Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, actually, that word being defined, does this amendment prohibit then a member from using a second
• </c><00:39:44.000><c> it,</c> limit, but um so it doesn't prohibit it, limit, but um so it doesn't prohibit
• But, you know, even if it were, again, as I said, it wouldn't prohibit it.
• It would just wouldn't prohibit it.
• It still prohibits stuff, but we're not creating a misdemeanor. >> Chair Freiberg. >> Uh, thank you,

Bills: HF3884 , HF3881 , HF3882 , HF3883 , HF3363 , HF3362

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that prohibit that prohibit backfeeding<00:46:15.160><c> devices</c><00:46:15.840><c> other</c><
• Is there anything prohibiting the use of these currently with Black Hills, and then I'll ask the same
• What would prohibit it?
• Is there anything prohibiting the use of these currently with Black Hills, and then I'll ask the same
• What would prohibit it?

Bills: SF0095 , SF0107 , SF0112

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, they pretty well cover the absolute prohibition. Yes, in the other states. Yes, it has.
• That could present some types of loopholes if your intent is to prohibit the products totally.
• </c><00:35:34.000><c> um</c> to prohibit the the products totally. um to prohibit the the products totally
• , it would be simpler from prohibition, it would be simpler from our<00:36:38.000><c> standpoint</c><
• And so, from our standpoint, uh, if we're going to provide a prohibition, all of it that's available

Bills: SF0050 , SF0068 , SF0084 , HB0087 , HB0029 , HB0061 , HB0090

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• the use of masks or disguises prohibits the use of masks or disguises except<00:15:11.640><c> for</c
• I do have questions for law enforcement, if you don't mind. one only prohibits the use of extreme one
• only prohibits the use of extreme masking,<00:18:07.920><c> but</c><00:18:08.080><c> does</c><00:18:
• Our policy prohibits mask use for anything except for those aforementioned covert operations such as
• ><c> refunds,</c> This prohibits claims for refunds, This prohibits claims for refunds, reimbursements

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard. SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments. SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ultimately prohibited. ultimately prohibited.
• of price or wage setting prohibition of price or wage setting algorithm<02:22:20.479><c> will</c><02
• </c><02:30:59.439><c> when</c><02:30:59.680><c> it's</c> pricing is only prohibited when it's pricing
• </c><02:32:40.640><c> to</c><02:32:40.880><c> protected</c> by tying the prohibition to protected by
• ><c> for</c><03:25:06.479><c> general</c> elected offices prohibited for general elected offices prohibited

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:28:20.120><c> doesn't</c> because we know that prohibition doesn't because we know that prohibition
• </c><01:45:48.920><c> person</c> crime and became a prohibited person crime and became a prohibited person
• </c> prohibited person get expunged also? prohibited person get expunged also?
• Uh, complete background information helps prevent prohibited individuals from Prevent prohibited individuals
• :59.120><c> including</c> dismissal, hiring prohibited, including dismissal, hiring prohibited, including

Transcript Highlights:

• The original one was a divestment, so I had to tone it back to a prohibition of investment.
• It prohibits encouraging and assisting them to live.
• It prohibits encouraging and assisting them to live in the state and providing them with housing, financial

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• made by licensed medical doctors or health care professionals, and that retroactive denials are prohibited
• Great lady who's run this, but under Washington State law, the port districts are prohibited from enrolling
• It would prohibit a contractor or subcontractor from engaging more than two independent contractors to

Summary: The committee first approved several package motions: gubernatorial appointments were advanced to the confirmation calendar, a consent calendar package was advanced to the consent calendar, and a regular calendar package was advanced to the floor calendar. Members noted that many of the packaged measures had been worked in advance and included bills from the Minority Caucus. The committee then advanced a series of individual bills to the floor calendar. These included SB 6086, allowing the Administrative Office of the Courts to use consultants for threat assessments when judicial officers are threatened; SB 5574, requiring instruction in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in social studies curricula; SB 5873, expanding escorted leave and compassionate leave provisions for incarcerated people; SB 5992, creating a youth development fund account for grants to youth programs; SB 5924, expanding pharmacy practice to include limited diagnosing and prescribing; SB 6134, requiring notice to striking workers about possible overpayment issues after retroactive pay; SB 6263, raising school district public bid thresholds; SB 5395, adding guardrails on AI use in prior authorization and requiring medical necessity decisions by licensed professionals; SB 6282, adding behavioral health training to apprenticeship programs; SB 5905, addressing pension enrollment rules for port district employees; SB 5950, adding certain Jewish, Sikh, and Hindu holidays to the list of non-legal state holidays; SB 6074, directing a work group to study reestablishing parole; SB 6226, protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy in choosing telehealth or in-person care; SB 6096, requiring deferred collection systems for utility connection fees in residential construction; SB 5970, making the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizens’ centers permanent; and SB 6269, updating fuel definitions so hydrogen fueling stations can be overseen under weights and measures rules. One bill drew a brief objection: SB 6302, which would limit the number of independent contractors used for the same type of finishing work on public works projects to address misclassification, was supported by its sponsor but opposed by Senator King, who said it would unduly restrict independent contractors. Despite that concern, the motion to advance the bill carried. All other measures discussed were advanced by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2147, landowner; HB 2150, continuation state and land; HB 2151, surface water; HB 2154, abortions prohibition
• ; HB 2167; HB 2027, public news is election; HB 2169, attorney general; HB 2170, state contract prohibition
• ; HB 2171, landlordage prohibition; HB 2172, homeowner association expiration; HB 2175, committee study

