Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the bills were watered down to the point that they really did not do what was proposed.
• We have to do something to regulate the insurance industry, period. As Rep.
• Let me have a little water up in.
• The Code of Federal Regulations was crafted in 2019, and six countries are identified.
• The Code of Federal Regulations was crafted in 2019, and six countries are identified.

Bills: HB37, HB51, HB173, HB180, HB192, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB485, HB516, HB521, HB526, HB638, HB752, HB817, HB976, HB1006, HB1044

Keywords: HB37, expropriation, eminent domain, property rights, foreign entity, foreign corporation, limited liability company, LLC, reciprocal expropriation agreement, Louisiana property law, land acquisition, utility infrastructure, public utilities, railroad, waterworks, sewerage, natural gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, carbon dioxide pipeline

Transcript Highlights:

• Unstable embankments, rapidly rising water, and flash flood conditions create life-threatening drowning
• 04:02.879><c> rising</c> Unstable embankments, rapidly rising Unstable embankments, rapidly rising water
• However, we have broad policing power to regulate what happens in our state.
• </c> regulate the federal government. regulate the federal government.
• </c><00:30:48.320><c> a</c> regulate what happens in our state. a regulate what happens in our state.

Bills: SB2363, SB2054, SB2057, SB2377, SB3322

Keywords: public lands, county authority, public health, safety regulations, cultural preservation, public safety, Hawaii National Guard, military deployment, governor authority, federal assistance, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2033 on renewable energy, focused on rooftop solar and grid-ready homes. Members discussed amendments intended to clarify retrofit provisions for new homes, cost-sharing requirements for interconnecting customers, compliance with relevant safety standards or certifications, and a date change. The chair recommended passage with amendments, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The joint committees then heard Senate Bill 2363 on county authority over access to encumbered properties such as streams. The City and County of Honolulu, along with the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, testified in support, saying the bill would help protect public safety, reduce flood risk, and prevent illicit activity. A Libertarian Party representative opposed the measure, arguing the problem stemmed from mismanagement and that the bill granted overly broad new powers. No action was taken during the hearing. The committees also heard Senate Bill 2054 and Senate Bill 2057, both relating to public safety and immigration-related state authority. Testimony on SB 2054 largely supported limiting state resources for federal or out-of-state deployments when the governor objects, with the Hawaii National Guard raising concerns about unclear obligations for service members and the distinction between Title 10 and Title 32 authority. On SB 2057, supporters including ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Legal Clinic said the bill would curb cooperation with ICE, protect constitutional rights, and preserve trust in immigrant communities; one witness also noted the rapid growth of 287(g) agreements nationwide. The committee then moved on to SB 2377 on property damage to critical infrastructure, where Charter Communications and Hawaiian Telecom supported the bill and asked for clarification to include broadband and telecommunications, while the Public Defender questioned whether the higher penalty was justified. Finally, the committee began SB 3322 on law enforcement, with testimony emphasizing clearer separation between local police and federal agents, limits on immigration enforcement cooperation, and protections for community trust; the hearing continued with additional testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Water comes from rain.
• Water comes from rain.
• Water comes from rain.
• Kōloa water for life, that's our vision for the Board of Water Supply.
• </c> back or water supply we're a water back or water supply we're a water utility<01:10:44.080><c> we

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:

• President, and promote clean water. Mr.
• </c> cannot be trusted to regulate cannot be trusted to regulate themselves.<02:13:58.000><c> And</c>
• </c><02:27:17.120><c> media</c> We need to regulate social media We need to regulate social media companies
• </c> regulate themselves. regulate themselves.
• </c><02:56:12.800><c> out</c> can drown if you fall in the water out can drown if you fall in the water

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resulting lifelong health effects in that region, but also recall about 15 years ago lead in Flint water
• Having worked with child care regulation, which is entrusted to the department in other contexts, this
• Larson: Having worked with child care regulation, which is entrusted to the department in other contexts
• Any incorporation by reference here does not add any requirement on any individual who's regulated by
• Representative Van de Water, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just for clarification, when...

