Transcript Highlights:

• While they don't have a problem with consumers accepting the dealership's financing offer, it should
• And as it relates to this cash piece, I don't have a problem with prohibiting cash.
• Here's the problem with us as legislators: when we ask for information from executives, there's a process
• And so this particular bill addresses some of those issues, and it came about, frankly, as a problem
• I won't go into the particular problems, but be specific about what... This bill does.

Bills: HB12, HB149, HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it had one car dealer sold five cars but issued 3,000 temporary tags, so we have a problem.
• I think it had one car dealer sold five cars but issued 3,000 temporary tags, so we have a problem.
• temporary tag so um we have a problem temporary tag so um we have a problem and<00:11:46.959>
• Unfortunately, we have a minuscule amount of folks that are really causing a problem, though, and that's
• Unfortunately, we have a minuscule amount of folks that are really causing a problem, though, and that's

Keywords: Roll Call 00:15 HJR 46 Discussion 00:43 HJR 46 Vote 2:58 HB 546 Discussion 04:10 HB 546 Vote 06:00 HB 443 Discussion 07:30 HB 443 Vote 09:35 HB 783 Discussion 10:29 HB 783 Vote 15:29, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Joint Resolution 46, a county priority projects resolution. Members approved a committee substitute that added $1.47 million and included Butler, Carroll, Casey, Cumberland, McGoffin, Monroe, and Nicholas counties. The resolution was then reported favorably with a title amendment and an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up House Bill 546, which creates the local assistance road program and related rules. The committee substitute moved $47 million from the state-supported construction program back to priority projects and amended the Transportation Cabinet budget to unlock I-69 funding tied to Garvey bonds. After discussion about continuing to refine the program, the committee approved the substitute, adopted a title amendment, and reported the bill favorably with an expression of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 443 was then heard, extending the Hal Rogers Parkway from Hazard along Kentucky Route 80 to Perry and Floyd to support future federal funding and four-laning of the corridor. The committee reported it favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass. Finally, House Bill 783 was presented as a response to temporary tag fraud in auto sales, with testimony from Representative Jackson, Warren County Sheriff Brad Hightower, and the Kentucky Auto Dealers Association. Supporters said the bill adds enforcement tools, including felony penalties for serious violations and discretion for the Motor Vehicle Commission so mistakes are not treated the same as deliberate fraud. The committee voted to report the bill favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• DO ANY OF THESE SYSTEMS WORK FOR PHOSPHORUS AND HOW ABOUT P FAST, WE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE AREA
• Harrell: I AM SPECIFICALLY INTERESTED IN IT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM IN MARTIN COUNTY.
• IT'S PAINFULLY OBVIOUS YOU STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN.
• IT PUNISHES RESPONSIBLE BOATERS WHILE FAILING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
• THE PROBLEM INCLUDES HARSH ANCHORING TIME LIMITS THAT WILL PUT BOATERS AT RISK.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No other states have had the kind of problems we had with government fraud. This is Democrat U.S.
• No other states have had the kind of problems we had with government fraud. This is Democrat U.S.
• No other states have had the kind of problems we had with government fraud. This is Democrat U.S.
• We are committed to solving the problem of fraud in state government, and we owe it to the people.
• committed to work continues we are committed to solving<00:05:26.639> the<00:05:26.800> problem

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Representative Kristin Robbins, chair of the new House Fraud and State Agency Oversight Committee, said the committee’s first public hearing was canceled and used the meeting to outline its planned work. She said the committee had invited DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to discuss fraud during her tenure, but Harpstead declined, and the committee instead planned to hear from Bill Glan of the Center of the American Experiment about his fraud and waste tracker. Robbins framed the committee’s mission as oversight of state government fraud, citing the Feeding Our Future case and other ongoing investigations, and said the work was not partisan. Robbins said the committee would also hold hearings on specific areas such as CCAP and medical transportation, along with other issues raised by whistleblowers. She said she had heard from at least two dozen whistleblowers in the prior week, including people from multiple state agencies and private-sector grant administrators, and described efforts to protect their confidentiality. She also said she is authoring a bill to expand whistleblower protections and that the committee is setting up a whistleblower portal. In response to questions, Robbins said she had a private meeting scheduled with Harpstead before her departure from office and said the committee could schedule another hearing if the House is able to meet with a quorum. She said she hoped for bipartisan participation, emphasized that neither party wants taxpayer money wasted, and said the committee would continue meeting and organizing hearings as soon as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what Delmarva is spending in these categories do not help with that problem.
• So that problem is, is there enough generation in the region?
• I'm sorry, I'm having a little problem with this. Would you like me to answer?
• And if there is, there's a problem."
• The problem is they're making cuts here, and they're not identifying which projects.

