learn how to drive, I mean
• If I want to tell someone how to build a bridge or to cut their hair or to learn how to drive, I mean
• funded institutions of higher learning. funded institutions of higher learning.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The hard part is we all learn from our parents.
• Massachusetts can learn from these practices to inform policy.
• It would also ensure Massachusetts residents have access to educational materials to better understand
• We have many, many resources for people and the public to learn about what scams are happening today,
• Only after she filed a report about it did she learn that she had put the money into a cryptocurrency

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several financial services bills, with the main focus on cryptocurrency kiosk regulation, financial literacy, and earned wage access. Legislators and witnesses described widespread crypto-related scams targeting older adults, often involving impersonation, urgency, spoofed phone numbers, and rapid transfers through kiosks that are difficult to trace or recover. Supporters of the kiosk bills said Massachusetts needs licensing, registration, transaction limits, warning notices, receipts, refund protections, and other safeguards; some also urged a “pause” or hold on transactions to give victims time to reconsider and allow law enforcement to intervene. The Attorney General’s office, AARP, local law enforcement, and several prosecutors and sheriffs backed the consumer-protection approach, while Bitcoin Depot supported a narrower regulatory framework but opposed low fee caps and strict daily limits, arguing they would function like a ban and reduce legitimate use. Witnesses from Waltham police, Middlesex and Essex County law enforcement, and the AG’s office said crypto scams are growing quickly, losses are often unrecoverable once funds move, and current tools are limited. They described cases involving elderly victims losing thousands of dollars, and said warnings alone are not enough because scammers keep victims on the phone and guide them through the process. Some witnesses said a temporary hold or refund mechanism has worked in at least one case, while others emphasized that transaction limits and visible disclosures could reduce harm even if they do not stop fraud entirely. The AG’s office also said it would submit written opposition to separate earned wage advance legislation, while DailyPay testified in support of that bill, saying earned wage access helps workers bridge short-term gaps without debt or credit reporting. The committee also heard support for mandatory financial literacy education from Representative Jim Hawkins, who said high school students need instruction on credit, debt, and inflation before they enter adulthood. In addition, the committee took testimony on litigation financing bills from insurance industry representatives, who argued for disclosure and regulation of predatory litigation lending and warned about foreign interference and reduced plaintiff recoveries. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; members asked questions throughout, and the chair noted the need to move testimony along because of time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've learned a lot by hearing that.
• As I mentioned previously, the schedule extension does have a material impact on the estimate, so this
• We did find that after these materials were distributed, there is a small inconsistency on this graph
• And we've been doing a lot of work to bring lessons learned from other mega programs to IBR as we get
• And we've been doing a lot of work to bring lessons learned from other mega programs to IBR as we get

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.