Summary: The committee reviewed several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare rule dockets under zero-based rule review. For the Idaho Reportable Disease Rules, department staff said the revisions mainly reduce duplication and shorten the chapter, while adding viral hemorrhagic fevers and lowering the lead-poisoning reporting threshold from 5 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Members questioned whether stricken language on records access, daycare restrictions, inspection authority, and reporting duties changed policy; staff and the state epidemiologist said the edits were mostly consolidations or removals of language already covered by statute or federal law, and that no substantive reporting requirements were intended to change. Concerns were also raised about limited time to review the large docket, public notice, and trust in the department’s explanations. The committee approved the radiation control rules, which were described as being reduced by about 70 percent, with incorporation by reference removed and a new requirement that out-of-state licensees register within 30 days. It also approved the docket on use and disclosure of department records, which staff said simply removes repeated references to the Idaho Public Records Act, HIPAA, and other governing authorities without changing what records are protected. The reportable disease docket drew the most discussion; after debate over whether the rule changes were merely cosmetic and how statutory changes affect rules, a substitute motion to hold the docket for one week was adopted on a 5-9 roll call vote, with the docket set for reconsideration on February 3. Later in the meeting, the committee received Your Health Idaho’s annual report. Executive Director Pat Kelly said the exchange remained financially self-sustaining, had no state funding, and continued to post record enrollment, with more than 144,000 Idahoans selecting plans during open enrollment 2026. He said most enrollees receive tax credits, but the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits drove affordability concerns, increased disenrollment, and shifted many consumers into lower-cost bronze plans. Members asked about plan changes, enrollment math, assessment fee revenue, and the effect of premium increases versus the loss of enhanced subsidies. Kelly said the exchange’s net premium increases were driven mostly by the subsidy expiration, and the committee adjourned after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some other minor changes, public posting of the rules and the regulations that are adopted
• The board shall post on its website copies of the compact with its laws, rules, and regulations.
• and... ...we're not going to say this is New Mexico's way and we're going to do it come hell or high water
• But I recommend that a discussion we had with regulation and licensing because that's pretty significant
• But I recommend that a discussion we had with regulation and licensing because that's pretty significant

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions, Senator Waters?
• Any questions, Senator Waters?
• Any questions, Senator Waters?
• Senator Waters. Thank you, Mr. Right. Senator Waters. Thank you, Mr.
• </c> Waters, thank you for bringing up J2825. Waters, thank you for bringing up J2825.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness responds that the land has good soil and good water and is former pineapple land.
• DBEDT may not be the best agency to be regulated by for this operation in our state.
• ><c> and</c> regulation regulating the operation and regulation regulating the operation and increasing
• </c> economic development agency to regulate economic development agency to regulate and<00:54:51.119
• </c> may not be the best to be regulated may not be the best to be regulated an<00:54:57.280><c> agency

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wyoming's water is valuable. So there is a higher premium on water-based stock. >> Any others?
• Wyoming's water is valuable. So there is a higher premium on water-based stock.
• Wyoming's water is valuable.
• the water cycle.
• Complete a study on water use of water permanently removed from the water cycle, and it does include