Bills: SB287

Keywords: solid waste, recycling, universal recycling, single-stream recycling, multifamily housing, apartment recycling, commercial recycling, waste diversion, recycling grants, low-interest loans, Delaware Recycling Fund, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, DNREC, waste hauler, curbside recycling, yard waste, source-separated recycling, pay-as-you-throw, extended producer responsibility, waste bans

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and considered three Senate bills. SB 287 with Senate Amendment 2, a DNREC cleanup bill on recycling, would tighten recycling collection rules for haulers and commercial generators, require multifamily recycling education, repurpose the Delaware Recycling Fund, and add annual reporting; after brief questions and no public comment, the committee motion to release did not initially receive enough votes, so the bill was circulated for signatures. SB 346, which would speed Environmental Appeals Board hearing and decision timelines so DNREC secretary decisions become final if deadlines are missed, drew support from the Nature Conservancy and also failed to get enough votes at the meeting, so it too was circulated for signatures. The committee then took up SB 326, a major utility-regulation bill sponsored by Senator Hanson and Representative Heffernan that would cap certain non-mandatory utility spending, limit interim rates, increase oversight and transparency, and streamline rate-setting. SB 326 generated extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the Public Advocate, Sierra Club, PSC staff, and some legislators, argued that Delmarva Power’s spending on non-mandatory infrastructure has risen far faster than inflation, that the company is a regulated monopoly, and that the bill would help restrain future delivery-rate increases without harming reliability because mandatory reliability, storm response, and vegetation management spending would remain allowed. Opponents, including Delmarva Power, business groups, contractors, labor representatives, and the Delaware Contractors Association, argued the cap would delay needed reliability and capacity projects, hurt economic development, reduce jobs, and interfere with utility planning; they also said supply costs, not distribution spending, are the main driver of recent bill increases. After public comment and additional questioning, the committee voted to release SB 326 on a split roll call, but because several members were absent the bill was also walked for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hansen said the problem she has with that is that by “kids,” they are saying anyone under 21
• , is a very real problem.
• But other than that, I mean, I don't see a big problem with the product except the 7-OH does seem to
• I don't see a big problem with the product except the 70H does seem to have, you know, I've used that
• Unfortunately, purely Pratim has often been blamed for problems caused by synthetic products and bad

Bills: HB305, HB395, HB341

Keywords: hemp, marijuana, THC regulations, cannabis products, adult-use industry, public health, youth protection, child support, reunification, Department of Services for Children, family court, liability

Summary: The committee met in late June with Senators Hansen, Buckson, Siegfried, Townsend, and Huxable present, and first approved the meeting minutes by voice vote. The opening bill, HB 341, would limit DFS from filing child support in foster care cases unless doing so would not hinder reunification; Children’s Department staff said the department has already decided to stop filing in all such cases, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $140,000 annually. Public testimony from the League of Women Voters supported the bill as a compassionate measure to help families reunite. The committee then heard HB 446/related anaphylaxis legislation for colleges and universities, which would allow institutions to stock and use intranasal epinephrine alongside auto-injectors and update training and reporting requirements. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America supported the measure, emphasizing the need for needle-free options and faster treatment of anaphylaxis. The committee also took up HS1 for HB 356 on PFAS, which would ban firefighting foam containing PFAS beginning in 2028, require disclosure if PPE contains PFAS, and address recalls; DNREC and the fire service supported it, saying most departments have already transitioned away from PFAS foam. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 305, a diabetes wellness pilot program that would use continuous glucose monitoring, app-based care coordination, lab testing, and DHIN data analysis to shift care toward prevention and remission. Sponsor Senator Siegfried described the bill as a response to Delaware’s high diabetes costs and prevalence, and the Medical Society of Delaware supported it as a proactive model. The committee also discussed HB 395, which would regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids by classifying products over a THC threshold as marijuana and creating penalties for unlicensed sales; the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner supported the bill, while hemp industry representatives and Senator Hoffner warned it could harm legitimate hemp retailers and access to hemp products. The final item, HS1 for HB 332, would ban sales and marketing of kratom products to those under 21 and direct the state to study testing and regulation of kratom and synthetic variants. Supporters, including the Delaware Healthcare Association and several recovery advocates, said age-gating is a reasonable first step and that synthetic products are the main concern; opponents and some senators argued the bill should go further and fully ban kratom or better distinguish synthetic products from natural leaf kratom. No formal roll-call votes were taken on the substantive bills during the transcript, and the meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , work together to solve problems, many times that's without money.
• We are trying to instigate and fix a problem.
• The problem that we are trying to fix is that in Wyoming, there was not enough...
• So, what we said is we have a chicken-and-egg problem.
• And so, I would, I'm open to understanding why, um, and trying to solve that problem. >> Uh, Mr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's not solely a Massachusetts problem or a government problem or anything else.
• Massachusetts problem or a government problem or anything else.
• This is a broad-based problem, and we would certainly welcome, I think we, along with virtually every
• So you'll see the problem in being able to keep up and, simultaneously, try to catch up.
• Because the first question I would ask someone who's offering me an opinion or a solution to a problem