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recorded attendance at 56 present, with two absent and two excused. The Speaker announced temporary committee replacements, and the chamber recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. A.J. Batnagar, along with several guest introductions including members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Cocopah tribal representatives, and Israel’s Consul General to the Pacific Southwest, Israel Bashar. The House then moved through second reading of a large slate of bills and measures, including proposals on meetings, child support, landowner issues, water and wildlife management, abortion prohibition, emergency services, education, appropriations, homeowners associations, campaign finance, endangered species, and other subjects. No floor votes on those bills were taken in the transcript; the clerk was directed to record the action and the bills were placed on the House calendar. During personal privilege remarks, Representative Alma Hernandez criticized a lobbyist for allegedly targeting her and her family with campaign-related signs and a website, calling the conduct inappropriate and unprofessional. Members also made announcements that several committees would not meet, while Appropriations was replaced by a special meeting at 2 p.m. The House later recessed briefly, received Senate messages, announced the Rules Committee and caucus meetings for the next day, and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2147, landowner; HB 2150, continuation state and land; HB 2151, surface water; HB 2154, abortions prohibition
• Fish membership; HB 2167, county committee; HB 2169, attorney general; HB 2170, state contract prohibition
• ; HB 2171, landlordage prohibition; HB 2172, homeowners association expiration; HB 2175, sentencing study

Transcript Highlights:

• I THINK WHAT HE'S ASKING IS THERE ANYTHING IN STATUTE PROHIBITING A LIVERY OWNER FROM MANDATING THAT
• BEFORE YOU DO IT I WANT YOU TO TAKE AN EDUCATION COURSE AND THE SENATOR ASKS IS THERE SOMETHING PROHIBITING
• KNOW THERE IS NOTHING PROHIBITING THEM FROM ACQUIRING THAT. IT IS A BUSINESS DECISION FOR THEM.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prohibiting facilities like public elementary schools to be used by shelters for aliens who are not admitted
• A deny is issued only if the individual is clearly prohibited by law.
• </c><01:31:45.280><c> by</c> the individual is clearly prohibited by the individual is clearly prohibited
• </c><01:31:51.600><c> is</c> The proceed response is if no prohibition is confirmed.
• </c> such individual is explicitly prohibited such individual is explicitly prohibited from<01:52:10.719

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 30 would modify a section of law that prohibits deeds, rental agreements, restrictive covenants
• </c><00:16:10.160><c> uh</c> that prohibits uh that prohibits uh deeds,<00:16:11.440><c> rental</c><00
• that currently prohibits those contracts from<00:16:18.800><c> living</c> from living from living uh
• Section 31, running from page R24 to R26, would prohibit a private equity company, as defined in the
• </c><00:59:09.320><c> of</c> single-family ownership prohibition of single-family ownership prohibition

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits discrimination or penalties against students for expressing religious, political, or ideological
• It<00:02:45.920><c> prohibits</c><00:02:46.480><c> discrimination</c><00:02:47.120><c> or</c><00:02:47.440
• ><c> penalties</c> It prohibits discrimination or penalties It prohibits discrimination or penalties
• </c> retain the authority to prohibit retain the authority to prohibit expression<00:47:30.640><c> that
• </c> Schools retain the authority to prohibit Schools retain the authority to prohibit expression<00:

Bills: HB0159

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, would you agree that in 2023 this legislative body decided to put a prohibition on all
• It prohibits PBMs from tying payments to certain contract conditions, prevents them from being forced
• It prohibits PBMs from tying payments to certain contract. and stuff like that.
• It prohibits PBMs from tying payments to certain contract conditions, prevents them from being forced