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:36:00.240><c> educies</c> me, regulated educies me, regulated educies is<02:36:02.319><c> what
• Waters relative to one day liquor Waters relative to one day liquor license<03:02:41.279><c> requirements
• Um because as I said, it's under waters. We'll exceed. Likewise. All right. All right.
• Um because as I said, it's under waters. We'll exceed. Likewise. All right. All right.
• It's under waters. We'll All right. It's under waters. We'll exceed.<03:07:56.240><c> Likewise.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference spent most of its time on Senate Bill 96, which deals with educator conduct and when information may be withheld from parents. The main dispute was over the House-amended language on violations and the “compelling state interest” standard. The Senate sponsor objected to extending penalties to third-party medical or mental health contractors and to language suggesting psychological or emotional injury to a child would not constitute a compelling state interest. The House side argued its draft was intended to keep the bill focused on credentialed educators and administrators, to include parents or guardians, and to avoid creating competing standards by relying on existing abuse definitions in statute. The House also added a requirement that any withholding of information be documented and reported to the school board in nonpublic session, and both sides discussed whether educators, administrators, nurses, and guidance counselors would be covered under the statutory definition of educator. The discussion also covered enforcement and penalties. The House draft proposed that an educator found to have willfully violated the law could have a credential suspended for a first offense and would face a minimum one-year suspension for multiple offenses, while the Senate raised concerns that this was too rigid and did not allow enough discretion or address revocation. The House later explained that the department would still have discretion on first offenses and that the one-year rule applied only to multiple offenses. Another point of disagreement was a three-year statute of limitations for investigations, which the House said was meant to prevent “witch hunts,” while the Senate noted New Hampshire’s constitutional prohibition on retroactive laws. After caucusing, the Senate rejected the House amendment, and the House then voted non-concur; the committee of conference adjourned without agreement. The transcript then moved to Senate Bill 87, concerning one-day liquor license requirements and allowing salons and barber shops to obtain on-premise licenses. The members discussed a House amendment that would allow two drinks instead of one, with supporters saying the change reflected the longer time customers may spend in salons and that alcohol service would still be covered by existing training requirements, including the EDGE course. Opponents worried that allowing multiple drinks would create over-serving and enforcement problems and could complicate business practices. After discussion, the Senate member agreed to go along with the House position, and the bill was reported ready for final sign-off.

Transcript Highlights:

• And water projects—I spent 17 years of my life on something called the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project
• We're so water short here in New Mexico, it's unreal. And so this summer has been no different.
• Literally no water.
• The federal government is coming back to pre-COVID 2020 regulations, right?
• And then just to tag onto that is the Gallup water line.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re going to move on to the Office of Financial Regulation.
• We’re going to now hear from the Office of Insurance Regulation.
• So the Department of Business, Professional Regulation, licenses and regulates over 1.6 million businesses
• water and wastewater utilities, those that ask them to do so.
• water and wastewater utilities, those that ask them to do so.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• water safety standards.
• losses, and water quality issues.
• To address the needs of the community, It is proposed to evaluate the water storage components, water
• supply, water treatment, water main distribution looping, and highlight any additional needs.
• water line.

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Waters putting this together.
• Waters putting this appreciate Mr.
• Waters putting this together.<00:47:31.359><c> Jim</c><00:47:31.520><c> Waters</c><00:47:31.920><c> is
• and the amount of can't handle the water and the amount of water<01:13:44.800><c> that</c><01:13:44.960
• </c> water that they're putting through them. water that they're putting through them. and<01:13:46.640

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:15 Roll Call 00:00:45 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:33 Adjournment 01:17:15, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year. KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years. The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Russell Isaacs from Turpin, for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and in 2013.
• I am honored to present Russell for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
• I am honored to present Russell for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
• He's going to bring a wealth of knowledge when it comes to water issues for that seat.
• What do you foresee in water conservation and renewables like solar, wind?

Bills: HB3183, HB4316, HB4484, HB3469, HB3464, HB3173, HB3989

Keywords: electric utilities, grid congestion, transmission technology, advanced power flow controllers, dynamic line rating, energy efficiency, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management, state vehicles, state-owned vehicles, state-leased vehicles, motor vehicle use, commuting use, personal use, fleet management, Corporation Commission, field inspectors