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on October 17 with members attending in person and virtually. The commission approved the September 15 minutes and then heard a detailed presentation from DCAM Commissioner Adam Bakey on the correctional facilities portfolio, including the age and condition of DOC and sheriff facilities, deferred maintenance, ADA compliance, decarbonization mandates, and how capital funding is allocated. Bakey said the correctional portfolio includes 36 facilities, with average ages over 50 years, and described how older, rapidly built facilities from the tough-on-crime era now face significant maintenance and replacement needs. He also explained the distinction between catch-up deferred maintenance and ongoing keep-up needs, and noted that construction costs and code thresholds have made projects more expensive. Commissioners and sheriffs asked about ADA requirements, aging and overcrowded facilities, hazardous materials, parts availability for obsolete systems, plumbing and health risks, and whether a newer, more modern correctional facility should be considered. Bakey said many projects trigger broader code upgrades, that some dormant facilities remain in the portfolio, and that health-care and correctional construction are among the most expensive building types. He outlined current funding, including annual deferred maintenance allocations for DOC and formula-based five-year commitments for sheriffs, plus a new competitive capital program for larger sheriff projects. He also explained the Designer Selection Board and “house doctor” process used to procure architects and engineers. The commission then shifted to planning its next steps, focusing on public input. Members agreed the next meeting should likely be a public hearing or include public testimony, with possible input from people with lived experience and consideration of facility tours, especially of women’s facilities such as Framingham. Members emphasized the need to define the commission’s scope clearly so testimony stays focused on structural and consolidation issues rather than all correctional policy topics. The meeting ended with plans for the co-chairs to coordinate the public process and a motion to adjourn, which passed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have the problem and you file the bill and it got people’s attention. Yes, sir.
• And it is causing a problem now because it has not been maintained for passengers.
• Yes, that's not a problem. I've been here six years. I know how it goes. Yes, sir.
• Yes, sir, I do not have a problem with deferring the bill.
• Just adding on to Danny and why we don't need another layer to address railroad problems, you have a

Bills: HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HCR53, HCR60, HCR68, HB714, HB762, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB56, SB69, SB115, SB133, SB151, SB170, SB235, SB278, SB330, SB420, SB438, SB449, SB489

Keywords: U.S. Highway 90, US 90, Highway 90, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, DOTD, bridge removal, closed bridges, bridge demolition, transportation funding, federal appropriations, THUD appropriations, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, infrastructure, road reconstruction, evacuation route, hurricane evacuation corridor, New Orleans metro area, Mississippi Gulf Coast, public safety

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 5, and considered a long agenda of mostly transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Among the bills reported favorably were Senate Bill 420, which adds Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission; Senate Bill 69, which updates appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission after redistricting; Senate Bill 40, which expands Louisiana’s move-over/safety protections for emergency and disabled vehicles; and House resolutions from Rep. Dickerson urging DOTD action on Highway 16 widening, turn lanes on Highway 1024, and a roundabout on Highway 1019. The committee also advanced HCR 53 creating a study committee on oversized vehicle permits, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, SB 449 giving the New Orleans Public Belt more procurement flexibility, SB 115 allowing DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA duties to speed project delivery, and SB 489 authorizing third-party verification of vehicle insurance coverage. Members heard testimony on several safety and enforcement measures. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples under CODIS-related criminal provisions; State Police explained it would help law enforcement collect required samples and aid cold cases. SB 48 would create driver’s license reciprocity between Louisiana and Ireland, and SB 235 would clarify payment and liquidated damages rules for public contracts, with contractors and industry representatives saying it would help ensure timely payment to contractors, subs, and suppliers. SB 55 clarified that seat belts must be worn across both the lap and shoulder, and SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement; committee members raised questions about due process, vehicle use, and how the devices would work, but both bills were reported favorably. Several measures drew more extensive debate. HB 762, as amended, would give OMV discretion over referring certain debts to the Office of Debt Recovery or Attorney General, and the amendment passed 14-2 after discussion about relief for drivers who cannot pay. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement received an amendment preserving existing compliant pavement markings, but a separate amendment to exempt Shreveport, Gretna, Livonia, and Westwego from the law failed on a roll call vote. HB 714, as substituted, would have created a railroad commission and required railroads to address blighted or abandoned lines, but after concerns about federal preemption, definition of blight, and whether a new commission was needed, Rep. Phelps moved to defer the bill, and the committee agreed. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief recognition of committee staff and visitors.