Bills: SB667 , SB904 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1484 , SB1500 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1555 , SB1561 , SB1562 , SB1565 , SB1572 , SB1644 , SB1749 , SB1833 , SB2007 , SB2044 , SB2074

Committee: House Public Health

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large number of health-related bills, with much of the agenda focused on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation, Medicaid administration, and health-system cleanup measures. Bills passed included HB 1344 on insulin affordability and state support for low-cost biosimilar insulin manufacturing; HB 1380 requiring the Health Care Authority to check death records to disenroll deceased Medicaid recipients; SB 2007 and SB 2074, both PBM-related measures addressing pharmacist reimbursement, dispensing fees, appeals, and penalties; SB 1572 creating a feasibility study on reorganizing the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and temporarily allowing the Health Commissioner to serve in a dual role; and SB 1555 updating the definition of intellectual disability to match the federal definition. Members also approved several bills eliminating or repealing outdated councils and programs, including SB 1423 ending the Hospital Advisory Council, SB 1425 repealing the Health Care Workers and Educators’ Assistance Program and Health Care Workforce Resources Center, and SB 1502 eliminating the Alzheimer Dementia Disclosure Act Advisory Council. Other measures passed included SB 1561 changing EMS discipline to a progressive system, SB 244 and SB 667 making chiropractic language and training cleanup changes, SB 1749 on LP gas inspections for food trailers, SB 1484 requiring more detailed medical information for infant and child death investigations, SB 1562 clarifying hospice patient protections, and SB 1644 creating reporting related to alpha-gal to support possible research funding. The most debated bill was SB 1503, which would expand the Choosing Childbirth Act so nonprofits without an Oklahoma physical address could receive grants to connect women seeking abortions with pregnancy resources. Members questioned whether grant dollars and salaries would stay in Oklahoma, whether reporting and accountability would be sufficient, and whether Oklahoma-based providers could do the work instead. The bill passed 5-2 after the sponsor said he was open to amendments and oversight. SB 1833, codifying a SNAP waiver restricting candy and soft drink purchases, and SB 904, modifying the use of certain state funds and facilities for medical procedures, also drew questions and passed on divided votes. The meeting ended after all listed bills were heard and voted on, with most measures passing unanimously or by wide margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits imposing minimum lot size requirements that would effectively prohibit twin homes or duplexes
• It prohibits requiring more than one off-street parking space per dwelling unit and prohibits imposing

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• But beyond that, this bill prohibits you from even knowing you're paying a fee.
• House Bill 2989, which would have kind of effectively prohibited local jurisdictions from enforcing anti-camping
• Can you ask a question for me about the bill that just got a hearing this morning that would prohibit
• Can you ask a question for me about the bill that just got a hearing this morning that would prohibit

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders opened by criticizing several Democratic-backed measures they said would raise costs for Washington residents, including a utility surcharge in House Bill 2275, expanded producer responsibility for clothing, and a new tire fee in House Bill 2421. They framed the session around affordability concerns and argued that the majority was advancing taxes and fees that would make living and doing business in Washington more expensive. They also said the state should focus on transparency and accountability rather than new charges and restrictions. Much of the question period focused on immigration-related issues and public safety. The leaders condemned recent comments by Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown about events in Minnesota, saying the incidents should be investigated carefully without inflaming tensions. They opposed a Senate bill addressing face coverings for law enforcement and another proposal to fine the Northwest Detention Center if state inspectors are denied access, arguing both were attempts to regulate or pressure federal authorities. They also criticized a bill that would bar certain ICE agents from future law enforcement jobs in Washington, saying it would not improve public safety and would distract from the state’s shortage of officers. The leaders also discussed several other bills and policy ideas. They said a House bill limiting local anti-camping enforcement was delayed and expected back next week, with cities concerned about implementation and liability. They expressed general support for restoring College Bound funding for private universities, but said it should be handled through the budget without new taxes. They backed a bill to increase reporting and accountability for nonprofit and housing-related programs, citing concerns about fraud and misuse of public funds. They also strongly opposed a bill they said would make the initiative process harder, calling it undemocratic and a continued effort to reduce voter influence.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the initial comments that, given that we are a part-time legislature, there shouldn't be a prohibition
• That should be what should be prohibited.
• with the initial comments that given that we are a part-time legislature, there shouldn't be a prohibition
• That should be what should be prohibited.