Summary: The committee first considered the nomination of Russell Isaacs to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Isaacs described his farming background and experience with cotton, corn, sorghum, and wheat, and said he regularly tests conservation technologies on his farm. Senators discussed his water-conservation experience and the value he could bring to the board. The nomination received 10 ayes and 0 nays and was advanced to the full Senate floor. Members then took up House Bill 3183, dealing with smart transmission technology and electric grid efficiency. Senator Murdoch explained that the bill had been difficult to negotiate and that the enacting clause was stricken so work could continue on a committee substitute. He said the technology would allow existing transmission towers to carry lighter, more efficient lines, reduce wildfire risk, and potentially lower long-term rates by easing congestion. Senators asked about costs, who pays, and whether ratepayers or large load users would bear the burden; an amendment changed language from “customer funded” to “large load user funded.” The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 7 ayes to 3 nays. The committee also advanced several nominations and bills related to environmental and energy policy. Steve Mason was confirmed to the Environmental Quality Board by an 8-0 vote. House Bill 4316, which removes an old deadline that prevented nonprofit corporations from converting into water districts and accessing grant funding, passed 8-0. House Bill 4484, allowing discretionary use of state-owned or state-leased vehicles between employees’ homes and workplaces to save mileage costs, passed 9-0. House Bill 3464 created a statewide framework for energy storage and solar facilities; a motion to table an amendment failed, and the bill passed 10-0 after debate over landowner protections, decommissioning, fire safety, and dual-use agricultural concerns. The committee then passed House Bill 3173, the Well-Repurposing Act, 10-0, to allow orphaned and abandoned wells to be repurposed for geothermal and energy storage uses, with discussion about surface-owner rights and possible tweaks to the geothermal temperature definition. House Bill 3469, a measure easing surety requirements for smaller producers by allowing a stair-stepped compliance schedule, passed 9-0. Finally, House Bill 3989 was amended for drafting corrections and then passed 9-0; it relates to the one-megawatt load standard and uses actual load over a two-year period rather than plate load. The chair ended the meeting by thanking members and staff and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or promulgate tariffs, rates, joint rates, tolls, or schedules for any municipal power system or water
• For projects that were constructing a water or sewer project and the total cost is less than $10 million
• facilities allocated to West Virginia load-serving entities that provide service to West Virginia regulated

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met and took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012. Counsel explained that the bill shortens several Public Service Commission timelines for certificates of public convenience and necessity, including deadlines for final decisions and final submissions, with different timeframes for smaller water/sewer projects and very large projects. The bill also requires applications to justify the need for a facility, including consideration of alternatives such as advanced transmission technologies, and adds requirements for electric transmission lines of 200 kV or greater, including a showing that costs are commensurate with benefits to West Virginia ratepayers and commitments to provide off-take facilities when requested. Comparable changes were also described for siting certificates, including a reduced decision timeline. After questions and no amendments, the vice chair moved to report the bill to the full Senate without recommendation as to passage, but with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Energy, Industry and Mining Committee. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have some tea and water. Would you like sweet tea or water? Good. Thank you. Hello, dear.
• It would be found in their related city ordinances or their local regulations.

Bills: HB393, HB497

Keywords: entertainment district, alcohol consumption, local governance, city council, public spaces, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for new responsibilities, including responsibility for us, the legislature, to make sure that we regulate
• This legislation returns the licensing to professional regulators over at the Division of Insurance.
• Again, it's the water balloon: we're going to poke at one side, but, you know, in terms of what we call
• Like location services is a key piece of telematics use, but if we start to, you know, regulate or over-regulate
• or over-regulate the use of location that You know, regulate or overregulate the use of location services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of auto insurance and vehicle-related bills. Testimony focused heavily on autonomous vehicle regulation, auto insurance rating by ZIP code, rental car liability coverage, and surcharge thresholds for minor accidents. Representative Polito supported a bill to regulate autonomous vehicle testing and deployment, arguing for school-zone restrictions, slower speeds, a remote kill switch, and minimum insurance requirements to protect the public. Representative Mendez and Senator Payano testified for legislation to reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities in auto insurance pricing by limiting the weight insurers may place on territorial loss costs, while the Mass Insurance Federation and Consumer Federation of America offered opposing and supporting views, respectively, on the fairness and actuarial impact of geographic rating. The committee also heard support for a bill to remove inspection-sticker violations from license-point calculations, and for a bill to raise the damage threshold for insurance surcharges and minor/major accident classifications. A substantial portion of the hearing addressed House Bill 1301 on rental car liability. Enterprise Mobility, the American Car Rental Association, and a small Massachusetts rental company supported the bill, saying personal auto insurers should be primary when their insureds drive rental cars, that Massachusetts is an outlier compared with most other states, and that the change would reduce costs and simplify claims handling. The Mass Insurance Federation opposed the bill, arguing that current Massachusetts law already clearly makes the vehicle owner’s policy primary and that shifting liability would raise costs for private-passenger policyholders. Committee members asked detailed questions about how rental coverage works, whether premiums or rental rates would change, and how other states handle the issue. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to adjust surcharge rules for at-fault accidents, with sponsors arguing that repair costs and vehicle values have risen sharply and that the current thresholds are outdated. Members discussed how the point system affects drivers, whether the proposal should apply cumulatively or per incident, and how Carfax and out-of-pocket repairs factor into consumer costs. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted written testimony could still be submitted and, during a brief personal privilege, recorded support for two underinsurance bills, H. 1109 and S. 748. The committee then moved and seconded a motion to adjourn, and the hearing ended without any votes on the bills themselves.