Transcript Highlights:

• useful and helpful when the regulator comes in and says, "You're doing X, Y, and Z, and that's a problem
• , doing X, Y, and Z, and that's a problem, doing X, Y, and Z, and that's a problem, and<00:10:01.760
• Problem is when you look at the data that we're using to develop the state health plan, it's there's
• And that's a technology problem, that's a problem that some providers don't want to necessarily share
• I can talk about other stuff, too, but those were the things that jumped out. ...a problem that some

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 24 March, 2026; 11:15 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered nominees to the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering: Tom Elkins, Todd Freeman, and Aaron Washington. Each described their background in the hair industry and expressed support for making licensing and regulation more workable while still protecting health and safety. Members discussed the need for a balance between oversight and burden, with the chair emphasizing that inspectors should educate rather than intimidate. The committee then voted to advise and consent on the nominees, and the motion carried. The committee next took up the reappointment of Jim Perry to the State Board of Health. Perry described his background in state and federal policy, finance, and health-related work, and said his board service had highlighted operational problems in state government, including personnel and procurement bottlenecks, staffing shortages, succession challenges, and the need for better, more consistent data to guide the state health plan and certificate-of-need decisions. He suggested continued budget support for policy and planning staff, more frequent updates to the health plan, and a review of whether prior procurement and personnel reforms went too far. Members asked about his statement of economic interest and discussed the broader need for better health care information and administration. The committee voted to advise and consent on Perry’s reappointment. It then handled a block of nominations to the Board of Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, voting to take them up and to advise and consent. Finally, the committee addressed the nomination of Dr. Anthony to the State Board of Health, noting that the seat had become vacant due to a recent death and voting to return the nomination to the governor as a procedural matter. The meeting concluded with a motion to rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• No problem. Are there any discussion or questions for our guest? Senator from Raleigh.
• Coach Eddie Smolder: No problem. Thanks for having me.
• No problem. Thanks for having me. I got this right.
• And we used to not have that problem. We really didn't have to deal with that.
• So I think today is a big opportunity to try and fix a problem.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disagree with based on your own vast experience and education, do you believe that that creates a problem
• I know that I met with you last week and you never brought up that it was a problem.
• It has been moving for quite a while and you never brought it up that there was a problem with it, and
• And so why is it that we did not hear from you that it was a serious problem for you and you don't have
• Now it's too late so it's a real problem because the House version is different but it's clearly been

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have a problem at all with the superintendent, but I do have a problem with the procedure that
• Now, my problem here is that uh meeting didn't take place.
• Now, my problem here is that uh meeting didn't take place.
• The both of these are my constituents, and so there always is a problem now with some want to do this
• But I have a problem with taking the vote out of their hands.

Bills: HB180

Keywords: education, county superintendent, appointed, elected officials, Conecuh County, local control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are all big problems with behavioral health in rural Oklahoma.
• The other problem that we run into is that there's not housing for these doctors.
• For us, it's a math problem.
• When they come to us, what for us, it's a math problem.
• The problem wasn't there before your predecessor.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Staffing is always a problem with our health care facilities, really across the state, just like it is
• What are some of the— is it staffing that's the problem?
• I just wanted to make sure, because we know that dental can cause a lot of problems with your body if
• But is it, you know, sometimes it's easier to pay the penalty than it is to correct the problem.
• Problem. So are we at that stage where we need to do something more to make sure they do the work?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not so much a problem for me and my community. This is really about rural New Mexico.
• School Board could serve, but don't we still have the same problem with the appearance?
• You know, it's likely not a much of a problem if it's two hours here and there.
• The problem that I have with even taking leave to campaign is I see it as a conflict.
• There's a problem. Sorry, Madam Chair, if I mischaracterized what you.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the problem.
• I think the 100% criteria is the root of the problem.
• That's the problem with inflation; it depreciates the value of the dollars that you're saving.
• We have a real problem here, and I understand.
• There's no problem with that as long as each of those arrangements meets the requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will not solve the problem, but it does seek to address one of the biggest bottlenecks that we have
• You know, you hear about Mexico having to pay debt to Texas to South Texas farmers, except the problem
• Uh, help reduce the loss of topsoil, which is a worldwide problem in agriculture.
• So look at a solution looking for a problem.
• There is a lot of a lot of this agricultural problems from drought to overuse of chemicals to overuse

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, which makes significant changes to the school funding statutes to address four problems.
• Well, for him, that created all kinds of problems, but the biggest problem for him was he had committed
• And the problem there is by using two different times, we lose people between.
• What is the problem that's being solved by increasing the number of payments to 10 times per year?
• We're now seeing that runway, and we're now solving these problems. And so I'm thankful.

Summary: The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, well, that's the problem I have, Mr. Speaker, gentlelady.
• Speaker and gentlelady... we can fix these problems.
• so that we can continue to point to the problems, so we can spend more money supposedly to fix the problems
• five million dollars is going to fix the problem.
• I too sit on Appropriations and had some problems with this bill.