Summary: The Legislative Ethics Board met to reorganize its agenda, elect officers, approve prior minutes, review employment disclosure forms, consider rule amendments, and discuss a draft annual report. Larry Hoff was nominated and approved as chair, and Lori was nominated and approved as vice chair. The board then approved the December 8 minutes and found no ethics issues with two employment disclosure forms involving Senate and House security employees who are married to each other. Jennifer presented proposed rule changes, described as mostly technical updates, including clarifying that either party may request a continuance for good cause, replacing references to a “complaint” with a “reasonable cause determination,” allowing the board to use an ALJ to hear matters and prepare an initial order, and clarifying discovery authority. The board moved, seconded, and unanimously approved the rule amendments. Members also reviewed a draft annual report and discussed updating biographies and other details. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on a draft advisory opinion about attorney-legislators representing clients in matters against state agencies. Jennifer explained that the draft concluded such representation is not automatically an ethics violation, but cautioned about special privileges, appearances of impropriety, and the need to keep legislative and private legal roles separate. Members debated whether the opinion should be broadened to emphasize that all legislators, regardless of outside employment, must avoid using their office for private advantage. Several members argued the issue is highly fact-specific and that a broad opinion could create unnecessary complexity or special treatment for lawyers. By the end of the discussion, the board appeared to decide not to issue the proposed opinion. The chair also noted a prior advisory opinion on citizen members of the board and reminded members of restrictions on lobbying and related activities. No public testimony was offered, and the board moved toward executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why Senate Bill 73 builds upon SB 851 by prohibiting county registrars from allowing...
• It builds upon SB 851 by prohibiting county registrars from allowing federal agents from inspecting voting
• proposed to the authors, staff, and the committee alternate language that adopts a simpler approach, prohibiting
• proposed to the authors, staff, and the committee, alternate language that adopts a simpler approach prohibiting

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Summary: The committee heard three bills. SB 73, by Senator Cervantes, would bar county registrars from allowing federal agents to inspect voting machines and was presented as a response to alleged federal interference in California elections. Supporters said it would help local governments defend election systems, while Senator Choi opposed it as unnecessary and beyond state authority, arguing federal law already governs access to voting equipment. The bill passed on a 4-1 vote to Appropriations after the call was lifted. SB 401, by Senator Hurtado and presented by Senator Allen, would authorize the Fair Political Practices Commission to extend Form 700 and other economic-interest filing deadlines during declared emergencies. Testimony and committee discussion focused on whether the bill gave the FPPC too much open-ended discretion, with members asking for clearer limits on how long extensions could last and when they would apply. The author and FPPC counsel said they would work on clarifying the language, and the bill passed 5-0 to Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. SB 46, by Senator Umberg, would give the Secretary of State authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential or vice presidential candidates from the California ballot, aimed at preventing a third presidential term. Supporters from CREW and a constitutional law professor argued the measure was constitutional and necessary to enforce the 22nd Amendment, while the Secretary of State’s office raised concerns about creating an investigative role and suggested alternative language or use of an independent special counsel. Members debated whether ballot eligibility determinations should be made at the state or federal level, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. The chair then thanked committee staff and adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why Senate Bill 73 builds upon SB 851 by prohibiting county registrars from allowing federal
• It builds upon SB 851 by prohibiting county registrars from allowing federal agents to inspect voting
• proposed to the authors, staff, and the committee alternate language that adopts a simpler approach prohibiting
• proposed to the authors, staff, and the committee, alternate language that adopts a simpler approach prohibiting

Summary: The committee heard three bills. SB 73 by Senator Cervantes would bar county registrars from allowing federal agents to inspect voting machines, framed by the author as a response to federal interference in California elections. The Secretary of State supported the concept and asked for amendments to clarify procedures for inspection requests. Senator Choi opposed it as unnecessary and beyond state authority, arguing federal subpoena rules already govern such inspections. The bill passed on a 4-1 vote to Appropriations after the call was lifted. SB 401 by Senator Hurtado, presented by Senator Allen, would authorize the FPPC to extend filing deadlines for statements of economic interest during declared emergencies. Testimony from the FPPC said the commission had no formal position but could administer the extensions, while members raised concerns that the bill was too open-ended and lacked a defined extension period. The author and committee members agreed to work on narrowing the language, and the bill passed 5-0 to Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. SB 46 by Senator Umberg would give the Secretary of State authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential or vice presidential candidates from the California ballot, with the author focusing on preventing a third presidential term. Supporters argued the Secretary of State already has a role in enforcing ballot qualifications and that the bill is constitutional. The Secretary of State’s office raised concerns about turning the office into an investigatory body and suggested alternative language limiting the measure to the 22nd Amendment or using an independent special counsel. Members debated whether the state should make such determinations, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. The chair also used the end of the hearing to thank staff and note it was her final hearing as committee chair.