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, the Department of Labor and Industries regulates factory-assembled structures, which
• The Department of Labor and Industries regulates factory-assembled structures, which include manufactured
• Construction work is planned and inspected in stages, fairly easily regulated.
• So you're just going to have to go without hot water until tomorrow. It doesn't work that way.
• Regulate them, daylight them, bring them under the same regulatory structure.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee held public hearings and later executive action on several bills. Senate Bill 6158, by request of L&I, would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules to incorporate International Code Council standards and allow qualified third-party inspectors approved by L&I; the sponsor said it would make modular housing inspections more efficient and cost-effective, and L&I supported it with a requested technical amendment and no fiscal impact. Senate Bill 6197 would separate plumbing discipline standards for residential and nonresidential work, allowing suspension after five infractions in five years for nonresidential violations while keeping the current three-in-36-month standard for residential work; supporters from mechanical contractors, union plumbers, and a plumbing advisory board member said it would curb unlicensed work and unsafe practices, while opponents from contractor groups and some plumbing businesses argued it was too punitive, did not adequately distinguish commercial service from construction, and should be refined. L&I said it needed time to implement and asked for a later effective date. During executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute and advanced Senate Bill 5437, which voids noncompetition covenants, with a delayed effective date and other conforming changes; some Republicans opposed it as too broad. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 6117, which would extend PERC jurisdiction and state collective-bargaining protections if federal labor law no longer applies, after rejecting an amendment that would have narrowed coverage further. Senate Bill 5852, dealing with immigrant worker protections during federal I-9 inspections, advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the private right of action. Senate Bill 5847, on workers’ compensation medical care and treatment access, advanced with an amendment removing penalty provisions and another adding claims manager positions; the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Senate Bills 6067 and 6136 also advanced, the former changing workers’ compensation health benefit calculations and the latter requiring L&I to publish actuarially indicated industrial insurance rates. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6302, which would address misclassification in finishing trades on public works by limiting contractors and subcontractors to no more than two independent contractors on covered finishing work such as drywall, flooring, tile, painting, and glazier work, with violators treated as employees for prevailing wage and workers’ compensation purposes. Supporters from building trades and pipefitters said the bill would reduce misclassification, protect workers, and level the playing field; opponents from general contractors and contractor associations said it would effectively ban legitimate independent contractors, reduce flexibility on public projects, and hurt small businesses. L&I said it had clarifying questions about how the cap would apply and asked for more specificity.

Transcript Highlights:

• That produce the majority of the fish that gets stocked into public waters.
• This year and next year, we're focusing on Cherokee Wildlife Management Area, which has a low water crossing
• The Cherokee low water crossing, which I mentioned earlier, will be completed next year.
• These are smaller communities with smaller bodies of water inside cities or communities that have an
• about the funding, which is very attractive at a 9 to 1 match, but there are some federal rules, regulations

Keywords: 914, all